The lane leading to the ceremony site
The altar arrives by pickup truck
So much to remember!
Teasing Nick
Country couple
Granny Klessen's driveway view!
Nicki and Kelli on the bridge to the reception site
Joe and Christin-so cute!
A variety of "decorations" came with the property :D
Pinterest pals would be so envious!
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| Gotta love this!! |
Always something to do before the place is ready for guests
Love!
THE VIEW
Nick and Nick invited their parents to join them at Montana Jacks that evening--it was such fun to get some time alone with all 6 of us before everything really started to rock n' roll. They had tasted oils and vinegars at a specialty shop and bought us each some as a gift--we had fun doing our own tasting of truffle oils and champagne vinegars. Montana Jacks was really wonderful--the chef sent out tiny cantaloupe in champagne with a sliver of basil---who expects an amuse buoche in the middle of Montana? Great things followed, including a Cabernet blend by Red Rock Winery that we all loved! I bought some of it later to thank the Lynde and Kane families for all their hard work preparing the "countryside" for a wedding--including clearing brush, leveling the grounds, trimming trees and disposing of a junk pile (well except the stuff Nicki needed!)
2009 Red Rock Winery Winemaker’s Blend
I think wine blends are very interesting. I enjoy trying them, because I’m never sure what it will be like. If I get a Zinfandel or a Chardonnay or a Syrah, I know basically what the wine will be like, as each grape variety has certain characteristics that almost always come through in the wine. With a blend, however, it’s more of a mystery. Sometimes the grape varieties used are listed on the bottle, and that gives some clues. Other times, it just says it is a blend. Even when I know what varieties are used, I don’t know how the winemaker combined them and what flavors of each grape will be prominent.
I also think the wine blends are the wines where the winemaker can best express himself or herself. No longer restricted to the expectations of a varietal wine, the winemaker can choose from a wide palette of grapes to make the wine that he (or she) wants to make.
For tonight, I decided on the Winemaker’s Blend from Red Rock Winery. This wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah.
There’s some fruit on the nose, but there’s also some chocolate. I don’t think I’ve ever smelled chocolate in a wine before. Sure, I’ve tasted it, but this is the first I’ve noticed it on the nose.
The fruit is very jammy. Strawberry jam, I think. Strawberries and chocolate. Not a bad combination. Wait … I think there’s a bit of cherry in there too. It’s starting to sound like ice cream topping now.
I get the same strawberry jam on the palate. There’s cherry, too. It’s like maraschino cherries. It finishes with some vanilla, chocolate, and a hint of cream. (This is definitely sounding like an ice cream sundae.)
The wine is very smooth. The acidity and tannins are both very mild, but not so mild that the wine is flat. It’s very easy drinking. I think this would be a good dessert wine.
The residual sugar, as shown on the datasheet from the winery, is 0.75 g / 100 ml. This is what I would consider an off-dry wine. The acidity is also a bit lower than typical dry red wines. This would be a good choice for someone that doesn’t like the very dry, tannic red wines, but doesn’t want an overly sweet wine.
This is a very enjoyable wine. I’ll give this a “Very Good” rating. I paid $11.99 for this wine. At this price, I’d recommend buying this wine, especially if you’re looking for something different than the typical varietal wines. You don’t get flavors like this with just one grape.
On Friday we decorated for the rehearsal dinner at Rock Creek Resort -a beautiful spot on Rock Creek-rushing by at about 20 feet away from the patio to the dining room. Many friends and family stayed at Rock Creek Resort or in nearby cabins and townhomes. It was so much fun-and I overcame a great fear and delivered a toast! I had prepared it in my mind weeks ago--but didn't know if I could stand up and do it--it was a snap--the room felt like an extension of my home and I felt very comfortable--thank goodness because I had a lot to say and was pleased to honor my son with a toast.
"Married" horseshoes we found at an antique shop
The team
Awwww.....
Moved to Maui 4 days later! Christin came up with the pun :D
Very cute!
Toasts and thank you's
Jer
After the dinner, we watched a slideshow Mitch had lovingly and painstakingly prepared for us-of course to the perfect music soundtrack as well. Slideshow
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Family and friends joined us for drinks at 9:00 and we had a great time connecting--hearing stories of what they had done, where they were staying and who has seen a bear--one more night til the wedding!
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