Two of my passions are jazz and wine, and at the Hedley Club in San Jose, both are entwined like honeysuckle vines in an English garden. Every other Wednesday, a wildly popular jazz jam is hosted here by Bay Area musicians John Worley and Oscar Pangilinan that draws musicians that vary from conga players to vocalists to yours truly on trumpet.
Located in the historic De Anza hotel, this club is romantic, sophisticated, and trendy; a great place for hearing music that is unique and improvised - never to be repeated - while sipping from the magnificent wine list.
Looking for some "grapey" courage before it was my turn to play last night, I asked bartender and sommelier David to recommend something that was "light" yet enjoyable. He returned with a glass of the 2011 Hahn Pinot Noir, which was simply delightful!
The nose was bursting with wildflower, elderberry and lavender scent - and the forward palate was light without being "watery" like many lesser Pinots on the market. I enjoyed the hint of oak I tasted, and a little research on the wine did indeed show that its cooperage was 33% new French oak and 67% neutral oak. This gave solid structure and some complexity in the mid palate that was pleasing without detracting from the floral bouquet I tasted.
Food Pairings: I suggest this wine as a wonderful compliment to a beautiful vegetable plate with a side of hummus, a shellfish risotto, a bucket of steamed clams, or a skewer of grilled shrimp marinated with lemon and garlic. A simple shrimp scampi would also pair well, as the floral overtones of the wine would compliment the delicate butter flavors. I would go easy on the garlic, otherwise this great wine could be overpowered by it.
Other Pairings: This wine goes with BEBOP JAZZ! Also Disney music, as I drank it last night while listening to the house band play "Someday My Prince Will Come". I would suggest as a great compliment to an afternoon of updating a photo site or album, planning a new flower garden on the computer, or for a picnic near the ocean.
Where to Buy it: I can only find the 2010 outside of the winery - at Bevmo. As a disclaimer, I have not tasted the 2010.
This wine can be enjoyed at the Hedley Club, or from the Hahn Winery in Monterey County.
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