Disney Magic - January 2-9, 2010

[ehagerty]

Bought two tickets ($30/pp) - one for myself, and one for DS21. Somehow, with all the activity (scheduling updates), DS did not show up. I thought about drinking his portions as well, but instead, took them with me to early seating dinner.

Table:

Shawn, describing the wines

Recap of wines served:

1. 2005 Grgich Hills Chardonnay (the producer that won against French judges in blind tasting - apparently there is a movie worth seeing about it - "Bottleshock" - which I have in my shopping cart on Amazon. These are the fun things you learn by participating in activities like this, with people who share interests....). I did not record the details that made this a selection on the sommelier wine list (there seems to be a range online)

2. 2006 Purple Angel - I didn't take notes, but here is an except from google:

Forbes Magazine highlighted the Montes Purple Angel2005 in its recent article "20 Exceptional Wines from South America." They declared that the Montes Purple Angel was "A flat-out steal. Carménère takes a new dimension," claims the label, and does it ever! From its confectionery vanilla icing, plum blossom and violet aroma to its silky, perfectly weighted palate feel and juicy flavors of ripe plum and blackberry, this a genuine aristocrat."

91 Pts. The Wine Spectator "Ripe and plush, with a dense but reserved core of plum and blackberry fruit that will need some cellaring to get past the mocha, coffee and loam notes. Long and dark on the finish, this is well put together. Carmenère and Petit Verdot. Now in its third vintage, and improving. Best from 2009 through 2011. 1500 cases made."
​

We had this bottle in May, at Frederick's (Wonder Palo Sommelier) recommendation. Average google price = $55, Palo = $99 (100% is a normal, fair mark-up - the lower end wines are marked up 200-300%)

3. 2007 Caymus Cabernet "Special Select"

Rated 94
Complex, riveting aromas of spice, cola and sassafras join wild berry, spice, black cherry and sage notes in this full-bodied, intensely flavored, tightly focused and very persistent display of fruit that's long and lingering. Drink now through 2017.

Wine Tasting Notes
Deep, almost purple crimson color. Concentrated aromas of cassis and plum lead to flavors of dark berry fruits, ripe currant and cocoa, framed by a slightly toasty oak. This incredibly rich and full-bodied wine shows well-structured, silky tannins and a long, velvety finish.​

Retail $100-$160

4.Verve Clicquot - again, unsufficient notes to know why this particular bottle was on the sommelier list.....



Now, for the evaluation of the activity:

• Enjoyed? Definitely
• Repeat? Every time
• Recommend? If you are into wine

What, if changed, would make it even better?

• Light / Location - I like Diversions and Session OK, but the light is not good for evaluating the wine color.
• Glasses - The debate goes on as to whether the shape of the glass influences nose and taste. Even if it were scientifically proven to have no bearing, I would prefer to taste sommelier-level wines in the Schott glasses from Palo's - even if it were only for ambiance. Quite honestly, holding up these glasses to the porthole light to check color revealed dish-washer rinse residue - that can't be good for taste or visuals. Nice, polished glasses.....

​

The best location (so far) for a wine tasting that I've experienced is Palo's (light). Just a suggestion. I know they have to set up for dinner, but if there are only a dozen participating, hold it in the special room there.....

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

Really enjoying your review! Especially your descriptions of the tasting events. I've been a little hesitant to try those because I wasn't really sure what they were about, but I think you've convinced me. And thanks for the beautiful pictures - I got a D10 for Christmas and can't wait to use it on our March cruise

 

[Zeebs]

What wonderful photos.

I only started reading this trip report because I saw it was you writing it. It was your pics of Californian Grill that made us decide it would be a great place for our adult night out. Oh and it was, especially the sushi.

I look forward to reading more.

Kirsten

 

[Kurby]

i love your tr and LOVE your pics.

can't wait to read more

 

[lmhall2000]

I agree!! I can't get over your pictures! The one of Christian the chef should be on a brochure for Disney cruises!! Just insert 4 of your entrees you've taken pics of and you'll sell hundreds of cruises!!!

Love the scenic pictures, too, you have a good eye for filling the viewfinder!!

Tara

 

[FIREFLY01]

LOVE this TR can't wait for our cruise!!! your picts are awesome!!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

WOW !!! Your photos are absolutely stunning

 

[ehagerty]

... and thank you podsnel for your cruise trip report - which I enjoyed immensely and enticed me to do the spa villa for one last May (I have my picture link around somehwere - will edit it back in later on)


My goal is to complete this picture-trip-report before I leave for London on Saturday. That should not be difficult as we only went on the cruise, and I have many pictures from previous cruises, which I did not take again.

Anyway, with all my wine tasting experience, I actually paid attention to label of what I am drinking with dinner at the moment, here to share with cab-fans (just an informal, google assessment from budbreak.blogspot):

2003 Sorrel Canyon Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.

The foil cap says Windsor. The cork says Windsor. This very drinkable Cabernet is produced by Windsor Vineyards, those people who can put your name on wine to give to clients and the like. It differs in the fact that those old Windsors I have tried... always sucked. This is pretty pretty good.

From my bottle a week later;
Dark color. Out of the gate the wine was a bit awkward, but within in hour it had shown signs of elegance and structure one rarely encounters at this price point. ($8.99)

Mocha, creme de cassis, lush black fruits, tar, coffee, and a very credible tannin level. As it sat in my glass it just got better and better. What a 9 dollar stunner!

Not much info on the web about this one, but give it a try and let me know what you think. I grabbed a case....

postscript;

I can't state this enough; anyone who likes Cabernet should find this wine. I have had it 10 times to date and it just amazes me how a wine like this can still be produced and sold for under $10!! Lush, deep dark fruit. Tasted blind I would place this at about $30-$40. Really. Some friends of mine have tried and have bought cases. People who have some pretty deep cellars I should add.

I get nada for recommending this. But keep this in mind; If my name were Bob, this would be impossible to get.
You owe it to yourself. No?​

I am very fortunate, in that I live fifteen minutes from a very good wine supplier - here is an excerpt:

Founded in 1943, Premier Liquor was purchased by a group headed by Burt Notarius in 1969 and expanded several times until it is now one of the largest wine and liquor stores in the United States. Premier was one of the first stores in New York State to discount liquor, to discount wine, to advertise exact prices and to offer a large selection of imported wines.

Premier’s Burt Notarius was named Retailer of the Year in 1993 by the publishers of The Wine Spectator in a poll of wine and spirits executives, and again in 1999 by the other top industry publication, Beverage Dynamics. Premier changed its name to Prime Wines in 1995 when it became part of the Premier Group.​

I walk into the store and they have a section for "what's new in the 90's" - all wines rating >= 90 - you just walk around and pick out your varietal preference - or, if you are me, your price preference.

Sometimes, I just shop online, then drive the whole fifteen minutes to pick it up, boxed, checked out, and ready for my trunk.

Sometimes, I meander through the "odd bins" - getting - for example - a 2003 Flora Springs Chardonnay for $15/bottle, marked down from $35 (all 4 bottles were great - and consumed quickly). 93 points for $15 - who can resist?

93 POINTS - The Wine Spectator
"Smooth, rich and vibrant, with layers of ripe pear,fig, melon, vanilla and hazelnut, finishing long and lively. Elegant and sophisticated, this ends with a clean, refreshing aftertaste." — J.L.​

Anyway, enough of my wine meandering. My point was - I don't have to be good at wine to be spoiled. This wine store makes is SO easy!!

Check it out - I signed up for a wine tasting there this week - 5 glasses of 1.5 oz each for the following:

We will taste 5 wines displaying the excellent quality of the 2007 vintage from various appellations of the southern Rhone. What factors create a great vintage? Taste some of the best examples while learning about this wine region in southern France.​

Price??? Free!!!!
They do this sort of thing pretty much weekly.

Anyway, back to the cruise....

Tonight, we had the Conundrum wine. We've had it before at California Grill (it probably goes without saying that all of Disney shares the same wine supplier). After a few nights of earthy reds - and just coming from the sommelier wine tasting, this was a little sweet for me - but still, pleasant.

Crab Gratinee - appetizer

Seared Ahi Tuna

Rib-eye with jerk spices

Lemon Meringue pie

Mickey ice cream bar bliss

Lamb

.

 

[ehagerty]

Ice Sculpture and seafood table

Had (among other things), crab legs (cold; sweet, not salty), stone crab claws, smoked salmon and trout, big shrimp, shrimp shooters, caviar, salmon mousse, etc.




Breads

Antipasto

Olives, peppers, meats, etc. (No calories wasted here....)




Display of omelettes and pancakes - so that you can get a preview before you order

Various pouched eggs - benedict, julia, florentine, etc.

Personal pizza, thin crust, wide variety

Pastries

The "new" stollen (left) and the "original" stollen (right)

Croissants, petite pain au chocolat, cinnamon roles, sticky pecan role, fresh whipped cream, fresh berries......

Cheeses

 

[ehagerty]

Petit Fours

Normally, I avoid petit fours - too many mediocre ones growing up. But I did try the far left (coffee mousse?) and second in the from right (opera cake - coffee cream) and both were worthy of their calories.




Creme Brulee - without the crust, with fruit

Tiramisu

Close up of the sugar sculptures

 

[ehagerty]

Our table - in modest disarray, but reminded me of some details, like the complimentary champagne AND the fact that, if you have dark pants on, the place a dark napkin on your lap. If light pants, you get a white napkin - so that any lint that might come off does not contrast with your clothes....

My plate - (clockwise) caviar, stone crab claw, crab leg, scallop, smoked whitefish, bresceola

DH dish

Chilled strawberry soup

Hot mushroom soup

Fruit pizza

Pancake (I ordered just one - delicious - fluffy pancake, real whipped cream, raspberry, rum-raisin sauce)

Something-parmesan (veal?)

Tiramisu

Creme Brulee

Trifle

Opera Cake

Chocolate Pot

.

 

[ehagerty]

Piano, at the entrance

The ever photogenic Chef Christian, and the I-could-care-less-what-I-look-like-me

Igor, our really great server for both dinners and brunch (on the right)...

Palo's Manager, Peitro - at his post!!

Taking a picture from the deck outside Palo, into the reflecting window

.

 

[ehagerty]

.... we noticed the impact of the ship's movement on the adult pool - noticed the wave action against the upper ladder....

.... but it was sunny and warm

... and the family pool was always full ....

... not a great shot, but included here because it provides a real sense of "place"

Still to come - a couple more dinners (one at Palo) and Castaway Cay

.

 

[jessrose18]

enjoying the report signing on

 

[lvstitch]

Great report and pictures...thanks for sharing

 

[croppincolburn]

Enjoying your tip report. Thanks! Hope our weather is as good next Jan when we sail.

 

[ehagerty]

On this trip, DS21 went parasailing. The rest of us have done it. Rather than post "like as" shots to what has already been posted, I refer you to these thread links:

Parasailing on Castaway Cay - Shot with Canon D10 - May 29 10:30 am


Parasailing - DVC Member Cruise, 2009

Unfortunately, DS21 is not familiar enough with the D10 to know that he had to change the setting from "underwater" (St Thomas, day before) to AUTO, hence some of the shots have a greenish-cast.


Shot of a tandem

Taking off

Lifting

Higher

Looking straight down

Full out

You can get some unique shots from this vantage

DS21 chose a "full dunk" on return, slight miscalculation turned into "full dunk with collapse of parasail. He loved it.

Flying Dutchman

.

 

[ehagerty]

Slightly out of chronological sequence, but while I am here.....

Once back on board from out idyllic day at CC, we headed for a location I've really come to appreciate and frequent - the adult pool...

Guest visit to the hot tub

Hard to believe I was "too busy" the first 5-6 cruises to even bother with the pool - or gym. Now I use both regularly....

.

 

[ehagerty]

Photo Ops everywhere, starting with the view from the ship.

Waiting for the initial wave of people to dismebark

Waiting at the parasail dock

Always something beautiful to look at along the way

Checking in for jet skiing

Instructions for the jet skis

All aboard

Following the leader

Returning to land

Flowers

.

 

[ehagerty]

Stopped for lunch at Serenity Bay

Stood in the water. It wasn't cold, but no one was actually swimming, either.

Collected shells

View of former teen beach, currently under renovation...

With the new slides

A brief pause in paradise

Views from the bar

DS 19 kicking the soccer ball in passing

Lead guitarist from "Soul Drive," chatting with DS21 and giving him a pick

A favorite spots - no longer a "hidden," but still a gem - quite populated today!! The hammock beach behind the snorkel shack.

The view from the hammock (borrowed for a few minutes to take pictures, then returned to the "owner" who has a towel on it...)

Last shot from the walk back

.