"The 2005 Queste is a deep red color. The nose opens with a hint of cherry. As the aromas develop I smell vanilla and cola; after about half hour I am enveloped with a bouquet of blueberries.

The wine enters my mouth with a taste of a fragrant wood (almost sandalwoodish), green pepper and grapefruit peel. Then, after a few minutes Queste really opens up and I taste raspberry and blueberry. It finishes with a nice spice taste — cardamon — while cola and vanilla linger on my palate.

Queste will compliment any fruit infused or sauced poultry dish, as well as any earthly dishes with mushroom. But what makes this wine special is the wonderful spice notes. Anything flavored with cardamom, coriander, allspice or ginger — even a mild Indian curry — will work well. Queste will even hold up to the new cuisine meat dishes from Morocco and Turkey, if they are lightly spiced."

                  –Tasted on March 13, 2007
Barbara was one of the founders of the exclusive Sonoma County Chefs’ Tasting group, she has taught in the culinary department at the Santa Rosa Junior College and she has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence twice for her wine lists at her widely acclaimed Fans and newly opened Jellyfish Restaurants. Food critics have loved her — guests at Hom’s tables have included Marvin Shanken, James Laube and Dan Berger.

She is the proprietor of Night Owl Food Company, a prestigious 20 year old catering and consulting company in the heart of Sonoma County wine country. In her spare time she has developed recipes and written articles for over 4-dozen magazines, newspapers and books.
Pinot Noir recipes by Barbara Hom: