Open That Bottle Night!

Tonight is the Wall Street Journal's annual "Open That Bottle Night". This event, which takes place the last Saturday of February, has become a global happening. I think it's a great idea, one that I've participated in before, and will do so again tonight. The question is, what will I open?

Now, as you may realize, I do not take this kind of decision lightly. I will be putting forth a great deal of thought and consideration into this. What kind of wine do I want to open? Cabernet Sauvignon? Syrah? Zinfandel? Pinot Noir? A blend? What about the geographics? I've got wines from California, Oregon and Washington, as well as French Bordeaux, Italy, Australia, even Argentina. And should it be a wine that has some age, exuding grace and elegance, or something still in its youth, powerful and muscular. Decisions, decisions. I've narrowed it down to three. I think. Here are the candidates:

1997 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy--this is a "Super-Tuscan"; a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 1997 was an incredible vintage, and this one has been lying in my wine cooler for a while...mocking me, I think. Daring me to drink it. Well guess what, Amico Mio...your time may be up!


2002 Phelps, "Insignia", Napa Valley, CA--A California Legend. Before Opus One, Harlan and Screaming Eagle, there was Insignia. This wine is outstanding year in and year out, even in so-called "off" vintages. However this vintage also happened to be the Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year for 2005. Very tempted to pop this one...



2004 Two Hands Shiraz, "Lily's Garden", McLaren Vale, Australia--This is one I've been looking forward to. The reviews for this wine were excellent; 94 points from the Wine Spectator, 95 points from the Wine Advocate. Australian Shiraz is usually a big, monolithic style of wine, one that I have to be in the right mood for. Am I in that mood? Could be..

(Ok, one more)

2001 Harlan Estate, "The Maiden", Oakville, Napa, CA--Back in my LA days, I had a stretch where I was making very good money doing commercials, and the residuals kept showing up in my mailbox. Money for nothing, as the Dire Straits would say. Well, one day I decided I would act like a Hollywood big shot and treated myself to this beauty from their mailing list. Even though this is the "Second Label" from Harlan, it's still a much-sought after trophy wine. The thing is, I like the way it looks lying in my cooler. I suppose I could drink it, then just leave the bottle in there...

I'll let you know what I decide to open...but if you've got something you've been saving, OPEN THAT BOTTLE! Cheers!


"A man cannot make him laugh - but that's no marvel; he drinks no wine."
~WM. SHAKESPEARE, Henry IV Part 2