From Greg's Glass

THE LATEST AND GREATEST

2009-11-27T20:17:00.003-06:00

Time flies when you're having fun... and drinking (good) wine. I'm happy to say the last several weeks have been full of both. I've been having fun at Central Market, watching the TCU Horned Frogs bid for a national title, and spending time with my wife and family. And the following wines have played a role.

2004 Cedarville Syrah, El Dorado, CA
~2004 was a stellar vintage for California Syrah, and this wine seems to be hitting it's peak. It is complex, thick and full-bodied with delicious layered flavors blackberry, chocolate, earth and pepper spice. It is velvety smooth and possesses a long finish. The co-fermentation with a touch of Viognier adds elegance and grace to an otherwise powerhouse of a wine. Loved it!

2007 Seghesio Zinfandel, Sonoma, CA
~This is not the first time I've commented on this wine. In fact, it appeared in my very first post. But, I recently and reluctantly finished my last bottle of this beauty. And it was outstanding. It still showed that luscious boysenberry/blueberry fruit, white pepper and juicy tannins I remembered, but it also seemed a bit more refined now; the velvet mouth-feel had turned to silk.

2002 Yalumba, "The Octavius", Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia
~I had heard and read so many incredible reviews of this wine (96 points from the Wine Advocate, for one) that I have been wanting to come up with an excuse to open it. I figured TCU's wine over Utah was as good a reason as any, so that's what I did. And it was an appropriate wine to have... purple and awesome! This was a blockbuster of a wine with tremendous blackberry fruit, chocolate, cassis, with suggestions of game meats. It had huge concentration and extraction, and an absolutely phenomenal finish. This one was a wine to savor.

(Note: "Old Vine" is just that; grapes that have been sourced from older vines. While there is no set age or agreement as to what constitutes "old vine", you can usually count on them being at least 3o years old, although most are likely over 50 years of age. The vines produce smaller yields that lead to more concentrated and intense wines).

2006 Evergreen Vineyards, "HK-1", Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR
~This was one of our Thanksgiving wines, and it was a perfect match for turkey (both white and dark meat) and all the fixings. It showed lovely cherry and cranberry, accompanied by campfire smoke (you know it when you smell it!), cola and wet stone. The balanced acidity went hand and hand with the delicious flavors. I first tasted this wine at the London Wine Fair, and was thrilled when I saw it at Central Market.

Conserve water. Drink wine!

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

LET'S GO BORDEAUX

2009-10-08T20:47:00.002-05:00

"He who aspires to be a serious wine drinker must drink claret."

(“claret” being the British term for red Bordeaux) --- Samuel Johnson

I have to agree with Mr. Johnson's sentiments on Bordeaux. Now don't get me wrong; I enjoy and appreciate wines from all over the world. I love drinking quality wines from California, Washington, Chile and Argentina, Italy, Spain, and other regions of France. But inevitably, my heart (and palate) come back to Bordeaux. There is just something about a good bottle of Bordeaux; it's classy, elegant and stylish... and quite delicious. Fall and Winter are the perfect time to pop open (Bordeaux will NEVER succumb to screw-caps) and enjoy some of these delicious offerings.

2006 Chateau Chantemerle, Medoc ($22.95 @ Central Market)
~This wine showed lovely notes of Cassis, earth and cigar box. The tannins were firm, and the color was deep, indicating good concentration. Balanced acidity led to a lovely finish.

2005 Chateau Haut Nadeau, Bordeaux Superior ($15.95)
~Great value with this wine; it over-delivers for the money. Beautiful dark fruits, with hints of vanilla and graphite. Full-bodied and complex.

2005 Chateau Larrivaux, Haut-Medoc ($22.95)
~Blackberry, stewed tomato and tobacco are evident in this sweet-styled nose. This medium-bodied wine has an impressive fruit structure, combined with a clean yet spicy finish.

2005 Chateau La Croix Chantercaille, St. Emilion ($29.99)
~A beautiful wine from the St. Emilion, this Merlot-driven gem is incredibly enticing. Aromas of raspberry, blackberry and damp earth emanate from the glass, followed by delicious black cherry, dark chocolate and Asian tea flavors. Stunning wine for the money.

2005 Chateau Tour Massac, Margaux ($49.95)
~This wine is the second label for Chateau Boyd-Cantenac (meaning the chateau takes their leftover fruit to produce a wine with a different label). In great vintages (like 2005), these wines can be quite good. Such is the case with the Tour Massac. This wine showed beautiful aromatics, full of raspberry and cassis, along with some wet stone and cedar. But what really stood out was the texture; pure silk and elegance.

Bordeaux produces tantalizing wines that pair incredibly well with food due to their higher acidity. If you haven't tried them, don't hesitate to branch out and sample some of the wines from France's legendary regions.

Viva la France!

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

NEW JOB = NEW WINES!

2009-09-24T20:57:00.003-05:00

It would be irresponsible of me to sell wine to customers without having first tried them myself, so the last couple of weeks I've been "donating" part of my pay to try and sample a fraction of the 2500 wines I'm responsible for helping move. Since there are so many, I'm not going to waste any more time... here we go!

2007 Boudinaud, "Côté Jardin", Côtes du Rhone, France
~A traditional and beautiful blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Plush, ripe, dark berry fruit that is jammy but smooth. There's just the right amount of spice and damp earth to keep this wine balanced without sacrificing character. A fun wine! The price is right, too... $12.95 at Central Market.

2007 Delas Freres, Côtes du Rhone "St. Esprit", France
~Wines from the southern part of the Rhone are usually Grenache-based, but this elixir gets its power from Syrah (75%), with help from Grenache (25%). This gorgeous wine has loads of black fruits, zesty spice... and attitude. It is almost as if the wine is saying, "Yeah, I'm $12, so what?"
A 90 pointer from the Wine Advocate.

2006 Bogle, "The Phantom", California
~A mystical blend of 49% Petite Sirah, 49% Old Vine Zinfandel, and 2% Mourvedre, this wine is a limited, seasonal release. Deep, full-bodied and opulent, with succulent blackberry fruit, licorice, black pepper and black tea. The fruit for this wine was sourced from appellations known for these varietals: Lodi, Clarksberg and Amador. This wine will drink well now, but will get better with a little bottle age. Very impressive, and at $20, an excellent buy.

2008 McManis Family Vineyards, Chardonnay, California
~I've been a big fan of the McManis line-up for quite a while. These are always quality wines that consistently over-deliver, and the 2008 Chardonnay is no exception. This is a full-bodied white, viscous and rich. Pear, ripe apple and white flowers are evident in the bouquet. The flavors confirm the apples, along with vanilla and buttered toast on the finish. If you should see any of the McManis wines, don't hesitate to pick them up! They all retail for under $15, and usually less... $12.98 at Central Market.

2008 Silverlake Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Rattlesnake Hills, Washington
~This wine reminded me of a Cru Bourgeois from Bordeaux; an inexpensive but quality wine. It truly does have a Bordeaux quality; firm tannins, cassis and blackberries, balanced acidity and lively oak. The blend is also in the tradition of Bordeaux, 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot. A wonderful representation of what Washington wines are all about. (Yes, I'm aware that is a lot of "W"s; my wife says it's alliteration).

I'll be reviewing some more wines soon. Hey... it's part of my job.

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

NEW BEGINNINGS

2009-09-10T22:45:00.005-05:00

September is the time when many things begin anew. Besides the start of a new school year, it is also the beginning of a new football season for both college and the NFL (as I'm writing I'm watching the Steelers/Titans game). And in my case, this marks a new beginning for me, as I start a new job!

I've been hired as a Wine/Beer specialist for Central Market; a wonderful gourmet food store in the tradition of the fresh markets in Europe. The change was necessary, but definitely welcome. This company has an excellent reputation for taking care of their employees, something that was sadly lacking in my last position.

My first official shift was Thursday, September 9th, and it started off with a bang! The store was hosting a VIP, invitation only tasting that included some stunning wines. And towards the end of the evening, we got to sample some of these beauties. There were simply too many to list all of the wines that were opened, but here are the highlights.

2007 Querciabella, "Batar", Toscana, Italy
A gorgeous blend of 50% Pinot Blanc and 50% Chardonnay. Supple, ripe and elegent, with flavors of honey, ripe peaches and apricot, voluptious texture, and ample vanilla supplied by toasty oak. I had tasted previous vintages of Batar before, all of which were excellent. The 2007 is as good if not better.

2004 Chateau Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
I've been a huge fan of Cheval Blanc for quite some time (see this previous post), and while this might not be the most prestigious offering from this illustrious chateau, it certainly lives up to it's predecessor's reputation. A blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, this wine showed a velvety texture with loads of blackberry, raspberry and plum, with notes of herb, mint, and damp earth. It is not everyone day one gets to taste a Cheval Blanc, so I made sure to take it all in!

2001 Chateau L'Eglise Clinet, Pomerol, Bordeaux
This was my first opportunity to taste a wine from this chateau, and I must say it was worth the wait. Merlot is the dominant grape (85%), with the remainder coming from Cabernet Franc. The 2001 vintage is often under-appreciated, but one sip from this winner will convince you it is a killer wine; dark fruits (especially prune) are enhanced by sweet oak, with notes of rose petals, licorice and sweet tannins. This is an opulent wine that should only get better with age.

2005 Chateau Le Dome, St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Another new wine for me, this wine is one of those "under the radar" wines not many have had the good fortune of tasting. As it is from the right bank region of St. Emilion, there is a high amount of Cabernet Franc. It was absolutely stupendous, probably my favorite of the tasting. This wine was full-bodied with sweet tannins, combined with ripe, opulent blackberry and boysenberry fruit, savory vanilla and a long, long finish that coated the palatte. This was an exquisite wine that was outsanding now, but will only get better with time.

2005 Angelo Gaja, Costa Russi, Barbaresco, Piedmonte, Italy
The name, "Gaja", is legendary for producing top-flight wines from the northern region of Piedmonte, and this offering certainly did not disappoint. Made from 100% Nebbiolo, this is an elegent and rich wine, balanced and full of flavor. With Barbaresco one expects acidity and flavor to be balanced; as is the case with the 2005 Costa Russi. Notes of dark cherry and cranberry were evident, with hints of tar, violets and licorice. I've always felt Piedmonte wines are an acquired taste, but the pay-off is exponential. Absolutely delicious!

A new job, tasting several new wines...a kick-off to remember!

Unfortunately, Pittsburgh still won. Oh well...can't win em' all.

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

MY NEW TITLE

2009-08-17T17:05:00.004-05:00

It is now official...I am a Sommelier.

I took the introductory course this past weekend, passed the test and have a certificate and lapel pin to prove it. I had been wanting to do this for a while, but somehow the timing never worked out. This particular course was through the Court of Master Sommeliers, which I had read and been told was the way to go. However, the CMS doesn't just offer up classes every week. Quite the opposite in fact, as this was only the second (and last time) the introductory course would be offered this year in the DFW area. So, I was grateful to have learned about it and sign up.

I've been into wine for about twelve years, on a professional as well as personal level, and often wondered how my knowledge stacked up against true sommeliers. The first thing I learned was how much I didn't know. It was a bit humbling and overwhelming, but at the same time, exciting. We had quite a bit of information thrown at us in a two-day period, and we were expected to know it all for the exam. Suffice to say if you had not prepared in the weeks leading up to the course, you were in trouble. And it wasn't just wine; sommeliers are expected to be knowledgeable in beer, spirits, sake and presentation.

Of course, it wasn't all lectures and power point presentations, there were tastings as well. At this level we're not required to pass a blind tasting, but we did practice (a blind tasting is just that; a glass of wine is presented and the taster has to ascertain the country, region, sub-appellation, grape and vintage). This is where experience comes in handy. We were each responsible for drawing final conclusions for two different wines. The first one was fairly easy, at least for me. The wine was a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlboro County, New Zealand. These wines have an incredibly distinctive feature that is instantly recognizable for me: tomato plant. If you grow tomatoes or have stuck your nose in a tomato plant you'll know what I mean. My grandfather used to grow tomatoes and I remember the smell so vividly. The first time I tried a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlboro I thought of Papaw's garden, and have every other time as well. And that's what happened this time. I knew what it was right away. There were 26 others in the class but no one else came up with it. So I raised my hand, stood up (which was required), and gave the varietal (grape), country, region and vintage (which was an educated guess, knowing 08's are the latest vintage released).

The second wine wasn't quite as obvious. We had established it was an old-world (European) wine, but the consensus was it was French, probably from the Rhone, which would mean Syrah. Again, I stood up, and said, "I respectfully disagree. This wine has a distinctive garnet coloring, but is full of tannins and acidity. I believe it is Italian, specifically Piedmont, from the Barolo district, making the grape Nebbiolo. The vintage is 2004."

There was silence. The master sommeliers looked at me, then at each other. The master sommelier running the tasting said, "well, I'm certainly glad you said you 'respectfully' disagreed." Uh-oh, I thought. I was sunk...totally blew it. He went to the box and pulled out the bottle. "This is a 2004 Elvia Cogno, Barolo...made from the Nebbiolo grape." Applause filled the room. I heard comments like, "Wow...how'd he know that?...very impressive." I even heard one "Holy Sh*t!". I may have even uttered that comment myself. Was I a bit surprised? Yes. Pleased? Absolutely!

My glory didn't last too long. Soon it was back to taking notes and trying to absorb all the information needed for the next day's exam. The one thing I knew was that there was a lot I didn't know. More information followed the second day, right up until the test. Seventy questions, multiple choice. It wasn't the easiest test I've ever taken, but I passed. The rumor was they announced those who passed in ascending order, so the last one named had the highest score. I was fifth from the last, so I guess I did pretty well, if the rumor was accurate. Either way, I'm happy to have my pin and certificate!

I came home and celebrated by opening my last bottle of 1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. My wife and I watched Bottle Shock, and she didn't mind at all as I kept pausing it to explain all the wine references. After all, I'm a Sommelier.

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

VACATION WINE

2009-07-30T13:39:00.008-05:00

I've heard said that everything is better on vacation. The air is cleaner, you sleep better, the food is better, and so is the wine, for that matter. All of which were proven to be true last week while in the Grand Tetons of Wyoming.

This was a family affair; nine of us total. The guest ranch (Triangle X) we stayed at allowed the guests to bring their own adult beverages. And since my wife and I were driving, I packed a few bottles of wine (and a bottle of bourbon--I was a Cowboy, after all) to have during our stay.

*Side note about Triangle X. This is a wonderful place. The people bend over backwards, you eat like a king (or queen), they cater to families--offering different activities for all age groups, and the scenery...well, words don't do it justice.

Okay, so back to the wine.

I brought a bottle of 2006 Dark Horse Winery, "The Gunfigher", Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley. I thought the name was appropriate considering where we were and how I was dressing (alas, I was not armed). I've had this wine on multiple occasions, and it has always been good juice. However for some reason, maybe it was the altitude, maybe it was my attitude, I don't know...but it went up a notch, from being good, to being great! The wine showed such lovely dark fruit characteristics; blackberry, blueberry and cassis, with hints of chocolate and coffee, and even some liquorice and tobacco. It was rich, succulent and enticing. I wish I had brought more than one bottle. It paired great with the pulled brisket we had for dinner.

The next wine was also a California Cabernet, 2005 Field Stone, Alexander Valley. Again, something I've had several times, and have never been disappointed. I've always found this wine to be very elegant, sleek and sophisticated. And it was all that, and much more. The fruit, which has always been evident in this wine, announced itself in a profound and definitive way. Loads of dark cherry, raspberry and blackberry jumped out of the glass. It also showed hints of spice, earth and finished with well-rounded, juicy tannins, while keeping that silky elegance I've come to really enjoy. And the price is hard to beat at $18 a bottle.

Last, but certainly not least, I brought a bottle of 2004 Montes Alpha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, Chile. This was actually one of Dad's wines, and I figured this would be an ideal time to open it (more on that later). It had some bottle age on it, and I believe it greatly benefited from its time in the bottle. I had not had this wine before, but was thoroughly impressed. A number of Chilean wines show some bell pepper, or other green-like characteristics, but this was one was showing gorgeous dark fruit, damp earth, some stewed tomato and had a long, lively finish.

Part of the reason for our family trip was to scatter some of Dad's ashes. He loved Wyoming, and we took several trips there while my sister and I were growing up, and he and my mom continued to visit there after we were grown. So, I was compelled to bring a bottle from his collection to enjoy while we were there.

We shared old memories and created new ones. And it is true; the air is cleaner, I did sleep sounder, and the wine was definitely better. Not a bad week at all.

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

2009-07-04T11:07:00.002-05:00

"...with Liberty and Justice for ALL."

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

REYNOLDS FAMILY WINERY DINNER

2009-06-26T12:14:00.003-05:00

Last night I had the privilege of attending a wine dinner for the Reynolds Family Winery at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Ft. Worth. These are always educational (and fun) because each course is matched up with a specific wine. And when you're drinking wine of the quality that Steve Reynolds produces, it makes for a really special night. Here was last night's menu and the wine that accompanied each course, along with my impressions of the wines.

*Not responsible for over-productive saliva glands.

Passed Appetizer-Grilled Zucchini Ribbon & Melted Gruyere Sandwich

~Paired with the 2006 Reynolds Family Chardonnay, Napa Valley. These were small, open-faced sandwiches. (Confession #1: The first one I picked up fell right off its plastic spear and onto the floor, so I put down my glass of wine and used two hands for the next one.) It was incredibly tasty, as was the wine. It wasn't a big, over-blown buttery style, but more of a crisp, refreshing Chardonnay with apple, pear and minerals. There was a hint of vanilla on the finish.

1st Course-Almond Custed Georges Bank Sea Scallops

~Paired with the 2006 Reynolds Family Pinot Noir, Los Carneros. I love scallops, and these were done up perfectly; juicy and tender. They were served with two different chutneys: dark cherry and apricot. I actually felt the apricot chutney was too sweet for the Pinot, which displayed lovely ripe cranberry and cherry, with a touch of cola and herbs.

2nd Course-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Crawfish Etoufee and Dirty Rice

~Paired with 2003 Naughty, Juliana Vineyard, Syrah, Napa Valley. The "Naughty" label was started by Steve Reynolds and another winemaker, but it is my understanding it is now entirely Steve's. All the Naughty wines have a picture of a baby in a little devil's suit, but the wines are serious stuff. This Syrah had big, dark berry fruit, leather and tobacco. It was silky, rich and very sleek. I think this wine has greatly benefited from its time in the bottle. Oh, and the tenderloin? Grilled to perfection (medium-rare), and the spicy crawfish etoufee and dirty rice were a perfect complement.

3rd Course-Broiled Lamb Porterhouse with Red Wine Hollandaise

~Paired with 2005 Reynolds Family, Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. This course was probably my favorite, because I got an extra porterhouse after my partner at Tivoli, Laurie, just couldn't eat it. I was the envy of all the other men (and some of the women) at the table as I ate the second one. And the sauce was exquisite; rich and buttery, with a streak of red wine sauce down the middle, kind of like a certain swoosh associated with a popular shoe. The wine showed ripe blackberry, bell pepper, and cigar box, with a firm tannic structure and long finish. I thought it showed very well, especially paired with the lamb, but will be even better in a few years.

Dessert-"Torta Formaggio"; Chocolate brownie layered with Amaretto Soaked Angel Food Cake and sweetened Mascarpone, White Chocolate, and Creme Anglaise.

~This might have been the best dessert I've ever had. And the piece was huge...I couldn't finish it. Maybe I could have if I hadn't had that second piece of lamb...oh well.

Confession #2: I had brought a magnum (1.5L) of 2005 Fourteen, Napa Valley Meritage for Steve to sign. The bottle belonged to Tivoli, and I thought it would be neat for him to autograph it. "Fourteen" is a tribute to the fourteen appellations in the Napa Valley... every appellation is represented in the blend, and Steve is a founding partner in this wine. Even with the air-conditioning blowing, the 100+ degree temperature was too much for the wine during the 30 minute drive to Del Frisco's. The cork had started to make its way out of the bottle. That is what happens when bottled wine is exposed to too much heat; the nitrogen in the bottle is heated, pushing the cork out. With the magnum now being unsellable, there was really only one other option... drink it! The wine itself was fine, it hadn't sustained any damage. In fact it was better than fine; it was amazing. Dense, ripe blackberry and raspberry, hints of damp earth and chocolate, velvet mouth-feel and an elegant but long finish. And here's the best part: Steve said he'd replace it for us! Which is welcome news. I really wasn't looking forward to shelling out the money myself!

Steve Reynolds surrounded by Tivoli Wines' Laurie McCauley and the author, holding the magnum of Fourteen.

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

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

2009-06-09T22:00:00.000-05:00

Like the seasons, my mood for wine changes (although usually with more frequency). Sometimes I prefer soft and elegant, like a Pinot Noir. Other times I'll want something complex and structured, like a Bordeaux or California Cabernet. And then, there's the past couple of weeks, where I've been in the mood for big and bold.

The first one of these was a "Thunder from Down Under" style of Australian Shiraz, the 2007 Mollydooker, "The Boxer". This is another great wine from the wonderful team of Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Check out their web site; it is rather entertaining. So are their wines. Some wines are just fun to drink, and that is certainly the case here. "The Boxer" has a full-throttle style that never lets up. Inky and purple in color, with loads of dark, sensuous and concentrated fruit, with just the right amount of floral and wooden notes to give it balance and complexity. Jay Miller from The Wine Advocate scored it at 93. The price tag is around $25-$30 ($28 at Tivoli Wines).

The next two wines are both from Orin Swift. I have been a huge fan of winemaker/proprietor Dave Phinney since he launched Orin Swift. The first is the inaugural release (2007) of Saldo; a wine consisting of 85% Zinfandel, 10% Syrah, and 5% Petite Sirah. Mr. Phinney has created a gorgeous wine using grapes from Sonoma, Napa, Amador, Mendocino, and Contra Costa counties. This wine is full of ripe raspberry and boysenberry, with layers of smoke, pepper, anise and licorice, and zesty tannins round to out the finish. Quite tasty, and worthy of the 91 points it received from The Wine Spectator.

Last but certainly not least, we come to Orin Swift, The Prisoner. This was the first Orin Swift wine I ever tried. I remember walking around the California section at Wally's, and saw this new wine with the bizarre name and even more bizarre label. Then I looked at the blend: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Charbonno. This is what I call a "mad scientist wine". Other people call them "kitchen sink wines". Regardless, they are certainly original concepts. I had bought three bottles of the 2005 The Prisoner, and this represented the last one, so it was not without some lament that I popped the cork. But what a wine! It was rich and decadent, with copious blackberry and boysenberry fruits, accents of spice and tea, tobacco, mocha and vanilla. When I came back to it the next night, however, the opulence had given way to a more elegant style, with a silky texture. The flavors were all still there, but instead of a "mosh pit", they were now dancing a Waltz, all in perfect step with one another. This wine scored a 93 from The Wine Spectator, and ranked 17th on their Top 100 for 2007.

Now that is what I call Bold and Beautiful!

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

MEMORIAL DAY

2009-05-25T11:04:00.001-05:00

To all those who served and sacrificed...thank you.

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

LAMENT OF A 40-YEAR OLD MAN

2009-05-19T11:40:00.005-05:00

May 19, 1969. That was the day I was born. Today is May 19, 2009. According to the math I learned in elementary school, that makes me 40 years old today. I actually went to sleep last night at around 12:30, so I knew I was 40 before I drifted off. Didn't feel any different. I woke up this morning, still felt the same. There's no mid-life crisis in my future (maybe I'm saving that for 50).

I think 40 is a milestone where people take stock of their lives; looking back as well as looking ahead. Some decide changes are in order. For me, those changes include getting to the gym more often and trying to eat less red meat and potatoes, and more fish and vegetables.

Do I have regrets? Well sure, who doesn't. But one does stick out more than most. And it's not even my fault. I was born in a bad year.

1969 was just a not good vintage across the board. There were a few gems scattered throughout the globe for 1969 but they were few and far between. And, according to what I could find, most of them have long passed their peak. If you were born in 1961, wow...you're golden! What a vintage that was for Bordeaux! And they are drinking marvelously from what I've read. But 1969? Here is esteemed wine critic Robert Parker's review on the 1969 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, a Premiere Cru (First Growth, or the best of the best).

"The 1969 Lafite has been consistently unusual to smell, with a cooked, burnt aroma, short flavors that suggest coffee and herbs, and a hollow framework. This is a poorly made, ungracious wine that is unpalatable. 62 points"

And that was from a top-flight chateau! Now, Beaulieu from Napa Valley made a pretty good private reserve Cabernet in 1969. I even found one in a wine shop in Los Angeles. The fill wasn't too encouraging (the actual amount of wine in the bottle), it didn't quite reach the bottom of the neck of the bottle. But I knew that once upon a time this was supposed to have been a pretty decent wine. It was pretty steep, about $200. Still, I was tempted. I decided to do a little more research before investing in this "birth year" wine. Good thing I did. Several different reviews had this wine long passed its peak. I decided I'd rather drink great wine from any vintage than mediocre to bad wine from mine.

I'm reminded of the story of Robert Mondavi's 70th birthday (as told in Julia Flynn Siler's The House of Mondavi): the managing director of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Philipe Cottin, gave Mondavi a bottle of Mouton from 1914, who was actually born in 1913. Cottin explained he hadn't given him a bottle from 1913 because it wasn't a good vintage. In a thick French accent he added:

"You are proof of an adage we have in France:

God cannot make great wines and great men in the same year!"

Guess I can live with that.

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

Greetings from London!

2009-05-12T19:27:00.003-05:00

Today was the first day of the London International Wine Fair. Two words can best describe it: Exhilarating and exhausting! It was literally sensory overload. I can best describe it as something similar to a huge car show, only with wine. This place is enormous, and there are more wine vendors showing their nectars than I can possibly get to in three days. But I will enjoy trying! Here are some first day highlights.

I attended three seminars today, which will be the bulk of seminars I will be doing. The first was with The Great Wine Estates of Western Australia; a union of the state's top wine marques pulled together under the imprimatur of Langton's (Australia's version of France's classification system). I must confess most of these estates were foreign to me, mainly because very few of them get to the States. I did have a brief moment to visit with Andrew Cailard, the keynote speaker, and he informed me it is possible to find them, and pointed me in the right direction. These were gorgeous Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends. The Chardonnays rank up there with top Burgundy, and the Cab/Merlot blends were reminiscent of fine Bordeaux.

Next was a seminar on the Maule Valley in Chile. Most of the Chilean wines I'm familiar with come from the Maipo Valley, but these were an incredibly pleasant surprise. Maule is about 150 miles south of Santiago, and the wines are delicious. Vibrant fruit, robust, concentrated and balanced all the way across the board. I'll have to be on the lookout for these when I get back. They were fun wines to drink.

Last but certainly not least was a seminar on the wines of Trentino. Again, I was unfamiliar with this region, but I relished the opportunity to learn something new. For instance, Trentino produces lovely sparkling wines in the tradition of Champagne. Using Chardonnay and Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), these were lovely sparklers. Most of what I knew about sparkling wine out of Italy was Prosecco, but these wines had the feel and taste of a Champagne. Their reds come from a grape called Teroldego. It seemed to be a combination of Syrah and Cabernet Franc. These wines were rich, fruity and complex, but weren't over tannic. They showed some spice and graphite notes as well.

More to come, and when I get back I will put some more detailed notes out. That is all for now... Ta!

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

MY FRIEND

2009-05-04T16:30:00.003-05:00

Last week I was devastated to learn of the unexpected and sudden death of one my closest and dearest friends. Joe Wright was a talented actor, writer and musician, as well as a giving person who was there for me on more than one occasion. Joe was also an avid wine lover. Not because he was an expert, he'd be the first to admit that, but because he loved learning about it.

Whenever we would get together I'd usually have a bottle of wine in tow. Joe would get out his stemware, we'd sit and he would say, "Okay. Tell me about this wine." I quickly learned that when introducing Joe to a new wine I had better be prepared. He loved asking questions, and I have a sneaking suspicion he liked to see if he could trip me up. I hated having to come back with "I don't know".

We usually spent the first glass discussing the wine itself; the color, the various aromas and flavors, and then the finish. By the time we got to the second glass we had moved on to other topics pertinent to our lives. Inevitably, we ended up laughing. What more could one want in an evening? Good wine, good friends and a good laugh.

I will raise a glass of fine wine to my friend Joe tonight...but the laughter will have to wait.

DEDICATED TO JOSEPH ANTHONY WRIGHT

1970-2009

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

HE TAKES AFTER HIS UNCLE

2009-04-11T11:25:00.005-05:00

"Let's open the '89 Haut Brion."

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

"I AM NOT DRINKING ANY *%!# MERLOT!"

2009-04-02T09:04:00.011-05:00

When Paul Giamatti's character Miles uttered those famous words in the film Sideways, it set the Merlot world on its side. As is often the unfortunate case, if it is said in a Hollywood film, it is perceived as Gospel.

Quick side note: The two grapes Miles shows disdain for in the film (the aforementioned Merlot and Cabernet Franc), are the same two grapes that are in his beloved 1961 Château Cheval Blanc from St. Emillion in Bordeaux. Funny? Ironic? Ignorant? Arrogant? Maybe a little bit of each. Oh, and for the record, I am a big fan of this movie. I don't want my comments here to be misinterpreted as some sort of "thumbs down".

Merlot is starting to recover from the vicious kidney punch it received in that 2004 film; in fact it is coming back, and in a big way. Many people are starting to return to this once beloved grape, and it's good to see, because Merlot is capable of creating some spectacular wine (see below). And to be fair, it can easily be argued this infamous line actually did Merlot a favor. At the time, there was quite a bit of inferior Merlot on the market. Many growers and producers had been taking the varietal for granted. Pick, press, bottle... done! And consumers, for the most part, didn't seem to notice the difference. Then along comes Sideways, and everyone noticed. The problem was it became a mass boycott of the grape. Everyone wanted Pinot Noir or Syrah. Zinfandel was okay because it didn't get mentioned one way or the other. Cabernet Sauvignon survived because it's popularity simply cannot be touched.

But Merlot? "We are not drinking any *%!#ing Merlot!" became as popular as "May the Force Be With You", and "Go ahead, make my day" for movie quotes. I knew a wine group who adopted that line as their motto. T-Shirts are still readily available with that quote printed on them. And when I meet with winemakers at the shop who happen to produce Merlot, they still refer to it as "that movie", refusing to acknowledge Sideways by name. As a result, what happened? Growers, winemakers and proprietors had to go out and bring people back. The best way to do that was to start making better Merlot, which they did.

Merlot is now more concentrated, rich, fragrant and vibrant. It has become more complex, sophisticated and intricate. As with any varietal, you might stumble across one that is lean, austere or diluted, but just look for one from a label you know. For instance, Ramspeck makes a very good and popular Cabernet Sauvignon. But I actually prefer their Merlot. Twenty Rows is another example. Their Merlot is as good as, if not better than, their Cabernet. Napa Cellars makes a dynamite Zinfandel, but their Merlot is just as stellar.

And as I've been writing, I've been enjoying a half-bottle of 2006 Barnett Vineyards Merlot from the Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. Now this is a higher-end wine (hence the half-bottle), but it really shows what Merlot is capable of. I had the pleasure of tasting this wine with proprietor Hal Barnett last week. This is an amazing, gorgeous wine. Hal called it "a Cabernet-drinker's Merlot." It is full-bodied, robust, sexy and muscular. The wine exhibits loads of dark plum, ripe berry fruit and oak. Juicy firm tannins, herbs and rich, velvety blackberry round out the finish. Absolutely delicious.

Other Merlot of note:

Château Pétrus, from Pomerol in Bordeaux, France. One of the most highly collectible, decorated and priciest wines ever, is 100% Merlot.

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto from Bolgheri in Tuscany, Italy. It is often referred to as the Pétrus of Italy. This wine is recognized throughout the wine community for its excellence. 100% Merlot.

Now I personally don't know anyone who can afford these wines, but I list them simply as proof that Merlot can produce wines of legendary quality. So go ahead, it's alright... drink some *%!#ing Merlot!

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

Wines, Felines, and Broken Water Lines!

2009-03-21T00:53:00.001-05:00

Long time, no blog!

It has been a challenging couple of weeks! We've had to endure a slab leak in our home, which caused some damage, as well as considerable worry regarding what was covered by our homeowners insurance. I'll spare you the details, but we are covered (minus our deductible), and will only have to endure a couple of days with repairs.

We had a scare when our cat, Indiana Jones, decided to have an archaeological adventure with a moving car. After a night in the pet ER, and a few days with his regular vet, it looks like he will live to fight another day. I did take one thing from this incident: I hope I never have to do it again! There is no more helpless feeling than rushing your beloved pet to emergency care while your fuel light has been on all day and you're not completely sure where you're going, and said beloved pet is in obvious distress and having trouble breathing. Oh, and you manage to hit all red lights. Then calling the wife to tell her to meet you at the pet ER, and her first response is, "Are you playing a joke on me?"

After all this, I realized I hadn't written about what I opened for the Wall Street Journal's "Open That Bottle Night" (February 28). After much deliberation, I went with the 2004 Two Hands Shiraz, "Lily's Garden" from McLaren Vale, Australia. I was really excited about this bottle. I had enjoyed other offerings from Two Hands and they were excellent. But this was one of their single vineyard, higher-end bottles of wine. It had received scores of 95 and 94 from the Wine Advocate and the Wine Spectator, respectfully, and was supposed to have just started to reach it's peak.

This wine scared me a little bit at first. It smelled weird, for lack of a better term. It had an odd spice aroma to it, one that didn't match with the kind of spice one normally gets with Australian Shiraz. I stuck my nose in the bottle, and did not detect any of this odd spice. (At this point it should be pointed out that we were staying with my mom as we had no hot water.) I went to the cabinet where the stemware is stored and stuck my head in, and low and behold, I got it, big time! I looked around, and behind a small pillar found a candle; a cinnamon/peach candle. I started smelling the empty stemware and they all had the same aroma! I chuckled as I informed my mother her beloved Riedel was "contaminated". We ran some hot water through them, and they're now good as new.

The wine, however, was still lacking. There just wasn't much going on. I thought maybe the wine was going through a dead phase, or perhaps it was just an off bottle. As the wine wasn't all that appealing, I was in no hurry to drink it. An hour later, my glass was empty, and I returned to the bottle and decided to try it again.

"The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it." ~Arnold H. Glasgow

Truer words were never spoken! This wine was alive and popping with blueberry and blackberry, rich plum and pepper with hints of espresso and mint. This baby was intense, velvety, full-bodied with sweet tannins and a gorgeous finish. Definitely worth the wait. Two Hands has been producing deliciously consistent wines for over a decade. If you have the chance, put some in your glass!

Just...be patient.

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

Open That Bottle Night!

2009-02-28T11:17:00.000-06:00

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

DAD'S WINES

2009-02-26T02:00:00.000-06:00

My dad loved a good bottle of wine. As I got older and became more wine savvy, it was something we were able to enjoy together. I loved calling or emailing him about a special bottle I had discovered. If it was something we had at Wally's that was rather limited, I would nudge him along and encourage him to let me send it to him (with his credit card, of course). It was even better when we could stroll through a wine shop (or even a wine section) and hunt and peck to see what we could find. But the best, the best was when we would open a bottle and share it, talk about it and create a memory.

My dad, Dr. R Lee Forshay, Jr. passed away two years ago today at the all-too young age of 68. I miss him dearly, but some of the memories we created over wine live on thanks to his wine journal. I'd like to share a few of them today as a tribute to him. (I've included some additional background info as well).

FEBRUARY 14, 2005
2002 SHANDEL'S OPPENLANDER VINEYARD, PINOT NOIR,
MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA
~Medium dark red. Cherry and raspberry fruit, silky and elegant. The best Pinot Noir yet.

If you notice the date, you'll see this was a "Valentine's Day" wine that he and my mother shared. It was the last bottle of a case he had bought at Wally's. His comments in the wine journal don't really do justice to how he felt about this wine. He was really, truly passionate about it. Guess that's why he waited until Valentine's Day to pop the last bottle!

DECEMBER 28TH, 2005
1997 CHATEAU MONTELENA, ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON,
NAPA VALLEY, CA
~Not quite 10 years old, this wine is showing a dark garnet color. Full-bodied and elegant, but muscular. Black fruit, currant, earth and mineral. Wonderful wine.

Dad had a good palate. This wine scored a 95 from the Wine Spectator and 98 from the Wine Advocate. I had tasted this wine before, and encouraged him to buy it when we saw it in a small wine shop in Studio City, CA, despite the price ($125). The fact that he pulled the trigger on my recommendation made me feel good; it meant he valued and respected my experience.

MAY 22, 2004
2001 L'AVENTURE, "OPTIMUS", RED BLEND, PASO ROBLES, CA
~A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot & Zinfandel. A big wine! Big fruit, big tannins, big body. Superb! A favorite!

Don't sugarcoat it, Dad...what did you think?

These are some of his favorites, although there are many, many more. He was a big fan of Silver Oak, Hendry, and Cakebread, among others. And I got him into Bordeaux, as well. He bought several bottles of 2000 Chateau Leoville Barton (96 pts) on futures (buying them while still in the barrel, at a lower price). A monumental wine, but one meant for aging; it's probably not going to peak for at least another ten years. I kept telling him it's too young, to hold onto it and let it properly age. It never occurred to me he wouldn't be here when the wine was ready to drink. His cancer diagnosis happened to occur just a day before his 68th birthday, and I had flown in to surprise him. I asked him what he would like to open for his birthday dinner.

We had the Leoville. It was young and tight, but we decanted and it opened up a bit. It offered up hints of how good it will be in another decade (or two). I can't recall specific notes on the wine, but we did enjoy it. Almost as much as the company.

DEDICATED TO DR. R. LEE FORSHAY, JR., M.D.

SEPTEMBER 26, 1938-FEBRUARY 26, 2007

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

My "WOW" Wine

2009-02-18T21:09:00.000-06:00

The Wine Spectator web site is publishing posts from their writers about their "Aha!" wines. An "Aha!" wine is the one that opened your eyes (or nose, or taste buds) as to what wine is, or can be. I like to think of them as "WOW" wines more than anything else. And, like in the movie Highlander, there can be only One. It is The One that changes your life. It's probably like in golf, when you hit an amazing shot, and then you're hooked on the game for the rest of your life. I wouldn't know about that; I subscribe to Mark Twain's theory on golf. Suffice it to say, golf and I never got along. We tried, but we just couldn't make it work. But I did have an "Aha!", or "WOW", wine and my olfactory senses have never been the same.

I was living in Los Angeles, and had taken a job at Wally's, a well-known wine shop located in Westwood. Some Hollywood heavies were having a wine dinner at a private residence, and I was one of the three representatives from Wally's that was asked to go and help with the wine service. They were doing a tasting of some legendary Bordeaux from some of the great vintages of the 20th century. The wines were Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild and Cheval Blanc from the 1970, 1982 and 1986 vintages. Even now as I write this, my mouth is starting to water and I might even be having some slight heart palpitations. These are all monumental wines, the likes of which I doubt I will ever have the opportunity to taste again. Why? Because they cost about $900 per bottle back in 1999, and probably command close to $2500 per bottle now, if not more.

As we decanted and then poured the wines into the glasses, the three of us were watching one another as if to say, "Don't pour it all! Don't pour it all!! We could taste what's left!!" Well, mission accomplished. Like little wine urchins, we managed to save enough so we could each have a taste of these modern-day classics, and scurried back to the kitchen while the party adjourned to the patio for cigars and Sauternes. We started tasting the 1970's. I was the least experienced of my colleagues, and these were the oldest wines I'd ever had. I wasn't sure what to make of them. My fellow wine stewards marveled at how good they were, and I just nodded and agreed. Then we went to the 1982's. First the Lafite, which had received numerous 100-point scores. Yep, pretty good stuff as I recall. Same for the Mouton, another 100-pointer; but I recall it seemed a little more muscular. Then we tasted the 1982 Cheval Blanc. I swirled and sniffed. My head popped up out of the glass. "Wow", I said. "That is really something. The aromatics on this are gorgeous."

That was the first thing of substance I'd said all night. Granted, it was not some earth-shattering observation, but still... I tasted, and I knew then I had to take this all in, because my wine world had just broadened to a level I didn't know was possible. It wasn't just the overall balance of the fruit and tanic structure, but it was also the mouth feel, like liquid velvet. I regret not having something to write with so I could take accurate notes, but I told myself, "remember...remember what this is like." It was moving, almost spiritual.

We moved on the 1986's, and they were quite good, although the consensus was they were still a little young. We talked about which one was our favorite, and before I could speak up one of my colleagues said, "Greg loved the '82 Cheval. Did you see his face? Here, finish it off." And with that, he went on to pour the rest of the wine from the decanter into my glass. Even though it had not been released yet, I felt like Gollum from the Lord of the Rings trilogy: "my precious... my precious..." I hurried off into the corner to be alone so I could give the wine the attention it so majestically commanded. I swirled and sniffed, tasted and swallowed. I took my time, but it was gone all too soon.

I had found my "WOW" wine.

Have you found yours?

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

Let's Pop the Cork!

2009-02-15T22:11:00.000-06:00

Greetings, and welcome. I've finally joined the blogging ranks! My goal here is to share my thoughts and impressions on wines I have tasted and will taste in the future. I've been in the wine business for some 12 years now; in restaurants, retail and wholesale. I do not proclaim to be an expert, but I do knows what I likes, and in my opinion, when it comes to wine, that's really all that matters. It is entirely possible I might veer off topic onto other aspects of life, but wine is a part of life, so why not expand a little?

My late father enjoyed a good glass of wine, and that's probably where I got it from. As I became more educated, it was something we were able share together. He had a pretty extensive collection of wine notes that I might drop in from time to time, particularly if it was a bottle we had together.

I have a modest 50 bottle collection, but I am a big believer in quality over quantity. Some of them I hold on to so they properly age, particularly the Bordeaux. But the others I hold on to waiting for that "special occasion". However, my wife is not much of a wine drinker. Have you ever seen a dog get his vaccination for kennel cough? They take a needle-less syringe and fill it with the vaccine. Then they shoot it up the dog's nose. The dog's reaction is immediate; he'll snort and shake his head violently. Now let's be clear: I AM NOT COMPARING MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE TO A DOG. However, her reaction to wine is somewhat similar to that of the dog. She just doesn't care for it. So you can see my hesitation in opening some of my gems when I don't have someone to share them with on a consistent basis. I know, I should be saying, "Hey! More for me!", and believe me, that little nugget is not lost on me. But part of the joy for me has always been the discussion, and in some cases the debate, as well as the overall experience of sharing a good wine. So, in a way, this allows me to share and discuss the wines I have collected, tasted and will taste in the future.

So, without further ado...

As I write I am enjoying a 2007 Seghesio Zinfandel, Sonoma County, California. I've been a big fan of Seghesio Zins for years. They are as synonymous with Zinfandel as Ridge, Rosenblum and even Turley. The 2007 is particularly compelling. It is loaded with blueberry and boysenberry aromas, accompanied by a touch of smoke and spice. The wine sports a velvety texture with tasty dark berry fruit and sweet, juicy tannins that lead to a fulfilling finish. Quite delicious. This is the third time I've enjoyed a bottle of this wine, and it has not disappointed. This wine received a 93 point score from the Wine Spectator, and was #10 on their Top 100 list for 2008. Upon it's release, it was readily available, but I've seen it slowly disappear off the shelves in my usual wine haunts the last couple of months. If you can find one, pick it up. If you can find two, consider yourself lucky and grab 'em. Very reasonably priced, I picked mine up for about $18 a bottle at one location, and $22 at another.

"A man cannot make him laugh - but that's no marvel; he drinks no wine."

~WM. SHAKESPEARE, Henry IV Part 2