2001 Chateau Damase Bordeaux Superieur

Mistral Restaurant in Charleston. A fantastic meal accompanied by this rich Bordeaux offering. Obliged to return after the experience of the previous night involving two Gnomes tooting away perched on the piano. Full bodied with a perky nose. A witty little wine, "I'm so witty, oh so witty, so witty and gritty and gray, that I hardly can believe I'm real." "Bang for the buckwise, that plays a massive joke on its more expressive courte pard (trans: expensive counterparts). Delivers a bang to your palate, delivers your pets for their cleaning, and what more can you ask of the God Baccharus?" "Uh, do you mean Bert Baccharus?" "Yes, that's right, Bert Baccharus and his godly friends." "However, Blood, Sweaters, and Tears, . . should the British Empire latst a thousand years. . . .'

2001 Mirassou Merlot (California)

"Always to be drunk outside with a steaming bucket of oysters."

2003 Fratelli Bellini Chianti

Visually stunning or as they say in the UK: common (A.D.: "my mother always used to say, 'if it comes in straw, its got to be good silver or very precious porcelain. If its wine, then give it a very wide berth, because straw is visual, but wine is a taste, and one, doesn't ordinarily mean the other is good'). Here's a useful architectural tip: "she always used to turn these bottles into lamps." A.D.: "Reminds me of endless holidays when I was young and cheap, Italian hotels. Rimini, and leo di Solo spring to mind like a long forgotten nightmire." Josephine: "I'm going back to my Merlot".

2002 L'Aura Chianti Classico

Served with a delightful kluge of two separate recipes. A rubustious meal. A cacaphony of tastes from the brain of Josephine that toyed with the sense and was perfectly complemented by the L'aura (Fanti) of chiantis. Again no car park experience involved. Wrapped itself around the eggplant like a warm glove. An aubergine delight. The wine wasn't bad either. And by the way, an Alfio Moriconi Selection. Again, Ant's opinion muted by the 7 margaritas on the night before.

2000 Barolo S.Orsola

A riveting experience served at the A.D., Josephine, and Ant's Housewarming Dinner. The Barolo was a wonderful, surprising discovery of Italian vintienery. Authoritative, yet complementary, A.D.: "certainly wiped away the experience of having to explode in the car park after a very rough chianti served at the Il Baronetto " Ant's opinion was muted by a record setting 7 margaritas the night before.

200? Frei Brothers

At Geenie's diner in Suf.

Jolly Mon: "That's not bad if it its 'free' (frei)". A.D. "I can't believe we're listening to someone from Hobbitland" Jolly Mon: "He's (A.D.) from a town only 2 meters from the County border!" Keena: "It should be Trollopeville. My father traced us back to 'Barking Essex'". Geenie: "I've been 'frei'd twice!".

2001 Jeckel Pinot Noir (Monterey)

Dinner at Geenie's in the Suf:

Jolly Mon: "and Mr. Hyde. A Dr. Jekyll of wine. Remember he was the good one." A.D.: "A Schwarzenegger of a wine from California. Hangs on you gonen the taste."

2002 Sonoma Creek Cabernet

A rare visit with Teeth and Keena in "the Suf" including dinner at Geenie's country cottage. Served at Teeth's lake house before departure. Quickly adopted the nom de plume: "Son ah mah Crick." A.D.: "The wine has an arrogance that's not supported by its body." Teeth: "But it wasn't given time to breath." A.D.: "A truly Hasidic little number!" "Did you mean acidic?" "What?!!" "Remember, I have to buy my wine at the grocery store." Jolly Mon: "The bouquet needs a deodorant. Smoothness of a fine grain sand paper."

Again no one at home at customer services on a Saturday, but left Jolly Mon's work number for the possible delivery of a free case.

1994 Chateau La Papeterie - Montagne Saint Emilion

The long awaited '94 Saint Emilion. How many nights have we talked about this moment. Fully over a decade old, truly to be a "Grand Vin de Bordeaux". In anticipation, we were once again transfixed by the story of the week A.D. and Josephine spent restoring an old farmhouse to become a "Grand B&B de Bordeux". Warmed up by a flavorful (and recommendable if I can only find the name) Italian, we then turned to the Chateau La Papeterie. The table set with a perfect roast rib, our mouths watering. The wine poured smoothly, the rich red reflected in the sparkling candelight. We lifted the glasses to our pouting lips. . . .and .. . . ... . Good God. Shockingly bland! Started with a bland, flavorlessness which drifted into an oblivion of no sensation. Much like an experience in a sensory deprivation tank. A crushing defeat. Our only possible course was to quickly turn to the cheese board, cheap port and good dose of "Queen Live at Wembley". It took both CDs before we could begin to speak.