2002 Penfold's Bin 389 Cab Shiraz

The Penfold's and a "buncha" Calz buffalo wings proved a superb accompanient to yet another "final planning conference" for Operation Sea Penguin. Complete with annotated wall maps, laser pointer, black ink highlighter, and a fresh bottle of Cab Shiraz ("matured in American Oak Casks") we filled three tumultuous hours on a wonderful, benign evening.
To prove that its not just about taste, and as a statement of the compatibility brought on by the Penfold's, here is a sample of the early harmonious commentary:
"The first friggin' day and we already have a problem!",
" The library in the morning for selfish Mike!",
"Pissed off of Harford Drive" (scuse me while I version: "Pissed off at half a drive", and finally
"I better be flying Business Class!"). Hmph.
We then viewed the "new" itinerary (London to Land's End) in blistering detail (13 pubs, expected breakfast menus) leading up to the final countdown in Alverstoke. Once again the Vale of the White Horse was mentioned. The telling included an exhaustive (ting?) stroll through AD and Josephine's initial blind date at the Woodman Inn to the tune of "Oh yes, I remember it well" playing in the background ("There was moonlight", "It was noon!", "You were sober", "Like a loon!", "Oh yes, I remember it well").
And moonlighting there was, recounted in a little known episode of AD's early career where he balanced the professional requirements of defending the land against the Commie horde while simultaneously providing a "pub"-lic service dispensing libations and laying concrete--even then proving what would become his now legendary versatility.
We learned of Josephine's first tender words to AD: "Hey fatty, give me a pint!"; the full story of the diminutive jockey, Peter B., who suffered a broken arm which halted his career riding for a stable in Newbury and who later, on a road trip, was abandoned by AD, "He was a nice man, the little guy"; and finally the riveting expose of AD's shockingly short career in the saddle involving a large, heavy horse named "Macpherson", "He was a huge, evil horse", AD's unique form of equine discipline: "He stepped on my foot and I hit him in the jaw shouting 'Take that you swine!'", all followed years later by an even shorter experience with "Bismark", "He was huge. The next animal up in the chain would be a giraffe". This was all in broad counterpoint to Josephine's blissful experience with "Prince" who, while smallish, seemed quite cooperative "He only threw me a couple of times".
The evening ended with an empty Penfold's bottle and an excited crew of prospective wedding guests. Operation Sea Penguin is a GO!