Alois Lageder "Riff" Pinot Grigio

You've got to be kidding me. Riff? Of course there was a simple explanation: The name comes from the German word for "reef," which refers to the fact that the Dolomites were once under water and it is sea fossils that contribute to the unique and important limestone soil. Yeah, I would've guessed that. Anyway this was the N. Atkins enroute to the UN farewell potluck. What a great mid-day wine. Colder the better. Label on the bottle said $9.

2003 Byron Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

Smooth as silk. Set up by the pool side story of the sock-headed vicar impersonator, the Byron sailed us through a fine steak dinner.

Marques de Caceres Rioja Blanco

Oh yeah! On Charlottesville's Pedestrian Main Street we popped into Bashir's Taverna for the tapas. Ordered up the Marques' finest. It lifted the veil a bit left by La's return to schule. A nice match up to the many different unnameable items on the plate, some warm, some cool, some which might have moved a bit on their own when we were distracted by the passing throng. Steaming hot evening, the Rioja Blanco held up like a little a/c right there on la tabla. Bueno.

2004 Errazuriz Estate Merlot

La's farewell dinner before heading back to school. A nice ride, sweeter than the average. Good grapes from the Curico Valley. Evidently the only downside was the screwtop: "Oh nice, a screwtop cap!", "Well that's quite a farewell for La on her last night!" "Yeah, Bon Voyage Dad!". More sarcasm dripping on the table than juice from the grilled pork chops. All this after the K-tee's medical adventure stories. Geesh. Big hit: first ever Mike grown canteloupe. Yeah, baby, farmin'.

McManis Vinyards Chardonnay

At the Klingelho Birthday in Town Square. A fine little wine coupled with superb light eats including salmon, mincemeat, and toothpick impaled ham and olives. Sweet. From Ripon Cal. I'm not so sure about the Malo-lactic fermentation but the Klingel's liked it and so it was.

Undated Black Swan Merlot

Well, I have to step back from an earlier entry about the "Black Swan of Death" (BSOD). After a long day: work-Newport News-Hartsfield-MARTA-Buckhead we were lifted up by a surpisingly good splash of the Swan. Although she kept her imperious and aloof eye on those gathered, there was a smooth, even taste that sustained us through two of Maverick's killer stories: (1) the incident on Libary Street hiding in the closet from the 82 year old land-lady and (2) passed out and wrapped up in Christmas tree lights (lighted) then stuffed into a fireplace (unlighted). No surprise that our "mind wasn't on the wine".