Masi Valipolicella

Horrible red squid ink. Avast matey, go back to Veneto.

2003 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot

In advance of the 4-star Christmas dinner, I sipped a few afternoon glasses from the deck of the Pelican overlooking the silver Gulf of Mexico. Listening to second hand I-tunes, thinking about the 20 years of history since the first Xmas gathering at Cape San Blas. The Columbia Crest - gifted only that morning, brought back a flood of blinding memories .. . . and then of course I gleefully joined the rest of the assembled crowd and devoured a luscious bird and, fine ham, corn, stuffing, etc. Hail Columbia!

Folonari White

The pre-Xmas chicken dinner. After getting bounced from Sonny's B-cue at lunch, Lin decided to cook in the new real estate acquisition kitchen.

2004 Alice White Cab Sauv

Gville at Pomodoro's Cafe. A bit weak and unfulfilling at the start, Alice came right around at the end once the stuffed lamb hit the table and the waitress had finished spraying us with a good healthy shot of freezing ice water. We listened closely from then on, amici! Lin cleaned her plate dry of pasta casserole and was casting about the tabla for other prey until some kind of twice baked cheese cake arrived. A satisfying and sometimes sad day at 9220 starting the wrap-up and turnover. Basic plans for a Broadway show at the next big wedding in April, the notion of geologic time climbing out your arm, and life in NYC. Thanks to the Revs for a nice cap-off after an all night drive.

2003 Wolf Blass Syrah

A calm and steady vino placed astride the three cold Coronas required to off-set Jolly Man's "hot peppers on the side" during this pre-Christmas curry extravaganza. Sweat broke out on Teeth's massive forehead only intermittently, and I can report that the t-paper rolls stayed in the freezer next morning, so all was well in the end. Herr Wolf blithely witnessed some serious story-telling about civil engineers jumping in waist deep water while sea caving in Cornwall, an unexpected u-trou dropping episode between a Granny and Jolly at the Jamaica Inn, and the perplexing ins and outs of government contracting vis a vis future unemployment. The evening closed for Lin&Mike as other reveler's turned toward Caledonian and Linguini beverages far beyond the Wolf's easygoing pace. Danke, mein Herr.

2001 Chateau La Grave de Moustey

Thanks to the Ismet&Co for a true night to remember. Esconced at the Le Sucrerie situated in the Grand Hotel Waterloo just up the road from the Butte du Lion. This fine Bordeaux complemented a wonderful serving of lamb and a chance to get to know all of the Gungorian clan and hear more about a wide variety of subjects including commercial IT security, Coventry football, and the truth about the movie "Castaway" from an insider's pov. The wine was a sincere delight, rich, mouth-watering and flavorful. What a way to cap a productive week in the Bru. I must return with Lin in tow!

2003 Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon

A Travelin' Man's wine if there ever was one. All the way to Philly and back this steady, but unremarkable juice blended into the background like Elmer's glue. Consumed in the usual vast quantities to the striking tunes of "The Goat is Old and Gnarly", "There's an Aggregation Known Throughout the Country", and "On Navy Blue and Gold" as the spoiled and pampered pets had their way once again with the blackest of Knights (24-14). Followed by an impromptu tailgate in the Lincoln Financial parking lot to watch the first half of the SEC Championship. Charles S. was there just out of the portable TV light like a watchful butler. This slow-burning fuel nudged us toward a tulmultuous second half at the Top Dog in Cherry Hill with a final cry of "come-on let's all go up and dance" from the Tarboxian's. Awwwk!
P.S.-Advised two weeks later that this is the famous "two buck Chuck", it all falls into place.