2002 Clos de La Vieille Eglise (Cotes de Castilon)

A round, solid Bordeaux. Earned "Wine of the Month" award for the good ship R&B Odd@Sea. This little 90M/10CS beauty from la Vieille Eglise capped a fantastic chicken in wine sauce dinner amidst the new drapery laden dining room. AD astounded all with his cricket shirt bow tie combo. Afterwards a fine music session highlighted by Johnny Horton, Lonnie Donegan, and that "Tie me Kangaroo down, Sport" guy during which we won the Battle of NOLA, sank the Bismarck, and rode the Rock Island Line. Hang me hide on the shed, Fred. Looks as if the Danielle and Richard Dubois website is still evolving, but appears they are instructors in the Total Wine Bordeaux tour website so won't be hard to find.

2005 Penfolds Rawson's Retreat Merlot

Smooth as a whistle. A calm, balanced juice that should be even better next year. Yes, yes, OK, it's dirt cheap. So, buy a case. Recent History: the PRR Mer emerged from the 54 degree fridge at about 7:30 and was allowed to warm for awhile. Concurrently, the future consumer was himself a 'cooling in le 72 degree Plunge. Then: matched in heaven to a creamy pasta dish a la Josephine, fruit arranged a la Lin. Just the combo to offset the convo: multi event wedding planning; in-law personality intermixing (certain presidents, Roger, Jack, BB&V, Chimpy et al); the possible inadvisibility of fluffy, puffy wedding dresses; illicit labrador aubergine/cherry tomato consumption; and, finally, the deep, intense red of ADB's sun-burn. The Penfold's gradually disappeared through it all, nudging aside his boxed vino cousin.

2005 Glen Ellen Cabernet Sauvignon

First, let me work backwards from the menu. A Moore Team extravaganza of seven courses: peppered deviled eggs, mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat, crab dip, gourmet baked beans with Mike's homemade barbecue sauce, tossed salad with grapes and Mexican goat cheese, seafood casserole, and the capo: grilled hot dogs with toasted buns. Finis: key lime pie and homemade peanut butter cookies. Now, what wine comes to mind that can stand tall against such an eclectic mix? The humble Glen Ellen, fresh off the shelf at Triple Tails market, done good on a warm, windy night at the Cape. Slighty chilled (a brilliant idea) this scots lassie was quite flavorful and complementary at each turn of the international palates. Fine gal y'are!

2006 Yellow Tail Pinot Noir

A very decent beach wine. Some searching brought it down from $20 per to $15 per--Cape San Blas price. Swam in alongside the seafood casserole in formation like a scene from "Flyboys". After a successful scallop expedition ("my options are walking on the mushy grass or stepping on pointy things"), lessons in opening, gutting, and cleaning, well the 'Tail hit the spot. Cooler is better: now that's an interesting theory!

2004 Jacob's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

At the Pel CSB. Aus meets Italy for the big beach week meal. The JCCS sailed us through this delicious pasta extravaganza with guests from Canada and beyond. Smooth and complementary.

2006 Jacob's Creek Merlot

A friendly welcome wine that hit the spot after a long drive from Winston to Atlanta. Tucked away just across the street from Brookhaven, this late year JC was a relaxing pre-cursor to the Fogo de Chao extravaganza. Heard and saw the latest ultrasound for the December arrival. Prin and Ruby exchanged greetings with mixed results and ended up in a baby gate separation situation. Jacob oversaw the whole affair with a steady, tolerant point of view.