McManus Merlot (no year)

House wine at the City Club Lexington, NC engagement celebration for the Dr. and J. Consumed in mass quantities by mostly Carolina folk without whimper one. Most definitely a good wine next to a plate of warm Lexington Que. Inspired some serious buck-dancing to the tunes of the Hunt Brothers bluegrass band playing live, "she walks through the corn growin' down by the river . .. . " . Amen, brother.

2003 Pont d'Avignon (Cotes du Rhone)

A slithering, blended wine that floated alongside a fine roast luncheon at ADB and Josephine's. Le menu included creamed cauliflower and Yorkshire pudding with gravy--a demanding test for any vin. Just a tad light, nevertheless, the song "Sur le pont d'Avignon" was sung in Francais to the assembled delight. The Pont, supplemented by the ever reliable Santa Maria, stood by us as we followed with a dip in the pool (76°F) and the hot tub (98°F) including a thorough, eavesdropped discussion of how our Mum took care of the coughin'.

2005 Honig Sauvignon Blanc

Somehow we're on a Honig streak. This one popped out of the bottle with some strong flavor and then settled down to smoothnicity as the flounder, crab cakes, and shrimp Combos hit the table. After a fine sailing day, dual football wins, and the triumph of the US women's team, we headed to Croaker's. Countering the witch-like stares of other dining parties with well timed finger-cued flash looks, we feasted on some of the comparitively best seafood ever and the Honig SB complemented. Some small confusion over the departure tactics once in the Explorer, but we eventually swung by Starbuck's and then home to sleep by 9:00 pm!

2004 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon

The RFerrante farewell lunch. A strong, striking wine that overwhelmed the tepid lunch entrees. At 14.5% should have saved this one for the evening. Rang the bell vis a vis the spicy tomato zuppe. Lil' Dubya rambled incessantly about worst plane rides, Falklands, Azalea Festival parties, til the group was agog, eyes askelter. Still came the Honig, full bodied and rich--three bottles left the BHs swerving and listing about the Magnolia Grill. Thus was Roberto sent packing back to Roma with a rousing goodbye.

2005? La Terre Cabernet Sauvignon

On Goat Island during a fabulous wedding feast, the La Terre cruised blithely among the fabulous yachts and festive crowd. Sidling up to all manner of hors d'oeurves, this reliable red stood its ground without undue attention. Witness to the return of the Aurora, flying an Irish flag and a faltering motor. Quietly saluted P. McCartney's yacht at anchor. A multipurpose, wedding wine for the long haul.

2005 Behringer Cabernet Sauvignon

Aboard the schooner Aurora out of Newport, the Behringer was poured while cruising Narragansett Bay. A sturdy, reliable wine suitable for large group consumption as proven by its rapid disapperance in a mix of Pennsylvanians, Bostonians, and the odd cat and dog from Virginia. There was a point at which Lin gave me the glass and told me to "hold this for awhile" with the "I need a short break" look , but overall a good, solid matchup for a beautiful Boat Show evening. Cheers to Curt and Joanne!

2005 Quinta de Ameal (Loureiro),

Triumphant return to O Pescador in Cascais. This cold Vinho Verde was a silken match for the lobster bisque, clams, octopus. We wandered down the seawall to town after an unsettling encounter at the Estoril Eden Hotel bar with a multilingual 92 year old grand dame. Somehow the bartender's Portuguese language training didn't quite register. After startling a local couple to ask the name of and confirm the quality of their choice, our multinational group passed up the famed white Sangria for the Quinta de Ameal--excellent decision! Our Portuguese improved dramatically. Al fresco in the classiest little town in Portugal.

2005 Rawson's Retreat Merlot (from Penfolds)

A saving, ladies wine that pulled the barbecue chicken off the rotisserie and smacked it clean of the disturbing Veo Grande. An abundance of fruit from Mr. Rawson's escape cleaned the palate and even surfed the J across a brownie and ice cream wave. Sent this writer to the couch and dreamland. Nice stuff.

2005 Veo Grande Cabernet Sauvignon

Oough. Hmmph. Some wierd iron thing happening at the end. Kept waiting for this to dissipate. The custom sausage (thank you, Christine) saved this Sam's Club special by covering the aftertaste quite well. This can't really be "the finest expression of Chile". Not to be consumed without food. Somehow the Doctor and J worked through it all. Described as "organic" and also some less positive words. Only eleven bottles to go. Lesson: never buy a case just to get the flashy wooden box.

2004 "J" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

A truly fine sailing wine. Kept slightly cool and cracked open on the Little Creek to Old Point Comfort run across Willoughby Bank. Even the plastic wine glasses didn't diminish the light, smooth flavor while lounging in the sunlit cockpit cruising along at 4 kts. The unexpected jibe while fighting for "wing a wing" didn't change the mood either. "J" is a winner! The Doctor too.

2004 Cambia Pinot Noir (Julia's Vineyard)

A fine mellow wine from the Santa Maria Valley that actually started off a bit spicy right out of the bottle but eventually sorted itself out. After a good sail off Little Creek we settled down on the back deck with some steaks and corn from the new grill and tomatoes from the garden. Lucky to have the Dr. and J in town, intense wedding planning was accomplished in fine style, candles flickering in the breeze. Buy again if the price is right.