Holiday

The blog may be quiet for awhile as Michael and I are about to explore the French Riviera and neighboring destinations in Italy and Switzerland. After about a week of research, here is our plan:

Home base: Cap Ferrat

Day trips: Monaco, Monte Carlo, St. Tropez

Trip within trip: Cinqueterre, Milan, Zermatt

Brilliant excuse to stay overseas two more days: London

Any recommendations on restaurants, bars, attractions, 6 mile running routes, parks, live music venues, etc. are taken to heart. Thank you and see you in a few weeks!

Stoned Immaculate

A favorite Jim Morrison track and the theme of this post.

I recently tasted the best wines of my life. Also the oldest. This ultrasensory and wildly potent encounter was elating and overwhelming.

After the moment in time to feel the joy from these wines passed, the memory summons peaceful content. I'm craving nothing. No Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at the jacuzzi. Not even a splash of Dolcetto d'Alba while watching the sunset. 

In time, my appreciation for (and delight in) more simple, younger, primary wines will return. I just need to be patient. I'm sure most people who have an ultimate experience in their field of passion have a similar reaction.

After I Tasted '98 La Turque

My whole wine world changed...

This Burgundy girl has a new French crush.

Voices For Children

Last night I volunteered to pour at the Voices For Children fundraiser...a 100 point wine tasting event at the gorgeous home of Jori Potiker and Michael Brown in Rancho Santa Fe. I was lucky enough to get to pour AND TASTE, as a friend was not able to make the event at the last minute.

Steve, Woody (thanks for the picture), and I were busy at the "France" table where we poured 1982 & 2000 Chateau Leoville-Las Cases, 1990 Chateau Latour, 2000 Chateau Pavie, 1989 La Misson Haut Brion, 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, 1998 Domaine de Marcoux CdP VV, 1998 Guigal Cote Rotie La Turque, and 1991 Chapoutier Cote Rotie la Mordoree.

My personal favorites were the Latour and La Turque. Thought the Mouton was starting to fall and the 2000 Pavie was a little big for me. 2000 Leoville was still young but perfect for those who love indulging in the primary flavors of Bordeaux.

I bounced around a few more tables after the tasting finished. Other standouts were the 1994 Bryant Family Cabernet (much more delicate and disciplined than the other cabs present 97 Shafer Hillside Select, 03 & 05 Quilceda Creek, etc). My favorite part of this event was that everyone got a card with assigned wines for a 1.5 ounce pour. I loved that there was no rush and you could taste in the order you prefer. The wines were well distributed so everyone got a taste of France (Bordeaux & Rhone), Italy (Barolo & Brunello), and the newbees (Cab & Shyrah/Shiraz). Thanks for planning a fabulous event, Robin. Hopefully, a lot of money was raised for this great charity!