cat shepard

Thank you Sandi & Rich for today’s R & D! Rich it is hard to believe that your cruise is in its final stages. Your critters will be so happy to see you! Eva, thank you for keeping our lists. Today is a bit cloudy and we might have much needed showers. I know the humidity rolled in late yesterday afternoon - it was like two totally different days. I have plans for tomorrow morning, so I am doing tomorrow’s routine today. Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, chores then dinner at a friend’s. The antidote for the above is…. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ************ Terrazas de los Andes Malbec 2021 Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina I used the 2021 vintage info since not only would it be easiest to find, but it had the best review of the past few vintages. Available from numerous online distributors with prices starting at $15.95. Winemaker Notes Bright red color with purple shades. Intense floral and fruity notes. Presence of violets, ripe black cherry and plum aromas. Reveals a toasty and spicy character of black pepper and chocolate. Its sweet and juicy mouthfeel delivers finesse, delicate tannins and an elegant finish of black fruits. JS94 James Suckling Such a beautiful, fresh nose with tons of wild herbs, thyme, rosemary, sour cherries and flowers. Very linear and bright on the palate, charged with silky, fine-grained tannins and fine austerity. You can literally smell the herbs and the wild flowers from the vineyard. Pristine but intense and so fresh and precise. Pure fruit! Insane value for a $20 bottle. Drink now.

Tina GEEO is the group. Jessie, who runs the show, is amazing. When I had my accident, I contacted him to see if he knew whether the trip was doable in a cast. He arranged a three way conversation with our guide in Iceland to make sure I would be able to do most activities. Other than hiking up and down a glacier, I enjoyed every moment of the trip. Francois, our guide, a local, knew so much about the Country and each of the various environments. I plan to use GEEO for my trip to Egypt. It has been at the top of my bucket list for decades. https://geeo.org/

Thank you for today’s R & D, Sandi & Rich! Another beauty of a day. I am officially spoiled. Eva, thank you for capturing and sharing our happenings. We are a busy group. Today my new gas fireplace is finally installed. It has been a long time coming. Then gym, Bindi walks, some chores and maybe some pool time - if the water temp gets high enough. These cool nights really bring the temp down. My County has fairly high taxes compared to surrounding counties. Clearly they out the $ to good use by providing these important educational announcements. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! *********** Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asilli Riserva DOCG, Piedmont, Italy 2007 Another amazing sounding wine that I can not afford to try. Loved by critics and consumers. Available from several online distributors with prices starting at $450.00. Note: there is a non “Riserva” option that though significantly cheaper at $269.00 is still a bit too price for me. And you can always opt for a more recent vintage, though they are still pricey. Critics’ notes JS98 James Suckling This will be in the market in 2012. This is full and rich with irresistible silky tannins. This brings more substance and richness than the white label. Lay this down until 2016. RP97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is sweet, perfumed and totally gorgeous in its round, sensual fruit. Silky, elegant tannins frame the long, harmonious finish. Stylistically the 2007 is most similar to the 2004, although it seems to have more exuberant, opulent fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2037. WS95 Wine Spectator Bursting with sweet cherry, floral, licorice and spice flavors, this ripe red is expressive, supple, balanced and dense, showing the structure to age and a finish of fig and tobacco notes. Best from 2016 through 2030.

Tina I always purchased Allianz, but never had to use the policies. Until my trip to Iceland. I went with a travel group focused on providing low cost travel to teachers or retired teachers. They recommended using the volunteer card insurance. When I fractured my left patella at the end of my first full day in Reykjavik- I visited the local hospital. Several X-rays, three doctors, prescriptions, a cast & crutches later - I was cleared to stay with the group, but avoid certain activities. I paid the $672.00 bill and within three days of being home and submitting my claim - I was reimbursed. I am providing the link, so you can at least check them out & compare them to Allianz. Ann https://www.volunteercard.com/custom/geeo/

Thank you Sandi & Rich for today’s R & D. It is another amazing and cool morning here today. Yesterday was exquisite. Warm, dry, breezy. A perfect day to tackle a dead Oleander and an outside HIIT class. I will miss these days when the humidity returns. Eva, thank you for taking care of our lists while Vanessa is on her well-deserved vacation. Zumba, Bindi walks, chores and if the pool water gets warm enough - perhaps some pool time. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @kazu Jacqui, I love how Ivan snuggles up to you. Get well & stay well everyone! ********** Zonin Moscato, Italy Fans of sweet wines might enjoy this Italian Moscato. Easy to find and reasonably priced. A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $12.99. Distributor notes This refreshing and fruit Moscato wine comes from the warm Southern vineyards of Puglia. Primo Amore, or first love expresses the joy of discovery experienced when a wine drinker first encounters the sweetness and enticing fragrance of the delicate wine. COLORStraw-yellow with golden reflections and a delicate mousse. BOUQUETFruity and very inviting, with intense scents of peaches and exotic fruit. FLAVORFresh and pleasantely sweet with a taste that reveals its varietal characteristic.Excellent as dessert wine it matches perfectly with jam tarts fruit salads and pastry. Also delicious with ice cream, or just on its own as an accompaniment to conversation among friends.

Dixie I use GEICO.

Thank you Sandi & Rich for bringing us today’s R & D! Another spectacular morning. After last week’s craziness I am being spoiled. I wish these warm, breezy, low humidity days could last forever. Eva, thank you for taking care of our lists. Lots of chores, Bindi walks and my HIIT class will help me work off the wine I enjoyed last evening. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Mission Estate Syrah Hawkes Bay Gimblett Gravels Reserve 2020 This one led me on quite a chase. If you live in New Zealand, there are at least a few online distributors who will ship to you. Very reasonably priced and enjoyed by many consumers. I can only hope that when distributors in the rest of the world reads these great reviews, they decide to carry it. New Zealanders this can be had for $14.19 + shipping. The rest of the world - eat your hearts out. Distributor Notes #8 on James Suckling Top Value Wines of 2022 from 33,000 wines tasted. Mission Estate Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2020 came within a whisker of being the greatest value wine of any variety in the globe for 2022. Made from 100% Gimblett Gravels mature vine fruit in what is considered an especially good sub region for Syrah, and its from the super exciting 2020 vintage. “The 2020 vintage may have taken place during the height of pandemic uncertainty, however the wines are nothing short of "spectacular", says Andrew Caillard MW. Low fruit yields and full spectrum of winemaking including extended maceration on skins and aging in expensive French barriques for 12-months. James Suckling’s review notes come with an impressive 94/100… “Aromas of black pepper, black cherries, plums and grilled herbs. Full-bodied with fine, tightly-knit tannins. Juicy and succulent on the palate with lovely depth and intensity. Rich in the mid-palate with a steady, long finish. Sustainable. Drink or hold. Screw cap.” #8 value wine in the world, plus 2 Golds & Double 5-Stars, its fragrant and spicy, with an elegant dryness about it, this is Hawkes Bay Syrah as it should be. It will age for 10-years comfortably under screwcap if well stored but is eminently delicious already. What an opportunity to place an outstanding Reserve Syrah in your home cellar for a seriously modest price comparative to the quality you’re buying. Smells Exotic spices, with violet florals, black pepper, cured meat, blackberry and plum. Tastes Full flavoured and fresh, with juicy dark fruit, savoury notes, and a robust tannic structure, this is textbook Syrah from a spectacular year. Enjoy in its youth but decant one hour prior to serving or cellar through 2026 and reap the rewards. Serve with your favourite BBQed or roast meats.

Thank you Sandi & Rich for today’s R & D! Another lovely morning. Yesterday was another lovely day, though it got quite windy in the afternoon. A bit of a marine layer this morning. Eva, thank you for keeping up with all of us! Debbie & Dixie thank you for hunting down & sharing the food & drink recipes! Chores, gym, Bindi walks and a gathering with friends at a local wine bar. Sounds like a decent day to me. I need to replenish my supply of Memes. I am near the end of my store. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Hickinbotham Shiraz McLaren Vale Brooks Road 2019 This Australian Shiraz/Syrah sounds lovely. And fairly easy to find. Though priced just out of my budget, I would love a taste. Quite a few online distributors with prices starting at $58.94. Winemaker Notes #36 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 Named for the street on which the vineyard is located, Brooks Road Shiraz exhibits the compelling single site character of the vineyard. 2019 Brooks Road exhibits the compelling dynamic between savory and fruit flavours which is textbook Shiraz from Clarendon. Sweet blueberry and rich red fruits interlace with notes of clove and menthol. The palate is expansive but pure finesses with a beautifully balanced acidity leading to a silky finish. WS95 Wine Spectator Impressive, rich and fleshy, with blackberry, blueberry and huckleberry notes at the core, but shows tremendous depth, concentration and polish. Offers accents of bittersweet chocolate, espresso, salted caramel and rosemary, backed by velvety tannins on the finish, with the flavors gaining extra torque and momentum. Drink now JS95 James Suckling This has such effortless depth and impressive measure. It delivers aromas of ripe red and dark plums with slate and blackberries, framed in fresh, subtly spicy and cedary oak. The palate is packed with ripe red plums, red cherries and mulberries, as well as deeper blueberries and darker plums. The power is innate and the palate so focused. Elegant and pure. Drink over the next decade or more. RP92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Marked by notes of vanilla and creosote on the nose, the 2019 Brooks Road Shiraz follows those opening salvos with blueberry and plum fruit, cedar shavings and dark chocolate. It's medium to full-bodied, supple and ripe, with a plush feel and a long, licorice-tinged finish. There's ample concentration and power, but the wine is already approachable and I'd expect it to age relatively quickly. Drink it over the next decade or so. W&S91 Wine & Spirits The team at Yangarra started bottling wine from their Hickinbotham estate in 2012. The dry-farmed vineyard in Clarendon produced a shiraz with the meatiness and bloodiness of rare roast beef, backed up by McLaren Vale tannins that add a black mushroom savor. It’s smooth and ripe, a pleasure with filet mignon.

Thank you for today’s R & D Sandi & Rich! Yesterday was simply spectacular once the brief rainstorm blew through. But it was really windy. It is a cool, but lovely 60 here this morning. Eva, thank you for taking such good care of us! I miss so many things on my first read. But thanks to you, I get the info I want. Just gym, Bindi walks and chores today. Have a bunch of leftovers from Saturday to finish. The salmon with strawberry relish was a huge hit. Prayers for all who need our support. ❤️ Jacqui! Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ******** Te Mata Hawkes Bay Coleraine 2020 I can only hope that some of our Dailyites around the World are able to enjoy these elusive New Zealand wines. This one sounds lovely & I would love a taste. I found several online distributors who ship worldwide with prices starting at $376.72 for a case of six bottles + shipping. Just not in my budget. Cameron Douglas’ review This wine lives up to its reputation with this example. Opaque at the core with deep purple hues and a ruby pink rim with ink staining tears. An excellent bouquet of pure blackberry and doris plum scents, layers of black cherry and iron sand earthy qualities. Oak layers in myriad aromas from clove to vanilla and a toasty smoke layer with a sweet lift from new barrel. A stunning wine on the palate, taut and new with firm chalky tannins, backbone of acidity, olive and garrigue with a core of fleshy dark fruit flavours soaking up the new energy from barrel. Layers of baking spice and tobacco with a warmed earth mineral quality. This is the most impressive example of Coleraine to date. Best drinking from 2026 through 2040+. Made with: 57% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot and 7% cabernet franc. 97 Points Outstanding

Thank you Sandi & Rich for today’s R & D! Lots of clouds blowing in from the West this morning. We had a bit of rain last evening, but the major storms were North and West of us. Eva, thank you for capturing & sharing all our happenings! So much going on. Off to the gym early, then Aldi, Bindi walks and cleaning up after last night. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ******* Clos du Bois 2019 Chardonnay, North Coast, California I used the 2019 vintage info since that is the one for which I found the Wine Enthusiast review. It should still be very easy to find. Lots of online distributors with prices starting at $9.99 or a magnum for $15.99. 90 Wine Enthusiast The Clos du Bois Chardonnay is a refreshingly aromatic wine from the rugged coast of California. Scents of warm apple pastry rise from the glass with touches of honey and toasted oak. Bright layers of freshly sliced pear and ripe apple with zests of citrus carry through the long finish.

Thank you Sandi & Rich for today’s R & D! It is a bit overcast, so we may get the predicted storms. But the local fawns have the zombies, so I am enjoying watching them while I have breakfast. Thank you Eva, for taking on our Care & Celebration lists while Vanessa is off cruising and vacationing. Dixie, I hope your kitty is doing better, now that your house has calmed down a bit. @bennybear, Brenda, it was great to see your posts. Happy to read you are doing well. Zumba, Bindi walks and then prep for tonight’s dinner. My hydrangea has a host of blossoms, just in time to grace the table. This is how I feel after hanging up from a “customer service” rep, after clicking a bunch of options and then holding for a long time. Prayers for all who need our support. @marshhawk Annie & Chuck thinking of you. I know yesterday had to be tough, but you gave Irving the greatest gift of all. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well and stay well everyone! *********** Kosta Browne Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California 2015 This wine sounds lovely, and fairly easy to find. But it comes with a price outside of my budget. I found numerous online distributors with prices starting at $76.67 on an online auction site or $95.00 on a fixed price distributor’s site. Winemaker Notes Stunning aromas of blueberry, blackberry, lavender and ripe strawberry. Full body with super fine tannins that are compressed and extremely long. JS97 James Suckling Blueberry, blackberry, lavender ,and ripe strawberry. Stunning aromas. Full body, with super fine tannins that are compressed and extremely long. It goes on for minutes. Even better in 2020. WW93 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The 2015 Kosta Browne Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir is a nifty wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine slides nicely on the palate and finishes with a bright aftertaste. Its brightly-focused aromas and flavors of ripe red fruits flow effortlessly. Pair it with a pan-fried, thick pork chop. (Tasted: July 10, 2019, San Francisco, CA) WS90 Wine Spectator Rich and spicy, with a dense core of extracted dark berry, mocha, spice, cedary oak and loamy earth notes. Packs a lot of flavor into a style that will benefit from short-term cellaring. Drink now through 2023.

Good grief! Hope recovery is quick and complete!

Sandi & Rich, thank you for today’s R & D! Lots of wild T-storms last night. But no hail! I think my new plants are safely established! Eva, thank you for tracking all our happenings! @dfish, Debbie congratulate Sue on her retirement for me! I love how she ended her career! Just one gym class, chores, yard work, Bindi walks, and salad prep for tomorrow for me today. Possibly more T-storms, so I best get moving. Prayers for all who need our support. Thinking of you @bennybear Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough 2020 Well this elusive Pinot Noir sounds interesting. I hope our New Zealand and Australian readers are enjoying these elusive wines. I did find a distributor who would ship a case of the 2019 vintage to me for $521.99. But I did not find any for the 2020 vintage. If you live in Australia, I found an online distributor offering it for $43.99. You might be able to find it for an even better price. Cameron Douglas notes There’s no mistaking the purity of fruit at the center of the bouquet - red cherries and ripe sweet plum, some raspberry and baked strawberry suggestions. Oak layers in some complexity and spice and the varietal signature is enhanced by a fine layer of mineral silty soil scents. Taut and youthful on the palate with a core of red berry fruit flavours, plums and tart strawberry. Tannins and acidity accentuate the youthful mouthfeel adding foundation structure and power. While drinkable today I suggest you cellar this wine till late 2023 and try again. Excellent drinking from early 2024 through 2030+. 94 Points Excellent

Thank you Sandi & Rich for today’s R & D! Another lovely morning here in the neighborhood Eva, thank you for keeping track of us. You have done Vanessa & Roy proud! Zumba, Bindi, walks, yard work & a bit of prep for Saturday dinner with my friends. My turn to host. My deep purple creeping Lobelia seeds are starting to sprout. I hope they flower - the color is striking. Prayers for all who need our support. @bennybear, Brenda hope all went well yesterday. @kazu, Jacqui glad you are one step closer to your goal. Hope the pain subsides quickly. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ************ Frenchman's Hill Estate Syrah Waiheke Island Rock Earth 2014 Another elusive New Zealand wine. I would love a taste, because I have never tasted “angry red berries” before. Not sure if either of the distributors I found ship to me, but since the price is outside my budget, I did not investigate further. Online prices started at $67.94. Cameron Douglas’ review A bouquet that smells complete, a distinctive aromatic presence of dark almost broody even angry red berries - cherries and raspberry, dark plums and spices, a haunting almost steely core, dried herb and sweet tobacco. Complex and seductive. On the palate - fruity, ripe, toasty, rich, powerful and a bold statement of Syrah. Pepper and black olive, raspberry and black currant, ripe plum and clove-sweet oak. Young, still developing, but also drinkable today. Cellar upon purchase with best drinking from 2022 through 2028. 96 Points

It has been sunny all day. No humidity. It must all be down there.

@cunnorl Charlene, hope you escaped the hail storm that hit West Melbourne! This just doesn’t look like Florida is supposed to look!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Sandi & Rich! It is another lovely morning after an evening of rain. Eva, thank you for keeping our lists. It is not easy keeping up with all our happenings. An early haircut, my window cleaners are coming to get all the pollen off my screens and windows. I am no longer comfortable getting up high on a ladder and doing vigorous cleaning. Then Bindi walks and my HIIT class. Prayers for all who need our support. Thinking of you @bennybear & @kazu Brenda & Jacqui praying all goes well today. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* La Marca Prosecco, Italy I suspect many Dailyites have enjoyed a glass or two of La Marca. Easy to find. Easy on the budget. Enjoyable all around. I found a multitude of online distributors with prices starting at $5.97! Winemaker Notes The delicate La Marca Prosecco has a pale, golden straw color and sparkles with lively effervescence. Opening with aromas of fresh-picked citrus and honeysuckle blossoms, the crisp, clean palate brings fruity flavors of green apple, juicy peach and ripe lemon, framed by hints of minerality. The finish is light and refreshing with a tantalizing hint of sweetness. Always serve La Marca Prosecco chilled between 46-50°F. A versatile Italian Sparkling wine, La Marca Prosecco can be served in sparkling flutes or white wine glasses. A full bottle serves approximately 5-7 glasses. After pouring the first round, seal the opened bottle with a bottle stopper to keep remaining wine fresh and effervescent and keep the wine chilled to 46-50°F. An opened bottle should last about 3-4 hours with the bottle closure. La Marca Prosecco has the charm to stand alone as an aperitif, but it also has the body and the acidity to pair well with a range of foods, from seafood and mild cheeses to rich pasta dishes and decadent desserts. WW90 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The La Marca Prosecco is easy, soft, and pleasing. This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of chalkiness, floral notes, and apples. Make this wine your aperitif wine or toast festive occasions. (Tasted: November 12, 2022, San Francisco, CA) JS90 James Suckling Aromas and flavors of candied apples and cherries with some pear. Light body. Frothy and crisp with a white pepper undertone. Plenty of prosecco character. Drink now.

@dfish Happy Birthday. Debbie! May your new year be filled with love, laughter, great health & a cruise or two!

@bennybear & @kazu Brenda & Jacqui praying that all goes well for you both tomorrow and that you recovery is quick & painless!

Thank you Sandi & Rich for today’s R & D. It is a lovely day in my neighborhood! We had quite a rainy evening, yesterday. But not a heavy downpour. Even Bindi didn’t mind going out in it. Eva, thank you for taking care of our lists so diligently. We are such a busy group. I need to pull together and pack up tomorrow’s AmVet donation, and finish cleaning my bird bath. Then Bindi walks, one gym class and wrapping up my day at the local wine bar with friends. At least that is my plan. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Altocedro Malbec La Consulta Old Vine Reserve 2020 The 2020 vintage is still a bit elusive, though I provided its info below. Luckily all released vintages share the same excellent reviews. It definitely sounds like one I would like to taste. But there are numerous online distributors who ship the 2019 with prices starting at $33.50. Winemaker Notes #51 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 A deep ruby red color. Lucid aromas of sweet figs and prunes, as well as cherry compote. Very generous fruit in the middle with firm, lightly chewy tannin and moderate length. WS93 Wine Spectator This red harmoniously melds layers of floral, spice, minerality and fruit, showing rich plum and floral blackberry notes up front, with spicy currant and wet stone flavors midpalate that fan out around medium-grained tannins. Ends with a lingering note of cordial. JS92 James Suckling Creamy mocha-chocolate notes jump out first, followed by very ripe blackberries and some mulberries. The full-bodied palate garners a bit of dried fruit, too, but not in a jammy way. Rich and concentrated with dense, ripe tannins to seal it all. Good length. Drink or hold.

Brenda your pics are magical! I bought a Whirlpool. It is a similar layout as my old LG: French door fridge with freezer on the bottom.

Eva, thank you for celebrating my new fridge! But it can come off the list now. Though I am still exploring all its nooks & crannies. 😎

Have fun at Legoland. I never expected to enjoy myself there as much as I did. I was awed by the detail that was included in each display.

Thank you Sandi & Rich for today’s R & D! It is another lovely morning here, though unsettled weather is expected to move in tomorrow. Eva, thank you for caring for our Cares & Celebrations lists. I appreciate you stepping in! Just a gym class, chores, Bindi walks for me. Though my plumber comes back this afternoon to see if he can rearrange the plumbing under the sink to give me a bit more room. I have a water purification system that has lots of lines going to different places and it is a mess. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ******** Borne of Fire 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington State I used the 2018 vintage info, because this might be the easiest for us to find. But all prior vintages share the same excellent ratings and reasonable prices. A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $16.94. Winemaker Notes Borne of Fire epitomizes the terroir of The Burn. This rugged, yet elegant wine leads with herbal expressive aromas laced with pomegranate and stony minerals. Upon tasting the wine, powdery tannins frame flavors of cherry, currant, savory spice, and red pepper. A green coffee inflected finish rounds out the overall experience. Pair with beef sliders, Caribbean pork sandwiches, gnocchi with braised beef brisket or garlic chicken wings. JD91 Jeb Dunnuck Just bottled, the 100% varietal 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon has a juicy, fruit-forward, delicious style as well as notes of ripe black cherries, tobacco, and leafy herbs. With plenty of fruit, ripe tannins, and loads to love, drink it over the coming 5-7 years.

My friend on the turtle patrol shared some pics of the new Leatherback turtle nest. Not often seen around me, so everyone is very excited.