cat shepard

Thank you. The description says it is an hour scenic drive from the port. If we get to see some sights along the way - that works. If we had kids with us, that would be entirely different.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Sandi for Rich! A perfect morning for a long Bindi walk. She is now peacefully snoring away. Thank you for keeping our lists, Vanessa! Zumba, Bindi walks, meal prep, pool time 🤞🏻, and then dinner with my traveling Sister. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Stonecroft Syrah Hawkes Bay Gimblett Gravels Undressed 2021 Love the name of this New Zealand wine. I found one online distributor - but of course they only ship to New Zealand. So if you are cruising to New Zealand, I hope you are making a list of wines to try. And I hope @erewhon is able t9 find and enjoy some of these amazing sounding wines! The online distributor’s price is a reasonable $20.45. Cameron Douglas’ review Fantastic colour and bouquet with aromas of violets and baked raspberries, there’s a core mineral quality with baked stones and a dried clay quality. There’s also a sweet fresh meaty quality along with a plum and dark chocolate layer. Lovely texture andintensity as the wine touches the palate. Flavours and texture s of tannin and acidity flowe through the palate seemlessly. Fresh, youthful, mineral and fruity with spices, some intense lees quality and a some mild toasty wood qualities. Youthful and needing some more cellar time, but a delicious wine today as well. Best drinking from 2023 through 2030. 94 Points - Excellent

Great version, Jack! I never saw the lyrics translated before!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another lovely start to the day. Yesterday’s storms cleared out in time for Bindi’s post supper walk & pool time! A very handsome buck walked through the yard leading this year’s twin fawns - one has almost lost all its spots! Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Off to the gym for a couple classes. Then Bindi walks, prep for tomorrow’s dinner with my “traveling Sister”. She is trying to convince me to take a NCL cruise 😱 next February out of Port Canaveral, which is a fund raiser for her volunteer tutoring group. Who know, not having to fly is certainly a selling point. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @Seasick Sailor Happy 80th to Allen! Get well & stay well everyone! *********** Familia Zuccardi Malbec Paraje Altamira Concreto 2021 I would love to sip this Argentinian Malbec. It sounds very interesting, is highly acclaimed & reasonably priced. Available from a decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $24.99. Winemaker Notes #43 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 Red color with violet hues. It expresses a great herbal character with notes of red fruits. In the mouth is long and with a distinctive mineral texture. A wine of great structure and acidity. Blend: 100% Malbec JS95 James Suckling Such a brooding nose with black pepper, violet and fresh blueberry and blackberry fruit. Spicy and tight on the palate, but super polished, racy and refined. Medium-to full-bodied red with beautiful tannin tension and expressive, floral notes in the finish. Exemplary and authentic! So delicious now. Why wait? RP95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2021 Concreto Malbec has to be one of the finest vintages of this wine despite its youth and still shy personality. But there are tons of flowers, wild herbs and berries there waiting to emerge in an insinuating way, with austerity but unfurling layers and layers as the wine sits in the glass. It's incredibly fine-boned with chalky tannins that scream limestone, full of precision and purity. For Sebastián Zuccardi, they didn't do anything different, it's just the character of the year. This is the wine that explains their philosophy without breaking your piggy bank. Rating: 95+ WS92 Wine Spectator A youthful, lively and expressive red, showing floral macerated cherry and plum flavors amid toasted herb and espresso bean details. Ends with minerally tannins, which are firm yet perky, and a note of baker's chocolate.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely start to the day. Afternoon & evening storms yesterday made Bindi walks a challenge and prevented any pool time. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. @smitty34877 Terry, love reading about Lou’s progress. And how thrilling that Murphy is holding her own. A strong woman in the making! Zumba, chores, Bindi walks and 🤞🏻 pool time will fill my day. All our rain has made the flowers so happy. I still have hydrangea blossoms galore! The pic below has just two blossoms in it! But I need to get out and do some dead heading & spray the deers’ favorites with Bobbex. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ******** Château La Gaffelière St.-Emilion 2019 This amazing blend might just be worthy of stepping outside of my budget to buy. It would need to be for a very special occasion. Most critics suggest waiting. I am impressed with the winemakers lack of hyperbole. Available from numerous online distributors with prices starting at $79.95. Winemaker Notes #67 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 Blend: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc WE97 Wine Enthusiast This estate has made a dark, dense wine in this vintage. That density is penetrated by the freshness of the black currant fruits. The result is a wine that is powered both by structure and crisp fruit. There is definitely plenty of aging potential here. Barrel Sample: 95-97 JS96 James Suckling A vibrant, fragrant red with aromas of blackberries, currants, walnuts and mint chocolate. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Pretty walnut notes on the polished finish. Fantastic length. Driven acidity and focus. Try in 2025. D95 Decanter An estate with a gathering sense of excitement around it, and once again proves why with the 2019. Sleek and flavourful, with the insistent tug of limestone slowing things down and allowing the juice and the tension to really inform the palate. Creamy texture also, with blueberry and raspberry fruit played gently against tobacco and crushed stone minerality. Highly successful. Barrel Sample: 95 JD95 Jeb Dunnuck The flagship 2019 Château La Gaffeliere is mostly Merlot, yet the cuvée always includes around 15% Cabernet Franc. It offers a complex array of spiced red and black fruits, cedary herbs, lead pencil, and a kiss of tobacco to go with a medium-bodied, elegant, impressively balanced style on the palate. It shows the more classic style of the vintage, has no hard edges, and is going to be relatively accessible in its youth yet also age gracefully. Barrel Sample: 93-95 RP95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2019 La Gaffelière wafts from the glass with a rich bouquet of blackberries and cherries mingled with subtle hints of burning embers and loamy soil that's framed by a deft application of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, it's a concentrated, vibrant wine built around bright acids and fine, powdery tannins. Its vivid fruit tones and classical balance make this Cabernet Franc-rich blend a promising candidate for sustained bottle age. Anyone who has tasted the great wines this estate produced in the 1950's and 1960's knows how great this site can be; and with stricter selection as well as the elimination of fruit from vines growing on the plain from the blend, that potential appears to be being unleashed at last. Best After 2027 WS94 Wine Spectator This rolls out dense fig, boysenberry and red currant paste flavors laced with pronounced chalky minerality and notes of tobacco, dried anise and juniper. The serious tannic drive on the finish puts this in the 'classically austere' camp. Worth cellaring for sure, but patience is required.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A spectacular morning. Last night’s rain brought the morning temps down! The birds were very happily hunting for breakfast! Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. Prayers for Ruth, you and her family and friends. A much needed manicure is on this morning’s schedule the beach and pool have taken their toll. Bindi walks, chores, HIIT class and - weather permitting - pool time will fill the rest of the day. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone. *********** Mt. Difficulty Riesling Central Otago Bannockburn Dry 2019 This one was tough. I guess the fact that it comes from Mt. Difficulty was a clue! The only info I found for this specific vintage was on a distributor’s website. And I did not find anyone who ships to me. If you live in New Zealand, you will be able to find it for prices starting at $28.79. Vines on line - New Zealand distributor Aroma This wine displays aromas of ripe stonefruit blossom, peach, tangerine notes mingled together with underlying pear notes. Palate The palate displays these same characters in abundance focusing on ripe succulent peach notes while the mid palate is full, creamy and well textured. The wine has a rich, spice infused finish. A pure joy to drink! Serving Suggestions The Mt Difficulty Riesling goes hand and hand with creamy brie, chocolate and dried fruit platters.

I am so sorry, Vanessa. Being prepared for Ruth’s passing, doesn’t eliminate your grief. May your wonderful memories help ease your pain.

They picked a lovely spot for breakfast & playing!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich. A very wet start to this morning. It took several tries before Bindi ventured out. And it was still raining a bit. Vanessa, thank you for all you do! I had a wonderful visit with the family yesterday, but the weather did not cooperate. We only stayed at the beach for an hour before the T-storms moved in and the lifeguards had to clear everyone out of the water. So we grabbed a takeout lunch on our way back to my place. It was still raining lightly by the time we got there, but the T-storms had moved through so we all enjoyed the pool! Boy was I tired. Bindi seemed to enjoy Day Camp, too! Just gym, chores & Bindi walks should make today a bit more normal, but dull. Prayers for all who need support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Happy Birthday, Father David! Enjoy your new decade! Get well & stay well everyone! ************ Gaston Chiquet Brut Champagne Tradition NV Let’s all fill a flute and toast Father David on his 50th! This sounds very sipable and has a decent price. Available through many distributors with prices starting at $34.94 - you might even find it for less locally. Winemaker Notes #86 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 Golden yellow hue, fine mousse. Fresh nose of dried fruit (apricot) with a hint of citrus. Smooth palate (Meunier); fresh, balanced and fruity (fresh apricot, white peach, citrus); aromatic finish. RP90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Disgorged in May 2019, the latest release of Chiquet's supremely dependable NV Brut Premier Cru Tradition reveals an inviting bouquet of crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, honeycomb, Meyer lemon and warm biscuits. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with a youthfully frothy but refined mousse, a succulent core of fruit and ripe but racy balancing acids. It's already drinking well. WS90 Wine Spectator Vibrant and balanced, with flavors of nectarine, candied orange peel, slivered almond and oyster shell set on a lacy texture. Fragrant hints of white blossoms and lemon thyme show on the finish.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich. Another lovely morning. We were surrounded by storms yesterday, but they moved through quickly. The deer were everywhere this morning. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our cares and celebrations. Bindi heads off to day camp soon and then the visiting family gang arrives and we are off to the beach - at least until Mother Nature decides we’ve had enough. Then back to my place for supper and pool time. Somewhere in there - I pick up Bindi from camp. Prayers for all who need our support. Thrilled to read that Murphy is holding her own. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Neudorf Pinot Noir Nelson Moutere Home Block 2020 Another elusive New Zealand entry, but I found one Hong Kong distributor that ships worldwide for $45.34. Cameron Douglas’ review Complex, layered, varietal, fruity, floral and very enticing bouquet. Aromas of dark spiced cherry, red apple, some pomegranate and plum. Layers of new and older wine barrel with a sweet spice and mild toasty qualities - a touch of clove and vanilla then, a fine raw cashew nut quality. Complex and youthful. Flavours transition through the palate and reflect the bouquet - youthful, ripe and varietal. Oak provides the foundation delivering some spice and mild, toasty complexities, tannins and acidity layer in a tautness and distinctive mouthfeel. New, fresh, and complex with best drinking from mid to late 2023 through 2033+. Great potential, but please, just give this wine time. 95 Points - Outstanding

I will be in Puerto Plata next February and am interested in this beach club. There is very little info about it on Trip Advisor or CC. Has anyone visited it? If so, what did you like about it? Anything you would want to change?

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely start to the day after yesterday’s wild afternoon storms. Lots of wildlife this morning: deer, raccoon, fox, and a couple Sandhill cranes. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our events. Off to the gym, then Aldi, Bindi walks, chores and 🤞🏻 pool time will round out my day. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well and stay well everyone. *********** Dry River Pinot Noir Martinborough 2021 This New Zealand wine can be yours for $73.95 + shipping, unless your local wine shop carries it, or will order it for you. It sounds lovely. Vintner’s notes Power and concentration are at the centre of the wines of this year. In vintages like this, the way you extract your tannins and flavour from the fruit is vital. Being gentle and cautious was the focus from the vines to the winery, and this extra care has left us very happy with the result. Our Pinot Noir 2021 is deep, dark and a pleasure to drink now. The subtle aromatics will develop over time, even with just a little time in a decanter, while the palate is already smooth and seamless. Of course, it will benefit from patient cellaring. Serving suggestion: Decanted at 18 – 20C, serve with venison tartare, roasted lamb rack or mushroom risotto. TASTING NOTES Dry River Pinot Noir 2021 is a deep, dark colour with a subtle but generous nose. Aromatics of currants, mulberry, dark plum, baking spice and a lift of oak unfurl over time. The palate is bright, rich, smooth and seamless, showing a compact wine that gives great pleasure now and will continue to do so for the next 10 years and more.

Rich, thank you for today’s R& D! It is an exquisite morning here after an afternoon and evening filled with black clouds, thunder and a little bit of rain. I never did see any lightning. The deer families were everywhere this morning! Vanessa, thank you for sharing our cares & celebrations! Lots of chores, my landscaper is coming to raise the canopy of my big elm and remove the seed pods from my big palms, and Bindi walks before heading to a friend’s for dinner. 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 Malbecs usually need to breathe quite a bit before I can handle their boldness, but I have enjoyed some wonderful bottles. This one is available from numerous online distributors and one of them is offering on sale for $19.97. 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.

Rich, thank you for today’s R & D. It was gorgeous out this morning. Low humidity and a perfect breeze. Last evening we were surrounded by big T-storms, but had very little rain here. Vanessa, thank you for so diligently keeping our lists. Dixie & Debbie, thank you for being such great colleagues in the F & B department! Gym, Bindi walks - perhaps a bit longer today, chores, and pool time. Words I live by… Prayers for all who need our support, special prayers for Baby Murphy, Lou, Pat, & Karen. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone. *********** Kumeu River Chardonnay Kumeu Hunting Hill 2021 Stop the presses! A non-elusive New Zealand wine that is not a Sauvignon Blanc! This Chardonnay sounds lovely, but it is slightly outside of my budget. A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $59.00. Distributor notes Hunting Hill is a vineyard that was first planted in 1982 and became a significant part of the original Kumeu River Chardonnay blend. Occupying the slope overlooking Mate’s Vineyard, it has always contributed lovely ripe and rich fruit to the Estate Chardonnay. Hunting Hill was replanted in 2001 and is now even better than before, giving beautifully ripe fruit with a distinctive mealy minerality. Location: Hunting Hill, Kumeu, Auckland Cultivation: Sustainable Size: 3.37 hectares (8 acres) Vine Age: Planted 2001 Clones: 15 Soil: Clay loam Elevation: 100 meters (328 feet) Exposure: North facing but sloping slightly to Southwest Vintage Report: The winter of 2020 was relatively mild and dry. Spring came early, but there were frosts to contend with, one in particular causing damage to many of our Kumeu vineyards. Flowering took place well ahead of normal, and it was obvious that the season would be very early this year. The growing season rainfall was only sporadic, maintaining the dry conditions, and the temperatures were moderately warm. These relatively cool to warm, and dry conditions allowed for slow grape maturation, and the development of excellent fruit aromas and flavors. Harvest was completed by 9 March, about 3 weeks ahead of usual. In Kumeu the frost damage had lowered yields by 30-40%, but the overall quality was exceptional. Hand harvested Whole-bunch pressed Indigenous-yeast fermentation French oak barrels, 25% new oak 100% barrel fermentation 100% malolactic fermentation 11 months maturation in barrel Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay Tasting Notes: Hunting Hill is very distinctive in its terroir typicity, with piercing lemon/lime fruit lift and florality on the nose, richness and volume in the mouth followed by lingering acidity and minerality on the finish. This is an absolute classic example of how great the Chardonnay grape can be: A beautifully powerful, yet elegant and complex wine with long term aging ability. James Suckling - 96

Karen What a wonderful tribute to Phil and his life! Bless you for remembering his medical team. They are so often overlooked. ❤️

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich. A lovely morning precedes today’s scorcher. We had a brief T-storm yesterday that at least increased the breezes. That helped a great deal. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our cares & celebrations! Praying that baby Murphy’s surgery is a complete success and her recovery is quick! @smitty34877 I am toasting Lou with my morning coffee! How wonderful that he is home! Praying that the remainder of his recovery is swift with NO detours. Thinking of you Dixie @summer slope ❤️. Zumba, Bindi walks, pool time & I need to spray my plants with Bobbex. Between the irrigation system & the little bit of rain we’ve had, my last application has worn off. Prayers for all who need our support. @luvteaching, Karen thinking of you. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! *********** Felton Road Chardonnay Central Otago Block 6 2021 There are several distributors of this New Zealand wine that ship worldwide. The vintner works hard to produce this Chardonnay, and I would love a taste. Doesn’t sound too oaky, but palates differ. Online prices start at $52.37 (a European distributors) + shipping. Distributor notes Aromas of elderflower and stone fruit, an evocation of bright, reflective stones and cool air. The north facing slope, higher elevation and greater exposure of Block 6, lend an extra degree of ripeness and stature compared to the finer, more mineral Block 2. The palate leads with grapefruit pith and persimmon flavours becoming broad and powerful. Honest and expressive of its unique vineyard origin. Block 6 was planted in 1993 and is positioned on a north facing slope immediately south of Block 5 on The Elms vineyard. Its higher elevation (282-300m) and steeper slope favourably intercepts the sun but results in it being more wind exposed. Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops are planted between rows to assist in vine balance and to improve soil health and general biodiversity.

Dixie, I am so sorry. 💔 Bless you for giving her the most important gift. Hugs.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Lovely morning introducing another scorcher. Yesterday’s breezes helped a bit, but not enough. Thank goodness for AC. Our 4th of July celebration had to move inside from the pool deck, it was just too much. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. @smitty34877, Terry, I am so happy to read that Lou was doing better! I need to get out early to do some dead-heading, then chores, Bindi walks (short ones), HIIT and pool time just might keep me out of trouble. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! *************** d'Angelo Aglianico del Vulture 2019 I just recently discovered this lovely, red Italian wine. Different vintner, but based on the description just as nice. And it is easy to find in sores & online with prices starting at $16.99. Winemaker Notes #49 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 The wine is a fairly intense ruby red, turns to garnet as it ages. Aromas of berries, typical of this vine variety. Dry, robust and fairly tannic. Over the years, it becomes more mellow and harmonious. WS91 Wine Spectator Compact and fresh, this medium- to full-bodied red reveals macerated black raspberry fruit accented by notes of dried sage, graphite, fig cake and mineral, with firm, dusty tannins. Let this open in the glass or decant ahead of time.

This applies to many of us today.

Lorraine My condolences. I know your Aunt’s passing was expected, but it is never easy. Praying that you & your family find comfort in wonderful memories.

Happy Birthday, USA! Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely morning greeted Bindi & me today. Yesterday was downright brutal - even with the breeze. Even Bindi didn’t mind shorter walks. Vanessa thank you for sharing our happenings. Praying that @smitty34877 Terry’s Lou had a much better night and he is over the hump. I know that yesterday was Civil Disobedience day, but this meme was just too tempting to resist. Some of the most important changes in the world started with acts of civil disobedience. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone. *************** Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Double Diamond 2019 This Cab is only elusive to my budget. 😎 But it sounds lovely. A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $145.00. Winemaker Notes This 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted by winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown in the Schrader Cellars tradition of making the best Cabernet Sauvignon that Napa Valley can offer. A unique expression of the Oakville AVA with harmonious integration of decadent fruit, refined structure, and silky tannins, the 2019 vintage of Double Diamond is ready to enjoy now and will continue to evolve over the next 3-5 years. WS94 Wine Spectator Packs in generous steeped plum, boysenberry and mulberry flavors backed by a broad swath of roasted alder and bittersweet cocoa. Brimming with dense fruit, and is squarely in the not-shy style. The long finish has a serious loamy tug, too. Best from 2023 through 2035. JD94 Jeb Dunnuck Released by Schrader as a separate brand, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Double Diamond (which is still 70% To Kalon) offers a forward, medium to full-bodied, incredibly sexy style as well as classy notes of cassis, tobacco, incense, orange blossom, and flowers. Readers looking for a touch of that Schrader magic at a slightly more affordable price are going to love this beauty. It's already drinking nicely, and I see no need to delay gratification. JS94 James Suckling Lots of mint, flower and blackcurrant aromas follow through to a medium to full body, creamy tannins and a savory finish. Good depth of fruit here. Juicy and delicious now.

Dixie, praying that Bailey’s issue is easily fixed.

@kazu Jacqui keeping Ivan and you in my prayers.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! It is a lovely morning in t(e neighborhood. The deer families are everywhere- perhaps to celebrate the Full “Buck” Moon tonight & tomorrow. Vanessa thank you for sharing our cares & celebrations. It really helps us keep up with everyone. Gym, chores, Bindi walks, prep for tomorrow’s 4th celebration and pool time. That should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877, Terry, praying that Lou’s road to recovery stays smooth. @luvteaching, Karen, keeping you & Jeff in my prayers. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ******** Two Paddocks Pinot Noir Central Otago The Fusilier 2020 This specific vintage of this specific Pinot Noir is not available to me - yet. I can opt for the equally praised 2019 vintage from several online distributors with prices starting at $69.93. But I have to wait for the 2020. You might have better luck if you live in New Zealand or at least don’t live in the USA. ABOUT THE WINE The flagship from Two Paddocks – an organically grown barrel selection from the estate properties. In 2019 this wine was produced from the four Neill family Central Otago vineyards. These small sites are high-density planted in a range of clonal material cropped to under 5 Tonne per hectare with most vineyard practices carried out by hand. As in the vineyard, the wine is hand crafted using traditional methods including a 46% whole bunch, indigenous fermentation and hand plunging. Maturation is in French barriques for 10 months, using a mix of older and new (18%) barrels. TASTING NOTES Vintage Comment: A dry cold 2019 winter continued into a dry spring that was dominated some severe wind and snow events. The critical flowering month of December was still relatively cool and experienced 50mm of rain over three days. As a result, flowering was both late and drawn out. Finally, the summer heat arrived in mid-January and lasted until mid-March but the critical cell division stage for the berries was also cool and along with the challenging conditions at flowering, resulted in crop levels being 30- 40% down in many of the vineyard blocks. There were two pieces of very good news though – the smaller bunches and small berries were much easier for the vine to fully ripen in late summer and ultimately resulted in densely coloured, aromatic wines. 2020 harvest was one of the most compact that Two Paddocks has seen starting, on the 6th of April and all done by the 24th April. Winemakers Notes: Hand harvested, 54% de-stemmed and given a 7 day pre-fermentation cold maceration to extract colour and aroma. After an indigenous fermentation, with a single plunging per day, the wine was given another 5 days post fermentation time on skins. Wine is then transferred to 1-4 (18% new oak) year old French medium toast barriques for a 10-month maturation, before racking and bottling. Estate Vineyard composition: 31% The Fusilier - Bannockburn, 20% - The Last Chance – Earnscleugh (Alexandra), 15% The Red Bank – Earnscleugh (Alexandra) and 34% The First Paddock – Gibbston. “Redcurrant with wild herbs and blackberry follow into a lovely gorgeous mineral flow giving exuberance, freshness and poise, showing complexity and evolving tannins which will age well.” Ageability: Drink now and up to 7 years. This wine will drink well in its youth and has the potential to age.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another lovely start to the day. My pool got a great deal of use yesterday. Those are the days that make it worth staying here. Lots of deer activity, too. Mom and the twins seemed to hang around the entire day. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, chores & pool time. Should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877, Terry praying that Lou continues to recover, and that you and the entire clan are able to rest. @luvteaching, Karen praying that you & Jeff find peace and comfort each day. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone. ******** Château Talbot St.-Julien 2019 The critics agree that this blend would benefit from a few years of aging, but has excellent cellar potential. Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $68.88. Winemaker Notes #4 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 Blend: 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot The Barrel Sample for this wine is above 14% ABV. WE96 Wine Enthusiast A rich, spicy and smoky wine, this has generous tannins to balance the blackberry fruit flavors. The structure is already impressive, showing ripeness as well as density, which is promising for plenty of aging. Barrel Sample: 94-96 JS95 James Suckling A juicy, fruity wine with lots of blue fruit, blackberries and dark chocolate. Pretty depth and structure to this. Polished and structured at the same time. Barrel Sample: 94-95 WS95 Wine Spectator Well-built and rather refined for the vintage, with a deep well of red and black currant paste and plum reduction flavors supported by a deeply inlaid iron note, all of which run the length of the wine. Offers subtle savory, tobacco and singed cedar notes that add range, with a savory echo that leaves a mouthwatering feel in the end. Built to cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025. D93 Decanter St Julien's largest property at 110ha (up there with Lagrange if you're keeping track), this has lovely plump black fruits on the nose. Takes hold right from the start, with clear tannic build and a silky character to the tannins. This continues the run of good vintages that Talbot has been producing since 2016. Well balanced, with plenty of St Julien character. Tasted twice two weeks apart. Highest ever level of Cabernet Sauvignon at the estate. Harvest 19 September to 8 October. 60% new oak. JD93 Jeb Dunnuck The 2019 Château Talbot is straight-up impressive, sporting a dense purple hue as well as a powerful nose of cassis, scorched earth, smoked tobacco, and spicy wood. Rich, black-fruited, medium to full-bodied, and structured, it's a rock-solid, balanced Saint-Julien that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and age for 15-20 years. Rating : 93+ Best After 2026 RP93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2019 Talbot is performing well, opening in the glass with aromas of earthy cassis, plums, burning embers and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, with powdery tannins, lively acids and a savory finish, it's Jean-Michel Laporte's second vintage at this sleeping giant of Saint-Julien. This will be an estate to watch closely going forward. Best after 2027.