cat shepard

Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate! Thank you for today’s Report & Daily Rich! A bit warmer today. And it is just starting to get light out here. Roy, thank you for keeping our lists! Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks and chores. This evening we’ll visit the Daytona Speedway to drive through the light show. Every year gets better and better. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********** Fox Run 2019 Doyle Family Chardonnay (Seneca Lake) Finger Lakes This Chardonnay sounds lovely - though the review does mention “buttery”, and it has very good - excellent reviews from consumers and critics. Available from several online distributors with prices starting at $13.99. Distributor notes With every vintage it becomes clearer that New York's Finger Lakes region wines are world class. Fox Run Vineyards is truly a family owned and operated business. If you’ve ever been to Fox Run, you’ve probably met at least one family member. It’s not unusual to find Scott pouring wine behind the tasting bar or Ruth helping take orders in the café. Scott and Ruth’s daughter, Jessica Worden, is the office manager and behind-the-scenes virtuoso.Their vineyards on the banks of Seneca lake are all dry farmed and are Lake Friendly Farmer certified. In 2015, they installed 150-KW solar panels and the entire business has operated on 100% self-generated solar power ever since.Estate grown grapes for this Reserve Chard were sourced from Fox Run Vineyard block 1 - Kaiser Vineyard overlooking Seneca lake. After crushing and pressing the grapes, the winemaker transferred the juice to barrels where it fermented for 27 days. But the real allure of this wine was that it was left on yeast lees for a full eight months after fermentation adding a creamy textural component to the wine.In 2019 September was the warmest and driest in recent history. The grapes responded accordingly, producing some of the tastiest wine imaginable.James Suckling scored this 90 points saying "Lemon, apricot, yoghurt, praline and flint on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with tangy acidity and a creamy texture. Buttery, lemony and tangy. Drink now."

Wonderful news, Terry!

Welcome home Dixie & George! Safe travels. Thank you for posting the drink du jour every day - even while cruising.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich. A nippy 41 here this morning. I consider myself to be in training for my trip to New England next week. Not only will it be cold, but there is a chance of a bad storm the day after I arrive. Roy thank you for keeping track of our cares & celebrations! Lots of chores and prepping for the trip up North for me today. And Bindi walks. My fellow animal lovers have been posting lots of memes with the same theme… Prayers to all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @smitty34877 Terry, praying that Monday's a go and that all goes smoothly & your recovery is swift. Get well and stay well everyone! ******** Villa Guelpa 2018 Lessona Piedmont Another elusive wine, unless you live in or visit Italy. This wine sounds lovely. Superb ratings and I did find one online distributor offering it for $53.15 + shipping. Distributor Notes Villa Guelpa’s vineyards cover the whole Alto Piemonte area, from the alluvial pebbles of the hills of Salussola and Dorzano near the lake of Viverone, the sands of Mottalciata, the ancient ones of Lessona, the volcanic porphyries of Bramaterra and back to the recent alluvial soils with sandy texture of Sizzano. All of the sites come together under the house of Villa Guelpa with its historic cellar in Lessona. Villa Guelpa ferments and ages their wines in cement tanks with the exception of aged reds that are elevated in traditional Slavonian oak barrels. 96 Wine Enthusiast “Lessona wines abound with elegance, thanks to mineral-rich yellow sand and vineyard altitudes that range between 722 and 1,181 feet above sea level. They offer bouquets of roses and red woodland berries that follow over to the palate, along with a pronounced mineral vein. Lessona wines have an almost ethereal character, but noble tannins and vibrant acidity impart serious aging potential.”

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich. Quite a bit cooler this morning. Almost a 20 degree drop. But the sun is out and we should research the high 60s later. Roy, thank you for keeping our lists. The gift that keeps on giving. A fairly routine day for me, though this afternoon my neighbors and I will be putting out the luminarias around the island in the cul de sac. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Stay well everyone. ******* Ferrari 2012 Perle Nero Extra Brut Riserva Pinot Nero (Trento) You might need to travel to Italy to enjoy this wine, though some distributors ship overseas. Excellent consumer and critic ratings. A bit over my budget even without shipping. Several online distributors with prices starting at $58.49. Distributor Notes BACKGROUND Paradoxically, Italy’s most famous metodo classico sparkling wine was started with the desire to compete with the best French Champagnes. Giulio Ferrari, a Trentino native, started his venerable sparkling wine house in 1902, after studying winemaking in France. Convinced that his native region’s terroir was ideal for growing Chardonnay, he produced three of his now best-known cuvées – Ferrari Brut, Perlé and Giulio Ferrari – as blanc de blancs. This innovative approach quickly paid off. Ferrari wines consistently receive some of Italy’s top accolades, including being awarded Tre Bicchieri 22 years in a row. TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES With its mountain viticulture (the Dolomites), Trentino is an area well-suited to the production of sparkling wines of great elegance and complexity. Large diurnal temperature range and high altitudes ensures high acidity and freshness in the grapes. With 300 acres of vineyards, Ferrari represents the largest estate in the Trentino region. WINEMAKING Ferrari Perlé Nero is made using the traditional metodo classico. After a hand-harvest in the middle of September, the wine undergoes a gentle pressing. TASTING NOTES Gold in color. On the nose, the wine is rich and matured. Powerful with a great complexity which goes from fruity to mineral and toasted notes. In terms of palate, the wine offers an exceptional personality, of rare complexity, where fruity and roast notes are perfectly balanced, completed by a charming sapidity. The elegant creaminess surprises in a dynamic way and lingers with a long and pleasing finish. A sparkling wine of pronounced finesse. Perfect served as an aperitif or with lighter dishes, especially seafood. 95 Wine Enthusiast

Bon Voyage, Jacqui!

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Bindi and I were greeted by an Eastern sky alive with amazing colors. But the rain clouds quickly moved in and now it supposed to rain most of the day. Roy, thank you for keeping our lists. Mani pedi this morning. Boy decorating for the Holidays was hard on my nails, so I really need the manicure. Then Bindi walks and my HIIT class this evening. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ******** Osprey's Dominion 2014 Flight Meritage (North Fork of Long Island) Another Long Island wine! And this red blend sounds lovely! I would love to try it, if I can find it. Very elusive, but I found one online distributor offering it for $29.99. 93 Wine Enthusiast This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot delivers tightly compact aromas of currant and plum flecked with thyme, graphite and moss. It's polished and poised on the medium-bodied palate, with graphite, herb and currant flavors vying for the spotlight. The intense coil of flavors, as well as the firm, lingering structure, indicate cellaring potential. Drink through 2030.

Roy, I also emailed Rich that I would post it, if no one had posted it before I check. So I have your back.

How wonderful, Terry! Praying that you are cleared for surgery. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is NOT a train!

Perhaps HAL will pay attention when you dispute the charge with your cc company. It is disappointing to hear that you could not talk to anyone in customer relations.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich. Very cloudy here this morning. @kazu Jacqui 🤞🏻That you make it to San Diego today . And @summer slope Dixie, 🤞🏻that George escapes COVID jail today! Roy, thank you for keeping our lists Today I start organizing for my trip home next week. I am trying to travel very lightly, so I do not have to check a bag. We’ll see how I do. Off to the gym. Bindi walks and chores. I also need to tackle my files and weed out old stuff. If only losing weight was this easy…. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Coffee Pot Cellars 2014 Merlot (North Fork of Long Island) A Long Island vintner- wine not? I usually do not gravitate towards merlots, but I have never encountered a wine from Long Island before, so I would love to taste it. A bit elusive, I found a few online distributors with prices starting at $24.29. 92 Wine Enthusiast Aromas of graphite and crushed herbs lend a linear, driven feel to the nose, yet there's plenty of generosity by way of black currant and plum at the core. The medium-bodied palate shows a delightful mix of taut dark-berry fruit balanced by accents of graphite and sage. While enjoyable now, this has the structure and stuffing to last through 2028.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! We finally got to see the sun yesterday & the stars last night. I admit I am spoiled. Roy thank you for taking care of our ever-changing lists. Today I am off to volunteer at a local food bank, then do my only afternoon class at the gym. This will be the first time with the permanent instructor, so I hope I enjoy it as much as last week’s class. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********* Barefoot Bubbly NV Extra Dry Sparkling (California) This slightly sweet bubbly is easy to find and very easy on the wallet. It has very good reviews from critics and consumers. And it can be yours for as little as $8.95, though most places offer it for $9.99. Distributor notes Combining all the flavor of crisp, refreshing apples with a smooth and creamy finish, Barefoot Bubbly Extra Dry Champagne is the perfect pairing for any celebration. Perfect with everything from fresh fruit to smoked salmon, this lively, versatile champagne was made to stand out. 87 Wine Enthusiast

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich. Another cloudy morning. Yesterday got a bit misty off and on, but no real rain. Roy, thank you for keeping our lists. I visited Istanbul in 2016 after cruise ships starting visiting again. There were about 1,700 passengers on the Eurodam and many of them came from Australia. I loved the entire city, but found the Cisterns magical and fascinating. Just one gym class, chores and Bindi walks are on my schedule today. Prayers for all who need our support. @grapau27 Graham, happy to read that all went well today. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ******* Rivetto 2019 Vigna Lirano (Nebbiolo d'Alba) This is one elusive wine! It sounds lovely and it is a biodynamic wine from a well respected vintner. Vicinity consumers report an average $51.00 per bottle, but my searches came up empty. 96 Wine Enthusiast Made with certified organic and biodynamic farming methods and vinified in terra-cotta amphorae, this luminous Nebbiolo has compelling aromas of ripe red fruit, tilled earth, violet and camphor. The focused, delicious palate has a pristine quality, doling out fresh red berries, white pepper, star anise and a dollop of vanilla alongside taut, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced, while a saline mineral note lingers on the savory finish. Enjoy now or hold for more complexity. Drink through 2031.

I am so sorry to read this. Praying that that the condition improves.

Terry I sorry about you missing Christmas with your DS & family this year. I really love that they are carrying on your family traditions. Praying that next year is different for you. I will be traveling back to New England for the first time since COVID, and my Thanksgiving visitors picked out the cookies they want to make from the ones that my Mom & I used to make. Traditions are a lovely way to share memories about loved ones who have passed.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Still a bit too dark to be sure, but though it is cloudy, yesterday’s fog is gone. Roy hope you are doing better. Off to the gym, then Aldi and Bindi walks are in my future. Last night’s birthday celebration was so much fun. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Bon Voyage Joy & Allen! Get well & stay well everyone! ******* Domaine de l'Espigouette 2018 Vieilles Vignes This Côte du Rhône sounds lovely, and if I can find it locally, I would try it. A bit elusive, but I found a couple of online distributors with prices starting at $17.99. Distributor Notes Domaine de l’ Espigouette is an organically grown vineyard that has been family run for four generations, and is located in the Rhone Valley of France. The estate is currently run by Bernard Latour, his wife, and his two sons Julian and Emilien; who carefully work the vineyard according to the climatic characteristics of vintage and different terroirs. The multiplicity of the soil brings complexity to the different wines of the area, and the rollers provide rich, bold wines, while sandy and clay soils provide elegance, finesse and depth. Dark, dense colored. Smells of dark cherries, clove and spice. Medium to full bodied. Balanced, long and classy 70% GRENACHE, 10% SYRAH, 10% MOURVÈDRE, 5% CARIGNAN, 5% CINSAULT 93 Wine Enthusiast

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! A very foggy morning here, but it should burn off and be another lovely day. Roy, thank you for keeping our lists so faithfully. Just yard work and chores today, but this evening we are gathering at a friend’s to celebrate a birthday. There will be hors d’oeuvres and wines. Ooh, I had to interrupt this post for the great armadillo hunt of 2022. I spied an armadillo digging between my neighbor’s and my houses, and when I went outside to chase it away, it immediately headed for the foundation of my neighbor’s home. I followed to see if it had been digging along the foundation, but it kept going and I could not see any signs of digging along the foundation. I did warn my neighbor just in case I missed something. Ok back to our regularly scheduled post…. We will also have cupcakes with candles for the birthday girl to blow out. Prayers for all who need our support. @HAL Sailer praying that DSIL is comfortable. Cheers to all who are celebrating - safe travels @Seasick Sailor Joy & Allen! Bon Voyage @Cruising Terri hope you have a wonderful cruise. Happy Birthday Henry! @Cruising-along, Carolyn, hope you are well enough to enjoy the day with him. Get well & stay well everyone. ********** Smith and Sheth 2018 Cru Heretaunga Syrah (Hawke's Bay) New Zealand This Syrah sounds amazing. A bit elusive - unless you are @erewhon or on a cruise to New Zealand. I did find one online distributor offering it for $39.95. 95 Wine Enthusiast This is a precise, tightly knit wine for the cellar that beautifully captures both the power and the elegance of Hawke's Bay Syrah. Like a hug in a glass, it offers comforting aromas of melted chocolate, baking spice, ground pepper, fresh bramble berries and a hint of something more mineral. The palate is broad but focused. The tannins are beautifully textured, talc-like and spicy, cradling the pristine fruit. Drink through 2040.

Annie, you need to wrap DH in bubble wrap before letting him out! I am so sorry to read about what is happening with DH’s family.

Wow!

Wonderful news, Dixie!

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Another stunning morning here. Bindi and I had a gorgeous moonlit bedtime walk last night. No need for a flashlight. Some friends on the coast sent me these amazing moonrise pics. Roy, thank you for keeping up with us! Off to the gym. Bindi walks. More chores. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ******** Chateau Gaudrelle 2018 Clos le Vigneau (Vouvray) One reviewer describes this Vouvray as “a whisker from dry”. I would love a taste, and if it is truly off dry, I would probably love it. All released vintages share the same excellent ratings. A bit elusive, but I did find a couple online distributors with prices starting at $23.49. Winemaker Notes Off dry in style with honey, earth and apricot notes. Crisp and medium bodied. Wines from the town of Vouvray have been known to age well for 40 years. WE93 Wine Enthusiast Produced by Alexandre Monmousseau, scion of a distinguished local family, this wine is ripe, full-bodied and splendidly rich. Just getting ready to drink, the wine is generous and full of dried apple and peach flavors. Good now, it will age well, certainly until 2025. Kysela Père et Fils.

Dixie, I am so sorry to hear DH has COVID. Hope it turns out to be a mild case. Pray that you stay negative.

Geesh, Bruce! No wonder that cold knocked you for a loop. Get better, fast!

Great to “see” you!

Melisa, praying that your DSIL’s medical team help your DSIL.