Jump to content

cat shepard

Members
  • Posts

    6,836
  • Joined

Everything posted by cat shepard

  1. Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Glad all seems back to “normal” with CC. Roy thank you for keeping up with us, even through the craziness of the past two days. It is a lovely morning here, though we have been warned about a Nor’Easter coming next week - again during the King tides. Our County had 16 beach accesses damaged by Ian’s rough surf - some totally closed until repaired, so the County is bracing for this one. Though not destroyed the way some of the West Coast towns and islands were, the Southern part of my County took a beating. In fact the condo high rises along where @JAM37, Julia and family purchased I are being looked at closely to make sure their foundations are secure. I hope Julia and her family are ok. Just a day of chores and a bit of prep for Thanksgiving. My niece’s family of four are coming for a visit and staying with me. Her two girls (11 and 7 years old) are excited because my pool’s temp is around 80. Hot for them. Not for me. 😎 I hope all of us feel this way about this amazing place that Rich created… Prayers for all who need our support. @Quartzsite Cruiser @smitty34877 Lenda, so wonderful to read about Steve’s progress. Terry, so happy to read that Lou is doing well. @ottahand7 Nancy, praying that your DB improves to the point that he is able to go home. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ******** Cavallotto 2013 Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe Riserva (Barolo) Piedmont This might be a bit too much wine for me to handle, though I would love to taste it. And it is certainly out of my price range. A bit elusive, I found a few online distributors with prices starting at $185.00. WE 100 Wine Enthusiast, November 2020 A dazzling showing that combines Old School structure with finesse, this stunning red offers sublime aromas of rose, camphor, dark-skinned berry and new leather. Full bodied and delicious, the compelling palate delivers fruit purity and complexity, featuring ripe Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and tobacco. A backbone of noble tannins and vibrant acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. WA 99 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, July 2020 The Cavallotto 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe feels magically cool even as the wine warms in the glass. Eucalyptus, menthol and medicinal herbs rise from the bouquet, with dark fruit and savory spice in tow. When you first open the bottle, it shows a distinct mineral character with crushed aspirin, limestone and graphite. I opened a second bottle a few days before this tasting and had both bottles side by side to compare. Both showed impressive results with a pristine level of focus, sharpness and linearity. With aeration, those dark fruit nuances come to the forefront, showing dried cherry, plum and candied orange peel. A few hours later, you pick up on leather, tobacco and cedar wood. This is a fluid and ever-changing wine that is well worth adding to your cellar selection. What a beauty.- ML WS 96 Wine Spectator, April 2020 A classically proportioned Barolo, featuring cherry, plum, tar, iron and eucalyptus flavors, with floral hints. Dense and tannic, offering balance and a long, mouthwatering finish. Solid tannins are offset by ripe fruit and fresh acidity. Best from 2023 through 2046. 777 cases made, 300 cases imported. — BS W&S 95 Wine & Spirits, December 2020 Initially reticent, this Riserva unfolds with exposure to air, revealing fresh floral scents and bright cherry flavors edged in notes of tobacco and tangy blood orange. The fruit comes from the family’s nine acres of vines in the heart of Castiglione Falletto’s Bricco Boschis cru, and the wine aged for close to five years in large oak casks. Lithe and firmly structured, it is still in its nascent stages and will only get better with more cellar time. Skurnik Wines & Spirits, NY
  2. I bought one too. eBay had great prices. And have successfully used it at least three times. The chart that comes in its little booklet describes the effect each second of immersion delivers for both red and white wines. Have not tried it on a white wine - yet. The little bit of its science that I have read is that the tiny copper spot embedded in the device interacts with the sulfites of the wine.
  3. We had one of these on our 17 day cruise. It was very interesting. And fun. It may depend on the cellar master or the length of the cruise.
  4. Nancy I am so sorry to read about your DB. Praying that his condition improves so he can regain some quality of life. Bless you and the other Sisters for giving him plenty of visitors. Ann
  5. I missed the first one on my recent Niew Amsterdam cruise. The second one was $35. Our Celler Master, Jude, was amazing. He was a showman. First he demonstrated how Napoleon opened his wine bottles. He also put together quite a variety of items to pair with the wines that enhanced their taste. And he introduced us to the Clef du Vin. An amazing device that improves the taste of lesser wines. He had us take a sip of a typical “house red” wine and then had the waiters take a Clef du Vin and insert it in each of our glasses for a couple seconds. We could not believe the difference. The almost harshness of the wine was a transformed to a smooth, mellow very enjoyable glass.
  6. Hey! CC allowed me to post directly from the reply box, but kept requiring a verification email, when I clicked on the “Reply to this topic” link at the top. Sorry Rich, I should have thought to try that before bothering you. Thank you again for coming to the rescue. A very grateful Ann!
  7. @Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda, how wonderful that Steve is already able to do all those things. Already! Hope you both rest well tonight.
  8. Woo hoo! I could log back in! @smitty34877, Terry thank you for checking in earlier. Hope DH is now resting comfortably & you are relaxing a bit.
  9. Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! A bit late this morning, it was a lovely, though dark, morning for a long walk with Bindi. Last night was a bit disappointing at our beachfront winery. Only one costumed person walked by. Last year there were so many. But the ocean was still amazing and it was our first time back since Ian and wonderful to see how well they survived, though there was still sand everywhere in their parking area. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy! Debbie, great to see you & your recipes. Annie, thank you for providing a “pop-up” recipe yesterday! Off to the gym. Then chores, my plumber needs to finish up some work this afternoon, so my schedule revolves around him. Though perfect for last night, this really fits any night in a feline household… Prayers for all who need our support @kazu Jacqui, that is you. And @smitty34877 Terry that is you & DH. Cheers for all who are celebrating! @ger_77 Gerry, I hope that is you & DH! Stay well everyone. ********* Sierra Cantabria 2020 Rosado (Rioja) I would love to try this Spanish rosé. If it is dry enough I just might like it. I appreciate that the winemakers changed their method to the more traditional one. Available from several online distributors with prices starting at a reasonable $13.00. Winemaker Notes Classic clarete style Rioja rosé wine. Originally, this was produced by saignée but they changed the method in order to more authentically represent Rioja tradition. Salmon colored, notes of red berries, pomegranate, and strawberry. Refreshing and lively acidity. Blend: 55% Viura, 35% Garnacha, 10% Tempranillo JS92 James Suckling A pale copper-tinged rosé with aromas of sliced apples, raspberries, apricot stones, grapefruit and cloves. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and a creamy texture. Layered and focused with an excellent balance of fruit, minerals and spice. Serious rosé. Drink now. WE90 Wine Enthusiast More white than pink, this traditional blend of 55% white Viura with red Garnacha and Tempranillo smells flowery and lightly honeyed, with minerally notes. A medium-bodied palate delivers modest heft alongside flavors of waxy apple and citrus. Best Buys
  10. @kazu, Jacqui! No, just NO! @ger_77 Gerry, the powers that be better get you both on a better track, right now. Praying really hard.
  11. Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Happy Halloween! Just starting to get light here. @ger_77 Gerry, praying everything works out for you quickly today. No one should have to deal with that stress. Thank you for keeping track of our Cares & Celebrations, Roy! So much going on. A fairly normal day of chores and gym for me. Then this evening we are getting together at our beachfront winery to “costume watch”. We often see dogs in costume as well as their owners. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Stay well everyone! ********* I. Brand & Family 2018 Bayly Ranch Cabernet Franc This Central Coast Cab Franc is a bit elusive, but I found several online distributors with prices starting at $32.00. Some consumers believed this resembled a Pinot Noir more than a Cab Franc, because of its very dry, medium body. You be the judge. WE94 Wine Enthusiast This is a sprightly, textural, mineral-driven bottling that’s immediately fascinating yet will be a joy to watch evolve. Light in the glass, it begins with aromas of cranberry, nori wrap, herb-dusted strawberry and a hint of dried blood. The palate shows a rusty edge, offering dried strawberry, crumpled oregano and a hint of green peppercorn. Drink through 2034. WW92 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The I. Brand & Family wines always command my attention. Not a cookie-cutter production, these handmade wines are authentic and true. The 2018 I. Brand & Family Bayly Ranch Paicines Cabernet Franc will send you to the Loire Valley and back home to wherever you drink wine. This lovely wine tells this grape's story well. This wine springs out of the glass with aromas and flavors of earth, black fruit, anise, and descriptions that I can't define. Pour a glass with a grilled ribeye and enjoy the magic carpet ride.
  12. Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for Vicki and her family and friends. Hope that wonderful memories help to ease your pain. Ann
  13. Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Very dark still, but it is lovely outside. Even Bindi enjoyed our walk. Thank you for keeping up with us, Roy! Your dedication to our Cares/Celebrations is much appreciated. Off to the gym, then Aldi and then a fund raising wine-tasting lunch at a local restaurant. Though not a funny meme, I really love the sentiment of this one. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 & @Quartzsite CruiserTerry & Lenda special thoughts for you. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ******* Vik 2017 Milla Cala Millahue This Red blend from Chile sounds amazing. And it is even “chewy”. A bit elusive, I found a few online distributors with prices starting at $39.99. Winemaker Notes Milla Cala 2017 reflects Millahue Valley's pure terroir. Each variety dynamically contributes to the Bordeaux-style blend's complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon seduces with ripe dark berry fruit and supple velvet tannins. Merlot delivers plush stone fruit while Cabernet Franc elevates the blend with elegant minerality. Carmenere gives the blend its depth, body, and flavors of blackberries and plums, and Syrah finishes with floral notes of lavender and violets. Twenty months aging in French barrels impart final touches of spice and mocha. Pair with foie gras agnolotti in veal consommé and mature cheeses. Blend: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 13% Carmenere, 6% Merlot, 4% Syrah. JS94 James Suckling This is really so delicious with spice, tile, light chocolate and juicy berries. Medium to full body. Wonderful intensity and brightness. Delicious with so much energy. No new wood here. All about balance and drinkability. WE93 Wine Enthusiast Briary blackberry and cassis aromas include familiar Chilean notes of eucalyptus and juniper. This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend is ripe and creamy in feel, with generous flavors of brown sugar, herbs, blackberry, cassis, coffee and chocolate. The finish is chewy and rich. Editors' Choice
  14. That is great news. Well after the craziness you & DH had to deal with leading up to the shot, you deserved a break!
  15. Joy, I am so sorry that you and Allen were treated that way. There is no excuse. I do know that the VA is still trying to staff up after the horrendous budget cuts from a few years ago. But that just doesn’t excuse the treatment you encountered. Hopefully the advocate can make sure no one else has to go through what you did.
  16. Lenda I am glad you are home & Steve is getting settled. Love the idea of three PT sessions a day. Hope he doesn’t experience too much pain or discomfort. My patella fracture was nothing in comparison to what Steve is dealing with, but I know how much I benefitted from forcing myself through the pain and discomfort. And once I started to see the improvements myself, that helped motivate me. Hope you take a bit of time to relax.
  17. Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich. Still a bit cloudy here this morning, though the sun appears to be trying to break through to the East. We had quite a bit of much needed rain yesterday. It seems strange to say that, since some of our roads still have water on them, but we did. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy! Hope the infection around your mouth clears up quickly. @kazu Jacqui, happy to read that you, DS & DBIL all arrived safely in Barcelona. Hope you are now able to relax and enjoy your journey. If weather permits, I have some gardening in my future. And I also plan to clean some upholstery today. Then this evening celebrating a friend’s birthday at another friend’s house. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********** Domdechant Werner 2019 Kirchenstück GG Trocken Riesling Very elusive, though you might be able to find it in Spain, Dailyites! Glad you made it safely, Jacqui! I found one online distributor in Germany that ships to North America. The wine’s price is a reasonable $18.49, but the shipping would probably cost at least as much. 95 Wine Enthusiast While full bodied and delightfully creamy in texture, there's a freshness and delicacy in this blossomy, perfumed white. Lime and white peach flavors are scintillating and pure, accented by strikes of crushed stone and a long, salty finish. It feels a bit subtle in youth but should gain depth as it improves. Best to hold through 2023 at least, but it should improve well past 2030.
  18. Terry, praying that all goes well and DH’s issue is a “minor fix”. And that all of you rest easy. Though somehow I have a tough time believing anything involving the heart is really minor. Perhaps relatively speaking?
×
×
  • Create New...