cat shepard

Thank you for today’s Daily, Rich. Another lovely morning, though a bit humid. We had more storms up yesterday afternoon, so at least I don’t have to add water to the pool. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy. Morning Dailyites. Off to an early class. Will hunt for my Akureyri posting from last year, when I get home. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone. *********** chateau ste. michelle mimi chardonnay All released vintages of this wine share the same very good - excellent reviews and reasonable price, so pick up whichever one you come across. Available from several online distributors with prices starting at $11.98. Winemaker Notes Discover Mimi, a delicious Chardonnay sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills, including Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard. Mimi is crafted in a lightly oaked, fresh style which allows the bright, elegant fruit to shine through. Pair with salmon, crab cakes, and poultry. W&S90 Wine & Spirits This is crisp and lemony, with a forward juicy-apple note that’s light, fresh and firm. With its nervy acidity, it’s suitable for chilling down to serve as an aperitif. WE90 Wine Enthusiast Mimi Chardonnay (Horse Heaven Hills). Cream, spice and roasted squash aromas draw you into the glass. The palate is graceful and elegant, with impeccable balance to the stone fruit and pumpkin flavors throughout, along with a pretty sense of texture. A lingering finish caps it off. It walks the tightrope perfectly.

Two sunsets… Key Largo Somewhere East of Akureyri, Iceland, just about Midnight…

Lenda, how is DH doing?

Thank you for today’s Daily, Rich. Another lovely morning here. All the dogs at my end of the street were out for their morning walk at the same time. Quite the parade. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy. Morning Dailyites! Off to the gym early, then if this weather holds, Bindi will get a nice long walk in. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********** Big Basin 2018 Wirz Vineyard Old Vine Carignan This wine is a bit elusive, and I am not familiar with this grape variety as a stand alone wine. I suspect it has been in one or two red blends I have enjoyed. It has a superb rating from one critic and I found one online distributor offering it for $41.00. I would definitely love to taste this one. Winemaker notes The Wirz Vineyard is located in the Cienega Valley - part of the San Andreas Rift zone. This high valley is located at about 1,000 ft elevation on the East side of the Gabilan Mountains. The valley is filled with alluvial deposits of granite and limestone from the mountains. This high valley traps the cold mountain air at night, so large diurnal swings in temperature are the norm. We have been working with the beautiful old vine vineyard for years and the Carignane has been an important component of our Homestead. Typically, we had been splitting the Carignane with another winery, but I had told Pat Wirz that we would be interested in getting all of it should it become available. Sure enough, in 2017 he offered all of the Carignane to us and hence, we were able to make enough to make both a single vineyard bottling, and have a substantial portion be whole cluster pressed for our rosé. We have also made a few vintages of the Wirz Riesling as well and have been very impressed with the quality of fruit from this vineyard. Vintage Notes: This is our second vintage making a 100% Wirz Vineyard Old Vine Carignan. These 90+ year old vines are growing in the granitic and limestone soils of the Cienega Valley. This valley is located on the East side of the Gabilan Mountains at about 1000 ft elevation. With this vintage, we feel we really nailed the pick date with the grapes having awesome color and physiological ripeness, but at a low sugar level (alcohol is only 13.3). It is really a stylistic decision as the 2017 which was picked significantly riper is also a beautiful and balanced wine. Wine Notes: One big difference between vintages is in the aromatics with the 2018 really singing with perfumed dark fruit, crushed rocks and crushed flowers with a hint of sweetness like Jasmine. On the palate, the tannins are superfine (as is often the case with old vines) and the fruit is exuberant and expressive. There is a cornucopia of wild berry fruit in this wine. Sometimes Carignan can be awkward, but somehow we avoided that fate and this wine is silky, pretty and delicious. We used 87% whole clusters, so pretty darn near 100%, and it worked beautifully in this wine. I sincerely hope we can nail it this beautifully in follow on vintages as this wine has me hooked on Wirz Carignan. Don’t miss this beautiful gem of a wine! Matt Kettman, Wine Enthusiast. 95 Points & Editor’s Choice

Happy Birthday, Carol! May your new year be filled with laughter, love, great health - for you & Sam!

Thank you for today’s Daily, Rich! Our lovely early mornings have returned. Lots of birds singing this morning. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy! Morning Dailyites. Just a routine day here. Gym, groceries, family visits. A dip in the pool. Bindi’s boyfriends are both younger men. 🤔 Does that make her a Canine cougar? Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********** Il Marroneto 2016 Madonna delle Grazie This is a wine for the books. Ultra-superb ratings and a price to match. If I could afford a sip, I would love to try it. This wine can be yours for a mere $419.99! Winemaker Notes The northern zone of Montalcino is characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and cool temperatures. These conditions are idea for creating Brunellos of significant ageing potential, showing complexity, increased aromatics, classic tannic structure and nervy acidity. Madonna delle Grazie displays elaborate florality interplayed with aromas of earth underfoot. Bright cherry, leathery-tones, and pulsating acidity offer the backbeat to the complex perfumes. Expect a precise and pure example of Sangiovese. Sangiovese’s high natural acidity and complex tannic structure make it an admirable ally to a range of hearty meat or game dishes. Go the traditional route with braised short ribs or Osso Bucco, but don’t be hesitant. Brunello benefits from a straightforward pairing, no artifice – as the Tuscans prefer. Bean and kale soup, papparedelle, or an aged pecorino, are resoundingly local choices. RP100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate There it is: that Il Marroneto magic. To my palate, Alessandro Mori's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie best captures the soaring spirit and ambition of Brunello, made in its purest and most naked form. This vintage is a twin sibling to the 2010 that I awarded a perfect score. Whereas that wine surprised me, appearing with so much unexpected radiance and brilliance, this wine won me over in a more careful, less emotional and more contemplative manner. Having now tasted the 2010 vintage multiple times, I better know what to expect in terms of the near-term aging evolution of the 2016. I know that the laser-sharp purity of the fruit will soften, leading to more nuanced and finessed tones of underbrush, lilac, iron ore and candied orange peel over the next five years. This wine unfolds to show deep complexity up front with buoyant and jovial red fruit at its core. It vibrates with electric energy and charm. WE100 Wine Enthusiast This dazzling wine is for Sangiovese purists and fans of extreme finesse. Opening with tantalizing aromas of rose, violet, berry, tilled earth and new leather, it’s youthfully intense but already a classic. Focused, structured and radiant, the chiseled palate delivers cherry, raspberry, licorice and crushed mint before a tobacco close. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity keep it perfectly balanced. Cellar Selection D98 Decanter Trying Il Marroneto’s various lots from cask is a fascinating exercise. They are all similarly located at high altitude, on coarse sand of marine origin and predominantly north facing. While they demonstrate subtle differences, Madonna delle Grazie’s distinct character often merits a separate bottling - as evidenced by the 2016. Aromas take on the darkest, most heady purple flowers tangled up in allspice and smoky incense. It is muscular in frame with firm tannins that stick and grip and don't let go, although it's never brawny, heavy or hard-edged. Currently a mouthful of stones, it reveals a balsamic core and tangy salted plum on the finish. W&S98 Wine & Spirits The temperate 2016 growing season has generated much antici-pation among devotees of Brunello di Mon-talcino, and the vintage lives up to its hype with exciting wines like Alessandro Mori’s Brunello from the Madonna delle Grazie vineyard. Il Marroneto lies on the northern side of the village of Montalcino, where cool evening temperatures infused the grapes with electric acidity. That acidity pulses through intensely concentrated dark cherry flavors, the wine slowly revealing scents of lavender and violets as it opens with expo- sure to air. It layers rich fruit tones with notes of licorice, iodine and warm spice that lin-ger on an incredibly long and heady finish. This is a wine that demands some patience but will be worth the wait.

Congrats on your AC. Mine is set at 78 - unless there is something unique going on. Then I might lower it.

Welcome aboard Nickelpenny. Think of us as a family vs a clique.

Welcome aboard, Karen!

Ann praying that Pat gets the help he need asap & gets on the road to recovery.

@smitty34877 Terry, I can just feel the love when I look at that pic of Camilla & her Grandpa! Thank you for sharing.

Woo hoo!

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! The storms started around 1 yesterday afternoon and it was still raining lightly at 9 last night. We do need rain, but. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy. Morning Dailyites. Heading to the gym. This evening a few of us are gathering at a friends for nibbles & wine. Today’s words of wisdom… Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! *********** Sextant Zinfandel, Central Coast This Central Coast Zinfandel has received very good reviews from both consumers and critics. Widely available with prices starting at $13.99. WE 89 Winemaker Notes Dark in color and brooding on the palate the 2017 Central Coast Zinfandel explodes with brambly boysenberry and Black Cardomom on the nose. Rich, full tannins give this wine weight and texture while bright acidity adds balance to this vibrant wine. Dark fruit flavors of plum, blackcherry, and wild fig add a juicy core to the mid-palate leading to a luscious finish highlighted by sweet vanilla and hints of clove.

Bon Voyage you two!

Ray just because someone does not enjoy a particular food item , drink or activity - does not mean the person looks down on someone who does enjoy it. Especially here on the Daily. Ann

Safe travel Jim!

Wonderful news, Graham!

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

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily Rich! Today is already a warm humid mess. Last evening a storm to the South and 10 minutes of rain made it a bit more bearable. Guess that didn’t last long. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy. Morning Dailyites! Things are back to normal here, though the house feels empty. Bindi keeps going to “The Boys” room to see if she can find them. 😎 I will say that cocoa brown carpeting does not hide loose litter well. Heading off to the gym. Then I am on the hunt for some frozen mini pastry shells to use for hors d’oevres tomorrow evening. My Publix is out of them. I may have to rethink what I bring to my friend’s get together. Prayers for all who need our support. @kazu hoping your getaway brings you some comfort. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ************* Husch 2019 Estate Bottled Pinot Noir I would like to taste this wine. I gravitate towards fuller bodied PN. But I am always searching for another good wine. Several online distributors with prices starting at $21.99. 93 Wine Enthusiast Elegant and luxuriously smooth, this finely balanced wine pairs ripe and round black-cherry and spice flavors with tangy underlying acidity for great balance. Mild tannins add to the sense of palate-cleansing freshness and help create a lingering finish.

Finally catching up on the events of the last few days. My friend & her Boys are safely home in their lovely, cool home. They are showing no signs of trauma, and hopefully they will be happy to see me when I visit. I am stunned by all that is happening to my Dailyite family. I love the signs of progress, but many of you seem to take one step forward, and then go back six. I need to amp up my prayers. @Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda, glad to read about DH’s improvement. May he continue on that path. Brenda, @bennybear, special prayers that your DH’s melanoma has been caught early enough. And though I would never have suspected my tiny dot to be melanoma, my dermatologist suspected it because the color did not match my other “spots”. Magic words “we got it all”. @kazu I never thought I would EVER type these words “I am so sorry someone ran over your phone”. Geesh. May only good things happen to you from now on. P.S. @dfish I think a streak of teal would look lovely in that blond hair.

Well Colin, you get a birthday wish too. May your new year be filled with laughter, love, great health & a cruise or two.

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

Thank you for today’s Daily, Rich! Another very quick post. Having coffee with “The Boys”. Here are Quinn & Finn, who are keeping cool at my place, while their Mom is getting her new HVAC unit installed. Quinn, who is a bit harder to pick out is all black, sleek like a panther. His step-brother, Finn, is very looooooong, and white with black. They have really bonded with each other. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********** Te Mata 2019 Estate Vineyards Syrah (Hawke's Bay) This New Zealand Syrah has excellent reviews from at least one expert as well as consumers. A bit elusive, it is available from a few online distributors with prices starting at $17.49. Winemaker Notes Deep, dark magenta, Estate Vineyards Syrah ’19 has an incredibly inviting fragrance of raspberry syrup, black cherry, plum and anise. Rich ripe fruit jumps out on the palate; a black-forest banquet of boysenberry, Turkish delight, lavender and nutmeg, with dark cocoa on the finish. The bright modern fruit expression of Estate Vineyards Syrah ’19 is balanced by savory spice and supple ripe tannin. WE95 Wine Enthusiast Te Mata's estate Syrah is once again a lucid, approachable beauty. This vintage is more layered than the previous one, unraveling flavors and textures. First bright cherry and plums, then graphite, savory herbs and floral aromas like herbs de Provence. In fact, there's a Southern French kitchen feel about this in general. The palate is linear and taut, with leathery tannins, crisp acidity and tart fruit. There's a savory edge to the finish. A serious yet highly drinkable Syrah, especially when paired with roast lamb. Editors' Choice

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Morning all! A super quick post from me. My house has become an evacuation home for my friend & her two cats, because her AC went out and the earliest it will be fixed is tomorrow - if they can get one part. It has been a bit crazy to say the least. 😎 I look it as my hurricane preparedness drill. I will try to read & catch up later. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! *********** Cantina Frentana 2020 Vallevó Costa dei Trabocchi This rosato sounds interesting. Perhaps a good base for a white sangria. Certainly priced reasonably, so trying it would not be painful. A very good rating from one expert and consumers, and several online distributors with prices starting at $10.99. WE 89 Made predominately from Montepulciano, this rosato offers a cohesive mix of lemon blossom, apricot and white grapefruit. There's a gentle creaminess on the medium-bodied palate, with a blend of ripe and tart fruit that's perked up by a brisk stony note. This would be a welcome pour alongside grilled vegetables or seafood.

Terry will the school be live streaming the graduation? Tana would still be able to see her sone graduate with the right device.