Lady Gaga is a fine wine that needs cellaring
Memorable Memorial Day to ya. I just finished moving my wine back to the cellar from the attic and I'm really aggravated with Harold Camping. Sad to say, no acquaintance was raptured this past weekend. Sad commentary on my choice of friends and acquaintances. The good news: I learned we have enough inventory to last through 2014, Mayans be hanged.
Occasionally, I come across a wine that I just enjoy drinking. Recently I sampled several glasses of Rolf Binder Halliwell Grenache Shiraz 2006. I kept returning to the table. It’s 70 percent Shiraz, the balance Grenache; the nose is redolent of truffle, earth, blueberry, black cherry and kirsch. On the palate green olive, cherry and blackberry flavors are layered with firm tannins supported by excellent depth and concentration. Good backbone to last through 2016. Best of all, mate, you can find a case of this 93-point prize (two price points) under $150.
While visiting down under, Ball Buster is back. The 2008 is yummy and still selling in the $16-19 range. Tait's Ball Buster has been a perennial winner in this column for several years. The '08 is 76 percent Shiraz, 12 percent Cab and 12 percent Merlot. The black-purple-colored wine opens in the glass to a fragrant bouquet of graphite, licorice, blueberry, liqueur and spice. It has the lovely, layered, long, clean finish expected of this well-crafted product, 92 points. Drink through 2013.
My friends at Suburban in New York have retained me on their email list for 36 years. Believe it or not, I had an Osbourne portable computer in use in 1976 - 368K, everything on floppies and considered state of the art. A wonderful woman named Marge Whittemore, now Dixon, a well-trained bookkeeper, worked with me, and although she had serious reservations about leaving her double-entry ways, she took time to learn its operation. We never looked back.
Suburban sent a flier for a 2008 Spottswoode Napa Cab 2008 on sale at $175 or a 1.5L for $400. Folks who are interested can send me an email for particulars request.
Sequel to Ruffino Modus 2007 is another great Italian. This Sangiovese is garnet-colored; the nose is blueberry, toasted oak, coffee and fresh-cured tobacco. The palate is full with sweet fruit and very subtle, silky tannins. Very long finish; needs three in the cellar. Modus was lionized by Parker, 96 points. WS chose it 25 of 100 for 2010. Folks, this is a gem; 7,000 cases imported though tells me keep your powder dry. Let a store cellar it and buy under $250/case in a few years.
Named for the roar of the winds and the mountain brooks that run through the hillside vineyards, Roar Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2009 is a worthy buy at $40. This 91-point lovely is chock-full of cherry, raspberry, sage, oak and minerality with a pleasing herbal finish. Drink now through 2016. If you want to move up to a 94-point from the same area, Roar Gary's Vineyard 2009 is your cup of tea at $52. Look for cherry, blackberry, strawberry and rhubarb with more depth. Drink through 2020.
Watched Lady Gaga this past week on a special, then on the music awards and finally on “Saturday Night Live.” I was entertained and have a few comments. A Madonna with a much better voice both in range and timbre, she compares favorably to early-stage flamboyant Elton John, but is her own Bernie Taupin. Her lyrics are timely and the ballads are especially compelling. When she establishes herself, moves beyond the brash, in-your-face gimmicky costume stuff and is ingrained, I hope she thoroughly explores her talent as a singer-writer. Great lyricist, compelling voice, better than average piano player, she does a good interview and to be quite honest, I kind of like her bizarre persona. No doubt ‘cause I'm a former New York homeboy and part Italian.
