Stags’ Leap Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for seafood season

I was mildly chastised by several people for the lugubrious admonition to please not use “happy” with your Memorial Day salutation. Thank you for your responses. It was not my intention to lessen your enjoyment of this day of remembrance. Perhaps an Irish wake, or Joyce’s “Finnegans Wake” would have been a better depiction of the confused attitude it engenders for me. I served in USN. This was a happy, fun-loving, raucous bunch most of the time. My shipmates on Willis A. Lee DL4 and I were whistling in the dark within sight of Cuba during the Cuban blockade, which fortunately was my closest brush with any real danger. My entire male family, both sides, save three, served in World War II, Korea or Vietnam. One nephew served in armored during Iraq 2. Several Purple Hearts but no fatalities. I knew many military friends and families who lost loved members. I learned early to picture the riderless horse and hear the muffled drum on Memorial Day. It wasn’t until I moved “to the beach” that I heard the phrase “Happy Memorial Day” used by so many. Anyhow, may this Memorial Day be one to celebrate the memories of all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us to party like there’s no tomorrow on Saturday and Sunday.

Stags’ Leap Winery Napa Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is worth shopping for. Bright acidity supports Meyer lemon and white floral aromas of jasmine, and a palate of stone fruit, grapefruit and lime zest flavors with ginger nuance. Clean, long, salivating finish. Great with our local seafood that is coming “on line” (couldn’t resist pun). I realize I give Stags’ Leap a lot of ink, but these folks are not only consistent, they also sell wine at very fair prices. They generally score well across their wide varietal selection, above 88 points: Chard 91/$26, Viognier 89/$30, Petit Sirah 90/$35, and 2018 Napa Cab 91/$45 are some examples. They do produce wonderful higher-rated wine priced accordingly. Their Audentia Cab is top end; it normally rates 94 or above and can be found around $200, a great relative QPR. Recent release 2018 scored 96 by Wine Advocate, under $200 in NY and NJ.

Newsflash listed the most searched-for adult beverages for 2021. Here are top 10 for the U.S. in order: Dom Pérignon, Blanton's, Opus One, Lafite, Mouton, Caymus, Margaux, George T. Stagg, Latour and Petrus. The surprising results for me were Blanton’s and George T. Stagg, both of which are bourbon. Blanton makes several highly awarded whiskeys at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Ky. The Gold Edition, $251, was rated 94 points; Black Label Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon, $229, and Straight From the Barrel, $329 to as high as $429, according to Winesearcher. Following some research, I learned an interesting factoid. These all cost about 50% less in many European countries, in spite of Euro’s heavy taxes and U.S.-imposed tariffs. Looking further, I learned from several wino pals I contacted in Germany and Spain that stores were restricted from shipping these to the U.S. In store, they charged about $150-$165 and they shipped in two weeks at around $250.This begs the question, why would bourbon made in Kentucky cost about 30% more in U.S. stores than in Europe? So far, I haven’t nailed it down but I will try for your edification. Regarding the George T. Stagg, I had never heard of it. I did enjoy this puff piece quote, though: “George T. Stagg is a name that will make any bourbon fan's ears perk up like a soon-to-be-walked dog.” It is sold around $1,600/quart and rated 94 points by experts. Reminds me of an opportunity I had to sip a teaspoon or so of Whistlepig Ryes from Vermont around $350 and Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23-year-Old Bourbon, 96 points, both rated by the red nose, cherry-cheek crowd many years ago. Nowadays, Pappy buyers are paying $5,500-$,7326 – that’s for 1,000 ml, or per quart, folks, in D.C. I didn’t get it 20 years ago, either. This is only FYI. I rarely write of high-proof likker because I find it unappealing and snorting 100 proof gets one very high very quickly. I also find my olfactory senses rapidly deteriorate just from savoring aroma-laden alcohol fumes.