cat shepard

@Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda hope all goes well with Steve & his recovery is rapid & complete!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another wild night of storms & rains & a very cloudy morning. They are moving fast, so not sure what the day will bring. Vanessa, thank you for taking such great care of the lists. I hope you start to feel better, soon. Just a normal Thursday for me - gym, Bindi walks, chores. Lots of pollen on the car, so I may at least try to rinse it off. I am ready to start reorganizing the garage, so if not too hot & humid - I will at least start. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, keeping you, Tana & your families in my prayers. Cheers for all who are celebrating. I hope each of us finds at least one reason to smile today! ********** South Sea Sauvignon Blanc 2022 I used the 2022 vintage info of this New Zealand SB, since it might be easier to find. Consumers give all the vintages a very good - excellent rating. I is widely available with prices starting at $11.99. Distributor notes Stewart Island is New Zealand’s third largest and southern most island, lying at the edge of the Southern Ocean. Famed for its sunsets and Aurora Australis, the southern lights, it is also home to the South Sea Hotel, a local landmark. They’ve taken all of these elements to craft this left of center South Sea Sauvignon Blanc with nice intensity of lime and pineapple. The palate has similar vibrant characteristics with wonderful integrated minerality, fresh acidity and a long lingering finish. This all makes it a perfect pair for shellfish and anything really from the sea.

I totally echo Roger’s advice. I followed it exactly last year and really enjoyed my visit. My only disappointment was the weather didn’t allow my Fly Denali plane to land on a glacier. BUT flying low over a massive field of ice with huge crevices was still breathtaking. The Tundra tour was great, a great number of wildlife, even though it was cut short by the part of the road covered by the land slide. You might want to see when the road reopens, so you can book your cruise in time to travel the entire length of it. In fact it may already have reopened. Be sure to try some of the eating places across the highway. A wonderful dinner place very close to where you cross. And a great coffee/ breakfast place further down the way. Enjoy yourselves!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another wild night of storms here, though at least this time Bindi got in her bedtime walk in a light mist. Cloudy this morning. Too dark to see if it is just a marine layer. Vanessa, thank you for doing everything needed to pull together such meticulous lists! Pedicure, Bindi walks, chores, HIIT, pool time, and if not too humid, I will get to clean out the last cabinet in the garage. Then I can reorganize. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, keeping you and your extended family in my prayers. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Hope we each find a reason to smile today! ******** 2021 Arabella Chenin blanc Another Naked Eine entry, though this one is also available from other distributors. It is a dry, crisp, medium bodied Chenin blanc that is lovely on its own or with food. A very reasonable $9.99 for Naked Wines club members, though our Canadian Dailyites can get it online from other distributors with prices starting at 9.65. Canadian dollars. Distributor notes Bright and lively - a fruity thirst-quencher This crisp white wine is a smooth and easy-sipping South African refresher swimming in refined tropical flavors of juicy guava with a silky smoothness. We suggest you keep a bottle in your fridge 24/7. Chenin Blanc is easily South Africa’s most famous grape, and thanks to your funding, Stephen and his son Jamie were able to source exquisite fruit to bring you this stunning example of their homeland’s most-loved white wine. This Angel-favorite Chenin is seriously delectable on its own, but if you're looking for a snack... you can't go wrong with a plate of Camembert cheese!

In honor of language day…..

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another lovely morning, following last night’s intense storms. Bindi was not happy. Vanessa, thank you for making sure we all know what is happening with each other. I admit I laughed when I saw my car on the list. I have wanted a plug-in hybrid for months, so I guess getting my act together & doing it is cause for a mini-celebration. 😎 Class, Bindi visits her vet, Bindi walks, chores & possibly some pool time. I need to replenish my supply of memes…. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, you & your family continue to be in my thoughts every day. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Hope we each have a reason to smile at least once every day! ************ 2021 Arabella reserve Viognier I have enjoyed this South African Viognier. Fruity, but not sweet. Medium bodied. Delicious on its own, or with a meal. Sadly, it is only available through the Naked Wines club. Lots of consumers love this one. If you are a member of the club, this one will costs $13.99. Distributor Notes: Lavish South African white This mouth-filling white is rich with flavors like ripe apricot, juicy peach and delicate ginger that linger longingly until the next succulent sip. Your support helped Stephen and Jaime hand harvest Vigonier from a 16-year-old vineyard. From their farmer perspective, it’s ideal for ripening and optimal flavors. The soils are well-draining (loamy clay and lime). And the vines are planted to the southeast and northwest, to ensure the sun warms the grapes just right. This decadent Reserve Viognier is the perfect cool-weather white – perfect for dishes like roasted chicken or turkey and creamy, spicy curry dishes – delish.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another beautiful morning, though the temperature is a bit more “normal”. A extra long Bindi walk this morning! Vanessa, thank you for helping us to keep up with each other. Gym, more Bindi walks, chores & maybe some pool time. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, keeping you & your extended family in my prayers. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Hope we each have one reason to smile today. ************** Chateau de Camarsac Bordeaux Superieur 2019 I used the 2019 vintage info. It was the last to show numerous online distributors for it. But all released vintages share similar ver good - to excellent reviews from consumers & critics, so you should be fine to pick up any one that you find. Online prices for the 2019 vintage start at $14.99. Distributor Notes Between Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion, between two seas, on the Camarsac promontory, the 14th-century chateau of the black prince anchors the domain in history, even as the winery integrates modern technologies and winemaking practices. Only with the combination of know-how, technique, tradition, hard work, and passion could Thierry Lurton and his team successfully remain anchored in their terroir and history while simultaneously innovating towards a sustainable future. The vineyard extends over the communes of Camarsac, Loupes, Saint Aubin de Branne, Cabara, and Sainte-Terre. Château Camarsac prioritizes authenticity and precision in each of their cuvees. They even feel their mission is grander than themselves: to inspire in others the desire to work faithfully in tandem with the land to bring out the quintessence of what nature has to offer. Tasting Notes Well structured, rich dark fruit with accents of toasted, spicy aromas. The palate is smooth with elegant tannins. Cultivation The Cuvée Classique is made to accentuate the fruit, or in other words, the pulp. The grapes are picked fairly early without waiting for the skins to reach full ripeness. The next stage is a cold maceration to extract color without extracting the tannins. After this short maceration period of a week to ten days the wine is separated from the skins. Vinification Fermentation is then carefully controlled to avoid any oxidation (beneficial to some extent for the tannins but detrimental to the fruit). Wine Enthusiast 91

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another cool, breezy morning. I actually zipped up my fleece this morning. Looks to be another gorgeous day! Yesterday was picture perfect. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us! Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, chores. Maybe some pool time - might keep me out of trouble. I definitely want to spend as much time outdoors as possible! Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, keeping you and your extended family in my prayers. The picture of Fred on that rug is one to cherish. Thank you for sharing it with us. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Hope we each find a reason to smile today! ************ Granite Hill Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 I used the 2020 vintage info, since it should be widely available. This California Cab has some fans in the consumer leagues who think it is very good - excellent. I couldn’t find any critic reviews, but it is priced to try. And if you are not a fan - use it for cooking. Widely available with prices starting at $10.99. Distributor notes Granite Hill Cellars is a newly released brand by the Kautz Family of Lodi, California. The name comes from the rocky and “granite” terroir the family’s vineyards grow on. The soft rolling hills, in conjunction with the Pacific Ocean Delta breezes make these vineyards ideal for grapes of distinction. Practicing “sustainability” for over 30 years, the family is committed to the longevity of their land and the environment around them. Aromas of dark cherries and toasted vanilla oak, followed up with flavors of black currants, blueberries, sweet raspberry and slight hint of tobacco and spice. The palate is dry and the finish is lingering and flavorful with red currants and oak. Delicious with grilled meats, especially tri-tip and ribeye or enjoy with wild game, such as venison, duck confit or a decadent dark chocolate dessert. METHOD Lodi has been a famed region for growing Zinfandel grapes for many years, but it has been the last 10-15 years that they are shining through with other varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon. The sub-AVAs for this wine come from Sloughhouse and Alta Mesa, which are located in the northern part of Lodi, just west of the Sierra Foothills. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon is complimented by 6% Petite Sirah and 5% Merlot. The wine ages for 3 months in new French oak barrels. Vegetarian friendly & gluten free.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Our first Fall Saturday actually felt as if Fall had arrived. 63 and breezy. Capris & long sleeves weather! It is supposed to be around for awhile. Probably just long enough to spoil me. Vanessa, thank you for taking such great care of helping us all to keep up with each other! Off early to the gym for a Zumba class. I am still catching up on chores from Thursday- but today is the day. Bindi walks and supper at a friend’s will wrap up my day. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, thinking of you & your extended family. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Hope you each find something to smile about today. ********* 2019 Hito Tempranillo España Consumers love this Tempranillo. If you have trouble finding the 2019 vintage, pick up a bottle of the 2020 - it has a critic score in the 90s and a much lower price. I found one distributor for the 2019 offering it for $32.95. But you can snap up the 2020 for a mere $14.95! Winemaker Notes A very lively dark cherry red color. Intense and honest on the nose, where the varietal aromas of the Tempranillo at its optimum point of ripeness predominate. Subtle hints of ageing appear in the background as well-integrated spiced and toasted notes. In the mouth it has body and length, balanced acidity and good persistence. RP89 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The red 2019 Hito is juicy, ripe and fruit-driven. The palate is medium to full-bodied with fine tannins. This is easy to drink but rich enough to take most foods. It was bottled in August 2020.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Bindi & I enjoyed an early morning walk with just enough breeze to freshen the air. The sun is just beginning to break through the marine layer. More rain is predicted, but yesterday’s predicted rain never materialized. Vanessa, thank you for doing everything you do so well! I have a lot to do today, since a great deal of yesterday was spent at dealerships. But I got my plug-in hybrid. Pickings were slim, so I ended up with a Volvo. I decided to lease, so I would be forced to look around again in a couple of years. Maybe by then Hyundai will sell its model in Florida, or Toyota & Kia will have an actual inventory vs being put on a waiting list. Though I am impressed that the dealership matched my Carmax offer for my old Prius & offered a $7,500 EV lease credit - even though mine is an EV hybrid. I am not ready to trust a totally electric vehicle - yet. But I am trying to reduce my footprint as much as possible. My next step is to have a 240v outlet installed, so if I need a faster recharge, I can do it. I have decided who I want to be this Halloween…. I even started a new exercise routine to help. 😎 Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, praying that each day is a bit easier for all of you. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Roy, I am so thrilled you didn’t cancel your cruises! Let them pamper you! Hoping that each of us finds a reason to smile today. ********** Tarima Mediterráno white blend This lovely Spanish white blend is perfect for a hot Summer evening. Medium body, a bit towards the lighter side. Not too sweet, but not super dry either. Wonderful with salads, seafood, poultry, fish - or just to sip. Who know, it might even hold up to beef. Consumers give it 4+ stars. A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $15.99. Distributor notes Tarima Mediterráneo is a white wine made with the Merseguera and Moscatell varieties in the Volver winery in the D.O. Alicante, in Valencia (Spain). Part of the Jorge Ordóñez winemaking group, the Volver winery was founded in 2004 by winemaker Rafael Cañizares. A project with an international outlook that champions traditional methods and makes wines in the Alicante, La Mancha and Jumilla Denominations of Origin, among others. Tarima Mediterráneo comes from 20 hectares of vines planted in calcareous soils that are very poor in organic matter. The vines are over 50 years old and traditionally cultivated to achieve very low yields. The harvest is carried out when the grapes reach optimum ripeness. In the winery, the Tarima Mediterráneo grapes are meticulously selected and destemmed. After a gentle pressing, the resulting must, which is very clean, ferments at a controlled temperature of 16ºC in stainless steel tanks. Once the wine is filtered and clarified, it is bottled ready for sale. Made with two leading varieties from the D.O. Alicante and with a strong maritime influence, Tarima Mediterráneo is a white wine that perfectly expresses the area’s Mediterranean character.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely, cool morning following a night of wild storms. Bindi’s bedtime walk was cut short by some intense lightning. Luckily we made it in before the torrential rain started. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Bindi walks, chores and test driving some new car prospects. Plug-in hybrid SUVs are scarce around here. Hyundai doesn’t even sell its model in Florida. None of the dealers responded to my query as to why that is. 🤔 Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, I pray that your wonderful memories help ease your pain. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Hope you each find at least one reason to smile today. ************ L’Enclos Sauvignon Blanc 2018 This French table wine has lots of consumer fans and at least one critic gave it a superb rating. Widely available and it is priced to try. Online prices hover around $9.99. Wine Enthusiast 95 from a tiny vineyard of young, ungrafted vines, this wine is explosively rich and impressively textured. It brings so much intense minerality and texture from the flint soil to match the pure citrus and white fruits. Still young, it will be best from 2022.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Quite a marine layer this morning. The sun is just beginning to break through. The past few days have spoiled me. Vanessa, thank you for keeping track of all of us. I get a much needed manicure this morning, then Bindi walks, some yard work, HIIT and maybe some pool time. Bindi feels this way about rain… Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, keeping you, your family & your entire support team in my prayers. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Hope we all can find a reason to smile today - even if just for a moment. ************* LangeTwins 2012 Zinfandel This California Zinfandel is still available from many California distributors, so if it aged well it should still be enjoyable. Consumers and at least one critic give it very good - excellent ratings. Online prices start at $11.99. Wine Enthusiast 89 This wine has aromas of currants and strawberries and tastes fruity but dry, with supportive tannins and acidity that make it appetizing. Full bodied but not overpowering, it is very versatile with food.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another exquisite morning here. Bindi & I really enjoyed this morning’s walk. Vanessa, thank you so meticulously keeping up with all of us. Bindi walks, gym, chores & definitely some yard work are in store for me today. This afternoon I am going with friends to see Haunting in Venice, hope it is a good movie. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, you, your family & your support team are in my prayers. Cheers to those who are celebrating! Have a wonderful day everyone! ************ La Danse du Château Paradis 2021 I used the 2021 vintage info, since that might be the easiest to find. Shiraz is the primary grape. Consumers and at least one critic believe it is an excellent choice. Widely available with online prices starting at $14.99. Wine Enthusiast - 92 This is a fine wine, ripe with red fruits and tangy acidity. It has depth and density, a juicy character and a tight texture at the end. The Syrah in the blend brings a perfumed aftertaste. Drink now.

Terry No words. Just hugs.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! This morning was spectacular after a night of amazing lightning off the coast. No thunder, just lightning. Even Bindi was curious. Vanessa, thank you for taking such good care of our lists. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, gathering my car papers, and going through my “must have” checklist for my next vehicle. If all goes well, I will head out Thursday to test drive a few. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Lou, you, Tana, your family & your support team are in my prayers. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Have a wonderful day everyone! ********* 2020 Three Finger Jack rum barrel aged red blend This red blend is a treat. I have enjoyed wines aged in bourbon barrels before, but this is the first one I had that was aged in rum barrels. 3,000+ consumers give it an excellent rating; it is easy to find & priced to try. The smoothness really adds to the medium - full body aspect. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Online prices start at $11.98. wine.com tasting panel TP92 This blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Petite Sirah is a tremendously pleasurable experience. While a portion of the wellstructured, dark-fruited red is aged traditionally in French and American oak, a unique approach is taken with the remainder: aging in rum barrels. Butterscotch, molasses, baking spices, and sandalwood are well defined on the nose, and on the palate, the character derived from the rum barrels is unmasked to reveal flavors of Luxardo cherry, graham cracker, and devil’s food cake

@richwmn please check your wine du jour programming. It seems to be stuck on September 15th. Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely morning. Venus & Jupiter still bright in the early morning sky. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, a bit of cleanup from last night’s festivities & pool time. That should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, keeping you, Lou & your entire support team in my prayers. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @rafinmd Roy - go on that cruise! Have a wonderful day everyone! *********** DeLoach California Heritage Reserve Chardonnay 2018 I used the 2018 vintage info since it was the last one for which I could find a critic’s review. Readily available and all prices hover around $10.00. Winemaker Notes Nicely integrated notes of orange blossom and creamy honeydew melon. Tropical flavors of pineapple, papaya and mango. This wine is delightfully balanced with bright acidity and a long finish that makes it the perfect complement to a wide variety of cuisines. WW90 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The 2018 De Loach Heritage Reserve Chardonnay may seem to drink too easy, yet this wine has what it take to be a complete winner. TASTING NOTES: This wine deftly combines ripe peach and savory spices. Enjoy it with Thai Basil Chicken with a few hot chiles.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich. Very humid & cloudy this morning, though I can see the marine layer starting to break up. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Bindi walks, more prep for this evening’s festivities & chores will fill my morning. Then my friends pick me up for the afternoon wine tasting & afterwards we all come back to my place to continue the fun. Prayers for all who need our support, @smitty34877, Terry praying for Lou, you, your entire family and support team. @CrabbyPatti Denise, praying that your pain is eased by wonderful memories. @kazu Jacqui, hope all is well with you. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Have a wonderful day everyone! ********** Not sure whether you were testing me to see if I was paying attention or if your R & D program has a glitch @richwmn, but Rich your wine du jour also appeared yesterday. The list you sent to me had a different wine, so I used it. 2020 King Estate Sauvignon Blanc Interesting how varied the critics’ reviews are. But white wine lovers you definitely want to taste this one. This Oregon SB is fresh and fruity, but has more body than many Sauvignon Blancs. And King Estate wines have never failed to please. A favorite of consumers and readily available with online prices starting at $18.99. Winemaker Notes In the glass the wine is the delicate color of pale straw. The nose hints at the classic Sauvignon Blanc flavors to follow: white peach, gooseberry, melon, guava, wildflowers, and damp slate. Fruit forward and crisp, this rich and mineral-driven wine exhibits balanced acidity with a satisfyingly long finish. Blend: 91% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Semillon WW92 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The 2020 King Estate Sauvignon Blanc shows the excellent typicity of the grape variety. This wine delivers aromas and flavors of dried leaves, appealing earth, and fresh herbs. Serve it with seafood chowder. WE92 Wine Enthusiast This nicely combines ripe citrus and apple with zesty lime, a hint of grapefruit and penetrating acidity. It’s full-bodied and fleshy, with a lengthy spice-driven finish. Editors’ Choice. JS91 James Suckling Aromas of white peach, grapefruit and fresh mint. Medium-bodied with mineral character. Wet stones and fresh flowers mix with a solid core of stone fruit.

Denise I am so sorry. Doubly hard for you as your Dad’s daughter and caretaker. I hope wonderful memories will help ease your pain. Ann

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Bindi and I had a lovely walk this morning. Lots of wildlife encounters - mostly deer, but a fox and a possum, too. @ger_77 Gerry, praying that all goes well for Maurice today. Vanessa thank you for sharing all our happenings. Gym, Bindi walks, chores and some prep for tomorrow evening. I am having a group back to my place after our local wine bar’s tasting. This month they are highlighting Northern Italian wines. Yesterday’s ice cream celebration was a hit. The portions are a bit smaller, but that is probably for the better. The ice cream is still scrumptious. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, so glad Lou is home. Today is your day & the host of other Dailyites who are caregivers. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Have a wonderful day everyone! ********** Henschke - Henry's Seven Barossa Gsm Blend 2021 This Australian GSM has lots of consumer & critic fans who give it an excellent rating. The blend is a bit different from the other GSMs I have enjoyed, but it sounds lovely. A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $41.55. Winemaker Notes Deep garnet with violet hues. A striking bouquet of ripe plum, raspberry, blueberry and notes of blackberry intertwine with savory notes of cracked black pepper, flowering herbs, fresh tarragon and bay leaf. Dark plum, berry compote, rhubarb and raspberry flavors lead to a peppery mid-palate of vibrant red berry acidity and fine-grained tannins, finishing with lingering flavors of mulberry and black pepper. Blend: 72% Shiraz, 13% Grenache, 12% Mataro, 3% Viognier JS95 James Suckling Aromas of black fruit and green tobacco with bark and wet-earth undertones, following through to a medium to full body, creamy tannins and a juicy, savory finish. Intense and balanced. RP90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2021 Henry's Seven has a purity to the expression of blackberry fruit in the mouth—it is vibrant and luminescent and succulent. There are notes of tobacco leaf, raspberry leaf tea, bramble, aniseed and a crack of pink peppercorns. The fruit doesn't persist as I hoped it would through the finish, but the flavors are so lovely it hardly matters.

Bon Voyage, Bruce.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lot of humidity in our early morning air. Vanessa, thank you for keeping our lists! I really appreciate the effort you put in to them. Zumba, Bindi walks, chores and if weather permits - celebrating a friend’s entry in to a new decade at our favorite beach front ice cream place. I foresee some salted caramel in my future. 😎 Prayers for all who need our support. Especially Lou, Terry, Tana, & the entire family & Baby Murphy and her family. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Roy, glad you are feeling better. Kudos to the law enforcement team who caught the escapee. Have a wonderful day everyone! ************ 2021 Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Estate Pinot Blanc A lovely dry white wine that closely resembles a Pinot Gris. Consumers and critics appreciate its medium body. It is easy to find with online prices starting at $17.69. Winemaker Notes Pear, tangerine and ginger on the nose lead to a juicy, rounded palate of honeydew melon, green apple, Cara Cara orange and a river rock freshness. RP92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2021 Pinot Blanc is bursting with aromas of white peach, quince, honeycomb and flint with spicy undertones. The palate's broad, savory mouthfeel is countered by mouthwatering freshness, and it has a long, textural finish. TP92 Wine.com Tasting Panel Fruit from estate hillside vineyards was whole cluster- pressed and cold-fermented in small stainless-steel tanks to produce this wine. The freshness is apparent, starting with a complex, voluptuous nose of green apple and fresh- squeezed orange. Racy acidity melds with hints of cashew, green tea, and pineapple. WS90 Wine Spectator Sleek and vibrant, with kiwi, melon and nectarine flavors that unfold on the lively finish.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Bindi decided that she did not want a pre-breakfast walk this morning. I suspect she doesn’t enjoy starting out in the dark now. She used to love it, but her age is beginning to show. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Just Bindi walks, chores, HIIT, and maybe some pool time. We had more T-storms last night - not as wild but a bit more rain. I have been lucky to sneak some pool time in before the evening storms of the last two nights. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially Lou and Baby Murphy. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Have a wonderful day everyone! ************ Graham Beck 2009 Brut Rosé This sparkling rosé from South Africa has lots of consumer fans. Both critics & consumers rate it very good - excellent. Online distributor prices start at $17.99. Winemaker Notes A pale silver-pink in color with aromas of raspberries, cherries and a few secondary whiffs of minerality. Fine in the mouth, with subtle red berry flavors enlivened by bright acids. Brisk on the palate, showing hints of oyster shell and fresh lavender. Flirtatious and fun, yet elegant and structured, it's perfect for all seasons and settings. D90 Decanter This méthode cap classique (South African fizz made in the same way as Champagne) from SA stalwart Graham Beck has a lovely creamy red fruit and apple character, with a rich mousse and brioche finish. It has a vibrant raspberry acidity and a long finish. Great value.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich. A lovely early morning after a night of wild lightning & thunder with a touch of rain. An early dermatologist appointment, then gym,Bindi walks, chores and pool time. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry happy to read your neighbors are helping. I wish I could ease your burden. Hopefully Lou will be home soon. Roy, hope you get a bit better every day. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Hole you all have a great day! ************ 2021 Brother Miller Thankfulness Red wine This vintage of this red blend is only available through the Naked wine club. But other vintages may be available elsewhere. Consumers give this wine a very good review. Reasonably priced at $14.59. Distributor notes This unique blend of Pinot Noir and Barbera is flush with bright, juicy and feastworthy flavors like cherries, cranberries, fresh garden herbs and a sprinkle of spice. 5th-generation winemakers Nicholas and Marshall harvested grapes from the Paso Robles Highlands – where their family owns 2 of the most famous vineyards in California – to make a wine you’ll be thankful for all year long. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving – and anytime in between. Drink now or in 1-3 years. Food match It pairs with Thanksgiving turkey and other poultry dishes - even chicken tacos! - and is a perfect aperitif.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! The events of September 11th remain so vividly embedded in my mind and heart. Prayers for the victims, the first responders and all their families. Vanessa, thank you for keeping our lists. It is a bit more humid this morning. And Bindi decided she did not want to go for a walk, so she quickly took care of business and took us back into the house. Just gym, Bindi walks, chores & maybe some pool time. I made it into the pool for a quick dip last night, before the T-storms moved in. Prayers for all who need our support: especially Lou, Baby Murphy and their families. Hope you are feeling better Lou. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Granite Hill Cellars Pinot Grigio Widely available at very reasonable prices make this wine from Lodi easy to try. Consumers say it is good. And we all know that at this price if we don’t like it, we can use it to cook with. Online prices start at $10.99. Winemaker notes EXOTIC FLORAL AROMAS THAT STREAM INTO SOME SUBTLE GREEN APPLE AND CITRUS WITH A LIGHT SPICINESS. THE FINISH IS SMOOTH AND LASTING WITH SOME ENDING NOTES OF WHITE PEACHES. DELICIOUS AS AN APERITIF OR WHEN SERVED WITH MILD CHEESES, LIGHT FISH DISHES, SUCH AS SOLE, COD AND SHRIMP. CHICKEN MARSALA OR A SIMPLE BBQ WORKS WELL WITH THIS. VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY, SO ANY FRESH GREEN SALADS, BAKED POTATOES OR LIGHT SOUPS WORK VERY WELL.

@marshhawk Annie do you have a direct flight from the States in to Rome? If not, you will clear customs at the first stop in the EU. I have never flown directly in to Rome. I remember leaving from Rome was a pain, mostly because it was so unorganized. But that was 2006. Hope it has improved.