cat shepard

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is grossly humid out already, but the breeze is just beginning to wake up. I hope it helps. Under a heat advisory from 10 - 6 today. We had one yesterday, too - but the strong wind had already started before the sun came up. And it helped a lot. Then the evening T-storm helped. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us! Gym, Bindi walks, chores, and maybe some pool time. Prayers for all who need our support. Jack, thinking of you today. Tana, praying you & Terry have a good day! Chuck & Annie, praying you both have a good day! Cheers to all who are celebrating. Maureen - remember to breathe! This whirlwind prep will be worth it when you board that ship. Jack thank you for the wonderful pictures of little Poppy! She is precious. Happy 80th Birthday Smokey the Bear! May we each find a reason to smile today! ************* Liberty Lake Wine Cellars 2020 Scooteney Flats Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Several distributors refer to this vintner as a boutique winery. I found just a few distributors. Wine Enthusiast’s review stressed the “soft tannins” of this Columbia Valley Cab. It sounds lovely. Online prices start at $26.99. Critical review: SavorNW Complex aromas draw you in with prominent notes of dark berry jam and cedar with secondary hints of black pepper, baking spice, pipe tobacco, vanilla and dried herbs. On the palate, a nice mix of black cherry and chocolate is upfront, followed by notes of bell pepper and dried herbs, finishing with earthy hint of clay dust and graphite. - Reviewed by Gary Hayes AVA: Red Mountain, Washington SavorNW Award: Best of Class 2023 Judges Score: 95 Points

Wine loving travelers, I am not sure how comprehensive this info about tasting rooms is, but it is a great idea. Hope it helps. https://www.wineenthusiast.com/tasting-rooms/

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is warm & humid out, but the breeze helps a lot. Debby still hasn’t quite left us we still get sporadic brief showers that are actually pleasant in all this humidity. Even Bindi doesn’t seem to mind them. Can you believe the Arctic Circle’s temp yesterday was higher than Florida’s! Last night’s dinner out with my departing neighbor & a bunch of friends was great. The food was wonderful & we were seated next to a couple we knew! And then our County Sheriff, an amazing man, wandered in for an event, and when we greeted him, he came over to chat. It was a fun night. Vanessa, thank you for all you do. Hoping that your medical life is soon boring. 🤞🏻 Off to my Doc’s for an early visit. I hope to visit Egypt this year and want to discuss which shots I should get & maybe even start them today. At least the ones that won’t expire for a few years - just in case I don’t get there this year. Then Bindi walks, chores and maybe some yard work - ooh and pool time. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, praying that you have a good day. And that you & Terry are bored - medically. Chuck, praying that you and Annie have a boring day. Really boring! Terri, praying that you and Jim are safe from Debby. Praying that all the bullying bosses see the light and realize that people make it happen. And one should treat them well. Jack, I will be with you tomorrow in spirit. Please hug Sam for me. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ************ Molly Dooker Red Two Left Feet 2022 I love when I can guess a wine’s country of origin by its name! This one just screams Australia! And it sounds like an amazingly powerful red blend. I used the 2022 vintage info, because that is what the winemaker was highlighting. Fairly easy to find, reasonably priced. I would love a taste. Online prices start at $23.99. Winemaker notes WHAT IS TWO LEFT FEET? Two Left Feet is what can happen when you dance after a glass or two of Mollydooker. TASTING NOTES: The 2022 Two Left Feet wine stands out for its lively balance. The Shiraz grape adds depth, while Merlot and Cabernet contribute fragrance and lifted notes. On the palate you’ll notice the dominant plum and mocha notes with a touch of toasty oak. The red fruit flavors feel silky due to the soft tannins. The taste journey continues with hints of licorice and blackberry jam, creating a joyful experience that celebrates the blend’s diverse elements. TECHNICAL NOTES: 70% The Boxer Shiraz, 15% The Scooter Merlot and 15% The Maitre D’ Cabernet Sauvignon. Two Left Feet has been Barrel fermented and matured in 98% American and 2% French oak, using 35% new, 49% one year old and 16% two year old barrels. The required Marquis Fruit Weight™ for the Lefty Series is 65% – 75%. The Actual Fruit Weight for 2022 Two Left Feet is 67%.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is super windy here - perhaps Debby’s last hurrah! But I love how it keeps the humidity tolerable. Still have an occasional sprinkle or shower, but nothing big. Vanessa, happy to read that your ENT visit went well. Thank you for keeping up with all of us! Gym, Bindi walks, chores, then dinner out with a bunch of friends to celebrate my neighbor who is leaving us next week. I will have a final dinner for her this coming Saturday, but this evening’s dinner will be a big group. Corinne is such an amazing lady. Prayers for all who need our support. It pisses me off that I need to pray for Annie & Elizabeth because their bosses aren’t leaders, just managers. Tana, praying that you have a good day. Terry, praying that you have a boring day. Chuck and Annie, praying that you both have good and boring days. For all our caregivers, praying that you take care of yourselves, too. Jack, praying that you find solace in what an amazing life Sam has had with you. Cheers to @RMLincoln Maureen- how wonderful! What a fun thing to do for yourselves. After all the two of you have overcome! Woo hoo! Debbie, thrilled to read that both the back & leg are better! May we each find a reason to smile today. ********** 2022 Pinot Blanc, Maximin, Maximin Grünhaus, Mosel Sorry everyone, I pulled a fast one and changed the vintage to 2022. It should be easier to find, had more info available and more critical acclaim. I would love to try this one! Online prices start at $21.00. Winemaker notes A finely fruity and precisely defined Pinot Blanc from the red slate soil of the Grosse Lage (grand cru) Herrenberg vineyard. Our Pinot Blanc grows exclusively in the upper portion of the Herrenberg vineyard, notable for its red slate soils. It is spontaneously fermented in neutral Fuder casks produced from our own local oak. This ensures that the wood does not influence the taste of the fruitiness and freshness of the wine, although it does impart a refined structure and elegance. The Pinot Blanc is bright and fresh, with all of the verve you would expect from a cooler, higher-elevation site. ABOUT MAXIMIN GRÜNHAUS This historic estate dates back to the 7th century, when the vineyards and buildings were donated to the Benedictine order of St. Maximin. The monastery was privatized by Napoleon in the early 19th century. In 1882, it was purchased by an ancestor of Maximin von Schubert, who is the sixth generation of the family to own the estate. Work in the vineyards is done in close harmony with nature. Fertilization is organic, and no pesticides or herbicides are used. The wines ferment naturally in the deep, cool cellar, where they are matured in stainless steel tanks and neutral oak casks. THE 2022 VINTAGE A warm and dry spring led to an early start to the growing season where budding began in May. The dry conditions were clearly noticeable in the vineyards as the young vines struggled. Our luck changed when rain finally hit the Ruwer at the end of August. Cool nights and small rain showers accompanied us through an otherwise optimal harvest. While 2022 will be remembered as a hot vintage, the wines are extremely fresh, have mouthwatering acidity, and superb precision TECHNICAL INFO Vineyard Source: Maximin Grünhaus Herrenberg Vinification: Native yeast fermentation in neutral Fuder casks; no malolactic fermentation. Alcohol: 12.5% Sustainably Grown Pesticide & Herbicide Free [91] James Suckling “Attractive nose of fresh nuts and generous body are married to a delightful creaminess, the touch of oak deftly complementing this impressive depth. Long finish with a touch of melted butter character.” — August 2023 [90] Wine Enthusiast “Fresh and lively, offering vivid flavors of Bosc pear and green apple, with hints of mineral and floral combining in a distinctive package. Lovely effort.” — May 2024

@Heartgrove Jack, I was sorry to read about Sam’s decline. But remember what an amazing life he has had with you. Always remember that. And know you are giving Sam the most important gift. Ann

Jacqui, this is the perfect place to come & share your feelings. I know we can’t physically help you, but we are rooting for you. I pray everything goes smoothly, so you don’t have anything else to handle. ❤️ PS Thanks for the tip on the wine.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! The winds are still swirling around & gusting, but we were really lucky. My rain gauge shows I barely received 2 inches at my place. My strong Easterly winds helped out again by bringing huge bands of drier air & mixing it with Debby’s clouds. Still some tornado watches/warnings floating around in Florida, but… the sun just broke through the remaining clouds. I pray that @Cruzin Terri you & Jim literally weathered the storm, Terri. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Praying the ENT can help you. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, maybe some pool time. I see a few small branches down, so need to do a bit of yard cleanup. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, praying that you have a good day. And that Terry has a boring (relatively speaking) one! Chuck & Annie, I pray you both have good & boring days! Cheers to all who are celebrating! @lobsternight Happy belated Birthday to you! May we each find a reason to smile today. ************ Prager 2021 Ried Zwerithaler Kammergut Smaragd Grüner Veltliner (Wachau) Grüner Veltliner is the one white wine I have never been a fan of. But then again, I have never had one that cost more than $30. This Austrian wine has a huge number of consumer fans and has superb ratings from critics. So perhaps this one is lovely. But I will never know, since online prices start at $134.98. Distributor notes Franz Prager, co-founder of the Vinea Wachau, had already earned a reputation for his wines when Toni Bodenstein married into the family. Bodenstein’s passion for biodiversity and old terraces, coupled with brilliant winemaking, places Prager in the highest echelon of Austrian producers. Smaragd is a designation of ripeness for dry wines used exclusively by members of the Vinea Wachau. The wines must have minimum alcohol of 12.5%. The grapes are hand-harvested, typically in October and November, and are sent directly to press where they spontaneously ferment in stainless-steel tanks. Zwerithaler is a sub-site of Buschenberg and sits to the east of Weißenkirchen. The name Zwerithaler, meaning "nestled between the valleys," is a near monopole of Weingut Prager. It has a complex soil of paragneiss with alternating layers of dark and calcareous rock. Zwerithaler Kammergut is a 0.34-hectare parcel planted before WWI. The wine from these ungrafted, 100-year-old vines was bottled separately by Prager for the first time in 2015. Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Fine savory, delicate nuances of anise, tobacco notes, delicate yellow fruit, a touch of mango and honey blossom. Full-bodied, juicy white apple fruit, well-integrated, silky acidity structure, finesse and long persistence, saline finish, lingers for minutes, Veltliner at its best. -Falstaff 99 Points "The aromas of this old-vine gruner veltliner leap out and shake you to the core. Full-bodied and full of weighty and balanced layers of papayas, mangoes, nectarines, chives, white tea and oranges. Fantastic concentration, giving so much pleasure already, but it will keep blossoming if you give it time. From vines planted in 1907. Sustainable. Drink or hold." -James Suckling 98 Points

Happy Birthday, Melanie! I am so sorry I am late. Not sure how I missed this. 😞

Wonderful news Jack! Congratulations to the entire family!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich. Though it has been raining steadily since about 5 p.m. yesterday, we have only had a few heavy downpours. I have been able to find enough times to get Bindi out without her even minding too much. Lots of low level swirly winds, but the strong gusts seem to be at the tree top level. Fort Myers had a two foot storm surge yesterday, and places that are still recovering from Ian’s devastation were flooded again. My friends are far enough from the shore, and rebuilt to FEMA standards, so they are ok. @Cruzin Terri and @seagarsmoker be safe. Those outer rain bands reached South Carolina before the real rain started here. You are in my prayers. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. I really appreciate knowing that if I miss something important, I will find it out on one of your lists. Gym, Bindi walks (when there is a lull in the rain), lots of chores. I will not have to add water to the pool, though. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, praying you have a good day. You & Terry deserve a nice, boring day. That goes for you, too - Chuck & Annie. Praying for both of you. Praying for all our caregivers. Bless you & keep you strong. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ************** Marqués de Cáceres Reserva Rioja 2018 I used the 2018 vintage info, since it was widely available and drinkable now - though one expert suggests waiting until next year. It really sounds lovely. And it is reasonably priced. Online prices start at $13.98, though Sam’s Club offered it for $10.99. Distributor notes A sparkling dark ruby shade. An intense and complex nose, combining a multitude of pleasing sensations. Ripe black fruit flavours, milky , coconut and mocha notes are layered against an oak and balsamic background with harmonious structure. On the palate, the wine is flavourful and voluminous with mellow tannins and a subtle spicy finish revealing a hint of eucalyptus. A great wine which expresses luscious fruit, spicy touches revealing a strong identity of its origins. Wine Enthusiast WE93 James Suckling JS91 Wine Spectator WS90

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! Super cloudy this morning. Bindi wanted to know what we were doing out in the dark! The storm track has shifted again to the West, so if it doesn’t change again I might just get a couple of inches of rain. Hope all our West Coast (of Florida) Dailyites are safe. Vanessa, thank you for posting our lists every day & keeping up with all of us. A never ending task! Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, chores - especially outside ones - before the rain arrives. Fairly certain there won’t be any pool time today. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, praying that you have a good day, and Terry has a boring one. Chuck, praying that you & Annie both have boring days - at least medically boring ones. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ************* Petrolo Galatrona 2021 (750ML) This Tuscan Italian red blend sounds amazing. I would love a taste even if a bottle is outside of my price range. Widely available. Online prices start at $89.98. Winemaker Notes Intense elegant wine with great structure and complexity, lovely balance between acidity, fruit and tannins. A great wine, beyond the grape varietal it is made from, must be expression of the piece of land it came from. Beyond being essentially good, it has to be a classic in its own way. 98James Suckling The aromas here are very distinct with dried flowers such as lavender and violets. Some sage as well. Black berries and black olive skin. Full-bodied yet linear and energetic with very fine tannins and fantastic length. Fresh and lively in the finish. Merlot. Best after 2026. 97Decanter Vivid purple in the glass, gorgeous black cherry and blackcurrant aromas with touches of florality - this 100% Merlot smells wonderfully scented and inviting. Smooth, ample, really quite seductive on the palate, sensual almost in the silky but gripping tannins, beautifully ripe blackcurrant and cherry fruit and crunchy, crisp acidity that is not too sharp or too obvious but lifts the palate and gives a thrill and wonderful freshness to the overall expression. Beautifully presented, harmonious, balanced and totally enjoyable from the first to last sip. A gorgeous wine, intense yet energetic, full of flavour and textural nuance. Totally unputdownable, although with lots of potential for improvement over ageing. The wine spent 18 months in French oak tonneaux and barriques, 30% new. 3.56pH. 97Wine Enthusiast The nose showcases a vast world of savory aromas, from sanguine to metallic to woody to earthy, with cranberries, currants and dark berries providing sweet contrast. A lively palate runs with the warmth of earth and just-ripened fruit, alongside austere tannin's that promise age worthiness. An absolutely acrobatic feat in Merlot. 97Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2021 Val d'Arno di Sopra Galatrona shows extremely focused aromas, but very generous ones all the while, with soft mint, cherry and stracciatella over a full-bodied texture with soft layers of spice and cedarwood. The wine boasts an elegantly chalky quality to the tannins, but the mouthfeel is so generous, everything irons out beautifully over the palate. Rating: 97+ 96Wine Spectator Though seamless and lusciously saturated with black currant, blackberry, violet, iron, tobacco and spice aromas and flavors, this red is also solidly built, with polished tannins. Nevertheless, this is more about finesse and elegance than power, with a vibrant profile and superlong finish.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! Another glorious morning. Once again the strong Easterly winds kept the storms to my West. Wonder what they will do with the tropical disturbance? Right now we might get 3 - 4 inches of rain. We can use the rain, but I prefer not to get it all at once. And Bindi HATES getting wet. Sigh. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Hope your current path helps with the Vertigo. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, and ending the day at my friend’s for supper. A great ending to the day. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, praying that you have a good day & Terry please take care of yourself. Chuck, praying that you can stabilize your condition. Let Annie manage your meds, please. Annie, praying that you find some time for you. Prayers for all our caregivers. You know you can only keep up the pace for awhile. Please take care of yourselves. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ************ Josh Cellars Merlot You can find this California Merlot almost anywhere. And it is priced to try. If you don’t like it - use it for cooking. Online prices start at $9.99. Winemaker notes Soft and inviting, our Merlot is perfectly balanced with rich, fruity flavors and indulgent chocolate notes, rounded with fragrant notes of sweet flowers and spices. On the nose, expect hints of violets, sweet plums, and vanilla beans. In the glass, you’ll experience a velvety and soft texture, with flavors of plums, blackberries, and cherries amplified with a long, cocoa powder finish. Pairs well with stuffed mushrooms, roasted chicken, or tomato-based sauces.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is a glorious morning. Yesterday’s winds helped manage the heat & humidity and kept the T-storms West of us. Vanessa, thank you for managing to keep track of all our happenings. I marvel at your ability to do that. Hope you lick eliminate that vertigo. Soon. Gym, Bindi walks, chores and pool time. Just a normal busy day. Prayers for all who need our support. Chuck and Annie, I pray that today brings good news. And that your medical lives soon get boring. Tana, I pray that you & Terry have a good day. And that your medical life soon gets boring. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ************ Moulin de la Roque 2022 Les Hauts de Vallon Rosé (Bandol) Heads up, you may want to opt for a bottle of the 2023 vintage, since the notes below suggest the 2022 might be nearing the end of its peak. It sounds lovely and though not too expensive, it costs more than I would want to waste on a bottle past its peak. A decent number of distributors with online prices starting at $21.68. Distributor notes Beautiful, bright peach hue. Inviting aromas of freshly made strawberry jam. The palate delivers fresh summer fruits: strawberry, watermelon, white peach and citrus pith with a kiss of basil. Beautiful structure with a focused acid backbone. The finish is long and juicy with flinty minerality. Drink now through Thanksgiving and beyond. In our experience, Bandol Rosé can be even better a year after the vintage… The 2022 Les Hauts du Vallon rosé is a blend of 74% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 6% Cinsault. The grapes were harvested, sorted and destemmed by hand to avoid harsh tannins. The fruit was then transferred to a pneumatic press where the juice was first allowed to free-flow into a temperature-controlled stainless-steel tank before a gentle pressing. Following alcoholic fermentation, the wine underwent a lengthy vatting period of between 20 and 30 days to allow the young wine to truly come into its own. Les Hauts du Vallon is produced by Moulin de La Roque winery in the charming village of La Cadière-d'Azur, nestled in the hills of Bandol and looking toward the Mediterranean Sea. Established in 1950 as a cellar where vintners from Saint Cyr, Sanary and La Cadière could age their red wines, Moulin de La Roque began producing its own wines as a cooperative in 1964, and today includes 198 winegrowers. With vineyard holdings that span 754 acres across eight communes, Moulin de La Roque wines are made by blending grapes from disparate parcels, each highlighting its own unique terroir. Bandol’s climate and terroir is suited to growing a variety of red grapes thanks in part to its shape which resembles a natural amphitheater; the surrounding range of mountains and hills help protect the vineyards from Le Mistral, the strong northerly wind blowing through Southern France, while intense rainfalls and hot and dry summers are tempered by the maritime influence of the Mediterranean Sea. While 50% of Moulin de La Roque’s vineyards are planted to Mourvèdre, they also grow Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan for the reds and rosés and Clairette and Ugni Blanc for their white wines.

Gerry, thank you. Adding my prayers for Chuck, Annie and their medical support crew.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! A lovely morning after a hot & humid one yesterday. Even the strong breeze barely helped. It did keep the afternoon storms away, though. So I really enjoyed the pool. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. Glad that your sleep solution is helping. Gym, manicure, Bindi walks, chores and hopefully some pool time. Should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, praying that you have a good day. You and Terry deserve a BORING day! Chuck praying that you find relief for your pain. You and Annie also deserve a BORING day! @RMLincoln Maureen hope all goes well at Richard’s appointment with the eye doctor. Prayers for our caregivers. May they take care of themselves too. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Jacqui - bravo for your progress, in spite of what you are dealing with. May we each find a reason to smile today! *************** 2021 Riesling, Saar Fass 16 [16 22], Weingut Peter Lauer, Mosel Another fairly elusive German Riesling - unless you live in Europe. Too bad because it is priced to try with online prices starting at $12.21. Distributor notes A forward, juicy wine, fresh and ripe, with cool grassy green fruit balanced by gentle slaty flavours on a finish that is much longer than you’d expect at this level. One of the most accessible and compelling estate Rieslings we offer.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! Quite the marine layer this morning. Yesterday’s humidity was gross. But an evening T-storm helped release it, so it feels better this morning. Vanessa thank you for keeping up with all of us. Praying that you can lick that vertigo. Soon. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, pool time - weather permitting. Possibly a visit to the local wine bar. Just a normal Wednesday! These folk are ready for hurricane season… Prayers for all who need our support. Tana and Terry praying that you both have a good day. Chuck and Annie I pray that Chuck’s medical team can find a way to give him some relief and that you get some rest - Annie. Praying for all our caregivers. May they find the strength to keep on keepin’ on and someone to help them carry their burden. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @StLouisCruisers Sandi, Elliott Rose and the Boys are just adorable. Thank you for sharing their pictures! May we each find a reason to smile today. ************ 19 Crimes The Warden This Australian red blend is powerful, just like the convict/colonists that were transported there. It is easy to find and reasonably priced. Anyone guilty of any of the following crimes could be deported. Rumor has it that sometimes a crime was added to the list to get rid of certain folk. Online prices start at $13.99. Distributor notes Dense with a rich mouth feel. Intense dark fruits with notes of mocha & oak. If you're going to send a band of 19th century British rogues to live in Australia over penalty of death, you're going to need a very unique individual to oversee them. Enter The Warden. Just as crafty and twice as determined as those prisoners convicted of one of the infamous 19 crimes, The Warden made sure sentences were upheld and a community arose out of a dusty frontier. Wine Specifications Vintage 2017 Country Australia Region South Eastern Australia Alcohol % 14

@marshhawk Annie, praying for both you and Chuck. May his medical team find a way forward that helps manage Chuck’s pain and gives you some relief.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! A perfect morning after a lovely day yesterday. Didn’t need to put the outside fans on yesterday when I was sitting on the patio. Hope today is as lovely. Brayden made it home yesterday with no issues. He had a super time. Loved building & operating a robot, even if he didn’t win the tournament. Vanessa, I would have been scared s*#tless, if I turned in bed and everything started spinning. I hope your life gets boring SOON. At least your medical life. Thank you for keeping up with us. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, pool time. Just a routine day, but I will take it. Prayers for all who need our support. @dfish Debbie, praying you get your hernia repaired. Fast. Tana, praying that you have a good day & get to enjoy your food. Chuck, praying that you have a pain free day & eat well! Prayers for all our caregivers. Bless you for making it happen every day. Please take care of yourselves. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ********** 2021 Riesling, Helden Trocken, Axel Pauly, Mosel This Riesling sounds lovely, but sadly I could not find anyplace that would ship it to me, and no places in the US that sold it. So if you are visiting Europe, look for it. In England it costs about 30 pounds. Probably a bit cheaper in other parts of Europe. Distributor notes "What a stunner. The fruit is great. Bit of peach, bit of grapefruit, there’s a subtle smokiness about it too from the Mosel slates and a long finish. I'd enjoy this with sushi or a seafood cocktail." The 'Helden' (meaning 'heroes' in German) Riesling, was harvested from 80-year-old vines from the top site of Lieserer Niederberg-Helden. It is a pure, rich, aromatic wine with attractive aromas of ripe apple, wild pear and stone fruit. There is such wonderful concentration on the palate which is balanced by refreshing acidity leading to a long, precise finish. An absolutely delicious wine This would be delicious with a platter of sushi or sashimi. Germany, Mosel Riesling 12.50% Dry Axel Pauly is one of the dynamic young stars of German wine. He took over the Pauly estate from his father after having done vintages in California, New Zealand and other parts of Germany. Most of the ten hectare estate is situated in the village of Lieser in the heart of the Mosel Valley, with the exception of a small parcel in neighbouring Bernkastel. Fittingly, the label features the Mosel hills which, when turned on their side, reveals the ‘Tres Naris’ (or ‘three noses’) of Axel, his father and his grandfather. The grey and blue slate soils of Lieser are cooler than the red slate in Bernkastel, which results in more minerally wines than those from its more famous neighbour. The Pauly vines cling to steeply sloping, vertigo-inducing vineyards, where Axel uses crop thinning, leaf plucking and grape selection at harvest to ensure a ripeness of flavour in the fruit that he preserves through to the final wine. The grapes were hand picked and sorted before they underwent a cold soak for a period of 24-48 hours. Gentle pressing followed before fermentation with wild yeasts in stainless-steel tanks, with no malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in large barrels on full lees for a period of six months with weekly bâtonnage.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is a lovely morning after an evening of showers and drizzle. All evidence of Saturday night’s festivities has been removed. 😎 Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. Praying you find a solution to the vertigo. Soon. This morning I am off to Orlando to pickup Brayden at the airport. He is returning from 10 days in New England, visiting friends and attending a robotics camp sponsored by Battlebots. I can’t wait to see him & hear his stories! Then just a normal Monday of Bindi walks, chores and pool time. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, praying that you have a good day and that you can enjoy eating. Chuck, praying that you have a good day without pain. Prayers for all our caregivers. Bless you for giving so much of yourselves. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today! *********** Dry Sack Sherry This Spanish sherry has lots of consumer fans. I am not a sherry girl, but this one sounds lovely. I might take a sip. Easy to find and reasonably priced. Online prices start at $15.49. Distributor’s notes Williams & Humbert’s Dry Sack 15-year Oloroso is the first sherry we’ve formally reviewed here, and it’s a doozy. This is actually a blend of two sherries, a dry oloroso (78%) and Pedro Jimenez (22%), each blended separately with the solera style (in which wines are aged in a series of casks, with a portion of wine from each cask is progressively moved into the next-oldest cask every year until a tiny bit is finally drawn off the oldest cask and bottled, in this case after a total of 15 years through the process). The result is a cryptic wine, dark oak in color and 20.5 percent alcohol. The nose is filled with raisins, but a nutty character becomes quite palpable as the raisin-like sweetness fades. The finish is spicy, with allspice and mulled wine.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! A bit of a cloudy start this morning. It could just be a marine layer with a bit of Sahara dust thrown in. Last night’s gathering was fun. Great company, good food & drink. I am really going to miss my neighbor/friend. Vanessa, thank you for caring enough to capture every detail! You are amazing. Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, lots of post-party chores & maybe some pool time. Possibly a nap. Prayers for all who need them. Tana, praying that today is a good day. Hope your appetite is picking up. Chuck, praying that you are not in too much pain and that you are still enjoying your food. Prayers for all the caregivers. May they remember to take care of themselves. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ************ Castellare-Chianti-Classico A lovely sounding Chianti with a host of consumers rating it very good - excellent. Easy to find and reasonably priced. Online prices start at $16.99. Winemaker notes A careful selection of the best grapes of the estate: only native varieties, without Cabernet or Merlot. A wine which best interprets the territory of Chianti Classico to obtain the best from every vintage. Aging lasts for about 15 months in used barriques, followed by another 15 months in the bottle. Typical ruby red colour, which has a tendency to become garnet red as the wine ages. The nose has an intense aroma of violets and an elegance that is enhanced over time. On the palate the wine displays relatively dry and harmonious notes, while also being slightly tannic, with a flavour that becomes increasingly velvety over time. Ideal with red and white meat, as well as pairing well with poultry, hare and various cheeses.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is a gorgeous morning after a whopper of a storm yesterday. Lots of needed rain but the T-storm had Bindi snuggling close. Everything is fresh this morning. Our local deer are using the sidewalk & crosswalks! 🤔 Maybe the grass was too moist for their hooves? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Vanessa, thank you for keeping such excellent track of all of us. Hope you find a more permanent solution to the vertigo. Gym, Bindi walks, lots of prep for this evening’s Limon Drop Fest for my neighbor. Hope the weather cooperates. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, hope you have a good day & enjoy eating. Terry, happy to read your DD helped you recoup after your bad night. Chuck, hope you have a pain free day and eat lots. Annie could use a bit of rest. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @superoma Eva, Happy Birthday! Hope your new year is filled with laughter, love, great health and a cruise or two! May we each find a reason to smile today! *********** Chaberton Estate Winery 2022 Estate Grown Siegerrebe Our second Canadian wine. This British Columbia winery offers tours, if you are in the neighborhood. @Vict0riann Ann - have you ever visited? $18.00 Wine Tasting Notes The first grapes to fully ripen in our Fraser Valley vineyard, this Siegerrebe has a delightful acidity with flavours of grapefruit and lemon zest resulting from the low temp fermentation and aging on the lees. Winemaker Notes Short skin contact for 4-5 hours. Free run was drained into stainless steel tank for fermentation. Low temperature fermentation for 30 days with consecutive aging on primary lees for 3 months post fermentation. “Battonage” ( mixing lees) once a week. Pairing Recommendations Perfect with spicy prawn dishes, white meats either grilled or pan fried and strong cheeses Try with shredded pork carnitas

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is already humid out. Hope it brings some rain my way. Lots of storms lately, but none dropping much rain around me. A very hazy morning. No pretty colors today. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Praying that you feel great - soon. Gym, Bindi walks, prep for tomorrow, chores, pool time. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, I was sorry to read that you and Terry had a tough night on Wednesday. You are both such amazing women! I pray that you have a great day today & enjoy some meals. Chuck, praying that you have a great day, enjoy your food & listen to Annie. Prayers for all the caregivers. May they have the strength needed and may they take great care of themselves. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ************* Tablelands Sauvignon Blanc 2022 I used the 2022 vintage info, since it should be perfect to enjoy now. This New Zealand SB is easy to find and priced to try. It sounds delightful on a hot, humid evening- perfect for Florida! Online prices start at $10.49. Distributor notes Medium-bodied, fruity with a dry finish. Straw color with green highlights a nose of ripe tropical fruit, lime zest and stone fruit. The palate is concentrated with flavors of nectarines, apricot and citrus fruit. The long full finish is balanced with vibrant acidity. Pair with fish, chicken, artichoke, asparagus, herb sauces, salads dressed with light vinaigrette.

Dixie, do a search on YouTube for videos of inside the Great Pyramid of Giza. I tried to copy the url, but failed. Lots of steps to get to the entrance. But the first part inside is not too bad.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! The Sahara dust is here in force. Though it makes me cough a bit after Bindi & I have been out in it for awhile, it is creating spectacular sunrises. Here’s this morning’s for example… Vanessa thank you for keeping up with our happenings. Praying that your medical team fixes you up fast. Haircut, gym, Bindi walks, chores, and pool time. I need to start prepping for Saturday. I am hosting a Limon Drop fest for my neighbor who is departing for Utah next month. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, praying that you have a good day and that you enjoy your meals! Chuck, praying that Annie doesn’t tire out. She takes such great care of you. More than you even know. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Roy, congrats on those PSA levels! May we each find a reason to smile today. ************** Tablas Creek 2021 Esprit Blanc de Tablas White (Adelaida District) I won a bottle of ChateauNeuf du Pape blanc at a raffle last month, and it is an amazing white blend! I just recently bought a couple bottles for “my cellar”. This California white blend is made from some of the same varietals, and sounds just as lovely. It is a bit pricey, but I would love a taste. Online prices start at $54.95. Winemaker notes The Tablas Creek Vineyard 2021 Esprit de Tablas Blanc is our flagship white blend, chosen from the top lots of five white Rhone varieties propagated from budwood cuttings from the Château de Beaucastel estate. Roussanne provides the core richness, minerality, and flavors of honey and spice, while Grenache Blanc adds green apple and anise flavors, lush mouthfeel and bright acids. Picpoul Blanc adds pineapple brightness and saline minerality, Bourboulenc provides limestoney, citrusy lift and Clairette Blanche brings clean fruitiness and chalky minerality. ACCOLADES 94 points, Wine of the Vintage; "The ultimate food-friendly white with a masterful balance of freshness and depth.": Decanter (Nov. 2023) 94 points; "Tablas Creek manages blends like few other domestic producers": Wine Enthusiast (Nov. 2023) 94 points; "All in all, an impressive performance.": (Oct. 2023) 94 points; "seductive ... Vibrant and focused": JamesSuckling.com (Oct. 2023) 94 points; "Serious and seriously delicious": Decanter (Aug. 2023) 96 points; "will easily go head to head with some of the finest examples of Chateauneuf Blanc": Owen Bargreen (Aug. 2023) 97 points; "perfectly balanced with a vibrant yet lush texture": BevX (Jun. 2023) 94 points; "This is texturally thrilling": Vinous (May 2023) 94-96 points; "concentrated yet detailed flavors, mouthwatering acidity and a touch of textural bitterness... a dynamic wine": Robert Parker Wine Advocate (Dec. 2022) TASTING NOTES An immediately appealing nose of poached pear, crystallized pineapple, honeysuckle and a touch of sweet oak. On the palate, luscious and textured, with honey, green apple, and graham cracker flavors, solid acidity, and a little dancing mango-like tropicality from the Picpoul. Fresh and lifted, but long and textured. A charming Esprit Blanc that will be hard to resist young but which should also do beautifully with time in the cellar. Drink now and over the next two decades.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is another lovely morning, but there is already a hint of humidity in the air. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. Hopefully you will feel better. Soon. Gym, Bindi walks, chores and maybe some pool time. Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, praying that today is a good day & you want to eat. Chuck, praying that your medical team finds a better medication for you and that today is a good day! Cheers to all who are celebrating! I am putting you here today, Debbie! Thrilled to read the ablation has helped. Sandi, those boys are precious! May we each find a reason to smile today! ************ Mionetto-Luxury-Superiore-di-Cartizze This Italian Prosecco has received numerous prestigious awards. It sounds lovely. Has a great many consumer fans and has a decent price. Online prices start at $34.98. Winemaker’s notes Founded in 1887 by Francesco Mionetto in the small village of Valdobbiadene, Mionetto has an established reputation for quality, tradition and innovation. In the heart of the Prosecco region, Mionetto produces exceptional wines with consistent national and international acclaim. PRODUCTION AREA: Hills of the famous and very limited area of Cartizze, in the heart of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG Valdobbiadene zone. A portion of territory particularly happy for its position, soil and microclimate, where the Glera grape reaches its maximum qualitative expression. REGION: Veneto APPELLATION: Cartizze, D.O.C.G. The select grapes for this limited production sparkling wine are grown exclusively in a 246-acre area in the steepest hills of Valdobbiadene. GRAPE VARIETY: Glera D.O.C.G. Cartizze HARVEST PERIOD: Grapes are harvested in the second half of September VINIFICATION: Wine made from the soft pressing of the grapes with must separated from the skins. Secondary fermentation (Charmat method) in temperature-controlled stainless steel. APPEARANCE: Golden bright reflection with a fine, intense perlage BOUQUET: Intense aromas of pear and apple with undertones of citrus PALATE: Soft, creamy and fresh with an aftertaste of sugared almonds ALCOHOL: 11% SERVING TEMPERATURE: We recommend serving it gradually chilled to a temperature of 6°- 8° C. FOOD PAIRINGS: Well-suited to important occasions, it makes an excellent accompaniment to desserts, cakes, pastries, fruit salads and tarts. Also matches admirably with shellfish and elegant fish dishes.