cat shepard

I loved our “basic” room. Lovely walking areas. Outside meeting areas. Some with fires. We slept and showered there, but little else. I would not bother.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another lovely start to the day. Yesterday was a bit humid, but the ocean breezes helped. Hoping for the same today. Vanessa thank you for keeping up with all of our happenings. I often say “How did I miss that?” when reading your posts. Gym, Bindi walks, garden fertilizing, chores and some pool time will fill my day. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone. ********** A.A. Badenhorst Family Secateurs Riviera Swartland 2021 An orange wine! I believe this is a first for the Daily and me! The blend adds just enough color to make it orange. And it is a dry blend. Since this may be a first for many of us, I took a screenshot of the distributor’s analysis. The good news is that it is available online with prices starting at $14.97. I definitely need to try this. Distributor notes A delicate, approachable orange wine from the Badenhorst Family. ‘Riviera’ is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Semillon and Grenache Blanc, which has spent around two weeks on the skins; just enough to qualify it as an orange wine, but not so much that it’s too harsh and funky. For years this wine was blended into the regular Secateurs white - to add texture – but, being so delicious alone, Badenhorst decided to bottle it in its own right. It’s juicy with peaches and bruised apples, aromatic with orange peel and a little spicy on the finish. Complex but far from scary.

Terry If this gives you, Lou & your family any hope…. I have a great friend in Baltimore who in May 2021 was diagnosed with a rare stage 4 cancer linked to a certain female hormone. She was the 8th known “case” and the oldest woman. The other much younger victims lived no more than 6 months. She started preparing for the inevitable, but went through at least three surgeries and the prescribed chemotherapy. This was made extremely difficult by her allergies to so many components of drugs. She can’t even take Tylenol. But her oncologist worked diligently to find the right combination. She just celebrated her second anniversary of the diagnosis. She still has a year of immunotherapy to go, but her John Hopkins oncologist has declared her cancer free. It was a grueling journey, but her medical team was phenomenal. I am so thrilled you are located where you are! I pray Lou’s journey ends as successfully as my friend’s Cyn will! ❤️ Ann

Dixie Praying it stays minor and disappears quickly.

Gerry, you might want to let your DS know that LG still uses the same freezer compressor, so this might be a recurring theme. My 8 year old LG fridge’s compressor died at the end of April and my appliance repair guru warned me about this problem. So I decided I did not want to worry about the problem happening while I was traveling. I lucked in to an amazing sale on a Whirlpool fridge.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely start to the morning. We had a wild T’storm yesterday afternoon & evening. We needed the rain, just not all at once! Vanessa, thank you for keeping track of us so meticulously! I am waiting for my HVAC guru to arrive to give my unit its Summer tuneup. Then Zumba, Bindi walks, indoor & outdoor chores and if lucky, some pool time. Prayers for all who need the support. @smitty34877, Terry, I was so sorry to read about your DH’s pathology report. Praying that treatment is effective and recovery is fast. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ************ HdV Chardonnay Napa Valley Hyde Vineyard 2019 Happy to report that this wine has numerous online distributors! A bit out of my price range, but I would love a taste. Lots of consumer & critic fans. BTW “phenolics” is used interchangeably with tannins. Online prices start at $78.67. Winemaker Notes #3 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 Refinement and purity are the hallmarks of this vintage. Aromas of yellow apple and mango skin are balanced by crisp minerality and notes of smoked almond. The palate showcases fresh, lime-like acidity and linear mouthfeel while being offset by tones of toasted Ezekiel bread and subtle hints of vanilla bean. While being expressive in its youth, we feel that the qualities of this wine are better realized with age. JS96 James Suckling Honeysuckle, oyster-shell and apple-pie aromas. Pears and lime sherbet, too. Flinty. Full-bodied, layered and integrated with fine phenolics. Some matchbox character comes through. Stemmy and spicy at the end from whole-cluster pressing. Wente and Calera clones. Drink or hold. WS96 Wine Spectator This stunning version offers a pure beam of white nectarine, mango and ripe Bartlett pear flavors that mingle with notes of pound cake, toasted, salted hazelnut and nutmeg on a supple, rich frame, which draws focus from a bright thread of acidity. Drink now. RP96 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2019 Chardonnay comes from vines in the Hyde Vineyard that are 25-40 years old and planted to Wente (60%) and Calera (40%) selections. Aged in about 15% new French oak, the nose is perfumed and pure, with scents of quince, apricot, beeswax, river stone and citrus blossoms. The palate offers a compelling dynamic of satiny, expansive fruits and fresh, focused acidity, and it has a long, nuanced finish. It will continue to unwind in bottle over the next 2-3 years and gain savory complexity over the next decade.

Bon Voyage! Have a wonderful cruise!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A heavy marine layer greeted Bindi & I this morning. Yesterday turned into a gorgeous day, so 🤞🏻 for the same today. Vanessa, thank you for taking the time to keep track of all of us. I really appreciate it. Haircut, Bindi walks, more gardening, my HIIT class & possibly pool time will keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ******* Akitu Pinot Noir Central Otago A2 2020 Well folk in New Zealand and the UK are in luck. The one online distributor is in Wales and ships to locations within the UK for $37.23 + shipping. The rest of the world needs to find their Pinot Noirs elsewhere. Cameron Douglas’ review Everything about the bouquet and palate of this wine is excellent - on the nose dried herb and dark cherry, wild thyme and rugged stony hillsides, black currant and dark spices of toasty barrel. Complex, youthful, enticing and complete. Ripe red berry and currant on the palate with fresh, ripe and tart flavours reflecting the bouquet. An abundance of fine tannins with plenty of acidity layer in mouthfeel. A lovely example, so very easy to drink. Best from 2023 through 2030+. 94 Points Excellent

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Thank you to all the countless brave souls who fought on D-Day. It was only 63 here this morning. An exquisite start to today! Lots of deer families and young bucks out this morning. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. @Seasick Sailor JOY! OMG, hope your toe is ok. Juliet needs to take care of you! Today will be filled with my Summer generator maintenance, Bindi walks, walking my new landscape folk around my yard, and a gym class. That just might keep me out of trouble. I am fairly sure I could not make it onto the top of my fridge. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********* Dr. H. Thanisch Müller-Burggraef Riesling Kabinett Mosel Bernkasteler Badstube 2020 What a name! But it is available, has consumer & critic fans and all released vintages share similar reasonable prices. I would like a taste, but it sounds lovely. I used the 2020 vintage info, since it might be the easiest to find. Online prices start at $21.98. Winemaker Notes #34 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 The wine shows a pronounced bouquet of very ripe red and yellow fruits with exotic and slightly spicy notes with well-integrated acidity. The slatey minerality so typical of the Mosel adds further complexity. WS93 Wine Spectator Brilliant aromas of jasmine, peach, lime and slate mark this exuberant Riesling. Charming, harmonious and vibrant, with a long aftertaste echoing the fruit, floral and mineral notes.

Terry! Camilla is just gorgeous!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! We are having some morning showers today. I won’t complain. We need more than a few showers. Vanessa, thank you for keeping track of us. Gym - boy do I need it after a week of celebrating, Bindi walks, chores and maybe some pool time. I probably also need to do a yard patrol, since yesterday’s winds were so strong. Some of the gusts were so strong and low to the ground that Bindi looked up at me as if to say “Mom, what is going on?” Even a worm got picked up by a wind gust and was relocated to another section of the side walk! The things one notices when your dog inspects EVERY BLADE of grass! Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ******** Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2016 This Italian wine is full of wonderful surprises. Even though the 2016 vintage is a bit elusive there is one Italian distributor who is willing to ship it worldwide for a fairly reasonable $29.99 + shipping. But the even better surprise is that the more recent vintages are much easier to find, share similar reviews and prices! Perhaps some additional aging might be in order, but… Winemaker Notes #39 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2020 Deep ruby with garnet hues. Structured and complex, with a lovely nose of dried herbs, leather, earth, vanilla and strawberry, jam and plenty of plummy, flavorful fruit on the palate. D94 Decanter Boscarelli is located in the revered area of Cervognano. Established in 1962, it's now run by third-generation brothers Luca and Nicolò De Ferrari, who have gradually been replanting the vineyards since 1987. The gorgeous 2016 Vino Nobile includes local blending varieties, Canaiolo Nero, Colorino and Mammolo. A spectrum of enticing aromas greets the nose, from rose, violets and wild cherry to sage and thyme. Elegant, savoury and deceptively light on its feet, the palate proposes sweet yet tangy fruit with layers of finessed, powdery tannin. This superb wine is just at the start of its evolution. WS94 Wine Spectator Expressive and harmonious, this red exhibits cherry, blackberry, violet and mineral aromas and flavors. Pure and elegant, with an underlying tension and intensity that drives the lingering aftertaste of fruit, stone and earth, showing a hint of wild herbs. Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Mammolo and Colorino. Best from 2022 through 2038. WE94 Wine Enthusiast Wild berry, blue flower, crushed herb, camphor and a whiff of tobacco mingle together on this vibrant red. Made with 85% Sangiovese as well as Canaiolo, Colorino and Mammolo, the radiant palate is loaded with finesse, delivering raspberry compote, Marasca cherry, licorice and Asian spice. Elegant, fine-grained tannins provide the framework while bright acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2021–2031. Editors' Choice W&S93 Wine & Spirits This is Boscarelli’s flagship wine, first produced in 1968 and matured for up to two years in Slavonian and Allier oak casks. The 2016 opens with high-toned scents of fresh cherry and orange peel that carry through to the flavors, which are cinched by taut tannins and propelled by brisk acidity. Appealing now for its bright fruit tones, it has good aging potential. JS90 James Suckling Fresh and bright with strawberry and orange-peel character. Light body, bright acidity and a clean and crisp finish. Fun. Drink now.

If I get a vote, I vote for the red.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! An exquisite morning here! Lots of deer families out enjoying an early morning breakfast. Bindi and I even saw a few cranes and a Blue Heron on our morning walk. Vanessa, thank you for taking care of us. @smitty34877 Terry praying DH continues to improve! My birthday week celebration ends today with a group of friends enjoying a Sunday brunch. Yesterday my neighbors and I had lunch at Salsas - a wonderful Mexican restaurant. I had to share a picture of their signature guacamole- there were four of us and we still did not finish it. And since only two of us like “heat” I enjoyed half of the roasted jalapeño that topped it. It was just amazing. Bindi walks, pool time and a few chores will wrap up my day. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to those who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! *********** Frenchman’s Hill Estate Syrah Waiheke Island Expatrius 2014 I knew I was in trouble when one of the responses to my Google search for this wine was Rich’s Fleet Report & Daily post! Not even Wine searcher helped. Or Vivino! But the vintner has a decent description of this Syrah. I have no clue if they ship outside of NZ, but they offer it for $125.00 a bottle. Vintner’s notes Notes: Synergy; a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of elements.A perfect word that embodies the heart of Expatrius Syrah 15. Nurtured & grown in the the sandy, weathered pink and blonde clays of Expatrius a former airstrip. Luc describes the site as initially very savage; a highly calculated risk that reaped great rewards. Expatrius has nurtured into a Syrah that is denser and mature beyond it’s years. Drink: 2023 – 2035. Accolades: The wine’s consistent ratings speak for themselves; not one Expatrius vintage Syrah since the inaugural 2010 vintage has ever scored less than 95/100 points from any of the many critics that have tasted them. Perhaps the reason why allocations for FHE ‘s vintage collection are completely closed nowadays.

How cool! Good morning & welcome!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Just a super quick post this morning. Off to the gym & Aldi, then lunch with neighbors, Bindi walks and charcuterie with wine at a friend’s this evening. Vanessa thank you for keeping track of all of us. Prayers for all who need our support. Thinking of you @1ANGELCAT . Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ********** Rippon Pinot Noir Central Otago Tinker's Field 2019 Another elusive NZ wine. This PN sounds lovely. No distributors appear to ship to me, but lots of them ship to Hong Kong with prices starting at $75.08. Distributor notes Rippon is a small but highly renowned biodynamic family estate, based in the subregion of Wanaka, Central Otago. This position means that the estate enjoys the same benefits of long sunshine hours and rain-shelter as the rest of Central Otago, but the unique proximity to Lake Wanaka provides a considerable moderating influence. The result is wines of less immediately overt ripeness, but of increased finesse and complexity. The wines often look more like their Alsatian or Burgundian counterparts, than that of their immediate neighbours, and they never sacrifice structure or tannin for immediate pleasure. As such, they will develop beautifully in a good cellar, whether red or white. A unique parcel within Rippon, Tinker’s Field is a gentle, north facing slope formed by an ancient ejection cone of coarse schist gravels and is home to the oldest vines on the property. Also to note, the Pinot Noir with the highest acidity of the 19's here. Fermented with natural yeasts, with 25% whole clusters. Aged in French oak (only 17% new) for a total of 18 months before bottling unfined and unfiltered. The Review: 94+ points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front A firm, structured release this year, indeed. Tasted over a few days to get the gist of it. Expressive and individual wine regardless. It’s all about architecture and tension, firm ribbons of tannin and green-herbal elements over darker, sour-sweet cherry and brambly-undergrowth characters. All this wrapped up in a lithe, gossamer but steely-minerally and strict tannins. Amaro-like acidity feels so refreshing and life-affirming. It feels very much a wine that needs cellar time, it’s so strict and taut in this incarnation. Please, set some aside.

I am sending (((((hugs))))). Nothing I say will make you feel better.

@Crazy For Cats Ooh Jake, Amelia is gorgeous. And has perfected that innocent look! 😎

Good morning & welcome!

Mr. Boston, please share with David. Congratulations David! Enjoy every minute of your retirement!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A heavy marine layer that is quickly burning off greeted me this morning. Vanessa, thank you for jumping back into capturing & sharing our happenings! Gym, Bindi walks, chores and dinner at a friend’s. I continue my hunt for a new landscaping company, since my last one quit. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, I hope DH is feeling a bit better. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! *********** San Felice Chianti Classico 2020 This Chianti sounds interesting & reasonable. Consumers and critics really enjoy it. And it is easy to find! Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $14.98. Winemaker Notes #24 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 Produced entirely from native grapes, it is a typical, medium-bodied Chianti Classico, with a distinguished personality and notable for its elegance and pleasantness. Luminous ruby red. Scents of cherry, raspberry, and sweet violets. Dry on the palate, showing subtle tannins and a fresh, crisp acidity. At its best when partnered with antipasti, full-flavored first courses, and most red meats. WS92 Wine Spectator This supple red shows a core of cherry and plum fruit allied to olive, juniper and tobacco notes. Delivers well-integrated tannins and acidic structure, lingering nicely on the finish. Sangiovese, Colorino and Pugnitello. Drink now JD92 Jeb Dunnuck Refined and pure, the 2020 Chianti Classico packs in beautiful concentration within its medium frame. Elegantly perfumed with red cherry liqueur, cinnamon, and pressed flowers, it is long with supple red berries, soft edges, and polished tannins, and it remains refreshing. It is drinking wonderfully now and offers a tremendous value. JS91 James Suckling A medium-to full-bodied Chianti Classico with fresh strawberries, grapefruit, raspberries and a herbal undertone. This is juicy and transparent with a tight, tannic structure. Not austere, though. RP90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate From a hot vintage, the 2020 Chianti Classico shows ripe cherry fruit that is prominent but not overdone. Fresh acidity gives balance to this entry-level red. The 2020 growing season saw frost in April, and yields were down by 30% as a result. The season became very hot and dry toward the end of summer, causing dehydration and the berries to shrink. Fortunately, the vines shut down at the highest temperatures as a defense mechanism, and the wine's color, freshness and fruit flavors were largely protected. This Sangiovese-based wine has tiny percentages of Pugnitello and Colorino in the blend. This is a job well done. Best After 2022.

Thank you for our first June R & D, Rich! A bit cloudy this morning, and we have a possibility of showers. A special thank you to Tina & Eva for taking the reins when we needed them! Welcome back Vanessa & Debbie! Safe travels Bruce & Sue! Just Zumba, Bindi walks, yard work and perhaps some pool time. My family is coming to continue my birthday celebration & the 15 year old will appreciate pool time. My pool is holding steady at 87.6! Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @smitty34877 Terry thrilled to read that all went well for DH yesterday! Get well & stay well everyone! ******* Dakota Shy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 This Napa Cab sounds lovely, though it is pricey. Critics and consumers enjoy it & it is easy to find! Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $101.98. Winemaker Notes #79 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 Powerful, lush and dense in the mouth revealing complex layers of dark fruit, chocolate and cassis that shift toward blackberry and mocha notes balanced by dried herbs and spice. Powerful but also beautifully bright and energetic. Impressive combination of concentration and purity. A dark, silky and seductive foreground layered over polished, elegant structure. Delicious now and sure to unfold new layers of flavor and complexity for decades. Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Verdot WS95 Wine Spectator Rock-solid, with plum, boysenberry and blackberry puree stitched seamlessly with light anise, apple wood and melted black licorice. Shows a suave, polished feel through the finish. Darn tasty. JS92 James Suckling Ripe blueberries, blackcurrants, chocolate, tobacco leaves and mocha on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins. Plush, flavorful finish. Drink after 2022. JD92 Jeb Dunnuck The base 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot that spent 20 months in 70% new French oak. It's certainly worth seeking out. Loads of red and black currants as well as tobacco and spicy oak emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a round, sexy mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's happily drink it any time over the coming 10-15 years.

Lorraine You have a gift for sharing your experiences. Thank you!

Wow some of these pictures are worthy candidates for “Canvas on Demand”. You have an artistic eye for pictures!

@Vict0riann Ann, please share with Pat! So happy he is feeling better! May his new year be filled with love, laughter, great health & a cruise or two!

Love your “code name” & welcome!