7 Deadly Zins

Old Vine Zinfandel
2008
LODI Appellation, CA

I believe I have reviewed this wine before. However, tonight it was really good. I served it with lasagna. I make an Americanized verison of lasagna that includes provolone, mozzarella and parmesean in lieu of the traditional ricotta and egg, etc. The provolone gives it a "smoked" flavor. The 7 Deadly Zins added to that smokiness. It was a fab combo that I enjoyed immensely.

Tonight is a very special night. I have just learned of the impending birth of a baby for my dear cousin, whose father, my uncle, just recently passed.

In addition, today I feel I was given a gift to forward. I went in search of vacuum cleaner bags that I purchased a couple of months ago, but cannot find. While looking for them, I found a postcard from my dear uncle from last year's Thanksgiving. As you may know, this is the uncle who always made Thanksgiving extra special with his presence, as well as his wine.

One thing I was reflecting on, upon learning of his death, was, while I truly believe and know he was bringing GOOD wine, his presence alone made the wine so much better. I kept wondering, was it the wine, or was it Uncle Bob? It was definitely the man that made the experience better. It was a bit like Pavlov's dog. Had my uncle been feeding me sour milk every Thanksgiving, I truly believe I would have learned to love sour milk. It was the man who made the difference.

Well, tonight I sent my postcard findings along to my aunt and cousins. Last year, he did not come to my house (and I thought confidently that there will be many more Thanksgivings ahead) because my cousin had his first baby and they all spent Thanksgiving together, understandably so. As per usual, he sent a case of his wine ahead for us to enjoy on the day despite his absence. But, honestly, it just wasn't the same without him.

Anyway, today I found his postcard written to my girls during Thanksgiving of last year. The postcard was a botanical photo of one of my favorite plants: the Bleeding Heart. In it he wrote how sorry he was that he wasn't with us and that he hoped the picture on the front conveyed that. In addition, he told them how he added a verse to his favorite Thanksgiving blessing (he would sing the hymn "We Gather Together" for grace). He shared his altered version with us to include a beautiful verse about the birth of his first grandchild. That being the "grace" he sang at the Thanksgiving table he shared with his "new" family last year. I forgot about all he wrote in that card because I obviously didn't know he was going to die before our next Thanksgiving. So, to me, it was a gift that I found that card tonight. I shared its contents with my aunt and cousins in an Email so that they would have the exact blessing he sang at their last Thanksgiving together.

Approximately 10 minutes later, I received a phone call from my aunt who is visiting one of my cousins down South. This was a trip she and my uncle had set in motion weeks before he died. She carried on alone. She called me to tell me that they got my Email and to let me know that my cousin had just shared with her on this trip that she too is expecting a baby. Her brother had a most beautiful baby last year, and now she too will have a baby. To me, everything has come full circle. It is bittersweet, as I wish my uncle could have seen BOTH of his children's first child, but I know, as I said to my cousin, that he already knows this baby. I am totally blessed that I found his postcard and I forwarded it this particular weekend. I truly believe it was his doing.

This wine was fantastic with lasagna and garlic bread. A smokey cherry bomb with a bit of leather nuances.

In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life

Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

Elton John, The Circle of Life


8.0 out of 10 (with food / lasagna)
$15.99 / 750 ml. bottle
15.0 % alc. by vol.

6th Sense Syrah

2008
Lodi Appellation

This wine was all chocolate, leather, rasberries and smoke.

I have not felt like posting or even writing much of anything since the untimely passing of my uncle. Everything just feels . . . different. More importantly, wine isn't so great anymore. I used to taste zealously and with anticipation and fun. I just don't feel the same. I go about my days as usual, but now with less zeal when I remember he's gone (which is several times a day). When I catch myself laughing, I feel bad. But I do remember how important laughter was to him and how much joy he brought others and I know he would want me to laugh as much as I can.

So, I am back to review the first wine I've had in awhile that inspired me and that I thoroughly enjoyed. But, more importantly, I felt compelled to write again due to re-connecting with my husband's younger brother. He is at an age finally where he realizes what is truly important. He has been out of our lives for too many years. He came for dinner and we talked, played wiffle ball, rode around in a golf cart, drank wine and toasted life, and ate birthday cake in celebration of his recent birthday. It was the best I've felt since Uncle Bob died, and I am thankful.



Chocolate and rasberries . . .



The hardest day awaits me this year - Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday and it was the one I totally enjoyed sharing with Uncle Bob. He truly was the best. I said some words at the burial of his ashes, and I ended with this poem by the great Emily Dickinson. Life is, truly, too short.

You will not see me, so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again, both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest and when you need me, just whisper my name in your heart, I will be there.

--Emily Dickinson--


8.25 out of 10
$16 /750 ml. bottle
15.5% alc. by vol.