Kistler Sonoma

2006
No. 04585
California

Not a budget wine. Sorry about that. I required this. As the suggested drink time is from 2009-2015 I figured I was safe being 3 years out on either end.

I categorized this delicacy immediately upon first sip as "flowery" with intense minerality. Minerality is one of my favorites in a Chardonnay. In this particular wine, there is no oak flavor. There is no vanilla. Those are my other personal white wine go-to favorite flavors. Yet this was most excellent. As I rarely experience floweriness, I can't decipher what particular flower we are talking about here. Maybe a bit of honeysuckle?

I remember tasting honeysuckle as a kid with my friend Darren who lived across the street. He had a bunch of it in his yard. We used to shoot hoops together. We were like 6. His brothers were all much older and used to tease me for spending time with him. But we really got along well and I find myself wondering whatever happened to him. We moved away and I never saw him again. I remember Darren and I shooting hoops one morning and then we sat underneath his picnic table listening to my parents argue from across the street. They were really screaming at each other. Darren held a piece of grass between his fingers. He could blow through the blade and make that high-pitched sound. I never could. But I'd try. I told him I was scared and sad. He listened and felt sad with me. I felt really connected to him. We were just kids.

I am headed to Maine next weekend. I am speaking at my grandmother's husband's memorial service. He passed away last September and his service was held right away in CT. However, he led a whole other life in Maine. The island he lived at is holding a special memorial for him. I needed a little help from my uncle in my writing endeavors. So I opened a bottle of Kistler for the occasion. Life is short. Whatever will be, will be. Have FAITH that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. If it sounds like I am trying to explain that to myself, I am. Let it be.


When the truth is
I miss you
Yeah the truth is
That I miss you so

A warning sign
It came back to haunt me, and I realized
That you were an island and I passed you by

--Chris Martin, COLDPLAY, "The Warning Sign"

9.5 out of 10
$119/750 ml. bottle
14.1% alc. by vol.

Hopkins Heritage Pinot Noir

Hopkins Heritage Pinot Noir
2010
Western Connecticut Highlands (nonetheless! Makes me feel like I could quite possibly be in the Scottish Moors or something - Dont'cha Know Lad and Lass?)

Many thanks to my buddy Guy for giving this to me to try. He handed it to me and said "Eh, it's okay." He got it for free. No worries, Mate. I don't expect a lot from the Highlands of Connecticut! But it is always welcome to try a different wine.

Not a lot of flavor here, but I didn't expect much. It is a slightly pale, see-through amber-red color. Rather weak, but when served with grilled pork loin marinated in balsamic, olive oil, garlic and freshly ground black pepper, I was able to taste some slight cherry-vanilla flavors that made it more enjoyable.


Some days I'm struck with sorrow
Need a place to hide
There's nowhere else you can put life
But way down deep inside

Take my hand and let me guide you
Take my hand when you're alone
Take my hand and let me guide you
Take my hand to lead you home

The GREAT Ben Harper (*sigh), "Take My Hand"


7.25 out of 10
12.5% alc. by vol.
 Price Unknown (Sorry - special edition freebie at their festival - probably $10-15)