Bear Boat Pinot Noir

2006
Russian River Valley
Arroyo Grande, CA

First, before I post, I just have to say how sad I am at the shootings in Tucson, Arizona. As the mother of a 9-year old girl, I am especially devastated at the death of 9-year old Christina Taylor Green. Christina was involved in her school's student council and was at the grocery store to meet Representative Gabby Gifford because she was interested in learning more about politics. Christina was born on 9-11-01 and was considered to be a "child of hope". I sit here and ponder deeply at the irony.

Christmas Day dinner was accompanied by Bear Boat. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Another Pinot Noir breakthrough. It was red and black berries meet herbs and a bit of spicy black pepper on the finish. Very good.

I sit immersed in Mel Torme singing "The Christmas Song" on my Pandora with my cranberry votives glowing and feeling melancholy for my favorite time of year which comes only once a year and fills me with joy and anticipation and then leaves me lonely and sad and nostalgic EVERY time. So I continue the carols, and let the Christmas decorations linger and continue baking and reflecting. My children and husband don't mind and reinforce my behavior because when I suggest taking the tree down I am met with fierce objection. I smile to myself and feel I am keeping a wonderful secret as all my neighbors, and even my retro town's Main Street, remove all traces of December 25th.

A few days ago I drove home from work the long way. I went through a quaint little town that gets a bad rap (unfairly) for being filled with inbred dingbats. Their town green was illuminated with at least (20) gorgeous evergreens lining both streets, each filled with the old-fashioned large colored bulbs. All streets were lined with old fashioned lanterns, each adorned with simple but elegant wreaths hanging under look-alike gas lit lamps. Tears came to my eyes and I felt like I was in a Norman Rockwell setting. It was awesome. That same night (mind you this is way past Christmas now) my friend gave me a boxwood wreath she'd made because she knew I admired hers.

And so the Christmas spirit and feeling lingers on in my life and I am thankful for it, even if it is a bit melancholy.



I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said:
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow--











8.0 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$17 / 750 ml. bottle