I cannot describe how PROUD I am of Helen Rose. She has done so much in her life that I never would have. I can look back at all the disappointments in my life and think what if… The real reason is because I never put myself out there. I always thought about it but never did. I just passed by, never trying, never going for it, never striving to reach goals. And at some point I just existed-stuck in the “what if cycle”, never extending myself.
Helen has always put herself out there, willing to gofor it. But putting yourself out there also comes with the risk of disappointment. That is where I failed. I didn’t risk it because I could not deal with failure. It is easier to do the bare minimum – then you will not be disappointed. I cannnot fathom the strength and courage it takes to risk disappointment and not winning. Then have that same courage and strength to do it all again. At these times she is 200% better than me at life. The people who posess these characteristics will continue to succeed even when failing. Richard Branson says that “to be successful you must know the pain and disappointment of failure many times.”.
Helen–you make me the proudest Dad in the world. I know that your hurt right now seems to be inconsolable. As a father I want o take away the pain, but I can’t. Tomorrow will be better and the day after even better. Continue to strive to reach your endeavors, live your dreams always.
Love Dad

I absolutely love yellow cake with chocolate icing. I don’t know why I just do. Yes the cheap box mix and store bought icing work for me. It is that way- the simple, cheap things really bring a smile to my face.
Watching children play, kindness from a stranger, a hug form my daughter and that smile from my wife that won me over. Yea, i was won over by a simple smile. Almost 30 years ago my future wife looked up at me with that smile and those eyes, Oh yes those eyes. I was smitten right then. I was puddy, whipped, whatever. The simple things that make me smile.ke ke

I have had a spectacular life, relying on those simple things and that smile.
Love Ya Honey.

The quest for the ultimate bottle.  The Holy Grail.  The continued crusade to find that perfect bottle.  My dream, my quest, my crusade, my……job!  I have come very close several times.  I have enjoyed this quest, oh the Bordeaux, Rioja, Cabernet, Brunello, Merlot and the list goes on, that I have enjoyed in this quest.  Oh pity me, always in the search for perfection.

Today I have come very close.  Domaine des Perdrix, Nuits-Saint-Georges is very close to that perfection.  I know, I know I have said it before-and I will say it again.  But at this time-at this moment- this is about as good as it gets.

Domaine des Perdrix is a premier cru, Nuits-St-Georges, the a sub-region of Burgundy.  Small in comparison to domestic vineyards, these few acres produce some of the best wines in the world.
The fragrance of violets and cherries emanates from the opened bottle. The beautiful bouquet lulls you into nirvana.

The luscious-delicious juice erupts in the mouth.  Layer  upon layer of flavor invades the senses.  Dark black cherry flavors touched with a smokiness meld into the long silky finish.  An earthiness that is typical of Burgundy makes the finishing touch.

Lovely, Beautiful, delicious.  What can I say, just a Fantastic wine.

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Enjoy

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Just look at that.  Just looking at it and you know – you know what is coming!!!!

I made chicken pot pie tonight. I sauteed everything in the Finca Nueva.  I always tell my customers that you shouldn’t cook with something you wouldn’t drink.  I def drink this.

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Me and friends at Finca Nueva with Miguel.

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Look at that color.  I know you just are tempted. Now get off your butt and go get some.

Where do you start, the color, that drop dead gorgeous gold. I grew up in the tExas country side and I do know what the sun looks like on a hot summer day, or the color of corn silk glistening in that sun. That is the color you find here.

What about Rioja. Rioja is one of the best known DOC in Spain. Grapes have been harvested in this area for more than a thousand years. Best known for it’s reds it does produce high quality whites too. Finca Nueva Blanco boasts 100% Viura grapes. Rioja is also known for it’s use of oak aging. Consistent with its Northern neighbor – Bordeaux.

Bodega Finca Nueva is a project lead by wine maker Miguel Angel de Gregorio. I had the very distinct pleasure of visiting his winery several years ago. I highly recommend the trip and visiting the winery. Miguel is also the winemaker at Allende.

The Finca Nueva Blanco has a nose that reminds me of a bright summer day in the garden. The fresh orchard smells and cut grass. the mouth has a distinct citrus notes with hints of vanilla. Full mouth feel balanced acidity. A light refreshing wine that is perfect with chicken or fish. Enjoyable, it is my alternative to Sauv Blanc. Spanish wines also have an advantage. They are usually a better price and quality than you find in other places. This one was under 10.

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Sometimes you just run across a wine that you want to marry, or at least keep as a mistress. Sex with wine-don’t pretend, you know you have thought about it. Well this is one of those.

Once you pull the cork you are automatically hit with oh the Garden of pleasure, violets, roses and plumeria, ( I was just in Hawaii). Smell is actually 90% of taste. All of my senses are in overdrive now, and I am already tasting, my mouth is flowing juices like an excited virgin. The immensely dark juice pours into the glass. So intriguing, inviting and yet mysterious.

As I pour the wine into my mouth I am hit with WOW just amazing amounts of fruit. Succulent and supple. The intense concentrated flavors that are packed in here are so hard to define individually. But, man oh man, you definitely get the plum, black cherry, licorice. On the end you will note coffee and chocolate. The pleasures of the body all in one bottle. The rich velvety touch of the juice touches my soul. I feel a euphoria coming over me. The long finish with ever so light tannins envelops me, taking control. I am entranced now, my body is begging for more. And more it shall have. I must go now I am about to have a relationship with my wine.

On a more serious note. The Baxter family continues to provide excellence. Phil Baxter Jr. has followed in his fathers footsteps-providing some of the best wines in Napa. Some old world nuances mixed with new world style. Beautiful.

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This is one of the best wines you will ever have. Not much on the market so if you find it buy it.

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Spanish wines have been a favorite for a long time. Reds mostly , but from time to time I come across an exceptional white, and this is one.  Senorio De Nava from Rueda.  Rueda is a DOC in North Central Spain, mainly known for Verdejo.  This wine is made from Verdejo, a lite citrus style grape, and Viura.  Viura is also known as Macabeo-usually used as a blending grape.  Verdejo is one of the most common white grape varities with a style similar to Sauvignon Blanc.

The Senorio de Nava winery was founded in 1986.  Young in wine age.  They are known for being the first to use French oak barrels for aging.  This wine is perfect for seafood and light meals. Aromas of fresh fields (if that is a thing, but I bet you imagined what I was talking about).  Perfectly balanced. Light acidity.  Elegant citrus notes that are not overwhelming.  An easy drinking very approachable wine.

I did pair this with a shrimp and pasta dish that just called for a wine that would compliment the flavors.  Butter and lemon, garlic and seasonings, what else do you need.

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