The San Diego Kid rode back into to his hometown last night and cozied up to the bar at Jaynes Gastropub for a Jaynes burger and a SMOKING glass of Valpane 2003 Barbera del Monferrato Perlydia (the winery’s current “reserve” release, a FANTASTIC example of Barbera’s ageability and a wonderful expression of an notoriously tough vintage). I REALLY dug that wine — earthy, muddy, grapey, lip-smacking berry fruit, and brilliant acidity, so friggin’ good — and Jaynes is doing it b[y] t[he] g[lass]. Run don’t walk…
I was proud to be wearing the hat given to me by my good friend Melvin Croaker from Orange, Texas (where Tracie P grew up). As much as the loves coming home (that’s Megan and John Yelenosky in the pic with me), my heart’s in Texas now. Thanks again, Melvin, for one of my truly prized possessions. I’m looking forward to seeing you next weekend in Orange (maybe you’ll hook me up with that “low and slow” lesson?).
In other news…
One of my favorite wine bloggers, Saignée (that’s him, left, with legendary winemaker Giacinto Brovia and me, photo by BrunellosHaveMoreFun), has been posting about our trip to Piedmont together in March. Check out his post on Brovia here and Produttori del Barbaresco here. I dig Saignée’s palate, I dig his style, and he totally nails the ethos of these benchmark wineries in these posts. Chapeau bas, bro.
And this just in…
Alfonso’s back on the Wine Trail in Italy again. I think he does some of his most inspired writing when he’s on the road and I love following his adventures. That’s what our community’s about, ain’t it? Check it out…
And the best news I’ve heard all day…
The love of my life is joining me in San Diego tonight… :-)
hi 2B! can’t wait :)
Back atcha, amigo. Tell Yelonesky we’ll miss him on the Southern portion of the trip.
that would be Yelenosky..
[...] a great deal about this wine: like this more technical piece I wrote for a client in Texas or this joyous post that exploded from my fingers when I tasted the wine at Jaynes a few weeks [...]