Brunello manga (yes, manga)

Yesterday was the last day of Benvenuto Brunello in Montalcino and my friends over at Montalcino Report and Il Palazzone both posted on the annual unveiling of the artist’s plaque commemorating the release of a new vintage. This year it was crafted by sister and brother Yuko and Shin Kibayashi, creators of the immensely successful manga, Drops of God.

In other news…

I tasted some pretty incredible, unusual, and remarkable wines yesterday and met and talked to some pretty interesting folks… It’s only been two days that I’ve been on the road but all I can think about is what it will feel like when I can plant these lips on those belonging to my lovely lady tonight… Two days on the road feels like SIX!

Down and out in Beverly Hills (but still drinking well)

Above: chefs shop at the Cheese Store in Beverly Hills, arguably the top fromagerie in Los Angeles.

Last night found David Schachter and me at his place up Coldwater Canyon, drinking label-damaged 1996 Giacosa Barbaresco (David’s contribution) and munching charcuterie and cheese from the Cheese Store in Beverly Hills (I stopped in the flats on my way up).

Above: life’s too short not to drink well.

The Giacosa was a little cloudy and had begun to sherryize slightly (possibly because damaged?). This wine should have had many, many years ahead of it. But even in the twilight of its life, this powerful Barbaresco from one of the greatest and most classic vintages in recent memory showed admirably well.

I really liked the aged taleggio from the Cheese Shop but I was a little disappointed to find that the prosciutto and bresaola was a bit dry and not sliced as well as it could have been. But who’s complaining?

In other news…

Legendary Italian winemaker Giacomo Tachis weighs in on the appellation system debate. Read more here.

*****

This old town is filled with sin
It’ll swallow you in
If you’ve got some money to burn
Take it home right away
You’ve got three years to pay
And Satan is waiting his turn
The scientists say it’ll all wash away
But we don’t believe anymore
‘Cause we’ve got our recruits
In their green mohair suits
So please show your I.D. at the door

This old earthquake’s gonna
leave me in the poorhouse
It seems like this whole town’s insane
On the thirty-first floor your gold-plated door
Won’t keep out the Lord’s burning rain

— “Sin City,” Flying Burrito Brothers