cat shepard

Just a quick visit before I head off to have my blood work drawn for my annual wellness visit. I have not had any coffee, so please pardon my errors. I hope to check back in when I am sipping my first mug. 😎 *********** Laurent Perrier Brut Grand Siecle #26 MV This is a classic champagne. Probably worth every Penny, but it is too far outside of my budget. Even a taste is probably outside of my budget. Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $243.99! Winemaker Notes Vintages in Champagne are synonymous with excellence despite significant variations in style, expression, and quality from one to another. Grand Siècle seeks a perfection beyond single vintages, with the ambition of recreating "the perfect year", one nature on its own cannot provide. The 26th iteration of Grand Siècle was released to great critical acclaim – including a perfect 100-point rating from James Suckling. A white gold in color with delicate and persistent bubbles, it offers a very complex nose which mixes honeysuckle, lemon, clementine and fresh butter aromas, followed by notes of hazelnut and a touch of honey. The feel in the mouth is very delicate and fresh with candied lemon and fresh hazelnut aromas. The palate is silky and mineral with notes of honeysuckle, flaked almonds and clementine. Grand Siècle Nº26 will pair beautifully with high quality produce and refined dishes, such as truffle, caviar, shellfish, noble fish and white meats. Blend: 58% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir Professional Ratings 100James Suckling This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage. 97Wine Enthusiast Tautly textured, the Champagne is delicious with a poise between white and citrus fruits along with touches of maturity coming through. Drink this magnificent wine now for its great balance and intensity. 96Decanter This iteration of Grand Siècle is almost entirely composed of two of Champagne's greatest recent vintages, so expectations are high. The wine more than meets them, tempering the generosity of 2012's fruit – ripe apricots, white peach, clementines and sunny, zesty citrus – with a pitch-perfect streak of 2008 tautness and structure. There are some fleshy, creamy notes of papaya and toasted white sourdough, but everything is as delicately rendered as expected and impeccably shaped, with a sleek, silky mousse. A little more approachable than Itération No. 25, it will welcome extended bottle age rather than demand it. The blend is 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir from eight grand cru vineyards. 65% is from the 2012 vintage, 35% from 2008 and 10% from 2007. 96Robert Parker's Wine Advocate ...Unfurling in the glass with scents of crisp nectarine, pear and honeyed citrus fruit that mingle with notions of fresh mint, blanched almonds and iodine, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with broad structural shoulders, tangy acids and a long, intense finish. It's a great Grand Siècle in the making. 95Wine Spectator A graceful Champagne, with flavors of boysenberry and black cherry fruit, toast, blanched almond and grapefruit pith, graphite and fleur de sel gliding across the satiny mousse. Reveals racy acidity that sculpts fine definition, allowing the detailed profile to expand on the palate, while minerally hints of chalk and oyster shell linger on the finish.

I have crossed my fingers. Sadly I have not trained my toes to cross. I think they are too old to be trainable. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda Hold on to those memories. I hope they help ease your pain. Hugs. Ann

Geesh, Nancy, I will never again complain about the sore arm the RSV vaccine gave me. Hope you are 100% soon.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy,mthank you for our maps! It is 44 here this morning, but there is currently no wind! Woo hoo! Last evening’s walk with Bindi was brutal. The wind seemed to be blowing from every direction! All the folk walking their dogs were bundled up. Vanessa thank you for keeping up with us. I am thrilled you will have someone else do all your shoveling for you. Praying that you find the answer to eliminating your pain. And reap the benefits of a great night’s sleep - soon. Gym, Bindi walks, chores and lunch with friends that I met on my 2019 Hawaiian cruise with HAL. It all started on the roll call. Sometime you just click with people. This couple is escaping from Pennsylvania and heading for a cruise from Port Canaveral. It will be great to see them. Prayers for all who need our support. So many Dailyites, family members and friends need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @seagarsmoker Congrats on the 3rd interview! Knock their socks off! Don’t forget you can always use us as references. 😜 May we each find a reason to smile today. ********** Brovia Vignavillej Dolcetto d'Alba 2020 No clue why the hyphens appeared in the name, but you won’t find any on this Italian red’s label. I used the 2020 vintage info, since that should be ready to drink and fairly easy to find. Be sure to let this one breathe a bit before drinking, or you could even decant it. Lots of consumer fans. A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $21.99. Winemaker Notes Harvested from classic clay-limestone soils from plots in Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba, some planted in 1981 and the other portion in 1993. The grapes are crushed and fermented in stainless steel at 29 degrees Celsius for a period of a week to 10 days; then aged in stainless steel for seven to nine months before the bottling (unfiltered). Approximately 10,000 bottles are produced annually, about one-quarter of which is dedicated to the US market.

My sympathies, Graham. I was hoping that you & Pauline were off having fun.

Thank you for today’s FR& D, Jacqui! I know most of you will scoff at our cold temps, but 37 is cold for us. And the wind makes it feel colder. Bindi did not dawdle this morning. Vanessa, thank you for taking care of our lists, in spite of what you deal with. I can not believe you actually shoveled snow. Please make other arrangements. Bindi walks, chores, HIIT and more work on my hardwood floors. All inside stuff, though the temps will rise to the mid 50s and be sunny. Too bad the wind stays with us the entire day. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those dealing with debilitating pain and conditions, grieving the loss of a loved one, the caregivers and those in a funk. Terry, Tana and Melissa thinking of you. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********* Stags Leap 2021 Viognier Well today’s wine choice left the door wide open for me to pick the vintner. So I chose a California vineyard that won the red wine category in the wine competition made famous by the movie Bottle Shock. They do an amazing job with white wines too. This medium bodied Viognier is sippable on its own, and great with food. Fairly easy to find. Lots of consumer fans. Online prices start at $26.88. Winemaker Notes This 2021 Viognier is fragrant and alluring with layers of fresh white peach, apricot, orange blossom, zesty lime, and elderflower alongside notes of marzipan, Madagascar vanilla, and lemon curd. A racy backbone of crisp acidity is supported by an earthy minerality, adding notes of honey and lanolin, softening to a round, creamy texture on the mouthwatering and supple finish. Silky and viscous with an exotic, spiced floral character, this is the perfect al fresco white. 92James Suckling Real viognier here with sliced green mango and a hint of bitter lemon. White blossom. Medium body. Zippy and dry at the end. Nicely crafted. No new wood. Drink now.

Nancy I am so happy to read that you are feeling better. And I am impressed at your room service food options. Ann

No apology needed. You should have just said that you were testing us to see how many paid attention to the date. 😎

Ooh a time warp! Totally skipped January 16th & 17th! Jacqui, thank you for a preview of Thursday’s FR & D! It is 65, super foggy and will get colder as the day progresses. Freeze warnings even where I am. It is so foggy Bindi and I encountered two deer on our morning walk and we all startled each other! Vanessa, thank you for managing to keep track of all of us. Praying that you find permanent relief for your pain and start getting great night’s sleep. Gym, Bindi walks, chores. Need to do tackle more of my hardwood floors to get rid of scuff marks. Prayers for all who need our support. Those with debilitating pain and conditions, those grieving the loss of a loved one, the caregivers and those in a funk. Thinking of you Terry, Tan and Melissa. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today! ************ Decoy California Pinot Noir I do not remember trying this wine, but I would love a taste. It has lots of consumer fans and is widely available. Online prices start at $16.98. Winemaker Notes This lush and alluring Pinot Noir draws you in with aromas of black cherry, wild strawberry, red currant, black tea and sage, as well as rustic hints of earthy forest floor. On the palate, the generous ripe berry flavors are framed by bright, balanced acidity and refined tannins that carry the wine to a long, silky finish. Professional Ratings 90Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The 2021 Decoy Pinot Noir is flavorful and nicely balanced. This wine excels with aromas and flavors of savory spices and perky red fruits. Try it with brown sugar and mustard-glazed baked salmon fillets.

If you do, please have someone take an action photo of you sipping them. 😎

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy, thank you for the maps! Rich, thank you for sharing your journey with us! It is 53 and today will be very seasonal. But tomorrow night the big chill comes. Frost and freeze warnings all around - even along the coast. Still nothing compared to the temps so much of our continent is facing. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with our happenings. Praying for permanent relief from your pain and great, sleepful nights. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, and a birthday lunch for a friend - I see a lemon drop martini in my future because this great restaurant has horrible wine options. 😱 Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions, those grieving the loss of a loved one, and the caregivers. Thinking of you Terry, Tana and Melissa. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @grapau27 Graham, I hope you and Pauline are off enjoying yourselves! @seagarsmoker Hope your job offer happens! Congrats on a great second interview! May we each find a reason to smile today! ******* The Pinot Project Pinot Noir This California Pinot Noir has lots of fans. It is widely available and priced to try. Numerous distributors with prices starting at $10.99. Winemaker Notes Handcrafted from high-quality Sonoma County, Monterey, and Central Coast vineyards. Cool garnet in color with aromas of pomegranate and fresh roses, this Pinot Noir is balanced on the palate with notes of black cherry and five spice with a smooth, lingering finish. 90Wine Enthusiast Beautiful, fresh fruit flavors light up this no-nonsense wine, delivering the varietal's classic red and black cherries, along with light cinnamon nuances and a good, lightly tannic texture. It's easy to quaff and interesting, too 90James Suckling Aromas of fresh herbs, strawberries and hibiscus. Medium-bodied with wet-mineral character. Soft tannins. Straightforward and tasty.

Nancy, I am so sorry to ready this. Hope this is a quick one.

@0106 Tina, thank you for saving us from hunger! @dfish Debbie hope your internet 8s restored soon!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! I am going to start referring to this Winter as “The Winter of Yo-Yo Temps”. We are starting out the day 22 degrees cooler than yesterday. Still nothing compared to you on the Frozen Tundra, but very strange for us. Vanessa, thank you for all you do to keep track of us. I pray that your sleep & pain continue to improve & a permanent solution for your pain happens soon! Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks and chores will keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ******* Rotari 2018 Metodo Classico Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Sparkling (Trento) Live in Europe? Visiting in the near future? You are in luck! This sparkling wine from Italy is only available in Europe right now. Perhaps the great review from Wine Enthusiast will change that. It sounds interesting and is reasonably priced. Although none of the places I found online ship to me, if you are in Europe prices start around $16.00. 93 Wine Enthusiast Enticing aromas of baked apples, freshly baked croissants, ginger and white flowers pour from the glass of this mountain-grown sparkling wine. The pristine palate lifts as the crisp acidity pops on the palate, balancing the rich orchard fruit, lemon curd and creamy texture of the wine that finishes with a flinty minerality with a fine and elegant perlage.

Adding you to my prayer list, Dixie!

Perhaps with the holidays they are behind schedule. Praying for the best.

Dixie, Did I miss your post with the results of your biopsy?

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. Rich thank you for leaving us in such great hands! Roy thank you for the maps. It is a balmy 67 here this morning, but the colder temps are coming back. It will get back down into the 40s again tonight. @ger_77 & @bennybear - I bet that almost sounds like Summer to you two. Stay safe. I have never experienced temps like the ones you are. Nor do I want to. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. We are a busy group. Praying that your the Cymbalta continues to help and your nights’ sleep grows longer and your pain lessens. And a permanent, non pharmaceutical solution is found for your pain. Zumba, Bindi walks, chores, dinner prep and then dinner with friends. The menu is scallops, salad and mushroom stuffed eggplant. And wine. 😎 Prayers for all who need our support. Those suffering from debilitating pain & conditions, grieving the loss of a loved one, the caregivers, and those in a funk. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today! ******** If-You-See-Kay-Red-Blend 2020 I used the 2020 vintage info, since it should be the easiest to find. Fun name. Lots of consumer fans. The blend sounds interesting, and I would love a taste. Widely available with online prices starting at $16.95. Distributor notes A wine with personality to match its label: a deep, dark purple color opening with opulent aromas of mulberries, dark ripe Bing cherries and hints of leather alongside dashes of cedar and vanilla. On the palate, succulent juiciness balances out firm yet fine-grained tannins. Dense flavors of ripe plum and dark cherry fruit flavors create a full, well-structured mouthfeel, with lively acidity that creates a powerful yet elegant sensation through the cherry-toasted laden finish. Paso Robles is situated along U.S. Highway 101 in the center of California’s Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The grapes for Kay are from the Red Cedar Vineyard which is located 15 miles east of Paso Robles, entirely within the Paso Robles AVA. Sections of the vineyard are within two of the recently approved sub-AVAs: San Juan Creek and Paso Robles Estrella District. The rolling benchland (above the Estrella River) and terraced vineyard plantings at Red Cedar range from 500 to 800 feet above sea level. The vineyard is certified sustainably-farmed by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. Warm, dry days throughout the summer make it ideal for growing big bold reds with no holds barred-like Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The warm climate—similar to the Napa Valley—builds power and structure in the grapes. Drought conditions continued for the 2016 vintage and yields were naturally low to downright tiny, which resulted in high quality low crop yields with concentrated flavor. Blend : 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Petit Sirah, 14% Zinfandel, 7% Petit Verdot

Dailyites, I confess, I am beginning to suspect @richwmn Rich of getting a kickback from the Butternut squash growers of the World. This cannot be a coincidence.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy thank you for our maps! It is 20 degrees warmer here this morning & though rain and a T-storm are possible, the wilder weather is supposed to stay North of us. You Georgians & Carolinians stay safe. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with our happenings. Hope your nightly sleep period continues to get longer. Praying that you soon are permanently relieved from your pain. Gym, Bindi walks, deep rug & floor cleaning - how can one woman and one dog get things so dirty? Lots or chores and some meal prep for tomorrow’s dinner. Prayers for all who need our support. Those suffering from pain, debilitating conditions, loss of a loved one, caretakers and those in a “funk”. Roy hope today’s treatment goes as smoothly as the others. Thinking of you Tana, Terry, Melissa & Terri. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @seagarsmoker Best of luck on that interview. You should use us all as references!😎 May we each find a reason to smile today. ************** Anselmo Mendes 2021 Curtimenta Alvarinho (Vinho Verde) This white wine from Portugal has a huge number of fans - both consumers & critics. I even learned a new term : bâtonnage. It is the French term for stirring the settled lees back in to the wine. I knew this was important, but never saw the French term before. Widely available with online prices starting at $22.98. Distributor notes White wine made from Alvarinho grapes exclusively produced in Monção and Melgaço. The vines are over 14 years old and have low production with high levels of acidity and good maturation. It is an old-fashioned wine made with tanning, with more color and more tannins. It intends to fully exploit the potential of the Alvarinho variety. Grapes harvested manually in small boxes and transported to the cellar in a short time. Skin maceration followed by fermentation with the skins for a few hours. Fermentation ends in used 400 liter French oak barrels. In the same barrels it undergoes bâtonnage for 9 months on total lees. Aging for 12 months in bottle. 94 Wine Enthusiast

@Cruzin Terri Terri, I shared your fears. I am so sorry they were realized. I know Moderna is working on a couple of new meds. I suspect any drug firm of worth is doing the same. Not sure how active Jim is, but physical activity is recommended by many doctors and support groups.

Congratulations, Denise! Though not always easy to do, being mindful of diet & exercise can have huge rewards!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is a brisk morning of 41 today. But the sky is clear. More “weather” is coming tomorrow. Who knows what it will bring. On Tuesday EVERY state & province on the East Coast was under some type of severe weather warning. Vanessa thank you for keeping up with us. I am so happy that you are getting a bit more sleep. Let’s hope your permanent pain relief plan starts soon. Gym, Bindi walks, my annual water purifying system maintenance, branch patrol (the wind finally died down) and chores should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those with debilitating pain or conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. And the caregivers. Thinking of you Tana, Terry & Melissa. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @dfish Debbie you will love your balcony in Hawaii. Enjoy! @StLouisCruisers Sandi, wish Ren a Happy Birthday for me, too! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********** Llopart 2011 Original 1887 Brut Nature Sparkling (Cava) I love this wine’s name. it sounds lovely. It has quite a history, a huge number of fans and awards, and though a bit pricey for me - it is actually reasonable for what it delivers. Numerous online distributors with online prices starting at $79.95. Distributor’s notes Llopart Original 1887 Brut Nature is a sparkling wine produced by LLopart in Subirats (Barcelona), specifically in Corpinnat (the EU collective brand born in the Catalan Penedès region). LLopart is a family-run winery with a long winemaking tradition. In 1385, they documented the transfer of some vines located in the current Heredad Can Llopart to Bernat Llopart. However, it was not until 1887 when they finished the first bottle of sparkling wine, in the country house that the family has in Subirats. Heredad Can Llopart is the family farm. It is located on a hill with prominent slopes at 340 metres above sea level. The climate in this area has very mild winters, and sunny summers that are not too warm. The mountain range of Montserrat protects the vineyards from the cold northern winds during the winter, making temperatures milder. LLopart makes all their sparkling wines using the traditional champenoise method,seeking the excellence of all their products from the maximum quality of the raw material, the grape. Llopart Original 1887 Brut Nature is a sparkling wine made from Xarello, Maccabeu and Parellada, from old mountain vineyards with very low yields. After the manual harvest, each variety is vinified individually. When the fermentation has ended, they perform a coupage of the three varieties. Then, they carry out the tirage or bottling with yeast and sugar, so that the wine can carry on to its second fermentation in the bottle. After a minimum of 120 months of ageing, they carry out the disgorgement, with no added liqueur d'expédition. This sparkling wine was initially produced to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the first bottle of sparkling wine from Llopart.

Melissa, praying 2024 is good to you.