2003 Chateau Reynon Bordeaux Blanc "Vieillles Vignes"
An 80% Sauvignon Blanc/20% Semillon blend. Rich, grassy, gooseberryish nose, with hints of green bell peppers or fresh artichokes. Full-bodied, with a broad, low-acid, relatively flat mouthfeel. Straightforward flavors of grass and earth, with some peppery heat in the finish. Definitely showing the effects of this unusually torrid growing season, but clean, simple, and satisfying nonetheless. 83. Was $12.32 at Specs on Smith.
Vote NO in NOvember!
It's time to stand up, to vote, and be counted. It's time to do the right thing for all Americans. It's time to look out for all families.
Vote NO on Amendment 1!
This is the proposed constitutional amendment that Tennessee voters will consider on November 7th, 2006:
The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one man and one woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this state. Any policy or law or judicial interpretation, purporting to define marriage as anything other than the historical institution and legal contract between one man and one woman, is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in Tennessee. If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license for persons to marry and if such marriage is prohibited in this state by the provisions of this section, then the marriage shall be void and unenforceable in this state.
Our goal is to ensure the proposed amendment is defeated.
Notice the language attacking alternative legal contracts, policies, and laws. That's what's dangerous about this amendment. Visit the website and learn more about why this amendment is a problem for all Tennesseans.
Vote NO on Amendment 1!
This is the proposed constitutional amendment that Tennessee voters will consider on November 7th, 2006:
The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one man and one woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this state. Any policy or law or judicial interpretation, purporting to define marriage as anything other than the historical institution and legal contract between one man and one woman, is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in Tennessee. If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license for persons to marry and if such marriage is prohibited in this state by the provisions of this section, then the marriage shall be void and unenforceable in this state.
Our goal is to ensure the proposed amendment is defeated.
Notice the language attacking alternative legal contracts, policies, and laws. That's what's dangerous about this amendment. Visit the website and learn more about why this amendment is a problem for all Tennesseans.
Good for Bank of America!
As a gay customer of BoA, I say thank you for standing up to bigotry. Lots of links in this article, but the bottom line is that corporate America knows better than to openly discriminate against gay people.
Bank of America board slaps down shareholder anti-gay proposalAnother winger proxy issue comes to vote at a corporate shareholder meeting (see earlier post on Kraft blowing off its stockholder fundie).
This time it's Bank of America, and its board has recommended the rejection of Louisiana shareholder Virginia M. Brown's proposal which would require BoA's management to "amend its written equal opportunity policy to explicitly exclude reference to sexual orientation."
The right wing wants to act like discrimination against gays won't hurt businesses or their states, but in the long run, it will. We know where to go, where to live, and anyone that values diversity knows this too.
Bank of America board slaps down shareholder anti-gay proposalAnother winger proxy issue comes to vote at a corporate shareholder meeting (see earlier post on Kraft blowing off its stockholder fundie).
This time it's Bank of America, and its board has recommended the rejection of Louisiana shareholder Virginia M. Brown's proposal which would require BoA's management to "amend its written equal opportunity policy to explicitly exclude reference to sexual orientation."
The right wing wants to act like discrimination against gays won't hurt businesses or their states, but in the long run, it will. We know where to go, where to live, and anyone that values diversity knows this too.
Yank 'Em Out!
Well, this should help with the overcrowding in our public schools and maybe our kids can finally get a real education. We're not that fortunate though. They'll stick around just to aggravate the rest of us.
Southern Baptist faction ready to pull kids from public schools
Southern Baptist faction ready to pull kids from public schools
TN Legislators Go To Work for James Dobson
A classic quote from TN Senator David Fowler on his reasoning for taking a job with the Tennessee group Family Action Council (affiliated with James Dobson's Focus on the Family), which is gearing up to pull out all efforts to get the anti-gay marriage amendment passed here in November:
"It will allow me to engage fully in those issues that really brought me to the legislature in the first place without the distractions of all the other things we must do, discuss and debate up here," Fowler said.
Sooooo, building roads, caring for the homeless, dealing with our failing TennCare situation, focusing on the horrendous ethics issues facing TN are not important...making sure gays can't marry IS. Okay, whatever.
"It will allow me to engage fully in those issues that really brought me to the legislature in the first place without the distractions of all the other things we must do, discuss and debate up here," Fowler said.
Sooooo, building roads, caring for the homeless, dealing with our failing TennCare situation, focusing on the horrendous ethics issues facing TN are not important...making sure gays can't marry IS. Okay, whatever.
Thoughts on the Kids
I recently did a presentation at a conference in Atlanta on religion's influence on our private lives. As I did my research, I came to the realization that the religious "right" has moved from focusing on the lost cause of adult homosexuals to kids, whether it is the right of gays to adopt, to marry, or even now for gay teenagers to have a social club at school, it all comes back to kids.
Do a little research for yourself and see if it's not true.
Here's one recent example.
But it's not hard to find more. Just search for GSAs or gay-straight alliance, and you'll find plenty.
If they can control the minds of the children, they can control society. But remember, for every GSA that these people try to shut down, there is a kid like the one I used to teach many years ago that went home one day and put a shotgun in his mouth after years of being called "fag" by his classmates and having teachers turn a deaf ear.
Hell, I was even one of them in my fundamentalist, homophobic days. I told this student when he tried to confide in me that "maybe if he didn't act so sissy, then maybe he wouldn't get picked on.
Do a little research for yourself and see if it's not true.
Here's one recent example.
But it's not hard to find more. Just search for GSAs or gay-straight alliance, and you'll find plenty.
If they can control the minds of the children, they can control society. But remember, for every GSA that these people try to shut down, there is a kid like the one I used to teach many years ago that went home one day and put a shotgun in his mouth after years of being called "fag" by his classmates and having teachers turn a deaf ear.
Hell, I was even one of them in my fundamentalist, homophobic days. I told this student when he tried to confide in me that "maybe if he didn't act so sissy, then maybe he wouldn't get picked on.
War! On Neil Young! Pt. IV: The Last Waltz
Jackie and Dunlap receive a surprise visit from Neil Young The Liberal Dummy, who reveals his true reasons for hating George W. Bush. It all started Thanksgiving 1976, backstage at... The LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAST WAAAAAAAAALTZ!
Watch: QuickTime iTunes
Red State UpdateNeil YoungLiving With WarImpeach The President The Last WaltzScorseseThe BandRobbie RobertsonLevon HelmRonnie Hawkinscocaine
War! On Neil Young! Pt. III: Neil Young The Liberal Dummy/Greendale
Jackie and Dunlap's War! On Neil Young continues with special guest Neil Young, The Liberal Dummy! Finally, questions are answered, such as:
Who would Neil Young rather have as President? Is Neil Young high right now?
Was he high when he made Greendale?
Watch: QuickTime iTunes
Remember, CDs don't burn themselves. Jackie and Dunlap need your help! Go buy every single cd by Neil Young you can find, just clean out the stores, hell, if Best Buy doesn't carry 'em, try to find one of those hippie stores that sells used CDs and bongs. Hell, buy Landing On Water if you find it. Buy 'em up and send 'em to:
Red State Update
PO Box 12181
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
When they get a mailbox full, Jackie and Dunlap'll burn 'em up, tape it, and put it on the internet for you to enjoy. Remember, buy a bunch! We don't want no baby fire.
More War! On Neil Young! updates coming soon!
Red State Update Neil Young Living With War Impeach The President Greendale
2003 Domaine Les Grands Bois "Cuvee Les Trois Soeurs" Cotes du Rhone
Soft (not bright, of course, because it's a 2003) medium black ruby color. Very leathery and sharp-scented at first, but with air time it opened up to show bright cherry-raspberry fruit, with lemony and dry leather scents underneath. Earthy raspberry fruit in the mouth, with some (but not unpleasant levels of) hotness and astringency. Pretty good, as 2003s from the southern Rhone go. 86. Was $10.99 at Richard's on Shepherd.
2001 Redhouse Shiraz Grenache (McLaren Vale, Australia)
Medium black ruby, with some lightening at the rim. Nose of smoky blackberries and loamy earth. Full-bodied, peppery flavors, with raspberry, blackberry, and iodine flavor elements. Lacking that little bit extra jammy concentration and density I expect from Australian version of these Rhone varietals, this wine is more Chateauneuf/Cotes du Rhone in style than Australia. A bit of tannin shows through in the finish, leading me to believe that its in the process of dropping some of the jammy fruit I bet it had a couple of years ago. So I'd say drink this one up, as it's still drinking well now, but my bet is it's going to lose more flesh as time goes on. 87. Marked down from $24.99 to $12.99 at Houston Wine Merchant at Westheimer & Shepherd.
2002 Clos des Rocher Riesling Grand Premier Cru "Wormeldange Nussbaum" (Luxembourg)
This was a superb buy in a really nice classic Alsace-style (dry, austere, intensely-flavored) Riesling. Bright, very light straw-gold color. Great nose, which developed with significant air time, of lemon-lime, stones, green apple, and peach. Just a hint of Alsace-style "gout de petrol" minerality. Crisp, minerally, and bone dry in the mouth, with fresh lemon-lime, green apple fruit and medium body. Nice length, balance, and finesse. 89. $12.94 at Spec's on Smith, which makes it a great buy compared to its $18 - $35 competitors from Alsace.
WAR! On Neil Young Part II: Beer'll Kill A Dog
QuickTime
iTunes
Jackie and Dunlap update us on the ongoing War On Neil Young, protesting his protesting of the president and his little girl voice. They also discuss whether a beer will kill a dog, and how Bill Frist came to be known as the Kinsey of Canines.
Do your part in the War! On Neil Young!
Jackie and Dunlap want you to buy every Neil Young CD you can find, just load up on 'em, box sets, whatever, even CSNY's American Dream, and send them to:
When they get a mailbox full, Jackie and Dunlap will burn 'em up, tape it, and put it on the internet for you to enjoy. More War! On Neil Young! updates coming soon!
Red State Update
Neil Young
Living With War
Impeach The President
Frist
Spuds McKenzie
beer
iTunes
Jackie and Dunlap update us on the ongoing War On Neil Young, protesting his protesting of the president and his little girl voice. They also discuss whether a beer will kill a dog, and how Bill Frist came to be known as the Kinsey of Canines.
Do your part in the War! On Neil Young!
Jackie and Dunlap want you to buy every Neil Young CD you can find, just load up on 'em, box sets, whatever, even CSNY's American Dream, and send them to:
Red State Update
PO Box 12181
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
When they get a mailbox full, Jackie and Dunlap will burn 'em up, tape it, and put it on the internet for you to enjoy. More War! On Neil Young! updates coming soon!
Red State Update
Neil Young
Living With War
Impeach The President
Frist
Spuds McKenzie
beer
WAR! On Neil Young!
QuickTimeiTunes
Neil Young has written a new CD full of Bush bashing venom. First "Southern Man", now "Impeach the President." This is high-pitched aggression against everything Jackie and Dunlap stand for, and it will not stand.
Jackie and Dunlap have declared War! On Neil Young! What can you do to help with the war effort? Buy every Neil Young CD you can find, just load up on 'em, even Arc, and send them to:
Red State Update
PO Box 12181
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
When they get a mailbox full, Jackie and Dunlap will burn 'em up, tape it, and put it on the internet for you to enjoy.
Watch for more War! On Neil Young! updates all week!
Red State Update
Neil Young
Living With War
Impeach The President
"The Answer my Friend" *
There is something about a drizzly Sunday morning when all is quiet that makes me take up the pen (well, keyboard) and scribe. I have had the intention of getting some thoughts up in this spot for some time but, alas, have not had the time. I confess a certain amount of dejection and disbelief has set in and that I too have been thumped into submission by the steady drumbeat of negativism put out there by our Blue State comrades and their apparatchiks in the media. I am reminded of the line by Tom Lehrer, that times like this make one feel like "a Christian Scientist with appendicitis." But after a brisk walk with our faithful beagle my hope is restored.
I am grateful to the e-mails I have received asking me where I have been and I am flattered that some of you actually want to know my thoughts on these troubling times. To honor that request, I thought I would try to tackle some of the "big events" being played out and, of course, my humble opinions about those, over the next few weeks.
I. The Iraq Question: We are now in the fourth year of combat operations in Iraq and, according to our national press, the situation there is every bit as horrible as the day we began. Four years into World War II, the Allies had begun the invasion of Italy and the Battle for Tarawa was looming in the Pacific. The horror of Normandy was yet to occur. Similar comparisons can be made with just about every conflict in history. This is not to make light of the ongoing carnage in Babylon...one of the great truisms ever spoken, "war is hell," was uttered by William Tecumseh Sherman shortly before he turned the city of Atlanta into a bonfire that would make the Aggies proud. Consider the ruins of Atlanta, the smoldering wreckage of Berlin, Tokyo and Dresden and you start to realize that the Iraq war has been pretty damned sanitary. So, part one of my response to the "Iraq question" is that the U.S. military has done and continues to do an unsurpassed job in carrying out a "humane" war.
Now, the real question: "where do we go from here?" I, for one, have always been skeptical about "nation building" by the military. To repeat the old phrase, our military is designed to kill people and break things. I am also extremely skeptical about the future of democracy in Iraq. This skepticism stems from two fonts: the first, is the fake nature of Iraq as a nation state. No need to put down the whole history lesson, but the three large divisions in the country of the Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites exists because of British occupation and departure after World War I. The second is the that the cultural pre-requisites for democracy do not exist...frankly, they don't exist anywhere in the Muslim world. More on that anon.
Cobbling countries together with deep differences in cultures and values rarely works. Umm, let's see...there's Yugoslavia - nope. The conditions under which it is made feasible are generally not acceptable to the modern palate - think Tito and Saddamm. Can some loose federation emerge out of this? Probably, but then you get to my "source of skepticism" part two...it's the culture, stupid!
The model of western democracy that exists in this country and the UK. is predicated on an ethic, which in our case stems from the Jews and the Christians. The great gift of the Jewish people to western civilization is the concept of justice...no matter your ranking, it is your moral obligation to ensure that people are treated fairly. The Christian gift was to expand on that and add the dimension of equality. If all men are the same before the eyes of God, then it matters not my final standing here on earth. Because of the Christian dimension, we are able to have a democracy in which ALL faiths are respected. Despite all the talk of Muslimism being a religion of peace, it's history does not reflect that ideal. Nor is there equality and justice in their teachings. The inflexibility and naked cruelty of the Sharia should give any Westerner pause. Further, without a well-organized clergy, the faith is easily twisted into it's sicker versions, like Wahabbism, that lead ultimately to children strapping bomb vests on and walking into Cafes. Islam is undergoing the violent throes of dealing with modernity that Christianity went through in the 14th and 15th centuries. Sadly, it is the west that is in the middle of this evolution. Sadder still that the voices of reason within the faith are either killed or silenced. Perhaps saddest of all is that the voices in the west that would speak out are intimidated into silence for being "biggots" and "haters." A reasoned discussion of the facts is not allowed.
"What about India?" a skeptic of my skepticism cries out. They are not Jewish or Christian but they are the world's largest democracy...what about it, huh? Well, for starters, Hinduism which is the predominant faith in India pretty much leaves people alone. And, they had the benefit of the Raj in which generations of young Englishmen spent time in India's "sunny clime" and passed along a model of organization and civilization that has stuck...it took over a hundred years. Anyone ready to sign the U.S. up for an "occupation" of Iraq until 2106?
"Well see, that's why we never should have invaded in the first place!" another skeptic yells. Please "google" the following phrase: "translated Iraqi documents" and browse through the links therein. If you are not a blind Bush hater, this information will send chills up your spine. Imagine another 9/11 attack...only this time with biological and chemical agents as well as planes crashing into buildings. The need to "take out" Saddam, for our own safety was overwhelming. Necessary geopolitical actions don't always have pretty outcomes...as we can see.
The way out? Frankly, I think we are on course to get out. It is painfully obvious that mistakes have been made along the way, but I think the strategy laid out by the White House makes sense. What's that? You didn't know there was a strategy? Oh, well, have a read here: THE STRATEGY!
Will the strategy work? I don't know, but it will get our guys and gals out of there. Once we reduce our "footprint" on the ground we can allow the Iraqis to sort it out amongst themselves and we can turn our attention to the real problem in the Middle East: Iran. There is a very high probability that chaos will ensue. It is highly likely that the Kurds will form an independent state in the north and that Iran will deepen its control into Iraq. These are tectonic plate sized forces at work. For the short term, our objective has been accomplished: we have prevented another (more lethal) attack on our shores. Let's pull out in the manner set forth in the Strategic Plan for Iraq, regroup and refine our tactics. We may not be occupying Iraq until 2106, but we will be at war with Islamic facsism for a damned long time to come. The American people had better wake up to that reality or they will certainly wake up to this, all over again:
* "The answer my friend," clearly comes from the anti-war lyrics of "Blowin in the Wind." It is interesting how many songs from the era seem appropriate now, but when you read or listen to them actually justify the actions we are engaged in..."how many times must a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn't see?"
I am grateful to the e-mails I have received asking me where I have been and I am flattered that some of you actually want to know my thoughts on these troubling times. To honor that request, I thought I would try to tackle some of the "big events" being played out and, of course, my humble opinions about those, over the next few weeks.
I. The Iraq Question: We are now in the fourth year of combat operations in Iraq and, according to our national press, the situation there is every bit as horrible as the day we began. Four years into World War II, the Allies had begun the invasion of Italy and the Battle for Tarawa was looming in the Pacific. The horror of Normandy was yet to occur. Similar comparisons can be made with just about every conflict in history. This is not to make light of the ongoing carnage in Babylon...one of the great truisms ever spoken, "war is hell," was uttered by William Tecumseh Sherman shortly before he turned the city of Atlanta into a bonfire that would make the Aggies proud. Consider the ruins of Atlanta, the smoldering wreckage of Berlin, Tokyo and Dresden and you start to realize that the Iraq war has been pretty damned sanitary. So, part one of my response to the "Iraq question" is that the U.S. military has done and continues to do an unsurpassed job in carrying out a "humane" war.
Now, the real question: "where do we go from here?" I, for one, have always been skeptical about "nation building" by the military. To repeat the old phrase, our military is designed to kill people and break things. I am also extremely skeptical about the future of democracy in Iraq. This skepticism stems from two fonts: the first, is the fake nature of Iraq as a nation state. No need to put down the whole history lesson, but the three large divisions in the country of the Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites exists because of British occupation and departure after World War I. The second is the that the cultural pre-requisites for democracy do not exist...frankly, they don't exist anywhere in the Muslim world. More on that anon.
Cobbling countries together with deep differences in cultures and values rarely works. Umm, let's see...there's Yugoslavia - nope. The conditions under which it is made feasible are generally not acceptable to the modern palate - think Tito and Saddamm. Can some loose federation emerge out of this? Probably, but then you get to my "source of skepticism" part two...it's the culture, stupid!
The model of western democracy that exists in this country and the UK. is predicated on an ethic, which in our case stems from the Jews and the Christians. The great gift of the Jewish people to western civilization is the concept of justice...no matter your ranking, it is your moral obligation to ensure that people are treated fairly. The Christian gift was to expand on that and add the dimension of equality. If all men are the same before the eyes of God, then it matters not my final standing here on earth. Because of the Christian dimension, we are able to have a democracy in which ALL faiths are respected. Despite all the talk of Muslimism being a religion of peace, it's history does not reflect that ideal. Nor is there equality and justice in their teachings. The inflexibility and naked cruelty of the Sharia should give any Westerner pause. Further, without a well-organized clergy, the faith is easily twisted into it's sicker versions, like Wahabbism, that lead ultimately to children strapping bomb vests on and walking into Cafes. Islam is undergoing the violent throes of dealing with modernity that Christianity went through in the 14th and 15th centuries. Sadly, it is the west that is in the middle of this evolution. Sadder still that the voices of reason within the faith are either killed or silenced. Perhaps saddest of all is that the voices in the west that would speak out are intimidated into silence for being "biggots" and "haters." A reasoned discussion of the facts is not allowed.
"What about India?" a skeptic of my skepticism cries out. They are not Jewish or Christian but they are the world's largest democracy...what about it, huh? Well, for starters, Hinduism which is the predominant faith in India pretty much leaves people alone. And, they had the benefit of the Raj in which generations of young Englishmen spent time in India's "sunny clime" and passed along a model of organization and civilization that has stuck...it took over a hundred years. Anyone ready to sign the U.S. up for an "occupation" of Iraq until 2106?
"Well see, that's why we never should have invaded in the first place!" another skeptic yells. Please "google" the following phrase: "translated Iraqi documents" and browse through the links therein. If you are not a blind Bush hater, this information will send chills up your spine. Imagine another 9/11 attack...only this time with biological and chemical agents as well as planes crashing into buildings. The need to "take out" Saddam, for our own safety was overwhelming. Necessary geopolitical actions don't always have pretty outcomes...as we can see.
The way out? Frankly, I think we are on course to get out. It is painfully obvious that mistakes have been made along the way, but I think the strategy laid out by the White House makes sense. What's that? You didn't know there was a strategy? Oh, well, have a read here: THE STRATEGY!
Will the strategy work? I don't know, but it will get our guys and gals out of there. Once we reduce our "footprint" on the ground we can allow the Iraqis to sort it out amongst themselves and we can turn our attention to the real problem in the Middle East: Iran. There is a very high probability that chaos will ensue. It is highly likely that the Kurds will form an independent state in the north and that Iran will deepen its control into Iraq. These are tectonic plate sized forces at work. For the short term, our objective has been accomplished: we have prevented another (more lethal) attack on our shores. Let's pull out in the manner set forth in the Strategic Plan for Iraq, regroup and refine our tactics. We may not be occupying Iraq until 2106, but we will be at war with Islamic facsism for a damned long time to come. The American people had better wake up to that reality or they will certainly wake up to this, all over again:
* "The answer my friend," clearly comes from the anti-war lyrics of "Blowin in the Wind." It is interesting how many songs from the era seem appropriate now, but when you read or listen to them actually justify the actions we are engaged in..."how many times must a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn't see?"
Houston Wine Merchant . . . not a bad choice if it's payday
A commenter asked me what I thought of this store (at the Randall's plaza at Westheimer and Shepherd). Since I hadn't been there in literally years, I stopped in briefly the other night on the way home from work. I was more impressed than I thought I'd be. This store has a well-chosen selection of wines from several countries. I was most impressed with its Australian section, and its Burgundy selection was interesting as well. The mark-ups seemed relatively high for most items (though not nearly as high as Christopher's), but there were still several notable values interspersed throughout the store. This would appear to be a good store to go to if you wanted to find something interesting in the $18 -$50 range, as that seems to where the bulk of its wines are priced. For value, I'm still a Spec's and Richard's guy, but this store certainly fills a niche (albeit a niche for people who like to spend more on wine than I typically do).
2001 Vega Sindoa Cabernet/Tempranillo (Navarra, Spain)
Vega Sindoa is a reliable source of many well made, if unexciting and generically-styled, cheap Spanish wines. Kind of like the Lindemanns, Kendall-Jackson, or Clos du Bois of Spain. This one had been sitting in my wine closet for a while, and I just pulled it out to get rid of it. It actually wasn't too bad. The nose displayed the herbal side of Cabernet, with vegetal notes of green tobacco leaf and some oak. Medium bodied, with simple cherry and herb flavors and a decent, though slightly acidic finish. 81. Vega Sindoa wines are a good choice if you're in a crappy little store and looking for something -- anything -- drinkable. Otherwise, show a bit more effort and try to pick up something with a bit more character.
2000 Forchini Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel "Proprietor's Reserve"
Never heard of this winery before, but the price and appellation were right, so I picked it up on a lark. Medium deep black ruby with no sign of age. Rustic nose of pruney berry fruit, with lemon compote and caramel scents too. Intense, but somewhat angular in the mouth, with flavors of dry raspberry extract, lemon peel, and scorched earth. Full bodied, with some heat in the finish. It was like drinking a cubist painting of a zinfandel. I recognized many of the elements, but it was like an angular amalgam of those various elements. I rated it an 84 at the time. But after three days under the "Vacu-Vin" closure, it had softened its angular edges (both in the nose and in the mouth) considerably, and was more enjoyable and identifiably Zin. On the third day ..... I rated it an 87. That leads me to think that a good 3-4 hours in a big, roomy decanter might help this one. $14.99 at Spec's on Smith.
Easter Dinner/Wines
We had our Easter dinner Saturday evening, so our guests the Hughens, who were in from Austin, could get back at a reasonable hour on Sunday. The tasting notes are from memory, since I didn't do anything but enjoy the food, wine, and company on Saturday. We had these wines with Oma's Egyptian Lamb, the recipe for which follows the tasting notes.
2005 Vida Organica Malbec Rose (Mendoza, Argentina) -- I think I previously reviewed (and definitely remember liking) the 2004 version of this wine, and this one is just as good. Fresh nose of strawberry and cherry fruit, with a tad of earthiness too -- unusual for a rose. Great balance, and clean, refreshing flavors. Very nicely done dry rose for drinking throughout the summer months ahead. Was about $8 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.
2000 Tardieu-Laurent Cotes du Rhone "Guy Louis" -- Tardieu-Laurent is probably THE best negociant in the south of France, in my view. Their wines are always more expensive in every appellation, but are frequently so far superior to the competition (particularly in the less prestigious appellations) so as to warrant the extra cost. This wine was amazing, and not only would blow away almost any other Cotes du Rhone I've had in the last 20 years, but also most regular Chateauneuf-du-Papes as well. Remarkable nose of rich blackberry, cassis, incense and earthy-iodine scents. Still young in the mouth, with some tannic structure for a few more years' development (if you've got a cellar or good temperature controlled wine storage unit -- I don't). Great length and concentration. I think I paid about $24 a couple of years ago for this, but Specs on Smith still has some left, albeit at $29 now.
Recipe for "Egyptian Lamb" -- This is a recipe I got from Liz's mom, and it's become our Easter tradition. We had it yesterday with the wines listed above. It results in a well-done roast (not rare, so beware), but it's very flavorful and moist. The presentation is nice because you've got a leg of lamb surrounded by neat piles of many different-colored roasted veggies, all of whose flavors have mingled with the roast juices.
1 6 to 8 lb. leg of lamb
1 large clove garlic (crushed)
2 onions or leeks, roughly minced
1 lb green beans
2-4 eggplants, depending on size (I like smaller ones), cut into 1" cubes
1 1/2 lbs zucchini, cut in half, lengthwise, then into 1/2 " slices
2 green bell peppers
3-4 tomatoes, cut into large chunks
1/2 teas. marjoram
2 bay leaves
2 tblsp. chopped parsley
3 tblsp. tomato paste
oregano (dried)
salt, pepper
Preheat over to 450. Bone leg of lamb. Rub lamb all over with crushed garlic. Sprinkle and rub in salt, pepper, and oregano. (Optionally, then put bone back in and tie meat up around it since bones add flavor).
Allow 30 minutes per pound total cooking time. Place leg in a LARGE roasting pan in oven, and roast at high heat for 20 minutes or so. Then reduce heat to 325. When you've got about 2 1/2 hours to go (which may be right away if you've got a smaller leg), add the onions or leeks, and soften them in the roast juices for 10 minutes or so. While that's going on, parboil the green beans in 1 cup water, reserving the water. Push the onions/leeks into a pile, then add the green beans and all the other veggies, in separate mounds surrounding the leg. Season with salt and pepper. Add marjoram, bay leaves, and parsley. Dissolve tomato paste in reserved green bean water, and pour over all veggies.
Roast, uncovered, until lamb is done, basting occasionally.
Carve into thick slices and arrange on plates with desired veggies. Spoon on pan juices.
VARIATIONS: Yesterday, I tried a few variations, and we all liked them. First, instead of rubbing with one clove of garlic, I pressed three finely chopped cloves of garlic into the meat (both outside and inside where I replaced and tied in the bone). Second, instead of oregano, marjoram, and bay leaf, I used the leaves of several sprigs of fresh rosemary, again, pressed into the meat. Third, I've taken to using Indian eggplant (available at Fiesta near Reliant Stadium). They're smaller (about the size of an egg), firmer, and have a better flavor than the big spongy monstrosities that pass for regular eggplant these days.
2005 Vida Organica Malbec Rose (Mendoza, Argentina) -- I think I previously reviewed (and definitely remember liking) the 2004 version of this wine, and this one is just as good. Fresh nose of strawberry and cherry fruit, with a tad of earthiness too -- unusual for a rose. Great balance, and clean, refreshing flavors. Very nicely done dry rose for drinking throughout the summer months ahead. Was about $8 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.
2000 Tardieu-Laurent Cotes du Rhone "Guy Louis" -- Tardieu-Laurent is probably THE best negociant in the south of France, in my view. Their wines are always more expensive in every appellation, but are frequently so far superior to the competition (particularly in the less prestigious appellations) so as to warrant the extra cost. This wine was amazing, and not only would blow away almost any other Cotes du Rhone I've had in the last 20 years, but also most regular Chateauneuf-du-Papes as well. Remarkable nose of rich blackberry, cassis, incense and earthy-iodine scents. Still young in the mouth, with some tannic structure for a few more years' development (if you've got a cellar or good temperature controlled wine storage unit -- I don't). Great length and concentration. I think I paid about $24 a couple of years ago for this, but Specs on Smith still has some left, albeit at $29 now.
Recipe for "Egyptian Lamb" -- This is a recipe I got from Liz's mom, and it's become our Easter tradition. We had it yesterday with the wines listed above. It results in a well-done roast (not rare, so beware), but it's very flavorful and moist. The presentation is nice because you've got a leg of lamb surrounded by neat piles of many different-colored roasted veggies, all of whose flavors have mingled with the roast juices.
1 6 to 8 lb. leg of lamb
1 large clove garlic (crushed)
2 onions or leeks, roughly minced
1 lb green beans
2-4 eggplants, depending on size (I like smaller ones), cut into 1" cubes
1 1/2 lbs zucchini, cut in half, lengthwise, then into 1/2 " slices
2 green bell peppers
3-4 tomatoes, cut into large chunks
1/2 teas. marjoram
2 bay leaves
2 tblsp. chopped parsley
3 tblsp. tomato paste
oregano (dried)
salt, pepper
Preheat over to 450. Bone leg of lamb. Rub lamb all over with crushed garlic. Sprinkle and rub in salt, pepper, and oregano. (Optionally, then put bone back in and tie meat up around it since bones add flavor).
Allow 30 minutes per pound total cooking time. Place leg in a LARGE roasting pan in oven, and roast at high heat for 20 minutes or so. Then reduce heat to 325. When you've got about 2 1/2 hours to go (which may be right away if you've got a smaller leg), add the onions or leeks, and soften them in the roast juices for 10 minutes or so. While that's going on, parboil the green beans in 1 cup water, reserving the water. Push the onions/leeks into a pile, then add the green beans and all the other veggies, in separate mounds surrounding the leg. Season with salt and pepper. Add marjoram, bay leaves, and parsley. Dissolve tomato paste in reserved green bean water, and pour over all veggies.
Roast, uncovered, until lamb is done, basting occasionally.
Carve into thick slices and arrange on plates with desired veggies. Spoon on pan juices.
VARIATIONS: Yesterday, I tried a few variations, and we all liked them. First, instead of rubbing with one clove of garlic, I pressed three finely chopped cloves of garlic into the meat (both outside and inside where I replaced and tied in the bone). Second, instead of oregano, marjoram, and bay leaf, I used the leaves of several sprigs of fresh rosemary, again, pressed into the meat. Third, I've taken to using Indian eggplant (available at Fiesta near Reliant Stadium). They're smaller (about the size of an egg), firmer, and have a better flavor than the big spongy monstrosities that pass for regular eggplant these days.
Bully Justice
When you think of a Supreme Court Justice, do you think of someone serious, reflective, wise, and respectful? Or do you think of a cocky junior high schooler, with smart ass comments, and a bully attitude and sometimes lacking judgment (isn't that the worst characteristic a judge could have?)?
Scalia Says Not Recusing Himself From 2004 Cheney Case The "Proudest Thing" He's Done On The Court...
Scalia is proud of the fact that he can flaunt his obvious conflict of interest in the face of the American people. So his good buddy Cheney takes him hunting, and then gets a favorable ruling.
Joe Conason writes in New York Observer:
"Antonin Scalia, the loudest mouth on the highest bench, has indulged himself again. The idol of the far right has provoked fresh doubts about his temperament--and this time, unfortunately, the rest of the world is likely to notice.Surely as brilliant as his admirers claim, Justice Scalia's intellect is too often overshadowed by aggressive bluster and rigid ideology. He suffers from an uncontrollable impulse to give insult and an insufficient respect for the opinions of others. Widely advertised as exceptionally smart, he sometimes does and says things that are extraordinarily stupid."
In your face, America!
Picture from Boston Herald.com
2004 Frey Vineyards Redwood Valley Zinfandel (Mendocino County)
Bright medium-deep ruby purple. Tangy nose of mountain berry fruit. Tart, straightforward berry fruit in the mouth -- but the simple fruit is overwhelmed by the acidity of the wine. The label, which proclaims that the wine is totally organic and has no detectable level of sulfites, suggests to me that the acidity is the result of picking too early, rather than a manipulative winemaker adding acidity to the wine. 82. $11 at Whole Foods on Bellaire. If the pickers had just waited a bit longer . . . .
2004 Fess Parker Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
The fragrance of this wine alone is worth the price. Pure dark ruby color. Wonderfully rich nose of mountain berries, earth, rhubarb, and root beer. Still some some youthful angularity in the mouth, but rich flavors of berries and cola, smoky oak and earth. Full-bodied, with a relatively long finish, with a little heat (14.9% alcohol!). Nose a 91; flavors at 88, but with potential to improve over the next year.
I got this wine a couple of months ago at Spec's, when it was first released, at $19.10, but Spec's is now selling it for $22 and change. Still, given how hard it is to find Pinots this good for under $30-35, this is an excellent buy.
I got this wine a couple of months ago at Spec's, when it was first released, at $19.10, but Spec's is now selling it for $22 and change. Still, given how hard it is to find Pinots this good for under $30-35, this is an excellent buy.
2004 "Carro" (Southeast Spain)
Another great buy from Spain!
This wine is 50% Monastrell (Mourvedre), with Syrah, Tempranillo, and Merlot blended in. Deep black ruby color. Rich, deep aromas of ripe blackberries, roasted meat, and vanilla spices. Concentrated, intense blackberry, plummy flavors, with some earthiness way in the background. Full-bodied, with a long, pure finish. Some soft, ripe tannin in the back of the mouth. Will soften and improve over the next couple of years. An unbelievable value at $7 and change at Spec's on Smith. 90+
To help you find this, the label is very simple looking -- it's a chestnut brown, with a stick figure drawing of a old-fashioned farmer's cart, and simply says "Carro" on the front.
One more thing: To show just how ludicrous Christopher's Fine Wines' pricing is (see my post immediately below), this wine is $12 there. That's about 70% more expensive than at Spec's.
This wine is 50% Monastrell (Mourvedre), with Syrah, Tempranillo, and Merlot blended in. Deep black ruby color. Rich, deep aromas of ripe blackberries, roasted meat, and vanilla spices. Concentrated, intense blackberry, plummy flavors, with some earthiness way in the background. Full-bodied, with a long, pure finish. Some soft, ripe tannin in the back of the mouth. Will soften and improve over the next couple of years. An unbelievable value at $7 and change at Spec's on Smith. 90+
To help you find this, the label is very simple looking -- it's a chestnut brown, with a stick figure drawing of a old-fashioned farmer's cart, and simply says "Carro" on the front.
One more thing: To show just how ludicrous Christopher's Fine Wines' pricing is (see my post immediately below), this wine is $12 there. That's about 70% more expensive than at Spec's.
Christopher's Fine Wines on West Gray: I don't get it.
What is with this place (formerly known as "Christopher's Wine Warehouse")? Is its motto "Why Pay Less?" Sheesh. I get their newsletter in the mail, and there's no doubt they stock some interesting wines, but their business model seems to be: focus solely on wines generally unavailable elsewhere in the city, and then charge almost restaurant magnitude mark-ups. Between the many Spec's and Richard's locations alone (putting aside other places like Whole Foods on Bellaire and Copperfield's), there simply is no reason except precious pomposity to go to a place like this.
Coming up soon, I will bite the bullet and go rub shoulders with the swells from River Oaks to see what Central Market is doing these days with their wine selection. I was last there about a year ago (I really don't like the crowd there--too many Jags, Range Rovers, and surgically altered bodies), and from what I recall they had a very good selection with generally high prices. I'm interested to see if that's still the case.
Coming up soon, I will bite the bullet and go rub shoulders with the swells from River Oaks to see what Central Market is doing these days with their wine selection. I was last there about a year ago (I really don't like the crowd there--too many Jags, Range Rovers, and surgically altered bodies), and from what I recall they had a very good selection with generally high prices. I'm interested to see if that's still the case.
Screw the DNC!
Awww, hell! I don't visit this site for a few days then I go back just to see what's going on. Then I find this under the GLBT section.
DNC to launch LGBT Pride Program
Continuing groundbreaking work from the 2004 campaign, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) will soon launch "Pride at the Polls: 2006." This proven program is designed to educate, register, engage, and mobilize the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and youth communities and help elect Democrats at all levels. We will be partnering with the National Stonewall Democrats Federal PAC and the College Democrats of America chapters.
The "Pride at the Polls: 2006" program will be centered on LGBT Pride season, which typically runs from late May through the end of July. LGBT Pride festivals, which attract hundreds of thousands of LGBT-receptive voters and young people each year, have proven to be one of the most effective venues to reach LGBT and progressive voters.
The goals of the program are to establish a Democratic Party presence at as many LGBT Pride events as possible, increase the visibility of the LGBT community within the Democratic Party, and give community leaders an opportunity to engage in a process that will help support the election of Democrats up and down the ticket. And we plan to have fun while doing it.
When this party gets serious about us, will be when they stop letting us get beat up by these anti-gay marriage amendments, when they stand up for Feingold and others who have stood up for us, and stop cowtowing on the issues important to our community.
They're still asking for votes and not giving anything back.
DNC to launch LGBT Pride Program
Continuing groundbreaking work from the 2004 campaign, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) will soon launch "Pride at the Polls: 2006." This proven program is designed to educate, register, engage, and mobilize the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and youth communities and help elect Democrats at all levels. We will be partnering with the National Stonewall Democrats Federal PAC and the College Democrats of America chapters.
The "Pride at the Polls: 2006" program will be centered on LGBT Pride season, which typically runs from late May through the end of July. LGBT Pride festivals, which attract hundreds of thousands of LGBT-receptive voters and young people each year, have proven to be one of the most effective venues to reach LGBT and progressive voters.
The goals of the program are to establish a Democratic Party presence at as many LGBT Pride events as possible, increase the visibility of the LGBT community within the Democratic Party, and give community leaders an opportunity to engage in a process that will help support the election of Democrats up and down the ticket. And we plan to have fun while doing it.
When this party gets serious about us, will be when they stop letting us get beat up by these anti-gay marriage amendments, when they stand up for Feingold and others who have stood up for us, and stop cowtowing on the issues important to our community.
They're still asking for votes and not giving anything back.
2004 Bodegas Ochoa 50% Graciano/50% Garnacha (Navarra, Spain)
Incredibly youthful deep ruby color, with bloody magenta right up to the rim. Tart nose of barely ripe cherries and raspberries, lemon juice, sweet cream and steely minerals. The palate was dry and somewhat tart as well, medium-bodied, with underripe raspbberry, lemon, and chalky flavors. This wine will probably soften up and mellow a bit with a year or two in the bottle, but I think the grapes were picked just shy of being fully ripe, so it will never change enough to be really special. Nevertheless, this tart style would lend itself as a nice counterpoint to very rich, braised meats such as coda alla vaccinara (oxtail Roman style, one of my favorite dishes). 84+. Was under $10 at Spec's on Smith.
2002 Chateau Souverain Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Souverain has for years been one of my favorite wineries for consistent, high quality Sonoma County wines. I still remember picking up half a dozen bottles of their excellent 1990 Dry Creek Zin at Yankee Spirits in Massachusetts for about $5.99/bottle. While such prices are long gone, this winery still beats most of the larger, high quality California wineries on price.
The 2002 Alexander Valley Cabernet is typical of the region, typical of Chateau Souverain's style, and darn good. Sporting a deep, saturated black ruby color, with a purple tinge to it, the wine leads with terrific, deep-toned scents of sweet cassis and blueberries, with caramelly-sweet, smoky, gravelly scents as well. Very concentrated smoky fruit, with full body, nice length, and great balance. Very drinkable now, this wine will easily last and improve for 3 to 4 years, minimum. 90+
I got this for $19.50 on sale at Fiesta (the one near Reliant Stadium, which, by the way, is my favorite grocery store in the city! . . . incredible selection of fresh produce, diverse ethnic foods, and unusual cuts of meat). It was my "Saturday night splurge" wine, but that's still a great price for Cabernet of this quality.
The 2002 Alexander Valley Cabernet is typical of the region, typical of Chateau Souverain's style, and darn good. Sporting a deep, saturated black ruby color, with a purple tinge to it, the wine leads with terrific, deep-toned scents of sweet cassis and blueberries, with caramelly-sweet, smoky, gravelly scents as well. Very concentrated smoky fruit, with full body, nice length, and great balance. Very drinkable now, this wine will easily last and improve for 3 to 4 years, minimum. 90+
I got this for $19.50 on sale at Fiesta (the one near Reliant Stadium, which, by the way, is my favorite grocery store in the city! . . . incredible selection of fresh produce, diverse ethnic foods, and unusual cuts of meat). It was my "Saturday night splurge" wine, but that's still a great price for Cabernet of this quality.
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