It has been too long

And since I am not on Facebook and MySpace is a joke and I hate Linkendin, I am back. Not that anyone even reads this.

Since last we spoke we have traveled even more. I am not planning on recapping much but we have been to France twice (loved Burgundy), Dipped into Switzerland, Germany, Amsterdam, London, and Copenhagen.

This is our future doctor who says she wants to be an animal doctor. She even helps when at the vets with our two dogs.

Halloween at the Commander's!

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Booyah

Happy Birthday Melissa, what I really wanted to say was...

How much I love you. It has been an amazing life I have had since I meet you. And it continues to get better. I have never meet anyone like you and I thank God every day for you, and that little stinker as well. Who knew that July 3rd, that this would be the outcome. Who would have seen that coming and this amazing relationship. Growing together in our lives and our likes. I think about all we have done (trips, wine tastings, dinners, etc.) and I smile and look forward to more.

There is not a day that goes by that I am not amazed with your strength, your passion and your love. I am so proud of where you are. You are a wonderful wife and an impressive mother. I watch your natural gifts with her and I am in awe. It warms my heart to hear how comfortable you are in your life and how turning 30 has never been easier. I know I tell you constantly, but you, my beautiful wife, make me a better man! Here is to the rest of our lives together. Here is to completing the top ten vacation spots still to come. To reading the books we want to read, tasting the wines we want to taste, and to checking off all the items on all our anal spreadsheets that we create! Above all, thank you for loving me more than I knew someone could.

2008 Angeline Pinot Noir

We tried to 2008 Pinot Noir from Angeline (made in Santa Rosa by Martin Ray Vineyards). The wine is highly rated as a BEST BUY by Wine Enthusiast and it shows wine. Strong ruby color and tastes of strawberries, currant, hint of leather and licorice on the finish. Listed at Spec's for $12-13. Great buy, doubt it will keep well but still great.

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Tri-Tasting

I have been slacking on my postings. Had some great bottles recently and one REALLY bad one. To continue with my Phoenicia tastings, we had more great bottles and one that had to be thrown away. I went WAY out there and bought a Bulgaria. It tasted like something similar to cough syrup but without the benefits. But we did by three bottles for a party, one Australian, one Portuguese and one Chilean. Fantastic and all under $10. The Chilean, Puerto Viejo was exception.

Went back and bought the Italian we did not right down. For $15 you too can own the 2006 Italo Piertrantonj Montepulciano D' Arbruzzo from Phoenicia. Tastes similar to a Chianti, little dry and earthy, but great flavors of vanilla and spice as well. Great table wine.

Next up the Ridge 2007, Three Valleys Zin Blend. Ridge is a wonderful and beautiful Sonoma (Lyton Springs) vineyard. Wines tend to be on the $30 plus side but this is a $20 bottle from Specs that tasted like a $50. Wine had strong notes of berries and spice. Bold wine but medium tannins. Goes down great, especially with steak or lasagna, which was our case.

Last on the trifecta was the Hook and Ladder 2006 Station 10 blend. Again, around $20-25 at Specs. Great tastes of straberry and rhubarb with hints of peper on the end. Also tasted briar which does not do much for me, but the wine was fantastic. H&L has slowly become one of my favorite wineries out there.