TWC is the wine swilling mayor of Two Guns Arizona who was formerly a prolific wine blogger. Some of that remains and to get right to the wine reviews without further distraction, click The Wine Commonsewer Speaks. The rest of the enchilada is an eclectic mix of commentary on culture, food, tax, and econ 101.
TWC's Theme Song:
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« January 2011 | Main | March 2011 »
Good Morning Gentle Readers,
If you look carefully you may see a single spider's filament stretching from the top flower to the lowest flower.
Many people don't notice these flowers until they have become nutmeg-colored roundish seedpods with tiny medieval spikes. The seedpods hang among the bare limbs often adding a bit of color to the bleakness of winter.
As Ever,
TWC
photo crediit: TWC 02-24-11 ©
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
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Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
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Good Morning Gentle Readers,
Mrs TWC brought home a box of wine the other day which included a bottle of 2008 Bogle Merlot. TWC gave her a big hug and then wrinkled his nose when she warn't lookin'. I know it isn't polite, but I mentioned that I don't really care for Bogle Merlot. Just so she'd know for next time. She nodded. And smiled.
Course, ABC laws in this state are simultaneously protectionist while serving to hinder the marketing of wine. Government does that well. But, for all its legion of faults, Ca liquor law is positively laissez-faire in comparison to many other states. Still, if you decide you were mistaken about the booze you bought, you're tough outta luck. You cannot return any alcoholic beverage for a refund. Not even if the baby needs formula and diapers. It has something to do with retailers buying from unlicensed sellers. As if returning a bottle of booze equates to selling it to Bev-Mo or Cost Plus. Sole exception: If the bottle is corked or tainted, it can be swapped out, but that's it.
Long way around the barn to say that TWC was forced *by law* to drink the Bogle Merlot, which is a mighty cavalier position for the State of California to take on the subject of alcoholism. Oh sure, the bureaucrats talk a good fight about demon rum, but in the end, when the alkie buys a pint of Wild Irish Rose and subsequently has an ephiphany, the local liquoria isn't going to refund his money and take the booze back.
The happy surprise here is that the 2008 Bogle Merlot is a pretty decent Merlot. Priced from $7.00 to maybe $11.00, it is an affordable wine that will pair well with BBQ or roast beef. It is a good week night wine that you could also drag along to a casual dinner party. You could even re-gift it without any guilt.
WINEMAKER NOTES
Concentrated and full-bodied, the 2008 Merlot is a study in contrasts. Subtle and silky, yet bright and intense, this deep red wine is multifaceted. Dark plum fruit greets the nose, while the brighter fruit of summer cherry dazzles the palate. The toast and spice of twelve months in American oak seamlessly integrates with the tannin structure of this wine, which is ready to drink now through 2013.
Our condolences to the Bogle family on the loss of Patty Bogle who passed on a week ago.
As Always,
TWC
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
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What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue.
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
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Good Morning Gentle Readers,
If it interests you, Lisa is scheduled to appear on the Pat Morrison show on NPR (89.3 FM) in Los Angeles around 2:00 PST. She'll be discussing universal pre-school. It may be broadcast nationwide on NPR, if not, you can listen local here.
As Always,
TWC
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
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Good Morning Gentle Readers,
For those of you who are interested, Mrs TWC is scheduled to discuss education reform on Judge Napolitano's show on Fox (Faux News for you lefites). She's taping this afternoon at Fox Studios in LA and we assume the show will air tonight (but we don't know for certain).
Unlike his cousin J-No, who is Big Sis at DHS, Judge Napolitano is a nice libertarian boy.
As Always,
TWC
No I don't think she's really his cousin.
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
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Good Morning Gentle Readers,
This is scrub oak in bloom, which is not to be confused with live oak. This particular shrub lies a couple of miles out in the hills south of Casa de las Rocas Grandes where TWC sometimes hikes with the dogs.
Had to get a model release from the bee. Dam unions.
As Always,
TWC
photo credit: TWC 02-14-10 ©
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
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A night of falling stars
The streets piled with lonely cars
A facade of love that is not there
The absence of hope is in the air
A child holds her mothers hand
Staring at the silent land
Her face is plain and dull and sad
It lightens up when she sees her lad
One last thing there is to say
Happy valentines day !
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
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Good Morning Gentle Readers,
Had dinner the other night with some friends who were laid over at the Westin LAX enroute to a rendezvous with Ka'anapali Beach.
Being that Kent is an actual connoisseur, TWC pulled a 2002 Franciscan Magnificat and a 2005 Rutherford Ranch Reserve Cabernet from the cellar where the good stuff is kept here at Casa de las Rocas Grandes.
Franciscan consistently produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot at decent prices. The Magnificat is a meritage, an odd term that was chosen by California vinters to describe a blend of Bordeaux varietals. The wine will generally garner ratings in the low nineties from guys like Parker. It isn't that easy to find so if you stumble upon it, grab several bottles and stash it away.
The 2002 is stunning, deep ruby in color with an aroma of pomegranate and dark cherries. It is a complex and elegant wine that is perfect for a special occasion, exhibiting bing cherry, plum, and black currant flavors on the palate and a smooth, supple lingering texture.
The wine paired nicely with savory New York steak that was served with tasty fries and broccoli at the Daily Grill. Unlike a certain ex-president, TWC ate his broccoli, which was just that. Freshly steamed, plain, boring, broccoli, that could have benefited from a little livening up. TWC rarely does fries, and he left most of these delicious little carb sticks behind on the plate. Did I mention what a treat it is to be served french fries rather than seasoned fries, doused with some powdered chemical concotion?
We appreciated the absence of a corkage fee. That's a nice touch. Keep in mind, Gentle Readers, that good manners dictates that you go heavy on the tip for the server who takes care of the wine when you cart your own along. It was easy enough to for us to be generous, as our server, Sandy, definitely went out of her way to ensure a pleasurable meal.
The food was all very good, but Mrs TWC's meatloaf was TO DIE FOR. Hands down, the best meat loaf ever prepared anywhere. Freshly ground beef, I mean ground right in the kitchen, prepared with wild mushrooms and Bordelais Sauce with a little bit of a bite to it. Fabuloso. BTW, that's Mrs TWC's Pear Martooni.
We finished off the evening with Crème Brûlée, Key Lime Pie, and a superb round of coffee.
Verdict: Would we go back to the Daily Grill? You bet.
Bonus:
As Ever,
TWC
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
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