“It’s.. it’s…”

“It’s what?”

“I tastes a little stuffy, or dusty, or .. I don’t know….”

“Did you swirl it, get some oxygen in there?”

“No.  I will now.”

“So?  Now what do you think?”

“Kind of raw for a Merlot.  No?”

“Someone told me that the other day.”

“What did you use, for oak?”

“15% new, French, low toast.. all low toast.”

“Oh…  That’s different.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It speaks.  It’s really speaking to me, Neal…”

“Good, that’s… good.”

“What was that wine you were telling me about the other day?”

“A Napa blend, I can’t remember.”

“It wasn’t worth remembering?”

“Not really.”

(7/3/15)