Yesterday’s wines and vineyard visits and shots, looking at them now…. Was nice to just get away, day to me, lunch by myself at Brasswood (cheese burger and fries, amazing) and just being FREE. Needed. Like I wrote yesterday, total self-care mission.
Bought eight bottles total – 4 from Foley Johnson, 4 from AXR. Lexi last night bringing over a ’14 Pinot from some producer whose name I now forget and a Soda Rock blend. Was sure the ’14 was going to be on its way out, and maybe it was a little, but I quite immediately took and connected with its music. Soda Rock had the more commanding composition, for a number of reasons. Not just vintage or youth. Not only enjoyable to taste the two one after the other but to align with the meatloaf Kerri made…. Never been a big ‘you have to pair wine with food’ person but last night I could see the melody, the music it made. The importance.
Listening to chill beats and logging a couple expenses, but don’t want to do any money stuff at all. None of it. Just want to be in the tasting room, in the vineyard, tasting the single-vineyard Cabs at AXR again. Never been there and the story has me set in developing more wine music and pages, books… what do I write about wine I ask myself this morning and the answer is DON’T.
One of the AXR videos I watched yesterday both the winemaker and one of the proprietors emphasizing the people, the moment, the interaction and occasion. When at Foley Johnson my friend Joe busy with one focus group and probably one another which was an out-of-town couple then making time for me in the tasting lounge pouring what and when he could. Started with SB no shock, then to a Chardonnay, Sangio’ then two Merlots, ’16 and ’17. Bought the ’17 because of her directness and spirit, charm, music, touch.
So much to go through yesterday in terms of pictures and video. One pic I took, of many, of the vineyard and mustard which I don’t really do anymore because of how cliche and commonplace it’s become making me stop, edit a little, post to blog. It’s not that same picture that everyone posts… Selfie in the vineyard, I notice my smile is different. That is not a usual happiness beacon or expression.
Why? I’m here I’m the most me… with WINE. The vines, Napa Valley or Sonoma doesn’t matter. I’m there, I’m found, I’m places in a voluminous code of love music. I never ask what I want or what I’m doing there because I already know. The New Mike Madigan, right here. Sipping nothing but the last bit of small one-shot latte before brandishing camera with old vines along 29.
The day went by so cruelly quick as I thought it assuredly would. So I’m in chair now reliving and wanting more drives like the one I’ll have in a bit to Sonoma Square, the Caddis Room. Group of 4 right at 11. Nice, I say to self. Starting the day with new characters, sipping what’s poured, telling me where they’re from and how they heard of our wines. Contributing to my current track of SELF-care.