I never had a good Shiraz in my life unless you consider Rosemont Estates good. Sunday night, my buddy Brad, mun rakas and I cracked a bottle of Shirvington Shiraz, 2002. Robert Parker, a renowned wine expert, gave this shiraz a 99 out of 100. What good is that score if I have never had a good one? I wanted to be convinced.

This wine was amazing. Smooth, even for a 2002. Hints of espresso, blueberry and currants. I begged Brad not to open it. There were only 1000 cases of this wine made. Something that is worth hundreds more if left a couple years longer. Brad told me about the satisfaction of opening a good bottle. He can remember the smell for years, but more importantly, he can remember where he was and who he drank it with. It was after that bottle that we thought of the sequel to sideways.

Brad is a sommellier. He ran a great restaurant in the city for a little while, but is now looking for work. There isn't a better person to take with you to the local wine store than an accomplished sommellier.

Brad had opened an incredible bottle of Pinot Noir before we came. A bottle that, thankfully, mun rakas hated. It's nice putting her in the corner with a lighter semi-complex wine (NOT spicy or big) and leaving the big boys to the big wines...

Is Sideways turning me into an asshole? I liked wine way before that... I had my epiphanies with a 1997 Stag's Leap Cabernet; 1997 Cakebread Cab and Merlot; 1997 Phelps... boy was it good working in a restaurant back then... those were good years apparently.

Now. I'm resigned to finding the hidden gems... the 13 dollar steals. But when you find them, eureka. Cases for all!

1999 Hawk Crest Cabernet. Made by Stags, two left at the bodega round the corner. Both now occupy my kitchen counter like little elves waiting to have their heads ripped off by an angry and thirsty gorilla.

I'm gonna walk the dog and have two cigarrettes.

I had a presentation today. Went pretty good. I may be a suit fairly soon.

Body and soul sung by Nina Simone is incomparable. I suggest you give it a listen.

have a good week. I will be back on the bike now, as it were.