“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
Robert Frost
It has been some time since my last post.
A few weeks ago we had a visit from Jol, and it was good to see him.
We have been working, and paddling and life is on a loop.
I guess I have not had anything of significance to put down.
The reality is, I have been lazy.
“My ambition is handicapped by laziness”
Charles Bukowski
I have finished a few books, and started a few more.
There are no more Orwell novels to read.
I just finished The Orchard Keeper, Cormac McCarthy’s first novel. I will read his collection.
“A man gets older, he said, he finds they’s lots of things he can do jest as well without and so he don’t have to worry about this and that the way a young feller will. I worked near all my life and never had nothin. Seems like a old man’d be allowed his rest but then he comes to find they’s things you have to do on account of nobody else wants to attend to em… Most ever man loves peace, he said, and none better than a old man.”
Cormac McCarthy
The Ecology of Freedom by Murray Bookchin is excellent.
“With the hollowing out of community by the market system, with its loss of structure, articulation, and form, comes the concomitant hollowing out of personality itself.”
Murray Bookchin
Arguably, by Christopher Hitchens is almost done.
“And how easy it is to recognize the revenant shapes that the old unchanging enemies—racism, leader worship, superstition—assume when they reappear amongst us (often bodyguarded by their new apologists).”
Christopher Hitchens
If my posting has been inconsistent, my drinking has been on point. The rest of this post will be consumed by wine reports.
To fill in some time, Shell has suggested I write these up as individual posts, but this feels suspiciously like a wine blog. I have my doubts…
2022 Casal Garcia Vinho Verde (Minho, Portugal)
See previous.
2019 Castello Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico (Chianti, Italy)
Great drinking. See Previous.
2014 Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain)
I am not sure why I persist with theese Rioja. So much American oak. Thje fruit is excellent, such a shame it is drenched in wood.
2021 Monsanto Chianti Classico (Chianti, Italy)
Excellent. See previous.
2018 Riecine Chianti Classico (Chianti, Italy)
See previous.
2017 Olivier Ravoire Châteauneuf-du-pape Vacqueyras Pavois (Rhone, France)
Great value for money. From old vines, averaging 60 years, a classic Grenache and Shiraz blend with subtle use of oak. Bright red fruit on the nose. Great concentration on the palate, with long silky tannins.
2020 Château De Jarnioux Beaujolais (Beaujolais, France)
Strawberries and cream on the nose. Great mouth feel. We served it chilled and it drank very well.
2020 Beni Di Batasiolo Nebbiolo (Langhe, Italy)
Some of these Langhes drink better than cheap Barolo’s. Black fruits and earthiness on the nose. The palate is tight and structured. Very good wine.
2021 Marchesi Di Barolo Barbera d’Alba REIS (Barolo, Italy)
This was expensive for a Barbera. Worth every dollar as it runs rings around some of the cheap Barolo’s I have been drinking lately. Blackberries and flowers on the nose. The palate is balanced, elegant and structured. An excellent wine. We have the Barolo and the single vineyard Cannubi Barolo in the cellar. Based on the Barbera, these will be excellent.