Friday after work I dropped the Basset at a friend's home for a
sleepover (test run to see how she might fare there while I'm on
vacation), and spent evening staining back steps. Was too pooped and
too hot to cook, grabbed takeout chicken marsala and a cavatelli/broc-
rabe side. Wanted Italian, not too big, and went with the 2001 Sella
Lessona. It was just what I needed- bright nose of cherries and
violets, just a hint of tar. Lighter and less tannic than most Big B
nebbiolos, refreshing red fruit with good acidity and nice length. The
surprise came when I revisited an hour or two later. I've certainly
seen reds put on weight with air before, but this was a remarkable
transition. Deeper riper fruit, seemingly much more body, a nice
balance of fruit, tannin, and acidity. Develops more earth/soil notes
on the nose. Interesting transition, I'm going to cellar a couple of
these to see where they go. Excellent value in low $20s. A-

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

Today, I awoke to the alarm of my Sony Erickson w580i phone on the ATT
network to an alarm that was set from last Saturday and I forgot to remove.
Fortunatly it was downstairs in my office on not real loud so I continued to
sleep. My wife on the other hand, put a pillow over her head in protest of
the annoyance.

The alarm was at 7am and it was a musical Clip, Bob Dylan, Highway 61. By
time it had gone off 10 or so times I finally got out of be around 9 am.
Rarely do I get to sleep in.

After a 50 minute run on the lifecycle eliptical at the Gym, 1/2 Sparring
session with some gloves I decided to ask my wife to go with me to see a
movie this afternoon, The Dark Knight...the new Batman movie. I think we
will do the 3:40 pm showing if tickets are available. It has been so hot
here in the high 90's and humid conditions wine has not been very appealing
lately.

Have been drinking more martinis in summer. An interesting mix of 1 shot
each, Apricot Brandy, Pama Liquor, and Cointreau, with a splash of
pomagranite juice and garnished with some fresh blueberries.

Off the buy some flowers for my wife, something I do every weekend lately as
the drought here and water restrictions have been tough on our gardens.

A+ on the Martini....