The Christmas Tree Has What on It?
The White House Christmas tree contains the following ornament:
Now, like many of you, Mao Zedong is not someone I think of associated with Christmas, but apparently someone in the White House really loves the guy. I know it is silly to focus on the fact that he is responsible for tens of millions of deaths in China some years ago, but putting him on the White House tree seems a bit much.
The good news is, besides a love for Mao, someone in the White House loves our own leader as the White House tree also contains an ornament of Obama himself, pasted on a picture of Mount Rushmore next to Lincoln and Washington. To use Obama’s favorite word, “I” am not making this up. Churchill is out, Mao is in.
The White House did not return calls from Fox News for comment.
Animal Lovers, Watch out for the Climate Police!
A new study claims that having pets is one of the worst things you can do for the environment! Horror of horrors, apparently worse than owning an SUV! This is revealed in a book called “Time to Eat the Dog: The Real Guide to Sustainable Living” by New Zealanders Robert and Brenda Vale. The title tells you all you need to know.
The Vale’s get some backing from John Barrett at the Stockholm Environment Institute, who enlightens us with saying “Owning a dog really is quite an extravagance, mainly because of the carbon footprint of meat”. The Vale’s do not pick just on dogs. They claim that “cats have an eco-footprint of about 0.15 hectares, slightly less than driving a Volkswagen Golf for a year, while two hamsters equates to a plasma television and even the humble goldfish burns energy equivalent to two mobile telephones.” The Vales also inform us that your “pets’ environmental impact is not limited to their carbon footprint, as cats and dogs devastate wildlife, spread disease and pollute waterways.”
The Vale’s are not opposed to you having any pet. They just want to make sure that your animal is “dual purpose”. Dual purpose means “Get a hen, which offsets its impact by laying edible eggs, or a rabbit, prepared to make the ultimate environmental sacrifice by ending up on the dinner table.” “Rabbits are good, provided you eat them,” said Robert Vale.
So all you green environmentalist animal lovers out there….you have a decision to make. Recognize these nut cases for what they are, or offer up Fido for dinner. You can’t claim to be a greenie and still own a pet you do not plan to eat!
A Year of Foreign Policy Folly
With all of the destruction Obama is doing/attempting against our domestic economy, it is easy to forget what a mess this year has been when it comes to our foreign policy. The list of poor decisions and foolish mistakes made by the Obama administration when it comes to diplomacy and foreign policy is lengthy. London’s Telegraph bravely attempts to choose the top ten such mistakes.
1. Surrendering to Russia over missile defense. We appease Russia, and throw our allies overboard. In return, Russia gives us…..nothing.
2. Appeasing the mullahs of Iran. “While Obama has been busy … sending polite video messages, the Mullahs and their puppets have been busy advancing their nuclear weapons program, enriching uranium, supplying arms to the Taliban, capturing British sailors, test-firing long-range missiles, threatening the annihilation of Israel, and killing pro-democracy protesters.”
3. Ending the war on terror. Obama’s “Overseas Contingency Operation” has been a joke, focused more on continual blaming of the Bush Administration for how mean we were to the poor little radical Islamic, mis-understood freedom fighters at Gitmo. He dithered on Afghanistan while our situation there withered on the vine.
4. Announcing a surge while declaring an exit. Good plan, tell the enemy when you are leaving.
5. Apologizing to France for America’s “arrogance.” I am not sure why this is just France. Obama spent much of 2009 apologizing to anyone who will listen about everything America has done wrong over the years. In return, the world now loves us. Oh yea, just realized they hate us as much as ever, but now just do not respect us and certainly do not fear us.
6. Giving DVDs to the British Prime Minister. And the DVD’s were the wrong type, not able to play in British DVD players. I actually thought his giving the Queen an IPod filled with his eloquent and remarkable speeches was better. Or maybe sending back Churchill’s bust (see #10 below). Or publicly telling the world there is no special relationship between the U.S. and Britain. I am not quite sure what Obama’s problem is with England, but he sure has sent our relationship into a deep freeze.
7. Siding with Marxists in Honduras. “Whatever happened to the good old days when the United States actually fought against Marxist tyrants in Latin America and backed anti-communists?”
8. Bowing to emperors and kings. Obama has learned the art of prostrating himself to the world’s emperors and kings. So much for standing for freedom and democracy for people across the world…instead we’d rather kiss up to your tyrants.
9. Embracing genocidal killers in Sudan. Remember Darfur? Obama extended the hand of friendship to the regime that is responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of their own people.
10. Throwing Churchill out of the White House. Within days of taking power, Churchill’s bust was taken out of the Oval Office to be sent back to England. In retrospect, we should have recognized this as Obama’s rejection of powerful, assertive leadership that Churchill embodied. We are just one nation of many, no better than others, ready to follow the world’s opinion whether it is in our national interest or not.
Everybody’s Fine
The movie Everybody’s Fine is a well worth a couple hours of your time this holiday break. While critics have generally scored it around average, I think it is much better than average in its themes of inevitability of time, forgiveness, and the complexity of family relationships. Robert DeNiro does an outstanding job, showing that he is much more capable than his typecast roles of the last few years.
While critics have called this “too sentimental” and “depressing”, I think they miss the point. How many, at the twilight of their life, do not look back sentimentally on events that have occurred in life? How many sad, even depressing episodes, make up the totality of one’s life? I think the point of the movie is to let all of us know that now is not too late. As parents, embrace your children for who they want to be, not for what you want them to be. DeNiro’s character (a recent widower) takes a road trip to reconnect with his kids after they are unable to come visit him on a planned get together. It turns out that the kids have spent most of their life hiding bad news from their dad, mostly for fear of disappointing him. As DeNiro figures that out, and begins to understand how much of their lives he has missed because of his approach to his relationship with them, he comes to terms with disappointments and begins to appreciate his kids for what they are. The movie is slow paced, without much humor, and does have plenty of sadness and reminiscing. However, it makes you think, and DeNiro’s character pulls you in emotionally, making you care what happens.
All in all, I recommend this to anyone looking for something a bit more substantial this holiday season.
ObamaCare and Our Sick Republic
Readers of this blog know I am not a huge fan of socialized/nationalized health care. Now that it looks like ObamaCare will pass is one fashion or another, all I can do is fret at the state of our Republic. As I have argued elsewhere, the current Reid version of ObamaCare is clearly unconstitutional, though just as clearly we are a century past our judicial system playing what should be its primary role in declaring such government overreach as such. Therefore, when Congress passes this monstrosity, it is forever ours. Let’s look at how our government now works.
1) First, the Senate leadership bribed Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu with three hundred million of our dollars to secure her vote.
2) Next, the Senate leadership greased the palms of Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson to secure his vote, by among other things promising to cover Nebraska’s cost of covering the expanded Medicaid population, permanently (cost rise is expected once ObamaCare becomes law). Yes, all of you who live somewhere other than Nebraska now get to pay for your states own Medicaid obligations, as well as Nebraska’s.
3) Today it comes out that the Senate added into the bill a $100 million item for construction of a university hospital at the request of Democratic Senator Chris Dodd, who is in a tough re-election fight due to his ethical problems that came to light with Countrywide and others.
4) Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Socialist Senator from Vermont, was bought off with $10 billion for community health centers after failing to get a government-backed public health insurance scheme in the bill.
Given access to the bills wording and a bit of time to get through the more than 2,000 pages in this bill, it is clear that one could find scores of items sought by individual Democratic lawmakers to buy their vote by providing hundreds of millions of dollars to pork projects in their states, having nothing to do with improving anyone’s health care. Obama’s spokeman, responding to public complaints on the explicit nature of these “compromises” fell back on that great argument “That’s the way it has been. That’s the way it will always be.” I wonder if Obama and company have enough historical knowledge to realize what chance a Republic has of lasting, once legislation reaches a point where it is nothing more than legal plunder from one group to another.
Meanwhile, Democratic leaders insist that those of us opposed to a government takeover of yet another aspect of our lives are, in the words of Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, “birthers and fanatics in right-wing militia and Aryan support groups”. Just weeks ago Nancy Pelosi called those opposed to government control Nazi’s (does she even realize the irony of her stupidity?). In any case, since polls show pretty consistently that 60% of Americans are against the Reid version of ObamaCare, I guess one thing the Obama administration is proving good at is creating “fanatics”.
Look for this bill to pass despite the furious objections of us “fanatics” on Christmas Eve. Yes, while all of us are enjoying family and ignoring politics, the Democrats will hold this vote so to keep their passage of it below the radar, knowing that none of us will be paying attention to news for the next few days.
The Wall Street Journal has a must read editorial today that simply blasts the talking points coming from Obama, Pelosi and Reid on this bill, concluding that:
Never in our memory has so unpopular a bill been on the verge of passing Congress, never has social and economic legislation of this magnitude been forced through on a purely partisan vote, and never has a party exhibited more sheer political willfulness that is reckless even for Washington or had more warning about the consequences of its actions.
The Wall Street Journal article tears apart any claims of cost reduction, points out the steep decline in choice and quality and will blow out our deficit and debt even more than Obama has already done. Let’s look at one obvious lie Obama is peddling. That this will not add to the deficit. They base this on a ten year projection. Yet some 98% of the total cost comes after 2014 while most of the taxes start in 2010. Hmmmm…..so they compare 10 years of revenue from increased taxes to 6 years of benefits. In business, a CFO would be thrown in jail for fraud for using this accounting. To Obama/Reid and Pelosi this is good government and creative financing.
As I have said before, even if you think the government must “do something” about health care, doing something should not come at the expense of selling out the soul of our Republic. If we are at the point where our Constitution is ignored, the public be damned, bills get defined in private, outright bribery is used to buy votes, etc., our system of government is officially done. If you are one to overlook this because you want free health care, enjoy this moment. With this precedent, it is only a matter of time, and change of political power, when the next government intrusion into our lives, this time perhaps one you do not like, gets steamrolled in with nary a care for liberty and the rule of law.
The Razor’s Edge
Just completed reading W. Somerset Maugham’s The Razor’s Edge. I had no pre-set expectation of this book, mainly because I was just not that familiar with it. I had read Maugham’s The Moon and the Sixpence (about artist Paul Gauguin) a year or so ago, which was enjoyable but not great. Maugham’s Of Human Bondage is considered his greatest achievement, but I have not read it, so cannot comment on it (it is on my 2010 reading list). As it turn’s out, The Razor’s Edge is an excellent story, with interesting, deep and sympathetic (yet flawed) characters and a thought provoking philosophy underpinning the theme.
Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it. If change is of the essence of existence one would have thought it only sensible to make it the premise of our philosophy.
This novel’s theme is essentially man’s intellectual struggle with the nature of our existence. The main protagonist (Larry Darrell) leaves the standard beaten path of quest for material success, instead following a spiritual journey in search of discovering his meaning in life. His quest for enlightenment is contradicted with the other main characters, such as Isabel whose choice between love and wealth has repercussions throughout her life, or Elliott, a shallow, but generous snob whose life is a constant quest for social prestige. The book starts out prior to 1929, where making money seems to be an end in itself and as a means to achieve freedom. Larry instead turns inwards to the spiritual life in search for freedom which certainly prepares him better for the world that exists after the the Great Depression hits.
Maugham’s interest in Indian spirituality adds a deepness to the character of Larry, and one can see that eastern influence in Larry’s desire to attain “calmness, forbearance, compassion, selflessness and continence”. Larry represents and ideal that most of us think about when young; an ideal that gets swallowed by a reality of obligations committed to prior to attaining the wisdom needed to avoid such obligations. Someone who follows their own path, not a pre-ordained path based on expectations of others. Someone whose life is driven by a quest for knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment, rather than a quest for material or social success. The other characters largely reflect the path of most of us. Good people, but people who make life impacting decisions for reasons other than enlightenment. Be it for financial reasons, social reasons or lack of reason, we make decisions which forever put us on a treadmill, constantly running to achieve something that is never quite static or achievable, never stopping “to take delight in it while we have it”.
The book is highly recommended. It is easy to read, enjoyable and meaningful. This would be a great book for the college crowd, hopefully instilling some wisdom into their thought process when they think about what they intend to do with their lives.
Going Broke Train Rushes Forward
Three headlines from today:
1) Obama signs $1.1 trillion spending bill into law – this is only half of the annual appropriation bills needed for 2010, and does not really include the expensive stuff. For the areas it did cover, it increased the budget by about 10 percent from this last year. That recession is really killing the government, isn’t it? While most Americans and having to cut spending and scrape by, Uncle Sam is living the fat life.
2) US House approves $155 billion “jobs” bill - Maybe I was just dreaming but I thought we just had an $800 billion stimulus bill eight months ago! How did that work out? So, basically a trillion Obama dollars this year on stimulus, all borrowed or printed of course. And in return we got what exactly?
3) House approves $290 billion increase in debt limit - Gee, I wonder why that was needed (see above!). The worst part is that this $290 billion will only fund the government for 6 weeks! So, come February, you’ll have another increase in the debt limit to look forward to! The budget deficit for the year just concluded was $1.4 trillion dollars. The U.S. now has an outstanding debt of nearly $12 trillion dollars and it is rising at a clip beyond anything seen in our history and certainly beyond sustainability. Now throw in a $2.5 trillion dollar obligation for Obamacare along with another gazillion dollars for Cap and Trade. Can you spell B-R-O-K-E.
Someone needs to take the credit card from Obama Pelosi and quick. In 2010, vote out incumbents. Fire Congress. Hire people to represent us that will contain themselves to spend only what money we allot them to spend.
The Joke That is Copenhagen
Copenhagen is turning into a week long Saturday Night Live Skit. A few things caught my eye today:
1) The loudest and longest applause of the conference went to Hugo Chavez, the little blow hard pest who likes to play dictator of Venezuela. That should tell you all you need to know about the typical mindset of those who attend this conference. The biggest applause line Chavez received was after he railed against that evil or evils, Capitalism. This conference is not about environmentalism, it is about socialism and transfer of wealth. Of course, it is the socialists who want the transfer of wealth to come from the capitalists countries, since the the non-capitalist countries have no wealth to transfer.
2) Speaking of wealth transfer, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. would provide $100 billion a year in aid to “poor” countries to help them with the impact of global warming, if an agreement is reached. Of course, we’ll first need to borrow that $100 billion from China. So, China will get our jobs (that move out of the U.S. due to environmental legislation that the left wants) and our wealth.
3) Copenhagen has only seen 7 white Christmas’s in the last hundred years (due to a maritime climate). Cracks me up that world eco leaders are there the same week it is having one of its worst blizzards in years. It is simply freezing. Perhaps some warming may be a good thing if one lives in the Nordic states.
4) Today, another shoe dropped shedding even more doubt on the data used in the climate change racket. It appears that the the Hadley Center for Climate Change cherry picked data by focusing on weather stations located in large populated centers that are influenced by the urban-warming effect more frequently than the correct data of remote stations (resulting in 40% of Russian territory not being included in global-temperature calculations). Really people, how much more evidence do you need to realize the fraud driving the statistics you have been fed this last decade? Ok, here is more evidence you should ponder.
5) If all of the above is not enough to make you shiver (no pun intended), here is a great story that sums up the seriousness of the religion of Al Gore. Ian Fry, The lead negotiator for the small island nation of Tuvalu, broke down in tears when addressing the conference, saying the fate of his country lay in the hands of us (meaning we need to give them billions of dollars in hope that rising sea waters do not destroy his island). Turns out this former Greenpeace official does not have that much to be concerned about.
…(he) actually resides in Queanbeyan, NSW, where he’s not likely to be troubled by rising sea levels because the closest beach at Batemans Bay is a two-hour, 144km drive away. Asked whether he had ever lived in Tuvalu, his wife told The Australian last night she would “rather not comment”….
Now that is funny!
100 Reasons Why Climate Change is Natural
Kudos to the Daily Express in the U.K. for a summary overview of why you should be skeptical that climate change is anything but natural. I think they had to stretch a bit to get to a list of 100, but I am glad they made the effort. Here are some items on the list of 100, but please read the entire thing.
2) Man-made carbon dioxide emissions throughout human history constitute less than 0.00022 percent of the total naturally emitted from the mantle of the earth during geological history.
5) Throughout the Earth’s history, temperatures have often been warmer than now and CO2 levels have often been higher – more than ten times as high.
11) Politicians and activists claim rising sea levels are a direct cause of global warming but sea levels rates have been increasing steadily since the last ice age 10,000 ago.
19) A petition by scientists trying to tell the world that the political and media portrayal of global warming is false was put forward in the Heidelberg Appeal in 1992. Today, more than 4,000 signatories, including 72 Nobel Prize winners, from 106 countries have signed it.
36) There is no scientific or statistical evidence whatsoever that global warming will cause more storms and other weather extremes.
More and more falsities continue to emerge daily as people are starting to feel more free to speak out. Al Gore has claimed multiple times, including in his Inconvenient Truth propaganda film, that as a result of climate change tropical diseases will move to temperate regions. Here is a complete smack down of that claim by a scientist that actually looks at facts.
If that is not enough, yesterday Gore was caught fibbing yet again. Concerning the polar ice cap, he claimed “These figures are fresh. Some of the models suggest to Dr [Wieslav] Maslowski that there is a 75 per cent chance that the entire north polar ice cap, during the summer months, could be completely ice-free within five to seven years.” This brought a rejoinder from Dr. Maslowski, when asked about Gore’s claim, “It’s unclear to me how this figure was arrived at, based on the information I provided to Al Gore’s office…I would never try to estimate likelihood at anything as exact as this.” You should be skeptical of every claim being made by the man made global warming faithful at this point. Real science demands that skepticism.
Classic Reagan
You have to love some of these quotes from Ronald Reagan:
‘Here’s my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.’
‘The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’
‘Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.’
‘The taxpayer: That’s someone who works for the federal government but doesn’t have to take the civil service examination.’
‘Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.’
‘The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.’
‘It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.’
‘Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it’
‘Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.’
‘No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.’
These are quotes from a man who believed what he said and said what he believed. He is missed.
Avatar “Is a Big, Dull, America-Hating, PC Revenge Fantasy”
As someone who goes to way too many movies, I will have no hesitation skipping this one. First, it looks just plain stupid to me. The trailers have done nothing to peak my interest. Secondly, as some reviews start to come in, I see a pretty common thread, aptly described by the title of this post, pulled from Big Hollywood’s review of the movie. I like this line:
Think of “Avatar” as “Death Wish 5” for leftists. A simplistic, revisionist revenge fantasy where if you freakin’ hate the bad guys (America), you’re able to forgive the by-the-numbers predictability of it all and still get off watching them get what they got coming.
With all of the advertising around this film, I am guessing it will pull in quite a few dollars. However, with its massive budget, here is to hoping that it loses money big time.
Obama’s Approval in Free Fall
From Rasmussen today, the number of likely voters who strongly approve of Obama’s performance is at 23%, while 42% strongly disapprove, for a net gap of -19%. What is most promising to those of us who want 2010 to result in placing a strong check on Obama’s socialist agenda, the number amongst independents is even worse. 21% strongly approve, 49% strongly disapprove. The gap amongst senior citizens is an amazing -29%. He is even below water with those less than 30 years old, by -2%.
The left can spin this however they want. However, it is nothing but bad news for Democrats running for reelection in 2010. The only thing going for them is that the election is still 11 months away (which is an eternity in politics), the economy may show some strength soon (which will increase Obama’s popularity, even though such strength will be built on the false cards of future inflation) and that the Republican party leadership is far from being brilliant.
Obama’s health care push will continue to hurt him, as will the budget deficits, cap and trade talk, etc. There is no way around the fact that the general population has now largely seen his leftism, do not support his policies and are moving away from him. He will talk moderately, as always, it is up to us to make sure focus stays on his far left actions, not his moderate talk. Mark Steyn applies some of his normal wit to Obama’s dropping poll numbers here.
More Climate Change Hypocracy – Bloomberg
I have always placed New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the top of my list of worst mayors and as one of the most despised public officials in America. The man is simply sanctimonious, addicted to himself, and to that we can now safely add hypocrite. Bloomberg is one of the bevy of public officials most prone to lecturing us common folk on the evils of global warming, and on how we all need to cut back and sacrifice for the good of all. From the leftist New York Times today:
Mr. Bloomberg owns a helicopter and two jets, both Falcon 900s. He flies everywhere on private jets, by far the least efficient form of transportation on or above the earth. He takes his jet to Bermuda many weekends. He has flown around the globe on it. He uses it to go to Washington. He is planning to get to Copenhagen for the climate conference by private jet, too.
I am astounded that anyone would take anything this man says about our need to cut back without a huge dash of complete derision.
Vino, Vino and More Vino
Attended a wine tasting Saturday night, so sampled through quite a bit of stuff.
1978 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (USA, California, Napa Valley): Not up to the amazing level of the 1978 from magnum earlier this year, but this (from 750ml) was still fantastic and one of the better cabs of the year to me. Reddish/amber and rust colors dominate (almost the color of an Aussie tawny), with a nose initially dominated by what I would call bay leaf funk, ultimately clearing away to display well aged hints of cedar, mushrooms, pencils and herbs, with a still amazing level of pure red fruit on the palate with hints of spice and leather. Perfectly integrated tannins. In 750, slightly over the hill, so would drink up in the next couple years. Still, an amazing wine. Definite proof of the aging potential of old school American wine. I would give it a 94. I am guessing the release price was probably $10(?), but it is hard to find now (especially properly stored) and will probably cost you around $150 if you find it. Still, highly recommended as an exquisite example of 30 year old Napa cabernet.
2002 Marcassin Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast): America’s most sought after Pinot producer. Really in a pretty good spot right now. Deep red/maroon in color, nose of red and blue fruits and some earth, what is remarkable right now is the structure on the palate. Nothing dominates, yet a myriad of flavors (rich strawberry/blueberry/plum with light but creamy vanilla, spice box), very well balanced, flow across the palate. Frankly, I was expecting a bit more of an oomph, but for better or worse I got stylish and sleek. Score may be a bit tight, will need to come back to this one in a few months. Wine Advocate gave it a 95+, Wine Spectator a 96, I would give it a 94. However, at the current market price of $250, hard to recommend other to those with money to burn and want to try how good American Pinot can be.
2007 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape): My first 2007 CDP. Very dark purple/black. Huge nose, both modern with loads of dark fruit and charcoal, but nicely balanced with hints of more traditional barnyard, toast, and red fruits. Massive on the palate. Right now, a bit too much plum and fig, though if those can recede a bit this thing will be awesome, as there is a laundry list of flavors that emerge via some patience. Smoke, licorice, violet, blueberry, etc. Just hope the size shrinks a bit with time, allowing this to become a bit more balanced and tamed. Both Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator gave this a 96. I would currently give it a 92, but with massive upside potential. This is a 30 year wine. At $80-90 release price, it is recommended.
2005 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley): Very dark. Brooding, but mostly closed nose. Deep, very full bodied and rich. Tons of dark fruit, lots of oak (but reasonably well balanced), very nice tannins. Just coats the mouth. Way too young, but the fruit is there to outlast the oak…in a number of years this should be a great, and big, cab especially if it picks up some good secondary and tertiary nuances. A twenty year wine with lots of life and potential. Wine Advocate gave this a 96, Wine Spectator also gave it a 96. I would give it a 92+ with lots of room to grow. At $150 it is steep, a recommendation if you have money, want a special wine and have patience.
2007 Foxen Pinot Noir Sea Smoke Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills – Sta. Rita Hills): A very big, fruit bomb Pinot. Dark blood red, huge, huge nose of concentrated fruit. Lots of rich cherry on the palate, some hints of spice and earth notes if you dig deep. Very tasty, limited only by the fruit overshadowing everything else. Wine Spectator gave it a 94, Wine Advocate a 92. I would give it a 91 with upside potential. At a cost of $65-70, I give it a limited recommendation.
2006 Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank (USA, California, Napa Valley): Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Purple/red in color. Dark fruit, flowers and light green pepper on the nose. Good palate, nicely balanced dark red fruits, some cedar and tobacco flavors. Very young, in need of some age. Promising. Wine Advocate gave it a barrel sample rating of 94-96. I would give it a 91 with lots of upside and twenty years ahead of it. At the $50 price, for a top of the line Napa Bordeaux blend, a definite recommendation.
2000 Clos Mogador Priorat (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat): Pretty enjoyable wine. Modern yet rustic. Good cab notes especially. Did not have detailed notes (basically dark fruit, some floral notes), and wish I could have spent more time with it, but certainly a well done effort, making me look forward to the 2001. Wine Advocate gave it a 95, Wine Spectator a 90. I give it a 91 with much potential upside. At the release price of $60, a definite recommendation. At the $100 current tab, would probably pass.
2006 Robert Foley Claret (USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District): Deep, dark purple. Nose dominated by dark fruits, oak and vanilla. On the palate, very rich, tons of dark fruit, lots of buttery/vanilla flavors. A bit young, hopefully some of the oak with integrate better over time. Dusty, but sweet tannins. A bit too big, but hopefully will come together. Wine Advocate gave this an 89, Wine Spectator a 94. I would give it a 90. At $100, I would pass on it (though with time it could prove me wrong).
2006 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla Clio (Spain, Murcia, Jumilla): In a night of big wines, this was by far the most massive. Impenetrably dark. Massively full bodied and creamy, black currant concentrate. Yet, somehow manages to be entertaining and decent, largely due to the ability of the fruit to just be enjoyable. Not for the tame of heart and one not liking modern styles….but even if one does not normally like fruit bombs, this was at least shows a way to make them decently good. Wine Advocate gave this a 95, Wine Spectator a 90. I would give it an 88. However, at the $40 release price, I would recommend for a hedonistic pleasure.
2004 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast): Last one of the 2004 SC. Violet in color, KB nose of cotton candy, dark fruits and some spice. Fruit has held up pretty well on the palate, but I sense some bitterness on the finish, telling me these do not have much life left. A bit better on day two. Still a good drink, best vintage for KB to me, but the window is closing. Wine Spectator gave this a 95. I would give it an 88, and suggest drinking very soon.
2005 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape):Very modern, dark fruits, pepper, figs and smoke. Full bodied. Enjoyable to drink, but not very complex. Wine Advocate gave it a 93, Wine Spectator a 92. I would give it an 87. At a cost of $30-40, I would probably pass.
Chris T. Adamson
Literature & Art Lover
Wine & Food Aficionado
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