Tasting Notes: A Few Wines From Kim’s Birthday!

1978 Chateau Latour: The cork came out in two pieces, but was in good shape. Decanted for sediment, immediately poured. Medium garnet color with slight bricking. Lovely aromas of a mature Bordeaux- sweet notes, minerals, subtle notes of cassis . On the palate, the wine was soft and elegant, but the fruits have faded almost completely leaving a bit of awkwardness. This bottle has been dead for some time, but still an enjoyable experience.  No Rating

1978 Gaja Barbaresco: The cork came out in one piece, decanted for sediment and immediately poured. The nose on this wine was beautiful and complex. Herbs and spice notes with mushroom, minerals, raspberry and cherry, and other red fruits. Each sniff gave the impression of something new and exciting. On the palate the wine a real delight. Flavors of tobacco, leather, cherry, bay leaf, spice, earth came in waves giving way to a touch of acidity and elegant and refined tannins. The finish was unique with new flavors showing up long after the decanter was dry! A great wine experience.  My rating: 96 pts

2001 Il Paradiso di Frassina Brunello di Montalcino: Purchased at vineyard. Decanted 30 minutes, drank over 2 hours. Another very enjoyable bottle of this ‘01 Brunello. Loads of dark fruit, elegant tannins, great spice and earth notes with a complex finish.  My rating: 92 pts

Looking To Buy: Small goat farm somewhere near Baltimore, prefer at least 5 “fainting” goats

Have you ever tried to buy a small goat farm? It’s not the easiest thing to find online. Cows are one thing, but goats…whew. I can’t even find anything on Craigslist or Ebay! Oh, and the ones available aren’t even the right kind! So here’s my plea to you all- where are all the fainting goat farms?

As you may know, fainting goats (myotonic goats) have a neurological condition that causes their muscles to freeze for 10 seconds or so when they are startled. The result (seen above) is the goat becoming temporarily paralyzed (though not unconcious) regardless of whether they were running, standing or just walking about. Seems like a bizarre pet or animal to raise, know? Then you’re wondering why I am looking for a fainting goat farm?

Because in less than two weeks Kim will be having a milestone birthday (let’s call it her 21st) and her first birthday request came in: a fainting-goat farm. I was hoping the full kitchen, dining/bar area, backyard renovations were going to be sufficient…but she wants goats! I’m a lot easier to shop for, I just want 30 or so acres of vineyard area in Oregon or Northern California!

If anyone out there is looking to get rid of a small goat farm or a few fainting goats- let me know!