Though it was looking like I wouldn’t see my family this Christmas my mom found a way and met up with my brother at our house this evening before heading back to PA in the morning. She brought a bottle of the Pouilly-Fuisse that I couldn’t taste at my tasting party a couple months ago — it was delightful, although conversation with my family is usually too hectic to stop and do tasting notes so I have no review of it. As Christmas gifts she also brought me a bottle of a 2004 Châteauneuf du Pape and a book I can’t wait to start reading: “The Billionaire’s Vinegar” by Benjamin Wallace, apparently a story about “the mystery of the world’s most expensive bottle of wine” and featuring a picture of an ancient-looking vessel of 1787 Lafitte on the front cover. By the descriptions I’d guess this is THE bottle of 1787 Lafitte. Yay Mom! Heh she also gave us the traditional navel orange for prosperity. So like old times we listened to goth covers of Christmas carols, ate some cheese, drank some wine and talked. I’m also delighted to share that my husband got me a 50 bottle stainless steel wine fridge for Christmas which is currently taking up most of the hallway until the addition to our house is finished and we can make room in the basement for it next to my current wine rack(s). I was concerned that it would be too expensive but due to the retail climate in the current economy it was marked down almost absurdly low. Hurray! Thanks, hon! Now I can be more confident that saving a bottle for 10 years will be less risky than doing so with less environmental control.
Happy Holidays everyone, whichever one you celebrate (my holiday was a few days ago), may it be safe, fun and enjoyed with those you love. And if you can’t be with the ones you love, honey . . . you know how the song goes. 
Cheers!
