Let's all give a big round of applause to guest blogger, Mr. Thomas Jansen! Rock solid debut. Hopefully, a hint of what's to come.
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So, I've been busy thinking and drinking.
This ratings chart from the November Wine Spectator got me thinking about how other, non wine things, have stacked up over time. Let's take a look, shall we?
The Usual Suspects
1995 Original Rating: 92 Points
Kevin Spacey, Stephen Baldwin and Keyser Soze
I was so excited to revisit this a while back. I kinda wish I'd just left it with it's hype from years past.
Grade: C
I've concluded that perhaps my opinions of things from my college days have changed (for the better, keep reading).
Counting Crows
 |
| Yeeeaaaahhhhhh! |
Good God. I recently flipped through the old CD album and saw August and Everything After. I was wondering why the Counting Crows never pop up on an iTunes playlist. That'd be because none of their songs have been imported to my library. Well, that had to change. I put in August and Everything After (then Recovering the Satellites) with high hopes. Max happened to be in the room and didn't take long to comment on the crappy noises coming out of the CD player.
While it was nice to hear "Anna Begins" and go back in time to memories of Rocky Point via Aaron Detzer's Geo Metro. Convertible, Geo Metro. And, yes, that was the trip where I had to donate plasma to fund my travels. But the music didn't make it to my iTunes library.
Grade: D
Huey Lewis and the News
Last weekend we unintentionally did a Paso wine night with Sprout's Jalapeno Cheddar Burgers, which were ridiculously filling, ridiculously hot and ridiculously tasty:
Twisted Sister 2010 Zinfandel ($17.00)
This is from Calcarious winery but I found it at Total Wine. It's a cheaper, less phenomenal version of their Zin we've had a few times. It got the job done, and I'd buy it again, just not right away.
Grade: B-
We also cracked...
Bob Wine 2010 Cabernet ($13.00)
I know, worst name, worst label EVER!
We picked this up at Whale Bone Winery. It was one of those, "$10 tasting, tasting fee waived with purchase." So, I figured this bottle, not worth $23, would bring back a nice memory over a nice dinner for the nice price of $13. I got about what I paid for.
Grade: C
Callabriga Douro 2008 ($14.99)
Wine Spectator rating: 90 Points
For some odd reason, this bottle's been hanging around since early summer. I mean, I've been cellaring it, waiting for the perfect moment to open it. Well, tonight was that night.
I cracked it for the family to go along with a delicious Santa Maria tri-tip and butternut squash. Really good meal.
The wine was not like anything else I can recall having. It was a dark, almost coffee color, but didn't drink nearly as heavy as it looked. It had a very pleasant berry flavor with a solid finish. It went very well with the meal and it's always good to try something new.
Grade: B
Here's to aging like Legos!
Huey Lewis and the News
1980-85 Original Rating: 88 Points
"Power of Love," "If This Is It," "The Heart of Rock Roll," I could go on, but you should just listen to them again.
Like a fine Bordeaux, Huey (not sure he needs The News) has gotten better with age. Thank you Woody for pointing me to the Huey Lewis Pandora station. I'm a better man for it.
Grade: B+
Sesame Street
Original Rating: 90 Points
It's been around since 1969, and I know Big Bird's been trending as of late, but IMHO, the show sucks. It's fascinating that Gordan hasn't aged in 30 years, but after 15 seconds of marveling at skin and 2 minutes of Elmo, it's about as useful to me as a VCR. Since Tom's making all things VHS obsolete in favor of DVD, I'm ready to part ways with the Sesame Street Gang.
Grade: D
Legos
Original Rating: 96 Points
Lego went plastic in 1947 and designed the interlocking brick in 1949. 63 years later, they've only gotten cooler. Kai's Blade Cycle (from Ninjago) that I put together Wednesday evening was awesome. I wish I was 6 again if only to be able to play with spiky hair Lego guys.
Grade: A+
Now on to things that won't get the chance to age because I drank them.
This is from Calcarious winery but I found it at Total Wine. It's a cheaper, less phenomenal version of their Zin we've had a few times. It got the job done, and I'd buy it again, just not right away.
Grade: B-
We also cracked...
I know, worst name, worst label EVER!
We picked this up at Whale Bone Winery. It was one of those, "$10 tasting, tasting fee waived with purchase." So, I figured this bottle, not worth $23, would bring back a nice memory over a nice dinner for the nice price of $13. I got about what I paid for.
Grade: C
Molly Dooker "Two Left Feet" 2009 Syrah ($22.00)
Dooker's label, the antithesis of Whale Bone. Love their style.
I prefer "The Boxer" to "Two Left Feet" but I really don't think you'd be disappointed with either. They also make an equally awesome labeled Syrah, Carnival of Love, but because it goes for $90, I think this'll be the extent of my Dooker exploration.
Grade: B-
Wine Spectator rating: 90 Points
For some odd reason, this bottle's been hanging around since early summer. I mean, I've been cellaring it, waiting for the perfect moment to open it. Well, tonight was that night.
I cracked it for the family to go along with a delicious Santa Maria tri-tip and butternut squash. Really good meal.
The wine was not like anything else I can recall having. It was a dark, almost coffee color, but didn't drink nearly as heavy as it looked. It had a very pleasant berry flavor with a solid finish. It went very well with the meal and it's always good to try something new.
Grade: B
Here's to aging like Legos!
