After the storm

"After the Storm" by Gene Sasse



The wine on Valentines Day was like the sunset image Gene sent over after the rain passed through. Dark with a sparkle within which lifts brooding beauty to perfection.

The wine with the inky-purple soul was a 2007 Michael Pozzan Merlot.  Light from the chandelier pushed the color through the crystal bowl, lighting up the faceted knobs of the stem to sparkle like faceted rubies.

Before a single sip- we are enchanted with this love-child of fourth generation wine maker whose roots in the craft go back 3 more generations, to Italy.

How to describe this Napa Valley appellation? It tasted like the chess scene in the original 
Thomas Crown Affair. The one with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. Stylishly romantic. The question in the scene was how far would they go. Would they go too far?

No. Despite the ripeness of berries rich with anticipation, this wine is grounded in terra firma. It tastes of  a horseback ride up limestone and red rock canyon. It took us right to the plateau of  tannins and dryness, then stopped right at the view where any flaws were overlooked.

Lovers aren't much as lovers if they focus on flaws. Such people, no matter how intimate then- they are but critics.















Michael Pozzan Merlot. This is a wine for lovers. You should be able to find it for well under $20 a bottle. It is a excellent wine to have on hand for just when the "right moment" arrives.

Of which, I wish you, dear readers, many.

The sun is out today,, so I am off to the garden.

Out my study window I see where to start. A weeping rose has a limb hooking up in an unfortunate cowlick. Off to bend it down with  a fishing weight.