thinking time…

23.4.2009billn

deliveryI might not feel like opening bottles right now, but there’s nothing like a new project to get your mind off things. This week the majority of my UK-stored stocks arrived at my house – 406 kgs apparently – all on one pallet.

Clearly a pallet is not something that goes up or down steps, so multiple cases were first piled by the front door before being moved into a differently shaped big pile in the cellar. The joy of discovery (the 1995 Brunello (Rennina) Pieve de la Santa Restituta that I bought after having the same wine in Montalcino in 2001) is mixed with the frustration of not easily finding stuff. I also see how my buying habits have changed in the last 5 years; 243 bottles, but more than 50% are grand crus from 1997-2004 – today (due to price increases) less than 10% of what I buy is grand cru.

Anyway the cellar looks tidy(ish!), but it will be a nightmare to get at things. I already have about 30 bottles standing to attention for a slow, hopefully pleasurable, appraisal over the next couple of months.

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There are 7 responses to “thinking time…”

  1. W A G Black23rd April 2009 at 2:32 pmPermalinkReply

    Dear Sir,
    Thanks for a wonderful website, I have been dipping in and out for the last 6 months and have enjoyed every visit. I am still trying to get a feel for your palate but have concluded you have a great patience for some wines and their producers and are often reluctant to dismiss a bottle out of hand, although your indictment of the 04′ lady bug vintage is revelatory. I must learn to be a bit less prejudiced in my own drinking.
    I see advertising has recently crept in, which in the current circumstances is not surprising, frankly I’m surprised you have been able to resist for as long as you have and only hope it alows you to continue producing what is a great wine web resource.
    Regards
    G

  2. billn24th April 2009 at 6:25 amPermalinkReply

    Dear WAGB – you don’t need to call me ‘Sir’, I’m certainly no schoolmaster!

    If you think I’m being too easy on any subject/producer/wine I’d be interested to know – I could either explain or consider my position…

    2004 is easy for me as I find the odour unpleasant; that I seem to be particularly sensitive to the ‘character’ clearly means my comments don’t have resonance for those less sensitive – but in this I think I’m consistent.

    Advertising is a simple thing for me – it should be targeted, it should offer something I might consider to buy myself, it should never be obtrusive to the content of the site and should come from a good merchant – which does not have to mean one of ‘international renown’. I don’t make it the cheapest but then it’s a highly targeted audience. I can live with or without it, currently it’s without.
    Cheers for now – Bill

  3. Reto24th April 2009 at 11:49 amPermalinkReply

    Hello Bill,

    wow, nice delivery, do you need help in “moving” the bottles?

    Cheers
    Reto

  4. pablo26th April 2009 at 8:52 amPermalinkReply

    hi Bill
    it looks like the financial crisis has not yet been arrived in Basel.
    Good sunday
    Pablo

  5. billn26th April 2009 at 8:56 amPermalinkReply

    Actually – quite the reverse Pablo – these were all bought (mainly) between 1998 and 2007. Bringing these to my cellar (from storage) means I don’t need to order any new wine in the next months 😉
    A great Sunday to you too
    Bill

  6. Champagne Charlie26th April 2009 at 1:55 pmPermalinkReply

    Oh look…I spy with my little eye, one Domaine Fourrier Box sitting there, and right on top….excellent priority Bill-happy sipping!

    Best Champagne :^)

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