"Sixers’ new PFs reduce need for Yabu" And they've developed a liking for small ball too. I don't see it happening. Whose minutes does he take? Watford will be back, as the article notes, Walker and Barlow have done well. How much of an upgrade would he be for the bucks? Paul George is looking […]

https://www.propublica.org/article/fda-generic-drug-testing https://www.404media.co/flock-exposed-its-ai-powered-cameras-to-the-internet-we-tracked-ourselves/?ref=daily-stories-newsletter So many things we could be doing and need to be doing. But the President is afraid of wind, looking to […]

As bottled (in 2015, with a long cork), this is a 20-year Tawny, a gentle Colheita laced with melted dark caramel. Loved the long, sweet finish. Add smooth texture and good concentration for the aging time, and it's pretty fine. Noval has a way with these […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

1/2 Estate Argyros makes many beauties on Santorini, but the long-aged Vinsanto in those thin bottles is a fave benchmark. Barrel-aged 20 years, this '91 is Assyrtiko with dollops of Athiri & Aidani. It has plenty of sugar (250 grams or so), but the power of […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

This 2012 Herrenweg Gewürz from Zind-Humbrecht is in a perfect place, even as it is nearing age 15. It still seems very youthful, with plenty of time left. (I'm guessing many drank it younger!) Fresh, ripe and friendly, it's not a heavily aromatic Gewürz, but […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

And further into the abyss we go. https://www.404media.co/hack-reveals-the-a16z-backed-phone-farm-flooding-tiktok-with-ai-influencers/?ref=daily-stories-newsletter @404mediaco

Big scandal in Vinho Verde, according to The Drinks Business. https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/12/vinho-verde-appellation-officials-arrested-in-wine-fraud-case/ #vinhoverde @teamdb.bsky.social

I got the The Oracle archetype! https://mastodon.social/@MarkSquiresWine/wrapstodon/2025/1daa75f6bf66c89c #wrapstodon2025

1/2 This 09 is basically Baga (with a sprinkling of others like Bastardo). After double decanting, it's lush, the texture surprisingly caressing at this point while the wine has a certain earthy note. It seems nuanced & complex, plus softer with age while […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

We're the bad guys. For real. Gift link no paywall https://share.inquirer.com/9kF3Hy #democracy

1/2 Sun-dried 2014 Monemvassia (not the same as Malvasia) from Moraitis (Paros, Greece), aged for 4 years in used wood. It comes in sweet, but never rich or sloppy. Age has not dimmed this small-production white. In fact, it seems focused and crisp, with a […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Checking in with 1995 Sociando Mallet, an old friend, at age 30. This inexpensive wine still shows great. Elegant, fresh and complex, it simply screams classic Bordeaux, adds silky texture and tastes great in a refined fashion. At the time, it cost $27 […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Part two of a one-two punch that would make heads roll in a lot of places. The Louvre is on a roll--but not in a good way. https://www.dw.com/en/louvre-water-leak-damages-hundreds-of-historic-books/a-75052926 #louvre #paris

This single-vineyard red from J. P. Ramos changes blends each release. 2011 is the "TC"--an equal blend of Cab Sauv & Touriga Nacional. It's aged beautifully--tight, precise and focused, with good concentration and vigor. The fruit seems alive, if laced with […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

1/2 The 2009 Dalamara "Paliokalias" is organic Xinomavro from a family winery started in 1993. Evolving well, it's a pretty good example of why I compare Xino to Nebbiolo. Powerful and somewhat earthy, it opens a little dusty on the finish. Notable acidity […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Corruption has a real cost for real lives. Gift article, no paywall hopefully #ukraine https://share.inquirer.com/5N2ded

A fave Cal. winery for sweeties shows why again. Just shy of 20 years, this Cluster Select Late Harvest is what I hoped for. The color darkened, no surprise, but the fruit is more nuanced and concentrated, with caramelized sugar around the edges. Benefits of […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

1/2 A lousy vintage in most of PT, but a pretty nice Mouchão. Showing plenty of power, this adds finesse and focus. Alicante Bouschet-dominated, it has some personality, some flavor, some licorice, too, before it closes down. Its best feature is certainly […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

PLURIBUS Mindless game inserted into the show. Nothing better to do? 😋 1-202-808-3981 In the last episode, that number was shown on Carol's cell when she called the hive. (No, I did not notice,but I see lots of videos now from people who did.😜) Call it,and […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

This single-vineyard Cab Sauv from Hatzimichalis in Central Greece deserves some plaudits for passing the 20-year point with some improvement, but it's easy to like, not easy to love. It shows mid-palate finesse & silky elegance to go with some astringency […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

1/3 1977 Dow's Port...Why you got to do me like that? This near-50-year was spontaneously leaking--a dying cork. ⏰ Rarely happens, but the cards are dealt. Força Portugal! Let's g-o-o-oooo. No tongs. Gave up & pushed it in after struggles; faster. Filtered […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Haven't posted on this for well over a year--always good to check in--and since this one was with Sandwich King Mike Madaio, https://a.co/d/izR5pRN, why not. Great performance. Not only hanging on in my cellar, but maybe improving with time. Beautiful […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

https://share.inquirer.com/bJpU95 Revolutionary tavern culture. Gift link no paywall #wine #americanrevolution

This medium-dry Canadian Riesling is fresh and bright, most of all--beautifully balanced. It has a fair share of sugar but the acidity gobbles it up so that it seems dry-ish, not sugary. It's not a big or dense wine, but you look up and it touched all the […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Personally, I've never been much of a fan of the Michelin Guide ratings. But they just came to my city and there's talk of little else. For those interested, here's the local experts rebuttal of sorts. Free gift link, should be no paywall. https://share.inquirer.com/etNZeh #food […]

1/2 1998 Montpeyroux for the win! Bought a case of this Syrah-dominant wine way back when (only $25 per!), drank it all as of 3 years back. Um, why is this still here? Miscounted somehow. Oops. And that last bottle was uninspiring. I would have assumed this […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

I tend to drink Agiorgitiko younger, but this structured red seemed likely to age & improve. In prime time, it's got bite and velvet on the finish, & delivers waves of red-fruit flavor, without candied notes.There are well-defined strawberry nuances that […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

This traditional (unfiltered, long cork) old vines LBV is a fine off-vintage success, sensual today, caressing in texture, delicious on the finish too. At age 15, its structure is a bit less imposing and it has always been a touch compact, but air makes it […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

The word "presidential" used to mean something. #veteransday

This '04 Naoussa (all Xinomavro) is super. It has (no surprise) acquired more harmony in the cellar, but the brightness typical of the grape makes it fresh, lively and vibrant. If the tannins have moderated, this still has some power. The fruit is prime time […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

https://share.inquirer.com/eHjc2i gift link, no paywall hopefully Sorry I'm not going to this, but Samara Joy is a joy to listen to. One of the great young singers around. #music #jazz

1/2 Dona Maria (the producer, in very small print) tends to make wines that hold well (an old tradition for them in Alentejo, Portugal). This old vines Alicante Bouschet J.B. Bastos is no exception. From a fine '07 vintage, it projects primetime […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Top-level cuvée, a winner in 2013, aging effortlessly. Mostly all from winery's 1990 Long Island vines (but might fool right-bank Bordeaux lovers), this Merlot has bite on the finish, velvet for texture, a touch of wood, finesse. It tightens and evolves with […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

One of my all-time favorite Halloween cartoons. h/t Dr. Julie Reshe from the days I was on Facebook #halloween

I have luck (good storage, foresight in choosing, care in provenance=luck!) with my oldies, but this is showing a bit too old. As the old saying goes, with age it's about the bottle, not the wine. The nose is uninviting. Structure is good, but fruit shows […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

This '05 single quinta is gentle (tho' it still has some bite), juicy & mature, without being an old relic. It's in a nice place, if somewhat on the lighter side. It seems more elegant than thin, though, with a nose of flowers and darker berries. Add a tasty […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

1/2 This Agiorgitiko from Skouras can hold longer thanks to its structure. Still asserting itself, with some tannic pop and good acidity to boot, it is vibrant. But in the mid-palate, it's all finesse, ending with typical red fruits. Although maturing, they […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Had some '98 Barde recently. This '00 has similarities, but this is better. They both lean to ripeness and good fruit, but this is fresher and tighter, the fruit wrapped around the more imposing backbone. It seems more serious. This has a brighter feel to go […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

'98 Ponte, 1st vintage of this famous, old-vines field blend, was the curious wine of the lunch tasting I mentioned recently. (Photo: Miguel Roquette of Crasto,making sure he hasn't poisoned me.) Nose, awful.Color, browning.A touch of maderization. Yet...it […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

1/2 This was a good vintage for the winery & region, but few are this graceful. It's kinda gorgeous today for its finesse and its balance. It's mostly the Tourigas (this is one of only two vintages, the 2019 is the other, with more T.Franca than T.Nacional) […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

I attended one in June. This seemed 3 to 5 times larger, far more enthusiastic. The only danger the was the woman with the American flag who kept waving it near my eye.😊 Doing my part in yellow, as advised. To the right, Independence Hall. Phila. doesn't do […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Science is amazing. It only took 2,000 years, but still, hard to believe they could rescue these. #herculaneum #newscientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/2498245-were-finally-reading-the-secrets-of-herculaneums-lost-library/#Echobox=1760743067

Well that was a fun liquid lunch. From left, Miguel Roquette (@quintadocrasto @miguelroquette1 ), importer @wineparedes , @jorgeserodioborges of @wine.and.soul, then me, & Xito Olazabal of @quintadovalemeao . There were thrills and spills, including the […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Portugal's Chardonnay, some say. Well, this upscale label from a Dão winery is gorgeous today, powerful and fresh, with a gripping finish. There's a light touch with wood (one-third new Hungarian oak of 600 liters). It's rather delicious too. Lots of life […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

RE: https://mastodon.social/@404mediaco/115373079774684689 I officially opt out of this timeline. https://www.404media.co/man-stores-ai-generated-robot-porn-on-his-government-computer-loses-access-to-nuclear-secrets/

This Riserva (one of wines used to celebrate the most recent anniversary of my Italian citizenship!) is showing a little too old on the nose & a bit browning around the edges. The palate is a lot better, with a bright feel. There's a somewhat dusty finish […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

1/2 Into the 40sF overnight. The universe is trying to tell me something. I'm listening carefully. It's Port time! That's what I'M hearing. If you're not hearing it, I'd suggest hearing aids. 😈😀 You would think a LBV nearing age 15 would be easy, but this is […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Vaxxed: flu, COVID https://youtu.be/2_sunJ5vDoc?si=A31AximXlzAW08rY

I am not usually one for mass disaster films, but this film about a California wildfire and 22 trapped elementary students on a bus is incredibly tense and tightly written. Matthew McConaughey is great. Apple+ If you need to get your pulse rate up this will do it. #film #streaming#film[…]

I'm reminded of two things: what a great value this was (although the days when I could get this 375ml for $18 are, alas, gone); and how much more interesting mature Sauternes is.More focused, and more easily absorbing wood,this is tight and a little tense […] [Original post on mastodon.social]