Season's greetings to one and all at the WLDG! I've been away on leave for two weeks that included playing eleven "gigs" in four different bands (including a rather pleasing solo performance at the big grand finale New Year's Eve party) at the 63rd Australian National Jazz Convention held at, a very hot and humid, Lismore, located in the far north-east corner of New South Wales. Needless to say, I had a pretty good time, except for some spiking of my balance disorder which, unfortunately, affected some of my playing ability from time to time. Didn't drink much while I was there, preferring to try and keep myself well enough to get through the week with as little fuss as possible. Had just a few cleansing ale's with the lads in the bands each day. Can some of these guys (and gals) put away the grog!
Opened my first bottle of wine for some time, last night. Tried a very young 2004 Tyrell's Vat 1 Semillon under screwcap (no reduction) with freshly shucked Clyde River oysters. Terrific limey, grassy aromas with hints of soap and lanolin. Just a frac short on the similarly etched palate with the acid cut interacting much too early but, hey, did it go ever so well with the oysters "au naturale". 90 points Should merit a higher rating with another five years under its belt and drink well for many years thereafter.
It is regarded as a self-limiting illness and I