The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Notes About The Poem

Tasting Note on a wine.  Good stuff.

1985 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

A beautiful ride off into the sunset, and your horse 
passes through a blooming cherry orchard bordered by cedars; 
your leather saddle was rubbed with high-quality tobacco yesterday. 

It's a big herbal cherry sun that is setting, and you can taste it, 
with a sprinkling of spices, and the satiny union of the tannins are upon you,
so subtle that you wish for more at first; you must be patient as the velvet embrace deepens, insinuating itself deep within you in a silky smooth process, until a final slow-motion fillip of astringency touches the front of your mouth. 

The cork was wet and crumbly almost to the top. 
Definitely time to drink this wine; wish I had more.

A great wine to drink in solitary contemplation, or quietly, with friends.



*Robert Mondavi - Rest In Peace, man, you died in 2008 at age 94, and you always believed in making great wine.

Tasting Note written in April, 2015.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Fleming Avatar
January 4, 2017 at 2:19 PM
Lovely piece of writing, Doug; a most fitting eulogy...Robert Gerald Mondavi would have approved methinks! My best wishes for your New Year - Cheers! :) john
Vinson Avatar
January 4, 2017 at 8:02 PM
Thanks, John. He was a good guy, and that 1985 is one that almost everybody wishes they had more of.
Keegan James Avatar
January 4, 2017 at 7:03 AM
Hiya Doug, I really enjoy a nice glass of red wine I don't think It will taste the same after reading this :) You certainly have a unique style of writing, I was actually tasting it as I read :)
Vinson Avatar
January 4, 2017 at 1:03 PM
Ha! Well, Janet, great comment - thank you! Solitary time with a glass of wine = priceless.
Rodrigues Avatar
January 4, 2017 at 6:40 AM
Love those cherry flavors swirling in my glass! What a wonderful way to remember Mondavi! :)
Vinson Avatar
January 4, 2017 at 1:02 PM
Cheers, Kim! There have been a lot of cross-currents in the California winemaking era, and Mondavi was a big deal.
Callus Avatar
January 3, 2017 at 2:40 PM
What an excellent and sensually tempting poem, Doug! I can smell and taste that wine!! I'm not a drinker, but I love wine-tasting. ~ I hope you've had a pleasant start to the new year! Regards // paul
Vinson Avatar
January 4, 2017 at 2:00 AM
Thanks, Paul. Back to work tomorrow; won't be too many more years....
Trifiatis Avatar
December 31, 2016 at 9:40 AM
Oh mon Dieu! Cher ami, Doug c'est fantastique! Merci !
Vinson Avatar
December 31, 2016 at 11:27 AM
Proverbs 31:6-7 "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more."
Smith Avatar
December 31, 2016 at 7:54 AM
I've had a 92 Lafette Rothschild (Picasso label) at rest for 10 tears. I'm thinking it may be time crack it open. No better occasion than a new beginning. I've been waiting on #3 son to bear an heir but that doesn't seem to be in the card. Old Bob poured a nice glass...
Vinson Avatar
December 31, 2016 at 11:49 AM
New beginnings indeed, Charlie! On that wine, could it be a Mouton Rothschild, rather than a Lafite? Mouton is the one with the "Art" series of labels, beginning with the 1945 vintage. You have me seriously curious - the 1992 Mouton label is by Danish painter (and poet!) Per Kirkeby.
Allison Avatar
December 31, 2016 at 2:04 AM
mmmmm I rarely drink alcohol but after such a fabulous description I'll make and exception ... it sounds absolutely delicious - pop that cork I'm coming over!:-) hugs Jan xx
Vinson Avatar
December 31, 2016 at 11:07 AM
Yah, Jan. : ) We can get steaming drunk. ; P
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace