Last night, I left the event after it was over 20 minutes early and smoked a cigarette outside. I had just had a cup of Tempranillo, so I was feeling a particular taste for a smoke. I felt I entered the funnest part of the night. I walked down the sidewalk towards my car and then past it. I kept walking and smoking and gazing up at the sky with the moon hidden away, hopping up on the raised curb then down again then up again. I saw a tree that I thought I'd spend some time with. Under her leaves, I felt embraced and encouraged. I took a few photos of the night sky with the silhouette of the telephone pole and its wires against it, then I trotted my way back to my car. I said hi to a stranger then I left, the cigarette butt somewhere on the curb, stomped on.

Mexico’s Wine Revolution: Exploring World-Class Reds and Whites in a Rising Global Contender When we think of world-class wines, our minds often wander to the rolling vineyards of France, the sunlit hills of Italy, or the rich terroir of Portugal. But Mexico, with its burgeoning wine culture, is quickly earning its place among these wine-producing giants. Let’s embark on a journey through…

1998 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Gran Reserva

Pretty psyched about this 25-year old Rioja! Red cherries, plums, church pews, incense, dark wood, clove, and coriander on the nose. Despite its age, very ripe fruit on the palate with loads of plums and cherries. Salud!

3/5 bones

$$$$

Tempranillo, Garnacha

13.5% abv

And her day is done.