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Yes, I have read all the advice saying that simply posting tasting notes is ridiculous and a waste of blog readers’ time. Make what you will of this.

I had a meeting this evening at The Marc (sometimes called the Vineyard Lounge) in downtown Walla Walla. While my associate chose to have a raspberry whiskey sour, I stuck to wine. Delicious red wine. Walla Walla wine. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the last time I ordered this by the glass was actually… wait. I always order it by the bottle. Except tonight.

Balboa 2006 Sangiovese (Columbia Valley). At the Marc right now it is also served with the Trio Vintners 2006 Mourvedre (Yakima Valley) as their “unique varietal” flight. $14 for the flight, or $8 each by the glass. I asked for the flight, but ended up with a glass of the Sangiovese and a taste of the Mourvedre. Thankfully the Mourvedre had been open for two days. Perfect. It was tarry and piney. Actually reminded me of chewing pine sap as a kid, trying desperately to turn it into gum. Of course, I wasn’t chewing the wine. I was sniff-swirl-swallowing. But all these strange memories for early childhood in the Methow Valley came flooding back. Sage, dirt, mountains, pine. And lots of orchards. Rocks by the Carlton swimming hole. And spicy like the forest fires that terrified me as a child. Grab the photo albums, turn on the sprinklers, and wait while the entire fire crew camps out in your back field. Who know a Mourvedre could be all that?

The Balboa I savored. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the Mourvedre (even if the boys won’t recommend it). I love trying something new. Even so, the Balboa was something so connected, connecting. One of the things I love about Tom Glase’s wines is the minimalist approach to the process. The fruit is showcased. And I don’t mean they’re fruit bombs. Not by any means. It’s just that what you taste is what was created in the vineyard. Almost. Tom’s work is important. He takes it from the vineyard to the glass in such a manner that I can imagine that I’ve crawled right inside that bunch of grapes at just the right temperature, at just the right position on that near hyperbola curve of sugar/acid ratios during the growth process. Here I am, on the vine, basking in the truth of the Sangiovese berries. Wow.

Have I lost it? Am I crazy? Detached from reality? Un-constricted.

Does it matter when I enjoy an $8 glass of wine this much? This is an excellent reminder of why I usually do Balboa by the bottle. Thank you, Tom.