Confessions of a Wino

Signs of ageing are mostly self generated and excepting wrinkles, are usually related to the people you socialise with, the places you go, and the material goods you consume.  I discovered what seems like yonks ago that BBC Radio 2 plays better music than Radio 1.  In fact it plays much the same music as Radio 1 did in the years when I used to listen in to Simon Bates and Noel Edmunds.  I swapped my exciting Toyota sports coupé for a boring Mercedes Saloon about the same time (and yes, the interior was beige).  Two cars later I have accelerated through an automatic gearbox, which took me a while to get used to, into full-on middle age – yes, a diesel automatic.

I like to think I have taken all this in my stride, but today I realised that I have just passed an altogether much more serious milestone.  I have never seen anyone under 50 wear Ralph Lauren but I looked in my wardrobe today and found five shirts by this venerable, if ageing, New York designer.  And what is worse, I actually like wearing them.

Sometimes being old (even if not wise) is infinitely preferable to being immature and crass.  They say that patience is a virtue, and this adage is my only consolation each time I floor the accelerator of my Flintstonemobile.

Some might argue that a 2005 Bordeaux needs more age.  But I find the right bank, more Merlot based wines, are very approachable in relative youth and have drunk many a 2005 with the comforting feeling of sinking into a bucket seat.  And in any case, I have to leave room for some youthful impatience in my life.

Esquive de Franc Maillet, 2005 came to me en primeur via the Sunday Times Wine Club at about £10 per bottle, and was accompanied by more sediment than the Suez Canal.  Imagine a place somewhere between a bread and butter pudding and a hot summer pudding with some caramelised sugar and a touch of liquorice.  After some air it developed into Autumn fruits and a smoky September bonfire – very evocative.  Tannins?  Yes, but far from over powering.

A stonking steak wine at a great price, and can be worn, or drunk, at any age.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 at 7:57 pm and is filed under bordeaux. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.