This is the week the IRS has made.
You put off working on your tax return because, well, who wakes and says “Golly, I really love working on my tax return. Thank you, Father God, for gifting me this.”
You do it because a couple of hours or a couple of days crunching numbers surely is better than a couple of years doing prison time bunking with Bubba or Beulah, who think you are really attractive (in an innocent sort of way). Or you do it because you are willing to pay for the privilege of living in the greatest country in the history of the world.
If you are getting money back, you are irritated you gave Uncle Sam an interest-free loan. If you owe money, you are even more irritated. This is a classic lose-lose scenario. Fortunately, in the second half of this month, flowers bloom and the earth springs to life. Focus on that, and pour yourself a good wine that costs less than $12 to help get all this behind you.
It would be nice to pop cork on a Château Latour 1945 with pizza next Tuesday night (that’s tax deadline this year), but since you are probably are not getting back $5,900 (current cost of a bottle of Château Latour 1945), and even if you are getting big bucks, today’s tasting notes focus on value wines because your refund probably is going to your daughter’s braces or for a down-payment to replace your clunker with 220,000 miles on the odometer.
Tasting notes:
• Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2011. Bright, light, apple, citrus, spice; flutter of oak; floats on palate, finesse finish. $8
• Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. Red & black fruits; some tea and tobacco; earthy, dry, tight tannin easy drinker; yet again, Bogle delivers value-for-price. $10
• Norton Malbec Mendoza Barrel Select 2010. Plenty of plum; cherry-berry; smooth, soft tannin, oak, length; another tasty Norton value. $10
• Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2012. Very nice CA sauv blanc; peach, honeydew, honeysuckle, key lime; dry, brightly delicious, cutting acidity, food friendly winner. $11
• D’Arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre McLaren Vale 2009. Lively, wonderful, a great favorite and big Aussie value. $12
Last round: I decided to reward myself with a hard-earned glass of wine after a long week. Then I realized it was Wednesday. I rewarded myself anyway.