I realize that my holiday narrative has been a bit down, as we didn’t partake of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or a New Year’s Eve dinner, though I have still other nights of wine to relay, prior to my surgery.

It was on Christmas Eve that I discovered that a hernia procedure that was done this past June, did not take.  Originally, it was decided that I would see the first surgeon again, but one of his other senior partners took the charge and the day before New Year’s Eve, I was back under the scalpel or whatever causes the three small holes that they now use with robotic surgery.  The first surgery, because of complications allowed me to stay at the hospital for four days, this time, I was an “outpatient.”  After the procedure I dined on two graham crackers that I believe were made of saw dust, sand and honey, as even with water I could barely eat it, what a curmudgeon I am.  The following day, I couldn’t keep any food down, even though I was supposed to, because of the meds.  The following day I made it with some oatmeal and later some dry hard-crusted bread.  I guess food and wine people have our own outlook about nutrition.

During the recovery period, we had received this tubular bell ensemble from our older son, that my Bride decided must be kept in the house, as the neighbors might burn our house down from the potential cacophony that could be delivered on high windy days outside, it is very pleasant and soothing under normal situations, but high winds, could be different.  Originally, she wanted me to hang it from a ceiling hook, and I told her that it might be too heavy, so during my convalescence, she found an industrial “Shepherd’s Hook” upon which to dangle the chimes.  Yes, I was awakened by her administration of hanging the chimes, but all I have been basically doing is sleeping. 

Getting back to New Year’s Day, I was bound and determined to eat something, not that I will ever get to skin and bones, but my body was determining some attention.  We had made the dinner plans prior to my medical relapse, and she wanted some real company that I truly could not accomplish for her.  She made a wonderful dinner featuring Braised Short Ribs and Bourbon Marinated Salmon.  I had a single helping of the Short Ribs and a few root vegetables, as I didn’t want to push it, the good news is that I could keep it down, so I am slowly recovering, at least in my mind’s eye.  I also opened a red wine for the guests to have with dinner, as I knew that she would select some good whites.  I know that I shouldn’t have any wine, but I figured that a small glass to make sure that the wine was good, the Gods would allow.  I selected a bottle of Wrath Estate Wines Swan/828 Pinot Noir Monterey County 2018 and is Estate Grown fruit and is part of their Winemakers Series.  Over the years we have received and enjoyed many wines from Wrath.  Wrath Estate Winery is in Soledad, California and they are a winery where production is limited, but not the quality, and since we have been there, they have opened a satellite tasting room in downtown Carmel.  The winery produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Falanghina and Sauvignon Blanc from their estate vineyard and some very respected private vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands.  This is among the top ten most highly rated Monterey wines by Wine Spectator and based on critic scores and price, this wine represents great value.  It is from their San Saba Vineyards which is just below the Santa Lucia Highlands.  This deep burgundy colored wine offered dark cherry, raspberries and sous-bois.  On the palate this full-bodied, well- balanced wine displayed red berry and cherry cola notes and ending with a long finish with notes of rich fruit, minerals and terroir.