We’ve written on numerous occasions about the importance of family in our lives.  As the girls have gotten older–and the economy made it more challenging–getting away for a ‘family vacation’ has gotten more and more difficult.  In sad reality, we have to go back to 2005 since we’ve had a true family vacation.  We know–shame on us for allowing that to happen.  But, that was then and this is now (literary question . ..  who wrote a book by that same name) . . .

After a 3:00 am wake up call, we hit the road for the airport…good thing too because air traffic out of Austin is really busy early in the morning!  Good flights on American with a slight delay getting out of Dallas and we were greeted with 80 degree weather and awesome breezes in Boston.  Good thing too…it’s been cold, windy and rainy for a good portion of the spring, so on today’s first day of summer, we weren’t disappointed.  What lies ahead are some ‘touristy’ things; some New England beach time and probably a road trip.

Tonight, being on the road, we stopped and picked up a 2011 Tinto Negro Malbec from Mendoza Argentina.  So, with a screw top, we opened the wine…sourced from Mendoza’s Primera Zona of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu, the Mendoza blend is meant to showcase the exceptional value and approachable style of Malbec. The wine’s soft, drinkable style is accompanied by light oak aging for additional complexity.  Unfortunately for us, this $10 bottle of wine cost $10 too much.  It wasn’t approachable, it wasn’t soft or drinkable. . .in fact, we poured this one out.  It hadn’t gone bad, but it might as well have been!

We know that there are thousands of wines out there to choose from, and we might suggest you avoid this one!  As the weekend unfolds, we hope that you’ll enjoy wines that are special to you.

Enjoy responsibly and remember to recycle whenever possible.