Because it only happens once a year?

Tasting a high-end lineup from Penfolds had very little to do with my birthday, but was rather a case of being in the right place at the right time. The Yattarna Chardonnay and the Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon were both impressive. The 2005 Grange is a pretty awesome way to start any day. It wasn’t over the top whatsoever and was quite refined (that’s the second time in a week I’ve associated refinement with Australia….what is going on here?). Great depth of red fruits with cocoa and espresso on the finish. Great acid and some pretty gritty tannins (yet not too difficult to enjoy). Clearly built to age and I’m sure I’d be much happier drinking a bottle from my birth year. Worth $400? Is any bottle of wine?

Movia is made by stark natural winemaker Aleš Kristančič, just across the Italian Friuli border in Slovenia’s Brda region. The Movia 05 Ribolla was starting to show secondary aging characters – rich honeyed apple with caramel and spice. Big intensity and richness. Interesting and delicious stuff for around $37 at Kits Wine Cellar.

I went with the grower producer Egly-Ouriet’s Brut Tradition Grand Cru NV for the birthday Champagne (which I have been pronouncing slightly wrong for quite some time – real pronunciation). This is rich, nutty, yeasty and complex stuff. It’s fermented in oak, spends 4 years in the bottle on its lees (both big commitments to quality), and is mostly Pinot Noir. The Egly family was one of the few who resisted the gadoux – the questionable practice of grinding up Parisian household garbage and spreading it in the Champagne vineyards which finally stopped in ’98. This is the real deal and one of my favourite Champagnes. Price reduced at Kits Wine Cellar right now to $85.

I’d like to drink wine like that everyday.