As the historic day of May 25, 2008 gets closer and closer, it&8217;s a good time to take a moment and reflect on all that has been accomplished before the day even arrives.  Take into consideration all the brain hours that went into creating such a tremendous act for humankind and the goals of one becomes the goal of many. 

May 16, 2008 was a dark day for the wine industry with the loss of the founding reason that the Napa Valley is what it is today.  Over the last 40 or so years, the goal of one has become the goal of many just because of one idea and the feeling that goes along with success.  Patience and courage where needed then all those years ago as those two character traits are needed today and always looking into the future.

Some of you might be asking what is going on May 25, 2008.  For those of you that are unaware of what is happening, on this day people from Earth will be remote landing the Phoenix Lander onto the north pole of the planet Mars.  They are then going to be looking at the artic northern region to see if they can find any signs of ancient life.  Being that Mars is so far away from the Earth, it takes a total of 10 minutes before any information is recovered.  Patience marks this effort while courage is marked with bravery when the Lander must land safely onto the Martian surface without damage. 

How does this relate to wine you ask?  Well that&8217;s simple.  Patience is rewarded with properly aged wines, as some of you can attest to when we shared a bottle of 1970 Chтteau Leoville-Las-Cases, and courage from trying something outside your normal taste zone.  Yes I am talking about French wine; yes I am talking about Bordeaux, but not what you might be expecting.  I am talking about the 2004 Chтteau Grand Piquey from Sauternes.  Yes it is a sweet wine, but hey, a light and sweet wine can be just as enjoyable as a bottle of First Growth Mщdoc. 

The wine is simple and flavorful from the moment you open the bottle.  Golden yellow in color, bright apricot and nutmeg appear out of nowhere on the nose with subtle hints of amber and white peaches following very close behind.  A second breath is needed as the wonderful aromas of a fresh bouquet of flowers emerge from behind the fruit and whisk through the inner senses of your mind.  Carefully placed lychee fruit strikes the mind clean and cut with delicate honeysuckle notes.  On entry there is a pleasant and warm mouth feel that screams ecstasy.  Deep flavors of honey and melon with a smooth texture of warm candy and concentrated flavors of almonds and tiny hints of lemongrass settle the palate.  The mid palate screams with brilliant acidity and wondrous notes orange cream and violets.  Letting this wine take you to a new world will only open new doors as the finish of this wine is soft and worthy of note.  Lilac and roses with crimson raisins soak up the finish that helps the &8220;sweetness&8221; go undetected.

Score: 88

Style: Nectar

Price: $17.99