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1966 L’Angelus |
Neena’s 41st birthday celebrated in grand style. A snowy drive along the river. 1737.9 miles into the long drive. (Map this!)
Finding a restaurant in Dawson Creek that had a corkage policy proved difficult. The best establishment in town, connected to the local Super 8, seated us at first but then server came up a few minutes later saying that “according to the manager our liquor license doesn’t allow it”. Given that the bottle was a 1966 L’Angelus that we had been saving for Neena’s birthday we decided to try else where. The second restaurant we tried the server said “I don’t think I have ever been asked about a corkage policy”. Bad sign. It was time for take-out, some pizza and Sicilian pasta.
The food was good, but I was reminded a little of Miles in Sideways as we had our fine Merlot with inexpensive take-out. A Nalgene trail bottle served as an impromptu decanter and we lit the trail candle lanterns for ambience. After looking at the condition of the cork I was expecting the worst, but the wine was stellar, one of the best wines I have had in recent memory. Brick red after 41 years in the bottle, it rested and waited to be consumed in Dawson Creek by two travellers of Indian origin. While the wine was maturing, Neena was born, went to engineering school, moved to the United States. The wine’s life was very quiet and Neena’s full of bustle and adventure. And finally it exploded in flavours of carmel, tobacco, sandalwood, and cigars.
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Only Neena overshadowed the 1966 L’Angelus we had in Dawson Creek |
Those guys in Bordeaux know how make wine, but those in India know how to make ladies. I thank her parents and India for my lovely Neena.
Neena,
Congratulations on the birthday and figuring out how to have your bottle of wine despite local conditions! Would we all be able to celebrate 41 with such style and panache — my guess is that for me I will be deciding if I want fries, a small salad or a small chili with my big birthday meal. Keep up the fun, kids!
-steve
Happy Birthday Neena!
We are thinking of you. Sounds like a great celebration in the middle of the liquor license followers territory. Shreesh, well done!
Jan, Carol, James and Julia
Steve and Jan,
It took some doing. The Nalgene decanter adds a certain je-ne-sais-quoi! Not every one decants Angelus into a trail bottle!
Of course, the Riedel glass took over after that…
Happy Birthday Nina! It’s been so nice to read about your adventure. Shreesh is very lucky to have you to share this this beautiful journey and life together!
shanta
Happy B’day Neena! Enjoy your adventure!
Dear Neena,
Glad to know that you could celebrate your birthday in style even while travelling. We could not call you this year but you know that our good wishes are always with you. May God bless you both & keep you happy.
Aai
Shreesh,
The question is this — was the Riedel made out of Nalgene as well? And if not, why?
steve
No corkage policy? You really are past the boundaries of civilisation! But I can attest that pizza and quality wines are a good combo – we used to go to Ruby’s on Scott street and guzzle expensive wine with our gourmet pies. How did you manage to transport such a bottle during your hot bumpy ride without “shocking” the nectar of the Gods?
Happy Birthday Neena,
Both of you, keep eyes on long drive.
Aai & Daddy
Happy belated Birthday, Neena! You guys certainly are the master of living life to the fullest. A birthday celebrated in grand style in a place called Dawson Creek, I can’t wait to hear more of your reports from the road…
Fred –
Canada has dropped a notch in civilization due to the lack of a corkage policy!
Happy Birthday Neena
Aai & Daddy
happy belated birthday neena! so happy to hear you got to spend it on the road. looking forward to more stories on the road!
Neena: Hope you had a great birthday. What could be a better way to spend a birthday than doing what you really love to do. And here you were at “Mile Zero City” on the southern end of the Alaska Hwy., on an expedition into never-been territory. I regret being disorganized enough to lose the opportunity to wish you, on Sat., the 27th of October.
Hi Ram,
It was a pretty unusual birthday. The wine was just wonderful and although Dawson Creek isn’t very pretty it was a good enough venue for the celebrations!
Better late than never, they say. Happy belated birthday, Neena. I am planning to find a frozen creek myself, get a bottle of vino (not 66 L’Angelus, though) and co-celebrate it with you. Many happy adventures!
Thanks Jerzy,
Hope you enjoy your wine as much as I did!