We had dinner with Karen and Dan last night mainly to visit my buddy Bat. With a totally black coat and a crooked tail but going on 14 or 15 years and rapidly losing weight, Bat is probably down to his last weeks or days. He was always an unusual cat - more dog-like than cat - and was the only cat I've met who absolutely loved tomatoes. He would speak back to you when called and often rolled his food bowl or tapped the cover to the food jar when he wanted a little more kibbles and bits. We did have to watch the dinner table once the food was out since he would help himself to a seat then nonchalantly reach that paw across the table to "accidentally" bat a morsel of food off the table.
I opened a bottle of 2008 Hirsch Bohan Dillon Pinot Noir in tribute to Bat since it depicted a black cat on the label looking at a cradled baby - Bat more likely would be staring at food on the dining table (and also because Karen loves Pinot Noir). This Pinot had concentrated dark fruit and plum - almost Rhone like - with a rich mouth feel and hearty enough to stand up to hearty red meats like Karen's Beef Bourguignon.
Since the Mrs and I spent the better part of the day with other family, we decided to purchase most of our table selections - a mish mash from Gulick Delicatessen, Safeway and Whole Foods. I also opened a 2007 Arnot Roberts Syrah and several old bottles from my Uncle's collection to help my Aunt clean out the cellar - his 1990 unfiltered Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon was a surprise. At 20 years old (and not stored in pristine conditions), it still had a pleasing blend of dried fruit, a touch of earth and maintained it structure after all these years. It was actually Dan's favorite wine of the night.
Well Bat old buddy, hopefully you have another extra life or two still in you. If not, it was a pleasure being your dining companion on many occasions over the past several years.
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