As I think I mentioned on a previous post, I am out in California as we visit my wife’s family. One way that makes it easier to leave home is the inducement to spend some time up in wine country.  Since I always bring back several bottles, we have started bringing an empty wine shipping box with us to fill with purchases and bring back to Philly in the belly of the bird.  A few trips ago, we decided that we would also bring some wine with us out to California since we tend to drink a bit, and we feel bad about drinking a bunch of my father-in-law’s ‘collection’.  I often joke that we are the only people to pack up wine to bring to California (we also do the same thing when we go to France, which is really twisted).

2008 Domaine Durand Cornas Empreintes–Tasted 4/3/12.  Retail ~$40?  I paid $21.  This was on sale at the PLCB and I had to get some.  Cornas is a bit of a poor stepchild to Côte Rotie, but it is something I can occasionally afford.  Some fruit (but not overwhelming) and interesting, but it cries out for food.  We had it with bulgogi (Korean barbecue), but it really needs pork or lamb since this is on more of the delicate side.  Not much on the backend–a good finish, but not much in the way of tannin.  I would say I would buy some more of this, but I plan on drinking it in the short term. Very Good.  88 points.