Skwid and I went to Napa today to do a little tasting of the new releases. We stopped in at Heitz to try the 98 Martha etc and the winery had pulled out some of the 97 Martha and had it for sale. $150 for a 750 and $300 for a mag. Skwid and I both ended up buying a magnum each. As we left, the tasting room guy admonished me to lay my magnum down for a long time. After dropping skwid off I continued to a wine shop that I frequent in order to pick up some wine they were holding for me. I stayed at the wine shop for awhile and as a result I had brought wine I had picked up in Napa including the 97 Heitz Martha's mag in to the shop. I stacked my wine on top of the tasting bar. Time passed. I eventually picked up another case, placed it on the tasting bar and pushed it forward to make sure it was secure. Unfortunately the mag was hiding behind the case I was pushing on. Over the mag went. It struck the ground on the neck, bounced up in the air, flipped, and then crashed back down on its base spraying 97 Martha's everywhere. We managed to save three glasses after we picked up the bag with the broken mag and held glasses under the bag while it leaked. Very fine wine drunk much before its time. Tasting note to be in issue two of my newsletter.

Wow, that's too bad Jones. I almost lost mine today but in a different way. I was carrying it and the bottom of the bag split open right where it was glued. I didn't drop it though and I'll put it away later this evening in the cellar. I had a fun time hitting a few wineries with Jones, Napa Wine Co., Plumpjack, Heitz, Darioush, and Luna. Heitz and Plumbjack were having release days (as was Silver Oak) and Gordon Getty was signing bottles at Plumpjack, but I'd rather have his signature on a check.

Ouch! Major magnum bummer. At least you saved some.

My condolences on your loss.

Sounds like those Heitz magnums are hard to hold on to!

Ouch. Big wine bummer. Indeed a "horror".

Hate it when that happens. I dropped a few (over the years). It's unpleasant. Never a mag, though. That's even worse...I bet.

But, like a friend of mine says, "...it's only Wine, only a beverage..." But, then again, this is a guy that has a 25,000-bottle Cellar. So...

Man, that really beitz!

Davidn -

Jones, my condolences

Yes indeed, truly a horror. Sorry for the loss.

my sincerest condolences on your loss, jones; though, i'm sure you can find solace in your cellar.

i'd like to nominate davidn for post of the week .

Btw, my Magnum safely made it to the cellar. The bag on the other hand had come unglued

jones-while drinking the remains, did you notice any bottle shock?

ojeffso:

Man, that hurts. What a shame.

o crapmandu. That totally sucks. I have not yet broken/dropped a bottle (yet). And, if I ever do, I hope it is not nearly as painful (and pricey) as your loss.

Ugh.

Sorry to hear it, Jones. I know the feeling. I've only broken one bottle of wine, and I picked a doosy. It was one of my two bottles of 1966 Mouton. The cellar smelled great for a week. Yes, I got down on my hands and knees and took a sip from the floor.

I'll never forget that wonderful aroma of a Rosenberg Zin on my garage floor. Nothing short of fantastic.

Should I take something like Big House Red and pour it in a bucket and hide it in a corner of the cellar. If I put a wick in it would it work better?

I would have too, Board'o.

...groan, I hate it when that happens...