Memories Found in a Bottle

Tonight, with no clear intentions in mind, I opened a bottle of a marc brandy that I made in collaboration with Jorg Ruph at St. George Spirits decades ago when I was winemaking at Acacia. The cork was in dire condition and had to be carefully coaxed out. I, who am seldom surprised by what is poured, was caught off guard by the genie that nestled within…