One great glass

That's about all you get, even from an outstanding bottle of wine. Worse still, it is all you can expect.

Much like a tremendous dish, say ripe tomatoes with fresh mozzarella or a smokey bacon cheeseburger, you get a few initial great bites and the rest is all down hill. A very enjoyable slowly sloping downhill mind you. With food, the first tastes are the best, as the palate fatigues and the hunger subsides.

In contrast, wine is a crapshoot on when the best glass will be. The wine evolves and your palate and nose chase these fleeting nuances to tire of them before they are gone. I have sampled the gamut of great tastes of the first glass to draining the last glass of its finally great drops.

I tried a bottle that F recommended as "the taste of Napa Cab I am looking for (in a sub $40 bottle)". The Fisticuffs 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa (the 2005 was WS 91, $26, Beltramos), opened slowly. But I had one great glass, with classic Napa fruit (cassis?), that root beer note I've decided many Napa cabs have and I like, with sweet spice and oak. Medium rich with low acidity and tannins with nice balance. Very nice. My score: 91-92.

It was the third small glass that was great. The previous glass was good and getting better. The much anticipated next glass was pedestrian. Ah well, at least I got my one great taste.