Notes from an "elder statesman"

That happy little pickle dancing at the center of plate, that's Cornichon! Seattle Times freelancer Providence Cicero surveys local food blogs, calls me "an elder statesman among bloggers." Always thought of elder statesmen as people with a more distinguished head of hair, but appreciate the recognition.

But enough about moi. Hero of the hour is Alex Golitzin of Quilceda Creek Vintners, whose 2002 and 2003 vintages of cabernet sauvignon have just become the first two wines from Washington State ever to be awarded a perfect 100-point score from guru-critic Robert Parker. Have been a fan since a wintery morning in 1982 (dammit, I'm going to play this elder statesman thing for all it's worth) in the living room of the Golitzin home overlooking the Pilchuck River and tasting his "homemade" 1974, 1975 and 1976 vintages. Stunningly good, full of finesse, balance, complexity. Eagerly awaited his first commercial release, the now-legendary 1979 vintage, whose bottles were stacked up behind chicken wire in the garage. Couple of months ago, opened a bottle of Quilceda's 1981: no less stunning. Gotta add, as a proud dad myself, that the lead winemaker for the 2002 and 2003 wines was Alex's son, Paul.

Couple of updates to recent posts: The Stranger discovers Cascadia's miniburgers, fails to mention ill-mannered bar patron ... Seattle Weekly's Roger Downey spews venom at the Washington Wine Commission's botched "Taste Washington" event ... As expected, Tini Bigs renames the Vulcan, its spicy chocolate concoction. Press release credits Cornichon with the new name, Burning Man Tini. Forgive me, Larry Harvey.