Let's celebrate the life of Bob Henrick with wine

I opened an ESJ Bone-Jolly tonight to salute Bob. He is the first to turn me on to ESJ and I've been turned on by it ever since. In fact, his last night, he brought an ESJ Syrah to share with wine friends. When I think of Bob, I think of someone who was unconditionally loyal to his friends...those he had met and those he knew only online.

To Bob...a true and loyal friend. >clink<

JuliaB

Bone-Jolly was one of the wines that my friends brought back after meeting Bob. Rocks and Gravel featured too in the package...aaagh what great memories. Just opened a Minervois Marsanne so will be a memorable evening. I always serve Marsanne not too chilled.

I opened an ESJ Bone-Jolly tonight to salute Bob. He is the first to turn me on to ESJ and I've been turned on by it ever since. In fact, his last night, he brought an ESJ Syrah to share with wine friends. When I think of Bob, I think of someone who was unconditionally loyal to his friends...those he had met and those he knew only online.

To Bob...a true and loyal friend. >clink<

JuliaB

Julia, I wonder if you remember that Bob introduced me to you at that amazing lunch in Midway, which was also when I met him? You had written a very sweet and funny note about tasting the Bone-Jolly not too long before that, and I'd made an attempt at a humorous comment, in appreciation for your description of the experience. That was such a lovely get-together.

I most assuredly do remember that event. Didn't we re-enact a scene from "When Harry Met Sally"? I also recall going to the wine shop after and getting autographed bottles for my wine group! The beginning of your rock star status

JB

you're making me blush again! I'm so glad Bob introduced us!

Where's the "like" button?

I have a much too young Musar Blanc 2000, but I inscribe it with "In Memory of Bob Henrick," and in a few decades I will be proud to raise a glass to him, and add what I can to his legacy.

[Jenise]

Tonight I opened a 1975 Bodegas Lan Vina Lanciano. I didn't end up making the paella because we went into Seattle and came home with a piece of fresh swordfish--we don't get fresh fish like that in Bellingham, so couldn't resist. I assembled some of the same flavors, though, pairing the grilled fish with rice made with saffron and smoked pimenton and splashing it with a lime/parsley/garlic butter sauce for service. We toasted Bob as we watched a fiery red sunset and talked about--sad as this situation is--how fortunate he was not to suffer, for it all to be over so fast, living well one minute and gone the next without months or years of dying one agonizing, painful day at a time as so many of us will. Here's to you, Bob!

[David M. Bueker]

I have a much too young Musar Blanc 2000, but I inscribe it with "In Memory of Bob Henrick," and in a few decades I will be proud to raise a glass to him, and add what I can to his legacy.

Great idea Ryan. I can do that with my 1999 Musar Red. It's way too soon to open a magnum, but a neat way to have the tribute to Bob carry on in the future.

Susan & I will hoist a glass tonight in Bob's memory of a Qupe Marsanne.

I've been in sorta a blue funk the last few days about losing Bob. Never met him in person, but he was always one
of my CyberSpace friends that I just knew I would like if I ever did. A few yrs ago, after Summer Nationals up in Cincinnati,
a flew home out of Louisville. When I was making my trip plans, I thought to myself then that I should allow an extra day or
two so I could hook up w/ Robin & Bob there. I can kick myself now for not taking that initiative.

Tom

Tom,
Bob was such a great guy! He and I developed a close relationship as he was my wine guru (a title he loved!) in the early years of our friendship. I have to tell you, that when I first met Bob at MoCool, he had an unusual portable spittoon (aka urinal) on a lanyard around his neck. He claimed he had gotten the idea from you and talked about you so often, I assumed you were long time friends who lived in close proximity of each other. It was quite some time before I learned that you have never met in person. So, even if you never shook hands or embraced, you were bosom buddies in his mind. The man cherished his friends.

RIP Bob,

Julia

Tom,
Bob was such a great guy! He and I developed a close relationship as he was my wine guru (a title he loved!) in the early years of our friendship. I have to tell you, that when I first met Bob at MoCool, he had an unusual portable spittoon (aka urinal) on a lanyard around his neck. He claimed he had gotten the idea from you and talked about you so often, I assumed you were long time friends who lived in close proximity of each other. It was quite some time before I learned that you have never met in person. So, even if you never shook hands or embraced, you were bosom buddies in his mind. The man cherished his friends.
RIP Bob,
Julia

Uhhhhh...Julia...it's a spitoon...not a urinal!!!
Was it a bright red model like my legendary one??

That's a very touching story...thanks for sharing it w/ me.

Tom

Hahaha..yes, it was red! I remember it well, because as soon as I met him he invited me to go to a wine shop in Ann Arbor with him. I'm sure he saw the horror on my face as he removed the "spittoon" from the front seat to allow me to sit down. He got such a kick out of that!!

JB

Hahaha..yes, it was red! I remember it well, because as soon as I met him he invited me to go to a wine shop in Ann Arbor with him. I'm sure he saw the horror on my face as he removed the "spittoon" from the front seat to allow me to sit down. He got such a kick out of that!!

JB

Ahhhh...yes...it comes back now, Julia. He saw a picture on the InterNet of me at ZAP one year carrying around
my signature bright/red spitoon and knew he had to have one. He inquired of me and I told him he could
order one just like it from the CampMor supplies catalog. It's touching to know that I had such a major impact on Bob's life!!!
Tom

This is Bob's daughter Cassie. I am overwhelmed with all the memories shared of my father. Your posts have brought a smile to my face. All the the members in this forum were so very important to my dad your relationships with him made him so happy. He was a dynamic personality who had so much to share I am glad he could with all of you. <3 Cassie

[David M. Bueker]

Cassie,

Our sincere condolences to you and the entire family. We will all miss Bob very much.

Thanks for sharing some time with us Cassie. I too would like to send my condolences to the family.
I always emailed Bob when I saw a new vintage of Tahbilk or Lancyre on the shelf here in Edmonton and he always joyfully send his congrats as he knew that up here it was tough to find these wines at times!

Bob loved many wines, but I agree that three of his favorites were the Tahblik Marsanne, Musar and Stone Wolf's pinot gris. Bob thought that Linda's pinot gris was so good he urged her to enter into a wine contest. She did and I believe it won double gold! I know that when I visited Stone Wolf, I was most impressed with the pinot gris also. So much so that I bought half a case! And I am not a big pinot gris drinker. So this weekend I will be drinking a pinot gris in memory of Bob. Unfortunately, my Stone Wolf pinot gris are long gone but I have a nice pinot gris from Ontario that was gift from a friend. I can not think of a better use for it than a toast to Bob's memory!

I was at Corti Brothers today and saw that they had an '07 Tahbilk. Marsanne. There was no way I could ignore that, so I picked up a bottle and raised a glass of it tonight in Bob's honor. The wine perfectly complemented some very nice memories.

I didn't know Bob at all and this year will be my first MoCool (alas, still a virgin at 73). But I've been a member of this forum for a long time and feel a real kinship with all the regulars. In that spirit I will open a bottle of Berrien Marsanne this weekend in honor of Bob and bring some to MoCool too. For those unfamiliar with Berrien, it's a little gem of a winery in southwest Michigan specializing in Rhone style wines, which makes it doubly appropriate for this MoCool.

[Jenise]

I was at Corti Brothers today and saw that they had an '07 Tahbilk. Marsanne. There was no way I could ignore that, so I picked up a bottle and raised a glass of it tonight in Bob's honor. The wine perfectly complemented some very nice memories.

'Like' button!

[David M. Bueker]

ESJ on deck for tonight's cookout. Toast to America and Bob Henrick!

[David M. Bueker]

2001 Edmunds St. John Rocks and Gravel - USA, California (7/4/2015)
Grilling burgers for the 4th, so an ESJ is a perfect choice. The cork came out easily, in fact a bit too easily, as this bottle has a trace of oxidation that lingers around the edges. Beyond that is the wine I have known and loved, with all the red fruit, herbs, leather and dust mingled together into an assemblage that speaks of a place more than a wine. I drink this and think of being in a dry, warm, rough landscape, resting under a scrub oak tree waiting for the heat of the day to pass. It's not a drink but an experience. It's a wine for thinking about time, about friends here and gone.

Farewell Bob.

I did not know that Rocks and Gravel could age that well David. I drank my `05 from Bob a couple of years ago, should try to find my note that should be here somewhere. Anyhows on to my Marsanne.

2011 Borie de Maurel La Belle Aude Marsanne, Minervois Fr.

$22 Cdn, good natural cork, 13% alc, did not serve too chilled, a well-recognised domaine that can turn out some terrific reds. Think Bob H might have enjoyed one of them.

A fairly deep yellow color. The nose is not at all exotic, fairly closed on opening with floral and white stonefruit tones. No honey here folks, more peach as it airs. "Not at all tropical" from across the table, had to add that maybe Tahbilk would not show this either?
Initial entry thought is dry, medium-bodied, wonder if short finish will lengthen in time?. Good acidity however and as it airs some spice and yes pineapple. Much better length after an hour and when not so chilled. Lime zest and some nice minerality too.
Day 2 I struggled with a sore throat but stuck in with memory of Bob. Lot of development here and was still showing on the day later. No sign of falling apart some serious juice here, think I should put one away for a few years down the road.