Today we learned that my daughter Kailee, and her 2005 Trakhener gelding Santiago SF, was the winner of the American Trakhener Association Dressage Futurity for 5 year olds.
So I had to pop the cork on another bubbly, this one the 2005 Domaine Carneros Brut. This was the last sparkler I had on hand so I think it's great I didn't have to run out and hunt down an '05 vintage.
This has become my 'house' bubbly for the past few years. Although not as rich the L'Hermitage I noted a few days ago, with the apple, lemon and fruit being more subtle, this is still a very enjoyable wine. A mineral underpinning, along with a good acidic balance makes this wine very enjoyable and easy to drink. Now that I'm out, I'll have to hunt down some more. And with more dressage awards looming, I may have to acquire some more L'Hermitage, along with some real Champagne!
Here's Santiago in good form this past August earning one of the scores that won him the futurity (top) and awaiting the Reserve Champion ribbon for the Four Year Old Young Horse Test at the Del Mar National Horse Show in 2009. (Top photo by Heather Buttrum, used with permission, bottom photo by moi)