By the 15th hole, I was beside myself. My two favorite golfers were in the home stretch, and both were going to emerge triumphant. What better occasion on which to open an Aussie wine? I ran to the cellar, pulled a cork, and resettled on the sofa.
Picked the 2002 Taltarni 'Cephas' Cabernet Sauvignon. I purchased six long ago; this is the first I've opened. Not decanted. Big whiff of American oak whacked me in the nose along with some burnt toast just about the moment Jason flubbed his fourth shot for a bogey. As they teed off on the 16th, I welcomed some black cherry fruit--a bit overripe for my tastes but better than none at all, and things were looking up both in my glass and on the greens when Jason swept his ball in for a birdie and got back to -20. By the time both my boys parred on the 17th and 18th holes, the tannins were peeking through and a bit of black fruit and spice were adding complexity. A 'top drop', as they say downunder. Congratulations, Jason.