Gastro, PLEEEEAAASE!!! In fun or not, calling the forces that are indeed

Gastro, PLEEEEAAASE!!! In fun or not, calling the forces that are indeed conspiring against all that is decent, nice, pleasure-giving, thought-provoking, and downright excellent, ";the whole of western civilization"; is just horrible. Rather, I would think that the whole paint-by-numbers ";school of excess"; in winemaking, gastronomy, filmmaking, music, plastic surgery, etc., is the exact oppostie. The barbarians, my friend, the barbarians are upon us!!!

Another thing that I must take exception to in your post is that bit about Jancis ";throwing a gauntlet that she cannot stand by."; As far as I can tell, she merely expressed an opinion. Whomsoever should take it as a slight has a problem, but not her. And as far as ";standing by"; her opinion, I have long been one of her admirers. I had the chance, for a fleeting series of moments, of meeting her, tasting 1998 claret ";en primeur"; alongside her and hearing her thoughts firsthand, as well as having my thoughts heard by her. From that experience, I can safely say that Jancis Robinson is more than capable of holding her own against whoever comes up to try and attack her.

I have not tasted 2003 Pavie. Alas, knowing what I know of that infernal vintage (almost anywhere in Europe it was infernal) and about Gérard Perse’s winemaking (I may not have tasted 2003, but I had 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 inflicted upon me at various ";serious"; tastings), I do believe I can form an opinion about what is to be expected and shall avoid the wine like I do Times Square or ay number of sexually-transmitted diseases.

Oh, and should Mrs. Robinson ever need an army (or at least a gang) to help her fight her battles, I will be first in line to volunteer. Yep, I’ve had enough of fruit jam and barbarism.

M.