This blog is slightly delayed because I spent the last 2 days home sick.  Fortunately, I did not have either strep or the dreaded swine flu - though I did have the pleasure of having a stick shoved down my throat and a q-tip shoved up my nose.  Anyway, this has nothing to do with this post, so I'll move on.

This past weekend my oldest daughter went to her high school's homecoming dance.  She was very excited, her date was a nice boy (though I don't trust any of them, having been one), and the weekend was full of festivities.  First, let me say that I have almost no experience with this sort of thing.  I was a late-bloomer and had no interest in dances in high school - I still really have no interest in dancing.  Second, the group that got together included 38 kids.  That's right - 38 kids.  My daughter's date's parents arranged to have pictures taken at their club (which was very nice).  So, we now had 38 kids and 76 parents (plus some grandparents) at this club taking pictures.  Since they are all only 14, we also had to have a schedule to get the kids to the dance (and home).  It all went well - they had an after party at one house, all the girls and boys slept at another house (no, not together...I'm not even crazy about having her date), and then they reconvened for brunch on Sunday morning.  I'm still not sure my daughter had made up for the lack of sleep.  Though, it is hard to tell given her usual attitude toward anything involving her father.

So, after this grand gala began, what were the parents to do?  I was informed by my wife that many of us were getting together for dinner.  I reluctantly agreed, being the socialite that I am.  I later discovered that every other couple had managed to cancel, except us and the boy taking my daughter - hmmmmm.  Anyway, we went to Sullivans steak house in Lincolnshire and actually had a very nice time.  They were friendly and easy to talk to - and the fact that they have a 16 year old daughter helped with my angst.  It appears that my (let's call it concern) is not unusual - and their son is a nice kid (mu daughter has known him for many years).

So, what does this have to do with wine.  Well, we drank some with dinner.  Sullivans had a pretty nice wine list.  I considered Twomey Merlot, which is made by Silver Oak, but settled on Orin Swift's the Prisoner (and not because I felt like one).  I would call the food OK, and our waiter poor (he didn't know the special, told us not to "quote" him on what he did say, and kept losing our ticket).  i prefer Flemings - but it is more expensive.  Anyway, the Prisoner was $75, which is less than double retail - a very good deal at a restaurant.  The wine was fantastic with the Filet I ordered.  Nice black raspberry and ripe tannins on the finish.  This is predominately Zinfandel (50%) with Cabernet (24%), Syrah, Petite Sirah and Charbono and Grenache blended in.  I would rate this as good as many Zins that are twice the price - the wine received 92 points from the Wine Spectator.  Our waiter recommended the Estancia Meritage - but I think that I was right in my selection!!!  After all, he couldn't even find our ticket.  This wine is available for $39.99 regular price in store.