@marksquires@epicure.social
@marksquires@epicure.social avatar

marksquires

@marksquires@epicure.social

Wine Reviewer at Robert Parker Wine Advocate from 2006 to June 2023, responsible primarily for Portugal, Greece, the USA off of the West Coast (esp. NY, VA), plus others in E. Europe, Middle East.

Recovered trial lawyer. Interested in lots of things besides wine and law. Like travel, photos, film and SF.

The header photo is looking to Porto, Portugal from Gaia.

N.b.: I'm in other places besides those linked, but that's what there is room for! I don't spend a lot of time in all of them.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. Browse more on the original instance.

ArtPhotosDesk, to art
@ArtPhotosDesk@flipboard.social avatar

Faith Ringgold died on April 13 at age 93. The artist and author was best known for her "story quilts," which have been exhibited in museums around the world and told the stories of Black people. Some of her best known works include "Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima?" and "Tar Beach," which she later adapted into a children's book— she went on to write a dozen more books for kids. Here's a tribute to her from Smithsonian magazine.

https://flip.it/B_h2ff

@blackmastodon

marksquires,
@marksquires@epicure.social avatar

@ArtPhotosDesk @blackmastodon Huh. My tennis coach back in the day was Don Ringgold. Unusual name. I wonder if there is any connection.

dnc, to homebrewing
@dnc@vive.im avatar

Favorite wines from my Portugal trip https://www.diningandcooking.com/1325554/favorite-wines-from-my-portugal-trip/

marksquires,
@marksquires@epicure.social avatar

@dnc Pato and Baga...always a great combo!

Free_Press, to news
@Free_Press@mstdn.social avatar

TRUMP CRIME FAMILY

Trump appointed Judge Aileen Cannon skirting the law to aid Donald Trump!

'The nuclear button': Special counsel could seek removal of judge in Trump classified docs case, attorneys warn

Special counsel Jack Smith and Judge Aileen Cannon traded terse words in filings this week

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/-nuclear-button-special-counsel-seek-removal-judge-trump-classified-do-rcna146507

marksquires,
@marksquires@epicure.social avatar

@Free_Press It is only an impressive detonation if it works. I practiced for some 25 years. Maybe I am wrong, but I can't recall in my jurisdiction a trial judge being forced by an appellate court to recuse. At the least, it is rare. She made no final decision. So he has to appeal to force her to make a final decision or use her failure to do so as grounds to force a recusal. (!)

People who think this is easy haven't practiced law. That's why he has been waiting. Will it work now?🤷

gwensnyder, to random
@gwensnyder@mstdn.party avatar

Excuse me, but in what WORLD does this disinformatic crank's harmful opinion merit a top-of-page banner headline?

Journalistic malpractice by CNN

marksquires,
@marksquires@epicure.social avatar

@gwensnyder Journalistic access issues once again overrule common sense, is the answer. They got a big interview. They have to promote it.

Meanwhile, RFK Jr's family members, including his sister, are busy making videos that support Biden.

BTW, also from CNN, Jake Tapper awhile back indicated he will not host a RFK Jr town hall because the last time it was a non-stop spewing of lies and conspiracy theories. But that doesn't slow CNN down elsewhere.... Wanna bet whether someone else does it?

JimsPhotos, to photography
@JimsPhotos@ohai.social avatar

My view right now. No birds but some great clouds

marksquires,
@marksquires@epicure.social avatar

@JimsPhotos Your view "right now."

--Me: checks rain pouring down.

I'm hoping this is an April Fool's day joke. Because...it really seems like taunting! 😿

marksquires, to homebrewing
@marksquires@epicure.social avatar

This is another mature Late bottled Vintage Port (unfiltered). This '03 was a big vintage, and it provides some oomph to this LBV. This has depth and a backbone still, but also rich fruit and plenty of flavor. It coats the palate. Price: Mid-$20s. This is one that can age. I'm not so sure it will make 40 years, but it will certainly make 30.

dnc, to homebrewing
@dnc@vive.im avatar

deleted_by_author

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    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @dnc Brane Cantenac, Dufort-Vivens would be good choices.

    emptywheel, to random
    @emptywheel@mastodon.social avatar

    Ken Vogel Covers Up Rudy Giuliani and His Alleged Russian Spies

    https://www.emptywheel.net/2024/02/23/ken-vogel-covers-up-rudy-giuliani-and-his-alleged-russian-spies/

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @emptywheel So is this the same Ken Vogel all over Threads defending the NYT from accusations of bias against Biden? If so, explains a lot.

    GottaLaff, to random
    @GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

    This. Was excellent.

    “Pundits suggest replacing President Biden as the Democratic nominee because they don’t understand the job of the presidency or how conventions work. Lawrence O’Donnell gives a history lesson in governing in the age of television.”

    https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-on-what-they-don-t-tell-you-about-the-dump-biden-fantasy-204684869613

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @jztusk @karlauerbach @GottaLaff I think the perception of a problem due to his age is a bigger problem than any actual disability, esp. compared to Trump's own mental problems. Unfortunately, to some people, perception matters; Trump is louder.

    Still, it is at the point now where, barring an emergency, it's late in the day to select anyone else. It would cause a bloodbath. Biden can beat Trump like a drum. I'm more concerned about 3rd parties upending things or GOP refusing to certify.

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @karlauerbach @tdwllms1 @jztusk @GottaLaff US Inflation Rate is at 3.09%, compared to 6.41% a year earlier. Long term average is 3.28%.

    While inflation has been dropping and is expected to continue to drop, unemployment has remained historically low, wages have increased and appear to be outpacing inflation now, and the stock market is historically high. Good signs, and the combined effect of them are reflected in the opinion polling these days too. People are beginning to sound more positive.

    dnc, to homebrewing
    @dnc@vive.im avatar

    deleted_by_author

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    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @dnc No wine cooler I've seen is 100% at target temp. Just like my home heating, it hits the target temp, then stops so as not to go too far. When it records a rise of a certain amount beyond target (only the mfg knows, 2 degrees?), it kicks back on again and chilling starts anew. Typically, mine will then cool to 1 degree or so UNDER target temp before it shuts down. Of course, in certain conditions the compressor will be running more.

    I don't worry about condensation but for leaks.

    stevenray, to random
    @stevenray@sfba.social avatar

    One Trump indictment and guilty verdict down, three to go. The champagne isn’t gonna drink itself!

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @AlgoCompSynth @stevenray that may take a decade. But I have a lot of wine!

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @stevenray So, you're not going to count the E. Jean Carroll defamation trials? I dunno, being declared to have committed acts tantamount to rape with jury awards of $83 million seems significant. I would add it to the list. After all the Engoron trial is only civil too. 😁

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @AlgoCompSynth @stevenray You know, I flip flopped over the years, but making a long story short, when I was for a time GOP, it was solely because I admired the robust defense of freedom and democracy that Reagan pushed in the world. That was my key issue, making me ignore other things.

    It's jaw-dropping to watch the GOP abandon freedom and democracy in the world and openly profess admiration for authoritarianism. They have gone from "Tear down this wall" to "Love Putin!" and isolationism.

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @stevenray @AlgoCompSynth Seriously, money often is power. I remember the 1st George Bush saying "This White House will fight climate change." A few short years later, the GOP was pushing conspiracy theories; it was a hoax. What happened? Their major fundraising network became the Koch network, owned by brothers who had an oil company and funded climate science denial.

    BTW, always SOUNDS good to have lots of parties. In lots of places--say, Israel--that's caused problems, not solved any.

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @stevenray @AlgoCompSynth Yes, that's the theory. In fact, what often happens is that the tail wags the dog. So, like you see Marjorie Taylor Greene controlling much of the GOP agenda now. Not because she is in the majority, but because she and her faction hold decisive votes. No compromise, just dictating. So you have a close election, and you have to give something to, say, the John Birch Society party to gain power. You do it. Now can't ignore them or govt falls...Every idea has a problem.

    dnc, to random
    @dnc@vive.im avatar

    These scammers are getting SPECIFIC https://www.diningandcooking.com/1214889/these-scammers-are-getting-specific/

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @dnc I report every such instance to the network as spam and block it if I don't recognize the #. Let T-Mobile collect the reports and decide. If it happens once, it is an accident. If they get 79 reports on this number with exact wording....not so much!

    CultureDesk, (edited ) to music
    @CultureDesk@flipboard.social avatar

    Today is World Radio Day. To celebrate, Dig! has compiled a list of the 10 most-played songs of all time, around the world. Which do you think was No. 1?

    https://flip.it/o3rJZ3

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @CultureDesk I'm surprised by that answer!

    dnc, to burgers
    @dnc@vive.im avatar

    5 patty Baconator https://www.diningandcooking.com/1203654/5-patty-baconator/

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @dnc does it come with a free stent implant procedure afterwards? Inquiring minds want to know. ❤️

    drinkswriter, to drinkstodon
    @drinkswriter@epicure.social avatar

    What are you drinking tonight?

    @drinkstodon

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @drinkswriter @drinkstodon 2019 Alpha Estate Sauvignon Blanc Fumé and 2002 Cluster Select Late Harvest Riesling from Navarro.

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @drinkswriter @drinkstodon one or two do, yes. We mostly try to avoid telling people to keep it for ourselves.

    dnc, to homebrewing
    @dnc@vive.im avatar

    deleted_by_author

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    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @dnc Yikes. Sounds ripe. (Not why I buy SB....)

    marksquires, to homebrewing
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    This Rhone (think of it as Chateauneuf) has always been a cut above. The fruit is mature, but the power and intensity make this vibrant.This producer is super in the vintage and the region.It grips the palate and won't let go. Magnificent, on so many levels. A well-timed "last bottle" moment.

    It's been nearly 20 years since I bought it.Good timing. Getting old is fun! No, not really, just kidding, but a maturing cellar is fun, and that's kinda a side effect.Originally around $30.

    dnc, to homebrewing
    @dnc@vive.im avatar

    Worth a taste? https://www.diningandcooking.com/1180516/worth-a-taste/

    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @dnc Excellent vintage of pretty prestigious wine. I can't speak to storage conditions, but it has a good chance. (And BOO to people who buy pricey wines and don't store them well.) The Dom may be much more at risk as sparklers tend to be on the fragile side. They will have to like old Champagne no matter what.

    dnc, to homebrewing
    @dnc@vive.im avatar

    deleted_by_author

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    marksquires,
    @marksquires@epicure.social avatar

    @dnc The sherry aspect, of course, means the wine oxidized and no longer is what it should be. Sometimes that is pleasant to drink, but it's not really Chenin Blanc any more.

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