The 2021 BWE Wine of the Year has been uncorked.....

[JimHow]

This being my last bottle of wine of 2021 before I leave for Alaska on Friday, I decided to uncork something special. And I thought, well, why not, let me take one more look at the BWE wine of the year, before I make my final, final decision....

[Blanquito]

Suspense!

[JimHow]

Another year behind us....
Man, we're not getting any younger.

I made my last stop at Androscoggin County Superior Court today to bid adieu to the clerks and court officers for the year, sat down with the legendary Justice Bob Clifford for about a half hour, active retired judge at age 84, a titan of the Maine Supreme Court for three decades, a superior court trial justice for the last 15 years or so, my absolute favorite judge, a sweet man, still sharp as a tack. As good as they come.

Came across this picture of the Howaniec family, with brothers Tom and Dan, and my parents John and Annette, this must have been early '80s, back at the old apartment in which we grew up, complete with the paintings from Sears and the orange bean bag, Tom with that damned porn mustache, a Christmas tree decorated, who needs more! Very happy times indeed.

[Nicklasss]

Nice family picture from the Howaniec in the 80's, one of the golden era for red Bordeaux wines. I can probably find a Christmas family picture from that era, when i was wearing Michael Jackson shirt.

Enough mystery Jim, we need a picture of the label of the 2021 BWE WOTY!

[jckba]

… or at least a revelation of which bank it hails from.

[JimHow]

I just tried to FaceTime with Nicola to give him a sneak peek but apparently he is no longer accessible by such means...
Ah well... I guess I'll grill some chicken....

[JimHow]

By the way, I have a gift for you, jckba, when I see you, for all of your efforts on behalf of BWE....

Ok, here is a hint....

The vintage and the first letter of the appellation of the BWE wine of the year are the same as the vintage and first letter of the wine that I intend to present as a gift to JC on behalf of ALL BWEers for his service above and beyond the call of duty, hopefully at some point in the first half of 2022!

[JimHow]

The official photograph of the BWE wine of the year has been taken.

[Blanquito]

My money is on the 14 La Conseillante.

[JimHow]

I just had a FaceTime call with one Jean-Nicolas Maltais from the great province of Quebec, and disclosed to him the 2021 BWE Wine of the Year.
I should add that he guessed incorrectly the identity of the recipient of this great honor.
So it is written. So it should be done.

[JoelD]

My money is on the 14 La Conseillante.

I'm inclined to agree based on the hints he's dropped, unless they are misdirects to purposely confuse us. I think we might be able to rule out the 2014 VCC as Jim would have none left to gift!

[Nicklasss]

I'm numb. I really thought it would be time for something different, a Right Bank wine from outside Saint Émilion, but frankly i couldn't guessed that we would go back so near from the first BWE times... but sweet 16...

[Ianjaig]

2014 Clerc Milon maybe?

[JimHow]

A very worthy honorable mention, Ian!

[robert goulet]

Yes...this is what I assumed would be your pick...I've only had Conseillante once and I couldn't tell you the vintage. Good to see a '14 in the books no matter what the choice, well done Jim...bring one to Orlando!!

[DavidG]

By the way, I have a gift for you, jckba, when I see you, for all of your efforts on behalf of BWE....

Ok, here is a hint....

The vintage and the first letter of the appellation of the BWE wine of the year are the same as the vintage and first letter of the wine that I intend to present as a gift to JC on behalf of ALL BWEers for his service above and beyond the call of duty, hopefully at some point in the first half of 2022!

OK, now we have to start guessing this one.

A 2014 that starts with a "P."

Petrus?
Palmer?
Pontet Canet!

[Racer Chris]

My money's on the third choice too!