An Exceptional Taste

When I saw the advertisement for Bright Cellars online I immediately thought of Mollie, and wondered if she might be interested in attending the wine connoiseur challenge.

Just the other day I received an email from Mollie quite out of the blue and wondered what she was up to. I went to messenger and clicked on her message; a one liner asking if Chaunigan Lake Lodge was still for sale. Quite frankly I was surprised, but quickly jotted down the info she needed and asked her to keep me in the loop.

Then later that night I wondered if I asked her out would she accept my invitation. Being an optimist and quite frankly a flirt I decided I would give her a call. Never imagining that our age difference might be an issue, as I was definetly double her age. I never let age stand in the way when I was attracted to a beautiful, young lady. That smile of hers and her laughter always put a smile on my face.

Omg... I was shaking when I picked up the phone and began to dial her office number. One ring... then a second, and then I heard her voice on the other end. Oh, Nick it is you how coincedental I was just thinking of you before the phone rang. We chitchatted for a bit when I broached the subject of the wine connoiseur challenge being offered by Bright Cellars, and wondered if she would accompany me. I was surprised to say the least at her immediate response when she said she would love to attend.

Bright Cellars the monthly wine club was hosting a first ever Merlot wine connoiseur extravaganza at the Fairmount Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia during the month of May 2021.

When I clicked on the link it led me to their website and offered a list of seven merlot wines chosen from around the world that would be the main feature of the night.

1. Realm Cellars: The Tempest 2017 from the Napa Valley, California with its tasting notes of Blueberry, Blackberry, Black Cherry, Touch of Violets and Smoke.
2. J. Lohr Estates: Los Osos Merlot 2016 from Paso Robles, California with its tasting notes of Candied Violets, Blueberry, Fleshy Plum, Crushed Blackberries and French Oak Spices.
3. Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard: Merlot 2017 from the Napa Valley, California with its tasting notes of Vanilla, Oak, Plum and Blackberry.
4. Chateau L'Arrosee: Sainte-Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2010 from Sainte- Emilion, France with its tasting notes of Black Currant, Blackberry, Cassis, and Vanilla-tinged Tobacco.
5. Leonetti Merlot 2015 from the Walla Walla Valley, Washington with its tasting notes of Plum, Cherry, Cocao, Black Licorice and Orange Peel.
6. Le Macchiole Messorio 2016 from Tuscany, Italy with its tasting notes of Burnt Orange, Black Olives, Silky Dark Fruit and Walnuts.
7. Angelica Zapata: Merlot Alta 2015 from Mendoza, Argentina with its tasting notes of Oak, Vanilla, Tobacco, Cherry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Black Fruit and Blackberry.

I was impressed with the wide variety of Merlots the Bright Cellars team had chosen for the upcoming event and looked forward to the evening out with Mollie.

Over the course of the year since seeing Mollie last I came into a rather large sum of money, and now considered myself rather wealthy. This event would be my first social outing, and I wanted to play the part to the fullest. So the first thing I went down to the Porsche dealership to view the new line of sports coupes. Ah, I fell in love with the new silver 911 coupe and decided on the spot to make an offer. The deal was sealed, and I could pick up my new Porsche 911 coupe in a weeks time.

Well, now I had the car now I needed a wardrobe makeover, and headed to a tailor shop I had seen the other day. There I queried about having a black tux, frilly shirt, cummberbund and black pants made to measure. The tailor also mentioned an Italian friend who was as shoemaker. Go see him the man told me I will give him a call and tell him you will arrive this afternoon and he will help you to discover an all leather shoe for the occasion.

That took care of me, but I wanted something special for Mollie, as well and wondered how I could get her down to the seamstress to have a dress made expressly for her. I had looked on line to see what type of dress might accent her youthful exuberance, and wondered if she might like the dress I picked out. Since I was wearing a black tuxedo I thought she should be in a full-length, red, evening gown showing a bit of cleavage, with sequence on the arms, and covering the front of the gown to her hips. I also liked the slit from hip to floor.

But of course I needed some excuse to get her down to the seamstress. That got me thinking that I might involve her boss and get him to arrange her fitting on the pretense the evening gown was for some function she would be attending in the near future.

Everything fell into place nicely, as I had my tuxedo hanging up in the hall closet and earlier I had the silver Porsche washed and waxed ready for tonight. I made a quick phonecall to Mollie and asked if she had recieved the gown from the seamstress. Oh, you clever devil she said, so it was you and not George who had me fitted for the evening gown, and red heels. Yes, I decieved you, but in a good way with the best of intentions. Are you excited because I sure am and cannot wait to see you in that gown. Mollie then said, 'Then you better let me go, so I can get ready'. I arranged to pick her up at 8:00 pm.

I pulled up in front and saw Mollie in the lobby of her apartment complex. As I got out and waved she does not seem to notice me and why not I thought, but of course she never had seen me clean shaven, and wearing a tuxedo. I walked up to the double glass doors when the doorman approached me. Sir, can I help you he asked. Yes, you can I replied I am here to pick up that young lady, and I pointed Mollie out in the lobby. Your name sir he asked then went inside and informed Mollie who I was. Omg, I still remember the shock on her face when she realized the man outside was me.

Nick, I am so sorry I did not recognize you. Omg you truly are handsome all cleaned up, and she took my arm, as I led her down the path, and opened the passseger side door. She stared at me for a moment not beliveing she was being seated in a silver Porsche. Then waited for me to get in behind the wheel. I turned to her and asked, Like my new ride? Yes, she stammered, as I sped off in the direction of the Fairmount Pacific Rim Hotel.

When we arrived and I escorted her on my arm inside I felt like the luckiest man alive for she was indeed beautiful in her sexy, evening gown. I was defintely out of my element here in the big city and she could tell, as she took the intiative to introduce me to several people she knew including her boss who also happened to be at the same event.

I had met George a year earlier when I had worked for him up on the British Columbia coast looking after a lodge he leased. Funny, I thought now here we were at a fancy hotel in Vancouver about to taste an array of the finest bottles of Merlot from around the globe.

Mollie captured my attention, as she strode back across the floor towards us. I shook my head slightly marvelling at how truly beautiful she looked then took her hand, as we walked over to where the bottles of Merlot where standing on a brass bar. Beside each bottle was a description of the vineyard and name and year of the Merlot and its tasting notes. There were seven different bottles lined up and two young ladies who would pour out a sample for you to try.

I watched as Mollie tipped the wine glass, and swished the contents then sniffed the scent. Next, she took a sip and sloshed the wine in her mouth for a few seconds before swallowing the contents. Umm....tasty she said. Here Nick you have a try, and she passed me her glass. Without thinking I just tipped back the glass and imitated the sloshing before swallowing. That is when she leaned in close and whispered in my ear and asked sir how does that taste. I looked at her, and blushed.

I had something completely different on my mind when she asked how does that taste and she knew it when I had blushed.

Then she moved over to the second bottle and picked up a glass performing the same taste test, as the previous one. Nice Blackberry accent she said then offered me a glass to try. She winked at me when she had asked if I had enjoyed the Fleshy Plum flavor. Indeed I said, as I pressed up behind her and gave her derriere a squeeze. Oh, my she said you really are enjoying this wine tasting aren't you?

We stepped to the right with bottle number three a 2017 bottle of Merlot from Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard and proceeded to taste the exquiste flavors of Vanilla, Oak, Plum and Blackberry.

Bottle number four was from Saint-Emilion, France a 2010 vintage and I personally loved the hint of Black Currant, Blackberry, Cassis and Vanilla tinged Tobacco. Mollie this one is divine mark down a case on your list.

The next bottle had quite a distinct flavor of Plum, Cherry, Cocoa, Black Licorice and Orange peel. This one was a favorite of Mollies' as she jotted down Leonetti Merlot 2015 from the Walla Walla Valley in Washington State.

The sixth bottle from Tuscany, Italy had an entirely different flavor from all the rest. This one tasted of Burnt Oranges, Black Olives, Silky Dark Fruit and Walnuts. Le Macchiole Messorio 2016.

One last bottle to go from Mendoza, Argentina an Angelica Zapata Merlot Alta 2015. Although very smooth I found the flavor not to my liking and preferred the bottle from Sainte-Emilion France with its Black Currant flavor.

Mollie arranged for the puchase of the wines she had enjoyed and I was only to willing to pay as I extended my platinum credit card. I gave her the key to the Porsche and she had one of the young men place the cases in my car while I chatted with George.

What a pleasant night I thought, as I escorted Mollie out to my car then drove her home. We chitchatted the whole way back to her apartment when she asked me up to her place for a nightcap.

We were a tad giddy by the time we were standing in front of her apartment door and somehow she managed to drop her keys. I being the gentleman dropped to my knees and lifted up her dress looking for the keys when she asked, Did you see anything you might like? In fact yes, I said, but we best use these keys to get inside.

My intention was just to get her settled and tell her what a wonderful time I had and be on my way. I gave her a kiss on the lips and felt rather hot under my collar, but bowed out for a later date. Thank-you Mollie for a wonderful evening and I hope we can get together again very soon. She smiled at me and said, I would like that a second date huh Nick.

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Author's Note: I wrote this story to submit to the Bright Cellars challenge posted on Vocal, but wonder if I have not gone completely overboard.

Totally excited how the story evolved and enjoyed the journey today.

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