Shriveled leaves

It was the monthly meeting and AGM of our wine tasting club. Finances and cellar are in good health and we got insight into the tastings planned for the next 5 years. Last night it was some very fine Riojas though we did have one 18 year old riserva bottle which was faulty - not undrinkable but rather muted, flavourless and not delivering the expected experience especially as we’d just tasted the less favourable previous year’s vintage of the same wine. Oh well, these things happen. Overall, it was interesting to taste the interesting variations of some producers on the Rioja style.
I took today’s blip during a walk with the dogs in the large park that abuts my old place of work. Loathed by some, I rather like copper beeches this time of year as they often retain their curled and shrivelled leaves in the winter. It is a shame to convert to monochrome as I love the copper colour but I think they are still attractive.