Being new to the fatherhood game, I am already thinking about lessons that Colman needs to learn. One of the most important, I think, is have a plan and stick to it. Assuming it's a good plan, of course. The Oregon wine industry had a plan: make world class pinot noir. Then they screwed the whole thing up by deciding to charge too much for it (you should hear the tales I hear about HUGE quantities of unsold, high-end wine sitting cased up at warehouses in the valley, with no customers in sight). The Democrats had a plan: get Obama elected, control Congress, and make the world BELIEVE. Of course, like most Demo plans this one has come crashing down around them. As per usual when they have it going their way, they start running in ten different directions, trying to do too much, and take their foot off the GOP's throat and let them off the mat. I mean they lost a solid party seat in Mass. to this guy (photo, left)

He's good looking and all, but really. At least the Bush gang, even though their messages were fantasy, never took their eye off the ball and worked it. So this all relates to this Friday's tasting how? Bordeaux, where they have been working their plan for centuries, is a prime example of sticking to message. All they do, heck, all they have ever done, is make mainly cab and merlot based wine better than anyone on the planet. Unlike American cab/merlot producers who have jacked up alcohol levels and manipulated their wine in search of higher scores, the Bordelaise just keep on keeping on. After all this time their message hasn't gotten old, and it's as relevant as ever. Do one thing, do it better than anyone else, and things will work out fine. Are you listening Colman? No? Well, if you'd quit crying for a minute maybe you'd get it! For the rest of you, here's how it's done:

• 2008 Chateau Tour Blanche Bordeaux
• 2006 Chateau du Bousquet Cotes du Bourg
• 2005 Chateau Bourbon La Chappelle Medoc
• 2005 Chateau Saint Andre Corbin St. Georges-St. Emilion
• 2005 Chateau Fontesteau Haut Medoc