2012 Château La Roque Pic Saint Loup
“The paper burns, but the words fly free.” – Akiba ben Joseph (40-135A.D.), the Jewish sage and principal founder of rabbinic Judaism. Rabbi Akiba shouted the words while being burned at the stake, and while his temple’s copy of the Torah was also being burned.
“Gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel.” – George Appel, the convicted murderer of a New York City policeman. Appel said his last words to the group of journalists who had gathered to witness his execution by the electric chair on August 9, 1928.
“Don’t disturb my circles!” – Archimedes (287-212 B.C.), the ancient Greek astronomer and mathematician. Archimedes said his last words in reply to the Roman soldier who had just ordered Archimedes to report to a Roman general. When Archimedes continued to draw geometric theorems on the ground, the soldier killed him for failing to obey a direct order.
“Jackie, is it my birthday or am I dying?” – Lady Nancy Astor (1879-1964), after a long illness, upon noticing that all her children were assembled at her bedside.
“Now I can cross the Shifting Sands.” – L. Frank Baum (1856-1919), author, The Wizard of Oz.
“Friends, applaud. The comedy is over.” – Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).
“I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis.” – Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957).
“Useless… Useless.” – John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865).
“You’re too much of a fucking pussy to shoot me.” – Michael Brown (1994-2014). Brown allegedly spoke his last words to Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Missouri, police officer who shot Brown six times, and killed him. The quote is from Wilson’s testimony.
“I just wish I had time for one more bowl of chili.” – Kit Carson (1809-1868).
“Dammit… Don’t you dare ask God to help me.” – Joan Crawford (1905-1977), to her housekeeper, who had started to pray out loud at Crawford’s bedside.
“Where is my clock?” – Salvador Dalí (1904-1989).
“It’s very beautiful over there.” – Thomas Edison (1847-1931).
“How’s this for your headline? ‘French fries!’” – James French (1936-1966), a convicted murderer, to the group of journalists who had gathered to witness French’s execution by the electric chair.
“Goodnight, my kitten.” – Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961).
“The story of life is quicker than the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello and goodbye, until we meet again.” – Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)—the last lyrics of a song written on a piece of paper found at Hendrix’s bedside the morning after he died.
“Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub.” – Conrad Hilton (1887-1979), when asked if he had any final words of wisdom.
“I want the world to be filled with white fluffy duckies.” – Derek Jarman (1942-1994).
“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” – Jesus (Luke 23:46).
“Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.” – Steve Jobs (1955-2011).
“Does nobody understand?” – James Joyce (1882-1941).
“Yes, I am.” – John Lennon (1940-1980), in response to the New York City police officer who asked him if he was John Lennon.
“Mozart! Mozart!” – Gustav Mahler (1860-1911).
“This is no way to live!” – Groucho Marx (1890-1977).
“Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.” – Karl Marx (1818-1883).
“The taste of death is upon my lips… I feel something that is not of this earth.” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791).
“Help.” – Richard Milhous Nixon (1913-1994).
“Drink to me. Drink to my health. You know I can’t do it anymore.” – Pablo Picasso (1881-1973).
Which brings us to the 2012 Château La Roque Pic Saint Loup.
In the glass, the 2012 Château La Roque is a fearless garnet. Stare into it, catch a glimpse of it, hold up a glass of it to a mirror—the wine’s color extends beyond the eye’s ability to measure its depth. The bouquet gets your attention, but not all of it—just enough to suggest that the wine you’re about to taste will be one you won’t forget. On the palate, the wine manages to be simultaneously aggressive and passive. The finish takes you behind the veil and reveals Château La Roque’s legendary panache. If this was my last wine, I might die happy.
“I’m going over the valley.” – Babe Ruth (1895-1948).
“Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.” – George Bernard Shaw (1856-1960).
“Capital Punishment means those without the capital gets the punishment.” – John Arthur Spenkelink (1949-1979), a convicted murderer, before his execution in Tallahassee, Florida.
“Roses plural, or Rose’s roses with an apostrophe?” – Dylan Thomas (1914-1953).
“But the peasants… how do the peasants die?” – Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910).
“The sun is God.” – Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851).
“Why should I? This is no time to make new enemies.” – Voltaire (1694-1778), when asked if he was ready to reject Satan.
“Of course I know who you are. You’re my girl. I love you.” – John Wayne (1907-1979), to his girlfriend, Pat Stacy.
“Oinka Oinka Oinka why you awake” – Amy Winehouse (1983-2011)—her final tweet, received by her followers after her death.
One Bottle is dedicated to the appreciation of good wines and good times, one bottle at a time. You can write to Joshua Baer at jb@onebottle.com.