Portman wrote:This reminds me of those overdone TN's, not to mention specific critics (cough- Robert Parker - cough cough) that instead of saying "aromas of tobacco and leather" instead write impossibilities like "smells like fresh cut Virginia lowland tobacco and notions of manure dusted, lightly oiled Spanish leather"
Boysenberry yes. Himalayan boysenberry and all the rest, pah-leez, as we say here in America.
There was a time when I would have agreed. At that time, I also would have said that chocolate is chocolate is chocolate.
Then I tried several estate reserve chocolates from South America, and the difference was as plain as day and at least as dramatic as the differences between different Ports. So I no longer scoff at the idea of Himalayan boysenberry being distinct from whatever other boysenberry... in fact for a tuned palate, I suspect it is very true.
And yes, MaryAnne, I was born and raised in the mid-West. I have fond memories of a tree fort my friends and I built in a mulberry tree (yet another black/purple berry that I occasionally find in Port) and have enjoyed being introduced to the many berries out here on the Left Coast.