When I told my friend that I was anxious about opening a bottle of wine I had been saving, the 2006 Merlot from Kalyra Winery, he told me to get over it.

I had just finished up my last few outside obligations for the week – and I was looking for a fun way to kick off what will no doubt be an amazing couple of weeks (San Diego (we leave tomorrow morning), East Coast, Skydiving Round Two).

Still, I had reservations.

“But this is the last bottle,” I told him rather emotionally, followed by the memories of how I had bought three bottles the first time I tried it, and how it is now completely sold out at the winery (I can’t even find it online).

The realization that I was scared to use my assets made my mind flash to my short story, Till Death Do Us Part.

If you haven’t read it, you should – it’s a story about the end of the world, and the male character makes an observation about things truly being gone (as opposed to just running out of something).

I should heed my own wisdom more often – it completely sums up my feelings about the 2006 Merlot. There was no question that I wanted to drink it, but I was afraid for it not to exist in my wine rack anymore.

That sounds dramatic – and it is – but it’s also true: It is gone.

So why tell you about it if you can’t even buy it?

Good question – I was wondering that myself last night as I held my nose in the glass – once again wishing there was a device to capture (and pass along) the smell.

FYI: It seems I am terrible at opening my prized bottles – must be nervous hands or something.  Last time, I feared my bottle of Zinfandel from Baron Balche had cork rot.  Yesterday, the cork on the Merlot pushed back into the bottle and semi-exploded all over the kitchen.

Always an adventure, for sure.

Something I’ve learned – don’t be afraid to cash in your chits once in a while.  I spent most of the experience grinning ear to ear, anticipating the next sip.

It’s gone forever, the word has taken on it’s true meaning, but no worries.

The memories live on, and I am sure the next special bottle is right around the corner.