You can also listen to this episode wherever fine podcasts are cast.
Penultimate (I love that word, I don’t know why) episode of 2024!
Today we tackle the directorial debut of Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie, and his shockingly good use of split screen to make a doppelganger movie like no other.
We’re joined by writer and fellow Substacker,
, novelist of the PASTIC GIRL Trilogy and graphic novelist of the MARY SHELLEY’S SCHOOL FOR MONSTERS line of OGNs. She also writer the Substack where she writes about all the monsters she's obsessed with.
Jessica also wrote and co-directed (alongside her husband) her own doppelganger feature film, MY OWN WORST ENEMY (2012). It’s available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime or free to borrow/rent on Hoopla!
The Pairings
Jessica’s Cocktail and Wine Pairings
A variation on the original, with the smokiness of mezcal. One of the clones in the movie talks about having a Pina Colada when they get back to Earth, but as Jessica says in the episode - ain’t no way the clone that survives is drinking a Pina Coloda, that man is waaaay too angry. But a Pele’s Wrath? Oh yeah.
Phigment Red Blend, Lodi, California
A wonderfully budget Merlot / Zinfandel blend with surprisingly moderate alcohol (13.5%) and a beyond moderate price ($6.99!) at Trader Joe’s. A grape to represent each of the two clones in the movie, the softer Merlot for the first, and the peppery Zinfandel to give us the kick of the second.
Dallas’ Pairing
2021 Ridge “Lytton Springs” Red Blend
The blend for this is different every year, but the 2021 is 72% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, and the rest Carignan, Alicante Bouschet, Cinsault, and Counoise. Previous years were more approachable, but the 2021 is a beastlier bottle, and while a cornucopia of flavor already, will benefit from those who are patient. Give it the lifespan of a clone in the movie: 3 more years. Get a bottle for now, one for 2027.
Strong tannins combine with red and black fruits, pepper, and spice. Lots of perfumed florals on the nose, too!
Dave’s Pairing
Dry Creek Vineyard’s FOUR CLONES VINEYARD Zinfandel
Literal clones for a movie about clones! Grapes are f***ing weird! (read up about vine clones to have your mind blown. Or perhaps just confused.)
The Four Clones Vineyard is a 4.4-acre property planted in 2009, this traditional head-pruned, dry-farmed Zinfandel vineyard incorporates four distinct clones: Bradford Mountain, St. Peter’s Church, Primitivo, and DuPratt on St. George rootstock. This vintage includes a touch of Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet, planted adjacent to the Zinfandel. Baking spices, blackbery, blueberry, with lingering white pepper and mocha. The tannins are silky, the body full. This is just delicious stuff all around.
We’ll see y’all next week for 2024’s grand finale: our XMAS SPECIAL where we tackle the Snoop Dogg Christmas album from 2008 and try his three 19 Crimes wines with it - his Cali Red, Cali Rose, and Cali Gold (sparkling). Come ‘n get it get it get it while it’s sticky-icky good, y’all! (as Snoop would say.)
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