As a working broadcast-journalist and omnimedia wine specialist, I get a lot of interesting email from all kinds of organizations. Including the U.S. Marshals. This week one caught my eye as it was the perfect marriage of wine and crime. An online auction of authentic, rare wine, nearly 5000 bottles, that belonged to a man now serving time in a federal prison. Here is what it said. "The U.S. Marshals will auction approximately 4,711 bottles of wine, deemed authentic, that belonged to Rudy Kurniawan, the man convicted of fraud in federal court in 2013 for producing and selling millions of dollars of counterfeit wine." Interesting eh? But it gets better. "The wine will be sold in two online auctions, one starting Nov. 24 and one starting Dec. 1, at www.txauction.com."

I took a peek at the link. An extraordinary collection of very old, mainly Pinot Noir with a smattering of Champagne and some California reds. By the way, the 39-year-old Kurniawan is serving 10 years in a California prison. No word on whether or not he gets wine with his meals.

Even at auction the Kurniawan Cache is still WAY out of my price range. Pinot Noir is a tricky grape to vint, but when handled properly it becomes an elegant medium bodied red wine. Affordable easy to find brands include Marimar Estates, Cartlidge & Browne, The Crossings, Coppola Director's Cut, De Loach and Toad Hollow. Toad Hollow also makes a lush,full bodied merlot packed with dark fruit aromas and flavors, with a hint of mocha on the finish. The label and cork add an extra smile, making this a good bottle for gift giving as well. Unless you're Mr. Kurniawan.