We return to a favorite of his - Mylene Farmer’s music, and her song about California. Xavier didn’t travel much as a child, and he hasn’t done much in his adult life, but he says he wants to visit California. He tells the story of how Farmer ate at Moby’s restaurant in Los Angeles, and upon leaving, left a CD with Moby. Mylene has a connection to Los Angeles, and the great drummer Abe Leborial, Jr., whose father would frequent Palate in Glendale, the place where I learned so much about wine, enough, I think, to have known greatness when I tried Xavier’s wine that first time. Moby collaborated with Mylene after he heard her music, Xavier tells me, and I tell Xavier that I would be honored to bring a bottle to Moby as his emissary. Sitting on that bench again, Xavier returns from his cellar with bottle of 2004 Genese Blanc for Moby, and a 2000 – another vintage I’ve not yet tried - for us. He cleans the dust off the bottles – they are so cool in this heat, nearly glistening – and reminds me that this task is one I’ve agreed to out of likemindedness, not business. I try to explain to him the words kindred spirits, and I don’t have to say much. Our goodbyes are long, and the road back to Paris seems quite far.