Review: White and Rose Wines of Cline, 2013 Releases
If you’re driving to Sonoma, Cline is always worth a stop, not just because it’s one of the first wineries you encounter as you drive into the area. We got our hands on four affordable, summer-friendly whites (one’s a rose). Thoughts follow. 2012 Cline Cool Climate Pinot Gris Sonoma Coast – Crisp and refreshing, with…
Review: That Boutique-y Whisky Company Arran, Tobermory, and Tormore
Today we look at a few more independently-bottled malts from That Boutique-y Whisky Company, courtesy of Master of Malt. All three of these are recent arrivals from Batch 1. Again, all are limited edition single malts bottled without age statements in 500ml bottles (and wacky labels). Thoughts follow. That Boutique-y Whisky Company Arran Batch 1…
Making Our Own Aquavit with Spiced Spirits
Aquavit is a flavored Scandinavian vodka that has as many variations as there are countries in Europe. Finding aquavit stateside is difficult, though. The few bottlings imported here are mass-produced stuff that is, unfortunately, usually not very good. Why not make your own, then? Sounds good, but the number of spices required will probably fill…
Review: Lost Spirits Distillery Ouroboros Cask #1
Lost Spirits’ Leviathan is one of the most unique whiskeys being produced in America today — if not the world. Made close to Drinkhacker HQ in Monterey, California, Leviathan is a heavily peated single malt that is aged in heavy char barrels previously used for late-harvest wine (the varietal of the wine changed depending on…
Review: Absolut Elyx Vodka
Absolut’s boldest move in years doesn’t have anything to do with vodka that tastes like pickles or cupcakes… it’s Absolute Elyx, a single-estate ultra-premium vodka that’s so special it doesn’t even use the traditional cylindrical bottle design. Elyx is single estate vodka made exclusively from wheat from Rabelof Castle and water from the distillery’s own…
Review: NV Angoris Villa Locatelli Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso Friuli
An unusual red made from 100% Refosco grapes indigenous to the Friuli region just north of Venice. The nose is slightly perfumy, with blueberry underpinnings. n the body, ample smoke and earth notes are backed up cherry and spice character. A moderate to big body, with lots going on. Surprisingly complex — if not wholly…
Review: 2004 Bodegas Franco Espanolas Rioja Bordon Gran Reserva
A great value on an old Gran Reserva Rioja from Bordon. Surprisingly fresh for a wine nearly a decade old. Just showing the first hints of oxidation, and then only after substantial time in glass. On the nose, dark cherries, black tea, and some earth. The modest body offers fresh berries, light vinegar notes, and…
Review: 2010 Mira Pinot Noir Napa Valley Stanly Ranch-Carneros
An unusual Pinot (especially one from the Carneros area), very fruity, but also very tannic. This wine reminds me more of some Syrahs than anything I’ve encountered recently in the Pinot world, and that’s… OK. The big body is something I can get my arms around, but the heavy fruit — juicy and over-ripe —…
