Review: 2008 Ladera Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
This 2008 Cab from Ladera is surprisingly restrained, particularly odd given its pedigree from Howell Mountain, where rugged, punchy, and flavor-filled wines are habitually made. I’ve greatly enjoyed this bottling in both its 2007 and 2005 vintages, but for 2008, Ladera’s Howell Mountain Cab feels dialed back, almost like it’s pulling its punches a bit.…
Review: Journeyman Ravenswood Rye Whiskey
Journeyman Distillery operates in Three Oaks, Michigan, where it makes a wide range of white spirits and this rye, its only “brown” liquor at present (though numerous more are on the way). Formerly made at the Koval Distillery, Journeyman is now making it at home. The mashbill is an unusual blend of Minnesota rye and…
Terroirs of Chile – 12 Wines Evaluated, 2012 Releases
Chile is a strange country. End to end it is 2700 miles long, much of it mountainous. Pretty much from top to bottom wine is made in this country… and yet when we think of “Chilean wine,” a certain character comes to mind — namely cheap Cabernet. Of course, this is folly. The wine made…
Review: Smirnoff Iced Cake and Kissed Caramel Vodkas
The company that brought us Fluffed Marshmallow vodka is back with more flavors that would have Rasputin rolling in his grave. Here’s what will be haunting beach bars in 2013. For what it’s worth, my wife enthused about the dessert-drink worthiness of both of these concoctions, and in modest proportions, she might be right, although…
Review: Olmeca Altos Plata (2012) and Reposado Tequila
We last encountered Olmeca Altos in our preview of its silver tequila in 2010, but this Euro-focused brand has only now finally started its expansion into the States. We took a fresh look at both the Plata and the Reposado (there’s no Anejo yet). Both have refreshed packaging but the agave and methodology (read about…
Review: Tallarico Vodka
Tallarico is the brainchild of Giancarlo Tallarico, a Beverly Hills-based entrepreneur with his eyes on his own vodka (and a $45 price tag). Distilled from common rye and white winter wheat, this vodka (tagline: “Imbibe Elegantly.”) comes in a monolithic and mostly opaque, black decanter that fades to clear at the bottom. On the nose,…
Review: Tapatio Tequila Blanco
Tequila Tapatio (no relation to the hot sauce) has a cult-like following in Mexico (and among frequent visitors to those parts), and now it’s coming north of the border. Made from 100% Highlands blue agave, this brand has been around for 75 years. Imported by the Charbay family, it is (at least for now) only…
Review: 2010 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay Napa Valley
Yes, this is the wine. The one that in 1976 beat down all the French Burgundies in the famous Judgement of Paris with its 1973 vintage Chardonnay. It’s easy to see the charms in this wine. It is fresh and fruity, full of big apple, pear and lots of lemon notes. It is both creamy…
