Review: 2007 Anka Pargua II Maipo Valley
From Chile’s Maipo Valley, Vina Pargua ‘s “Anka Pargua II” is built from an odd blend of 30% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 6% Petit Verdot, and 2% Carmenere — all organic. The results are intriguing. Extremely dry at first blush, it opens up after a few minutes in the glass,…
Book Review: Whiskypedia
The beauty of books about whiskey (vs. books about wine) is that they needn’t be replaced quite so often with new ones. Compared to the wine world, the whiskey world is relatively plodding in speed, and the Black Label you drink today is going to taste and be made an awful lot like the Black…
Review: Yorkville Cellars Mendocino 2006 Wines
Mendocino’s Yorkville Cellars is a unique little oddball in the wine world. It produces classic Bordeaux varietals (plus Carmenere), but it’s based in Mendocino, known mainly for Zinfandel production (which Yorkville doesn’t make). Then, it doesn’t blend those varietals: It bottles them separately. In fact, Yorkville says is Rennie Vineyard is the only place in…
Review: Martin Miller’s London Dry Gin
One can hardly talk about Martin Miller’s gin without talking about Martin Miller. Miller is a self-described “gypsy” who often compares himself to Richard Branson — presumably because of the flowing locks both of them share. Miller made his money in mail-order dating, an antiques guide book, and a bed and breakfast before turning to…
Review: Kilchoman Summer 2010 Release
In the world of Scotch whisky, Kilchoman is tiny. It’s one of the smallest distilleries in the country, producing about just about 130,000 bottles of whisky each year. It’s also one of the newest distilleries around, having opened its doors in just 2005 — the first all-new distillery in Scotland in over a century. Kilchoman,…
Review: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2010 Edition
For the third year running, we’re fortunate enough to check out Buffalo Trace’s limited release editions of five highly-sought-after whiskeys. No change to the lineup, name-wise, from the 2008 and 2009 editions, although what’s inside the bottles is, as always, just a little bit different. On the whole, this year’s whiskeys, in fact, are some…
Review: 2008 Domaine La Montagnette Cotes Du Rhone Villages
A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and a bit of Carignane and Mourvedre, this Cotes du Rhone Villages dramatically outclasses its meager price tag. Fruit-forward and very lush, this simply-produced wine lacks a ton of complexity but is filled with plum notes and easygoing tannins. The finish is tart and slightly herbal, and very…
Review: Jeremiah Weed Country Peach Sweet Tea Vodka and Sweet Tea Bourbon
We’ve discussed at length the obliviatory powers of Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka, and now the company is back with a couple of extensions to the line. Get ready to rock, tea-sip style. Both are 70 proof. The first is unsurprising: Jeremiah Weed Country Peach Sweet Tea Vodka. I’ve never much understood the connection, but…
