Review: Oro Azul Tequila, Complete Lineup
It takes balls to call your spirit “The World’s Best Tasting Tequila,” and if we were judging on guts alone, Oro Azul would get top marks across the board. But what this line really offers is affordability plus the promise of 100% agave tequila. They also come in conversation-piece-friendly pyramid-shaped bottles. Here’s how they stack…
Review: 2008 Sokol Blosser Pinot Gris Dundee Hills
Best known perhaps for its pinot noirs, Sokol Blosser also makes a variety of white wines. This crisp Oregon pinot gris offers sauvignon blanc-like character, with sharp minerals intermixed with some apple, apricot, and peach characteristics. The finish is simple but delicious, offering hints of fresh, fluffy bread. For 18 bucks, it’s embarassingly hard not…
Tasting Report: Wines of Argentina, October 2009
In the pampas, money talks. This is my lesson, my one takeaway about the state of Argentinian wine: You get what you pay for, and if you’re willing to shell out for high-end malbec (and lord knows before this week that would be the last thing I’d ever consider doing), you might just find yourself…
Review: Dewar’s Founders Reserve 18 Years Old and Signature
Here’s a look at two new releases from one of the Scotch world’s biggest blenders. Dewar’s Founders Reserve 18 Years Old – Just about the top of the line of the Dewar’s blended whisky stable, the brand new Dewar’s Founders Reserve 18 Years Old is a blend of some refinement. Gentle and easygoing, this medium…
Drinkhacker 2009 Vintage Chart / Wine Cheat Sheet
Our third annual “cheat sheet” arrives today, with the goal of giving a very basic shorthand into what’s a “good year” and what’s otherwise in the world of wine. As with last year’s edition, here’s how to use the cheat sheet: Only the last two digits of a year are included to save space, and…
Recipe: Rio’s Celebratory Caipirinha
By now everyone knows that Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympics (sorry, Chi-town), and should you find yourself wishing to toast the city’s victory (any excuse for a cocktail…), you’ll likely pour yourself a caipirinha, the semi-official cocktail of all of Brazil. If that’s too staid, Leblon offers this spin on the drink.…
Review: 2004 Coto de Imaz Rioja Reserva
Don’t let the price fool you: Coto de Imaz’s 2004 Reserva Rioja is a surprisingly drinkable, mature, and enchanting wine. Inexpensive Spanish wine is not normally something I’d recommend, Coto de Imaz is impressive for something at this price. Dark burgundy in color, this 2004 Rioja — which spent 18 months in oak and 24…
Review: Wines of Eric Kent, 2009 Releases
Massive apologies to my friend Renee Humphrey for being so terribly slow at getting this tasting report online from our visit over a week ago. Renee (who refused to be photographed) led me through two of the winery’s upcoming 2007 vintage releases and an already-out 2006. Eric Kent specializes in pinot noir, syrah, and chardonnay;…
