Review: 2020 Justin Savant Paso Robles
Savant is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (45%) and syrah (55%) from Paso Robles-based Justin, and it’s one of the less commonly seen wines from the brand. Clearly designed for winter weather given its burly varietal composition, let’s see if we what magic the 2020 vintage has to offer. Sweeter than I was expecting, this…
Review: Tres Generaciones Tequila – Anejo Cristalino and La Colonial Reposado
It’s hard to believe it’s been 13 years since we covered anything from Tres Generaciones. The brand has evolved in the last decade-plus, and has even changed its bottle design completely (and for the better). Today we’re looking at a pair of 2022 releases from the brand, one expected, one a bit more unusual. First…
Review: 2018 Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
The 2018 Tenuta Perano Chianti Classico Riserva is made with Sangiovese and Merlot grapes, and spent 24 months in oak barrels. We tried the 2016 vintage last year, and though there was much to recommend it, the wine was a bit austere and felt like it needed additional aging to show its full potential. Today…
Review: 2019 Granzaban Albarino Limousin and Veigalobos
We’ve covered the wines of Bodegas Granbazan at least once before. This Spanish producer has a tight focus on albarino, and today we look at two different wines made from the iconic grape, both from the 2019 vintage — and both luxe bottlings. 2019 Granbazan Limousin Albarino Rias Baixas – A very unique bottle conceals…
Review: Rhum Clement XO (2022)
Since we first explored the agricole rums of Rhum Clement way, way back in 2008, the Martinique distillery has changed their lineup considerably. The 15-year-old and Cuvee Homere expressions now sit at the top of the line with no less than eight other expressions rounding out the portfolio. One refresh that seemed to slip through…
Review: Gold Spot Irish Whiskey
We have been fans of the “Spot” series of Irish single pot still whiskeys since Green Spot reached U.S. shores in 2014. The most recent to arrive is Gold Spot, produced to celebrate the 135th anniversary of the Mitchell Family’s expansion into the whiskey bonding business. As they explain: In 1887, Mitchell & Son, a…
Review: The Wine Savant Guitar Whiskey Decanter Set
‘Tis the season to attempt to answer a question as frustrating as ever: What to get someone who “has everything”? The answer, of course, is as frustratingly ambiguous: “it depends,” since at that point, you have been digging deep and rappelling over cliffs into the crevices of the individual’s personality, interests, and fascinations in search…
Review: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 19 Years Old Fall 2022 Edition
Old Fitzgerald‘s bonded releases come out at a steady two-per-year clip, and the second/final release for 2022 has arrived. This 19 year old expression is notable as the oldest release in the lineup to date, two years older than the spring 2022 release (which itself was the oldest ever release at the time). The wheated…
