Review: Ancient Peaks 2020 Merlot and 2019 Oyster Ridge
Paso Robles-based Ancient Peaks recently dropped two new reds for wintertime sipping. Let’s give them a try as the temperature starts to dip. 2020 Ancient Peaks Merlot Santa Margarita Ranch – Surprisingly pruny for merlot, with notes of blackberry jam and well-steeped tea informing a dusky, licorice-fueled body. Far more extracted than expected for a…
Review: El Tequileno Reposado Rare
For El Tequileño’s Reposado Rare expression the appellation “rare” is more fitting than meets the eye. By law reposados are required to be aged for less than one year, but El Tequileño circumvents these rules by maturing this limited edition tequila in a massive 25,000 liter American oak container known as a pipón for 6…
Review: Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection 2022, Complete Lineup
For the 2022 holiday season, Japan’s Yamazaki has launched four whiskies in its Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection, “a fundamental piece of its unrivaled craftsmanship” that “introduce the foundational pillars of Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky – Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak, and Mizunara. The collection honors Tsukuriwake, which means ‘artisanship through a diversity of making’ and…
Review: Gary Farrell 2020 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Russian River Selection
Gary Farrell’s 2020 vintage wines from its widely available Russian River Selection series have arrived, and we’re ready to put them through their paces. Here we go. 2020 Gary Farrell Chardonnay Russian River Selection – Another pretty, highly floral chardonnay from Gary Farrell, loaded up with notes of green apple, caramel, and baking spice. The…
Review: Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Batch 027
Chattanooga Whiskey recently announced new releases for their Experimental Batch line. Now up to 27 total expressions, these releases include a variety of house-distilled spirits with unique distillates, finishes, infusions, and blends. We’ve previously reviewed their Founder’s 10th Anniversary Blend and Whiskey 91 & Cask 111 expressions, though their experimental line features spirits with much…
Review: Dewar’s 12 Years Old (2022)
Dewar’s has been on a bit of a tear lately under the stewardship of Master Blender Stephanie Macleod. From the extra-aged Double Double line to back-to-back The Champions Editions and a continuous march of awkwardly-named “Smooth” releases. With the recent revamp of the standard “white label” 12-year-old, it now appears they’ve begun to tinker with…
Review: 2021 Sosie Rose of Syrah
Here’s a syrah-based rose made from estate grapes grown at Vivio Vineyard in Sonoma’s Bennett Valley. The immediate surprise here is how salty this wine is: Loaded with saline, the saltiness detracts from the fruitier notes in the mix — strawberry, with some maraschino cherry blended in. Marshmallow cream is evident throughout, rounding out the…
Review: Bruichladdich Octomore 13.1, 13.2, and 13.3
It’s lucky round 13 for Octomore — the undisputed most heavily peated whisky in regular production — with again three varieties in release. Like 12.2, the sherry-aged Octomore 13.2 will be in general retail instead of duty free only, so feel free to hop down to your local merchant to ask for an allocation. We…
