Review: Ammunition Wines, Bourbon, and Rye
Windsor, California-based Daylight Wine & Spirits is a rare operation that includes both winemaking and distillation operations. The two are interlinked: Its recent whiskeys are sourced products (both from MGP) that are finished in Daylight’s own wine barrels. Everything is bottled under the brand name of Ammunition (with some spin-off labels also in the mix).…
Review: Wines of Flat Top Hills, Fall 2021 Releases
‘G4,’ the fourth generation of winemakers from the Mondavi family (specifically: consulting winemaker Angelina Mondavi), returns along with head winemaker Randy Herron for another collection of wines meant to be equally approachable and affordable. We were fortunate enough to try three of the five new releases for fall 2021. Let’s try them out. 2020 Flat…
Review: 2019 Skyside Chardonnay North Coast
Surprisingly flat, this North Coast chardonnay offers a palate of baked apples, guava, and just a hint of lemon peel, though all of this is exceptionally restrained — its body almost watery at times. At the same time, the wine is completely harmless. It’s gentle, laced delicately with caramel and vanilla notes, with touches of…
Review: Rosaluna Mezcal Joven
Rosaluna is a 100% espadin mezcal from Santiago Matatlan in Oaxaca, developed by co-founders Nate Brown (“the creative mind behind brands such as Yeezy, Beyonce, Alexander Wang, and more”) and Terry Lee (advisor to the likes of Thrive Market and Sundays). The product is distilled by brother-sister duo Frida and Juan Jiménez who have been growing,…
Review: River Road Chardonnays, 2021 Releases
River Road Family Vineyards is a collection of uncomplicated California-appellated wines from Sonoma County winemaker Ron Rubin. Designed with affordability in mind, the wines span the range of California’s wine styles. Today we look exclusively at a trio of chardonnays, made in three different styles, and all well under $20. 2020 River Road Un-Oaked Chardonnay…
Review: 2020 Domane Wachau Loess Gruner Veltliner
Want to enjoy a fun white wine with an even more fun price tag? You have to try this 2020 Domäne Wachau Loess Gruner Veltliner. This wine, hailing from Austria, is an easy drinking and dry, but not completely dry, white wine. It’s deliciously juicy, with citrus notes of lemon, and lime, and also subtle…
Review: Chateau Arton Armagnac – Blanche, La Reserve, and 2009 Millesime
Chateau Arton makes both wine and brandy, where Patrick de Montal has been producing Armagnac for a relatively young 30-some years. The brand focuses heavily on single-vintage bottlings, one of which we review here along with its unaged fine blanche expression and its more readily available La Reserve expression. Chateau Arton Armagnac Fine Blanche –…
Review: Wines of Ancient Peaks, 2021 Releases
Ancient Peaks is a Paso Robles winery with a collection of wines that run the gamut of classic California styles. Today we look at two recent bottlings, including one from its second label, One Stone. 2020 Ancient Peaks Chardonnay Paso Robles Santa Margarita Ranch – A clean and classic representation of California chardonnay, this wine…
