Review: 2017 Wente Pinot Noir Riva Ranch and Cabernet Sauvignon Wetmore
Here’s a pair of wines from Wente, two big reds built for the winter. 2017 Wente Pinot Noir Riva Ranch Vineyard – This Arroyo Seco (Monterey) sourced wine is quite intense and rich, a punchy wine that builds on a rather jammy base to showcase notes of fresh raspberry, some violets, and a touch of…
Review: Laphroaig 30 Years Old – The Ian Hunter Story, Book One: Unique Character (2019)
In 2016 Laphroaig brought its 30 year old whisky to the U.S. for the first time. That expression is long since gone, but the Islay icon has recently brought a new 30 year old to our shores, part of a new collectible series that celebrates the founders and key characters of Laphroaig. This first release,…
Review: 2018 Alamos Malbec Mendoza
Budget malbec doesn’t get much better than this (as we’ve previously noted), and the 2018 bottling is an earthy but balanced wine with notes of currants and cola, but tempered with black pepper, beef char, and a smattering of savory spices. A slight note of sweet tea hits on the finish. Widely available for less…
Review: Liquore Strega
Strega has been eking its way back into the cocktailverse in recent years, though it’s still on the obscure side of things in the U.S. Strega — “the witch,” in Italian — hails from the city of Benevento, where legend has it witches used the liqueur “to disguise themselves as beautiful maidens and mix a…
Review: Chalk Hill 2018 Estate Sauvignon Blanc and 2016 Estate Red
Sonoma’s iconic Chalk Hill Winery recently dropped two new releases, both from the Chalk Hill AVA from which the winery draws it’s name. We’re happy to delve into here following our delightful, recent tour and lunch on the property. Let’s give them a whirl! 2018 Chalk Hill Estate Sauvignon Blanc Chalk Hill AVA – This…
Tasting the Wines of Fontanafredda, 2020 Releases
Fontanafredda is one of the most iconic producers of Barolo wine, its history dating back to 1858 (complete with a rather juicy story that involves the King of Italy, his underage mistress, and a gift of vineyard land). Fontanafredda has changed hands on multiple occasions, and as of 2009 it is again locally owned by…
Review: Pyramid Brewing Snow Cap Ale (2020)
We last reviewed Snow Cap back in 2007 (!), and it’s finally time for a fresh spin with this classic “winter warmer,” which has breweries in Seattle and Portland, Oregon. Quite malty and burly with notes of well-roasted chocolate malt, Snow Cap offers a chewy, almost chunky body with notes of well-done wheat toast and…
Review: Cathead Pecan Flavored Vodka
The folks at Cathead (nee Bottletree Beverage Company) don’t just make bourbon and gin, they also make vodka — both straight and flavored. Today we look at the company’s most unique flavored vodka expression: Pecan. Let’s give it a try. The nose is initially mild and lightly astringent with classic vodka notes, but it quickly…
