Review: 2018 Lucky Rock Sauvignon Blanc County Cuvee
Lucky Rock’s 2018 sauvignon blanc is a blend of fruit, 55% from Lake County, 45% from Napa County. The result is unfortunately dull, a surprisingly lifeless wine that feels a bit too muddy. What would otherwise be a fairly grassy wine just finds much of its freshness sucked out here, much like how a canister…
Review: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2019)
In the few short years since its introduction, Joseph A. Magnus has become quite a phenomenon, particularly thanks to its unique Cigar Blend product. We reviewed Magnus’s third batch of its straight bourbon — MGP stock finished in Pedro Ximinez sherry, Oloroso sherry, and Cognac barrels — only two years ago. Today we’re taking another…
Review: 2017 Artezin Zinfandel Mendocino County
With Artezin’s 2018 bottling of its Mendocino Old Vine zinfandel (85% zinfandel, 15% petite sirah), the brand doesn’t stray far from the zinfandel playbook. This wine is aggressive with sweetness, coming off as Port-like at first, densely raisiny with notes of dried cherries and blackcurrants and layers of chocolate underneath that. The 2017 drinks like…
Review: One Eight Distilling Untitled Whiskey No. 13, No. 14, and No. 15
The team at One Eight Distilling expanded their operation in Washington D.C.’s Ivy City neighborhood this year, trading up to a shiny new column and hybrid pot still that will enable them to eventually triple their capacity. In time, they’ll be rolling out 11 barrels a day, which is no small feat for a craft…
Review: Citizen Cider For Shore
Citizen Cider’s latest is called For Shore, a “Gose inspired cider finished with coriander seeds and sea salt.” Citizen Cider is donating a portion of proceeds from sales of the cider to preserve and protect our home waters of Lake Champlain. For Shore pours a deceptively pale yellow, and has the appearance of little more…
Review: Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon 2019 Edition
Four Roses’ Limited Edition Small Batch release for 2019 is about to arrive (on September 21, technically), and based on the specs alone, it’s going to be one of the most prized Small Batch bottlings to come out of the distillery. The mix is an impressive one, featuring a 21-year-old Bourbon from the distillery’s OBSV…
Review: Wines of Provenance, 2016 Vintage
Provenance is a moderately high-end operation in Rutherford in Napa Valley with a focus on big reds. Today we look at a quartet of new releases, all from the 2016 vintage in current release. 2016 Provenance Chardonnay Carneros – Chewy chardonnay, oaky and chewy on the palate, but cut just so with notes of lemon…
Review: Infuse Spirits Bourbon, Rye, and Cask Strength Bourbon (2019)
A few months ago, I promised a look at the whiskeys of Infuse Spirits, the company which made its name with flavored vodkas and which recently branched out into whiskey. Now folks, the time is here, and we’re looking at the entirety of Infuse’s whiskey line, which spans three different expressions — two bourbons, one…
