Review: Coravin Aerator
The Coravin system is one of the biggest advances in wine dispensing, solving the problem of how to drink a glass or two of wine from a pricy bottle without having the rest of it spoil. But what if it’s a wine that needs aeration? Dealing with the Coravin is a two-handed process, so you…
Review: 1792 Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Sazerac’s 1792 Distillery can’t be stopped, with its latest bourbon expression, the seventh in a series of limited releases. (If you’ve been following our coverage of 1792’s special editions and wondering what happened to #6, it was a special edition to commemorate the 225th anniversary of Kentucky’s statehood and was only available in very limited…
Review: 2014 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles
Justin’s 2014 Isosceles is a blend of 73% cabernet sauvignon, 15% cabernet franc, and 12% merlot. (See also my initial spot review from our Paso Robles trip.) While this is one of Justin’s most revered expressions, this is a wine that’s simply not ready to drink today and will undoubtedly benefit from time in bottle. (My…
Review: Yuzuri Yuzu Liqueur
Yuzu is the “it citrus” of our time. Today we look at a new liqueur from Japan’s Soh Spirits — makers of Kikori Whiskey — which is made from freshly harvested yuzu, rice and mountain water from Kumamoto, on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Some production details: At the soul of Yuzuri is the yuzu fruit,…
Review: NV Vilarnau Cava Brut Reserva and Rose Brut Reserva
Barcelona is the home of cava, Spain’s native sparkling wine. It’s a category on the rise, thanks to its fruit-forward profile and approachable pricing, designed for those who might otherwise consider Prosecco but want something a little more lively. Who’s Vilarnau? Vilarnau is a small, artisanal, hand crafted cava house from outside of Barcelona,…
Chateau Montelena’s Dream Tasting: A Retrospective of Five Decades of Wine
Chateau Montelena broke ground in 1972, and the winery has remained a stalwart of northern California wine country ever since. Best known for winning the white wine portion of the Judgment of Paris in 1976, today Montelena continues to churn out top-notch chardonnay and, more notably, cabernet sauvignon sourced from its Calistoga estate. For no…
Review: 2015 Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Two new releases from iconic Sonoma winery Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, established in 1972 and today an exemplar of the region. 2015 Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay Chalk Hill AVA – This classic California chardonnay initially comes off as pushy with its oak, vanilla, and brown butter notes, but there’s a surprisingly spicy element — lemongrass…
2018 Super Bowl Cocktail Recipes and Snacks
Whether you’re an Eagles or a Patriots fan, this Super Bowl will be a time for rooting on the game with some great drinks and lots of finger food in hand. Here are a few suggestions for this year’s big game. Drambuie Timeout Twist 1 ¼ parts Drambuie ¾ part Hendrick’s Gin ½ part lemon…
