Review: Glenfiddich 50 Years Old
It’s not every day you get to sample a 50 year old whisky. I’ve now had four of those days, but the experience I had with Glenfiddich’s 50 year old single malt was definitively the most fulfilling and complete. The evening began with dinner at Sausalito’s Murray Circle, with dishes paired with a variety of…
Review: 2014 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir Marlborough
Cloudy Bay’s latest pinot noir is a simplistic affair, quite acidic up front but lacking much structure underneath. Instead of focusing on fresh fruit, the wine showcases dull notes of forest floor, indistinct vegetation, and just a small amount dried, almost Madeirized berries. The finish is surprisingly astringent but otherwise unremarkable. That said, the acidity helps…
Review: Chivas Regal Ultis
Chivas is a venerable blended Scotch whisky brand, and after over 100 years in business, the company is releasing its first ever blended malt — a vatting of single malts, with no grain whisky included. Chivas Regal Ultis is a premium offering composed of just five single malts that represent the “signature” of Chivas. The…
Review: 2010 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva
A bit flabby for a Rioja, its fruit undercut by dull notes of licorice, leather, and burnt butter. Some quiet aromatics emerge with a little time exposed to air, but the finish never really materializes, going out on a somewhat gummy note that evokes burnt matches and roasted vegetables. That said, it’s mostly innocuous. Best…
Review: Craneo Organic Mezcal
David Ravandi, the man behind 123 Tequila, has at long last stepped into the world of mezcal. Craneo is a 100% organic espadin mezcal that is harvested at 5600 feet in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca. Traditionally processed, it is bottled at slightly-above average proof, at 42% abv. Classically structured on the nose, the mezcal offers aromas…
Review: Gary Farrell 2014 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Russian River Selection
Iconic Russian River winery Gary Farrell is out with its 2014 vintage wines, a chardonnay and a pinot noir. These are both the entry-level bottlings; single vineyard options abound if you want to go upscale. Let’s taste! 2014 Gary Farrell Chardonnay Russian River Selection – A gorgeous chardonnay, rich and full of fruit, with just…
Review: High West Valley Tan Utah Whiskey
Don’t look now, but you can actually get an (aged) whiskey that is really made at High West’s Utah location instead of brought in on a truck from someone else. Is that a good thing? While High West makes some lovely unaged whiskeys, its biggest home-grown barrel-aged product, Valley Tan, is clearly still a work in…
Review: Rioja Wines of Hacienda Lopez de Haro, 2016 Releases
Bodega Classica Hacienda Lopez de Haro is a classic producer of traditional wines in Rioja, spanning a variety of wines representative of the region. Today we look at three Rioja reds, a 100% tempranillo, and an older Crianza and Reserva bottling, both blends. Let’s dig in. 2015 Hacienda Lopez de Haro Rioja Tempranillo –…
