Review: Wines of Francis Ford Coppola, Late 2015 Releases
Three late arrivals from the tail end of 2015 from the monstrous variety that Coppola manages to put out. Some quick thoughts on these late-arriving wines. 2012 Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Cinema – 49% cabernet sauvignon, 45% zinfandel, 4% petite sirah, 2% syrah – Quite a sugary experience, it oozes with raisins, sweet tea,…
Tasting the Wines of Marchesi de’Frescobaldi, Late 2015 Releases
Unlike the rest of Italy, our friends at Tuscany’s Marchesi de’Frescobaldi never seem to rest. Today we take a look (via online tasting with winemaker Niccolo D’Afflitto) at four recent releases from this legendary producer’s stables, including some of its most renowned bottlings. 2012 Marchesi de’Frescobaldi Pomino Bianco Benefizio Riserva DOC – This is a…
Review: Woodchuck Hot Cha Cha Cha! Hard Cider
Not a lot of mystery in this one: Take apple cider, add some spicy peppers, and serve. Sweet-meets-spicy can often go horribly awry, but Woodchuck manages to keep both sides in check and turns in a capable, if unsurprising cider sipper. The up-front is a bit on the sugary side — more apple Jolly Ranchers…
Review: Chateau du Tariquet Armagnacs – Blanche, VS Classique, VSOP, XO, and 1993 Vintage (2016)
No longer using the “Domaine du Tariquet” name (see earlier coverage here under the old identifier), Tariquet now produces both wines and spirits under the “Chateau du Tariquet” moniker. Recently we received a monster shipment of the Tariquet lineup, from the unaged blanche to a vintage offering distilled 22 years ago. Away we go! Chateau du…
Review: Wildcide Hard Cider
You won’t find his name anywhere on the bottle, but Wildcide (and Aurum Cider Co., which makes it) comes to us from Dan Gordon, founder of Gordon Biersch. His first cider, it is pressed from Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious varieties. As ciders go, Wildcide is decidedly not wild and is instead…
Review: Jefferson’s Reserve Groth Reserve Cask Finish Bourbon
Jefferson’s latest release is this limited edition — a standard bourbon that is finished in wine barrels from the Groth winery, which makes a high-end Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s no age statement on this one, only the promise on the label that it is “very old” Kentucky straight bourbon. (Update: Jefferson’s Reserve says the base whiskey is at…
Review: Matthews 1812 House Bourbon Desserts
Bourbon’s not just for drinking — the good folks at Matthews 1812 House are putting it to good use in all manner of desserts. Recently we received some delights from the company, all made with an infusion of bourbon. The Bourbon Blondie Bar ($32) is easily the highlight — a very rich, very dense blondie infused with…
Review: HKB Baijiu
Pundits love to pontificate about “what’s next” in the world of whatever it is they’re experts about. When it comes to spirits, one word is increasingly bubbling up to the top: Baijiu. Baijiu is a Chinese distillate of fermented sorghum, though other grains like rice and wheat are sometimes used, depending on where it is…
