Review: Goral Vodka
With its bottle design seemingly inspired by Sputnik, all chrome and curves and black and red lettering, you may be forgiven for assuming Goral Vodka hails from Russia. Not so, it’s Slovakian, where distiller Jan Krak says he has “dedicated his entire life” to mastering the creation of vodka. Goral is farily traditional in construct:…
Review: 2012 Bootleg Red Wine Napa County
Another Jackson Family Wines limited edition bottling, this one made by winemaker Brian Kosi, Bootleg is primarily a Napa blend of 36% Merlot, 28% Petite Sirah, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, and 4% Zinfandel — with a little Pope Valley fruit in there. Closed off at first, this 2012 bottling features aromas of blackberry and…
Tasting the Wines of Angela Velenosi, 2015 Releases
Angela Velenosi works the Le Marche region of Italy, east of Tuscany, to produce a fantastic assortment of wines bottled under the Velenosi Vini banner (also look for “Villa Angela” on the label). I couldn’t attend a lunch with her to taste through her wines, but she was kind enough to send a collection of…
Review: Old York Cellars NV Merlot and 2013 Sweet Riesling
Yes Virginia, they make wine in Virginia. Also New Jersey, where you’ll find Old York Cellars. These wines make for an interesting introduction to the styles you’ll find on the other coast. We tasted along with the winery during a web-based event. Thoughts follow. NV Old York Cellars Merlot – Nonvintage merlot, a distant cousin…
Review: William Grant New Releases 2015 – Girvan No. 4, 25 Years Old, 30 Years Old, Kininvie 23 Years Old, Annasach 25 Years Old, and Ghosted Reserve 21 Years Old
William Grant is the home of Glenfiddich and Balvenie, two of the biggest name in single malt whisky. But lately the Grants have been pushing some of their lesser-known offerings, including new bottlings from lesser known malt shops like Kininvie, single grain whisky from Girvan, and limited edition blends. Over a recent lunch, the company…
Review: 2010 Cenyth
Cenyth is a Sonoma County bottling from Jackson Family Wines, a Bordeaux style wine that offers a wildly different composition every year. For 2010 it’s 54% merlot, 34% cabernet franc, and 12% cabernet sauvignon. This wine is drinking very old – it feels like something from the turn of the century, not just five years…
Review: Corbin Cash Sweet Potato Liqueur
California-based Corbin makes a respectable vodka out of sweet potatoes. But you know what else you can make out of sweet potatoes? Sweet potato liqueur. That’s right folks, if you didn’t get enough yams-‘n’-marshmallows on Thanksgiving, now you can drink it right down in alcohol form and not feel so bloated at the end of…
Review: Crispin “15 Men” Blended Hard Cider Rum Cask Aged
Crispin’s latest limited edition cider is made from Colfax apple wine, aged in dark rum casks, and finished with wildflower honey and “dark candi syrup” — a fancy type of caramel that’s usually used in beermaking. What does the name mean? It comes from Treasure Island, meant to evoke pirates and buried treasure — and rum,…
