Rob Theakston

Rob Theakston is a contributing editor to Drinkhacker.

Review: Wines of Gil Family Estates, 2023 Releases

By Rob Theakston | June 22, 2023 |

Over the course of a century, the family of Juan Gil Giménez has very quietly established themselves as a family dynasty in Spanish wine lore, spanning over four generations and expanding to nearly a dozen brand names and more vineyards than one cares to count. With no signs of slowing down any time soon, it…

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Summer Cocktail Recipes from the Drinkhacker Staff

By Rob Theakston | June 16, 2023 |

Since receiving a copy of Backcountry Cocktails in the mail a few weeks ago, I have been obsessed with one of the recipes found book’s middle pages that is slightly off the traveled mixology trail (see below for the details). It is proving a delightful alternative to a nightly glass of wine and, along with…

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Review: 2022 Domaine Bousquet Alavida Malbec

By Rob Theakston | June 15, 2023 |

Alavida is a wine carrying an impressive roll call of health-conscious bona fides. More specifically, it’s USDA-certified organic, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher. Quite a bit of effort goes into the production of this Malbec. Grapes are harvested from the higher-altitude vineyards of Domaine Bousquet’s estate and must be high in acidity as there is no…

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Review: 2020 Graffinga Glorious Selection Malbec

By Rob Theakston | June 14, 2023 |

No matter the subject, anytime “glorious” is interjected into a product’s brand name, hopes are elevated rather highly that it will live up to its intended promise. What’s more accurate, however, is the label on this wine’s declaration that it is a “wine of character for those who embrace their own.” You’ll find no argument…

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Review: 2018 Bodegas Valdemar Conde Valdemar Crianza

By Rob Theakston | June 13, 2023 |

With Father’s Day right around the bend, some fatherly types might indulge in a nice snifter of bourbon from Kentucky, a dram of from Islay, or just a plain old beer from the craft brewery or gas station around the corner. However, if you’re looking for something for the dad who likes a bit of…

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Review: 2019 San Pedro 1865 Selected Vineyards Carmenere

By Rob Theakston | June 12, 2023 |

To think of Chilean red wine is to think of Carménère, one of the country’s most popular, if not the preeminent grape used in the nation’s winemaking enterprise. Originally indigenous to Bordeaux, the varietal has thrived internationally since the late 19th century and is used with little frequency in its country of origin. Thankfully, Chile…

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Book Review: Backcountry Cocktails: Civilized Drinks for Wild Places

By Rob Theakston | June 11, 2023 |

I am generally not one for an adventurous life in the great outdoors. When discussing the splendid pursuits of natural environments with someone evangelical about its numerous benefits, I often reach for Frank Zappa’s quote: “Outdoors for me is walking from the car to the ticket desk at the airport.” Folks will either sail right…

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Book Review: The Ice Book: Cool Cubes, Clear Spheres, and Other Chill Cocktail Crafts

By Rob Theakston | June 10, 2023 |

Switching from 2022’s remarkable volume on doctors and distillation, Camper English sets his sites on writing the ultimate book about one of his passions: ice. Readers of his long-running site Alcademics know this to be one of his biggest areas of study, and The Ice Book takes some of the ideas found in some of…

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Review: Wines of Domaine Bousquet, Spring 2023 Releases

By Rob Theakston | May 16, 2023 |

Having experienced double-digit growth in production, sales, and a rather aggressive diversification of its portfolio, Uco Valley’s Domaine Bousquet continues to amplify its voice in the conversation of wines from Argentina. Over a recent webinar, vineyard owner Anne Bousquet and lead winemaker Rodrigo Serrano presented an overview of current winery operations and sustainability measures while…

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Review: Cameron Hughes 2018 Lot 883 Cabernet Franc Napa Valley and 2020 Lot 820 Gavi Piemonte

By Rob Theakston | May 12, 2023 |

Another pair of releases from the negociants of Cameron Hughes. For those unfamiliar with the premise behind Cameron Hughes’ operations, it’s quite simple: they (Cameron or some delegates) travel the world sourcing a wide range of wines from vineyards, bringing them to market under their own label at financially feasible price points. This time around,…

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