Review: Wines of Chateau Tourril, 2016 Releases
A new arrival to the U.S. market, Chateau Tourril is a Languedoc-based winery based in Minervois. The operation relies primarily on traditional Rhone Valley grapes, though you’ll need to check the back label to see what’s inside each bottle: Tourril has a fanciful name for each of its bottlings that has nothing to do with…
Review: Sangre de Vida Tequila and Mezcal, Complete Lineup
So here’s the story. I hope I have all the facts correct. In 2009, Grace Kim Brandi founded of L.A.-based Elements Spirits, which makes KAH Tequila and packages it in unmistakable skull decanters, hand painted to honor the Mexican Dia de los Muertos. Elements was sued by the people that make Crystal Head Vodka, which…
Review: 2014 The Clambake Unoaked Chardonnay Mendocino
This is a pleasant Mendocino chardonnay, unaged in oak, in the traditional style of Mendocino and Anderson County. Surprisingly creamy at first, the wine quickly segues into strong citrus, some tropical notes, and a dusting of rosemary and sage on the finish. Nicely balanced but a tad herbal on its own, it pairs particularly well with…
Review: Michter’s US-1 Barrel Strength Straight Rye 2016
Michter’s is back with its second barrel strength rye, which is a higher-proof rendition of its US-1 Single Barrel Rye. The interesting thing about this rye: It goes into barrel at just 103 proof. 125 entry proof is standard; 105 proof is used sometimes, but 103 is quite on the low side. Hot on the…
Review: Glen Oak Single Malt Whiskies – 10, 17, and 30 Years Old
Today we’re looking at a collection of single malt Scotch whiskies from our friends at Branded Spirits. This whisky is bottled under the brand of Glen Oak, which isn’t an actual distillery — in fact, the various bottlings of Glen Oak are sourced from two different distilleries, in two different regions of the country, but all of…
Review: Starr Hill King of Hop Series 2016, The Hook, Daily Grind, and Sublime
A whopping seven new releases from Starr Hill, including a series of four IPAs which are variations on the theme, bottled under the “King of Hop” moniker. Let’s dig in… Starr Hill King of Hop Imperial IPA 2016 – The base IPA, dry hopped with a variety of American hops and pumped up to the full,…
Review: Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection – Infrared Light Wave Experiments
Never one to shy away from wacky experiments, Buffalo Trace’s latest bourbon has gone straight off the reservation. The trick this time? Exposing barrels to infrared light waves before giving them a light char. Eight barrels total were made, four irradiated for 15 minutes, four for 30 minutes. The full details are wonky and intricate.…
Review: Frank Family Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay and 2013 Zinfandel
Frank Family’s spring releases are upon us. Thoughts on two new wines follow. 2014 Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros – A traditional chardonnay but a very well made one, loaded with fresh fruit up front, but tempered with brown butter, vanilla, and a touch of cloves. The body is bold, the finish lengthy, the overall wine…
