Reviews of wines and beers and etc that I've tried - just my personal notes

Friday, April 25, 2008

Barefoot Chardonnay 2003

really cheap, from trader joe's

the scent has a bit of off-vinegar feel, which is throwing me off. but otherwise its a standard very fruity chardonnay. definitely some pear/apple.
goes down fresh and fruity, just the tiniest bit of sweetness, nice full flavors at the back of your throat.
actually very pleasantly surprised from the taste, the scent was foreboding, but its a very pleasant late-mid taste. not a difficult wine, will match with alot of food pairings. will probably become a staple in the house

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Brooklyn Brewery Brown Ale

$10/6pack @ freshdirect

nice meaty yeasty scent

tastes just like it smells. really needs to be drank at higher than fridge temperature though, maybe closer to room temperature would work better

pretty decent, all around, a good brown ale. a little fizzy on the nose, and not the world's tastiest, but its fine

originally a 3, reappraisal gives it a 4

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Black Tower Rivaner 2005

$6.99 from MVL

its fruity, pretty sweet, a very easy (if not too complex) drink. went great with fondue, probably good all summer
could become a standby if i can find it around here

Monday, April 21, 2008

Burley Fox Shiraz

Australia
$16/bottle (4 season // internet)
had at eric's

not too bad, a bit lighter/sweeter than the jindalee, but still got the great burst of flavor

Dogfish 120 IPA

$9/12oz bottle in Boston
from Neil
delaware berwery

wow! talk about intense -- rich dessert-ish flavor. very yeasty, very complex. however, really can't drink much of this at once - don't tihnk i can even drink 1 by myself. though at $9/12oz and 20% alcohol (that equals 4 shots), perhaps thats a good thing

Sunday, April 20, 2008

FRV 100 Sparkling Gamay Wine

$19.99 @ chamber street wines
tried @ earth day organic wines tasting @ le cercle rouge (chamber street wines sponsored)

Terres Dorées FRV 100 Sparkling Gamay de Jean Paul Brun 2005

Rose

http://winegeeks.com/wines/1063

Wow! Amazing! Just simply perfect -- slightly sweet, yummy

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Seven Terraces 2005 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

13% alcohol
17.99 list, $7.99 @ warehouse

New Zealand Marlborough region

got a nice grassy taste to it
i didn't chill it enough -- i think these have to be alot colder.
but there's something weird at the back of the throat going down, that's a bit like vomit/acidic
i think its a little too mellow, not enough acidity

probably wouldn't get again

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Rosemont Estate Traimer Reisling

$5.99 from MVL

very strong yellow-ish color. very pleasant fruity (and slightly floral - like fruit blossoms) scent.

wow. didn't expect that. sweet, but not overly so -- exactly the right balance. crisp, nice balance with the sweetness -- , but a wonderful spicy/tasty finish. never goes flat!

delicioso!

Spaten Optimator

brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu (munich)
$11.49/6pack @ gristedes megastore

doppelbock 7% ABV

@ a firend's place, but was very delicious. wasn't chilled enough, and i couldn't really smell much from it, but the taste was superb.

Sam Adams White Ale

$8.99/6pk @ Freshdirect

y'know, i'm just simply not feeling this one. i can't detect anything terribly offensive about this, it just doesn't sit well with my stomach. and it doesn't taste of anything particularly good. this is sam adam's spring seasonal and the first sam adams i didn't like

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Sebeka Shiraz Pinotage "Cape Blend" 2007

South Africa, Western Cape
58% Shiraz
42% Pinotage

shiraz-y initial scent, with a hint of... iono. like tuna or something. comes out hella colorful from the bottle.

initial sweetness, full body, lingers in your mouth, but the alcohol burn goes to my nose pretty quickly.

its ok. pretty good all around, not the most complex, and the burning nose thing is bothering me a bit, but i do kind of like it. definitely would drink as a table wine

i'm *really* enjoying the scent. very fruity :)

Peak Organic Nut Brown Ale

Deliiicious! THen again, I like all nut brown ales. Just the perfect amount of body, nice heady aroma, and a very good taste. a good example of a nut brown ale.
$10/6pack @ freshdirect