Racer 5 India Pale Ale

Had first w/Neil (also in California from bevmo)

best. "regular". ipa. ever.

this is the gold standard. hands down.

Kwak

Y'know, just wasn't that impressed. wasn't much there.

had @ the BBC and previously

Ommegang Three Philosophers Ale

part of Ommegang variety pack

You can definitely sense the kriek without getting the cherry - very well balanced overall. Full flavoured, tasty. Rolls around nicely on the tongue. Definitely something to drink on its own.

Piraat

multiple times around the city

love it! orange! tasty! noms noms!

La Chouffe

$9/draft BBC

tasty - very hazy (there wasa a mirror phrase on the back pf the glass but it was too thick to see through to there?). "coriander" on the nose - didn't get it, but perhaps in a different setting

Grimbergen Dubbel

$7/draft BBC

it's tasty, but thin

Poudou 2008 Carignan

$6.99/astor

it's fantastic! tasty, deep, good with food.

 

Color: Red
Vintage: 2008
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Sub Region: Coteaux de Peyriac
Producer: La Tour Boisée
Grape Variety:  Carignan

The Wolftrap 2008 Syrah Mourvedre Viognier

$10.99/union square wines (FD)

very well balanced, perfect with marinated skirt steak. light tannins, easy going well still being quite full. not exactly the most exciting, but friendly

Zweigelt, Dürnberg Falkensteiner Rieden - NV

8.99/LTR/astor

Color: Red
Vintage: NV
Country: Austria
Region: Lower Austria
Producer: Weingut Dürnberg
Grape Variety:  Zweigelt

very easy - not particularly memorable, but definitely a good party red.

Teatro 2009 Chardonnay

Mendoza, Argentina, $6.99/astor

baked apples on the noise - it's not well balanced. a bit too high acidity, and unlikely to be food friendly. reasonably enjoyable on its own.

D'Violon 2008 Cotes du Rhone

$7.99 @ cork&bottle

not a kick in the face kind of cotes du rhone - really not much to think about, but does a good stew justice.

does not last past 1 day int hef ridge -- got very strange aromas and taste (metallic?) afterwards

Mandolin 2008 Pinot Noir

jee & mark brought up for osso buco night

it's very... high? sharp? completely opp of barbaresco.

Villadoria Serralunga d'Alba 2005 Barbaresco

$21.99/cork and bottle

had w/osso buco chez moi

didn't stand out in particular - might have been a bit too young

Fleur du Cap 2007 Pinotage

Delicious! Had it at jee's place w/korean food

bought for $14.99(?)/cork and bottle

Evans & Tate 2006 Sauvignon Blanc

completely uninteresting / too sharp =/

$6.99/astor

Excelsior 2006 Shiraz

Kind of blah

$5.99/astor

Xingu Brazilian Black Beer

kind of sweet, smooth, very different from anything I've had before.

First tried at Brewtopia 2009, also had at Sigiri (BYOB), $10 or something from whole foods for 6pk

ReLeaf 2007

Click any of the links to view more:

Color: Red
Vintage: 2007
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Grape Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Shiraz

Very tannic-y, definitely needed to breathe for a bit. Not particularly special either way

Two Oceans 2007 Pinotage

Ah, well it's alright

Two Oceans 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

A good mix of acidity and fruit flavor - definitely alot of "tropical" fruit notes. Delicious!

Had in S. Africa for like, 20 rands or something. Great w/fish

Fonseca Porto Bin no. 27

Mrm, it's pretty alright- decent. Doesn't stand out in any way

Oracle 2008 Pinotage

Fantastic! A little less "musky"? than other pinotages I've had in the past - really it's own animal. Would be great with steaks and grilled meats.

$5.99/astor

Oracle 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

Mrm. It's kind of off. Takes a day to mellow out, but it's still rather sharp and doesn't bring anything

Western Cape, South Africa

$6.99/astor

Man Pinotage 2007

Coastal South Africa

quite good! a little less tannic-y, more approachable, very food friendly. a little on the sweet side, but no problems

had at madiba in fort greene, $30