Ganbei!

Wellington 2006 Zinfandel

2011-03-06T11:28:00.003-05:00

from woot wine $139.99/12pk
http://wine.woot.com/Forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=4354293

meeks hilltop ranch
2006 sonoma valley zinfandel

needs a lot of time to decant. but delicous. not just food friendly -- adds "to" food.

Tuesday Night Red

2011-02-05T15:07:00.001-05:00

Producer:
Tuesday Night
Style:
Dry
Varietal:
Red Blend
Region:
Chile - Curico Valley

Alcohol %:
14%
Bottle Volume:
750ml

Terrible! It's like grape juice

D'ontspille le black 2009 Pinot Noir

2011-02-05T15:05:00.001-05:00

http://wine.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=14543

@ pd's

a good pinot noir, imminently drinkable - but not particularly praiseworthy

Russian Jack Sauvignon Blanc

2011-02-05T15:02:00.002-05:00

Russian Jack, Sauvignon Blanc - 2009
Item # 21980 | (750)mL

Color: White
Vintage: 2009
Country: New Zealand
Region: North Island
Sub Region: Martinborough
Producer: Russian Jack
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Click any of the links to view more

$12.96 from astor

was at first disappointed b/c it wasn't styled in the classic marlborough sense. its off-dry, and took a bit to get used to. that said, it was actually pretty delicious with spiced wontons, and a very easy sipper (esp. in summer).

Harpoon Cider

2010-07-31T13:32:00.001-04:00

nom! best apple cider I've had - juuust sweet enough. pure and simple, simply can't ask for more.

Roadhouse Winery 2008 Russian River Valley Zinfandel

2010-07-31T13:25:00.002-04:00

Wow. Just wow. http://www.roadhousewinery.com/roadhouse/catalog/view_product.jsp?product_id=1004&cat_id=1
(paul brought over -originally from wine woot).

Spicy, well rounded, smooth smooth velvet tannins. had with rosemary lamb chops & mashed potatoes w/creamy cannelini beans and leeks. amaazing. had the next day by itself. still amazing!

my idea of the perfect zinfandel

Elysian Fields BiFrost

2010-07-26T03:43:00.001-04:00

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/700/14383

had on tap @ Elysian brewpub in capitol hill, seattle

not exciting. just decent

Kassik's Caribou Kilt (Strong Scotch Style)

2010-07-26T03:41:00.001-04:00

had at humpy's http://www.humpys.com/beer.html# in downtown anchorage (fantastic selection!)

Caribou Kilt (Strong Scotch Style) ABV 8.5%
Our 2008 World Beer Cup bronze metal winner.
”Make sure your kilt is cinched up tight! This is surprisingly smooth, wonderful malt flavor Strong
Scotch Ale coming in at a hefty 8.5%.
Strong Scotch Style is also known as a “wee heavy” with a ABV between 6.5% - 10%.

Alaska Summer Ale

2010-07-26T03:39:00.001-04:00

http://www.alaskanbeer.com/our-brew/seasonal-beers/summer-ale.html

had @ ANC airport

mrm. they forgot to add taste.

Alaska Amber

2010-07-26T03:37:00.001-04:00

pretty standard, but completely inoffensive

http://www.alaskanbeer.com/amber.html

Midnight Sun - Rumbah, Double Bock

2010-07-26T03:36:00.001-04:00

http://midnightsunbrewing.com/beer_9CBrumbah.php

RUMBAH
Double Rum Bock
10.0 % Alcohol By Volume
30 International Bittering Units (IBUs

interesting - recommended by grape expectations in downtown anchorage (awesome microbrew selection). tasty and complex

Txakolina, Xarmant - 2008

2010-07-26T03:33:00.002-04:00

Had this at Desnuda a couple years ago w/ceviche and oysters. just fantastic!

Txakolina, Xarmant - 2008
Item # 17241 | (750)mL

Color: White
Vintage: 2008
Country: Spain
Producer: Xarmant
Grape Variety: Hondarribi Zurri

Click any of the links to view more

http://www.astorwines.com/SearchResultsSingle.aspx?p=1&search=17241&searchtype=Contains

Sirio Cerasuolo, San Lorenzo 2009

2010-06-13T22:31:00.001-04:00

Sirio Cerasuolo, San Lorenzo - 2009
Item # 23090 | (750)mL

Color: Rosé
Vintage: 2009
Country: Italy
Region: Abruzzi
Producer: San Lorenzo
Grape Variety: Montepulciano

its a bit sour (too much acidity?), but a good food wine, and overall, respectable.

Smoking Loon 2008 Pinot Noir

2010-04-14T10:41:00.001-04:00

very tasty - *very* easy to drink. beautiful garnet with lots of clarity. noms

$8 on sale from cork and bottle. should probably pick up a couple more while it’s still on sale

VARIETAL Pinot Noir
APPELLATION California
ALCOHOL 13.5%
PH 3.69
TA 0.59 mg/L
UPC 0 17444 00075 6

Domaine Sautereau Sancerre Cotes de Reigny 2008

2010-04-14T10:39:00.001-04:00

$18 from cork and bottle

eh, it’s alright. a little spendy for a tad of “metal” taste at the end.

Category
White Wine

Varietal
Sauvignon Blanc

Region
France : Loire Valley : Sancerre

Producer
Domaine Sautereau

Cabernet Sauvignon, Colli Vicentini - 2008

2010-03-21T20:46:00.001-04:00

Well, you get what you pay for. on the other hand, sometimes you just need to make buckets of sangria

Color: Red
Vintage: 2008
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Producer: Colli Vicentini
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Bottle Price: $5.99 $3.99

Chardonnay, Colli Vicentini - 2008

2010-03-21T20:45:00.001-04:00

Color: White
Vintage: 2008
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Producer: Colli Vicentini
Grape Variety: Chardonnay

Bottle Price: $5.99 $3.99

Well, you get what you pay for. on the other hand, sometimes you just need to make buckets of sangria

Gran Sarao Brut Cava - NV

2010-03-21T20:42:00.003-04:00

Color: White
Vintage: NV
Country: Spain
Region: Penedès
Producer: Gran Sarao
Grape Variety: Macabeo Parellada Xarel-lo

Eh. Plain & just a touch too sweet. it's bubbly, the end

$9.99 from astor

Les Quatre Tours "Signature" Red - 2007

2010-03-21T20:42:00.001-04:00

Color: Red
Vintage: 2007
Country: France
Region: Provence
Producer: Les 4 Tours
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah

Bottle Price: $14.99 (sale)8.99

From Astor

Not bad really - wasn't expecting much, but its musty/structured/fruity/balanced - good by itself but would really shine with food

Cristalino Brut Cava

2010-03-21T20:39:00.001-04:00

REGION: Spain › Penedes

GRAPE: Macabeo, Xarel-Lo, Parellada

IMPORTER: Martin Scott

ALCOHOL: 11.5%

Fantastic. great balance, tasty and dry dry, with just enough mustiness. perfect

8.99 from FD, 7.99 on astor.

Marquis de la Tour Brut

2010-03-21T20:37:00.001-04:00

Again, too plain and sweet! 8.99 from FD

REGION: France › Loire Valley

GRAPE: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

IMPORTER: Palm Bay International

ALCOHOL: 11%

Marquis de la Tour Brut Rose NV

2010-03-21T20:36:00.001-04:00

Uh, too plain and sweet for me. $8.99 from FD

REGION: France › Loire Valley

GRAPE: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

IMPORTER: Palm Bay Inernational

ALCOHOL: 11%

Castel Lager

2010-03-21T20:34:00.001-04:00

Kombolcha Brewery, Ethiopia

had with dinner @ dukem in washington dc

eh, it's a little sweet and not super tasty. unoffensive though

Hakim Stout

2010-03-21T20:32:00.001-04:00

ethiopian, had with dinner @ dukem on U str in washington dc

Harar Beer Factory

liked quite a bit - its a little strangely sweet, but very tasty overall and thought it was great over dinner.

Gruet NV Brut

2010-02-15T16:36:00.001-05:00

New Mexico! $12.99 from FD (on sale)

extremely dry. very friendly food sparkly, but i wouldn't like it by itself

Chandon Blanc de Noirs

2010-02-15T16:35:00.001-05:00

$15.99 @ cork and bottle

delicious! full, great value, extremely good by itself

2007 Domaine du Salvard - Cheverny

2010-02-15T16:31:00.001-05:00

w/dinner @ mercer kitchen

deliciousness! very aromatic, pineapples, and a fullness in taste

VdP de Pays d'Oc Cabernet Sauvignon Goichot 2007

2010-01-28T02:37:00.001-05:00

too slight. not great for a steak. too thin and flavor one dimensional

$9.99 @ Astor

Torrontes "Plata", La Rioja 2009

2010-01-28T02:35:00.001-05:00

delicious! dry and extremely aromatic. taste not too slight.

$7.99 @ Astor

Bandit 2008 Pinot Grigio

2010-01-28T02:33:00.001-05:00

wow! it's tasty. extremely easy to drink, especially by itself (not as much a food wine). but the tetrapack is great and convenient, and the wine follows.

$7.99/1L @ Astor

Petit Amour 2008 VdP de Vaucluse

2010-01-28T02:32:00.001-05:00

Red, France Vin de Pays

food friendly red wine - just enough tannins, acid but a thin mouth feel and just slightly boring. good to have around perhaps

$4.99 @ Astor

Ouro Verde 2008 Vinho Verde

2010-01-28T02:26:00.001-05:00

used as cooking wine in fondue -- waaay too acidic. just didn't go well

extremely sparky by itself. light and refreshing, could be quite good on a hot day.

$6.99 @ freshdirect

Eyrie Vineyards 2006 Pinot Blanc

2010-01-28T02:09:00.001-05:00

brought over by a dinner party guest

complex and delicious - musty, full of flavour.

Epicuro 2007 Aglianico

2010-01-22T20:37:00.001-05:00

it was 5.99 or something at tj's

i did not like. it's got a little bit of the jammy raisin thing going on - too sweet. in fact, really just overpoweringly sweet

Zarafa 2009 Pinotage

2010-01-22T20:34:00.001-05:00

3.99 at tj's - really can't argue with that price

it's not a bad pinotage. one-note, but it's not a bad note. not as "rustic" as i like my pinotages, but it works just fine

also, my first 2009. oof

Racer 5 India Pale Ale

2009-11-18T23:56:00.001-05:00

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

best. "regular". ipa. ever.

this is the gold standard. hands down.

Kwak

2009-11-18T23:53:00.001-05:00

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

had @ the BBC and previously

Ommegang Three Philosophers Ale

2009-11-18T23:52:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-18T23:50:00.001-05:00

multiple times around the city

love it! orange! tasty! noms noms!

La Chouffe

2009-11-18T23:49:00.001-05:00

$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

2009-11-18T23:48:00.001-05:00

$7/draft BBC

it's tasty, but thin

Poudou 2008 Carignan

2009-11-18T23:42:00.001-05:00

$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

2009-11-18T19:19:00.002-05:00

$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

2009-11-15T18:20:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-13T17:39:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-13T17:37:00.001-05:00

$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

2009-11-10T00:19:00.001-05:00

jee & mark brought up for osso buco night

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

Villadoria Serralunga d'Alba 2005 Barbaresco

2009-11-10T00:18:00.001-05:00

$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

2009-11-08T19:48:00.001-05:00

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

bought for $14.99(?)/cork and bottle

Evans & Tate 2006 Sauvignon Blanc

2009-11-08T19:33:00.001-05:00

completely uninteresting / too sharp =/

$6.99/astor

Excelsior 2006 Shiraz

2009-11-08T19:32:00.001-05:00

Kind of blah

$5.99/astor

Xingu Brazilian Black Beer

2009-11-08T19:29:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-08T19:28:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-08T19:26:00.001-05:00

Ah, well it's alright

Two Oceans 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

2009-11-08T19:25:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-08T18:56:00.001-05:00

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

Oracle 2008 Pinotage

2009-11-08T18:55:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-08T18:52:00.001-05:00

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

2009-11-08T18:51:00.001-05:00

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

2009-10-02T16:03:00.001-04:00

Aleatico from Elba

had at Marea w/Gianduja (hazelnut and fior di latte gelato)

oogooggmgmm nom

USQ 3rd birthday bash tasting

2009-05-31T14:04:00.001-04:00

particular standouts

lieb family cellars NV bridge lane cabernet france (north fork, long island)

Benito Ferrara 2007 Aglianico "Passo del Lupo" (Campania, Italy)

Fratelli Revello 2007 Dolcetoo d'Alba (Piedmont, Italy)

Scholium Project 2008 Riquewhir Lost Slough Vineyards (California) - really quite somethin'

Fuccawee Family Vineyards 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

Chauteau Cazal Viel 2007 Saint Chinian Cuvee des Fees

Colosi 2006 Rosso (Sicily, Italy) - only affordable one

USQ Wines Mother's Day Preview

2009-05-12T00:50:00.001-04:00

5/9/09

Standouts I liked

Willm 2007 Gewurztraminer Reserve (Alsace, France) 13.59 - lychee lychee

Duval-Leroy NV Brut Champagne (Vertue, France) 35.99 - nutty

Duval-Leroy 1996 Femme Brut Champagne (Vertus, France) 71.99 (350mL) - very fungal... amazing

Domaine Guillard 2004 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru les Corbeaux (Burgundy, France) - wow. smoke!

Uninteresting

Chateau Lamothe de Haux 2008 Grand vin Blanc (Bordeaux, France)

Villa Jolanda NV Prosecco (Veneto, Italy)

Domaine Durand 2007 Sancerre (Loire Valley, France)

Ch. des Ducs 2005 Bordeaux

2009-05-11T23:14:00.001-04:00

Bordeaux Superieur 9.99 @ astor 2005

its fantastic! vvery well balanced. had w/steak. smooth and full of flavour.

Wellies Sauvignon Blanc

2009-05-10T13:35:00.001-04:00

$9.99 @ astor

delicious! a superb very approachable, easy, but distinctly new zealand sauvignon blanc. staple

Cape Indaba 2008 Chenin Blanc

2009-05-10T13:33:00.003-04:00

there's something slightly salt-water, brackish unfortunately.

its dry, and definitely could go with food.

South African Spring Safari Tasting

2009-05-10T13:33:00.001-04:00

Raats 2008 Chenin Blanc $10.39

Raats 2007 Estate Chenin Blanc $22.39

Raats 2007 Estate Cabernet Franc $29.59

Mulderbosch 2008 Sauvignon Blanc

Rudi Shultz 2004 Syrah $27.99

(none of the above were particularly interesting)

Kanonkop 2006 Estate Pinotage $31.99 - delicious! very pinotage-y tasting

De Toren 2005 Fusion V $39.99 - wow. chocolate chocolate smooth smooth chocolate. fantastic

Klein Constantia 2004 Vin de Constance - $43.99 lychee lychee l

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

2009-05-10T13:32:00.001-04:00

$10/6pk @ whole foods

home run! what a great well balanced beer. hoppy and bitter, but just the right amount so. tons of flavour, just buckets of flavour.

Smuttynose Really Old Brown Ale

2009-05-10T12:27:00.001-04:00

$6/12oz @ ginger man

very tasty smooth, though slightly overly sweet -- it tasted alot higher abv than it was. quite enjoyable.

Evans & Tate Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

2009-04-30T21:05:00.001-04:00

Color: Red
Vintage: 2005
Country: Australia
Region: Western Australia
Sub Region: Margaret River
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

$8.99 part of top 10 under 10 april

alot lighter than expected -- kind of tastes like what if aussies made cabernet sauvignon. chocolate and fruit scented, like a shiraz but less spicy nose. its actually a little thin, but with decent tannins in the back. naturally, inexhaustively drinkable.

Marqués de Cáceres, Blanco - 2007

2009-04-30T21:01:00.001-04:00

Color: White
Vintage: 2007
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Grape Variety: Viura

$7.99 from astor

must be *very very* cold. stuffed it into the freezer and then it was perfect, smooth, dry - oh so dry. like hemingway. otherwise not very good.

Kelso Pilsner

2009-04-24T03:46:00.001-04:00

had @ charlestown in wburg - $5 pint w/free pizza nom.

delicious! great full flavour and refreshing.

USQ Wines Pinot Parade

2009-04-06T00:22:00.001-04:00

4/4/09 @ USQ

Calera 2006 Pinot Noir (Central Cost, CA)- *shrug*

Au Bon Climate 2007 Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County, CA)- easy

Montinore Estate 2007 Pinot Noir (Willamette, OR) - hallo acidity! can deifnitely see this with seafood. a big of a lemon pucker

Talley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir (Arroyo Grande Valley, CA) - FANTASTIC! Amazing light and balanced flavour. Nom nom nom.

W.H. Smith 2006 (Sonoma Coast, CA) - *shrug*

Ponzi Vineyards 2007 Rosato Pinot Noir Rose (Willamette Valley, OR) - a fantastic crisp and dry rose. very clean and refreshing.

Hinman Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir (Oregon) - thin

Praxis 2007 Pinot Noir (Monterey, CA) - thin

Plowbuster 2006 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR) - *shrug*

Trapiche 2008 Pinot Noir (Mendoza, Argentina) - nom nom. very different, a bit darker, heavier, jammier, than the lighter styles that had been at the tasting. quite delicious though

Flying Horse Royal Lager

2009-04-05T22:37:00.001-04:00

had with dinner @ Vatan w/the DIHL

as indian beers/macrolagers go, it's really not horrible. light, just a tiny bit shy of crisp, innocuous taste. had with fiery hot gujarati food and i'm really not convinced its the best match (then again, what could be besides a calming lassi?)

Sam Adams Double Bock

2009-04-05T22:34:00.001-04:00

Had on draft @ Ginger Man

it was just awful. recommended by the bartender over the climax doppelbock, but easily the saddest bock i've had before. it was *very* sweet, infuriatingly so. had an off-taste in the back. i'm falling out of my infatuation with sam adams :/.

Southampton Secret Ale

2009-04-03T19:43:00.001-04:00

Brewed by:
Southampton Publick House
New York, United States
Style | ABV
Altbier | 5.10% ABV

had @ becky's. asked the waitress what kind of beer it was, to which she answered, "it's a local darker ale." which is basically what the label said, except secret means... darker. very helpful.

anyhow, it was decent. nothing spectacular. i figure its a brown ale or something, but a fairly bland version of one

Church Brew Works Sleigh Wrecker

2009-04-03T19:40:00.001-04:00

Brewed by:
Church Brew Works
Pennsylvania, United States
Style | ABV
Winter Warmer | 7.00% ABV

wasn't super thrilled. it was definitely drinkable, just indistinguishable

Atwater Voodoo Vator

2009-04-03T19:38:00.001-04:00

had on tap @ spuyten duyvil

Brewed by:
Atwater Block Brewery
Michigan, United States
Style | ABV
Doppelbock | 9.50% ABV

it was good! fantastic; my favourite bock so far. great clarity of flavour and just the right amount of backbone. nom.

Don Q Grand Añejo Rum

2009-03-25T02:12:00.001-04:00

had at the don q tasting facility by the docks in old san juan, puerto rico. very small shopfront... thought it would be more! ah well, it was decent. definitely not something i would buy at $45/bottle. lacking flavour, but the finish was long, nutty, with a bit of burnt molasses.

Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

2009-03-25T02:08:00.001-04:00

had at bar near san juan international airport (called "buffalo wings"... strangely enough, had the best beer selection, and crowd, in San Juan. all were northern california craft breweries) was only $5/glass; you can't get it for that much around here... came way too cold, and the waitress could only describe it as "some russian beer" 9% abv its a solid russian imperial stout; though quite honestly, I don't think I've ever met a Russian Imperial Stout I didn't enjoy

Blue Star Wheat Beer

2009-03-25T02:07:00.001-04:00

had at bar near san juan international airport (called "buffalo wings"... strangely enough, had the best beer selection, and crowd, in San Juan. all were northern california craft breweries) this is fantastic. not too "wheaty", with just the right type of body for the flavouring. quite enjoyed this. 4.5% abv, from north coast brewing http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/beer-BlueStar.htm

Radeberger Pilsner

2009-03-25T02:05:00.001-04:00

had this a couple times in new york, i think at lorelei. also had in puerto rico, from a random liquor store in fajardo. i don't remember initially thinking this was a particularly special pilsner, but right after medalla lights, this was f'ing fantastic! tasty, nutty, yet refreshing. a good all around pils

Medalla Light

2009-03-25T02:03:00.001-04:00

as light beers go (really, 98cal?), its really quite good. goes down easy and has an inoffensive taste. semi-OD'd on this in puerto rico though. its great until you have a sip of a real beer (radeberger in our case). then you just start crying.

Joel Gott 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

2009-03-25T02:01:00.001-04:00

9/glass @ flex mussels

wow. talk about not working with mussels (o_x;

Smithwick's Irish Ale

2009-03-19T00:04:00.001-04:00

irish red ale, 4.5% abv

g & p brought over for st paddy's day celebrations

well... mrm, its not terrible but it does kind of taste like a macro lager version of an ale.

La Burgette 2007 Beaujolais-Villages

2009-03-19T00:02:00.001-04:00

7.99 at astor

Color: Red
Vintage: 2007
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Sub Region: Beaujolais
Grape Variety: Gamay

Fruity

very light transparent garnet colored

oof, that was unexpected. its got a firm backbone. not thick at all, but very dark bitter in the back. had with steak, it was good. not very tasty though. just too tannicy at the end of the day... a limited food wine

Peroni Lager

2009-03-08T00:50:00.003-05:00

had @ party.

wow.

tasteless.

yay macrolager.

Brooklyn Brewery IPA

2009-03-08T00:50:00.001-05:00

$9.49/6pk @ food empo (they have horrible selection but non-gorging prices)

its good, but not super exciting. nice and easy for a party.

Ch. Bonnet, Entre-Deux-Mers 2007 White Bordeaux

2009-03-06T13:52:00.001-05:00

$7.99 @ Astor (on sale)

Color: White
Vintage: 2007
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub Region: Entre-Deux-Mers
Grape Variety: Muscadelle Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon

Mrmm, nom nom. Had with chicken curry @ g's. worked quite well. been a while, so forgot the exact characteristics. it's good though.

Cantina Ronchi, Riviera 2006 Sangiovese

2009-02-23T20:44:00.001-05:00

$5.99 @ astor

well. it is easy, and dry, good for cooking (used in eggplant bucatini... ow, really feeling that in my stomach now). not bad for the price, and i can definitely see this with pizza or burgers. not great either tho.

Astor 2009 5th Annual Natural Wine Tasting

2009-02-23T20:40:00.001-05:00

Oh the sadness that is natural wine...

$15 event @ astor, saturday feb 21st, 2009

A good summary of the day:
A winemaker standing by her wares, picks up a bottle of white wine and dislodges a massive cloud of sediment that rises up to the top third of the bottle. We stare, slightly aghast. She hastens to explain how the wine is natural; something how regular wine has some kind of protein glue thing dipped into it during the wine-making process that gathers the sediment (I presume its some kind of agglomeration process?).

"And i don't know about you, but *i* don't want any proteins in my wine," she ends her speech, uneasily.
Four biologists stare back at her with that "let me see your primary data" look.

Most of the wines there had an off-odor or taste, especially the reds, that highly resembled gueuzes. Now, I'm not fond of gueuzes to begin with, but at the right acidity level, they're not bad. However, that sour yeast-lab-gone-wrong scent doesn't quite belong in my wine. Maybe proteins do instead.

Domaine Didier Monchovet (Cote de Nuits, Burgundy, France)
Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc, Monchovet 2007 - "tastes like rancidity"
Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Rouge, Monchovet 2005 - "easy like a chinatown hooker" - B

Comptoirs de Magdala (Provence, France)
La Chance, Escapade, Amourvedre - *shrug* unimpressed stick figures. something about how these are all made from one very specific type of grape

Le Loup Blanc (Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon, France)
Le Regal du Loup, Le Loup Blanc 2006 - (-_-) wtf?
Le Trois P'tits C, VdP Val de Cesse, Le Loup Blanc 2006 - >_<

Domaine Cousin-Leduc (Anjou, Loire, France)
Saumur Brut, Cousin-Leduc NV - dry. not exciting but drinkable o_O
Grolleau "Le Cousin", Cousin-Leduc NV - this wine has a mosquito opening a bottle of wine on the label. which is always a good sign. the 4 members of our party proclaimed
"musty"
"like rancid yeast"
"very assy"
"wet carpet"
Anjou "Pure Breton", Cousin-Leduc 2006 - smells the same as the mosquito of death, and we didn't dare try

Catherine and Dominique Derain (Burgundy, France)
"Allez Goutons" Vin de Table, Derain 2007 - "basically the soul of a lemon... their souls just happen to smell good"
"Chut Derain", Vin Mousseux Brut, Derain NV - "It's like, what if the soul of a lemon had seltzer in it."
Mercurey "La Plante Chassey", Derain 2004 - a pinot noir. well. we didn't die from drinking it.

Domaine Oudin
Chablis "Les Serres", Dom, Oudin 2006 - OK (high praise for the afternoon)
Chablis 1er Cru "Vaugiraut", Oudin 2006 - not special, not worth it

Domaine Binner (Alsace, France)
This winery was the single saving grace of the entire afternoon.
Cremant d'Alsace, Extra Brut, Binner 2004 - very dry. good, eh.
Riesling "Katzenthal" Binner 2004 - an amazingly earthy fungal riesling. I set off a chain reaction after exclaiming, "how wonderful would this be with mushroom risotto??"
B: "Oh my god. Mushroom risotto."
J1: "Wait, did someone just say mushroom risotto?"
J2: "Huh, did someone just say mushroom?"
Gewurztraminer, Binner 2005 - hallo jasmine perfume! very aromatic. quite different.

Natural wines = lose.

Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale

2009-02-22T19:55:00.001-05:00

smuttynose sampler

smells of pure malt but taste has alot of hops in it, clarifying clearnessw ith backend flavor. its good, but entirely the best brown ale, but altogether not bad and perhaps a good food pairing type brown ale (with something rustic... maybe even meat pies)

Echeverria 2008 Unwooded Chardonnay

2009-02-19T23:52:00.003-05:00

13% abv, 7.99% (on sale, norm 9.99) @ astor

very nice and clean/refreshing. i'm getting quite fond of these unoaked chardonnays. could do with more flavour though; very light.

Brooklyn Blunderbuss Old Ale

2009-02-19T23:52:00.001-05:00

draft @ david copperfield's

fantastic! great taste. actually unexpectedly sweet, but with the right amount of backend hops. solid and drinkable. nom

Mendocino Black Hawk Stout

2009-02-19T23:50:00.001-05:00

draft @ david copperfield's

uh... its weird. i mean, it doesn't taste bad, but it really does smell like putrid socks. not my cup of tea

Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale

2009-02-18T18:35:00.001-05:00

Lovely dark caramel color. sweet potato (the american orange kind) and caramel in the nose.

oof! bitter... wasn't expecting that. very upfront hops, but also one dimensional. very clean finish however. high "drinkability"; not my favorite, but definitely has its time and place (outside. summer)

Harpoon Munich Type Dark Beer

2009-02-16T23:28:00.001-05:00

5.6% abv part of harpoon variety pack

demerits for having an awkwardly named beer

otherwise a good mix of tasty/toasty malty with a hoppy zip . long lasting flavor without being too rich. nom.

Smuttynose IPA

2009-02-15T19:59:00.001-05:00

6.6% abv. nom nom.

sweet on the nose. wonderfully hoppy but not overly so, with a nice citrus taste. its probably my favorite (non-dogfish) ipa sthus far.

Dogfish Head Tasting Night

2009-02-15T12:30:00.001-05:00

@ Bar Great Harry, Tuesday 2/10/09 6-10pm http://www.bargreatharry.com/blog/?p=793

$3/4 for ~12oz. awesome prices.

5 Fort

I was surprisingly fond of this; not a big fruit beer person, but this perfectly captured fresh raspberries... while still being a beer.

4 Midas Touch Golden Elixer

very strong honey nose, light/sweet going down. i'm quite fond of this weird hybrid of mead/beer/etc.

3 Olde School Barleywine

its a barleywine! surprise! but its delicious.

5 Palo Santo Marron

delicioso! charred pumpkin goodness. its quite a unique brown ale

3 Pangea

weird and slightly confused

4 Red & White

interesting take on a witbier, all i remember is saying; smells like a yeast lab (not a bad thing. yeast labs smell awesome.)

3 World Wide Stout

its a little too big/thick for me. or i guess the problem was they only had bottles of these (12oz of 20% abv monsters).

5 60-Minute IPA

ah the classic; the only dogfish (well, perhaps i could do the 90 too) that i could drink more than 1 in a sitting

90-Minute IPA (via a DFH Randell filled with hops)

they were out by the time we got to it :(

Amstel Light

2009-02-15T11:10:00.001-05:00

3.5% abv

i mean... its better than bud light.

the end.

Lost Vineyards Argentina Merlot

2009-02-15T10:38:00.001-05:00

12.5% abv, 2.99/astor, no year

wow! talk about thin thin thin. the flavor itself isn't bad; just kind of generic. threw it into gluhwein and it was fine. (and this could make a great sangria in summer...)