Bell's Hopslam

Region: Comstock, Michigan, USA
Brewed With: Honey
ABV: 10%
Price: $20 per six-pack

I have to thank my wonderful friend Melanie for holding onto this one for me. If I had truly known what I was in for, I would have grabbed two.

This very-limited edition brew out of Michigan is a real treat. A beautiful amber tone with a thin head, this beer has a nose that I can only describe as a floral-kiwi with a backing sweetness. On the tongue, the biting bitter is, I am not saying this lightly, perfectly complimented by the slight honey sweetness ushering in a fruity backbone that lingers and lingers through it's silky-smooth finish. I won't say best beer ever, mostly because there are so many left to taste, but this is the best brew I have had the fortune in tasting. If you like good craft beer and can gets your hands on a sixer of this, you would be a fool to pass it up.

Poured out of a 12oz. bottle into a slim pilsner glass for enjoyment purposes, as would be best for a pale ale.

Repeated Absence

If I was in school, I would have been expelled. Life is such an amazing phenomenon and it loves to throw curve-balls at you every chance it gets. Alright, I am gonna keep this brief and move along to my first new review, though I cannot promise how often I will be able to keep this up. Here it goes:

I am beginning a sommelier's course!

Yeah, I am thrilled. Learning the knowledge to really set me down the wine road is an exciting prospect. I will keep you all informed. And now, a beer review.

Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau 2009

Region: Beaujolais, France
Grapes: 100% Gamay
ABV: 12.5%
Price: $10

As you see, after three years or so, I finally figured out how to take pictures with my Macbook...but I digress.

Like the Duboeuf, the Drouhin Nouveau has that light, almost juice-like color, but unlike last year's vintage, this wine has legs. Not much, but more than I expected out of a Beaujolais Nouveau. The aroma is fruity, almost like a dessert. Very light, with a cherry and dark fruit flavor that clings to your mouth. Not as rich as the Duboeuf, but pleasant.

EDIT: I am changing my story. After sitting out for 30 minutes to an hour, the Drouhin becomes a much more mellow, well-rounded drink with a richness that isn't as punch-you-in-the-face as the Duboeuf. This is truly the better wine of the two, it just needs a moment to find itself.

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2009

Region: Beaujolais, France
Grapes: 100% Gamay
ABV: 12.5%
Price: $10

With the color of grape juice you would buy at the supermarket, this wine is a simple harvest wine that exudes a fresh, fruity aroma with a hint of herb. Flavor-wise, it is an uncomplicated cherry tart with that hint of herbiness showing through in the background. Maybe tart is too sweet a term, but there is a light, distinct sweetness to this wine. Give it a slight chill and have it with a light fare meal, especially poultry.

The Third Thursday Of November

Every year on the third Thursday of November, the new vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau is released. It is a tradition that, I believe, dates back to World War 2 when Germany destroyed a large amount of vineyards in France. This "New Wine" is released on the same day each year and is a "drink-now" variety. Last year was terrible. Lets see how this year stacks up...

d'Arenberg's The Stump Jump 2007

Region: Adelaide, Australia
Grapes: 62% Riesling, 18% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Marsanne, 6% Viognier, 6% Chardonnay
ABV: 13%
Price: $12

Pale in color with the scent of sweet lemon custard, you would believe this wine to be sweeter than it in fact is. Only slightly sweet with a pleasantly tart acidity. Simple, but a good choice for someone trying to move into drier wines for the first time.

Region: Southern Australia
Grapes: 50% Grenache, 29% Shiraz, 21% Mourvedre
ABV: 14
Price: $12

Light ruby in your glass. Almost bright. Nose of dark fruits and oak with plum and blackberry standing out on the palate with a delicious spice overlay. Wonderful finish. Best $12 red you will buy this year.

Port-Salut

Origin: France
Where & When: Whole Foods, October 10, 2009
Milk: Cow
Style: Semi-soft/Washed-rind
How Used: On a cheese board with sea-salt pita crackers

Modeled after a cheese previously made by Trappist monks. Strong aromas lead into a very mild cheesewith a salty-sweet flavor. Texture is soft like a spreadable cheese, but spongy and springy in that it won't spread and it will return to original shape. We found it delicious on crackers and would make a great addition to a cheese platter at a party.

El Nido Clio 2006

Region: Jumillia, Spain
Grapes: 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 70% Monastrell
ABV: 15.5%
Price: $50

This wine is a beast to be tamed, to be sure. After it's first three vintages, this fourth continues to rank up there with some of the best wine out of Spain, maybe out of all of Europe, this year. With its completely opaque inkiness and almost incense-like nose, this wine hits you with a full-bodied punch of dark fruit, cranberry and brown sugar-cinnamon with a slight earth and oak note hanging out in the background. Epicurean.

Goldeneye Pinot Noir 2006

Region: Anderson Valley, California
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
ABV: 14.5%
Price: $60

Admittedly a little young, but with a couple hours in a decanter, it opened up wonderfully! With a very light color and a delicate nose, Goldeneye's 2006 offering is light and tart with elements of tobacco, coffee, and earth backed with brightness and lovely red berry notes. Complex and will become even more inviting as a few more years pass.

Unfashionably Late

Yeah, I'm still here, still drinking wine, eating cheese, enjoying good brew. Still keeping notes. Reading a book on understanding cheese. Reading another on the adventures of outlaws after the collapse of the United States. New post (probably) coming soon.

Graveyard Post, Part 1 of ?

Here's the thing: I have been slacking. I know to you few who read this blog, this isn't news. Here is the deal: I have a lot of reviews written down, but a great deal of it probably can no longer be found or is phasing out. In an effort to not be wasteful, I am going to cram all the wine that I think may be old news here. Who knows? You may find some of it and this will be of use. No pictures, just text.

Bergevin Lane Syrah 2004

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Grapes: Syrah

ABV: 14.9%
Price: $20

Deep purple, spicy and full of jammy blackberries. Pleasant acidity.

Flat Bed Red Zinfandel 2005

Region: Napa Valley, California

Grapes: Zinfandel

ABV: 14.5%
Price: $15

Dry with notes of cherries and strawberries. Punch-In-The-Face flavor.

Mauritson Zinfandel 2005

Region: Dry Creek Valley, California

Grapes: Zinfandel

ABV: 15.1%
Price: $20

Dark, spicy, light in body and flavor with a cherry bite. A little bitter on the finish. Probably not one of their better years.

Weingut Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner 2005

Region: Germany

Grapes: Riesling

ABV: 12%
Price: $17

Bright, with a nose of grapefruit and melon, this riesling seems to have quite a bit in common with a sauvignon blanc. Light acidity, somewhat sweet, but with very enticing citrus notes.

Chateau Guirauton 2006

Region: Graves, France

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion

ABV: 12.5%
Price: $16

Golden, full of melon, lemon/lime with a mineral backing. Very full-bodied.

Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 13.7%
Price: $20

Thick and dark with a spicy nose. Bone dry on the palate, spicy, raspberry and an oaky finish.

Longhop Boomerang Shiraz 2005

Region: Adelaide, Australia

Grapes: Shiraz

Price: $14

Ruby, with scents of cherries and tobacco. Spicy, earthy tobacco flavors give way to a lingering cherry finish.

Pillar Box White 2006

Region: Padthaway, Australia

Grapes: 66% Chardonnay, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 14% Verdelho

ABV: 12.5%
Price: $10

Amber in color and incredibly light and crisp in flavor. Cool and refreshing.

Chateau Guirauton 2006

Region: Graves, France

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion

ABV: 12.5%
Price: $16

Golden, full of melon, lemon/lime with a mineral backing. Very full-bodied.

Well, that should start us up. I have a ton more, but I should get back to work. We will continue shortly. Until next time, enjoi!

Hugues de Beauvignac Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul-de-Pinet 2008

Region: Coteaux du Languedoc, France

Grapes: 100% Piquepoul Blanc (Picpoul-de-Pinet)

ABV: 12.5%
Price: $12

Its a mouthful to say, but worth the effort! Pale gold bliss with a soft tangy-floral nose. Very smooth and mellow, full of ripe pear and lemon with a citrusy-floral finish with just enough oak to give it a slight butteriness. Would compliment seafood or alfredo pasta wonderfully.

Clos de los Siete 2006

Region: Mendoza, Argentina

Grapes: 45% Malbec, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah
Price: $20

Made by the renowned Michel Rolland, this blend is dry, heavy and toasty with notes of vanilla, coffee, tart cherries and rich plum. Bright acidity, silky tannins, full-bodied and mouth-filling with a long, lingering finish.

Cousiño-Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Antiguas Reservas 2006

Region: Maipo Valley, Chile

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $18

Sour cherries fill the nose and palate leaving a lingering finish of a dry, tart bite. A little acidic for a cabernet.

Portal del Alto Carménère Gran Reserva 2005

Region: Maule Valley, Chile

Grapes: Carménère
Price: $10

Carménère is a rare grape these days now only grown in South America. Once thought to be Merlot, it was since discovered that this long-lost grape (that was ripped out of French vineyards because of believed inferiority) thrives in places like Chile. I haven't had Carménère before, so I thought this would be a real treat. I do not know if this is typical of the grape, but I found that the wine would not open up aromatically. It had a very earthy smell with little fruit to speak of. Did this wine surprise, though! Dry, but loaded with dark berries and plum on the palate with a great finish. Delightful!

Portal del Alto Merlot Gran Reserva 2007

Region: Maipo Valley, Chile

Grapes: Merlot
Price: $10

Slight preface: I am not normally a Merlot fan. I don't mind it in meritages, but to my palate they are typically a little bitter. Good news here, though. This wine, while very light with a lot of good fruit flavors, was not bitter to me. Light, though.

Portal del Alto Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2005

Region: Maipo Valley, Chile

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $10

A light color and toasty oak aroma offset this heavy red full of dark fruits, oak and minerals. This wine will pony-up to any steak you throw at it.

Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Region: Argentina

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $15

Light ruby, with notes of oak and dark fruit on the nose. Toasty & peppery with the fruit breaking through, bone-sucking dry on the palate with an intense, long finish.

Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2006

Region: Argentina

Grapes: Malbec

Price: $15

Dark in color, bright in flavor. Aged in French and American oak barrels for 10 months. No worries about it being too oaky, though. Very fruit-forward. Full of ripe cherries and black fruits. Acidic, but very pleasant.

South American Wine Spam?

Don't mind if I do.

For those not in "the know", South America is one of the top regions to find inexpensive, yet impressive vino. Wine Spectator's Wine Of The Year was Clos Apalta from Casa Lapostolle in Chile. Don't take their word for it, though. Find your own answers in the world of wine. Its not the question of what someone else likes, but what you like.

Personal opinion: for the money, reds from Argentina and Chile are hard to beat. They tend to be ripe and vibrant and the wineries use some of the latest technology and techniques to keep variation down from one vintage to the next. What does that mean for you? It means that if you liked that 2007 Alamos Malbec from Mendoza (which, for under $10, is a steal and is completely delicious), you will most likely enjoy the 2008 as well.

Where does that leave us? Tasting notes coming.