Vinterra Chardonnay 2006

Region: Napa Valley, California

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%
Price: $15

Light and bright at first glance with a pleasant nose of melon, comes across very earthy and oaky, almost, but not completely, masking a background of citrus. Very dry. For oak lovers.

Tin Roof Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Region: North Coast, California

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 13.5%

Price: $7

Pale amber with lots of crisp citrus and tangy tropical fruits. Very acidic, but not unpleasant. Would be great with spicy food.

Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Rosé 2007

Region: Chile

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14%

Price: $9

A very deep ruby for a rosé wine with a nose of grapefruit and melon. These continue on the taste buds with an added plummy-ness. Light alcohol burn with the finish due to high content. Very rich for a rosé.

Les Tours de Beaumont 2005 Haut-Médoc

Preface: I have so many of these things to put up. This is a little thing called "ketchup".

Region: Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, France

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13%
Price: $14

Light bodied, with a nose of toasty wood and sweet berries. Tannins are a little too strong, overwhelming what might otherwise be a fine, if a little light, red blend. Blackberry is drowned leaving only the spicy tannins and bits of oak.

Samuel Adams Imperial Double Bock

Preface: So, I am on a strange beer kick.



Region: Ohio, USA
Type: Double Boch
Price: $10 for a 4-pack
Alcohol Level: 9.5%

Dark, rich, with a distinct malty sweetness as well and a nice complimenting bitterness and woodiness.

Unibroue Trois Pistoles

Region: Quebec, Canada
Type: Strong Dark Ale
Finish: Bottle Fermented
Price: $12 for a 4-pack
Alcohol Level: 9%

And now for something completely different! This beer is a thing of beauty. Pitch black opacity with a small head, this beer has a very strong roasted flavor that hits the palate like a 2x4, but with a sweetness that seems to almost mirror a dessert wine in the finish. It is a monster of a beer. Drink from either a goblet or a cognac glass for optimal feel and flavor. Unibroue claims it will cellar for up to eight years. Enjoy responsibly, as it hits you rather hard.

Vinturi Wine Aerator

Preface: Some call it a break, I call it unexcused laziness. Here we go once more into the breach!

What Does It Do?: This simple little device makes most wine better. Period.

What Is It Good For?: Everything.
Price: $40

This device, simply, changes everything. If you like wine and don't have a budget for pre-aged Rothchilds or Sassicaias, or the time or space to cellar wine to the optimal age, or don't want to leave the bottle open all day waiting for the wine to finally open up, this gadget is a must.

A must.

The Vinturi Wine Aerator  is a simple device. Place it over your glass, pour wine through, drink! The Vinturi pumps just the right amount of air into the wine, opening up the nose and blasting the flavors forward, while in most cases quelling the astringent bite that many wines can have. It works for both red and white (even though they have two different products aimed individually at red or white, they are both the exact same, just a different color).

It won't make a bad wine good, but it can make a mediocre wine great and a good wine fantastic. Highly recommended.

La Ninota Priorat 2005

Preface: Huge break...sorry about that. Here we go again!
Region: Catalogne, Spain
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Tempranillo, Carignan
Price: $18

This dark red meritage (pronouced like heritage) from Spain has a nice body and can only be described as "ultra-dry" (ie, it will make you want a glass of water afterwards). The nose is a strange oaky-plumy beast and the wine is full of ripe black fruit (plums and dark berries) with hints of coffee and spice.

Conde de Valdemar Reserva 2004

Preface: So I was lazy this week...here is part 7 of my 11 part series of Spanish wine...
Region: Rioja, Spain
Grapes: Tempranillo
Price: $22

The Conde de Valdemar is a nice full-bodied red with a beautiful ruby red color and notes of raspberry and oak. Would be great with a meal off the grill.

Viña Mayor Reserva 2002

Preface: Part 6 of my 11 part series of Spanish wine...
Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain
Grapes: Primarily Tempranillo
Price: $18

This red was aged for 5 years before being released to the unsuspecting public. Was it worth the wait? Personally, I don't think so. It has a very heavy aroma of tobacco, is incredibly dry and somewhat like leather with the hint of cherries and oak in the background.