Terrunyo Block 27 Peumo Vineyard Carmenere 2017

This is the third of three Carmeneres made by Concha y Toro that I'm reviewing this month! Terrunyo is from Block 27 of the Peumo Vineyard in Chachapoal Valley, Chile. It's 100% Carmenere that was aged in French oak for 9 months, and it has an ABV of 14.4%. I apologize because I need to make this one quick, and I'm pretty sure you prefer me to shut up and give it to...

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Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2017

This is the second Carmenere from Concha y Toro that I'm reviewing this month! Marques de Casa Concha's 2017 Carmenere is 90% Carmenere and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit is from Peumo Vineyard in Cachapoal Valley, Chile, and the vines were planted from 1994 through 1996 on alluvial silty-clay soil. The wine spent 14 months in French oak barrels and has an ABV of 14.3%. The...

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Speyburn 10 Year Old Scotch Whisky

Tomorrow is the 25th of January and Speyburn Scotch is raising their glass to the Scottish poet Robert Burns. He's the guy that wrote "Auld Lang Syne", the song you pretend to know the lyrics to on New Year's Eve. So why am I posting this today? Because I hate it when I see stuff like this and it's too late to run out and buy whatever you need. "Oh. It's 10pm and I just...

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Quickie: San Silvestro Ottone I Barbera 2018

Barbera is an extremely versatile red wine that you can pair with virtually any food or just drink by itself. So it’s a common suggestion of mine for when you don’t know what’s being served or you want one bottle to pair with multiple courses. San Silvestro’s Ottone I Barbera is only $10 and it’s absolutely delicious. It’s medium bodied with soft tannin and bright acidity,...

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Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Carmenere 2017

I’ve got three Carmeneres by Concha y Toro to review this month, and this is the first! Gran Reserva’s 2017 Carmenere is 93.2% Carmenere, 6.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0.6% Merlot, and it has an ABV of 13.7%. It spent 10 months in oak barrels (80% French and 20% American) and 5,000 liter casks. It’s a garnet leaning more towards purple in color. On the nose there’s aromas...

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Beacon Meadery Blueberry Mead and Black Currant Mead

I posted about Beacon Meadery's Raspberry Mead on Thanksgiving, and today I've got their Blueberry Mead and Black Currant Mead! Beacon Meadery is out of Setauket, New York. Chris Parles is the meadmaker and head of operations, Justin Feldstein is the marketer and hi-tech digital guy, and they established Beacon together in 2018. Their philosophy is to use...

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Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017

It's one of my favorite moments to be alive: Chardonnay time! Hess Collection's 2017 Napa Valley Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay from their Su'skol Estate Vineyard. 70% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel while the other 30% was barrel fermented and allowed malolactic fermentation. Then it spent 9 months on the lees in French oak, 19% of it new, and it has a 14.4%...

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Hess Allomi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Hess's Allomi wines out of Napa Valley are named after Rancho Locoallomia, the original Spanish land grant which the native Patwin people lent their name. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Sirah, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 2% Merlot. 27% spent 18 months in new American barrels and it has a 14.5% ABV. Alright, enough of those percentages!...

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Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore

This delicious bubbly is pale yellow in color with some speedy sprinty bubbles. I hope you like apples because for aromas and flavors it's very, very green apple-y! But there's also notes of lychee, lime, and toast so it's not straight-up fizzy apples. It's got a wonderful creamy froth on the mouthfeel but still finishes crispy and refreshing. Valdo has been solid for...

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Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Champagne, January Wine Pick

It's January of 2020 so it's time to toast to the New Year! My wine pick of the month is Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Champagne, which has been one of my favorite bubblies for many years. It's pale yellow in color with aromas of green apples, pears, lime peel, and toast. On the palate it's medium bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and a bright acidity. For flavors it's heavy...

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