The Chardonnay is 100% unoaked and it's basically a refreshing and citrusy white wine. It could have spent more time aging with the lees to bring out more tropical fruit and Chardonnay character, but honestly I really didn't care. I'm kind of over that analytical stuff when it comes to my own pleasure, and I liked it for what it is. For a $12 unoaked Chard, it gets the job done.
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Art of Earth Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
The Chardonnay is 100% unoaked and it's basically a refreshing and citrusy white wine. It could have spent more time aging with the lees to bring out more tropical fruit and Chardonnay character, but honestly I really didn't care. I'm kind of over that analytical stuff when it comes to my own pleasure, and I liked it for what it is. For a $12 unoaked Chard, it gets the job done.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Fly Wines: Welcome to the Vine High Club
Getting a delivery from this wine club would be a pleasure. I'm gonna give it a big thumbs up!
Friday, September 2, 2022
Primus Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and The Blend
Hook or Crook Cellars
Holy moly it's been awhile! But hi! How are you? Today I've got some bottles of Hook or Crook Cellars out of Lodi, and I'm just gonna give a quick rundown. Unfortunately, it appears that my bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon is faulty and oxidized, and it's important to note that this is not the fault of Hook or Crook. It just happens. Rarely, but it does. The Merlot is a classic affordable Merlot. It's medium bodied with blackberries, a pop of raspberry, and that cinnamon I love so much as well as other baking spices. But the Field Blend is where it's at. Light bodied with soft tannin, and notes of black cherries, cranberries, chocolate, and vanilla. I would give this a slight chill and have it with cured meats and cheese. All three of these bottles go for $11.99.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
The Arsonist Red Bend 2017
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Grapes & Capes Episode #7: Pyromania
Wine #1: The story of Matchbook Wine Company, The Arsonist Chardonnay 2018, pairing it with Chinese food, Royal Palace in Dennisport, Wok 'n Roll in South Yarmouth, finding the right Chardonnay to win you over, wines for Thanksgiving
Comic, Part 1: The creation and origins of Heat Wave, The Flash #218 (2005) "Heat Wave" pages 1-12, the darkness and brutality of Heat Wave while feeling sympathy for his character, more Game of Thrones (should we just make a GoT podcast, I mean jeez), Donny Cates
Friday, September 18, 2020
Grapes & Capes Episode #2: Two Hands & Two-Face
Three Jokers, Geoff Johns controversy, Joker War, confusing Tomasi with Tynion, (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man), DCeased, Good Day to Die, Unkillables, Hope at World's End, DCeased: Dead Planet, Superman panel, Brian Michael Bendis, Death of Superman, Reign of Superman, Death and Reign animated movies, The Killing Joke
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Grapes & Capes Episode #1: DC Fandome & Bogaty Family Winery
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Goldschmidt Vineyards ~ Singing Tree Chardonnay 2018, Katherine Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Hilary Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Natural Origins Boxed Wine ~ Malbec & Cabernet Sauvignon
Thursday, April 30, 2020
The Arsonist Red Blend 2017
As always the color is a beautiful garnet. On the nose there's aromas of black cherries, blackberries, orange blossoms, anise, and... yes... as I say every vintage: root beer. Why is that? Am I just crazy? The palate has a much brighter fruit to it this year though, with flavors of red cherries, cranberries, mocha, and root beer, on a full body with a rich mouthfeel and grippy tannin. It finishes with cranberries, mocha, and a spike in mouthwatering acidity.
This is one of those wines that everybody loves once they've tried it, and 2017 is probably the best vintage that I've had of it. Dude, it's AWESOME. A fruit forward stress relief wine by itself, but also making me really want a Porterhouse right now. Arsonist finishes Matchbook Month with two Highly Recommended ratings!
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Mossback Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Matchbook Red Gravel Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
April is Matchbook Wine Company Month, with reviews focusing on their wine all month! To see all of my reviews by this winery for the last five years, check out my Matchbook label. To learn about their history, read my article "A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company".
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Hess Allomi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Best of Fall 2019!
Deciding on 5 through 3 was not an easy task because I had to choose between six wines that I rated 4.5 in price vs quality!
#5. Masottina Prosecco Treviso Brut
Review Release: September 26th, 2019
This is probably the best deal for a Prosecco in this price range that I've had in a long time. Elegant yet still fun, bright and happy, and just good quality for the price.
#4. Yalumba "The Y Series" Viognier 2018
Region: South Australia, AustraliaReview Release: November 1st, 2019
This is fantastic, just a happy wine, and an outstanding deal for $12. And it's even better with food; lobster, baked scallops, chicken piccata, ham, or even hot dogs! You know what? I really think this wine would make an outstanding pair with hot dogs! Let's try it!
READ THE FULL REVIEW / WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO
READ THE FULL REVIEW
Region: Russian River, Sonoma, CaliforniaReview Release: December 1st, 2019
I'm still in love with this wine. It's oaky and buttery and hedonistic and gorgeous. And it's my wine pick of the month, so go get it!
#1. Two Hands Angels' Share Shiraz 2018
Review Release: November 3rd, 2019
Hell friggin yeah. Hell. Friggin. Yeah. I was expecting something with a bit more intricate, something a bit more French Syrahish in style, but this does not hold back from all the Australian Shiraz that it is and was really meant to be... and it's so goddamn good. It punches you right in the face and I love it.
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Lion Tamer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Wine Review: Bogle Phantom Red 2015
Though the Bogle family has been farming in the Clarksburg region for six generations, their involvement in the wine business spans back 50 years. In addition to passing down a strong work ethic and dedication to quality, the success of Bogle over the years is rooted in the day-to-day involvement of the Bogle family. - Read more about the history of Bogle
2016 was the first vintage for the Phantom Chardonnay, but the red blend was created in 1999 around Patty Bogle’s dining room table as the family blended some of their finest vineyard offerings. The name "Phantom" seemed fitting as "Bogle" is the Scottish word for "ghost".
The 2015 Phantom Red Blend holds the California appellation and is a blend of 44% Petite Sirah, 44% Zinfandel, 10% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. It saw 24 months in 1 and 2 year old American and French oak, and has a 14.5% ABV.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Wine Quickie: The Federalist North Coast "Honest" Red Blend 2017
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Wine Quickie: The Federalist Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Wine Review: Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
I've got three reviews for Two Hands this week and it all started with Angels' Share Shiraz 2018, then I reviewed Gnarly Dudes Shiraz 2018, and now I'm finishing with Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2018.




































