6/2009 ROUND HILL MERLOT 2006According to the Round Hill (i.e., Rutherford Wine Company) website, this red is:

"Flavorful and satisfying, our 2006 Merlot exudes the supple charm for which this varietal is prized. Bright Bing cherry, anise, earth and mineral notes in the aroma mingle with soft rose petals. Bing cherry and berry flavors linger pleasingly on the palate with hints of toasted oak and vanilla in the finish."

If only. To us, this wine tasted of cherry, barrel, and little more, and it had a seriously boozy nose. One glass with a plate of rich food was all our palates could take. Not worth the $7 we paid for it. (Rating **3/4)

Labels: California, Merlot, Rutherford Wine Company

 

6/2009 FIREMAN'S BREWS: BLONDE, RED AND BRUNETTE BEERS
Ah, just what we love to see --- a beer with a cause. In short, drink this beer and a portion of the profits will go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, a congressionally chartered not-for-profit entity.

According to an LA Daily news story, "about 250 cases per month are produced at Indian Wells Brewery in the Mojave Desert."

The marketing is a big too testosterone-loaded for us, what with the blonde, red-headed, and brunette babes and all. But if it works, well, bully for the company. The BLONDE is a very light brew, almost effervescent. It reminds us of home brew we made many moons ago. (Rating **1/2) The RED is more interesting -- a bit malty, and a little dry. (Rating ***) The BRUNETTE is the most robust of all; at first nip, it tastes like a mild coffee porter, due to the roasty malts used. (Rating ***)

These are a good start, but one hopes Indian Wells will be asked to up its game for future issues of these brews. It IS for a good cause.

For more information, surf to http://www.FireMansBrew.com/

Labels: California, Fireman's Brew

 

5/2009 DANA GOODYEAR ON FRED FRANZIA AND CHARLES SHAW (AKA TWO BUCK CHUCK) WINE
This lengthy piece ran in the May 18, 2009 copy of the New Yorker magazine. Readers of this piece may come away from it not knowing whether to whoop and cheer for Franzia or to decry him as the Walmart of the wine world.

For our part, we are glad to see someone produce a wine that the common man can afford to serve at dinner each day. Think about it --- if one was to buy $7 to $10 a day bargain wine, and consume 4 to 5 bottles per week, the cost would be $28 to $50. Over a four-week month, that comes to $126 to $200.

Admitedly, the quality is erratic. Some bottles taste like they were made from whatever leftover grapes Franzia could get his ahnds on. others are remarkably good. Don't believe us? Well, check out this July 2007 Cleveland Leader story.

Labels: California, Charles Shaw, External Articles, Wine

 

3/2009 JOSEPHS BRAU DUNKELWEIZEN
While cruising TRADER JOE'S the other week, we came across the brew and grabbed a six-pack. "Ah, our brains thought, a small brewer in California attempting a tricky German style. Cool."

Later, our intrigue turned to annoyance. When one tries to locate JOSEPHS BRAU BREWING COMPANY of SAN JOSE, California, it can't be found. In reading over the scuttlebutt in the beer blogs, the money seems to on BRAU being produced as a contract brew by GORDON BIERSCH for TRADER JOE'S.

Sigh. Why the deception? Perhaps TRADER JOE'S would respond that this was not deception; rather, it is part of their running gag of fake brands, like TRADER GIOTTA Italian food products. JOSEPHS BRAU = Joe's Beer. Get it?

No, quite probably, not many folks do get it, what with the beer's old world stylings. As a gag, it's done a bit too well, and we are among the folks who feel burned that we paid good money for a brew produced by the rarely-impressive Biersch.

What can one say of this Double-Wheat? It is light brown and cloudy and pours a decent head, though it dissipates quickly. In the mouth it clobbers the palate with a single yeast flavor and a bit of sweetness. Unlike good dunkelweisses, this is crude, a two-note drink. It's not worth more than $1.25 a bottle. (We spent north of that.) If it is cheap or free, and there are brats being served, well, have at it. Otherwise, skip this product. (Rating **3/4)

Labels: California, Dunkel Weisse, Dunkelweizen, Josephs Brau, Wheat Beer

 

1/2009 GEODE CHARDONNAY SANTA BARBARA 2006
We love a surprise, and that is what this is. We cannot for the life of us recall who sent it our way, but to him or her we say, "Thanks!"

This is a very tasty Chardonnay in the new world style --- big flavored, oozing oak and tropical fruit (think grapefruit, pineapple) notes. We enjoyed it, both on its own and with a mild fish meal. At about $14 a bottle, GEODE is well priced. (Rating ***3/4)

You can read a little about GEODE CHARDONNAY at http://geodewines.com/geode_chardonnay.html. Those who would like to buy a bottle, can check with our retailer.

Labels: California, Chardonnay, Geode, White Wine

 

9/2008 D.H. KRAHN GIN
We caught wind of this new gin a few months back. Not many booze companies ballyhoo their spirits as being made by single distillation. D.H. KRAHN of California does. It arges that its high quality, Stupfler pot still produces a smooth, flavorful gin in a single distillation. KRAHN also claims that maturing its batches of gin in steel barrels "for at least three months" before bottling improves the gin's flavor.

We're not sure what to make of these claims. First, while KRAHN may distill the spirit just once, whomever KRAHN gets its raw spirit from already has distilled it at least once, presumably in a column still. That would make it a twice-distilled spirit. Second, does using a Stupfler model make for a superior gin? Its hard to say. Using pot stills to produce gin is nothing new. If the spirit coming is of very high quality, then the probability of getting a good spirit coming out the second distillation would seem to be high, as impurities already would have been stripped away. Finally, does aging gin in steel containers alter the taste? Aging a spirit in wood barrels, for sure, alters the flavour, as the spirit and the wood (charred or uncharred) chemically interact. But steel? Unless the containers were open to the air and/or the botanicals pitched in the Stupfler still were dumped into steel containers, it's just hard to see how aging would change anything. Maybe we're missing something.

Anyhoo, questionable marketing aside, let's not lose the most important matter --- taste. This is a good gin. It's simple --- KRAHN boasts that it uses fewer botanicals, just juniper, coriander, orange, lemon, grapefruit, and ginger. It certainly shows much less juniper that BEEFEATER and more citrus notes, and the ginger adds an interesting twist. It makes a very good martini. (Rating ****) For further details, surf to http://www.DHKrahn.com/. To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle, click here.

Labels: California, D.H. Krahn, Gin

 

7/2008 CHARBAY HOP FLAVORED WHISKEY RELEASE II
At $325 a bottle, this is a whiskey for the deep pocketed collector and lover of whiskey. As CHARBAY explains,

"In 1999, Miles and Marko [Karakasevic] distilled 20,000 gallons of great Pilsner to create just 24 barrels of Whiskey. These barrels will be watched (and certainly tasted) over many years [...] they are an art endeavor, not an on-going production. Release I of the series was just 3 years old when it was bottled at cask-strength (124.9 proof) & it was unheard of to taste a whiskey as smooth as a fine 15-year-old (80 proof) ones."

This bottling is at 55% ABV (110 proof). Like Irish Whiskey and Scotch, it was made from barley in a pot still. (Most American whiskey is made from corn, wheat, and rye in column stills.) We tasted the earlier version and were flummoxed by it. This time, though, aging has coaxed forth something special.

Nose it and your brain will reel in confusion. "This is whiskey?" Hops, barrel... Take a tiny amount in your mouth and savor it for a few minutes. Raspberry, white pepper... What else? Fascinating. A whiskey to ponder in solitude. Utterly unique. (Rating ****1/2) For further details or to learn more, surf to CHARBAY'S website.

Labels: American Whiskey, California, Charbay

 

7/2008 MENAGE A TROIS CALIFORNIA RED WINE 2006
We found this $12 red wine at Whole Foods and bought it even though we found the name extremely cheesy. (One can only imagine the Babbitts a-twitter upon seeing it on the shelf of their local beer and wine store --- "Ooooh, isn't that the foreign word for...") Despite the name, this wine provided good value for the dollar. It was big, fruity, leathery, and had a good tannic grab. The choice of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, though not novel, is a good. It's produced by Folie a Deux Winery of St. Helena in Napa County, California. (Rating ***3/4)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle of MENAGE A TROIS, click here. Otherwise, surf to http://www.folieadeux.com/mat/red.html.

Labels: Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Folie a Deux, Merlot, Napa, Red Wine, Zinfandel

 

1/2008 PEPPERWOOD GROVE SYRAH 2005
Hot damn, we love a bargain! This is one of a half dozen or more PEPPERWOOD wines that have popped up on stores' shelves in recent months. We have seen PEPPERWOOD in the District of Columbia; we've seen it in Ohio. In each instance, the price was $6 a bottle. It is a simple and satisfying California plonk- a helping of fruit and a dash of white pepper. Buy it in bulk; it is a good house red wine. (Rating ***1/2)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle, click here. Otherwise, check with the producers at http://www.DonSebastianiAndSons.com/threeloosescrews/.

Labels: California, Pepperwood, Syrah

 

12/2007 SILVER PALM CABERNET SAUVIGNON NORTH COAST 2005
This red wine from California is interesting. The packaging is elegant, which makes it an obvious choice for gifting and bringing to parties. Initially, it seems to be a fruit bomb, then it shows unexpected attributes, such as currant and light green bell pepper notes. An intriguing wine, one, we think, that might show more in time. (Rating ****)

If you'd like to buy a bottle from our retailer, click HERE and type "SILVER PALM" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. For further information, see http://www.SilverPalmWines.com/.

Labels: Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Silver Palm

 

11/2007 KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER'S RESERVE ZINFANDEL 2005
In our experience, zinfandels come in two models-- the light bodied, moderately fruity type, and the viscous, intense, fruit and tobacco bombs. This KJ zinfandel falls into the former category. It runs between $12 and $14 a bottle retail, and shows raspeberries, cassis, and cedar notes. On the downside, it's a touch hot going down. (Rating ***1/2)

For further information, see KJ's website. If you'd like to buy a bottle from our retailer, click HERE and type "KENDALL" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass.

Labels: California, Kendall-Jackson, Zinfandel

 

9/2007 IRONY PINOT NOIR MONTEREY COUNTY 2005
What a pleasant surprise! We happened upon this bottle while visiting with good people in East Hampton, New York. They ahd received this Californian wine from good friends. "Vinted and bottled by 'Life's Strange,'" this red wine is quite pleasing. It shows notes of leather and black plum. It's a nice mix of the dry and fruity, and we quaffed it with pork loin, wasabi peas, broccoli, and more and it went down very well. (Rating ****)

To see if our retailer carries IRONY PINOT NOIR, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "IRONY" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. Otherwise, chase down the folks at http://www.IronyWines.com.

Labels: California, Irony, Pinot Noir

 

3/2007 AMADOR FOOTHILL ZINFANDEL 2002
This $13 bottle of red wine was a nice find. Unlike any zinfandels, this is not a fruit bomb. It has a very old world taste- a sort of lean, rugged, feel. You taste light fruit then POOF! black pepper. A great wine with mild meats and goooey cheeses. (Rating ****1/4)

To see if our retailer carries AMADOR, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "AMADOR" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. Otherwise, contact the producer's webpage at http://www.AmadorFoothill.com/

Labels: Amador, California, Zinfandel

 

3/2007 DOMAINE CHARBAY POMEGRANATE VODKA
Like Pomegranate? Then give this vodka a whirl. It's pink, very gentle (it's only 70 proof), and really does taste like a fresh Pomegranate. Chill it in your freezer or shake it with ice to cool it. (Rating ***1/4) For more information, contact the folks at http://Charbay.com. To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle, surf to SHOP and type "CHARBAY" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass.

Labels: California, Charbay, Vodka

 

2/2007 TRAVIS CHARDONNAY 2002 (MONTEREY, RIVERVIEW VINEYARD, UNFILTERED)
This white wine is produced and bottled by Travis Vintners in Livermore, California. It's an interesting wine. This wine is the color of lemonade and slightly cloudy. The grapes were picked at the end of September when they were quite ripe. The wine is not aged in French oak barrels nor is it "inoculated for malolactic fermentation." The point of all this is to produce an un-American chardonnay, one that does not ooze vanilla. This wine is potent; its 15% alcohol and has a powerful sour pear note. Taking it bone cold was a mistake; it came off gassy (15%, by the way, is a bit much for a white wine.) Once it warmed to a little less than room temperature, this Travis chardonnay began to express itself. Soft floral notes appeared as did a gentle spiciness that one finds in Gewurztraminer or Riesling. Unusual and worth trying for $10. (Rating ***1/2)

To see if our retailer carries TRAVIS, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "TRAVIS" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass.

Labels: California, Chardonnay, Travis

 

2/2007 HESS SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2004
This was a medium low-priced bottle ($11) that was worth the money. A bit of fruit, a bit of barrel, and a nice spine. We quaffed it with pasta with red sauce and steamed asparagus. (Rating ***1/2)

To see if our retailer carries HESS, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "HESS" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. Otherwise, surf to http://www.HessCollection.com/.

Labels: Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Hess

 

1/2007 FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION CHARDONNAY 2005
Weeee- another bottle of Niebaum-Coppola wine! This $15 Chardonnay is quite a mouthful. It begins with a pear-like note then --FWIP!-- dishes a toasted vanilla flavor and honeysuckle. Yum. (Rating ****)

To see if our retailer carries COPPOLA, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "COPPOLA" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. Otherwise, surf to http://www.Niebaum-Coppola.com/.

Labels: California, Chardonnay, Francis Coppola

 

1/2007 FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION BLUE LABEL MERLOT 2004
Mmmmm, we've liked this one in the past and we like it again. This red wine is made from Merlot (90%), Syrah (6%), and Petit Syrah (4%). It's bold, fruity, and has a cedar-leathery note. We enjoyed this COPPOLA BLUE LABEL MERLOT with baked ziti with eggplant and mozzarella. This $18 a bottle wine is good now and will, quite probably, age nicely over the next four or five years. (Rating ****1/4)

To see if our retailer carries COPPOLA, click SHOP FOR WINES and type "COPPOLA" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. Otherwise, surf to http://www.Niebaum-Coppola.com/.

Labels: California, Francis Coppola, Merlot

 

11/2006 ORLEANS HILL WINERY LODI SYRAH 2005
An organic wine- how exciting. This, though, was a major disappointment. It's thin, has very little flavor, and goes down hot A waste of $8. (Rating *)

Labels: California, Organic, Orleans Hill, Syrah

 

10/2006 STERLING VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE 1999
Wow- we let this one sit for an awful long time before opening it; seven years. In part, this was happenstance; in part, this was because the bottle was autographed by Rob Hunter of the vineyard. Anyhoo, this almost purple wine was wonderful- robust, showing cassis and a little vanilla. Well worth the wait. (Rating****1/4)

To see if our retailer can send you STERLING VINEYARDS wines, click SHOP and type "STERLING" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. Otherwise, surf to http://www.sterlingvineyards.com/.">.

Labels: Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Sterling

 

3/2006 DOMAINE CHARBAY DOUBLE BARRELED HOP FLAVORED WHISKEY (RELEASE ONE)
This cask strength sample weighs in at a massive 129.4 proof. It's a unique product utilizing barley (think Scotch and Irish whiskey), flavored with hops, and aged in new American White Oak barrels. Best cut this whiskey with a bit of water; taking it straight likely will fry your palate. Sip it in and and you'll find it's nothing like scotch; rather, its the beastly brother of bourbon. It begins with an oddly herbal flavor, then shows a caramel note which is quite pleasant, followed by a dry barrel taste. Most peculiar. We're not sure what to make of it. A bit of a flop, especially for $325 a bottle, we think. Perhaps that is why on Charbay's website Marko of the distillery suggested serving it on ice. (Unrated)

Labels: American Whiskey, California, Charbay