Friday, January 16th, 2009
I’m going with this from of post for a while, send comments if you are curious about the wines or email me daniel@alpinemetro.com.
Lucente 2006 Super Tuscan - Awesome
Palacios La Montesa Rioja 2006 -Great
La Ferme Julien Cote du Ventoux, France 2006-7? $5.49 at Trader Joe’s, and made by the Perrin family, so I had to…it’s Halfway Decent.
Monday, January 5th, 2009
Duval-Leroy NV Champagne, France
Ermita Veracruz 2006 Verdejo, Rueda, Spain
Four Graces 2006 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR
Amavi 2005 Cabernet, Walla Walla, WA
Edge (Signorello) 2005 Cabernet, Napa, CA
Owen Roe, “Rosa Mystica” 2006 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, WA
Senorio Valderiz 2000 Ribera del Duero, Spain
Domaine Alfred 2005 “Califa” Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, CA
Hartford 2006 Dry Creek Zinfandel, CA
Mas de’n Gil “Como Vella” 2000 Priorat, Spain
If you have ever tasted these wines please post a comment & Happy New Year !
Friday, November 21st, 2008
Ommegang Abbey Dubbel Ale - Mmmahogany…the word as it rolls off the tongue in Ron Burgundy fashion perfectly descibes the color and feel of the Abbey. That being said this brew is a serious effort from the nation’s best Belgian style brewery located in Cooperstown, NY. It’s a fun producer, but one that develops a serious range of elixirs. I imagine sitting by the fire in an old leather armchair in a dark wood panneled gentleman’s club-”I love Scotch, Scotchy Scotch Scotch”.
It has a nice creamy eggshell colored head forming a thick patina over it’s barely translucent body. Aromas match that of the imagined gentleman’s club, and teleport me to a woodsy scenario, calling to mind earth, walnuts/ chestnuts, smoke, beef jerky, and rich malt. Flavors follow right along with the fragrances and in body the beer is crisp up front and finishes long and smooth. The malt, meatiness, and notes of agave anejo come to the forefront on the palate.
It is well balanced and food friendly, pairing well with roasted and braised meats, savory pies, and funky cheeses. As the northern hemisphere veers farther away from the sun and we all tuck in for the winter, I for one feel more comfotable with a few bottles squirreled away. 89-91pts (I imagine improvements with cellaring of 1-3 years)
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
Sebastiani Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2006 was the wine that put me over the edge. I figured it was about time to stop the happy-go-lucky 88 points and higher, interesting wines and add a few pukey zingers. I had heard through the grapevine, a winemaker acuaintance of mine, that this was actually a good value. Au contraire mon frere. In my sadistic quest for cheap (under $15) pinot noir that is at least semi-palatable, I fall pray to trying different things. When I could have stuck with Castle Rock, La Foret, or Beringer Founder’s Estate, I decided to foray into the unknown. One has to take chances. In short, and I am not one to waste time on the negative, it was super tannic, heavily unbalanced, and as dark as a syrah…coincidence?
DON’T GO THERE !!
Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Icaria Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - This Alexander Valley blend of 78% cab, 20% merlot, and 2% petite syrah is a unique and interesting offering from the small, little known gem of a winery nestled at the northern edge of Alexander Valley. Production/yields are super low, quality and elegance are paramount, and the cooperage is what I would call obsessive. 28 months in reknowned Seguin Moreau tight grain, thin stave, 60% new french oak helps elevate the wine to its expression of beautiful balance and a range of compelling spicy aromas including cedar box, mocha, and allspice. The fruit, which doesn’t hog the spotlight like in many cabs from California, is bright and refined red currant and blueberry. It is distinctly Alexander Valley, but very Bordeauxlike as well. Even as a 2003, decanted for a couple hours, and then drank again the next day, this wine seemed like it had more to offer up if let rest for a few more years. The tannins, while not yet fully integrated were still gorgeous. I look forward to the 2004 vintage and we’ll see if this phoenix even has room left to climb from a less than spectacular 03 vintage. 91pts
Friday, October 31st, 2008
Hitachino Red Rice Ale - With the rosy haze of freshly pressed apple cider this brew calls to mind fragrances of freshly cut apple, pink grapefruit, even savory touches of green olive. It has super tiny carbonation and little to no head. It is focused and crisp on the palate, refreshing, and sharp with almost geuze-like acidity. The flavors follow the aromas, making for a lightweight yet strongly flavored beer of fruity and vegetal elements. The Red Rice ale pairs very well with a wide variety of foods, everything from sushi or shellfish to lightly grilled meats or oily noodles. Keep your eyes on the nest-there are other bird brews that are calling out to be tasted. 90pts.
Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Charles Smith - Kung Fu Girl Riesling Columbia Valley 2007. The mastermind behind K Vintners, Charles Smith the eclectic, long-curly-haired rocker champion of Washington state wines strikes again with his Kill Bill inspired Kung Fu Girl riesling. His aponymous label is cool, kitchy, and for the common man. Which is great because who can afford his haute artisanal 99 pt syrah bottlings?! Also a fan of his Boom Boom syrah, I think this single vineyard riesling is as big of a hit as the movie that inspired its striking black and white label. It has the trademark characteristics that make riesling one of my favorite varietals: clean focus, high acidity (balanced with a little residual sugar), freshness of fruit, and minerality that could actually show a little of the local, dare I use the catch word of the day…terroir! Next time you are in the store blow a swooping crane kick or flying monkey fist and pick it up. 88+pts 
Saturday, October 4th, 2008
Tolosa “1772″ Chardonnay 2004 - Once freed from it’s glass prison, one sees that the color is a strong gold; it fixates me as beams of light dance through the glass, refracting in all directions. When I go in for the bouquet it starts to grab me about 8 inches outside the rim of the glass, like young tendrils swirling out to capture. Lovely aromas of lemon curd, toasty oak, asian spices, and white peach envelope me. On the palate the exilir is both lithe and custardy at the same time, and the flavors wax to vanilla creme, pineapple, and deeper spice, all wrapped up neatly in a well integrated leesy-richness. This liquid gold is fantastically well balanced exemplefying all of the paradoxes we love to experience: crisp and full, bold and elegant, concentrated and complex. Only 3,168 bottles were made and they were packaged on the winter solstice. I agree with the Wine Enthusiast (94 Pts and Top 100) on the tremendous balance, concentration, and individuality of this wine giving it 93 points. Bearing the commemorative year of the original local Spanish mission, I would have to say mission not only complete but a great success.
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Georg Schneider Edelweisse Hefeweizen - This is officially the first beer post, and hopefully one of many. Fitting since the Germans put together the first beer laws, which were some of the first food and beverage laws ever written in Europe (although Rioja had strict laws governing wine production even before that, back to the early 1500s!) The 500ml format of the bottle is good to see, I always thought it was the right single serving. The color is a hazy orangey gold, with a very sturdy, tightly packed head bearing a rocky cap. The nose is of orange peel and ginger. The light-mid weight beer is smooth on the palate with very fine carbonation, giving it a memorable texture. Its composition makes for really nice lacing, or the way the residue clings to the glass after the beer fulfills its purpose in life. It’s great when the beer leaves a distinguished mark for each sip, almost like a fossilized layer of soil. The tastes mimic the aroma, all fruity and spicy yet dry, making for a very pleasurable drink. It’s more exotic tasting than I would have anticipated, but it made me think of how German rieslings often have exotic flavors as well. Perhaps a comment on German terroir, or at least taste preferences The Georg Schneider Edelweisee is cousin to the Belgian Hoegarden, another of my favorites. Enjoy this certified organic brew in the summer with Asian inspired dishes, or all by itself. 92pts
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Veramonte Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007 is a surprising solid selection from this gigantic Chilean producer. It lacked any sort of intriguing color, but that’s sort of passable only with an SB. The nose is of grass, citrus-white pine, and flowers. It has a beckoning nose not because it is very complex and fun to decode, but simply because I liked the smell of it. The palate is nice as well, rather harmonious with balance between the fruit and acidity. The wine is what I would call a “go-to” or “standard”. In other words a repeat buy for a lot of people. This is a good restaurant by the glass wine. My advice is pass over the grapefruit juice called Kim Crawford, and have this one instead. It’s very food friendly especially if you eat what ladies who order Kim Crawford eat. 88pts
