Ch. Bernadotte Bordeaux Haut-Medov '09
France, Bordeaux, Haut-Medoc
Bordeaux blend (60% Merlot, 40% Cab. Sauv.)
$25ish
Poundability: 3/5
Value: 2.5/5
Overall: 3/5
Deep dark purple color with a classic older Bordeaux nose of bramble, cassis and crushed berries.
Floral, with that nice earthyness from the Merlot. Slightly tart but with well restrained juicy fruit flavors, no Cali fruit bomb here. Great balance of fruit, cedar and black cherries.
Tannic, leathery with a very complex finish. Velvety texture with an ever so slight harsh, finish. Little light tasting as well for my liking, but could be showing its age. Would repeat.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Ch. Fortia Ch. du Pape Cuvee Baron '12 14.5%
French, Southern Rhone, Ch. du Pape
Ch. du Pape blend
$45ish
Poundability: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Dark burgundy, red plum color with a nose of tart black berries. Medium bodied.
Ripe blackberries with a nice peppery spice finish. Light hints of black olive, leather, herbs and fruit punch/berry jam. Got a little gamey/meatyness at the end.
Very long complex finish. Soft, light tannin with mild acidity, but with great balance between the two. Needed a long time to open, about 90 minutes and it really started to sing. Great food wine but not to tannic that it can't be drunk on its own. Slightly chewy, despite sounding gross was a good thing. Drankin' patna' thought it had a "weird" finish, but still enjoyed it overall. While CDP's aren't for everyone, an acquired taste if you will, I would definitely repeat and recommend, Ch. Fortia doesn't disappoint!
Picture pending.
French, Southern Rhone, Ch. du Pape
Ch. du Pape blend
$45ish
Poundability: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Dark burgundy, red plum color with a nose of tart black berries. Medium bodied.
Ripe blackberries with a nice peppery spice finish. Light hints of black olive, leather, herbs and fruit punch/berry jam. Got a little gamey/meatyness at the end.
Very long complex finish. Soft, light tannin with mild acidity, but with great balance between the two. Needed a long time to open, about 90 minutes and it really started to sing. Great food wine but not to tannic that it can't be drunk on its own. Slightly chewy, despite sounding gross was a good thing. Drankin' patna' thought it had a "weird" finish, but still enjoyed it overall. While CDP's aren't for everyone, an acquired taste if you will, I would definitely repeat and recommend, Ch. Fortia doesn't disappoint!
Picture pending.
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Two Roads Roadsmary's Baby Pumpkin 6.8%
American, Connecticut, Stratford
Ale with pumpkin spices aged in rum barrels with vanilla beans
$12ish/6pk
Poundability: 2/5
Value: 1.5/5
Overall: 1.5/5
Light amber brown color with rapid carbonation. Nose of pumpkin spices and cinnamon.
Not much alcohol detected, not surprising for 6.8%. For a barrel rested beer was expecting/hoping for a little more alcohol/character/complexity but what you going to do. All artificial pumpkin, cinnamon and caramel flavors. Without knowing by reading the label would never have guessed this was barrel rested, granted rum barrel and not whiskey which is the "new" trend. Maybe the fact that it was a pumpkin beer (which is either bad or good in my opinion, not much middle or high ground), that was aged in rum barrels had my hopes raised; but overall it was lack luster in flavor and just another uninspiring pumpkin beer to add to the legions of others.
Low astringency, mouth coating body, highly carbonated with a long boring finish.
Yet another ho hum pumpkin beer to add to the ilk. The fact that it's "rum barrel aged" seems more like a marketing term then an actual flavor descriptor. Would not recommend or repeat.
Picture pending.
American, Connecticut, Stratford
Ale with pumpkin spices aged in rum barrels with vanilla beans
$12ish/6pk
Poundability: 2/5
Value: 1.5/5
Overall: 1.5/5
Light amber brown color with rapid carbonation. Nose of pumpkin spices and cinnamon.
Not much alcohol detected, not surprising for 6.8%. For a barrel rested beer was expecting/hoping for a little more alcohol/character/complexity but what you going to do. All artificial pumpkin, cinnamon and caramel flavors. Without knowing by reading the label would never have guessed this was barrel rested, granted rum barrel and not whiskey which is the "new" trend. Maybe the fact that it was a pumpkin beer (which is either bad or good in my opinion, not much middle or high ground), that was aged in rum barrels had my hopes raised; but overall it was lack luster in flavor and just another uninspiring pumpkin beer to add to the legions of others.
Low astringency, mouth coating body, highly carbonated with a long boring finish.
Yet another ho hum pumpkin beer to add to the ilk. The fact that it's "rum barrel aged" seems more like a marketing term then an actual flavor descriptor. Would not recommend or repeat.
Picture pending.
Ch. Greysac Bordeaux '11
France, Bordeaux, Medoc
Bordeaux blend (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon)
$20ish
Poundability: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Dark burgundy color, good condition with nose of blueberries and bramble. Medium body.
Extremely strong blueberry and bright berries at first sip. Mixed with lighter earthy, soil flavors but a much stronger fruit profile then the '10. Could taste the heavy Merlot (60%) backbone.
Nice tannins with well balanced acidity. Lacked a bit of character but for $20 a bottle I wouldn't be upset at all. Cool bottle and for the price would definitely repeat and recommend.
Picture pending.
France, Bordeaux, Medoc
Bordeaux blend (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon)
$20ish
Poundability: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Dark burgundy color, good condition with nose of blueberries and bramble. Medium body.
Extremely strong blueberry and bright berries at first sip. Mixed with lighter earthy, soil flavors but a much stronger fruit profile then the '10. Could taste the heavy Merlot (60%) backbone.
Nice tannins with well balanced acidity. Lacked a bit of character but for $20 a bottle I wouldn't be upset at all. Cool bottle and for the price would definitely repeat and recommend.
Picture pending.
Ch. Greysac Bordeaux '10
France, Bordeaux, Medoc
Bordeaux blend (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon)
$20ish
Poundability: 2/5
Value: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Dark maroon color, good condition, light/medium body. Cedar and bramble on the nose.
Initially tasted very dirty and earthy but with time opened up beautifully. Developed dark berry flavors along with potting soil and a very earthy dampness. Slightly thin. Heavily Merlot based?
Had a slight harsh alcohol finish but with time mellowed out. Leathery mouth feel with great tannins and light acidity. Mildly complex, but not as much as I was hoping from a 2010 Bordeaux. Needed a few hours open to really start showing true character. Not very fruit forward, which isn't a bad thing at all, but brought down poundability factor. Vastly different then many Bordeaux's I've tried recently. Worried it may have been slightly passed its prime, or passing it now; its been in my cellar for a few years now. Was underwhelmed overall, but could be one of those expectations being too high scenarios. For $20 a bottle I wouldn't be upset at all, very enjoyable, just was hoping for a little more character and complexity. All in all would repeat and recommend though.
Picture pending
France, Bordeaux, Medoc
Bordeaux blend (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon)
$20ish
Poundability: 2/5
Value: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Dark maroon color, good condition, light/medium body. Cedar and bramble on the nose.
Initially tasted very dirty and earthy but with time opened up beautifully. Developed dark berry flavors along with potting soil and a very earthy dampness. Slightly thin. Heavily Merlot based?
Had a slight harsh alcohol finish but with time mellowed out. Leathery mouth feel with great tannins and light acidity. Mildly complex, but not as much as I was hoping from a 2010 Bordeaux. Needed a few hours open to really start showing true character. Not very fruit forward, which isn't a bad thing at all, but brought down poundability factor. Vastly different then many Bordeaux's I've tried recently. Worried it may have been slightly passed its prime, or passing it now; its been in my cellar for a few years now. Was underwhelmed overall, but could be one of those expectations being too high scenarios. For $20 a bottle I wouldn't be upset at all, very enjoyable, just was hoping for a little more character and complexity. All in all would repeat and recommend though.
Picture pending
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Zenato Alanera '13 13.5%
Italy
Corvina
$16ish
Poundability: 2.5/5
Value: 2.5/5
Overall: 3/5
Dark ruby color, good condition, medium body. Spices and dark berries on the nose.
Smooth ripe berries with great spice backbone, but not over the top. Dark juicy fruit - crushed blackberries, with hints of coffee, light tobacco and with some earthy dirtiness. Light and smooth.
Classic strong Italian acid backbone along with great fruit flavors and nice soft tannins underneath wrapping it all together. Not incredibly complex but a solid bottle. Medium long finish. Not as good as I remembered past vintages but no major flaws or anything either, just a little....basic. Really like the strong bright berries but lack of complexity brings down overall enjoyment. Wish it were a dollar or two cheaper but would still repeat and recommend.
Picture pending.
Italy
Corvina
$16ish
Poundability: 2.5/5
Value: 2.5/5
Overall: 3/5
Dark ruby color, good condition, medium body. Spices and dark berries on the nose.
Smooth ripe berries with great spice backbone, but not over the top. Dark juicy fruit - crushed blackberries, with hints of coffee, light tobacco and with some earthy dirtiness. Light and smooth.
Classic strong Italian acid backbone along with great fruit flavors and nice soft tannins underneath wrapping it all together. Not incredibly complex but a solid bottle. Medium long finish. Not as good as I remembered past vintages but no major flaws or anything either, just a little....basic. Really like the strong bright berries but lack of complexity brings down overall enjoyment. Wish it were a dollar or two cheaper but would still repeat and recommend.
Picture pending.
21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon 4.9%
American, California, San Leandro
Watermelon Wheat Ale
$10ish/6pk
Poundability: 2.5/5
Value: 2/5
Overall: 1.5/5
Golden color with no visible carbonation. Nose of kiwi esters along with a strong watermelon profile, understandably.
Mild alcohol with a slightly unpleasant harsh burn at finish.
Used to be the standard bearer for watermelon flavored beers; but with New Belgium, Ballast Point and others joining the fry, 21st has lost some of its prestige. Don't know if quality went down when production went up or just with more and more options on the market 21st just doesn't stand up like it used to, but for whatever reason I didn't like it nearly as much as I used to. Tasted too artificial, wish the watermelon was downplayed and a little more restrained like the majority of 21st beers. An easy enough "lawn beer" but a one and doner, no high poundability here. Overall just a little boring, not enough going on the wheat side to make up for all the artificial steeliness. Would reevaluate next year or next batch to see if it was an anomaly but if quality stays the same would not repeat.
Picture pending.
21st Amendment Blah Blah Blah Imperial IPA 8% 63.3015 IBU
American, California, San Leandro
Imperial IPA
$13ish/6pk
Poundability: 1.5/5
Value: 3/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Tropical hops blended in with wood, pine, spruce and resin. Bready malt with apple and apricot esters. Classic bitter west coast nose with thin head and fast rising bubbles.
Very noticeable, but not harsh alcohol flavor. Got the same tropical fruity hop flavors from the nose on the palate with the same bready malt flavors. Not overpowering malts, just nice and well balanced but with noticeable bitterness.
Classic bitter west coast, resiny hoppy beer. Reminded me of Sierra Nevada's Imperial IPA. A little harsh for my taste but a good Imperial IPA for this popular style. Glad they didn't ramp up the alcohol which can make many Imperials tough to drink. A nice siping beer after a long day. Well restrained hop profile makes this a nice Imperial IPA, especially for the price. Would recommend for the style but not my cup of tea.
Picture pending.
American, California, San Leandro
Imperial IPA
$13ish/6pk
Poundability: 1.5/5
Value: 3/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Tropical hops blended in with wood, pine, spruce and resin. Bready malt with apple and apricot esters. Classic bitter west coast nose with thin head and fast rising bubbles.
Very noticeable, but not harsh alcohol flavor. Got the same tropical fruity hop flavors from the nose on the palate with the same bready malt flavors. Not overpowering malts, just nice and well balanced but with noticeable bitterness.
Classic bitter west coast, resiny hoppy beer. Reminded me of Sierra Nevada's Imperial IPA. A little harsh for my taste but a good Imperial IPA for this popular style. Glad they didn't ramp up the alcohol which can make many Imperials tough to drink. A nice siping beer after a long day. Well restrained hop profile makes this a nice Imperial IPA, especially for the price. Would recommend for the style but not my cup of tea.
Picture pending.
21st Amendment Brew Free or Die IPA 7% 70 IBU
America, California, San Leandro
IPA
$10ish/6pk
Poundability: 2.5/5
Value: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Medium golden amber color with a slight haze, moderate foam and fast rising bubbles. Aromas of tropical hops with a little herbal/green notes mixed in, mild clove at the end.
Mild alcohol detected but not over bearing or too powerful. Strong aggressive hop bitterness with a little bread flour malt to balance the hops.
Slightly to bitter for me but at 7% it's still a pretty good, smooth easy drinking IPA with nice creaminess. Sharp bite at first sip but quickly fades, nonetheless bringing down poundability factor. Nice to find an IPA that's reasonably priced, not overly fruity or absurdly hoppy. Would repeat and recommend.
Picture pending.
America, California, San Leandro
IPA
$10ish/6pk
Poundability: 2.5/5
Value: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Medium golden amber color with a slight haze, moderate foam and fast rising bubbles. Aromas of tropical hops with a little herbal/green notes mixed in, mild clove at the end.
Mild alcohol detected but not over bearing or too powerful. Strong aggressive hop bitterness with a little bread flour malt to balance the hops.
Slightly to bitter for me but at 7% it's still a pretty good, smooth easy drinking IPA with nice creaminess. Sharp bite at first sip but quickly fades, nonetheless bringing down poundability factor. Nice to find an IPA that's reasonably priced, not overly fruity or absurdly hoppy. Would repeat and recommend.
Picture pending.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
21st Amendment Down to Earth Session IPA 4.4% 42 IBU
American, California, San Leandro
Session IPA
$10ish/6pk
Poundability: 3/5
Value: 2/5
Overall: 2/5
Hazy golden amber color. Green hop aroma with bready/flour malts, classic west coast.
Non detectable alcohol flavor, a session after all. Light fruity hop flavors with very restrained bitterness. Light bodied, funky aftertaste with a metallic finish. Soft body with partially sparkling carbonation.
5+ year ago this would've just been an IPA, long before some suit came up with "session" beers, but that's neither here nor there. Had an unpleasant aftertaste that I couldn't quite place. Easy drinking but not a lot of character. Nice that it isn't overly bitter which many session tend to be these days, all big hops with zero alcohol. At 4.4% its a little boozier then some sessions these days but still wish there was more going on.
American, California, San Leandro
Session IPA
$10ish/6pk
Poundability: 3/5
Value: 2/5
Overall: 2/5
Hazy golden amber color. Green hop aroma with bready/flour malts, classic west coast.
Non detectable alcohol flavor, a session after all. Light fruity hop flavors with very restrained bitterness. Light bodied, funky aftertaste with a metallic finish. Soft body with partially sparkling carbonation.
5+ year ago this would've just been an IPA, long before some suit came up with "session" beers, but that's neither here nor there. Had an unpleasant aftertaste that I couldn't quite place. Easy drinking but not a lot of character. Nice that it isn't overly bitter which many session tend to be these days, all big hops with zero alcohol. At 4.4% its a little boozier then some sessions these days but still wish there was more going on.
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