Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1994, Napa Valley, CA
Cost: $60/bottle
A beautiful evolution of this 16 year cabernet sauvignon from one of Napa Valley’s oldest wineries. During Prohibition, the Beringer family was permitted to continue making alcohol for medicinal purposes, therefore saving many of its vineyards. I had one bottle of this wonderful cabernet in my cellar and just felt it was the right time to open it; indeed it was. Aromatics are off the charts, with lovely mature and complex notes showcasing black cassis, blackberry pie, graham cracker, polished leather and espresso, with complex background scents of lead pencil shavings. In the glass, it’s medium-bodied and lean given its age, but still has a good concentration of fruit. The supple tannins, low acidity, and alcohol are unobtrusive, allowing the cabernet grape to sing gracefully across the palate. A beautiful and elegant wine that can be enjoyed on its own, but it’s best shared over dinner with friends and family.
Rating: 95
Selene – Chesler 2004 – Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California
Cost: $60/Bottle
Interesting; I would have pegged it as an Italian wine if I hadn’t known it was made from the fruit of Napa Valley. It has an aromatic profile with raisin, ripe prunes, mild black cherries, subtle fresh tobacco leaf and tea notes— but in the mouth, it’s bold and strong on density, overpowered with fruit and teeth-coating tannins. A whale that doesn’t smack its tail on your taste buds but sits their on your mid-palate letting its weight say it all. Give this wine more time to age— at least another 3 to 4 years. It should evolve nicely, and hopefully with more complexity on both the nose and palate. There’s good substance in this wine that only very few wines on the market can hope to sustain.
Rating: 92
Earthquake – Petite Sirah 2006 – Lodi, California
Cost: $23.99/Bottle
This is pure, dark, opaque-purple, full-bodied, velvety smooth and rich, layered to be exact as it coats the palate with its creamy milky texture. The aromatics from initial opening (and for about 30 minutes) is phenomenal; its roasted coffee, caramel, and cocoa seduces you, transforming toward its black cherry and blackberry core, all the while offering hints of pure vanilla and coffee. Very full flavors where black cherry, cocoa and vanilla reigns supreme. An uncommon bottle with great appeal that is well-priced for the masses. Well bought indeed.
Rating: 94
Doña Paula – Seleccion de Bodega, 2006, Malbec – Argentina
Cost: $29.99/bottle
Wow! Here is a dark purple brute of a wine, with an amazing concentration of fruit and unbelievably rich, decadent and velvety texture that seriously grapples your palate and overwhelms the senses. The aromatics are out of this world, showcasing black cherries and blueberries with complex accents of mocha, espresso, dark chocolate and just a hint of charred oak. Follow that up with a smooth tarp of flavors that just blanket the palate with enormous blue and black fruit— always hinting at the bittersweet German chocolate and mocha notes— and you have a winner here. It is an amazing find for under $30, and this Doña Paula has certainly caught my eye for a quick six-bottle purchase to track with much enjoyment in the future. It’s tasting mighty good today, but the sheer expression of fruit above the deep but supple tannins should promise good drinking over the next 5 to 8 years. In this day and age and current economic times, this under $30 find is more than up to the task of competing with wines costing in the 3 figure range. Bravo to Doña Paula for fashioning something affordable and classic at the same time.
Rating: 94
Antinori Solaia 1997 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc – Tuscany, Italy
Cost: $85/bottle purchased in early 2000 (vintage 2006 currently about $175/bottle)
Amazingly dark ruby/purple color for a slowly maturing wine that is 12 years off the vine. Full-bodied and rather inky in texture. The nose is slow to emerge, almost as if it’s still quietly waking up after resting about 9 years in my wine cellar. The Solaia performed exceptionally well (but only after about 40 minutes of aeration) offering a bouquet of blackberries, black currants, premium cigar tobacco, sandalwood, and licorice. But its true calling in life and overall quality seem to show more in its huge concentration of fruit, most notable on the mid-palate, backed by a wall of tannins. Clearly this wine is still youthful and its structure is just barely allowing consumption at this stage, and only with plenty of air time in the glass. This wine could have benefited enormously from decanting, but I admit I was remiss.
Rating: 92
Twomey 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – Sonoma, CA
Cost: $42/bottle
From the fine folks out in Alexander Valley (Silver Oak)— they have produced another label called Twomey for some years now, and this is my first taste of their pinot noir. The color is a transparent ruby, light to medium-bodied, almost appearing very dilute or even a bit like a rosé. The Twomey’s bouquet is generous however, with nice raspberry and cherry fruit, and heavy toasted oak reminding me of Perugina chocolate cherry cordials. It is an alluring aroma one cannot help keep sniffing. In the mouth, it is certainly light on its fruit and the cherry/raspberry aromatics are consistent in the flavor profile, with good glycerine and alcohol in check. Virtually no tannins, but it is the balanced acidity that provides the structural integrity to the wine. For a 2008 vintage, this wine is certainly young, but I doubt it will get any better than it is today. Seems to me it was built for immediate consumption. For $42 a bottle, don’t cellar this; drink it right away to get your money’s worth.
Rating: 88
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Have you heard?
Until the release of PX Me (Summer 2011), this website will henceforth be updated only intermittently (approximately once or twice a week).
Abbe Diaz’s new (daily) blog is now at: abbediaz.com
Hug Cellars – Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco Syrah 2005 – California
Cost: 21.99/Bottle
This full-bodied behemoth of a wine has an amazing nose of charred embers, smoked meat, cedar, and awesome blackberry pie notes with just a touch of peppery spice. The great velvety texture is to die for, and the wine just gets more aromatic over dinner. A beautiful rich wine that just seems to grow on you. It is amazing how ripe a syrah from California can be, yet even more enchanting is its lasting impression. Hug Cellars— I’m a believer; whenever I see Hug Cellars on a store shelf, I’m a buyer. This is the second label I’ve had of this wine, and they really have some great fruit and great wine-making coming out of their vineyard.
Rating: 93
Chateau Pichon Longueville 1995 Bordeaux – Pauillac, France
Cost: $105/bottle (purchased in 1998)
Here is a 2nd growth Bordeaux from a chateau with an excellent history of developing great wines that are age-worthy; when they reach their peak, it lasts for decades. It’s been about 15 years since the great vintage of 1995, and the Pichon Longueville was stunning from its open. Aromas of lead pencil, polished leather, black cassis, plums, dry-roasted walnuts, and roasted espresso beans. The velvety fruit revealing mature cassis flavor slid effortlessly across the mid-palate with good weight and density. The tannins are firm and the alcohol unnoticeable, allowing the fruit (with just the right level of grippy acidity) to come forth, making this wine so easy to drink. Slow down and enjoy the bouquet… ahhh… this is good juice. A nice mature Bordeaux, and although most claret lovers might find this wine a bit young, I think it has developed well, with a great complex nose but still plenty of baby-fat fruit to impress the palate. Back that with a long finish and you have a winner. Delicious!
Rating: 98
Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – Alexander Valley, Sonoma
Cost: $40/bottle (restaurant retail)
I happened to stumble across this Rodney Strong Cabernet, and it was fairly good. Aromas of toasted vanilla bean blended with sweet oak; a slight hint of confectionary sugar sprinkled over black currants and anise is a nice touch. In the mouth, medium-bodied and silky smooth, with plenty of consistent flavor to back it up. They did a great job for this label in 2007; this bottle probably retails for about $20 at your local wine shop, and it’s a particularly good value for this Alexander Valley cabernet.
Rating: 88
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Oh sure, now you’re happy to see me. That’s pretty funny, considering it seems that usually I can’t get past the doorman at Hotel Griffou.
(Hee, kidding!) (But not really.)
Please rate the Bar:
It’s nice. Cute bartenders.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Outstanding. Really. (But they effin better be, at these prices! Holy cow.)
Please rate the Dining Room:
N/A. But the "lounge" area is nice, albeit small. Great view.
Please rate the BOH:
N/A again. (But on a semi-related note, I did try out the new chef at Hotel Griffou the other day. And I must say the food was very good.)
How was the staff?
Excellent. Everybody from the bellhops to the doorman (who’s apparently "not really a doorman doorman," in case you were wondering) to the cocktails waitresses were unbelievably gracious. Very impressive.
What did you eat?/ How was the food were the drinks?
White Russian something : Delicious.
Oh shoot, what was the other one? Tequila with fresh coconut milk something or other : OMG, so gooood.
What did you like?
Well, let’s be totally honest here. I love Johnny Swet and Larry Poston (yah, even when I can’t get in their fucking restaurant). Oh, and that David Rabin dude is okay too.
What did you dislike?
Nothing! No, really.
What was your last impression?
Did that nice security guy seriously run over here just to open the door for me? Crazy.
Would you come back?
Yup.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you! Love ya!
Two Hands – Angels Share Shiraz 2007 – McLaren Vale, Australia
Cost: $25/bottle (as part of a Vosges Dark Chocolate gift box)
Thick velvety dark opaque purple wine, a rich decadent milkshake-like wine oozing with so much viscosity. Notes of black cherry, chocolate cake, black raspberry, with strong mocha in aroma and flavor. I almost feel guilty drinking this; it’s like dessert in a glass. Dark chocolate morsels made by Vosges are a great accompaniment to this dry red— although granted, I would likely enjoy this particular shiraz with a nice juicy porterhouse steak more. A fine offering made by the folks at Two Hands.
Rating: 90
Roy Estate Vineyard, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California
Cost: $101/bottle
A browse through a convenient small wine and beer shop (located in an Ocean City, Maryland Hilton Hotel) revealed a rare bottle from Roy, a “garagiste” (or rather, a premium “cult” wine)— a bit steeply priced at about $20 above the winery-direct charge, but worth checking out anyway.
This was dark purple, full-bodied and velvety, with a voluptuous external appearance and texture. Sexy and smooth with aromatics that combined black currants, confectionary sugar-powdered donuts, and vanilla crème, with a marvelous leathery complexity. With some swirling (and just over the one-hour mark), notes of mild mocha emerge. It’s really quite amazing to sniff… with a great layered mouthfeel exhibiting perfect levels of glycerine and a density in the fruit that just wraps the palate. A full 45-second finish with lingering currants, black cherry, and vanilla makes you want to come back for more. It’s easy to take shots at more expensive wines, but this one is packed with the quality and panache that come with a premium worth every cent. A solid serious cabernet from Roy.
Rating: 94
Dry Creek Valley – Endeavor Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Cost: App. $50/bottle
Lush fruit— currants, black berries, and blueberries, along with graham cracker pie crust and toasted oak, with a touch of smoke and dark chocolate. Layered in the mouth, a long decadent finish, a joy to sniff and of course to taste. Accompanied with an artisanal cheese plate followed with filet mignon, this wine has a voluptuous body that keeps giving on both the mid and back
palates. Wow.
Rating: 94
(Worth looking for; only 749 cases made. May be tough to find but worth the search.)
Admit it, you could use a drink right now. (The fact it’s only 10:44AM is totally irrelevant.) Need a cool recipe? (Ha, lookit that: September 27, 2010 – Avion Tequila Coffee Shooter! See? It’s got coffee in it!)
Check out your boy Yusef Austin‘s brand-spanking new webspot for ELITELIXIRS! It’s dope.
No seriously though, I’ve had it running in the background on my desktop for like 10 minutes now, cuz I really like that song. I almost feel like I’m sitting at Boom Boom with Yusef right now.
Except I’m missing a cocktail.
:(
♪♪ "… done my tiiime, paid my duuues, packed my bags and away i flew…." ♪♪
Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon – Altitude Series 2005 – Galil, Israel
Cost: $49/Bottle
Wow! Who would have thought a wine like this could be made in Israel (and Kosher to boot)? This wine is unbelievable. Dark, rich, ruby in color, full-bodied, with an inky texture loaded with black fruits, currants, and black raspberries, saddled with espresso, toasted oak, and anise. The flavor complements the consistent aromatic sensation. This is quite a surprise to me— a quintessential cabernet from Israel. Awesome. (And did I mention it’s Kosher?)
Rating: 95
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
First impression? Oh, huh. Smaller than I thought— I’d heard it was gigantic.
(And then I was given the full tour later on, and holy cow, it’s gigantic!)
Please rate the Bar:
Well, there are a lot of them, but they’re not all fully open just yet. But the big one with the naked swimming girls is the nicest.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Good. High quality, nice volume, hotel prices. (It’s the Gansevoort, you see. So, yah— like that.)
Please rate the Dining Room:
Uhh, N/A? Although they do serve food pretty much everywhere.
Please rate the BOH:
Better than I expected! Pretty solid, actually. And the menu is huge.
How was the staff?
Great. Our waitress was friendly, sweet, and conscientious, and the army of runners/bussers were amicable and super efficient.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Tuna Sliders, Lobster Sliders, Kobe Sliders, and Veggie Sliders : Delicious. All of them. But the veggie turned out to be the most impressive, because absolutely nobody expected a veggie slider to be that tasty.
Chicken Tenders : Nice. Who doesn’t love a good chicken finger?
French fries : Very good! Like Thomas Keller Sysco frozen fries good. No, seriously.
What did you like?
The food was really outstanding. And the drink presentation is excellent.
What did you dislike?
Urrgh… this location…
What was your last impression?
That was a lot more pleasant than any other Gansevoort Hotel I’ve ever been to. No joke.
Would you come back?
Sure. The best part? It’s open all day! Apparently, you can even "have a nice coffee in the morning or a relaxing sunset cocktail…" And that is where I’m sold. (Unfortunately, the pool deck is "for guests of the hotel only" during the day. Boo.)
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you, it was a pleasure.
= "personne extraordinaire"