Back From the Holiday Sippers

After a bit of a hiatus in January, I am back to excite and awe with a new selection of some wonderful products. I am featuring a Russian River Valley Chardonnay, a red blend from Washington and a barrel-aged Gin from Columbia.

Paul Hobbs 2010 Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($53.99)

With each bottle I have the pleasure of opening, I am falling more and more in love with the Chardonnays of the world. This specific rendition hails from California and displays the quintessential characteristics of wines found in the Russian River Valley region. Aged for a full year in French Oak (52% new) the wine takes on a lovely golden hue and an aroma akin to cream and peaches. Bright and fresh, the toast from the oak is evident on the nose. The most striking aspect of this wine for me is the beautifully balanced acidity and the luxurious mouth-feel, rounded out by a wonderful mineral undertone that lingers on the palate. This wine was featured in an Old World vs New World wine comparison I had conducted in our classroom back in November and has been on my mind ever since. Gorgeous and beautifully constructed, it is a stunning new world addition and definitely worth a gander for a white wine drinker looking for that special bottle for their next event.

Radius 2011 Washington State Red Blend ($15.99)

The world of wine can be very trendy, but unpredictable as to what the new “it” wine will be.  One trend I have noticed is an increase in interest of American wines, specifically from the states of Washington and Oregon. In light of this trend, I decided to grab a bottle of the Radius red blend after work. A medium bodied blend, the composition of this blend is a closely kept secret (in that the internet could not tell me what the components were). It hits the palate with bright red fruits and a lively acidity, secondary flavors hint at vanilla and a bit of spice coming from some oak aging. This is a bottle I would pull out for a night by the fire, with a few finger foods on the side. It does not carry the body to stand up to a hearty meal of steak and potatoes, but it will scratch your wine itch if you are just looking for a smooth, easy drinking red.

Dictador Colombian Ortodoxy Gin ($45.49)

On to the main event! We have recently taken some great strides to condense down our whisky shelves to make room for some other fantastic spirits. One of the biggest improvements we made was vastly improving our stock of rums, including my all-time favorite brand Dictador out of Colombia. I was first introduced to the brand in a prior job and instantly fell in love. At the time I had heard they were working on a gin which would be aged in their used rum barrels. Years later, I still remember the conversation with the distiller and am glad to say that we have in fact acquired this magical spirit! This bottle boasts some serious layers, starting on the nose with a light juniper note that is accompanied with lemon, mint and spices. Tiny hints of blueberry and cinnamon can be found trailing on the finish. As the gin hits your tongue it is coated with the flavors of the barrels. Brown sugar and molasses blend with vanilla and cinnamon, promptly followed by the bitter roots and botanicals that make up the savory side of the gin. The flavors are constantly evolving from start to finish, delivering a wide range of sensations with a good balance between sweet and sour. It creates an absolutely fantastic spirit that was well worth the wait. My preferred cocktail is equal parts gin to tonic, garnished with a fresh lime wedge. If you recall my past entry, I follow a strict “No Straws” policy. A drink of this caliber deserves to be drunk from the rim!

In closing, I would like to thank all of my readers for again taking the time to see what I have to say. I try to keep the entries light hearted and humorous so they are not a dry read while still being informative so you as a consumer can get more out of your purchasing decisions. I am always looking to try new things, so if you think you have a beverage that outshines the rest feel free to let me know. I may end up featuring it in my next blog. Cheers!

Feb 18, 2014 at 10:18 AM

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