Jammy nose, blueberry pie and plums. The palate starts with sweet blueberry compote and plum, adds a tart zing of raspberry on the mid-palate, and ends with a flourish of vanilla and brown sugar. Sweet tannins and tart acids give it balance. Drink with portobello mozzarella burgers. Recommended. 87 points.
Palate Press has selected our favorite stories from 2013 and will publish Redux articles over the holidays, starting with a week featuring Palate Press Columnists. The editorial board hopes you enjoy these highlights as we look forward to bringing you the best stories for your palate in 2014. ••• here is a
Cherry stones, vanilla, and cola show on the nose. The palate leads with black cherry and strawberry, with a tart raspberry twist. Some vanilla comes through on the mid-palate. The finish favors the tart over the sweet. Mouth-feel is soft, tannins mild. Drink with bacon-wrapped pork medallions. Recommended. 87 points.
This floral delight is made entirely from Frapin's Grande Champagne vineyard, from a blend of 40-50 year old reserves. White flowers and loads of caramel waft up from the glass. Opening with caramel, vanilla, coffee, and a touch of heat, it explodes on the palate with a remarkable blend of
Smoke, white flowers, and sweet cucumber show on a very delicate nose. The same flavors show on the palate, with spanish orange peel, candied lemon peel, and black pepper. The agave shines through, sweet and clean, with an undercurrent of smoke. This is shockingly smooth, bite-free, a pure sipping Mezcal
Pour vigorously, decant, wait, or cellar for a decade or more. Don't pop and pour. If you do, you will be punished by vegetal wine loaded with oak. Give it a day or more, though, and the wine changes completely. Cassis, vanilla, and a touch of mint show on the
Argentina is a place full of contrasts – if not contradiction. It is the wealth and bustle of Buenos Aires and the quiet, ramshackle villages of the interior. It is the vast desert plains of Mendoza, set in front of the majestic wall of the Andes mountains, a combination that
The smooth scent of this whiskey is not an indicator of the finish – when sipped neat. First there’s a pleasant molasses/sorghum aroma. Flavors are very woody and bright – even a bit too bright, turning into a burn in the finish. Very attacky tannins on the tongue. Overall, this