Cherry Pie Pinot Noir

Cherry Pie Pinot Noir

2010
Hundred Acre

Stanly Ranch, Napa Valley, California

Jayson Woodbridge

Every time I think of cherry pie, I think of the Rock hit by Warrant.  I can't help it.  It gets stuck in your head.  Not that it has anything to do with this elegant wine, though.

But this, this is the review of the Cherry Pie wine, a Pinot Noir from winemaker Jayson Woodbridge.  Not quite the same as a song by Warrant.  Not at all.

Redwood Creek Malbec

Redwood Creek Malbec

2009

Frei Brothers Vineyard

Mendoza, Argentina

So, here we have another Malbec up for review.  And again, it's a Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.  

Imagine that.

This is the 2009 Vintage Redwood Creek Malbec from the Frei Brothers Vineyard.

Steam Pumper IPA

Steam Pumper IPA

Fire Station 5 Brewing Company

India Pale Ale

Portland, Oregon

49 IBU's

6.5% Alcohol

I saw this beer awhile back at a Fred Meyer grocery store and bought it since I had never seen it before.  This is the Steam Pumper IPA from the Fire Station 5 Brewing Company.  

And why had I never heard of the Fire Station 5 Brewing Company?  That's because it's not a real brewery...

Layer Cake Chardonnay

Layer Cake Chardonnay

2011

Pure Love Wines

California

I'm finally catching up on trying the various varietals from Layer Cake Wines.  This is my first tasting of the Layer Cake Chardonnay, the 2011 vintage to be precise.

Keystone Premium

Keystone Premium

American Lager (Beer)

Coors Brewing Co.

IBU's: <10

4.4% Alcohol

Good ol' Keystone beer.  Keystone Premium to be precise.  

It's weird that back in the day, before I knew what good beer was, I always had friends around who drank Keystone Light or Keystone Ice.  But surprisingly I rarely, and I mean rarely, ever saw the regular Keystone.  And by regular Keystone, I mean the one in the red can, also oddly known as Keystone Premium.

If You See Kay Red Wine

If You See Kay

Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine Blend

2010

One True Vine/Hundred Acre Winery

Lazio, Italy

So... here's a wine that's garnered some attention, If You See Kay.  Obviously, the name is a play on words from the lengthy classic James Joyce novel, Ulysses.  The full quote is:

If you see kay      

Tell him he may      

See you in tea      

Tell him from me

An observant reader would notice another four letter word, but hey, it's literature!  What we're really here for is the wine!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Drink up!  Eat up!  Be Merry (and safe)!  And be grateful of how fortunate we all are to be living right here and right now.

Cheers!



PS. Here's a hilarious video about cooking turkey.  (*Explicit* language)

Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock

Samuel Adams

Chocolate Bock

Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams)

11 IBU's

5.8% Alcohol

I keep wondering how many beers from Samuel Adams I've actually tried.  I'm willing to bet it's at least 25, yet they keep coming out with new beers!  More for me to try!  Not a bad problem to have.

So up for review today we have the Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock.

Layer Cake Pinot Noir

Layer Cake Pinot Noir

2010

Pure Love Wines

California

I find Pinot Noir to be one of the more interesting wine varietals.  I think it's because of the huge variance it can have in tastes, much more so than many other wine types.  I'm not saying that's a good or bad thing, it just is what it is.  I've heard this is because it's a difficult grape to work with.

Speaking of Pinot Noir, for today's review  we have the 2010 Pinot Noir from Layer Cake...

Broken Shed Vodka

Broken Shed

Vodka

New Zealand

40% Alcohol Content (80 Proof)

I can't say that I've had a lot of vodka from New Zealand.  Or really had a lot of anything from New Zealand for that matter.  

If you can't remember where or what New Zealand is, it's right by Australia and is where the Lord of the Rings trilogy was shot!  A gorgeous, gorgeous place!

Bear Flag Dark Red Wine Blend

Bear Flag

Dark Red Wine Blend

California

And the award for the craziest wine label goes to... Bear Flag and their Dark Red Wine Blend.  

Seriously look at that label!  There's a crack down the middle where there isn't any label, just the glass bottle.  I've never ever seen that before.  It's simultaneously cool and crazy.

Speaking of cool and crazy, that pretty much sums up this wine...

Pinetti Notte Rosé Wine

Pinetti Notte Rosé

2010

Rosé/Blush

Sicility, Italy

I don't normally drink or review a lot of  rosé wines.  Not that I don't enjoy them occasionally, but it's just hard to go to the store and see a couple Malbecs or Cabs I haven't tried right next to some pink Moscatos, White Zinfandels, and the like.  It's hard for me to resist trying to dark reds.

But several months back, I went to a rather large wine festival with my wife.  If you've read through this site, you've likely noticed that I've been on a quest to find drinks my wife will enjoy, with varied success.  Fortunately at this wine festival, she realized that she actually likes a few of the pink wines, Moscatos and such.  And with the popularity these pink wines are rapidly gaining, I figure I should start reviewing a few more.

Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale

Samuel Adams

Old Fezziwig Ale

Winter Warmer

Boston Brewing Company (Sam Adams)

27 IBU's

5.9% Alcohol

Is it too early to review a holiday beer?  

I don't think so.  It's starting to get cold, at least here.  Like really, really cold.  The other day I was out fishing and it basically started blizzarding on me.  I could have used a nice Winter Warmer brew right about then.

Ravenswood Petite Sirah

Ravenswood

Petite Sirah

Vintners Blend

2009

California

I'm willing to bet that  a lot of people don't know the difference between Syrah, Shiraz, and Petite Sirah.  It's all a bit confusing at first, I get that.  But nothing too complicated.

Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA

Samuel Adams

Whitewater IPA

Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams)

IBU's: 60

Alcohol Content: 5.8%

I believe this is the fifth Samuel Adams beer I've reviewed here on the site.  This is kind of weird considering how many tasty beers Sam Adams makes and the fact that I've tried a good majority of them.  Oh well, it's hard to review them all!

Zinopolis Zinfandel

Zinopolis Zinfandel

2010

California

Here we go again!

This is a review of the 2010 Zinopolis Zinfandel from California.  When I picked up this bottle, I assumed it would taste a lot like a typical California Zinfandel.  And certainly, I was correct!  I love it when I'm right...

Little Chica Malbec

Little Chica Malbec

2010

Mendoza, Argentina

I'm still on a Malbec kick.  I don't know why.  But hey, there's worse things I could be doing.

This is my review of the 2010 Little Chica Malbec.

Deschutes Obsidian Stout

Obsidian Stout

Deschutes Brewery

Bend, Oregon

IBU's: 55

Alcohol Content: 6.4%

I was thinking about this beer the other day, the Obsidian Stout from Deschutes, and I realized that even though I've gone through several six packs over the past couple of years I have NEVER reviewed it!  To me, this is a pretty common beer, but I realize for some people (especially East Coasters) this may be a bit harder to find.  Which is a pity...

Paulaner Salvator Double Bock

Paulaner Salvator 

Double Bock

Beer

Germany

IBU's: 28

Alcohol Content: 7.9%

You'd think that here in America we would have a lot more German beers to drink, especially considering how big the beer scene is in Germany.  

But alas, this isn't the case.  You can find them if you are willing to look a bit harder and pay a bit more, but you're not going to find them at the gas station or Walmart... which is a shame.

Red Bicyclette Syrah

Red Bicyclette Syrah

2009

France

Vin de Pays d'Oc Appelation

Red Bicyclette Syrah is another Syrah which brings up the discussion of Syrah versus Shiraz.  If you're familiar with these wines, you'll already know they're the same grape.  The difference is in their characteristics determined by where they are grown...

Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager

Black Star

Double Hopped Golden Lager

Great Northern Brewing Company

Montana

IBU's: 15

Alcohol Content: 4.6%

So to start this review of Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager, I want everyone to take a look up top at the information on this beer.  See that?  See something that doesn't quite add up?  Are you thoroughly confused?

That's right.

Beringer Pinot Noir Founders' Estate

Beringer Pinot Noir

Founders' Estate

2009

California

I find Beringer interesting.  Not so much for their wine, itself, but rather the huge variety they have within the wine they produce.  They make several bottles under $10 and several costing $200+ a bottle, with many, many bottles in between.  There are not very many wineries than can claim such a feat.

Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon

Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon

2010

Pure Love Wines

California, USA

Amazingly, this is the fourth Layer Cake wine I have reviewed.  

I've already formally reviewed their Primitivo/Zinfandel (2008), Shiraz (2010), and their delicious Malbec (2010).  Well now, it's time for their Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Vintage to be precise.

Cruzan Coconut Rum

Cruzan Coconut Rum

St. Croix,  US Virgin Islands

Alcohol Content: 21% (42 Proof)

Here's another drink in a long list of things I've purchased for my wife in an attempt to find things she will drink.  Most of my attempts have been complete and utter failures.  She's picky.  Fair enough.

Paul Masson VS Grande Amber Brandy

Paul Masson

VS Grande Amber Brandy

Origin: America

40% Alcohol (80 Proof)

When people think of brandy, they don't normally think of... America.

Primal Roots Red Blend

Primal Roots Red Blend

2010

Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel Blend

California

Here is another red wine blend from California, the 2010 Primal Roots Red Blend.  

I always find blends interesting.  Not necessarily because they're all that good, but because this is the result of someone trying to mix a few different styles of wine from multiple batches and vintages and come out with something that tastes desirable.  At least that's their hope, I'm sure.  Blends usually seem to be mild and easy-going, with only a couple here and there worth seeking out.

Odell Double Pilsner

Odell Brewing Double Pilsner

IBU's: 40

Alcohol Content: 8.1%

This is the fourth beer from Odell Brewing that I have formally reviewed.  The others were their standard IPA, their Myrcenary IPA, and their signature 90 Shilling Ale.

It would be easy to say I have a love-hate relationship with Odell Brewing's beers.

Trapiche Broquel Malbec

Trapiche Broquel Malbec

2008

Mendoza, Argentina

I'm kind of on a Malbec runner here lately.  I think this is the fifth Malbec I've reviewed in a little over a week.