Hampton Water Wine Co.
Oomuraya Shuzoba Co., Ltd.
Wakatake Onikoroshi (Demon Slayer) Junmai Ginjo Sake
This is a nice sake. This is a “mag” but I think the aromatics are diminished due to the age of the bottle or the chill I have in it. I’m just not getting much. To me the flavors are great and I’m not surprised it’s got an SMV if +\- 0 it’s like drinking water. Little alcohol on the backend. — 2 years ago
Brewery Omuraya Brewing Company
Category Junmai Daiginjo
Subcategory N/A
Taste Profile Rich & Dry
Rice variety Yamadanishiki, Gohyakumangoku, Aichinokaori
Yeast variety Shizuoka (New 5)
Alcohol 16.5%
RPR
50%
SMV
0
Acidity
1.5
The Dreaming Tree
North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
Balanced Cabernet Sauvignon from Dave Matthews, light with grape flavor and low acid and tannin, at Dirty Water Pizza Co. In Back Bay, Boston — 7 years ago
Delinquente Wine Co.
The Bullet Dodger Montepulciano 2017
Nose: wet stone, cranberries, vanilla, makes mouth water slightly. Taste: full on the palate, dark cherry, black currant, great acid on the finish. Amazing wine! — 7 years ago
Sinegal Estate
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016
Of the Napa wines I tasted over 4 days on this trip, the 16 Sinegal Reserve & the 13 Seavey Cabernet were my favorites. Both great wines but, stylistically very different. The Seavy big and bold and the Sinegal pure beauty & elegance.
The nose reveals very dark currants. Dark & milk chocolate. Blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum & plum, mocha powder, core of anise, beautiful dark spice, soft volcanic soils, some dry brush and lavender, violets and fresh dark red florals.
The body is full. The tannins are really meaty but, exceptionally soft, fine and meaty. Lots of dark spice with plenty of heat. The mouthfeel is gorgeously sexy with feminine elegance. Dark & milk chocolate. Blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum & plum, mocha powder, core of anise, beautiful dark spice, big sweet tarry notes, soft volcanic soils, some dry brush, lavender, violets and fresh dark red florals. The acidity is perfect. The finish is well balanced sexy and gorgeous. The structure, tension say this needs to cellar eight to ten years.
Photos of; tasting cellar area, modern stainless tanks, outside terrace tasting and or dining area and their grounds and lake.
Producer history and notes...Sinegal Estate was founded in 2013 with wines made from their 30 acre Inglewood estate in St Helena (not to be confused with the Inglenook Estate in Rutherford). This is not a new property, it was part of an original land grant and its more modern day history dates back to 1879 when owner Alton Williams purchased the property and planted the first vines in 1881.
The property has changed owners a number of times over the decades. At one point the Jaegers’ owned the estate, Bill Jaeger and his wife Lila lived here. These Napa Valley pioneers were in part responsible for helping establish Freemark Abbey and Rutherford Hill. Lila was also a gardener and established beautiful gardens on the property.
Owners, David (father)and James (son) Sinegal purchased the property in 2013. James was the co-founder of Costco and once CEO. David worked at Costco for 21 years.
After the purchase, David divided each of their vineyards into smaller blocks, picking selectively (30 times in 2013) rather than all at once, and adding technology to the vineyards so they have up to the date reports on a number of data points including temperatures, soil moisture and various barometric pressures. If they want to selectively water, say vine #67 in row number three, they can do so with their irrigation system. Extremely efficient!
Nine acres of vines are planted to various red varietals including; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. They have some of the older Cabernet Franc vines in the valley that are 30+ years old.
The soils here are diverse and can vary even within small geographic ranges on the property. Some of their vineyards are planted on the valley floor – while their upper vineyards are hillside, on the edges of the Mayacamas Mountains.
Their landscape above the property is interesting and part of the Mayacamas Mountains. Visually, it appears drier than other parts of this mountain range and the vegetation reflects that with grey pine and more open natural vegetation rather than the thicker wooded vegetation more commonly associated with parts of Spring and Diamond Mountains to the north.
After purchasing the property, David created planned and laid out his vision to create a world-class boutique wine making operation. Many wineries in the Napa Valley can take years before they come to fruition, not so here. After only about 10 months, the existing winery was remodeled. 6,500 feet of caves were expanded and drilled into the hillside behind the winery and a new hospitality center was built. The hospitality center ties in very well with the winery. From the small tasting room, large doors open revealing the tanks.
A vegetable garden slightly under an acre grows just south of the winery building. Vegetables from this garden are sold to nearby restaurants.
A skeleton key appears on the labels of their wine and is prominently displayed on the outside of their winery building. This has historical significance. The original key opens the front door to the historic home on site and is displayed in the tasting room. With respect to the history of this property, this one key has already become iconic to the brand.
You only need to look inside of the winery to see that their wine making team is focused on quality. Each of the small lot tanks have built in pumps which can be controlled and programmed to do pump-overs anytime of the day or night. In addition, these tanks have multiple points at which the temperature can be controlled. These tanks do not necessarily handle all their fermentation’s. They also ferment small lots in puncheons and barrels as needed. Control across the board is the key here and it is the control of the details in wine making that is is so integral from when the fruit first arrives through to when it is bottled.
2013 was their inaugural release. The focus is currently on two primary varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc were sourced from the estate but, then it was determined it was growing in an area better suited for red varietals so it was torn up and new plantings were made in the back of the property. While not far from these original plantings, their new home for their Sauvignon Blanc features different soils and is growing in a cooler part of the property.
The wine making team has been experimenting with the style of this varietal since 2013 with subsequent vintages seeing more oak. Especially, using the slightly longer cigar shaped barrels , which have extra surface area for maximizing complexities including textural feel imparted from aging the wine on the lees in these particular barrels. Maceration on the red wines is often 8-10 days and sometimes up to 20 days.
Most of their sales are direct to visitors or through their mailing list. However, they do have some distribution outside California in Florida, New York and Washington. Primarily to restaurants. — 8 years ago
Yucho Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Kaze No Mori Tsuyuhakaze Junmai Sake
This was all part of our Sake Day 2025 experience. We only tasted 60ish sakes out of an estimated 450, so a small fraction of what was available. While I attempted to rinse the glass with water and stay hydrated it’s difficult to fairly rate in this environment and I use it solely as a time to try a wide variety and interact with the brands. — 9 months ago
Kurosawa Sake Brewing Co.
Nigori Sake
Coconut water, rose petals, and starchy goodness — 6 years ago
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2011
A pre-tasting of my heavy meat red sauce in order to fine tune the spices and seasoning it before serving for 30 people for our friend’s 60th birthday party tomorrow night.
The sauce is 9 cans of whole tomato’s crushed & drained, 9 can cans of tomato sauce, 3 cans of tomato paste, 6.5 pound whole pork roast braised in diced garlic & olive oil that falls apart & shreds when done, 5 pepperoni sticks sliced, 4 pounds of meatballs (with Italian bread crumbs, garlic salt, coarse black pepper, eggs with warm water) and 14 seasonings & spices slow cooked over 36-48 hours. It’s a blend that once it’s done is magical harmony in the mouth like a well crafted & aged wine.
The wine works well but, I’ll have better pairing wines tomorrow night.
The nose reveals; dark, sweet & slightest sour dark cherries, cherry kirsch liqueur notes, ripe, bright blackberries, baked black plum, ripe, juicy, strawberries, slightly candied black raspberries, blue fruits, mixed berry cola, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry stems, soft, leaner, sweet, tarriness, touch of dry herbs with the most amazing, bright, red, dark blue florals, violets and shades of lavender.
The body is medium full, round with great mouth presence. The tannins nicely, rounded, slightly tarry and baby teeth. The tension, structure, length and balance have just started to tango. Dark, sweet & slightest sour dark cherries, cherry kirsch liqueur notes, ripe, bright blackberries, baked black plum, ripe, juicy, strawberries, slightly candied black raspberries, blue fruits, mixed berry cola, medium intensity dark spice with a little palate heat, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry stems, leathery, dry tobacco, shades of graphite, soft, leaner, sweet, tarriness, nutmeg, clove, a touch of dry herbs with the most amazing, bright, red, dark blue florals, violets and shades of lavender. The acidity is nicely executed. The long finish is nicely knitted, balanced fruit and earth, polished with soft, brilliant florals and persists minutes.
Third largest Co-op in Europe and they produce some quality wines. Especially, for the volume the make.
Delectable has this @ $99. I bought it at Costco upon release for $28.99.
Photos of, the beautiful, quaint hilltop town of Barbaresco, my meat sauce, their tasting room just to the right at the feet of the clock tower with Gaja just a little further down to the right of there and the best Michelin star restaurant we’ve experienced for lunch. We dined there right after our visit to Gaja. What service, food and a day!
— 7 years ago
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7
Habanero is Portuguese for Harmony, so throw a couple in the mixWölffer Estate
Summer in a Bottle Long Island White Table Wine 2017
Mountain Tides Wine Co.
Clement Hills Whole Cluster Pressed Rosé of Petite Sirah 2017
Inaugural vintage of a brand new winery by Scott Kirkpatrick and Allison Watkins.
Paired well with the spicy breaded tilapia. Light peachy pink. Lovely and crisp nose with notes of strawberries, white flowers and melon. Medium acidity (6.5/10) and light plus bodied. Similar notes on the palate well being very vibrant and elegant. Notes of strawberries, melon, cantaloupe, roses and minerality. Long and lingering finish that makes your mouth water. Drink till 2022.
Made up of 100% Petite Sirah which is whole cluster pressed, fermented in 100% neutral oak and aged for five months in neutral oak. Only 12.8% alcohol.
$ - Sample provided by the winery. Was just released for $22.00 a bottle. — 8 years ago
Other Half Brewing Co.
Oh... Double Dry Hopped India Pale Ale
The Other Half's Oh... Double IPA is extraordinary. Perfect almost Zen like balance, rich and juicy yet not at all heavy - the 6% alcohol content is exactly right in my view. From the brewery's website: "Double dry hopped IPA w / citra, galaxy, motueka + citra lupulin powder". Not quite the ideal of water, hops, barley and yeast, but it works so very well. Here's some context: The Other Half is a brewery in Red Hook, Brooklyn that is, in my opinion, making the best beers in the New England (juicy) IPA style. This type of beer has become popular recently and rightly as done well they are both complex and approachable. Recently The Other Half took over a bar in Manhattan serving a range of their beers. The place was packed. The Other Half is so hot right now. And rightly. If you do visit the brewery, plan on doing so early in the evening if you are intending on buying cans. They sell out fast. — 8 years ago
Les Portes de Bordeaux
Bordeaux Rosé Blend 2023
Trader Joe’s. Every bit as good as Hampton Water for half the cost — 2 years ago
Craft wine Co.
Minimus Layne Vineyard Vermentino 2017
You don’t miss your water ‘til your well runs dry. — 4 years ago
Richvale Wine Co.
One-Piece Revival White Blend
No vintage listed. 70-30 Grenache Blanc and Muscat. Fresh, floral, and dry. Jasmine, orange blossom water, tangerine peel, lemon, melon. Probably the best still white I've had it of a can. — 7 years ago
Ink Works Wine Co
California Pinot Noir
Best value Pinot Noir of the day. The nose makes my mouth water for blueberry cherry clove spice-rubbed bbq pork chops. Enchanting spiced berry flavors coat the palate. This is Xmas Pinot! It’s a sunny 75 degrees in October, but I’m about ready to break out the holiday wrap and hang mistletoe. We’re firing up the grill, so I’m sure the summer vibes will return to bikini bbqing. Heck, this is a year round pleaser at $16 a bottle. I can see the price of this one doubling should it catch fame. — 8 years ago
Coates & Co.
Plymouth Navy Strength Gin
Pretty great. The one that turned me on to navy strength gins. Good in martins or with soda. Great with a splash of water, but really shows it’s colors straight out of the (cold) bottle. Juniper, orange, thyme, a little sweetness. — 8 years ago
Julien Braud
Forty Ounce Rosé Blend 2017
This trend might just last a few rosé seasons. And I’m sure it would sell just as well if it was filled with knockoff Mateus. Fortunately it is not. The blend is 35% Gamay, 33% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 12% Grolleau, 5% Pineau d’Aunis, 2% Pinot Gris. Those varietals indicate it’s probably not from Provence.
In fact it’s sourced from the Loire Valley (Muscadet and Touraine). Although it’s crisp and dry, there’s a noticeably contrast to Provençal rosés, which I find usually lean toward a citrus and peach, tart and tangy, high acidity profile. By comparison, the Forty Ounce has a more mellow profile. Watermelon, orange peel, cherry, and crushed rock. If all the other rosés are Hampton Water, this is Hipster Water, and will certainly provide enormous appeal to fans of La Croix. — 8 years ago
The Teeling Whiskey Co.
Single Grain Irish Whiskey 2016
Add little water and wow — 8 years ago
Heritage Distilling Co.
Batch No. 12 Bourbon Whiskey
Heritage distilling batch 12 bourbon. This is really nice with good bourbon flavor of caramel, vanilla, spice. A tad hot on the palate, helped with a splash of water. Overall very good. — 9 years ago
Sonia Ross
Love. The pale color is deceiving, flavours are amazing. — 13 days ago