Well, wouldn’t you know it but those good old boys wildly careening their souped up sedans around backwoods roads would eventually evolve into those good old boys carefully careening their stock cars around oval race tracks.

The reason I mention all this is because I just received a bottle of Popcorn Sutton’s Tennessee White Whiskey, which is in fact the legal descendant of that illegal moonshine and it is made from Popcorn Sutton’s secret recipe.  Yes, there really was a moonshiner named Popcorn Sutton and his recipe was perfected over four generations.  Popcorn was a third generation moonshiner who lived and distilled his whiskey in Cocke County, Tennessee.  And true to his moonshiner heritage on March 16, 2009, while facing 18 months in federal prison for making moonshine (not paying taxes on his whiskey), he decided to take his own life rather than go to prison.

Fortunately, he shared his secret recipe, along with the tradition and craft that made his whiskey famous with his friend Jamey Grosser who, under the America’s Rebel Spirit Company, distills Popcorn’s Whiskey exactly the same way Popcorn made it.  Let’s dive in and see if it lives up to its legend.

It comes in a jet black bottle with white lettering with a design that makes both the front and back labels appear to be both front labels, neat idea.  WHOA, this is alcohol!  The nose is full of grain; I do believe they use corn, and it has an underlying dash of sweetness from the accompanying sugar.  However, the alcohol is front and center, and I made the mistake of taking in a deep breath and singed all the hairs in my nose.  I have had moonshine before and I can vouch that this is definitely moonshine.  It eventually settles down in the glass and the alcohol dissipates and leaves a clean scent of grain.

On the palate, it begins with a pronounced tingle that builds and then evens out.  I get a taste of malted grain followed by subdued sweetness that seems to balance nicely with the grain.  The finish starts with a very peppery feel in my throat that is short and eventually just leaves the taste of the grain in my mouth and a tingle around my tongue.

It mellows right out on the rocks and the edges smooth over and the earthy grains come out from behind the alcohol and take center stage. It mixes it up quite nicely with lemonade or coke but does not lose its identity.

This Tennessee White Whiskey is really a prime example of its type of spirit; moonshine AKA white lightning.  It is not for the faint of heart, but if you are the adventurous sort you really ought to try this.  It is 93 proof so drink with caution. 

It is available in limited distribution but worth looking for at only $25.00 to $30.00 per 750ml bottle.

By George Brozowski

California is producing some top-notch Bordeaux varieties, and it’s not just in the Napa Valley.  Growing regions from all over the state have world-class wines to offer.  Here is a selection of some our panel’s recent favorites featuring the five major red grapes of the Bordeaux region.

Cinnabar 2010 Mercury Rising Red Blend

Grape(s):  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, & Malbec

Region: California

Price: 20-25

Review:

Aromatics of currants, blackberries, and black cherry are accented by notes spice, vanilla, and bacon on the nose. Flavors of cherry, blackberry, and cassis meld with suggestions of dark chocolate, pepper, smoked cedar, and game. A supple wine with rather interesting layers, it’s a solid value for a $20 Bordeaux blend.

Rating: 89

Cinnabar 2009 Malbec

Grape(s):  90% Malebc & 10%Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Lake County

Price: 60-65

Review:

A bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, and smoky herbs greets the senses. Flavors of tick blackberry, bing cherry, and blueberry emerge on the palate rounded out by suggestions of earth, cedar, and toasty vanilla.  A rich, full-bodied wine with bold tannins, it’s ideal of a variety of Latin American fare. Fans of Malbec will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 91

Buccella 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Petit Vedot 3%, Malbec 2%, & Cabernet Franc 1%

Region: Napa Valley

Price: 140-145

Review:

Aromas if blackberries, cherries, and currants meld with suggestions of chocolate and cedar. Flavors of bramble fruit and cassis come together with notes of cocoa, cedar, and roast coffee on the palate. A nicely structured red, with supple tannins, enjoy it now with food or give ti a few years in the cellar. 1,238 cases produced.

Rating: 90

McIntyre Vineyards 2011 Kimberly Vineyard Merlot

Grape(s):   100% Merlot

Region:  Monterey County

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromas of black cherries, plums, and currants with accents of leather and herbs rise up from a glass. A sip delivers flavors of blackberry, currant, and black cherry that mingle with suggestions of earth and white pepper.  A supple Merlot that fans of rich, concentrated reds will enjoy.

Rating: 90

Sol Rouge 2009 Cabernet Franc

Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Franc

Region: Lake County

Price: 30-35

Review:

A bouquet of blackberries, plums, cherries, and earthy spice greets the senses. Blackberry, cherry, and currant flavors emerge on the palate along with highlights of vanilla and sweet spice.  A rich, supple red, this a a Cabernet Franc that just might change any skeptic’s mind about the grape variety.

Rating: 91

Cuda Ridge 2010 Petit Verdot

Grape(s): 100% Petit Verdot

Region: Livermore Valley

Price: 30-35

Review:

Aromas of dark berries mingle with suggestions of cocoa, cigar, and earth on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of boysenberries, blackberries, and plums accented by dark chocolate, earth, and smoke. A rich wine with balanced tannins, fans of supple reds should try this bottle.

Rating: 90

I’ve known about Kickstarter for a while now and they have crowd funded numerous start-ups.  Essentially, the entrepreneur describes the project on their website, the overall goals and costs to launch and hundreds if not thousands of people wanting to get in on the action pledge amounts of money ranging from a few bucks to a few thousand bucks and if the monetary goal is achieved the product or service launches and everyone holds their collective breath.

The entrepreneur in this case is Carin Luna-Ostaseski a Scotch enthusiast, licensed bartender and a former Creative Director who has spent years blind tasting over 100 different Scotches and then testing and tweaking variations until she came up with “THE” Scotch.  In this case it is a blended Scotch whisky distilled, matured and produced in Scotland containing a blend of Speyside and Highlands Scotch with a touch of Islay.

There must be a lot of Scotch lovers out there because Carin not only met her goal of raising $39,000 but exceeded it and with the help of 245 new friends/investors she raised $45,784 and produced her first batch of the new Scotch.  Well, let’s see how she did.

It is pale golden in color.  It is crisp and clean on the nose and not oaky at all and just very slightly smoky.  It continues with a sweet citrus like quality that eventually settles into a peppery toffee. The smoke finally takes center stage on the palate but it is not overwhelming and nicely balanced with the sweet citrus.  It really is a simple pleasure and not overly complicated.  The finish concludes with the citrus coming in first followed by the smokey scotch which lasts a fair amount of time leaving a clean mouth feel with a slight tingle.

On the rocks, the palate becomes nuanced and all the flavors blend harmoniously with the smoke taking a gentle lead and the citrus blending back a bit.  This is a delicate scotch that a first timer might like and an old timer might take to sipping on a summer’s day.  If you can get your hands on it give it a try, it comes in a 750ml bottle and is 86 proof and was set to launch just this past May 2013.

By George Brozowski

Now that it’s nearly summer, we can all look forward to the warmer weather and sunshine of the months to come. And what better way to compliment these lovely days ahead than with a nice cool glass of white wine.

Here’s our final segment of recommendations (Check out Parts 1-3 here) for first-class bottles that make an ideal aperitif on a warm evening or can add a little life to Sunday brunch.

Sculpterra 2012 Viognier

Grape(s):  100% Viognier

Region: Paso Robles

Price: 20-25

Review:

A bouquet of pineapple, dried banana, honey dew, and springtime flowers greets the senses. Flavors of tropical fruits, banana, and melon come together with floral and nutty suggestions on the palate. Somewhat round with a welcoming acidity, it’s a very approachable white to wind away a lazy summer afternoon.

Rating: 89

Holman Ranch 2010 Chardonnay

Grape(s):  100% Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Price: 25-30

Review:

Aromas of citrus fruits, toasty oak, dusty earth, and honey rise up from a glass. The palate unfurls flavors of lemon, lime, and tart peach along with hints of honey and minerals. A very lively Chardonnay, that drinks more like a Chablis than something from Cali, fans of crisp, minerally whites will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 87

Puma Road 2011 Pinot Gris

Grape(s):  100% Pinot Gris

Region: Monterey County

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromatics of tart apple and Asian pear greet the senses.  A sip reveals flavors of green apple and pear with accents of minerals and citrus. A lively, crisp white that’s ideal for fans of bright, refreshing wines. 170 cases made.

Rating: 88

Puma Road 2011 SLH Chardonnay

Grape(s):  100% Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Price: 15-20

Review:

A bouquet of tropical fruit and creamy oak come together on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of pineapple, mango, and apple along with notes of vanilla. A fairly smooth wine, with ample fruit and nicely integrated vanilla, it’s sure to hit the spot on a warm afternoon. 300 cases produced.

Rating: 88

Puma Road 2011 Reserve SLH Chardonnay

Grape(s):  100% Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Price: 45-50

Review:

Aromatics of apple and pear meld with hints of vanilla and sweet spice on the nose. Notes of apple, pear, and pineapple emerge on the palate along with suggestions of orange peal and caramel. Smooth and rich with a nice balance of flavors, fans of Chardonnay will enjoy this bottle even if it’s not summertime. Just 100 cases made.

Rating: 90

Geyser Peak 2012 Sauvignon Blanc

Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: California

Price: 10-15

Review:

Aromatics of citrus fruits and honeydew with a grassy suggestion greets the senses.  Flavors of grapefruit, gooseberry, and melon mingle with hints of glass and minerals on the palate.  A crisp, clean white offering a nice balance of flavors, fans of Sauvignon Blancs with ample fruit and a fresh acidity must try this wine.

Rating: 89

Geyser Peak 2012 Pinot Grigio

Grape(s): 100% Pinot Grigio

Region: California

Price: 10-15

Review:

Aromas of melon and green apple meld with notes of citrus fruits and minerals on the nose.

A sip delivers flavors of apple, pear, and citrus zest along with a few floral and white spice hints.  It’s a bright, crisp white that’s lively yet approachable.

Rating: 88

For a country about the size of South Carolina, Scotland sure does have a lot of distilleries.  Hundreds have come and gone and around a hundred remain going strong.

Spirit Imports, founded in 1993 imports and internationally markets premium distilled spirits.  They import the small batch Classic Cask brand as well as The McGibbon’s Provenance brand.

The McGibbon’s Provenance and dozens of other fine scotch whiskies are the product of Douglas McGibbon & Co., a family owned company formed in 1949. They have built an extensive portfolio of young and old Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. 

Let’s get started with the McGibbon’s Provenance Glenlivet 1997, single malt, 15 year old Scotch.  Glenlivet has been around forever and it is the go to scotch of some of my friends.  They make an excellent product so I am anxious to see what this 15 year old child of theirs is like.  The color is a pale golden yellow hinting that it might not be as over the top as much darker brown whiskeys.  The nose is delicate and not oaky or smoky at all.  As a matter of fact it is surprisingly crisp and clean with hints of citrus and honeysuckle. After it sits a bit the smokiness just barely appears.  On the palate the taste finally awakens to present more of a true scotch profile and yet it’s a delicate scotch profile.  It becomes a bit smoky and has a hint of oak with vanilla and grass in the background.  It is smooth and subtle yet flavorful but not overpowering.  The finish is short and sweet and smooth leaving a faint smokey taste with a touch of pepper that makes it very interesting.  This scotch is so understated that I wouldn’t even think of adding ice.  I’ll bet that even people who profess to hate scotch would appreciate this Glenlivet.

On to the McGibbon’s Provenance Inchgower 1999, single malt, 12 year old Scotch.  Again the color is a pale golden yellow.  The nose however is leather forward and sharp and to the point.  The aroma is thicker and has more body than the Glenlivet and yet there are slight high notes of raisins and fresh figs.  The palate is complex and slightly smoky but not necessarily oaky since I believe this batch was laid to rest in sherry casks which gives it a hint of sweetness. I pick up a taste of pear and apple in the background.  It is flavorful and medium bodied but not overpowering and pleasantly complex.  The finish is medium in length and slightly sweet and smokey with a touch of spice and leaves me wanting more.  On the rocks this scotch settles down into a very refined and delicate drink accenting the scotch and smokey flavor yet retaining traces of the sweetness and fruit in the background.  Either way; straight up or on the rocks this is a good sipper.

Holy cow, I haven’t tried this much booze in one sitting since we tried 18 cognacs one night.  Actually that evening is still one of my most memorable memories which I just really can’t share with anyone other than my father confessor.

At any rate, the next one up is the McGibbon’s Provenance Glenrothes1997, single malt, 14 year old Scotch.  The color is also a pale golden yellow.  The nose is gentle, slightly sweet, and a bit acidic with no hint of scotch or smoke or alcohol at all!  After it has sat in the snifter for a bit it finally reveals the slightest hint of scotch character with no smoke and no oak, it is very clean. The first sip finally shows the first hint of smokiness and scotch taste yet it is quite laid back. It is soft and fruity and citrusy but in a much muted manner.  The finish is also smooth and slightly peppery leaving a residue of tasty flavor behind and it is medium in length.  On the rocks it begins to behave and the smokey scotch flavor comes forward and the rest balances and becomes uniform and it transforms into a great sipping scotch.

OK, so if my crass assumptions are anywhere near correct this last one should be quite interesting; it is the Classic Cask 40 year old rare blended scotch.  Holey moley, I don’t even have children that old – let’s dive into this.  The color is a translucent amber and if it were a solid it would make one hell of a pretty necklace.  Straight from the bottle I get a hint of the oak and smoke I expected but it is very laid back with a tiny bit of citrus in the background.  In the snifter it opens up and those two aromas combine perfectly into a blend where neither one dominates and they are harmonious.  There are also hints of caramel and leather and licorice and chocolate and raspberries.  This is a wonderful nose; I could spend as much time, if not more, just inhaling this scotch as drinking it.  On the first sip all those things I just mentioned combine perfectly.  It’s like a symphony orchestra of flavor where every taste plays perfectly with the other.  The smokey scotch taste which usually dominates in most scotches plays much nicer with all the other flavors here but is definitely still the major player.  Whatever you do don’t put this on the rocks, this is just way too nice to dilute.

The McGibbon’s Provenance Inchgower 1999 is around $55.00 per 750ml bottle and the McGibbon’s Provenance Glenrothes 1997 is around $80.00 per 750ml bottle.

McGibbon’s Provenance Glenlivet 1997 around $40.00 to $50.00 per 750ml bottle.

Classic Cask 40 year old scotch whiskey between $350.00 and $400.00 per 750ml bottle.

Enjoy, they’re all pretty darn good yet in totally different ways.

By George Brozowski

For more George’s Rants and Raves click here

Now that it’s nearly summer, we can all look forward to the warmer weather and sunshine of the months to come. And what better way to compliment these lovely days ahead than with a nice cool glass of white wine.

We continue (also check out Part 1 and Part 2) to share some recommendations for first-class bottles that make an ideal aperitif on a warm evening or can add a little life to Sunday brunch.

Here is the next group: an assortment of 6 variates from the familiar to the rare.

Yarden 2009 “Galiee” Viognier

Grape(s):  100% Viognier

Region: Golan Heights, Israel

Price: 20-25

Review:

Aromas of peach and apricot combine with suggestions of white-blossoms and minerals on the nose. Flavors of peach, pineapple, and apricot mingle with notes of honey and spice on the palate.  A rich, crisp wine with a lively mineral backbone, fans of brighter Viogniers will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 89

Puma Road 2011 Gewurztraminer

Grape(s):  100% Gewurztraminer

Region: Monterey County

Price: 20-25

Review:

Aromatics of apples and pears mingle with orange blossoms and nutty suggestions of the nose. A sip reveals flavors of apple, pear, and citrus fruits accented by notes of white-blossoms and nuts. A fairly bright, floral white, it’s sure to bring to life to a summertime Sunday brunch. 170 cases produced.

Rating: 88

Puma Road 2011 Pedregal Vineyard Chardonnay

Grape(s):  100% Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Price: 20-25

Review:

Aromas of pear and red apple mingle with suggestions of sweet spice on the nose. Flavors of pear and apple emerge on the palate with notes of vanilla lingering in the background. An approachable, bright wine that’s well suited for fans of Chardonnay with a little more zip.

Rating: 86

Laraneta 2009 Cameo

Grape(s):  100% Vernaccia

Region: Paso Robles

Price: 20-25

Review:

Not yet a recognized variety in America, this wine made from the Tuscan grape Vernaccia offers a bouquet of green apple and citrus fruit. The palate unfurls flavors of apple, grapefruit, and melon accented by suggestions of honey and minerals.  A mouth-filling wine, with a welcoming acidity, it falls somewhere between a Viognier and Pinot Grigio and will definitely hit the spot on a warm afternoon.

Rating: 88

Holman Ranch 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Grape(s):  100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Monterey County

Price: 15-20

Review:

Notes of citrus fruits and green apple rise up from a glass. A sip reveals flavors of lime, grapefruit, and apple with a slight accent of minerals. A refreshing wine with a nice tart character, fans of crisp, lively whites will enjoy this bottle.  It’s ideal for a a summer seafood cookout.

Rating: 87

Holman Ranch 2011 Pinot Gris

Grape(s):  100% Pinot Gris

Region: Monterey County

Price: 15-20

Review:

Citrusy notes combine with suggestions of honeydew and minerals on the nose. Flavors of lemon, lime, and melon emerge on the palate along with accents of honey. Fruit driven with a balanced acidity, it makes for a lovely, lively summer sipper.

Rating: 88

OXELY Royal Honey

1 1/2 oz. OXLEY Gin

1/2 oz. Martini Rossi Rosato

1/2 oz. Ramazzotii Amaro

1 1/2 oz. Fresh squeeze ruby red grapefruit juice

1/2 oz. Orange honey syrup

2 Fresh basil leaves

1/2 oz. egg whites

Glass: Martini

Garnish: fresh Basil leave

Method:

In a Boston shaker add fresh basil, Oxley, Martini & Rossi Roso, Ramazzotii Amaro, fresh grapefruit juice, egg white, and Orange honey syrup, ice and hand shake vigorously, serve up in a chilled martini glass, garnish with a fresh basil leave.

Orange honey syrup:

To make to the syrup we mix water and orange honey syrup, half & half.

Cocktails created by Manny Hinojosa

Now that it’s nearly summer, we can all look forward to the warmer weather and sunshine of the months to come. And what better way to compliment these lovely days ahead than with a nice cool glass of white wine.

We continue to share some recommendations for first-class bottles that make an ideal aperitif on a warm evening or can add a little life to Sunday brunch.

Here is the second group: a few California Chardonnays as well as a couple Sauvignon Blancs from over seas.

Hoyt Famly Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay

Grape(s):  100% Chardonnay

Region: Santa Barbara County

Price: 30-35

Review:

Aromas of apple, pear, all-spice, and vanilla rise up from a glass. Flavors of Golden Delicious apple and crisp pear meld with suggestions of vanilla, toasty oak, and sweet spice on the palate.  A rich yet crisp wine, those who enjoy a nice balance of fruit and vanilla should try this bottle.

Rating: 90

De Tierra Vineyards 2011 “Vindegard” Chardonnay

Grape(s):  100% Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromatics of tropical fruit, baked pear, and creamy oak rise up from a glass. Notes of pineapple, pear, tart apple come together with suggestions of sweet spice and vanilla on the palate. Fairly rich and round but still offering a fresh acidity, fans of bright, layered Chardonnays will enjoy this bottle.  Just 90 cases produced.

Rating: 89

Clos La Chance 2011 Chardonnay

Grape(s):  100% Chardonnay

Region: Monterey County

Price: 10-15

Review:

Notes of pineapple, lemon, and pear mingle with creamy oak on the nose.  Flavors of pear, tart apple, and tropical fruit emerge on the palate with a hint of vanilla.  A lively wine with a crisp acidity, fans of bright Chardonnays, without the strong dose of vanilla, will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 87

The Beach House 2012 Sauvignon Blanc

Grape(s):  Sauvignon Blanc 80% & Semillon 20%

Region: South Africa

Price: 5-10

Review:

Aromas of citrus fruit and gooseberries mingle with suggestions of grass and white pepper. A sip reveals flavors of lemon, grapefruit, and gooseberry accented by notes of minerals and bell pepper.  A crisp, refreshing white that would pair well with sushi or shrimp cocktail, it’s ideal for summer gatherings, especially at its price.

Rating: 88

Queulat 2012 Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc

Grape(s):  Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Chile

Price: 10-15

Review:

Aromas of bell pepper, grapefruit, and pear greet the senses. Flavors of citrus fruits and pear meld with suggestions of grass and minerals on the palate. A lively wine with a bright acidity, fans of herbaceous whites will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 86

Sure enough inside was a broken bottle of Grey Goose but the good news was that a bottle of traditional Grey Goose was still in one piece as was the flock of three flavored geese.  All was not lost, YAY.

I have to say right up front that I really like the traditional Grey Goose and have been drinking it for quite a while now.  Actually, I first tasted it in 1997 when the legendary Sidney Frank first introduced it into America from France that year.  As a matter of fact, he was so successful in promoting it that he ended up selling the brand to Bacardi in 2004 for $2 Billion.  He is also the marketing genius who got every college kid in America to drink and like that horrible Jagermeister.  If you really want to know my full opinion of Jagermeister, click here.

I was living in San Francisco in 1997 when I got the call from my publisher, Mike Walsh, that Sidney Frank was launching Grey Goose in San Francisco and wanted to take a group of local journalists, radio dj’s, TV news people and sports figures out on the town to try Grey Goose for the first time.  We had to dress up and would be picked up by limousines.  How can you refuse that type of invitation?

In all, there were 5 limos and each contained 2 Grey Goose girls and 4 of us lucky stiffs and enough bottles of Grey Goose to sink the Titanic.  We ended up going to 4 clubs where we tasted 3 house specialty mini martinis made with Grey Goose and got to sample dozens of their house specialty appetizers.  By the end of that evening, I had made at least 20 new friends, was stuffed on fine food and of course had consumed at least a dozen mini martinis and a few regular sized ones as well.  We were gently deposited at home at the end of the evening and each given parting gifts of probably 50 miniature bottles, several regular sized bottles and 2 magnums of Grey Goose along with a T-shirt or two.

Needless to say, the next morning the radio and TV shows whose hosts had participated the previous night raved about the evening throughout their programs as did the sports celebrity guests who appeared on the shows.  The two major newspapers wrote glowing articles as we also did.  That kind of product launch media blitz hasn’t been seen since and Grey Goose literally became an overnight sensation.

All that being said, I am still wary of any flavored spirit as more have fallen short than succeeded. But at least Grey Goose is starting out with a really good vodka, so I am hoping for the best.  The three flavored Geese that survived the trip ended up being black cherry, orange and pear. So let’s get to it.

I want to start by revisiting my old friend traditional Grey Goose. The nose is clean and crisp and has no particular aroma or even a hint of alcohol.  On the palate, it continues that crispness with no discernible taste and possibly the slightest hint of pepper.  The finish is smooth and clean and short but sweet.  This is truly wonderful vodka in every sense of the definition of vodka as being odorless, colorless and with no particular taste.  It defines super premium and is well worth the price of $28.00 for the 750ml and $37.00 for the liter.

With that high quality of vodka as the base for their flavored spirits, my expectations were quite high.  Next was the Cherry Noir.  Straight from the bottle the aroma is Grey Goose vodka infused with ripe cherries and hints of other subtle citrus scents.  However, in the snifter, the aroma broadens out and now begins to resemble cough medicine more closely rather than cherries.  It starts out smooth on the palate with the flavor in the background but that flavor quickly comes forward and dominates the mouth.  That flavor is not the natural fruit of the cherry but something else that’s hard to describe.  It is soft but has an edge to it that dissolves into a citrus and pepper bite.  It leaves a bitter although smooth finish that leaves my tongue tingling and that is medium in duration.  Even on the rocks it maintains this acidic profile.  This is not what I was expecting.  It is priced similarly to the unflavored vodka.

Next up is the Orange flavored Grey Goose.  The nose, as concentrated in the bottle, is very orange peel like with a strong citrus back.  In the snifter, the orange definitely steps forward and reminds me of immature oranges that are a bit citrusy and acidic and need a while to mature and mellow.  On the palate, this vodka starts out smooth and subtle, which is quickly followed by a nicely laid back orange flavor followed by a pleasant citrus back.  The finish is smooth and medium in length and just fruity and sharp enough to make it interesting.  There is still quite a citrus acid background to this flavor but it is much truer to its orange namesake than the cherry was.  On the rocks, the citrus back subsided but the orange flavor still seemed immature, and I did not find it as satisfying as I thought I would.  It is the same price as the previous two.

Last but not least is the Pear flavor.  Now, I have to reveal that after I moved from San Francisco I moved to Santa Rosa, California, in my backyard were several pear trees, so I am very familiar with very fresh pears.  We used to pick them at their ripest and even then they were rock hard and needed to be put in paper bags for a week or so to ripen and soften.  And when they ripened they were the sweetest most tender, juicy and tasty things I have ever eaten so with great anticipation I opened the bottle of Grey Goose pear.  The nose straight from the bottle is reminiscent of those pears I used to enjoy.  It has a subtle yet very pear like sweetness to it.  In the snifter, the pear essence becomes more obvious to the nose and it is very close to the real thing.  On the palate, the pear flavor is very much forward yet subtle and balanced.  It is sweet and fruity and I swear I can almost taste the pear skins.  The finish is much less citrus like and acidic than the previous two flavors and does not leave my tongue tingling.  I do believe that they got this one quite right.

I believe my belief in Grey Goose hasn’t been too shaken by this experience and I will continue to drink and thoroughly enjoy traditional Grey Goose and even add the pear flavor on occasion.  The other two, cherry and orange I might use in a mixed drink but as pricey as Grey Goose is, there are less expensive mixed drink alternatives.  Flavored spirits, no matter the type are always a hit or miss proposition and in this case they have both hits and misses.

By George Brozowski

For more George’s Rants and Raves click here

Now that it’s nearly summer, we can all look forward to the warmer weather and sunshine of the months to come. And what better way to compliment these lovely days ahead than with a nice cool glass of white wine? Over the next few weeks, we’ll share some recommendations for first-class bottles that make an ideal aperitif on a warm evening or can add a little life to Sunday brunch.

Here are the first three, a couple special blends and a varietal Viognier:

Cass 2011 “Rockin’ One” Blend

Grape(s):  56% Viognier, 22% Marsanne, 22% Roussanne

Region: Paso Robles

Price: 30-35

Review:

Aromatics of tropical fruit and peach meld with suggestions of caramel  and springtime flowers on the nose.  A sip reveals flavors of peach, mango, and lemon along with accents of minerals and spice. Slightly creamy but still offing a bright acidity, it’s ideal for summer and shellfish.

Rating: 90

Hoyt Famly Vineyards 2010 Decoupage

Grape(s):  Pinot Gris, Viogner, and Chardonnay

Region: Santa Barbara County

Price: 20-25

Review:

A bouquet of tropical fruit, lemon, melon, and floral notes greets the senses.  Flavors of honeydew, peach, and citrusy notes mingle with hints of honey and minerals on the palate.  A fairly bright wine with an approachable round mouthfeel, it makes for an ideal summertime sipper.

Rating: 89

Hammer Sky 2010 ‘Princess” Viognier

Grape(s):  100% Viognier

Region: Paso Robles

Price: 25-30

Review:

Aromas of mangoes and pineapple meld with hints of honey on the nose. The palate offers flavors of mango and apricots that flow into suggestions of honey and minerals.  A rich, round Viognier, fans of full-bodied whites should try this as an alternative to Chardonnay.  Sip it on a warm summer evening. 225 cases produced.

Rating: 89

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