Community Tasting Note

tp096255 Likes this wine:

Tuesday, April 1, 2014 - This stuff is harder to get than a Schrader Cab!

This bruiser clocks in at 14% (as opposed to 13% for 2013) but you still can't tell there's any alcohol anywhere until you're about half-way through the bottle and it hits you - whoa.

There is a lip-smacking goodness/stickiness to this that just keeps drawing me in for another sip. I'll delineate it as I do my wines:

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COLOR: Brownish-black, opaque, with a deep brown rim and a burnt caramel head that leaves a nice lace on the side due to the high glycerin/alcohol.
NOTE: Nose initially smells like the outside of a burnt marshmallow beside a campfire, all that crispy sweet goodness waiting inside. Then it reveals loads of espresso, dulce de leche, molasses, melted dark chocolate, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon, tar and a little leather. The mouth is thick and rich, heavy with glycerin. Loads of creamy espresso, malt, candied orange peel, crème fraiche and chocolate covered cherries linger. The finish carries most of the same notes, especially bitter cocoa, but also includes an acidic snap (from the hops?) that keeps the sweetness in check and ultimately provides a clean palate that requires another sip. Finish is about 60 seconds long, maybe more. This is magic, again, and I'm glad I fought tooth-and-nail to get 10 bottles. I'll try this again with some slow-cooked baby back ribs this Friday and post another note.

Technical Details:
OG: 29.5 p (Plato)
Aged: 12 months (time in barrel)
Cases: 3500
IBU: 82 (high)
Yeast: British Ale (house)
Color: 167 SRM (midnight black)

DECANT: 0-2 hours
GLASS USED: Tulip
TASTE: 9.4
COST: 16
VALUE: 9.5
TRY AGAIN: now-2016
PAIRING: any kind of BBQ, but also good with chili, or just on its own as an aperitif
Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net
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