2/10/2024 - farinas Likes this wine:

Dinner with Friends at Platea. This is a very fragrant Margaux with a nose of flowers, blue fruits and delicate crème de cassis. Body is soft with soft tannins and a fresh acidity that makes you come back for more. The finish is medium in length with flowers.

2/10/2024 - farinas Likes this wine:

Dinner with Friends at Platea. Followed a Margaux with this big wine. Pitch dark color with earthy aromas of black fruit, tea and wood spices. Palate showed chunky tannins mellowed with some acidity. Ends in a medium finish that is pleasant and not too heavy. The wine always shows sediments so decant we’ll.

12/10/2023 - farinas wrote:

Unpretentious Gigondas on the lighter side with small red berries and herbs, a bit metallic on the finish. Mid palate is smooth and vibrant however not a lot of depth here.

8/20/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Very fruit forward bouquet of cassis and raspberries at such a young age without being overdone. The palate is soft delicates and filled with red raspberries. This wine still has time to evolve but it’s already drinking quite well. Finish is medium long. Superb!

3/18/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Golden amber color with a subtle rum cask sugary bouquet. Entry is spicy rye with sweet warm buttery mouthfeel with moderate tannins . Finishes medium with a dryness and peppery tones. The rye comes through this one real nice while also maintaining supple body. Nice work! This is a 6 year with 95% Rye and the rest Malted barley, more in line with the Sagamore rather than the lower Rye Willett and Michter

3/7/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Tasted side by side with Buffalo Trace.
Nose:
- BT: sweet honey liqueur
- ER: sweet malt with some spicy notes

Entry:
- BT: smooth, light sweetness with mild smooth tannins mouthfeel with light gripping on the back end
- ER: smooth, light sweetness with mild smooth tannins mouthfeel with moderate gripping and bitterness on the back end with brown sugar notes

Finish
- BH: short finish with some malted notes
- ER: medium finish with brown sugar notes and sweet oak perfume.

3/6/2023 - farinas wrote:

Amber color with mash bill #1 . Nose is on the lighter side with hints of brown spices and maple syrup. Entry is smooth with light soft tannins and mouthfeel has a mouthwatering alcohol heat with light astringency that grips the tongue for a nice medium oaky staves finish. It’s a fine sipper to be had neat as any little dilution can disrupt the harmony.

3/2/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Golden amber at 95% Rye 5% Barley. The spice is very malty so the end result is a very fruit forward Rye whiskey with very mellow mouthfeel due to low proof. Very good!

3/2/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Golden amber color with 51% Rye. Nice intensity of spices and sweet cream notes on the nose. Entry is sweet, warm with moderate chewiness barely any heat on the mouthfeel with nice lactic oaky finish. Very well done for a mid range Rye!

2/26/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Amber color with a sweet nose of hints of salted caramel. Gentle entry with nice complexion of sweet and salty flavors. Mouthfeel is mild with very little chewiness. Finishes short without any astringent notes. It’s very carefully made with enough complexity in profile however it lacks power and intensity for this price range.

2/20/2023 - farinas wrote:

Golden amber color with a Toasty and oatmeal nose. Substitutes rye for 20% wheat giving it a oatier feel rather than spicy rye. Bitter sweet juxtaposition with an oatmeal lean mouthfeel , not a whole lotta thickness. Finish is medium with soft vanilla notes. Decent bourbon but not up there with the big boys.

2/19/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Light golden color with a sweet vanilla like and feminine bouquet. Entry is very Rye-like with gentle spices, honey and vanilla notes with a backdrop of white oak tannins. Mouthfeel displays sweet and spicy backdrop with moderate chewiness and finishes medium with notes of cinnamon. It’s very pleasant and inoffensive and should be a hit with the ladies given it’s approachable style

2/18/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Spot on beautiful amber color with moderate rye at 13%. Best put a rock or two on this barnburner. Salted caramel profile nose with beautiful salty entry and chewy mouthfeel with caramel and sweet rye-like spice notes before the proof catches up on peppery finish. Very well done but please do not approach neat. Great alternative to Blantons

2/18/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Amber color on a mash bill of low rye 8% and bit more malted barley (12%). Effusive bouquet of baking spices, toasted pecans, and brown sugar. Entry is rich and decadent with moderately chewing mouthfeel with sweetness and dessert notes. Finishes medium long with some spiciness from the 130 proof level. Probably best to put a large cube on this however its doable neat as well. This thing is a monster and the proof is a bit intimidating although its all fairly well integrated. This is definitely a sipper for a special occasion.

2/17/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Orange amber with high rye content at 18%. Nose has tinge of orange peel with very smooth entry and sweet mouthfeel leveraging dried candied cherry finishing medium with almost Cointreau-like finish. Its almost a cocktail in a glass very pleasant.

2/17/2023 - farinas wrote:

Tried a different approach of shaking the bourbon with some ice to cool it down without mixing too much with ice water. I find this method preserves more of the original qualities of the bourbon while the lower temperature allows you to pick up more subtleties in the palate. This Michter performed better with a nice nose and an entry with a sweet corn mash and a not so abrasive finish. I still pick up some astringent notes on the finish which prevents me from going north of 90 points

2/16/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Golden amber color straight 74% Rye with 4 years of age. Effusive Rye bouquet with doughy notes and Rye. Entry is warm and full of flavors with a spicy mouthfeel with sweetness and salty caramel notes. Finish is medium with a nice bite on the top of the tongue while leaving a clean palate with some notes of spices. Excellent Rye . Top notch!

2/13/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Gold honey color (low Rye) blend is very smooth TN whiskey. Nose is subtle and without any burn. Entry is smooth with slight crunch finishing a bit angular with some astringency in the medium finish. Great sipper neat and a hit with whiskey beginners, but lacks a bit depth and roundness for the aficionados.

2/7/2023 - farinas wrote:

Amber color with red tinges due to port cask ageing. Pleasant bouquet of darker notes with a smooth chunky entry with a tingly rye mouthfeel. Finishes is medium sweet. Solid effort

2/4/2023 - farinas wrote:

Honey colored. Medium nose very pleasant. Entry is very balanced and chewy with the mouthfeel having some spice and bitter notes. Finishes clean and dry.

2/4/2023 - farinas wrote:

Amber colored low Rye content small batch. Strong nose with nice balance between mash and oak. Entry is a bit abrasive and mouthfeel has to go through an astringent phase to get to the sweeter notes. Medium finish on the warmer side. It’s nicely done but more intended for a rougher palate. Not delicate in any way.

2/4/2023 - farinas Likes this wine:

Light amber color and low Rye content. Subtle nose with nice balanced mouthfeel with very nice chewiness and sweetness. Finishes medium without any bite or astringency. Completely excelled in a lineup against Russell 10yr Reserve and Michter American Whiskey. Strong entry level Bourbon very approachable and quite a banger for your buck.

11/27/2022 - farinas wrote:

Light honey color. Pleasant light nose with light honey and vanilla on the palate. Finish is medium with some nice spice very smooth. Good and gentle sipper

11/26/2022 - farinas wrote:

Nice oak vanilla and wheated citrus on the nose. Mouthfeel is hot with nutty complexion, some salted honey. Finish is lighter with some edginess to it. Good job yet could use more harmony

11/25/2022 - farinas Likes this wine:

This is gold-colored mild tempered Bourbon which has harmonious notes of honey maple syrup and vanilla. All is well blended and in the softer side in this nice sipper

11/25/2022 - farinas Likes this wine:

Thanksgiving dinner at Diana’s. Popped and poured, cork in good condition with some signs of light seepage. Dark color with a bricking rim. Spicy and reduced fruit nose with a smooth body of iron notes, espresso bean, and port-like fruit. This is starting to hit the late stage of maturation at 20 years so drink up.

12/30/2021 - farinas wrote:

Light ruby color and a light feel to the wine without being watered down. Nebbiolo typicity coming through of dark berries, leather and thyme notes. Not a very long finish but quite a dinner pleaser.

12/25/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

Out of a magnum on Christmas Day ‘21.
Bold color of deep garnet with smooth purple edges. Great purity of fruit with mouth full of nice tannins that stain your teeth. The wine is concentrated yet lively acidity keeps it fresh. Went great with the roasted pork!

12/22/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

Powerful and concentrated with dark fruits and that bold cab spice you get from Beckstoffer. It was excellent for those who enjoy this style of winemaking

12/22/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

Turley is a master at the art of Zin. This wine has sweet red fruits with solid definition without any of the heaviness. It’s strong wine without overpowering the palate. Nice balanced finish. Well made

12/19/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

Amazing as always, rich with a beautiful and expressive bouquet of red berries and fresh cut roses. Body is rich and tannic but very smooth. Top notch.

5/23/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

Perfumed on the nose with flowers and spices, body a bit reduced but showing good fruit. It has enough personality to preside over a lunch fare.

5/9/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

Garnet color perfumed red berries with baking spices. Palate is aged with good fruit nice acidity and smooth tannins. Finishes medium. Very nice rendition.

4/29/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

Darker ruby with lots of strawberries on the nose and nice palate with some creaminess and gentle spices. Tannins are light it’s for early enjoyment.

4/25/2021 - farinas wrote:

On the light side but with the fruit and acid a bit out of focus. Quite ordinary and not bad for the price but not evocative of any emotions.

4/23/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

This is on the bolder side of Burgundy. Punching at 14.5% abv this is garnet with tears. On the nose blackberries, dark oak, wood resin. On the palate nice balance between acid and tannins with oaky dark fruit. Lacks the nuance of the Pinots of a lighter touch but brings enough fruit to the party without being too heavy. Definitely Morey is style.

4/11/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

Lighter shade of yellow color. On the nose it was fresh with greener fruits followed by a zesty palate with a nice interplay of fruits and creaminess. Not heavy at all and a good partner to a bouillabaisse. Good deal.

4/9/2021 - farinas wrote:

Tart cranberries with light acid and mouth puckering tannins. Not bad entry level wine but not as plush as Jadot’s.

4/5/2021 - farinas wrote:

Deep gold color. Warm nose of peaches and pineapple. Body has some the oak fatness and finishes off dry. Good Chardonnay but a bit tiring after while due to its richness.

4/3/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

This is a real beauty. Garnet color with an effusive bouquet of blackberries and herbs de Provence. Palate is refreshing with nice tones of dark fruit and toasted oak without any of the heaviness. Real champ.

4/3/2021 - farinas wrote:

Color is ruby with some browning on the edges. Effusive bouquet red berries and earthy tones with some minerality in the background. Palate is velvety smooth as a Chambolle should be with nice tension and earthy fruit. Pretty wine.

4/2/2021 - farinas wrote:

Pretty deep colored Pinot from Sonoma. Nose is fragrant of red fruit and with notes of candied cherries. Body is pleasant with nice oak and moderate heat. Finishes with a pinch of tartness without going out of balance.

3/29/2021 - farinas Likes this wine:

Light ruby color but wine a nice bouquet of fresh raspberries in a light cream. Palate is silky with some fruit tart ending in a medium body. This is incredibly good for the price. Drink up!

12/23/2020 - farinas wrote:

Notes of oak and white pepper. Bouquet with lifted acidity nice tannins and cherries in the background. Nice medium finish. Decent light fare wine in keeping with family name.

11/30/2020 - farinas Likes this wine:

Dark garnet almost purple. Currants and sweet licorice dominate the nose. On the palate the wine is clean with pure fruit and vanilla from the new oak engulf it ending in some lactic notes. Medium glycerin finish.

11/30/2020 - farinas wrote:

Dark garnet. Nose of blackberries, licorice and black tea with wood spices in the backdrop. Palate of dark berries, a pinch stewed and black tea with grainy tannins. Finishes light to medium finish.

11/30/2020 - farinas wrote:

Ruby color. Nose of spices and new oak. Palate has Burgundian style cherries with some sweet uncture. Finishes medium and pleasant.

11/28/2020 - farinas Likes this wine:

Ripe red fruits, bacon, and flowers. Palate has sweetness without being over jammy. Nice fig and red berries. Finishes medium.

11/28/2020 - farinas Likes this wine:

Pretty color, charred nose of licorice and dusty dark berries. Palate with nice acidity, lightly puckering tannins, and primary black fruit. Finishes medium. Bravo!

11/28/2020 - farinas wrote:

Muted nose with hints of cherry. Bright acidity and oxidation on the palate. Too diluted.