Search results for: 'INK GRADE RED ANDOSOL 18'

92 Points! Cherry, cassis and pine notes mark the nose of the 2018 Andosol, a blend of 80% Zinfandel and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Matured largely in tank and foudre, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, framed by silky tannins, then finishes long and bright, with plenty of red fruit and mouthwatering acids. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

93 Points! A firm and polished red with cranberry, blackberry and crushed stone character. It’s clear and bright with a darkness and tension. Shows flowers and spices at the end with some dried potpourri and peppercorn. From vineyards in Howell Mountain. Aged three years in cask. A blend of Zinfandel, 20% cabernet sauvignon, and 5% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

93+ Points! Scents of pine resin and hints of mint accent black cherry and cassis notes on the nose of Ink Grade's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain. It's a sturdy, wiry effort, with the ample tannins and coiled intensity that often mark mountain wines, followed by a lingering, gently astringent finish. Like the other reds from Ink Grade, it spent time in a combination of oak tanks and barrels, yet the wood is scarcely noticeable. Give it a few years to unwind. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

95 Points! Very beautiful aromas of blackcurrants, violets, and lavender with hints of sandalwood. Medium to full body. Chewy mountain tannins, but they are so well integrated and polished that they melt into the wine. Hints of dried cocoa powder at the end with some cedar. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! From a lower section of the Ink Grade Estate, below 425 metres, this vineyard sits just outside the Howell Mountain AVA, making it part of the Napa Valley AVA. Intentionally made in a more reductive style, it is fermented partly in barrel and concrete, then racked to stainless steel for six months before completing full malolactic fermentation. This wine showcases a generosity of fruit, leaning towards the stone fruit spectrum, with layers of spicy ginger and cool wet slate or flinty mineral notes. The palate is rich and textured, with warming spice nuances of ginger and turmeric, leading to a leesy, lingering finish. Very elegant and exceptionally food-friendly. - Decanter Magazine

Hakushu 18-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky is an exquisite Japanese whisky from the famed Suntory distillery, crafted in the pristine forests of the Japanese Alps. Aged for 18 years, it develops a beautifully layered complexity, offering fresh herbal notes alongside rich, deep oak influence. The nose opens with aromas of green apple, honeydew melon, and a subtle smokiness, while the palate delivers a harmonious blend of citrus, malt sweetness, toasted nuts, and gentle peat. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering notes of honey, soft smoke, and a refreshing hint of mint. A refined and sophisticated whisky, Hakushu 18 is a true expression of Japan’s artistry in whisky-making.

Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky is a masterpiece of Japanese whisky, renowned for its deep complexity and refined balance. Crafted at Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery, this long-aged expression is matured in a combination of American oak, Spanish sherry, and Mizunara oak casks, creating a rich and layered profile.

The nose reveals dark fruit, dried berries, and rich sherry notes, complemented by hints of chocolate, cinnamon, and Japanese incense. On the palate, velvety textures unfold with flavors of plum, caramelized nuts, and dark chocolate, balanced by subtle oak spice and a whisper of Mizunara’s signature sandalwood. The finish is long, smooth, and warming, leaving lingering notes of sweet spice, dried fruit, and elegant oak.

A true collector’s whisky, Yamazaki 18 embodies the artistry and tradition of Japanese whisky-making, offering a luxurious and unforgettable experience.

90% Syrah, 10% Viognier. Vines planted on steep slopes (with a grade of up to 45%) facing south by south-east, from three parcels in Côte Brune (Fourvier, Le Plomb, and Arselié). 70 to 80% of grapes are de-stemmed, fermentation lasts 18 to 22 days. Aged for 18 months in oak demi-muids (600-L) and barrels (220-L), of which 30% are new

TASTING NOTES: Robust with flavors of lychee and pineapple, paired with the umami of roasted nuts and cashews, and complimented by the subtle sweet notes of caramel and sugarcane. This is a once-a-year release that bottles freshly pressed saké and is once-pasteurized in the bottle for bold flavors!

Region: Hyogo Prefecture

Quality Grade: Unspecified (technically Junmai) using Yamahai method

Seimaibuai: 68%

Rice: Gohyakumangoku

Alcohol: 18%

Just a great frigging bottle of RED WINE. Son Of a Butcher shows the softer side of Yannick’s favorite red grape – Tannat – and its amazing potential as a blending variety. The deep, dark, spicy bouquet revolves around blackberries, white pepper, plums, violets, dry leaves with notes of licorice and roasted coffee. Supple and full-bodied, it’s an unmistakable California resident, rich and with youthful vibe, but the one who doesn’t forget its French heritage. Aged for 18 months in 20% new and 80% neutral French oak barrels. 40% Old Vine Tannat, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma & Napa), 30% Merlot (Sonoma Mtn), 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Syrah. All from undisclosed Top Vineyards in Northern California.

92 Points! A good value, the 2023 Keola Red offers juicy darker fruits, peppery herbs, and sappy, floral notes. Based on 45% Petite Sirah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Syrah aged 18 months in 25% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied, ripe, round, and supple, with no hard edges. This is a pleasure-bent, impeccably made red to drink over the coming 5-6 years. ..As always, Aaron Jackson makes a ripe, powerful style of wine that brings ample fruit and texture while staying nicely balanced. - Jeb Dunnuck

Sourcing:

Petite Sirah - Dusi Vineyards (Templeton Gap District), St Peter of Alcantara (Willow Creek District next door to Pesenti Vineyard)
Syrah - Maison Mason (Willow Creek District next to notable vineyards like Terry Hoage, Paderewski). And Caelesta Vineyard (Templeton Gap)
Cabernet - Old Bailey Vineyard (Adelaida District, oldest vine Cab on the westside, own rooted in 1969 and right next door to HMR Vineyard and planted around the same time).

From the winery: Our second label wine, KEOLA is comprised of barrels and lots from the same vineyards that make up our top-tier Aaron cuvées. These barrels are declassified lots and extra barrels that simply don't find their way into our flagship wines, thus we blend them into KEOLA, our everyday drinking red that massively overdelivers for the price point. Juicy, vibrant and intensely aromatic, its a medium-bodied, absolutely delicious wine that goes with any place, any dish, and any time of day. Comprised mostly of Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Mourvèdre it's a rich and savory, with a blue/red fruit profile and notes of grilled meats and sage/underbrush. The palate is luscious and juicy, loaded with flavors of macerated cherries, cocoa powder, toasty oak, and licorice. Aged for 18 month is 100% French oak, 50% new, it's a wine that will certainly age in the cellar, but we recommend cracking it open now and enjoying it through the remainder of this year!

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

92-94 Points! The 2024 Smith Haut Lafitte was picked from September 18 to October 9 and matured in 60% new oak. It has an understated bouquet that I appreciate, with scents of blackberry, raspberry, light rose petal and India ink that gradually unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, extremely well balanced and very refined, with a linear and correct finish. This is a classy Smith Haut Lafitte that will provide up to 20 years of drinking pleasure. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

98 Points! The Grand Vin 2018 Château Haut-Bailly checks in as 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It spent 18 months in 60% new French oak. This is a beautiful, classic expression of this terroir, and its dense purple hue is followed by gorgeous black cherry and cassis fruits interwoven with ample tobacco leaf, cedary herbs, earth, truffle, and floral nuances. While 2018 was a hot, dry year (at the end of the season anyway), this shows a mix of cooler-climate, vibrant aromatics paired with a rich, concentrated, fresh style on the palate. It has plenty of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. A beautiful, elegant 2018, it's going to need 5-7 years of bottle age and keep for 3-4 decades. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

99 Points!  Complex and expressive nose, offering red and dark fruit, spices and pepper with wood and mushroom undertones. Fresh mussel shell and a hint of ink, too. Full-bodied with a fine texture and great balance between the acidity and the controlled, tannic structure. Very long finish. Goes on and on. Tiny production, 21 hectoliters per hectare. Try after 2025. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com Learn More

97 Points! Transparent and minerally, showing dark-cherry and forest-floor aromas with some ink and blood undertones. Medium-bodied with beautiful integration and excellent length that goes on for minutes. Firm tannins. Vivid. From ungrafted vines planted in the 1970s. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! This wine is expressive and bright, a part of the 00's assemblage series, crafted from different sites in the Willamette Valley. Aromas of woodland berries and pine boughs offer a fresh contrast to the forest floor and red cherries. Ripe red strawberries, and mint leaf on the forepalate, finishing with layered darker fruits, rich forest floor and salty ocean minerality. - Decanter Magazine

Sized to fit mixing glasses of any capacity;our professional grade stainless steel cocktail cone separates liquor and liquid from their dregs in a flash. Accommodates a full drink in a single pour - as all cocktail cones should.

• Stainless Steel Construction
• Fits Large And Standard Mixing Glasses 
• Professional Grade
• Measures 9.25 Inches

100 Points! The perfect 2013 Vecina offers up notes of pen ink, scorched earth, espresso, blackcurrant liqueur and blackberries. It is a fabulously great wine, with supple, well-integrated tannin, decent acidity, and a skyscraper-like mouthfeel, with extraordinary purity and richness. This is an amazing wine to drink over the next 50 years, although I would probably suggest cellaring for five or more at present. - Robert M. Parker, Jr. , robertparker.com

This lightly cloudy nigori sake has a soft, creamy texture with flavors of steamed rice, nuts, and slightly tart fruit. It strikes a beautiful balance between richness and dryness, with a clean finish that keeps it refreshing and food-friendly. This nigori sake is notable for its higher milling rate, technically qualifying it as Junmai Ginjo grade - a rare quality level for a cloudy sake.

Region: Shimane Prefecture

Quality Grade: Tokubetsu Junmai

Seimaibuai: 59%

Nihonshu-Do: +3

Rice: Gohyakumangoku

Alcohol: 15.6%