How Sweet It Is! Port for the People.

There’s an old saying that people talk dry but drink sweet – meaning they secretly drink sweet wines but are embarrassed to admit it. I love sweet wines and frankly there are some terrific versions out there; late harvest, Ports, fortified wines. My frustration with some winemakers is that they are adamantly opposed to sweet wines, believing they are one trick ponies, simplistic tedious wines not worthy of their efforts. I beg to differ. First off, it’s not the place of winemakers, nor wine writers to suggest a style of wine, or type of wine is somehow inferior. I firmly believe there is a place for all wines (as long as they’re made well, of course). The best sweet wines can be terribly expensive - cheap-o versions are akin to cough syrup, so what to do? Easy, try Graham’s Six Grapes. Graham’s has been a Port player since 1820 and since most vintage Port is pricy, they crafted this everyday sweetie, which frankly does the job admirably. With candied cherry and raspberry, nutmeg and clove, and a nice little acidity, this is one of those wines where you’ll realize you’ve had a lot in a little bit of time. It’s balanced and perfect for after dinner and you can find this most everywhere. Chill it down just a touch then sit back and admit it - you like sweet wines.
ORIGIN: Portugal

PRICE: $18/ 750ML

ALCOHOL: 19.5%

BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE:  88 POINTS

The Best of 2013

As a wine and spirits writer for a variety of publications like The Hollywood Reporter, The Tasting Panel, IntoWine.com, Draft, Fine Wine & Liquor (China) and others, I taste through a lot of booze in a given year. 2013 was a good year, but not a great year, for new discoveries. I’ve listed the top 5 wines and the top 5 spirits I rated this year. If you get the chance, I suggest you put them on your dance card. And for 2014, don't be afraid to try something new...and let me know about it!

2013’s Top 5 Wines

Croft 2011 Vintage Port (91)

2011 was a declared Vintage year and this Port shows why. Viscous and rich with hefty black cherry, slightly smoky wood, dusty cinnamon, suburb tannins and proper acidic undertones – this is why people drink port – not to get a sugar rush, but to bask in the rich, opulent, smooth wine which is just so damn fun to drink. $120

Halter Ranch 2010 Ancestor (91)

Coming from Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast the Ancestor has great notes of cedar, blackberry, dark cherry, cinnamon and raspberry, a lush, rich wine which always calls for a 2nd bottle. It is seamless with its tannins, use of oak, pop of fruit and its smooth finish. $50

LaZarre 2012 Vin Gris (90)

Rose needs more love and for this little jewel there's a nice little acidity perfect for food with flavors of cranberry pomegranate and to a lesser degree, strawberry. It has an almost earthy, smoky quality to it and it’s lean and clean. $18

Vina Ventisquero/Grey 2011 Carménère (90)

From Chile comes this outstanding example of this unknown grape. This happy little number has a boatload of rustic zesty black cherry, rich red and black fruit, spicy pepper, and a slight acidity. $23.99

Robert Hall 2010 Merlot (90)

Paso Robles is Cabernet country, but Merlot is best expressed by Don Brady and his devotion to this grape. I’ve tasted though various years of his Merlots and they always work. Earthy, rustic, clean and soft tannins. $18

2013’s Top 5 Spirits

Herradura Reposado Tequila (90)

This reposado really intrigued me with its smooth caramel and resin flavors, sweet oak and a stealth citrus back note. Clean and viscous, there's a slight burn and a beautiful butterscotch aroma. $40

Stone Barn Brandyworks Coffee Liqueur (89)

Available only in Oregon, sadly, this this is a blend of coffee from El Salvador and Yemen. They infuse a house-distilled Pinot Noir brandy and pear/apple spirit with fresh roasted coffee. Toss in some Madagascar vanilla, cinnamon and invert the sugar to make the liqueur and, voila! $27

Bully Boy White Whiskey (89)

USDA certified organic white whiskey therefore it’s clear and lacking the caramel and wood flavors. There’s a smooth viscosity to this, a little burn but the liquor is rounded inside the mouth. This is clean, with near mint overtones, and it presents a cooler vibe not hot and alcoholic, medium bodied and subtle. $28

Hornitos Lime Shot (89)

Using blue agave, lime and salt this is cool, clean, minty, and yes, limey, and way too easy to drink. It's certainly drinkable on its own though it works better as a mixer. $18

Astral Tequila (88)

This tequila is produced from nothing but organic blue agave (I’m always a fan of organic if the end result is a better product). It has a cool clean nose of resin and eucalyptus and a spicy mint-ish vibe which grips the mouth. $34.99

A Port in Any Storm

Oporto, from my visit in 2010

If you don’t know much about Port – and I am referring to real Port from Portugal, not the California-styled “ports” which are fine, but usually overtly sweet things often made from non-traditional Port grapes, you need to understand a few things. 1st off: Port is a place, Oporto in Portugal, and just like Champagne is a place, the wine folks of these regions take exception when outsiders use their place-name for selling their own wine. Therefore Port actually means wines from Portugal. 2^nd: “vintage” port is one of those wines which is meant to age, and I don’t mean across the long hot summer. Ports are made every year, but only when the wine folks of Portugal are nearly uniform in agreement do they “declare” a vintage (the last declared vintage was 2007) which means they believe these wines are so exceptionally good you need to buy this vantage and age these puppies. I cannot disagree.

Croft has been part of the Port game for 400 years, so, let’s just agree they know what the hell they’re doing. Only 5,000 cases were made so this baby, while pricy is ready to drink now, or will lay down for a good decade and become more mellow and sweet and rich, unlike my grandmother (god rest her soul). The Croft 2011 Vintage Port is viscous and rich, with hefty black cherry, slightly smoky wood, dusty cinnamon, suburb tannins and proper acidic undertones – this is why people drink port – not to get a sugar rush, but to bask in the rich, opulent, smooth wine which is just so damn fun to drink. The night I tasted this there was a full moon and I sat on my deck basking in the moonlight and sipping Croft Port. And this, my friends is how you drink Port – slowly and on purpose. If you can find the Croft, buy it. CROFT PORT

ORIGIN: Douro Valley, Portugal

PRICE: $ 50/ 750/ml (price is approximate)

ALCOHOL: 17.5%

BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE:  91 POINTS