Let's get back to business!

After a long hiatus to lands unknown I have returned to work. There are so many new items to tell you guys about, but let's start out small with one beer and one wine.

New Beer:

Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Jack and Ken's Black Barleywine - The name kinda says it all, but if you need more detail here it is.

“Jack McAuliffe is the original microbrewer. McAuliffe’s tiny New Albion Brewery in Sonoma, California inspired countless brewers to start small-scale breweries of their own. Jack agreed to guest brew this very special ale with us in honor of our 30th anniversary. This American barleywine is a nod to the big ales New Albion served at their legendary summer solstice parties. It is robust and complex – brewed with 100% American Cascade hops.”

I have had a few of these already and keep going back to it. Here are my tasting notes.

Pours a thick black with an almost frothy head leaving behind great lacing. Aromas of dark roasted coffee, lightly smoked malt, and an earthen nuttiness are complemented by hints of caramel, dark fruits, fig, and dark chocolate. The palate showcases a nearly heavy handed maltiness that is balanced out with dark chocolate and a hint of smoky nuttyness. The palate doesn't carry anywhere near the level of dark fruit and sweet I anticipated, but it works well. Think of this beer as more of an Imperial Stout with Barleywine highlights than vice versa. A killer brew, I will continue to return to.

New Wine:

2006 Fattoria Di Felsina Toscana Fontalloro


95pts Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2009 # 13
Wine Spectator Highly Recommened
94pts Wine Advocate (Galloni)

Wine Spectator review:

Editor's Note: Chocolate, blackberry and black cherry aromas lead to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a deep concentration of fruit. Powerfully rich and polished. Big and structured. A blockbuster Sangiovese. Best after 2012. 3,300 cases made.–JS

Wine Advocate review:

The 2006 Fontalloro is much more sweet and open than the firmer Rancia. Enticing, expressive aromatics lead to an expansive core of fruit. Round, finessed tannins give the wine an additional level of polish. Today the Fontalloro is fleshier and more ready than the Rancia. There is superb purity to the fruit and wonderful overall balance. Tar, smoke, licorice, and grilled herbs come to life on the finish. Fontalloro is made from vineyards in both the Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi appellations. Simply put, this is a great, majestic Fontalloro. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2018.

If you were to cut proprietor Giuseppe Mazzocolin’s veins the man would bleed Sangiovese, such is his passion for Tuscany’s most important native grape. Mazzocolin has a terrific set of new releases on his hands. The 2006s are glorious and benefit from a warm growing season that also saw good alternation of day and evening temperatures before the grapes got a final kick of heat that informs the wines. In 2007, I have only tasted the Chianti Classico so far, but if that wine is indicative, Felsina could have another superb vintage in store for fans of this venerable property. So far 2007 looks to be a vintage of ripe wines made in a more generous, if early maturing style, than the firmer 2006s. Not only are Felsina’s wines magnificent, they also remain exceedingly fairly priced in relative terms. Mazzocolin deserves much credit and support from readers for his consumer-friendly approach, especially in these challenging times.

Not much I can say that the pros haven't, but this is one outstanding wine that needs to go home with you!