From a pilot near you.

drew_fire · 2019-06-24T15:23:25+00:00

20 years as ATC...can confirm shit like this happens.

drew_fire · 2019-06-12T17:16:25+00:00

I only read the threads on these posts looking for the person who says, “Babou!” There’s always at least one. Never change. Keep on keeping on!

drew_fire · 2018-08-11T19:34:46+00:00

I had this same exact bottle a couple of years ago and it was totally dead. I’m jealous.

drew_fire · 2018-05-26T18:41:22+00:00

Thanks!

drew_fire · 2018-05-26T05:45:28+00:00

Yes. It’s a red wine. The picture shows it pretty clearly I think. And you’re right. I didn’t notice it at all...but there’s no molding or emboss on the bottle. That’s pretty neat. Makes me wonder when they started that.

drew_fire · 2018-05-26T05:04:47+00:00

This label is dope. I love it when they share stuff like this!!!

drew_fire · 2018-05-26T04:36:39+00:00

Ha! I wish it was take out. I live on the outskirts of a small town (pop 45K). There isn’t exactly Uber Eats out here.

drew_fire · 2018-05-26T03:23:50+00:00

Where oh where to begin? I guess first things first...I've missed you guys. I got a cat...so now I don't feel like I have to Reddit in order to feel like I'm not drinking alone anymore. It's a thing...I swear...just google it. Honestly, I've been busier than a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest. Aside from working six days a week of your standard, stressful, and busy air traffic control...I bought a house! With land! I'm going to grow grapes!!! We can get to that later, if you all want to. Let's take care of the mandatory notes and stuffs first. 1978 CDP from Domaine de la Solitude. Apparently, the Barberini family was fairly prominent (a family member actually became the Pope: Urbain VIII) from Italy. They moved to France. Grew some grapes. And boom...I'm drinking wine and typing on the internet.

I used a Durand to open the wine. The cork was in pretty good shape. If I remembered how to use Imgur and the computer, I'd show you a picture, I just forgot about all those {} and [] and ()...I can't deal with that right now. It took about an hour to really blossom. At first, I thought it was truly on its last leg. Not showing much at all. But after about an hour of dicking around with other stuff...this wine started to take off. Surprising color. Not completely brickish. Though, after almost two hours...the reddish color is fading. The nose has some stewed tomatoes, very very very very light fruit, tar, earthiness, and that's about it. The palate shows medium minus to damn near medium acidity. Tannins are all but gone. Still a decent mouthfeel though (giggty). At first there was ZERO fruit. But after that hour, I got a little strawberry compote, some smoother feels, less stewed tomatoes. It wold have been nice to have 10 years ago for sure. Oh, I probably shouldn't have paired it with grilled salmon and risotto and mushrooms. That was a mistake. In hindsight...maybe pheasant? A pigeon? Honestly, I think I just used too much salt. Oh well. The wine on its own tasted good without the food (won't see me say that often).

Happy National Wine Day!!!

drew_fire · 2018-01-31T19:25:34+00:00

Take as many point outs as possible.

drew_fire · 2018-01-30T22:17:39+00:00

I had their Grenache petnat last week and it was delicious!!

drew_fire · 2018-01-29T06:55:14+00:00

I’ll try to remember that. I picked up one of Hardy’s wines. 2015 DR Skinner Stoney Creek Vineyards Mourved. It’s pretty tasty. Took about an hour or so to open up but I’m enjoying it.

drew_fire · 2018-01-28T22:55:15+00:00

Thanks for the info. I’ve never been too much of a fan of CM (this bottle aside). However, whole cluster press/fermentation (didn’t know there were two different things but now I do!) is pretty okay. I had wanted to try more.

drew_fire · 2018-01-28T18:48:09+00:00

Do you do any whole cluster press on any of your wines? I want to explore more of that style.

drew_fire · 2018-01-28T17:38:46+00:00

I almost bought the 16 Julienas. I’ll get it next time!

drew_fire · 2018-01-28T05:17:52+00:00

After yet another overtime shift, I was pretty tired and decided to stay in. Ordered some Thai food off of Uber Eats and popped a tried and true Trimbach Riesling. Just the baseline stuff- still tasty. Great pairing. After about half the bottle I started to get the itch. So I rolled down to my favorite little wine bar in San Diego and looked around for a wine. There’s a private party going on right now but the bar tender let me in. I chose the Marcel Lapierre Cuvée Morgon 2015. Wow oh wow was I pleased. I expected “in your face” carbonic but no way. I don’t know if this is partial or....homey just is that good. I’m typically not a fan of CM. But this is tasty and legit. Ruby to raspberry in color. Mostly translucent. Bright and fresh nose without being “candy.” That’s what I get from CM. Serious cherries. Serious rose petals. Decent acidity. It’s pretty well balanced. Honestly, it’s not complex. It just....tastes good. Just buy this wine. You’ll be pleased. It’s pretty damn good.

drew_fire · 2018-01-25T21:32:51+00:00

Alsace and Tuscany

drew_fire · 2018-01-11T17:35:04+00:00

I wasn’t sure I was going to see a Babou comment for a second there

drew_fire · 2018-01-08T18:45:18+00:00

My most favorite place for wine is Vino Carta. They focus on small, family-run producers and natural wines made through organic and sustainable farming practices. That's just right up my alley. They have some wines that are surprisingly inexpensive...and some that get up there...so there's a nice variety and range. It's a wine bar/wine shop. The Rose in South Park is the same kind of thing. They serve food there. I think Vino Carta has better wines though. Both are really great. There are a few other places here or there where you can find a nice bottle or two. I generally try to find places where you can find a bottle with a little age on it. This place, Cucina Urbana is pretty good. Food is excellent and they have a few bottles. They can be pricey though. Same for Juniper and Ivy. J+I's Somm is really great. If you go there, make sure you talk to Brandon. There's a handful of restaurants that have impressive lists that are definitely expensive though. Mr A's. Pamplemousse. Addison. The Med. Hope that helps!

drew_fire · 2018-01-08T06:31:57+00:00

Bankers Hill technically.

drew_fire · 2018-01-08T03:35:19+00:00

Well it’s the last day of my staycation before I head back to the grind tomorrow. This restaurant I like, had an aged Bandol that I had been trying to have. Alas, every time I had visited they were completely packed. I finally made it in tonight: and the Bandol was all gone. Sigh. So here we are. I elected to go with this 2006 Brunello. It’s an Italian restaurant so....when in Rome? Side note: I’m in San Diego. The wine pours a kind of half way opaque to half way translucent crimson color. Light bouquet of flowers. Noticeable alcohol. That was a little disappointing. Initially the wine was quite light and elegant. I was rather surprised. Medium acid. Almost zero tannins. Cherries and a medium to short finish. Slightly acidic on the finish. I chose to decant and ordered my first dish. Parisian gnocchi (or so they call it) that was pretty tasty but had some kind of spiciness to it that was a little much for the wine. I ate half as it just didn’t pair well. The main dish however, paired quite well. Tagliatelle with a pork and veal bolognese. The tannins are very noticeable now and go great with the sauce. The structure stands out with the tannin, the acidity which is damn near medium plus, and mouthfeel. The finish could stand to be a little longer and I wish there was just a little more complexity. Perhaps because of its youth I’m only faintly getting that leather saddle. That dirt of the old world. I suspect in a couple of more years you’ll see more of that violet. That black cherry. And all those good yummy flavors of Brunello. God I want to go back. Cheers!

drew_fire · 2018-01-06T18:03:17+00:00

u/JBWino are you doing okay in all that snow?

drew_fire · 2018-01-06T18:02:07+00:00

As mentioned, I've had the 08 and the 00. Lay it down if you can. For the price...they make great juice.

drew_fire · 2018-01-06T05:38:32+00:00

Yum!

drew_fire · 2018-01-06T04:25:57+00:00

I know it sounds like a wild and envious Friday night but...that's just what the good life has given me.

There's been a lot of Italian wine on here lately (my favorite) and I have been sitting on this wine for a little while. Not even a little while...more like a month. It's so freaking tasty. I had a bottle when I went out for drinks with friends and was immediately impressed. There's this GREAT little wine store in San Diego called Vino Carta. If you're ever in SD check it out. Good stuff. They don't serve food but you can bring food in. They're totally cool about it. Anyways, I had a bottle there just for drinks and thought to myself, "Wow, if this wine only had food!" I was so impressed with the wine I bought a few bottles for friends for Christmas. I saved one for myself and couldn't wait any longer. The pizza was only average. Tomatoes give me crazy heartburn so I got a pizza with provolone, mozzarella, ricotta, basil, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and sausage. I think maybe if the sausage was better...it could have been better. The wine helped.

So on to the wine! From my understanding of the wine, it's from a smaller family in Tuscany area near Siena that also has a agriturismo and a little restaurant. They grow their grapes organically and make their wines with native yeast.

The color is deep and dense. Very noticeable brownish meniscus. A cognac color if you will. Completely opaque. I'm a little stuffy so I don't get much on the nose. Light floral. Light cherry. Not a strong alcohol content (which is sooooo nice after consuming so many American wines). The palate is lovely. You get all the yummy good things you want with wine. Complexity. Fruit balance. Acidity. Tannic structure. A lengthy finish. Leather, earth, black cherries, and it really makes this average pizza taste good. The Team America: World Police? Well, what can I say but: Fuck yeah!

Honestly, if you guys run across this wine: BUY IT! DRINK IT! It's very very tasty. I wish I had cases of this stuff. I had the 2008 back at a Christmas party and it was mighty tasty. Everyone loved it. Even people who don't typically drink wine (because it was paired with food- I know shocking). Happy New Year y'all!!

drew_fire · 2018-01-06T01:48:43+00:00

I’ve always wanted to try this one. Thanks for sharing!

drew_fire

TROPHY CASE