Written by Risque Sommelier | Thursday, 02 July 2009
Wine:Tolosa 2007 Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Price:$20
Alcohol:14.2 %
On a recent wine pleasure-seeking tour through the Edna Valley, Risqué and his LUSHES had the unexpected pleasure of being privately toured though Tolosa’s facility, escorted by the adorable winemaker, Nathan. Nathan, with his cute boyish smile and pink cheeks, delighted Risqué and his pleasure seekers by sharing a quotum of Tolosa’s 2007 Sauvignon Blanc just days before it was to be bottled.
The 2007 Estate Sauvignon Blanc comes from one of their Edna valley floor “Salaal” vineyard blocks that are usually cooler than the other vineyard blocks. Tolosa strives to create a Sauvignon Blanc that produces characters of guava, passionfruit and citrus... FULL STORY
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Written by Risque Sommelier | Thursday, 11 June 2009
Wine: Edna Valley Vineyards, Islay Peak 2006
Alcohol: 14.8%
Cost: $15
More often than not, the nose of a wine (somewhat disappointingly) is not far off from the palate. That is certainly the case with the Islay Peak; they are almost exact mirror copies. Risqué finds it leaves him wondering where to sit in the room… as if the furniture is the same pattern as the carpet…the walls…and the drapes. Risqué purchased this liquid directly at the vineyard tasting room and is fairly certain of the price point, yet this product is unavailable—peuvent les excuses!!!
There's an acidic nose of almost harsh pineapple, sweet honeysuckle, quince and tart green apple, and the mouth is very different than most Viognier. It has... FULL STORY
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Written by Risque Sommelier | Friday, 22 May 2009
WINE: 2005 Wine Guerrilla Zinfandel
ALCOHOL: 16.5 %
PRICE: $25
From the Militant Mao-influenced graphic, a chicky Picasso-meets-Gustav-Klimt-stylized labeled bottle, to the sinfully Zin liquid contained inside, Wine Guerrilla has held Risqué hostage from his first captivating sip!
With a sparkling raspberry beret color, this Molotov 92-percent Zin detonates in the olfactory with raspberries, sweet vanilla with an opposing affront of earthy mushroom and wet hay. The palate leads with a creamy, cherry bomb blast and a commando assault of ripe raspberries. Reinforcements of sweet cola charge across the tongue with a transuding espresso finish.
Risqué loves it when a canteen of wine makes him setup camp... FULL STORY
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Written by Risque Sommelier | Friday, 15 May 2009
WINE: Verve 2006
PRICE: $12
ALCOHOL: 12.5%
Risqué, a lover, believer and consumer of aphrodisiacs, has finally found an aphrodisiac in wine form. Full of love, lust and beauty, this mystical potion was quickly plucked in the night, allowing for “cold skin maceration,” fermented in stainless steel and then aged on lees for four months. Truly a gift from the gods via Cotes de Gascogne.
The salacious scent revels soft floral and zesty citrus leaving a downy softness on the nose. Verve (enthusiasm and vitality) slides on the tongue with mossy and earthy notes, then after a delayed response explodes, surprising a tangerine and mandarin orange ending with a little stoney minerality and “racy acidity.”
Beautiful... FULL STORY
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Written by Risque Sommelier | Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Wine: Talley Vineyards 2005 Rincon Vineyard Chardonnay
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Price: $40
Last month Risqué had the undeniable pleasure of visiting Talley Vineyards tasting room in the delicious Central Coast of California. He and his favorite LUSHES quickly filed into Talley Vineyards tasting room as they were running out of “tastinglight”…trying to encounter as many vineyards as they could in one day. Since Risqué heard Talley Vineyards had a nice tasting room, he looked in excitement to find they offered an exclusive “Chardonnay” tasting menu…his favorite of the hour. Risqué stated with great release that “the Talley Vineyards 2005 Rincon Vineyard was “truly a Talleywacker of a Chardonnay!”
At first glance... FULL STORY
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Written by Risque Sommelier | Wednesday, 08 April 2009
Wine: Tait 2006 Ball Buster
Alcohol: 15.7%
Price: $16.99 There are many definitions out there for “Ball Buster,” such as “a demanding woman who destroys men's confidence” and “a job or situation that is demanding and arduous and punishing.” Nevertheless, Risqué would rather resort to playing with…than busting any balls. But when it came to tasting the Tait 2006 “The Ball Buster,” Risqué could not wait to amuse his ball-busting tongue with the lushes Shiraz (78%), Cabernet Sauvignon (12%) and Merlot (10%) grapes.
The Ball Buster has a beautiful, deep, dark, jammy red hue and a simple swirl of the glass produces nice long legs. The huge scent of blackberry jam, little hints of spice, buttery caramel and latex/rubber... FULL STORY
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