bLavish

Domaine Romanee Conti 1997, A Truly Romantic Wine of Spirit

March 7, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Spirits & Palliatives at 3:17 pm | Comments »

Domaine Romanee Conti 1997 is a palatable, spirited wine for the sincere enthusiast. This French red Burgundy smells of berries, spices and leather. The darkest red color of all, it hints at flavors of soy sauce, flowers and licorice.

The aroma is rich and penetrating without being too profound. On the nose, the wine is sharp, as if it were “double-locked” in its tannic coating (gangue).  The “enigmatic” character of this wine finds its full expression in this wine, even if we detect some hints of liquorish typical of La Tâche.

The Romane Conti is a rare wine that has carved a niche for itself along the years. At over fifteen hundred dollars a bottle, it no longer has anything to prove. Consistently, the Romane Conti fetches prices around the thousand dollar mark no matter the vintage. Great potential, reserved, its length and “thickness” on the palate announce interesting developments … if you are patient enough to wait!  Cost, $1500 +.

An Elite Hangover Remedy

February 17, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Spirits & Palliatives at 1:36 pm | Comments »

Do a little damage the night before?  Need a little wake-me-up?  Try a cup of the delicious and smooth Kopi Luwak coffee.  With a rich, heavy flavor hinted with chocolate and caramel, a cup of this heaven-on-earth will tempt your body out of that funk.

Kopi Luwak coffee comes from the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and area well-known for its excellent coffee.  Only 500 pounds of the beans are produced annually, making this coffee a bit outrageous in price. 

Why you ask?  Becasue of a little mammal called the luwak, a civet-like animal.  These cute little fellas enjoy feasting on red, ripe coffee cherries.  They eat the cherry, bean and all and while the bean is digesting it its stomach it goes through chemical treatments and fermentations.  The bean then exits from the luwak and collected, cleaned, roasted, ground and shipped to a store near you.  Cost per pound, $300.

Still interested? 

Compliment Your Dinner This Evening With a 1992 Krug Clos du Mesnil

February 17, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Spirits & Palliatives at 1:17 pm | Comments »

With a bottle of Champagne you can celebrate the evening in style, but with a bottle of 1992 Krug Clos du Mesnil you celebrate in luxurious class. 

This vintage is a complex, firmly structured Champagne, offering slight oxidation, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg and citrus aromas and flavors.  Dense, dry and unique, with a combination of vivid acidity and chalky texture on the finish. This begs for food or contemplation. Drink now through 2017. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 75 cases imported. Cost, $600.

Tuesday’s Need a Pick-Me-Up, Jose Cuervo Black Medallion

February 7, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Spirits & Palliatives at 3:15 pm | (2) Comments »

 

New York City-based Jose Cuervo International has launched a new addition to their tequila family, Black Medallion.  A super-premium tequila, the Black Medallion differs from most tequilas in that it’s aged for at least 12 months in new char barrels, not in previously used barrels. 

The result of this process is a complex taste with a hint of oak flavor which reminds the senses of an aged whiskey.  Jose Cuervo recommends mixing the new label with cola and lime or sipping the spirit on the rocks. 

“Tequila is no longer about just shots and margaritas,” says Carlos Arana, the managing director at Jose Cuervo International.  “With Black Medallion, Jose Cuervo is revolutionizing the way people think abut and drink tequila.”

I don’t know about you, but enough thinking- let’s move on to drinking! 

Black Medallion is expecting to hit the market this month.