Below is a quick look at our latest reviews published at BevX on August 26, 2026. Click the links to get each beverage’s score and full analysis. Every Wednesday, we release new stories, introduce our latest reviews, and send subscribers their weekly, free digital newsletter. (Subscribe here.)
We had another busy week at BevX with new, tasty beverage reviews to share.
We have shifted our review format to offer more reviews for our review-hungry readers. The review pages (links below) will now feature a full tasting note, along with links to a comprehensive, detailed review of our Featured Beverages.
Sean Ludford’s book, Be A Beverage Expert (BABE), provides context for our weekly reviews, helping readers understand the materials, processes, and history of wine, beer, and spirits. Get a copy of BABE at Amazon.
As always, you can see all of our reviews here — BevX Reviews
Beverage of the Week
Tongue Dancer Wines The Sly One Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2024
We are happy to introduce Tongue Dancer Wines (TDW )’s sixth vintage of its “The Sly One” (TSO) Pinot Noir. The Sly One has earned its nickname this vintage as veteran BevXers and long-time fans of TDW associate the Pratt Vine Hill Vineyard with Chardonnay. Clearly, this vineyard is also home to some fancy Mt. Eden clone Pinot Noir…
See the Beverage of the Week feature
Latest Reviews
Wine Reviews
Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2023Brilliant, medium ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, bramble, and plum with supporting notes of pomegranate, dried herbs, violet, and hints of star anise. The palate matches the nose, delivering a red- and black-fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, red currant, five spice, mineral, and dry black tea accents. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $64 – 4.5 Stars/96 points
Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2023
Brilliant, medium ruby color. The aromatics are intense, with scents of tart cherry, five spice, and forest floor, supported by notes of dried herbs, leather, raspberry, and graphite accents. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a red- and black-fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, black tea, earth, and hints of sour cherry. The finish is long and lingering with firm tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $64 – 4.5 Stars/94 points
Spirits Reviews
Lelouvier Calvados Fine Calvados — See the Full BevX Featured Review
Brilliant, light copper color. The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of pie apples, quince, and apricot stone with supporting notes of pear, candied ginger, and citrus zest. The palate confirms the nose, delivering a vanilla-poached pear-driven core with supporting flavors of butterscotch, blanched almonds, baking spices, and hazelnut. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. $37 – 4 Stars 
Lelouvier Calvados Vieux Calvados — See the Full BevX Featured Review
Brilliant, medium golden/amber color. The aromatics are very intense, giving scents of baked apple, candied ginger, and pear with supporting notes of dried orchard fruits, baking spices, honey, and butterscotch. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a baked apple-driven core with flavors of cinnamon, crème brulee, toffee, and sultanas. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with an opulent texture. $49 – 4.5 Stars 
Lelouvier Calvados Hors D’Age Calvados — See the Full BevX Featured Review
Brilliant, medium amber color. The aromatics are very intense, presenting roasted apples, gingerbread, and honey with supporting notes of cashew butter, crème brûlée, and treacle. The palate is in full accord with the nose, delivering a caramel-driven core with flavors of brown sugar, baked stone fruit, baking spices, marzipan, and apricot compote. The finish is long and lingering. Medium to full-bodied and flawlessly balanced with a voluptuous texture. $119 – 5 Stars Yacht Life Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are very intense, presenting scents of sweet cereal grains, honeydew, and spring flowers with supporting notes of citrus, cream soda, and beeswax. The palate is in full accord with the nose, delivering a sweet wheat-driven core with flavors of vanilla bean, Carpathian cream cake, and Flan Pâtissier. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a supple texture. $69.50 – 4 Stars