Below is a quick look at our latest reviews published at BevX on December 11, 2024. Click the links to get each beverage’s score and full analysis. Every Wednesday, we release new stories, introduce our latest reviews, and send our 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 in order to offer more reviews for our review-hungry readers. The review pages (links below) will now offer a full tasting note with links to a full detail review for our Featured Beverages.
As always you see all of our reviews here:
Beverage of the Week
Rosenblum Cellars Del Barba Vineyard Zinfandel Contra Costa County 2019
Del Barba Ranch in Contra Costa County has a remarkable 12-acre block of Carignane, Mataro Carignane, Mataro, Petite Sirah, and, of course, Zinfandel that dates back to the late nineteenth century. Contra Costa County is just under an hour east of San Francisco and south of Napa. Vines have thrived here for decades, if not centuries, as the dry, sandy soil is naturally resistant to phylloxera, a vine louse that has plagued much of the wine world… See the Beverage of the Week feature
Latest Reviews
Wine Reviews
Champagne André Diligen Véhémence Champagne NV
Brilliant, medium golden color with a fine bead of bubbles. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of apricot stone, pear, and artisan cider with supporting notes of pineapple, soursop, slate, and quince paste. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard and tropical fruits-driven core with flavors of citrus zest, white peach, wet stones, and brioche. The finish is long, lingering, and tart. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $55 – 4 Stars/92 points
Spirits Reviews
Old Elk Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, medium copper/bronze color. The aromatics are very intense, presenting scents of caramel, vanilla bean, and maple syrup with supporting notes of ginger biscuits, marzipan, and brown sugar. The palate is in full accord with the nose, delivering a honey-driven core with flavors akin to dried fruits, baking spices, baked apple, and butterscotch. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and pleasingly balanced with an opulent texture. $99.99 – 4.5 Stars
Old Elk Double Wheat Straight Wheat Whiskey
Brilliant, deep golden/amber color. The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of caramel, molasses, and crème brulee with supporting notes of butterscotch, honey, and gingerbread. The palate is in full agreement with the nose, delivering a baked apple-driven core with flavors of cashew butter, five spice, candied pecans, and dried fruits. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a voluptuous texture. $114.99 – 5 Stars
Old Elk Wheat N’ Rye American Whiskey
Brilliant, deep amber color. The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of roasted nuts, Sherry, and baking spices with supporting notes of candied ginger, charred oak, and grains. The palate confirms the nose, delivering a toasted cereal-driven core with supporting flavors of brown sugar, blanched almonds, treacle, black pepper, and hints of leather. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a voluptuous texture. $109.99 – 4.5 Stars