Below is a quick look at our latest reviews published at BevX on November 19, 2025. 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.
As always, you can see all of our reviews here:
Beverage of the Week
Tongue Dancer Wines Lakeview Vineyard Pinot Noir Green Valley of Russian River Valley 2023
In addition to tasting our annual favorites from Tongue Dancer Wines (TDW), the 2025 fall releases include a new label from a trusted vineyard, The Lakeview Vineyard in the Green Valley of the Russian River, which has featured in previous TDW offerings, notably the 2021 Foxtrot and the 2021 and 2022 The Sly One. Jim MacPhail has been working with fruit from this vineyard since 2007, and now it has found its way into its fourth TDW expression — one that should become part of their regular lineup…
See the Beverage of the Week feature
Latest Reviews
Wine Reviews
Tongue Dancer Wines Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2023
See the Full BevX Featured Review
Brilliant, medium gold color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of mango, honeysuckle, and jasmine with supporting notes of lychee, citrus zest, beeswax, and apricot stone. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a ripe orchard fruit-driven core with flavors of white peach, star fruit, lemon curd, and oak. The finish is long and lingering. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $55 – 4.5 Stars/96 points
Castello Bonomi Cuvee 22 Brut Franciacorta DOCG NV
Brilliant, medium green/gold color with a fine bead of bubbles. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of apricot stone, brioche, and peach with supporting notes of slate, spring flowers, and jasmine. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a ripe orchard fruit-driven core with flavors of pineapple, green apple, citrus zest, and blanched almonds. The finish is long and lingering with hints of vanilla bean. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $35 – 4.5 Stars/95 points
Da Luca Prosecco DOC NV
Brilliant, light straw color with a medium bead of bubbles. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of pear, citrus zest, and chamomile with supporting notes of spring flowers and wet stones. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of Gala apples, Meyer lemon, and white peach. The finish a lingering fresh green fruit accent. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced with a vibrant texture. $15.99 – 4 Stars/90 points
Spirits Reviews
Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, bronze to amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of toasted and steeped cereal grains supported by honey, nutmeg, and French Cognac casks. The palate is in agreement with the nose delivering perhaps a richer, and sweeter malt and grain-driven core with waves of caramel, Brandy, and charred oak. Full-bodied with ideal balance and respectable length on the palate as spicy and peppery accents rise on the finish. Made with a mashbill of 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye, finished in Cognac casks for 10 months. $89.99 – 4.5 Stars
Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, gold to amber color. The nose is filled with the assertive scents of Christmas spices supported by waves of baked peaches, mace, cinnamon, vanilla cream, and caramel. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush, baked orchard fruit-driven core with waves of caramel, spicy rye, oak, and allspice. Full-bodied with ideal balance and great length on the palate as it becomes drier with accents of cloves. $79.99 – 4.5 Stars
Old Elk Port Cask Finish Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, deep copper/bronze color. The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of dried fruits, red currant, and brown sugar with supporting notes of cashew butter, honey, and fruitcake. The palate confirms the nose, delivering a dried fruits-driven core with flavors of baking spices, candied ginger, caramel, cigar box, and honey. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a voluptuous texture. null $99.99 – 4.5 Stars
Old Elk Rum Cask Finish Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, medium golden/amber color. The aromatics are very intense, presenting scents of crème brulee, ginger biscuits, and almond butter with supporting notes of molasses, charred oak, and Rum cake. The palate is in full accord with the nose, delivering a sweet toffee-driven core with flavors of spicy rye, oak, baking spices, and mocha. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and ideally balanced with an opulent texture. $109.99 – 4.5 Stars