“Drinking is an emotional thing. It joggles you out of the standardism of everyday life, out of everything being the same. It yanks you out of your body and your mind and throws you against the wall. I have the feeling that drinking is a form of suicide where you’re allowed to return to life and begin all over the next day. It’s like killing yourself, and then you’re reborn. I guess I’ve lived about ten or fifteen thousand lives now.”
—Charles Bukowski
Month: November 2013
Hahn Winery Pinot Noir (2012)
Standard
Hahn Winery Pinot Noir 2012
Pinot Noir
YEAR: 2013
REGION: US: California
AVERAGE RETAIL: $14-16
What they say about it:
“Dark purple in the glass, this Pinot Noir shows aromas of dried plums, black currants and cola. On the palate, black cherry flavors and a silky mouthfeel build on fresh acidity and well integrated oak flavors of vanilla and spice.”
What I say about it:
I was introduced to Hahn Winery about a year ago. The have a number of brands in their line and you can check them out online: http://www.hahnestates.com. I’ve become a big fan. Their wines are really excellent and a value in the price range. This is my first try for the 2012 Pinot Noir and it didn’t disappoint.
Very deep in color with the usual characteristics of a Pinot. The nose was a little musky out of the bottle but that lessened after it breathed. My first impression was tart yet sweet fruits, plums, raspberries and pie cherries, but also a distinct candied orange rind flavor on the finish. Other notes included a subtle earthiness, a slight vanilla spice with a touch of woodiness. It’s medium bodied, very smooth and easy to drink so the Hahn Pinot Noir goes excellent with food. For this tasting it accompanied a grilled flank steak and greens and went very well with the lime vinargrette dressing as the wine has nice acidity itself.
The Hahn Pinot Noir is another wine that I’d recommend for your Thanksgiving dinner as Pinot Noir works well with turkey as well as the usual sides.
Would Bukowski drink it? Hot Dog!
Overall Rating: 4 BUKS
Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (2013)
Standard
Georges Duboeuf “Beaujolais Nouveau”
Gamay
YEAR: 2013
REGION: FRANCE: Beaujolais
AVERAGE RETAIL: $10
What they say about it:
“Beautiful ruby-red color. A pleasant scent of fresh grapes and small juicy red fruits. This wine will scintillate your palate with the pleasure of an excellent ‘primeur.'”
What I say about it:
Yesterday, November 21, was the third Thursday in November this year and when the clock strikes midnight, the new vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau, is officially released to the world. You may remember drinking Beaujolais Nouveau at a Thanksgiving or holiday get-together. Given its timely release it’s a popular wine throughout the holiday season. I love cracking into the first bottle every year and this year is no exception. This is the first of two Beaujolais Nouveau wines I will be reviewing. This, the Georges Duboeuf, is the more commonly available and probably the most recognizable name in Beaujolais Nouveau.
The 2013, doesn’t disappoint, if you are a fan of Beaujolais Nouveau. Overall it is very fruity and fresh, characteristics associated with wines like those made from the Gamay grape. Hints of strawberry were my first impression, with a sweet nose. The color is deep, ruby-red and very bright, much like its taste. Secondary taste were more tart and include rhubarb, dried cranberries and plums. Its very easy to drink (which could be great at family holiday dinners!). A really nice Beaujolais Nouveau and better than I recall the 2012 being.
Beaujolais Nouveau wines match well with just about anything. I don’t really follow the white with poultry and fish and red with red meat etc. rules. Drink what you like. I like it as a starter wine, due to it’s delicacy and subtle sweet fruit. It works well with just about everything in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, so consider it for your Turkey Day.
Would Bukowski drink it? Goes well with my F**kin frozen turkey dinner. Now F**K OFF!
Overall Rating: 4 BUKS
Bukowski Quotes on Drinking: Entry #1
Standard
“That’s the problem with drinking, I thought, as I poured myself a drink. If something bad happens you drink in an attempt to forget; if something good happens you drink in order to celebrate; and if nothing happens you drink to make something happen.”
—Charles Bukowski, Women
Francesco Bonfio Chianti Colli Senesi (2012)
Standard
Francesco Bonfio “Chianti Colli Senesi”
Chianti (Sangiovese Blend)
YEAR: 2012
REGION: Tuscany, Italy
AVERAGE PRICE: $12
What they say about it:
Francesco Bonfio is not a made up Italian name. He is a wine merchant in Sienna and a friend who has been producing reasonably priced, honest Chianti for many years. This is not your big, extracted Brunello wannabe Chianti but rather a gentle, elegant wine with aromas of red fruit and fresh earth, a silky, softly tannic structure and pretty cherry/plum fruit. As with most Italian wines it shines with food and we would recommend simple pastas, roast chicken, pork or something with the aforementioned chanterelles.
What I say about it:
I am fond of Chianti when having Italian food and on this particular evening it was pasta and meatballs. Like most Chianti wines in this price range, it’s a very drinkable everyday wine and excellent with a meal. My first impression was that it was on the dry side. I got a lot more of a chalky mouth feel and a lot of earthy tones first off. The finish brought out some subtle fruit (cranberry and pie cherries, more tart than sweet). The Francesco Bonfio “Chianti Colli Senesi ” is subtle and not bold like some Chianti wines can be. Overall I enjoyed it. It’s a value at its price and I would recommend it for drinking with a meal. On it’s own it may be a little too subtle.
Would Bukowski Drink It? Gimme that bottle.
Overall Rating: 3 BUKS
Gadget Review: NewAir Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Standard
NewAir Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Model: AW-281E
AVERAGE COST: $200-$250
What they say about it:
Store your wine selection in the beautifully crafted NewAir AW-281E 28 bottle single zone stainless steel wine cooler and enjoy superior results. This single zone wine cooler offers a sleek, compact design to complement home decor and custom storage options for personalized use. Featuring thermoelectric cooling, this cooler operates quietly and is vibration free for the best possible results. Interior Light – Show off your wine collection with the NewAir AW-281E wine cooler, which features a built-in LED light. It also increases visibility, making it easier to find the bottle you are looking for in your collection. Increased Insulation and UV Protection – Protect your wine from UV damage with the double paned glass window. This also offers increased insulation properties for improved temperature control. Stylish Design – This wine cooler features a sophisticated look with a black cabinet, stainless steel trim and chrome plated racks. Thermoelectric Technology – The NewAir AW-281E wine cooler offers a thermoelectric cooling system with few moving parts. This results in quiet operation and less vibration.
What I say about it:
I picked up this 28-Bottle Wine Fridge on sale on Amazon.com. Amazon Prime gave me free 2-Day shipping which rocks when your main car is a convertible VW Bug whose trunk is smaller than your average laundry basket and whose backseat is likewise small. Buying retail might have required another vehicle (or at least the top down) just to get it home. The NewAir AW-281E is compact, efficient and very quiet. It fit perfectly under my kitchen island counter after removing the screw-in feet, meant for leveling, since I neglected to realize 29.2 inches and 29 inches are two totally different things.
As you can see from the picture above the Wine Cooler features 6 shelves to store your wine in addition to the bottom of the fridge for the 7th row. My only gripe is that the shelves allow for your average grocery store bottle of wine but some wider bottles made fitting four bottle on a shelf a little bit of a challenge. Fitting four champagne bottles on a shelf in addition to 20 bottles of wine required a shelf to be removed and some balancing of the bottles of bubbly on their shelf. So in the end I am only able to fit 24 bottles at this time.
The NewAir AW-281E Wine Cooler is very quiet. I barely notice it running when the compressor turns on. It’s stayed at 54 F with very little fluctuation. If you do prefer your reds at a lower temperature, to properly store your wine and to keep whites adequately chilled (pop them in the fridge for 5-10 minutes if you like them cooler), this is a great wine cooler in the $200-$300 range.
Would Bukowski use it? A fridge just for wine? What the hell is that all about?
Overall Rating: 4 Buks
Gadget Review: Corkcicle Wine Chiller
Standard
Corkcicle Wine Chiller
AVERAGE PRICE: $24.95
What they say about it:
Chill any bottle of wine to the perfect temperature with the innovative, plastic Corkcicle wine tool.
The first of its kind, Corkcicle is an innovative product designed to keep your white wines chilled and bring your room temperature reds down to a more suitable “cellar” temperature, without the need for an ice bucket. Ice buckets often make white wine too cold, masking the flavors and complexities of the wine, not to mention they are messy and bulky. With Corkcicle, wines are chilled from the inside of the bottle so you can enjoy perfectly chilled wine every time.
What I say about it:
My fiancée received this in a Fancy box subscription she gets monthly. We popped it in the freezer and decided to try it out. First flaw – it doesn’t and I guess isn’t actually intended to chill white wine. It will keep white wine “cool” or accurate “cooler” than if the bottle did not have the Corkcicle in it. Second flaw – do not insert the Corkcicle in the bottle if the wine bottle is full. This will result in the Corkcicle displacing it’s volume in wine all over you and your floor. Overall I found the Corkcicle pretty useless, although it does actually chill (whatever) wine (is left) in your bottle for a short period of time.
Would Bukowski use it? Chill my wine? Just give me the bottle.
Overall Rating: 1 BUK
Colonia Las Liebres “Bonarda Argentina” (2012)
Standard
Colonia Las Liebres “Bonarda Argentina”
Bonarda
YEAR: 2012
REGION: Argentina, Mendoza
What they say about it:
100% Bonarda Argentina grapes come from high-trellised vineyards located in a unique microclimate in the area of Medrano and Carrizal de Abajo, Mendoza. This area sits slightly higher than the neighboring vineyards to the north, which contributes to cooler nights, resulting in acid development and retention. The low fertility soils paired with parral trellising help control the natural vigor of the Bonarda vine, and deep soils with good drainage facilitate root development.
What I say about it:
Out of the bottle and into the glass, the first thing that struck me was the color. Such a deep purple with a vibrant red hint. Really striking. My first nose of the wine was a little alcohol heavy. Letting it breath helped and I recommend aerating. The wine opened up nicely. Lots of warm, deep berry flavors with slightly earthy tones.
Would Bukowski Drink It? Most definitely.
Overall Rating: 3 BUKS
Storyteller “Into the Fog” Pinot Noir (2012)
Standard
Storyteller “Into the Fog”
Pinot Noir
YEAR: 2012
REGION: US: CA, Napa Valley; Los Carneros
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 13.5%
What they say about it:
Dark ruby black color. Aromas of clay, cocoa, and craisin with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, elegant dried cherry, vanilla, and delicate spice nuanced finish. Very stylish and tasty.
What I say about it:
My initial reaction was spicy and fruity at the same time. It had nice pop with a medium finish and a really nice mouth feel.
Would Bukowski drink it? Hell Yes.
Overall Rating: 4 BUKS
Would Bukowski Drink It? 
