December's Featured Caps & Corks
This month we have a couple of "special treats" for our readers including Justin Isosceles, Paso Robles and a Koningshoeven Triple and Quadruple Trappist Ales. Both of these products are a simply outstanding "beverage" that will impress even the finest wine and beer snobs.
Justin Isosceles, Paso Robles
JUSTIN Winery is a family owned and operated winery making estate grown wines. The property was founded in 1981 by Justin and Deborah Baldwin when they planted their 160 acre property to the major Bordeaux varietals and created their Estate vineyard.
The winery is located in the Paso Robles appellation of California’s Central Coast, a hidden gem in California shadowed by the popularity of the Napa Valley. This month we are looking at the Isosceles from Justin Vineyards, one of their flagship reds.
The Isosceles is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot that is a treat on the pallet and hides the 15% alcohol level very well.
The 2006 ISOSCELES is inky purple with a slight red hue around the rim. Aromas of blackberry, black plum, leather, mocha, and cassis combine with light layers of caramel, vanilla and a touch of smoke resulting from the extended oak ageing. The entry is filled with red and black fruit. A balance of softness and acidity segues into a mid palate with length and weight. Seamless, integrated tannins marry with ripe fruit, and flavors of red currant, butterscotch and hint of pencil lead on the finish of this wine. The 2006 ISOSCELES is very young, and will continue to evolve from now through 2025." -Winery
This wine is outstanding and I simply loved it and it is available at stores such as Heinen's and other stores with finer wine selections.
Although this rolls in at $60.00 price tag it is well worth picking up for a special occasion or more often if you can you swing it.
Koningshoeven Triple and Quadruple Ales
Koningshoeven/La Trappe is one of only seven Trappist breweries in the world allowed to carry the logo "Authentic Trappist Product". This logo guarantees authenticity, recipe and tradition.
Koningshoeven/La Trappe is the only Trappist Ale that is made in The Netherlands, the other six Trappist breweries are situated in Belgium. In the USA and Canada the La Trappe Trappist Ales are marketed under the name Koningshoeven Trappist Ale.
These world-class beers have been brewed at the Cistercian Abbey of Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven since 1884.
Triple
A rich, brassy golden in color and sporting a slightly off-white foam, Koningshoeven Tripel is the hoppiest of the Koningshoeven range, displaying a beautiful balance of hoppy bitterness and full malt flavor. You will notice spices, fruit and hops in the nose. On the palate Tripel is slightly bitter, spicy and refreshing.
The style "Tripel" generally means a beer that is golden in color and strong. Like most Belgian or Benelux ales, it's also bottle conditioned (as are all Koningshoeven ales) which means that living yeast are in each bottle and produce the carbonation in the package. This yeast is normal and healthy, as well as rich in vitamins and minerals. If you notice a thin layer of sediment in each bottle, it's due to this yeast.
8.0% ABV Bottle Conditioned
Available in 11.2oz bottle; 750ml bottle
Quadrupel
Quadrupel sits at the top of the Koningshoeven range. At 10% alcohol by volume, it's a big deep amber beer with a rich, warming flavor. Full-bodied and mild, slightly sweet and just a hint of bitterness round out the palate. In the nose you will detect fruit, a faint, pleasant yeastiness and just a touch of resiny hops.
Although Quadrupel is delicious when consumed fresh, it can benefit from years of aging in a cool, dark place. The flavor of aged Quadrupel is reminiscent of port. We encourage aging of the smaller, capped bottles for best success.
10.0% ABV Bottle Conditioned
Available in 11.2oz bottle; 750ml bottle; 20L keg.
