Heavy Seas Beer
Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
The big, burly bully across the bar. Built like an oak tree, he swaggers over, insults your shirt, hits on your girlfriend, and drinks your beer. And yet, once you get to know him a little you find that beneath his heavy, oakey mannerisms he actually has some richness and depth. He collects action figures from the 80s, loves old Sophia Loren movies, and volunteers at the local animal shelter. He's not an amazing person, but he's worth getting to know a little... — 7 years ago
Caymus Vineyards
Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
The cruise continues! Night eight aboard the Allure of the Seas and 50% off all wines. Opus was way too young so we grabbed this.
Deep purplish ruby red. Layered nose with notes of blue and black berries, cinnamon, vanilla, silky spices and cola. Love the explosion that just hammered my senses. Heavy and rounded tannins (7/10) with a medium plus to full body. Rich and voluptuous, literally fruit bomb with blue and black fruits and an undertone of silky dark spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2032. — 8 years ago
Scarecrow
Monsieur Ètain Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Third night on the Allure of the Seas and back at Chops Grille. Third wine out of the case we brought on board.
Purplish ruby red. Layered and rich nose with notes of boysenberries, dark cinnamon, purple petals, more dark berries and vanilla. Solid acidity paired with heavy tannins (7.5/10 almost 8). Full bodied with a touch of heat. Lots of complexity on the palate with rich and dark layers of sweet spices, blackberries, and gunpowder. Strong structure and long finish. Will easily last two decades. Drink till 2037. — 8 years ago
Heavy Seas
Blackbeard's Breakfast W/ Fuggle Hops
Dark compostables and black leaves decompose atop a chocolate ganache aswim in robust coffee and an earthen, near-mushroom fragrance. Molten chocolate cake, crispy espresso bean, coffee liqueur, and a svelte combo of perfectly integrated cedar, chocolate biscotti, burnt brownie on iron, and a backnote of tea tree oil. Blackbeard' breakfast included toast.
— 8 years ago
Philippe Delmée
Rozetto Rosé Blend
Bought at a cool little combination vintage clothing shop/natural wine store in Tallinn. Super hip, I know; sue me. Natural Loire Valley (this is VdF but I'm pretty sure this producer is located in Touraine and I'm guessing the grapes are at least mostly sourced from there as well) rosé bubbles consisting of a blend of Grolleau and Cab Franc. Semi-sparkling/frizzante. Unfiltered, a quite small amount of sediment is visible floating in the bottle. Not sure whether or not this qualifies as a pet-nat since the production method isn't totally clear from bottle info but it fits the character of one regardless of production method. A bit funky but delightfully so and its not over the top at all. Slightly unripe wild raspberry and strawberry, some funky yeastiness that's almost lager-esque (also pours like a beer as well in terms of bubble texture/level of carbonation), a tiny bit of heavy cream, and wet granite and quartz stones, not unlike the stone of the beach of the island we just left (Hitis in the Finnish archipelago) where we spent a few days at my favorite place on earth, my family's shared summer cabin. Overall, somewhat like a sour beer in overall character, in a really cool way. Med. (+) acidity keeps it juicy and fresh. Super yummy. Great pizza wine. — 9 years ago
Realm Cellars
The Bard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014
First red on night four at Chops Grille aboard the Harmony of the Seas. Deep purplish red. Rich nose with sweet cinnamon, vanilla, blackberries, cassis, dark gravel and dark cocoa. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Lush palate with blue and black fruits as well as baking spices, purple flowers and a bit of minerals. Long and lingering finish with a touch of heat. Could use a short decant next time. Drink till 2033. — 7 years ago
Brasserie de Blaugies
Darbyste Ale brewed with Fig Juice
Big, just-off-white crown lingers over dark, orange-amber, but once it resides is nearly laceless with isolated organic, punctuating archipelagos. Initial, buttery nutritional yeast, crystalline mangrove honey, magnolias, marigold, candied lemon peel and sweet rosemary, but don't let the fig addition and the sweet aromatics fool you; sour and underripe complexity ensues. Medium-heavy, unfiltered mouthfeel feels petulant, but swallows almost flat due to the dichotomy of dryness. Dried and underripe apricot combo, pineapple essence, gooseberry, chalk, snail shell, gravel dust, dried violets, fishbone, key lime, tangerine zest, and leek. A bright, green, mineral-driven offering. #farmcharm #saison #Darbyste #biere #bier #beer #brasseriedeblaugies #artisinale #nonfiltre #wit #blanche #bierdarbyste #belgian #belgianbeer #familyowned — 8 years ago
Robert Mondavi Winery
Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Night six on the Allure of the Seas and wine number eight from the wine crate. This night we are at Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse.
Deep garnet red. Dark and layered nose with notes of cinnamon, spices, menthol, and a touch of damp leaves. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Rich and powerful on the palate, drinking at its peak right now. Layers of cassis, black currants, some forest floor and herbal elements. Strong acidity too. Long finish. Drink till 2027. — 8 years ago
Blackbird Vineyards
Contrarian Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
Grabbed this from the wine list at 150 Central Park on the Allure of the Seas, great price at $80.00 ($48.00 with drinks package) a bottle, yes 750mL.
Given a three and a half hour decant but might have needed more. Deep purplish red. Insanely tight on the nose with a touch of baking spices, black cherries, petrol, tobacco and a touch earthy. Heavy tannins (7/10) and solid acidity. Medium plus to full bodied with notes of red cherries, black currants, herbs, gravel and cinnamon. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2025.
This is the Cabernet Sauvignon led bottling by Blackbird Vineyards, led with 81% and followed by 13% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Aged in 75% new French oak for 21 months. Only 40 barrels produced and release price is $135.00. — 8 years ago
Dogfish Head Brewery
World Wide Imperial Stout
Early test of a beer I will most certainly be aging! Barley Maw! Dip some carrot cake in Ethiopian coffee and you will be getting close on the nose. The entire bouquet is a caramelized, myrrh version of that in an oiled, leather bag; although there is a doughy life to it that evokes freshly washed hair, with whiffs of Madagascar vanilla. Heavy coffee oils, bitter chocolate, smoked leather, tar, burnt caramel, black mushroom, rattan, blackened marshmallow, allspice, graham spice and dark tobaccos finishing briny. A seaside stroll at night through foamy pools. Can't wait to see how she ages! — 9 years ago
Dubuisson
Scaldis Prestige de Nuits Belgian Strong Pale Ale 2011
Phenomenal sipping beer. Starts off tart and acidic, but the malt comes heavy at the finish. — 9 years ago
Blue Moon Brewing Company
Belgian White Belgian-Style Wheat Ale
A Belgian style unfiltered wheat beer. Heavy with a hint of orange / citrus. Almost in IPA territory — 9 years ago
Coors Brewing Company
Coors Light Lager 2018
Camping with my daughter on Catalina island. I grew up in Colorado so the silver bullet and the banquet beer were staples in my family home. Heck I hit on Pete Coors daughter in high school, she turned me down more times than the sheets at the holiday inn. Ahh sweet memories. Did you know Coors was heavy into ceramics?? Go check it out. That’s you cliff Clavin fact of the day. Cheers! — 7 years ago
Bevan Cellars
Ontogeny Oakville Red Wine 2012
The cruise continues! Night eight aboard the Allure of the Seas and since the Special Selection has already been finished and the Opus is too young we ran downstairs to grab this beauty out of the suitcase.
Deep and dark ruby red. Deep and layered nose with tobacco, spices, vanilla, dark floral notes, black currants, cassis and a touch of scorched earth. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) with a full body. Smooth attack on the palate but very powerful with solid acidity and strong backbone. Layered with vanilla, cinnamon and dark spices with a strong dark black cherry undertone throughout. Long finish. Big powerful wine with a decade or more left in it and will only get even better with time. Drink till 2030. (95+)
We decided we needed to celebrate this vacation with my parents so we brought along the first high-end bottle of wine we purchased back in 2014 when we went into Total Wine and met Victoria. So glad we did! — 8 years ago
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Rabelais Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011
Day five on the cruise and this night at Giovanni's the Italian restaurant aboard the Allure of the Seas. We decided to open up two South African beauties for this.
Deep mix of ruby and garnet red. Very earthy on the nose with savory and slightly stinky characteristics. A touch green as well. Heavy tannins (7/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Dark berries on the attack of the palate with some dark cocoa and cinnamon notes. Long finish with some cedar notes. Drink till 2028. — 8 years ago
Brasserie De La Pigeonnelle
Loirette Bière Artisanale de Touraine
A little Friday beer. Really enjoyed this. Round mouthfeel, but not heavy. Malty with notes of tart orange, stone fruits, a little banana, hay and herbs. A touch of funk. Light sweetness, but with a touch of sour. — 8 years ago
Heavy Seas Beer
Siren Noire imperial Stout
Very very rich. — 8 years ago
Shipyard Brewing Co.
Pumpkinhead Ale
This is a beer I look forward to finding each September. Not too heavy on spices and a subtle pumpkin flavor. I just had one from tap topped with cinnamon and sugar, made this beer even more of a treat. — 9 years ago
Heineken
Dark Lager Beer
Chocolate, deep nuance, heavy enough body. My best dark beer that is everywhere — 9 years ago
Greg Ballington
Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog
Second wine at Chops Grill aboard the Harmony of the Seas. Deep and dark ruby red with lighter edges. Given a four hour decant. Dark nose that was a bit tight to start. Some notes of dark berries, plums, cinnamon, anise and a little floral. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Still tastes so young but well integrated with notes of oak, dark cherries and spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2032. — 7 years ago