Posted by community member Robert:

First we had vodka, and it all pretty much tasted the same. Then we were introduced to “Premium” vodka through massive marketing campaigns that brought us brands like Absolut, which tasted like your basic Smirnoff, but came in a different bottle format. The next phase in the market brought us product that was distilled multiple times to smooth out the rough ends of the spirit, and gave us high end brands such as Grey Goose, Belvedere and the “Ultra Premium” Ciroc… which is actually made from grapes. And now, behold the “Luxury” designation of vodka found only in Double Cross™.

In a market already saturated with dozens of choices, why would the makers of the new Double Cross™ Vodka even consider taking on the massive advertising budgets of global liquor giants Diageo and Allied Domecq? I guess they wanted to make a better beverage, and to be brutally honest, I think they have succeeded.

Double Cross™ is distilled in Slovakia, half of the former Czechoslovakia, from 100% organic winter wheat using pure spring water from nearby Tatra Mountain. It is distilled seven times and then filtered another seven times using limestone, active charcoal and micro diamond dust… yes I said it, it is filtered with diamonds. Since diamonds are a girl’s best friend, you shouldn’t have a problem paying $50 retail for a bottle! That is of course if you can find it… it’s so new it’s not available everywhere… yet.

In a very short time, this vodka has already received a Four Star rating from spirits expert Paul Pacult, the Gold Medal for vodka at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and an Outstanding Rating of 91 points from Anthony Dias Blue in Tasting Panel Magazine. Even the unusual, yet stunningly beautiful bottle design won the Gold in San Francisco, making it the first vodka to win for both taste and package design. The bottle is so interesting to me that I have it displayed in my house along with my collection of modern art… you have to see it to truly appreciate it.

And what of the taste? Smooth, yes, but more importantly complex. There is a clear hint of citrus, a touch of pepper and a slight mineral finish. While it is easily mixed in cocktails, a true epicure will want to drink it on the rocks… perhaps with a lemon twist to bring out the natural flavors. In a martini you’ll want it dry, so dry that you’ll need to ask for Double Cross™ chilled and straight up with a twist. I don’t think you’ll want to sully this spectacular beverage with any dry vermouth.

To be successful in business, you don’t have to do anything extraordinary… just do something ordinary extraordinarily well. This is what the makers of Double Cross™ vodka have done. I hope to see it at every bar and lounge that I frequent, because Double Cross™ is now my call of choice!

For more information, please visit: Doublecrossvodka.com

Various “other” reviews of this wine suggested drinking by 2007. I disagree! While this isn’t one to hide behind the Barolo, until now the full body and structure of the wine was masked by the young fruit and acidic tannins. I am not suggesting you let this sit any longer, but the extra 18 months I sat on this case has allowed the components of the wine to truly come together. The Marques Cabernet certainly doesn’t have the gears of Concha’s premium wines like Don Melchor or Almaviva, but when you bring value into the picture, you’ll be hard pressed to find a nicer “drinking” wine from Chile at this price point. You can still find this stuff in the $13-$15 price range. I suggest grabbing a couple bottles, throwing a couple of strips on the grill and smile knowing you can still grab a nice bottle of cab for about the same price as beer at Yankee Stadium. It is just another reason why Chilean wines continue to be so hot. Value….value….value!

Region: Puente Alto Vineyard, Maipo Valley, Chile

Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Production Technique: These grapes are hand harvested during April. The wine is aged for 18 months in new (35%) and used (65%) French oak barriques, then aged a further 2 months after bottling.

Color: Deep dark red

Nose: Just like a chocolate covered cherry that was served next to a heavily toasted baguette.

Mouth feel: The velvety texture of this cab coats your mouth with sweet soft fruit… until the firm and acidic tannins dry your palate.

Average Retail Price: $15

The Field Score: 90

As the first of many wine reviews to come in the future on Modern Epicure, I carefully chose a little gem that has been calling me from deep within the bowls of my cellar. The 2002 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma utilizes hand selected fruit from the Russian River, Sonoma Coast, and Santa Lucia Highlands. A newer player on the California pinot scene, Kosta Brown was started in 1997 by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne who were then employees of the John Ash & Co. restaurant. Not bad for a couple of restaurant guys who “pooled their tips” to build a dream.

This pinot has a sweet but spicy nose, with strong earthy overtones. The color is a gorgeous deep garnet. At the time I drank it, it had not begun to show any amber tints, indicating it had been stored perfectly. Some other reviews have stated that the 2002 was beyond peak and on its way down. I hardly think that’s true and believe this wine can still store for another year or two; although it seems to have reached its potential.

On the palate, I found the front to be bright, with concentrated cherry, cranberry and hints of orange peel. Despite its tart fruit flavors, it has very balanced acidity. The body is silky smooth, and given a blind taste test, I would have sworn it was French if I hadn’t seen the label; with a mouth-feel found only in the finest pinot noir. The finish is long and smooth, with its tannins leaving an earthy mushroom finish. The fruit seems to go on and on forever.

I truly believe this wine in peaking now and should be enjoyed over the next 12-18 months. The 2002 Kosta Brown Pinot Noir is divine on its own, or can stand up to the boldest dish you pair it with. Now I only have two bottles left… I guess it’s off to winecommune.com to find some more!

Average Retail Price: $150

The Field Score: 94 points