After nearly a decade inside the Octagon, Anthony Pettis recently parted ways with the UFC. The former champion in the WEC and UFC then made a move that turned heads among MMA circles in joining the up-and-coming Professional Fighters League.
“The PFL is on ESPN, I feel like I’m going to be a face of the organization and I have the ability to become a champion in 12 months,” Pettis said in an interview with Uproxx Sports. “I knew I wanted to be a champion. I knew whatever organization I was going to, that I’d be going for that belt. And their format, a season where whoever wins at the end of the year is the champion and there’s a million dollar prize as well.All of those things played into (me joining the PFL).”
Like many around the world, the last year opened Pettis’s eyes and encouraged him to take control of his career. After back-to-back losses to Nate Diaz and Diego Ferreira, Pettis says a meeting with a sports psychologist opened his mind up.
“2020 hit with COVID and I had the opportunity to fight Donald Cerrone,” Pettis said. “With that new mindset, I decided right then and there that I’m going to fight my contract out. I had two fights left and an offer from the UFC. I could have stayed with the UFC. But I decided I wanted to see what was out there and not make these quick decisions, trying to get the next big fight, next big name. I think it made all of us kind of just look at life a little different, slow it down and eliminate all the BS that we had in our lives.”
Pettis is looking forward to the PFL’s format, where fighters compete through a regular season and can qualify for the playoffs and a potential title shot by accruing points from wins. It’s the straightforward nature of the structure that encouraged him to move away from the UFC.
“I think (if I had gone back to the UFC) it would have been one of those things where I had to take these aggressive fights,” Pettis said. “It’s been short-notice fights moving down to 145 pounds, 170 pounds. I’ve been all over the place chasing a belt in the UFC. I didn’t have time to sit back and take a look at what I was doing, getting better as a fighter, as a person and as an athlete. I was rushing into these fights and rushing into these decisions and it’s all my fault. That mindset got me in trouble with my decisions and where I was fighting and who I was fighting. I’m going down to 145 pounds to fight Max Holloway, fighting Wonderboy at 170 pounds, just making crazy decisions.”
At 33 years old, Pettis believes he has time to progress, get better and truly fight for his legacy. He’ll take that mindset to the PFL, where he’s fighting at his natural weight of 155 pounds.
“Obviously (PFL lightweight champion Natan Schulte) has been champion for two years in a row. He’s definitely on the radar, but I feel like everybody’s going to be coming for me,” Pettis said. “Whenever I fight someone, I’m fighting the best version of them. They know the opportunities that come with fighting someone like me. This year, I’m focusing on growth, getting my mindset strong and growing in all aspects. I know that if I’m a happy fighter and mentally there, I don’t think anyone in the world can beat me.”
Pettis will join a stacked roster that includes fellow veterans Fabricio Werdum and Rory MacDonald, along with women’s phenom Kayla Harrison when the regular season kicks off April 23 on ESPN2, with scheduled bouts to be announced in the coming months.
The globe is figuratively drenched in whisk(e)y. And while it might seem to the uninitiated that the U.S., Scotland, Japan, Canada, and Ireland make all of those bottles, that’s not exactly true. These days, whiskey is made all over the planet; and while the big five dominate, Mexico, France, Australia, Israel, South Africa, Germany, and many more are cranking out high-quality whisk(e)y expressions that definitely deserve your attention.
Before we get into the 11 whiskeys to make our list, we just want to point out that we’re highlighting whiskey expressions, in general. We’re not here to break down the specific whiskey laws of France or how the industry is run in Australia. This is about the whiskey we like drinking from places that don’t come immediately to mind when thinking of whiskey. There’s no MO other than that, and the bottles we picked range from peaty single malts to peppery ryes to standard blends.
The point here is that the world of whisky is vast. It’s important to keep exploring its further reaches.
Mackmyra has made a name for itself in the whisky world over the last few years. They have a strong core of high-quality, great-tasting expressions. Assuming you’ve never tried it, you should start at the beginning by sipping on the brand’s core expression Brukswhisky. It’s made up of whiskies aged in ex-bourbon barrels, sherry, and Swedish oak casks. On top of that, smoky malt whisky is added to complete the flavor experience.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find nutty sweetness as well as ripe berries, orange peels, and sweet vanilla. The first sip yields creamy butterscotch, dried fruits, and just a hint of smoke. The finish is long, warming, and ends with hints of caramel apples, and cinnamon.
Bottom Line:
This is truly a unique dram. If you find yourself with a bottle, take your time to discover all the various layers of this exotic whisky.
A new whiskey on the market, Abasolo is a farm-to-table distillery located in Jilotepec de Abasolo (an hour a half from Mexico City). While tequila is king in Mexico, Destileria Y Bodega Abosolo (where the whisky is produced) is the first-ever distillery exclusively making whisky. Made from 100% non-GMO Cacahuazintle corn, Abasolo is a truly unique whiskey that you should make a point to try.
Tasting Notes:
Since this corn whiskey is only aged for two years (in former bourbon barrels), it has a younger, brighter, more unaged flavor than bourbon. But it’s not harsh by any means. The nose is filled with sweet corn, vanilla, and charred oak. The first sip is filled with fresh, roasted corn, caramelized sugar, and sweet cream. The finish is medium, warming, and ends with a final flourish of butterscotch.
Bottom Line:
This young whisky is so sweet and rich that it’s most suited to be an after-dinner drink, on par with a complex liqueur.
Penderyn opened in the mountain village of Brecon Beacons back in 2004, making it the first new Welsh distillery to open in over 100 years. Their flagship whisky is the Celt Single Malt. This small-batch whisky is first matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Madeira barriques.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is subtly spicy with hints of cinnamon, dried orange peels, and slight smoke. Taking a sip will bring you flavors of creamy vanilla, candied orange peels, shortbread, salted caramel, and a hint of woodsmoke. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a final kick of campfire smoke.
Bottom Line:
Sometimes it seems like Wales is the forgotten U.K. whisky region. But if the country keeps cranking out high-quality spirits like Penderyn, that won’t be the case for long.
The folks at Switzerland’s Seven Seals created a new technique that’s designed to accelerate the aging process. Located in Stans, Switzerland, the brand was created for more than just whisky production. The real goal is to innovate and so far, whatever it’s doing is working — because the whiskies are receiving heavy acclaim and awards.
One of its best is Peated Port Wood, with its smoky, peaty flavor complimented by sweet, rich port wood.
Tasting Notes:
The first nose is filled with obvious peat smoke followed by dried orange peels, and cherries. The first sip is full of more smoky peat, cloying honey, cooking spices, and sweet vanilla cream. The finish is long, full of lasting heat, and ends with a nice final whiff of campfire smoke.
Bottom Line:
If you’re a fan of peaty Islay Scotches, why not give this unique whisky a chance? You’ll be treated to a highly nuanced, flavor experience you won’t soon forget.
Southern hemisphere countries like New Zealand and Australia are well-known for their award-winning wines. But, in recent years, whisky has begun to gain ground because of brands like Starward. While the whole collection of whiskies is memorable, Nova is the real winner. Instead of the usual barrels, this single malt whisky was matured in Australian red wine barrels for two years to give it a complex, one-of-a-kind flavor profile.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is loaded with fresh, juicy berry and dried fruit flavors that soon move into sweet vanilla. The sip is full of sweet clover honey, spicy cinnamon, more berries, and nutty sweetness. The finish is long, filled with warmth, and ends with toasted caramel and more sweet cinnamon.
Bottom Line:
After you’re done drinking Aussie shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, crack open a bottle of Starward Nova to experience another boozy side of the great Down Under.
Like many of the other countries on this list, France is well-known for other forms of alcohol. The land of wine, cognac, and vodka are also home to Brenne — a truly special whisky brand making big waves in the spirits world. The company’s flagship single malt is a “seed-to-spirit” whisky, made with locally sourced heirloom barley and distilled using water from the nearby Charente river before being aged in French Limousin Oak and Cognac casks.
Tasting Notes:
This six-year-old whisky’s nose is full of dried cherries, vanilla cake, and caramelized sugar. On the palate, you get subtle spicy cinnamon, creamy vanilla, brown sugar, and candied orange peels. The finish is medium, warm, and ends with a little zip of cinnamon spice.
Bottom Line:
If you’re a fan of cognac and you’re looking for a gateway into the whisky world, look no further than Brenne.
Strangely, even though Scotland and Ireland are well-known for whisky, England isn’t. The country is gin-centric and has been for centuries. But, in recent years, a handful of whisky brands have popped up including Cotswolds. Founded in 2014, the brand’s single malt is made using floor malt and distilled in Forsyth copper pot stills before being aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and wine casks.
Tasting Notes:
Before sipping, you’ll be met with a nose of dried apricots, clover honey, and toasted marshmallows. The first sip is filled with brown sugar, cooking spices, candied orange peels, and creamy vanilla. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a nice finale of buttery vanilla.
Bottom Line:
If you can manage to put down the British gin for one night, grab a bottle of this single malt. Sip on it or mix with it, whatever you like.
Located in Tel Aviv, Milk & Honey is Israel’s first whisky distillery. While the distillery is making a few bottles of note, Milk & Honey Whiskey in Bloom is the most memorable. This single malt is aged in ex-bourbon, ex-wine, and ex-scotch casks from Islay. The result is a well-rounded, slightly smoky single malt whisky.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find sweet cream, brown sugar, spicy cinnamon, and subtle peat smoke. The first sip is filled with buttery vanilla cream, dried cherries, rich caramel, and just a hint of that soothing peat smoke. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a nice combination of smoky peat and sweet clover honey.
Bottom Line:
This well-balanced, highly complex whisky should be enjoyed neat or on the rocks in order to experience every single, nuanced flavor.
India holds an interesting spot in the whisky world. The country has a history of importing whisky, but hasn’t been known as a strong producer. Enter Amrut, an award-winning whisky that’s been available in the US since 2009. While its single malt is heavily lauded by critics, we prefer its smokier cousin Amrut Fusion. 25% of the barley used to make this whisky was actually sent to Scotland to be peat-smoked. The other 75% was dried without peat in Indian, hence the “Fusion” moniker.
Tasting Notes:
Aging in both new oak and former bourbon casks for three-four years creates a subtly peat smoke nose, with hints of charred oak and sweet vanilla. The first sip is filled with hints of caramelized sugar, dried fruits, cinnamon, and a simple kiss of peat. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a nice combination of subtle pepper and rich smoke.
Bottom Line:
If you’re a fan of Islay whiskies, but you want to get a little more worldly, Amrut Fusion is for you. Just be aware that if you’re expecting a smoke bomb, you won’t find it here.
While this whiskey can be purchased for less than $30, it won the award for World’s Best Grain at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards. This is a bottle that corn whiskey fans are sure to love. First launched in 2009, it’s made from 100% South African yellow maize. It’s double aged, first in ex-bourbon barrels for three years before being moved to different ex-bourbon barrels for 18-30 more months.
Tasting Notes:
The aromas will surprise no one. First your nostrils will be greeted with creamy vanilla, sweet caramel, and just a hint of charred oak. The palate is filled with sweet cinnamon, caramel corn, toasted marshmallows, and brown sugar. The finish is long, filled with heat, and ends with a final kick of sticky toffee.
Bottom Line:
If you enjoy your whisky “the cornier the better,” this is the perfect bottle for you. It might be made thousands of miles away, but it should appeal to the most tenacious bourbon fan.
Drink Editor’s Pick: Stork Club Straight Rye Whiskey (Germany)
This fairly new expression is from Germany’s oldest distillery just outside of Berlin, Spreewald Distillery. The juice is made from rye grown in the surrounding region, making it a very local and a very grain-to-glass experience. The whiskey is then aged in ex-bourbon and old German white wine barrels before blending, proofing, and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
The rye really comes through in equal measures of crusty sour rye bread and peppery spice with a counterpoint of hazelnut and creamy chocolate up top. The taste leans into the Nutella aspects, with a real creaminess next to more of that spice with a hint of fresh chilis and a touch of buttery toffee. The chocolate darkens on the end (especially with a little water) as the nuttiness remains strong and is tied off by a final flourish of orange oils.
Bottom Line:
This is a really solid rye that feels familiar while bringing a whole lot of uniqueness to the game. It’s a great workhorse whiskey as well — working in highballs, cocktails, and on the rocks as a sipper.
“Strange Fruit” is one of singer Billie Holiday’s most famous songs. Less known is how the “first great protest” anthem also made her a target of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. That story will be told in The United States vs Billie Holiday, the new film from Lee Daniels (Precious, Lee Daniels’ The Butler) starring Andra Day as Holiday.
“When you think of Civil Rights leaders, you think of men. When you think of Billie Holiday, you think of this brilliant tortured jazz singer that happened to have been a drug addict. I didn’t know that she kicked off the Civil Rights movement,” Daniels said. “Before there was a Civil Rights movement, there was Billie Holiday and ‘Strange Fruit.’ The government saw that song as a threat and she was a target. That’s history and they keep it from us.”
Here’s the official plot synopsis:
The legendary Billie Holiday, one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, spent much of her career being adored by fans across the globe. Beginning in the 1940’s in New York City, the federal government targeted Holiday in a growing effort to escalate and racialize the war on drugs, ultimately aiming to stop her from singing her controversial and heart-wrenching ballad, “Strange Fruit.” Led by Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels and introducing Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday unapologetically presents the icon’s complicated, irrepressible life. Screenplay writer Suzan-Lori Parks, the first African American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, pens this intimate tale of a fierce trailblazer whose defiance through music helped usher in the civil rights movement.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday, which also stars Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, Natasha Lyonne, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, premieres on Hulu on February 26.
It’s not often that a breakout artist can sell more albums than a well-established pop star, but that’s exactly what Lil Baby did in 2020. Neilsen Music/MRC Data recently unveiled their end-of-year data for 2020, and it revealed that Lil Baby’s My Turn beat out Taylor Swift’s Folklore for the best-selling album of the year.
My Turn comes in first place, selling 2.632 million equivalent album units. Taylor Swift’s Folkore trails behind Lil Baby, selling 2.204 million. The remainder of the top ten list is composed mostly of rappers, with Pop Smoke’s posthumous LP Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon coming in third and The Weeknd’s After Hours arriving after that. Next is Juice Wrld’s Legends Never Die, Post Malone’s Hollywood’s Bleeding, Lil Uzi Vert’s Eternal Atake, Roddy Ricch’s Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, Harry Styles’ Fine Line, and Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get.
Not only was My Turn first place for album sales, but it also took the top slot for the most-streamed album of 2020. Neilsen Music/MRC Data’s report shows that My Turn garnered an impressive 3.93 billion streams. Following it’s February release, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, where it ended up spending five non-consecutive weeks.
Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Sean Bean plays a very different kind of role for him on Snowpiercer Season 2 because (whoa) he probably won’t die. You never know, though! TNT’s Snowpiercer churned out a first season that was so relentlessly unlike Bong Joon Ho’s film — it even adapted the source material (Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette’s graphic novels) into a bit of a procedural — that maybe they’ll simply decide to kill ark-train creator Mr. Wilford, too. Regardless, Bean’s incarnation isn’t worried about it. In the role portrayed by Ed Harris in the movie, Bean is having a much more overstated ball than his predecessor. At the risk of sounding completely pun-filled here, it looks to be a chilling performance.
In other words, Bean’s talent for dying on camera might be taking a breather when Season 2 of the Daveed Diggs-starring series returns. Meanwhile, Jennifer Connelly’s hospitality chief, Melanie Cavill, is seen off-board in this trailer, and everyone’s attempting to reorient themselves after the revolution, which saw Layton emerge as a leader. From the synopsis:
Discovering Mr. Wilford (Sean Bean) is alive and headed their way on a rival train, Melanie (Jennifer Connelly) risks going outside to prevent him from invading Snowpiercer. While she’s out there, it’s revealed that Alexandra (Rowan Blanchard), Melanie’s daughter, who she thought had died, is alive and has become Wilford’s dedicated protegee. In season two, an entirely new power struggle emerges, causing a dangerous rift as people are divided between their loyalty to Layton and to Mr. Wilford, who has a new train, new technology and a game plan that keeps everyone guessing. While Layton battles Wilford for the soul of Snowpiercer, Melanie leads the charge on a shocking new discovery that could change the fate of humanity.
The Snowpiercer train returns on January 25, and here’s a new poster.
Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens were in a very good mood on Sunday afternoon as they finally got over the hump for their first postseason win with last year’s MVP at quarterback with a 20-13 win in Tennessee over the Titans.
Not only was it their first win in the playoffs with Jackson, but they got to avenge last season’s upset to the Titans in the Divisional Round and get some payback for the Titans stomping on their midfield logo earlier this season by returning the favor after Marcus Peters’ game-sealing interception. Jackson proved how he is the one and only who you can’t clone on Sunday, rushing for 136 yards and one sensational 47-yard touchdown in the win.
All of this made for a light atmosphere in the postgame media session for Jackson. Part of doing these sessions in the Zoom world is having the reporter’s name called out before each question. So, when Mike Jones of USA Today got called on to ask Jackson about the game, the former MVP couldn’t help but be delighted by the reporter sharing his name with the legendary Houston rapper and had some fun.
A reporter named Mike Jones had a question for Lamar. Lamar couldn’t help himself
I love that you can see Lamar fighting back the urge to crow out “Mike Joooones” before being unable to suppress the natural instinct all of us that were of a certain age back then during Jones’ mid-aughts run. This is obviously not something new to the reporter Jones, who chuckled along with Jackson before continuing on with the question. If Lamar has any followups, he can hit Mike’s line at 281-330-8004.
It’s true, the world of wine can be as expensive as it is extensive, especially when it comes to red wines. There are thousands of varieties of wine grapes grown around the world, and prices for certain vintages and reserve bottles from prestigious wineries can cost hundreds. Some particularly rare and extraordinary wines are priced higher than a yearly mortgage, like, for instance, bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, which can average more than $20,000 a pop.
But as we’ve noted in the past, enjoying top-tier vino doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend top dollar. There are plenty of bottles that land high on the quality scale and won’t cost your life savings. I’m talking wines so dynamic and interesting and delicious that no one would ever suspect how little you paid for them. Better still, they’ll walk away sure that you are a true aficionado.
Below, we’ve rounded up a list of 10 wines under $30 that taste a whole lot more expensive than they really are. All the options listed below are red wines and are accessible in retail shops throughout the U.S., as well as online. If you’re looking for fabulous white wines that are considerably low in price but high in value, we’ve got you covered there, too — just check this handy little list.
When the family members of the renowned Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and Nicolás Catena wineries formed a partnership in 1999, it was for the sole purpose of producing a single wine that would showcase the best Argentina and France have to offer in grapes: Malbec and cabernet sauvignon. The wineries’ collaboration brought forth the birth of this deep ruby red blend, for a wine that is completely harmonious in softness and acidity.
Tasting Notes:
The first word that comes to mind is this: Juicy.
Aromas of cherry and fig spill from the bottle the moment you pop the cork, and the palate is splashing with ripe black fruits. But it’s not a total washout. The wine gets an edge from tingling and savory notes of spice (that’s the 33 percent cabernet kicking in) while the silky soft tannins (which give the wine some astringency) wrap up all that juicy flavor with a lean and clean, lingering finish.
Bottom Line:
This wine is quite literally a fruit bath for your mouth, and we do mean that in the most elegant, sophisticated, and complex way.
Now here’s a wine that captures the true essence of Italy’s Chianti region, and it’s produced by one of the country’s most esteemed wineries, the Antinori family, who have made wine in Italy for over six centuries. This bottle is a blend of a variety of grapes grown on Antinori’s Pèppoli vineyard, which has been in production since 1985. However, Sangiovese, perhaps Chianti’s most popular grape, is predominant.
Tasting Notes:
There’s an interesting aroma of damp flowers that’s pretty indicative of the complexity that awaits in the bottle. On the palate, the medium-bodied juice is vibrant with notes of sour cherry and herbal bouquets while the finish is long with smooth but firm tannins, reminiscent of the floral earthiness represented in the fragrance.
Bottom Line:
This may be as close as you’ll get to a full-on Italian fine wine experience without actually breaking the bank.
Here’s another stunner under the Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) portfolio that is the exact definition of the phrase, “bang for your buck.” Made of 100 percent cabernet sauvignon grapes grown on the winery’s Los Vacos estate in Chile, this wine features all the full-bodied bells and whistles cabs from the Bordeaux region of France are loved for, but maintains a seductive spicy flair you can only get from South American wine.
Tasting Notes:
A deep, dark red, this wine smells like a cauldron full of black cherries and purple plums, sprinkled with white pepper roasting over an open fire. The wine delivers a slight juiciness that’s balanced out with fresh acidity and a delightful spiciness.
The alcohol is also noticeable on the palate, as well as the grippy tannins that fade slowly during the big finish.
Bottom Line:
This wine challenges every negative notion about the quality of mass-produced wine. Sure 250,000 to 300,000 cases are produced each year, but it’s hard not to feel like this unique wine was made specifically for you when drinking it.
When besties Daniel Jimenez-Landi and Fernando Garcia founded Comando G in 2008, high up in Spain’s mountainous Sierra de Gredos, the mission was simple: Produce Spanish wines with the finesse and swagger that can rival that of, say, a Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France. They accomplished that goal with an onslaught of biodynamic wines, like this Garnacha (aka Grenache) grown and hand-harvested from the sandy granite soil vineyards of Las Rozas de Puerto Real.
Tasting Notes:
Fragrances of violets and hibiscus tea leaves on the nose mingle with a front end that is full of fruit like blackberries and cherries. But the backend of this bright red wine is like licking a stone studding the streets of Madrid. Its polished notes of slate and chalk are true standouts on the palate, while the herbaceous, fennel, and rosemary characteristics that evolve throughout the sip are not to be missed. The finish is opulent and silky with the most subtle notes of cedar, probably from the oak vats the wine is aged in.
Bottom Line:
This is an outstanding wine with lots of character and even more drinkability. You can enjoy it right away or save it for a special occasion. And while it can certainly bring out the best in roasted meats and veggies, it works just fine as a solo sipper.
The Central Coast and Lake County, California vineyards that this organic Merlot comes from saw a cooler growing season and occasional rainfall before grapes were harvested, providing just the right type of climate for the fruit to mature slowly and develop a greater flavor profile. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks and a bit of malolactic fermentation—a winemaking process that softens the wine and creates a richer, creamier texture — followed by a 12-month nap in French and American oak — resulted in a class-act of a Merlot that is as balanced in fruit flavor as it is in structure.
Tasting Notes:
With its deep mahogany hue, this wine is buzzing with ripe, fresh fruit. Fragrances of blueberry and plum jump out the bottle while the palate gets a lift from rocky, woodsy notes that may remind you of pencils and those metal sharpeners fastened to the walls in your 2nd-grade classroom.
As for the body, it’s pretty medium and features a fuzzy mouthfeel accentuated by soft tannins and a long finish.
Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for something that is elegant and sophisticated but by no means fussy, the drinkability of this wine makes it an easy choice for a steal of a price.
This dark inky purple wine is the quintessential Australian red. Grown in the southern Adelaide Plains region, its comprised of 100 percent shiraz, Australia’s most popular and widely produced grape.
Tasting Notes:
This wine perfumes the nose with scents of blackberry jam and mushroom toast, if there was ever such a pairing. On the sip, the wine is rich and intense with its big, bold and earthy notes of dark chocolate, tobacco leaves, ground spices, and velvety tannins. The finish is long and savory.
Bottom Line:
This wine opens up over time, meaning the longer it sits in the glass the more it blossoms and softens the nuances that influence the wine’s taste. So sip this with a big meal like steak and potatoes, lamb chops, beef bourguignon, etc., and watch it evolve into better and more flavorful wine by the time you clean your plate.
The fruit used in this vibrant pinot noir is picked from the LOLA vineyards in Mendocino, Russian River Valley, and Monterey, California. The juxtaposing terroir (a term referring to the regional influences of a wine like climate, soil, and terrain) enhances the wine’s unique taste and structure.
Tasting Notes:
The garnet-colored wine opens up with aromas of black cherry cola that transition into a lively bundle of blueberries on the palate. The blue fruit flavors married with mineral notes and a hint of clay gives the wine some texture that makes it weighted-yet-balanced, with a dash of acidity.
Bottom Line:
This wine is a total crowd pleaser and a great example of just how exceptional California pinots can be. Drink this when you’re in the mood for something on the lighter side.
This shining magenta red blend produced by Francis Ford Coppola Winery is made of 26 percent cabernet sauvignon, 26 percent syrah, 24 percent zinfandel, and 24 percent petite sirah, all grown in vineyards across Lodi, California. All those varieties combined result in a medium-bodied wine swirling with distinctive, robust character.
Tasting Notes:
Whiffs of cinnamon and tobacco leaf set the tone for a big wine experience, while on the sip, the wine is complex with flavors of juicy dark fruits that blend with pepper and spices like nutmeg, clove, and cocoa, as well as a faint hint of toasted oak. Its velvety texture softens for a surprisingly smooth and delicate finish.
Bottom Line:
This is a soft sipper that will pair well with almost anything, but if you’re planning an Italian feast for friends full of cheesy pasta dishes like fettuccini alfredo and cacio e pepe, this bottle is your go-to.
There are some truly incredible wines coming out of Paso Robles, California, like this enchanting red blend made of 40 percent cabernet sauvignon, 22 percent syrah, 14 percent petite sirah, 10 percent cabernet franc, 10 percent malbec, and 4 percent petit verdot. Aging in 75 percent new French oak creates a medium to full-bodied wine that is (surprisingly) silky AF.
Tasting Notes:
This wine is so deep ruby it’s nearly black, and it smells of all things purple and beautiful like violets and lilacs and cassis. On the palate, notes of blackberry jam and black currants play nicely with earthy undertones and inklings of chopped trees and piney forests. Yes, the wine certainly has some structure and depth, but it’s as elegant and seductive as a silk slip dress with a long polished finish you won’t forget.
Bottom Line:
The good folks at My Favorite Neighbor intended for this wine to be an every-day drinker and the ease and enjoyment that comes with every sip makes it a perfect wine for doing exactly that. Drink this when you’re tired of everything and in need of some luster.
Here’s another Paso Robles gem for you. It’s an exceptional dark purple Syrah that becomes quite the full-bodied wine after spending 17 months maturing in French oak. But don’t be worried by its bold demeanor—this wine is totally approachable and it has the legs to support the heartiest of meals.
Tasting Notes:
This Syrah has a smoky quality that’s noticeable from the jump. Swaths of smoked meats are in the fragrance, along with smells of cracked black pepper and dark red fruit. Those notes continue on the palate but get a little lift from a hint of graphite midway through. The finish is long with grippy tannins that convince you to take another sip.
Bottom Line:
This is a dinner wine that can take center stage at a feast without overshadowing the main course. Drink it during a special occasion with your pals, or when you’ve outdone yourself and cooked up something truly impressive like coq au vin, or on the laziest of nights when the most you can do is order a burger.
Donald Trump lost his favorite thing on Friday: his Twitter account. And as the weekend rolled on, the hits kept coming for the president who incited a failed coup attempt in Washington last week. Trump was deplatformed from the social media site for helping encourage violence that left five people dead in an attempt to overturn the results of an election that he lost.
But according to reports, the more significant loss for him came on Sunday when the PGA voted to move its 2022 championship away from Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey golf course. Trump Bedminster losing the tournament takes away revenue for a post-presidency Trump, but more importantly it’s a huge ego blow to a man who loves the sport and his courses more than he seems to love many other things in this world.
On top of all that, a second impeachment is imminent for Trump unless he resigns from office. That will effectively end any hopes he had of running — and more importantly campaigning and fundraising — for president again in 2024. And while Trump apparently has no social media channels on which to vent his disappointments, according to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman he’s much more “gutted” over losing the golf tournament than any of the other deadly and democracy-endangering things that have happened over the last week.
A lot has happened in the last week, including the president losing his Twitter feed, impeachment coming to the fore and the PGA withdrawing from Trump National. He’s “gutted” by the PGA move, a person close to the White House says.
It’s important to note that basically everything is making Trump angry at this point: he’s tried dozens of times to overturn an election he lost, he’s lost his favorite bullhorn through which to yell at nearly 88 million people online, and his time in office is numbered to say the least. But according to reports, it’s losing the PGA Championship above everything else that’s truly ruined his month.
He’s angry about impeachment, people who have spoken to him say. But the reaction to the PGA decision was different order of magnitude.
It’s been days since Trump has made any statement about any of the above, which is not just the fault of Twitter: he has an entire room in his house for addressing the press and the nation at large, he just chose to use an iPhone and amplify QAnon instead of taking questions from reporters. But whenever we hear from him again, you can know for certain he’s going to bring up losing a PGA event at Bedminster. In fact, he might bring it up before everything else that’s clearly more important.
30 Coins (HBO, 9:00pm and 10:20 EST) — This week, a haunted mirror stalks this Spanish horror series, which is directed and co-written by Álex de la Iglesia (The Day of the Beast, The Last Circus). During the course of investigating this reflective otject, Father Vergara could very well be absorbed into a deathly portal.
Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy (Netflix film) — This documentary goes back to the burgeoning crack epidemic of the early 1980s, followed by a metaphorical tsunami that ripped through America’s inner cities. The effects were not short-lived, and this film jumps decades ahead to examine the enduring destruction wrought by this drug, along with the associated and ongoing marginalization of Black and Brown people trapped within the U.S. prison and healthcare cycles.
The Hustler (ABC, 9:00pm) — This new game show revolves around trivia questions and a collective prize pot that only keeps growing. Secretly, one of the contestants (“the Hustler”) already knows all but must keep his or her identity under wraps until the end.
The Good Doctor (ABC, 10:00pm) — COVID-19 leaves an emotional toll on healthcare workers, and Dr. Audrey Lim coincidentally must also help heal a young war vet who’s stricken with debilitating PTSD.
The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon — Rashida Jones, Bill Burr, Old Dominion
The Late Late Show With James Corden — Rob Lowe, Zoe Wees
Late Night With Seth Meyers — David Spade, Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar
In case you missed these recent picks:
Tiger (Sunday, HBO 9:00 p.m.) — This documentary takes an intimate look at the rise, fall, and return of Tiger Woods. Our own Vince Mancini calls this an irresistible watch, and the film charts the prodigy’s obsession with his sport that led him to the highest of heights and fame, which led to a downward spiral, and eventually, an epic comeback.
Pretend It’s A City (Netflix limited series) — Marty Scorsese’s back on Netflix while directing this project revolving around long-time friend Fran Lebowitz. The series follows her “New Yorker to the core” brand of straight talking in what’s essentially a punchy guidebook that will appeal to true New Yorkers. Scorsese, too, gives his own takes on the Big Apple, so expect a double dose of attitude on everything from tourists to the subways to the arts to, yes, Times Square.
Headspace Guide to Meditation (Netflix series) — Need a little meditation (in)action? This series will be one of three Headspace projects (produced by Vox Media Studios) in 2021, and this one will lead with eight episodes that will teach viewers different mindfulness techniques to learn the surprisingly difficult practices — including stress, sleep, and letting go — of how to meditate. It’s damn hard to do, especially in our current age where information never stops coming our way, but this series might help convince everyone that meditation can be both accessible and… easy? Not to mention interactive.
Parler is down as of Monday afternoon, but the MAGA-friendly social media site apparently intends to fight the big tech companies that it claims have put the company’s future in serious jeopardy. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that Parler sued Amazon for removing the company’s access to its cloud servers, effectively taking the website down as it tries to find web hosting from someone other than the largest cloud storage company on Earth.
The company’s CEO, John Matze, had already complained to Fox News and others about being unable to relocate all of its server data to another platform in the 24 hours notice Amazon Web Services gave the company. Apple and Google removed Parler from its app stores for violating guidelines about moderating content filled with hate speech and inciting violence, reasons that Amazon cited in terminating its Parler contract.
But Parler accused Amazon of “political animus,” blaming that for its removal and not because Parler helped incite a coup attempt by letting Trump supporters organize an attack on the U.S. Capitol and call for the assassination of vice president Mike Pence, among other things:
In a complaint filed Monday in Seattle federal court, Parler alleged that Amazon Web Services kicked the company off its cloud servers for political and anti-competitive reasons. The conservative social network founded in 2018 exploded in popularity among supporters of President Trump after the November U.S. election.
“AWS’s decision to effectively terminate Parler’s account is apparently motivated by political animus. It is also apparently designed to reduce competition in the microblogging services market to the benefit of Twitter, ” according to the complaint, which also accused Amazon of breaching a contract between the parties.
The lawsuit accuses Amazon of a double standard, noting that it hosts other microblogging sites like Twitter. But while that much larger company has struggled to moderate hate speech, it has taken measures to limit that content and its potential to cause violence, such as permanently suspending Donald Trump’s account last week.
Matze said just before the site went down that it may be offline even longer than expected due to vendors fleeing the company in the wake of Apple, Amazon and Google all cutting ties.
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