Russian River Temptation

Batch 002. Thanks to axilla. Pours a hazy yellow with a big white head. Sweet and slightly sour. Quite heavy aromas of horse blanket and earth. But also sour apples and wood. Medium to full bodied. Lively carbonation. Bitter and sour finish.
Batch 001. Pours a clear golden with a white head. Mellow sweetness and sourness.Kinda like Duchesse du Bourgogne but less spicy. Hints of vinegar.

Pours a very frothy snow white soapy head. Stays for a bit, but does start to fall eventually leaving some lace on the glass. Pretty straw color, but since its non-filtered, and bottle conditioned, it has a bit of a cloudy nature to it. Aroma is interesting. Actually reminds me of a gewurtzraminer wine as it is going into the primary fermenter up in Napa Valley. Since its oak aged that seems natural to me. Nice level of carbonation. Sourness in flavor. Clean palate and aftertaste, reminiscent of drinking a cold white wine. Would definitely buy again, and regularly, if it weren’t so blasted expensive. Will have to make it up to the brewery to try it sometime as this bottle has been "aging" in my fridge for a year, or so, so the Bret has been tamed a bit.

375 ml bottle, caged and corked. Batch 002. Poured a slightly hazy golden color with an orange tint. There was several millimeters of white sediment on the bottom of the bottle. Head was one finger high and white. It dissipated over after a few minutes to a thin film. There was only a bit of tattered lace on the glass at the end. Rich and varied aroma of apple, funky Brett, and oak. There were also whiffs of clove and honey-touched cereal grain. Tart on the tongue throughout with lingering acidity. Very effervescent with flavors of sour cherry, unripe berries, and oak. An acquired taste, but one that’s certainly worth acquiring.

Date: August 24, 2005
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting
Appearance: hazy yellow, whispy white head
Aroma: big tart horsey bret aroma
Body: light body
Flavor: huge tart flavor, lots of funk, light winey character with a hint of sweet, a bit of oak

Date: July 11, 2009
Mode: bottle
Source: brewpub
Vintage: batch 2
Appearance: hazy yellow, creamy white head, sudsy lace
Aroma: light musty aroma, touch of lemon citrus
Flavor: flavor starts with a bit of sweetness before the tart comes in and takes over, light spicyness, touch of oak, tartness dries it out at the finish

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Score: **4

The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

375ml bottle, Batch 001, courtesy of boboski (THANKS Jason)! Pours a perfectly clear and beautiful golden with a slight fizzy white head, slight lacing. Aroma is sour grapes, sour apple, oak, and musty funk; very pleasant, and opens up in the glass nicely! Flavor is more sour apple with some light citrus and oakiness. Palate is light, and medium-thin, good carbonation, and a brief, but satisfying finish. Good stuff!

375ml from irishboy, thanks! aroma is oaky, and citrus with lots of funk! flavour is funky, and sour. the funk is awesome!!! lots of citrus, and oak. wow, this is great, nice and refreshing. wicked stuff.

bottle batch 001 courtesy of boboski: pours a golden hue with a small white line of froathy head. aroma of sour grapes, honey, some fresh apple. flavour is smooth into sour fresh apple, honey, grape. fantastic.

002 batch. Pours a cloudy yellow golden color with a thick frosty white head. A bit of lacing. Aroma of tartness, sour oak barrels, fresh yeast and pepper. Taste is very tart with a nice oak barrel flavor. Fresh yeast abound and it finishes peppery. Very nice for the style.