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CLASS IN THE GLASS!
New Connoisseurs Connection Available Updated January 2, 2014
Incoming: Limited
el nido "clio"!
this never lasts long! arrives friday 3/07
One of the most desired wines in the world perennially is Bodegas El Nido's Clio made by Australian Chris Ringland, and for more than a decade, this gorgeous, fruit-driven wine has averaged 94.25 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. With the 2011 vintage now available, the question being asked by folks who perennially love this sexy, fruit-driven Jumilla is; how will the 2011 stack up against it siblings from vintages past?
After tasting the 2011 Clio this afternoon with several employees and a few customers, the consensus was the 2011 lives up to the high standards set forth in previous vintages and is one heck of a wine! Additionally, given its price-point, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything from Spain that comes even close to the quality of the 2011 Clio. As we’ve stated previously, we’d be willing to bet the farm that this vintage too will find itself alongside the greatest vintages of Clio produced. Regardless of the formal press that will surely come, one thing is undisputable; this is pound for pound, one of the finest wines available on earth. Come and get it!
2011 Bodegas El Nido "Clio" Jumilla
Reg $45 Sale $39.97 $229.99/6pk
Looking for a consistently over-achieving, full-bodied red? How about this for a track record (all scores from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate): 2003 - 96 points; 2004 - 97 points; 2005 - 95 points; 2006 - 95 points; 2007 - 94 points, 2008 - 94 points, 2009 - 90 points. The wine is comprised of 70% Old Vine Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon that was barrel-aged for 22-26 months in French and American oak. It bears Clio's hallmark opulence, with bold aromas and flavors, a thick, dense palate, and long finish. Bodegas El Nido is a project of the Gil family of Jumilla; Chris Ringland (R Wines) is chief winemaker.Bodegas El Nido is a collaboration between the Gil family and Australian powerhouse Chris Ringland. The Clio is 70% old vine Monastrell and 30% Cab grown in the Valle de la Aragona in the Jumilla appellation of Spain. The wine is rich with roasted berry and cassis aromas and flavors, with accents of anise and espresso. A powerful, decadent wine. The winery is located in the Valle de La Aragona, inside the Murcia district of Jumilla and surroundings. The vineyards are 64 acres of old Monastrell vines, all head pruned and 45 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon planted 25 years ago. 95/100 WWP: Classic 2011 El Nido Clio 15.5% Alcohol $45 Release Price 70% Monastrell/30% Cabernet Sauvignon I was anxious to try this after adoring the 2010 across a bunch of bottles, but the 2011 comes through in a big way. The 2011 is perhaps a bit smoother and softer around the edges than the 2010, which can get a little rough at times. The alcohol (15.5%) is incredibly well concealed. The wine is just so utterly enjoyable to consume. Huge, gorgeous aromatics of rich fruit, vanilla, and a supporting touch of herbs. Coats the glass but amazingly doesn't feel heavy. A remarkable achievement. I can't think of a better wine in the $35-$40 price range. A great alternative to overpriced Napa Cabs.
Consumers Tasting Notes From Cellar Tracker: 3/2/2014 -94 Points
Decanted for 1 hour, rebottled & corked for a ride and then reopened 1 hour later. Drank over 2 hours. Love this nearly black, dense, beautiful dark berries fruit bowl. Wow! Great nose and even better taste & finish. Don't cellar them all, try (& enjoy) one now with a decant. What a wine for $40!
2/28/2014 -93 Points
"is it heavy?... then it's expensive" lawyer from Jurassic Park. This bottle just feels like it quality and does not disappoint. Thick dark look almost purple. Nose of warm ripe raspberries with green note. Licorice, with ripe berry notes. Higher alcohol is perfectly balanced. Be careful, the empty bottle is heavy, you will finish it sooner than you think.
2/23/2014 -93 Points
Full body red with very purple hue. Muscular nose of dark fruits enveloped with new oak vanillin, leather, and cassis. Palate is fleshy with chewy tannins and solid dark fruits. Finishes medium with a smoky plum taste. Great value and full throtle Spanish wine, always consistent year after year. 93+
2/23/2014 -92 Points
Drank last night without taking notes. Highlights: fantastic spiciness and just a bit of heavy oak (which should fade nicely over the next several years). Plenty of fruit, mouthcoating, and long finish.
2/17/2014 -
pop and pour. consumed 60/40 over two days. day 1 was full of meaty monastrell, and plenty of new oak vanilla and chocolate to go with deep blackberry jam flavors. day 2 was syrupy and less structured than day 1. not sure where this one is going. not my fav vintage of clio.
1/29/2014 -94 Points
Had this wine twice. 1st last weekend, bottle had cork pulled the day before and left uncorked for 30 hours. Tasted fantastic, so dark, with fresh big fruit & nice sweetness, tannins in check - great bottle for $40. So I bought 6 and opened 1, drank it over two nights. 1st night very tight & tannic, but you could smell & taste the nice fruit, just masked due to the tannins. Recorked. 2nd night was much better, but not as smooth as the other bottle with 30 hours of air. Advice - needs LOTS of air time; should be delicious. Otherwise hold.
1/28/2014 -
Clear and bright, deep ruby colour and presence of legs. The nose is clean and developing, showing medium+ intensity aromas of strawberry, blackberry, liquorice, vanilla and coconut. The wine is off-dry in the mouth with a medium- soft acidity, medium+ tannins, high alcohol, full body and pronounced intensity flavours of blackberry, liquorice, vanilla and coconut. Long finish.
It is a very good quality wine with a lingering finish and a very good fruit concentration as well as a decent complexity, but it is unbalanced lacking acidity. Drink now, but it has enough tannic structure and fruit concentration to develop some tertiary aromas in the next 3-5 years.
1/25/2014 - 91 Points
This 2011 Clio once again is big, full bodied, concentrated forward fruit flavored wine. Dark garnet colored, less polished than some recent vintages with a slight 'tinny' edge, the dark black and red berry fruits give way to cassis, anise, and a layer of expresso with moderate acidity, medium plus tannins and high alcohol on a long full finish.
1/9/2014 -92 Points
Nice fruit, long finish. This wine will not disappoint... yes, this is a buy over and over again.
1/9/2014 -93 Points
Fruit forward and definitely a 'Parker' pleasing style, but you can't deny the quality of this. Complex and very enjoyable. For the money hard to beat.
1/6/2014 -84 Points
Double decanted. Pleasing nose and lots of fruit but mid palate and especially finish almost syrupy sweet and very edgy. Expected a touch more finesse. It may need a couple more years.
12/29/2013 -
Fruity and a little hot. Good strong wine with old cheese.
12/29/2013 - 90 Points
Too much heat to drink on day 1 - tastes almost like a high octane amarone. Improved considerably on day 2, but still noticeable heat. The nose has all the wonderful scents you expect from Clio, and there is the expected incredibly well integrated vanilla/blackberry/creme de cassis monster lurking in the background, but I won't open another one of these for a few years. Surprising, as the 15.5 is no different than the last 3 vintages, all of which I've enjoyed when they were young.
12/22/2013 -93 Points
It starts with a big, red fruit nose and has lots of smooth red fruit, with a pencil lead taste, obvious vanilla oak that doesn't overpower. It's fruity but not too sweet. It's a monastrell/cabernet blend but I could only taste Monastrell. A really enjoyable long finishing wine thats ready to drink today but should last. I had it with lamb chops on night one, and on its own the next night. I prefer this to the Aussie Mataros I've tried. If you like the Juan Gil Jumilla, which is great $15 QPR wine, then you'll love this. Its the nicest $40 red that I've tasted.
12/4/2013 -95 Points
I was anxious to try this after adoring the 2010 across a bunch of bottles, but the 2011 comes through in a big way. The 2011 is perhaps a bit smoother and softer around the edges than the 2010, which can get a little rough at times. The alcohol (15.5%) is incredibly well concealed. The wine is just so utterly enjoyable to consume. Huge, gorgeous aromatics of rich fruit, vanilla, and a supporting touch of herbs. Coats the glass but amazingly doesn't feel heavy. A remarkable achievement. I can't think of a better wine in the $35-$40 price range. A great alternative to overpriced Napa Cabs.
11/30/2013 -94 Points
Nose of burnt graphite and iodine. Soft mouthfeel with blueberry, vanilla, and a hint of chocolate on the finish
11/11/2013 -93 Points
Primary fruit, but drinking wonderfully right now.
Incoming: Arrives Friday 3/7
WOW! Great Chardonnay from a Top Puligny Montrachet Producer!
when someone you know who consumes white burgundy on a consistent basis in the $100. and up a bottle loads up on an under $30 bourgogne we pay attention! this is the first release of this modest chardonnay from a producer you could easily argue ids the finest producer of puligny montrachet! Superb value as this Bourgogne Blanc is sourced from 3 parcels in Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault from vines of serious age; up to 50 years! limited: great style for spring enjoyment!
The first vintage from this domaine, one half of the Carillon family. Restrained citrus nose with underlying vanilla and stone fruit. Begs to be decanted to allow the delicate flavours to evolve. A wine to possibly compete with many white premiers crus, this would be fabulous with turkey and other roasted goodies. 17pts/20 (90/100pts) Decanter
1250 cases produced. 50% of this is domaine-bottled. A pure Chardonnay nose with a bit of vanilla bean. On the palate, very creamy like ice cream, quite pungent and round at the same time. Shows nice mineral and floral elements, some sweet and sour and some grapefruit flavors. A very lively finish – excellent for a Bourgogne Blanc. 18.2/20
Characteristics: Beautiful, textural Appellation Burgundy seldom expresses such generosity -full of grapefruit, a mineral vivacity, a fragrant waxy vanilla bean nuance, and an embracing finish that reminds one of finer Burgundy -perhaps because 50% of this comes from domaine fruit from Francois Carillon -one of the great growers of Puligny-Montrachet whose focused attention to detail is legion. What a best foot forward into white Burgundy!
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, June 20
89 Wine Advocate “The 2010s are the first wines François Carillon has vinified on his own following the division of the family estate, Louis Carillon. I was very impressed with what I tasted, but, and perhaps even more importantly, deeply struck by the attention to detail, especially in the vineyards. The 2010 Bourgogne shows gorgeous energy and class at this level. It is a tasty, entry-level offering from Francois Carillon This unoaked easy drinking Bourgogne Chardonnay has aromas of lemon peel with taunt acidity and is an excellent introduction to Francois‘ wines
20 cases in stock!
incoming 60cs friday 3/7/2014
Beat the clock on the best chardonnay available under $20/btl
For the 3rd year in a row, our #1 selling chardonnay has taken (last week) a fairly substantial price increase and will be forcing us to raise our price another $1. bottle.
In most cases we would shrug it off and look for another chardonnay, however it is undeniable this has been and still is the best chardonnay available under $20/btl.
We have purchased another 60 cases prior to the price increase that will arrive this friday and have about 20 cases on hand.Tthere is a $24.00 as case mail in rebate through the end of the year, but we will be forced to raise it to $15.97/bottle once this inventory has depeleted!
2012 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Riva Ranch
Reg $19.99 Sale $14.97
This week only case deal $14.97 *12*5% cs discount= $170.65-$24.00 MIR= $146.65/12=$12.56
Great value sure to please even the most finicky of palates and it's what some call the poor man’s Rombauer. If you are Wente Vineyards this is what you would call a "back-handed" compliment. If you are Rombauer Vineyards you are probably not to comfortable with another wine being tagged with that moniker [so my apologies in advance]. Nonetheless, Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Reserve Chardonnay, Monterey Arroyo Seco is exactly that, the poor man's Rombauer and is this phrase is bandied about as such in wine stores all over California and else where, like here!
Let me be honest here Rombauer makes a great Chardonnay, a point to which [nearly] everyone agrees, however with a price point starting somewhere around $30. each, it's not going to be the QPR [quality price ration] champ or even a competitor in that arena. We get asked for Rombauer every single week and have been allocated 10 measly cases over the last 6 months! With the economy the way it is now, folks who love to drink wine on a regular basis are looking to cut corners. well here is your answer! I have been drinking vintages of Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay since 2004 and while each one differs a little, one thing which is not different is the overall consistent quality. Price ranges from 15 -$20 a bottle and in the word's of this review that is "uber-fabulous".
First Swirl: In the glass the wine a golden apple colored core and pale rim. Swirling about in my glass it reveals good structure and viscosity
First Sniff: From what I recall in my notes this wine had some enticing aromas of pear, apple and fig and other citrus notes effortlessly wafting up from the glass.
First Sip: The wine has a creaminess associated with having a bit of oak influence, complimented by generous tropical notes typical of Monterey fruit. This is an excellent wine to pair with food or as stand alone sipper.
Alcohol Content: The wine weighed in at 13.5% ABV, which is hardly noticed as this wine coats your palate with a suppleness normally associated with wines of a much higher caliber and price point.
Winemaking Style: Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices, the winery draws fruit from approximately 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed Estate vineyards.
Vineyards and Composition: Arroyo Seco is widely regarded as one of the best places in California to grow Chardonnay. Riva Ranch is the name of the Wente family’s Arroyo Seco vineyard in the which is presently planted to three Dijon clones and two Wente clones. The cool growing season and the deep gravelly soil ripen the Chardonnay perfectly, creating a natural balance of sugar and acid. The varietal make-up of the current 2012 vintage is, 94% Chardonnay, 4% Pinot Blanc, 2% Gewurztraminer.
This wine scored 92 points on the Cuvee Corner 100 point scale, which to some may seem a bit high, however you enter the QPR into this wines score and add wide availbility a much higher score is achieved.
Beringer California Cab, Merlot, Chardonnay, White Zin!
Sale $3.97
We have been informed all deals are off for this barnburner!!
We have 100 cases in stock!
Yellow Tail California Cab, Merlot, Chardonnay, Shiraz!
Sale $4.97
We have been informed all deals are off for this barnburner!!
We have 100 cases in stock!
Great buy on this mid-tier value producer!
You'd be hard pressed to find better at $15!
10 cases of each only!
2011 Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon
Reg $21.99 Sale $14.97
Joseph Carr was an award winning Sommelier and international wine industry executive who set out on his own in 2005 and founded Joseph Carr Winery in Carneros, California
Winemakers Notes - This wine displays a deep purple hue, and has great clarity for wine that is traditionally unfiltered. The bouquet offers scents of ripe black currant, smoke and saddle. Flavors include dark cherry and ripe plum with a hint of vanilla and cocoa dust. Firm, but approachable tannin structure accents a balanced and long finish.
One of Food & Wine's "Top 10 American value reds" in 2010, this small Napa Valley producer has continued to impress with their commitment to making spectacular wine at a price tag that won't put the hurt on your wallet. Grilled plums, dark berries and spiced oak front a juicy mid-palate that will have you grinning from ear to ear. Usually reserved for wine lists around the country, this luscious bottle of purple pleasure will turn your Tuesday night dinner into a four-star feast!
2009 Joseph Carr St Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
Reg $21.99 Sale $14.97
NOTES FROM CONSUMERS ON CELLAR TRACKER! 90+pts. Medium red color. PNP, drank 2 glasses over 90 minutes.Nose has Smoke, raspberry, cherry, savory, mint, vanilla . The palate is medium bodied, dark cherry, rich berry, flavorful, oak, spice, well balanced and fextured, med plus finish. Quite nice. 90+pts
90pts Vibrant nose with underbrush, cranberries, spices, stone and red currants. Medium finish with nice acidity. A very nice Thanksgiving wine. Drank out of a Riedel XL Pinot Stem.
91pts A very nice wine with strawberry, minerals, cranberry and cedar. Complex effort and a friend many years ago introduced me to Carr. Nice wine in the under $35 range.
incredible value pinot grigio from the hillside slopes of valdadigue
(Same as santa margarita!)
buy!
2012 Barone Fini Valdidigue Pinot Grigio
Reg $12.99 Sale $6.97 (25 only)
Soft and round with ripe juicy flavors, Barone Fini Pinot Grigio is a refreshing and expressive wine. The family wine making history goes back six centuries and today is done in the most modern style. All of their wines are entirely grown and produced in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Northern Italy and their hillside Pinot Grigio vineyards average 25 to 30 years of age. Following all the strict guidelines of the Italian DOC, grapes are all hand picked and sorted manually before fermentation. Crushing and fermentation take place in a state-of-the-art wineryunder careful temperature controlled conditions.
This is quality DOC Pinot Grigio at the the price of IGT. Great value.
great buy on spring summer red!
great light bodied red for burgers etc.
springs right around the corner! buy!
2011 George Dubouef Beaujolais Village
Reg $12.99 Sale $6.97 (25 only)
Aromas of lots of sweet berry fruit (blueberry, raspberry and blackberry). So much so, in fact, that the bouquet reminded me a bit of Sweet Tarts candy. Tasting the wine revealed more juicy sweet berry fruit (mostly strawberry this time) plus a good dose of banana. The tannins are very soft contributing to a nice smooth, silky texture on this light-bodied wine. This wine is very easy to drink and it gets even easier as you go. It ends dry with a medium-short finish. A great pairing for a burger or other everyday food. A really nice, fun, everyday wine!
BACK UP THE TRUCK!! This newly released 2012 Cabernet may be the Cab Value of the year
& it's only February!
2012 is just an absolutely stunning vintage for california cabernet (as we position around avoiding 2011 the best we can)
the value brands will be the first released!
we were shocked this week to see one of our favorites convert from 2010, directly to 2012!
this juicy cabernet could very well be one of the best cabernet values of the year!
We only have 6-7cases in stock right now!
But we have ordered a pallet to arrive next thursday!
We have a special price that will continue through the end of the month!
Back up the truck and reserve yours today!
IN STOCK: limited! don't delay! 2008 Pertimali (Livio Sassetti) Brunello di Montalcino Reg $59.99 Sale $49.97
2006 Elk Cove Reserve Pinot 30th Anniversary Reg $100 btl Sale $69.97 ($399.99/6)
2005 Peter Franus Proprietary Red (6) Reg $75 btl Sale $49.97 ($269.99/6)
2009 Robert Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon Reg $49.99 Sale $44.97
New, Nice 10 cases only! 2012 Force of Nature Cabernet Reg $24.99 Sale $19.97
New:In Stock & Allocated! 2010 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 95+ RP $139.97 ($829.99/6)
New:In Stock & Allocated! 2010 Pahlmeyer Merlot 93RP $74.97 ($439.99/6)
Last Call! Incredible! 2010 Galardi Lavora 97+RP $74.97 ($419.99/6)
& More
Now In Stock! 2 amazing wines @ Move em out pricing! do not miss!
stunning & extremely rare oregon pinot! ready to go!
. 93/100 Wine Enthusiast: This wine explodes from the glass with aromatic scents of caramel, cherry, sweet grain and many more nuanced layers. This is the wine you pull out for a special occasion. The flavors are beautifully integrated, a rolling mix of berries, spicy herbs, wood, earth and caramel. — P.G. (11/15/2008)
. 93/100 Wine & Oak: Fresh, aromatic and quite spice with hints of smoke and tar. The palate is sweet, dense and quite structured with nicely elegant fruit and a hint of oak. Great concentration and depth.
Elk Cove Vintage 2006 certainly has everyone offering up grand descriptions! "Everything ripened beautifully." "This is a rarity." "A warm, fully ripe vintage." Put this with softer, darker blue fruits that are more generous and it's the makings of exceptional wines!
. 93/100 Wine Spectator Rich, ripe and expressive, offering a mouthful of dark plum, golden raspberry and even a hint of apricot as the finish comes together and lingers against refined tannins. This is beautifully focused, with depth and distinctiveness. Best from 2009 through 2016. 180 cases made. Score: 93. —Harvey Steiman, October 31, 2008.
. 92/100 Wine Advocate The 2006 Pinot Noir Reserve is Elk Cove's show stopper. It was a selection of the top eight barrels in the cellar with 7 of the 8 being new. Medium/dark ruby-colored, the aromas are an amalgam of red and black fruits, earth notes, and mineral. On the palate the wine is seamless but structured, an elegant effort with no hard edges. The flavors are concentrated and the wine has excellent persistence. It can be enjoyed over the next eight years. Score: 92. —Jay Miller, October 2008.
Consumers from Cellar tracker:
91 pts 1/2014 Very good Pinot. Not sure if the value is there
94 pts 2012 This was an perfect example of great Pinot from Oregon. Very round and balanced in all aspects on the palate with just the right amount of tanins on the back palate at this point. But, I bet this wine would probably even be a touch better with a few more years in bottle. Although tasting delicious right now. Perhaps the only misgiving was not quite so memorable nose. But, really, really, really delicious. Wish I had more bottles.
94 pts 2012 Did not take formal TN's but this was a stellar wine. Needed about an hour to show. Beautiful medium to full body Pinot with well integrated tannins and a backbone to age 5-7 years. Very enjoyable now
looking for a superb napa red: should be easily $100+!
2005 Peter Franus Proprietary Red
(6) Reg $75 btl Sale $49.97 ($269.99/6)
. 93/100 Wine Enthusiast: Delicious and complex. Shows a superb tannic structure, soft and complicated and refined, housing dry but rich flavors of black currants, cherries, chocolate, anise, cedar and pepper. Elegant and distinguished, and should develop through 2011, at least.
2005 Peter Franus Red Wine is an alluring gem that is very dark in color. The elegant nose starts off slightly floral in nature with the core of the palate being all fruit including blackberry and cherry. Spices start on the mid palate and finish slightly spicy and smoky with just a kiss of toasted oak.
90 points, Wine Spectator Tight, firm and full-bodied, with chewy, grainy tannins, dried currant, anise and tobacco flavors presented in a full-bodied yet elegant package. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2010 through 2017.
A Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc Black cherry and black pepper spice on the nose with hints of fresh earth and cassis berry fruits sweet tobacco spice and notes of fresh earth. Lots of fresh plowed earth notes on the palate with ripe round tannins and cigar box spice notes on the finish. Finish 45+
blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, this wine is an unusual little gem and my favorite from the fair. It had that funky and interesting vegetal quality I associate with Cabernet Franc. There was some cassis and black cherry as well, but the fruit wasn’t overpowering. Rich and very pleasing. It would make a nice splurge for a special occasion
3/16/2013 -90 Points Cherry, cassis, tobacco, hint of chocolate and green pepper and eucalyptus. Still tannic - needed over an hour to start to open up. Chewy tannins with black fruit with olives and chocolate. Hot on the end. Still quite tannic - if you have more, hold them.
2/18/2013 - 92 Points Restaurant wine. Expressive nose of black currant dark cherry, licorice and tobacco. Medium plus body of Cherry, currants, sweet tobacco and espresso. Long silky finish.
6/4/2012 - 94 Points Wow quel beau vin! C'est puissant, équilibré, boisé mais pas lourd et très, très long en bouche. À l'aveugle j'aurais guessé un grand pauillac. Un des meilleurs californien que j'ais bu jusqu'à présent.
10/14/2011 -92 Points - Purple color with medium forming legs and aromas of raisin, bacon, vanilla and oak. It's balanced and has flavours of cloves, burnt toast, dusty, vanilla and oak with a full body. Linear texture with a long finish - Still young wine - plenty more years ahead. Very pleasant aroma. Big bordeaux style wine, great balance with a long very enjoyable finish.
Now In Stock! 3 cases only! great value cabernet!!
2009 Robert Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon
Reg $49.99 Sale $44.97
Review by Antonio Galloni Wine Advocate # 204 (Dec 2012) Rating: 93 Drink 2014 - 2024
Keenan’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the highlights in this portfolio. Rich and voluptuous, it totally saturates the palate from start to finish. Dark fruit, violets, spices and licorice all flesh out in this large-scaled, dramatic Cabernet Sauvignon. Everything simply works. The 2009 is a great wine. Even better, it is extremely fairly priced considering the quality of what is in the bottle. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. I imagine another few years of bottle age will only help the 2009 develop even more complexity. In this vintage the Cabernet Sauvignon is 73% from Spring Mountain and 27% from Pope Valley. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
Now In Stock! classic napa collectors!! super limited!
2008 Robert Keenan Cabernet Reserve Spring Mountain
Reg $109.99 Sale $89.97
Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate # 192 (Dec 2010) Rating: 97 Drink 2010 – 2035 Cost: $110-$160
A more limited production offering, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is composed of 80% estate Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% estate Cabernet Franc. Sadly, only 270 cases were produced. Possibly one of the finest wines Michael Keenan has yet made, it has just about everything one could desire in a Cabernet Sauvignon, including good minerality, floral, red, black and blue fruit notes, great equilibrium, stunning concentration and length, and an overall sense of purity and personality. In short, it possesses soul and delivers the goods. Approachable now, it should continue to drink well for 20-25 years.
2008 Robert Keenan Mernet Reserve
Reg $109.99 Sale $89.97
Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate # 192 (Dec 2010) Rating: 95 Drink 2010 – 2025
The 2008 Mernet Reserve Proprietary Red (350 cases produced) is composed of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. I’ve never liked the name that much, but I sure love the wine. Another prodigious effort from Keenan, it boasts an inky/purple color as well as a sweet nose filled with blackberry, black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with mocha and chocolate. Full-bodied and rich with an enticing suppleness as well as admirable length and texture, it should drink well for 15 or more years. For those who haven’t noticed, Michael Keenan appears to be ratcheting up the quality with every new vintage. Bravo!
An amazing wine from a legendary producer absolutely at it’s peak! only 2 cases left!
2006 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Cascina Francia
Reg $49.99 Sale $36.97
93 Pts RParker The 2006 Barbera d’Alba is a knockout. The aromatics alone are worth the price of admission. This rich, sumptuous Barbera tastes just like it did in barrel, which is to say plump, juicy and full of vibrant dark fruit. Notes of iron, tar and smoke that are typical of the Cascina Francia vineyard develop in the glass. The wine possesses stunning length and textural depth not to mention a finessed, harmonious personality. Stylistically it is also remarkably complete, as it combines the richness of fruit found in the 2003 with the greater perfume and finesse of the 2004 and 2005. It is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016.
12/2013 Wow! It's easy to say that this was the most delicious and well-made Barbera I've ever had. Decanted a few hours in advance, this was full of purple and black fruits, graphite, smoke, and tar. The structure was fantastic, with the tannins and acid in near-perfect balance. This is not your typical "pizza wine" Barbera; we enjoyed it with agnolotti del plin. For those of you holding onto this, I'd suggest that it isn't likely to get better than this. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
94 pts 12/2013 Really good stuff. For Conterno´s basis wine I wouldn´t have expected that immense complexity. After 2 hrs it opened perfectly with dark fruits. Very nice.
91pts 12/2013 Best bottle of this I've had to date. This always tasted a bit monolithic in the past, but now it has resolved a bit and added a layer of complexity without sacrificing the bright fruit that makes it so appealing. I would say this is at peak right now
arrives thursday! 02/06/2014!!
brunello from montalcino! class in the glass at a great price!
2008 Pertimali (Livio Sassetti) Brunello di Montalcino
Reg $59.99 Sale $49.97 ($549.99 cs12)
[#24 Wine Spectator Top 100 --- 94 pts Wine Spectator]
"Aromatic, suave and silky, boasting aromas and flavors of flowers, cherry, strawberry and leather, all boosted by bright acidity and firm, well-integrated tannins. Refined and long, with a lingering finish of mineral and spice." ----- "If I had only one Brunello to drink, it would be Pertimali." (Robert Parker) 700 cases imported
Rated 93 James Suckling “A wine with a lovely richness and roundness with ripe berries and chocolate, hints of nuts. Full body, with silky tannins and a fresh finish. Drink or hold. JS”
“If I had only one Brunello to drink, it would be Pertimali. This producer has been making spectacular wines since 1982.”
– Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
is a dark ruby with crimson like reflections. The aroma of the wine is redolent of dark cherries, leather, cured meat and tobacco. It's reflective of the earthier side of Brunello. On the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied with a solid core of ripe black cherry fruit. Worn leather and salume are present as well. Some may find this "funky" but to me, it represents the more meaty side of Brunello. It's rustic and less "fresh" but do not read that as a negative quality. The wine is well structured and balanced and will reward cellaring for 5-8 years. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I really like it as a change of pace. It's rather different than many of the wines in this report. 92 points SRP ~ $55.
In Tuscany, on the northern flank of the hilltop town of Montalcino, lies the Pertimali estate. The terrain is Eocenic origin with marl and clay alternating with limestone, situated on slopes with sufficient inclination for water to drain off rapidly and well. Angelo Sassetti began producing wine over 30 years ago in a small winery built into the farmhouse, From his acres of hand manicured vineyards and rigorous control over crop level, Angelo’s small lot and unfiltered winemaking produces 10,000 - 12,000 bottles of Rosso and 15,000 - 18,000 bottles of Brunello. The most important factor in the excellence achieved by Angelo Sassetti with his Rosso & Brunello di Montalcino is his total dedication to every stage of his wines from his hand care of his vineyards, to his total involvement in each of the procedures in his cellars. That is why his vineyards think of him as Angelo “the angel” Sassetti.
It was just seven years ago that Angelo Sassetti gave birth to the Pertimali estate that has become so well-known today. Believe it or not, this artisanal producer used the small farmhouse (known as Pertimali) that was already lying on the lower Northern slopes of Montalcino to build his winery in, and from this and his 7 hectares under vine he somehow manages to create one of the greatest Brunello's in all of Tuscany. From the start Sassetti was intent on being involved in every step of the winemaking process, as all of the vineyards are tended to by hand - a tradition that he still practices today. However, he now has the assistance of his sons Luciano and Lorenzo to aid him in an operation that is growing day by day, with good reason.
The Sassetti family has produced wine for more than a century. On the hill known as Montosoli, Pertimali’s wines are renowned for representing the perfect balance between the fruit-forward wines of southern Montalcino and the dense, structured, mineral wines of the north. In the vineyard and in the cellar, father Livio and his two sons work in observance of time-honored traditions, including hand harvesting, giant oak botte, and spontaneous fermentations, all in accordance with the phases of the moon and organic farming regulations. The wines are rich, deep, and perfumed, reflecting a very genuine style of Sangiovese. The label, while emphasizing the name of Livio Sassetti, the proprietor, also bears the estate’s historical name, Pertimali.
arrives thursday! 02/06/2014!!
howell mountain zinfandel is a unique and wonderful elegant expression!
Grade=Amazing. I was really knocked out by this vintage. Pepper, blackberry, loganberry, with dried spices, red chile-infused chocolate, and root beer – it is a very generous, complex Zinfandel.
The 2007 Howell Mountain Zinfandel is dark ruby colored, with aromas of white pepper, blackberries, and cedar along with hints of bay, madrone and wild brush; true to the Howell Mountain terroir. The palate is elegant and restrained. Wild plums and blackberries mingle with cola and sassafras. This wine is seamless with great fruit purity, soft tannins and a complexity that draws you in for another taste.
This Howell Mountain Zinfandel is a very complex wine, with round tannins and beautiful balance. It really would benefit from aging, but if drinking today, as always we recommend decanting. Pair with lamb, cassoulet or peppered steak. The wine will age beautifully for the next 7 – 10 years. Ray Courson
This Howell Mountain Zinfandel is a very complex wine, with round tannins and beautiful balance. It really would benefit from aging, but if drinking today, as always we recommend decanting.
91 points, Wine Enthusiast: “…brimming with massive flavors of wild blackberries, blueberries, dark chocolate and pie spices…”
91 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar: “…captivating nose. Savory, suave and soil driven zinfandel, with very subtle berry, earth and pepper…Very sophisticated…”
91 points, Connoisseurs’ Guide: “...It is full and fleshy and impeccably balanced with more than enough extract to buffer its modest heat, and its very long, insistently berry-like finish is the indelible mark of a Zinfandel that is destined to age famously.”
This wine will age beautifully for up to 10 years.
MORE CLEARANCE ITEMS!!!!
Starting 1/31/2014
SmarteRita
1.75 lit Reg $24.99 Sale $9.97
.750 Reg $9.99 Sale $4.97
90 CASES ONLY!!!
2006 Buil and Gine Buil Toro
Reg $39.99 Sale $19.97
Highly concentrated dry red wine, notable fruit flavours, full of wood and spicy overtones. In the mouth it is muscular with mature, polished tannins which give a long finish 90 Points | International Wine Cellar , September/October 2010
($39; 100% tinta de toro) Deep ruby. Brooding aromas of cherry pit, licorice and espresso, with a hint of violet in the background. Very rich and broad, offering ripe dark fruit flavors and slow-building smokiness. Shows a lot of power but a light touch too. Finishes smooth and gently tannic, leaving dark berry preserves behind. (Think Global Wines, Santa Barbara CA) 91 Points | Wine Spectator
Notes From Cellar Tracker
1/24/2013 92 Points Fantastic vino, love the tempranillo grape. Has nicely matured into a well-rounded, fruity mouthful that has structure and power. Nice finish, a pleasure all around
1/18/2012 90 Points Good fruit on the palate backup by ample tanins, pretty good value for a Toro. Served with Chicken Poblano, stood up well to the spiciness
2008 Fattoria La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino
Reg $24.99 Sale $12.47
"La Gerla's 2008 Rosso di Montalcino is one the more concentrated, rich wines of the vintage. Sweet spices, plums, toasted oak and licorice are some of the notes that emerge from this expansive Rosso. The aromas and flavors are already rather forward, so I wouldn’t risk hanging on to this for too long. A little advance airing will do the wine a world of good, as the oak is a bit pronounced at the outset. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2012." - 89 Pts Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate
La Gerla is one of the finest producers in Montalcino and the estate’s less formal Rosso delivers spice and sophistication with loads of oak-related aromas that enhance the wine’s natural fruit and consistency. You’ll taste the oak spice in the mouth as well so pair this wine with grilled meat or barbecue.
11/28/2012 90 Points A beautiful rosso, bigger than expected, would have easily taken it for a brunello
2006 Jean-Luc Dubois Chorey-les-Beaune Clos Margot
Reg $34.99 Sale $17.45
Young, but drinkable, nice burgundian cherry/casssis flavors. Not as complex, still a very pleasant drinker right out of the bottle and far better than the price would suggest. Beautiful light cherry color. Nose of candied cherry and a hint of mint. Light palate, with an initial cherry attack, an interesting midpalate I can't quite place, definitely a hefty dose of minerality, and an herby spicy finish. Light tannins. Sweet cherry, beautiful. Sweet sour cherry. How much? $29 and a killer at the price
2009 Vignerons Réunis de Buxy Cuvée Réserve Bourgogne Blanc
Reg $24.99 Sale $12.45
2009 Vignerons Réunis de Buxy Cuvée Réserve Bourgogne Blanc possesses all of those characteristics as well as eminent drinkability to complement its caressing flavors. Visually appealing, with a glint of afternoon sunshine, this Bourgogne Blanc starts off right and continues to ingratiate from the first sniff until the last sip. It willingly offers a light, haunting fragrance of spring flowers, lemon oil, summer apples, and pure, unfettered Chardonnay fruit. Moreover, all of this 2009 Bourgogne Blanc’s aromatic profile follows through on the palate, leaving the mouth clean and refreshed, and most assuredly eager for more. Oh . . . how easy this wine glides over the tongue and slips down the throat! As is the case with most white Burgundy, we strongly suggest only moderate chilling (40º-50º F) of the 2009 Vignerons Réunis de Buxy Bourgogne Blanc, so as not to obscure the wine’s delicate flavors or detract from its light, lovely texture. Santé.
2009 Henry Fessy Morgon
Reg $21.99 Sale Sale $9.97
Black cherry color. Vibrant aromas of cherries, flowers and earth. The nose is so fresh and aromatic. Ample tannins and a great balance between tannins, acid and fruit. The plum, red licorice, coffee and earth flavors are delicious. It's so good now but I imagine another three years or so would do interesting things for this wine. A wine for oenophiles and newbs alike. Nice Beaujolais! Would buy again without hesitation
2010 Castello Romitorio Morellino di Scansano
Reg $21.99 Sale $19.99 Sale $12.97
Blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice, quaffable, light cherries, hints of cedar, touch of anise, and a hint of biscotti. Good wine, might get better with some age, but never saw oak. I'm looking forward to the Brunellos of this vintage who got to see oak.Dark ruby core with purple crimson hue. The nose is rather simple, dark cherry, earth and hints of spice. Approachable on palate from open, showing sour cherry, herbs and earth. Soft tannins with a short to medium finish. This should be the entry level wine of Castello Romitorio, drinking well now with plenty of fruits.
2008 Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d'Alba Ruvei
Reg $21.99 Sale $10.97
The Ruvei is a garnet wine with a medium body. The nose features earth and leather, and seemingly no fruit whatsoever. In the mouth, there's lots of tart bing cherry, a soft texture, and very nice, bright acidity. The short finish has tart cherry and leather fading away quickly ending on lemon pithDrank across 3 of 6 nights Opened up nicely slightly over 1 hr. after uncorking on 1st day & held up fairly well into 5th day, but started to fade into 6th day. Medium-bodied, round, w/good acidity, soft tannins, & medium finish. Tart & ripe cherry fruit w/touch of dark licorice & white pepper on the finish. Faint aroma of sour cherries. Spicy palate of red fruits with a puckery cherry finish. Good acid, pleasing flavor, and well balanced - though slightly neutered by Barbera standards. Not quite the oomph that one finds in the best Barberas, but it delivers quite a bit given the sub $17 price tag. Very good wine at a great price.
2006 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Côtes du Rhône Lieu-Dit Clavin Reg $29.99 Sale $14.97
Another rock solid performance by an insane value from the Rhone; a little earthy diaper reminiscent of Burgundy on the nose along with red fruit that has rounded with some bottle age from the hard red Grenache fruit of its youth, the classic La Vieille Julienne meatiness was there too; on the palate the wine is still so fresh though the tannins have softened leaving a silky impression, some sweet tart fruit and the great acidity entice you to keep coming back for more- the bottle was gone so fast; poured double blind for a friend who initially went to Burgundy from the nose then finished on Chateauneuf after tasting it- I could not have agreed with him more!
2005 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne de la Principauté d'Orange
Reg $24.99 Sale $12.47
Nose: Rich Black Currants, Wild Berries and Blacberry tart. Hints of earth, soil and iron/metal. Palate: Full bodied and loaded with chalky tanins, needs to decant for 2-3 hours. Great flavor profiles and hits on all fruit and earth components you might expect. Finish: Falls off a bit, but good black fruit roll up flavors that stick, but are not at all candied. Great wine. Quite a bit more feminine. Tomato leaf. A delicate expression of Cab that I really like. So pretty.
2000/2004 Domaine Mestre-Michelot Meusault 2000 Mestre Michelot Meursault Sous La Velle
Reg $60-$90 Move Em Out Sale $19.97
92 points light-medium gold color. Drank 2 glasses over 2 hours. Nose has a very nice lemon note with some apple in the background, very earthy, pain grille, with pungent florals later. The palate was still quite fresh showing a lively acidity, citrus, lemon, pain grille, toast, spice. This was probably the biggest surprise of the bunch and clearly my favorite for drinking right now. 91+ to 92 pts.
91 points Chilled, PNP: Medium gold color. Lovely nose with hint of sweet oak (vanilla), green apple/lemon. The citrus follows thru to palate. A very "smooth" mouth feel. Nice balance of subtle oak on palate with the acid and fruit. Pleasant minerality and earth. Despite initial doubts when the cork came out completely wet it's entire length, this wine was a winner, at 13 years age, and a great QPR. at $25
Burgundy prices are going through the roof
and the following 4 represent absolutely stunning values!
I had the Girardin Corton Renardes again last night! My gosh what a great wine!!
Brad!
2009 Domaine Vincent Girardin Corton Renardes Reg $99.99 Sale $89.97
93 Points James Suckling!!
96 points, Tim Atkin.Vincent Girardin reduced the amout of new oak here in 2009 to allow the fruit to sing. It's got good structure, with smoky oak, aromatic plum and black cherry fruit and fine tannins. 4/2013
2010 Domaine Vinc Girardin CharmesChambertin Reg $199.99 Sale $149.97
(4 cases in stock!)
94 points Wine Enthusiast #82/100 in Enthusiast Top 100 2012: Big and concentrated, this is packed with tannins and solid dark fruits. It’s powerful with a dark plum flavor and an impressive density of texture. Give it at least 7–10 years. Wine Enthusiast #82/100 in Enthusiast Top 100 2012 — (11/1/2012) — 94
Very aromatic with blackberry dried baking spice, and perfume notes; voluptuous, fine tannins, great concentration yet still elegant. Super. 92-93
2010 Henri Gouges Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Clos des Porrets Reg $99.99 Sale $79.97
Arguably the most famous domaine in the Nuits St. Georges appellation, Domaine Henri Gouges has been in production since 1919. Most notably, Henri Gouges fought alongside the Marquis d’Angerville in the “war against fraud” in Burgundy in the 1920’s and 1930’s, leading to the delineation of crus. Today, Henri’s two grandsons, Christian and Pierre, own and manage the domaine, paying close attention to ecological preservation of their land for future generations of Gouges to come. Today the estate is run by Pierre and Christian Gouges and consists of just over 14.5 hectares, mostly in Nuits-Saint-Georges.
The premier cru vineyard “Clos des Porrets St-Georges” is unique within Burgundy in that it’s a monopole vineyard, owned entirely by one domaine that gets to keep all the grapes for their bottling. Dense and with plenty of muscle yet at the same time bursting with juicy, sumptuous fruit flavours of plum, sloe, bullace and forest berry. This is structured, yet fleshy and sweet, with a complex, earthy, almost gravelly quality, set in a gripping but refined tannic structure. A 3.7-hectare monopole of Domaine Gouges; always one of the more classic muscular style Nuits of the region. 93 points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar, December 2011: The 2010 Clos des Porrets is a stunning wine in the making, soaring from the glass in a complex and sappy blend of red and black cherries, stony minerality, espresso, gamebirds, woodsmoke and a lovely topnote of violets. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and sappy at the core, with brilliant soil inflection, firm, well-integrated tannins, excellent focus and balance and tangy acids perking up the very long, pure and properly reserved finish. A great vintage of Clos des Porrets. 2022-2065. 93+.
90 -92 points, Burghound, January 2012: Reduction dominates the nose. By contrast to the funky nose, there is a lovely inner mouth perfume to the precise, intense and vibrant middle weight plus flavors that possess good volume. There is admirable persistence on the quite firm finish that is at once pure and actually rather refined, which is not always the case with this wine. Worth a look
91 -93 points, Stephen Tanzer's IWC, January 2012: Good full red. Redcurrant, raspberry, crushed stone and smoky minerality on the rather serious nose. At once silky and tangy in the mouth, with raspberry and stone flavors dominating. A step up in breadth and dimension from the foregoing wines, offering lovely inner-mouth perfume. Very representative of the south side of the village: "never with explosive fruit early," notes Gouges. Has the firm tannin/acid structure to age. This large Clos comprises 3.8 hectares of vines.
2010 Henri Gouges Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers Reg $109.99 Sale $79.97
93 points John Gilman, View From The Cellar, December 2011 While Pruliers is one of the great terroirs of Nuits St. Georges, it is often not one of my favorites, as it can be a bit sauvage out of the blocks. Enter, the elegance of the 2010 vintage, which can transform the more sulky young wines of most vintages into charming wines of breed and pedigree! The 2010 Gouges Pruliers is indeed a stunning wine in the making, offering up a very complex, transparent and suave nose of cassis, black cherries, a touch of blood orange, bitter chocolate, gamebirds, superb minerality and a touch of woodsmoke in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very pure on the attack, great length and grip on the ripely tannic and tangy finish. Another dynamite wine in the making. 2020-2065. 93+.
91 -93 points, Burghound, January 2012: Mild reduction again renders the nose difficult to read but here it seems certain that the underlying fruit is quite ripe. This sense of elevated ripeness extends as well to the rich, supple and solidly well-concentrated flavors that possess excellent depth before culminating in a spicy, tension-filled and wonderfully long finish. A classic Pruliers that offers a very pretty mix of power and finesse. - Comments: Outstanding
90 -93 points, Stephen Tanzer's IWC, January 2012 Good bright, deep red. Aromas of boysenberry, licorice and spicy oak, plus an element of animal reduction. In a sweeter, fruity style but at the same time a bit more aggressive and less pliant than the Porrets St.-Georges. Big, ripe, dusty tannins give the savory, spicy, long finish an impression of power. Boasts excellent carry-through on the back.
90 -92 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2012: The 2010 Nuits St. Georges Les Pruliers boasts good fleshiness and juiciness. This is an up-front, decidedly overt style loaded with blue and black fruit. Firm tannins add support, while expressive floral notes give the finish an attractive lift. Here, too, the wine is surprisingly approachable. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. -Antonio Galloni
single malt scotch prices continue to rise (a lot)
New price& package wow!! dalmore 12yr 750 reg $49.99 sale $39.97 new! laphroig "Quarter cask" single malt scotch reg $64.99 sale $49.97 new distillers addition 2013!! limited to stock on hand!
2013 dahlwinnie distillers single malt scotch Reg $74.99 sale $64.97
2013 talisker Distillers single malt scotch Reg $79.99 sale $69.97
2013 oban distillers edition single malt scotch reg $89.99 sale $79.97
2013 lagavulin distillers single malt scotch Reg $119.99 sale $99.97 new! laphroig 10 yr single malt scotch Reg $54.99 sale $44.97 new think big! macallan 12yr 1.75 lit Reg $129.99 sale $109.97
macallan 15yr .75 lit Reg $89.99 sale $79.97 last call at under $200! macallan 18yr .75 lit Reg $219.99 sale $179.97 new! aberlour 12 yr single malt scotch "$49.99 sale $39.97 super price last call! glenlivet 12yr old reg $37.99 sale $29.97 new! johnnie walker platinum t Reg $119.99 sale $99.97 new! highland park 12yr single malt scotch reg $47.99 sale $39.97 new! glenlivet 12 yr single malt scotch "gift Reg $39.99 sale $34.97 new! highland park 15yr single malt scotch reg $79.99 sale $59.97 new! highland park 18 yr single malt scotch Reg $119.99 sale $99.97
Start 2014 Right!
IS THIS THE GREATEST CRISTAL EVER!
2003 DOM PERIGNON Reg $169.97 Sale $139.97
2006 LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL CHAMPAGNE Reg $249.99 Sale $199.97
10 only Btls in stock!! The much anticipated 2006 Roederer Cristal has arrived! This all estate-grown Champagne is from the chalkiest parts of the largest family holding of vines in the entire region. Mostly from old, mid-slope vines, the 2006 is composed of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. This vintage was 20% fermented in oak with weekly lees stirring to give the wine richness, even though there is no malolactic fermentation. The dosage is between eight to ten grams per liter.
Wine Enthusiast - Roger Voss - December 01, 2013 95 Points "Although it is still young, this vintage of Cristal promises great things. There’s an impressive balance between ripe fruit and crisp acidity, rich and food friendly, but also a fine apéritif. Apricot and grape- fruit flavors are round and rich, but with considerable minerality as well."
International Wine Cellar - Josh Raynolds - December 01, 2013 95 Points "Light, bright gold. Heady mineral and smoke-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with notes of fig, toasted nuts and sweet butter adding complexity and depth. Powerful, palate-staining poached pear and orange flavors are given spine by a smoky mineral quality, picking up floral and spicecake notes with air. Rich but lively and precise, finishing with superb clarity, power and spicy persistence. Drinking this Champagne now would be a shame given this cuvée's track record for aging."
Wine Spectator - Alison Napjus - November 15, 2013 95 Points Collectibles "This elegant version shows beautiful texture and a sense of finesse despite the underlying power of vibrant acidity and smoky minerality. The palate offers a finely layered mesh of blackberry, poached pear, almond pastry, lemon zest and pickled ginger flavors."
Of all the super-prestige Champagnes, Cristal is the one that needs the least introduction. Except that few people seem to realise that behind the image of bling lies an extraordinary wine with an extraordinary genesis. Created for Czar Alexander 2nd as a unique, one-customer product, Cristal has always been blended from grand cru wines from the three best areas of Champagne. It is only made in the best vintages and is often drunk far too young. Production of this super-Roederer is much more limited than some prestige Champagnes and so in the medium to long term has always represented a good investment. 2006 has turned out to be a magic year for Champagnes, though it was a year of very hard work for vignerons. This was particularly true during the cool and rainy August, but - as so often - the crucial month was September, which was warm and dry. The fruit was perfectly ripe and healthy, and had retained acidity often lost in August heat. For the techies, the blend is 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. 20% of the wine is matured on its lees in old oak vats and there is no malolactic. The excitement around this wine is palpable - we urge you not to miss out. /CW
Do Not Miss:
Corliss Estates The “Jewel” of Columbia Valley
Will offer Main Stream on Thursday Afternoon!
2008 Corliss Estates Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $69.99 $349.99/6pk
4/only 6pks available of 2008 in Stock! Nothing gets rushed at Corliss Estates in Walla Walla, and this Meritage-style blend exemplifies that. The five traditional red Bordeaux varieties were barrel-aged in 70% new French oak for 2 1/2 years before spending two years in bottle prior to release. That regimen explains the wine’s classic and refined approach, starting with heady aromas of dusty cherry, dark plum, Baker’s chocolate, allspice and coconut. There’s a boldness to the flavors of Bing cherries and dark chocolate, backed by tobacco leaf, cracked black pepper and sandy tannins.Rating: Excellent Production: 534 cases Alcohol: 14.9%
Wine Advocate 94+ points: "Just about as good, the Bordeaux blend 2008 Corliss is comprised of 34% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec that spent 30 months in 65% new French oak. Almost a meal on its own, it has full, rich aromas and flavors of currants, smoked herbs, milk chocolate and potpourri to go with a full-bodied, beautifully textured and balanced palate. Youthfully structured and tannic, it needs another 1-2 years of bottle age and will keep for 10-15 years. Drink 2015-2023."
93(+?) points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Oct 11 (bottled shortly before my Washington visit; a five-variety Bordeaux blend aged for 31 months in 70% new French oak): Good red-ruby. Sexy aromas of plum, pie cherry, Asian spices, minerals and cocoa powder, with a floral quality from the cabernet franc component. At once suave and penetrating, with terrific energy and definition to the flavors of sweet cherry, minerals and spices. This classy, vibrant wine finishes with sweet, broad tannins and terrific lift and length. It will no doubt be even more complex and harmonious by the time it's released in late 2013
Silky and sappy, billowing Amarena cherry and concentrated raspberry, with blue fruit underpinnings and chocolate shavings towards the finish. Andy and I love this wine; it is one of our top 5 Washington reds. We like that it's a more approachable than the Cab because hey, we're better at drinking wine than we are at cellaring wine. - Marcus
Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Merlot (33%), Petit Verdot (19%), Malbec (9%) and Cabernet Franc (5%) from The Corliss vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA and a scattering of other area vineyards. Generous and approachable, the wine has the Red Mountain hallmark of dusty cocoa and chocolate in scent and taste
94 points PNP and at first it was bold, tight and gripping as was expected, then it starting slowly unwinding after about an hour. It became incredibly smooth with just the right mix of tannins, pencil lead, cedar box and cherry fruits. At the end I couldn't get enough and wanted to lick my glass. Outstanding.
2007 Corliss Estates 2007 Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $69.99 $349.99/6pk
2/only 6pks available of 2007 in Stock! Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Oct 11 (aged in 80% new oak for 33 months): Redcurrant, raspberry, cedar, flowers and burnished oak scents on the nose. Sweet, intense and rich, with cassis and spicy oak flavors saturating the mouth. Finishes very long, with broad, dusty tannins and outstanding spicy persistence. In a more California-like style than the 2008, which displays stronger minerality and a subtle oak component. 93 points
2008 Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley $79.99 $399.99/6pk
1/only 6pks available of 2007 in Stock! Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Oct 11 Bright red-ruby. Aromas of blueberry, cocoa powder and licorice; one can smell the sexy Taransaud barrels here. Silky on entry, then sweet and superconcentrated in the middle, spreading out to saturate the entire palate with dark berry and coffee flavors. A wine of extraordinary energy and clarity. Most impressive today on the echoing, juicy finish, where the ripe tannins are already in perfect harmony with the wine's fruit. As with the Corliss Red Wine, I would not be at all surprised if this wine merited an even higher score by the time it's released in the fall of 2013. 94(+?) points
2007 Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley $79.99 $399.99/6pk
2/only 6pks available of 2007 in Stock! Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Oct 11 (blended with 15% merlot): Deep ruby-red. Explosive nose offers boysenberry, redcurrant, cherry, tobacco, graphite and sandalwood. Wonderfully silky and concentrated, with outstanding lift to its almost painfully intense berry, spice, earth and mineral flavors. The pliant middle yields to a gripping, mineral-driven, very long finish. A beauty, but the 2008 may well surpass it in the long run. 95 points
AG97 Tasting note – Possessing even greater depth of flavor and length than it did 9 months ago, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Michael & Lauri Corliss is simply jaw dropping and raises the quality bar for the top red wines being produced in the Columbia Valley. Boasting an impenetrable opaque purple-color the 2007 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a superb perfume of black currants, and blueberries, notes of grilled bread, green olive and espresso. This wines formidable core is bursting with gorgeous, perfectly ripened flavors of crème de cassis, black plum, blueberries and mineral infused chocolate that grabs the palate with force yet remains light on its feet given the level of freshness that pulls together the flawless finish. In a word, this is a near-perfect wine from passionate folks who simply will not settle for second place. Give this powerful wine 4-6 years of additional bottle age and drink it through 2030. 97 points
Review of Washington Wines (Rand Sealey). 20/20pts.”
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 75% new French oak for 33 months, nose of tobacco and licorice, the wine is tight with ample tannins and acidity with rich dark berry flavors, needs substantial time, but "drinkable" now, 94-96+
look what we found!!
2007 value cabernet!
3 years ago these were to of the best value cabernets we offered all year!
we sold well into the 100's of cases of each!
Today’s Cabernet Sauvignon comes to us from one of Sonoma County’s most experienced winemaking families. Grown in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, today’s wine is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes and mission report, below, for the the complete scoop on today’s wine
Look – Dark garnet hues with a soft brickish edge the encircles the rim of the glass. A hearty swirling of this wine shows a soft surface, hinting at the fine texture of the wine. When the wine settles, it leaves behind ropey legs that move swiftly down the glass.
Smell – This wine leads with a nice rush of smoky dried cherry, raspberry, plum and a hint of cranberry. Under these, are subtle aromas of dried fall leaves, sweetwoods and dried herbs.
Feel -Initially dry and austere on the attack, the wine then shows a softness out at the edges of the palate. Eventually, an flinty minerality sets in, adding another round of dryness.
Taste – Leading with plum, black cherry and smoky dark raspberry, the wine then reveals oak, currant, clove and black pepper.
Finish -Medium length, this wine begins dry but flavorful, lead by the dark fruits that yield to flinty minerals, black pepper and soft clove, that add another gradual layer of dryness.
Conclusion – This is our second successive vintage showing of this wine. Perdoncelli’s Morris Fay Cabernet always delights us, especially given the lower price of the wine – and as compared to neighboring Cabs. Decant for best results, and allow the wine to open up. Additional subtleties emerge and the wine softens up, making an easy and somewhat casual wine to enjoy. Pair with pork chops or a fresh from the oven pizza.
The 2007 vintage and scoop it up. 2007 was a very good vintage in general for Napa Cabs. Enjoy
First Come First Serve California Classics! In Stock!!
PRODUCT
VINT
SIZE
BTLS
PRICE
6PK
RP
OTHER
JOSEPH PHELPS INSIGNIA
2000
750
12
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91
JOSEPH PHELPS INSIGNIA
2001
750
20
$ 249.99
$ 1,199.99
98+
JOSEPH PHELPS INSIGNIA
2001
1.5
2
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98+
JOSEPH PHELPS INSIGNIA
2002
750
6
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100
WINE SPECTATOR WINE OF THE YEAR!
1/6PK WOOD
JOSEPH PHELPS INSIGNIA
2008
750
24
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95
97AG
3/6PK WOOD
QUINTESSA
2001
750
12
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88
2/6PK WOOD
NICKEL & NICKEL (VARIOUS VINEYARDS)
2001
750
12
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2000
750
2
$ 129.99
$ 599.99
CAYMUS SPECIAL SELECT
2001
750
6
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96
1/6PK WOOD
CAYMUS SPECIAL SELECT
2004
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12
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96
2/6PK WOOD
DOMINUS
2002
750
6
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99
1/6PK WOOD
DOMINUS
2001
750
2
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98
DOMINUS
2000
750
3
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87
DOMINUS
1999
750
1
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88
DOMINUS
1998
750
3
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88
DOMINUS
1997
750
1
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94
PINE RIDGE ANDRUS RESERVE
2001
750
3
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90, 91, 91, 92,92 PTS CELLAR TRACKER
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GOLDSCHMIDT FOREFATHERS CABERNET
2006
750
6
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88 PTS CELLAR TRACKER
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GOLDSCHMIDT LONE TREE CABERNET
2007
750
6
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CROZE CABERNET "ROBBINS" VINEYARD
2004
750
36
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2005
750
24
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2/12PK
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2007
750
144
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12/12PK
J PEDRONCELLI
2007
750
240
$ 17.99
$ 89.99
STUNNING VALUE 2007 VINTAGE
20/12PK
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2009 Maison Blanche, Médoc
Reg $29.99 Sale $24.99
91 points Wine Spectator : Vibrant, with nicely packed raspberry, fig and blackberry fruit carried by mouthwatering acidity and well-embedded structure. Lots of anise, spice and tar frames the finish. Stéphane Derenoncourt consulting here. Best from 2012 through 2019. (3/ 2012) The blend for the 2009 Chateau Maison Blanche is 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc is usually not included in this wine but was in 2009 because it came in so perfectly.This wine is stunningly delicious... blackberries and toasty oak abound. Will cellar well for five-plus years. Fresh and vibrant
The Médoc region is on the left side of Bordeaux’s Gironde estuary, and that means this wine is made primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Everything’s very much in order: a hint of herbal leafiness, black berry, tea, flavour, texture and finish all bouncing around happily. Cellar-worthy, or knock it back tonight with beef.
The Château Maison Blanche name and architectural profile were renowned 19th century beacons. Old editions of the Feret Guide (the “Bordeaux wine bible”) place the estate among the most famous of the 19th-century Crus Bourgeois.
In 1998, Patrick Bouey bought Château Maison Blanche at the same time as Chateau Lestruelle. He appreciated the incredible potential of this northern Medoc terroir and invested heavily in modernizing the vineyards. Pruning, trellising and other cultivation methods are assessed and revised with strict adherence to soil balance principles. A new thermoregulated fermenting room is also being introduced.
Stéphane Derenoncourt has been dubbed the “world’s hottest winemaker”by Wine Spectator magazine. The firm he founded, Vignerons Consultants, works with more than 90 wineries around the world, including in the USA Boxwood Winery in Virginia and Rubicon Estate in California. More than 100 wineries a year contact the firm to try to hire him and his team.
He incorporates both organic and biodynamic viticulture into his techniques. His approach, at the core, is based on the fundamental concept that a wine gets its richness and personality from the micro-terroir it comes from
2009 Chateau de Reignac “Bordeaux Superior
Reg $30 Sale $24.99
“Gold Medal”: Concours Agricole Paris
“Silver Medal”: Concours de Bordeaux Vins d’Acquitane Château de Reignac sits atop the highest point in the parish of Saint Loubes, overlooking a 135-hectare clay and gravel rise that includes a single 80-hectare block of vines.
The original château was built by Seigneur Baude de Peyron in the 16th century. It was remodeled in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the late 1800s, a central courtyard was added that features his signature wrought iron railings and in 1868, a remarkable greenhouse was designed by Gustave Eiffel.
The present owners, Yves and Stephanie Vatelot, purchased Reignac in 1990 and have worked continuously ever since to restore the estate to its former glory while introducing numerous innovations. The world-renowned Michel Rolland is their consulting oenologist.
Soil : Clay-gravel rises. Appellation : Bordeaux Supérieur. Grape varieties : 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon et 5% Cabernet franc
Density : 6,000 vines per hectare.
Viticulture: Bud pruning, hand picking into small baskets and sorting both befor and after destermming.
Vinification: Cold maceration prior to fermentation. Traditional alcoholic fermentation white wine run off while still warm.
Ageing: 100 % in French oak barrels for 12 months.
"Reignac is the standard bearer for what can be achieved by a passionate proprietor who cuts yields to a minimum, and does everything right in the cellar. Reignac is the leading candidate for the finest generic Bordeaux produced year in and year out. It can compete favorably with classified growths..."- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
AN UNBELIEVABLE CHARDONNAY FIRST EVER RELEASE FROM BERINGER!
WE BOUGHT EVERY CASE AVAILABLE! LOAD UP ON THIS INCREDIBLE DEAL!
A brilliant example of Chardonnay, it comes across as a first-growth Chassagne-Montrachet or Meursault. R. PARKER!
2012 Beringer "Luminus" Chardonnay
Reg $40 Sale $34.97
93 POINTS ROBERT PARKER The Wine Advocate A 100% barrel-fermented, relatively new offering is the 2012 Chardonnay Luminus, which is made from Dijon clones from the Oak Knoll appellation. A brilliant example of Chardonnay, it comes across as a first-growth Chassagne-Montrachet or Meursault. Aromas of honeysuckle, hazelnut and buttered citrus are followed by a medium-bodied white with admirable fruit intensity, decent acidity and nicely integrated wood. This cuvee is put through partial rather than full malolactic, and that appears to preserve a lot of vibrancy and freshness.
The Distinction Series wines, which include Quantum Red Blend, Luminus Chardonnay and Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet, all have a unique story about what makes each one special - from remarkable vineyard expression to master blending expertise, these wines epitomize elegance. Beringer Luminus is an elegant, balanced Chardonnay that reflects the unique terroir of the Oak Knoll district and is noted by its distinct focus. Oak Knoll is located in the cool southern region of Napa Valley, Big Ranch Road, with shallow, gravelly soil of low fertility. The vineyard produces Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir with full, rich flavors and excellent structure.
About the Wine: Meaning “light” in Latin, Luminus naturally represents the radiance of this Chardonnay. Like the brightness and purity that the name conjures, Chardonnay from the Oak Knoll district is known for its uncommon focus. Laurie has always admired the Chardonnay from our Big Ranch Vineyard for its elegance and balance, and the 2012 vintage marks the debut of this distinctive wine.
About the Vineyard: Luminus is a single vineyard Chardonnay from Beringer’s Big Ranch Vineyard, located in the Oak Knoll AVA. Located on the valley floor and at the southern end of the Napa Valley, Big Ranch is an ideal location for this style of Chardonnay owing to the cooling influence of the San Pablo Bay, preserving nice acidity and minerality in the grapes. A selection of Burgundian clones which showed excellent early development provide an elegant complexity and fruit weight to the blend.
About the Vintage: The 2012 vintage began with textbook conditions that continued through much of Harvest. Spring bud break was ideal with steady flowering and even fruit set. A lengthy stretch of warm days and cool nights during the summer months allowed for optimal ripeness to develop in the grapes and an exceptional quality overall.
Winemaking: Each Chardonnay lot was kept separate throughout the aging process. After sending the fruit directly to press, winemaker Laurie Hook fermented the juice in seasoned French oak barrels (20 percent new). She chose to stir the lees every other week to integrate the subtle oak notes and develop a polished texture. Laurie focused on showcasing the unique characteristics of Oak Knoll Chardonnay at the highest level, and achieved that with the final blend made after 9 months of aging in barrels.
Additional Information: The 2012 Luminus has a striking purity of fruit, and showcases bright citrus characteristics and a beautiful minerality. It has a robust acidity, notes of lemon pith, almond extract, and a silky, elegant texture
NEW RELEASE! IS THIS THE GREATEST "CRISTAL" EVER! LOWEST PRICE EVER!
2006 LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL CHAMPAGNE
REG $299.99 SALE $219.97
The much anticipated 2006 Roederer Cristal has arrived! This all estate-grown Champagne is from the chalkiest parts of the largest family holding of vines in the entire region. Mostly from old, mid-slope vines, the 2006 is composed of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. This vintage was 20% fermented in oak with weekly lees stirring to give the wine richness, even though there is no malolactic fermentation. The dosage is between eight to ten grams per liter.
Wine Enthusiast - Roger Voss - December 01, 2013 95 Points "Although it is still young, this vintage of Cristal promises great things. There’s an impressive balance between ripe fruit and crisp acidity, rich and food friendly, but also a fine apéritif. Apricot and grape- fruit flavors are round and rich, but with considerable minerality as well."
International Wine Cellar - Josh Raynolds - December 01, 2013 95 Points "Light, bright gold. Heady mineral and smoke-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with notes of fig, toasted nuts and sweet butter adding complexity and depth. Powerful, palate-staining poached pear and orange flavors are given spine by a smoky mineral quality, picking up floral and spicecake notes with air. Rich but lively and precise, finishing with superb clarity, power and spicy persistence. Drinking this Champagne now would be a shame given this cuvée's track record for aging."
Wine Spectator - Alison Napjus - November 15, 2013 95 Points Collectibles "This elegant version shows beautiful texture and a sense of finesse despite the underlying power of vibrant acidity and smoky minerality. The palate offers a finely layered mesh of blackberry, poached pear, almond pastry, lemon zest and pickled ginger flavors."
Of all the super-prestige Champagnes, Cristal is the one that needs the least introduction. Except that few people seem to realise that behind the image of bling lies an extraordinary wine with an extraordinary genesis. Created for Czar Alexander 2nd as a unique, one-customer product, Cristal has always been blended from grand cru wines from the three best areas of Champagne. It is only made in the best vintages and is often drunk far too young. Production of this super-Roederer is much more limited than some prestige Champagnes and so in the medium to long term has always represented a good investment. 2006 has turned out to be a magic year for Champagnes, though it was a year of very hard work for vignerons. This was particularly true during the cool and rainy August, but - as so often - the crucial month was September, which was warm and dry. The fruit was perfectly ripe and healthy, and had retained acidity often lost in August heat. For the techies, the blend is 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. 20% of the wine is matured on its lees in old oak vats and there is no malolactic. The excitement around this wine is palpable - we urge you not to miss out. /CW Available November -
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2010 LA DAME DE MONTROSE
REG
$89.99 SALE $79.97
Brad’s take: Montrose is considered the second best estate in St Estephe only eclipsed and not always by Cos d’Estournel. The 2010 Montrose received 97 pts from RP (Cos 95). The second wines of great estates have become of great importance to the Chateau and obviously Montrose has seen the light in this vintage!
The growing importance and quality of second wines continues with this wonderful Dame de Montrose. A wealth of bright red and black fruit, aided by the Merlot, combines with hints of spice and ground pepper to provide a rich broad palate. La Dame continues to get better every year. (64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot
94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: One of the best second wines, and possibly the best since the 1990 is the 2010 La Dame de Montrose. This represents 36% of the production and is a blend of two grapes – 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot. A superb second wine, opulent and substantively textured, it shares more in common with a flamboyant, exuberant year such as 2009 than most 2010s. Dense purple, its oodles of fruit, luxurious mouthfeel and terrific finish make it a sleeper of the vintage. It’s a wine to buy in abundant quantities and drink over the next 10-15+ years. (2/ 2013)
17/20 Jancis Robinson 36% of total production. Very deep crimson. Lovely scented top note and then sumptuously round texture. Fresh and lively with good muscles. Excellent balance and really very flattering without being overripe or sweet. It finishes dry and minerally. Fine skeined. Really a very fine wine indeed – well done!
2010 Charmes Chambertin, Vincent Girardin
Reg $199.99 Sale $159.97
Red fruit is very much the focus of this classic Pinot Noir. Fresh and floral, light-of-foot yet with great density. Crisp acidity, just ripe soft and powdery tannins, and a touch of vanilla from new oak. There is a blueberry note on the finish that leaves you wanting more. There is such a density of fruit to this wine, combined with a diligence and precision that makes it a classic red Burgundy Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, January 2012
In contrast to the expressiveness of the prior wine, this is quite restrained with cool and pure dark berry fruit aromas that are liberally laced with sauvage and earth hints. There is a lovely sense of refinement to the pure and intense flavors that are shaped by relatively fine-grained tannins on the balanced and long finish. This is on the juicy and generous side and in that sense it's not really a classic Charmes but this is certainly very pretty and should reward medium-term aging as well. Drink 2022+ Score: 91-93 Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (46), April 2012
true Charmes, according to assistant winemaker Eric Germain): Red-ruby. Cherry, flowers and sweet oak on the nose. A seamless, sappy, fresh wine with terrific sucrosite. Silky and fresh, with no heaviness. In fact, this offers outstanding finesse for Chames. Finishes lively, fresh, firm and long, with a note of chocolate Score: 92-95 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, January 2012
2009 Chateau Leoville Las Cases
Reg $549.99 Sale $449.97
Year: 2009 Region: Saint-Julien Country: France
James Suckling: 99+, Wine Spectator: 98, Wine Advocate: 98+, Wine Enthusiast: 98, Jeff Leve: 98, Neil Martin 97, International Wine
Cellar: 95+ Red Wine Alcohol by Volume: 13.5%
James Suckling: 99+, "This is a crazy nose of tar, currants and blueberries. Blackcurrants galore. The palate is so powerful and rich with super polished yet chewy tannins. An ultra-serious red. Muscular. Try after 2022." (JS)
Wine Advocate: 98+, "The 2009 Leoville Las Cases may be the most open-knit and forward Las Cases I have tasted to date. Analytically, it is high in tannin and the alcohol is 13.8%, nearly a record at this estate. This blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc was showing brilliantly at the 2009 tasting I did in Hong Kong and at a later tasting. It boasts an inky/purple color, monumental concentration and lots of sweet, jammy black currant, black cherry and kirsch fruit intermixed with crushed rock and mineral notes. As always, proprietor Jean-Hubert Delon has built a massive wine with exceptional precision, unbelievable purity and aging potential of 40-50 years. I was surprised by the lusciousness of this cuvee on several occasions, and how much more forward it is given the fact that Las Cases can often be forebodingly backward and in need of 10-15 years of cellaring (at age 30, the 1982 is still a baby in terms of development!). The super-concentrated 2009 needs another 5-7 years before additional nuances emerge. This is a brilliant, full-throttle St.-Julien. " (WA)
Wine Enthusiast: 98, "A powerful wine, packed with tannins from structured Cabernet fruits. It exudes muscularity, intensity and concentration. The wood element is present. Maybe the final freshness is missing." (WE)
Jeff Leve: 98, "This is gorgeously layered with cassis bush, anise, roasted fig and plum reduction notes all framed by very racy espresso and graphite. Very deep and very long, with terrific intensity on the finish thanks to razor cut from the seemingly endless iron spine. With its purity and precision, this mineral-driven Cabernet should cruise for two decades. Best from 2020 through 2035." (WS) "2009 Leoville Las Cases, from a blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, and 9% cabernet franc at 13.8 ABV, is deep ruby with purple accents. The alcohol gives no sensation of heat. Scents of boysenberry, tobacco, minerals, earth, cedar, and blackberry jam pop up from the glass. This concentrated wine is the essence of purity. The wine is round, without a single hard edge. The intense finish includes chocolate, boysenberry, blackberry, and blue fruit flavors, which remain on your palate for over a minute. 2009 was the first vintage using the Optical Sorting Machine. Delon said reverse osmosis not utilized every year, but only in select vintages." (JL)
Wine Spectator: 98"This is gorgeously layered with cassis bush, anise, roasted fig and plum reduction notes all framed by very racy espresso and graphite. Very deep and very long, with terrific intensity on the finish thanks to razor cut from the seemingly endless iron spine. With its purity and precision, this mineral-driven Cabernet should cruise for two decades. Best from 2020 through 2035." (WS)
Neil Martin: 97: Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. Two bottles tasted in different flights. The Chateau Leoville Las-Cases 2009 appears to have closed down a little in recent months. Here, it has a very controlled bouquet with delineated blackberry, wild hedgerow and briary and crushed stone. Later, more Pauillac-like scented emerge - mint and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It does not quite have the clarity suggested by the aromatics, although there is certainly very good fruit concentration on the dense, almost surly finish. Tasted January 2013
International Wine Cellar: 95+"Brilliant medium ruby. Brooding, medicinal aromas of cassis, blueberry, exotic spices and sexy oak. Large-scaled, dense and deep, with superconcentrated dark fruit and spice flavors given definition by strong acidity. Hugely rich but impeccably balanced Saint-Julien wine with a great, slowly building finish featuring a boatload of harmonious, noble, fully ripe tannins. This endless, subtle wine is at first growth level in 2009." (IWC)
We tasted a pile of em!
"A true needle in the haystack
under $10.00 Chardonnay"
2012 Meridian Vineyards Chardonnay California
Reg $10.99 Sale $6.97
You’re all going to know it very soon that the 2012 growing season for grapes in California is off the charts great, and that’s translating into some extremely great values at the retail level. The chardonnays are coming in right now and the 2102 Meridian from California is no exception! But, there’s something you don’t know is that Meridian was one of the first vineyards, first wineries to plant grapes up and down the Central Coast of California nearly thirty years ago. They are now leveraging that to make superb wine during exceptional growing years, just like this year! They are making wines like this needle in a haystack $9-10.00 Chardonnay, which exhibits a lot of fine wine characteristics!
This wine is an absolute masterpiece, it’s hard to do better than this $10.00 Chardonnay from Meridian Vineyards! What makes it so special is the outstanding fruit, it’s absolutely all about the fruit, and what we’re talking about is beautiful apple; tropical fruit flavors; pineapple; melon; a little bit of oak and a little bit of butter in a clean and delightful way! The finish has hints of vanilla, but what really balances it is just enough oak to put this thing into balance. When compared in a blind tasting, many of your friends and family will easily put this wine with the $15.00 – $20.00 Chardonnay. That’s why this wine is so fantastic!
wholesaler says he wants to move it now!
We took 100! great off-Dry wine for the holidays!
2011 Sterling Vineyards Aromatic White Vintner's Collection Reg $13.99 Sale $5.97
Chairmans Award Unanimous Gold Medal (2013 Riverside International Wine Competition)
Silver Medal (San Francisco Wine Competition 2014!) Exotic aromas of honeysuckle and orange blossom, leading to a bright, off-dry palate brimming with sweet citrus and juicy tangerine flavors. Balanced acidity and wonderfully delicious. We sourced our fruit from several vineyards throughout California, all of which share a similar climate of warm days and cool nights. Up and down California, these wine regions enable the grapes develop rich, ripe flavors under the heat of the sun. In the evening, cool Pacific breezes lower temperatures, allowing the acids to develop alongside the sugars. The resulting grapes show bright fruit flavors, lush texture and good acidity. Recognized for their intense fruit and floral profiles, the aromatic white varietals include grapes such as Muscat, Malvasia, Viognier, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer. Although each is individually stunning on its own, we thought we would combine them to yield a beautiful and complex white wine to wow the senses. Each varietal was fermented individually in stainless steel to accentuate the fruit profile and retain the delicate aromatics. We then tasted each lot and blended the varietals together to create sumptuous, tantalizing wine.
two incredible value bordeaux
from the much heralded 2010 vintage!
* last june I tasted approximately 25 petite chateau from the 2010 & 2011 vintage of those wines I Selected "2" that in my humble Opinion far Exceeded the rest in quality and value!!
Both ended up being Prestigous "Gold medal" winning wines!
*After ordering we got very nervous about receiving the lamothe after reading jancis robinson's rave reviews, but low and behold, even though we ordered a lot more, we have received 40 cases of this highly praised value!
2010 Château Lamothe-Vincent Heritage Reg $17.99 Sale $14.97
88 points Wine Enthusiast Notes of sweet wood and ripe stone fruits blend together in this solid, smoky and bacon-flavored wine. It is soft, firm and generous, with a full texture
The classic Bordeaux blend, of course, is Cabernet/Merlot, and here we have a classic indeed. Gold Medal winner in Paris 2010, this "Heritage" cuvee has been aged in French oak barrels for 12 months and is quite simply as typical a claret as you could wish for at a very affordable price.
75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon with ageing on lees in French and American oak barrels for 12 months produces a stunning red!
A complex bouquet of plum, black cherry, vanilla and cedar nuances. Rich and elegant, earthy black fruits wrapped in well integrated tannins with mineral and vanilla notes. Long velvety finish
Since 1920, Château Lamothe-Vincent has consistently produced distinctive, award-winning wines, and both the 2009 and 2010 vintages were no exception. His Bordeaux Superiéur Héritage is made from 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and with a low yield of 45 hectolitres /hectare, total production is only 53,000 bottles. The intense smoothness of the wine is achieved by micro-oxygenation, aided by aging on its lees in French and American oak barrels (33% new) for 12 months. The wine is deep cherry red with ruby tints and a complex bouquet of plum, black cherry, crushed strawberry, vanilla and cedar notes. Rich and elegant, with well-integrated tannins and a long finish it’s an ideal match for red meats, lamb, turkey and roast duck. Drinking
beautifully now, it will continue to do so until 2016.
"This is where the real value in Bordeaux lies, in the little, best-tended corners of the least glamorous areas run with dedication and enough cash to make the right decisions. The Vincent family first bought vineyards in the Entre Deux Mers (the prettiest bit of Bordeaux but entitled only to the Bordeaux appellation for its reds) in 1873. Another parcel was added in 1920 and today the estate in Montignac is run with panache by the brothers Christophe and Fabien, both formally qualified in the academic side of wine production. This generation, as is now so common, has travelled widely outside Europe and has steadily been upgrading the vineyard since the early 1990s. As you can see here, all the latest tricks are used to maximise exposure of the right number of bunches and they tick the minimal inputs boxes. A sprauncy new winery was built in 2000. The result is that even their most basic red, this wine labeled Merlot in big letters and Cabernet Sauvignon in small to denote the 20% stiffening Cabernet in the blend, is a consistent gold-medal winner. The 2010 won a gold at the all-important Paris show and is a notably deep crimson. I tasted it just after returning from Southwold to look at all the top and middle 2008s (on which I will be reporting next week). What a joy it was to experience a fully ripe wine! This wine is admittedly fruitarama - not New World but much sweeter than most red bordeaux - and yet it is recognisably Bordeaux with all the appetising qualities that involves. Very clean, bright fruit with just a hint of carbon dioxide, it is all of 14.5% alcohol and I would happily drink it any time over the next three years. I thought it excellent value at £8.49 from the very worthwhile Real Wine Company in the UK, but it is widely distributed at much lower prices in European countries with much lower wine duties. What a steal this wine is in France! So much cheaper than the equivalent quality would be outside Europe. Sad, though, as it must be quite difficult to make much of a business out of selling at such a low price a wine into which so much effort goes. Their white wines are very solid, too." Jancis Robinson
*another gold medal winning offering that totally defies this price point! gobs of exotic ripe fruit and a nice kick of acidity leaves nothing but a clean exotic finish! screaming value! 50 cases only!
2010 Chateau Moulin Blanc “Cuvee Prestige” Reg $14.99 Sale $9.97
A beautiful Bordeaux wine, showing the power of this amazing vintage. Here's finesse and elegance, packed with soft fruit from perfectly ripened grapes. This red wine is beautifully colored in the glass with an expressive bouquet. Here's fragrance notes of black currant, red cherry and a hint of leather. The taste is medium bodied with a very pure fruit style. Again experienced notes of red berries with good maturity. This wine is composed of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
WOW
THIS IS JUST AN INCREDIBLE BOTTLE OF WINE PERIOD! DON'T MISS IT!
A classic, 94 pt traditional Chianti...they DO make them like they used to!
We grabbed the last 20 cases of an unbelievable 94 point Chianti that is hotter than a pistol before the vendor shipped it to another market that wanted it! crazy good!!!!
2010 CASTELLARE IL POGGIALE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
Reg $37.99 Sale $29.97
.
94 points The Wine Advocate: "The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale shows great energy and momentum. It opens with masculine tones of leather and fire-cured tobacco that are absolutely stunning next to the black currant and jellied blackberry. The flavor intensity is of special note. The finish is elegant, silky and long. This is a terrific effort. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025.
The cru of Chianti Classico. A Reserve originated from a single vines and has obtained the highest scores for its elegance and uniqueness. A wine showing the huge potentials of Sangiovese. When publisher Paolo Panerai set out to buy a wine estate in the late 1970s he had the great foresight and intuition to purchase Castellare di Castellina. He selected a property with a proven track record and enormous untapped potential. Over the decades and under his steady leadership, Castellare earned an unquestionable reputation for consistency and excellence. Winemaker Alessandro Cellai, with the estate since 1997, plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing that status. Castellare di Castellina is one of the great estates of Tuscany."
Load up for the upcoming holidays 25 cases of each only! new low price!! • grey goose vodka • liter Reg $34.99 sale $29.97
new low price!! • canadian club • 1.75 liters reg $24.99 Sale $19.97
don't miss em! New price& package wow!! dalmore 12 yr • 750 • reg $49.99 sale $39.97
purus vodka • 60 cases left & counting • reg $34.99 sale $14.99
2011 warres vintage port • 96 pts • ws Reg $99.99 sale $79.97
2011 quinta do noval vintage port • Reg $119.99 sale $89.97
2006 Wegeler "Pure" Riesling Medium Dry (Previously $22) Sale $5.97
Easy going quaffable Riesling that is meant to drink down. Nice fruit aromatics with just a hint of soft mineral and finishes on the dry side of the spectrum. Some really cool tropical notes are starting to evolve from the mid-palate along with some medium ripe peach and candied citrus which keeps this wine lively and interesting. Chill a bunch down and let the good times roll. A screaming deal at $12, but ridiculous steal at $8!
Producer: Wegeler Grapes: 100% Riesling Appellation: Rheingau (Germany) Vineyards: Loess/loam and clay soils
Vintage: 2006, so it’s got a bit of bottle age on it. Alcohol: 11.0% Price: I paid $11.99, but this normally retails for around $20.
Tasting notes: Pale, brassy color. Pretty citrus and stone fruit aromas lead the way, accented with talc and gravel notes. There’s a little pineapple juice, too, and I keep thinking it’s reminding me of Juicy Fruit gum. Round fruit flavors with a touch of sweetness (medium-dry) on the palate, but with bright acidity that makes this very fresh, and dare I say, PURE. A little crushed rock shows as well for added interest. This wine was drinking well for several days after opening.
Overall impression: This is the Germans doing what they do. And I appreciate it. I bet you would to. B
Recent Consumer Notes from Cellar Tracker
5/2013 88 pts I solid everyday type of white wine. Bright nose with plenty of grapefruit and fresh mint leaves. In the mouth it has great acidity and loads of citrus with a touch of pineapple. Finishes plenty long for a $10 wine.
3/2013 88 points Not super dry but not too sweet. Great fruit and nice balance. Exactly what I want for an everyday drinker.
1/2013 89 points Petrol nose. Semidry. Nice value.
Robert Parker “reminds me of the great Blanc's of Hermitage”
2012 Domaine Lafage Cuvee Centenaire Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 ($149.99cs) 92pts WA
The 2011 vintage of Cuvée Centenaire was a huge hit. This 2012 is probably even more complex, offering a nervier structure than the more sappy 2011.
"The same blend and e´levage as the '11, the 2012 Domaine Lafage Co^tes du Roussillon Cuve´e Centenaire is just as good. Dried pineapple, toast, mineral, and honeysuckle all emerge from the glass and as with the '11, it has thrilling purity, balance, and freshness on the palate, as well as medium to full- bodied richness and depth. This knockout effort will drink nicely for 3-5 years." - 92 Points, Rhone Report (Wine Advoocate)
The Rhone Reports Jeb Dunnick Now writes for the Wine Advocate!
2010 Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 ($149.99cs) 92pts WA
A Grenache Dry Red Table wine from Roussillon, France
Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate # 201 (Jun 2012) Rating: 92 Drink 2012 – 2015
Proprietor and winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage has fashioned a knock-out red wine that sells for a ridiculously low price. Made from 100% Grenache aged six months on its lees in older barrels, the 2010 Cuvee Nicolas Vieilles Vignes reveals serious glycerin along with a sexy, open-knit, fruit-forward style with oodles of raspberry, black currant, cherry and kirsch liqueur characteristics. Medium-bodied, round, supple, heady and succulent, this is a big, lusty red for true hedonists. It is one of the finest 100% Grenache cuvees currently on the market at this price point and quality level. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. Trust me. I have not lost my mind or my palate even though I have given a $15 wine (which often can be found for even less) a 92 point score!
THE BEST VODKA DEAL AVAILABLE PERIOD!
IS COMING TO AN END!
WE ARE TAKING OUR LAST 70/6PKS: STOCK UP NOW!
Purus Vodka 750ml
Reg $35.00 Btl Sale $14.99
$79.99/6pk ($13.33)
Purus originally was developed by Anheuser-Busch as part of its beverage development subsidiary Long Tail Libations. Anheuser-Busch sold it to Fire Tail Brands in Lake St. Louis around the time A-B was sold to InBev of Belgium in 2008. The investors who created Pure Holdings bought the brand in February 2011. Purus will be initially available in Northeastern cities of the U.S. (More below)
In the Piemonte region of Italy sits a small distillery run by the second and third generation of the Sacchetto family. It’s located in the Northeastern part of the country, bordering France on the west and Switzerland on the north. The region is mountainous, but it also has a fertile valley where farmers grow organic wheat and grapes. It’s a picturesque landscape blending old traditions with modern cultivation techniques. The Sacchetto family has operated their distillery for decades, watching as it evolved from a family farm to a thriving organic enterprise. Cultivated without pesticides or commercial fertilizers, Purus Vodka ($35) uses crystalline water from the Alps, five-column distillation, and is made with locally harvested 100% organic Italian wheat. Its 100% recyclable bottle is even Earth-friendly with a tree-free paper label, safe soy-based inks, water-based adhesives, and an environmentally sustainable cork closure. The 80 proof vodka The vodka is then filtered through 1.7 million square meters of active charcoal to ensure that Purus holds to its definition – clean, genuine, refined.
Gold Medal!:
Nose: Floral, herbal, citrus, anise, grain, faint mineral, clean.
Palate: Vanilla, powdered sugar, melon, fruit, subtle citrus, lemon, tangy, grassy, mint, spicy, pepper, dusty, potato skin.
Finish: Light, woody notes, dough, easy-drinking, medium body, long.
The Best Vodka I Ever Tasted “Forbes Magazine” Lifestyle Larry Olmdstad Contributor 11/02/2011 The title above is 100% accurate, but in the interest of personal integrity, I have an admission: I do not like vodka, nor do I respect it. It is a wino’s drink, basically grain alcohol cut with water, and it is the only product in the entire realm of food and drink that I know of whose historic goal has been to be as tasteless and odorless as possible. The more times vodka is distilled, the less it tastes like anything but alcohol, which is not my opinion but rather the science of distillation. So it is ironic that the market for so-called super-premium vodkas has evolved by bragging of more distillations, triple, quadruple, quintuple, etc., as if that were a good thing.
Anyway, my feelings on vodka don’t matter, because there are lots of people out there who disagree with me. After all, vodka is far and away the most popular sprit in this country. People love vodka. Then again, McDonalds is far and away the most popular restaurant in this country.
On a more philosophical level, I love the traditions of spirit distillation, and the fact that there are usually rules, like that Scotch can only be made from barley, and rum from sugarcane, whereas vodka can be made from any ingredient in which starch can be converted to sugar, be it potatoes, wheat, rye, grass, corn, soy beans or whatever the distiller finds laying around. After all, whether like vodka or not, there is a reason why the most expensive vodkas in the world cost about the same as an entry level bottle of Scotch or a cheap bottle of champagne.
All that being said, some vodkas are better than others, and this is especially important if, like the Russians, you drink yours unadulterated.
Because I write on wines and spirits, over the years I have tried a lot of vodkas, too many, despite my personal opinion, and have heard over and over and over again the promise of how this vodka or that vodka would be different – and it never was. Some were smoother, some were harsher, but I never found one with actual taste – until now. To be clear, I’m not talking about flavored or infused vodkas, which are basically a mixed drink in a bottle, the fruit or other flavoring agent already added to the vodka. I’m talking about actual vodka.
So what was my revelation? I recently tasted – begrudgingly I will admit – Purus, a boutique production vodka that caught my attention for two reasons. First, it is made in Italy, the country that I think has the most respect for food and flavor, and where just about everything tastes better. I never heard of vodka from Italy, especially made in a tiny third generation distillery in Piemonte. Secondly, the parent company is based in St. Louis, and the management team includes some Anheuser Busch veterans who were displaced when the iconic American beer giant was sold and exported – basically their story captivated me enough where I was willing to give Purus a try, in the vain hope that I would like it. I did!
Purus, is quite simply the best vodka I have ever tasted. Afterwards I googled it to see what other critics thought, and given that it is small, relatively new, and there are hundreds of vodkas out there, almost no one has. In fact, I found only some ratings, no actual reviews, but in every case, it received very high scores. I did not know this when I tasted it, but Purus won Best of Class and the Gold Medal at the LA International Wine & Spirits Competition, the Silver at the more prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and was ranked in the Top 50 Spirits of all types by Wine Enthusiast magazine. What I did know is that it is made from naturally pure water from the Italian Alps, and its starch of choice is certified organic Italian wheat, hence its tagline, “Vodka at its Purus.” It is distilled five times, of course. It also takes a green stand: not only is the wheat organic, it is certified by both Italian and US agencies, the bottles are entirely recycled and the company commits to buy renewable power.
But what vodka drinkers care about is why did I like it? It is very light and smooth on the tongue, but not smooth in the flavorless vodka way, rather smooth in the low-alcohol way though it is not low in alcohol – you just don’t get that burn associated with vodka. It is smooth in a velvety way, almost like vodka nectar. I even rolled it around on my tongue like I was tasting wine, which is hard to do with vodka. It’s unusually sweet, and while in typical vodka fashion it in nearly flavorless as you drink it, I was surprised by a lingering taste on the finish, a slightly lime-flavored aftertaste. Since most vodka has an alcohol aftertaste, this alone is cause for celebration. It actually tastes like something.
Bear in mind that I have tried just about every high-profile vodka available, and several boutique versions with similarly interesting stories, and Purus takes first place. I’m not about to give up colored spirits or my Hendrick’s gin for vodka, but if I did it would be for Purus. I tried it neat, but if I drank vodka martinis I would also definitely use it. I would use it for any mixed drink with vodka, but I am hopefully never going to have one of those.
As vodkas go, Purus is on the higher end, with an MSRP of $36 a bottle, though you can find it in the low to mid $20s. It is not readily available by walking into liquor stores, but can be easily found on the internet and at bigger, better spirits merchants. If you do like vodka, and a lot of you do, you should make the effort to try some.
On the weekends, sometimes I splurge and have something other than wine as an alcoholic beverage. Rarely do I drink vodka however. I know that sounds strange as it is the most popular spirit but I’ve just never been that taken with vodka. Last year, I had the occasion to try a vodka which did interest me, Purus, made from organic wheat and coming from Piedmont in Italy. Of course, the Italian part excited me and I was pleased to see that the vodka was interesting and elegant. I have to say it was my first press lunch drinking vodka with the meal and it was very enjoyable. The vodka is column distilled five times and filtered. The vodka itself was smooth, clean, and mellow on the palate with a hint of citrus and a long, layered finish.
I just finished reading an interesting book set in Russia called Snowdrops. Throughout the book, the characters are constantly drinking vodka, naturally, I too wanted to partake in this spirit and luckily for me, I had a small bottle of Purus left to taste again.
Looking back on my notes from the lunch, I found the flavors to be very consistent and the tasting profile to be exactly what I had in my notes. This would be characterized as a Western style vodka according to my WSET book, meaning creamier and smoother than some of the Eastern style vodkas which are a bit harsher. It would be a great vodka for cocktails. Tasting it this afternoon for the third time, I have to say I would highly recommend it to all.
The Real Story!! When Don Davis first heard about the 25,000 cases of organic Italian wheat vodka sitting in a Lincoln County warehouse, he wasn't planning to launch a liquor company.
“I like vodka, so I was interested,” said the banker and businessman. “But I was just going to flip it. Make a few bucks.” Less than a year and a half later, Davis is selling Purus Vodka in eight states, rolling out a new pomegranate-based drink this month, and developing a pipeline of boutique spirits, all from a few offices in Clayton. The quick rise of Davis' new spirits company, Pure Holdings LLC, reflects the hot market for high-end vodka these days, and the opportunities that can exist in the corporate spillage of an industry giant. Purus – the contents of those 25,000 cases – was actually created by a much bigger St. Louis-based alcoholic beverage company.
Anheuser-Busch, through its now-shuttered high-end subsidiary Long Tail Libations, developed Purus in a bid to tap soaring demand for top-shelf liquor. It even sold the stuff in a few Northeastern markets in 2007 and 2008. But when InBev bought the brewery in late 2008, it closed Long Tail down and sold off its products. Purus was bought by Fire Tail Brands, a small spirits company in Lake Saint Louis, where it sat for nearly two years. Fire Tail owner Jon Herbik liked Purus – this week he called it “probably the best vodka ever made” – but saw the brand more as a short-term investment. He put it up for sale. Davis, whose holdings range from a homebuilder to a car dealership to a craft brewery, caught wind and checked it out. At first, he was thinking short-term, too. But when Davis started looking a little closer, he saw a business ready to pull out of the box.
“It had been up and running. It had a proven product,” he said. “It was just sitting there gathering dust." But Davis needed someone to run it. Then he met John Giarrante and Mark Braeckel, who'd been executives in the innovations division at A-B. In other words, they'd already spent two years creating Purus – Giarrante in brand development, Braeckel in packaging and procurement – only to see it scrapped. Davis hired them away and revived the brand.
Purus has been back on shelves now for a bit less than a year, mostly in Missouri, but also in Arizona, Florida and Ohio. Sales, about 3,000 cases in Missouri last year, have been well ahead of projections, Giarrante said. Event sponsorships and a few industry awards have helped to build buzz. Now Pure is expanding into four more states - Illinois, Texas, North Carolina and New Mexico. And it's launching a second Long Tail-developed spirit: PomAcai, a vodka flavored with pomegranate and acai berries. They've ordered 50,000 cases.
Pure had good timing. U.S. sales of so-called "super premium" vodkas - which typically retail around $30 a bottle - have climbed 32 percent in the last two years, to $1.2 billion, according to data from industry trade group the Distilled Spirits Council. Flavored vodkas like PomAcai have grown even faster. Pure has been riding that wave. But it also had a built-in advantage: A-B spent two years – and millions of dollars – developing Purus. It found a distillery in northern Italy, won organic certification in three countries, ran consumer tests and made a boatload of vodka.
“We developed the brand. We built the strategy. We had the resources of A-B to go out and find the best products in the world,” said Giarrante.
To keep growing beyond that seed, Pure will have to launch new brands. They plan to both grow their own and partner with existing products that are trying to find a market. They've started selling a third drink, Aguila Tequila, and a have desk full of prospects in the office that they're not ready to talk about just yet.
When it comes to what's next, Pure is being choosy. But it definitely plans to keep growing. A broader portfolio will build Pure's name and give it more to offer wholesalers and liquor stores.
But even for now, at two brands, eight states and nine employees, Pure Holdings has come a long way from a pile of boxes, gathering dust.
Coors light "Football" 12 pk.
Reg $10.99 $9.97
Limited release
shrink wrapped 12pk shaped like a football!
Pretty neat!
WE GOT IN 25 CASES 2 WEEKS AGO:
ABOUT 10 CASES LEFT .... AND THE LAST 2 CASES ARE MINE!
WHAT A GORGEOUS BOTTLE OF WINE!
2012 Domaine Lafond Tavel Rose 2012 Reg $21.99 Sale $17.97
Wine Advocate 91 "A serious dry rosé, the 2012 Rosé Roc-Epine, made from mostly Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, offers up a knockout profile of ripe cherries, currants, rosé petal and crushed stone-like minerality to go with a medium-bodied, rich, yet beautifully dry and focus mouthfeel. No lightweight, with solid extract and density, this impressive Tavel stays light, refreshing and clean through the finish. Enjoy it over the coming year or two. [Drink now-2013]" ~ JD
Delicious aromas of cherry and red currant on the nose combined with a hint of floral notes. A rich and smooth wine with flavours of cherry on the palate. A good finish with lingering spicy notes.
Wine Spectator 90 points.,"This offers a very tasty mix of red and black cherry fruit, along with muddled strawberry, light spice and tea shadings. A flash of tobacco marks the full-bodied finish" - Pascal Lafond's beautifully made wines from Tavel, Lirac and Chateauneuf-du-Pape are among the finest values the region has to offer. This 65-hectare family-run estate, located in the rose-only appellation of Tavel, produces what is widely considered (by Robert Parker, among others) to be the best Tavel available. It is a blend of 60% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan 5% Clairette, and a small percentage of other grapes. It is characterized by a lovely pure tender pink color. The predominating aromas are complex: red and white fruit associated with floral notes. With time, these fruity aromas will evolve toward more mellow notes with a touch of spice and stone fruits, and the color will take on amber tints. As of its first year, it disposes of all the necessary aromas to be appreciated, but it also has an exceptional ageing potential.
Oregon's Great Value Producer
"A to Z Wineworks"
NEW! 2011 A TO Z PINOT Noir REG $17.99 SALE $14.97 BTL! Sleek and tightly packed, with delicate layers of cherry, tobacco and cocoa flavors mingling against refined tannins, persisting pleasantly on the light-stepping finish. Drink now through 2017. 136,686 cases made. –HS
NEW! 2012 A TO Z PINOT GRIS REG $14.99 SALE $11.97 BTL! Nice value on a crisp and light Oregon version!
NEW! 2012 A TO Z CHARDONNAY REG $14.99 SALE $11.97 BTL! looking for a nice light macon styled chardonnay? Here it is!
Incredible Riesling and Package WOW!
2012 A TO Z RIESLING NET $14.97 BTL! new released Oregon dry Riesling: only 900 cases produced! The wine is really nice and Alsatian in style. extremely dry with just a hint of residual in the finish, as good as any! The difference is one of the most appealing and attractive packages I’ve ever experienced on a bottle at this price point! It’s a little early to think about the upcoming holidays, but wow would this look and taste great with that thanksgiving feast!
NEW! 2012 A TO Z PINOT GRIS REG $14.99 SALE $11.97 BTL! Nice value on a crisp and light Oregon version!
We got more! whoopee! FANTASTIC CABERNET!!! ONLY 3 CASES LEFT!!! * I absolutely love the wines from "Howell Mountain" The Medoc of Napa Valley! This is the 4th and final time we have purchased this "deal" and those who have tried it continue to ask we can get anymore! A savvy WineStreet customer who had already purchased multiple cases asked if we could get anymore, we inquired and luckily the 2010 is being released soon so we were able to clean up the vintage and get 9 more cases! If you haven't experienced this incredible Cabernet here's your chance! If you have and know how great it is here's your chance for more! Plumpjacks sister winery, Nils Venge winemaker win/win!
94 Points The Wine Advocate "The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a fascinating wine. Some of the rougher, wilder edges that are present in the 2008 are smoothed out here. Layers of expressive dark fruit, licorice, mint and new leather wrap around the palate in this deep, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024."
93 Points Wine Spectator "Balances power with finesse, offering intense blackberry, dusty rock, cedar, black licorice and dried herb flavors. Gains depth and nuance, with tannins providing traction and definition. Best from 2013 through 2024."
92 Points International Wine Cellar "Deep ruby. Musky aromas of black fruits, espresso and cocoa; shows a strong torrefaction quality. Lush, silky and refined; more filled in and showy today than the basic cabernet release, which is also from estate fruit in 2009. Richer and lower-toned than the regular cabernet, with complicating notes of chocolate, mocha, earth and game. Finishes fat and long, with harmonious melting tannins."
A sister winery to the acclaimed PlumpJack estate in Oakville, Cade has been all over the press of late. Hailed as one of the "greenest" wineries every built, its perch on Howell Mountain provides the sort of views that make people lose all sense of reason and start figuring out how to move to Napa Valley. But make no mistake... this isn't about being a mere showpiece. Robert Parker noted, "As one might expect, given the quality of the PlumpJack wines, the Cade offerings are serious." Winemakers Tony Biagi and Nils Venge are afforded access to the sort of vineyards that make great stuff. Frankly, we'd be shocked if the wines didn't impress the critics (and us). Keep close tabs on this new leader in both cutting-edge design and sustainable winemaking philosophy.
Cruzan Single Barrel Rum. 750 ml Reg $27.99 Sale $19.99
In the Bottle 4.5/5: Pictured to the left is the new bottle design for the My only quibble with the design is the lack of specific detail on the label regarding the age of the rum in the bottle, and the fact that only one year of that age is actually spent in a single barrel before bottling. I’m not saying that the label should be cluttered with information, but the vintages of the rums in the blend should be highlighted.
As always, I like the use of high density straight sided corks to crown the bottle presentation. I also like that the bottle has the words Cruzan embossed into the sides which gives the glass texture and makes it easier to grip.
In the Glass 9/10: The rum displays a rich bronze colour in the glass. Once poured, I immediately noticed a rich toffee scent which seems to have a nice oak spice embedded in the aroma. I catch hints of maple in the breezes as well as vanilla and orange citrus peel. In all, this is a rich pleasant nose that brings all the right elements to the fore.
Thick viscous legs formed when I swirled the glass and I noticed that as the glass decanted the nose became deeper and displayed a rich baking spice aroma. Hints of cinnamon have joined, and I am eager to begin the sampling.
In the Mouth 53.5/60: A nice spicy tingle greeted my tongue as the rum entered my mouth. Oak disguised as citrus peel and the taste of butterscotch led the way with a gush of dried fruit mixed in. I also taste deeper notes of charred sugars which give an impression of treacle, and a slightly smoky sensation which one encounters when tasting a spirit with a sherry influence. Perhaps some Spanish oak was used in the aging barrels of a portion of the blend.
The spirit seems to have become richer and more complex over time. When I first encountered this rum in 2009 , I remember the rum being pleasant, but it did not exhibit the complexity I encounter with the present bottling. In spite the complexity, the spirit is very approachable and mild. The rum doesn’t try to clobber you over the head with anything in particular; instead all of the flavours coexist well making this a very pleasant sipper.
In the Throat 13/15: The only burn I feel is from the oak spices which makes this a clean crisp rum on the exit. Haunting trails of brown sugar, cinnamon and maple are felt on the finish which could perhaps be a little longer. Then again sometimes I prefer the clean finish of a good column distilled rum.
The Afterburn 9/10: The Cruzan Single Barrel Rum seems to get better every time I taste it. When I open a bottle, it seems to disappear far too fast, and I found myself wandering over to my local store to pick up another to keep my collection intact. I cannot think of a better endorsement than that. A nice easy sipper with just enough complexity to keep the rum interesting.
This ever popular red blend from Bogle
is an "allocated item"!
Especially for halloween!
But an incredible value any time of the year
if you can find it.
We have just received
our first portion of our allocation.
We will receive our second shipment in october,
But the original shot is 2/3 of our allocation:
Get it while you can!
2010 Bogle Phantom!
Reg $22.99 Sale $17.97
Composed of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Mourvedre, Bogle "Phantom" is an intense, aromatic red aged for thirty months in American oak. An inviting nose of plum, boysenberry and blackberry is accented by hints of pipe tobacco and black pepper, while the palate is bursting with ripe raspberry, cranberry and cherry. Soft notes of clove and vanilla appear on the lingering finish - See more at: http://www.luekensliquors.com/wine/domestic/california/red-blends/bogle-2010-phantom-red-750ml#sthash.eZoJ9frm.dpufThis ruby red spectre entices with rich blackberry and briary boysenberry. Provocative dark fruits envelop the nose and palate, leaving the essence of flavors brought forth by the grapes during winemaking. Black cherry and anise abound, leading to a sturdy finish of black pepper, pipe tobacco and spicy oak. Aged for over two years in 1 and 2 year old American oak focus and intensify the Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Mourvedre, creating yet another passionate and commanding red wine, impossible to ignore.
WineStreet Drops the price on a Top Drop
THE ORIGINAL PREMIUM TEQUILA AND STILL THE CONSUMERS PREFERRED CHOICE BY A LANDSLIDE
Patrón (Spanish for “the good boss”) is the brainchild of two entrepreneurs, John Paul DeJoria and Martin Crowley, whose love of tequila and desire to create the best tequila in the world led them to a factory high in the mountains of Jalisco, Mexico, producing an extraordinary spirit. A few changes later, Patrón tequila, now the world’s top-selling ultra-premium tequila, was ready for market, and The Patrón Spirits Company (formerly St. Maarten Spirits, Ltd.) was born
That factory, in the small town of Atotonilco, is now a new multimillion-dollar facility and guest hacienda where 700 employees create by hand the tequila that goes into every bottle. And The Patrón Spirits Company, headquartered in Las Vegas, now imports and markets a portfolio of the fine top-quality spirits, including its signature Patrón tequila line.
Patron Tequila Silver 750 ml. Reg $42.99 Sale $37.99 : 1.75 lit Reg $99.99 Sale $89.99 Patron Silver is crystal clear, pure ultra premium tequila. This light. fresh tequila is a favorite of tequila connoisseurs worldwide. Many prefer this smooth, soft and light tequila over an aged tequila with a slight oak flavor. Patron Silver is the perfect ingredient in you favorite margarita or in your favorite mixed cocktail. It is also delicious neat or on the rocks.
Patron Tequila Repasado 750 ml. Reg $44.99 Sale $39.99: 1.75 lit Reg $119.99 Sale $99.99 Aged in oak barrels for an average of six months. It is aged and blended to incorporate the fresh clean taste of Patron Silver with a hint of the oak flavor found in Patron Anejo. Patron Reposado is excellent as a sipping tequila or as a key ingredient in a favorite cocktail. It makes an excellent ultra premium margarita
Patron Tequila Anejo 750 ml. Reg $49.99 Sale $44.99: 1.75 lit Reg $129.99 Sale $109.99 A delicate blend of uniquely aged tequilas. All the tequilas are aged in small white oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months. As in many premium red wines, the blends must be adjusted for each vintage. The same care and attention is paid when blending Patron Anejo making it smooth, distinctive and extraordinary
After the "Christmas In July Weekend" we have extended the monster bogo's one more week!
last week less than 50 cases left
2011 El Cortijillo Tempranillo Reg $7.99
Buy One Get One Free!! less than 50 cases LEFT!!
net ($4.00btl)
88 Points Tanzer "Dark ruby. Red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by subtle pepper and spice. Juicy and seamless, offering plum raspberry and cherry flavors and good, straightforward appeal. Finishes smooth and spicy, leaving a bitter cherry note behind. Offers very good value, with a blend of energy and power that allows it to work with a wide variety of foods." (IWC)
I’M NOT RATING IT, BUT FOR $7.99 THIS SPANISH WINE IS GOOD “VINO” FOR THE MONEY 2011 EL COR TIJILLO from the LA MANCHA area of Southern Spain. Made 100% from TEMPRANILLO GRAPES. PRICE: $7.99 (Martin's Guide to Wine Bargains)
85 Points Robert Parkers WA "This simple Spanish red wine is aged completely in tank, with the emphasis on its black cherry and blackberry fruit. This dark plum/ruby wine, which comes from a cooperative and is a selection of importer Fran Kysela, displays loads of fruit, freshness and purity. It is not a complex wine by any means, but it is satisfying and well-made. Drink it over the next 6 to 12 months." (WA)
Here is a “go to” wine for those big parties and events that you may throw from time to time. Very few places in the world can produce wine of any quality at $8 per bottle. One place that can, albeit only from time to time, is that of Spain and the region of La Mancha. Located in Southern Central Spain, this is the world’s largest wine region, with over 300,000 hectares, 165,000 of which are able to lend their name to the appellation.
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2010 Uppercut Cabernet! Reg $24.99 Sale $19.99 btl
20 case Special $179.99 cs ($15.00) 20 cs left!
When this brand was released with the 2007 vintage we bought and sold 100's of cases for $19.99 btl $199.99cs! In 2008 & 2009 the price had gone up and we were not all that impressed with the wine to take a stand on it. Today we tasted the 2010 and it is great! It is rich and ripe like 2008 & 2009, however its got a nice kick of spices and complexity which in our opinion it lacked in the prior two vintages! There is a nice June only promotion where the price is ridiculous for this quality. When June ended we were backordered on 30 cases of Uppercut Cabernet its now here and you have one last shot at $179.99/cs
BACK IN STOCK!
BEST ROSE VALUE OF THE SEASON!
2012 Domaine d’Arton
Ysé Côtes de Gascogne Rosé
Reg $11.99 Sale $9.99
“Market Buster Pick 6”
Mix & Match 6/$49.99 (100’s to choose from)
Is it rosé season yet? Actually, for some of us, any month that has at least 28 days is a good time to think pink. The Domaine d’Arton Ysé Côtes de Gascogne Rosé 2012 is a juicy, tingly delight, with darker fruit flavors than the color portends, perhaps because it’s 100 percent syrah. The clean texture and mouthwatering finish make it a good match for any food, and the perfect picnic wine. Available for around $12 WINE OF THE WEEK! BILL WARD (Star Tribune)
New!
Bonita Platinum Tequila
Reg $99.99 Sale Intro Price $69.97
Wow! The purest smoothest,
cleanest Tequila I've ever had!
Brad!
42 bottles Only!!!
Bonita Platinum Tequila is 100% Agave and produced at La Cofradia in Jalisco, Mexico. Bonita Platinum is the world’s only five-times distilled tequila, but the true secrets behind our exceptionalism are held close to the chest. Indeed, only those who are themselves exceptional have had the pleasure of tasting the true refinement and elegance of our craft.
Bonita Platinum Tequila is enclosed in a stunning bottle and stopper made of pure crystal housed in a velvet-lined box and tied with a satin black tie.
Bonita Tequila was founded based on a simple idea; that by combining modern technology with centuries-old tradition, we could create an ultra-premium tequila unlike anything the world has ever known.
Distilled 5 times, bottled in pure crystal and wrapped in satin, our tequila is an experience of luxury for hip, urban-savvy people who appreciate the finer things in life. Bonita is more than tequila; it is the highlight of an evening with friends, the crown jewel of bottle service at the finest clubs, the exclusive drink of the modern sophisticate
Celebrity Affiliation:
Hip-hop star / Rapper "Xzibit" became a partner in Bonita Spirits, November 2012, after owner Chris Brown sent him one of the first bottles of Tequila produced to try. Bonita Spirits was founded in 2010.
"The fact that wines such as this
can be purchased is unbelievable."
R Parker
This is one of the most delicious Syrah we've tasted over the past year at any price point. But that shouldn't come as a huge surprise as it is made by Jean-Marc Lafage, one of the hottest winemakers on the planet. He is making outstanding wine in Spain and South America but his best is from his own vineyards in France. This wine is made from organically farmed 100% old-vines Syrah and Grenache and it was rated 93 points by Robert Parker, calling it "brilliantly pure with a stunning nose" and that he is "honored to share my excitement about this amazing wine". We totally agree! Enjoy...
"Brilliantly pure with a stunning nose" - Wine Advocate!!!
The Lafage Milaflors Vieilles Vignes (old vines) Syrah blend is a gorgeous red wine gem from the Roussillon wine region of southwestern France. The wine's official appellation is Cotes Catalanes IGP. It is located deep in the Catalan region of southwestern France. The Lafage Estate covers 200 hectares with spectacular views of the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees separating France and Spain.
Domaine Lafage blends juicy, aromatic wines that deliver the rare combination of distinctiveness and affordability. We have featured several of the Lafage wines in the last few months and can't rave about them enough. Distinctive and pure with an unparalleled elegance at this price. There is simply nothing that can touch this syrah at double the price! Hurry - while supplies last! Robert Parker, Jr. – 93: $15.00 Languedoc Roussillon, France
There are only 3,000 cases of the naked, virginal, unoaked 2011 Bastide Miraflors Vieilles Vignes made from 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache aged in concrete. The difficult economic situation in the Languedoc-Roussillon corridor is being exploited to the maximum by importer Eric Solomon. The fact that wines such as this can be purchased is unbelievable. Largely an artisanal wine, it is brilliantly pure with a stunning nose of spring flowers, blackberries, cassis and earth.
It is almost incomprehensible that something of this quality, complexity and richness can be purchased for $25 to $50, much less $12 (well $13.33 anyway). The 3,000 cases should be gobbled up as quickly as they hit retailers’ shelves. I am honored to share my excitement about this amazing wine with readers..
Two of the best
Non-Vintage Champagnes available!
We have again been notified of substantial price increases
on these 2 great value Champagnes!
Get em while we have em!
Duval Leroy N.V. Brut
or
Nicolas Feuillette N.V. Brut
Reg $45 Sale $29.97 btl!
Duval Leroy N.V. Brut Our best-selling Champagne from France two years in a row! This is both elegant and intense with a vibrant structure and long finish. #77, TOP 100 WINES, 91 PTS, WINE SPECTATOR 2008. The rich, sumptuous Duval-Leroy Non-Vintage Brut is marked by clover honey, candied citrus and hints of malt and mineral; beautifully integrated. 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay Color: Gold, straw gold, light bubbles Aroma: Dried biscuits, chocolate aromas Taste: Soft in the mouth, rich, well-structured.
Nicolas Feuillette N.V. Brut Critical acclaim: "Flavors of poached pear, kumquat, white raspberry, biscuit, ginger and licorice mix in this lively, open-knit version. Features a modest, lightly
smoky finish." 90 Points Wine Spectator
Baby Rombauer! #1 Chard of 2012!
* Over the last 6 months this Chardonnay has quickly become by a vast margin our #1 Selling Chardonnay!
This “Perfectly” in the middle has satisfied the palates of the connoisseurs and novices alike at a price point that makes both smile!
Our ability to sell it at this price “potentially” stops at year end, so we brought in 30 cases for on last Hurrah! Chardonnay of the year!
2011 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Riva Ranch
Reg $19.99 Sale $13.97
This wine is a rich, golden color, viscous with honey graham cracker and citrus aromas that give way to a buttery, slightly floral palate with a hint of honeyed spice (small amounts of Pinot Blanc and Gewurztraminer give mid-palate lift). Beautifully balanced by subtle oak, butter and vanilla from barrel aging. It has a round mothfeel and a long fruity finish. Wente Vineyards is California oldest family owned and continuously operated winery. Founded in 1883 by C. H. Wente, the winery is now managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery farms nearly 3,000 acres of estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations, two premier Central Coast winegrowing regions. “Estate Grown” vintages allow fifth generation winegrower Karl Wente the ability to ensure quality at every step of the winemaking process, from the vine to the bottle. Each wine in the Estate Grown series has a distinctive style based on the vineyards and region where it was grown, as well as the subtle influences of the winemaker
WineStreet Spirits "Wine of the Year" 2012
40 CASES GONE APPROXIMATELY 60 CASES OF THIS INCREDIBLE BORDEAUX VALUE LEFT IN STOCK!
*
Last May I tasted through 50 or so 2009/10 Bordeaux ranging from $15-$40/btl retail.
Both great vintages, however,
there is something very special about the flashy oppulence of the 2009 vintage.
A texture that seems very "New World" in style yet retaining the "Classic" bordeaux combination of delicacy and minerality.
Of the 50 wines I tasted I immediately tried to confirm 100 cases,
while I did order a few of the others, none approached the sheer oppulence and quality of the Reignac.
With the price of the "Classifides" in the stratosphere it was pure joy to latch on to a wine that can be enjoyed seemlessly now or 10 years from now!
100 cases Ordered! Load the cellar/basement and enjoy!
2009 Château de Reignac Bordeaux Superieur
Reg $24.99 Sale $19.97
Don’t Miss wine of the month is the Château de Reignac Bordeaux Superieur 2009, 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Weighing in at 14% abv, high for a Bordeaux, this new comer to the club wowed us with its tremendous QPR. At $25 per bottle, , it really can’t be beat. We put it up in three separate blind tastings against all-time favourite QPR Bordeaux, the Côtes de Castillon Château d’Aiguilhe, the Reignac trumped the d’Aiguilhe.
On the nose we have red cherry and white chocolate, plus earth. leather, anise, coffee, mocha, spice box, cinnamon, and some floral notes. Quite tannic and well structured, in the mouth it shows dark fruits and tight dry tannins, with a surprising lengthy complex finish for its breed. It definitely will benefit from more time to knit together, yet very enjoyable now!
For QPR, if you enjoy yourself Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon done Bordeaux right, this is a no-brainer. This wine nails it definitely a 90 pointer.
Château Reignac is one of the most impeccably run estates by proprietors Stephanie and Yves Vatelot (who is now assisting Alain Raynaud in making Lascombes). The famous Michel Roland is their consulting winemaker, which has helped make Reignac the most consistently well-made Bordeaux Superieur over the last 10 years.
Reignac's gentle slopes and gravely soils facilitate natural drainage. The gravel reflects and stores the sun's heat which promotes early ripening of the estate's grapes. Great terroir is the key to the wines of Reignac. It is this splendid terroir, recommended by Michel Rolland that gives Reignac its edge.
Château de Reignac sits atop the highest point in the parish of Saint Loubes, overlooking a 135-hectare clay and gravel rise that includes a single 80-hectare block of vines. The original château was built by Seigneur Baude de Peyron in the 16th century. It was remodeled in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the late 1800s, a central courtyard was added that features his signature wrought iron railings and in 1868, a remarkable greenhouse was designed by Gustave Eiffel. The present owners, Yves and Stephanie Vatelot, purchased Reignac in 1990 and have worked continuously ever since to restore the estate to its former glory while introducing numerous innovations. The world-renowned Michel Rolland is their consulting oenologist. "Reignac is the standard bearer for what can be achieved by a passionate proprietor who cuts yields to a minimum, and does everything right in the cellar. Reignac is the leading candidate for the finest generic Bordeaux produced year in and year out. It can compete favorably with classified growths..." - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate In order to classify as a Bordeaux Supérieur a wine's permitted alcoholic strength must be half a percent higher than Bordeaux AC wines. The classification is used for predominately red wines and occasionally sweet and white. Quality is uneven yet one property stands head and shoulders above the rest. Château Reignac has become the reference point for what can be achieved with zealous commitment to quality. It is the Bordeaux Supérieur by which all others are measured, and over recent vintages it has been as good as a classified growth. Proprietors Stephanie and Yves Vatelot (who is now assisting Alain Raynaud in making Lascombes) are at the top of their game and excelled themselves in 2000, producing a remarkable wine. The wines are typically a blend of Merlot (75%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and offer amazing value for money. Robert Parker describes Reignac as "the leading candidate for the finest generic Bordeaux produced year in and year out."
If there's one thing to be wary of when it comes to wine, it's tradition for tradition's sake. That's but one reason why we love Château Reignac. Another is that the wine is superb, and you needn't sell the car to afford it.
When Yves and Stephanie Vatelot acquired the estate in 1990, old-fashioned ways of thinking immediately went out the window. The estate wasn't listed in Bordeaux's venerable Classification of 1855, so why play by the same, stuffy old rules? Where's it written, a century and a half later, that a winery must be situated alongside classified growths, such as Château Latour or Château Gruaud-Larose, to be a considered a producer of world-class wines?
So in addition to bringing world-renowned consultant winemaker Michel Rolland to Reignac, the Vatelots purchased multiple parcels of old-vine Merlot. They also embarked on a years-long agronomical and geological study of Reignac’s vineyards (engineers dug 80 trenches for analysis). The findings were that "Reignac offers a unique peculiarity, that of reuniting the best types of terroir of both the Right and the Left Banks in a single estate, which explains the qualitative consistency of its wines, vintage in and vintage out."
In simpler terms, this is a special place that – for more than a century – was making special wines that were overlooked and underappreciated for all the wrong reasons. Reignac is precisely the type of wine we love to bring to Lot18. Add to this the fact that the wine comes from Bordeaux's incredible 2009 vintage, and you can rest assured that you'll only be delighted by this wine’s power, balance and ability to age, just as we were. And we can't help but love that the wine costs a fraction of a classified growth's cuvée, and tastes every bit as good.
Tasting Note: The intense ruby-red color and glass-coating viscosity promise a full-bodied wine. The aromas are ripe and fruit-driven, with lots of fresh, black plums and cassis, as well as a perfumed note of sage. The acidity is balanced and the wine’s supple tannins express the 2009 vintage’s character beautifully. This is a modern expression of Bordeaux in the best sense of the word. Decant this wine, and serve it in large-bowled glasses if you can't wait for the wine to age, and pour it alongside roasted filet mignon that’s been basted with butter and thyme. If you are able to hold the wine for five to eight years, you will enjoy a greater range of flavors. (14% ABV)
Wine News
We are proud to bring you the following news, so that WineStreet can help
you make the BEST wine choices for your enjoyment.
Here are this weeks comments.
BradWinePage
2002 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reg $75. Sale $29.97 (Wood Case!!!) Now In Stock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Through Sat 3/1 Most recent notes from Consumers on Cellar Tracker: on 10/7/2011 & rated 92 points:Translucent cherry with no bricking. Sous bois, mushroom and a licorice perfumed nose on P&P. Palate outperformed the aromas with pure cherry, garrigue as well as an enticing velvety texture. Definitely 92pts. In order to kick it up a notch I gave it two hours of slow-O. Bad idea! It faded fast and started to show Oak and became drying on the back end. The lovely viscosity in the mouth was also all mostly gone after the slow-O. Don't decant or slow-O, as it will show its best on P&P. Drink it fast and you'll get a 92pt wine. Drink it slow and 88pts is the best you can hope for albeit will still be a drinkable wine. It's not like I'm ready to pour this down the drain or anything like it! This bottle came direct from the importer cellared it properly since release on 7/30/2011 & rated 88 points:Pale garnet colour. A lovely mature nose, quite complex and gamey with cherry, strawberry and a little hint of sweet vanilla. Fresh and light in style with notes of old leather and sour cherry fruit. Maybe a little hollow in the middle but has a good finish with a nice lingering toasty flavor on 5/4/2011 & rated 92 points:Absolutely LOVED this wine. Loaded with mature fruit and baskets of RED fruit, mixed with mature nuance and a core clay earth. So yummy, like an older fella you just want to sit down and talk with about the old days. I heard this was fading and fast.......I don't think so. VERY GOOD on 3/13/2010 & rated 91 points:consistent with my previous note on 3/11/2010 & rated 91 points:I was really nervous as I still have a quite a few bottles of this wine and we all know that 02 was not a great year at all. But I was really thrilled once I tasted it. Yes it is lighter but nice, mature and drinks really, really well. Red fruit dominant but not completely straight forward, elegant indeed on 2/12/2010 & rated 90 points:Elegant, refined and smooth, with a moderately prominent nose of cherry and spice with hints of black pepper and tobacco. Burgundian mouthfeel featuring spiced cherry flavors. Although coming from a maligned vintage, this bottling showed the pedigree of the vines - I brought it to a dinner where its lengthy complex finish blew away a number of $15-$20 grocery-store style wines served by my host
Affordable Half Bottles!!!!!! 2008 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reg $34.99 Sale $19.97 btl! Now In Stock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Most Recent Notes from Consumers on Cellar Tracker: on 2/4/2012 Youthful light ruby. Some fragrance and herbaceousness. Relatively light, lean, crisp, high acid and herbaceous. Nothing sweet about it. The finish is better than the entry. Good but very different from any of the other wines in this line up on 1/23/2012 & rated 91 points: Pretty good on night 1, terrific after a night under Argon gas. Very fruit forward on the nose and palate. I wish I had bought more than 3 on 1/14/2012 & rated 90 points: Popped and poured. Good rich fruit and quite elegant. Shows a touch of sweetness that is nicely balanced by some good acidity on 1/7/2012: Lingonberries, cranberries, maybe a touch of red currant and raspberries too. The fruit is alive and kicking in this one, the garrigue is plain beautiful, notes of raw meat and seaweed show up with som time and air and the licorice twist towards the end is so nice. If I'm nitpicking and really looking for something to be critical of, it doesn't have the tightest midsection. Still an outstanding wine, but I do expect the 2009s to leave this a bit behind on 12/12/2011 & rated 91 points: Very closed initially despite decanted for 30 minutes. Then something happened and out popped a fantastic wine. Lots of berries, herbs earth with a long long after taste. To me it is the reason why CdP is so great. One more year in the cellar should do it. on 12/3/2011 & rated 90 points: This is a really nice wine for an off vintage in CdP. We poured into a decanter and drank right away. The nose seemed to have every dark berry imaginable in there along with just a bit of earthy funk, leather and black pepper. it was quite Burgundian in clarity with good fruit and a silky mouthfeel on the palate. The tannins were there but out of the way, good acidity and a mid to long finish. We enjoyed this a lot and just laughed that we got it for $35 on 11/24/2011: Popped the cork, poured a glass for my wife and me, and decanted the remainder. Initial aromas of earth, horse and leather. Uh oh, Ann's not going to like this. On the palate there is lots of ripe berry fruits, herbs de Provence and some black pepper as the wine opens. As the wine opened the funky nose dissipates leaving more fruity aromas. Very drinkable now with fine integrated tannins. I like the class and elegance of this wine. It is a little more restrained and less ripe then the 08 St prefert auguste favier we had a few weeks ago. Very nice and Ann really liked it. on 10/28/2011 & rated 90 points: Good effort in a difficult year. Lots of berry in a somewhat muted approach. Nice round mouth feel, medium finish. Drink young on 10/23/2011 & rated 92 points: Really fresh with an array of wild berries, blackberry, cranberry and plum along with popurri, wet stones and candle wax. This is medium-full with a super silky mouthfeel that rolls across your palate. This CDP Really has has Burgundian characteristics and is a pleasure to drink, the fruit is so pure here, I only wish it would stick just around a little longer on the finish. 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mouvèdre and 5% Cinsault and others. (Drink 2011-2021) - JD, 92 Points on 8/27/2011 & rated 95 points: Deep red color, nearly opaque. Black cherry, strawberry, a touch of oak and a hint of floral (rose?) on the nose. Beautiful soft tannins, good acidity, wonderfully balanced. Lots of fruit, focused on the cherry and cranberry. Hint of mint. Finish is long and linear, with a pleasant twist toward sour at the end. This is good! color 5/5 nose 7/10 taste 18/20 balance 10/10 finish 5/5
Napa Cellars Pinot Noir 2010 Regular Price: $22.99 Sale Price: $14.97 I think it’s fair to say that there isn’t a whole lot of Pinot Noir coming out of the Napa Valley. Part of the reason is that it gets mighty warm in Napa during the summertime and Pinot tends to do better in cooler climates. That said, Napa Cellars has defined their house style by making understated, yet concentrated, modern wines. The 2010 Pinot Noir follows that course. It is thoroughly ripe and juicy, yet it still manages to do a fine job of retaining the character of the grape. There was a distinct aroma of cola that melded with hints of wilted violets and tangy orange zest. There was no mistaking this one for red Burgundy. That’s for sure. The palate carried on that theme with an impressively ripe style highlighted by flavors of 4 fruit preserves, grated ginger, and cocoa dusted cherries. The finish was warm and a bit boozy, though not unpleasantly so. And after I swallowed I got a good little pop of white pepper accompanied by a touch of anise.
I think that Napa Cellars intended this wine to be consumed in the near term. That said, it’s only a 2010 so you probably have at least a year or 18 months before its youthful exuberance begins to fade. There’s no reason to delay gratification by tossing this one in the cellar, but don’t be afraid of it falling apart on you in the next few months either.
2010 Battle Axe Malbec Reg $17.99 Sale $12.97 A nice step up for you Malbec lovers. Juicy primary fruit, red licorice, pepper and baking spice with a silky mouthfeel. Deep ruby red core with a vivid purple rim, this wine exudes an intense nose of wild berries and ripe red fruit coupled with warm spicy notes. 12 months in new French oak has given this wine plenty of grip and depth to match the intensity of the fruit. A terrific buy. Battle Axe Malbec signals the end of dull wines. This is a 100% Varietal Malbec, sourced from a Single Vineyard Estate consisting of vines that are over 80 years old. The vineyard is harvested by hand and the wine is aged in new French oak barrels for a full 12 months. Battle Axe possesses a deep ruby red color with vivid purple tones and offers a complex nose of wild berries with subtle spice notes. Its superb fruit flavors combine perfectly with toasty hues providing great structure, character and a long finish Battle Axe Malbec color is an attractive dark cherry-red with violet hues. Displaying great intensity fruity aromas of cherries, blackberries and plums stand out against a background of fine toasty hints from ageing in top-quality oak. Warm, intense and well-structured on the palate, with an explosion of fruit flavors underscored by light oaky notes.
With it's deep, inky-red color and intense, complex flavor - particularly the distinct taste of plum - Battle Axe Malbec has notes of blackberry, pepper, tobacco and leather. The wine's robust tannins make it perfect for pairing with steak
Spirits News
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you make the BEST choices for your enjoyment.
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WineStreet Demo
KAH Tequila A?ejo.
SALE PRICE $57.97
KAH Tequila A?ejo contains aromas of coffee, chocolate and tobacco masterfully created during its two year aging time in American white oak casks. The KAH Tequila A?ejo bottle is designed with black and white motifs to represent the practices of Nicaraguans who take rest in peace to a whole new level. While they perform similar traditions to other Latin American counterparts (IE. decorate graves, bring food to alters to honor the dead), they also often sleep at the grave-sites of their deceased. The idea is that by sleeping with the dead, Nicaraguans reinforce the emotional connection they hold with those loved ones that have passed
CASE $65.00
KAH Tequila Reposado .
SALE PRICE $53.97
KAH Tequila Reposado is an ultra smooth, and ultra high-proof Tequila with a full body, and intense Agave favor. It is aged for ten months in French limousine casks, where it acquires subtle hints of vanilla and caramel. The KAH Tequila Reposado bottle is painted as El Diablo. The use of devil imagery was inspired by Day of the Dead celebrations in Peru. The festival takes place the week before November 5th on the banks of Lake Titicaca, The traditional dances (complete with dangling red crucifixes) are rumored to be led by the devil himself. Traditional dances are dedicated to Satan. This region of Peru is mostly a mining area and workers spend much time underground. According to ancient Incan beliefs, Satan lives underground making the miners vulnerable to his powers due to their daily proximity. The festival is designed to honor Satan, thus keeping the workers safe. The even pour Tequila on the ground for the devil to drink.
CASE $60.00
KAH Tequila Blanco.
SALE PRICE $48.97
KAH Tequila Blanco contains intense sweet notes of the cooked agave, followed by a spicy white peppery punch. It is silky and delicate, leaving a sachet of spices on the palate. The KAH Tequila Blanco bottle was inspired by traditional Calaveras (skulls made from sugar) which are used in Day of the Dead rituals to symbolize death and rebirth. Sugar skulls are given to family still living and they are invited to eat their own death, to acknowledge the belief that death is nothing but the passing from this life into the next. Bolivians celebrate their version of the Day of the Dead by keeping the skulls of their loved ones, calling it the Day of the Skulls. These decaying heads are brought out each year on November 8th and taken to the cemetery where Bolivians feed them, give them cigarettes and Tequila. Keeping and entertaining the skulls of their deceased is seen as a way for the dead to be immortalized. They believe the skulls of their ancestors protect the living by warding off evil spirits.
CASE $55.00
Hangar One Vodka Roasted Chipotle?.
SALE PRICE $26.99
Batch Two Is Here!
Our Reg. 6/$149.99
Batch Two Is Here! Lance Winters' superb creation: base vodka distilled from fresh peppers, then blended with separate infusions and distillations of fresh and roasted Fresno chiles, habaneros, jalape?os, bell peppers and pasillas. A wonderful balance of smoke, heat, and fresh bell pepper The chipotle was born of a need for vodka truly worthy of one of my favorite cocktails, the Bloody Mary. Because a Bloody Mary is a meal as well as a cocktail, it needs a vodka of real substance. The mass produced pepper vodkas could never fit the bill because the people that make them think that the only quality a pepper has is heat. With all this in mind, we set out to make a vodka that had all of the characteristics of great peppers. We start with jalape?os and Fresno chili peppers. These are chopped and added to high proof vodka. After sitting like this for several days, the peppers and alcohol are added to the still to create a base that has the sweetness and vegetal qualities that help make up the identity of a pepper. We do a separate infusion and distillation of smoked peppers, both jalape?o and bell. To get the heat balance just right, a judicious amount of haba?ero infusion is added. The whole mess should have the sweetness and substance of a nicely smoked meat, the vegetal qualities of a fresh pepper and just the right amount of heat. The chipotle vodka opens with the sweet hardwood smoke aroma. A bit deeper into the glass, layers of spice and raisin bloom. On the palate, the sweetness of the bell peppers is the first hit, followed by waves of heat and spice. (Hangar One)
CASE $35.99
Hangar One Vodka Mandarin Blossom.
SALE PRICE $26.99
97 points Wine Enthusiast
Our Reg. 6/$149.99
Who else but Lance & Jorg would dream of including the flowers? Paul Pacult reviewed this as wonder and delight. It's like peeling a fresh tangerine - the zesty tangerine and flower aromas are brought across perfectly. Wonderful lingering aftertaste. Pour it over a single small ice cube - it's as rewarding as a good cognac. Includes the flowers of the mandarin blossom which brings across the delicate tangerine aromas perfectly. Imagine the care that must be take with so fragile an ingredient! Elegant orange flavors with hints of sandelwood and spices. 97 points Wine Enthusiast: The deep, sweet orange and honeyed-floral fragrance is the first signal this vodka will be special. The flavors are clean and brisk, followed by a strong bite and honey and tangerine notes. It finishes sweet, with faint floral and vanilla notes coaxed out over ice.
CASE $35.99
Hangar One Vodka Kaffir Lime.
SALE PRICE $26.99
Wine & Spirits chose it as their BEST FLAVORED VODKA OF THE YEAR
Our Reg. 6/$149.99
Unlike anything I've experienced in 13 years of professional spirits evaluation?Spirit Journal. The Kaffir Lime was ranked first in Wine Enthusiast's annual review of white spirits. They called it stunning...true-to-the-fruit. The flavor really does leap from the glass. The lovely flavor of kaffir lime is well known in Thai cuisine. St. George uses the leaves too! Wine & Spirits chose it as their BEST FLAVORED VODKA OF THE YEAR. Kaffir lime is native to central Indonesia. Its lovely flavor is well know in Thai cuisine. This vodka is filled with lush lime aromatics and flavors. The best lime flavored vodka we have ever tasted!
CASE $35.99
Hangar One Infused Fraser River Raspberry Vodka.
SALE PRICE $26.99
Limited! So get it while it lasts!
Our Reg. 6/$149.99
Very Limited! So get it while it lasts! We can't honor bottles sold into the negative. Hangar One distills this once a year, when the raspberries ripen. They use Meeker raspberries from Washington's Fraser River valley. A bit of fresh raspberry juice introduced after distillation makes it taste super fresh and gives the vodka a light raspberry color. It's beautiful product, with the natural sweetness - and tartness - of real fruit. The green glass bottle protects it from UV rays. From upper Washington state, the Meeker raspberry makes a startlingly fresh-tasting vodka. Hangar One makes only one batch a year, in June, when the berries are ripe. People get excited about the Fraser River Raspberry vodka because it's just like fresh raspberries, not the bubblegum chemical compound you expect from raspberry flavored products. They don't add sugar. They don't add anything. It's just raspberries and vodka. Hangar One macerate and distill the berries, then blends it in raspberry juice. The juice adds complexity and a natural color. They had a totally fabulous design for our raspberry bottle, but when they put the finished product in it, the fresh juice didn't like the UV rays that came through the clear glass. Now they use a green bottle that gives full UV protection, so we can keep distilling what we think is a truly exceptional spirit. Try this, and give yourself a taste of the Pacific Northwest. It has delightful very fresh and intense aromatics that make you dream of summer and think of Cosmos!
CASE $35.99
Hangar One Vodka Buddha's Hand Citron.
SALE PRICE $26.99
LA Times says: Ravishing, inexplicable, enticing
Our Reg. 6/$149.99
The actual fruit, the Buddha's Hand citron, looks weird, but wow! The flavors are intense and rich, with fresh lemony aromatics. The literature says that the Chinese hang this citron in their houses to make things smell good. Rupf told us that they cost him $3 each! LA Times says: Ravishing, inexplicable, enticing. The Buddha's Hand is made from a very old citrus fruit. It has such wonderful aromatics that in China it is hung to perfume dwellings. Lively, elegant with amazing lemon-like flavors
CASE $35.99
Crown Royal.
SALE PRICE $27.99
GOLD MEDAL 2005 SAN FRANCISCO SPIRITS COMPETITION
Crown Royal has a rich golden amber colour, with a nose that is rich and robust with hints of vanilla and fruit.
On the palate it is very smooth and creamy with hints of oak and the flavour of vanilla. The finish is explained as long and lasting.
Pendleton.
SALE PRICE $29.99
Named in honor of The Pendleton Round-up, one of the most respected rodeos in the country, this smooth as silk Canadian import is aged 10 years in premium American Oak barrels for extra smoothness.
Canadian Club.
SALE PRICE $24.98
90-95 PTS WINE ENTHUSIAST.
Dark yellow, golden tint; medium-light body; reminiscent of apple, peach, smokey butter; the Canadian Club 6 year old is creamy, smooth and easy in the finish.
Seagram's VO.
SALE PRICE $15.49
Gold with a light amber glow; medium-light body; reminiscent of pear, caramel, butter, brown spices; slightly coarse texture that is complimented by soft brown spices.
Windsor.
SALE PRICE $17.98
Distinctive blend of the finest rye, corn, wheat & barley. Enjoy the smoothness.
Canadian Mist.
SALE PRICE $13.99
GOLD MEDAL 2008 SAN FRANCISCO SPIRITS COMPETITION
One of our most popular Canadian Whisky's. Rich full flavors are very smooth.
Black Velvet.
SALE PRICE $16.48
The smooth, rich taste of this premium Canadian Whisky makes it a favorite mixed, on-the-rocks or straight.
Mc Adam's.
SALE PRICE $14.99
84 points (Recommended) Tastings.Com
Pale amber color. Mild spicy raisin compote, chocolate covered orange peel and praline aromas follow thorugh on a brisk entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with creamy vanilla and mineral oil notes. Finishes with a nutskin and cocoa accented fade.
Wiser's De Luxe.
SALE PRICE $22.99
Beefy with sharpening touches of rye and other slightly fruity citrus notes. Very busy mouth arrival with a complex array of corn on the cob and then much cleaner small grain notes. Good weight to the oiliness which never goes over the top. A brief spice fly past, and an early vanilla oak attack.
Crown Royal Black.
SALE PRICE $27.99
A robust whisky blend matured to perfection in charred oak barrels and blended at a higher proof for full-bodied flavor. Deep bourbon notes, rich texture and signature smoothness.
Midleton 'Very Rare' 2011.
SALE PRICE $116.99
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011 Finalist
A true classic in every sense. Perfectly proportioned with alternating waves of baked orchard fruits, toffee, toasted nuts and grain, honey, apricot, and a beautiful melange of baking spices.
Bushmills 10Yr.
SALE PRICE $39.99
Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey in the World' at last year's World Whiskies Awards.
It has a sweet spicy aroma with overtones of Oloroso sherry, vanilla and honey. It is mild, and nonetheless has a rich, malty character. It is so smooth on the palate with a slightly dry finish.
RedBreast 12Yr.
SALE PRICE $41.99
92 PTS WINE ENTHUSIAST, DOUBLE GOLD 2005 SAN FRANCISCO SPIRITS COMPETITION.
Redbreast is a beautifully balanced pure pot still Irish Whiskey, with a warm, generous texture, rich, sweet flavours and a spicy kick. In the view of many connoisseurs, the finest Irish whiskey available.
Michael Collins Single Malt.
SALE PRICE $29.97
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011 Finalist
Well rounded with a clean and malty with a sweet citrus taste. Wonderfully settled smoky flavor from the peat that lingers on the palate. The perfect sipping Irish whiskey.
Tullamore Dew.
SALE PRICE $21.99
Color Pale amber with orange tinge Nose A mild blend of spicy, lemony and malty notes with charred wood undertones Body Soft, buttery, rounded Palate Warming, sweetish spices, pleasant maltiness with toasted wood hints and a creamy vanilla smoothness. Finish Smooth and gentle, the complex flavours lingering intriguingly Liquor
Jameson.
SALE PRICE $24.98
Ultimate Beverage Challenge.
Round and smooth with sweet, spicy, toasted wood notes. Dry yet smooth finish with a longering crispness from the pot still.
Powers.
SALE PRICE $18.99
A past recipient of The American Taste Award for Excellence and a Double Gold winner in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
The Number One selling Irish whiskey in Ireland, Powers Irish Whiskey has become ?the father of all Irish Whiskeys? through a tradition based on over 200 years of distilling whiskey. Powers is distinctive for its warm and full-bodied flavor, an explosive mixture of spices, which linger on the tongue. The Powers flavor is the product of the whiskey?s triple distillation in both old-fashioned copper pots and column stills. Powers is aged 100 percent in Bourbon casks for five to six years. Powers is touted as the perfect whiskey for the best-tasting Irish Coffee.
Kilbeggan.
SALE PRICE $21.99
GOLD MEDAL-SF 2008 WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION
Incredibly elegant and complex with sweet grassy notes that are found in all of the Kilbeggan whiskies supported by toffee, vanilla, toasted coconut, banana bread and mint. A great aperitif.
Connemara 12Yr.
SALE PRICE $86.99
There is a limited number of bottles available worldwide per year
Cooley's oldest and rarest whiskey to date is the Connemara 12yr Peated Single Malt. The robust peatiness of the standard Connemara gives way to a complex aged whiskey with a distinct vanilla taste from the single used bourbon cask.
Knappogue Castle 12Yr.
SALE PRICE $36.99
Triple distilled in copper pot stills, then aged in bourbon oak casks for twelve years, Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old is a mellow, well rounded single malt. The nose offers rich, malty notes of grain which are accented by hints of pepper and spice. The palate is balanced, focused and smooth, with complex flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, oak and marzipan backed by elegant fruit notes.
?Chivas's top-notch character is at once powerful and understated; hats off to the Chivas master blender; this is Scotch blending at its near-best.'
Johnnie Walker Black 12Yr.
SALE PRICE $36.98
GOLD MEDAL SAN FRANCISCO SPIRITS COMPETITION, 89 PTS BEVERAGE TESTING INSTITUTE
A deep and complex flavour which is also an unquestionable mark of power and refinement. It is a luxury blend and a luxury brand, with a completely individual personality. As many as 40 whiskies, each aged 12 years or more, make up this satisfyingly complex blend. Decade after decade, Black Label wins awards and accolades. Experts consistently appreciate its understated, classic qualities.
Johnnie Walker Red.
SALE PRICE $24.98
85 PTS BEVERAGE TESTING INSTITUTE
Johnnie Walker Red Label The world?s best selling whisky is still going strong. Red Label is a powerful combination of spicy, smoky malts, such as Talisker, and lingering, lighter grains. Its robust qualities are what make it so good for drinking long. The global success of Red Label is just one reason why it is now considered to be the classic taste of blended Scotch whisky.
J & B Scotch.
SALE PRICE $34.99
J & B has very rich smooth flavors with hints of oak and heather. J & B is perfect neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of soda water.
Grant's.
SALE PRICE $18.99
Gold - 2009 International Wine and Spirit Competition
Complex, clean and fruity. Grant's Family Reserve is one of the world's best loved Scotch whiskies and enjoyed in over 180 countries. Brian skilfully blends around 25 of the finest single malt and grain Scotch whiskies to make Grant's Family Reserve. The basis for the blend is our widely acclaimed Girvan grain whisky. Vacuum distilled at a lower temperature to make it a lighter and more delicate spirit, it is then aged in oak to give it a deeper, sweeter, soft fruit flavour, creating the perfect foundation.
Famous Grouse.
SALE PRICE $33.99
GOLD TASTE AWARD AMERICAN TASTING INSTITUTE 2002.
Great value in blended Scotch. Smooth, balanced flavors are perfect over the rocks or with a splash of club soda.
Dewar's White Label.
SALE PRICE $23.98
85 PTS WILFRED WONG.
A blend of up to 40 single malt and grain scotch whiskies, White Label?s distinctive heather and honey notes evoke the rich heritage of the Scottish Highlands, thanks to the fine Aberfeldy single malt at its heart.
Cluny Scotch.
SALE PRICE $19.98
Cluny Scotch Whisky is one of America's top selling domestically bottled blended Scotches, made up of a marriage of over 30 malt whiskies from all regions of Scotland and the finest aged grain whiskies.
Dimple Pinch 15yr.
SALE PRICE $30.99
Savor the elegant tast of a subtle blend of 15 year old whiskies that is as special as the unique dimpled bottle that holds it. Pinch Blended 15 Year Old Scotch Whisky, referred to as The Dimple Pinch, established in 1627, the oldest distillers of scotch whisky in the world. Few whiskies attain the rate distiction of the Dimple Pinch. Over 300 years of distilling and blending xperience have ensured the perfection of this most distinguished deluxe scotch whisky. Peppery nose, soft, smooth and supple, elegant and solid. The Dimple Pinch is a fine original De Luxe blend that was specially selected and matured. The result is an exquisite 15 year of blended scotch whiskey that was blended and bottled in Scotland itself.
Pig's Nose.
SALE PRICE $32.99
?A big, sweet, chunky, gawky, grainlashed but hugely enjoyable blend.? Pigs Nose is an exceptionally fine five year old blended whisky, created by Richard Patterson, Scotland's only third generation master blender as a companion for Sheep Dip - for week days but not for the Christmas Cake. The blend contains a high percentage (40%) of malt whiskies, principally from Speyside imbuing the product with their characteristic softness; the name comes from the farming expression ?soft as a pig's nose'. Colour:Rich, golden copper highlights. Nose:Delicate and refined. Soft sensual floral notes arise in perfect harmony supported by an attractive array of complex fruit flavours. Melon, pear and orange with a hint of almonds conclude this profusion of charming nuances. Taste:Finesse and elegance gives way to a majestic assertion of pure malty flavours drawn from the four distilling regions of Scotland. Each area forges and makes its own inimitable contribution to this outstanding pure malt - the main accent being expressed from the Highlands and Speyside Valleys.
Off-dry malted barley and light toffee smells greet the olfactory sense along with flowery fragrances of heather, rose petal and pine. Entry features sweet grain and candied apricot tastes; the midpalate is mellow, malty, fruity (white raisins, apricots) and sophisticated. Ends on a buttery note. Remains the Speyside benchmark.
Highland Park 12Yr.
SALE PRICE $42.99
90 PTS Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to S.M. Scotch
With a delicious sweetness (heather-honey is their preferred description), a trace of smoke and a warming, silky mouthfeel, this is a whisky that never lets you down.
Macallan 12Yr.
SALE PRICE $45.97
91 PTS Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to S.M. Scotch
Deliciously smooth, with rich dried fruits and sherry, balanced with wood smoke and spice. Described by Paul Pacult, the renowned international whisky writer, in his book Kindred Spirits as: simply the best 12 Year Old single malt around.
Oban Distillers Edition 1995.
SALE PRICE $89.99
Oban 1995 has been double-matured, in this case using fresh Montilla sherry casks after an initial maturation in normal casks. This double maturation gives the Distiller's Edition an extra dimension and greatly enhances the flavours.
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Talisker 10Yr.
SALE PRICE $54.99
90 Pts Malt Advocate
Fresh, vibrant. Appetizingly briny, with notes of seaweed, fishnets, lemongrass, smoke, and damp peat. A bed of light toffee provides contrast and balance. It finishes with a knockout punch: powerfully peppery and salty. This whisky remains a beautifully dynamic and bold whisky.
Glendronach 15Yr.
SALE PRICE $79.99
92 points from the highly-esteemed Whiskyfun website.
Renowned amongst many whisky enthusiasts around the world, this remarkable and full bodied malt is matured for a minimum of 15 years in the finest Oloroso sherry casks. Bottled at 46%, the GlenDronach Revival is non chill filtered and of natural colour. A truly excellent single malt.
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Balvenie 12Yr. 'Doublewood'
SALE PRICE $47.99
87 PTS Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to S.M. Scotch
The Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods. During its period of maturation The Balvenie Doublewood is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill Spanish oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt - the traditional casks, having previously held bourbon, soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour..
Lagavulin 16Yr.
SALE PRICE $78.99
97 Pts Whiskey Magazine
Nose: Massive peat. Ultra-intense iodine carries a shade more spice than of old. The fruity-sherry notes are clean, vanilla is much deeper. Beautifully layered. Palate: Peat so thick you could stand a spoon in it. Chewy iodine bolstered by sherry and big oak. Finish: A little spice lightens the grip of the peat and vanilla. Dries off with malt, dried dates...and iodine. Comment: A true classic in every sense that offers breathtaking depth.
Laphroaig 18Yr.
SALE PRICE $63.99
This 18 year old expression of Laphroaig is made in limited quantities each year and savoured by a fortunate few. A soft, sweet and spicy Islay peat smoke greets you when you first open the bottle. The immediate taste is an oak sweetness, from 18 years in the barrel. A faint hint of the sea can be detected, testimony to its time maturing on the remote island of Islay.
Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or 12Yr.
SALE PRICE $69.99
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
A captivating single malt whisky for the sophisticated luxury spirits drinker who drinker who enjoys delicious extravagence and sensual pleasures. With a tremendous 'gourmand' appeal, the Nectar D'Or is a delicious, complex base spirit that, after a minimum of 10 years in ex-bourbon casks, is then extra matured in specially hand selected Sauternes wine barriques. This makes it rich and sumptuous with a heady, luscious, beguiling spectrum of aromatic patisserie desserts that helps create a memorable occasion whenever it is enjoyed. Non chill-filtered and with an ABV of 46%, its the key flavor notes are lemony, sumptuous and syrupy.
Rittenhouse Rye 21Yr.
SALE PRICE $149.97
Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and was named Rye Whiskey of the Year by noted expert Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible 2007.
Prior to Prohibition, rye was the preeminent American Whiskey. Now Heaven Hill Distilleries celebrates rye?s renaissance with this old time, non-chill filtered bottling of Rittenhouse 21 Year Straight Rye Whisky. A full 21 years of aging makes this rye bold and spicy with a smooth, lingering finish. Discover the most flavorful of American Whiskey styles.
Masterson's Rye 10Yr.
SALE PRICE $69.97
TRIPLE GOLD MEDAL 2011 MICRO LIQUOR SPIRITS AWARDS.
The nose is immediately huge, full of caramel, citrus, and wood notes. On the palate, even bigger: Incredibly sweet, and delightfully spicy: Cinnamon and allspice, fresh orange (not peel), with a tinge of something akin to a Moroccan spice blend lacing things up. The finish brings the essence of raisins and a drying touch, but it's a little overwhelming in its sweetness.
Eagle Rare 10Yr.
SALE PRICE $33.99
Bright honey/topaz color. The early aromas include gentle grain, toasted honey-wheat bread and tobacco leaf. An oil, toasty beauty seduces the taste buds at palate entry with dry flavors of cereal grain and mild oak resin - the mid-palate include sweet and oily flavors of raisins, grapefruit, charred oak and candied almonds. The finish is long, corny sweet and moderately fiery.
Elmer T. Lee.
SALE PRICE $32.99
Best with little water or on the rocks -Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Medium gold in color; the nose brings notes of butterscotch, clover, vanilla, and old leather. The big body bears a palate with an almost wine-like character that balances intense fruits, honey, and vanilla with a light spiciness that shows off the distiller's craft. The finish is long and warm. Smooth entry, lively, butterscotch, piney, with no burn in nose, with water there is cooked pineapple on ham and carmels. On the palate its smooth with a warmer overall palate feel
Four Roses Mariage
SALE PRICE $99.99
Malt Advocate magazine rating: 87
While it may look like we?ve misspelled a word, 221;Mariage? is actually the French word for marriage. An especially appropriate description of this new limited edition small batch Bourbon collection, as well as an appropriate description of the exclusive, and artful, mingling process that has been perfected at Four Roses. Four Roses is the only Bourbon Distillery that combines five proprietary yeast strains with two separate mashbills to produce 10 distinct Bourbon recipes, each with their own unique character, spiciness, and rich fruity flavors. From time to time, our Master Distiller will select a few exceptional barrels and then, like an artist, marry their aromas, textures and flavors by hand to create a true masterpiece - an exquisite limited edition small batch Bourbon for the Mariage Collection. One time, two Bourbon recipes might be married together. Another time and it may be five. No other distillery has 10 Bourbon recipes, or the ability to marry them in this way.
Jack Daniels Angelo
SALE PRICE $27.97
Angelo became a key Ambassador for Jack Daniel?s, and over the years, he made telling the Jack Daniel?s story his passion and pleasure. Traveling the world to share the story, he was integral in helping build Jack Daniel?s and secure the place it enjoys today. In honor of Angelo?s dedication and ambassadorship, the Jack Daniel Distillery is proud to release this special bottling of Jack Daniel?s Old No. 7 to celebrate Angelo?s 90th birthday on December 24, 2010. A portion of the proceeds from this limited edition bottle will go directly to one of Angelo?s favorite charities as a token of appreciation for his friendship and the many friends he?s made for Jack.
Maker's Mark 46.
SALE PRICE $33.99
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Based on the original recipe for Maker's Mark, Maker's 46 is a new version of an old favorite. To create this interesting spirit, fully matured Maker's Mark is removed from its barrel, so that ten wooden seared staves can be affixed to the inner paneling. Searing the staves caramelizes the sugars in the wood, adding a unique flavor that finishes on the front of the tongue. The fully matured Maker's Mark is then put back in the barrel and aged several more months until it is approved by Master Distiller Kevin Smith. On the nose, Maker's 46 displays pleasant, sweet, and toasty aromas with caramel overtones. The palate is rich and creamy with seared oak flavors that lead to lingering notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice on the powerful finish.
Knob Creek
SALE PRICE $57.99
Created in the style of turn of the century bourbon, this small batch spirit has a distinct, slightly sweet flavor that is imparted during a long aging process. Aromas of toasted nuts, grain and oak lead into a sweet, woody, almost fruity palate. The finish is long, rich and glowing. Sip straight or on the rocks.
Maker's Mark.
SALE PRICE $30.98
Paul (12/1/2007) - 90-95: Superb/Highly Recommended Liquor
The base aroma is buttered corn-on-the-cob with aeration bringing additional scents of vanilla and cinnamon. The palate entry showcases sweet breakfast cereal grain; at midpalate the corn dominates so thoroughly that you know that this could only be one of the best straight bourbons from Kentucky. Ends spirity and heated. One of America's benchmark spirits.
Buffalo Trace.
SALE PRICE $21.99
93 PTS BEVERAGE TESTING INSTITUTE.
Deep amber color; elegant aromas of buttery caramel, toasted nuts, and brown spices; silky, supple entry; honeyed toasted cornbread toast, intense brown spices.
Kelt XO.
SALE PRICE $169.99
Kelt XO Cognac undergoes a Tour du Monde--a nautical voyage around the world--as its final step in maturation. Though cognac and other spirits are now generally transported in bottles, prior to the 20th century, they were exported in barrels. Harking back to this tradition, the producer has revived this additional step. They believe that due to changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure, it accelerates and transforms the aging process to create a better spirit. While we're not sure how much of an effect the oceanic travel has, it's undeniable that this is an absolutely stunning cognac. A deep mahogany color, Kelt XO boasts concentrated aromas of caramel, candied citrus peel, fresh herbs, and pepper. The palate is medium-to-full-bodied, with a rich texture and a notably evolving finish; this is a spirit to sip and contemplate.
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Maison Gautier 10eme Generation.
SALE PRICE $299.99
Silver Medal International Wine & Spirit Competition 2008 England.
Tradition Rare, with a limited annual production of just 2,400 numbered bottles, is a blend of Cognacs taken from the very oldest reserves of the Gautier Paradise Cellar faithfully handed down over the last ten generations of the Gautier family. The result is a unique blend of rare, mellow Cognacs with truly unique flavours. This Cognac benefits from its powerfulness, first evidenced by its mahogany colour and its vanilla nose and then by its rich, complex aromas combining the mellowness of candied fruit subsequently enhanced by its spiciness and intense notes of ?rancio?.
Delamaine XO.
SALE PRICE $79.97
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011 Finalist.
Brilliant pale gold in color, this superb Cognac is distinguished by its remarkable delicacy and refinement. The grape and vanillin aromas are confirmed on the palate, where intense yet elegant fruit flavors are offset by floral and licorice notes which linger in the extended finish.. Beautifully floral with loads of dried black fruits, brown spices, marzipan, toffee, maple syrup, and butterscotch. Absolutely seamless and perfectly balanced.. Blended from Cognacs of an average age of 25 years, this is a transparent, pale gold spirit marked by notes of vine flower and grape, with a delicate, refinement texture ending on notes of grape, toast and vanilla.
Hennessy VS.
SALE PRICE $28.99
85-89 Points-The Wine Enthusiast
A blend of the finest cognacs, aged to full maturity in oak barrels in the town of Cognac. Full bodied with a pronounced aroma of oak and hazelnuts, a rich floral taste with tones of red berries and vanilla. Aged for at least 2-5 years.
Courvoisier VSOP.
SALE PRICE $40.99
Aged 6-10 years. Rich amber color. Floral, vanilla, grilled almond, prune, subtle and harmonious aroma. Warm and delicate body. Fine, light distinctive taste. Very good finish.
Remy Martin VSOP.
SALE PRICE $28.99
93pts WE
Offering aromas of concentrated vanilla, dried apricots and intense jasmine, R?my Martin V.S.O.P Premier Cru is multi-layered in texture and lingers on the palate. Luminous amber in tone, this is a perfectly balanced yet intense cognac.
Ansac VS.
SALE PRICE $17.99
Ansac Cognac is made from grapes grown in the Petite Champagne and Fins Bois regions, two of the premier growing areas within the Charente departement of Cognac. A product of Unicognac, one of Frances leading Cognac houses, Ansac has grown rapidly over the past several years to now rank as one of the top brands in the category.
Le Trio De Delamain.
SALE PRICE $169.99
Trio of PALE & DRY, VESPER, TRES VENERABLE. Three little bottles of 200Ml in a box. Nice present to discover three magnificient qualities of the Delamain House.
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Folle Blanche des Domaines.
SALE PRICE $31.99
Godiva Chocolate Liqueur.
SALE PRICE $27.99
Its ultra-velvety dark taste is sublime, its balance not overly sweet. The magnificence of the most decadent chocolate you can imagine, made divine as a sumptuous liqueur. The Godiva Chocolate Martini is a must, combining irresistible Godiva Liqueur with Absolut Vodka, creating your most unique martini experience.
Rum Chata.
SALE PRICE $17.97
A delicious blend of sweet dairy cream, rum and cinnamon. It is rum cream made as an authentic replica of the best Horchata you have ever tasted. It is made from scratch using real ingredients - rice, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. This is Real Horchata, not an imitation flavored horchata beverage.
Voyant Chai.
SALE PRICE $23.99
Voyant Chai Cream Liqueur is blended to perfection using the finest ingredients from around the World. Aged Virgin Island Rum, Fresh Dutch Cream, Black Tea from India, Premium Spirits from Holland and a Distinctive Blend of Spices from Asia give Voyant Chai Cream Liqueur the Rich, Creamy Smoothness that you should expect from a Premium Liqueur.
Bailey's Irish Cream.
SALE PRICE $38.98
93 PTS BEVERAGE TESTING INSTITUTE.
Baileys is produced using the best quality ingredients: fresh Irish dairy cream, Irish whiskey and natural flavours. The cream used in Baileys is delivered daily in insulated tankers and processed on the day it arrives. The Irish whiskey is triple distilled. The great taste of Baileys is consistently delivered by combining the finest quality ingredients in a unique recipe. Baileys contains no preservatives and has a shelf life of 24 months.. The dominant aromatic feature is caramel. The palate entry features the cream/dairy element as much as caramel and nuts; the midpalate highlights the cream, the caramel flavoring, the spirit and the gentle spice. Concludes smooth, satiny and properly creamy with greater emphasis on the spice than the caramel.
Vandermint.
SALE PRICE $18.99
Few things are as obscure and good as Vandermint: the chocolate and mint liqueur from Holland. You might not take milk glass-like bottle seriously but the contents will surpise and likely amaze. Unlike its lesser mint & chocolate counterparts this elixir is smooth, rich, creamy and alluring - all without being milky, syrupy sweet or heavy in any way. Dont be fooled, this is a serious drink with refined taste. If you want alcohol steeped candy, look elsewhere. A few sips and you'll be solving the world's problems from your sofa throne in no time at all.
Irish Manor.
SALE PRICE $9.99
Truly a legendary Irish Cream made with only the finest Irish spirits and the richest Irish Cream. At the end of a cold day, Irish hunters would retrun from the forest to their favorite manor house. They would sit by a fire and relax with an Irish Cream Liqueur. One recipe was so delicious it was praised as Legendary. It is this elixir one finds in this bottle.
Merry's Cappuccino Cream.
SALE PRICE $9.99
Traditional taste of fine Italian coffee and smooth Irish Cream unite, to deliver Cappuccino Cream experience with a hint of chocolate.
Slick Nick's Picks
Slick Nick has been testing and comparing beers so thatWineStreetcan offer
you the BEST BEERS for your enjoyment.
Nick has made his choices and hopes you enjoy
them.
.
WineStreet Demo
Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $10.49
California
Winter Warmer 5.50% ABV
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Bell's 6pk Btl (Selected Varieties)
SALE PRICE $8.99
Michigan
(Brown Ale, Porter, Amber, Pale Ale & Lager of the North)
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Bitburger 4pk Btl
SALE PRICE $5.99
Germany
German Pilsener 4.80% ABV
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Blue Moon 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $8.19
Colorado
Witbier 5.40% ABV
Budweiser, Bud Light & Select 55 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $5.99
Missouri
(All Types)
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Busch 24pk Cans
SALE PRICE $14.99
Missouri
(All Types)
Corona 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $14.99
Mexico
American Adjunct Lager 4.60% ABV
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Crispin Light 4pk Btls
SALE PRICE $7.49
Minnesota
Natural Hard Apple Cider 3.2% ABV
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Deschutes Brewery 6pk Btl (All Types)
SALE PRICE $9.49
Oregon
Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Inversion IPA & Black Butte Porter.
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Founders 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $9.49
Michigan
(All Types)
Founding Fathers 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $10.99
Minnesota
Lager
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Grain Belt Nordeast 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $11.99
Minnesota
American Amber / Red Lager 4.70% ABV
Granite City 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $7.99
Wisconsin
(All Types)
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Guinness Draught 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $14.99
Ireland
Irish Dry Stout 4.20% ABV
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Heineken 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $13.99
Netherlands
Euro Pale Lager 5.00% ABV
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Hoegaarden 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $9.29
Belgium
Witbier 4.90% ABV
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Lagunitas Limited Release 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $9.99
California
Wild Ale 9.40% ABV
Leinenkugel's Crafts 12pk Btl (All Types)
SALE PRICE $11.99
Wisconsin
(All Types)
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Michelob Golden & Golden Light
SALE PRICE $18.99
Missouri
(All Types)
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Michelob Ultra 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $6.49
Missouri
Regular, Lime Cactus & Pomegranate Raspberry
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Mike's Hard Lemonade 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $8.49
Washington
(All Types)
Miller High Life 24pk Cans
SALE PRICE $12.97
Wisconsin
Miller High Life & High Life Light
Miller Lite, MGD & MGD 64 18 pk Btl
SALE PRICE $12.97
Wisconsin
Lager
Miller Lite, MGD & MGD 64 24pk Cans
SALE PRICE $16.97
Wisconsin
Lager
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Modelo Especial
SALE PRICE $8.49
Mexico
American Adjunct Lager 4.40% ABV
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New Belgium 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $14.99
Colorado
(All Types)
New Planet 4pk Btl ( Gluten Free )
SALE PRICE $7.99
Colorado
Off Grid Pale Ale & Tread Lightly Ale
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Odell 6pk Btl.
SALE PRICE $10.49
Colorado
(All Types)
Image Not Available
Paulaner 6pk Btl (All Types)
SALE PRICE $9.99
Germany
(All Types)
Peroni 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $12.97
Italy
Euro Pale Lager 5.10% ABV
Pilsner Urquell 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $12.97
Czech Republic
Czech Pilsner 4.40% ABV
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Red Bridge 6pk Btl (Gluten Free)
SALE PRICE $9.49
Missouri
American Amber, Red Lager 4.00% ABV
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Samuel Adams 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $13.99
Massachusetts
(All Types)
Image Not Available
Shiner Bock
SALE PRICE $12.99
Texas
Bock 4.40% ABV
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Shock Top 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $14.99
Missouri
Witbier 5.20% ABV
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Sierra Nevada 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $14.99
California
(Pale Ale, Torpedo & Tumbler)
Image Not Available
Smirnoff Ice 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $7.49
Connecticut
(All Types)
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Smithwick's 6pk Btl
SALE PRICE $8.99
Ireland
Irish Red Ale 4.50% ABV
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Stella Artois 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $15.99
Belgium
Euro Pale Lager 5.00% ABV
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Strongbow Cider 4pk Cans
SALE PRICE $9.49
U.K.
Hard Cider
Summit 12pk Btl (All Types)
SALE PRICE $12.97
Minnesota
(All Types)
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Tallgrass 4pk Cans (Selected Varieties)
SALE PRICE $7.99
Kansas
(IPA, Ale & Stout)
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Tilburg's 4pk Btl
SALE PRICE $5.99
Netherlands
Belgian Dark Ale 5.00% ABV
Tyskie 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $12.97
Poland
Euro Pale Lager 5.60% ABV
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SALE PRICE $0.00
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Alaskan 6pk Btl (All Types)
SALE PRICE $8.99
Alaska
(All Types)
Amstel 12pk Btl
SALE PRICE $13.99
Netherlands
Light Lager 3.50% ABV
Current Connoisseurs Connection
We have searched far and wide to bring you quality offerings at reasonable prices.
WineStreet strives to remain the BEST place for you to purchase wines and spirits for your enjoyment.
BradWinePage
Current Coupon
We have searched far and wide to bring you quality offerings at reasonable prices.
WineStreetstrives to remainthe BEST place for you to purchase wines and spirits for your enjoyment.
10% off any single Liquor or Wine
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or
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This Coupon Valid Now until 3/13/2014
Take an additional 10% off the lowest Marked Price on any Single Liquor or Single Wine!
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Market Buster We've done our homework, so you don't have to.
Any 12 Bottles for $99.99 ($8.34 each)
Single bottle at $9.99 Values up to $15.00
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Closeout Corner
Brad is moving these to make room for more atWineStreet.
All product is in stock with immediate availability and will be sold on a first come first served basis.
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Domaine Faiveley 2010 1825, Pierre Faiveley founded the firm that now bears the name Domaine Faiveley. At that time, the firm was classic negociant, buying and selling wine. But from generation to generation, with a firm commitment to the quality of Burgundy’s patrimony, the Faiveley family has purchased vineyard and is today among the largest owners of classified vineyards in the Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune and Cotes Chalonnaise. All together the firm owns some 120 hectare of vineyards among which 10 hectares are grands crus and 25, premiers crus.
The objective of the family today, led by Erwan Faiveley, is to increase the firm’s holdings of great vineyards so that there can be complete control from vine to bottle across the entire range of wines. Along with this focus, Erwan Faiveley and General Manager Bernard Hervet have renovated the cellars which now boast state of the art barrel presses, custom designed wooden vats and among the finest, air cured oak casks available in the world.
Unlike many wine growers, Domaine Faiveley has united the management of its vineyards and its cellar under the direction of one technical director, Jerome Flous. The result is seamless integration of vineyard and cellar practices with great results in the quality of the wines. Today, the wines of Domaine Faiveley are widely recognized for being among the finest produced in Burgundy and Domaine Faiveley among the finest wine producers in the world.
2010 Domaine Faiveley CEO/adviser Bernard Hervet describes 2010 as a moderately ripe year, but the aromatic complexity, precision and energy of the best 2010s here, in many instances reinforced by some whole-cluster vinification, make a strong argument that coolish growing seasons can make splendid and complete red Burgundies. The malos here were on the early side (the chardonnay malos were generally later), with most of the wines finishing in March and April of 2011, but the wines will nonetheless be bottled a bit later than usual.
4: 2010 Beaune Clos De L'Ecu $320.00/6 Good bright red. Reticent aromas of dark cherry and crushed stone show a building spice character with air; less exuberant than the Champs Fulliot. Lovely definition and lift to the youthfully closed flavors of pomegranate, cherry and orange zest. Finishes firmly tannic and closed, but with excellent energy and subtle lingering perfume. These south-facing vines were picked at the beginning of the harvest. 89-92 Cask sample - medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; baked cherry, ripe cherry, berry nose; lovely, ripe cherry, ripe raspberry palate with grip and sweet tannins; medium-plus finish 91-93 points (91 pts.) 88-91 BUrghound Tasting note: Classic ruby. This is very pinot with a highly expressive nose of ripe cherry and raspberry that is cut with notes of wet stone and earth. The medium-bodied flavors are attractively rich and very supple on the mid-palate yet tighten up significantly on the firmer, serious and persistent finish where a touch of wood influence arrives just at the end.
4: 2010 Volnay Santenots $462.00/6 Bright, full, deep red. Crushed cherry, raspberry, minerals, cocoa powder and coriander on the vibrant nose. Sweet, fine-grained and subtly powerful, with terrific inner-mouth perfume and lift. Wonderfully classy Volnay, finishing bright, suavely tannic and very long. Consultant Bernard Hervet did a light extraction here, and believes that this cuvee got a bit too much pigeage in 2008. 92-94
90-93 Burghound Tasting note: Very deep ruby. An explosive and highly complex nose offers up aromas of raspberry and cherry liqueur along with hints of lavender and violets. The medium-bodied flavors possess outstanding richness and volume with excellent levels of dry extract that render the tannins almost invisible at present though the finish is sufficiently firm to suggest that they will require 12 to 15 years to fully resolve. I very much like the balance and sense of harmony here.
4: 2010 Pommard Les Rugiens $550.00/6 Good full, bright red. Subtle, high-pitched aromas of cherry, tobacco, leather and dried rose. Sweet, creamy and deep, with some CO2 adding to the impression of freshness. Wonderfully perfumed, very long wine, finishing with outstanding finesse of tannins, complex saline soil tones, and terrific energy and lift. Pommard without a whisper of rusticity. 92-95
91-93 Burghound Tasting note: A fresh, cool and restrained nose of surpassing elegance displays airy red berry fruit, in particular raspberry and currant. Interestingly for a Rugiens, this is almost delicate on the mid-palate but there is excellent power and plenty of underlying tension to the very firmly structured, linear and somewhat strict if wonderfully persistent and impeccably well-balanced finish. I wouldn't buy this unless you expressly intend to cellar it for at least a decade.
4: 2010 Gevrey Chambertin Cazetiers $515.00/6 Good deep red. Lovely lift to the aromas of cherry and rose petal. Sweet, suave and juicy, with terrific definition and class to the bright flavors of cherry, minerals, flowers and spices. Silky and stylish. Mounts impressively on the very long finish, which features suave tannins and captivating lingering perfume. 92-95
92-94 Burghound Tasting note: A brilliantly layered nose of impressive depth and breadth speaks of similar aromas as the Combe Aux Moines though this is more Gevrey in character. This is a powerful wine with plenty of mid-palate concentration to the amazingly rich, intense and tautly muscular flavors that culminate in a mouth coating, balanced and astonishingly long finish. A classic Cazetiers with everything that it needs to reward 15+ years of cellar time
Cask sample - light-medium cherry red color; lovely, focused, floral, tart cherry, framboise nose; rich, elegant, complex, tart cherry, ripe raspberry, mineral palate; needs 4-plus years; medium-plus finish 92-94 points (92 pts.)
2: 2010 Clos De Vougeot $1049.00/6 (just 20 hectoliters per hectare produced): Good deep red. Very pure, complex nose melds black cherry, minerals, black pepper, wild herbs and an earthy nuance. Large-scaled, sweet and rich, with a strong mineral underpinning to the flavors of black cherry and spices. A very powerful and impressive Clos Vougeot with outstanding persistence. The crop-limiting effect of the December frost has produced a wine with stunning concentration. 93-96 92-95 Burghound Tasting note: This is unusually elegant in 2010 with its refined nose of raspberry and earth though there are background notes of grilled meat and smoke. The supple, mouth coating and utterly delicious broad-shouldered flavors possess a silky texture yet there is plenty of power and punch to the very firmly structured finish. While there is a certain delicacy present, this will still need all of 15 years to realize its full potential
2: 2010 Latricieres-Chambertin $1169.00/6 Good bright red. Noble, airy aromas of piquant pomegranate, smoky minerality, white pepper and leather. Densely packed and folded in on itself; like a black hole in the mouth. Great verve and energy to the saline and crushed stone flavors. Uncoils slowly with aeration, with the finish displaying almost painful intensity and terrific mounting floral length. A great soil-driven Latricieres in the making. 93-96
93-95 Burghound Tasting note: This offers up a completely different aromatic profile than that of the Mazis with its extremely cool, restrained and ultra-elegant nose of a broad range of wild red berry fruits, stone, floral notes and spice hints. There is exceptionally good purity and transparency to the intensely mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that evidence ample power on the impeccably well-balanced and linear finish. This is a really lovely effort that embodies that ineffable quality of power without weight.
2: 2010 Chambertin-Clos De Beze $1799.99/6 Good bright full red. Sensational nose features all the Burgundy food groups: raspberry, minerals, flowers, game, spices. Pure silk on the palate, with a wonderfully fine-grained texture given lift and razor-sharp definition by sappy acidity and a piquant element of white pepper. Offers a rare combination of density and delineation and finishes with outstanding building length and great finesse. 94-97 Cask sample - light medium cherry red color; appealing, baked cherry, ripe cherry, vanilla, baked berry nose; tasty, rich, ripe, tart cherry, raspberry, baked cherry palate with delicacy; long finish 94-97 points (94 pts.)
94-97 Burghound Tasting note: A highly spiced nose features notes of cool red currant, plum, violets and wet stone along with ample amounts of pungent Gevrey style earth. There is impressive richness and size to the powerful and well-concentrated large-scaled flavors that are underpinned by buried tannins before culminating in a huge finish that is also monumentally proportioned. This built-to-age beauty will also require a considerable amount of patience as it should see its 50th birthday without undue effort.
4: 2010 Corton-Clos Des Cortons Faiveley $999.99/6 Deep red with ruby tones. Sappy, perfumed nose offers cherry, white pepper, crushed stone, mint and menthol. Wonderfully velvety in the mouth, but with superb energy and definition to the pungent mineral and fresh raspberry flavors. Boasts a three-dimensional texture and great sweetness. Peppery acidity and uncanny soil complexity stain the palate on the finish, which features outstanding finesse of tannins. A worthy successor to the great 2009. 94-97
94-96 Burghound Tasting note: A brooding, deep and introverted nose grudgingly gives up notes of cassis, earth, wood and a hint of animale. The intense, brawny and imposingly structured flavors possess superb volume and almost breathtaking power on the explosive and mouth coating finish that is of monumental proportions. This is a classic Corton yet consistent with the style of the 2010 vintage, this is not unduly rustic, indeed the tannins, while firm, are actually relatively refined. A knock out by any standard but at the same time, a wine for the genuinely patient. on 2/13/2012 & rated 95 points Cask sample - medium cherry red color; gorgeous, ripe cherry, roses, wild berry nose; wonderful, very appealing, cherry, baked cherry, ripe raspberry palate with balance; long finish 95-98 points
Weekly News & Specials
el nido "clio"! 
The much anticipated 2006 Roederer Cristal has arrived! This all estate-grown Champagne is from the chalkiest parts of the largest family holding of vines in the entire region. Mostly from old, mid-slope vines, the 2006 is composed of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. This vintage was 20% fermented in oak with weekly lees stirring to give the wine richness, even though there is no malolactic fermentation. The dosage is between eight to ten grams per liter. 
Nothing gets rushed at Corliss Estates in Walla Walla, and this Meritage-style blend exemplifies that. The five traditional red Bordeaux varieties were barrel-aged in 70% new French oak for 2 1/2 years before spending two years in bottle prior to release. That regimen explains the wine’s classic and refined approach, starting with heady aromas of dusty cherry, dark plum, Baker’s chocolate, allspice and coconut. There’s a boldness to the flavors of Bing cherries and dark chocolate, backed by tobacco leaf, cracked black pepper and sandy tannins.Rating: Excellent Production: 534 cases Alcohol: 14.9%
Wine Advocate 94+ points: "Just about as good, the Bordeaux blend 2008 Corliss is comprised of 34% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec that spent 30 months in 65% new French oak. Almost a meal on its own, it has full, rich aromas and flavors of currants, smoked herbs, milk chocolate and potpourri to go with a full-bodied, beautifully textured and balanced palate. Youthfully structured and tannic, it needs another 1-2 years of bottle age and will keep for 10-15 years. Drink 2015-2023."
You’re all going to know it very soon that the 2012 growing season for grapes in California is off the charts great, and that’s translating into some extremely great values at the retail level. The chardonnays are coming in right now and the 2102 Meridian from California is no exception! But, there’s something you don’t know is that Meridian was one of the first vineyards, first wineries to plant grapes up and down the Central Coast of California nearly thirty years ago. They are now leveraging that to make superb wine during exceptional growing years, just like this year! They are making wines like this needle in a haystack $9-10.00 Chardonnay, which exhibits a lot of fine wine characteristics!
This wine is an absolute masterpiece, it’s hard to do better than this $10.00 Chardonnay from Meridian Vineyards! What makes it so special is the outstanding fruit, it’s absolutely all about the fruit, and what we’re talking about is beautiful apple; tropical fruit flavors; pineapple; melon; a little bit of oak and a little bit of butter in a clean and delightful way! The finish has hints of vanilla, but what really balances it is just enough oak to put this thing into balance. When compared in a blind tasting, many of your friends and family will easily put this wine with the $15.00 – $20.00 Chardonnay. That’s why this wine is so fantastic!
Coors light "Football" 12 pk. 
In the Bottle 4.5/5: Pictured to the left is the new bottle design for the My only quibble with the design is the lack of specific detail on the label regarding the age of the rum in the bottle, and the fact that only one year of that age is actually spent in a single barrel before bottling. I’m not saying that the label should be cluttered with information, but the vintages of the rums in the blend should be highlighted.
As always, I like the use of high density straight sided corks to crown the bottle presentation. I also like that the bottle has the words Cruzan embossed into the sides which gives the glass texture and makes it easier to grip.
In the Glass 9/10: The rum displays a rich bronze colour in the glass. Once poured, I immediately noticed a rich toffee scent which seems to have a nice oak spice embedded in the aroma. I catch hints of maple in the breezes as well as vanilla and orange citrus peel. In all, this is a rich pleasant nose that brings all the right elements to the fore.
Thick viscous legs formed when I swirled the glass and I noticed that as the glass decanted the nose became deeper and displayed a rich baking spice aroma. Hints of cinnamon have joined, and I am eager to begin the sampling.
In the Mouth 53.5/60: A nice spicy tingle greeted my tongue as the rum entered my mouth. Oak disguised as citrus peel and the taste of butterscotch led the way with a gush of dried fruit mixed in. I also taste deeper notes of charred sugars which give an impression of treacle, and a slightly smoky sensation which one encounters when tasting a spirit with a sherry influence. Perhaps some Spanish oak was used in the aging barrels of a portion of the blend.
The spirit seems to have become richer and more complex over time. When I first encountered this rum in 2009 , I remember the rum being pleasant, but it did not exhibit the complexity I encounter with the present bottling. In spite the complexity, the spirit is very approachable and mild. The rum doesn’t try to clobber you over the head with anything in particular; instead all of the flavours coexist well making this a very pleasant sipper.
In the Throat 13/15: The only burn I feel is from the oak spices which makes this a clean crisp rum on the exit. Haunting trails of brown sugar, cinnamon and maple are felt on the finish which could perhaps be a little longer. Then again sometimes I prefer the clean finish of a good column distilled rum.
The Afterburn 9/10: The Cruzan Single Barrel Rum seems to get better every time I taste it. When I open a bottle, it seems to disappear far too fast, and I found myself wandering over to my local store to pick up another to keep my collection intact. I cannot think of a better endorsement than that. A nice easy sipper with just enough complexity to keep the rum interesting. 
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This is one of the most delicious Syrah we've tasted over the past year at any price point. But that shouldn't come as a huge surprise as it is made by Jean-Marc Lafage, one of the hottest winemakers on the planet. He is making outstanding wine in Spain and South America but his best is from his own vineyards in France. This wine is made from organically farmed 100% old-vines Syrah and Grenache and it was rated 93 points by Robert Parker, calling it "brilliantly pure with a stunning nose" and that he is "honored to share my excitement about this amazing wine". We totally agree! Enjoy...
"Brilliantly pure with a stunning nose" - Wine Advocate!!! 
We have again been notified of substantial price increases
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