Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay
$78.99
Lovely nose of stonefruits, with lemon and a distinct mineral edge. The palate leads with nutty stonefruit, followed by crisp acid and cleansing minerality. Very rich and mouth-coating, yet with a bracing clean finish and plenty of grip. The tension is evident despite the riper flavors than one would normally see in this wine; certainly no sign of New World fatness. A wine with considerable ageing potential.
Weinbach Pinot Blanc
$61.99
Beginning with 2005, all of Weinbach's vineyards are being biodynamically farmed. That's quite a feat and so are their wines. Their Pinot Blanc thrives in Alsace. It's clean and fresh, delicately fruity, well constituted with a nice suppleness and a hint of candied lemon peel on the finish. Weinbach recommends pairing with an onion tart or quiche. We say, why wait for dinner - it's great as an aperitif!
Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel
$84.99
In Mike Officer's words:
I started with five gallons of Zinfandel in my kitchen. Over the next several years, I made a barrel of Zinfandel each vintage with the help of some friends and my wife, Kendall Carlisle. The results were encouraging. Kendall and I moved to Santa Rosa in Sonoma County to be closer to the “source”. I found myself increasingly drawn to the old-vine vineyards of Sonoma County. There was something special, even magical, about those ancient, twisted vines with their deep roots and long histories. By 1997 we were producing over 300 cases of “garage” wine, mostly vineyard-designated old-vine Zinfandels, and winning numerous gold medals in amateur competitions. Hence, it was with our meagre savings and some family support that Kendall and I launched Carlisle Winery & Vineyards in 1998, concentrating on our two loves, old-vine Zinfandel and red Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah). Our goal was simple but ambitious: to create small lots of distinctive, world-class wines from some of California’s most exceptional vineyards. With the belief that great wine begins in the vineyard, we sought out Zinfandel from some of the finest vineyards in the county, planted between 1888 and 1934, including our own vineyard planted in 1927 by Alcide Pelletti. In February of 2001, Jay Maddox, an old college friend who had just finished getting a second degree in viticulture and enology (with honors!) from U.C. Davis, joined Carlisle, bringing a wealth of knowledge, a keen palate, and a desire to produce nothing but the best without compromise. Together, we have been able to grow to nearly 10,000 cases, garnering high praise from wine critics and consumers alike.
Finlaggan Old Islay Res Cask Strength
$79.99
Believed to be Caol Ila, the whisky is bottled at a cask strength of 58%. Finlaggan is an Islay mystery malt named for the most historically significant site on Islay. Loch (lake) Finlaggan--named after St. Findulgan who is believed to have brought Christianity to Islay--and its islands were the political and social capital of the Lord's of the Isles, who ruled the Western Isles of Scotland for over 400 years. Finlaggan Cask Strength is put together by the Vintage Malt Whisky Company, whom are also responsible for the Cooper's Choice and Ileach lineup. It is bottled at a batch strength of 58% ABV.
Mordoree La Dame Rousse`Tavel
$54.99
Domaine de la Mordorée is located in Tavel, in the southern Rhône valley. Created in 1986 by Francis Delorme and his son Christophe, the family business owes its fame to Christophe Delorme, who has raised the Domaine to the level of one of the greatest domaines in Tavel and Lirac. Madeleine & Ambre their daughter managed the company since 2016 with the team in place. The wines are certified biodynamic and the name is from the local dialect for the woodcock that flies over the vineyards during its migration.
Kay Brothers HIllside Shiraz
$59.99
"Dark chocolate, mulberries and savory spice all come together on the nose of the 2015 Hillside Shiraz. It's a dense, concentrated wine, richly structured and tannic but not unapproachable with a rare hunk of beef or lamb. The Kay Brothers wines make no concessions to modernity, sticking to the tried and true methods of crafting traditional, cellar-worthy Shiraz." Wine Advocate
Vina Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon
$29.99
From one of North America's wine-making stars. Vina Cobos Winery is a brand new facility set at the at the foot of the Andes in semi-desert terrain where grapes thrive under expert care. Paul Hobbs is the winemaker here. There's lots of flavor in this wine, which has a lovely bouquet of spice box, violets and blackcurrants. Full-bodied and layered. Supple with excellent depth and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish.
Auchentoshan 12 Year
$66.99
This triple distilled 12 year is matured in a mix of Oloroso Sherry & ex-Bourbon casks before bottling at 40%.
Proprieta Sperino Uvaggio
$69.99
Paolo De Marchi is one of Italy's most respected artisans and he's the soul behind Isole e Olena in Tuscany. Paolo has winemaking in his blood and now he's taken three red grapes native to Italy and made a powerful red blend of Nebbiolo, Vespolina and Croatina. Fine, silky tannins balance earthy fruit and bright floral aromatics. This is a refined red.