Featured Importer

Importer Dan Kravitz of Hand Picked Selections
“Kravitz still has a knack for finding good wines at great prices” – Robert Parker, Parker on Wine, BusinessWeek.

2007 Ninet de Pena Viognier....$11.99
It is almost impossible to find a great Viognier for under $20, and to find one from France--forget about it. Coindrieu which made the grape famous in France all sell for $50 plus now. Ninet de Pena's 100% Viognier is the only one that is delicious and affordable. Period. At $12 you get an extremely exotic nose of fruits including pineapple, apricot and mango. It is fresh and lively served by itself or try it with seafood. It also makes a great Sushi wine.

2008 Villa des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon....$9.99
"Villa des Anges 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is as remarkable and improbable a wine value as I have tasted in years. Jacqueline Menard de Ginestous (whose estate is officially named Espitalet des Anges) and oenologist Jeff Carrel have done the seemingly impossible – even forgetting the price – by crafting a full-bodied, subtly oily-textured, palpably dense, lip-smacking, not vegetal, yet not sweet Cabernet in the Languedoc. What’s more, there are 15,000 cases of it! Juniper, huckleberry, mint, rosemary, black walnut, dark chocolate, and green olive are prominent in the nose and on the palate, leading to a considerable finish. One-third went through malo-lactic transformation in older barrels, and the rest (including 15% Merlot) was left in tank. The lovely, distinctive label with its maroon angel’s head might remind some wine lovers of 18th century tombstones, but the message in the bottle is anything but macabre....you’ll want some of this just to stump other wine snobs in blind tastings."
Rated 89/100 The Wine Advocate


2006 Chateau Massamier "Expression" Carignan....$16.99
Chateau Massamier is located near the famous walled city of Carcassonne (known for the famous regional dish Cassoulet). Many of you are familiar with one of our favorite everyday reds Massamier Cuvee Olivier. The "Expression" line is the reserve line from this great producer. The "Expression de Carignan" uses the oldest lots of Carignan on the estate many are 60+ years old. What do these old vines do for the wine? They produce lower yields and a more complex and concentrated wine. This wine will go great with grilled meats and of course it is perfect with Cassoulet and other hearty stews.


2005 Vinas de Vila Fundacion....$7.99
"The emphasis here is squarely on value. Tinto Fundación, Vila's flagship blend of Bonarda, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, is truly among the world's best wine values, and perfectly embodies the HPS ethos of QUALITY, CHARACTER & VALUE." -- Dan Kravitz, importer

NV Pierre Boniface Brut de Savoie Les Rocailles....$17.99
A blend of 60% Jacquère, 20% Chardonnay and 20% Altesse. Alright, so you have only heard of 1 of the 3 grapes, it does not matter--what does matter is how delicous this sparkling wine tastes! "A knock-out value, reminiscent of an Italian Prosecco, is the non-vintage Brut de Savoie. It is an elegant, medium-bodied, frothy, sparkling white possessing yeasty notes intermixed with hints of citrus and wheat thins. Fruity, light, an d refreshing, it is an easy-going sparkler to enjoy as an aperitif."
-- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate


2007 Jacqueson Rully 1er Cru Pucelles Blanc...$29.99
Importer, Dan Kravitz, says that Jacqueson is his favorite wine in his portfolio. He has more Jacqueson in his own personal cellar than any other wine. His reason is quality, quality, and value. $30 Value? Yes, when you are talking about Burgundy and this Rully Pucelles is a 1er Cru.

"Tasting Notes: A wine of great richness, balance, and complexity, with vibrant fruit and light honey and floral aromas in perfect balance with prominent oak character. Big and round on the palate, with a lingering finish. Serve With: Excellent with poultry, richly sauced fish preparations, and dishes featuring savory cheeses (goat cheese tart, for example)." -- Dan Kravitz, importer

2007 Jacqueson Rully Chaponnieres Rouge...$29.99
"Tasting Notes: Ripe, red cherry character, with delicate oak and sous-bois aromas. Well-structured, with intense fruit and firm tannins on the palate. Serve With: Excellent with rich cheeses and hearty baked dishes such as roast chicken with cream sauce and shepherd's pie." -- Dan Kravitz, importer


2008 Les Valles Macobeo/Chardonnay....$9.99
This wine comes from the Spanish Appellation of Carinena and is a blend of 80% Macabeo and 20% Chardonnay. We are always on the look out for new and exciting wines and this one really struck a cord with all of our wine buyers. A great white wine blend for an amazing price.
"Tasting Notes: Macabeo, which is widely planted in northern Spain, brings citrus character and a smooth texture, with the Chardonnay providing tropical fruit and a mouth watering acidity. Serve With: Excellent with salads, appetizers and other lighter fare, and delicately flavored seafood like sole and tilapia."-- Dan Kravitz, importer



2008 Travis Chardonnay Unfiltered....$15.99
This continues to be one of our most popular "unoaked" Chardonnays. 2008 is at least the 5th vintage we have been a fan of this wine. Travis is produced from Monterey fruit and is the pure expression of Chardonnay at its finest. It is a bright, lively, fresh wine with NO oak and it is bottled unfiltered. All of this translates into a fantastic value that easily works at the dinner table. It can match with an ubelievable variety of food. Most California Chardonnays are not food friendly. This is wine resembles a white Burgundy, but sells for a quarter of the price.


2004 Laurence Feraud Gigondas...$21.99
One of my favorite visits in France was to Domaine du Pegau and tasting with Laurence herself.
"In addition to running the legendary Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate Domaine du Pegau with her father Paul, Laurence Féraud manages a successful negociant wine business under the "Sélection Laurence Féraud" label" -- Dan Kravitz

"Compact for now, showing a solid layer of blackberry fruit, with tar, hot stone and mineral notes and a gutsy finish. Should stretch out a bit with cellaring. Drink now through 2009. 250 cases imported. –JM"
Rated 90/100 The Wine Spectator


2007 Domaine Cabirau "Le Bonte des Amis".....$26.99
"Vinified under the watchful eye of the proprietors of Domaine de L’Edre (the “friends” referred to in its name), Kravitz’s old vines Grenache 2007 La Bonte des Amis is far more serious wine. Here, ripe, pure sweet black raspberry and strawberry fruit is tinged with orange zest, mint, and resin, and underlain by rich roasted meat, chestnut, and dark chocolate. Hints of white pepper and crushed stone add interest to the finish, where in addition a lovely sense of lift and refreshment emerges for all of the liqueur- and jam-like sweetness of fruit that underlies this wine. Jacques Castany of L’Edre points out that the picking date is critical for Grenache in Maury as it begins to lose its freshness almost as soon as it’s reached expressive ripeness. The date seems to have been judged perfectly this time around. How it might age is a fascinating topic to discuss with the project’s partners. I suspect it might well reward six or more years of cellaring."
-- Rated 92/100 The Wine Advocate

2007 Domaine Cabirau Serge and Tony...$14.99
"Domaine Cabirau designates the small, new property in Maury purchased by importer Dan Kravitz. Named for the gentlemen who oversee his vines and vinification, the 2007 Grenache Serge & Tony is raised in tank from the fruit of 20 year old vines, and had only been bottled shortly before I tasted it. An exuberant nose of ripe black raspberry is mingled with mint and smoked meat. What this (by local standards) young vines cuvee lacks in complexity, it makes up for in sheer, mouth-filling generosity of fruit, and a lip-smacking finish." -- The Wine Advocate

Great Chardonnay --

2006 Mount Eden Chardonnay Estate....$46.99

Simply delicious, a rich, buttery style, with ripe, vivid and delicate peach, pear and honeydew melon fruit that's complex, concentrated and full-bodied, offering excellent length and depth. Creamy oak adds a touch of smoke and vanilla. The texture is silky. Drink now through 2016. 2,387 cases made. –JL"

Rated 96/100 The Wine Spectator

Almost perfect...

R Wines "The Wine" Shiraz....$129.99

"The Wine is presumably the vinous equivalent of The Band. Qualitatively they have much in common, competing at the summit of their respective categories. The Wine features a bar code for a label. It is a barrel selection as well as a vineyard block selection from the renowned Hoffman Vineyard in the Ebenezer sub-region of the Barossa Valley. There are 200 cases of the 2004 Shiraz which was sourced from 40- to 80-year-old vines and aged for 36 months in French barriques and hogsheads. It offers up a super expressive nose of toasty oak, smoke, pencil lead, truffle, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur with hints of licorice and chocolate in the background. Full-bodied and voluptuous, this powerful wine has gobs of spicy black fruits, notes of dark chocolate, well-concealed tannins, and a very long, pure finish. While it can be enjoyed now with a 40-day dry-aged prime rib-eye, it will easily keep for 25 years."

Rated 99/100 The Wine Advocate

RJ Rockers

Order RJ Rockers online.


This sounds very intriguing -- in stock at Forsyth...

RJ Rockers Black Perle Ale....$8.49 / 22oz
Only 200 cases made

"Ninety Minute Octo-Hopped IPA"

"It was "octo-hopped" with eight hop additions in a ninety-minute boil, averaging over 1.5 lbs/barrel. Very thick, very chocolatey with a hint of coffee at the end."

"In the late 17th Century the honourable East India Company lost one of its ships on a return voyage from the Indies. The flagship, The Harvester, was attacked by Malay Pirates and sank beneath the swells and into darkness. It is sad that The Harvester was carrying a strange and wondrous cargo known to the company as Black Perle. This once lost treasure has now risen from the depths allowing the world to discover its mystery." -- label



"In a concept that would make Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling proud, Johnsen is about to launch the first beer in his Ales from the Dark Side line -- a series of hand-crafted dark brews produced in limited quantity and geared toward discriminating craft-beer enthusiasts.

The first release in the series will be a beer called Black Perle Dark India Pale Ale (IPA), which weighs in at 9.5 percent alcohol by volume. It is named after the variety of German bittering hop -- Perle -- which was added five times during the liquid's unusually long 90-minute boil, thus extracting all the bittering qualities of the hop. Three other additions of the Cascade variety hop also were implemented during production.

In total, about 500 ounces of hops and more than 2,300 pounds of five varieties of malt were used in the one-time, 25-barrel (775-gallon) batch.

Hoppy like a traditional American-style IPA, Black Perle has the black color and chocolate notes of a stout without the thick, chewy body, and its moderate-to-heavy bitter finish helps hide the high alcohol level.

"This is the perfect holiday beer," Johnsen said. "It's designed almost specifically to enjoy with a friend, at home, while not operating any heavy machinery. It's not a go home after work and grab a few beers (type brew). This is a one and done." -- GoUpstate.com

Also arriving tomorrow...

RJ Rockers The First Snow Ale...$10.99

"This hearty American pale ale contains a rich blend of spices that warms the soul on a cold winter's night. Chill the mug, stoke the fire, and savor this quality seasonal brew. Available only during the Winter season." -- brewery

6.0% abv

From a previous post: more info about RJ Rockers and a few other beers we stock--
RJ Rockers is a small brewery that only distribute in 5 states!

"RJ Rockers has been around for over 10 years now. Mark Johnsen is the founder and brew master who has made all the magic happen since the beginning. It all began as a brew pub in 1997 in downtown Spartanburg. In 2003 the brewery was moved to become the first microbrewery in Spartanburg. Since then RJ Rockers has grown to cover South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, DC, and Maryland." -- brewery

"Our slogan is HANDCRAFTED. EVERY BEER. EVERY DROP. EVERY TIME. And we aren't kidding either. Mark makes every batch with his own hands in our facility. He knows exactly what goes into the beer, and it is quality ingredients. He cares about what he makes." -- brewery

RJ Rockers Bell Ringer...$10.99 / 6pk

"Our high gravity offering weighs in at 8.5% abv and is delightfully loaded with malt and hops. This is an ale worthy of your sturdiest goblet or most treasured stein. Ring it!" -- brewery

RJ Rockers Son of a Peach...$8.79 / 6pk

An unfiltered American wheat ale made with real mean peaches. The only thing missing is the fuzz. Savor the anger. Available during the late Spring and Summer months

Amazing wine and package

The bottle of wine has an almost perfect score and the packaging is amazing. The bottle is covered completely with a mirror. The wine comes with an original pring by István Or that you put the mirrored wine bottle in the middle to see the anamorphosis on the bottle. See the example below. This is not the print that comes with the bottle, but it is another anamorphosis from István Orosz. You must come in to see it.
Read more about Anamorphosis - click here

Limited -- only 6 bottles
2005 Anamorphosis Shiraz....$159.99


"The Anamorphosis project features Shiraz from Kalimna in the Barossa Valley aged in new oak from four of France’s finest coopers. Like most of the other R Wines, it has exceptionally creative packaging. There will be 100 cases of the 2005 Shiraz which will spend 30 months in new French oak. It was sourced from vineyards with 40- and 100-year-old vines. Opaque purple in color, it offers up an intense perfume of pain grille, scorched earth, tar, licorice, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Voluptuous, thick rich, and full-bodied, it is a powerful yet seamless expression of Shiraz from a great terroir. It will age effortlessly for 20 years but can be enjoyed young because of its mammoth fruit. It is a winemaking tour de force."


Rated 96-99/100 The Wine Advocate





The wine comes with a poster that is an origianl artwork by István Orosz (b. 24 October 1951; Kecskemét) Hungarian painter, printmaker, graphic designer and animated film director, is known for his mathematically inspired works, impossible objects, optical illusions, double-meaning images and anamorphoses. The geometric art of István Orosz, with forced perspectives and optical illusions, has been compared to works by M. C. Escher." -- Wikipedia


Studied at the Hungarian University of Arts and Design (now Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design) in Budapest as pupil of István Balogh and Ernő Rubik. After graduating in 1975 he began to deal with theatre as stage designer and animated film as animator and film director. He is known as painter, printmaker, poster designer, and illustrator as well. He likes to use visual paradox, double meaning images and illusionistic approaches while following traditional printing techniques such as woodcutting and etching. He also tries to renew the technique of anamorphosis."
-- Wikipedia


Check out how the picture morphes onto the mirror cylinder -- pricture from Wikipedia.

Great 2005 Bordeaux....

Great new price....

2005 Chateau Lascombes Margaux....$69.99
A gorgeous example of Lascombes, the 2005, a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, continues the remarkable turn-around in quality that began five years ago. A stunningly opulent wine with a dense purple color, the 2005 possesses a beautiful perfume of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, creosote, and graphite, full body, silky but noticeable tannins, a layered mouthfeel, and a stunning, 45+-second finish. This is a brilliant, modern-styled Margaux that should age for 30-35 years.


Rated 95/100 The Wine Advocate


This wine has dropped drastically in price since the last time we have had it. To give you an idea...
Avon Liquor....$124.99
Wine.com...$124.99
from WineSearcher 12/11/09

Tactical Nuclear Penguin

The creative BrewDog Brewery has introduced:
World's Strongest Beer -- 32%
I doubt we will see this one in St. Louis and I would hate to see the price. But it is a pretty funny video. These guys know how to market. I just posted this video for fun from BrewDog's website.

We got in their very interesting Zephyr weeks ago -- read about it

Benton's is back...

Benton's Smoky Mountain Bacon...$9.99 /lb
It has been awhile, back in stock at Forsyth now!
This bacon is smoked the old fashioned way for two days. It is in such demand that Alan Benton says he turns down about 5,000 orders a month.


"Our hickory smoked country bacon is equally at home on a bacon, lettuce, and vine ripe tomato sandwich or on the breakfast table as it is wrapped around a premier cut of beef or a fish fillet. Hickory smoked in our smokehouse using an old-fashioned wood stove, each slice of our bacon has a distinctive full flavor that has attracted and maintained a broad spectrum of customers, from those looking for smoked bacon “the way grandpa made it” to gourmet chefs with the most distinguishing of tastes." -- Bentons

Their bacon has been featured in Gourmet Magazine, Saveur Magazine, and Southern Living Magazine.


Their bacon has been featured in Gourmet Magazine, Saveur Magazine
and here is an excerpt from Southern Living Magazine. "This is, hands down, the best bacon I've ever tasted....Benton's Smoky Mountain Hams come from a much closer source: Madisonville, Tennessee. You don't have to take my word for it though. Just ask the farmers and chefs. Some of the nation's top culinary stars make magic with Benton's hams. Local farmers bring their personal hocks to be cured by the five-man shop that competes with industry giants. The secret? They do things the slow way—using meat-curing practices thousands of years old. "Everything is done by hand," says Allan Benton, who speaks about curing ham with a passion that other men reserve for sports. Until recently, he kept his clients' addresses on yellowed sticky notes taped to the wall. "We're a hillbilly operation through and through," Allan says. And wonderfully so. The transformation from pork to perfection takes place in a smoke-stained cinder-block building on the side of a Tennessee byway. In a traditional process that's never rushed, whole hams get slathered with salt, sugar, and the family's secret spices; then they cure—for 7 to 14 months—on wooden racks. Out back, where the scent of smoking meat hangs thick in the air, Allan opens a sooty door to reveal the mysteries behind his bacon. As the fresh air clears out the little room, a tiny potbelly stove appears. "This is my smoke generator," Allan says. "I bought it for $50 from a cousin." Order now, because publicity has driven demand for Benton's products, especially the smoked bacon. Allan loves telling the story of a Vegas casino that paid hundreds of dollars for an emergency overnight shipment. But then, who knows better than a casino how to bring home the bacon?" -- Southern Living Magazine, November 2007

North Coast Rasputin

Another load just arrrived --- limited!

Available online

North Coast Old Rasputin XII Anniversary
Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout...$18.99 / 500ml

Info mostly from the previous edition.
Commercial Description:
"Seems hard to believe that we’ve been making Old Rasputin for 10 years now, but that’s what’s happened. And, to celebrate the occasion, we’ve brewed a special small batch that’s been aged for 9 months in some 12 year-old bourbon barrels. It’s bottled in 500 ml bottles with a cork and wired finish and a special commemorative label ---- and it’s amazing. The depth, intensity and complexity of the flavor profile make it a worthy tribute to this fine beer. Available at the brewery. XII is 11.2% ABV" -- ratebeer.com
Rated 100 percentile on Ratebeer.com

Elmer T. Lee Bourbon

One of the best buys in bourbon -- limited

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon...$27.99

Elmer T. Lee just turned 90 years old this year. He is the master distiller Emeritus of Buffalo Trace. We are happy to offer this amazing Bourbon at an amazing price.

Info from Spirits Review

Notes: This whiskey is produced at the scenic Buffalo Trace Distillery in
Frankfort. This is a single barrel bourbon. Unlike most this carries no age statement. It is bottled when Mr. Lee determines the barrel is at its peak. Like Bookers (from Jim Beam), it is named after the Master Distiller, or Distiller Emeritus of the distillery it comes from. Unlike Bookers, it is priced only a few dollars more than regular straight bourbon. It is also much more approachable for a novice.

Appearance: Deep red / gold in the bottle, shows its age, as well as its namesake, Mr Lee. You rarely see this color in a whiskey, as it denotes a great deal of maturity and aging. To see this color in a single malt scotch, it would have to be a to older and about four to ten times more expensive. It is a beautiful thing. On swirling, it leaves a thicker coating on the glass and has more legs and heavier body than George T. Stagg or Buffalo Trace Bourbon.

First Impression: Toffee, apricots, some spiciness, and a faint trace of marzipan, leather, and on more warming: char.This is a great, full-bodied, but somehow delicate whiskey. Damn smooth stuff.

Taste: Toffee, (not caramel), corn, apricot again, much like the bouquet. A medium mouth feel, more like a good armagnac than like a cognac (as I have described some other whiskies from there). Nice warming going down, without the burn you would expect for the price. Most bourbons don't stand up to age well, they have a very turbulent ride to adolescence in new fresh charred barrels, and dramatic temperature swings (hence intense respiration in the barrel which leads to a very rapid aging compared to the sedate pace of other spirits many of which use recycled barrels).

Drinks: Great in almost any drink calling for bourbon. Has the taste and body to stand up to anything you mix it with, but on the other hand it does mix well and does not overwhelm a drink. A true gentleman who knows how to get along well with others.

Final Thoughts: This is where all my troubles began... This was my first single barrel bourbon after years of drinking mass produced bourbons. There is a term "Gateway Drug" meaning the one you get started on, innocently enough before. . . In a entirely different POSITIVE way this is a Gateway Bourbon. . .The difference betwwen this and the mass produced bourbons is immense. For just a few dollars more, it introduces you to the true possibilities of what bourbon can be and leaves you hungering for all the other ones out there. Beware! It is an outstanding value, and I give a personal recommendation to try. Bottle: Gold Sealing Wax and a square bottle with rounded edges give it a nice effect. The concave medallion type impressions on the side make the bottle easy to grip when pouring - unlike a lot of square bottles. It also makes it easy to find in your bar. It looks they are trying for a slightly antique look with Mr Lee's portrait on the back label looking through the whiskey. The clear glass and label on the front show off the color of the whiskey to good effect. The weight and heft of the bottle conveys a solid feel. A printed oval label has the legally required labeling and little more.

Make sure read how this is made...

Crazy true story...

Del Maguey Mezcal Pechuga....$179.99

Pechuga is Spanish for chicken breast

Only 350 bottles made

"The Pechuga production season is limited to year end due to the special ingredients: Wild mountain apples and plums that must be in season and cannot be substituted.
Pechuga is begun with Minero; mezcal that has already been double distilled. In preparation for a third distillation they place about 75 liters of mezcal in the still and add about 25 lbs of wild mountain apples and plums, big red plantain bananas, pineapples, a handful of almonds and a few pounds of uncooked white rice.
Next, a whole chicken breast, skin removed, bone structure complete, is washed in running water for about three hours to remove any grease. This is then suspended by strings in the atmosphere of the still and a 24 hour, third distillation is begun. The vapor passes over the pechuga and condenses into a crystal clear liquid that has an amazing taste and smoothness. The reason for the breast they say, is so the mezcal is not dominated by the fruit...a balance.
Upon completion the Pechuga is removed from the still and hung in the family Altar room...the most important space in the house.
False Mezcal labeling in the commercial production Towns and sales in Cities is endemic to Tobalá, Pechuga as well as Minero. There is no way to find a TRUE bottle of any of these special mezcals other than the village they were made in, any place in Mexico including Oaxaca!
This mezcal is the most rare and expensive we have ever encounted, and worth every penney.
To read the first revue about Pechuga go to: Alcohol Reviews.com

In stock now at Forsyth.

Michigan brew...

Arcadia from Battle Creek, Michigan...

Arcadia Imperial Stout....$13.99 / 4pk

Rated 96/100 Percentile on RateBeer

"A Limited Release Seasonal offering, Imperial Stout is a big, boldly-flavored beer fit for royalty! True to style, Imperial Stout is full-bodied and warming, with a creamy texture. Boasting rich, roasty aromas and flavors of roasted coffee, black currants, plums, and bittersweet cocoa, this beer certainly packs a punch. A generous hop addition adds a level of complexity and balance, along with a pleasant bitterness.
This extraordinary stout will continue to mature nicely with age. Flavors tend to mellow and become more rounded after a year or two. Buy as much as you can and lay some down in the cellar for a few years to taste multiple vintages vertically.
Recommended Foods: Roquefort Sheep’s Milk Cheese, Molten Chocolate Cake, Robust Game Meats. Try with a fine Maduro-wrapped Cigar!" -- Brewery
8.4% ABV59 IBUs

Arcadia London Porter....$8.99 / 6pk

Rated 96/100 Percentile on RateBeer

This is our version of an 18th Century “Smoked Porter”. Our London Porter has a subtle accent of beechwood smoked malt, which comes through nicely in the aroma and the flavor. Brewed using seven varieties of premium European malted barley, this full-bodied beer is characterized by hints of chocolate and coffee, and balanced by a long-lingering hoppy bitterness.
In a style that generally focuses on malt alone, our London Porter is unique in its rich, smoky, peaty characteristics. It has earthy, grassy notes as well, courtesy of UK Goldings hops.
Recommended Foods: Sharp Cheddar, Smoked Salmon, BBQ or Smoked Meats, Oysters, Mushrooms, Tiramisu, Apple Tart
7.2% ABV 42 IBUs

Arcadia Cocoa Loco....$9.79 / 4pk

"A truly one-of-a-kind brew, we like to call this our Triple Chocolate Milk Stout. A combination of three different chocolate malts, cocoa nibs and 63% cacao bittersweet chocolate make this a sinfully delicious brew. The addition of lactose lends the beer a creamy quality- not unlike a milkshake- while the Blackstrap Molasses adds rich, burnt, syrupy flavors. Flavors of baker’s chocolate and espresso dominate, while rich malty flavors and a subtle kiss of hops add nice balance.
This is a BIG beer. True to our original vision, we have taken a traditional style and turned it on its head. Delicious on its own, Cocoa Loco is also brilliant with many foods, or as a digestif.
Recommended Foods: Brie, Cherry Cheesecake, Seared Ahi Tuna, Vanilla Ice Cream, Berry Pies." -- brewery
7.0% ABV

39 IBUs

Arcadia Sky High Rye....$4.69 / 22oz

12th Anniversary Ale

"In honor of our adventurous friends at Sky Dive Inc. in Hastings, Michigan, we crafted a truly adventurous brew in Sky High Rye. A West Coast-style Pale Ale with rye malt, Sky High Rye boasts a massive floral aroma of resinous hops. The hops contribute flavor notes of lemons, peaches, and pine needles, combined with the sweet, malty flavors of toffee and bread. Rye adds a pleasant peppery, spicy note like a fresh slice of pumpernickel bread. Very well-rounded and very drinkable, Sky High Rye will surely inspire adventure in all who taste it.
This well-balanced, full-flavored pale ale is a wonderful session beer on its own, and pairs nicely with many unique dishes.
Recommended Foods: Fresh Deli Sandwiches, Garlic Pickles, Monterey jack Cheese, Cured Meats and Sausages, Shellfish, Spice Cake
6.0% ABV -- 55 IBUs

Arcadia Hopmouth Double IPA....$9.19 / 4pk

"The first in our Brew Crew Big Beer Series, Hopmouth Double IPA is a hop lover’s delight! Deep amber hue with a generous white head, Hopmouth showcases a rich, toasty flavor and a sweet caramel notes as a result of the high-quality Maris Otter Malt, imported from the UK. The hops are right up front in the aroma, reminiscent of citrus and pine, while the resin-like flavors linger well after the last sip.
This is a BIG beer. True to our original vision, we have achieved a level of balance and drinkability rarely found in this style. Delicious on its own, Hopmouth is also a brilliant pair with many boldly-flavored foods, including many cheeses and desserts.
Recommended Foods: Gorgonzola, Greek Salad, Mediterranean Foods, Indian or Thai Dishes, Spicy Italian Sausages, Carrot Cake" -- brewery
8.1% ABV 76 IBUs

Arcadia Hop Rocket....$12.99 / 4pk

Rated 95/100 Percentile on RateBeer

After 11 years of brewing beer with balance, our Brew Crew took a left turn with Hop Rocket Imperial IPA, a massive Imperial that focuses on the hops! At 111 IBUs, this huge ale Rockets off the charts with a massive nose of sticky, resinous hops and flavors of grapefruit, lemon peel, spruce, earthy mushrooms and dew-covered grass. While the focus truly is on the hops, a pleasant, sweet malt base backs the beer and balances it to a delicious level of drinkability with notes of toffee and freshly baked biscuits.
This extraordinary Imperial IPA will age gracefully. Bitterness will become subdued and flavors will round out with age. A delicious brew for sipping, Hop Rocket will also pair nicely with many foods.
Recommended Foods: India or Thai Cuisine, Chicken Marsala with Rosemary, Habanero Salsa, Gumbo, Carrot Cake, Pepper Jack Cheese
9.0% ABV

111 IBUs

New Moylans...

Moylans available online also - click here

Moylan's Hopsickle Imperial Ale....$8.99 / 22 oz

Tripple Hoppy

This is a "Hop" tribute, worthy of a King's Imperial Court! Enjoy the blast of fresh Tomahawk, Cascade and Centennial Hops as they stimulate the taste buds in a truly imperial fashion. Pucker Up!
Alcohol 9.2% by Volume

Rated 99/100 percentile on Ratebeer.com

Rated A- BeerAdvocate

Moylan's Celts Golden Ale....$4.29 / 22oz

Pale gold in color, sweet and fruity, with a slight dryness and crisp hoppiness in the finish. This California Golden Ale is the perfect "session" beer- an excellent ale that complements all occcasions.

Alcohol 5.0% by Volume

Moylander Double IPA (India Pale Ale)...$8.79 / 22oz

“If One is Good, Then Two is Better!” Our Moylander Double IPA is fat and resiny, with aggresive and excessive hops swinging on on an enormous malt backbone like naughty monkeys on a vine. Double malt, double hops - do the math, it’s academic. This brew has twice the things you’re looking for, and it’s big enough to share with the one you love. And isn’t that what it's all about?

Alcohol 8.5% by Volume

Rated 98/100 percentile on RateBeer.com

Rated A- on BeerAdvocate

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Read about the other Moylans - click here

Goose Island new release

In stock at Provisions and Forsyth

2009 Goose Island Christmas Ale....$5.99 / 22oz

Brewmasters Notes:
Every year to celebrate the holiday season, we brew up our Christmas Ale, and with each year we change the recipe slightly so that you have something special to look forward to. Traditionally, our Christmas Ale is a complex brown ale that develops well in the bottle for up to five years.

Tides and Tidings of Goodwill:

It has been the tradition at Goose Island to change the recipe of our Christmas Ale so that each year we can share a newly brewed gift with our friends and community. Starting in 2009, we've decided to extend the tradition of giving with a gift to a Chicago charity that helps to spread holiday cheer. We are donating a portion of the profits from this year's Christmas Ale to the Chicago Christmas Ship. Each year the ship sails from the shores of Michigan to Chicago with a hull of Christmas trees to be given to many disadvantaged families in Chicago. This year by raising a glass to toast the holidays with your friends and family, you can help us raise a tree – and the spirits – of another Chicago family.

Learn more about the Chicago's Christmas Ship at http://www.christmasship.org/

Recipe Information:

Style: Brown Ale
Alcohol by Volume: 5.7
International Bitterness Units: Change year to year
Color: Chocolate
Hops: Change year to year
Malt: Pale, Extra Special Briess, Dark

Serving Suggestions:

Preferred Glass: Nonic
Preferred Serving Temperature: 40º
Food Pairings: Ham, Turkey, Lamb
Cheese Pairings: Aged Gouda, Dry Jack
Cellaring Notes: Develops in the bottle for up to 5 years

Importer Fran Kysela

The Wines of Fran Kysela Part 1


We have been buying the wines of Fran Kysela for over a decade now. No other importer has so many great wines at great prices.



"Fran Kysela....began his career as the national sales manager for the import arm of Kermit Lynch's sprawling wine business. Subsequently, he worked briefly for another high quality importer, Weygandt-Metzler in Unionville, Pennsylvania. Inevitably, Kysela founded his own firm, dedicated to discovering high quality top estates in France and Italy. Kysela's offerings all tend to be extremely pure, ripe, fruity wines...in short, faithful reflections of their appellations....In a few short years Kysela has emerged as one of the finest palates and selectors of top wine, whether it be an inexpensive Muscadet or a top of the line Burgundy. " -- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate



A great 2005 Bordeaux for a steal...
2005 Château Plaisance Bordeaux Supèrieur....$14.99
"Made from 70 % Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Sauvignon,10 % Petit Verdot. The grapes are hand-harvested at full maturity. Careful selection of the vats for bottling: they bottle only 50 to 75% of the annual production, selling the rest to négociant. Aging in oak casks (20% to 30% new barrels every year). A deep purple color, powerful and elegant wine with a rich nose, fruit aromas. Well-balanced, powerful yet refined on the palate with present but mellow woody tannins, fruit flavors." -- Fran Kysela, importer






2008 Château Suau, Bordeaux Blanc...$15.99

"55% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillon, 10% Muscadelle. Vinification: temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, aging on fine lees for three months. This expressive, refreshing and aromatic wine reveals honeysuckle and white peach aromas. It has an excellent depth of fruit as well as a long finish with a nice acidity. Delicious as an aperitif or when served with shellfish, seafood and grilled fish." -- Fran Kysela, importer




2008 Chavy-Chouet, Bourgogne Blanc, “Les Femelottes"...$19.99


"100% Chardonnay, aged in 2-3 year old barrels. Somewhat seductive, like the wine maker himself, this is a charming, rich, focused and delightful white. The wine has a fresh backbone of acidity, clean flavors, and an excellent balance. A most refreshing quaff and one that is great value." -- Fran Kysela, Importer




2006 Cedrus Cahors....$14.99
Made from 90% Malbec, 10% Merlot

"The average age of the vines is 25-30 years. Aged for 18 months in 30% oak barrels (1 year old barrels), 70% stainless steel tanks. Slight filtration. Storage in temperature controlled cellars. Deep color. Intense black cherry and blackberry fruits, plum, liquorice. Powerful, rich and concentrated Full bodied, well textured. Excellent match to roasted meats, game and strong cheeses. " -- Importer, Fran Kysela






2008 Coussergues, Sauvignon Blanc....$11.99


Consitently our one of our top selling Sauvignon Blancs. There is so much balance and flavor for this price. Pale yellow color. Powerful and complex nose of broom and honeysuckle, peach and passion fruit. Well balanced, round and fresh.




2008 Coussergues, Chardonnay Viognier....$13.99


50% Chardonnay, 50% Viognier
"Floral and fruity aromas of peach and apricot. Fresh, crisp and round in the mouth. Pear and tropical fruit flavors, soft texture and refreshing acidity. Excellent with chicken, salad." -- importer

"My favorite from this winery is the medium-bodied, dry, fresh, lively 2008 Chardonnay/Viognier (a 50-50 blend). Exotic tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and floral undertones offer a lovely aromatic display."
Rated 90/100 The Wine Advocate



2008 Coussergues Cabernet Franc....$11.99
A gorgeous wine made from 100% Cabernet Franc. Domaine de Coussergues produces the best value in Cabernet Franc from France (or any other country). Very lush, ripe fruit flavors a touch of pepper spice. Most Cabernet Francs sell for well over $30.










2008 Hughes Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet....$9.99
100% Picpoul, aka Folle Blanche.

"Pale yellow color with green tints. Fresh and fine aromas of grapefruit and exotic fruit. Lime flavors, with typical focusing acidity, are hallmarks of Picpoul. Our best value, this wine impresses novices and hardened geeks equally.Known as “the Muscadet of the South” in France, this is to the Mediterranean coast of France what Albariño is to northwest Spain…the default wine for fresh shellfish & seafood." -- Fran Kysela, Importer





Why is it our number 1 selling white?


Check out the consensus:


"Remember this label. It delivers."BEST OF THE BARGAINS"
- San Francisco Chronicle, November 2009





"For bargain wines, this is a very good year “Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of Picpoul de Pinet. Absolutely enjoyable and amazingly refreshing ...It’s hard to find any above-average wine in this price range let alone one as bright and charming as this one.”
- Wine Review Online (Aug 18, 2009)





"One of my favorite dry whites is the beautiful 2008 Picpoul de Pinet, a quintessential aperitif dry white that also works well with pasta, chicken, and seafood dishes."- The Wine Advocate





"A perennial local summer favorite. Buy it by the case."
- Washington Post (July 09), VERY GOOD

AMAZING VALUE!

Greatest Wine Value in the World?
We only have 50 cases left!!
We are able to offer unbelievable prices when we buy a full container (700 cases) directly from Argentina. We have already sold a ton of this wine at a much higher price, now we are passing our savings along to you. You do not see very many wines for $7.99 that score 90 points from The Wine Advocate. This is an amazing wine for everyday drinking while you are trying to save money.


2008 Maipe Malbec....$7.99
100% Malbec. Manual harvested.
35 years old vines.
"The 2008 Malbec is a glass-coating purple color with a striking perfume of violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Exhibiting surprising complexity for its price category, the wine has gobs of fruit, savory flavors, and excellent depth and length. It is an outstanding value for drinking over the next 3-4 years.

Alberto Antonini (think Altos Las Hormigas) is a consultant at Maipe which in and of itself is an indicator that the winery is focused on quality."
Rated 90/100 The Wine Advocate


"Maipe was the Lord of the Winds for the ancient Andean people. Argentineans still invoke his name to clear the skies after a heavy rain or to temper the summer heat. These wines, children of the Sun and the Winds, are produced from grapes grown at the foothills of the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea level. The intense color and aromas capture the expression of the soils that gave them birth." - importer

(We also got in more of the Maipe Torrontes, Chardonnay, Rose of Malbec, and Cabernet)

New cream liqueur

Come in for a taste on Saturday December 12
at our Forsyth Location

Columba Cream Liqueur...$29.99


Scotland’s malt whisky cream liqueur – a delectable blend of single malt scotch whisky, fresh cream and honey. Steeped in tradition, Columba Cream is widely regarded as the finest cream liqueur on the market.

This skilful blend of Scotch single malt whisky, cream and honey, creates an exceptionally smooth liqueur based on a centuries-old family recipe for brose. Originally, brose was a traditional Scots family drink made daily using ingredients readily available on the croft - whisky, oatmeal, cream, sometimes honey, and sometimes fruit. By adapting this family recipe over the years, and settling at an abv of 17%, we believe a perfect blend has been achieved.

Made from Tullibardine Scotch

Bells Hopslam

Pre-Arrival -- WAITING LIST!!
I am already getting a lot of questions about the 2010 Hopslam. I thought this would be the fairest way to take requests....

Bells Hopslam....$16.99 / 6pk

ATTENTION PLEASE READ

-- we are taking a WAITING LIST. I cannot at this point guarantee we will get enough to fulfill demand. Request as much as you are intrested in and we will get you as much as we can when it arrives. We will not charge your credit card until the HOPSLAM arrives. I have already been getting many requests, so I thought this would be the fairest way to make the most people happy. Scheduled to arrive in January 2010. I am told maybe early January this time.
There is a chance you might not get any depending on the demand and how much we get. If you find it somewhere else first, you can cancel your order at any time.

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click here to get on the pre-arrival waiting list.

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Any questions...

paul@wineandcheeseplace.com

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When it arrives, we will have a Bells Party. We will taste the Hopslam and other Bells Beers.

To find out the fastest when it arrives:

Watch our blog.

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Or become a fan/friend on TWCP Facebook

The Royal Beer...

Duchy Originals.....$4.39 / pint
Organic English Ale

"We donate our profits to The Prince’s Charities Foundation, which was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1979. The Prince established the Foundation to enable him to help support a variety of charitable causes and projects. " -- The Prince's Charities Foundation
Click here to read more of Prince Charles Charity Foundation

This was the first beer brewed for the Duchy Originals organic range. The beer is brewed using a rare breed of organic barley - Plumage Archer - harvested from The Prince’s Home Farm at Highgrove. Duchy Originals Organic Ale has opted for a traditional, British barley variety Plumage Archer to give the beer a rich depth of flavour. The organic hops for this delicious beer are also British, First Gold, a new dwarf hop variety grown in Kent and Worcestershire. The beer is brewed to Duchy Originals' recipe. The Duchy Originals Organic Ale is a ruby-coloured flavour-packed beer which combines the rich caramel flavours of the barley malt with the signature ripe orange nuance of the First Gold hop.


Duchy Originals was launched in 1990 by HRH The Prince of Wales. Our story goes back a little further, however – back to the early 1980s when the Prince moved to the Highgrove country estate in Gloucestershire.

At that time, the general consensus about farming was that we needed to concentrate on making food cheaper, farming more efficient and food shopping more convenient. The Prince believed instead that we need to think about the long-term future of our environment and our rural communities. For more about our philosophy, read our Charter.

Duchy Originals embodies HRH The Prince of Wales's commitment to what he calls a 'virtuous circle' of providing natural, high-quality organic and premium products, while helping to protect and sustain the countryside and wildlife. This in turn helps generate profits for charity rather than for commercial gain.