Thanks to Schlafly!

Here is the carnage from the release party of Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Quad Volume II exclusive to The Wine and Cheese Place

Wanted to say thank you again to Schlafly for doing this beer for us and hosting the release. It was an amazing tasting hosted by Nick Vickery and Augie Altenbaumer of Schlafly.

Augie even brought some bonus beer.  We got a chance to have super fresh AIPA right off the line and Schlafly Imperial Stout with cacao nibs.

Perennial BARREL AGED Fantastic Voyage

We are very excited to announce!

A very special one of a kind beer.  Spent 18 months in barrel!

RELEASE PARTY DETAILS

Thursday January 30, 2014 from 6-7pm

We are excited to have Phil Wymore, owner/brewmaster, 

of Perennial hosting the event

Barrel Aged Fantastic Voyage exclusive to The Wine and Cheese Place

There are 2 barrels of this one!!!

Barrels used: Knob Creek 9yr (#2) and Blanton's (#1)  

Brewery: Perennial 
Beer: Fantastic Voyage (both barrels filled)
Date filled: July 2, 2012 
Date bottled: January 7, 2014
Bottles produced: 348 bottles
Time in barrel: Over 18 months!

Tickets for the release party --

Phil Wymore, owner/brewmaster, of Perennial will be hosting

• Limited to 25 people 
• To be held in our tasting bar
• $10 per person
• Informal tasting of both beers - the Barrel Aged and the "regular"
• We also have some cheese out for sampling with the beers
• Very informal, taste the beers and stay as long as you can
• Plus we will have up to 2 bottles of the Perennial Barrel Aged Fantastic Voyage reserved and available for you to purchase that night 
• If you do not show up for the release party, the beers will not be held for you.

SOLD OUT

The beer will also be released on January 30, watch for details

Wine Education : Macon Villages

Wine Tasting at all FOUR locations

January 18 from 11am-4pm.

(each store will also have other wines out to taste)

A little more education: We are going to try to feature either a grape or a wine region each week at our stores. We will give you some background information on the grape or region and feature a wine that highlights what we are featuring. We will taste that wine on Saturday at all four of our locations. We will post it here in our blog and send it out in our emails - click here to sign up for our emails

On our blog, click on the  label "Education" and you can read all of the education articles (see the right column under the heading "labels".

Wine Education: Appellation Focus on Macon Villages

Macon-Villages is an appellation covering white wines produced in selected communes of the Maconnais wine area of southern Burgundy. The appellation represents a step up in quality from the standard Macon title and specializes in dry white wines made from Chardonnay.

The named Macon-Villages communes are permitted to add their names to the Macon appellation on labels – for example,Macon Lugny or Macon Fuisse – or to call their wines simply Macon-Villages

Overall, the landscape of the Maconnais is one of rolling limestone hills, bordered in the east by the Saone river as it flows south to meet the Rhone just outside Lyon. The climate shows signs of the region's proximity to the Rhone Valley, with warmer average temperatures than the rest of Burgundy, lower rainfall and – perhaps most significantly – less risk of vine-damaging spring frosts. Chardonnay ripens more successfully here than further north and the wines it produces are markedly richer than those from Chablis– the northernmost Burgundian appellation.

Come taste our longtime favorite Cave de Lugny Macon-Lugny les Charmes this weekend at all 4 locations

Taste the wines of Duckhorn plus a few more

The Wine and Cheese Place

7435 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, Mo 63105

314.727.8788

Saturday, January 18 from 11am-4pm
(or until bottles run out)

Wine Tasting - Forsyth!
2012 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc
2012 Duckhorn Decoy Chardonnay
2010 Duckhorn Golden Eye Pinot Noir on sale....$39.99
2011 Duckhorn Merlot on sale.... $36.99
2010 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon...$66.99

2012 Borsao Tres Picos....$13.99 (92/100 Robert Parker)
2011 Caves de Lugny Macon Lugny

Bell's Hopslam

Beer release time at The Wine and Cheese Place!

We are still told that we should get it on January 21st.

Here is the plan.  We will post when it arrives for online reservations.  
You can reserve only 1 - 6pk online, but those that pick up while we have supply can get more than 1-6pk.  Not sure what that will be yet. Each of our stores might have a different limit depending on their allocation.  We do not know what we are getting yet.

We just don't have room to store all this beer, we want to reward those that come and pick up fast with more beer.   Plus it gives a better chance for more people to get some.

Anchor Zymaster Series No.5

In stock at Forsyth!

Features a new hop

Anchor Zymaster Series No.5 Harvest One...$6.49
San Francisco, CA (October 14, 2013) – Today, Anchor Brewing Company announces the release of the fifth brew in their Zymaster® series, Harvest One American Pale Ale.
It’s hard to imagine that the Cascade hop, today one of craft brewing’s most popular hop varieties, was ever new. Yet this distinctively aromatic hop, developed in Oregon by the USDA’s breeding program, was first released in the early 1970s. In 1975, Anchor Brewing featured Cascade hops with the debut of Liberty Ale®, America’s first craft-brewed, dry-hopped ale. Anchor Brewing has been using it in Liberty Ale® ever since.

Over the years, Anchor Brewing has experimented with many different hops—both old and new—from around the world. For Zymaster Series No. 5: Harvest One American Pale Ale, Anchor Brewing decided to feature an experimental new hop variety. This yet unnamed, pre-commercial, aroma hop provides a uniquely Anchor twist to Zymaster 5.

Zymaster Series No. 5 (7.2% ABV) is made with a special blend of pale, caramel, and Munich malts, which contribute a distinctively complex maltiness and deep golden color. Nugget hops give it a tangy bitterness. But the hallmark of Zymaster 5: Harvest One American Pale Ale is the intriguingly novel aroma of an experimental new hop, which was used liberally in both the brewhouse and the cellar. A late addition to the boil plus dry hopping provides Harvest One with an incredibly lively hop aroma reminiscent of tree-ripened peaches, with just a hint of fresh melon. The result is a uniquely exciting new beer unlike anything brewed or tasted before.

“We have a fantastic and long-lasting relationship with the hop growers we work with.” Said Mark Carpenter, Brewmaster at Anchor Brewing. “When we had the opportunity to sample and test a small set of experimental hops that we’re being grown; we were excited at the opportunity to work with something new and different. Out of about a dozen or so samples, there was one that really stood out to us. Right away, we knew this was a new hop variety we wanted to brew on a large scale. We were after something unique and aromatic, and this hop was one we hadn’t seen or smelled before and would fit well in our Zymaster Series. Similar to how Anchor introduced the world to the Cascade hop in 1975 with Liberty Ale, we are proud and excited to share our take on this new, experimental hop in this beer.”

Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Quad Volume II

Very limited! In stock now!

Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Quad Volume II

Schlafly / TWCP Bourbon Barrel Quad Volume II...$14.99
Blend of two barrels Evan Williams 2002 and Eagle Rare 10 Year
Beer: Both filled with Quadrupel (Volume II)
Date filled: July 15, 2013
Bottled: November 2013
Release date: January 17, 2014
Bottles produced: 420 bottles

No longer online - in stock at all 4 locations.  Come and get it!

You have 7 days to pick up or it will go back out for sale.

Downton Abbey Wines!

In stock and online

2012 Downton Abbey Bordeaux Claret..$12.99
This classic Bordeaux red blend or “Claret” is an elegant, dry wine made with grapes from the renowned Entre-Deux-Mers (“between two seas”) region of Bordeaux, France. Here, sun-drenched vineyards on well-draining limestone and clay soils are situated between the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Warm days and cool evenings provide optimal growing conditions for the slow ripening of grapes and excellent flavour development.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec -- three of the classic grape varieties of Bordeaux – were blended together in crafting this wine. Fruit was sourced from premium vineyards in the eastern part of Entre-Deux-Mers, a terroir particularly well-suited to these varietals. The wine was made using traditional vinification practices: Each varietal was vinified separately including temperature-controlled macerations of 4-5 weeks for maximum extraction of flavour and colour. The wines were then aged an additional nine months prior to final blending.

Deep purple in colour, this wine reveals gorgeous scents of wild berries including blackberries, raspberries and black currants in the glass. Additional spicy notes and hints of violet are contributed by the Malbec. On the round, well-balanced palate, more ripe fruit flavours merge seamlessly with velvety tannins from the Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend gives added freshness, backbone and age-worthiness to this authentic Bordeaux bottling.

Winemaker’s Note: An excellent food wine, enjoy this Bordeaux Claret with cheeses, game, grilled red meats, hearty stews and more.

2012 Downton Abbey Bordeaux Blanc...$12.99

This classic Bordeaux white wine is an elegant, dry version made with grapes sourced from the famed Entre-Deux-Mers (“between two seas”) region of Bordeaux, France. Here, sun-drenched vineyards on well-draining limestone and clay soils are situated between the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, creating ideal grape growing conditions featuring warm days tempered by the cool evenings.

A blend of Muscadelle and Semillion fruit from the northern part of the region was used in crafting this wine. Grapes were harvested at the perfect moment of ripeness for maximum aromas and flavours. Ferments took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to harness even more bright fruit characters and freshness. Following fermentation, the juice underwent maturation on fine lees to add richness and complexity to the final blend.

In the glass, this wine is a lovely pale yellow in colour. On the expressive nose, classic notes of tangerine lead to more citrusy notes and delicious flavours of apricots on a harmonious, crisp palate. The wine is perfectly balanced offering roundness on the palate complimented by a refreshing, lingering finish.

Winemaker’s Note: Enjoy this wine as delicious accompaniment to goat cheese, fish, shellfish and more, or as a refreshing aperitif all on its own.

90 point White Burgundy under $15

Always been one of our favorites, good to see the new vintage get some great press!

In stock and online

2012 Cave de Lugny Macon Lugny Les Charmes...$13.99

The 2012 Macon Lugny Les Charmes comes from 40-year-old vines on chalky soil. It has an attractive bouquet of apple-blossom and lime flower that is very well-defined and expressive with hints of Alpine stream and a touch of almond in the background. The palate is well-balanced with tangerine and orange zest on the entry, leading to some attractive honey notes toward the rounded, generous finish. Although it needs a little more tension to carry it off, this is an admirable Macon.

Rated 90/100 The Wine Advocate

Eagle Rare 10 year Old is back!

In stock at Forsyth and online

Eagle Rare 10 Year....$28.99 / 750 ml

Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is masterfully crafted and carefully aged for no less than ten years.   The rareness of this great breed of bourbon is evident in its complex aroma, as well as the smooth and lingering taste. Each bottle of Eagle Rare offers consistent flavors, but with a seemingly individual personality from each unique barrel. Eagle Rare is a bourbon that lives up to its name with its lofty, distinctive taste experience. 

New Holland Blue Sunday 2014 Sour

In stock and online

Limited release

Ale aged in oak

New Holland Blue Sunday 2014 Sour...$12.99 / 22oz

Rated 97/100 RateBeerThis unique anniversary libation, heritage-blended from our library of barrel-soured beers, exhibits deeply layered flavors of malt and oak, with a tart finish.
Beer Style:  Sour Ale
Alcohol by Volume: 7.0%
Blend of several beers

Next three Barrel Aged Beers coming soon...

Starting off strong in 2014 with some exciting announcements!

Release Parties!

Friday January 17th: Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Aged Quad - - Party SOLD OUT
The beer will also be released the same day, watch for details

Thursday,  January 30:  Perennial Barrel Aged Fantastic Voyage 
 (not taking reservations yet, watch for an update over the next few days)
The beer will also be released the same day, watch for details
Friday, January 31 - save the date - exciting announcement soon

Friday, February 7: Charleville Barrel Aged Hairy Cow Wee Heavy...
(not taking reservations yet, watch for details soon)
The beer will also be released the same day, watch for details

Very limited as you can see from the number of bottles produced

Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Aged Quad Volume II
Release Party is going to be Friday - January 17 from 6-7pm.  
We will taste the regular Schlafly Quad along with Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Aged Quad Volume I and Volume II (we saved some Volume I to try side by side with Volume II)
Reservations will be required for the release party-SOLD OUT. The rest of the beer will be released via online reservations on that same Friday January 17.
There are 420 bottles (35 cases)  produced of Volume II (2 barrels produced)

Perennial Barrel Aged Fantastic Voyage
Release Party will be Thursday,  January 30
There are 348 bottles (29 cases) produced from 2 barrels

Charleville Hairy Cow Barrel Aged Wee Heavy

Release Party will be Friday, February 7.   Bottled now.
There are 408 bottles (34 cases) produced from 2 barrels

Raclette Cheese and Wine Class

Raclette Cheese and Wine Pairing Class
$25 / person
Thursday February 6,  7-8:30pm

Kicking of 2014 in style The Wine and Cheese Place is happy to offer an intimate Raclette Cheese and Wine Pairing Class. You will taste wide a variety of house made delicacies paired with wines from Switzerland, France and Italy.  
Reservations required, limited to 12 people for this class
Call 314.727.8788 for reservations

Wines to be tasted:

• NV Pierre Boniface Les Rocailles Brut de Savoie, France
• 2009 Serge Roh Petite Arvine, Switzerland
• 2012 Pierre Boniface Apremont de Savoie, France
• 2011 Amandoleyre Fendabt Grand Cru, Switzerland
• 2012 Domaine Tour de Boisee Ma Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon, France
• 2011 Domaine Montbourgeau Cotes du Jura Poulsard, France

Cold Weather is time to think about Raclette for dinner...
RACLETTE Cheese
Raclette Season is here!
"Raclette, a semi-firm cheese from the Swiss and French Alps, is a fun and different way to enjoy cheese at a friendly get-together on a cool fall or cold winter night. Raclette, which means “scraper,” is traditionally hung on a fork in from of a fire so that the face of the cheese softens. As it melts, it is scraped off the cheese slab and eaten with boiled new potatoes, pickled onions, and cornichons. Today there is an easier way. Electric raclette melters are available for borrow (for free) or for sale from The Wine and Cheese Place, along with properly sliced French or Swiss raclette. Slices of raclette are placed in individual melting trays for a few moments, and then spread on fresh slices of French bread. This is an easy and delicious alternative to fondue ~ no mixing and heating ingredients ahead of time! The texture of raclette is very smooth, and seems to melt in your mouth even without heating. The taste is rich, reminiscent of wine and fruit, with a pronounced tang. Thinly sliced dried ham, such as prosciutto, iberico or serrano is an excellent accompaniment. Raclette, thin ham slices, bread, boiled potatoes, pickled onions and sour gerkins, make for a light and festive supper for friends or family.
-- Bonnie Canning, cheesemonger

97 Point Champagne

Limited release from the great 2002 vintage

In stock at Forsyth and onlineonly 33 bottles available

2002 Piper Heidsieck Rare...$155.99 net per bottle

A powerhouse, with verve to the finely cut, racy acidity, showing a sense of finesse and seamless integration of the firm frame. The silky texture carries layer upon layer of toasted brioche, currant and pear pâte de fruit flavors, with notes of grated ginger and coconut, cappuccino foam and spun honey. Mineral accents of smoke, ground spice and fleur de sel build on the long, echoing finish. Drink now through 2032. 1,000 cases imported. –AN

Rated 97/100 The Wine Spectator

Robert Parker Best of 2013: Greatest Value Wines of the Year

Robert Parker end of the year best picks included his 3 favorite values!
Robert Parker's Best of 2013
Best of 2013: Greatest Value Wines of the Year

• Bodegas Borsao 2012 Tres Picos Campo de Borja ($18) (Red) Rating:92
• Jorge Ordonez & Co. 2012 Botani Sierras de Malaga ($18) (White) Rating:90
• Gassier-Cambie-Solomon 2012 Cercius Vieilles Vignes Côtes du Rhône ($17) (Red) Rating:90

Just arrived!
2012 Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos...$13.99

Compare to Robert Parker's Suggested price of $18
The terrific 2012 Tres Picos is one of the finest inexpensive, Grenache-based wines made in the world. This full-bodied beauty boasts a deep ruby color as well as loads of strawberry and black cherry fruit, hints of lavender and crushed rocks, sweet tannin, and a broad, savory mouthfeel. It, too, should be consumed over the next 3-4 years.
Rated 92/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Sam Adams Seasonals

In stock now at Forsyth

Sam Adams Cold Snap Seasonal...$7.99 / 6pk

Stirring from the haze of winter, this refreshing unfiltered White Ale awakens its smooth wheat with the bright snap of spring spices. From the subtle sweetness of orange peel and plum to the peppery bite of fresh ground coriander, the blend of spices creates just the right refreshing kick to signal that spring is on its way.

Sam Adams Escape Route Limited Release...$7.99 / 6pk
Escaping from winter’s darkness, this hazy golden, unfiltered Kölsch style creates a fresh start. Our take on the classic hybrid style from Cologne Germany combines the subtle fruit notes of an ale with the smooth crispness of a lager for a bright, refreshing brew to help escape those lingering cold days.

Long Shadows Saggi

In stock and online

2008 Long Shadows Saggi....$34.99
(45% sangiovese, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 15% syrah): Bright, deep red. Sexy aromas of black cherry, violet, licorice and toasty oak. Juicy, vibrant and quite tight, with a restrained sweetness to the blackberry and licorice flavors. Finishes broad but with a light touch, with suave, tongue-dusting tannins and sneaky persistence. 92 points
Rated 92/100 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

93 Point Pedestal

In stock and online

2008 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot....$41.99

The 2008 Pedestal Merlot is fashioned by the peripatetic Michel Rolland. Made up of 81% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it was aged for 22 months in 85% new French oak. It reveals a nose of cedar, Asian spices, incense, cassis, and black currant. Structured and savory on the palate with spicy black fruit flavors, it has the balance to evolve gracefully for 2-3 years and will offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2023. 

Rated 93/100 The Wine Advocate

Feather Cabernet from Randy Dunn

In stock and online

Long Shadows Feather Cabernet Sauvignon....$41.99
Next lowest price in the U.S. on Wine-Searcher is $48.99
From California Super Star - Randy Dunn
“Randy Dunn's Feather has an intriguing floral component, and the aromas are complex and intense, though the wine is wound up tight. Let it breathe and it delivers elegant, focused flavors, precisely defined berry and cassis fruit, with a long and harmonious finish.”

Rated 94/100 The Wine Enthusiast

Rated 92/100 Wine Advocate
Rated 93/100 Stephen Tanzer

Long Shadows Sequel Syrah 95 Points!

In stock and online

42 bottles available
John Duval, formerly of Australia's iconic Penfolds Grange, chose the Columbia Valley as his "Sequel" for the continuation of his life's work with Syrah.

2008 Long Shadows Sequel Syrah....$37.99
Next lowest price in the U.S. is $41.99
"Bursting with sweet toast from the barrel aging, this offers ripe and pretty berry fruit, deep and long, with highlights of oolong tea. The alcohol is not intrusive, and the acidity keeps it buoyed and lively. Editor's Choice.
Rated 95/100 The Wine Enthusiast

John Duval, formerly of Australia's iconic Penfolds Grange, chose the Columbia Valley as his "Sequel" for the continuation of his life's work with Syrah. "Ripe and round, delivering a lively mouthful of blueberry, plum, floral, and white pepper flavors that cascade around one another through the long, vivid finish. Drink now through 2017."

Long Shadows

In stock and online

54 bottles left

Winemaker Gilles Nicault of Woodward Canyon

2007 Long Shadows Chester Kidder...$37.99
Next lowest price in the U.S. on Wine-Searcher is $47.95
The 2007 Chester-Kidder Red Wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 14% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc aged for 30 months in 100% new French oak. The winemaker is Gilles Nicault, who oversees all seven Long Shadows labels on a daily basis. Aromas of pain grille, mineral, pepper, meat, incense, violets, blueberry, and blackberry inform the nose of a dense, layered, succulent wine that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring. This tasty offering will deliver optimum drinking from 2013 to 2023."

Rated 93/100 The Wine Advocate

Rated 93/100 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

Rated 93/100 The Wine Enthusiast

33 bottles left

Winemaker Philippe Melka

Worked at Cheval Blanc, Petrus, Haut Brion, Quintessa, Bryant, and of course Melka.
2007 Long Shadows Pirouette...$37.99
Next lowest price in the U.S. on Wine-Searcher is $48.99
The 2007 Pirouette is produced by Agustin Huneeus, Sr. and Philippe Melka. It is a Bordeaux-style blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc with the balance Petit Verdot and Malbec. It was aged in 70% new French oak for 22 months. Medium purple in color, it sports an incipiently complex nose of Asian spices, incense, violets, mineral, black currant, and blackberry. This leads to a medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling wine with ample ripe tannin, excellent balance, and 4-6 years of aging potential. Drink this pleasure-bent offering from 2014 to 2027. 

Rated 93+/100 The Wine Advocate