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Saturday, July 12, 2014

93 Point Emmolo Merlot




2011 Emmolo Merlot Napa Valley...$51.99
Opulent, juicy red with loads of fruit and spices. If you love full-throttle reds, you'll love this. But it's balanced. Chocolate, walnut, savory. Serious merlot. 15.3% alcohol but not a problem. One of the few exciting merlots from here.
Rated 93/100 James Suckling

Condado de Haza




2009 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero...$26.99
The 2009 Condado de Haza Crianza undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrique where it ages for 15 months. It offers a lovely ripe, yet controlled bouquet of raspberry, kirsch and incense that blossom with aeration. You can almost smell that Ribera warmth! The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins over-layering a sweet core of red fruit. It is playful and joyful, belying its fine structure and citric fresh finish. This is a wonderful wine from Condada de Haza. Drink now-2017.
Rated 90/100 The Wine Advocate

Hudson Chardonnay 93 points






2011 Hudson Chardonnay Napa Carneros...$61.99
My favorite wine of this trio is the sensational 2011 Chardonnay which reveals a Batard-Montrachet-like richness and hazelnut creaminess. Made from an Old Wente clone and aged in 80% new oak (which it hides very well), this wine has good acidity and a surprising, rich, intense mouthfeel with lots of caramelized tropical and honeyed fruit. This full-bodied wine is fresh, which is typical of this vintage, especially for many of the white wines. It appears to have 4-5 years of drinkability.
Rated 93/100 The Wine Advocate

2013 Cade Sauvignon Blanc




2013 Cade Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley...$26.99
A beautiful follow up to the 2012 vintage, our 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley has a nose that is filled with aromas of honeydew melon, white peaches, white flowers, grapefruit, lemon meringue, and green apple. There is great viscosity and weight in the palate followed by a vibrant acidity on the finish that gives the wine a juicy mouth-watering presence. The wine has flavors of grapefruit, orange zest, cucumber, hazelnut, and a mineral/flinty edge.

Smith and Forge Hard Cider


Smith and Forge Hard Cider...$5.49 / 4pk 16oz CANS
What is hard cider?
Hard cider is a strong, sturdy but not-too-sweet fermented alcoholic beverage built from the juice of apples. It’s not actually hard, as that would be impossible to drink.
Is it Gluten-Free?
Yes, it is made from apples, and not from wheat or barley, so it is naturally gluten-free. With Smith & Forge Hard Cider, those with a sensitivity to gluten may instead concentrate on fending off other health threats, like being trampled by their oxen. We are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group. They really don’t see eye to eye with gluten.
Why cans?
Cans impede the onset of oxygen, so the cider stays fresher, longer. Cans also become colder more expeditiously. And cans are allowed in some places where bottles are not, like on a zeppelin ride.

Maker's Mark Gourmet Sauce


Maker's Mark Gourmet Sauce....$9.59 / 15oz
Traditional recipe passed on to the Samuels family made with Maker's Mark Bourbon.  Perfect for Beef, Poulty, Seafood or any BBQ.


Bodegas Mas Alta La Basseta





2010 Bodegas Mas Alta La Basseta...$73.99
Personally, I would trade up to the splendid 2010 La Basseta which is sourced from 100-year-old vines and is a blend of 60% Garnacha, 20% Carinena and 20% Syrah aged for 16 months in French oak. It has a lifted nose of fennel, rosemary, raspberry leaf and crushed stone. The palate is full-bodied with ripe, rounded tannins, a touch of balsamic inflecting the red fruit profile with a floral, almost Cote Rotie-like finish derived from the Syrah. Drink 2016-2025.
Rated 92/100 The Wine Advocate

Journeyman Distillery Corset Whips and Whiskey


Journeyman Distillery Corset Whips and Whiskey...$52.99
Batch #1

We only received a few bottles -
call 314.727.8788 to reserve

Ozark Distilling Bourbon





Ozark Distillery Bourbon Whiskey....$35.99
Several batches of Ozark Bourbon Whiskey is now resting comfortably in New Charred Oak Barrels. Everyone asks when it will be ready and the answer to that questions is, when its ready! Time, humidity, temperature, the wood of the barrel, and the quality of the spirits in the barrel all play a role in making hand crafted Ozark Distillery Bourbon Whiskey. We bottled our first barrels in January 2014. The next batch should be aged and ready by April 1st. We will not rush to bottle our whiskey until it is ready.

El Buho Mezca

In stock and online


El Buho Mezcal....$35.99
100% Espadin Agave made in the heart of Oaxaca.
86 proof
In Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, the Espadin are roasted in a stone pit fire for a week and crushed by horse on a tohona stone mill.  Double distilled in a 5th generation copper still, drip by drip.  Bottle by hand in rustic glass.

What is the difference between Mexcal and Tequila?

  • Agave Varietal: All mexcals must be 100% Agave Juice.  Tequilas must be 51% Blue Agave Juce
  • Location: Mexican laws state that tequila can be produced only in the state of Jalisco and limited regions in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
  • Production process:  Mezcal uses an open pit fire to cook Agaves and Tequila production uses a steam oven.


Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Year Old NEW Batch #006




New Batch #006 
Bottled Feb 2014

Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Year Old Batch #006...$53.99
Original Cask Strength Laphroaig is bottled at natural distillery strength with all the depth of genuine taste and texture normally associated with sampling whisky at source.
We mature Laphroaig in seasoned oak barrels, charred before filling to impart a slight sweet vanilla nuttiness. Original Cask Strength Laphroaig is barrier-filtered only just, to remove the small char particles present. This means you will enjoy Laphroaig exactly as we made it.

In extremes of temperature and when you add water it may appear a little cloudy – this is the natural condition of a malt of such a peaty pungence and uncompromising purity. Adding a little water releases a rich aroma of peat smoke with some sweetness and strong hints of the sea.

Emphatic, full bodied and utterly unforgettable – we like to think it’s the purists choice.

The Bitter Truth Pink Gin


Back in stock!

The Bitter Truth Pink Gin...$34.99
Pink gin started out life as a sea farers breakfast, drank to rally a man against the wiles of the ocean, but now it’s had a modern make over by The Bitter Truth. It begins with a Mediterranean bouquet on the nose, with juniper, lemons and warm spices. Wonderfully calm in the mouth, juniper is still at the helm but it is supported by a crew of fresh spiced flavors like licorice, caraway and fennel which cruise to a smooth whirlpool finish. This minx is not just a common gin with a fake tan; it’s a sophisticated metro sexual in a salmon jumper.

The tradition of blending gin and bitters was first established by members of the Royal Navy to cure sea sickness. »The Bitter Truth – Pink Gin« is a delicious blend of traditionally crafted gin and aromatic bitters. It is designed to please modern tastes with a soft and gentle mouth feel and fine complex flavors. It is best used on its own, as a Gin & Tonic or in your favorite Martini Cocktail.

Tasting Notes:
The nose of this flavoured gin is dominated by complex fruity and floral aromas. The taste is very smooth with distinctive flavors of juniper berries in the foreground surrounded by spicy flavors of licorice, caraway and fennel.

WOW - Wine of the Week: Travis


WOW - Wine Of the Week. 
Come taste the WOW each Saturday at all FOUR of our locations.
There will be a special price that day only for the wine of the week. Check the store that day for the sale price.

Wine of the Week - Travis 2012 Chardonnay
Come taste it all four locations on Saturday July 12 - from 11am-4pm
This wine sees no oak and is a perfect summer white!




Great hot weather Chardonnay - no oak!




2012 Travis Monterey Chardonnay...$15.99
The 2012 Chardonnay Unoaked reveals a touch of cloudiness (common in an unfiltered wine) along with notes of poached pears, oranges and tangerines, good acidity, pure, naked, fresh flavors and medium body. Drink this delicious white wine over the next 1-2 years.
Travis is a selection made by Dan Kravitz, primarily from a Monterey County vineyard called Riverview. Kravitz was one of the first to go to unoaked Chardonnay, no malolactic and bottling without filtration (no easy task). The result is a very good wine selling at a realistic price.
Rated 89/100 The Wine Advocate

2012 Oregon starting to get big scores...

Call 314.727.8788 to reserve
or email paul@wineandcheeseplace.com

2012 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir's
Since January we have been touting the greatness of the 2012 Vintage in Oregon and now the press is starting to roll in so please we implore you don't wait for any more praise to be heaped upon these wines, buy them now and sit back and enjoy.


2012 Ken Wright Abbot Claim....$26.99 / 375ml SOLD OUT NOW
From first sniff this exquisite wine grabs you and won’t let go. Brambly berries, redolent with rich umami notes of spice and pine needle cascade into a wine densely packed with fruit and herbs. It lingers, opens and becomes more and more expressive, with soil-generated flavors of forest floor
Rated 97/100 The Wine Enthusiast

2012 Ken Wright Freedom Hill Pinot Noir...$46.99

(Only 18 bottles available)
The Freedom Hill selection from Ken Wright has never been better than this exceptionally rich, dark and dense Pinot Noir. Black cherry, smoke, earth and chocolate intertwine in a remarkably smooth, long, complex and extended finish. A sensational wine to enjoy right now.
Rated 96/100 The Wine Enthusiast

2012 Ken Wright Tanager Vineyard...$46.99
The Tanager ranks among the top three wines from Ken Wright in a superb lineup. A rich mix of Asian spices coat a sensuous wine with a rich core of ripe black cherry fruit. Seams of cola and sassafras run through the palate, and on into a lengthy and utterly delicious finish. Cellar this if you can keep your hands off it!
Rated 95/100 The Wine Enthusiast

2012 Ken Wright Guadalupe Vineyard...$46.99

Quite tart, with lemony acids, the Guadalupe is built upon a mineral base of wet stone and chalk. There’s a streak of earthy umami, dried leaf and green olive, yet the orchestration of these elements is superb, resulting in a distinctive wine focused on details of earth and soil.
Rated 93/100 The Wine Enthusiast

2012 Bergstom Wines in Stock:
(these wines will require a bit more ageing or aeration than the Ken Wrights)
2012 Bergstrom Gregory Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir...$55.99
An early release from the 2012 vintage, it explodes from the glass with richly scented cherry fruit limned with citrus and floral highlights. As good as it is, and already drinking beautifully, it has the structure and complexity to reward further aging.
Rated 94/100 The Wine Enthusiast
2012 Bergstrom Silice Vineyard Pinot Noir...$59.99
Silice is the renamed de Lancellotti selection. Estate-grown and biodynamically farmed, complex details of mineral and earth wrap into a rich palate of strawberry preserves, streaked with cola. Optimum drinking should be 2019–2022
Rated 94/100 The Wine Enthusiast


Also available from the 2012 Vintage
2012 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir...$36.99
An elegant take on what is generally considered a big (as in ripe) vintage. The wine keeps the fruit in proportion and aims for overall finesse. Pretty raspberry, cherry and mocha flavors are accented with a dash of dried herb. Its compelling length suggests that it will reward cellaring up until 2024.
Rated 93/100 The Wine Enthusiast

Large bottles of Champagen!



Large Bottle Champagne!
These are available to us, they are not in stock now.  
Subject to confirmation.
Payment due upon confirmation.
Local distributor currently has them in stock, so we should be able to get them within a few days.

Call 314.727.8788 to order

We are offering them at very good in/out prices since we do not have them in stock.

Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne...$149.99 / Magnum
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne...$299.99 / 3 liter
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne...$699.99 / 6 liter
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne...$1199.99 / 9 liter
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne...$1999.99 / 12 Liter
Moet Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne...$299.99 / 3 liter
Dom Perignon 2003 Brut Champagne....$499.99 / 1.5 liter bottle
Dom Perignon 2003 Brut Champagne Luminous Label...$549.99 / 1.5liter bottle

Abraham Bowman - limited release





Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Double Barrel Bourbon...$69.99

Distilled 12-12-06
Bottled 03-03-14

A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces the first release in its Abraham Bowman line for 2014, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Double Barrel Bourbon. This new bourbon was aged a total of seven years and two months.  This bourbon was originally put into barrels on December 12, 2006 and transferred to new barrels on April 17, 2013. After aging an additional six months in Bowman’s standard Warehouse (A1), the barrels were then moved to the mezzanine of Warehouse K, and aged for an additional 5 months. The mezzanine allows for increased air flow around the barrels while also allowing the barrels to receive more scrutiny under the watchful eye of Master Distiller  Brian Prewitt.
“This is a bourbon lover’s bourbon,” said Prewitt. “We decided not to chill filter this bourbon to help retain more of the flavors. The bourbon is smooth and sweet in the mouth, with a pleasant marriage of spice, vanilla, and toasty oak flavors that linger delicately on the palate.” Prewitt also describes the bourbon to have a “beautiful deep cooper color. The nose opens up with honey and vanilla, giving way to baked apple and pear notes. Sweet caramel, brown sugar, and brown spice round out the nose.”  The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Whiskey Double Barrel Bourbon is part of a series of limited edition whiskies,  named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new expression is released a few times a year. The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Double Barrel Bourbon is on sale now. It is 100 proof.


King George V - rare scotch





John Walker & Sons King George V Scotch....$549.99
(Formerly Johnnie Walker Blue King George V)
King George V  was created to celebrate the Royal Warrant given to the Walker family in 1934 to mark their exceptional quality. This blend includes Port Ellen™, a highly prized malt whose distillery no longer exists.  It is a blend of scotches from distilleries that were around during King George V reign. 

Friday, July 11, 2014

Griottini Absinthe Cherry Liqueur





Griottini Absinthe Cherry Liqueur....$33.99
Griottini is an exceptional blend of Absinthe and Cherry Liqueur.
This is a bold blend of cherries and Absinthe - the typical anise flavor of absinthe enlivened with a hint of bitterness provided by the cherry liqueur. Due to the selection of its ingredients, Griottini is for those looking for the perfect balance between herb and fruit liqueurs and between sweet and bitter flavors.

This aperitif is the achievement of Master Distillers with unique knowledge and produced by Grandes Distilleries PEUREUX, a French company founded in 1864. Absinthe was one of PEUREUX's specialtied before the drink was banned in the early 20th century.

Griottini is obtained using raw materials that are selected with utmost care. The recipe is the traditional one that has been used by our ancestors, but it uses the latest technology ensuring high quality.

Many plants, finely selected, come into the production of Griottini: wormwood, green anis, star anis, fennel, gentian, our mugwort. After a maceration of several hours in alcohol, the plants and seeds are distilled. Then an infusion of plants is added that brings the color. Then, as in the past, 9 months of aging is necessary to enhance the aromas of the plants and seeds.

A revival of absinthe began in the 1990s, following the adoption of modern EU food and beverage laws that removed longstanding barriers to its production and sale. The new Green Fairy comes out now with the red dress – indicating the Cherry side – of GRIOTTINI. The fairy is the green halo that forms during the dilution with water, evoking the silhouette of a fairy.

Four Roses - The Wine and Cheese Place's own barrel!!!!

Our own barrel of Four Roses has arrived....

In stock at Rock Hill and Forsyth now...

Remember,
Every bottle you buy of Four Roses gets you an entry into the raffle to purchase a bottle of the Very Limited Edition coming out - read more





Four Roses / TWCP Single Barrel Bourbon...$33.99
Aged 8 Years 10 Months (call it 9 years)
Bottles produced 210
ABV: 50%
Warehouse: DN
Barrel: 69-1K

The barrel we chose  is "OBSV"
O = Designates produced at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY.
B = The mashbill that is 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley.
S = Designates straight whiskey distillation.

V/K/O/Q/F = Yeast strain used to create flavor characteristics.


A premium Single Barrel Bourbon with a taste you’ll want to savor again and again. Complex, full bodied and surprisingly smooth with a delicate long finish that’s unbelievably mellow. Contains hints of ripe plum and cherry tastes with fruity, spicy aromas including maple syrup and cocoa. Drink straight up or on the rocks. 100 proof. 50% alcohol/volume.

Hof Ten Dormaal Blond Ale Aged in Octomore Barrels





Limited release:
We only have 6 bottles.

Hof Ten Dormaal Blond Ale Aged in Octomore Barrels...$17.99 / 750ml

Octomore Scotch is one of the most heavily peated scotches in the world.


Evil Twin Falco - new batch

New Batch!





Evil Twin Brewing Falco IPA....$10.99 / 4pk
7% ABV
"What makes a great leader?  First of all a perfectly balanced blend of qualities; the ability to stand out - be authoritative without overpowering.  Show courage and endurance - you will lead the way and set standards.  Very important; be appealing and refreshing to the people.  This stereotypical portrait applies whether referring to politics, religion or maybe even this outstanding IPA." - label



Two Jokers new batch arrives...



Boulevard Two Jokers Double Wit...$8.49 / 750ml
"Conventional wisdom holds that there are two sides to every story. Though our new Two Jokers Double-Wit is hardly conventional, there are in fact two distinct pieces to its personality. On the one hand, it’s a revival of the classic Belgian “wit,” or “white” beer, a style dating back to the late 1800s. The use of lactic fermentation and ingredients like coriander and orange peel are hallmarks of the style, as are the cloudiness and the pale color that give the beer its name. On the other hand, it’s a modern, uniquely American specialty brew; big, flavorful, and spiced with cardamom, lavender, and grains of paradise. Two Jokers has a refreshing tartness, nicely balanced by a well rounded malt bill graced by notes of caramel. Belgian yeast brings floral aromas with hints of banana and clove, and a citrusy zing to the tongue. Two Jokers Double-Wit pairs well with the lighter fare of spring and summer, such as grilled fish or chicken, feta cheese, fresh garden salads, and fruit compotes. Look closely now: is it two jesters on the label, or a single beautiful glass of beer?" -- brewery

Cathedral Square Gabriel IPA...NEW


Cathedral Square Gabriel IPA...$6.49 / 22oz
Brewed with a divine blend of Hops: Centennial, Columbus, Chinook and Millenium.  Grabriel is truly a transcendent India Pale Ale.

2nd Shift limited beers...

The only one you can order online now is the Chaotic Insecure Delusions.



2nd Shift Chaotic Insecure Delusions...$14.99 / 750ml
CID - Chaotic Insecure Delusions (named after a line in a Tool song)
The original 2nd Shift Barrel Aged Brett Beer. Put in barrel March of 2012, Steve used multiple strains of Brettanomyces as well as Saccharomyces. Bottled Summer 2014, only 100 cases were bottled! Full mouthfeel, hint of pediococcus. 
7.4%



These two were released through our BRC - BREWard - check your emails
2nd Shift Grace....$14.99 / 750ml
Grace is another barrel fermented Brett beer that I brew and will be made with an ever changing yeast and Brett strain that will keep this beer interesting and evolving just like it’s name sake and just as beautiful.  A 100% barrel fermented Barrel Aged Brett Beer. Using multiple strains of Brett Brux & Brett Lambicus, it aged in barrel for 7 months and was bottled in Spring 2014. Only 66 cases were bottled.  Similar to Katy, more tropical fruit notes, fuller mouth feel.
7.4% ABV



2nd Shift Unicorn Killer V.1...$6.99
Every Year I brew Unicorn Killer Saison and this is number five.  It is brewed with a beautiful Belgian yeast that just makes the sides of your mouth curl up in such a delightful way that some would call it the most beautiful smile in the world.  An American Saison brewed with a funky Belgian yeast strain. Steve plans on making this beer every month now, with every version being slightly different (whether with peppercorns, spices, brett, etc.) This will be version 1, straight Saison with just the yeast, to act as "home base". Only 45 cases bottled. Notes of Banana, Lemon, Grassy & Melon
7.6% ABV

Thursday, July 10, 2014

More low prices and high scores from Spain




More Fantastic Values from Spain:
At least once a week I have a customer come in asking about the Black Slate wines from Priorat, it's been a while since we have had them but boy they made quite and impression when we did. We are very excited to announce the return of one of our favorite wines

2012 Mas Alta Black Slate La Villa Alta...$19.99
Two brilliant efforts from the Bodegas Mas Alta include the 2012 Black Slate, a project of Rhone negociant Michel Tardieu, Philippe Cambie and Eric Solomon. From vineyards planted at a 1,000+ foot elevation, it was produced from 50- to 60-year-old vines and reveals a Burgundy-like personality. Copious notes of black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with subtle spice, vanillin, crushed rock and spring flowers are found in this medium-bodied, elegant, stylish 2012. A blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Carignan and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, it was aged 12 months in French oak, of which 60% was new. It should drink well for 3-6 years.
Rated 90/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate



Another amazing deal from importer Eric Solomon. For those who missed out on the lighting fast sell out of the 2012 Mas Donis Barrica, here is your chance for another spectacular 94 point bargain.  Note we received about ¼ of the amount of Solanera so please act fast this will not last long.

We did not get a lot, so we are limiting it to 6 bottles per person to give more people a chance to try it.
2012 Bodegas Castano Solanera...$13.99
Even more remarkable is the 2012 Solanera Vinas Viejas, a blend of 70% Mourvedre, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Grenache aged 10 months in a combination of French and American oak. A custom cuvee that is only available through importer Eric Solomon, this amazing red wine displays notes of lead pencil shavings, acacia flowers, black raspberries, blueberries and black currants. This full-bodied, intense 2012 tastes like it should cost three to five times as much. Full-bodied, stunningly pure and textured, it should last for 4-5 years, possibly longer.
Rated 94/100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate


Another Wine and Cheese Place favorite is back!
This is our second drop of the 2012 Finca Villacreses Pruno and sadly will be the last of this vintage, don't wait on this one it won't be around for long.

2012 Finca Villacreses Pruno...$18.99
This blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon emerges from a vineyard situated adjacent to one of the famous vineyards utilized to produce Spain’s greatest red wine, Vega Sicilia. Made from relatively old vines, the 2012 Pruno is a sexy, opulent, voluptuously textured effort that spent 12 months in two-year-old French oak barrels. Reminiscent of a baby Vega Sicilia, it possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as notes of high-class, unsmoked cigar tobacco, creme de cassis, licorice, graphite and spice box. Full-bodied, deep, velvety textured, lush and heady, at $20 a bottle, it is another sensational bargain from Eric Solomon. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years.
Rated 93/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

New limited Stone Double IPA



New collab...
Julian Shrago Brewmaster & Co-owner, Beachwood BBQ
Jamil Zainasheff Chief Heretic & Brewmaster, Heretic Brewing Co.
Mitch Steele Brewmaster, Stone Brewing Co.



Stone / Beachwood / Heritic Unapologetic IPA...$8.49 / 22oz
When you get three hopheads together to collaborate on a beer, it’s only natural to expect some hopped up liquid incarnation of their lupulin lust to spring forth from such a session. Maybe it seems passé to some—three masters of hoppy beer once again exploring the familiar territory of the India pale ale. After all, who needs yet another IPA, double or otherwise, right?It’s all been done. To those who feel this way, this trio’s reply is: “so what?” In birthing a double IPA made bitter and fruity care of a mélange of new and experimental hops (Azacca, Belma, and yet-to-be-named varieties from Washington’s Yakima Valley), they aren’t staying in a comfort zone—they’re hitting a sweet spot in the name of all that is good, delicious, hoppy and forward-thinking to create an IPA that’s both like and unlike anything they, or you, have ever tasted. Rife with essence of pine, resin, and fruits both citrus and tropical, there’s no need for apologies with this beer. All that’s necessary is a yearning for hops, a sturdy constitution and an empty glass.