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Saturday, January 12, 2019

Store Hours update - stay tuned

Saturday January 12th

Forsyth -- OPEN NOW  until 3pm
New Ballas - OPEN NOW  until  3pm
Rock Hill  CLOSED TODAY
Ballwin  - CLOSED TODAY


Be careful out there if you decide to come out.

Back open Monday 9am-7pm as usual


Ravo Swedish Vodka





Ravo Swedish Vodka...$13.99
compare to $19.99 at Total Wine and More
This chic and honest vodka is made from pure, all natural winter wheat. It is distilled five times for incredible smoothness and blended with clear spring water. In spite of all that, at the end of the day, you will still mix it with soda and limes so why pay more?  The message flaunts the simplicity of the product. The brand is uncomplicated, straightforward and direct.

Williams GB Extra Dry Single Estate Gin





Williams GB Extra Dry Single Estate Gin...$31.99
Next lowest price online is $36.99
GB Gin is crafted by copper pot distilling Chase Potato Vodka with 10 botanicals; juniper (the buds and the berries), coriander seed, bitter almond, cinnamon bark, ginger, cloves, angelica root, liquorice root, lemon peel kibbles, and cardamon to create our GB extra dry gin.

This smooth yet bursting with flavour gin creates a bittersweet symphony with a good mediterranean tonic. ABV – 40%

Redneck Rivera American Whiskey





Redneck Rivera American Whiskey...$19.99
From Country Star, John Rich
A small batch whiskey with vanilla honey smoothness and a subtle oak finish.
Nose: Light Vanilla, Butterscotch Sweetness, Caramel with a bright touch of Honey.
Flavor:  Smooth Vanilla and the perfect touch of oak. Rich, full palate complexity with approachable sweetness, followed by honey dark stone fruit essence. Rounded out with Earthy grains.

Comprised of the choicest spirits made in the USA.
John Rich had a very specific flavor profile in mind and was adamant that the ingredients be all American. #DrinkAmerican.

With those nuggets of information the West Coast team at Eastside Distilling set to work to create something reminiscent of Canadian Whiskey, yet produced right here in the good ol’ US of A!

Hundreds of samples (and a few hangovers) later, Redneck Riviera American Blended Whiskey was born.

The final test? Making sure that it could get past even the toughest whiskey critic, Granny Rich! We are proud to say that its certified #GrannyRichApproved..

Terra del Tuono White Balsamic Pearls



Terra del Tuono White Balsamic Pearls...$13.89 / 1.76oz jar
White Balsamic Pearls are small spheres of soft consistency which enclose the finest white balsamic, preserving its bittersweet
and fresh taste intact and concentrating its rich scents and aromas into a harmonious symphony of flavors.

They constitute an original and innovative way to add flavor to your dishes, enriching the taste of white meat and fish, finger foods, salads, appetizers, vegetables and fruits, ice cream, and sweets. White Balsamic Pearls could be used both in haute cuisine and in everyday cooking, to prepare something extraordinary for unforgettable dinner with friends and family.



Our Balsamic Specialties
Our mission is to create high quality Balsamic Vinegars of Modena, and Balsamic Specialties.  The strong passion for Innovation, with great respect for our Traditions, has always characterized our family.
Everything here smells of Balsamic:  We still produce our Balsamic in the traditional way, handed down from father to son, with absolutely natural processes and respect of the millennial traditions of our territory.  We work in harmony with nature, cultivating our vineyards and following the rhythm of the seasons. Our Innovations always find their origins in our traditions and come from our passion and research, to become the Classics of the future.
Our Balsamic Vinegars of Modena and Condiments are completely natural products, without preservatives, thickeners or colorings, obtained starting from 100% Italian raw materials. Grape must and vinegar have always been the only two ingredients of our Balsamic Vinegars of Modena and Condiments.
Today, as in the past, we are committed to maintaining a very high quality in our products. We do it for you.
This is our commitment.

Friday, January 11, 2019

New Belgium Transatlantique Kriek





Collab with Oud Beersel
New Belgium Transatlantique Kriek...$12.99
Winner of a gold medal at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival, Transatlantique Kriek begins its life in oaken vessels of Gert Christiaens’ Oud Beersel, a 130-year-old lambic brewery in the Zenne valley of Belgium – home of authentic Lambic beer. After time spent aging in wood, Oud Beersel’s lambic is blended with tart Polish cherries and shipped across the Atlantic to New Belgium. In concert with Oud Beersel’s cherry lambic, or Kriek, we blend an equal portion of golden sour ale matured for 1 – 3 years in our oak vessels called foeders. 50% Sour Golden Ale blended with 50% Traditional Cherry Lambic Ale leads to an intense cherry nose, a sour flash across the palate and a refreshing, mouthwatering finish.






New Belgium / Oud Beersel Transatlantique Kriek...$9.99 /22oz
In a never-ending quest to create new beers and defy category, New Belgium Brewing and Old Beersel of Belgium have partnered to create Transatlantique Kriek, a spontaneously fermented lambic ale made with sour cherries. This authentic kriek beer began life in the oaken vessels at Gert en Jos Christiaens’ brewery in the Lembeek region of Belgium. After more than two years aging, Oud Beersel’s offering shipped across the Atlantic and found its way to the intuitive palate of New Belgium’s brewmaster, Peter Bouckaert. After much sampling and internal consultation, Peter and his brew staff created a full-bodied Belgian golden lager to round out the light-bodied kriek. The cherry nose gives way to a pleasingly sour flash across the palate that rolls gently into a slightly sweet finish. Crisp, effervescent carbonation keeps the mouthfeel bright and delightfully tingly.

Outlaw Series Brianna Brett Jail Break



Blue Blood Outlaw Series Brianna Brett Jail Break..$8.99 / 22oz
Brianna Grapes and Brettanomyces along with their wild reputations were caught and fermented together before transferring them to solitary confinement in oak barrels. With the funky earthiness of Brettanomyces and white wine character of Brianna grape, these two are sure to excite with hints if pear, vanilla and a slightly acidic, dry finish!




Stone Tropic of Thunder Lager


Stone Tropic of Thunder Lager...$9.99 / 6pk cans
Imagine you set sail for a three hour tour. Let’s say from the Port of Escondido (work with us here). The weather started getting rough. Your tiny ship (but not lunch, thankfully) was tossed. Long story short: You’re marooned on a remote island somewhere near the Tropic of Thunder. The good news is that the Capt. of the S.S. Stone and her brewing kit were among the small cast of colorful characters that survived the rough voyage with you. Mainstays Citra & Mosaic along with newcomer Cashmere hops are joined by their juicy tropical aromas of citrus, pineapple and coconut (try stringing all that together in a catchy tune). The rescue ship will find you all soon enough. For now, set aside the non-working cell phone and lack of social media (again, work with us here), kick back and revel in your moment of tropical island lagoon serenity.

Lagunitas Sparkling Swan




Lagunitas Sparkling Swan...$1.39 / 12oz bottle
A TART AND BUBBLY GRAPE ALE
It was magnificent like a diamond, but with an origin shrouded in mystery. Transcendental and, one might say, pulchritudinous like Venus and all her celestial splendor. The crowd moved toward its light like sheep to their shepherd. When the mythical bird finally came into view it did so with the brilliance and magnitude of so many Suns. To the astonishment of every witness, its wings unfurled with nary a zephyrean sound. Then, sparkling with an intriguingly-purple vividness, it rose gracefully into the air. Light as a glimmer, yet dark as an omen. A dazzling, winged conundrum, stunning all in its path...

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Billecart Salmon Bicentenary Cuvee 200

Very Special Bottle! In a very impressive wood box!
Only produced in Magnums!

Billecart Salmon Bicentenary Cuvee 200 1.5L....$1,499.99
*We are the lowest on-line by $200 / bottle
We have one bottle of this ultra rare Magnum from Billecart Salmon. Created to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Billecart the Cuvee 200 is a blend from eight grands crus in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, Billecart-Salmon’s new cuvée is a blend of exceptional wines from the 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2012 vintages comprising 92% Pinot Noir and 4% each of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Only 1,818 bottles of this wine exist in the world.

(we have bottle No. 1439)

Freemark Abbey

There is no school like the “Old School”. Check out these two offerings from one of Napa's most venerated wineries.


2015 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon...$43.99
A blend of 75.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.9% Merlot, 7.3% Petit Verdot, 6.1% Cabernet Franc and 1.6% Malbec, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is deep garnet-purple colored and reveals open-knit, expressive cassis and baked plums scents with hints of pencil shavings, menthol, dark chocolate and damp soil plus a waft of unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied, concentrated and giving mouth-filling black fruits and savory layers, it finishes with a provocative grainy texture.
Rated 94/100 The Wine Advocate
Rated 95/100 Decanter Magazine


2016 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay...$23.99
The 2016 Chardonnay is scented of baked pears, ripe apples and dried herbs with touches of cedar, cinnamon toast and yeast extract. Full-bodied, rich and with a pleasantly oily texture, it is jam packed with ripe apple and toasty layers, finishing long.
Rated 90/100 The Wine Advocate

Caymus vs Bonanza Tasting

Caymus vs Bonanza Tasting
Stop by Saturday for a brown bag challenge. 
Will Bonanza stand up to it's big brother? You be the judge.

Try them both blind this Saturday January 12 from 11am-2pm at our Forsyth location
2016 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet $75.98
vs 
Bonanza Lot #1 Cabernet $19.99

Baron de Brane Margaux





2005 Baron de Brane Margaux...$98.99 / 1.5 liter (magnum)
The name of our second wine honours Baron Jacques-Maxime de Brane, who owned the estate in the 19th century. Blended from vats carefully selected for their suppleness, it is aged just like the First Wine, but for a 12-month period.  Mature Bordeaux in Magnum format.  Great Value!

2016 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley


2016 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley...$27.99
2016 has not been rated, but Aaron says he thinks it is better than the amazing 2014 which scored huge.  (I would not know, they did not offer me a taste.... :(

"Deep, rich flavors of plum, cherry compote, fig and cranberry weave through those layers of spice that include cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. They are all accented by earthy truffle notes in a full, long finish. This dense, rich and well-structured wine is held together beautifully by polished, assertive tannins. The depth and structure show the wine’s potential to age gracefully a decade or more." - winery on the 2016


Score on the 2014...

The bigger, richer 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Sirah aged 16 months in 50% new French and American casks. This is a bigger wine and close to 2% higher in alcohol at 15.5%. There are 11,000 cases of this big, full-bodied, boisterous Cabernet Sauvignon that has a dense ruby/purple color, notes of underbrush, forest floor, tobacco leaf and oodles of blackcurrants and black cherries, with a touch of woodsmoke. The full-bodied wine hits the palate with a cascade of glycerin, fruit and purity. This is a beauty – dense, rich, and structured, but capable of lasting 20 or more years.
Rated 97/100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate

2013 Egelhoff Wines Code Red Cabernet Sauvignon



From a great vintage and a great producer!
2013 Egelhoff Wines Code Red Napa Cabernet Sauvignon...$28.99
(we are the lowest price in the country on Wine-Searcher)
A rich bouquet of coffee, raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry. A medium bodied wine with flavors sweet cranberry, red currants and razzleberry pie flavors create a nice mix of red and black fruits. Youthful, yet pleasant this wine is ready for the table now and will continue to age gracefully for many years.

2018 A Year of Great Wine Finds

2018 A Year of Great Wine Finds
(sorry, some are no longer in stock)

"One of my favorite aspects of buying wine is the constant change and challenge of finding great wines at all price points for our customers. 2018 was no exception to this challenge but at the same time was a great deal of fun. Here are the highlights of our 2018 Year in Wine." -- Aaron, Wine Manager, Forsyth location

Winery of the Year
Bodega Aleanna-El Enemigo
From the Perfect 100 Point 2013 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary to the exceptional value of the El Enemigo line (Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Chardonnay) no winery has captured my imagination more the Bodega Aleanna. Who knew Argentina could do such wonderful things with Cabernet Franc?


White Wine of the Year
2016 Joseph Drouhin Chassagne Montrachet Marquis Laguiche
I would challenge anyone who claims not to like Chardonnay to try this wine. While 2016 was a challenging vintage from a weather standpoint and the yields were quite low, the quality of the wines is outstanding. Drouhin's Chassagne Montrachet Laguiche has long been a favorite of mine and this vintage takes it to a new level.

(My vote was for the Pegau Cuvee A Tempo Blanc, granted we tasted it with just a few days left in the year, but it as amazing.  The review stated it tasted like Grand Cru Burgundy, that intrigued us enough to buy one to try.  It did not disappoint, Paul)
Sparkling Wine of the Year
2008 Roederer Cristal
Towards the middle of 2018 the chatter began about the upcoming release of Roederer's Iconic Tete de Cuvee and for those that know me they know I am not a patient person and I love and I mean really love great Champagne. The emails about the release of 2008 Cristal to my distributor and and the Importer started early and I did not let up until we had 40 cases in store. While we bought and sold loads of great Champagne this year what pushed this over the edge as my Sparkling Wine of the Year is the story of when we tasted it. As one of our many great customers was picking up his case of Cristal he stopped to ask if we had any left, then asked if we get in trouble for drinking on the job. Well 20 minutes later the 2008 Cristal was removed from the fridge and we all had a big smile on our faces. Nothing goes better with great Champagne than good friends a great customers. Thanks Charlie.


Red Wine of the Year
2010 Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc Agrelo Vineyard
While this wine “only” scored 95/100 to my taste it more than held its own being tasted next to the 100 point 2013 Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc Gualtallry. The extra bottle age really shows what these wines can do. I would not hesitate a bit to put this wine into a top flight Bordeaux or California Cabernet tasting and know it will more than hold its own. My initial tasting note say it all “As classy a bottle of red wine as I have tasted all year.”


Best Value of the Year
2015 Domaine Cabirau First Things First
Value is a hard term to define in the world of fine wine, but for me true value is finding a wine that punches well above it's weight in terms of price and versatility. I have had many $10 bottles that drink as well as a solid $20 and offer an immediate pleasure but lack the complexity and balance to pair with food, these wines offer a value for sure for me true value is in a wines versatility and balance. While not priced in a “value” range at $34.99 the beauty of the Domaine Cabirau First Things First is that it drinks more like a $60-$75 bottle of wine, balancing a great concentration of fruit along with a backbone of acid and tannin. Truly an eye opening experience.


Aaron Zwicker

Perennial Prism Dry Hopped Saison #3


On sale now!
Perennial Prism Dry Hopped Saison
Hallertau Blanc and Cascade...$6.99 / 4pk 16oz cans

For the third installment of Prism, our dry-hopped saison series, we selected Cascade and Hallertau Blanc. Using the same simple grist, and expressive Belgian yeast strain, this iteration of Prism exudes huge grapefruit notes blended with massive aromas of white tea with a slight classic grassy finish that we all love in saison.

Schlafly IBEX Local Oak



Schlafly IBEX Local Oak...$15.99 / 4pk
ABV: 4.5%
Inspired by the famous sour ales of Belgium, this beer starts as a Saison and undergoes several transformations, fermented with the additions of Lactobacillus, Brettanomyces and two Saison yeast strains. The mixed-fermentation process creates all the personality you expect from a beer like this, with tart and fruity traits introduced from the Lacto and Brett, with a light malt character. Aged gracefully in our elegant foeders hewn from locally grown Ozark timber, this is where the beer develops a lot of its character.

Sierra Nevada Sierraveza


Sierra Nevada Sierraveza...$7.99 / 6pk
Light and easy lager
Inspired by the classic cervezas served ice cold by the beach, we created our own take on those light and easy beers born south of the border. Sierraveza is golden and crisp, with a balanced malt flavor and a hit of floral hops that will have you calling out for another round.

Sierra Nevada Resilience Butte County Proud IPA


Sierra Nevada Resilience Butte County Proud IPA...$7.99 / 6pk cans
The Camp Fire started in the hills above our Chico brewery on November 8, 2018, it soon became the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. The fire burned more than 153,000 acres, killed at least 85 people, and destroyed more than 13,000 homes. Many of our employees and community members were severely impacted by this tragic event.

In the days following the fire, we announced plans to brew Resilience Butte County Proud IPA, a fundraiser beer for Camp Fire relief. We committed to brewing the beer and donating 100% of the sales to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund, aimed at long-term community rebuilding support. And we asked every brewery in the country to do it with us.

We sent out the “bat signal” calling our friends in the industry, asking our suppliers to donate ingredients, asking other breweries (our competitors) to donate their time and labor costs, and asking our wholesalers and retailers to carry the beer for free. It was a big ask, and we never could have anticipated the response.

More than 1,400 breweries signed up to brew Resilience. Our suppliers donated ingredients to every brewery nationwide. Wholesalers and retailers agreed to carry the beer and donate every dollar they received. All of them agreed to do this for free to benefit people they had never met.

In all, Resilience Butte County Proud IPA should hit the market in mid-late December more than 17,000 barrels—or 4.2 million pints—strong. Every dollar Sierra Nevada receives will go to those impacted by the Camp Fire.

Thank you to the brewing community. Thank you to our suppliers. Thank you to our wholesalers and retailers. And thank you to every single customer who is helping us rebuild our Butte County community—one pint at a time.

Elouan Pinot Noir Oregon



Elouan Pinot Noir Oregon...$18.99
The delicate nature of Oregon Pinot Noir requires a soft hand in the cellar. The clusters were 100% destemmed with a few select lots having small amounts of stems added back to the fermenter for phenolic augmentation. The must underwent an extended cold soak, ranging from five days to two weeks, and during fermentation both punch-down and pump-over techniques were utilized. We monitor the separate lots and tailor the extraction methods to the needs of each one. We find this style of reactive winemaking is the best way to coax the optimal terroir qualities from Pinot Noir, truly exemplifying the prime coastal vineyards from where it is sourced. The wine was aged for ten months in a mix of new and seasoned French oak and racked upon completion of malolactic fermentation.

Stone Brewing Fyodor BA Totalitarian Imperial Russian



Stone Brewing Fyodor BA Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout...$14.99
Aged in Bourbon Barrels.
Stone Imperial Russian Stout is a thick, rich and sinful beer that’s heavy on the palate and massively aromatic with notes of anise, black currants, cof fee and roastiness.
CELLAR NOTES : This profoundly complexed beer will overwhelm all but the most stalwart beer fanatics with its level of intensity. Rich coffee, bitter and milk chocolate characteristics abound, while dark charred oak, rich vanilla and caramel from the bourbon barrels synergistically elevate and further enhance the ultra-intense taste of the original beer. The name we chose for this heady creation, “Fyodor”, is a tip of the hat to Fyodor Dostoyevsky, one of the greatest, most influential novelists of Russia’s Golden Age.

Stone Mikhail Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout


Stone Mikhail Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout...$14.99 / 500ml
Aged in Bourbon Barrels with Espresso Beans
Stone Imperial Russian Stout is a thick, rich and sinful beer that’s heavy on the palate and massively aromatic with notes of anise, black currants, coffee and roastiness.
CELLAR NOTES:  Intense coffee characteristics abound from both the dark malts and the espresso, while rich caramel-like and vanilla notes from the bourbon barrel aging adds layers of complexity, a touch of sweetness and a vibrant dark fruit finish. Since this is an unusual take on our traditional imperial Russian stout, “Mikhail” pays homage to Mikhail Bulgakov, whose novel The Master and Margarita is considered the foremost of Soviet satires.

Komes Baltic proter



Back in stock

Komes Baltic Porter....$3.99 / pint
Komes Porter is a full-bodied Polish Baltic porter with a substantial roasted malt character, offering a perfectly smooth, rounded finish. It has majestic black color and great creamy head. Flavor of roasted malts is well balanced with espresso and chocolate hints.
Its complex, unique flavor and aroma will cater to the most sophisticated tastes. The taste changes over time: from freshly burned to more complex and dry.
2013 Bronze Award winner at the World Beer Cup.

Brooklyn Unfiltered Pilsner




Brooklyn Unfiltered Pilsner...$8.49 / 6pk
Brooklyn Unfiltered is a sterling example of a "keller pilsner," a smooth, hazy style with its roots in the earliest days of lagering. Our take is brisk and gently bready with a well-tuned smooth finish. Take it with you to the dinner table, the after party, and anywhere in between.

If you pick up a bottle of Brooklyn Unfiltered and notice a layer of fine sediment inside, don't worry. Some settling can occur during storage as the yeast and malt haze falls to the bottom. Give it a quick swirl or a steady pour into a glass to mix it up, and enjoy.
Style: Unfiltered Pilsner
Malts: 2-row, Wheat malt
Hops: Saaz, Saphir, Hallertau
Yeast: Our House Lager Yeast
Alcohol by Volume: 4.3%
Food Pairings: Fresh bread, barbecued chicken, steamed mussels, bar snacks, and sharp Provolone.

2017 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark and Telephone




2017 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark and Telephone...$44.99
Bright ruby red with fresh, vibrant aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry jam and cedar box accented by rich floral notes. This wine is juicy and generous on the palate with sweet cherry, field-ripened strawberry, cranberry and just-baked gingerbread. Perfectly balanced with bright acidity and a supple mouthfeel. Fine grained tannins provide an authentic textural distinction and structural depth.

Unibroue Ephemere Strawberry & Rhubarb




Unibroue Ephemere Strawberry & Rhubarb...$14.99 / 6pk
Brewed since 2018
Origin: Chambly, Quebec
Éphémère Fraise & Rhubarbe is a seasonal ale offered for a limited time.