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Saturday, August 24, 2019

Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape Les Galimardes




2017 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape Les Galimardes...$99.99
The two special cuvées are some of the gems in the vintage. The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Gallimardes comes from one of the great sites in the southern part of the appellation and is just about all Grenache (there’s some very old vine Syrah, which struggles in this hot terroir). While not up to the out of this world 2016, it has a beautiful bouquet of cassis, kirsch liqueur, black raspberries, garrigue, and peppery herbs. Deep, full-bodied, and powerful on the palate, it has ultra-fine tannins as well as loads of character. It’s going to drink brilliantly for 15 years or more.
Rated 95/100 Jeb Dunnuck
Candied, pure cherry fruit forms the base of the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Gallimardes, but rose florals and tea-like notes provide elegant, graceful notes of complexity. Full-bodied but silky, this ends with a degree of lacy finesse and delicacy that's unusual for the vintage.
Rated 94-96/100 Wine Advocate

2017 Chateau Virgile Costières de Nîmes Rouge







2017 Chateau Virgile Costières de Nîmes Rouge...$11.99
Syrah 50%, Grenache 30%, Mourvèdre 10%, Marselan 10%

This is the first vintage in more than a decade, that Virgile has changed the blend of their wine, with the addition of Marselan. The vines, situated at the edge of a plateau in very deep gravel, produce dark, concentrated wines. 


Tasting Notes: Château Virgile is a lush and concentrated example of a Costières de Nîmes. The nose is intense with black fruit aromas complimented with hints of garrigue spice. In the mouth the wine is dominated by dense black cherry flavors from the Syrah. The Syrah is complemented by hints of black pepper and red cherry notes from the Grenache. The Mourvèdre helps to provide the ripe tannins that give this wine its structure. Now, for the first time, the addition of Marselan, softens the wine, giving it a lush, juicy character. This wine is ideal for barbeque, grilled meats, or simply burgers on the grill. Enjoy!

Clos de Papes Le Petit Vin d'Avril


Great Rhone value from Clos des Papes!


Clos de Papes Le Petit Vin d'Avril...$19.99 
Estate History One of the estate’s with a richest history in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Clos des Papes has been considered one the appellation’s top estate’s since its beginnings in the early 18th century. 

The Avrils have resisted to follow the trend of producing multiple cuvees due to a belief that all of the wines would suffer because the best fruit is being divided. To this day, Clos des Papes produces one red and one white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and that’s it. This kind of loyalty to the terroir has solidified this estate’s reputation as the epitome of class in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 

Le Petit Vin d’Avril Vin de Table N.V. Rouge Area: 5 hectares just outside the appellation’s borders on the sandy banks of the Rhône River. Production: 2,500 cases 
Blend: This big bistro blend contains mostly Grenache and Syrah, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault.  This wine is not declassified Châteauneuf-du-Pape fruit. The dedicated vines for the Petit Vin d’Avril are located near the banks of the Rhône River. These sandy soils to the southeast of Châteauneuf-du-Pape offer good terroir for wines that are easy to drink. Strict vineyard management is the key here. Vincent has a great team he employs year-round to help him keep his vines healthy and to adapt to any kind of weather conditions that show up. In the cellar 
The Petit Vin d’Avril is always a blend, not only of varietals, but vintages as well. Typically, Vincent uses 2/3 of the current vintage and 1/3 of the previous vintage in each year’s bottling. Depending on each year’s production, the blend may include up to four different vintages. The previous year’s wines age in old foudres while they waited to be blended with the younger wine. Vincent likes to rotate out his oldest foudre for a new foudre every couple of years. The new barrel will be used only for the Petit Vin d’Avril during its first 3 years so the foudre has less of an effect on the Châteauneuf-du-Pape when it is finally put to use for that wine. 

Jose Antonio García Unculín Tinto Mencía de Valtuille



You can taste this wine at our Customer Appreciation Event where we are featuring a number of Natural wines!
- click here to read more about that event



2017 Jose Antonio García Unculín Tinto Mencía de Valtuille...$17.99
  • Natural Wine
  • Organic Wine
Unculín is a fresh, vin de soif style Bierzo which offers an antidote to over-blown, internationally-styled wines previously made in the region. Jose’s mineral Unculín echoes the forgotten traditions of the Bierzo region while pushing the envelope.

Vinification From Jose’s organically-grown, family-owned vineyards in the village of Valtuille de Abajo; planted with 60 to 100-year-old traditional mencía bush vines from an ancient genetic ancestry. Some of these vines are more than 200 years old. Grapes are hand-picked, leaving stems on 30% of the bunches. Unculín undergoes a spontaneous fermentation by natural, indigenous yeast in large, neutral, French foudres with a 30-day maceration post-fermentation. Four months of aging on the fine-lees and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel without topping up. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal intervention.

Tuff Nutt – Bianco d’Alessano Pet Nat


You can taste this wine at our Customer Appreciation Event where we are featuring a number of Natural wines! 



2019 Delinquente Tuff Nutt – Bianco d’Alessano Pet Nat...$19.99
Small batch
Vegan Friendly
Bianco d’Alessano is an uncommon variety from Puglia in Southern Italy, with the Loxton vineyard the only planting in Australia. Fermented in stainless steel with wild vineyard yeast, the wine was bottled under crown seal to finish ferment, resulting in the Petillant Naturel, lightly sparkling style.

The nose is beautifully clean for a bottle fermented wine, bright citrus mixed with bready, almost croissant-like aromas. The palate this vintage opens tight and fresh, before giving way to the classic tropical fruit characters of lychee, honeydew and pineapple that we have come to expect from this wine. The acid line cuts through this fruitiness, indicated by the 9% ABV, giving the wine an almost savoury, moreish finish, perfect for summer picnic in the park or with freshly shucked oysters.

Bacardi Reserva 8 year and 10 Year





These are not solera - they are aged a minimum of 8 and 10 years old!




Bacardi Reserva Ocho 8 Year Old...$26.99
Created in 1862, BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho rum is one of the oldest private rum blends in the world. For seven generations, the BACARDÍ family enjoyed it as their personal reserve. Happily, today everyone can enjoy this golden sipping rum and create special moments together.



Bacardi Gran Reserva Diez 10 Year Old...$37.99
Expertly blended. Barrel-aged for a minimum of ten years under the Caribbean sun. Then filtered through charcoal for a smooth finish. BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Diez dark gold rum is worth the wait.

Hamilton 151 Rum



Hamilton Overproof 151 Rum...$26.99
Deep Amber rum distilled from fermented molasses. Aged up to five years.
This blend of aged Demerara rums is bottled at 151 proof to bring the full flavor to tiki and other cocktails that call for Demerara Overproof rum. Rich flavors of dark, stone fruit, smoky wood, burnt cane, treacle and brown spice.Bottled at 75.5% alcohol by volume.

Writer's Tears Double Oak Irish






Writer's Tears Double Oak Irish Whiskey...$49.99
Writers’ Tears Double Oak, is a blend of the two premium whiskey styles aged in two types of wood – American and French Oak. It is triple-distilled, non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV. The new expression is made possible by a close collaboration between the Walsh family in Ireland’s County Carlow and the Legaret family in Cognac, France.

SONOMA WHISKEY



SONOMA WHISKEY
Sonoma Bourbon and Sonoma Rye are reminiscent of a more traditional style of whiskey. These uniquely robust and full-bodied expressions are the result of double distillation process in handmade copper pot stills.

This is Premium California Whiskey.


Click here to go to their press page and read more about them







Sonoma Distilling Bourbon Whiskey...$34.99
lowest price online is $38
Wheated Bourbon
ABV: 46%
92 Proof
Mash Bill:  
  • 70% corn from California and Canada
  • 25% wheat from California and Canada
  • 5% malted barley from Wyoming
AGED:  A minimum of 15 months with a majority of the blend over 2 years.


Sonoma Distilling Rye Whiskey...$34.99
Rye Whiskey
ABV: 46.5%
93 Proof
Mash Bill:
  • 80% Rye from California and Canada
  • 20% Malted Rye from United Kingdom
AGED:  A minimum of 15 months with a majority of the blend over 2 years.


Sonoma Distilling Cherrywood Rye Whiskey...$43.99
Seasonal Spring Release (they held some back for us here)
ABV: 48% 
96 Proof
Mash Bill:  
  • 80% Unmalted Rye from California
  • 10% Wheat from California
  • 10% Cherrywood smoked barley from Wyoming
AGED:  A minimum of 15 months with a majority of the blend over 2 years.

Oskar Blues Wild Basin Alcoholic Sparkling Water.

In stock now at Forsyth

100 CALORIES | GLUTEN FREE
0G SUGAR | 1G CARB | 5% ALC./VOL.
NO ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS | ALL NATURAL FLAVORS


New flavor
Oskar Blues Wild Basin Black Raspberry Alcoholic Sparkling Water...$8.99 / 6pk



Oskar Blues Wild Basin Alcoholic Sparkling Water...$15.99 / 12 pack mix

Includes 3 cans of each

Classic Lime: 
Bright, Summery, Familiar.  
Burst of citrus that tastes like it’s fresh-squeezed. Perfect for outdoor adventures and rooftop gatherings alike.

Cucumber Peach:
Clean, Balanced, Relaxing
Ripe peach and a crisp cucumber finish. Reminiscent of a spa day at your favorite getaway destination. No robe required.

Melon Basil:
Juicy, Herbal, Playful
Semi-sweet with aromatics of mint and pepper. A pleasing blend of culinary notes that takes you back to simpler times.

Lemon Agave Hibiscus
Fruity, Vibrant, Rewarding
Harmonious flavors and floral highlights. Like stopping at your neighborhood lemonade stand on a hot day.

Avery Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest


Avery Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest...$9.99 / 6pk
Just in time for fall and its most notable Fest, this limited release Imperial Oktoberfest Lager is our emboldened Prost! to one of the world's most recognized styles. The Kaiser weaves together rich, toasted Vienna and Munich malts with the floral spiciness of Hersbrucker and Bravo hops to create a bold and brazen dry Imperial Oktoberfest.

Nugan Estate Third Generation Cabernet Sauvignon



Nugan is back!
Great Aussie reds!
Great bang for the buck



2017 Nugan Estate Third Generation Cabernet Sauvignon...$12.99
Vegan Friendly
Winemakers Notes: A lovely fruit driven style. Rich and concentrated flavours of juicy mixed berries, spice and supple tannins with toasty oak nuances. Enjoy with a wide range of dishes including red meat, poultry and pasta.
The Cabernet fruit was harvested at optimum ripeness in the cool of the night to preserve delicate fruit flavour & inhibit wild yeast fermentation. After crushing / destemming & innoculation with a pure yeast culture, fermentation took place in static fermenters (with auto-irrigators). Post Primary ferment, the parcels were pressed & matured separately until blending.





2017 Nugan Estate Third Generation Shiraz...$12.99
Vegan Friendly
The great Australian Shiraz is a lovely, medium bodied style. Appealing flavors of a rope berry fruit, spice and black pepper with supple tannins and a long, smooth finish. Enjoy with supple tannins and a long, smooth finish.
The fruit was harvested at optimum ripeness in the cool of the night to preserve delicate fruit flavour and inhibit wild yeast fermentation. After crushing / destemming and inoculation with a pure yeast culture, fermentation took place in static fermenters with American oak. Thereafter, the wine underwent maturation for 12 months in new and seasoned American and French Oak before final blending and bottling.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Oskar Blues Death by Coconut




Oskar Blues Death by Coconut....$10.99 / 4pk
PASS. DASH. HIT
Intense fresh cacao flavors swirl with popping coconut aromas, all supported by a semi-sweet porter made from loads of dark chocolate and extra dark caramel malt. This limited release specialty comes around once a year to satisfy that sweet tooth, so get 'em while you can before they disappear. At 6.5% ABV and 25 IBUs, this choconut goodness will have you yellin' "Pass. Dash. Hit." all winter long.

2016 Joseph Phelps Insignia




Potential Perfection!
2016 Joseph Phelps Insignia...$259.98
A barrel sample made up of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec to be aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, the 2016 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine has a deep garnet-purple color and is a little reticent at this still nascent stage (to be bottled in January 2019), opening out to reveal chocolate-covered cherries, wild blueberries and black raspberries with touches of underbrush, cedar chest and bouquet garni plus a hint of grilled meat. Medium to full-bodied, the palate springs forth with exciting energy, offering loads of red and black fruit layers and compelling herbal sparks, featuring a firm, fine-grained backbone and bags of freshness lifting the finish. 13,500 cases are expected to be made.
Rated 97-100/100 The Wine Advocate
Lovely density and intensity with dark berries, blueberries and inky undertones with hints of spice, chocolate and walnuts. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a flavorful finish. The texture and length are fantastic here. Complex. Hints of smoky wood at the end. This needs three to five years more in bottle age. Exciting wine. Try after 2022.
Rated 98/100 James Suckling
Sweet, racy and perfumed, the 2016 Insignia captivates all the senses with its exceptional balance. In 2016, Insignia is poised and vibrant in the glass, with gorgeous balance of aromatics, fruit and structure. Succulent dark cherry, plum, lavender and menthol are all nicely delineated. Today, the 2016 offers the mid-weight structure of the 2014 with the depth and darker profile of the 2015, a combination that is incredibly appealing. All of that makes the 2016 Insignia one of the highlights in this tasting.
Rated 95-98/100 Antonio Galloni Vinous Media
This is laden with dark currant, blackberry and black cherry preserve flavors, infused gently with alder, incense and black tea notes, all carried by a long swath of fine-grained tannins. Hints of warm stone and tobacco gild the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Best from 2021 through 2035. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 13,500 cases made. — JM
Rated 95/100 Wine Spectator
Not yet bottled, the 2016 Insignia should match – or exceed – the 2015, yet it shows a slightly more vibrant, cooler, more classic character. Vibrant notes of crème de cassis, violets, crushed rocks, and lead pencil all give way to a full-bodied 2016 that has silky tannins, no hard edges, and thrilling purity of fruit. It’s going to be reasonably approachable on release, yet I suspect won’t hit prime time until 4-5 years after the vintage and should cruise for 2-3 decades.
Rated 96-98/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbons!

First wave of emails went out this morning!
Will be another load tomorrow!

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbons!

Four Roses Single Barrel OBSK
Aged 8 Years and 2 months
150 bottles
62.5% ABV - 125 proof
Warehouse: KE (East side of the warehouse)
Barrel No.  63-6H  
  • 63rd rack
  • 6 tier and 8 barrels deep


OBSK
"O": Four Roses Distillery
"B" : Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley
"S": Straight Whiskey
"K": Yeast strain - Light spiciness, light caramel, and full bodied

Four Roses Single Barrel OESK

Aged 10 Years and 4 months
174 bottles
56.4% ABV - 112.8 proof
Warehouse: MW (West side of the warehouse)
Barrel No.  31-2J  
  • 31st rack
  • 2 tier and 10 barrels deep

OESK
"O": Four Roses Distillery
"E" : Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 20% Rye and 5% Malted Barley.
"S": Straight Whiskey
"K": Yeast strain - Light spiciness, light caramel, and full bodied





Dillon's trip to Four Roses to pick out these two barrels.



Thursday, August 22, 2019

Hartford Court




Fantastic new releases from Hartford Court
As always Hartford Court delivers the goods. These are some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay California (and Oregon) have to offer.

2016 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard...$91.99
Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard is a little youthfully mute to begin, opening out to display gorgeous rose hip tea, kirsch and warm cranberries with hints of dried thyme, black soil and tree bark plus a hint of fungi. The medium to full-bodied palate completely coats the mouth with earth-laced red berry and kirsch notions, framed by very firm, very fine-grained tannins and great freshness, finishing very long with a compelling herbal lift.
Rated 97+/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Rated 97/100 The Wine Advocate


2016 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Warrior Princess...$66.99
Coming from the Eola-Amity Hills region of Oregon, the 2016 Pinot Noir Warrior Princess is world class all the way, and I’d put this up against any Pinot Noir out there. Medium ruby-colored with a beautiful perfume of black cherries, blackberries, violets, wood smoke, and earth, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, incredible balance, subtle background oak, and a great, great finish. This is a complete, beautiful Pinot Noir that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for a decade. Unfortunately, there are only 352 cases produced.
Rated 97/100 Jeb Dunnuck


2015 Hartford Court Three Jacks Chardonnay....$61.99

From the Green Valley portion of the Russian River Valley, the 2015 Chardonnay Three Jacks Vineyard was barrel fermented and aged in a mix of new and used French oak. Mango, Meyer lemon, ripe pineapple, and hints of toast all emerge from this seriously rich, concentrated, unctuous effort. A blend of four different clones, it's a full-bodied Chardonnay that has moderate acidity, yet still stays pure, elegant, and clean, with a killer finish.
Rated 97/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Cheese Features


We are featuring these two cheeses this week - come in for a taste


Bruder Basil Smoked (Naturally Smoked)
Bruder Basil Semi-soft, pasteurized cow milk, brick shaped loaf. Creamy paste has few lacey holes and the finish is smokey. Nice served with beer as a table cheese or makes an excellent melting cheese.







Drunken Goat
What is there not to love when two of your favorite things, wine and cheese, are combined into one delicious bite? Drunken Goat cheese (Murcia Al Vino) is a crowd-friendly, always popular, goat cheese from Spain, where you might see it called queso de cabra al vino. The purple rind comes from bathing in red wine, which also gives the cheese a slightly fruity flavor. The flavor is also sharp and tangy, but in a very mellow, "I want everyone to like me" sort of way. For those who don't like goat cheese, Drunken Goat is very much un-goaty.

Macallan Single Malt Scotch Tasting!



Customer Appreciation Days!

Open House 

Macallan Scotch Tasting



Friday August 30th from 4-6pm - New Ballas
The Wine and Cheese Place New Ballas
459 N. New Ballas Road, Creve Coeur



Friday September 6th at Ballwin - list to be announced



Taste all of these amazing scotches! 

  • Macallan Rare Cask 
  • Macallan 12 Year Sherry Cask 
  • Macallan 12 year Double Cask 
  • Highland Park 12 year Old 
  • Macallan 15 Year Triple Cask 
  • Macallan 18 Year Triple Cask 


2017 Chateauneuf Du Pape





2017 Chateauneuf Du Pape

The hot streak continues for the Southern Rhone. 2017 represents yet another fantastic vintage for the Southern Rhone:
“As I predicted last year, 2017 has turned out to be a brilliant vintage which surpasses 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.” -Jeb Dunnuck


2017 Clos St. Jean Chateauneuf du Pape V.V...$49.99
As always, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a touch more dark fruits, more concentration, and more structure, which makes it less approachable but more age-worthy. Blackcurrants, ground pepper, bouquet garni, crushed rocks, and garrigue notes all emerge from this structured, focused, yet ripe and beautifully textured Châteauneuf Du Pape that's going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age.
Rated 94+/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Rated 93-95/100 Wine Advocate


2017 Clos St Jean Combe Fous Chateauneuf Du Pape...$109.99
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous checks in as a normal blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Vaccarèse and Cinsault, raised in tank and demi-muids. Kirsch liqueur, white flowers, graphite, ground pepper, and obvious minerality all emerge from this ethereal yet powerful, concentrated 2017. It's very much in the more Provençal, elegant style of this vintage, yet has classic Clos Saint Jean purity, style, and power. It's a gorgeous wine.
Rated 97/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Rated 95-97/100 Wine Advocate



2017 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape...$115.98
One of the strongest wines in the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Vincent Avril. This beauty has everything you could ask for. As with the 2018, the blend is heavily shifted toward Mourvèdre, and it offers a mammoth bouquet of black cherries, graphite, cured meats, Asian spices, and assorted garrigue-like nuances. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it stays straight and focused on the palate (whereas the 2016 is more expansive and voluptuous), with a stacked mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, and fabulous length. You’re going to want bottles of this in the cellar, and comparing the 2007, 2010, 2016, and 2017 over the coming two decades is going to be a treat.
Rated 98+/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Rated 94-96/100 Wine Advocate


2017 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition...$48.99
I loved the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape, and I’d certainly be happy with a case in the cellar. Offering a pure, elegant, incredibly Grenache-driven profile of sweet black raspberries, incense, violets, and garrigue, it’s medium to full-bodied, ethereal, and elegant on the palate. It’s already hard to resist yet will keep for 10-15 years.
Rated 93/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Rated 92-94/100 Wine Advocate

2017 Domaine Giraud Grenaches des Pierre...$102.99
Lastly, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Grenaches de Pierre offers slightly more purity and elegance, yet certainly doesn’t come up short on power or concentration. Stunning black cherries, currants, underbrush, ground pepper, and earthy, rocky mineral notes all give way to a deeper, darker, rich, concentrated wine that’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age. It will see its 20th birthday in fine form.
Rated 96+/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Rated 96-98/100 Wine Advocate

WhistlePig Farmstock Rye Bottled in Barn No. 3





WhistlePig Farmstock Rye Bottled in Barn No. 3....$64.99

New batch #003
FarmStock Rye Crop No. 003 is the third release of our limited edition annual Triple Terroir Whiske – created from our rye grain, distilled and proofed with our water, and aged in our custom Vermont White Oak.

This year’s release is a historical step for us – the first ever majority WhistlePig Whiskey. Comprised of 52% of our 3-year-old Rye Whiskey, blended with 31% 6-year aged whiskey and 17% 10 year aged whiskey from Alberta, Canada.