The Wine and Cheese Place: June 2011

Jun 30, 2011

Beringer just scored 97/100 from Robert Parker

2007 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
we have a great price right now -- order here

"Production: 9,008 cases; Alcohol: 14.6%; Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Harvest Dates: September 10 to October 24. The 2007 Private Reserve is composed of 34% Bancroft Ranch, 33% Steinhauer Ranch, 8% Chabot Vineyard, 8% Lampyridae, and the remainder from St. Helena Home Vineyard, Marston Ranch and Rancho del Oso fruit. A mild spring and summer with only a handful of heat spikes was followed by beautiful weather in September and October. One of the finest Private Reserves made over the last two decades, this phenomenal wine is obviously still an infant in terms of development, but it exhibits a dense purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of blackberries, white chocolate, licorice, tobacco leaf, smoky barbecue, charcoal and a burning ember-like note reminiscent of a Graves from Bordeaux. A dense, luscious, full-bodied, opulent style, with sweet tannin, this locked and loaded, intense, full throttle Private Reserve should be accessible in 5-6 years and last for 25-30."
Rated 97/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Taste all 19 Hops - July 14

SOLD OUT

Beer Tasting

Taste all 19 beers from Mikkeller's Single Hop Series

July 14 from 6-8pm

The Wine and Cheese Place

7435 Forsyth Blvd,

Clayton, MO 63105

314.727.8788

Join Brent from IBU as he will lead you through this amazing tasting....

$15 / person

You will taste all 19 hops in 4 flights.

(each pour will be about a 2oz pour)

Sit down event and reservations are required -- seating is limited.

Mikkeller Single Hop Series

Here is what we will taste:
Mt. Hood
Citra
Columbus
Palisade
Willamette
Warrior
Simcoe
Centennial
Nugget
Cluster
Amarillo
Galena

Super Galena

Bravo

Cascade

Magnum
Challenger

Tettnanger

Sorachi Ace

Available online

Best Wine, Cheese, and Liquor

The Sauce Magazine Awards are out for 2011
We have won the Best Wine Shop and Best Cheese shop for 3 years in a row. This year they moved us to a new category "chain store"??
I am going to call it 4 years in a row....
.................as best wine shop and best place to buy cheese

In the "chain store" category we won
1st place again - Favorite Wine Shop
1st place again - Favorite Liquor Store
1st place again - Favorite Place to buy Cheese

Some recent awards:
2011 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Place to Buy Cheese
2011 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Wine Shop
2011 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Liquor Store
2010 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Wine Shop
2010 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Place to Buy Cheese
2010 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Specialty Food Shop
2010 Ladue News Platinum List “Best Place to Buy Wine”
2009 Riverfront Times Readers’ Choice Best Liquor Store
2009 Riverfront Times Readers’ Choice Best Cheese Selection
2009 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Cheese Shop
2009 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Wine Shop
2008 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Liquor Store
2008 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Wine Shop
2008 Sauce Magazine Readers’ Choice Favorite Place to Buy Cheese
2008 Ladue News Best Cheese Selection
2008 Ladue News Platinum List Award Winner

High West Silver Whiskey Western Oat....$31.99
An un‐aged oat whiskey (akin to a blanco tequila) with a mash bill containing 85% oats and 15% barley malt. A very unique and incredibly smooth whiskey.

“Delicate aromas of bison grass, granola, toasted nut and grain, and chervil follow through on a soft, satiny entry to a light-to-medium body with hints of anise, pear and apple. Finishes with delicate, lightly warming, mossy stone accented fade. Very stylish and slightly reminiscent of shochu; will make great cocktails.
– 92/100 Beverage Tasting Institute

– Best Un-Aged Whiskey -- 2010 ADI Craft American Whiskey Competition.
– 94/100 American Craft Spirits - americancraftspirits.com
– Gold Medal - International Review Of Spirits

High West Double Rye....$31.99
Marriage of two straight rye whiskies that combines the feisty properties of a high rye 2-year-old and the saddle smooth richness of a 16-year-old. The 2-year-old has a 95% rye 5% barley malt mashbill. The older rye has a “barely legal” rye mashbill of 53% rye and 37% corn. The extra age and corn provides some extra sweetness to calm the “bite” of the younger rye for a relationship that works.

Thanks to its balance of cinnamon, anise, and honey, DOUBLE RYE!™ is great served neat, with a little water, or on the rocks. And its spirited flavor fortifies classic cocktails like the Manhattan and Old Fashioned. We recommend it for most occasions – sipping it in solitude by a campfire, savoring with favorite old friends, or sharing it with a good-looking stranger.

Some new Hatters....

Available online also

New Holland Black Hatter Black I.P.A....$4.69 / 22oz

"A blackened version of Mad Hatter brewed with black malt for a dark, roasty sweetness to the base of the flavor profile. Finishes with a strong Centennial hop character from dry hopping." -- brewery

New Holland Rye Hatter Rye P.A......$4.69 / 22oz

"This beer showcases it’s grain-bill, made up of rye and barley malt. The rye adds a slight spiciness to the caramel-malt base, while also creating a creamy texture. Dry-hopping contributes a fresh citrus finish." -- brewery

Jun 28, 2011

Aphrodite and Peche Mortel are back!

We introduced Dieu du Ciel to St. Louis a few years back and now they are getting even harder to get...we have two of their best in stock now
Dieu du Ciel --
"The tiny ‘Dieu du Ciel!’ brew-pub, just at the edge of Montrèal's city center, has developed an incredible reputation and a devoted following in only a few short years. The young brewer, Jean-François, has never had any formal training as a brewer, but he is a natural, with superb skills and flawless instincts.
‘Dieu du Ciel!’ is a common exclamation, meaning ‘God in Heaven!’ more or less, which is undoubtedly the most polite oath you are likely to hear in Montrèal – a city with a well-known penchant for turning religious sentiments into profanity." -- brewery

Dieu du Ciel Peche Mortel...$4.99 / 11.2oz
"If you love really good coffee and really good beer equally, you will be thrilled with Péché Mortel. If coffee isn’t your cup of tea, and caffeine makes you bounce off the ceiling, then just put the bottle down and find something else to drink. This beer is all about coffee. Indeed, you may have seen ‘coffee stouts’ before, but no brewer has ever married coffee and beer so naturally and seamlessly.
And this isn’t just any stout, but an imperial stout, which means that it is modeled on the strong, rich, and very complex stouts that were made in England in the 19th and early 20th centuries exclusively for shipment to Russia, where they were a special favorite at the court of the Czars.
A warning: Between the caffeine buzz, and the 9% alcohol by volume of this singular brew, you may find yourself a little disoriented. What is this, a morning pick-me-up and a drowsy night-cap, all in the same bottle? It’s just too much pleasure all at once, and that’s why the brewers named it Péché Mortel, which is French for 'Mortal Sin.' Unfortunately, we can’t say that it’s good for you. In fact, it’s a sure thing you’re going to Hell for this . . ." -- brewery

Another very limited brew....

Dieu du Ciel Aphrodite...$4.99 / 11oz
Black ale with aromas and flavours of vanilla, dark chocolate, bourbon and roasted malt. The vanilla and cocoa marry nicely, without out-competing each other, to produce a surprisingly well balanced beer. This beer is mildly hoppy, but the cocoa introduces a touch of bitterness. Its colour may be intimidating, but it is a very smooth beer within reach of most beer drinkers. This highly appreciated dessert beer is brewed with organic fair-trade cocoa and first rate vanilla beans.
Rated A on BeerAdvocate.com
Rated 100 percentile on Ratebeer.com

Available online now

2010 Rose

Rose is big this time of year, I have not really even advertised our Rose selection this year, but they are selling like crazy, we sold out of over 6 different ones over the weekend. Many have been re-stocked now!

We have the new vintage of some returning favorites and a few first timers.

There is nothing like a great Rose from Provence...Here is one of the best....and usually our best seller every year.

2010 Bargemone Rose Coteaux d'Aix en Provence....$16.99
"Tasting Notes: Offers classic aromas of wild strawberries and red currants, with a light, floral character and a crisp, bone-dry palate. Serve With: A rosé of reference, to be enjoyed year-round on its own or with a wide range of lighter fare and Provence-inspired cuisine." -- Dan Kravitz, importer

2010 Villa de Anges Rose...$11.99
"Tasting Notes: A light-bodied wine, intensely crisp and vividly fresh, it offers complex aromas of strawberries and red currants, with a hint of quince. Serve With: As an aperitif it is the perfect warm weather gulper and also pairs well with a wide range of salads, seafoods, lighter dishes and grilled white meats and poultry" -- Dan Kravitz, importer

2010 Domaine Massamier Cuvée des Oliviers Rosé....$12.99

Tasting Notes: Fresh strawberry and cactus flower aromas lead to a light, extremely lively palate with strawberry and red cherry flavors presented in a very dry, refreshing style. More intensity of flavor than the color would indicate. Serve With: Enjoy this as an aperitif or with very light spring dishes. Also excellent with Asian cuisines

Plus more....
2010 Domaine Les Grands Bois CDR Rose
2010 Chateau Mourgues du Gres Les Galets Rose
2010 Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rose

2010 Domaine Fontsainte Rose
2010 Grand Veneur Cotes Du Rhone Rose
2010 Mordoree Cotes du Rhone Rose
2010 Mordoree Tavel Rose

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Jun 26, 2011

Highly rated Chardonnays of Mount Eden

Very limited amount left at Forsyth...

2007 Mount Eden Chardonnay Estate....$49.99
"Notes of white currants, lemon butter, poached pear, as well as touches of honey and crushed rock are all present in the complex aromatics of the light greenish/gold-colored 2007 Chardonnay Estate. A beautiful, full-bodied, textured mouthfeel with great freshness and brilliant purity is evidence of another stunner from this iconic source of high-elevation California Chardonnay. This is probably my favorite vintage over the last decade and has at least 10 years of aging potential."
Rated 96/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

2008 Mount Eden Chardonnay Estate....$49.99
"Yet another in a line of great Chardonnays from this producer. Very rich and intense, deeply concentrated and perfumed, delivering detailed flavors of white peach, honeysuckle, fig and citrus. Full-bodied, sleek and leesy, with a long lingering finish. Drink now through 2018. 1,717 cases made. –JL"
Rated 96/100 The Wine Spectator

Fortified apple wine....

Æppeltroew Pommeaux...$18.99 / 375ml

"Our Pommeaux is inspired by the traditional farm beverage from Normandy and Brittany called pommeau. This Wisconsin version of pommeau is made from the last, best cider pressing of the season - Golden Delicious, Winesap, Arkansas Black, Fameuse and other rich apples. This 'sweet cider' is then mixed with apple eau de vie distilled from Great Lakes cider apples. The result is so intense, it must be tried to believed." -- Æppeltroew

The big boys of 2008 Bordeaux

2008 Leoville Las Cases Saint Julien.....$189.99

Readers should not be surprised that the 2008 Leoville Las Cases is a great classic as the selection process here is as Draconian as at any of the first-growths. Slightly more than one-third of the production made it into the grand vin, a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Merlot. Yields were just under 38 hectoliters per hectare, and the natural alcohol of 13.4% is among the highest ever measured at this estate. The harvest was very late, between October 6-18, and the result is a wine boasting extraordinarily sweet tannin as well as abundant black cherry and cassis notes intermixed with a prominent underlying minerality. Despite the massive density, concentration, and length, the wine is extremely precise, nuanced, and impeccably pure. This phenomenal effort should be more drinkable in its youth than many other vintages of Las Cases because of the ripe tannins and sweet fruit density. It will need 5-10 years of cellaring, and should last for 40+ years.

Rated 95-97+/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Rated 94/100 The Wine Spectator

Rated 92/100 Steven Tanzer

2008 Chateau Pavie St. Emilion....$219.99

"A remarkable success in this vintage, Pavie’s 92 acre vineyard situated on the limestone soils of the spectacular south-facing Cote Pavie (one of the greatest terroirs of Bordeaux) was cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare. A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an atypical (for a 2008) alcohol level of 14.5% that is higher than in its 2010 counterpart, the opaque purple-colored 2008 exhibits sweet, smoky barbecue notes intermixed with creme de cassis, black cherry, toast and crushed chalk. Deep, intense and full-bodied with surprisingly civilized tannins for such a young Pavie, it reveals wonderful breadth of flavor, a savory texture and a layered mouthfeel. It should drink beautifully in 2-4 years and keep for 25 or more."

Rated 95/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Rated 93/100 The Wine Spectator

Rated 92/100 Steven Tanzer

2008 Chateau Pavie Decesse St. Emilion....$179.99

Another top-notch effort, the 2008 is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc produced from yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare. It reached 14% natural alcohol, no doubt because of the extremely late harvest. A deep purple color is accompanied by massive notes of blackberries, incense, fruitcake, camphor and toasty oak intermixed with a crushed chalk-like minerality (a hallmark of this vineyard). The wine has softened considerably in bottle, and while it seems more structured than the 2010, it reveals a degree of accessibility. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.

Rated 94+/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Rated 92/100 The Wine Spectator

Available online now

2009 Croix Mouton Bordeaux

Bargain Bordeaux................

2009 Chateau Croix Mouton Bordeaux Superieur.....$17.99

"One couldn’t ask for a more serious owner than Jean-Philippe Janoueix, who has done such a terrific job at La Confession in St.-Emilion and La Croix St.-Georges in Pomerol. Tiny yields of 31 hectoliters per hectare as well as super attention to detail in both the vineyard and winemaking has resulted in a wine that is a final blend of 87% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot coming in at 14.1% alcohol. The wine is stunning, dense purple in color, with notes of chocolate, espresso roast, pain grille, blackberries, and cherries. It is a hedonistic mouthful of wine to drink over the next 4-5 years."

Rated 89-91/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

also online

Jun 25, 2011

Perennial's first label approved...

More great news for Missouri beer drinkers...

Good to see our friends at Perennial Artisan Ales get their first label approved --- we must be getting close to seeing some of their beers....

Drie Fonteinen

Picture of 19 different hopped beers from Mikkeller

Here is a rainbow of hops from Mikkeller

This could be the only chance to get all 19 that were

brewed within the same week and try them fresh!!!

Click here to read about the beers or to order

Picture of the bottles...Black Hole Series

Mikkeller Black Hole Stout aged in 6 different liquor barrels

Click here to read about the beers or to order

Mikkeller Single Hop Series

All in stock now

Mikkeller Single Hop Series....$4.99 / 11.2oz bottle
If you buy all 19, we are offering a special price --- call for details 314.727.8788

We have all 19 in stock!
Available online

Here is some info for your reading pleasure about the 19 hops.....

AMERICAN HOPS
Mt. Hood
"Soft American variety developed from Hallertau. Frequently used in styles that require only a subtle hop aroma (German/American lagers). Named for Mount Hood in Oregon. Substitutes: Liberty, Hallertau, Crystal." -- Wikipedia

Citra
"This newer American variety is a cross of Hallertauer Mittelfruh, U.S. Tettnanger, East Kent Golding, Bavarian, Brewers Gold, and other unknown hops. It has a heavy citrus aroma and flavor, hints of tropical fruits. Still very new, it is gaining favor as an all purpose hop." -- Wikipedia

Columbus
"A high yielding, high alpha acid American bittering hop. Also known by the trade name Tomahawk. One of the "Three Cs" along with Cascade and Centennial. Like the others it is citrusy and slightly woody. Substitutes for bittering: Nugget, Chinook. Substitutes for aroma and flavor: Cascade, Centennial." - Wikipedia

Palisade
"Fairly recent American cross of Tettnager and open pollination resulting in a moderate alpha hop." -- Wikipedia

Willamette
"Popular American development in 1976 of the English Fuggle. Named for the Willamette Valley, an important hop-growing area. It has a character similar to Fuggle, but is more fruity and has some floral notes. Used in British and American ales. A recent taste-test comparison between Ahtanum and Willamette has described some similarity between the varieties" - Wikipedia

Warrior
"New American bittering hop, popular with growers and brewers." - Wikipedia

Simcoe
"American high alpha variety released in 2000. Used for both bittering and imparting a distinct aroma/flavour as a late addition." -- Wikipedia

Centennial
"American aroma-type variety bred in 1974 and released in 1990. Similar to Cascade and Chinook. One of the "Three Cs" along with Cascade and Columbus." - Wikipedia

Nugget
"Floral, resiny aroma and flavor. Primarily a bittering hop. Substitutes: Galena, Olympic." -- Wikipedia

Cluster
"Originated from mass selection of the Cluster hop, which is an old American cultivar. It is suggested that they arose from hybridization of varieties, imported by Dutch and English settlers and indigenous male hops. Also known as Golden Cluster, used as the sole bittering hop in the iconic Queensland, Australia beer XXXX Gold and XXXX Bitter. Can give a black currant aroma/flavor. Substitutes: Brewer's Gold."- Wikipedia

Amarillo
"Amarillo is an aroma variety of hops. The Amarillo variety, designated VGXP01 c.v., was discovered and introduced by Virgil Gamache Farms Inc. in Washington State. Unlike most varieties of hops, which may be acquired and propagated by the purchase of rhizomes, Amarillo hops are privately grown only by Virgil Gamache Farms; the organization holds a trademark on the name "Amarillo." -- Wikipedia

Galena

"American bittering hop developed from Brewer's Gold by open pollination in Idaho." -- Wikipedia

Super Galena

"Super Galena is a super high alpha variety developed by the Hopsteiner breeding program and released in 2006. It has relatively high contents of both alpha and beta acids, making it a good bittering hop with pleasant aroms. Super Galena is comparable to Galena in its aroma and bitterness profile, but offers a substantially higher yield and complete resistance to all current hop powdery mildew strains found in the U.S." -- USAHops.org

Cascade

Bravo

"Bred in 2000 and released commercially for the first time in 2006, Bravo is a proprietary hop variety sold by S.S. Steiner. Bravo is a diploid high-alpha hop derived from a female Zeus and a male derived in part from Nugget. It is reported by Steiner to have excellent resistance to powdery mildew." -- Homewbewtalk.com

GERMAN
Magnum
"A bittering/aroma type cultivar, bred in 1980 at Hüll, the German Hop Research Instititute, from the American variety Galena and the German male 75/5/3." -- Wikipeida

ENGLISH

Challenger

"English hop. Introduced in 1972. Very popular dual-purpose hop in English ales. Used in many traditional English Bitters. Substitutes: East Kent Goldings, Phoenix, Styrian Goldings, British Columbian Goldings." -- Wikipedia

NOBLE HOP

Tettnanger

"Noble German dual use hop used in European pale lagers and wheat beers, sometimes with Hallertau. Comes from Tettnang, a small town in southern Baden-Württemberg in Germany. The region produces significant quantities of hops, and ships them to breweries throughout the world. Substitutes: Saaz, Crystal." -- Wikipedia

JAPANESE

Sorachi Ace

"A variety that has only recently become available to home brewers in the United States, Sorachi Ace was previously grown by Sapporo for use in their beers, but has since apparently been replaced by more recent varieties in Japan." -- Homebrewtalk.com

Mikkeller Black Hole -- Barrel Aged Series

Order Mikkeller online

"Base Beer"

Mikkeller Black Hole Imperial Stout

"Finally……! Black Hole is what Mikkeller is all about. Daring, vulgar and extreme. From the very beginning Mikkellers goal has been to push the limit and with this warming, intense imperial stout, a new chapter in the Danish beer history has been written. The high bitterness from the hops and the sweetness from the malt and alcohol, creates a good balance which makes Black Hole an explosion of nuances, but also leaves a feeling of a perfect and complex beer – in the heavyweight category." -- Nujjekker

Ingredients :
Water, malt, roasted barley, flaked oats, dark cassanade, honey, hops, coffee, vanilla and ale yeast.

Rated 100/100 RateBeer

As the ratings start to come in on these new beers they are scoring in the 95+ range on RateBeer.

The original "base beer" aged in different barrels.
Mikkeller Barrel-Aged Black Hole...$10.99 / 375ml

Aged in Tequila Barrels
Aged in Cognac Barrels
Aged in White Wine Barrels
Aged in Red Wine Barrels

Aged in Scotch Whiskey Barrels

Aged in Bourbon Barrels