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Saturday, February 17, 2024

William Russell Ross Bourbon


William Russell Ross Bourbon....$43.99
92 proof
Mash Bill

  • 51.63% Corn
  • 29.37 Rye
  • 11.44% Wheat
  • 7.56 Malt

MGP juice - bought, blended and bottled by House of Veritasi, Lee Summit Missouri

Leviathan Red Blend

Another stunner from superstar Andy Erickson!
Andy Erickson has worked at some of the most expensive wineries in Napa Valley: Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, Ovid


2021 Leviathan Red Blend...$33.99 / 750ml
2021 Leviathan Red Blend...$69.99 / 1.5 liter

Always a good value, the 2021 California Red Wine is no exception and has darker berry fruits, some leafy herb, sage, lavender, and chocolate nuances, full-bodied richness, and a lush, round, seamless style that's already impossible to resist. This is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (with plenty of other red varieties), and it should shine for 7-8 years, if not a decade, although I would drink this puppy in its youth.
Rated 94/100 James Suckling


Rare Breed: Napa's Affordable Red
Andy Erickson has worked at some of the most expensive wineries in Napa Valley: Screaming Eagle. Harlan Estate. Ovid. Today, he makes or consults on expensive Cabernet Sauvignon for clients including Dalla Valle and his home base at Favia, which he owns with his wife, viticulturist Anne Favia.
He also makes Leviathan, a multi-region blend of red grapes. It's good. It's can also be had for under $40 a bottle, which is astounding for a red wine in Napa today.
So I kept asking him, at a small tasting he hosted recently, Why? Why do you bother making a California-appellation red blend for under $40 a bottle, when you have eight other clients for whom you make $250 Cabernets? Why spend so much time on Leviathan?
To be sure, it does take a lot more work to make an affordable blend, because single-vineyard Napa Cabs – though super expensive – generally call for fairly minimalist winemaking. And an in-demand Napa consulting winemaker making an affordable blend is rare these days.
Erickson didn't really have an answer to Why. But it wasn't hard to figure out the answer from tasting the wines with him: he just likes doing it.....

In 2008, the San Francisco Chronicle ran an article headlined "The new cult wines: 10 wineries to watch." Leviathan was an unexpected member of that list, alongside much more expensive Cabernets. The article says: "It's a chance to access the Screaming Eagle winemaker's talents for under $50 – far less than most of his projects." But what Erickson said really got people excited was the mystery.....
read the full article on Wine-Searcher

Friday, February 16, 2024

Frank August Small Batch Bourbon




Frank August Small Batch Bourbon....$64.99
100 Proof
Small Batch 10-15 barrels per batch
Distilled, aged, and bottled in Bardstown, Kentucky

Frank. The state of being open, honest and sincere. A philosophy we have built our brand upon. Bourbon is America’s native spirit, but as intrinsically steeped in the American experience as bourbon is, it has predominantly had one story; one of origin. Respectfully, we believe there is a more expansive story to tell, one that belongs to all of us because it will be told by all of us. Frank August exists to evolve the identity of bourbon by uniting authenticity with modernity.  Taking the best of where we’ve been and projecting those ideals into where we have yet to go. So let the story of bourbon continue; as the story of Frank August begins.

Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge


2021 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge...$89.98
A deep, quite herbal expression, with liquorice and crushed blueberries to the cassis fruit. Full-bodied, powerfully fruited, dense and deep. Really mouthcoating, intense fruit. The tannins are ripe, fine and plentiful, all saturated in blackberry juice on a long finish. Certainly one of the more successful Châteauneufs this year. Will age well. A Mourvèdre-led expression of Beaucastel - it contains more than usual, at least 35% and probably more. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudre.
Rated 96/100 Decanter Magazine
The 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape ratchets up the intensity from the Coudelet, adding more pronounced Mourvèdre-derived notes of truffle and tree bark to go with ripe black cherries and plums, crushed stone and hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied in the mouth, with ample concentration and richness, this gently tannic wine finishes long and velvety, with echoes of licorice and dark fruit. It's a standout from a difficult vintage.
Rated 94/100 The Wine Advocate
Toasty, meaty and inviting, this fresh red shows an understated, savory side, with notes of singed spices, mesquite, wet earth and fresh tobacco leaf flanking a silky range of plum and warm cherry compote flavors. This channels its terroir, with a round feel held in check by refined tannins, while the finish is lined with cool minerality and heavy iron. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret Blanc, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul de Pinet, Bourboulenc, Picardan and Roussanne. Drink now through 2030. 3,470 cases made.
Rated 94/100 The Wine Spectator
Including more Mourvèdre than usual (40%), the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape sports a deep ruby/purple hue as well as an utterly classic Beaucastel nose of ripe red and blue fruits, spice, game, truffly earth, and ground pepper. Reminding me of the 2012, it's medium to full-bodied, has a layered, concentrated md-palate, sweet tannins, and a great finish.
Rated 94/100 Jeb Dunnuck
Still a little closed, so the fruit is a bit reserved, but there are already meaty, lavender and rosemary aromas. Well-structured and crisp, the tannins building steadily as it flows over the palate. The concentrated and ripe red fruit is very deftly wrapped around the core. Long, spicy, and licorice finish. Drink from release. From organically grown grapes.
Rated 94/100 James Suckling


Thursday, February 15, 2024

Whiskey Dave’s Weekend Tasting at the (In)Famous Bar

 
Whiskey Dave’s Weekend Tasting at the (In)Famous Bar
Scotch Distilleries off the Beaten Path
Friday, February 16th 3-6:30pm
Saturday, February 17th Noon-6:30
Inside The Wine and Cheese Place
Forsyth location only
Tullabardine Highland 8 Year Single Malt Scotch Single Cask 48.9% abv
Firkin Cask Series
Inchgower 11 year Speyside Single Malt Scotch 46% abv
Signatory Unchillfiltered Series-Matured in Sherry Hogshead
Teaninich 10 Year Highland Single Malt 54.7% abv
Finished in Koval Bourbon quarter casks
Murray McDavid Benchmark series
Ben Nevis 13 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch 62.8%
Ex-bourbon barrel, Cask 685
Ingelred Cask Series

Tasting at The Wine and Cheese Place Lamp & Lantern


Dad's Hat Rye Tasting - Open House
Saturday, February 24th, from 1-3pm at our Town & Country location!!!
We will be offering a tasting of Strongwater Sparkling Beverages & Cocktail Nectars paired with the award-winning Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye whiskey line!!!Nick Andresen, Co-Founder of Strongwater grew up steeped in the magic of natural remedies. Inspired by 16th century Strongwater shops where spirits were used as medicine to heal, they set out to create unique mountain elixirs for a more inspired take on bar staples. Created in the Wild West of drinks, they mastered the rules of ancient alchemy before breaking them to make cutting-edge, modern mixers that lift your spirits.


Dad’s Hat is a Pennsylvania based rye whiskey distillery reviving the reputation of Pennsylvania Rye . Founded in 2011, creates ‘old-school’ Pennsylvania style Ryes - no corn, and a sweet mash recipe, only using local farms for their grains.

STL Bourbon Society Penelope Valencia Party!

 
Penelope Valencia Party!
With Penelope cofounders Michael Paladini and Danny Polisa in person!
Thursday March 7th from 7-9pm
Ticket includes: 
  • Welcome cocktails
  • Paella buffet 
  • Penelope flight
  • Costume contest 

Epic Tasting for only $10 per person!!!

 


Epic Tasting for only $10 per person!!!

We are excited to partner with the team at Olive + Oak to bring this one of a kind evening to St. Louis.


Tasting Lineup (subject to change):

  • 2023 Morét Brealynn Rosé of Pinot Noir
  • 2022 Morét Brealynn ‘Stray Dogs’ Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
  • 2022 Morét Brealynn Lakeview Vineyard Pinot Noir
  • 2022 Morét Brealynn Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
  • 2022 Morét Brealynn Russian River Valley Zinfandel
  • 2022 Theodore Rex Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
  • 2022 Dial Tone Pinot Noir 
  • 2021 Busy Signal Pinot Noir
  • 2022 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir
  • 2022 Clarice Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
All wines available for purchase.

More about Adam Lee and Morét Brealynn:
Mexican-American Morét Brealynn worked with Kosta Browne and HALL before becoming GM for Beau Marchais and Clarice. Her decade of experience in the wine industry has earned her accolades in Forbes Magazine and The Somm Journal; last year, Morét was recognized by Sonoma Magazine last year as one of the “Top 15 Trendsetters.

Adam Lee co-founded Siduri Wines in 1994. Over the next two decades, Siduri Wines grew to over 25,000 cases, producing Pinot Noir from Oregon to Santa Barbara County. The wines were universally acclaimed, and Adam became known as one of California’s experts in the production of Pinot Noir. In 2017, Adam started Clarice Wine Company, which quickly became a critical darling receiving remarkable press from Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Spectator, Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, the Wine Enthusiast, and the Washington Post. 

Perennial Vermilion Barleywine

We have not seen this in years!!!!

Perennial Vermilion English Style Barleywine...$4.99 / 16oz can
Vermilion is back + in cans
10.5% ABV
Our big, rich English style Barleywine that, as its name suggests, has tints of ruby around the edges of its beautiful brown body, with a toffee, caramel, toasted pecan sweetness that is kept in balance with a smooth, alcohol warmth + slightly fruity American hop note
This will be perfect around the fire, with a cigar, a rich meal or just while relaxing with family + friends!

James E Pepper Whiskey tasting with Amir Peay

Meet the owner and taste some great whiskey!!!
TONIGHT!!




James E Pepper Whiskey tasting with Amir Peay
OPEN HOUSE TASTING
TONIGHT!!! 
 Thursday, February 15th from 5pm-6:30pm
The Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton
7435 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton MO 63105

  • James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Bourbon
  • James E. Pepper Barrel Proof Bourbon 'Decanter'
  • Old Pepper Straight Bourbon 'Bottled-In-Bond'
  • James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye
  • Old Pepper Straight Rye 'Bottled-In-Bond'
  • James E. Pepper 'Old Pepper' Single Malt Small Batch Whiskey



Meet - Amir Peay Owner/Operator
James E Pepper Distillery
Amir's Bio:


"Owner/Operator, Amir Peay spent over a decade working to relaunch the iconic Pepper whiskey brand and rebuild the historic distillery. A long time industry veteran, he has been called “one of Kentucky’s finest global bourbon ambassadors” (Eric Gregory, President, Kentucky Distillers Association) and was the recipient of the 2021 Craft Member of the Year Award from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (awarded to a leader in advancing the craft distiller community)."

If you cannot make it, you can order James Pepper Whiskeys on our website!

Rebel Small Batch Reserve 110 Proof

This one arrived in a few months ago, but never got it posted!
But it has been selling very well- grab some!

Rebel Small Batch Reserve 110 Proof...$26.99
Rebel Small Batch Reserve spotlights barrels handpicked by master distiller, John Rempe, each with standout honey and vanilla flavor notes unique to the original, time honored wheated recipe created in 1849. Blended in small batches and set at 110 proof, this bourbon champions authenticity while defying uniformity

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Spanish Wine Tasting at Spirit Wine and Craft This Friday

 

This Friday, February 16th at Spirit Wine & Craft from 4-6pm
Come taste some Spanish wine with Matt from Vinoteca

  • Avinyó Petillant Blanc
  • Joseph Gray Volador Montsant
  • Ca'n Verdura Negre
  • Orlegi de Luberri Cosecha Rioja

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Rare Character Fortuna Bourbon Barrel Proof



Rare Character Fortuna Bourbon Barrel Proof...$94.99
Sour Mash
118.82 Proof
Barrel Proof - Cask Strength
After 50 years, Fortuna Bourbon Whiskey is back. Founded in the 1880’s by Phillip Hollenbach, Fortuna played an integral role in the early days of the American whiskey industry. While the brand closed it’s doors in the 1960’s, it is now being revitalized for a new generation of bourbon drinkers.
Fortuna was a prolific brand in the United States from the late 1800’s until the 1960’s, when they closed the doors on the distillery. It is now being revitalized for a new generation of whiskey lovers by the people behind Rare Character Whiskey - Andy Shapira, Pablo Moix, and Peter Nevenglosky.

Wiseacre Puffel Hazy Double IPA



Wiseacre Puffel Hazy Double IPA...$11.99/ 4pk 16oz cans
At the dawn of Pangea and off the coast of the coast of an Archipelago that included Madagascar, New Zealand, and the Faroe Islands when reached by a ferry through a mystical portal to the center of earth you’d wind up in the upside down where Puffins, Pengwolfs and Porcas dominated air, land and sea. The temperature was always tropical winter with long sunny days and pillowy clouds of floof. Puffel hearkens this yesteryear of a supercontinent long forgotten with its cloudy cover, New Zealand bred Nelson Sauvin hops which bring cool climate white wine grape flavors, extreme fruitiness, passionfruit, and fresh crushed gooseberries. But beware! Hungry like the Pengwolf...it packs a deceptively potent punch.

Little House Brewing Okay We're Kinda Cute Double IPA

 
Little House Brewing Okay We're Kinda Cute Double IPA...$17.99 / 4pk 16oz cans
Little House Brewing Okay We're Kinda Cute Double IPA...$4.99 / 16oz can
ALL RIGHT THAT DOES IT!! We get it. We're a little brewery stuffed into a little old house on the main street of a disgustingly adorable New England town, and you all think we're just as cute as a damn button, don't you? To celebrate our concession that we might just be a tad cute, we brewed an absolute monster of a double IPA. Double dry hopped with Citra, El Dorado, Mosaic, and Equinox. It's bright yellow, hazy, and tastes like pineapple/mango/orange juice. What more do you need to know? Drink it, it's an IPA.
Recommended Listening: "I Would Do Anything For Love" by Meat Loaf
8.5% ABV

Fat Orange Cat Baby Leprechauns

Fat Orange Cat Baby Leprechauns Session IPA...$15.99 / 4pk 16oz cans
Fat Orange Cat Baby Leprechauns Session IPA...$4.59 / 16oz can
Session IPA
5.9% ABV

Tox Brewing Co. Clurichaun's Mischief Imperial Stout

 
Tox Brewing Co. Clurichaun's Mischief Imperial Stout...$23.99 / 4pk 16oz cans
Tox Brewing Co. Clurichaun's Mischief Imperial Stout...$6.79 / 16oz can
Imperial stout with coffee, cacao nibs, vanilla, and irish cream flavor
12% ABV

Maplewood Brewing

 
Maplewood In Dark Trees...$9.99 / 4pk 16oz cans
A lightly roasted dark lager with notes of toasted barley and spicy hops.
Brewed with the finest ingredients, this full bodied and full flavored lager is refreshing and super drinkable

Maplewood Krispie Cakes Pastry Ale...$12.99 / 4pk 16oz cans
For those who don't know, Krispie Cakes is our golden ale brewed with pounds and pounds of vanilla, marshmallow and a whole lot of lovin’!
6.5% ABV
Maplewood Super Son of Juice Imperial IPA...$15.99 / 4pk 16oz cans
Maplewood Super Son of Juice Imperial IPA...$4.59 / 16oz can
We took our hazy baby and practically doubled everything. It’s busting at the seams with juicy notes of citrus, pineapple, and mango!
Limited 
10.0% ABV

New Beers From Crooked Stave!

 

Crooked Stave Down Under West Coast IPA...$13.99 / 6pk 12oz cans
West coast IPA dry hopped with eclipse, galaxy & topaz
6.5%
Crooked Stave Mallow Out Dessert Stout...$17.99 / 4pk 16oz cans
Crooked Stave Mallow Out Dessert Stout...$4.99 / 16oz can
Stout brewed with natural marshmallow flavor, vanilla and chocolate
7.8% ABV
Crooked Stave Midnight Blue Dark Fruited Sour Ale...$17.99 / 750ml
Dark sour ale aged in oak barrels with blueberries
6.2% ABV

Crooked Stave Spon Raspberry Sour Ale...$18.99 / 750ml
Methode traditionelle spontaneous ale with raspberries

Brewing details: double decoction "Turbid Mash", three hour boil with 4-6 year old aged whole cone hops
Coolship duration: 14 hours overnight
Fermentation: 100% Spontaneous in 500L Puncheons
Barrel Blend: final component blend from FO4, FO5 & FO6
Fruit: Washington Raspberries
Bottle conditioning date: 10/24/2023
Barrel Residence: blend 1,2 & 3 year old Spon
Color: fuscia

Schlafly Scotch Ale

Now in CANS!!
 

Schlafly Scotch Ale...$10.99 / 4pk 16oz cans
Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy Style
ABV:5.7% 
IBU:40 SRM:65

4 Hands Brewing Life 4 Love American Lager

 
4 Hands Brewing Life 4 Love American Lager...$9.99 / 4pk 16oz cans
Life 4 Love is an American lager dry-hopped with Centennial hops from the Pacific Northwest. Featuring vibrant citrus and soft, subtle pine notes. This crisp, incredibly drinkable beer is balanced by just a touch of malt sweetness that gives way to a light, clean finish. ABV 4.2%

Imaginarium Blanc de Blancs


 
Imaginarium Blanc de Blancs Brut Methode Traditionelle....$22.99
Top-Value Sparkling from Jean Charles Boisset, one of Burgundy’s Finest producers.
Only 1,000 cases produced each year

Aged 12 months on the lees
One of the best deals in sparkling wine, when you taste it, you will think it is from the great region of Champagne. It is a small production sparkling wine produced by a great burgundian sparkling wine producer. Made in the same method as Champagne including hand harvesting whole bunches and aging for a year on the lees. This elegant glass of wine has a long-lasting and well-balanced freshness that is enjoyed both on its own and with food.
"The NV Imaginarium Blanc de Blancs is a blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Ugni Blanc and French Colombard made using the traditional method with 12 months on the lees. It has a lovely perfumed nose of lemon drops, honeysuckle and peach blossoms with touches of apple pie and baking bread. The palate is elegant, fresh, zippy and invigorating with lovely tension and great intensity."
Rated 89/100 The Wine Advocate

Redbreast Pot Still Irish Whiskey 27 Year Old


Very limited! New Batch #5


Redbreast Pot Still Irish Whiskey 27 Year Old...$799.99
compare to $1049.99 at Total Wine and More in STL
and $999.99 at Total Wine and More in Fairview Heights IL
109.2 proof
Batch #5

The oldest permanent release in the Redbreast family, 27-Year-Old is a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey comprising exclusively of Pot Still whiskeys which have been triple distilled, matured in the finest bourbon, sherry and ruby port casks for no less than 27 years, and left untouched.

Chateau Calon Segur Saint Estephe

Perfect Valentine red!
Heart has been the symbol for Calon Segur for a long time!
"The heart has been the symbol of Calon since the 18th century, thanks to the Marquis de Ségur and this sentence which has travelled through time: “I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon”. The Marquis de Ségur, the so-called Prince of Vines, was one of the most influential men in Bordeaux and reigned over some of the top Médoc wine growths.




2019 Chateau Calon Segur Saint Estephe...$114.99
The 2019 Calon Ségur is a wine of soaring vertical intensity and pure power. That's the good news. The not so good news is that it won't be ready to drink any time soon. Exotic spice, pencil shavings, crème de cassis, mocha and licorice are some of the nuances that develop in the glass, but those descriptions can't even begin to capture the sheer beauty of what is in the glass. I loved the 2019 from barrel and I love it just as much from bottle.
Rated 98/100 Vinous Media
Rated 97/100 Jeb Dunnuck
Rated 96/100 The Wine Spectator