Dec 15, 2009

Lagunitas

Also available online now



Intro price in store --
Lagunitas Dogtown Pale Ale...$8.49 / 6pk
"We at the Lagunitas Brewing Company hope you enjoy this genuinely handmade ale. A lot of hard work and enthusiasm go into every aspect of brewing this Mondo Ultra Mega Super Premium Ale. From building the brewery itself to putting the cap on each and every bottle, virtually every step was done by hand. Thanks for your trust and as always:" -- brewery Take a virtual taste



Lagunitas India Pale Ale...$8.49 / 6pk
"Thanks for choosing to spend the next few minutes with this special homicidally hoppy ale. Savor the moment as the raging hop character engages the imperial qualities of the Malt foundation in
mortal combat on the battlefield of your palate! This is our unique version of an ancient style. A style as old as the ocean trade routes of the last centuries Great Ships. Not as old as the equator they had to cross twice enroute, nor as old as the 10,000 or so miles of Di-Hydrogen Oxide and Sodium upon which they sailed, but older than the Circulithium-4 Lentloid that binds the Lupulin Quartnate onto your taste buds. Weird. Think about it. Now stop. OK, go again, now stop. Think again, and stop. But we digress. Made with 43 different hops and 65 various malts, this redolent ale will likely float your boat, whatever planet you're on." -- brewery
Take a virtual taste


Lagunitas IPA Maximus...$8.49 / 6pk
At the height of the heat in the heart of the summer, we felt the only cure was a raging mouthful of fresh Hops and Malt. Cautio
n: May remove enamel from teeth. Leaning back on the restored Scrollarian vendta tera, she looked pale and gave her guest the prevarian eye. She spoke now only in pernicious circularity. Roundly he gave her the eye right back and she cupped it perspirianly. "Eat it!" he barked. Eyeing the eye, she allowed a rivulet of spittle to fall languid from her lip. "Why?" he asked again, this time repeatedly. "Why, why do you mock me?" Have I not been the idiom to which I am suited? Have I not swerved faithlessly?" A pall fell over them and then it fell over them again. "Again, why?", he asked again. "Again." she repeated with a touch of riparian ennui. "Give me the eye, now!" "Now?" "Now!" "When?" "What?" "Huh?"... On and on it went. What does ia all have to do with beer? Huh!? Who?" -- brewery Take a virtual taste


Seasonal 6 pack



Lagunitas Brown Sugga'.....$9.29 / 6pk
Brown Shugga'

How Come you Taste So Good?? Boatloads of Pure Brown Sugar in Each Batch, That’s How! The Rich, Roasty and Mysteriously Drinkable Ale might best be described as... Irresponsible. It Leaves a Lo
t of Stories in it’s Wake.
Brown Shugga was originally a failed attempt to make our Olde GnarlyWine Ale way back in 1997. Boatloads of Brown Sugar were added to the boil in an attempt to rescue the batch. The result was quite different from the Olde GnarlyWine we were looking for, but the Accidental Release of Brown Shugga that year was the beginning of an annual rampage caused by a beer that follows no style guidelines and can best be described as.... Irresponsible. Cheers!" -- brewery










Lagunitas Hop Stoopid....$3.59 / 22oz
Rated 99 perecentile on
RateBeer
"So Hoppy that it threatens to remove the enamel from one's teeth." -- brewery
Take a virtual Taste


Limited Seasonal




Lagunitas Cappucino Stout......$3.59 / 22oz.
"Big, Dark and Scary Imperial-esque Stout Brewed With Plenty of Dark Malts and Roast Barley And Loads of Sebastopol’s Hardcore Coffee for Even Bigger Roasty Flavors and that Extra Krunk." -- brewery

Dec 14, 2009

The extreme beers of BrewDog...

BrewDogs available online



BrewDog Chaos Theory IPA....$5.99 / 22oz

ABV = 7.1%


IPA insanely hopped with Nelson Sauvin hops
"Chaos Theory is the most under-rated achievement of the 20th century science. This beer can only aspire to parallel to the mathematical use of the word chaos which is at odds to the common parlance. The universe's tendency to play dice and the resulting inherent randomness means each initial starting point is arbitrarily closely approximated by other points with significantly different trajectories and outcomes. At BrewDog, we live, breath and die the tiny initial factors. Every single aspect of our beers means the world to us. Forget about the Butterfly Effect and envisage the BrewDog Effect. We want to be that random, artisanal butterfly that flaps its tiny wings on the Scottish coast and causes a tornado on the other side of the world. Underneath the random behaviour is a sense of order and pattern. In the world of order, chaos rules." - label.



BrewDog Dogma....$5.99 / 22oz

Formally know as "Speed Ball", but they were forced to change the name.

ABV = 7.8%


IBU = 65


"Dogma is an innovative, enigmatic ale brewed with guarana, poppy seeds and kola nut all blended together with Scottish heather honey. A conspiracy of transcontinental ingredients infused with some devastatingly BrewDog imaginative thinking. The flavours, intricacies and nuances of this beer are best enjoyed while musing over some obscure 17th Century philosophical meanderings, such as: "If we disbelieve everything because we cannot certainly know all things we will do much, what as wisely as he who would not use his wings but sit still and perish because he had no wings to fly." -- John Locke. This beer is not cool. You may think it is, but that is just a beautiful lie fabricated by clowns and gypsies." -- BrewDog




Paradox Smokehead....$10.99 / 11oz

Imperial Stout Matured in Islay Whisky Casks

Rated 93/100 Percentile on RateBeer


"We have linked up with Smokehead, Ian Macleod Distiller's Single Islay malt Whisky- to produce one of its most eagerly anticipated Paradox stouts yet.

Smokehead is a fantastic single malt whisky packaged with a real edge! The image of their branding and packaging totally ties in with what we are doing here at BrewDog and the quality of their whisky is amazing. You can check out their website here:

http://www.smokehead.co.uk/

It is great to see a whisky company really pushing the boundaries in terms of design, packaging and innovation and we were delighted when we had the opportunity to work with them.

The first batch of Smokehead casks we picked up was really exciting, all our brewers are huge Smokehead whisky fans and the arrival of the casks certainly caused a stir in the brewery. On opening the casks the audacity of the typical Islay whisky flavours was amazing, even the aromas coming from the oak were spellbinding; so much smoke and peat but also laced with subtle balancing notes and an abundance of depth and character. We could have almost been standing on the West coast of Scotland facing a stiff breeze whipping in off the Atlantic.

A few months later we were certainly not disappointed when the first batch came to be bottled. This has pretty much been our whole team's favourite version of Paradox so far. The label of the Paradox Smokehead also looks stunning; it builds on and combines the strong visual identity of both contributing brands.

This Paradox was launched at the Beer Exposed show in London and the feedback received was fantastic

The initial small batch is already all sold, some of it made its way to Sweden so look out for it there! There was also some shipped to Italy and to our English distributor Vertical Drinks. The second batch will be bottled this week and is going to be making its way across the Atlantic to the US and will arrive there mid December.

We have been producing Paradox, its whisky cask aged stout, since it launched in July 2007.

This latest edition - Paradox Smokehead (10% abv) - has already sent a wave of excitement across the beer world with fans of the award winning stout predicting great things from the new partnership. The smooth, robust stout has been completely infused with the Atlantic smoke, heavy peat, vanilla oak and balancing fruit and honey flavours of the powerful Smokehead whisky to deliver a deliciously complex flavour.

Both the beer and whisky have enjoyed success since their respective launches. This year BrewDog received a Gold Medal for Paradox at the prestigious World Beer Cup. Smokehead won the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge 2006/2007 winning the category for best whisky under £30 in a series of blind tastings by industry experts. Every batch of Paradox is unique, flavoured by the particular whisky barrel that it has been matured in. This year the stout took gold at the Beer World Cup and was also named a category winner at Scotland Food & Drink Excellence awards.

This latest partnership with the Smokehead has taken Paradox to a whole new level, and we've been really pleased with the amount of interest we've already had in this new creation. Iain Weir, of Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd added "We are delighted to be working with BrewDog on this exciting project. BrewDog is a dynamic new force in the brewing industry and as such are a perfect fit for the Smokehead. There are great synergies between the 2 brands, their target markets and the philosophies of our 2 independent companies. Smokehead dovetails perfectly with the Paradox beer and we are sure this is going to be big hit for us and the team at BrewDog". -- BrewDog Blog

Dec 13, 2009

Australian new releases....

Some of the best Aussies you will find...

2008 Milton Park Chardonnay....$12.99

"BEST OF TASTING" - "VERY GOOD"- The Wall Street Journal (July 09) "
"The color is a rich vibrant green. The nose shows lifted clean, sweet fruit of apricot and peach. The palate is medium to full bodied and exhibits predominantly peach and nectarine flavours, with cloves and cardamom evident from the use of a small amount of French oak. The wine finishes full and long with a nice balance of sweet fruit and creaminess." -- Importer


Our favorite Shiraz Value!!
2008 Milton Park Shiraz....Only...$12.99
"2008 was a very warm year with harvest being completed in a very short period. The resultant wines from the vintage reflect the growing conditions with loads of upfront fruit and rich mouthfeel, meaning wines from this vintage will have a great deal of aging potential as well.Aged for 12 months in American oak barrels.Deep red color. The wine is deep and rich smelling with dark fruits, plums and spice with some good oak. There is very rich fruit on the palate with plums, blackberry and sweet spice from the oak. The palate is vibrant and young with a flavorsome viscous mouthfeel which will develop complexity with time. There are some slightly chewy tannins which will soften with time and there is great length of fruit flavor." -- importer


One of Barossa’s finest...
2007 Terra Barossa Shiraz....$14.99
"Ruby-red. Spicy blackberry and blueberry on the nose, with licorice, espresso and fresh violet notes gaining volume with air. Pliant dark fruit flavors display liqueur-like density and are a bit four-square, with strong back-end sweetness. Finishes soft and gently persistent." — Stephen Tanzer



An amazing Meritage for the money….
2007 Terra Barossa Barossa Cuvée...$14.99
"An great blend of Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The wine is mid red color. It has a lifted blackberry fruit and toasty oak nose. The palate is medium weight but full of flavor with sweet berry and cherry fruit and some attractive spice and a splash of vanilla oak, adding complexity. The tannins are soft and smooth and contribute to the long length of the sweet fruit and vanilla." -- importer

Great Barossa Cabernet….
2007 Terra Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon....$14.99
"The color is a deep purple red. The nose is lifted and distinctive of Cabernet Sauvignon with blackcurrant and spicy French oak. The palate is medium to full bodied with lovely sweet rich fruit characters, predominantly mulberry and cherry. This fruit makes the palate attractive and approachable and combined with the soft velvety tannins gives the wine silkiness and great length." -- importer


Our top selling Shiraz
………….for the past 5 years
2008 Shotfire Shiraz....$19.99

Deep red color. Very lifted and intense nose of blackberry fruit, sweet spice and dark chocolate. The palate is very rich and flavorsome with blackberry and plum fruit. In addition to the primary fruit characters there is plenty of complexity in this wine with spice, earthy notes and graphite also evident. There is heaps of mouthfilling flavor complemented by chalky tannins. There is great length of fruit as well." -- importer


Barossa Bordeaux Blend!!
2008 Shotfire Cuvee....$19.99
"Cabernet Sauvignon - 45.4% Petit Verdot - 25.1% Merlot - 13.7% Malbec - 10.9%2007 vintage was a mild growing season with very low crops resulting in wines with good color and flavor that achieved optimum ripeness.The color is deep red. The palate is full and complex, medium bodied. The wine is elegant and distinctive, displaying characters of berry fruit and plumb, accompanied by cherry spice characters. Supported by spicy oak complexity the tannins are balanced and complement the mouthfilling flavor. The wine has great vibrancy and poise which are evident on the long seamless finish." -- importer

Dec 12, 2009

Featured Importer

Importer Dan Kravitz of Hand Picked Selections
“Kravitz still has a knack for finding good wines at great prices” –
Robert Parker, Parker on Wine, BusinessWeek.

2007 Ninet de Pena Viognier....$11.99
It is almost impossible to find a great Viognier for under $20, and to find one from France--forget about it. Coindrieu which made the grape famous in France all sell for $50 plus now. Ninet de Pena's 100% Viognier is the only one that is delicious and affordable. Period. At $12 you get an extremely exotic nose of fruits including pineapple, apricot and mango. It is fresh and lively served by itself or try it with seafood. It also makes a great Sushi wine.


2008 Villa des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon....$9.99
"Villa des Anges 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is as remarkable and improbable a wine value as I have tasted in years. Jacqueline Menard de Ginestous (whose estate is officially named Espitalet des Anges) and oenologist Jeff Carrel have done the seemingly impossible – even forgetting the price – by crafting a full-bodied, subtly oily-textured, palpably dense, lip-smacking, not vegetal, yet not sweet Cabernet in the Languedoc. What’s more, there are 15,000 cases of it! Juniper, huckleberry, mint, rosemary, black walnut, dark chocolate, and green olive are prominent in the nose and on the palate, leading to a considerable finish. One-third went through malo-lactic transformation in older barrels, and the rest (including 15% Merlot) was left in tank. The lovely, distinctive label with its maroon angel’s head might remind some wine lovers of 18th century tombstones, but the message in the bottle is anything but macabre....you’ll want some of this just to stump other wine snobs in blind tastings."
Rated 89/100 The Wine Advocate



2006 Chateau Massamier "Expression" Carignan....$16.99

Chateau Massamier is located near the famous walled city of Carcassonne (known for the famous regional dish Cassoulet). Many of you are familiar with one of our favorite everyday reds Massamier Cuvee Olivier. The "Expression" line is the reserve line from this great producer. The "Expression de Carignan" uses the oldest lots of Carignan on
the estate many are 60+ years old. What do these old vines do for the wine? They produce lower yields and a more complex and concentrated wine. This wine will go great with grilled meats and of course it is perfect with Cassoulet and other hearty stews.


2005 Vinas de Vila Fundacion....$7.99

"The emphasis here is squarely on value. Tinto Fundación, Vila's flagship blend of Bonarda, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, is truly among the world's
best wine values, and perfectly embodies the HPS ethos of QUALITY, CHARACTER & VALUE." -- Dan Kravitz, importer

NV Pierre Boniface Brut de Savoie Les Rocailles....$17.99
A blend of 60% Jacquère, 20% Chardonnay and 20% Altesse. Alright, so you have only heard of 1 of the 3 grapes, it does not matter--what does matter is how delicous this sparkling wine tastes! "A knock-out value, reminiscent of an Italian Prosecco, is the non-vintage Brut de Savoie. It is an elegant, medium-bodied, frothy, sparkling white possessing yeasty notes intermixed with hints of citrus and wheat thins. Fruity, light, an d refreshing, it is an easy-going sparkler to enjoy as an aperitif."
-- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate



2007 Jacqueson Rully 1er Cru Pucelles Blanc...$29.99

Importer, Dan Kravitz, says that Jacqueson is his favorite wine in his portfolio. He has more Jacqueson in his own personal cellar than any other wine. His reason is quality, quality, and value. $30 Value? Yes, when you are talking about Burgundy and this Rully Pucelles is a 1er Cru.


"Tasting Notes: A wine of great richness, balance, and complexity, with vibrant fruit and light honey and floral aromas in perfect balance with prominent oak character. Big and round on the palate, with a lingering finish. Serve With: Excellent with poultry, richly sauced fish preparations, and dishes featuring savory cheeses (goat cheese tart, for example)." -- Dan Kravitz, importer





2007 Jacqueson Rully Chaponnieres Rouge...$29.99
"Tasting Notes:
Ripe, red cherry character, with delicate oak and sous-bois aromas. Well-structured, with intense fruit and firm tannins on the palate. Serve With: Excellent with rich cheeses and hearty baked dishes such as roast chicken with cream sauce and shepherd's pie." -- Dan Kravitz, importer


2008 Les Valles Macobeo/Chardonnay....$9.99

This wine comes from the Spanish Appellation of Carinena and is a blend of 80% Macabeo and 20% Chardonnay. We are always on the look out for new and exciting wines and this one really struck a cord with all of our wine buyers. A great white wine blend for an amazing price.
"Tasting Notes:
Macabeo, which is widely planted in northern Spain, brings citrus character and a smooth texture, with the Chardonnay providing tropical fruit and a mouth watering acidity. Serve With: Excellent with salads, appetizers and other lighter fare, and delicately flavored seafood like sole and tilapia."-- Dan Kravitz, importer



2008 Travis Chardonnay Unfiltered....$15.99

This continues to be one of our most popular "unoaked" Chardonnays. 2008 is at least the 5th vintage we have been a fan of this wine. Travis is produced from Monterey fruit and is the pure expression of Chardonnay at its finest. It is a bright, lively, fresh wine with NO oak and it is bottled unfiltered. All of this translates into a fantastic value that easily works at the dinner table. It can match with an ubelievable variety of food. Most California Chardonnays are not food friendly. This is wine resembles a white Burgundy, but sells for a quarter of the price.



2004 Laurence Feraud Gigondas...$21.99

One of my favorite visits in France was to Domaine du Pegau and tasting with Laurence herself.
"In addition to running the legendary Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate Domaine du Pegau with her father Paul, Laurence Féraud manages a successful negociant wine business under the "Sélection Laurence Féraud" label" -- Dan Kravitz

"Compact for now, showing a solid layer of blackberry fruit, with tar, hot stone and mineral notes and a gutsy finish. Should stretch out a bit with cellaring. Drink now through 2009. 250 cases imported.
–JM"
Rated 90/100 The Wine Spectator


2007 Domaine Cabirau "Le Bonte des Amis".....$26.99

"Vinified under the watchful eye of the proprietors of Domaine de L’Edre (the “friends” referred to in its name), Kravitz’s old vines Grenache 2007 La Bonte des Amis is far more serious wine. Here, ripe, pure sweet black raspberry and strawberry fruit is tinged with orange zest, mint, and resin, and underlain by rich roasted meat, chestnut, and dark chocolate. Hints of white pepper and crushed stone add interest to the finish, where in addition a lovely sense of lift and refreshment emerges for all of the liqueur- and jam-like sweetness of fruit that underlies this wine. Jacques Castany of L’Edre points out that the picking date is critical for Grenache in Maury as it begins to lose its freshness almost as soon as it’s reached expressive ripeness. The date seems to have been judged perfectly this time around. How it might age is a fascinating topic to discuss with the project’s partners. I suspect it might well reward six or more years of cellaring."

-- Rated 92/100 The Wine Advocate


2007 Domaine Cabirau Serge and Tony...$14.99

"Domaine Cabirau designates the small, new property in Maury purchased by importer Dan Kravitz. Named for the gentlemen who oversee his vines and vinification, the 2007 Grenache Serge & Tony is raised in tank from the fruit of 20 year old vines, and had only been bottled shortly before I tasted it. An exuberant nose of ripe black raspberry is mingled with mint and smoked meat. What this (by local standards) young vines cuvee lacks in complexity, it makes up for in sheer, mouth-filling generosity of fruit, and a lip-smacking finish."
-- The Wine Advocate

Great Chardonnay --

2006 Mount Eden Chardonnay Estate....$46.99

Simply delicious, a rich, buttery style, with ripe, vivid and delicate peach, pear and honeydew melon fruit that's complex, concentrated and full-bodied, offering excellent length and depth. Creamy oak adds a touch of smoke and vanilla. The texture is silky. Drink now through 2016. 2,387 cases made. –JL"

Rated 96/100 The Wine Spectator

Almost perfect...


R Wines "The Wine" Shiraz....$129.99
"The Wine is presumably the vinous equivalent of The Band. Qualitatively they have much in common, competing at the summit of their respective categories. The Wine features a bar code for a label. It is a barrel selection as well as a vineyard block selection from the renowned Hoffman Vineyard in the Ebenezer sub-region of the Barossa Valley. There are 200 cases of the 2004 Shiraz which was sourced from 40- to 80-year-old vines and aged for 36 months in French barriques and hogsheads. It offers up a super expressive nose of toasty oak, smoke, pencil lead, truffle, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur with hints of licorice and chocolate in the background. Full-bodied and voluptuous, this powerful wine has gobs of spicy black fruits, notes of dark chocolate, well-concealed tannins, and a very long, pure finish. While it can be enjoyed now with a 40-day dry-aged prime rib-eye, it will easily keep for 25 years."

Rated 99/100 The Wine Advocate

Dec 11, 2009

RJ Rockers


Order RJ Rockers online.


This sounds very intriguing -- in stock at Forsyth...

RJ Rockers Black Perle Ale....$8.49 / 22oz

Only 200 cases made

"Ninety Minute Octo-Hopped IPA"

"It was "octo-hopped" with eight hop additions in a ninety-minute boil, averaging over 1.5 lbs/barrel. Very thick, very chocolatey with a hint of coffee at the end."

"In the late 17th Century the honourable East India Company lost one of its ships on a return voyage from the Indies. The flagship, The Harvester, was attacked by Malay Pirates and sank beneath the swells and into darkness. It is sad that The Harvester was carrying a strange and wondrous cargo known to the company as Black Perle. This once lost treasure has now risen from the depths allowing the world to discover its mystery." -- label



"In a concept that would make Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling proud, Johnsen is about to launch the first beer in his Ales from the Dark Side line -- a series of hand-crafted dark brews produced in limited quantity and geared toward discriminating craft-beer enthusiasts.

The first release in the series will be a beer called Black Perle Dark India Pale Ale (IPA), which weighs in at 9.5 percent alcohol by volume. It is named after the variety of German bittering hop -- Perle -- which was added five times during the liquid's unusually long 90-minute boil, thus extracting all the bittering qualities of the hop. Three other additions of the Cascade variety hop also were implemented during production.

In total, about 500 ounces of hops and more than 2,300 pounds of five varieties of malt were used in the one-time, 25-barrel (775-gallon) batch.

Hoppy like a traditional American-style IPA, Black Perle has the black color and chocolate notes of a stout without the thick, chewy body, and its moderate-to-heavy bitter finish helps hide the high alcohol level.

"This is the perfect holiday beer," Johnsen said. "It's designed almost specifically to enjoy with a friend, at home, while not operating any heavy machinery. It's not a go home after work and grab a few beers (type brew). This is a one and done." -- GoUpstate.com




Also arriving tomorrow...


RJ Rockers The First Snow Ale...$10.99
"This hearty American pale ale contains a rich blend of spices that warms the soul on a cold winter's night. Chill the mug, stoke the fire, and savor this quality seasonal brew. Available only during the Winter season." -- brewery

6.0% abv





From a previous post: more info about RJ Rockers and a few other beers we stock--
RJ Rockers is a small brewery that only distribute in 5 states!

"RJ Rockers has been around for over 10 years now. Mark Johnsen is the founder and brew master who has made all the magic happen since the beginning. It all began as a brew pub in 1997 in downtown Spartanburg. In 2003 the brewery was moved to become the first microbrewery in Spartanburg. Since then RJ Rockers has grown to cover South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, DC, and Maryland." -- brewery


"Our slogan is HANDCRAFTED. EVERY BEER. EVERY DROP. EVERY TIME. And we aren't kidding either. Mark makes every batch with his own hands in our facility. He knows exactly what goes into the beer, and it is quality ingredients. He cares about what he makes." -- brewery


RJ Rockers Bell Ringer...$10.99 / 6pk

"Our high gravity offering weighs in at 8.5% abv and is delightfully loaded with malt and hops. This is an ale worthy of your sturdiest goblet or most treasured stein. Ring it!" -- brewery






RJ Rockers Son of a Peach...$8.79 / 6pk

An unfiltered American wheat ale made with real mean peaches. The only thing missing is the fuzz. Savor the anger. Available during the late Spring and Summer months


Amazing wine and package

The bottle of wine has an almost perfect score and the packaging is amazing. The bottle is covered completely with a mirror. The wine comes with an original pring by István Or that you put the mirrored wine bottle in the middle to see the anamorphosis on the bottle. See the example below. This is not the print that comes with the bottle, but it is another anamorphosis from István Orosz. You must come in to see it.
Read more about Anamorphosis - click here

Limited -- only 6 bottles
2005 Anamorphosis Shiraz....$159.99


"The Anamorphosis project features Shiraz from Kalimna in the Barossa Valley aged in new oak from four of France’s finest coopers. Like most of the other R Wines, it has exceptionally creative packaging. There will be 100 cases of the 2005 Shiraz which will spend 30 months in new French oak. It was sourced from vineyards with 40- and 100-year-old vines. Opaque purple in color, it offers up an intense perfume of pain grille, scorched earth, tar, licorice, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Voluptuous, thick rich, and full-bodied, it is a powerful yet seamless expression of Shiraz from a great terroir. It will age effortlessly for 20 years but can be enjoyed young because of its mammoth fruit. It is a winemaking tour de force."


Rated 96-99/100 The Wine Advocate





The wine comes with a poster that is an origianl artwork by István Orosz (b. 24 October 1951; Kecskemét) Hungarian painter, printmaker, graphic designer and animated film director, is known for his mathematically inspired works, impossible objects, optical illusions, double-meaning images and anamorphoses. The geometric art of István Orosz, with forced perspectives and optical illusions, has been compared to works by M. C. Escher." -- Wikipedia


Studied at the Hungarian University of Arts and Design (now Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design) in Budapest as pupil of István Balogh and Ernő Rubik. After graduating in 1975 he began to deal with theatre as stage designer and animated film as animator and film director. He is known as painter, printmaker, poster designer, and illustrator as well. He likes to use visual paradox, double meaning images and illusionistic approaches while following traditional printing techniques such as woodcutting and etching. He also tries to renew the technique of anamorphosis."
-- Wikipedia


Check out how the picture morphes onto the mirror cylinder -- pricture from Wikipedia.

Great 2005 Bordeaux....

Great new price....

2005 Chateau Lascombes Margaux....$69.99

A gorgeous example of Lascombes, the 2005, a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, continues the remarkable turn-around in quality that began five years ago. A stunningly opulent wine with a dense purple color, the 2005 possesses a beautiful perfume of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, creosote, and graphite, full body, silky but noticeable tannins, a layered mouthfeel, and a stunning, 45+-second finish. This is a brilliant, modern-styled Margaux that should age for 30-35 years.


Rated 95/100 The Wine Advocate


This wine has dropped drastically in price since the last time we have had it. To give you an idea...
Avon Liquor....$124.99
Wine.com...$124.99
from WineSearcher 12/11/09

Dec 10, 2009

Tactical Nuclear Penguin

The creative BrewDog Brewery has introduced:
World's Strongest Beer -- 32%
I doubt we will see this one in St. Louis and I would hate to see the price. But it is a pretty funny video. These guys know how to market. I just posted this video for fun from BrewDog's website.

We got in their very interesting Zephyr weeks ago -- read about it



Benton's is back...

Benton's Smoky Mountain Bacon...$9.99 /lb
It has been awhile, back in stock at Forsyth now!
This bacon is smoked the old fashioned way for two days. It is in such demand that Alan Benton says he turns down about 5,000 orders a month.



"Our hickory smoked country bacon is equally at home on a bacon, lettuce, and vine ripe tomato sandwich or on the breakfast table as it is wrapped around a premier cut of beef or a fish fillet. Hickory smoked in our smokehouse using an old-fashioned wood stove, each slice of our bacon has a distinctive full flavor that has attracted and maintained a broad spectrum of customers, from those looking for smoked bacon “the way grandpa made it” to gourmet chefs with the most distinguishing of tastes." -- Bentons

Their bacon has been featured in Gourmet Magazine, Saveur Magazine, and Southern Living Magazine.


Their bacon has been featured in Gourmet Magazine, Saveur Magazine
and here is an excerpt from Southern Living Magazine. "This is, hands down, the best bacon I've ever tasted....Benton's Smoky Mountain Hams come from a much closer source: Madisonville, Tennessee. You don't have to take my word for it though. Just ask the farmers and chefs. Some of the nation's top culinary stars make magic with Benton's hams. Local farmers bring their personal hocks to be cured by the five-man shop that competes with industry giants. The secret? They do things the slow way—using meat-curing practices thousands of years old. "Everything is done by hand," says Allan Benton, who speaks about curing ham with a passion that other men reserve for sports. Until recently, he kept his clients' addresses on yellowed sticky notes taped to the wall. "We're a hillbilly operation through and through," Allan says. And wonderfully so. The transformation from pork to perfection takes place in a smoke-stained cinder-block building on the side of a Tennessee byway. In a traditional process that's never rushed, whole hams get slathered with salt, sugar, and the family's secret spices; then they cure—for 7 to 14 months—on wooden racks. Out back, where the scent of smoking meat hangs thick in the air, Allan opens a sooty door to reveal the mysteries behind his bacon. As the fresh air clears out the little room, a tiny potbelly stove appears. "This is my smoke generator," Allan says. "I bought it for $50 from a cousin." Order now, because publicity has driven demand for Benton's products, especially the smoked bacon. Allan loves telling the story of a Vegas casino that paid hundreds of dollars for an emergency overnight shipment. But then, who knows better than a casino how to bring home the bacon?" -- Southern Living Magazine, November 2007

Dec 9, 2009

North Coast Rasputin

Another load just arrrived --- limited!

Available online

North Coast Old Rasputin XII Anniversary
Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout...$18.99 / 500ml


Info mostly from the previous edition.

Commercial Description:
"Seems hard to believe that we’ve been making Old Rasputin for 10 years now, but that’s what’s happened. And, to celebrate the occasion, we’ve brewed a special small batch that’s been aged for 9 months in some 12 year-old bourbon barrels. It’s bottled in 500 ml bottles with a cork and wired finish and a special commemorative label ---- and it’s amazing. The depth, intensity and complexity of the flavor profile make it a worthy tribute to this fine beer. Available at the brewery. XII is 11.2% ABV" -- ratebeer.com
Rated 100 percentile on Ratebeer.com



Elmer T. Lee Bourbon

One of the best buys in bourbon -- limited


Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon...$27.99

Elmer T. Lee just turned 90 years old this year. He is the master distiller Emeritus of Buffalo Trace. We are happy to offer this amazing Bourbon at an amazing price.

Info from Spirits Review

Notes: This whiskey is produced at the scenic Buffalo Trace Distillery in
Frankfort. This is a single barrel bourbon. Unlike most this carries no age statement. It is bottled when Mr. Lee determines the barrel is at its peak. Like Bookers (from Jim Beam), it is named after the Master Distiller, or Distiller Emeritus of the distillery it comes from. Unlike Bookers, it is priced only a few dollars more than regular straight bourbon. It is also much more approachable for a novice.

Appearance: Deep red / gold in the bottle, shows its age, as well as its namesake, Mr Lee. You rarely see this color in a whiskey, as it denotes a great deal of maturity and aging. To see this color in a single malt scotch, it would have to be a to older and about four to ten times more expensive. It is a beautiful thing. On swirling, it leaves a thicker coating on the glass and has more legs and heavier body than George T. Stagg or Buffalo Trace Bourbon.

First Impression: Toffee, apricots, some spiciness, and a faint trace of marzipan, leather, and on more warming: char.This is a great, full-bodied, but somehow delicate whiskey. Damn smooth stuff.

Taste: Toffee, (not caramel), corn, apricot again, much like the bouquet. A medium mouth feel, more like a good armagnac than like a cognac (as I have described some other whiskies from there). Nice warming going down, without the burn you would expect for the price. Most bourbons don't stand up to age well, they have a very turbulent ride to adolescence in new fresh charred barrels, and dramatic temperature swings (hence intense respiration in the barrel which leads to a very rapid aging compared to the sedate pace of other spirits many of which use recycled barrels).
Drinks: Great in almost any drink calling for bourbon. Has the taste and body to stand up to anything you mix it with, but on the other hand it does mix well and does not overwhelm a drink. A true gentleman who knows how to get along well with others.
Final Thoughts: This is where all my troubles began... This was my first single barrel bourbon after years of drinking mass produced bourbons. There is a term "Gateway Drug" meaning the one you get started on, innocently enough before. . . In a entirely different POSITIVE way this is a Gateway Bourbon. . .The difference betwwen this and the mass produced bourbons is immense. For just a few dollars more, it introduces you to the true possibilities of what bourbon can be and leaves you hungering for all the other ones out there. Beware! It is an outstanding value, and I give a personal recommendation to try. Bottle: Gold Sealing Wax and a square bottle with rounded edges give it a nice effect. The concave medallion type impressions on the side make the bottle easy to grip when pouring - unlike a lot of square bottles. It also makes it easy to find in your bar. It looks they are trying for a slightly antique look with Mr Lee's portrait on the back label looking through the whiskey. The clear glass and label on the front show off the color of the whiskey to good effect. The weight and heft of the bottle conveys a solid feel. A printed oval label has the legally required labeling and little more.

Dec 8, 2009

Make sure read how this is made...

Crazy true story...
Del Maguey Mezcal Pechuga....$179.99
Pechuga is Spanish for chicken breast
Only 350 bottles made

"The Pechuga production season is limited to year end due to the special ingredients: Wild mountain apples and plums that must be in season and cannot be substituted.
Pechuga is begun with Minero; mezcal that has already been double distilled. In preparation for a third distillation they place about 75 liters of mezcal in the still and add about 25 lbs of wild mountain apples and plums, big red plantain bananas, pineapples, a handful of almonds and a few pounds of uncooked white rice.
Next, a whole chicken breast, skin removed, bone structure complete, is washed in running water for about three hours to remove any grease. This is then suspended by strings in the atmosphere of the still and a 24 hour, third distillation is begun. The vapor passes over the pechuga and condenses into a crystal clear liquid that has an amazing taste and smoothness. The reason for the breast they say, is so the mezcal is not dominated by the fruit...a balance.
Upon completion the Pechuga is removed from the still and hung in the family Altar room...the most important space in the house.
False Mezcal labeling in the commercial production Towns and sales in Cities is endemic to Tobalá, Pechuga as well as Minero. There is no way to find a TRUE bottle of any of these special mezcals other than the village they were made in, any place in Mexico including Oaxaca!
This mezcal is the most rare and expensive we have ever encounted, and worth every penney.
To read the first revue about Pechuga go to:
Alcohol Reviews.com
In stock now at Forsyth.

Michigan brew...

Arcadia from Battle Creek, Michigan...


Arcadia Imperial Stout....$13.99 / 4pk
Rated 96/100 Percentile on RateBeer
"A Limited Release Seasonal offering, Imperial Stout is a big, boldly-flavored beer fit for royalty! True to style, Imperial Stout is full-bodied and warming, with a creamy texture. Boasting rich, roasty aromas and flavors of roasted coffee, black currants, plums, and bittersweet cocoa, this beer certainly packs a punch. A generous hop addition adds a level of complexity and balance, along with a pleasant bitterness.
This extraordinary stout will continue to mature nicely with age. Flavors tend to mellow and become more rounded after a year or two. Buy as much as you can and lay some down in the cellar for a few years to taste multiple vintages vertically.
Recommended Foods: Roquefort Sheep’s Milk Cheese, Molten Chocolate Cake, Robust Game Meats. Try with a fine Maduro-wrapped Cigar!" -- Brewery
8.4% ABV59 IBUs



Arcadia London Porter....$8.99 / 6pk
Rated 96/100 Percentile on RateBeer
This is our version of an 18th Century “Smoked Porter”. Our London Porter has a subtle accent of beechwood smoked malt, which comes through nicely in the aroma and the flavor. Brewed using seven varieties of premium European malted barley, this full-bodied beer is characterized by hints of chocolate and coffee, and balanced by a long-lingering hoppy bitterness.
In a style that generally focuses on malt alone, our London Porter is unique in its rich, smoky, peaty characteristics. It has earthy, grassy notes as well, courtesy of UK Goldings hops.
Recommended Foods: Sharp Cheddar, Smoked Salmon, BBQ or Smoked Meats, Oysters, Mushrooms, Tiramisu, Apple Tart
7.2% ABV 42 IBUs



Arcadia Cocoa Loco....$9.79 / 4pk
"A truly one-of-a-kind brew, we like to call this our Triple Chocolate Milk Stout. A combination of three different chocolate malts, cocoa nibs and 63% cacao bittersweet chocolate make this a sinfully delicious brew. The addition of lactose lends the beer a creamy quality- not unlike a milkshake- while the Blackstrap Molasses adds rich, burnt, syrupy flavors. Flavors of baker’s chocolate and espresso dominate, while rich malty flavors and a subtle kiss of hops add nice balance.
This is a BIG beer. True to our original vision, we have taken a traditional style and turned it on its head. Delicious on its own, Cocoa Loco is also brilliant with many foods, or as a digestif.
Recommended Foods: Brie, Cherry Cheesecake, Seared Ahi Tuna, Vanilla Ice Cream, Berry Pies." -- brewery
7.0% ABV
39 IBUs


Arcadia Sky High Rye....$4.69 / 22oz
12th Anniversary Ale
"In honor of our adventurous friends at Sky Dive Inc. in Hastings, Michigan, we crafted a truly adventurous brew in Sky High Rye. A West Coast-style Pale Ale with rye malt, Sky High Rye boasts a massive floral aroma of resinous hops. The hops contribute flavor notes of lemons, peaches, and pine needles, combined with the sweet, malty flavors of toffee and bread. Rye adds a pleasant peppery, spicy note like a fresh slice of pumpernickel bread. Very well-rounded and very drinkable, Sky High Rye will surely inspire adventure in all who taste it.
This well-balanced, full-flavored pale ale is a wonderful session beer on its own, and pairs nicely with many unique dishes.
Recommended Foods: Fresh Deli Sandwiches, Garlic Pickles, Monterey jack Cheese, Cured Meats and Sausages, Shellfish, Spice Cake
6.0% ABV -- 55 IBUs



Arcadia Hopmouth Double IPA....$9.19 / 4pk
"The first in our Brew Crew Big Beer Series, Hopmouth Double IPA is a hop lover’s delight! Deep amber hue with a generous white head, Hopmouth showcases a rich, toasty flavor and a sweet caramel notes as a result of the high-quality Maris Otter Malt, imported from the UK. The hops are right up front in the aroma, reminiscent of citrus and pine, while the resin-like flavors linger well after the last sip.
This is a BIG beer. True to our original vision, we have achieved a level of balance and drinkability rarely found in this style. Delicious on its own, Hopmouth is also a brilliant pair with many boldly-flavored foods, including many cheeses and desserts.
Recommended Foods: Gorgonzola, Greek Salad, Mediterranean Foods, Indian or Thai Dishes, Spicy Italian Sausages, Carrot Cake" -- brewery
8.1% ABV 76 IBUs

Arcadia Hop Rocket....$12.99 / 4pk
Rated 95/100 Percentile on RateBeer
After 11 years of brewing beer with balance, our Brew Crew took a left turn with Hop Rocket Imperial IPA, a massive Imperial that focuses on the hops! At 111 IBUs, this huge ale Rockets off the charts with a massive nose of sticky, resinous hops and flavors of grapefruit, lemon peel, spruce, earthy mushrooms and dew-covered grass. While the focus truly is on the hops, a pleasant, sweet malt base backs the beer and balances it to a delicious level of drinkability with notes of toffee and freshly baked biscuits.
This extraordinary Imperial IPA will age gracefully. Bitterness will become subdued and flavors will round out with age. A delicious brew for sipping, Hop Rocket will also pair nicely with many foods.
Recommended Foods: India or Thai Cuisine, Chicken Marsala with Rosemary, Habanero Salsa, Gumbo, Carrot Cake, Pepper Jack Cheese
9.0% ABV
111 IBUs

New Moylans...

Moylans available online also - click here


Moylan's Hopsickle Imperial Ale....$8.99 / 22 oz
Tripple Hoppy
This is a "Hop" tribute, worthy of a King's Imperial Court! Enjoy the blast of fresh Tomahawk, Cascade and Centennial Hops as they stimulate the taste buds in a truly imperial fashion. Pucker Up!
Alcohol 9.2% by Volume
Rated 99/100 percentile on Ratebeer.com
Rated A- BeerAdvocate




Moylan's Celts Golden Ale....$4.29 / 22oz
Pale gold in color, sweet and fruity, with a slight dryness and crisp hoppiness in the finish. This California Golden Ale is the perfect "session" beer- an excellent ale that complements all occcasions.
Alcohol 5.0% by Volume







Moylander Double IPA (India Pale Ale)...$8.79 / 22oz
“If One is Good, Then Two is Better!” Our Moylander Double IPA is fat and resiny, with aggresive and excessive hops swinging on on an enormous malt backbone like naughty monkeys on a vine. Double malt, double hops - do the math, it’s academic. This brew has twice the things you’re looking for, and it’s big enough to share with the one you love. And isn’t that what it's all about?
Alcohol 8.5% by Volume
Rated 98/100 percentile on RateBeer.com
Rated A- on BeerAdvocate
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Read about the other Moylans - click here