JIM MURRAY’S 2016 WORLD WHISKIE OF THE YEAR

ITS HERE YOU CAN GET YOUR BOTTLE NOW (LIMITED STOCK)

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

Laphroaig Fans the new 2015 Cairdeas is finally in! It’s one of the finest Cairdeas we have had from the distillery in a long time. With the demand booming for brown whiskey our allocation for this whiskey was small (60 btls) but if you’re a Laphroaig fan this is one you don’t want to miss.

Laphroaig 2015 Cairdeas 200th Anniversary Edition Islay Single Malt Whisky

Sweet, malty and salty. Then the earthy sweet peat comes in along with citrus and honey. There’s smoky (not smoke) sweet cured meat, lots of brine and vanilla and after a few minutes there’s some fragrant edge to it. Peat and ash, seaweeds, salty berries, soursweet fruits, a touch of TCP, brine and citrus. ingering sweet peat and brine, salty fruits, gentle and mellow with smoky note and salt- Whisky Review

It’s finally now available in the States! Our first just arrived and we have had people hounding us for this whiskey since last year. The Sinatra Barrels are handcrafted with the addition of deep grooves on the inside of the barrel staves. This exposes the whiskey to extra layers of oak which imparts a rich amber color, bold character and a pleasant smokiness, followed by an incredibly smooth vanilla finish. The smooth, bold character of the whiskey embodies the smooth, bold character of the man himself, Frank Sinatra. Now on special for the holidays $149.99.

Estrella Damm Inedit is a unique blend of barley and wheat malt, with a fine bouquet featuring corriander, orange peel and liquorice,

Estrella Damm Inedit was born from the awareness of the need for a beer to acommpany haute cuisine with maximum respect. That is its intention and its virtue and it is just that which makes it quite unique, different and special.

It was created jointly, by Damm’s master brewers, heirs to a most singular tradition and creators of some of our country’s most renowned beers and by Ferran Adria and the team of sommeliers at elBulli.

Tasting Notes:

High intensity and aromatic complexity. Its appearance is slightly cloudy. Fruity and floral to the nose, with a yeasty sensation and sweet spice reminiscences. Creamy, fresh texture, soft volume and delicately carbonic. Long aftertaste and pleasant memory.

Made to accompany the festival of flavours offered to us by modern cuisine. For Sommeliers, trying to accommodate different types of flavors has always been a nightmare... now there is a solution!

With its delicate, sophisticated bubbles, this beer can take acid, sweet and sour by the hand. The symphony of flavours in each dish is different, but there is a common thread capable of unifying them all, due to a sense of continuity meaning there is no need to switch drinks. This beer has a rich and highly adaptable bouquet. In other words, a unique personality: smooth yet complex.

Buy Now: Estrella Damm Inedit $9.99

Winery: Pascual Toso

How long has the winery been producing wine and how did your family start in the wine business?

Pascual Toso was an Italian immigrant who came from Piemonte, Italy. When Pascual Toso arrived in our country, he settled in Mendoza. As he had been closely involved in the development of his family wine business in Piedmont, he promptly saw the promising future for winemaking in the region and decided to use his expertise. Thus, in 1890, Pascual Toso established his first winery in San José, Guaymallén. At the beginning of the 20^th century, our founder decided to expand the business and acquired vineyards in Maipú. At his estate “Las Barrancas”, he built another winery, “Las Barrancas” (small Canyon) which is dedicated to producing and growing the finest grapes.

Bodegas Toso was acquired in 1995 by J.Llorente y Cía, a company that since 1909 has stood out because of its excellent and quality products and has maintained the same philosophy imposed by Pascual Toso. Since its foundation in 1890, Bodegas y Viñedos Pascual Toso have been characterized by their ongoing innovation. 

What would you say is the Pascual Toso style of winemaking?

Since 1890, Our mission is to produce high quality wines that express Argentina’terroir. 

What type of food goes best with your wines?

Argentinean barbecue, beef. Also pasta, chicken, lamb. White wines go excellent with fish, sea food and risotto

How have your wines evolved over the years and what has caused the change?

For Pascual Toso, the most important is our passion for the wines and the quality we try to achieve. Since 1890, Bodegas y Viñedos Pascual Toso is one of the most exciting and promising Argentine winery and remains faithful to its principles: Tradition, Authenticity, Innovation.

In 2001, the company hired Mr. Paul Hobbs as consultant wine maker for a new high quality wine project. The Project was intended to produce premium and super-premium wines from both old and new vineyard from our estate in Maipu.

We would say Pascual Toso produces wines of high quality under the most exigent procedures and rules. At the same time we have invested in an advanced technology for the production of our fine wines.

Can you describe what you think would be the perfect wine?

The perfect wine is the one YOU like the most. Wine is related to vivid experiences so the better the experiences the more aspects of that wines are going to be highlighted. Let’s pretend we are by the beach and 7 pm in a summer day and you are having a great glass of wine…you are more likely to think that wine is best wine you have had since the experience is also contributing to a great memory. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to meet friends and chat about wine, life and many others things I also spend quality time with my family since I travel a lot. Sharing my time with those who I love. And please let’s not forget about Argentine asados……

 What wines do you enjoy drinking when you're not drinking your own wines?

Petrus, Italian Barolo’s, French Cabernet and Californian Chard.

 What is your most memorable wine moment?

Can’t tell…all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a lucky man.

Do you think the wine industry is changing and how is it changing?

Yes, technology allows us to get better quality, global competition now is an important factor since all the top producing countries are very good at what they do. Information is more available now than it was before so now you click on a search engine and can have  tips about certain grapes or what to expect, recommendations etc. So social media is making everything possible. Although I love some traditional old fashions will always be there. Wine is a reflection of tradition, care, art put together in a bottle to be slow cooked by time and served at any place and seasoned with friends.

Wines From Pascual Toso Currently In-stock:

2010 Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza ($11.99)

2010 Pascual Toso Malbec Mendoza ($11.49)

So far this year we have tried about 350 Pinot Noirs and very few of them leave us with the "WOW" factor. The 2009 Keller Estate La Cruz Vineyard Pinot Noir was among those few.

The winery is located in Petaluma Valley in Sonoma County a region know as the Petaluma Gap. Fruit from the Petaluma Gap is known to go into some of the finest Pinot on the market. ( Kosta Brown, A.P. Vin and Sojourn)

The 2009 Keller La Cruz Pinot has a deep red, with complex notes of tea, cinnamon, blackberry and rose petal. A full body Pinot that has layers of berry and spice intertwined to perfection with a lingering finish. So far everyone that has tried a bottle has been back to stock up. It has been one of our fasting selling Pinot's this year. So don't miss out and get yourself a bottle to try! 

93 Points Wine Spectator- Deep, with rich, well-defined blueberry and raspberry flavors that are floral-scented, spicy and layered, ending with fine-grained, black tea-laced tannins. Drink now through 2021.

2009 Keller Estate La Cruz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($32.99)

Highly Recommended! The Keller Estate La Cruz Vineyard Pinot Noir is the wineries flagship Pinot Noir because of its quintessential balance of structure, fruit, and minerality from the estate. The 2009 Pinot Noir is all about balance, elegance and finesse. This is the best expression of the wineries estate’s terroir; red fruits, rose petals, spice, mineral and earth mingle in a richly textured wine.