Annual Grower Champagne Tasting

Terry Thiese Grower Champagne Tasting Saturday, November 3rd 12 to 4pm It's time again for our annual "farmer fizz" Champagne campaign! We are the biggest fans of these rare, brilliant handmade sparklers. We only get the chance to buy them ONCE A YEAR.....that's it! So don't miss this chance to taste, hoard and collect some of the greatest sparkling wines ever made. Here's what we'll be pouring:

NV Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Cuis 1er Cru Brut On Sale $49.99 Bright straw. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet offers lime pith, fennel, jasmine and chalk. Lively and delineated in the mouth, lending incisive citrus and quince flavors that are underscored by intense minerality. Very tight, with strong finishing cut and lingering chalkiness. 90 Points Stephen Tanzer NV Mousse "Or Tradition" Brut On Sale $42.99 We love this nonvintage champagne from a new producer, Mousse Fils. This basic NV is 80% Pinot Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir, disgorged late December 2011. This is the best edition of the cuvee so far. It's chunky and unassuming but flavory, round, and dark-bready. Not complex, but hugely enjoyable. NV Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte-Anne Brut On Sale $42.99 (60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir, 80% from 2007 and 20% each from 2006 and 2005; disgorged June, 2011): Light gold. Deeply pitched aromas of orchard fruits and redcurrant, with a hint of pungent herbs. Dense and chewy on the palate, offering broad pear and bitter cherry flavors braced by tangy acidity. Shows very good clarity and energy on the finish, which leaves a spicy note behind. 90 Points Stephen Tanzer 2006 Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs "Cuvee Gastronome" Brut On Sale $56.99 (made from fruit grown in Chouilly, Cramant, Oger and Cuis; disgorged April 5, 2011): Light gold. Vibrant, deeply fruity aromas of melon, nectarine and orange. Sweet citrus and honeydew flavors offer impressive depth and energy, picking up chalky minerality with air. Finishes with energetic lift and a lingering echo of sappy orchard fruits. Offers a happy marriage of power and finesse. 92 Points Stephen Tanzer 2006 Pierre Peters "Cuvee Millesimee L'Esprit de 2006" On Sale $74.99 The 2006 Brut "Cuvee Millesime L'Esprit de 2006" is a blend of fruit from parcels in Mesnil, Oger, Avize and Cramant, all four Grand Cru villages. It is a sensational wine laced with green pears, apples, lemon, white flowers and spices. The balance of ripeness and tautness is remarkable in this powerful, intense wine. I tasted the 2006 for the first time during a visit to the winery about a year and a half ago, and immediately purchased a case of magnums. The wine is every bit as remarkable today. Dosage is 5.3 grams per liter. Disgorged January 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2026. 93 Points The Wine Advocate NV Jean Lallement et Fils Brut Rose On Sale $62.99 The NV Brut Rose is 100% Pinot Noir from Verzenay. It is a fabulous wine endowed with tons of sheer energy and class. Layers of vibrant, beautifully delineated fruit flow effortlessly from this superb Champagne. Although it can't be labeled as a single vintage wine, Lallement's NV Brut Rose is 100% 2008 juice. It is a serious wine that is highly deserving of attention. Sweet, perfumed notes resonate on the finish. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged May 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015. 92 Points The Wine Advocate

 Les Cailloux Chateauneuf du Pape, Great Pre-Arrival Pricing!

Holy New House Pop!

We have this great CdP arriving soon. Andre Brunel has been one of our favorite producers in the Rhone for many years and his CdP "Les Cailloux" is his flagship offering. 

2010 Les Cailloux (Lucien et Andre Brunel) Chateauneuf du Pape AOC

On Sale $45.99

"A brilliant Châteauneuf-du-Pape that should not be missed is the 2010 Les Cailloux Châteauneuf-du-Pape! A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah (with only the Syrah being aged in smaller, new barrels), it has put on weight since I tasted it last year and offers up a spectacular array of spiced red fruits, garrigue, small flowers, licorice, and toast on the nose to go with a full-bodied, layered and perfectly proportioned mouth feel. This complex, seamless, and rich Châteauneuf-du-Pape will age effortlessly for two decades!"

95 Points, the Rhone Report

Also 92-95 points, Robert Parker

Available 2010 Chateauneufs-du-Papes

2010 Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Chateau Sixtine" 
On Sale $53.99 750 mlIn need of 4-5 years of cellaring, the infantile 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine is a behemoth. Made from a blend similar to the 2009's, the 2010 exhibits an opaque purple color in addition to a beautiful nose of melted licorice, blackberries, cassis, smoky barbecue embers, underbrush and soil overtones. Rich and full-bodied with a multilayered mouthfeel, this impressive, pure, well-built Chateauneuf will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2035. 

93-95 Points, Robert Parker
2010 Domaine Charbonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Mourre des Perdrix"
On Sale $53.99 750 ml"A big step up and the best vintage of this cuvee I’ve tasted to date, the 2010 Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Mourre des Perdrix is a knockout effort! A blend of 69% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, and 1% Cinsault that is aged in wooden tanks, it boasts a decidedly mineral-driven bouquet of sweet cherries, kirsch liqueur, rolled stones, garrigue, and spice-box that has both complexity and intensity. This full-bodied, powerful, yet elegant wine has a gorgeous texture, excellent acidity, and very fine tannin that emerge on, and frame, the finish. Classically proportioned, with a traditional feel, this brilliant 2010 will drink well for 15-20 years."
95 Points, the Rhone Report

2010 Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Le Chante le Merle Vieille Vignes"
On Sale $65.99 750 ml

"Even more extraordinary is the compelling 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante Le Merle. Inky bluish/purple, the wine offers up notes of incense, camphor, blueberry, blackberry and black raspberry liqueur followed by an exciting, full-bodied, multi-dimensional mouthfeel and finish of close to a minute. This is stunningly rich and pure, yet has remarkable delineation, and because of the acid profile of this vintage, it seems light on its feet despite what I’m sure is 15%-plus alcohol. This wine should evolve over a two decade span and be completely drinkable over that entire period. "
94-96 Points, Robert Parker

2010 Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Les Petits Pieds d'Armand"
On Sale $85.99 750 ml

"One of my favorite wines and a blockbuster in the vintage, the 100% old vine Grenache 2010 Les Petits Pieds d'Armand comes all from the famed La Crau lieu-dit and vines planted in 1899. Offering up a totally brilliant bouquet of kirsch liqueur, creamy raspberry, licorice, and the essence of mixed garrigue and crushed flowers, this full-bodied, powerful, and decadent Châteauneuf-du-Pape is exceedingly concentrated, textured, and rich. Even better than the ’07 and hanging onto plenty of freshness and elegance, this full throttle Grenache should be given 5-6 years of bottle age, and then enjoyed over the following decade or more. "

98 Points, the Rhone Report

94-96 Points, Robert Parker

 

Last Call on these Major 2009 Cabernets!

2010 Montes Alpha M Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz, Chile, Pre-Arrival Price $79.99
Beautifully concentrated, with a floral undertone to the rich yet racy wild berry, cassis and damson plum skin fruit character that’s tightly wound around fine tannins. The finish is long and compact, but this needs time in the cellar to fully shine. Best from 2014 through 2020. From Chile.
96 Points Wine Spectator

2009 Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
On Sale $169.99

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a big, opulent wine loaded with ripe, dark fruit. This is an especially jammy, large-scaled vintage for this wine. Plums, black cherries, leather, licorice, spices and tobacco wrap around the intense, layered finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.

93 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2009 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine
Sale Price $179.99
"The 2009 Dominus flows from the glass with layers of highly expressive fruit. The wine possesses stunning richness, power and depth. Dark red fruit, tobacco, flowers and spices are woven into a seamless, beautifully articulated finish. Elegance and intensity are in perfect harmony here. This is a thrilling wine from Dominus. The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029."
97+ Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2009 Joseph Phelps "Insignia" Napa Valley
Sale Price $159.99 

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Insignia is a big, generous wine that covers the palate with waves of dark red fruit. Today it is beautifully expressive and opulent yet also well balanced. An explosive finish rounds things out in style. This looks to be a relatively approachable Insignia. Floral, spicy notes round out the finish. In 2009 the blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.

93-96 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2009 Merryvale "Profile" Proprietary Red Wne, Napa Valley
Pre-Arrival Price $139.99
The 2009 Profile bursts on the palate with an exciting array of black fruit, smoke, tar, licorice and grilled herbs. It is a muscular wine endowed with considerable depth and richness, but despite its obvious size, all of the elements are in harmony. This big boy will need some cellaring, but it is beautiful. Profile is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
93 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2009 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, Valley
On Sale $82.99
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is stunning. An exotic, open bouquet melds into dark red fruit in this racy, sexy Cabernet. Espresso, graphite, crushed flowers, spices, mint and licorice are some of the notes that emerge from the glass. All of the elements flow together gracefully to the refined, supple finish. The 2009 will take a few years to come around, but it is dazzling and immensely appealing, even today. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot, all from Forman’s vineyard at the base of Howell Mountain. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.
96+ Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2008 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
On Sale $79.99
Good deep ruby-red.  Cool aromas of blueberry, menthol and flowers; smells delicate.  Then surprisingly creamy, round and sweet in the mouth, with a faint herbal edge giving shape and verve to the redcurrant and plum fruit.  Lovely pliant wine in a rather easygoing style, finishing with smooth tannins.  This should be approachable young and age well on its balance.
91 Points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

2009 Sheridan Cabernet Sauvignon Block 1, Yakima Valley (4 bottles)
On Sale $125.99
The 2009 Block 1 is thicker, richer, more velvety, and more pleasure-bent than the 2008. It is a candidate for perfection once it goes into bottle.
97-100 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2009 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder
On Sale $69.99

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder is a big, broad-shouldered wine loaded with class and personality. Firm tannins provide the backdrop for layers of dark red fruit in this super-expressive, racy Cabernet Sauvignon. Tar, licorice, menthol, iron and smoke nuances develop in the glass, adding a sense of gravitas. This is a striking, totally beautiful wine from Robert Craig. The 2009 Mount Veeder is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. 

96 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Featured Wines/Saturday Tasting Taste these Grenache-based wines tomorrow from 12 to 4pm at the bar!

Grenache is one of the main grapes planted in Southern France and Spain, where the hot, dry climate allows it to ripen fully. Grenache wines are generally fruity, with berry notes, spice, and a relatively high alcohol content. This Grenache tasting will feature seven different Grenache-based wines, including two Chateauneuf-du-Papes. Compare and contrast these wines to see how different winemakers maximize on this grape's qualities. 2010 Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape On Sale $42.99 The 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color along with a nose of licorice, blueberries and dark black cherry confiture. Powerful and full-bodied with good acids, freshness and delineation, it is a precise, large-scaled wine that requires several years of cellaring before consumption. 91-94 Points Robert Parker 2010 Clos des Brusquieres Chateauneuf-du-Pape On Sale $36.99 Slightly deeper in color with more structure, richness and intensity, the 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape reveals a healthy ruby/purple color along with classic peppery, black raspberry and kirsch notes intermixed with hints of garrigue and graphite. The wine is deep, medium to full-bodied with good acidity and a natural, pure flavor profile. It will benefit from several years of cellaring and keep for 12-15 years. 89-91 Points Robert Parker 2010 Domaine Olivier Hillaire Cotes-du-Rhone Vieilles Vignes On Sale $13.99 The 2010 Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes is a pleasant, straightforward, Grenache-dominated wine that is best drunk over the next 2-3 years. -Robert Parker NV Clos des Papes "Le Petit Vin d'Avril" Vin de France On Sale $17.99 Delightful, with elegant plum, violet and grilled herb notes running through the focused finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carignane. Drink now. This NV wine is an everyday drinker side project by Paul Avril of Clos des Papes fame. 88 Points Wine Spectator 2010 El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa Old Vines Garnacha, Anorbe, Spain On Sale $13.99 Bright ruby. An expansive bouquet displays blueberry, cola, violet, cracked pepper and woodsmoke. Palate-staining black and blue fruit flavors are enlivened by zesty mineral and spice qualities, making the whole impressively powerful. The finish strongly echoes blueberry and spice notes that linger on. 91 Points Stephen Tanzer 2011 Honoro Vera Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain On Sale $6.99 Inky ruby. Dark berry liqueur and mocha on the nose, with complicating notes of licorice and sassafras. Sappy blueberry and blackberry flavors show very good depth and pick up a spicy quality with air. Finishes with good breadth, supple tannins and lingering smokiness. 89 Points Stephen Tanzer 2011 Domaine Boisson Cairanne Villages, Cotes du Rhone On Sale $17.99 Harmonious and with a fine, tight finish, this wine offers a rich and generous flavour - a typical white from the South. -Winemaker's Notes

Uplands Creamery

 

Rush Creek Reserve Season Begins

The long wait is over - Next week we release the season's first batch of Rush Creek Reserve. For weeks the creamery has smelled like sweet spruce, and the anticipation has been building towards our first tastings of the season's early batches. The cheeses taste fantastic and we can't wait to send them out. You can find Rush Creek at our cheese counter, and you can also order it from us here.

CHATEAU RIEUSSEC SAUTERNES, CHATEAU LYNCH-BAGES-HUGE PRESS
 
2009 Chateau Rieussec, Sauternes
On Sale $119.99
The minerality and stoniness really comes through on the nose of this Rieussec, more than the 2007. The palate is very well balanced with superb acidity, real tension, steely with great precision with notes of apricot, white peach and honey on the beautifully defined finish. Probably the best Rieussec since the astounding 2001.
Rated 95-97/100 points The Wine Advocate

2009 Chateau Lynch-Bages, Pauillac
On Sale $249.99
Performing even better from bottle than it did from barrel, this appears to be the finest Lynch Bages since the 2000, 1990 and 1989. According to the chateau, the 2009 has the highest level of polyphenols ever measured as well as high alcohol (nearly 13.5%). A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest largely Merlot with touches of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it is an expressive, voluptuously textured effort with unctuosity and powerful, juicy, succulent blackberry and black currant flavors, low acids, a layered, massive mouthfeel, but no sense of heaviness or fatigue. This exquisite Lynch Bages should drink well for 30+ years.
Rated 98/100 points The Wine Advocate

 

 

SEA SMOKE PINOTS!!!

 

We have gotten our yearly allocations and, every year, it's never enough! Please move quickly if you would like some. Here are the details....
2010 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir "Southing"

On Sale $69.99Each year, our goal for Southing is to create the ideal
marriage of complexity and elegance. The seductive nose of the 2010
Southing exhibits fresh crushed flowers, persimmon, morels and cola.
The fine tannins and minerality are enhanced by our estate
vineyard’s characteristic cool climate acidity.
Winemaker's Notes

2010 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir "Ten"
On Sale $99.99

A brooding and intense wine. The aromas begin with
notes of noble fir, ganache, dusty blueberry and blackberry cobbler.
Firm, mature tannins—evidence of Ten’s ageability—are followed by
a long, velvety finish.
Winemaker's Notes

Meet Anthony Wills from the Kilchoman Distillery

Thursday, October 11th

6-730pm

15.00 per person

Call 314.863.6282 for reservations

Join us as we welcome Anthony Wills, founder and managing director of the Kilchoman Distillery Co Ltd,  the first distillery to be established on Islay in over 124 years.  He ran his own independent single cask bottling company for 8 years when he came up with the idea of building a farm distillery. The distillery was built in 2005, with the first run of new spirit coming off the stills later that year. Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland with an annual production of approximately 100,000 litres of alcohol. We at the Merch have been big fans of their malts, so much so that we have purchased casks in previous years and they bottled it for us at cask strength. Our old friend, Ed Kohl from Impex Beverages and importer of Kilchoman, will also be here to pour expressions from the Arran Distillery, located on the Isle of Arran. 

Here is a list of the evening's featured malts:

NV Kilchoman "Machir Bay"  46% abv

NV Kilchoman "100% Islay"  46% abv

5 Year Kilchoman Cask Strength "Wine Merchant Edition" 58.9% abv 

Bottled exclusively for the Wine Merchant, Ltd.

10 Year Isle of Arran 46% abv

14 Year Isle of Arran   46% abv

NV Isle of Arran Sauternes Finish 50% abv

NV Isle of Arran Amarone Finish 50% abv