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Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada March Outturn

Posted on February 28, 2013


The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is the World’s largest whisky club, with branches in 17countries and more than 26,000 members. For more information on the Canadian branch, check out www.smws.ca .
"Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"



121.54: Don’t worry about a thing... - 58.9% - 9 Year - Highland - Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel - Outturn: 192 Bottles - Panel's Tasting Note: "A fabulously fruity, perfumed nose – passion-fruit, pineapple,sherbet, mango, cherry, citrus, kiwi – and much more – honey,vanilla pod, freesias and leather – it promised a life of hedonism and beach while Bob Marley sang ‘Don’t worry about a thing...’ The unreduced palate was much the same – a fruity cocktail with ripe mango, coconut milk, lime and gewürtztraminer wine – with considerable heat. Water reduced the heat but not the flavour intensity – ‘Fantastic’, said one panellist; ‘My kind of dram!’said another. The distillery is regularly visited by golden eagles." Drinking Tip: "Just try it." - $102.99
73.54: Decadent & delicious - 57.2% - 20 Year - Speyside - Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel - Outturn: 214 bottles - Panel's Tasting Note: "The nose, delicate and sophisticated, evoked an elegant lady(perfume, leather handbag, silk purse) in a tea-shop with jasmine tea, Battenberg cake, pear tarte tatin, sweet Muscat wine, flowers and pine cones on her table. The palate was rich, decadent and delicious – buttery fruit cake, jellied fruits, lots of orange(mandarin flan, Fry’s Orange Cream, orange blossom) and cinnamon spice in the finish. The reduced nose found Oreos, carrot cake, chocolate limes and glorious dark chocolate  raspberry brownie. The palate now rewarded us with soft vanilla fudge, perfumed nectarines, teasing ginger and Old English Spangles. The distillery name means ‘big stream’." Drinking Tip: "One for the dimmed lights and soft music,you wicked schemer." - $164.99
76.92: Ticks all the boxes - 60.1% - 26 Year - Speyside - Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead - Outturn: 196 Bottles - Panel's Tasting Note: "The mesmerizing and entrancing nose magicked a seventeenth century New England harvest festival – hay-cart, horse-drawn carriages, deep fruits, flowers, fruit chutney, pumpkin, nuts – it oozed fertile countryside and ripe contentment . With water, we found tobacco, dark chocolate, honey nougat, coconut and toasted marshmallows. The palate was ââ‚...

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Some New and Very Exciting Wines!

Posted on February 27, 2013



There are some very exciting products to tell you about. Firstly, our new exclusive from the Stag’s leap district. The Passenger Cabernet. Only 148 cases produced. I brought a bottle to Palm Springs recently as my host is a California Cabernet nut, and I have to say it was an enormous hit. The packaging is stunning, the wine is elegant and delicious and the price is very good given the quality.

The Passenger Napa Cabernet 2010: Passenger is the hot new project from wine broker Kimberly Jones and the "other" Passenger is Master Sommelier Chris Blanchard. The fruit is sourced from a "secret" Stag's Leap District vineyard. This is a fun project that has taken flight ever since its inaugural 2008 release. Today's flock, the 2010 vintage, is a mere 148 cases of pigeon (read picture) perfect Cabernet. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has an amazing aroma that jumps out of the glass. Lush, densely concentrated yet elegant. Dark black stone fruit with a touch of toasty vanilla. Well-balanced and structured this wine finishes long with modest and silky tannins. $94.99


Clerico "Pajana" Barolo 2007: "The 2007 Barolo Pajana is a showstopper. Waves of intense, beautifully delineated fruit flow onto the palate as the wine opens up in the glass. Sumptuous and elegant through and through, the Pajana shows marvelous delineation and clean, minerally notes that underpin the opulence of the fruit. This is a marvelous, totally complete Pajana of the highest level. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032." 96 Points Wine Advocate. We only have 12 bottles, so don’t miss out. $121.99


Foxtrot Pinot Noir 2009: This is a new product from a super elite producer. They make some Chardonnay and Viognier which I am trying to get my hands on. I will have this open in the store tomorrow afternoon after 2:30 for my staff to taste. You are welcome to stop by. Foxtrot Vineyards was established in 2003 by the Allander Family with the primary goal of producing premium Pinot Noir. This Pinot shows bright ruby hues with fresh aromas of blackberry, raspberry, hints of plum and floral and spicy notes on the finish. On the palate the wine strikes a perfect harmony between power and elegance with silky tannins and beautiful red fruit characteristics and classic Pinot Noir earthiness. The finish is long and overall there is great complexity and finesse. $74.99

 



Clos Des Rocs

A new producer from Burgundy. So well-priced and stunning packaging. Your guests will think you really have pulled out all the stops.

Clos des Rocs Macon Loche Chardonnay 2011: Domaine du Clos des Rocs holds vineyards in Pouilly-Loche and recently 40 acres of Pouilly-Fuissé. It also holds a small plot located in The Mures, the most famous vineyard in Loché, a small village south of Macon. This is a lovely Chardonnay sho...

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American Wine Tasting This Thursday - "Starring 'The Russian River'"

Posted on February 26, 2013



We still have a few open spots for our Staring "The Russian River" tasting this Thursday night at Kensington Wine Market. The tasting will feature wines from this iconic region, in a tasting guided by our own Maggie Simpson, who is a native of the region.



This undulating 177km long California “life line” flows through one of the most important wine growing regions in the world, the Russian River valley. Join us for a truly spectacular tasting of some of its most exclusive producers including Walter Hansel and Dumol. The tasting will feature some of the finest Chardonnay's and Pinot the world has to offer!  Stand up format. Thr Feb 28

Register Here: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php...

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Nth 2013 The Ultimate Whisky Experience, March 1st and 2nd 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Posted on February 26, 2013

For the 3rd year in a row Mahesh Patel is putting on his uber Whisky Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. The experience consists of a Friday festival tasting, Saturday master classes and some other optional events. Two classes of ticket are available, Connoisseur ($525) and High Roller ($2295), the latter of which entitles you to unlimited super-pours and "whisky speed dating" on the Thursday night. The Nth is hosted at the Wynn Encore Resort & Casino. More information and tickets can be found at:

http://universalwhiskyexperience.com/nth-shows/nth-2013/show

...

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An Afternoon with Miquel Coca of Coca i Fito

Posted on February 23, 2013

On Saturday, February 9th, 2013, the Kensington Wine Market was lucky enough to have one of our favorite wine producers visit us from the Catalan region of Spain, Miquel Coca, or Coca i Fito.  Our patrons were in for a special treat, as Miquel was pouring wines from all the projects that his brother, Toni, is currently a part of.  This made for a wonderful Saturday afternoon tasting.



That evening, a few select staff were fortunate enough to attend a dinner with Miquel at Candela Lounge.  Here, Miquel told stories surrounding the delicious and vibrant wines that bear his name.  We asked Miquel to explain the idea behind one of my favorite series of wines that the Coca i Fito brothers produce, “ Aloja “.  Miquel explained that Aloja is the name given to the mermaids of Catalan (similar to the sirens of Greek and/or Roman mythology).  He went on to explain that in Catalan folklore, these mermaids live in the lakes, rivers, and streams of the state, yet can never be seen by the human eye.  The only time of year one can see these beautiful creatures is during the Summer Solstice (also known as Saint John’s day in Spain).  This is the inspiration for the label on the bottle, which is a series of 3 different, beautiful, vibrant and mysterious women with flowing locks; a label that directly correlates with the delectable juice inside the bottle.

Coca i Fito Aloja Blanc - The Coca brothers are making some of the most exciting wines in Catalonia, a wine region within a day's drive from Barcelona an enchanting city that should be on everyone's bucket list. This well-priced white is a blend of 70% Garnatxa Blanc and 30% Macabeo. It's a winning combination offering fresh clean flavors just begging for a platter of grilled scampi or a mouthwatering array of tapas. - $20.99
Coca i Fito Aloja - Spain's Falset Valley may well be the greatest unknown wine region in the world and this Aloja Negre, made by the brother team of Tony and Miguel Coca is among the cream of the Falset crop. A decadent wine, seamless, rich, reminiscnt of a handful of Bing cherries, blackberry liqueur, sugar plums, sage, cocoa, and cafe au lait. The blend of Grenache, Carignan, Cab, with a touch of Syrah is a bit eccentric, but it works! - $20.99
Coca i Fito Jaspi Blanc - A mineral rich, structured palate that rivals great Chablis or Sancerre but with an abundance of vibrant fruit. This is one of the most exciting Spanish whites we have tasted and if this Grenache Blanc, Macabeo blend is the face of quality modern Spanish wines, then it’s going to be hard for the rest of the wine world to keep up! - $19.99
Coca i Fito Jaspi Grenache Cabernet - A new world, modern styled red from the Old World. Grenache, Cabernet, Carignan and Syrah make up the blend resulting in big, black cherry, black ...

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