Spirit Hills Dande Honey Mead
$34.99
Dandelion mead from Alberta! (It's made near Millarville!) "Many of us had a family member who made Dandelion wine. It was the settler's wine in a grape-less province and speaks to the resourcefulness of those who built this country. But make no mistake, it was not an inferior product, our ancestors valued quality and good taste. Dandelion wine is exquisite and unique in taste. It is a medium-dry wine, best served chilled. It smells of pastures full of wildflowers, the fresh morning dew, and the delicate texture of its golden flower petals. It arrives on your tongue, fresh like the awakening foothills, warms you up like the sunshine and leaves you with an earthy sensation of embrace. It is mysterious, grounding and lingers in the mouth with a taste for more. It is the ultimate white wine adventure. So seducing and mysterious that even beer drinkers become fans," according to the Spirit Hills team.
Kura Pure Malt Whisky
$93.59
Kura Pure Malt is made by Helios Distillery in Okinawa, Japan. It is finished in Japanese Rum Barrels and bottled at 40% ABV.
From the Producer: "Made in the southernmost region of Japan, the exceptional "Kura The Whisky" is the result of careful aging in American White Oak. Finished in Japanese rum casks, its remarkable sweet aroma is accompanied by its distinctive mellow taste."
Pittnauer Pinot Noir
$37.99
One of the stars of Austria's winemaking scene, Gerhard Pittnauer makes modern, powerful reds that showcase the quality of Austria’s indigenous grape varieties. He's located in Burgenland, famous for the amount of sun it gets every year. Their wines are certified biodynamic and organic.
It displays a velvety texture, with abundant cherry/strawberry fruit. It's a vibrant Pinot Noir with great acidity and a surprising amount of depth. It’s one of the lighter styles of red wine that goes perfectly well with fish.
Moon Curser Syrah
$35.69
"A staple of the South Okanagan vineyard scene, this peppery, fruit driven, elegant wine is well worth trying," says the winemaker, and we agree! This fine red is dry and medium-bodied, with pleasant notes of black cherry, black pepper and a subtle floral hint. Pair with anything meaty: slow-roasted lamb, steak or roast beef.
Protea Chenin Blanc
$17.84
A crisp, classy Chenin Blanc from a well-respected producer — and what a brilliant price. Don't miss the mouthwatering notes of pear, melon and flowers; serve chilled and share with good friends.
Millstone Oloroso Sherry Single Malt 46%
$76.49
This Millstone NAS single malt was featured on Day 7 of the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar. It is bottled at 46%.
Andrew’s Tasting Note
Nose: thick with chocolate, Kahlua and caramel flavoured Baileys; big notes of liquorice Jujubes, polished new leather and brand new rubber boots.
Palate: big, nutty, leathery and earthy; syrupy, juicy dates and more Kahlua; caramel sauce and more cream liqueur tones; the leather and spices build but also some waxy Strawberry Twizzlers; young but layered and rich.
Finish: milk chocolate coats the palate along with caramel Baileys and liquorice Jujubes.
Comment: this is a malt for those looking to get their sherry on… it is big, proud and unapologetic; very Dutch!
Millstone PX Peated Single Malt 46%
$76.49
Produced by the Zuidam family distillery in Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands, this peated Millstone single malt whisky was aged entirely in PX Solera Sherry Casks. Bottled in small batches at 46% ABV.
Evan's Tasting Note
Nose: Rich Sherry notes along with wood and spice notes. Cloves, juniper, star anise, gingerbread, trail mix with raisins and walnuts, maple syrup, and an underlying potpourri and wood smoke.
Palate: The peat comes out more on the palate, with sweet notes from the PX Sherry and a lot of nuttiness. Toasted almonds, walnuts, dates, maple syrup again, earthy tobacco, fruit leather, amaretto, Frangelico, black licorice and Montreal steak spice.
Finish: The earthy smoke from the peat and nutty notes from the sherry linger together nicely.
Comment: This is big sherry with a decent amount of smoke, but very approachable. The spice notes and the smoke keep the PX Sherry influence from going overly sweet and decadent, which is surprising. This could have been over the top, but it finds a nice balance.
Usseglio Chateauneuf Imperiale
$114.74
While up to 13 different grape varietals can be blended together in making Chateauneuf du Pape red wine, the Domaine Raymond Usseglio CNDP Cuvee Imperiale is composed almost entirely of very old vine Grenache (90-plus percent in most vintages). The grapes for this tremendous and age-worthy red are harvested from estate vines in the Chateauneuf du Papes holdings of the Domaine - most of which are more than a century old and were originally planted in 1902.
From The Winery
"La Cuvée Imperiale is from our oldest vines, most of them 100 years old (planted in 1901-1902.) Extremely low yields (16-18 h/h) guarantee a wine that is dense and profound. The ancient Grenache vines bring to this cuvee their finesse and elegance. Will age for dozens of years. To be carafed during the first years. Because it is bottled without any filtration, some sediment – natural and beneficial to the aging process – is possible."
Basil Hayden Dark Rye
$61.19
The Basil Hayden Dark Rye is a blend of Jim Beam Kentucky Rye Whiskey combined with Calgary's own Alberta Distiller's 100% Rye Whisky. The blend is finished with a touch of port. Bottled at 40%.
Producer Description
"Blending is an art form, and our Dark Rye is your chance to own what might very well be a masterpiece.
It all begins with Kentucky Rye, providing a firm foundation of spice, oak, dried fruit and subtle molasses undertones for this release to build upon. From there, Canadian Rye from our award-winning Alberta Distillery is skillfully layered in. A touch of Port, and its complementary notes of ripe fruit, provides the third and final layer to a whiskey just as at home on the rocks as it is in a cocktail.
Full in flavor, yet delicately nuanced, you’d be wise to grab a bottle of our Dark Rye to experience this magical blend for yourself."