Caparzo Sangiovese Toscana

$25.99

Oustanding value! This ruby-red Sangiovese has generous notes of plum, cherry and soft spices. Established in 1970, Caparzo (meaning "Crazy House") is one of the original 13 wineries in Montalcino and also produces quality Brunello di Montalcino. This Sangiovese is crowd-pleaser with just a touch of Merlot and  Petit Verdot to give the wine a bit more depth and intensity. Pair with tomato-based pasta, Italian sausage, caprese salad and pizza.

Michter's Kentucky Straight Rye

$84.99

A proper straight rye whiskey from the state of Kentucky bottled at 42.4%. 

While the Michter’s name has a long and storied history, the Michter’s Distillery of Louisville, KY has only been in operation since 2015. Any whiskey bottled that is older than that was sourced from other distilleries, typically within Kentucky. Luckily, the quality of anything bottled with the Michter’s label on it is typically high, regardless of their original provenance.

Other than their single barrel products, Michter’s typically bottles their whiskey from selected small batches of 20 barrels or less.

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

$114.99

The Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban recently evolved from a 12 year old, into a 14 Year. Matured initially in ex-Bourbon, the wine is finished in Port casks before bottling at 46%. This whisky is replete with notes of chocolate and orange, which is derived from the finishing in port casks. 

Producer Tasting Note

Aroma: Dark mint chocolate and Seville oranges mingle with sandalwood and walnut, with a spicy finish of pepper and nutmeg.

Taste: Mint chocolate and walnuts envelop the palate, laying the foundations for rose, Turkish delight and sweet Seville oranges.

Finish: Long-lasting, silky aftertaste leaving dark chocolate mints and traces of orange.

Andrew's Tasting Note - on the 12 Year

Nose: dried cherry and cranberry leap out of the glass; some musty old wood with dark chocolate, prune juice and cooked dates.

Palate: big, nutty and wood; more dark chocolate with some firm old leather and sweet Cuban tobacco; the musty old wood is still there with some licorice nibs and decadent spice.

Finish: medium-long and warming; the spicy oak holds on with a touch of chilli heat.

Comment: I forgot how interesting this whisky is; I am not generally a fan of Port matured or finished whiskies, but this one is good!

From the Distillery: "Extra maturation in these port pipes develops Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban into a voluptuous spirit with a complex balance of sweet and dry flavours and an intriguing contrast of smooth and crisp, cooling textures. Non chill-filtered for additional aroma and mouthfeel."

Producer Description

"Dr Bill, our Director of Whisky Creation, was born with a taste for adventure. And with this single malt he sought to create a whisky as unpredictable as his travels. Quinta Ruban is a whisky journey into the wild – a dark and delectable forest where the wind whistles with gusts of peppermint and dark swirls of chocolate can happen at any moment.

"In our giraffe-high stills, it begins soft and fruity, then gets darker and deeper as we let it age for 14 years in bourbon casks and port casks from Portugal. The finished whisky is a thicket of voluptuous flavour combinations. Walnut and black pepper. Mandarin orange and melted marshmallow. Dark chocolate bar and peppermint. And, like stepping into a chocolate-minty-orange unknown, the journey is as delicious as the destination."

Jefferson`s Reserve Bourbon

$84.99

"Big and bold with hints of spice, toffee and leather. The Reserve is the perfect marriage of four different recipes of bourbon, one of which is an elder statesman. The result is bourbon that, like Thomas Jefferson, is sophisticated, complex and unforgettable," according to the team at Jefferson's. And we agree - plus it's a great price! 

Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate Stout

$8.19

Brewed with well water (the original well, sunk in 1758, is still in use with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground), the gently roasted organic cocoa extract imparts a delicious, smooth and creamy character, with inviting deep flavours and a delightful finish - this is a marriage of satisfying stout and luxurious chocolate.

Noemia Malbec A Lisa

$61.99

We love this Argentine red for its high score low price ratio. See what the critics have to say: "Hans Vinding-Diers’ aim was to “capture the energy” of the 2016 vintage and he certainly succeeded. This is a step up on the 2015, with added finesse and perfume, youthful, floral, summer berry fruit and a long, mineral-edged finish. Very Burgundian". Drink 2019-24  93 Points Tim Atkin

St Cosme Cotes Du Rhone

$35.99

"Syrah. Partially destemmed fruit. Limestone sand, red clay and pebbles on Villafranchian terraces. Tank ageing. The starting point for making wine is work and discipline. It begins with the high standards you impose upon yourself. When I create my Côtes du Rhône, my first thoughts are for you, my customers. At every stage, I wonder what you would like to taste, what you might enjoy. I imagine my bottle of wine on your table and I want to be proud of what I give you to enjoy. No detail can be taken lightly and you have to say to yourself that every tiny decision and every gesture will go towards shaping the final result. Every wine must be made as if it was designed to be the best. As far as I am aware, when you bring up your children, you do your utmost for each and every one of them, irrespective of intellect or beauty. I will always ensure that our Côtes du Rhône is a fine ambassador for our estate. In 2017, low yields produced wines with lots of intensity. Their vibrant fruit adds ‘crunchiness’ and salinity. As always, the bouquet is guided by the Syrah and the clay soils. Tannins are there but they are nicely rounded. Even if it is designed for early-drinking, I like to drink my Côtes du Rhône after a few years’ bottle age which is when it displays the resourcefulness you would expect of a true age-worthy wine. Blueberry, truffle, fennel and wild raspberry." Winemakers notes

Cepa 21 Hito

$32.99

A project from the uber-talented Emilio Moro family, who have made wine in Ribera del Duero for more than 120 years. "A smart buy," according to Wine Spectator, which awarded it an impressive 90 points. The review: "This firm red displays well-integrated flavors of black cherry, licorice, cola and mineral, with solid tannins and a savory finish. Shows good balance and density, but remains slightly austere for now. Drink now through 2018."

Piaggia Il Sasso Carmignano Docg

$63.99

A favourite of wine critics across North America! "I can’t think of too many wines from Carmignano I would rather drink than these fabulous wines from the Vannucci family," says the team at Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. "Piaggia is another winery that has been on a tear of late. Softer, gentler extractions and longer aging in oak are some of the evolutions in the approach at Piaggia over the last few year."  A Super-Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this big red is bold and vibrant, with notes of spice, dark fruit and a hint of herbs.