Nikka Coffey Gin
$61.99
Better known for their whisky, Nikka has produced both vodka and gin for the Japanese market for years. The Nikka Coffey Gin, 47%, is their first export gin. The gin is produced from a blend of "rich" and "mellow" spirits in their Coffey still a Miyagikyo Distillery. It is created with traditional gin botanicals (juniper, angelica, coriander, lemon and orange peels), but also zesty and exotic "Japanese citruses: Yuzu, Kabosu, Amanatsu and Shequasar." There are also notes of apple and sansho pepper.
Producer Description
Nikka Coffey Gin's complexity is achieved through the perfect balance between 11 selected botanicals and the silky texture of Coffey distillates. The bright and zesty aroma originating from four kinds of Japanese citruses, Yuzu, Kabosu, Amanatsu and Shequasar, compliments the traditional gin botanicals of juniper berries, angelica, coriander seeds, lemon and orange peels.
There is also a touch of apples, a fruit deeply related to the history of Nikka, followed by pleasantly tangy hints of green Japanese Sansho pepper on the finish.
The Coffey Still is the world’s first patented continuous still invented by Mr. Aeneas Coffey in 1830. The excellence of Nikka's Coffey distillates has been widely recognized through our Coffey Grain and Coffey Malt whiskies. In 2017, a new gin and vodka joined Nikka's Coffey range to further show the uniqueness and beauty of this traditional type of column still - the Coffey Still. These expressions are the integration of Nikka's Coffey Stills, expertise in distilling gin and vodka since the 1960s and blending skills inherited from the founder.
La Kiuva - Rouge de Vallee
$40.99
A blend of 70% Picotendro (local Nebbiolo clone), 30% Gros Vien, Neyret, Cornalin and Fumin.
La Kiuva is a tiny co-op in the Vallée d'Aoste, whose headquarters are in Pied de Ville. It was created in 1975 and its first vintage was 1979. Today, it consists of just 60 growers comprising 25 hectares of vines (18 in DOC) and producing around 8000 cases total. In this way it is more akin to a fine small winery with each grower tending their small plot like in Burgundy with the co-operative's agronomist ensuring the highest quality of viticulture. Most of the grower members farm organically. Kiuva means a bale of chestnut leaves used to feed animals during the winter.
All the vineyards are located between 380 and 500 meters above sea level, with the white and aromatic varieties being planted at the higher levels and the vineyards at the lower levels producing wine with greater structure and body that is aged in wood. The older vineyards are pergola-trained but the newer vineyards are cane-trained along wires. The diurnal difference is greater than in Piemonte, due to the proximity of the Alps and thus the harvest period is prolonged. The higher elevation is also advantageous when there is excessive rain.
Barbeito Malvasia 10 yr Madiera
$76.99
Vinhos Barbeito was founded in 1946 by Mário Barbeito de Vasconcelos and has since then always been run byfamily members.
At the time of Barbeito’s foundation over 30 other Madeira Wine exporters were operating in the business. Little by little, Mário Barbeito gained clients in many parts of the world, always trying to build a good and close relationship with them. Some of their actual clients and suppliers are still from his time. Mário Barbeito passed away in 1985 and his daughter Manuela de Vasconcelos, took over the general management of Vinhos Barbeito. She was already working for the company since 1976. One of Manuela Vasconcelos most important tasks was to continue her father’s work of strenghthening relationships with customers and promoting their wines at prestigious wine fairs around the world. This policy is still maintained to this day.
Burn Cottage Moonlight Race Pinot Noir
$68.99
The brainchild of American wine distributor Marquis Sauvage, Burn Cottage was born with the purchase of a property in the Pisa region of Central Otago in 2002. Sauvage enlisted the help of Ted Lemon in establishing the biodynamically farmed vineyard and in making the wines, although the day-to-day winemaking is handled by Claire Mulholland, whose previous résumé includes stints at Martinborough Vineyards and Amisfield. The site includes ten different Pinot clones planted on five different rootstocks on a terraced northeast-facing slope. The Moonlight Race Pinot Noir is made from purchased fruit, but the other wines are all estate bottlings.
Winemakers tasting notes: Enticing savoury aromatics of freshly rubbed thyme, dark berry fruits, rosehip, autumnal earth, truffle and black tea. Dark toned and dense, this wine has vibrancy, suppleness and power. The textural tannins yield to a lingering and powerful finish. An exciting youthful wine which is still unfolding, and also promising very good cellaring potential.
other great reviews:
94 Points, Robert Parker
97 Points, Bob Campbell MW
96 Points, Cameron Douglas MS
5 STARS, Michael Cooper - NZ Wine Buyers Guide
95 Points, Mike Bennie, Wine Front
94 Points, JamesSuckling.com
"One of the 75 Most Exciting wines of 2017", Decanter Magazine
Montifaud Pineau Des Charentes Rouge
$43.99
A French fortified wine from the Cognac region. It is produced by one of our favourite Cognac producers, Chateau Montifaud. Producer Tasting Notes: "Excellent and very underrated aperitif from the Cognac region of France. The white is made from 80% Colombard, and 20% Ugni Blanc grapes, blended with fine cognac from the excellent Chateau de Montifaud. It has freshness, a hint of sweetness and a clean finish. Aged in oak barrels." Producer Description: "About Pineau Pineau des Charentes is the sweet, strong 'Vin de Liqueur' of the Charentais (Cognac) region of western France. It is made by adding Cognac eau-d--vie from the previous year's distillation (or older) to fresh grape must of the current vintage. By law, the must is required to be freshly harvested (although it may have undergone a partial fermentation) and the Cognac must have an alcohol content of at least 60%. The resulting mixture has an alcoholic strength of 16-22% and a sugar content of at least 125g/L. Because the must remains essentially unfermented, it retains all of its 'grapey' flavors and- ideally - the varietal characteristics of the grapes used, which develop over time."
Quintarelli Alzero Magnum 2014
$1,549.99
A legendary wine from a legendary producer! "The late, great Maestro del Veneto, Giuseppe Quintarelli, succeeded in establishing his mythical and legendary estate during an amazing sixty-year career. All of the tradition, love, heart, and soul of crafting one of the world’s finest wines continue at the Quintarelli home and winery in the hills north of Verona," according to Kermit Lynch. Alzero is made by letting Cabernet Franc grapes air-dry before pressing. One of the last wines to be made by Quintarelli, who died in 2012. Serious collectors of top Italian wine will not want to miss out on this rich, intense beauty.
Dageraad Bright Side Saison
$2.99
A bright, clean table saison with lemon zest and juice. Crisp and clean with zesty notes throughout. Mellow and wheaty on the palate with hints of yeasty spice and a hint of pithy bitterness.
Bench 1775 Groove
$24.99
Bench 1775 Grooves shows a lush ripe blend of merlot, malbec and cabernet franc is a full-bodied red appropriate for the BBQ. Dark plum, blackberry and cassis are filtered through a smoked wood and spiced lens, one with bitter cherry pressed tannins to the powdery finish.
GlenAllachie 25 Year Old
$474.99
The oldest of 4 releases comprising the distllery's core range with Billy Walker at the helm. Bottled at 48% after maturing in American oak ex-Bourbon and both Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks.
Distiller's Description
"Built in 1967 as a small compact distillery, GlenAllachie was the fourth distillery designed by William Delme-Evans. The complete whisky making process was gravity fed and combined with unusual horizontal condensers it was a triumph of engineering and design.
Fast forward 50 years and we’re reaping the benefit when we bring you the GlenAllachie 25 year old. A combination of Pedro Ximinez and Oloroso casks specially selected by our Master Distiller Billy Walker and bottled at a slightly higher ABV of 48%."