Grand Marnier Centenaire 100th Anniv
$127.99
A special edition of Grand Marnier celebrating the 100th anniversary of the creation of the company by founder Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle. This special cuvee was created in 1927. A smooth and elegant blend of cognacs aged up to 25 years, distilled essence of wild tropical oranges and the "Marnier secret".
Bollinger La Grande Annee
$337.99
The Grande Année blend comes only from a particularly fine harvest. When such a harvest occurs the House selects its best wines, cru by cru and grape variety by grape variety - the key to the particular year. Each wine is individually fermented in oak casks prior to blending. On average, the blend is composed of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay. Best enjoyed now, at any time of the day, with every meal!
Caol Ila 12 Year
$99.99
The most overlooked of all the peated heavyweights, despite the fact that it out-produces all of them by a substantial margin, Caol Ila (pronounced 'cull-eela') is a not-so-hidden gem for malt lovers. It is a sister distillery to Lagavulin (and Port Ellen!) and produces whisky with the same level of phenols as Lag, though generally speaking Caol Ila is a tick more delicate. The distillery's general profile is usually fairly citrus-driven, with a strong maritime influence and clean herbal notes. The 12 year old is an icon, but if you ever get a chance to walk up the age-stated range into the 20s and 30s, do not pass up the opportunity.
43% abv
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Subdued, citric fruitiness; a whiff of bath oil and dentist's mouthwash. A fresh and appetising nose, with little or no trace of smoke.
Palate: Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish.
Finish: Sweet smokiness in the lingering, slightly sour finish.
Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel
$62.99
89 points from Antonio Galloni, vinous.com for the 2014 vintage! The review: "The 2014 Three Valleys, Ridge's entry-level Zinfandel-based red, is a delicious, value-priced red to drink young, while the fruit remains vibrant. Sweet floral notes and a burst of spiciness round out the 2014 edition."
Quinta do Crasto Douro
$24.99
On the right bank of the Douro River, between Régua and Pinhão, lies Quinta do Crasto, a 135-hectare estate, 74 of which are planted to vines. The property benefits from the prime conditions of this privileged location in the Cima Corgo region and produces premium and super premium Douro and Porto wines from grapes coming from some of the oldest and most historic vines in the Douro. This wine is made from traditional Douro red grape varieties: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca and Touriga Franca. The tannins have been toned down to produce a fresh, easy-drinking Douro red.
Hansel South Slope Pinot Noir
$69.99
The South and North Slope vineyards of Hansel lie in the Russian River Valley. The two vineyards face each other, side by side, but show very different characteristics despite their proximity. Here is what Stephen Hansel has to say about the South Slope and the French Clone 777 Pinot Noir planted there: "The South Slope begins at the highest elevation and the furthest South of all of our Vineyards blocks. It slopes from South to North about 45 feet and it's soils are predominantly sandy loam. The berry size is medium with a high berry count giving cluster weight that has yields approaching 2 1/4 tons/acre (our highest yields). It is 100% French clone 777, and tends to show it's earthy side far more then our other clones. Although this wine definitely has a French origin, each year it becomes more and more new world."
Arran Robert Burns Blended Scotch Whisky
$29.99
The Robert Burns Blended Scotch Whisky is produced by the Isle of Arran Distillers. Bottled at 40% ABV.
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
$179.99
Champagne! And 89 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, too. The review: "The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs is a great introduction to the house style. This elegant, fragrant wine offers up an array of smoke, toastiness, minerals, ripe pears and flowers. The medium-bodied NV Blanc de Blancs offers tons of clarity and precision at this level, with the lingering Ruinart sweetness on the finish. Ruinart is Champagne’s oldest house, with a history that dates back to 1729."
Glengoyne 21 Year 700ml
$299.99
Formerly the oldest whisky in the distillery's core range, it is heavily influenced by sherry, matured entirely in first and refill European oak seasoned with sherry. Big, rich and sophisticated malt, bottled at 43%.