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Staff
Selections
WINE SELECTIONS FROM DAVE D*MUNZ...Superlative wine picks that
taste like you paid a Diamonds' worth yet cost the price of cubic
zirconium!
2006 Mark Davidson North Bore Shiraz (Australia) 14.5%
It seems shiraz is synonymous with Australia and they have
done a wonderful job of reinterpreting syrah and forging
their own unique style. This Shiraz, therefore, won’t disappoint
the Aussie wine enthusiast. Sure there’s plenty of fruit here:
crushed berry & cassis flavors; wonderful aromatics and a lengthy,
peppery finish. What makes this an accomplished wine is what it
doesn’t possess: chemical/ medicinal flavors; green tannins;
oafish, unbalanced components; searing alcohol heat. Given its
humble price tag, this Shiraz overachieves, supplying the imbiber
with complexity and sheer drinking pleasure.
2007 Piccini Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) 12.5%
Textbook Chianti: medium-dark with translucent edges; dried
cherry/cranberry/herb aromas/flavors; taut acidity; and a dry
finish. Featured in the March ’10 Wine Club, Piccini Chianti has
the goods to satisfy the Italian wine love.
Note: This wine, like most European wines, is built for food. Save
the syrupy, high alcohol wines for the coffee table. Piccini pairs
freat with roasted chicken, and with its bracing acidity,
sweet-smoky BBQ – no foolin’
2008
Santa Florentina Cabernet (Argentina)
For many red wine consumers, when Argentina is mentioned, Malbec
likely springs to mind. Yet Argentina produces quite competent Cab
as well. This example is dark red with a mushroom, gamey aroma &
cherry/black cherry fruits interlaced with vanilla notes on the
palate. It’s nicely tannic, piquantly structured, & evolves into a
tight finish. Serve with grilled fare. After all, it’s from
Argentina.
2007 Tenuta
Rapitala Campo Reale Italy
Nero D'Avola, an indigenous grape to Sicily produces an intense
inky-dark wine, smooth in texture, with ripe fruit & a dry finish.
Tenuta Rapitala showcases this varietal perfectly. To my mind,
this one give so-called IGT/Vino da Tavola Tuscan blends & $20
under-Bordeaux a run for the money--representing tremendous
value. A versatile wine, the Rapitala pairs great with hard
cheeses & grilled meats or solo--American style!
2008 Bueno
Malbec/Cabernet (Chile)
When a sommelier is charged with the task of acquiring a suitable
house wine two criteria come to mind: price AND quality. This blend
from Bueno fits both. It’s balanced, rich, ripe, but dry, with an
easy-going, highly-drinkable style that’s eye-poppingly friendly on
the wallet. It’s a great function/event case red.
BEER CHOICES FROM GRANT, the
BREWS CRUISER...
Lindeman’s Geuze Cuveé René
Forget the old Miller ad, this is the real “Champagne of bottled
beers.” Like all the best Belgium gueze (goo-zah) – blends of old &
young lambics – “Cuveé René” exhibits similar characteristics to
fine French Champagne. An earthy aroma of mushrooms & aged cheese
is followed by crisp, tart & yeasty flavors – particularly a
pleasant sour apple, accented by citrus notes. This sparkling, hazy
golden ale is the perfect companion to portabello mushroom burgers &
pungent, hard cheeses. While this is not for all tastes, the
intrepid beer lover, unacquainted with this unique ale, needs to say
“hello.”
Innis & Gunn Original
This luscious, oak-aged beer is, in
my opinion, utterly unique in its combination of easy drinkability
(6.6% A.B.V.) with depth & complexity of flavor--the result of a
30-day maturation in selected oak barrels. On the nose, it
offers enticing aromas of caramel & vanilla; on the palate, rich
flavors of English toffee, vanilla & hints of citrus spice with
notes of caramel malt & toasty oak on the lingering finish.
This honey-colored beauty is truly one-of-a-kind.
SPIRIT PICKS FROM PAUL our LIKKER
PICKER...
Sailor Jerry Spiced Navy Rum
This rum is a fantastic value. At about the same price as
Captain Morgan, Sailor Jerry is 22° higher, with
notes of caramel, vanilla, & cherry. Exceptionally smooth, &
surprisingly mixable.
www.sailor
jerry.com
Islay Mist 8-year old Scotch Whisky
This is a deliciously well-rounded blend comprised of great
single malts such as Glenlivet & Laphroig. Deep peat aromas,
but also delicate floral notes. A blend for single malt
drinkers.
Combier Orange
Liqueur
Delicious, bright orange flavor. World’s first crystal clear orange
liqueur. Made from sun dried orange peel in alembic stills.
Comparable to Cointreau. Excellent in Margaritas or on the rocks.
Isle of Skye 8 Year
Superbly balanced Speyside & Island malts. Matured for 8 years in
oak. Flavors of fresh fruit & nut give way to a complex peaty,
earthy finish.
Jefferson’s Reserve
This
very small batch bourbon is exception-ally smooth with flavors of
caramel corn & vanilla. Warm, rich, lingering finish.
Black Bottle Scotch
This is the #1 selling Scotch on the island of Islay. The blend
contains single malts from each of the seven distilleries on the
island. While full of rich peat character, this Scotch exhibits a
smoothness &sweetness that makes it easy-drinking & an
EXCEPTIONAL value.
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