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11/17/2019

Albert Selzt

Sylvaner de Mittelbergheim

Alsace, France

$18

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This is the tastiest white wine I have had in a bit. This shows that price is relative, and this obscure white blows away others that are 10 times its price. Our obscure varietal here is Sylvaner. The flavors are sublime. Waxy and tropical, this has tones of pineapple, Golden Delicious apple and lime. It is even a bit nutty. The palate is creamy and smooth. This screams "Thanksgiving", and then washes it all down! 

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10/28/2019

Alma

Langhe Rosso 2016

Piemonte, Italy

$9.99

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This is some serious bang for your buck! Sumptuous blackberries, woven over woodsy spice. Just enough tannin and acid to make this a real gem. This wine is a window into the flavors of Barolo at an amazing everyday price. 

 

9/18/2019

Epic Brewing

"Chasing Ghosts"

Double Dry Hopped

Double Hazy IPA

Denver, Colorado

$15.99 per 4 pack

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This Epic beer takes it up several notches! They doubled the hell out of everything! Double Double Dry Hop, Hazy IPA. The ABV is a whopping 10%, yet this smooth beast is quite drinkable. Gobs of hoppy pineapple in this creamy hop mess. I think they called it "Chasing Ghosts" because it will leave you fumbling around and bewildered. Like you saw an apparition. CAUTION: this thing goes down easy, but will put you in a headlock.

 

 

8/24/2019

Shipyard Brewing Co.

Pumpkinhead 

Wicked East Coast

Breweries in Maine, Vermont and New York

$9.99

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At this time of year I always lament about how early the Pumpkin beers come out....Yet I also have a yearning for the new seasonal flavors they bring. The cream of the crop... Pumpkinhead; a warming spice explosion of flavor; cinnamon, clove and nutmeg all woven over a smooth wheat ale. Wonderfully dry and satisfying. Plus, it has this headless horseman label that is killer! Get them now before their gone!! we sell out every year way before Halloween. 

 

7/11/2019

Leopold Bros.

Summer Gin

Denver, Colorado

$34 

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I was flipping through Food & Wine magazine looking for dinner ideas. I happened upon some Gin recipes and noticed our very own Leopold Bros. summer gin featured there!

After reading the mixers and realizing I had them all it was on!!! We further went all Martha Stewart, and made Lavender simple syrup. (due to the shrub of lavender on the side of our house). What followed was sublime. Heady citrus and floral. Cold and refreshing, and most of all fizzy. We decided the first one was a little sweet and dialed down the simple syrup for number two. By this point we were in the zone. We had our new summer drink! 

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Lavender Simple Syrup

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

handful of lavender

*simmer on low for 10 minutes and discard solids.

let cool completely

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Lavender Gin Fizz

3 tablespoons Leopold Bros. Summer Gin

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon lavender simple syrup

2 dashes bitters

club soda float (at home i used lemon La Croix)

*shake gin, lemon juice and simple syrup on ice until quite cold. Pour over fresh ice, add bitters and club soda (La Croix) float. 

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5/15/2019

Chateau Saint Cyrgues

Rose 2018

Costieres De Nimes

$16

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This Southern Rhone delight really delivers. The color is electric orange. Yep, the splashy color that screams refreshment. The bouquet is parfum over raspberry. Kind of like the candies my Grandma had in a bowl when i was a kid. (Picture them, a hard candy with the raspberry shape. All sugary and piled in a little crystal bowl.) It is smooth and textural, with seeded berries and soft candy flavors. The finish is soft and dry, with just enough acid to round out. It is elegant, but has some backbone to it as well. Enjoy on its own, or wash down some Hummus!! 

**Garden Party Certified**

*****Patio Pounder*****

4/8/2019

Corte Dei Papi

Cesanese Del Piglio 2016

Colle Ticchio

Lazio, Italy

$14

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This is some serious spring juice!! It has a youthful "newness" that seems to spring from the glass. It is crackling with bright minerality and acid. The color is a cloudy dark purple. The bouquet is layered, with dark berries, plum and leather. There is a smoky pepper quality as well. The palate is broad and juicy, yet dry. Dark savory fruits over peppered meat. Mouthwatering, this ancient Roman grape tastes much more expensive than its rather affordable $14 price. Try this ethereal red with your Easter feast, salami or blackened Salmon.

 

3/12/19

Tyrconnell

Single Malt

Irish Whiskey

Dundalk, Ireland

$38

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St. Patrick's Day is here!!! For most of us that means we are going to have a few drinks. This year I am going for quality over quantity. Yes, my day drinking copious amounts of green beers are on the outs. My night drinking high quality whiskey is in!! This year it will be the Tyrconnell Irish Single Malt. This is a honeyed and decadent whiskey, with layers of citrus, nuts and malty cereals. It has a rich texture and satisfying  finish. I typically enjoy this on a big rock with a splash of water. Sip....

 

 

2/18/2019

Beaucanon Estate

Chardonnay 2016

Napa, California

$22

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I was in the mood for a little spring Monday. I am off on Monday and really like to seize the day. It was pleasant for February...a balmy 61 degrees. I decided to make surf and turf for dinner to celebrate. The scallops seemed to really call my name as I walked by the counter at my local Whole Foods. I knew some of the parties in my camp would prefer the turf part (namely a 3 and 5 year old). I notice how choice the NY strips also looked... so Ny Strips with Pesto Scallops it is. Now that I had dinner in the works it was time to focus on the wine pairing. I had to do this just right. A creamy, full bodied white was just what the night called for. Something to cut through the Pesto Scallops, but still hold up to the steak. I needed a buttery Chardonnay....I say that with some reticence... This "Buttery Chard" is not usually my jam. I am typically peppery reds and steely whites. This chardonnay needed to be just right though, no flabby sugar bomb. No "chippy" fake wood taste. 

Insert Beaucanon Estate Chardonnay here...

The color was a splashy, dark gold.

The bouquet was deep, with caramel and toast. 

The palate was rich, layers of pineapple custard and brioche. Medium body plus with enough acidity to slice through the steaks. Very decadent.

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1/12/2019

Hermanus

Pinotage 2017

South Africa

$9

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This is a lot of wine for $9...

like tons...It is medium bodied and smooth. Gobs of Raspberry fruit over nice peppery tannins. The bouquet is pleasant and layered. The palate is lush and focused. I thought i was mistaken when i noticed the price. $9, can that really be?? The answer is thankfully Yes..look to our southern hemisphere friends in South Africa to help us stretch our dollar. This wine really over delivers for the price. Get them while they last.

 

 

12/10/18

Roland Champion

Champagne

Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs

Chouilly, France

$54

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This is a racy Champagne that is both complex yet approachable. The bouquet is lively, with apple, sourdough, lemon verbena and sesame seed.

The palate is dry and focused; golden apple, croissant and lemon zest dance effortlessly on the tiny little bubbles. It has a pleasant texture with a long creamy finish. 

Pairs nicely with Smoked Salmon and Creme Fraiche Blinis.

 

 

10/22/2018

Etike 

"Buho"

Primitivo 2017

Puglia, Italy

$15

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This wine is scary good, with plush dark cherry fruits and a smooth finish. The label is just as haunting with a terra cotta Owl? That's right, a full on Owl gem hanging right off the bottle. I find the Owl both foreboding and ominous, & perfect for Halloween.. Several Native American tribes consider the Owl a bad omen or symbol of death. Spooky for sure...you need to see the scene with the Owl in the movie "Thunderheart"

It will scare the hell out of you. Not to mention the amazing acting of Val Kilmer. 

Pairs well with; Peanut Butter Cups pillaged from your kids Trick-or-Treat bag while watching "Thunderheart" on Netflix

 

 

8/31/2018

Kuri Kuro

Dark Chestnut Ale

Miyazaki, Japan

$7

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This beer is dark as night and will not permit light to enter its domain. The smell is decadent and boozy. Nuts, caramel and rum balls abound. The palate is surprisingly dry; with notes of cocoa and molasses. This beer smells like a tootsie roll and tastes like cocoa puffs. It is robust and creamy. It delivers on that boozy smell with a whopping 9% abv. This is the Vertical 2016 release and is quite rare. It is also very unique. Not only is this a serious craft beer from Japan, breaking all of our Sapporo or Asahi barriers. It also has this cool layer of depth from the chestnuts. It will be nice to see how this beer ages. Drink now or cellar for years. 

 

8/12/2018

Golden Moon Distillery

"Gunfighter" 

American Rye Whiskey

Double Cask

Golden, Colorado

$36

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 Wow, affordable local Rye Whiskey? I had to give it a try... Deep golden caramel in the glass. The bouquet is spicy with pepper, rich with cereals and a little hot. The palate is rich, with cocoa, pepper and citrus. The hallmarks of Rye Whiskey. I was interested in the Double Cask wording on the label though. This Whiskey sees 6 months in new American oak and then a further rest in ex-Port barrels. Hence the Double Cask. That second barrel helps lend the rich texture and cocoa smoothness. This thing is a local treasure...kind of like Doc Holliday. Cheers

 

07/23/2018

Arrogant Brewing

Arrogant Bastard Ale

Escondido, California

$2 per tall boy

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What is it about this beer that has me so wrapped up? Is it the cool name? ABV? Size? Nope...Its the silky malts and hops and dark amber bitterness. I was scouring the fridge for a stout drink..the kind of drink you need after moving your mother-in-laws storage unit...again.. so think really stout drink. Then Bam, I see the Arrogant Bastard.

Pros;

  Hops, ABV, Can size, Arrogant, fun read, matches my bike, talks sh#t. 

Cons;

  Talks sh#t, bitter as hell (this is actually a pro for me but not for everyone)

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