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!

2008 Santa Florentina Cabernet
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
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
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...

Lagunitas Reuben & the Jets

Although spring has come & gone, this German-style seasonal from Smuttynose's "Big Beer Series" is an excellent warm weather brew that can be enjoyed throughout the summer.  When poured, it displays a rich golden-brown color, with a generous lacy head that, unfortunately, dissipates rather quickly.  On the nose, it's biscuity, with overtones of honey, molasses & forest loam.  On entry, it's surprisingly creamy, with a pleasant honeyed sweetness that yields to a subtle fruitiness on mid-palate, tempered by slight hops bitterness & spiciness, finishing with a flourish of orange liqueur.  While I would prefer more malt complexity from a bock, this is an impressively well-made beer & is certainly not your garden variety lager.
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.

Old Ballantruan
Ready for some serious flavor?  This single malt is unusual for a Speyside, as it is heavily peated.  Heather & floral notes dominate the nose.  Rich, peated malt flavors on the palate.  Un-chill filtered & bottled at 100 proof.

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.