Ogier Lirac "Lou Caminé" ($17.99)
Rhône Valley, France
From the distributor:
“'Remain close to the source in order to better understand the
constraints, but also harness its potential.'” This maxim guides
Ogier’s principles in producing some of the most awarded wines
from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The estate’s vineyards
are spread throughout several small valleys, covered in its hallmark
round pebbles and stones. By reflecting the sun’s heat, this stony soil
enables grapes to retain exceptional levels of ripeness to produce
large-bodied and complex wines that make Ogier one of the foremost
houses in the Rhône Valley.
Sheltered in a very quiet place, the Lirac grows away from the beaten
track, also called “caminé” in Provencal language. That is why this
cru, which was born during the Middle Age, makes high quality
wines. Its red fruits and garrigue aromas bring a typical roundness.

VARIETAL COMPOSITION
80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre

TASTING NOTES
Beautiful intensity and deep ruby color. Bouquet of red and black
fruits, garrigue and spices. Gains complexity and develops notes of
leather, liquorice, truffle and cocoa with ageing. Well balanced with
tannic, aromatic strength balancing the characteristic fullness and
smoothness. Significant ageing potential."

From me:
This wine is a great crossover for people who love California Cabs; it's got the body and smoothness, with a rich, dark flavor. It drinks like a wine nearly twice its price. A great introduction to Rhône blends!

Avalon Red Blend ($11.99)
California
From the producer:
"Avalon BLEND is made with California’s most exciting red varietals:

Zinfandel:  Provides a plush and juicy base of ripe blackberry and spicy black pepper notes.

Cabernet Sauvignon:  Adds black cherry fruit and lush tannins which provides structure to the wine.

Tannat: Lends a bright red cherry top note complementing the wine’s dark fruit.

Petite Sirah: Deep and dark in color, Petite Sirah also contributes a dose of ripe blueberry and boysenberry fruit.

Big, bold and jammy blackberry, cherry fruit flavors mingle with a hint of black pepper spice on the palate followed by supple tannins and a long, smooth finish."

From me:
Some of the larger production blends can be a little full-on, but this one has more complexity than most. The addition of Tannat keeps it from being too overbearingly fruity, but the judicious use of oak aging keeps it smooth and supple.

​Catoctin Creek Single Barrel Roundstone Rye 92 Proof ($49.99)
Virginia
From the producer:
"This whisky is the culmination of several years of planning. 'For a few years now, we've been putting whisky away for storage,' remarked Becky Harris, Chief Distiller and President of Catoctin Creek Distilling Company. 'We pulled some of the more interesting barrels from the back of the barn and decided to release these at a higher proof:  a whisky specially curated for flavor, while still being remarkably smooth, as is our existing 80 proof Roundstone.'

Think of it as our 'Distiller's Reserve' version of Roundstone Rye.  Only one in every ten barrels gets selected to be in the Roundstone Rye '92 Proof' whisky."

From me:
Organic, single barrel, 100% rye from a solar-powered, family-run, grain-to-glass distillery: what more could you want? Delicious flavor with the perfect balance of spicy bite and smooth mouthfeel? It's got that. Sip it neat or make a great cocktail with it--either way, you'll love this rye.

Black Button Bourbon Cream ($31.99)
Rochester, NY
From the producer:
"Whiskey and cream seem to be such a natural fit together and this, the only farm fresh New York State bourbon cream around, combines our hand finished Bourbon and local cream for a drink that delights. Bourbon Cream is similar in concept to an Irish Cream but discloses a richer feel. The bolder vanilla and caramel flavors make this a unique spirit that can be used on its own, in a cup of coffee or in a cocktail. We recommend trying it in a Root Beer Float!"

From me:
Drink this, not that! This stuff is incredible. It's sweet without being cloying or syrupy, and the creaminess is not overbearing. Black Button is a grain-to-glass distiller in Rochester that produces quality spirits. This contains a blend of their own bourbon, bourbon from another small distiller, and local NY cream. It will ruin you for other cream spirits!

Bloomery SweetShine Black Walnut Liqueur ($24.99)
West Virginia
From the producer:
"Bravely Bold with a Double Gold! 
2015 San Francisco World Spirit Winner

Like our Limoncello this is a traditional Italian digestivo, a straight from the bottle sipper after dinner finishing very smoothly. Unlike limoncello this is not as sweet and offers many spice flavors in the finish. The dark color is from all natural unripe or green black walnuts and a mix of spices creating a unique flavor for you to savor!

Black Manhattan
The Manhattan has been a perennial favorite but we found a way to truly update this to something very special. Over ice start with 3 oz of bourbon or rye whiskey, add 1/2 oz of sweet vermouth, 1/2 oz of Black Walnut SweetShine and a dash of bitters. Garnish with a cherry. Big City in the name, big flavor in the glass, big smile on your face!"

From me:
This is a delicious and unusual liqueur, in part because of the black walnuts, and in part because of the high alcohol content (73.4 proof!). West Virginians mean business when it comes to "shine!" The flavor is deep, dark, and smooth, and just sweet enough to be enjoyed on its own, but the Black Manhattan will knock your socks off. 

Bloomery SweetShine Ginger Liqueur ($24.99)
West Virginia
From the producer:
"Bloomery’s all natural SweetShines® are made the way the old timer’s used to do it, by hand, with 190-proof corn likker, pure cane sugar and farm fresh ingredients. We grow lemons, yes, lemons in West by God Virginia! And Hawaiian ginger, raspberries, black walnuts and pumpkins. What we don’t grow we try to source from other small American family farms. Farm to table. Garden to glass.

Best if served at room temperature.

Mercury 49
This drink, like its namesake, is reminiscent of the early bootleggers featuring traditional tastes yet taking a new side road to deliver happiness. One part Bourbon, 1 part Ginger SweetShine, ½ part fresh lemon juice. Pour everything over ice into a cocktail shaker then “Shake it like you stole it” for 15 seconds. Pour into an old fashioned glass filled with ice and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint."

From me:
This liqueur has really authentic flavor, and though it's sweet, it's got the spicy kick that you get from a slice of ginger. Like all of Bloomery's products, you can drink this straight in a little cordial glass, but it's great in cocktails.

pür•likör "Spice" Blood Orange Liqueur ($24.99)
Germany
From the producer:
"Aromatic blood oranges, hints of apricots spiced with cinnamon and cloves. The creation of superior liqueurs is a form of art that has been perfected with pür•likör spice. Handcrafted in our artisanal distillery, this intensely flavorful spiced blood orange liqueur balances the sweetness of the blood orange with the spice of cinnamon and cloves. It is a pleasure to sip and serves as a distinctive accent in cocktails where its intensity stands up well to other spirits and flavors.

During the colder season, it provides depth and warmth in cocktails inspired by the classics. Try pür•likör spice in an Old Fashioned, a Manhattan, a Negroni, a Silent Third, a Side Car, a Hot Toddy. In the summer months, pür•likör spice adds variety and spices up Margaritas, Daiquiris, Pisco Sours, Caipirinhas, French 75s and Cosmos. For the Tiki bartender’s palette, this spiced blood orange liqueur is a great bonus for fun takes on a Mai-Tai or any drink that uses triple sec or spices. In holiday punches, experiment with red wine, bourbon, honey and pür•likör spice."

From me:
This is a truly versatile liqueur that's beautiful on its own or in cocktails, and that can be enjoyed year-round. Its flavor is boldly dark citrus with just the right amount of spicy kick. It's a little sweet, but not too overwhelming--it will stand up to other spirits without taking away from their particular character. 

​Montinore Gewurztraminer ($17.99)
Oregon
From the producer:
"This is a wonderfully forward, floral wine in our traditional dry style, making for a crisp wine that pairs beautifully with food. Straw gold color introduces an intense aroma of pomelo and rose water with hints of kaffir lime leaf and a palate bursting with tropical notes and powdered ginger. The finish is dry and bright, leaving the impression of fresh citrus."

From me:
This Gewurztraminer has a nice bright freshness compared to some of its Alsatian cousins, which tend to be a little heavier on the palate. The acidity balances out the fruit, and the floral notes give the wine a fine complexity. This is a dry wine that will pair nicely with white meat, salads, roasted vegetables, and ham.

Michel Gassier Nostre Païs Blanc Costières de Nîmes ($19.99)
France
From the producer:
"Appearance: the pale yellow color tinted in green announces a wine with a great deal of freshness and purity
Nose: the complex nose reveals floral and mineral notes with accents of fresh citrus fruits
Taste: lively and fresh, the aromas of flowers and white fruits, blends with flint. The very soft finish evinces a great deal of minerality."

From me:
52% Grenache blanc, 22% Roussanne, 17% Viognier, 7% Clairette & 2% Bourboulenc
Gassier makes outstanding wines with organically farmed grapes, and the Nostre Païs line (white and red) is no exception. This white has body and depth of flavor balanced by mineral undertones. It is soft and smooth on the palate, but has complexity and character. This can be enjoyed now or aged for up to three years. It pairs well with chicken, game fowl, rabbit, strong cheeses, pumpkin, and leeks.

Owen Roe Coop White ($10.99, was $14.99)
Yakima, Washington
From the producer: 
"You don't let the fox guard the henhouse.
Celebrating the endearing thief in this cautionary tale, the Owen Roe employees humbly bring you COOP, a co-operative employee share wine. Through peerless plundering of the Owen Roe henhouse, we share 100% of the success of this wine."

Viognier 70% Muscat 17% Rousanne 13%

From me:
This is what I'd call a "geeky" wine. The blend is a little unusual, particularly for a domestic wine. Viognier and Rousanne are commonly part of white Rhone blends, but the addition of Muscat increases both the fruit and floral characters of this wine. Muscat also adds, as one might imagine, a muskiness similar to what I have sensed from tradtional Orvietos. All in all, this wine is very tasty, fruit forward with an earthy undertone, and certainly a conversation piece!

​Gouguenheim Extra Brut Rose of Malbec ($12.99)
Mendoza, Argentina
From  the producer:
"Our 98 acres vineyard is located over 3.600 feet above sea level. In a region of desert climate, dry and sunny, with 320 days of sun exposure a year and big temperature amplitude (over 16°C). Alluvial and sandy soils. Drip irrigation with water from the melted snow of the Andes Mountains. All these exceptional conditions allow a perfect ripening of the grapes providing our wines with vivid colors, good acidity and a good maturity of the tannins.

Delicate with red fruit aromas, predominantly of cherries and strawberries. Very fresh in the mouth, soft tones with equilibrated acidity. Small and brilliant bubbles."

From me:
This is a very unusual find: 100% sparkling Malbec rose. I was intrigued by the concept, and when I tasted it, I fell just a little in love. It is a beautifully delicate pink color, with small bubbles and a refreshing crispness. Malbec lends itself well to this style of wine, as the flavor is fruit-forward and yet very dry. Just a lovely wine.

Vicentin Blanc de Malbec ($19.99)
Mendoza, Argentina
From the producer:
"Blanc de Malbec owes its name to the type of vinification. It is a red wine vinified as a white, making it the first Blanc de Malbec in Argentina. The idea for this innovative wine came from the vineyard and lead to its final creation. The hue is slightly pink, well defined and bright. Soft floral notes of sweet jasmine are perceived along with violets and mild aromas of fruits including
peach, strawberry and watermelon. Fine integration with the wood awakens flavors of cinnamon, cloves and spices. Sweet, fresh, unctuous, explosive, very fruity and elegant on the palate; the taste is intensified by hints of mature and sweet tannins."

From me:
I had never encountered a white Malbec until this one, so I was obviously curious about what the wine would be like. Red Malbec is usually quite bold and full-bodied, often with spicy or smoky undertones. As a white wine it still has a lot of character, and it is very elegant on the palate. It is aged six months in oak, but the wood just smooths it out and builds on the creamy mouthfeel created by the malolactic fermentation. This is a well-balanced, interesting, pretty wine that is also sure to be the talk of the table.

Domaine Bousquet Malbec ($10.99)
Mendoza, Argentina
From the producer:
"Made from organic grapes sourced mainly from vineyards in Tupungato at an altitude of 1200 meters (4000 feet) above sea level, one of the highest points in Mendoza. It is 100% Malbec, and has been in contact with American and French oak during the fermentation and then aged for 4 months in the bottle.

It is a wine of dark violet color with reddish tones. In the nose it presents intense aromas of blackberry with notes of red and black currants, and plum. The mouth highlights notes of ripe plums with soft and elegant tannins. It has an excellent structure, long and persistent finish.

It goes well with red meats, sauces, cheeses and pastas."

From me:
The Bousquet family came from the south of France, and took their winemaking know-how to Argentina. The influence of their background comes through in their wines--the Malbec is a little less bold than others from the same region, with more of a medium body and a quieter character. It is smooth and elegant with a nice balance of acidity.