What We're Drinking

Dean's Pick-

Palliser Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough, New Zealand  2008

Richard Riddiford, the Managing Director of Palliser  was in New York last year. He dined at a [Michelin Guide] three-star restaurant. There are only five three-star restaurants in New York and, as he says, Palliser was listed in four of them. ‘I get a kick out of that coming from a village of 1200 people.’

I started this entry with this quote from Palliser’s top boss to set a tone for this wine.  This is one of the best white wines in the world.  It deserves MORE attention, much more, than it gets.  The vineyards lie in Martinborough, an idyllic small town at the southernmost point of New Zealand’s north island.  All the buzz about New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc centers on Marlborough, which is at the northern part of New Zealand’s much longer, south island.  So here are similar climates, but different microclimates, producing wine from what is now widely accepted as New Zealand’s premier grape, Sauvignon Blanc. 

The south’s media darling, and the wine that helped put New Zealand on the map, is Cloudy Bay, from Marlborough.  Cloudy Bay is indeed a great wine, retailing at $26.99. Palliser retails for $10 less a bottle, and shook up the wine world in 2004 when Wine Spectator rated Palliser at 90 points, and Cloudy Bay at 86.  Recently Robert Parker rated the 2008 with 88 points, while giving Cloudy Bay 84.  He also rated the 2007 Palliser 91 points, and Cloudy Bay received a Parker score of 89.

So, if you’re a fan of New Zeland Sauvignon Blanc, AND you want the best, AND you don’t mind saving $10 a bottle… might I suggest a bottle of Palliser?

Jason's Pick-

Chateau Lascombes, Margaux, 2006

As many of you know, my favorite region of Bordeaux is Margaux.  And of the many Margaux wines that I have tasted, Chateau Lascombes has stood out the most.  It has consistently been one of the best wines of Margaux, let alone Bordeaux.  Composed primarily of Merlot (50%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), and a little bit of Petit Verdot (5%), the wine screams with notes of toasted oak, vanilla, spices, blackberries, and cherries.  The mouthfeel is smooth, elegant, rich, and incredibly full with tannins that grip but balance the wine rather than overpower it. Flavors of cherries, blackberries, vanilla, and a touch of earth merry together on the palate creating an experience worth trying again. 

Robert's Pick-

Monster Wine!,Chateau La Fleur-Petrus

 We have recently come into a small stash of this legendary wine.  Produced from two parcels of old vine Merlot, one adjacent to the infamous Chateau Petrus (the world’s most famous Merlot); the other adjacent to Chateau LaFleur.  A portion of old vine Cabernet Franc from Chateau Le Gay’s property gives this wine a core of spicy dried cherry.  This is mingled with the Merlot which  provides opulent plum, black cherry and cardamom.  Together the result is a hedonistic wine for contemplation.  The wine slowly unwinds layer upon layer of spice-laden fruit, built on a solid frame of elegant tannins.  The finish is very long and complex with tobacco and leather notes fading over dried violets.  A triumph!

Nazo's Pick -

Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA

"It's good!  It's not your regular Stone IPA.  It's very  easy to drink.  It's hoppy, but not overly hoppy and it's smooth.  I give it two thumbs up."

John's Pick -

Eagle Rare Single Barrel kentucky Straight Bourbon Aged 10 Years, Hand Selected by Mission Wine and Spirits, Barrel No. 64

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness- the cornerstone of the birth of a nation, epitomized by the American bald eagle.  That nation has come to represent the freedom, spirit and independence of the individual, giving the world products and innovations that are uniquely its own.  One such innovation was Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  Early Kentucky settlers created Bourbon, the true American spirit, in the late 1700's.  By practice, and protected by law, no other distilled spirits adheres to standards as strict as those established for Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  And few other whiskeys can offer even a glimpse of the great whiskey making found in Eagle Rare.  Eagle Rare 10 Year old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a sweet, oaky nose and full, complex body.  Reminiscent of a fine port wine, this rare whiskey is best served neat, or over ice.  Of course, feel free to drink Eagle Rare in such classic cocktails as the Manhattan or Whiskey Sour.

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