Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things that pair well with thawing temps.
2019 Chateau de Peyrassol, La Croix Rosé, Provence - $14.99
It's over 40 degrees and that means it's officially rose season! Many of the 2020 roses are making the long journey by boat and won't arrive for another few weeks but don't be shy about those 2019's, many of which are really just starting to live their best life. One perfect example is Chateau de Peyrassol. Located in the heart of Provence, near routes traveled by the Crusaders in the early Middle Ages, the Commanderie de Peyrassol was founded by the Knights of Templar who have been making wine here since 1256. The estate has changed hands over the last few centuries but was purchased by the Rigord family in 1870. Equal parts Grenache and Cinsault with a splash of Viognier. This is classic French rose that pairs perfectly with black olives, tomato-based dishes, fish and lots of sunshine!
-Angie
2015 d'Arenburg 'd'Arry's Original' Shiraz/Grenache, McLaren Vale - $16.99
The Osborn family, owners of d'Arenburg, have been making wine in Australia's McLaren Vale for well over 100 years, now. Head wine maker, Chester Osborn, renamed this longtime favourite 'd'Arry's Original' in 1993 as an honour to his father, who was the family's head wine maker for decades. Like all of their wines, d'Arry's Original is certified organic. They even still foot-trod the grapes during fermentation. After gentle basket pressing and more than 20 months in old oak this equal parts shiraz and grenache blend is both dark and earthy from the Shiraz and fruit-driven from the grenache. Aromas of spices, bramble, and dried herbs lead on to a powerful palate that mellows in the glass into well integrated notes of raspberry, plum, wood spice, and mocha. The tannins soften out to a pleasing roundness, with a fairly long and slightly dusty finish. A great value and perfect with braised short ribs and sweet potatoes. Enjoy!
-Patrick
2016 Les Lunes, 'Arnold's Block' Carignan, Mendocino - $22.99
Carignan has a bit of an image problem. Or, more accurately it still has an image problem in its native France. In the U.S. it isn't well known but that is largely because, for so many years, it was exclusively overcropped and used to make bulk wine and distillate. If it's natural vigor is restrained, Carignon has always been capable of zesty fresh and highly inviting wines.
This 2016 example from minimalists, Lunes, has a deep concentration of cherry liquor with hints of liquorice spice and darker fruits. The mid palate has an umami type richness and the finish is a bracing but fleshy with candied cherry and a bit of cranberry tartness. This is fun to drink on its own but also an incredible food partner, especially with stewed and roasted meats.
-David
La Boutanche (by Andy Knauss), Trollinger (1L) - $24.99
The La Boutanche series is a collaboration with Selection Massale to create affordable natural wines from around the world. Andi Kanuss is a 4th generation winemaker located in Wurttemberg, Germany. This Trollinger (known as Schiava in northern Italy) is infinitely chuggable showing aromas and flavors of sour cherry, wild strawberry and hibiscus tea. Light bodied and fresh with mouthwatering acidity and a hint of tannin, This wine takes very well to a chill and will be gone before you know it; luckily this bottle is a Liter so there's more for your enjoyment!
-Nick Z.
2014 Maison L’Envoye, Bourgogne Blanc - $16.99
If you ever wanted a taste of Burgundy at approachable price this is the Chardonnay for you.
Perfectly mature entry level white from the Beaune - the center of Burgundy - will provide you with all the “thrills”: white flowers and honeysuckle on the nose; yellow apple, minerality and high acid on the palate with a full body luscious texture; and extremely long finish. This solid Chard at it’s prime will go well with slightly chilled evenings, picnics in a park, a date or a rom-com. There will be no makeup of "oak" and “butter”, just a pure fruit, terroir and expertise of a winemaker.
-Alexei
Leopold Bros. 4yr Straight Bourbon - $53.99
This 4-year-old bourbon comes to us from pioneering Colorado distillers, Leopold Bros., who are known for their meticulous attention to detail at every step of the spirits-making process. This bourbon features a significantly high malted barley content (they are, in fact, one of the few distilleries in the nation that actually malts their own grain) and the resulting spirit is a great example of the value of malted barley in a bourbon. Despite its moderate youth, it is surprisingly rich in both flavor and mouthfeel, with a roasted, chocolate- and spice-driven nose that anchors and drives the fruit, honey, and caramel tones coming from the corn & rye. This is a truly unique bourbon from Todd & Scott Leopold & is certainly worth your time to try.
-Nick S.
