Stuff Our Staff Drank This Week.
.. and liked enough they want to tell you about it.
2018 Claude Riffault, 'Les Boucauds,' Sancerre - $36.99
With all the beautiful warm weather my taste buds are longing for a wine that's reminiscent of spring. Claude Riffault's Sancerre definitely fills the bill. Fresh orchard fruit, think peach and pithy grapefruit note. White flowers and a seamless acidity that weaves everything together from the first sip to the last.
95 PTS - Decanter
-Mary K.
2017 Paul Hobbs, Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $49.99
Named for his family's farm in Upstate New York, legendary wine maker Paul Hobbs (on the development team of Opus One!) releases his Crossbarn as an accessible expression of classic high-end Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at about half the price of others at this level. His 2017 is no exception. Elegant aromas of violet, cherry, and dark chocolate are balanced with a focused note of graphite, all leading to a complex palate of boysenberry, licorice, and savory spices. The supple tannins and lively acidity carries the wine to a clean, long finish. This is a great choice for a beautiful focus on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from a justly famous maker for the upcoming holidays. Cheers!
90 Points by Robert Parker
93 points by James Suckling
-Patrick D.
2018 Doris Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma $25.99
Doris is the sister label to Gail family winery. Gail was founded to produce small batches of old vine, single vineyard wine in Sonoma. The wines are honest, straightforward and well crafted. Doris was founded to produce unfussy table wines. However, the inaugural bottling of Doris Cabernet Sauvignon is made from absolutely charming, late ripening Sonoma fruit that comes from a single vineyard. There's an undercurrent of juicy acidity to this wine that really brings the abundant fruit to life. The typical Cassis and blackberry flavors are there in a vibrant way. With some time out of the bottle the finish gains a lifted floral presence. The wine makers age the wine with the lees in neutral oak because they claim that's the only way to truly capture terrior. Perhaps they're right. There are hints of flowers and herbs that develop with some time but its unlikely this simply irresistible wine will be around that long.
-David M.
The Dampfwerk 'Helgolander' - $25.99 (375ml)
The Loeffelholz family has been making waves in the Twin Cities spirits scene since they founded Dampfwerk Distilling for good reason. From their idiosyncratic focus on fruit brandies and herbal liqueurs to their creative approaches to the standards of the American distilling pantheon, they have a clarity of vision that definitely comes through when tasting their spirits. The Helgolander is a slightly bitter, German-style herbal liqueur that is a constant in their lineup. It opens up with an inviting nose of caramelized citrus, clove, allspice, and a subtle gentian florality. The palate follows through with more warm spices, orange candy, some subdued cinnamon, and a generally herbaceous backbone, finishing with a pleasing medium-length warming finish. This liqueur is equally perfect as a stand-alone sipper or after-dinner digestif as it is a cocktail ingredient (as it is not particularly sweet, I suggest a supplemental sweetener if going this route).
-Nick S.
