PICTURE PERFECT.

“Cassis wines are proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy."

- Benjamin Franklin

Okay, so I’m paraphrasing here, but the sentiment holds true…at least for me. If was given the chance to own a vineyard anywhere in the world it would be located in the tiny seaside hamlet of Cassis. More specifically, it would be the vineyard of Clos Ste. Magdeline. There is no finer, more-picturesque vineyard in the world, nor better example of how vines are an expression of the people, culture and cuisine that surround them.

Growing wine here is tough…not only in that the steep, craggy seawalls are treacherous for men and vine alike, but – surrounded by such scenic beauty – the real estate prices and pressure to turn vineyard land into condo developments mean winemaking is a costly proposition. Luckily for us there are folks like the Sack-Zafiropoulos family who are deeply committed to the land. The vineyard is organically-farmed, and the wines are amazing in their subtlety and versatility.

We were fortunate enough to have secured a small allocation of Clos Ste. Magdeline’s 2009 white, and it's textbook Cassis Blanc...subtle aromas of flowers, honey and nutmeats. There's ample acidity to balance the weight, and the wine practically begs for all things Mediterranean. Grilled fish, shellfish, hummus, tapenade...you name it, this wine will tame it.

Sadly, less than 10 cases of this stellar wine remain, and it won't remain here for long.

ITEM #52025

Ste. Magdeleine’s Cassis has Marsanne in it, almost 50%…At Cassis, where the vineyards are right on the Mediterranean, the Marsanne gives its honey with a smell of the sea (l’iode, as the French say). Vines were not planted at Cassis in order to receive high scores. Cassis was and is a fishing port where the people of Marseille like to play on weekends. Vines were planted in order to have something to drink with the local catch. Seafood. Cassis. It’s a natural.

—KERMIT LYNCH

WESTWARD HO!

Stay in this business long enough and you'll learn at least one truth: the wine and spirits' industry is a very small world. This truth was again brought home to me earlier this year. Anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about American whiskey...especially Bourbons and Ryes. When it comes to Rye whiskey, there are none finer than those crafted at High West Distillery in Park City, Utah. Every time I've had the pleasure of sampling a High West whiskey I'm left thinking, "Man, this stuff is good!"

High West distillery is the brainchild of David Perkins, a biochemist turned craft distiller. As it turns out, David and I have know each other for almost 30 years. We both grew up in Georgia, and both have a mutual friend in Steve Morrison. Steve and David went to high school together, and Steve occasionally brought Dave to some of parties we threw in college. While I hadn't seen David in years, I did hear through Steve that he had bought some of my wine, and had started a distillery. Of course, when I found out what distillery it was David started, I immediately picked up the phone. So it was that when I called David to see if he had an interest selling his distillates in Minnesota it wasn't entirely a 'cold call'.

David's talent as a distiller and blender is well-known within the industry. As a matter of fact, Malt Advocate Magazine bestowed him with its Innovator of the Year Award. In the South we call that Tall Cotton.

We are proud to be the source for High West products in the State of Minnesota. Here's a list of what has just arrived:
If you share my passion for domestic whiskies, you owe it to yourself to secure some of these items soon!

Redemption Has Arrived!

We've just received our first allocation of Redemption High Rye Bourbon...contact your Quality representative now to secure some!

Mashbill: 60% corn, 38.2% rye, and 1.8% barley.
Proof: 92
Age: Aged for two years in charred, new oak barrels.
Pack: 12x750ml

"It’s fresh, youthful, and brisk, with sweet corn, bright fruit, brittle mint, cinnamon, and a dusting of cocoa, leading to a slightly aggressive finish."
- John Hansell, Malt Advocate Magazine

Item # 07694

WINE OF THE WEEKEND: 2009 Beckmen Sauvignon Blanc

“Rich, ripe honeydew melon, lime peel and fleshy mango and peach flavors are very flavorful and focused, with the perfect amount of mouthwatering acidity. 89 Points.” – Wine Spectator

“Medium-light yellow; attractive, herbal, moderately grassy, melon and gooseberry aroma with hints of kiwi and a slightly creamy note; medium-full body; slightly rich, herbal, melon and apple flavors with good depthand a rounded mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended. 90 Points” – California Grapevine

ITEM # 75314

Wall Street Journal names Tariquet Classic "The Wine of the Times"!

By Lettie Teague

The recent fiscal news has been so unnerving, it could very well drive to a person to drink. Provided, of course, that the drinks were sufficiently cheap. A wine I tasted the other night — the 2010 Domaine Tariquet Classic — could do the trick.

It was unquestionably well priced ($8), and it was remarkably refreshing – even quite energizing. The Tariquet is a blend of two undistinguished grapes, Ugni Blanc and Colombard. And the sum was actually better than its parts.

Made by the Grassa family in the Gascogne region of France, it’s a bright, crisp-to-the-point-of-zingy white that’s a perfect aperitif – as well as an antidote to the Dow.

Item # 71914

WINE OF THE WEEKEND: DOMAINE CATHERINE LE GŒUIL Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne 2009

"A wave of toasty spice and mocha is followed by velvety raspberry, blueberry and black cherry fruit in this broad, fleshy red, with a lingering mesquite edge framing the toasty finish. Drink now through 2013. 90 Points" - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Item #51885

THIS JUST IN...

I heard from my old friend, Carole Meredith yesterday. It was Carole who pioneered DNA fingerprinting methods to determine the true origins and parentage and identities of grape varieties. She found that most California Petit Sirah is actually Durif, discovered that Syrah is of French origins, and – now – has uncovered the true identity of Zinfandel.

She has been working on this vinous riddle for years, and with the help of some Croatian scientists have been getting closer to the truth. From her email of last night:

“My Croatian research colleagues have long suspected that the old Croatian grape variety Tribidrag was the same as Crljenak kastelanski, which is the modern Croatian name for Zinfandel. They have now confirmed this by purifying and analyzing DNA from an old herbarium specimen of Tribidrag and comparing it to Zinfandel. The DNA profiles are a perfect match. Tribidrag is documented to have been grown in Croatia for at least 500 years.”

So there you have it…Zinfandel is Tribidrag. No doubt you will sleep soundly tonight!