Wines of the Week: 
2017 Hirsch Vineyards The Bohan Dillon Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Normally $57.99–$49.29 15% Off This Week ONLY! 2014 Talisman Weir Vineyard Yorkville Highlands Pinot Noir Normally $84.99–$72.24 15% Off This Week ONLY! * * * Tonight's Lineup: 
2017 Domaine des Deux Roches Vieilles Vignes Pouilly Fuisse Chardonnay $37.99  
About the Winery Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier first became friends at school, and they have been indissociable ever since. They married two sisters, Brigitte and Florence and, springing from their friendship and their common passion for wine, they have together over 30 years forged a unique bond between Burgundy and the Languedoc. It all began in 1986 when they joined forces to manage the family vineyard that had been cultivated since 1928 by Christian’s grandfather, Joanny. These two visionary friends were convinced of Chardonnay’s potential for expression on the limestone clay soils of the Mâconnais. And thus the first wines of Domaine des Deux Roches came into being at Davayé, between the crags of the Solutré Rock and that of Vergisson. And the story was to continue with the arrival in 2009 of Julien Collovray, Christian and Brigitte’s son, and then Julien’s brother in law, Kévin Tessieux, in 2013. Their Chardonnay vines are planted on around 45 hectares of limestone clay soils. Convinced that all good wines stem from the vineyard–the team at Collovray and Terrier respect the earth and the vegetation by working the soil. These are the beginnings of a quality process that continues to harvest, carried out at the optimum moment, then into the cellar and right up to the bottling of the wine. Taking care to master each step, considering the impact of their every gesture. 
About the Wine Utilizing low yields, tilling and the use of organic manure–the grapes that eventually become 'Vielles Vignes' come from three different parcels ideally situated on the slopes of Vergisson in the hamlets of Pouilly, Solutré and Fuissé, on 60 to 90 year old vines. These parcels all have southeastern exposure which directs them to sunlight and warmth, allowing the Chardonnay to develop ripeness quickly, under stress, in Burgundy's precarious continental climate. After harvest, the juice is aged in 30% new oak while undergoing malolactic fermentation. Subsequently, the wine is left to age until the following spring. When first poured, expect deep gold hues that exude intense brioche aromas with hints of stone fruits and flowers, and a restraint that hints at its minerality. Due to the combination of old vines with the malolactic fermentation in oak, this juice gives such complexity and taste–we cannot get enough of it. Expect your palate to be delighted by layers of green apples, with hints of citrus, creamy oak notes, and a mineral austerity that perseveres into an impressive finish. Paired excellently with shellfish such as shrimp or lobsters, as well as poultry. Foie gras and Pouilly-Fuissé is also a perfect pair. The aromatic power of this wine also suits it to more exotic, spicy foods such as couscous, fish tajines, and prawns in sweet and sour sauce, and its minerality means it pairs well with sushi. 2018 Casa Aurora Clos Pepin Bierzo Red Blend $24.99  
About the Winery A direct homage to his great-grandmother Aurora Garcia (also known as La Senora Aurora), as well as an indirect tribute to his village, VILLA DE ALBARES, and to the Bierzo Alto and its people overall–Germán Blanco does not want the names of places and people to not be forgotten. Blanco appreciates the tradition of how wine was made but welcomes the knowledge of what there is today. Made organically, Blanco does not utilize weed-killers, systemic chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides; instead he uses horsehair infusions, buttermilk or sulfur to look after the parcels. The eighty plus year old vines are planted on iron-rich red clay soils with a high percentage of decomposed granite, and are situated at altitudes which range between 2625 – 3281 feet above sea level. 
About the Wine This wine is sourced from several different vineyards all around Albares in Bierzo Alto, where the Aurora project is centered. Hand harvested in the last week of September, the grapes are meticulously picked with only the best grapes making it through the selection process. Afterword, Germán utilizes French oak used barrels and amphorae to age the wine for about a year; 2-3 months in amphorae and 8-9 months in used French oak. Fruity, fresh and lively, this juice is crisp with good layers upon first sip–touches of minerality mingle with layers of red and black fruit and finish off with hints of white pepper and sweet cassis. Very limited–only 2,382 bottles produced. 2016 Mas de Boislauzon Les Deux Chênes Cotes du Rhone Villages Grenache $22.99  
About the Winery Daniel and Christine Chaussy, brother and sister working together, are the 5th generation (following on from their mother) to run Mas de Boislauzon. They are always looking to make improvements while respecting tradition and the vines. The domaine is in the north of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation: it takes in 10 hectares (23 acres) in Chateauneuf du Pape and 18 hectares (40 acres) in Cotes du Rhone Villages, split up into 30 parcels. These plots have clay-limestone soils covered with large pebbles, including the ones it the Cotes du Rhone Villages appellation wich border the Chateauneuf du Pape zone. Daniel follows the principles of sustainable grape-farming, favoring tilling the soil, de-budding, green-harvesting, leaf-removal and letting the weeds grow. Picking is done by hand with very fussy bunch-sorting for both the estate’s appellations. 
About the Wine Manual harvesting, sorting on the plot. No stems, no yeast. Traditional vinification with temperature control. Wine aging in a tank. "Les deux Chênes", meaning "The Two Oaks", is an image that appears on all Mas de Boislauzon packaging is a sketch of the two oaks trees on the property that mark the actual border limits of the Côtes du Rhône Villages and Châteauneuf du Pape appellations. When poured, notes of herbs, spice and earthiness are well accompanied by black fruits and licorice. The texture on this wine leaves you wanting more; the medium-bodied juice has a chewiness to it, that is mouth-filling and with firm structure yet not overwhelming. Flavors of truffle, dark fruits, and peppery herbs intertwine themselves throughout until an everlasting finish. This wine over delivers vintage after vintage! 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, 5% Carignan * * * Cocktail Recipe of the Week: Yakutian by Caledonia Spirits 
This is a play on a Moscow mule, the name Yakutian is a rare breed of Siberian horses bred to withstand sub-zero temperatures. Ingredients: 2 oz Barr Hill Vodka .5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice 1 oz Fresh Orange Juice .5 oz Rooibos-Cinnamon Syrup* Ginger Beer Cinnamon Stick or Candied Ginger, for Garnish Directions: Combine all ingredients except for Ginger Beer and build in glass or Moscow mule mug. Top with Ginger beer then garnish with a cinnamon stick or candied ginger. Cheers and Enjoy! *Rooibos, is an earthy, amber-colored herbal tisane with a deep, wine-like quality and a smooth honey-like sweetness. Brew 1 cup of very strong Rooibos tea, add 4 cinnamon sticks, add 1 cup of sugar, heat until dissolved. * * * Snack of the Week: Milton Creamery Flory's Truckle Clothbound Cheddar 
Milton Creamery worked hand-in-hand with the Flory Family of Jamesport, Missouri to develop this aged clothbound cheddar, earning its unique name. In the traditional style, this cheese ages with the cheesecloth left on the outside, allowing the cheese to breathe and resulting in the appealing dry, crumbly texture. The cheese is allowed to dry for ten days and is then coated with lard (!) and aged twelve months. What comes to fruition is a cheddar with an unparalleled peppery aroma and a rich grassy flavor. The dense and crystallized paste needs something juicy to go along with it - keep that in mind and lay out a spread of plums and pale ale to pair. * * * | 
