Wines of the Week: 
2019 Ott Der Ott Austria Wagram Gruner Veltliner Normally $49.99–$42.49 15% Off This Week ONLY! 2018 Chateau Haut Batailley Verso Pauillac Red Blend Normally $42.99–$36.54 15% Off This Week ONLY! * * * About the Wines of the Week: 2019 Ott Der Ott Austria Wagram Gruner Veltliner Normally $49.99–$42.49 15% Off This Week ONLY! .jpg) 
About the Winery The Ott family has been growing and producing wine in the region of Wagram in Lower Austria since 1889. Bernhard Ott is of the fourth generation and has managed the winery since 1995, when he took the helm from his father, expanding the estate to 28 hectares in Feuersbrunn and Engabrunn. After assuming control at the winery, Bernhard worked meticulously to improve the family estate. He improved the cellar with new stainless steel tanks, began bottling everything under Stelvin closure and started enforcing his own personal philosophy – being as true to nature as possible. Bernhard has converted many of his vineyards to biodynamic cultivation, certified biodynamic by RESPEKT, and has taken steps at the winery to reflect this philosophy. Bernhard is extremely diligent in his vineyard work; he adds compost and preparations to the soil rather than fertilizing individual vines, uses cover-crops and biodynamic tinctures and homeopathic remedies to treat vineyard problems. In keeping with the philosophy of the biodynamic approach, work in the vineyards and cellar is done in a holistic and looped system. Ott found that after switching to biodynamic farming, he was able to harvest grapes from his vineyards several weeks earlier than he had in the years prior to his switch to this biodynamic viticultural approach. 
About the Wine 100% estate fruit, Respekt certified Biodynamic, organic certified, from the three single vineyards sites that Bernahrd Farms – Speigel, Stein and Rosenberg. This is basically the tanks that didn’t quite make the cut for the Cru wines. It’s a blend of vineyards and is one of my favorite GVs for the money. Like Fass 4atural fermentation without addition of enzymes etc, completely in stainless steel. Longer maceration in the press and picked parcel by parcel – this is a tank selection. When poured, expect a beautiful melange of layers starting with minerality and stone fruit, then moving onto almost petrol and tocuehs of honeysuckle. On the palate, the impressive mouthfeel and texture is matched by hints of freshly picked sugar snap peas, citrus fruits, and ripe bosc pears. * * * 2018 Chateau Haut Batailley Verso Pauillac Red Blend Normally $42.99–$36.54 15% Off This Week ONLY!  
About the Winery Haut-Batailley was originally part of the same estate as Château Batailley, but was divided from it in the 1940s and became the property of Francoise des Brest-Borie (the sister of the talented winemaker Jean-Eugène Borie, of Ducru-Beaucaillou). She asked him to run it for her, which he duly did, and after his death in 1998 his son, Francois-Xavier Borie, took over. He continues to run the property, and also runs another of the Borie family's properties, Grand-Puy-Lacoste. This fifth growth property is located towards the south of the Pauillac region, where the climate is more akin to that of the Haut-Médoc, with a moderating influence from the Gironde. There are 22 hectares of vines in total with an average age of 35 years. Generally, Haut-Batailley is a more elegant and gentle Pauillac than Batailley, with the accent on fruit and charm, but in some years (like 2009 and 1962) it shows its real weight, with Pauillac flavor and power. 
About the Wine The 2020 Verso, the recently introduced Merlot-dominated second wine of Haut-Batailley, will spend eight months in one-year-old barrels. When poured, expect deep, inky hues to shine through the glass. Aromas of baked dark fruit, such as black plums and blackberry pie, give way to a medium bodied palate filled with texture to match the black fruit notes. Layers of freshness, tannins, and earthiness are finished with light spice notes. 60% Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and a splash of Petit Verdot. Haut-Batailley will age nicely. * * * Also Tasting Today: 2020 St. Michael-Eppan Sanct Valentin Alto Adige Sauvignon Blanc DOC $49.99  
About the Winery The foundation was first laid in 1989 for what is arguably the most famous white wine produced at St. Michael-Eppan Winery. The Sanct Valentin Sauvignon has found excellent conditions at the foot of the Mendel Massif in selected vineyards that have been carefully chosen over the course of the last 20 years, in order to produce a great vintage wine with impressive fruit, minerality and excellent persistence. This fine wine is not only the pride of the winery today and the most important wine of the Sanct Valentin line, but also one of Italy’s most award-winning white wines. 
About the Wine The 2020 Sanct Valentin Sauvignon comes from selected vineyard sites in St. Michael and Eppan/Berg between 1,476 and 1,968 feet above sea level. The vine age ranges from 10 to 28 years old, in limestone-gravel driven soils and exposed southeast. Harvested by hand in early to late September; the majority of grapes are fermented in steel tanks, inside which the wine is aged on the lees. The remainder is fermented and aged in wood. Yellow-green hues are matched with dense nose of yellow fruit, gooseberry, elderflower and ripe redcurrant aromas. On the palate expect to find crisp acidity, smooth body and an elegant fullness. Ageing potential of eight to ten years or more. Pairs well with fried fish such as ocean perch, sole or char on pepper cream or with full-flavored vegetable risotto. Ageability for eight to ten years or more. * * * Cocktail Recipe of the Week: 
Clementine Whiskey Smash Ingredients: 3 clementines (plus more for garnish)
1 teaspoon sugar
ice
2 shots Stellum Cask Strength 114.48 Proof Bourbon Whiskey
2 cinnamon sticks Directions: 1. Peel the clementines and separate them into segments. 2. Place the clementine segments in a jar or glass, and add the sugar. Mash the clementines very thoroughly; you want to release as much juice from them as possible. 3. Fill two small glasses with ice, and pour a shot of whiskey into each glass. Strain the clementine mixture into the glasses, and serve with a cinnamon stick and more fresh clementine segments, if desired. Cheers and Enjoy! * * * Snack of the Week: .jpg)
Brebirousse D'Argental An ooey-gooey wonder sure to please any crowd, with a creamy paste that threatens to run free of its annatto-tinged rind. Luscious and silky enough for brie-lovers, sheepy and full-flavored enough for the most adventurous palate, its bright orange rind refuses to be ignored, but its delicate sweetness balances the buttery intensity with aplomb. Made in Lyon, France, of pure pasteurized sheep milk--richer and creamier than cow's milk--Brebirousse (literally: red sheep) is everything we could want in a cheese: savory, creamy, nutty and complex. Play up savory notes with thick slices of ham on crusty baguette, tease out the milky sweetness with dried apricots, or enhance the intensity with a dollop of earthy chestnut honey, alongside a glass of bubbly cava. * * * | 
