Over the course of 2021, the editors at Spirited Zine have had the opportunity to taste spirits from across the globe. From Taiwan and California to Scotland and Kenya, we’ve sampled spirits and wine from six continents. Hours upon hours were spent investigating, writing, and tasting, giving us a unique view into the vast world of drinks that is only continuing to grow. With all of that in mind, we put together our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide.
Filled with over 60 spirits and bottles of wine, the Spirited Zine 2021 Holiday Gift Guide was created to bring the best spirits to our readers’ doorsteps. We love every drink listed in our guide and we think each one will brighten up this Holiday season.
In good news for gift givers who won’t be able to visit loved ones, friends, family, clients, or whoever else this Holiday season, these bottles can be delivered to their door without putting anyone at risk, while still delivering that feeling of warmth we all crave at this time of year.
We wish you and yours a wonderful winter and look forward to making sure in 2022 that you never miss a drop. Without further ado, please find below the Spirited Zine 2021 Holiday Gift Guide.
*prices may vary by vendor
Table Of Contents
Scotch
X by Glenmorangie ($32)
Created in collaboration with leading bartenders across the world, X by Glenmorangie has been aged in ex-bourbon casks and finished in new char oak barrels. It is bottled at 40% ABV and is said to have a “sweeter, richer taste.” The LVMH-owned brand recommends consuming the expression in tall, simple serves, including mixed with tonic water or cola.
Glen Grant 15 ($70)
Arriving as a golden barley-colored liquid, the Glen Grant 15 Years Old offers delicate floral, fresh citrus, apple and honeydew melon aromas that give way to soft caramel and oakiness. The aroma is accompanied by a rich honey palate with hints of spiced pear, apricot marmalade and vanilla, followed by a maltiness and slight spice that leaves a nutty finish with delicate notes of fruit.
Ardbeg Uigeadail ($75)
A marriage of Ardbeg from bourbon barrel and sherry butt which gives a sweet and smoky finish to this malt bottled at cask strength. Uigeadail is the name of the loch from which all Ardbeg water flows.
Glendronach Port Wood ($90)
Not much has changed at GlenDronach since opening in 1826. The heralded Highland distillery still does things in a similar way to how it did them almost 200 years ago, which means they deliver a traditional, classic single malt Scotch. One of the newest additions to the GlenDronach lineup is the Port Wood, which brings a Port-finished whisky to the distillery’s core range. Frankly, the GlenDronach Port Wood is one of our favorite whiskies released in the last few years. It’s rich, fruit forward, and, like everything else guided by the sure hands of Master Distiller Rachel Barrie, exquisite.
The Dalmore Port Wood ($100)
An indulgent smooth single malt matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks and aged Tawny Port pipes. “Utterly individualistic, this noble spirit displays a multitude of exotic flavours – a complete revelation!” says iconic Master Distillery Richarad Paterson.
Buchanan’s 18 Year Special Reserve ($100)
Buchanan’s 18 Year Special Reserve Scotch Whisky is a blend of grain whiskies and single malts aged for at least 18 years. A silky and delicate liquid, it is a distinctive rich and well-rounded whisky with flavors of citrus, nuts, honey, and oak.
The Glenrothes 18 Years Old ($198)
If you’re unfamiliar with The Glenrothes, it’s time to start and the best place to begin is the 18 Year Old. Bottled at 43% ABV, The Glenrothes 18 Year Old received 98 points from the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, was ranked #3 in the “Top 100 Spirits of 2020,” and won the “Chairman’s Trophy for Best Speyside Single Malt” of the year. It was also one of our favorite drams of the year.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label ($230)
We’re here to tell you that Johnnie Walker Blue Label is back in style. Created from the rarest and most expensive whiskies in the world, individually numbered and produced in limited quantities. Johnnie Walker Blue has the authentic character and flavor of a traditional 19th century blend with traces of smoke, honey and spice on the silky finish. It was once the king of whiskies and it remains one of the finest blends on the planet.
Macallan Rare Cask ($300)
Crafted to showcase complexity and depth, The Macallan Rare Cask is drawn from the broadest spectrum of casks used in maturation on The Macallan Estate. Hand-picked by the Speyside brand’s whisky making team, the combination of sherry seasoned American and European oak casks – a high proportion of them first fill – deliver an unmistakably woody whisky with a rich hue. With rarity at its core, this is a whisky that will slightly differ in makeup from bottling to bottling; with some casks so rare they will never be used again in any other Macallan. Far less than 1% of casks maturing at the distillery have been identified as fitting to bestow the Rare Cask name. Taking inspiration from The Macallan’s iconic triangle and designed to celebrate its natural color, Rare Cask is presented in a sculpted, heavy glass decanter.
Laphroaig Ian Hunter Story Book Three: Source Protector ($1,250)
Laphroaig Ian Hunter Story Book Three: Source Protector is a 33-year-old whisky from 1987 that has been matured in ex-Bourbon barrels. The single malt charts the history behind the Kirkbride stream. On the nose, the Scotch offers notes of pears, peaches and apricots. The palate delivers aniseed and liquorice.
Bourbon
Ammunition Bourbon Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Barrels ($33)
Ammunition Straight Bourbon Whiskey is produced in small 2, 3 and 4 year-old batches and finished in French Bordeaux wine barrels, which once held the brand’s Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year ($50)
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year Old is Tom Bulleit’s selected reserve. Aged in charred American white oak, select Bulleit Bourbon barrels were set aside to age for 10 years. The result is a special expression of Bulleit that provides a rich, deep, incredibly smooth sipping experience.
Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon ($60)
Master Distiller Brent Elliott selected and mingled six of Four Roses’ 10 Bourbon recipes, each aged a minimum of 6 years, to handcraft Small Batch Select. Non-chill filtered and 52% ABV, the nose offers raspberries, clove, and nutmeg. The palate delivers apricot, berries, vanilla and light oak, while the finish features lingering spearmint with a light touch of cinnamon.
Rye
High West A Midwinter Nights Dram ($400)
A Midwinter Night’s Dram is High West’s Rendezvous Rye finished in both Ruby and Tawny Port barrels for an additional 1 to 2 years. This year’s release, Act 9, provides notes of dark fig and blackberry layered over that wonderful spice character that great Ryes have to offer. We recommend sipping this spirit neat to experience its many layers of complexity. This limited-edition blend of straight rye whiskeys opens with notes of muddled blackberries, honey-poached figs, chocolate covered cherries, toasted marshmallow, gentian root, star anise and hoisin sauce. On the palate, it offers refreshing sugar plums, blackberries, spiced bitter orange peel, toffee cookies aside an orange tea, fresh dates, cinnamon strudel, brown sugar glass, and dried thyme leaves. The finish yields aromatic bitters, pink peppercorn, violets and mint.
WhistlePig Boss Hog VIII Lapulapu’s Revenge ($500)
Continuing the epic circumnavigation voyage across the Pacific, The Boss Hog VIII features straight rye whiskey aged for nearly 18 years in new American Oak, followed by a double finish in high toast barrels that previously held small batch, single island, aged Philippine rum. On the nose, lush vanilla aromas give way to delicate tropical notes including under ripe bananas, freshly picked lemon, and molasses. The palate offers an abundance of fresh ground cinnamon with citrus zest, butterscotch, and light notes of toffee. The finish is rich with tanned leather, light brown sugar, nutmeg, and allspice with a long-lasting black pepper rye spice.
Irish Whiskey
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still ($70)
Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey is the first Whiskey to come out of western Ireland’s Connacht province in more than 105 years. Triple distilled by hand at the Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, it’s made from a blend of malted Irish barley, unmalted Irish barley, and Irish barra oats. It’s aged for five years in first use ex-Kentucky Bourbon and ex-Oloroso Sherry casks.
Redbreast Lustau Edition ($75)
This single pot still Irish whiskey was initially matured in a combination of American and European oak casks for 9 to 12 years, before being transferred over to first fill Oloroso Sherry casks from Bodegas Lustau for a year.
Waterford Gaia 1.1 ($100)
Gaia 1.1 is the first ever organic Irish single malt (certified by the Organic Trust) and part of the brand’s new Arcadian Series – their unconventional array of heritage, organic and biodynamic distillates. This first whisky is distilled from organic Irish barley grown by John Mallick, Paddy Tobin, Alan Jackson, Pat and Denis Booth, Jason Stanley and Trevor Harris.
Other Whisky
Kavalan Sherry Oak ($150)
This expression uses the same casks that are normally reserved for the cask-strength releases, but diluted to a lesser proof using Kavalan Spring Water. It is sweet and oily with notes of dried fruit, dark chocolate, pepper and raisins.
Cognac
Camus Ile de Re ($45)
In September, Camus revamped its Ile de Ré Fine Island Cognac to showcase its unique island origin. The expression is a rare example of a single-provenance Cognac with a distinctive aromatic profile which is indisputably linked to its island origin: smooth yet fresh and crisp, naturally iodine-rich, with typical marine notes.
Martell VSOP Matured In Red Barrels ($48)
A balanced cognac, marked by an oaky taste, its time spent aging in a barrel infuses it with complex aromas along with notes of caramelized dried fruits and prunes. This tone adds a number of rich qualities to a cocktail. Martell is quickly becoming known as one of the most intriguing Cognac houses and the VSOP offers a wonderful entrance point with an exceptional price tag.
Prunier 20 Years Old ($80)
When it comes to Cognac, there are few brands as strong across their entire profile as Prunier. The 20 Years Old is made with a blend of brandies aged for a minimum of 20 years, but it’s surprisingly light and fresh, perfumed with chamomile tea, cedar and honey. On the palate, these notes mingle with pear, lemon peel and ginger, finishing surprisingly crisp, with a snap of alcohol.
Hennessy Master Blender’s Selection No 4 ($100)
Crafted with eaux-de-vie at least five years old and taken in almost equal parts from Cognac’s four original regions (Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois), Master Blender’s Selection No 4 possesses a crisp, fresh flavor not often seen in Hennessy’s offerings–or in Cognac expressions in general.
Cognac Frapin VIP XO ($249.99)
Rich, bronze tones with natural purity. Pleasing floral notes and a beautiful aromatic complexity punctuated with subtle woody tones. An overall elegance typical of aged Cognacs from Grande Champagne. XO VIP offers a palate of flavors, revealing chocolate notes, dried fruit, candied fruit, and gingerbread.
Brandy
Torres 15 Reserva Privada ($40)
Torres 15 Reserva Privada delivers everything you could want from a Brandy and more. Soft, smooth, bright and still full, with a little bite at the end, the grape-based spirit from the iconic Spanish house reminds us that it isn’t just the French who are creating Brandy worth discussing. It is supposed to make a heck of an old fashioned, but it’s so good on its own that we may never find out.
Tequila
Espolon Blanco ($24)
Espolòn Blanco is the purest expression of Espolòn Tequila. It is double distilled using a combination of pot and column distillation. This process yields a perfectly smooth and balanced taste profile. The Tequila has quickly become a favorite among bartenders and it’s perfect for mixing cocktails. On the nose, it’s delicate with aromas of sweet agave, tropical fruit, lemon zest and a hint of pepper. The palate is soft with bright agave flavor, notes of pepper, vanilla bean, grilled pineapple and spice.
Gran Centenario Reposado ($37)
Gran Centenario Reposado features an elegant, well-rounded, balanced character. It is aged for 4 months in new American white oak barrels. The perfect marriage of oak and agave notes, it offers subtle hints of vanilla, cinnamon, citrus, pear, and tropical fruitiness.
Komos Anejo Cristalino ($120)
Tequila Komos Anejo Cristalino has been aged in white wine barrels and comes from Master Sommelier Richard Betts, who previously founded wine labels Betts & Scholl and Scarpetta as well as Sombra Mezcal. It offers notes of agave along with hints of vanilla and spice from the French oak. “The balance is exquisite and Komos is at once rich, full and luxurious, yet light on its feet and a joy to drink,” says Betts.
Partida Roble Fino Anejo ($140)
Partida Roble Fino Añejo begins with Partida’s highly acclaimed Añejo which is aged for an extensive 18 months in ex-bourbon barrels. Featuring an outstanding gold color with a reddish shimmer, this intensely flavored tequila continues its finishing for an additional 5 months in ex-single malt, sherry seasoned casks. The tequila is bottled at 45% ABV, showcasing its expansive complexity and depth of flavor with sweet notes of dried fruits, toasted oak, chocolate and cooked agave.
Mezcal
Mezcal Amaras Cupreata ($63)
Described as a “a bridgeway to a range of possibilities in flavors and aromas that the biodiversity of agaves can offer,” Mezcal Amaras Cupreata offers aromas of pumpkin seeds, leather, and cacao. The palate is bold and bright with herbaceous flavors of bell pepper and spice.
The Lost Explorer Salmiana ($180)
The Lost Explorer Mezcal is the brand at the top of every agave spirits lover’s current to-taste list. Officially launched back in December 2020, it has already racked up awards across the globe and made moves to the top of bar lists and e-commerce platforms in some of the drink world’s most competitive markets. Made from 100% agave, each small batch of mezcal is handcrafted with a sustainable approach that is deeply in tune with the rhythm of nature. The Salmiana Agave grows for 12 years before harvesting begins. The most herbaceous expression of all, offering a sweet and spicy profile with hints of green chili, grapefruit, and fresh agave. The award-winning Lost Explorer Mezcal Salmiana comes in beautiful hand-labeled bottles made from recycled crystal, sealed with a kiss of biodegradable natural beeswax.
Sotol
Los Magos ($65)
Known as the hidden gem of the Chihuahuan desert, Sotol has been enjoyed for centuries and is the state spirit of Chihuahua, Durango. and Coahuila. However, it has never been truly and properly brought to the masses, until now. Los Magos Founders Eduardo Almanza and Juan Pablo Carvajal set out to disrupt the spirits industry with an experience that is good for the soul, land, and the community.
Rum
Bacardi Reserva Ocho ($37)
Bacardí Reserva Ocho is a premium aged rum and one of the brand’s most celebrated expressions, as it is based-off of the original recipe from the Bacardi family’s personal reserve blend created in 1862. Bacardí Reserva Ocho is barrel aged for a minimum of eight years under the Caribbean sun and has a rich golden color and velvety body with warming notes of butterscotch, nutmeg, and dried apricots.
Château du Breuil Rum Explorer Belize ($44)
Rum Explorer Belize Travellers Distillery is a limited edition release, hunted down by Calvados specialist Château du Breuil. A spicy, cooked-banana style golden rum, it was aged in an American oak cask which previously contained a Cognac-based spirit, giving more roundness and depth.
Ron Abuelo XII Two Oaks ($76)
Crafted from a blend of aged (between 8 and 40+ years old) rums averaging just over 11-years old. The benchmark rum was first matured in white oak bourbon barrels before being finished for an additional nine months in first fill extra-charred American oak barrels. The rum offers a bouquet of light smoke and toasted oak supported by vanilla and nuts. Lightly smoky and velvety in the mouth, Two Oaks has an intense taste of spice, caramel and roasted coffee beans with hints of coconut that lead to a long and lingering finish.
Foursquare Redoutable ($132)
Named one of the world’s best rums at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2021, Foursquare is known as one of the world’s finest rum distilleries and Redoutable is one of its most exceptional offerings. “Dried lemon and grapefruit hints combine with heady wood aromas on the nose,” said IWSC judges. “The palate is explosive, with opulent notes of vanilla, raisin and woodsmoke. Ridiculously sumptuous, this is an absolute powerhouse of a rum that is quite simply outstanding.”
Ron Abuelo Centuria ($168)
Ron Abuelo Centuria was produced in honor of Varela Hermanos’ 100-year anniversary, the national producers of 90% of the liquors that Panama consumes. This limited-edition bottling draws from between 12- and 42-year-old family reserves that are aged in American whiskey barrels using a solera system; the average age of the rums used in a bottle of Centuria is 30. It is dark copper in color and presents beautiful aromas of sweet citrus, prunes, nuts and cocoa. The palate is balanced, round, and full of ripe fruit that culminates in a mature wood finish.
Mount Gay Master Blender Collection Andean Oak Cask ($195)
Mount Gay Andean Oak Cask has been crafted from a single batch of twice-distilled pot still rums, aged for 14 years in ex-Bourbon casks, which were then finished for 11 months in virgin Andean oak casks. This is the first time this native South American wood has been used by Mount Gay.
Cachaca
Novo Fogo Silver ($35)
From the borders of the Atlantic rainforest comes this hand-crafted, sustainable, and organic Cachaça to set a high bar for the category in the USA. The nose is intensely floral, with notes of blossom, grass, and citrus. The palate features fresh sugar cane flavors, which combine with roasted banana, mango, and other tropical fruits.
Gin
Tod & Vixen’s Dry Gin 1651 ($48)
Created by three of the world’s most iconic bartenders, Tod & Vixen’s Gin comes from The Vale Fox Distillery in New York’s Hudson Valley. Frankly, it is an incredible base for cocktails. We find it to be one of the finest options we have ever used to make a Martini, especially if you enjoy yours with a 4:1 Gin to Vermouth ratio with a lemon twist, like we do.
Tanqueray No Ten ($49)
Introduced in 2000, Tanqueray No. Ten is named after the still of its origin, pot still number 10, which is quite endearingly nicknamed Tiny Ten. The small batch gin is crafted using whole fresh citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes and grapefruit, along with chamomile flowers and other traditional botanicals. Expect a burst of citrus with every sip. Quite notably, it is also the only gin to secure a spot in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition Hall of Fame. This iconic tipple makes a mean Martini.
Sipsmith V.J.O.P. ($50)
At 57.7% ABV, the Sipsmith Very Junipery Over Proof Gin is a juniper-forward navy strength gin that uses double the amount of juniper berries as the brand’s London Dry Gin, and undergoes a three-part juniper-infusion process, including a three day maceration.
Vodka
Broken Shed ($32)
Based out in Wanaka, New Zealand, each bottle of Broken Shed Vodka is crafted through a blend of two distinct water sources from New Zealand and sustainable whey distillate. The resulting vodka is all natural with no added sugars, no additives and is both gluten and GMO-free. Since entering the U.S. market in June 2012, Broken Shed Vodka has won a legion of loyal fans, an impressive collection of awards, and recently launched a new campaign called ‘Vodka of Tomorrow’.
Carbonadi ($70)
Carbonadi Vodka hails from the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, and its name refers to the specific filtration process that gives this spirit a unique level of smoothness. Carbonados are black diamonds, which are surprisingly absorbent and remove impurities from the vodka. In this case, the liquor has already been distilled five times before being filtered through the Carbonados.
Liqueur
Patron Citronge Orange Liqueur ($25)
A premium reserve, extra fine orange liqueur. It is the only natural orange liqueur that is distilled in Mexico and exported to the United States. No artificial flavors or chemical enhancers are ever added. If you’re looking to take your margarita to the next lever, Citrónge is the way to do it.
Jagermeister Cold Brew ($25)
Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee is a blend of the classic herbal liqueur with a generous helping of strong roasted Arabica coffee and a hint of chocolatey cacao. Distinctive aromatic spicy notes lead to a delicious, sweet and rich finish. Crafted exclusively with all-natural ingredients, every element comes together to create a taste of the unexpected.
Vila Das Rainhas Ginja D’Obidos ($31)
This cherry liqueur is the taste of Lisbon, Portugal. It served across the city by the shot from small caverns carved out of staircases or other restaurants. This Ginja comes from just up the coast in Obidos. In the short time we’ve had Vila Das Rainhas Ginja D’Obidos in our hands, it has already become a favorite tipple of neighbors, friends, and loved ones. It is something that must be shared.
Vermouth
1757 Vermouth Di Torino ($36)
If you’re looking for a new Vermouth to push your Negroni to the next level, look no further than Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso. Complex spiced, wood, and root aromas open to smooth vanilla, dried fruit (especially fig) and floral wormwood signature. On the palate, dried fig opens to notes of cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and cinnamon, along with flavors of roots, licorice, and vanilla. It is mouth-warming, with a long bittersweet finish, typical of Piedmont wormwood.
Wine
Frontera Sauvignon Blanc ($9)
If you’re entertaining a large crowd and don’t want to sell the farm, the Frontera Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing, bright white wine that will please the masses. Chilean style with notes of green apple, kiwi and citrus on the nose, this light-bodied wine is clean and crisp, with lemon and peach flavors and a brisk, dry finish.
Roederer Estate Brut ($30)
Roederer Estate Brut is crisp and elegant with complex pear, spice and hazelnut flavors. It is fresh and lightly fruity with great finesse and depth of flavor.
Chateau d’Esclans Rock Angel Rose 2019 ($35)
Rock Angel is partially barrel fermented in large oak barrels and made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino). This rosé bears a more complex and structured taste profile than Whispering Angel bringing it into a more premium realm giving rosé lovers a bigger and richer wine that is fabulous as an aperitif or paired with a broad range of fine cuisine. If you like the minerality of a Sancerre, you will love this wine.
Stolpman Vineyards Sangiovese 2018 ($37)
Stolpman Vineyards Sangiovese 2018 features firm cherry fruit, which rides above an intense flow of heady richness. The pretty red fruit delves deep into lusher, darker notes of anise, pine, menthol and vanilla.
2016 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG ($74.99)
Castello Banfi’s Brunello di Montalcino sets the benchmark for elegance and refinement. Produced entirely from estate vineyards on the southern hills of Montalcino using select clones of Sangiovese, the 2016 vintage represents an iconic expression for both Brunello and Banfi. The grapes are grown in stony, calcareous soils at altitudes of 720 feet and undergo a meticulous selection at harvest. This wine is released after five years of aging, two of which are spent in oak barrels of various sizes, primarily French oak barriques with Slavonian oak casks. The result is a layered wine with aromas of tart cherry, spice, violets, and vanilla with hints of licorice. On the palate, this wine is full and well-structured, with velvety tannins and superb concentration. Pair it with red meat dishes such as a simple but flavorful Ragu alla Bolognese, wild game such as roasted squab with fresh porcini mushroom, and hard aged cheeses.
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars Willamette Valley 2019 Chardonnay ($45)
A true expression of the Willamette Valley, and a partner to the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, this wine is driven by bright acidity overlaid on top of a solid foundation of fruit, sourced from premier sites across the region to incorporate the unique terroirs of our region’s sub-AVAs.
2019 Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($50)
Post & Beam is a wine producer based in the Napa Valley named for the simple yet elegant barns that dot the American landscape, Post & Beam represents craftsmanship, tradition, legacy and purity in winemaking. The winery will offer renditions of classic Napa Valley wines that reflect the esteemed pedigree of Far Niente’s varietals and terroir. The veteran winemaking team for the label will be led by winemaker Michael Accurso, who will be crafting the wines from carefully selected Napa Valley vineyards. Post & Beam strives to honor the fundamentals of traditional winemaking techniques to create simple, elegant, pure expressions of each grape in its finest form.
Andrew Murray Roasted Slope Syrah 2018 ($52)
The 2018 Roasted Slope is a gorgeous, effusive wine. Sweet red cherry, red plum and floral notes all race out of the glass. Medium in body yet expansive, with soaring aromatics, the Roasted Slope is super-expressive, even in the early going.
2017 Lassègue Saint-Émilion Grand Cru ($60)
Father and son vignerons—Pierre and Nicolas Seillan produce this selection at Château Lassègue where ornate sundials adorn the façade of the 18th century château. This symbol of perfect sun exposure represents the message of the wines from the estate and can be found on the label. Lassègue is the flagship wine of the estate and is Saint-Émilion at its most opulent. Old vines grow on the south/southwest hills which are the prolongation of the Côte de Saint-Émilion, and whose soils of clay and limestone add exquisite minerality to their fruit. Rich, aromatic Cabernet Franc married to the dense concentration of old vine Merlot and seasoned with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon results in a wine that is at once powerful and elegant.
2019 Far Niente Estate Bottled Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($70)
Far Niente, renowned for its production of estate bottled Napa Valley Chardonnay, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, was one of Napa Valley’s original stone wineries at the time of its construction in the late 19th century. Today, more than 125 years, the winery stands as a stunning example of the region’s early winemaking heritage. Far Niente Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are widely recognized by critics, the trade and collectors as being among the most consistently excellent wines produced in every vintage. An uncluttered vision of excellence, paired with a focus on “house style,” vineyard ownership and sustainability, is largely responsible for the winery’s continued success as one of the world’s great wine-producing estates.
Stag’s Leap 2018 ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon ($73)
The 2018 ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon delivers expressive aromas of ripe raspberry, dark cherry and blackberry along with hints of cedar and spice. The mid-palate is pleasant and round with flavors of dark chocolate, plum, dried fruit and toasted oak. The finish is rich and lingering.
Ramos Pinto Quinta do Bom Retiro 20-year Tawny ($97)
This Port represents the result of a long tradition that has been preserved through careful handling, skilled crafting and discrete innovation, so as to preserve the authenticity of the land while offering at the same time the highest quality. Quinta do Bom Retiro 20-year Tawny has gained complexity, elegance and finesse as time passes by. The nose features citrus and stone fruit such as grapefruit and apricot, along with hints of almond, vanilla and cocoa bean, spices and a far reminder of the sea breeze. On the palate, this Port is seamless and polished, fading into a rich after-taste. Usually paired with desserts, this wine is also delicious as an aperitif, served slightly chilled.
2018 Quintessa ($210)
This renowned producer is unique among Napa wineries for its dedication to producing a singular red blend from its exceptional 280-acre estate in the Rutherford District. The 2018 red showcases the 160-acre vineyard’s different soils and distinctive rolling topography, which sets it apart from other estates on the valley floor. “Everything just fell into place in the 2018 vintage,” explained winemaker Rebekah Wineburg, who called the wine an ideal expression of Quintessa’s estate. “We were allowed to make the decisions in the vineyard that we wanted to make.” The Bordeaux-style blend will be released on September 1.
Patrimony Estate Caves des Lions ($290)
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (64%) and Cabernet Franc (36%) is a deep expression that mesmerizes with an array of nuanced flavors: rose petals, cigar box, blackberry jam, dark cherries, hibiscus, stone fruit, vanilla, and dark chocolate. The tannins are fresh and supple, leading to a vibrant finish. Aged for 27 months in rare French oak barrels. 371 cases produced.
Hard Kombucha
JuneShine ($15)
JuneShine makes hard kombucha and it’s actually really good. It’s probably not actually healthy, but you feel healthier drinking it than you do a beer. It’s an effervescent blend of flavors that sit somewhere between a funky sour beer and natural wine. While a variety of flavors are on draft in its tasting rooms, the company currently distributes 10 flavors in both cans and draft (Blood Orange Mint, Midnight Painkiller, Grapefruit Paloma, Acai Berry, Iced Tea Lemonade, Hopical Citrus, Pineapple Orange, Strawberry Watermelon, Hibiscus Lime and Blueberry Lemonade).
Alcohol Free
Seedlip Spice 94 ($37)
A warm, aromatic blend of allspice and cardamom with fresh citrus top notes to balance the long bitter finish. Seedlip is the answer to what to drink when you’re not drinking, or something like that. But, if you’re looking for the refreshing flavor of a gin and tonic and have something to do later where you can’t or shouldn’t drink, Seedlip Spice 94 is actually a delicious option.
Three Spirit Nightcap ($39)
Sophisticated, soothing, calming, Nightcap is designed to sip and savor. For calming the senses, soothing the body after a long day (or night!), with notes of oak, citrus and freshly cut grass to complement the natural bitterness from Hüll hops and lemon balm. It contains restorative plants and herbs that have been used for centuries to induce calming feelings, including turmeric, ashwagandha, and lemon balm.
