More New Beer and Wine!

This has been a very busy week with loads of new items hitting our shelves.

New Beers

Deschutes Abyss -

Odds are if you don't get here by the end of the weekend you'll miss out on this once a year gem.

The Bruery Two Turtle Doves -

This isn't brand new, but it definitely deserves mention. A Belgian style dark ale brewed with cocoa nibs and toasted pecans. This is yet another exemplary beer by this upstart California brewery. Loads of dark fruit, chocolate covered cherries, brown sugar, pecans, and dark chocolate are evened out by the tiny bubble carbonation this beer erupts with. Get it while you can!

Stone Brewing Double Bastard

The big brother of their flagship Arrogant Bastard, this beer is awesome! Their description is far more fitting than mine so here it is "This is a lacerative muther of a beer. The evil big brother of Arrogant Bastard Ale. It is strongly suggested you stay far, far away from this beer. Those foolish enough to venture close enough to taste will experience a punishingly unforgiving assault on the palate. ’Course there’s always the masochists."

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
$13.99 12pk!

For me this beer signifies the beginning of winter. Great packaging and an even better beer. Nice toffee, caramelized malt, brown sugar, and a nice citrusy hoppy edge round out this exceptional beer.

New Wine

Chateau Diana 1221 red and 1221 white

"The grapes for the 1221 Cabernet Cuvée were picked from small vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties. Fermented and aged separately, all seven lots were left to develop their own complex characteristics. The wines were aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for an average of 16 months. The final blend was created six months prior to bottling to ensure the full integration of textures and flavors. The resulting wine is fruit dominant on the nose, ripe and brambly. The taste profiles include bold, vibrant, fleshy Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics. The wine is rich in texture, layered and full bodied. The oak tones are subtle yet continue throughout.

Considerable time was spent on perfecting the 1221 final blend. In addition to uniting the grapes from these two counties, the wine is also a combination of the refined French style wines and the bright fruit forward wines of the new world. What would seem to be a contradiction works surprisingly well in the case of the 1221."

"The grapes for the 1221 Fleur de Lys were picked mid-late September, from some of the most sought-after vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties. The Viognier portion of the blend came from two unique vineyards close to the banks of the Russian River. The fog wanders up the river from the ocean, keeping the grapes cool in the summer. This cooling effect delays the harvest giving the flavors and aromas time to fully mature. The result is some of the most intense aromatics a white wine can contain. The Chardonnay portion of the blend came from the Carneros region in Napa and the Napa Valley floor. This regional combination provides the sweet fruit and fantastic structure.

The taste profiles of the 1221 Fleur de Lys includes luscious ripe fruit flavors, a lively
acidity and a harmonic finish that is intricate and refined. Full-bodied and rich in texture,
Fleur de Lys will pair exceedingly well with a variety of dining selections. From a light
luncheon to a swanky upscale dinner party, surprise your special guests with this unusual,
refreshing offering that is 1221."

Finca el Tesso Tempranillo

Another tasting offering from the guys at Small Vineyards. This time it is from their new Iberian (Spain and Portugal) portfolio. This wine comes from the same region the Famed Serrano ham comes from, so you know it will be food friendly! Here is a little info about the winery.
"For five generations, Angel Paiva’s family has cultivated wine on their
picturesque family estate in western Spain. Located in Extremadura,
a remote region near Portugal that is famous for having more vines
(and sheep) than people. Paiva’s vineyards are quiet and beautiful,
and reside over 600 meters above sea level. This altitude provides cool nights, and an unusually long growing season – thus, the wines develop
a rich, alluring complexity.

Be sure to stop in for your thanksgiving wines. I will be posting a blog sometime next week with our picks.