GIACOSA BASARIN VIGNA GIANMATÉ BARBARESCO 2008
DOCG

291401 (XD) 750mL $39.95

TASTING NOTE: Distinctive for its mint, floral and iron aromas and flavors built around a core of cherry. Powerful and firmly structured, with adequate flesh for balance and ageability. Ends with a long, fruit- and spice-filled finish. Best from 2015 through 2030. Score: 93 (Bruce Sanderson, winespectator.com, Dec. 31, 2011)

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DANCING HARES MAD HATTER 
Napa Valley

333880 (D) 750mL $82.95

TASTING NOTE: This is a thick, young blend that's based on Merlot. It's brooding in tannins, offering deep, impressive layers of blackberry purée, dark chocolate and bacon. This is really delicious now with big, rich fare, like short ribs, and it should be good over the next six years. Score: 91 (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Aug. 2012)

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BISHOP'S PEAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011
Paso Robles

327254 (XD) 750mL $25.95

TASTING NOTE: Still fairly youthful, ruby-purple colour in the glass. Not a shy wine by any stretch, it serves up big aromas of bumbleberry jam, cassis syrup, vanilla, incense and hickory. Sweet dark berry fruit takes the lead on the palate, joined by a shot of vanilla and some exotic smokiness, and ripe, satiny tannins. A good choice for grilled steaks or ribs. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)

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ST. SUPÉRY DOLLARHIDE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
Napa Valley

327213 (XD) 750mL $89.95

TASTING NOTE: A bit on the hot side, reflecting the extra warmth that the Pope Valley region of eastern Napa Valley gets during the summer. Made from 100% Cabernet, it's massively flavored, huge in jammy blackberries, cherries, cassis and dark chocolate. The tannins are considerable, the finish long and ripe. Best to open this wine by 2015 or so. Score: 92 (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, June 2012)

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DOMAINES OTT CHÂTEAU DE SELLE COEUR DE GRAIN ROSÉ 2012
AC Côtes de Provence

74617 (XD) 750mL $46.95

The wines of Domaines Ott are a must for any seeking to raise their wine consciousness to new heights. In short, they are a master class in rosé, producing some of the most serious and renowned of these wines in the world. Once you experience the complexity, fruit intensity and smoky mineral notes of these wines, you'll see why they're so prized by the cognoscenti. The finish on this one is long and fresh, with a univese of layered garrigue notes.

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OCTOMORE 5 YEARS OLD ISLAY SINGLE MALT 
Strictly Limited Edition Release

330357 700mL $204.95

TASTING NOTE: Calling this a pronounced nose is like saying Noah built a canoe - an understatement of potentially biblical proportions. This is huge. Smoke, iodine, cut hay, ocean spray, pine cone, lemongrass and peat. Strong peat-smoke thrust leads a parade of intricate flavours. Warm, layered, lingering and long on the finish. A splash of water reveals more floral tones as well as praline, butterscotch and buttermilk pancakes. A terrific dram. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)

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HANCOCK'S PRESIDENT'S RESERVE SINGLE BARREL BOURBON WHISKEY 
Kentucky

273623 750mL $75.95

TASTING NOTE: Despite the mild apple and chamomile tea scent, the flavor of this Kentucky small-batch Bourbon is surprisingly big. The honey notes really linger, and even amp up through the finish into a crescendo of cinnamon and clove. Score: 89 (Kara Newman, Wine Enthusiast, July 2012)

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SPY VALLEY PINOT GRIS 2011
Marlborough, South Island

277723 (XD) 750mL $19.95

TASTING NOTE: Straw gold, perfumed with quince and honeysuckle and full of juicy fresh apple and pear, there's a tickle of zest and it tastes just off dry with an oily apple richness. As it builds in the palate it takes on nuances of flower musk and exotic spices. (Sue Courtney, wineoftheweek.com, Nov. 16, 2011)

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EL MAESTRO SIERRA 15 YEARS OLD OLOROSO SHERRY 
DO Jerez

330571 (XD) 375mL $12.95

TASTING NOTE: Sierra has some of the world's oldest Sherry stocks, and the benefit of aging is unmistakable in this Oloroso Sherry that is gloriously balanced between dry and sweet. It's marked by notes of bitter orange, spices and chocolate complemented by a bright acidity. (Lettie Teague, wsj.com, Feb. 19, 2011)

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MALIVOIRE PINOT NOIR 2010
VQA Niagara Escarpment

996777 (D) 750mL $24.95

TASTING NOTE: A rich and full-bodied (but not heavy) pinot noir. Very ripe and fleshy dark berries and cherries. Lots of mocha on the nose from the oak aging. Generous and delicious. This producer is one of Niagara's best. Enjoy it tonight! Food matches: grilled-rare steak sliders, lamb, avocado and papaya salad, frittata, basil pesto. Score: 91 (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, June 8, 2012)

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CHÂTEAU DE LA FONT DU LOUP CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2010
AC

971481 (XD) 750mL $33.95

TASTING NOTE: Offers a wide range of dark, exotic fig, boysenberry and blackberry cobbler notes, with blueberry paste, pastis-drenched plum and smoky black tea flavors, all weaving deftly through the very silky finish. Shows ample concentration, but this is all guile and grace. Best from 2014 through 2032. Score: 94 (James Molesworth, winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2012)

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PLANETA SITO DELL'ULMO MERLOT 2008
IGT Sicilia

978460 (XD) 750mL $39.95

TASTING NOTE: Merlot with black olive and berry character. Full and velvety with chocolate and dark fruits. Lovely ripe tannins. Long finish. Drink now or hold. Score: 92 (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Nov. 20, 2012)

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RIDGE MONTE BELLO 2010
Santa Cruz Mountains

210021 (XD) 6000mL $1,295.00

TASTING NOTE: The just-bottled 2010 Monte Bello combines pure structure and power in a rich, full-bodied style for this wine. Waves of dark red fruit, crushed rocks, flowers, mint and grilled herbs wrap around the long, insistent finish. Today, the 2010 is slightly more reticent than it was last year, but the wine comes to life the more it sits in the glass. Always classy, the 2010 Monte Bello impresses for its impeccable balance. Count me among those who will be thrilled to own this magnificent California classic. The 2010 is a decidedly virile, powerful Monte Bello, qualities winemaker Eric Baugher attributes to a year with a very cold summer and periods of heat that arrived only towards the tail end of the growing season. In 2010, the blend is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040. Score: 96+ (Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com, Aug. 2012)

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RIDGE MONTE BELLO 2010
Santa Cruz Mountains

210013 (XD) 3000mL $895.00

TASTING NOTE: The just-bottled 2010 Monte Bello combines pure structure and power in a rich, full-bodied style for this wine. Waves of dark red fruit, crushed rocks, flowers, mint and grilled herbs wrap around the long, insistent finish. Today, the 2010 is slightly more reticent than it was last year, but the wine comes to life the more it sits in the glass. Always classy, the 2010 Monte Bello impresses for its impeccable balance. Count me among those who will be thrilled to own this magnificent California classic. The 2010 is a decidedly virile, powerful Monte Bello, qualities winemaker Eric Baugher attributes to a year with a very cold summer and periods of heat that arrived only towards the tail end of the growing season. In 2010, the blend is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040. Score: 96+ (Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com, Aug. 2012)

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DUN BHEAGAN MORTLACH 12 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY 1999
Speyside, Unchill Filtered, Sherry Cask Finish

327114 700mL $91.95

TASTING NOTE: The distinct complexity for which Mortlach is renowned is attributed to the uncommonly varied shape and size of their stills. Gorgeously mellow nose of buckwheat honey, dried orange peel, campfire marshmallows, hayloft and butterscotch. Elegant and smooth with rich flavours and a nicely placed gentle spice and sweetness on the long finish. A few drops of water bring out floral, oatmeal, Graham crackers and Christmas cake. (Vintages panel, April 2013)

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STRATHISLA SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY 1998
Speyside

330340 700mL $95.95

TASTING NOTE: Aromas of brine, lemon and orange zest, peanut brittle, salt water taffy, graham crackers, honey, and smoke. With a drop of water suggestions of a flower garden after a rain emerge. Saltwater and smoke form the vanguard of the attack here, reinforced by solid replays of the aromas. Balanced and exceptionally smooth. (Vintages Panel, April 2013)

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BIOHOF PRATSCH STEINBERG GRÜNER VELTLINER 2010
Niederösterreich

318386 (XD) 750mL $35.95

TASTING NOTE: With its pear and apricot fruits, this has a delicious full-bodied character, and the the grapefruit acidity keeps it fresh. Screwcap. Score: 90 (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, July 2012)

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DOMAINE BERTHET-BONDET CÔTES DU JURA CHARDONNAY 2010
AC

324764 (XD) 750mL $22.95

TASTING NOTE: Given a year in barrique with working of the lees, the Berthet-Bondet 2010 Cotes du Jura Chardonnay - which I could also refer to as "ChardO" since precisely that appears in large letters on one of its two labels - had thus been bottled only immediately before I tasted it in November. It didn't appear to be suffering! Fascinating and delightful in its pungent evocations of iris, narcissus, crushed stone, iodine, and distilled as well as fresh red berries, this comes to the palate juicily and vibrantly, with white peach, grapefruit, and orange rushing in to join the array of floral, berry, and mineral notes that were adumbrated in the nose. Notes of fruit pit add to the complex, persistent, bell-clear finish of this sensational value that ought to perform impressively at table over at least the next 2-3 years. Score: 91 (David Schildknecht, erobertparker.com, June 2012)

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