Tasting Notes: While fall is creeping around the corner, the summer heat is still hanging on, which makes Blasted Church's Syrah the perfect choice for my September pick! Fantastic on the BBQ picnic table or on the dinner table with the pumpkin centerpieces, this syrah is round with blueberry, blackberry, ripe red berries on the palate, finishing with wild sage and plum. Good acidity and persistent tannins on the finish. The wine is aged in mixed French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels for 14 months before being blended and put back to barrel for an additional 4 months of barrel aging. As I said, this syrah makes for the perfect bottle of wine during the transition of summer to fall in September. Pair with spicy BBQ beef, lamb, and sausages and enjoy!

Price: $33.98

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Tasting Notes: Efe Oak Barrel raki, which is produced from 100% Suma (grape-based alcohol) obtained from Aegean grapes, distilled twice with the aniseed of Tefenni region in copper alembics. The unique flavor that emerges from the special blend of the batches selected by our master distiller among the rakis aged for different durations in French and American oak barrels in accordance with his distinctive recipe. The aromas from the oak prevail are fruity, vanilla and smoked aromas, the anise aroma that comes from behind. Full bodied, saturated and sweet palate feeling, a balanced round drinking experience. Profile that supports aromas in the nose. Long-term permanence on the palate, long and aromatic finish.

Price: $102.99

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Tasting Notes: PALATE Vanilla combined with barrel char strike first, before lighter notes of orange cream, toffee, mixed nuts, salted caramel, and black raspberries have their time to shine. Smoke and peat weave throughout and are hard to ignore, yet don’t quite overpower either. It’s an effective flavor profile that may not totally impress, but is rather memorable and enjoyable nevertheless. FINISH A mellow yet acute aftertaste of smoke and peat is hard to ignore. It’s not as offensive as these combative flavors can sometimes be thanks to their smooth delivery. Further notes of cedar, tobacco, light clove, and a touch of maple interject, but smoke and peat are the center of attention. Neither overly assertive or shy, the smoke and peat notes do linger long after the sip is gone and will still be with you when you take your next sip. NOSE Soft peaty notes gently lift from the glass as sweet corn, light caramel, brown sugar, and toffee follow. This tender delivery allows the peat to shine but not overpower like it can often exhibit. In this case it adds an extra dimension to an already sweet and down-to-earth aroma. Finer floral and fruity notes round out this well-constructed and distinctive nose.

Price: $94.99

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Tasting Notes: Pinot Gris is a pink skinned mutation of Pinot Noir. Another great wine from the Gehringer Brothers, it expresses just a hint of the pink tones found in the skin, showing a beautiful, light copper color. The aroma displays full pears, apples, and quince notes. The medium full, round palate echoes the nose, but layers it with notes of cantaloupe, washed gravel, and golden delicious apple. There is a lovely roundness and the wine is slightly off-dry. In my books, this is a very well done Pinot Gris, reminiscent of wines found in Alsace. Pair with dishes with cream sauces, chicken, seafood. I paired it with home made potato and cheese pyrohys, with a dollop of sour cream. Comfort and a bit of elegance! Drink now.

Price: $22.99 750 ml

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Tasting Notes: When Luxardo marasca cherries are harvested at the beginning of every summer, they are put in alcoholic infusion in larch-wood vats together with leaves and branches of the same trees for up to three years. Only the heart of the distillate is then allowed to mature in ash-wood vats. The last process consists in transforming the distillate in liqueur by adding a simple syrup, lowering the ABV to 32%. Crystal clear in colour, the aroma is typical of marasca cherry distillate with strong alcohol spirit and roasted nuttiness, while the taste results smooth but sharp at the same time with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and orange marmalade. The tall green bottle with its red cap is still hand-plaited in straw within the company, and resembles the Maraschino bottles produced in Zara in the early days, where the straw was placed in order to prevent damage during transportation. The maraschino liqueur is a fantastic addition to classic cocktails- especially in my favorite, the old fashion. Also delicious neat with dessert or as an after dinner drink. It is also ideal over fruits such as strawberries, pineapples, oranges. Also a great topping for sweets and ice creams. A great addition to any bar, drink your way and enjoy!

Price: $39.99

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Tasting Notes: Ehrenfelser is a Riesling Silvaner cross; an early ripener, it is ideally suited to the climate in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley, where it has had great success. The grape variety, although well established, is still untried by many in Canada, which is a shame. It is an ideal summer patio sipper. Appearance: golden delicious apple skin, pale gold. Nose: cooked pear, marmalade, ginger, wintergreen. Palate: off-dry, candied lemon peel, Mcintosh apple sauce, white peach, bitter orange. Medium -full body. Medium short finish. This would be excellent with fruit salads, light poultry dishes. I paired it with chicken schnitzel and mashed potatoes: very nice! Drink now. Serve chilled.

Price: $22.49 750 ml

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Tasting Notes: Bottled from incredibly rare casks filled during some of the Distillery’s darkest days, this is Ardbeg at its most intricate, balanced and beguiling. Majestic aromas of smoked cream and earthy bonfires are masterfully interwoven with layers of pine and fragrant candle wax. Hot pepper rises on the palate, twisting around lemon sherbet sweetness, while hints of carbolic soap and tar flow into a long aftertaste characterized by delicate aniseed entwined with lingering cream and fudge. Non chill-filtered with a strength of 46%

Price: $1,557.99

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