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Father's Day Gift Guide!
Okay, we’ll level with you--it’s so hard to shop for Dads. They play it cool, but they are picky!
But, after years and years of market research (read: selling wine and spirits to fathers around the world) we think we have finally cracked the code.
So, we’ve gathered together what we think are the two best gifts for Dad: Bourbon and Brunello.
What do they have in common? Easy! Power and finesse, smooth confidence, and high standards. In other words, they’re kind of like dads, themselves.
So whether you have a whiskey-loving dad, a wine-loving dad, or a try-anything-good-dad--we’ve got you covered.
Happy Father’s Day!
Ciacci Piccolomini, Brunello di Montalcino 'Pianrosso', 2016
Ciacci Piccolomini is a bastion of traditional farming and wine-making, though there is an elegance and a purity of fruit that stands it apart from its peers. They have some of the best sites in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate zone, including the iron-rich ‘Pianrosso’ vineyard. Grapes are hand-harvested from the perfectly oriented southeast slopes where vines are organically farmed. The wine is fermented in a combination of stainless steel and cement tanks before being moved to large Slovenian oak botti for long-term aging in the palazzo’s historic cellars. Nothing but brilliance emerges from those cellars, and the 2016s may be the most brilliant yet.
Enzo Tiezzi, Brunello di Montalcino 'Poggio Cerrino', 2016
Enzo Tiezzi is a tiny producer, working just under four hectares right outside the town of Montalcino. He farms organically and does everything in the cellar the old-fashioned way. The wines are beautifully complex and balanced. Poggio Cerrino offers almost immediate pleasure while simultaneously hinting at the rewards that will surely come with a few years in the cellar.
Le Ragnaie, Brunello di Montalcino, 2016
Le Ragnaie has quickly become one of Montalcino's brightest stars and deservedly so. Not since Soldera's rapid rise to the top in the early seventies have we seen a producer have such an immediate impact on the success of this region. A traditional grower in every way, save for his affinity for single-vineyard Brunello offerings of which he helped to pioneer. These are wines that gracefully walk the line between finesse, power, elegance, and concentration - a feat few can match.
Virgil Kaine, High-Rye, Bourbon Whiskey (Rip Track)
This Bourbon is one of the most powerful spirits on our shelf. This isn’t your average, sweet sipping Bourbon; it packs a punch of rich flavor. The real magic, though, is that it remains completely balanced--no sting of alcohol, not overly smoked. It’s rich, carmelly, a little smokey from the rye balance, and totally delicious. Over the rocks with fresh smoked brisket? Yes please.
King’s County Distilling, Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
New York’s own distillery offers one of our finest bourbons. This is classy stuff. The kind of whiskey that Dad imagines pouring for his colleagues in his study. And the pure class (and hip love) is backed up with extremely high quality. This stuff is delicious. If you’re unsure what to get Dad--this is a no-brainer.
Few is a favorite craft distillery around here. Maybe you know them for their iconic Earl Gray “Breakfast Gin.” But, their lesser known Bourbon is famous in our shop. Dollar for dollar, this may be our most underrated spirit. It is insanely delicious. It’s smooth and archetypical, but with a finesse rarely seen for less than $75/bottle. Grab this one for the dad that loves bourbon, but has tried everything.
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Lifting Up A Stone and Finding Magic: 2016 Barolo
When we go on wine adventures, we love sleepy backwaters.
Here are the undiscovered gems.
Here is where you can lift up rocks and find something new and wondrous lying beneath.
Yes, even in Barolo, this is still possible….at least in Monforte.