School is back in session for many and as always it’s 112 degrees outside (OK, OK, so I embellished a little but it’s hot out there). Here’s lookin’ forward to Fall…
Now Serving the Limoncello Fritz
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday
10am to 6pm!
Calendar
Saturday, August 28 –The Bar and Patio will be closed until 3pm for a private event.
Saturday, September 25 – It’s downtown Oktoberfest. Our Hogtoberfest Dinner here at the Wine Merchant 5-7pm.
SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, November 2-- At 6pm we’ll be hosting our annual Alternative Wine Dinner
SOLD OUT!
Thursday, November 18 – 2021 Beaujolais Nouveau Tasting and Dinner.
SOLD OUT!
Saturday, December 4-- 6-8pm will be our Premier Champagne Tasting
SOLD OUT!
Wine News
I should be on the payroll for The American Prisoner Wine Company, Orin Swift Cellars and, of course, Dave Phinney…It’s the old Paul Harvey in me coming out, “Now for the rest of the story”… David Phinney the founder of the original Orin Swift Wines (name derived from his father’s middle name and his mother’s maiden name) split his company years ago and sold the name Orin Swift to Gallo and the newly created American Prisoner Wine Company to Constellation Brands. The deals that were struck left David Phinney cash flush and with spare time on his hands. Does he still dabble in wine? You bet, but you’ve got to look close, “D66” and “OTHERS” both come from his property in Maury, France where he’s known as the man that “picks his grapes too late”. Whereas Crane Assembly “Disciples” was a collaboratively produced wine that he makes with a buddy in the wine industry. If you’re a fan of The Prisoner and those other iconic labels that Phinney produced in the day, you should stop by and get something that he still gets his hands dirty with. We have a few down here to share with you.
Dan’s Feature
The Crane Assembly 2016 Disciples is my feature for this week. We’ve had this wine in before and frankly I was surprised that I could still bring in the 2016. The above mentioned story and the number of times I’ve shared it recently made this a simple selection for my feature. What is it? Well, it’s a true David Phinney or as another wrote, “It’s Back to the Roots of The Prisoner - Original Sources- Morisoli in Rutherford and Tofanelli in Calistoga! This is the recipe that started it all- massive, multi-faceted, old-vine insanity!” You really can’t beat these vineyard sources and need I say anything more about the people behind this wine? Drink Phinney at his Phinest! It’s more than a trip down memory lane and for $49.99, it’s worth every penny.
Dan’s Pick
Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc from Napa is my pick for this week. While not a cheap and cheerful selection at $39.99, this 90+ Napa native is produced from all estate fruit. Comprised of 91% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Sémillon this is an American Bordeaux Blanc, and, in my opinion rivals those bottles quite well. Tasting notes describe it as having “primary aromas of lemon and lime zest, orange blossom, Granny Smith apple and faint tropical notes followed on the palate with a layered blend of limeade, cut hay, nectarine, pineapple and vanilla bean”. Say what they may, when I tasted it yesterday it was superb. And, as I tend to drink my fair share of White Bordeaux’s, to me this bottle is a keeper.
Food News
We’re beefed up, porked up, salmoned up and oystered up! I’m pretty sure we’ve got your meals planned for you this weekend. Stop in and get everything you need for a culinary experience this weekend and maybe a bottle of wine or two. We’ll be here to help you through it!
Food Feature of the Week
Beef Tenderloin is the feature for this week. When I was able to bring in whole tenderloin at $20.99, I decided to bring a few back in. Let’s be serious how can you go wrong with a big, beautiful Beef Tenderloin??? We’ve got a holiday weekend on the horizon, summer's slipping away and the grill still has fuel to burn. Stop in and pick up some burgers, beef or chops, you still have time…
Market Items…
Fresh Cut Prime Certified Angus Strip Steaks - $20.99lb
Fresh Whole Beef Tenderloins $20.99lb
Fresh Choice Coulotte (Sirloin Cap Fillets) - $15.99lb
Fresh Certified Choice Angus Beef Hand Cut Ribeyes - $18.99lb
Fresh Wagyu Burgers 2pk - $8.99
Frozen Trimmed Choice Hanger Steaks - $13.99 each
Frozen 8oz Beef Tenderloin Center Cuts - $13.99 each
Nueske Bacon Cheddar Bratwurst 5 links per pound - $9.99
Frozen Kan Kan 2½lb avg Cheshire Chops $12.99lb
Fresh Heritage Kurobuta Berkshire Pork Chops - $12.99 per chop
Oysters Acadian Pearl PEI - $18.00 a dozen
Oysters Opus PEI - $18.00 a dozen
Fresh Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon -$16.99lb
Frozen Large Langostines - $15.99lb
Frozen U-13/15 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $17.99lb
Frozen U-10 Scallops – $21.99lb
Tribeca Bakery Sourdough, Rosemary, Rustic Olive and Asiago Cheese Bread $5.50
New Wines
The Crane Assembly 2016 Disciples Napa $49.99 Others Grenache 2015 Napa $29.99 D-66 Grenache 2016 Napa $39.99 Daou Bodyguard Red Blend 2018 Paso Robles $37.99 Paolo Scavino Vino Rosso 2020 Italy $13.99 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc 2019 California $39.99 Mi Terruno Esprecion Cabernet Franc 2018 Argentina $16.99 Yamhill Valley Pinot Noir 2016 Oregon $19.99 Gorman Brothers Zachary’s Ladder 2019 Columbia Valley $35.99
Beers
Fat Head’s Spooky Tooth 4pk Cans $10.99
Duck Rabbit Marzen Lager 6pk bottles $10.99
Equilibrium Fractal 4pk 16oz cans $23.99
Equilibrium Harvester of Simcoe 4pk 16oz cans $27.99
Coronado 25th Anniversary 4pk 16oz cans $15.99
Bell's Rind Over Matter 6pk bottles $9.99
Abita Pecan 6pk bottles $9.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel
3 Floyds Munsterfest - $116.99
Outerbelt Olaf Double IPA - $147.99
Duvel - $152.99
Toppling Goliath Psuedo Sue - $154.99
Fat Head’s G’Suffa Oktoberfest – $103.99
Maine Lunch - $177.99
Final Thought
Seriously, what just happened was summer??? I’m not sure why I’m so ready for a change in seasons but I am. Maybe it’s because, for now, that’s one of the few things that I know will happen. Uncertainty certainly applies to all of us these days and I guess I’m a kind of guy that needs at least a small amount in my life of knowing what will happen next. While I can’t guarantee a whole lot these days, I can offer simple assurances that we’ll be here to suggest, to serve, to answer questions and make it reasonably certain that you can always enjoy your experience here with us.
Cheers from all of us here at The Wine Merchant