Simple, we’ve got to escape world events somehow…
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday
10am to 6pm
Calendar
March 26 - Lamb O’ Rama Dinner - one of our yearly and favorite events. 4 courses served on the last Saturday of March!
Reservations Required (SOLD OUT)
April 2 - Ahi Tuna Taco Saturday! Seared Sushi Grade Ahi Tuna, Napa Cabbage, fresh pineapple and mango salsa finished with just a hint of wasabi, mmmmmmmmmm good! Served from noon to 6pm…
Store News
I never thought that on a 72 degree Saturday we would have all the tables filled with people asking for Pasta… Somethings never cease to amaze me. While we may only have 2 dates on our calendar, you can be well assured that there will be more events coming soon.
Wine News
Had the opportunity to try some new wines last week, so that’s why you see a few new wines this week. We’re happy to see that most of our price increases have already moved through and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that fuel prices won’t impact any additional increases. Either way, our prices don’t change daily and we’re able to keep them in check. I’m not saying that the prices today are good for the next six months, but they’re pretty stable. We’re looking forward to some new vintage releases that will be coming out soon so we’ll keep you updated when they roll in.
Dan’s Feature
Bella Union Cabernet at $69.99 is my feature for this week. “Bella Union was founded by the partners of Far Niente to specialize in the art of blending Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The cornerstone of the blend is their 25-acre vineyard in Rutherford, along Bella Oaks Lane, a country road that was historically called Bella Union. The vineyard is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon in well-drained loam, and the vines range from 20 – 30 years of age. Classic varietals of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot sourced from select Napa Valley vineyards complete the blend”. I went for this bottle for two primary reasons: the first, it’s pedigree... we’re talking Far Niente and Nickel&Nickel and with these two as your forerunners you’re guaranteed a great Cabernet! The second reason was simply because it tasted so good… anytime you can get a Napa Cabernet such as this you go for it. Tasting notes describe it as having, “blackberry patch aromatics followed by hints of raspberry preserves and accents of leather, there’s a ripe, pure fruit quality to this stunning new vintage. Generous layers of red fruit flavors fill the entry while subtle cocoa and baking spice undertones linger on the mid-palate. Resolved tannins enhance the almost-velvety texture throughout the entire wine, and fresh botanical notes add vibrance to a finish that is at once long, luscious and lifted”. I get it, this may not be a daily drinker but when you want to celebrate or gift this bottle fits the bill perfectly.
Dan's Pick
Bonny Doon Vineyards 2021 Picpoul is this weeks pick. Yeah, I’m thinking Spring here! “Picpoul or “lip-stinger” is known, of course, for its tingling acidity. But... coupled with its singular savoriness, it creates a dramatic sensation on the palate. I know that it’s impossible to smell the sensation of saltiness, but the nose of our Picpoul is maritime, coupled with a discreet suggestion of peaches, wildflowers, and the (we really can’t help it, but it’s in there) ubiquitous fragrance of beeswax. This wine is utterly brilliant with the briniest oysters you can find or Dungeness crab." I’ve always enjoyed Picpoul but the majority that I’ve consumed or sold has been predominantly French, so when I found Randall Grahms' of Bonny Doon, I bought in. This wine maker is one of the renowned members of the Rhone Rangers and has been producing in California some of the best- if not “the” best- California Rhone style wines. This spring and summer sipper is ready whenever you are and at $15.99 you might as well get two.
Food News
We’re now taking orders for Easter hams. These locally smoked and sourced hams will be a true delight for your Easter dinner table. These hogs were raised at the Gunthrop Family Farms in LaGrange, Indiana. Whether you want a half ham (4-5lbs) or a whole (8-10lbs), we’ve got you covered. These hams- besides being sourced from local pasture raised hogs- are then cured in Tangerine, Rosemary and Mustard before being smoked using local peach wood. When I search out the price of hams for Easter, I see some pretty steep prices but these seem to be quite reasonable considering how these hams are made. $48.99 for the 4-5 lb and $86.99 for the 8-10 lb. We’re excited to share these Smoking Goose hams with you this Easter holiday. We’re pre-ordering these hams and I’ve promised the Smoking Goose that we would have our order in by Friday, April 1 and we would take our delivery the week of April 11. Please call today and order this special ham for a very special Easter Dinner.
Food Feature of the Week
I didn’t know until this week that all Chilean Sea Bass is frozen. I thought I had ordered it in fresh before but found out that those fish were refreshed, meaning frozen and then thawed by the distributor very slowly to keep it as it’s best. Well, hell… at the price of Sea Bass, I want the best I can get it so beginning today I’m bringing in frozen, pre-portioned 6 ounce individually wrapped fillets. These beautiful and perfectly sized pieces of Chilean Sea Bass go for $16.99 and are worth every penny. For those who prefer a tasty cut of beef, we have St. James Fresh CAB Prime New York Strip Steaks. These steaks are precut to 1.75” to 2” thickness with a half inch of fat cap making these perfect for the grill. These self basting beauties are $21.99 per pound and for a Prime New York Strip Steak it’s a great deal… and while they’ve never been frozen you can obviously buy now and freeze for a future date!
Market Items
Fresh Dry Aged 12oz Prime Ribeyes - $35.99
Fresh St. James Cut Prime Strip Steaks (all 1lb plus!) - $21.99 per lb.
Fresh Wagyu Burgers 2pk- $8.99
Frozen 1lb Prime Fleming Steak House Ribeyes $38.99 per steak
Fresh Double Cut Chops $12.99 per chop
Frozen 8 ounce Beef Tenderloin filets $16.99
Frozen Bacon Wrapped 5oz Pork Filets $5.99 per filet
Rinaldi Italian Sausage 4 links per pound- $6.99
Oysters “Salutation” PEI - $24 a dozen
*Fresh Loch Duart Scottish Salmon -$16.99lb
*Fresh Icelandic Cod in today! - $17.99lb
Frozen Bakkafrost Salmon Burgers with Spinach & Feta or Chipotle Lime 2pk - $10.99
Buddy’s Detroit Style 8 Pizzas Original Pepperoni or Cheese - $17.99
Au Gratin potatoes 4 pack $9.99
Truffle Au Gratin potatoes 2 pack $7.99
Frozen Chilean Sea Bass 6oz $16.99
Frozen Ahi Saku Block Tuna AAA Sushi Grade avg.14oz $29.99
Frozen Lobster Tails $12.99 each
Frozen U-16/20 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $19.99lb
Frozen U-10 Scallops – $29.99lb
Frozen Fontinini Fully Cooked Meatballs 6-2oz balls for $8.99
Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Paparedelle from Italy - $9.99 (serving for 2)
Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Strozzapreti from Italy - $9.99lb
1932’s Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce- $7.99
1932’s Pomodorina with Fresh Basil Pasta Sauce- $7.99
1932’s Pomodorina with Barolo Pasta Sauce- $7.99
Mezzetta Parmigiano Reggiano Marinara Sauce- $7.99
Cacio e Pepe Crema Sauce- $7.99
Fusco Mezzi Rigatoni Dried Pasta from Italy - $6.99
Maurizio Spaghetti Chitarra Dried Pasta from Italy - $5.99
Fusco Casarecce Dried Pasta from Italy - $5.99
Drakes Jumbo Ravioli with Veal 1lb $12.99
Drakes Jumbo Butternut Squash Ravioli 1lb $12.99
Drakes “Parla” Spinach Florentine Ravioli- 16 count- $11.99
Drakes Eggplant Parmesan- $13.99
Tribeca Bakery Sourdough and Rosemary Bread $5.50
New Wines
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2021 Picpoul California $15.99
Yalumba Viognier South Australia $12.99
Yalumba Unwooded Chardonnay South Australia $12.99
Bella Union (Far Niente/Nickel&Nickel) 2018 Cabernet Napa $69.99
Slates of Bonmont 2017 Priorat Spain $18.99
Petite Sauvage Pinot Noir France $13.99
Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf du Pape France 2019 $41.99 Masseria Borgo dei Trulli Primitivo Rosato Italy 2020 $11.99
Dante di Fiorenza Chianti Riserva Italy 2016 $ 13.99
New Beers
Three Floyds Speedcastle 6 Pack Bottles $11.99
Jackie O’s Barrel Aged Oro Negro Single 12oz Bottles $12.99
Jackie O’s Kinda Fuzzy 6 Pack Cans $12.99
Revolution Freedom Lemonade 6 Pack Cans $11.99
Alesmith & Pizza Port Beach Run 4 pack cans $12.99
Half Acre Vallejo IPA 4 pack cans $11.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel
North Coast Scrimshaw $119.99
Half Acre Tome Hazy IPA $134.99
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait to spring forward!!! Wheras we have a bit of cold weather this weekend, it appears to be smooth sailing after that. There’s a lot of things that spell out Spring to me but springing forward is pretty, pretty high on the list. March 20th may be the official day this year, but I’m thinking we should just start it now, how about you…?
Cheers from all of us here at The Wine Merchant!