Stock up for the holidays

October 1 – 15
Smirnoff vodka 750 ml (Glass and Plastic)  save $3.95/bottle

October 1 – 31
Crown Royal rye 750 ml – save $5.00/bottle
Captain Morgan Spiced rum 750 ml – save $3.95/bottle

The Boutari Moschofilero is a beautiful wine.  This Greek wine starts with a nice full round feel in the mouth leading to crisp citrus and soft tannins.  I was pleasantly impressed and will add it to my white wine repertoire in the future.  It will please many palates if you’re looking for that one perfect wine for dinner with company.

Graceland Shiraz (South Africa) – “Dark, almost black, big wine with powerful spicy fruit on nose and concentrated black red mulberries on palate; 40% new American oak, 60% second fill French oak. Well intergrated American oak gives vanilla flavours. ”  (Graceland winery website)
Graceland Cabernet Sauvignon (South Africa) – “Mouth filling yet elegant with ripe blackberry fruit and layers of chocolate. Subtle french oak flavours and minerally tannins. 18 months in barrel, 30% new oak.” (Graceland winery website)
Domaine de la Presidente Cotes du Rhone Blanc ‘Grands Classiques’ 2008 (France) – One of the very few white Cotes du Rhone wines out there.  Delicious.
Domaine de la Presidente Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne Rouge ‘Grands Classiques’ 2007 - “Deep red colour. The nose is spicy, and the mouth generous, rich with aromas of liquorice and blackcurrant. The finish is long and leaves the palate with a sense of harmony.” (Domaine de la Presidente winery website)
Cycles Gladiator Zinfandel (USA) – “…a vibrant cherry-colored hue, the Cycles Gladiator 2006 Zinfandel bursts open with exhilirating aromas of peppered spice and blackberry jam before giving way to sumptuous dark fruit and black cherry flavors that are complemented with just the right amount of toasted oak.  The texture is supple and polished, supported by well-integrated tannins, and a long, full-bodied finish that leads to a pleasant ending.”  (Grady Wine Marketing)
Barefoot Shiraz (USA)
Moselland Riesling Black Cat (Germany)
Moselland Riesling Pink Cat (Germany)
Neige Premiere Apple Ice Wine (Canada) – “Pure and clean, the aroma of freshly-picked ripe apple with striking intensity.  On the palate it is crisp with a flavourful attack.  A perfect balance of sugar and acidity.  Pairs with sharp cheese such as a strong cheddar, goats milk or blue as well as desserts.” (Charton Hobbs)
Dosnon & LePage Recolte Brute Extra Brut Champagne (France) – I may have found a new favourite champagne.
Dictador 12 yr old rum (Columbia)
Dictador 20 yr old rum (Columbia)
Brugal Anejo rum (Dominican Republic)
Three Olives Bubble vodka
Mudshake – Eggnog flavour (too early?  not if you like eggnog!)
Van Steenberge Belgian beer variety 6 pack - This variety pack  features 6 different beers – 3 of these beers are only available in the variety pack.  Bruegel, Bornem Dubbel, Bornem Trippel, Augustin, Piraat, Gulden Draak. 

Jost Marechal Foch (Canada)
Beaujolais Bouchard (France)
Velletri Riserva (Italy)
Red Knot Shiraz (Australia)
Three Olives Cherry vodka

Road 13 Jackpot Chardonnay (BC/ Canada) –  Road 13 winery says, “The secret of this wine is its texture; the grapes were harvested before losing thier refreshing acidity. The result? A streamlined well-balanced wine with a fresh, long-lasting finish.”
Road 13 Jackpot Pinot Noir (BC/ Canada) –  “The growing practices to achieve this wine were, simply put, ridiculous to the extreme. Each vine was lovingly hand-tended through the entire growing season. Pumpovers during the fermentation of this wine were treated more like a religious ceremony than an industrial process. The malolactic fermentation and aging were conducted only in Bertranges forest oak barrels. In short, a lot of care went into this wine, and we think it will show in your glass.” (Road 13 winery website)
Road 13 Jackpot Syrah (BC/ Canada) – “Black Sage Bench sand heavily fortied with steer compost makes this wine. Clone 99 gives the wine peppers, sage, and tannin, while Clone 100 provides sausages, meaty, gamey flavours, and body. Viognier from the Golden Mile adds fruit, fruit, and more fruit. Ageing in traditional Burgundian as well as Hungarian and American thin stave barrels for only eight months preserves the pure Syrah flavour.” (Road 13 winery website)
Road 13 Rockpile (BC/ Canada) – “The romantic name Rockpile can only be dreamed up by a farmer – in this case Mick Luckhurst – who refers to our rocky structured soils with this lovely moniker. It is this soil which contributes such character to this wine. Certainly the grape varieties give their mark to this blend, however, what makes this wine special is the place where it is grown; our unique soils at our northern latitude, in our desert climate. This wine is about place and structure; structure in the mouth, structure in the soil – the rocks!” (Road 13 winery website)
Black Chook Shiraz (Australia) – a review by James Geneau for the Gremolata website describes the Black Chook Shiraz as:  “This is a spicy little number sourced from two of the best known wine growing areas of South Australia, McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek. At 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier, it is a beautiful bottle for those looking for full-flavor with rich aromas.  The Shiraz gives this wine a spicy flavor while the fruity cherry and apricot aromas come from the splash of Viognier skins.  And what is a chook?  Why that is how you say chicken in Australia mate.”  Sounds like fun.  I have tasted this wine myself and… yum. 
Woop Woop Shiraz (Australia) – The Woop Woop winery describes this wine as: “…a full-bodied and flavoursome wine, deep-hued with richly scented aromatics and a long, soft and juicy palate. Of lush mouthfeel, bursting with blackberry, blueberry jam and liquorice, this wine guarantees a true Australian Shiraz experience for consumption over the next 5 years.”
Ron Barcelo Imperial Rum - a review from Rumdood.com describes this rum as “… warm and rich on the tongue, with a very slight oily consistency.  You immediately taste the cocoa and notes of toffee.  There is a light, fruity sweetness in the body, and a mild oak flavor to the finish.  The rum is smooth with a capital “S”, “M”, two “O”s and a “TH” for good measure.  There is no burn whatsoever in the throat, and just a little warming in the chest.  Unlike the last few rums I’ve reviewed, there’s really no spiciness to this spirit.  It’s just warm, wonderful, and soothing.”  Click on the highlighted ‘Ron Barcelo Imperial Rum’ to be linked to the full review.  It’s worth the read.
Ron Barcelo Aged Amber Rum 
Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon

Luna Merlot/ Cabernet Sauvignon
Cragganmore Buchanan 12 yr scotch
Mudshake – Pina Colada

Kevin Zraly in “Windows on the World – Complete Wine Course” states that 2006 is an exceptional vintage for the Cote du Rhone.  I have to agree, this particular Cote du Rhone is exceptional.  It is full bodied and lingers on the palate.  I will definitely be purchasing the Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cote du Rhone 2006 again. 

In the past I haven’t been one to appreciate the old world wines.  This wine was the one to change my opinion and perhaps future wine choices.  Sometimes picking something outside of our usual can open up a whole new and pleasant experience.  I think I’ll give french wines more of a try in the future.

McGuigan Black Label Shiraz Blend (Australia)
Disarrono Amaretto in the 1.14l size
Mount Gay Eclipse Rum in the 1.75l size

Grey Goose Pear flavoured vodka
Sailor Jerry Spiced rum (1.14l)
Juan Santos 7 yr rum infused with Columbian coffee
Malibu Caribbean rum with Mango flavoured liqueur
Fuzion Shiraz/Malbec (Argentina)
Wine by Joe – Pinot Noir (USA)
Cline Zinfandel (USA)
Bishop of Riesling (Germany)