Our Headline Writer Quit

Well, not really. your blogger writes the copy and the headlines as well. Sometimes, expressing a point in 4 or 5 words just isn't possible, especially considering that there are only so many ways we can write a headline talking about newly arrived products. So let's just talk about what's new in the stores, and forget that the headline ever existed.

Thorn Merlot

The Prisoner Wine Company has produced yet another spectacular wine. The Prisoner Wine Company works with passionate, devoted growers to source varietals from the best vineyards and appellations located across California in order to create interesting wine blends that are thought provoking and approachable.

While working with their growers, they came across small vineyard lots of Merlot, which had managed to survive being replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Inspired to preserve these remaining Merlot lots and introduce their distinct style of Napa Valley Merlot, Thorn was created. The wine is a blend of Merlot, along with Syrah and Malbec. Deep purple in color, the wine releases aromas of black cherry with hints of cedar and pencil lead. Dense flavors of dark fruits and rich plum are framed by velvety tannins and an opulent, lingering finish.

"As a winemaker for the past 15 years, I have watched many old vineyards and varieties be replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is about preserving Napa Valley Merlot." —Jen Beloz, Winemaker

Available in extremely limited quantities for the Bottle Club® price of $39.99.

Nickel & Nickel

Nickel & Nickel winery, located in Oakville, Napa Valley, is dedicated exclusively to producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard. Established by the partners of Far Niente in 1997, Nickel & Nickel is focused on producing single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the appellation's most significant AVAs. A small collection of single-vineyard Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah complements the portfolio.

Very limited amounts of Quarry (2011 vintage), Rock Carin, Sullenger and CC Ranch (2012 for the last three) are being delivered this week. Please consult our wine team members for availability.

High West 36th Vote Barreled Manhattan

Creative cocktails made easy. The High West Barreled Manhattan is made from two parts of High West's Double Rye! Whiskey, one part sweet red vermouth, and two dashes of Angostura bitters for every 2.5-ounce serving. It was then aged in a 2-year-old rye whiskey barrel for 3-6 months. The addition of the vermouth lowers the pH and the percent alcohol by volume - increasing the break down of the oak's hemi-cellulose, increasing the wood sugars that dissolve into the "cocktail" inside. Because a barrel "breaths", there's also some oxidation of the "cocktail." This mellows out the sharpness of the bitters and vermouth, making what we think is a darn fine elixir. We hope you enjoy tasting this as much as we did making it.

"The 36th Vote" commemorates Utah’s role as the deciding vote to end Prohibition. In fact, the Utah delegation WANTED to cast the final vote. “No other state shall take away this glory from Utah” proclaimed the leader of the state delegation and president of the Utah League for Prohibition Repeal. On December 5th 1933 at 5:32 PM EST, satisfied that the thirty-fifth state (Pennsylvania) had ratified, Utah delegate S.R. Thurman cast the last ballot for Utah and the 18th amendments’ fate was sealed. High West Distillery chose the Manhattan for this celebration because of its classic appeal and timelessness.

Charles Smith Wines of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon

"Another stunner from the team at Charles Smith, the 2013 Substance is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend that comes from the higher elevation vineyards of Goose Ridge and Frenchman Hills. Harvested in early November and aged in 40-50% new French oak, it sports gorgeous aromas and flavors of cassis, violets, pencil shavings and tobacco/herbs to go with a medium to full-bodied, layered, rich and beautifully balanced profile on the palate. Scheduled to be bottled in December, it tastes like a wine that taste 3-4 times what this is going for. It is a knockout value. It should be purchased by the case and consumed over the coming 7-8 years, if not longer." - Wine Advocate, 90-93 points.

Another limited-availability wine from the state of Washington, priced at only $15.99 in the Bottle Club®.