Tasting Notes: Crljenak (chirl-yen-ak): doesn't quite trip off the tongue, but let me translate for you: Zinfandel! This venerable variety spent centuries in its home of Croatia before trekking across first to Italy, where it became Primitivo, and then to California, where it became Zinfandel. If you want to surprise your Zinfandel loving relatives with a Christmas gift, then this wine is exactly what you are looking for. The wine expresses its Croatian terroir beautifully: a deep ox blood red with an impenetrable black center, it shows a complex perfume of plums, prunes, tarragon, cherry compote, and toasted oak. The palate starts with dried fruit: dates, sultanas, and prunes, then migrates to tones of roast beef, with butterscotch and caramel wrapping up. Medium to long finish. The tannins are still very present but they help to delineate the wine and prevent jammy notes. It can still get better but it's extremely tasty right now. Pair with roasted foods, hard cheeses. Drink now-2027 ish.

Price: $51.99 750 ml

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Tasting Notes: All of Ken's Pinot Noir vineyards are located in the Northern Willamette Valley. This wine is one he makes blending grapes from those single vineyards in this area, all certified organic. The yields were low, just under three tons per acre. It was another excellent vintage with dry conditions and expressive Pinot Noir fruit. Aged in both stainless steel and neutral French oak. Ken Wright is a winemaking legend in the Willamette Valley. Ken Wright's accomplishments have been recognized over and over throughout the years. Ken Wright Cellars wine has received 111 scores of 90 and above in the Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, and they continue to year after year. In 2014, Ken’s 2012 Abbott Claim Vineyard Pinot Noir was ranked the number one wine in the world, per Wine Enthusiast. The best food pairings for Pinot Noir complement the wine’s pretty fruit flavors, bright acidity and elegant style. These qualities make Pinot Noir a perfect partner to lighter red meats like duck and lamb, or white meats like turkey, pork and chicken. Fuller-flavored fish like salmon go well, or using bolder tasting cooking methods on fish as well. Earthy vegetables and herbs like mushrooms and thyme match the wine’s savory flavors, especially when folded into risotto and pasta.

Price: $36.99

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Tasting Notes: The fruit for this wine comes from vineyards in the Carneros region owned by the Rombauer family and select growers. The grapes were gently whole-cluster pressed while the fruit was still cool. The juice was pumped to tank to cold-settle overnight before it was racked to barrel for primary and malolactic fermentations. The lees were stirred every two weeks to give the wine rich flavors and a creamy texture. Aromas of ripe yellow peach, melon, and chamomile all framed by freshly baked pie crust. The palate is bright with flavors of nectarine, followed by a subtle spice, and lively acidity.

Price: $63.49

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Tasting Notes: Crown Royal Aged 18 years is a rare blend of three of our most exceptional whiskies, handcrafted by our master blender, patiently aged to perfection for no less than eighteen years. The pinnacle of Crown Royal craftsmanship, this collection of rare, mature whiskies are hand-selected by our master blenders and married together in an elegant balance. The complexity of the liquid intensified with the aging process, bringing out richer, more intricate flavors and exquisite smoothness.

Price: $231.98

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Tasting Notes: Made of a single-piece vineyard overlooking the superb Osoyoos Lake. The youngest vines of the 32-hectare estate are behind this cuvee. It is a delicious, juicy red blend containing all five Bordeaux varieties. The blocks are kept separate, hand sorted, destemmed, and crushed at the winery. The fermentation is done in stainless steel cone-shaped tanks. Then, over 12 months, each variety is aged separately in two and three-year-old French oak barrels. The density and roundness of the tannins and textures make this wine so exciting for the price.Perfectly balanced, it's one to hold.

Price: $41.99

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Tasting Notes: I know I picked The Glenmorangie Nectar D'or last month, but I had to show you this one too! It has flavours that are forbidden to dogs (chocolate, peppermint!) but I've smelled these delicious things in the house and thought what harm can they do if they're nuanced in a whisky? Quinta Ruban is aged 14 years in bourbon casks and Portuguese Port casks. "The finished whisky is a thicket of voluptuous flavour combinations. Walnut and black pepper. Mandarin orange and melted marshmallow. Dark chocolate bar and peppermint. Like stepping into a chocolate-minty-orange unknown, the journey is as delicious as the destination." Yum and woof!

Price: $119.99

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Tasting Notes: Bumbu is a tasty, smooth rum enjoyed both neat and mixed. For those just beginning their tasting journeys, this is a great starter for a sweeter, easier drinking rum with its lovely banana and vanilla notes. With its soft spice, its a wonderful middle ground for those looking for a warm, butterscotch candy-like rum and also for those who love to add their own spice. And for the bakers, this would be terrific to use for rum cakes, toffee nut caramels, even a splash into that Christmas fudge! Great rum with plenty of ways to enjoy.

Price: $54.99

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