H and F Bottleshop Blog

The KING: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-12-20T15:58:00.000-08:00

This week we're featuring special pricing on several of our favorite cabernets.

2010 Sean Minor Cabernet Sauvignon

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 2%Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. This Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby incolor and displays aromas of raspberry, cassis and cigar box. Once in yourmouth, the wine’s silky raspberry fruit flavors and the combination of oak andtannin nuances create a well balanced, rich and full bodied wine that draws youin for more. Give this Cabernet a brief decanting. After that, the aromas andflavors match up in cherries, blackberries and cassis, with a savory coating ofsweet oak.

2007 Salva Tierra Cabernet Sauvignon

The calling card of this great vintageis the depth and richness of the wines, while still maintaining a smooth andsilky texture, without being too extracted or overripe. The wines balance theluscious Napa Valley fruit and the elegance of a wine with intense history. Thewine is full of depth and complexity with typical Napa Valley Cabernetcharacteristics. The aroma is very fruit forward dominated by the blackberrynotes, and underlying cassis and anise. The mouthfeel is deep and rich withplenty of big tannins for cellaring.

2008 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon

TheWine Spectator gave this wine 91 points and said it was, “firm andwell-structured, delivering a tight, focused core of mineral, dried berry,spicy mocha, cedar and oak. But what's most impressive is the balance oftexture, flavor and weight.” We couldn’t agree more and thought it has Black cherry and blueberry fruit with hints ofexotic spices are perfectly balanced by sweet oak. The palate is full and richwith moderate tannins and a long finish.

2008 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is made from organicallygrown fruit sourced from the Rock Cairn vineyard in Oakville, one of the NapaValley's top sub-appellations. Yields were low in 2008 because of funky weatherthrough the growing season, but that just adds to the concentration of thispowerful Cab. This vintage smells like rose petals, tobacco and Asian spicesmingled with cassis and cherry, and the aromas follow seamlessly to the palate,where there's just a hint of bittersweet chocolate and a squeeze of citrus thatbrightens everything up. Full-bodied with supple tannins, the finish is long,with lingering spice and roasted coffee bean notes.

E-mail wine specialist, Ian Mendelsohn: ian@hfbottleshop.com for more information.

Rum-Pum Pum Pum: Lift Your (Holiday) Spirits at H&F Bottle Shop

2011-12-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

It's the feature spirit in eggnog, and gives warmth and depth of flavor to a number of holiday desserts, including but not limited to the somewhat infamous fruit cake. H&F Bottle Shop is proud to announce the arrival of some top-notch rums that will make your time around the fireplace just a little cozier, no matter what recipe calls for rum in your holiday spread.

Blackwell Jamaica Rum 40% abv - Blackwell Jamaican Rum was created by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. The dark, golden variety tastes heavily of coconut and vanilla, lending both seasonal warmth and tropical flare to the rum. The slight scent of green banana leaf is the sign of a well-made Jamaican Rum.

Zaffra "Master Reserve" 21 yr old Panama Rum 40% abv - This rum is produced by Francisco "Don Pancho" Fernandez--a man with many rum projects throughout Cuba and Panama, and favorable professional relationships with distillers in Scotland and Poland. This dram is aged for a minimum of 21 years in ex-bourbon barrels before going to bottle. The initial taste is reminiscent of vanilla bourbon, followed by toffee and molasses flavors, along with hints of cherry and blackberry near the end of each sip.

Lemon Hart 151 proof Guyana Rum - This high-proof rum is distilled from demerara sugar (a large-grain, unrefined sugar) and has a fragrant, fruitcake-like scent with layers of cinnamon, raisins, and apricot. If you're lucky, you may catch a batch of egg nog this season featuring the Lemon Hart and some Allspice Dram from Bitter Truth. It's the easiest 151 to mix with because it has such a complex nose.

Rum = Yum! Get some in your holidays.

December Newsletter: Keeping Up with the H&F Family

2011-12-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

Holiday Wine Tasting - December 17th, 2011

2011-12-09T11:42:00.001-08:00

Need help deciding what to serve for your special holiday celebrations? Please plan to join us December 17th from 1 to 3pm at Holeman & Finch Public House for our holiday wine tasting.

We're opening 24 different high-value, limited production wines, including:

	Champagne & Sparkling
NV	Aubrey Brut
NV	Gaston Chiquet Brut Tradition "Carte Verte"
NV	Lanson Black Label Brut
NV	Laurent Perrier Brut
NV	Marcel Martin Tete de Cuvee Cremant de Loire
NV	Pierre Moncuit Hughes du Coulmet Blanc de Blanc

	Pinot Noir
2008	Alysian RR Selection (Russian River)
2006	Arcadian "Restaurant Eugene" Pinot Noir (San Lucia Highlands)
2009	Brewer-Clifton Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir (Santa Rita)
2009	Cep Vineyards Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
2009	Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee (Willamette Valley)
2009	Dutton-Goldfield Pinot Noir (Russian River)
2009	Fog Crest Estate Pinot Noir (Russian River)
2009	Penner- Ash Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
2010	Red Car Trolly Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

	Cabernet Sauvignon
2007	Amizetta Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
2007	Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval (Yakima Valley, WA)
2009	Blue Rock Cellars "Baby Blue" Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
2009	Bon Anno Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
2009	C.J. Melka Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
2008	Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
2007	Gilbert Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Wahluke Slop, WA)
2008	Gorman "The Bully" Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain, WA)
2008	Laird Family Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

$35 per person includes formal wine tasting conducted by wine specialist, Ian Mendelsohn, and snacks. Attendees will receive special pricing on all wines ordered that day.

RSVP: ian@hfbottleshop.com or call 404.841.4070

The Best of Bourbon: H&F Bottle Shop Offering Quality Holiday Sippers

2011-12-01T12:38:00.001-08:00

Bourbon! It can add a little more warmth to your holiday desserts like pecan pie or even carrot cake, and lend hints of caramel and butter notes to your holiday cocktails. H&F Bottle Shop has a variety of top-notch bourbons and bourbon cocktail kits that will make your time with family and friends just a little sweeter. Check out our impressive bourbon selection (below), and stop by the shop so our beverage professionals can send you home with comfort and joy by the bottle. Our in-house bourbon guy, Nick Hearin, has put together some descriptions to help you find the perfect bourbon for you and your guests.

Selected Bourbons

Parker’s Heritage Bourbon – This bourbon is produced at Heaven Hill Distillery by Parker Beam and his son Craig. This year’s blend is finished in Grand Champagne barrels from Cognac Frapin, which adds a distinct richness to the bourbon. It almost smells like a rum, with hints of dates and mulling spices. This year’s bourbon is bottled at 100 proof, so it can be enjoyed without adding ice or water. It’s easily one of the deepest bourbons out there.

Berkshire Bourbon –Berkshire is produced by Chris Wells in Massachusetts. Wells is one the forefathers of American craft distilleries. The whiskey is produced from 72% corn, 18% rye & 10% barley, all of which are locally sourced. The corn used is grown less than 2 miles from the distillery and is detectably sweet, which is balanced by the sharpness of the rye. It has noticeable vanilla notes with undertones of ripe fruit.

Four Roses Small Batch – This “High-Rye” whiskey maintains its character without being too spicy, and gives off fragrances of orange, vanilla and white pepper. The palette is incredibly well-balanced, not too sweet, and the piney-peppery aspects of the rye come out in the finish.

High West BouRye – High West BouRye is a delicious blend of bourbon & rye whiskey bottled in Park City, UT. The blend (by David Perkins) is of bourbon (aged 10 years), made of 75% corn, 15% rye & 10% barley; the Rye is aged 12 years, and is 95% rye & 5% barley. This whiskey drinks like a high rye content bourbon or a super-charged Canadian whiskey (with no straight whiskey added). It is very bourbon-heavy up front but finishes with that spicy rye kick. It’s a great sipping whiskey for those cold upcoming nights.

Bourbon Cocktail Kits

Sazerac Kit – This drink was created at the Sazerac House around 1850, and the recipe has changed many times through the decades due to availability of cognac, absinthe, and bitters brands. The recipe we like to recommend calls for Sazerac Rye, Peychauds and Angostura Bitters, Sugar, Herbsaint, and a twisted lemon peel. The kit comes with: Sazerac Rye, Angostura and Peychaud’s Bitters, Herbsaint, a citrus peeler, and two lemons for $76.

Stone Fence Cocktail Kit – Originally a Colonial-era mixture of high-proof rum and fermented apple cider, but is more often created with bourbon and hard cider nowadays. Comes with Johnny Drum 101proof bourbon, J.K.’s Scrumpy Hard Cider, 2 Collins Glasses, and a 10lb bag of Kold Draft Ice Cubes for $48.

Have Spice, Will Travel: The Cocktail Bitters Traveler’s Set

2011-11-26T01:30:00.000-08:00

Globetrotting is an adventure we all dream of from time totime. Unfortunately, sometimes a sweet dream can become a beautiful nightmare. Because travel can be fraught withanxiety and uncertainty, we usually bring along a traveling companion, atrusted friend to guide us throughout the journey. Often, experiencing (andexperimenting with) cocktails and bitters is a similar story. Which is why H& F Bottle Shop is offering The Bitter Truth’s Cocktail Bitters Traveler’sSet. Think of it as the Lonely Planet guide to Mixology.

The set contains a combination of bittersranging in flavor from the traditional – Orange, Old Time Aromatic, and Creole– to the eclectic – Celery and Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter Bitters. These comein five adorable 20 ml bottles convenient for the seasoned pro and the curiousfirst-timer. They’re a great introduction to the (seemingly daunting) world ofbitters because it’s such a small gamble. A larger dose of a strange new batch mightgive anyone pause, but these miniatures make for mini worry. Kind to thenovice, the kit was designed for bartenders who ply their trade away from home(each bottle is small enough to fit into carry-on luggage, thus keepingvaluable ingredients out of harm’s way).

The Orange, Old Time Aromatic, and Creole Bittersare recognizable to anyone familiar with Regan’s Orange, Fee Bros Old Fashion,and Peychaud’s. Recognizable, yes. Identical, no. The Bitter Truth may have followed commonroads in concocting these flavors, but where the roads diverged, they took theone less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

The Celery Bitters confused us atfirst. It seemed odd that this veggie would be bottled as bitters, butthe flavor is much more evocative of a spicy celery seed (along with stronglemongrass and ginger flavors). A dash or two in your favorite gin (or gincocktail) is delightful, by the way.

And Jerry Thomas’ Own DecanterBitters were made in honor of the Professor himself, the world’s mostinfluential bartender, Jerry Thomas (1830-1885). Though it isn’t an exact copyof his recipe (long-lost ingredients, new trends in cocktails, etc), it is amost unusual flavor. It is as fruity as it is bitter, and almost as spicy; astrange amalgamation of citrus peel, cloves, angostura bark, cinnamon, andquinine.

Stop into H& F Bottle Shop today and let us take care of all your bitters needs. Weoffer a wide array beyond the Traveler’s Set, and we're here to help.

November Newsletter - Keeping up with the H&F Family

2011-11-23T11:17:00.000-08:00

Setting the Record

2011-11-15T10:12:00.001-08:00

At H&F Bottle Shop, our chief concern is what you’d liketo sip. Whether concocting the perfectBloody Mary mix for your Sunday brunch, putting together the ideal wine packfor an evening at Chastain, or questing for the best small-batch bourbons, we’reconstantly thinking about what will please your palette. But that doesn’t meanwe ignore your other senses. We believe a good night, like a good life, isabout rich experiences.

While other shops may simply try to sell you a bottle ofMalbec (not that there’s anything wrong with that), we aspire to give you ashopping experience that offers something more. From the ambience created byour designers to the considerate, creative service of our beverageprofessionals, we want H&F Bottle Shop to be a place where you want tolinger, feel at home and enjoy.

To that end, on any given day when you pass through ourdoors you’re likely to hear something slightly unusual: the sound of a needleon vinyl. From Chef Hopkins to Andy Minchow and all the team members in between,just about anyone that has anything to do with H&F Bottle Shop is a musicfanatic, and thus has a pretty boss record collection. Some days you mighthear something Live from the Village Vanguard, other days you may stumble intosome crunk, or classic country. While finding just the right Bordeaux for yourdinner party is our main bag, we won’t deny that listening to the Smokey & the Bandit 2 soundtrack (yes,there was a sequel) while doing so makes our day a little groovier. So come ondown and let us put a case together for you. Stay a while, and chat about cocktailswith our specialists. It’s what Burt would want.

Join the H&F Bottle Shop Fan Club

2011-10-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

H&F Bottle Shop FanClub

H&F Bottle Shop is thrilled toannounce our latest effort to make your life a cabaret, friends. The H&FBottle Shop Fan Club is a wonderful way to drink like a Rock Star. Whether you are a casual wineenthusiast or the discriminating collector, our wine specialist Ian Mendelsohnwill craft a half case to suit your fancy. All 6-packs will be a mix of whitesand red, and might include some sparkling and dessert wines from time-to-time.

All wines will be available for pick-upthe 1^st Friday of each month for pick-up at H&F Bottle Shop.Please choose from one of the following categories.

General Admission

6 bottles each month

$120/month

Everyone knows live music is betterthan a recording. Some stellarevery day drinking wines.

Backstage Pass

6 bottles each month

$180/month

The party never stops backstage. Winesfor a great meal or two.

Tour Bus

6 bottles each month

$300/month

See what really happens with the band.Wines to be enjoyed with friends and family, or put in the cellar forexceptional maturity.

To receive your order form. Write to ian@hfbottleshop.com

2009 Quatrro Mani Toh-kai

2011-09-28T16:03:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you cross one of the world’s mostinnovative winemakers with no budget and total freedom? A couple of things. The first thing you get is a wine called theQuattro Mani Toh-Kai and the second thing you get is a tremendous value.

The “four hands” of Quattro Mani represent the four celebritywinemakers who uniquely interpreted the character and strength of indigenousgrape varieties. The Toh-Kai is made byMovia’s Ales Kristanic. The Tocai grapes for this wine come from a singlevineyard, with vines averaging over 20 years old that are farmed bio-dynamically.

The Bottle Shop's Ian Mendelsohn says, “This wine is golden in color with hints of copper,the Quatrro Mani offers substantial herbaceousness on the nose. These notesalso appear on the palate, along with copious minerals, tropical fruit, spices,pear, and a healthy amount of acidity. The mouth-feel is slightly creamywithout approaching chewiness or viscousness and it descends to a remarkablylong finish. Sure, this is ideal for seafood. But a wine of thiscomplexity with this much acidity can also be paired with cream sauces andlight meats. At $13 a bottle this purchase is tantamount to internationaltheft."

Chateau Musar

2011-09-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

Serge Hochar is my savior and mytormentor. He speaks the God’s honest truth about wine but then leads you downa path that not even a serpent could navigate. He crafts heavenly grape juicethat is sometimes not appropriate for human consumption. He promises salvationthrough tasting yet guffaws at the merest inquiry into his methodologies. Anhour in the company of Serge is like a walk in the garden of Eden or a tripthrough Dante’s nine circles.

The above statement is paraphrased (edited for southernaudiences) from something Paul Greco at Hearth in New York City once wrote,about wine legend Serge Hochar. Serge’s winery,Chateau Musar is located in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. His father planted thevines in the 1930’s with the cooperation of the Barton family of Langoa Bartonfame. His wine is a blend of CabernetSauvignon, Carignan and Cinsault.

The 2001 is drinking like a well-agedBordeaux, and reminds us of one of Serge’s many commandments: “drink wine thatis true rather than what is good.” In this case, the wine is both.

The Return of a Legendary Champagne

2011-09-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

Here at H&F Bottle Shop, there are things that make ushappy – a nice Riesling, redolent of green apples; Merle on the stereo – andthings that make us jump for joy. The return of Billecart-Salmon after a longtwo year absence from U.S. shelves certainly falls into the latter category. Whilethis extraordinary Champagne producer sought new distribution, we sought todrown our sorrows in other bubbles. It’strue that there is a perfect time for everything, and Billecart-Salmon’s returnto Atlanta means this is the perfect time to celebrate.

Billecart-Salmon was founded in 1818 in Mareuil-sur-Ayand.At H&F Bottle Shop we have respect for longevity, but we also believe thatendurance is nothing without integrity. The quality of wines that have bornethis label has not waivered for nearly two hundred years. Billecart-Salmon has always concentrated on ahouse style that’s light, fruit forward, and dynamic. There is a certain wit in its effervescentapproach, and wisdom in its lingering finish. Billecart-Salmon is known aroundthe wine world for making Champagnes of purity, elegance and balance. RichardJuhlin, in the book 4000 Champagnes,rated the 1959 and 1961 vintages the top Champagnes produced in the 20^thcentury.

Josh Reynolds, of Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Center,shared these notes on the Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose:

“Light orange. Tangerine, pear andflowers on the nose, which is complicated by a note of fennel. Broad andsappy but dry, with lively orange and strawberry flavors and a subtle note ofspice cake. Weightier on the finish, which features an exotic note ofspicy herbs. This Champagne’s delicate touch will make it work well withsimple seafood dishes or even sashimi. “

We are offering it for $79.99. And with our usual 10% case discountapplied to a Billecart-Salmon 6-pack, it’s a steal. Please contact Ian at ian@hfbottleshop.com

for further information or to place anorder.

Three Exciting new arrivals from H&F Bottle shop

2011-09-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

2009 Venta Mazzaron, Vinas Del Cenit (Castilla Y Leon, Spain)

$15.99 case price: 13.59

This is from one of the new turks in Spain, the kind of wine that epitomizes what H&F does: sleuthing great finds that exceed expectations. A steal at $15, this 100% tempranillo is aged in oak for 6 months, and 15% of this is from 100+ year old vines. This can go with anything from a great piece of cheese to a burger, a steak… or just a great book.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon “Salva Tierra”, Renteria

$24.99 case price: $22.49

This is the only winemaker I know who has his own signed bottle of 1942 Don Julio tequila on top of the bar at Michael Chiarello’s Bottega restaurant in Napa Valley. Oscar Renteria and his family have long been pioneers in the valley, working with some of the finest winemakers in the world. We are glad they are now exporting to Georgia. From such an outstanding vintage as 2007, you’ll want to come back for more.

2008 Hesketh Usual Suspects Shiraz (McLaren Valle, Austalia)

$15.99 case price: $13.59

Any Shiraz that bears the name of such a fierce movie needs to live up to its namesake—here is a wine with the complexity a classic whodunit. This has everything you would expect from a cool climate shiraz—the bright fruit, good minerality and a finish that lingers like thoughts of Kaiser Soze. These are the last 29 bottles in the state, so you better hurry in to the shop.

Please contact Ian Mendelsohn for an order, or if you have any questions. Ian@hfbottleshop.com

A Wine with Soul

2011-07-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

2008 Thierry Allemand Cornas "Chaillots" - $89.99

Theirry Allemand is a rock star/spiritual avatar to sommeliers around the world. His story is inspiring. As a young man working at a winery, Theirry began to seek out his own vineyards to farm. He rescued some that had been long abandoned, slowly rehabilitating them by hand, and usually, by himself. It took him 15 years before he could afford to make a living out of his own wines. His quiet manner and tireless devotion to natural winemaking make him interesting. But the flavors of his wines make him an object of reverence.

Thierry is completely dedicated to natural winemaking, and is notorious for adding as little sulfur dioxide to his wine as possible. In great vintages, he even produces a cuvée that he calls "Sans Souf" (without sulfur). This is risky; sulfur dioxide is a preservative added to 99.99% of all wines because it helps keep them stable. Small amounts of sulfur are natural and advisable. But it also has the affect of dumbing down some of the nuance in natural wine; it can slightly dull the luster. Thus is the glory of Allemand Cornas: His winemaking is so precise, so painstaking, so strong, that he is able to add only the most minimal amounts of SO2. With Theirry's wines you get more luster for the buck. Sommeliers adore the wine for the subtlety, the texture, the lustiness, the life. It's a rare thing.

We have only 6 bottles of "Chaillot" for sale. We recommend that you give it a bit of time to mature before drinking. In five or seven years, it will make for an exciting night.

Uncorked & Unplugged - Gentleman Jesse and His Man

2011-06-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Gentleman Jesse Smith & his Man Adrian for his appearance at our special summertime Saturday night wine tasting event, “Uncorked & Unplugged”, last weekend. They played 2 sets, put on an incredible show, and we are seriously proud to have hosted them. Still beaming, in fact.

And a hearty thank you to everyone who came out. The wines were delicious, the food was fantastic, and the music was mind blowing.

Who knew acoustic power-pop paired so well with wine?

it's a little dark, but you can hear it, ok?

This Just In: H&F Bloody Mary Mix

2011-05-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

Just in Time for your Holiday Guests...

H&F Bottle Shop Bloody Mary Mix

$8 per quart

H&F Bottle Shop is proud to announce the arrival of our housemade Bloody Mary mix! Now you can enjoy an H&F Bloody Mary in the comfort of your home.

Chef Linton Hopkins has been perfecting this recipe over the last five years. Our mix is made of hand-milled tomatoes, hand-squeezed lime juice, worchestershire, horseradish, Trappey's hot sauce, and celery seed. How does Chef Hopkins describe the flavor? "Bright and Savory." Handmade in Restaurant Eugene's kitchen, the mix is designed to be refreshing--not too thick. It's something you can enjoy as a Virgin beverage or mixed with your favorite vodka or gin.

H&F Bloody Mary Mix is a uniquely Atlanta offering for your house guests.

It also makes a terrific host gift, for those of you traveling this weekend!

All Together Rosé

2011-04-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

Copain "Tous Ensemble"

Rosé of Pinot Noir,

Anderson Valley, 2010

19.99

(215.89/case)

Winemaker Welles Guthrie of Copain created his "Tous Ensemble" line of wines to be for everyday pleasures. Literally meaning "All Together" in French, these wines are blends of the same varietal from different vineyard sites; they are blended all together. But we like to think that this rosé is also perfect for inspiring your friends and family to come all together at the table, the porch swing or the bocce court.

Made of 100% Pinot Noir, this is a bright, deft rosé. With a fruit cocktail nose, the red berry flavors are cool, almost distant, until the finish, which lingers and expands for minutes, if you pay attention. This wine has a lot to offer the observant taster, but doesn't demand your attention if you'd rather just sip and revel.

We purchased the last three cases available in Georgia, and that will be it for Copain rosé until next Spring. We expect any rosé lover will enjoy this delicious wine. Call us to hold you some for you 404.841.4070.

The Tools of the Trade

2011-04-22T07:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, we have wine! And, Yes, we have vermouth! But did you know we also have a variety of glassware and bar tools in stock right now? Take a look...

The Edge of Italia

2011-04-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Masserie Pisari

Salento Rosso IGT, Primitivo 2009

$15.99

Masserie Pisari is a winery located on the tip of Italy's stiletto. Truthfully, if you traveled much further south, you'd find yourself in the Ionian Sea (check it out here!) But its exotic location is only one small reason to love this seductive red wine.

Primitivo, a grape grown in southeast Italy, is a cousin of the American Zinfandel. Zins are tricky. The best of them are round, soft, and dripping with dark berry fruit and baking spices. The less attractive versions can be saggy with alcohol and cloyingly thick. You go in for the rock-candy smelling nose, and your palate comes out purple and ready for a nap. There can be the danger of this same wearying experience with Cousin Primitivo.

The Masserie Pisari offers a palate so surprisingly satisfying it made us raise our eyebrows. Why surprising? Because it smells juicy and sinfully ripe --- just like a proper zinfandel, but with a touch more red fruit than blue. At first sip, you find that ingratiating and jammy fruit, but lo, and behold the finish is svelte, spicy, energetic, even fresh. This could be the the ultimate barbecue wine! Come see for yourself.

Salute!

Bounty: Magnums from H&F Bottle Shop

2011-04-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

Magnums are Two Bottles Worth of Wine

but More than Twice the Thrill

Guests sometimes get nervous when we suggest a magnum of wine. The volume and the price tag can seem too decadent on first blush. But the truth is: a magnum is only 1.5L or two bottles of wine. And if you have a party of eight or six or even some foursomes, two bottles is a very civilized amount of wine. But larger bottles bring a pronounced festive energy to the air. And for those looking to age wine, magnums mature slower, so when stored properly you can keep them longer than the 750ml equivalent.

We have a modest but diverse selection of magnums for you to consider, ranging in price from 36.99 to 499.99. And if you buy six, you get the case discount...

NV Henri Billiot Brut Réserve - 99.99

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve - 124.99

2006 Collet Chablis "Valmur" Grand Cru - 149.99

2007 Weingut Hiedler Wiesburgunder "Maximum", Kamptal - 99.99

2007 Patz & Hall Chardonnay "Dutton Ranch" - 88.99

2008 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Willamette Valley - 109.99

2007 Familia Zuccardi Q Malbec - 36.99

2006 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas - 67.99

2008 Usseglio Châteauneuf - du - Pape - 119.99

2005 Frank Family Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 99.99

2007 O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon - 184.99

2005 Château Calon Ségur St. Estèphe - 299.99

2005 Château Clinet Pomerol - 499.99

What's in the Box?

2011-04-05T07:20:00.000-07:00

YELLOW+BLUE Malbec, San Juan Argentina

YELLOW+BLUE Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile

10.99/liter

We know we're the H&F BOTTLE Shop, but we also happen to offer a couple of wines in a box. These are not what you think of when you hear the phrase "boxed wine". Let us introduce you to Yellow+Blue, wines that might be summed up as "Fine Wine in Alternative Packaging".

Bottles are classic, but they're also heavy. Half of the expense of shipping wine around the world can be attributed to the weight of glass bottles. More glass = more gas = more money. So to save money and gas, more and more producers are looking into bottle alternatives. It provides a smaller carbon footprint, but also saves you cash.

Y+B is a line of wines created by Matt Cain, who spent more than a decade selling fine French wine all over the United States. Knowing all of the advantages of alternative packaging, he wondered why no one had managed to box up a wine that discerning palates could appreciate. So he decided to do it himself.

Here at H&F, err, Bottle Shop, we carry two of these boxed beauties, a malbec and a sauvignon blanc. Both are fresh, balanced, and delicious, not to mention exceptionally portable. The Malbec is bright, a little spicy, and definitely juicy. The Sauvignon Blanc is clean as a whistle, fresh, zippy, and citrusy. You get a liter of organically produced wine (25% more than a bottle) for a mere $10.99! We stand by the quality of the juice, and have the Sauvignon Blanc chilled and ready to go for your picnic.

Remember you get 10% off 12 bottles or more....
Y+B Malbec & Sauvignon Blanc - $118.69/case mix-and-match

The OTHER White Burgundy

2011-03-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

This Just In:

2009 A&P de Villaine

Bouzeron

25.99
Only two cases available

Let us introduce you to a wine with a long back story. In fact, there are so many juicy selling points here, we don't really know where to start. So, let's start with the name. Bouzeron is a village in Burgundy, but this wine is not made of Chardonnay like almost all other white Burgundy. It's made of a little known, rarely loved grape called Aligoté. Aligoté will probably always be confined to Chardonnay's dark shadow. Wines made of Aligoté are typically green, racy, and kind of shrill. It's the original white wine base of a Kir - high in acid, but kind of forgettable on its own.

But then there's this wine. Bouzeron is the only all Aligoté appellation in France, and only seven or so vingerons produce it. A&P de Villaine is the classic. Aubert de Villaine is most famous for being the manager of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, the Burgundy domaine that produces some of the most revered and expensive wines in the world. Aubert may work in Vosne-Romanée, but he lives in the little village of Bouzeron, surrounded by his Aligoté vines. Aubert's dedicated nephew Pierre de Benoist is making the wine today using organic and biodynamic practices.

This wine is not at all like the stereotypical Aligoté. Though it is fresher and zippier than a typical white Burgundy, it maintains an elegant creaminess. There are hints of pear, juicy melon, and invigorating flashes of limestone. The wine is agile and lovable, with a purity that you'll just have to taste for yourself. Drink cool - but not cold - as an aperitif, with oysters, for lunch, or simply on the back porch.

Bonarda

2011-03-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

2009 Colonia Las Liebras Bonarda

Mendoza, Argentina

$7.99

For our first blog post since the store's opening, we want to introduce you to something delicious and almost shockingly inexpensive. Colonia Las Liebras is a seductive little red made in Mendoza, Argentina by five Italians, who are also responsible for the more famous and more expensive Altos las Hormigas.

The wine is made completely of Bonarda, Argentina's SECOND most planted grape (after Malbec). We find it to be a real eyebrow-raiser. It has a positively scrumptious nose, layered with aromas of juicy red berries and high-toned spice. It's rich, but silky, and, most importantly, it's balanced! The wine falls into the category some folks call "Tuesday Night Wine," meaning you can afford to drink it any old time. But at $7.99, it's a real over-achiever.

2009 Colonia Las Liebras Bonarda, Mendoza

$7.99/bottle

$86.29/case

Call if you want us to hold some for you. We are at your service!

All mixed and solid cases receive a 10% discount. Don't forget: we have an amazing wine concierge on staff. Ask for Ashley Hall if you'd like help planning or sorting your cellar.

A Preview of Good Things to Come

2011-03-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

It's true: at long last, opening is imminent. We hope to serve our guests, curiosity seekers, wine and spirit lovers, collectors and novices at 2357 Peachtree Road very soon. Here's a visual preview of what may come:

If you haven't already signed-up for our mailing list, please do so by visiting this page and clicking on the "email signup" link on the left. Look for more good things here soon.