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Staff Favorites - Melissa Smith

Melissa Smith

Reviews

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2008 Anderson's Conn Valley "Right Bank" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend
Review Date: 3-5-2012
I had the great opportunity to hang out with Mr Todd Anderson at his winery last year, tasting through countless bottles and barrels, but I kept coming back to this wine. The 2008 Right Bank has a richness and complexity to it that demands a meal of equal caliber. In the final throes of "winter" in the Bay Area, this wine has me braising beef shanks, roasting the last of the Brussel's sprouts, and pouring this lovely bold wine from my decanter, tempting me to start a fire in the fireplace while the nights are still “chilly.”
Price: $49.99 Add To Cart RP 92
Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blended Whisky 750ml
Review Date: 9-16-2011
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Another great acheivment by Compass Box's John Glasser. Finally one that I can afford, and get my hands on. Steller, smokey, with an imperceptival sweetness on the palate.
Price: $39.99 Add To Cart WA 91
Laphroaig "Triple Wood" Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml
Review Date: 9-16-2011
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This is a camping whisky, or, if you're "indoorsy" like my husband, this is a great whisky to have while peering towards the outdoors from a safe, warm, bug free environment. The wood on this is huge, but in a very cool way. Umm...what I mean is, you can actually taste the wood treatments in layers, and then they softly fade away. Nice smokey layers, sweet vanilla, and an almost freshly lumbered redwood flavor all play with your sences. This is a great gateway into Islay Scotch’s Scotch.
Price: $64.99 Add To Cart WA 94
St. George Terroir Mt. Tam Gin 750ml
Review Date: 9-9-2011
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Holy crap! This Gin tastes like every hike or walk I've ever been on in the Bay Area! I've been waiting for this for years hearing Lance and Dave Smith talking about it. This is truly a phenomenal concept and I don't think that anywhere else in the world could replicate such a diverse terroir so elegantly. Redwood, Bay, Fir Trees, Fennel, Wormwood, Brush Sage! You feel like you're wandering through Muir woods, walking down the aisle on Mt Tam above the San Francisco Bay, traipsing through unknown hilly areas of Oakland with your favorite dog friend. It takes you there in every sense, enveloping you with calm and beauty. This is the best aromatherapy gets folks.
Price: $30.99 Add To Cart
Caol Ila 12 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky750ml
Review Date: 8-16-2011
Full of campfire smoke and menthol!
Price: $49.99 Add To Cart WE 90-  95
2009 Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 7-1-2011
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Wow! This Cab is what a Cab should be, in flavor, texture, alcohol content...this is a huge score brought in by Alex Pross. Ripe and ready to drink, nicely structured without being a fruit bomb or full of tannins. BTW, did you notice the price? Remember the Haven's sale of 2009? I find this to be infinitely more likable at less than that was selling for at closeout! Buy a case (or five), there will be no regrets.
Price: $6.99 Add To Waiting List W&S 90
Leopold Bros. American Whiskey 750ml
Review Date: 5-2-2011
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So the problem with my job, is that I taste about 100 wines, spirits, and beers a week. Yeah, I know, poor me. But what this means is that in addition to me bringing home wines that my curiosity and thirst compel me to, I also feel the need to take home the bottles that have stood out to me within the week. Which means...I can't close the door to my bar and my recycling bin is causing the arms on our local collecting trucks to be repaired more often than before I started working here. On a more taxing day than usual I suggested that we needed to taste something stiff and fantastic. After listening to David's podcast with Todd Leopold I've been suggesting his whiskey like crazy, but had not tasted it. Happily David offered to open it for a staff sampling. Needless to say the corny caramel cinnamon and grassy notes led to me add yet another bottle to my collection. Thanks David.
Price: $39.99 Add To Cart
Amrut "Fusion" Indian Single Malt Whiskey 750ml
Review Date: 4-11-2011
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I actually had some one accuse me of working for the company because I wouldn't let him leave without the bottle. Well worth the hype, it is an exceptional example of balance and finesse. There is no way in a blind tasting that you would expect this to be from anywhere except Scotland. If you have a friend that loves scotch and looking to get them a special gift, I highly recommend this bottle, there's a good chance they haven't heard of it yet.
Price: $64.99 Add To Cart
Hangar One Vodka Roasted Chipotle 750ml
Review Date: 4-11-2011
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THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! Infinitely better than the original (which I tasted through its many stages of progression) and found to be too rough and green for my taste. On the nose it is bright and green, but on the palate it’s rich and smoky with an incredible kick that soon fades into almost a cocoa finish. It has hints of sweetness and a flavor of spicy bacon lingers forever (in a good way). Although I think this is fantastic on its own, I doubt that I’m going to be able to convince any of you to buy it and drink it by the glass. Cocktails on the other hand, you can lose an afternoon dreaming up the possibilities! Personally, I think this would be fantastic in a snifter with a chilled tomato water chaser. But until tomato season is in full affect I’ve settled on mixing it with crushed pineapple, agave, and a squirt of lime over ice. DE-LIC-IOUS! (and it went perfectly with my fish tacos)
Price: $27.99 Add To Cart
Cocchi Barolo Chinato (1000ml)
Review Date: 4-5-2011
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Insanity. It's hard to come up with any other way to describe how good this is. The only thing stopping me from buying it is the price and knowing that I would easily kill half of the bottle in one evening.
Price: $65.99 Add To Cart
Tempus Fugit Liqueur De Violettes 750ml
Review Date: 3-6-2011
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This stuff is amazing. I always wondered why some of the other violet liquers tasted nothing like violets. I thought it was me and I wasn't getting something. This is the real deal, I can't wait to run out of my other bottle of "violet" liqor to replace it with a bottle of the Tempus.
Price: $30.99 Add To Cart
Deligeroy Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé
Review Date: 1-16-2011
Remember De Chanceny? Same wine, different label: I love rose, and I love bubbly, so naturally I had to try this bargain bottle from the Loire. And yup, the perfect bottle for a beautiful Spring day. I'm thinking a buttermilk panna cotta with crushed strawberries and a touch of rosewater, would complete this experience.
Price: $12.99 Add To Cart
Antech "Brut Nature" Blanquette de Limoux
Review Date: 11-27-2010
Extremely crisp, great as an aperitif or as a base for cocktails. I'll be mixing this with some clove spiked OJ for the holidays, or perhaps the cranberry liquor from Clear Creek, or, maybe I'll float it on one of my favorite cocktails...
Price: $12.99 Add To Cart
Marguet Pere et Fils "Cuvée Reserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 10-30-2010
Through the holidays this will be my go to champagne recommendation for the numerous parties where hors d'oeuvres play center stage. Gorgeous, lush, bright, and extremely food friendly at a jaw dropping price. After the holidays this will remain a perfect selection for toasts, gatherings, or just a Tuesday night.
Price: $36.99 Add To Cart ST 90
Fleury "Carte Rouge" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 10-11-2010
This is hands down one of my favorite champagnes. On a romantic venture to Portland via train car I brought this, beyond expressive champagne, and felt like I had time traveled to a simple, yet luxurious period and I was inspired to write, take in the winter scenes from the warm carriage, and every few sips exclaim, "This is amazing!" The champagne itself is dry, but voluptuous. Bright cherries with a touch of cream on the incredibly long and lively finish. Certainly my reccomendation for this years hostess gift.
Price: $39.99 Add To Cart BH 90
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More Favorites

Melissa Smith is also a fan of the following items. To become a fan of Melissa Smith, click here to join Melissa Smith's Personal Sommelier Service.
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