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White
750ml
Bottle: $787.95
6 bottles: $772.19
As in 2016, my favorite of the white parcel selections this year is the 2017 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc (231 cases...
12 FREE
WA
100
DC
98
Red
750ml
Bottle: $19.94
12 bottles: $19.54
Hand-harvested fruit was crushed and cold-extracted three days with vigorous irrigations for color and tannin early...
12 FREE
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $159.53
Rich and opulent on the nose, with yellow peach and honeycomb. Very full bodied, with that immediate internal sweet...
DC
99
JD
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $638.09
As in 2016, my favorite of the white parcel selections this year is the 2017 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc (231 cases...
WA
100
DC
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $229.95
The 2017 Ermitage le Meal Blanc starts with refined notes of crushed stone and pencil shavings that move into a...
WA
98
WS
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $93.09
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $55.40
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $52.08

Marsanne Mezcal Zinfandel 2017

Although commonly confused with Tequila, Mexico’s other signature spirit, Mezcal, has its own set of unique characteristics which set it apart. Mezcal is made from the agave plant, although not the blue agave most commonly associated with Tequila production. This drink hails from the arid southern Mexican region of Oaxaca, where it has been made for generations according to traditional recipes and methods, and continues to be extremely popular worldwide today.


One of the defining features of quality Mezcal is its pungent smokiness, a heady aroma which reminds us of campfires and desert nights. This comes from the fact that the pinas (the fruit body) of the agave used in its production are slow cooked in wood fired ovens, before being distilled into a spirit. Mezcal is traditionally bottled with a worm - why? Nobody really seems to know for sure, but this unique drink continues to attract attention and convert new fans thanks to its authenticity, unique flavor and supposed health benefits. It is split into the same categories as Tequila; blanco, reposado and anejo, and although it is often used as a mixer in cocktails, it is best enjoyed straight and uncomplicated, allowing its beautiful and subtle characteristics to shine.

The precise origins of what became known as the Zinfandel grape variety are uncertain, although it has clear genetic equivalents in both Puglia and Croatia. However, when it was brought to the New World in the mid 19th century, it became known as the Zinfandel, and has been consistently popular and widely grown ever since. These very dark and very round grapes have a remarkably high sugar content, resulting in relatively high levels of alcohol in the wines they are made into, with bottles often displaying as much as fifteen percent. What makes the Zinfandel such an interesting grape, though, is the fact that the flavors produced by this varietal vary considerably depending on the climate they are grown in. In cooler valley regions, the Zinfandel grapes result in wines which hold strong flavors of tart and sweet fruits; raspberry, redcurrant and sweet cherry, held in a very smooth and silky liquid. Conversely, warmer regions result in more complex and spicy notes, including anise, pepper and hedgerow berries.