Search results for: 'mars a'

This is a special bottling released by the Shinshu Mars Distillery and is a vatting of malt from two distilleries, "Komagatake" and "Chichibu", which has been matured at Mars Shinshu Distillery in a variety of Bourbon Barrel, American White Oak and Sherry Oak for more than 5 years. In 2015, Mars Shinshu Distillery and Venture Whisky (Chichibu) Distillery began exchanging their new make spirit, which was subsequently matured in their respective locations. 10,918 Bottles were released. Nose: sweet maple syrup, oak spices and some notes of varnish along with plum and a hint of caramelised orange peel Palate: Sweet caramel, some brandy cake, cacao and nutmeg with a hint of smoke and spiciness Finish: Gentle tannins along with some black tea on the finish. With water, more caramel and toffee notes are evident along with oak spices. Learn More

From the importer: This single malt whisky exemplifies the Mars approach to experimentation, taking full advantage of Japan’s vast and varying terrain by distilling in Nagano, 2,625 feet above sea level, then transporting the whisky south for aging in Yakushima, an island 60 km off the Kagoshima mainland. Distilled in 2015 and 2016, this non-chill filtered, lightly peated single malt has aged for just over 3–4 years in primarily ex-bourbon barrels and some sherry casks. Juicy citrus on the nose gives way to vanilla custard on the palate with hints of peat; fresh orange and lemon resurface on the bright finish. 53% ABV Learn More

It is no wonder that the Whiskey Advocate placed the Iwai 45 on their Top 20 Whiskies of 2020, just a couple months back. Coming in at number 19 and scoring 91 points, it was one of the most affordable (and obtainable) options on the list.

In the glass the top notes are of cereal grain, vanilla and honey. Poured neat in my glass at 45% abv I am adding no water and on the palate, I am immediately impressed by the round mouthfeel that yields to baked pear and warming spices. Layered through this exciting Japanese offering are notes of lemon peel and hints of marzipan mingling with American Oak.

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Think scotch with no smoke, this malt driven spirit is truly a reflection of contemporary Japanese whisky. Incredibly balanced, soft and layered. A blending of sherry, bourbon and wine casks with a dash of peat makes for a harmonious whisky that would make Iwai-san proud. - Importer Notes, High Road Spirits

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It is no wonder that the Whiskey Advocate placed the Iwai 45 on their Top 20 Whiskies of 2020, just a couple months back. Coming in at number 19 and scoring 91 points, it was one of the most affordable (and obtainable) options on the list.

In the glass the top notes are of cereal grain, vanilla and honey. Poured neat in my glass at 45% abv I am adding no water and on the palate, I am immediately impressed by the round mouthfeel that yields to baked pear and warming spices. Layered through this exciting Japanese offering are notes of lemon peel and hints of marzipan mingling with American Oak.

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94 Points! The nose of the 2023 Alma de Mar is very leesy and smoky, with a very austere, chalky palate with a strong sensation of granite and sea breeze. It comes from grapes grown very close to the sea, and the wine tends to be quite vibrant but also has structure and volume. 3,000 bottles produced. - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com

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From the importer: Hombo Shuzo, the company behind Mars Shinshu distillery, opened a second distillery in Tsunuki, the birthplace of the Hombo family enterprise, in November of 2016. The climate at Tsunuki Distillery is drastically different from that of Mars Shinshu, as it sits at sea level and experiences higher humidity and large fluctuations in temperature. The goal of this new location was not necessarily to increase production, but to experiment with terroir. This bottling marks the very first single malt to be distilled at Tsunuki, produced between 2016 and 2017. Aged for just over three years in ex-bourbon barrels and sherry casks, this rich single malt exudes the enticing sweetness of vanilla and maple on the nose, leading to a fruity, pastry palate of banana crepes and apple pie and a finish of citrus, pine nut, and cinnamon. Only 1,122 bottles were produced of this highly anticipated single release, bottled at 59% ABV. Learn More

La Ginestraia was founded in 2007 in the small village of Cervo, in the province of Imperia, Liguria – by Marco Brangero. It is one of the Brangero family wine estates. 

La Ginestraia is located on top of a little hill which faces the Mediterrenean Sea- here called Mar Tirreno, under the appellation Riviera Ligure di Ponente, covering the northwest Italian coast from the border of France to the city of Genoa. They produce around 40,000 bottles (divided between 6 labels) sourced from their terroir and to the indigenous grapes of Liguria

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90+ Points! Aromas of cherries, licorice and sweet forest floor introduce the 2020 Marsannay Boivin, a medium to full-bodied, rich and ample wine with good depth at the core and serious structure to burn. It's another age-worthy Marsannay from Roty. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

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92 Points! The 2020 Marsannay Clos de Jeu has turned out especially well, offering up aromas of sweet cherries, mulberries, licorice and toasty new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated palate that's deep and vibrant, with powdery tannins and a precise finish. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

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97 Points! A beautifully proportioned Marsannay with Grand Cru-type concentration and fineness of tannins. Very dark core, then a very long, polished finish. - JamesSuckling.com

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The Domaine Bart Marsannay Le Grands VIns 2020 leans a little ‘redder’ than some of its stablemates fruit-wise with some higher tones to the aromatics. From Burghound, “Exuberantly fresh aromas are comprised by notes of layered black cherry, raspberry and floral top notes. The sleek, delicious and appealingly vibrant medium weight flavors exude evident minerality on the delicious, balanced and moderately structured finale.”

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90-92 Points! Audoin's 2022 Marsannay La Charme aux Prêtres Blanc reveals attractive aromas of green apple, pear, white flowers, citrus zest and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and racy, with good cut and tension, it's one of the domaine's livelier whites. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

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PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

99 Points! This is made from 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little shaking to wake up notes of crème de cassis, plum preserves, and licorice, leading to nuances of dark chocolate, lilacs, camphor, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with rich black and blue fruits with wonderful tension and velvety tannins, finishing very long and opulent. Atomic. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW

98+ Points! The Grand Vin 2022 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou checks in as 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot that was raised all in new barrels. Its deep ruby/purple/plum hue is followed by an utterly heavenly Saint-Julien that has pure cassis and darker berry fruits, a core of violets, spring flowers, graphite, and spicy oak, full-bodied richness, and ultra-fine, polished tannins. It's as seamless, pure, and elegant as they come, while at the same time being intense, powerful, and concentrated. It reminds me of the 2010 and is going to warrant a decade of cellaring, and have a solid half-century of prime drinking. For the tech geeks out there, the 2022 hit 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.8 and an IPT of 95. It’s an absolute sensational Saint-Julien from this talented team. - Jeb Dunnuck

98 Points! A great, powerful and proportional Ducru with everything in the right place. The aromas and flavors are very precise and beautiful with blackberry, raspberry and citrus undertones. Full-bodied and structured, it has polished electric tannins that are finely layered, well formed and very long. Remains cool on the palate. 82% cabernet sauvignon and 18% merlot. - JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! Beautiful and beguiling nose, perfumed blackcurrants and dark fruits; damsons, plums, raspberries and rose petals. Lovely crunchy fruit, real bite and presence in the mouth. Excellent precision, tannins are succulent and ripe they fill the mouth with a juicy, intense granular texture. There is such depth to this - perfume, tobacco, earth, violets and concentrated fruits that have a verticality to them with an unprecedented 98% of Cabernet Sauvignon providing the support and the backbone. There is a crystalline purity to the fruit giving tension to the overall frame, it’s focused and driven all with excellent definition. This is not a wallflower of a wine - it’s charming and confident, strutting its stuff right now and giving you absolut St-Julien terroir and vintage markers in the glass with slate, graphite and liquorice salinity on show. Skilled winemaking on show. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

97 Points! The 2022 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a wine of total sensual allure. All the elements are wonderfully woven together. Black cherry, plum, licorice, chocolate, spice and lavender infuse the palate with striking depth. The sustained, persistent finish is a thing of real beauty. Lifted floral accents extend the finish nicely. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

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PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

95 Points! A subtle graphite character makes this a very attractive and typical Bordeaux red. Aromas of dark plums with a touch of iron, as well as forest-floor, mineral and white-pepper notes. Medium to full body with fine, chiseled tannins and a perfumed finish. Tensioned and long. Quite transparent on the palate. Merlot from deep, thick clay. 80% in foudre. From organically grown grapes. - JamesSuckling.com

92-94 Points! This medium to full-bodied 2022 Marsau is an attractive wine produced from 100% Merlot. It has a delightfully pure bouquet of peony, violet, iris, menthol and cassis, followed by a crunchy and juicy yet fresh texture and then by a mineral-driven finish of remarkable purity, expressing elegant notes of licorice and pencil lead. Anne-Laurence and Mathieu Chadronnier have produced a red wine that punches above its weight. Bravo! - Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

94 Points! Lovely dark fruity fragrance with perfumed floral aromas on the nose, smells expressive and open. Smooth and supple, a lovely combination of tension, mouthwatering acidity and fruitiness here, such sleek texture with definition and soft juiciness. The tannins have grip and purpose with a softly fleshy and mineral sensation - liquorice, wet stone and graphite - giving a wide and interesting expansion on the palate. Feels cool and controlled, serious and focussed, with balance, still with concentration and power and grip. Feels very classy on the palate. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

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