20% off ON wine sale (12 Or More Bottles) - or any bottle of wine at $19.99 or more /

TIME TO WELCOME MIGUEL to our store. Miguel is here to help you all. He comes from Peru and a lot of experience in restaurants working the bar and so he will be our mixologist, as we ll as help with both beer and wine that he also knows a lot about.

MIGUEL jumped right in on Friday night and then again on Saturday, and was here on Monday, and so is already getting to know some of you. Be sure and welcome him to our store as we all work together as a team here as we do in our community.

MIGUEL is not shy and is a people person and likes to help. I can see this well having worked just two days so far with him, and what I see is all very encouraging.

THE SUPERBOWL came and went and I was one of the very few that did not watch it and watched instead the movie in France with Helen Mirren called the Hundred Foot March or something like that. The story deals with an Indian family that comes to this small village with a 1 star Michelin rating and all the wonderful scenarios you can imagine when you mix these two vibrant cultures together.

HAVING SAID this we do have two red wines from India for you all from SULA Vineyards : 1) 2016 Shiraz Estate Bottled NASHIK, 13% alcohol by volume, $15.49 that is pretty hearty and edgy, AND 2) Dindori Reserve 2914 estate-bottled NASHIK, with 13.5% alcohol by volume, $22.99 that is richer, more velvet, more plush, more appealing all by itself, medium-bodied, and a treat with your meal across the street at Indique! Cheers.

WE ALSO HAVE a bottle left of the RAMPUR Distillery Indian Single Malt whisky, non-chill-filtered with vintage select casks, , made since 1943 , this is aged in the foothills of the Himalayas, - " the Kohinoor of Single Malts ". On Special for $74.99, : " Rampur, a princely state of Britis India worthy of its 15 Gun Salute, is known for its rich heritage and royal traditions. ... originated at Rampur Distillery, thier exquisite whisky bears fruity and spicy notes, with a hint of vanilla and caramel. " Try it, really a lovely smooth taste and sip and treat!

WE LOVED THE MOVIE, sorry we missed Gladys Knight sing the national anthem. I hear that that was quite inspiring and her voice, and figure with the backdrop of the flag and all was striking. I will have to try and find that clip and watch it. I am sure it will inspire me as the movie we watched did.

WE JUST HAD Scott Franklin, Rachel King, Demi Warner, and Colin Quill from ANGELS ENVY come and see us and taste both the bourbon and the rye, and I have some here for you all to have a sip if you ask me. I liked both very much, the bouquet of the rye really intrigued me and made me stop and try and figure out what it was that I was smelling?! I loved all the various notes and will have to figure out what it reminds me of besides simply enticing and teasing me in a big away to also take my first sip.

WE SELL the ANGELS ENVY Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky that is finished in port wine barrels, 43% alcohol by volume, for $51.99 a bottle. It sure is smooth and silky and refined and so pleasurable to sip all by itself, needs no accompaniment but people that will appreciate it's grace and subtle flavors of refinement!

IN BEER and CIDER from Santos Rivera we have -

1) Albermarle CIDERRRWORKS " Royal Pippin " hard Virginia apple cider that was open this weekend here. So delicate, bright, refreshing and a taste that starts and then let's you and your palate finish it just like you like! $16.99 a bottle, with 8.1% alcohol by volume - nice on this beautiful afternoon.

In Beer - 3 -

1) Kalamazoo Stout from Bell's On Special for $11.99 a 6-pack of 12 ounce bottles.

2) Tripple Belgian Collection from New Belgium, a Belgian style ale, On Special for $12.99 for a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles.

3) Nugget Nectar Ale from Troeg's Brewery, $14.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles.

LIQUEUR & LIQUOR From Jagir Singh -

1) Absinthe Superiore from MT. DEFIANCE Distillery in Virginia, $29.99 for a 375ml bottle, Batch 41, made in Middleburg, 40 % alcohol by volume, what a treat to sip. I like it as well as I like their creme de cassis. Distinct, flavorful, and will draw you in slowly to it's hidden tastes.

2) Imported Cinnamon Rush from Canada's BLACK VELVET, $13.99 a 750ml bottle, with 35% alcohol by volume - come try it and enjoy some of the cinnamon thing to warm you in the nights as temperatures drop and this will help to take that chill away and warm you so you are comfortable and relaxed. Cheers!

3) Kentucky Fire - a cinnamon liqueur infused with straight Kentucky Bourbon whiskey , On Special for $19.99 - made by JIM BEAM. Come try some as well as the BLACK VELVET.

4) Cardhu Gold Reserve single malt scotch House Targaryen - a special limited release by the GAME of THRONES, $46.99 a bottle. We just have 3 bottles left so do not delay, come and get one or all three now!

5) American Dry Gin from BLUECOAT in Pennsylvania, made by master distiller Robert. Robert used to come see us and taste it here when his girlfriend lived here in Cleveland Park. He would make the best gin and tonics! Thank you Robert, that was in 2007 when you started selling here in Washington DC. It is On Special for $24.99, regularly $27.99 a bottle.

6) Gin , crafted by hand with pleasure from CANDY MANOR in Smyrna, Delaware, with 40% alcohol by volume, $32.99, and named after the old local ladies of the night hotel there, from PAINTED STAVE Distilling, very pleasing and definitely worth your tasting to see if the fit and feel on your palate is just right. Best to be a slow poke when tasting to get your full money's worth.

WINES - From Tony ( and Miguel ) soon -

TWO Beaujolais Nouveau wines -

1) 2018 MANOIR DU CARRA, $9.99 a bottle - fuller, a bit smoother and richer-tasting then when we got and opened it on the third Thursday of November, 2018. I like it better now. Chill 30-40minutes and enjoy tonight while listening to President Trump give his Sate of the Union Address.

2) Millesime 2018 Bouchard Aine & Fils, $14.49 is so charmingly delicate and fine and that might be better to drink tonight listening to President Trump. Both are chilled and ready for you all. Cheers!

FOUR Fine Wines from FABBIOLI CELLARS in Loudoun County, Virginia and made by Doug Fabbioli. Some of the bottles are still signed by him of his Tannat2013 On Special for $39.99.

1) 2017 Petit Manseng, $27.49 a bottle, lighter, brighter, more pleasing tropical and sun's-warmth-embrace that will not be tamed, will not be caught, will only allow itself to be followed!

2) 2016 Chambourcin from the Amber Creek Vineyard, $20.99 a bottle, always been one of my very favorite wines that Doug has made. I like it each and every time. It is medium-to-light-bodied - it is so balanced and just a pleasure to sip with or without food.

3) Reserve Cabernet Franc 2015, $34.99 a bottle : what Virginia is banking on as their best red grape variety in the state. I am not sure, I think Petit Verdot might take that honor and place soon enough. This one has muscle, steel, flint, power, edge, sledge, stealth and is a really fine food wine. What a treat when you sit down to something with higher levels of acidity in the food. Also something just off the grill, a treat.

4) Tannat majesty and elegance and lovely palate-immediate-relevance : love the 2013, On Special for $39.99 a bottle, this goes so smoothly down each and everyone of our gullets! What a delight, what a velvet seat and a satin glove and cushion. Your tongue-tush will delight and coo and whimper in pure pleasure sipping this small sip by small sip!

WEEK'S TASTINGS -

Friday, February 8th, 2019 ( 5-8pm ) : We have Craig Mauro of Comete Wines here pouring a selection of our wines On Special for $12.99 ( with a 3 for $33, and a 6 for $60 ). JOIN US, taste real value at great prices this Friday night!

ALSO :

We have Scott with ILLEGAL MEZCAL pouring his three great mezcals for us! World-class, JOIN US!

Saturday, February 9th, 2019 ( 2-6pm ) : still being decided who will pour? It may be Dan pouring a selection of great deals for us! It may be someone else : still in the works.

ALSO :

We have Adam Reel from the VA. Distillery here to pour like their Port Cask finished Virginia Highland Whisky, $48.99, whisky from Scotland married with Virginia whiskey distilled from Malt Mash. Come taste and see what you think!?!

JOIN US - NEVER any charge for our weekend tastings!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the Pre-Valentine's Day Love Potion #18 Win-Tasting here from 5:30-8:30pm! We have it lined up with four great people showing up and pouring their heart's out and their experience and expertise, too wit 18 wines. We also have a tasting of the flavored KETTEL ONE vodka for you that night to cap everything off ever so nicely! FEBRUARY 13th, 2019 No charge, join us with family and friends and office associates, too!

TONIGHT President Trump speaks to our nation and gives his State of the Union address. Come get something asap to have to watch that. What will we get from that, what will we take from it? Will his words do anything to better Washington FC, the federal workers as well as the rest of us? Will there be talk of the crime here, the epidemic of prescription drugs, the inequality, the prejudice, the bullying, the boys-will-be-boys mentality, the sexual abuse in homes and in the church, the exorbitant high cost of drugs like insulin? Will he strike a conciliatory tones and not again blame Democrats for the evils of government, Washington, morals, our polluted swamp, and more?!?

COME BY before you head home. We have lots here for you as we have less than ten day's left to find out if the federal government will close once again?! That not-knowing is a killer, it really is. Not being one of those billionaires I might have to take another loan out, who knows if this continues?!?

BUT THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, we intend to do something about it and are each and every day. We have strength and purpose and will to continue on in a positive and constructive way and we know that we will not be alone here in our vibrant, alive, active, inspired, fired, dedicated, principled, practical, peaceful, respectful, inclusive community of Cleveland Park Northwest, Washington DC, 20008. Cheers and thanks and see you soon. Be strong with us, be heard, say something, we will not de dumbed-down or bullied. Cheerio all!

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, you all are the very best! Trust us, we know, the creme de la creme, gracias, grazie, obregado, merci, ... amigos, friends, amis, ... TONY 2/5/2018

ON A HAPPY NOTE TO END my wife and I will be celebrating 38 years of marriage! A wonderful lifetime so far of experiences, dreams, fantasies, strolls, conversations, meals, trips, visits to museums, cathedrals, concerts, capitols, small villages, islands, wines and other spirits - and still alive very much, passionate very much, in love, too very much, a couple, too very much! We are blessed, too with two great children, two cats and one dog and two fish, and a number of white canvases still virgin-white or dark-shiny black or cream-colored, whatever that await our prints and imprints and steps and eyes' gaze, hands' graze, ooohhhhh the magic the magnet of life and how it still can very much dizzy-one! Cheers. TONY