Best Thing I Drank This Week

Week of July 11

vanilla hickory-smoked Manhattan, Bar Chef, Toronto. (Ontario).

Week of August 23 – Becker Steinhauer 2008

A classic kabinett. Peachy fruit notes perfectly balanced with racey acidity. Pairs well with the dog days of summer. About $15 at the LCBO (Ontario).

Week of July 26 – Imagery Dragonsleaf Red Sonoma Mountain 2006

This is an old-world style Rhone blend from Imagery Estate Winery, a small winery owned by the Benziger Family winery in Sonoma. This wine has all the complex, barnyardy notes (in all the best senses of the descriptor!) of a wine that is twice the price. I LOOOVE it.

Imagery Dragonsleaf Red '06

Week of July 19 – Laht Neppur Strawberry Ale

Enjoyed at the Walla Walla onion festival: Laht Neppur Strawberry Ale, from Waitsburg, WA. A rich, unfiltered, medium-bodied ale with a hint of local strawberry. Pairs well with walla walla onion-stuffed sausages, and guinness world records.

Laht Neppur Strawberry Ale

Week of July 12 – Victoria Gin

After one sip I was infatuated. After a second, I fell in love. And after a third, I bought part of the company. Need I say more?

Victoria Gin

Week of June 28 – C. Donatiello Winery 2007 Russian River Chardonnay

A luscious chard that drinks like an expensive white Burgundy. Donatiello also makes several elegant pinot noirs.
C. Donatiello Winery 2007 Russian River Chardonnay