This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about my annual physicals
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
I should have known something was amiss as soon as I turned into the driveway and saw that the entrance to the parking ramp was blocked. "What the hell," I growled. "Now where do I park?"
I was running late to my appointment and the anxiety that always bubbles up on the days of my annual physicals ratcheted up a notch as I tried to figure it out. I turned around and followed the driveway back to the street, squeezed into a parking spot, and then hightailed it up to the two story building that housed the doctors' offices. While hurrying down the long, oddly deserted hallway I glanced through the windows down at the excavated hole where the parking ramp used to be then suddenly realized that I had forgotten my mask. "Hell, it's a doctor's office. They'll have a mask I can use," I thought. And no doubt they would have if anyone had been in that office.
The parking ramp was demolished, the building was pretty much deserted and the office doors were locked because the internal medicine docs had moved to a new location. It said so on a big sign on the door. I checked the appointment confirmation text that I got the previous week and sure enough embedded within the text was the new address. There was nothing to do then but call, apologize for my gaffe, and reschedule.
I've always disliked physicals, primarily because my old doc firmly believed in the necessity of doing one particular, rather embarrassing exam, but ever since they've included something called a "wellness check," a euphemism for a set of tests designed to gauge the level of cognitive decline, I've disliked them even more. A young, usually patronizing nurse gives you a blank piece of paper and tells you to draw the face of a clock. Then you're given an arbitrary time, 1:11 for instance, and you're told to position the clock hands at that specific increment of time. Then you're given four words to remember while your blood pressure is taken. Before the nurse exits the room you're asked to recite the words back. I find it all a bit silly and a little demeaning but I guess it's one more thing that a guy who is getting on in years has to deal with.
Then there's the thing with the blood pressure. My BP is always stellar when when I take it at home with my Omron Series 5 home monitor but I suffer from a malady called white coat syndrome. The numbers aren't terrible but they're high enough to elicit furrowed brow looks from the doc and then you have to once again make your case that you're not about to keel over from hypertension.
My physical has been rescheduled for the last week in April. I'm sure I'll have to endure that damn wellness check and I'm sure I'll have to address the thing with the blood pressure again. At least my new doc doesn't share my old doc's view on the need for doing that one particular, rather embarrassing exam.
Featured Wines of the Week
2016, Eco Terreno, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $34.39/750ml- Extremely fragrant notes of sweet black plum, warm baking spices, and cassis are balanced by a hint of espresso. Ripe black plum and black raspberry Cabernet spices work together and provide a lush, fruit-forward, yet balanced palate. The finish is silky, lingering, and even, with hints of structure that will aid in aging. (Source)
Gherardino Chianti Classico, 2012, Vignmaggio, Italy, $38.69/750ml- The wine’s aristocratic name comes from Gherardino Gherardini, who founded the magnificent Vignamaggio estate in the 14th century. Our well-balanced, seductive Riserva Gherardino is made of 80–90% Sangiovese and 10–20% Merlot grapes. It is aged for 18–20 months in barrels and small oak barriques. The grapes come from the vineyards of Prato, Querceto and Solatio. Principally red fruits, sour black cherries, ripe cherries and blackberries. Spicy notes are overlaid with an intense nose of toasted tobacco. (Source)
Nexo, Rioja, Spain, 2018, $11.99/750ml- This is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha. The two grapes varieties are vinified separately and then blended together. Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks then aged in American oak barrels for four months. Nexo vineyards are located near Viana, in the heart of the Rioja Alta region, known for its ‘old world’ style of wines. A higher elevation equates to a shorter growing season, which in turn produces fresh, elegant and subtle flavored wines with a lighter style. Deep red cherry color with dark ripe plum and cherry on the nose, with some toast, cinnamon and toffee. This wine is tasty, with good structure, tannin and really well balanced. (Source)
Masi, Bonacosta Valpolicella classico, 2019, Italy, $17.59/750ml-One of the classics of the great Veronese tradition, made by Masi in a contemporary style. Valpolicella Classico, praised by Hemingway as "a light, dry red wine, as friendly as the house of a favourite brother", is made here in an elegant style full of simplicity and freshness. Made in the Valpolicella Classica region from a blend using the traditional Veronese grapes: Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Intense bouquet with ripe cherry aromas with a palate that is fresh with good acidity, and soft tannins. Cherries are the dominant flavor, with hints of vanilla. (Source)
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Featured Spirits of the Week
Old Pepper, Single Barrel Rye, Kentucky, $42.09/750ml- Nose of toasted oak, grain and citrus. Vibrant mouthfeel. Complex flavors of Mint, Cloves, Eucalyptus and Wildflower Honey. Long finish of dried fruits and nuts. (Source)
Probitas, white blended rum, Barbados, $31.59/750ml- A Unique Blended White Rum, consisting of rums from Foursquare Rum Distillery in Barbados and Hampden Estate in Jamaica. Distilled, Matured, Blended and Bottled entirely in the Caribbean. 47% ABV. (Source)
Hinch, Single Pot Still whiskey, Ireland, $36.89/750ml- From the Hinch distillery in Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland comes this tasty Single Pot Still whiskey! The addition of oats to mashbill means that there's an underlying creaminess to the expression. The bulk is matured in bourbon casks, though a small portion spent its time sherry casks, so there's a prickle of spice in there too. (Source)
Wild Turkey, 101 Rye, Kentucky, $27.398/750ml- A legendary 101 proof straight rye whiskey known for its deep golden amber color and warm, smoky flavor with a rich, balanced aroma of vanilla and spice. 101 Rye finishes long and spicy and stands up to any mixer and shines through in a classic cocktail. (Source)
New and Returning Products
21st Amendment Moon Boots, $2.79/12oz-IPA - American
Athletic Brewing Cerveza Athletica, $1.99/12oz-Malts: Premium roasted malts from US & Germany. Tasting notes: Refreshing, summer Mexican-style copper ale. It’s balanced with a dry finish, and pairs perfectly with spicy salsa and fish tacos. (Source)
Church Street Brucifer, $4.99/16oz-Jucifer becomes Brewcifer. A hazy IPA with an absolutely sinister amalgamation of hops, featuring Citra, mosaic, Galaxy, and Falconer's Flight. Almost entirely Whirlpool and dry hop additions with a pinch of lactose for a soft snd thick body. (Source)
Church Street Devil's Advocate, $4.09/16oz-What happens when you take a ton (literally) of Pilsen malt, put it through a decoction mash, boil it up, add 500 lbs of Belgian Candi and Cane Sugars and then add Belgian yeast? The answer: A spicy, sweet, and dangerously drinkable Belgian golden ale. (Source)
Church Street Heavenly Helles, $3.19/16oz-One of Germany's quintessential beverages. Utilizing old world decoction-mashing techniques for a truly unique sweet malt character, this gentle drink also features a straw colored-clarity that's clearly heavenly! (Source)
Church Street Lil Luci, $4.09/16oz-A quenchable session hazy IPA. Blended Mosaic, Galaxy, and Simcoe hops for a crushable tropical themed IPA. With notes of pine, mango, and an array of berries, balanced with a touch of lactose and a modest grain bill. Sniff. Sip. Repeat! (Source)
Church Street Righteous Red, $3.19/16oz-100 UK Hops, Maris Otter, Crystal, and Vienna malts. Caramel and Toffee notes. (Source)
Colima Cayaco Tropical Lager, $2.09/12oz-Refreshing and light bodied, Cayaco has impeccable clarity and a pale, straw color. Named after Colima's native palm tree, this American Lager with tropical vibe has a soft white head and a floral aroma with a slight citrus touch.
Distinct combination of Pilsner malt and rice from local producers along with three types of German hops has earned this beer a Bronze in the World Beer Cup 2018. (Source)
Colima Colimita Helles Lager, $2.09/12oz-Simple and well made; our tropical representation of a German lager is bright and crystalline with a fine white head; with a mild-bitter note and a floral-hop aroma. This four-time champion at Cerveza Mexico and 2019 Gold Winner at Copa Cerveza de America invites you to enjoy Colima: the garden that lies under the volcano. (Source)
Collective Arts Guave Gose, $3.59/12oz-Using our core Gose (Prophets & Nomads) as the base, we added the freshest guava puree we could find. The end result is a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and sour. Expect the Pink Himalayan Salt and flowery guava to leave you refreshed and wanting more. (Source)
Mikkeller SD Finger Guns, $4.69/16oz-New England Style India Pale Ale Brewed Citra, Mosaic, and Talus Hops. (Source)
New Belgium 1554, $1.79/12oz-A surprisingly bright taste and a dry, chocolaty finish -- one evocative of dark brews enjoyed in Belgian taverns 500 years ago. Not a porter, not a stout -- it's 1554. (Source)
North Peak Tropical Diabolical, $2.19/12oz-A take on our classic Diabolical IPA with a tropical twist. Brewed with generous amounts of passion fruit, pineapple, guava, tangerine and sweet orange peel combined with seven hop varietals for a hoppy bite and exotic flavors and aromas. Diabolical goes tropical for a limited time. (Source)
Transient Wake 'n Cake Blanton Barrel Aged, $18.99/500ml-Stout - Imperial / Double
Transient Wake 'n Cake Blis Barrel Aged, $19.99/500ml-A fudgey imperial stout, aged in BLiS maple syrup bourbon barrels for 16 months. (Source)
Waypost Sabrosa, $3.89/16oz-Sessionable double dry-hopped IPA featuring Sabro, Citra and CTZ hops. Lots of tropical fruit cup notes, citrus zest and resinous undertones. Medium bodied, soft mouthfeel from flaked oats. Big aroma and flavor belies the low alcohol content. (Source)
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