Chocolate rabbits, carrot-shaped chocolates, and egg-shaped nougat from France arrived this week! Easter is approaching, stop in and check out these seasonal delights:
Lapin Magicien with Jelly Bean Eggs, milk chocolate bunny
Cémoi · Dark chocolate bunny w/ praline eggs ·
Individually wrapped bunnies and hens, milk and white chocolate ·
Milk chocolate carrot umbrellas
Handcrafted soft nougat, egg-shaped
And back in stock… a customer favorite: pear-shaped dark chocolates filled with Poire Williams liqueur ·
Francois Pralus Crème de Noisette: NEW This hazelnut-and-chocolate paste is known as gianduia in Italy. The Pralus version of this sophisticated dessert spread is 50% grilled hazelnuts, roasted almonds, dark chocolate and sugar, blended into a smooth paste that can be eaten with a spoon. Invented in Turin, Italy it is an upscale cousin to Nutella. But Nutella is thick and sugary while the Pralus Crème de Noisette is creamy, unctuous and toasty.
Francois Pralus is an artisinal chocolate maker in France, and he actually processes the cacao beans himself, making him one of only three “bean to bar” chocolatiers in France. Give this tasty spread a try, or gift it to that special someone.
WINES: If you haven’t heard the great news, the 25% tariffs on wines from Europe have been suspended. There is even talk of possible refunds for the extra duty paid… time will tell. In either case, we are over the moon about lower wine prices sometime in the future.
le Haut-Médoc de Pédesclaux 2016 Bordeaux ($35.00) Chateau Pédesclaux, a classified fifth-growth property in Pauillac recently purchased a few parcels in Médoc just outside Pauillac, abutting both Chateaus Lafite and Mouton Rothschild. Le Haut-Medoc, a “third label” of Chateau Pédesclaux receives the same intensive viticulture as their top wines. Made of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, le Haut-Medoc is a wine of deep elegance. Offering up a perfume of complex fruit aromas, it is rich, plump, and balanced on the palate. Savory notes add complexity, velvety red fruit is delicate and concentrated, Nuanced and complex, this is a wine to savor.
Saint-Roch Chimères 2016, Cotes de Roussillon ($18.99) “From yields as low as 15 hectoliters per hectare (less than half of the maximum allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape), the 2016 Chimeres is half aged in demi-muids, the other half in concrete tanks. The wine showcases red fruit (cherries and raspberries), which accent it with dried spices and a hint of dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied and supple, with just the slightest suggestion of warmth on the finish. It’s another great value from proprietor-winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage to drink over the next few years.“ 91 points Wine Advocate
Notre Dame des Pallieres Rasteau, “Les Ribes” Rhone ($17.99) “The 2018 Rasteau les Ribes (search the back label for the “les Ribes” designation), is a full-bodied blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault. Loaded with blackberries and blessed with hints of dried spices, it’s supple and ripe, almost creamy in texture on the palate, then mixes fresh fruit, garrigue notes and dark chocolate on the lingering finish.” 91 points Wine Advocate