Two Rivers 2005 Riesling, Delta, Colorado
This wine is a treat for your olfactories! Aromas of Good & Plenty candies waft from the glass. In the mouth the wine offers all those flavors you've come to love about riesling. Nectarines, anise, lime, and honey are rich and layered. The finish hints at a touch of petrol-minerality. This wine gives any other riesling in this price range a reason to sit up and take notice.
-BF $13
Little Raven Vineyards, Crossroads Wine and Spirits in Grand Junction, Reserve List, Divino Wine & Spirits, Joy Wine and Spirits, Hampden Liquor Warehouse, Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins, and Bonnie Brae carry this wine.
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Two Rivers 2005 Chardonnay, Delta, Colorado
A lovely chardonnay offering just the right amount of oak. The wine offers spices, such as nutmeg, it has toasty nuances and tropical flavors of papaya. A fine example of domestic chardonnay.
-BF $13
Joy Wine and Spirits, Crossroads Wine and Spirits in Grand Junction, Corks, Hampden Liquor Warehouse, Divino Wine & Spirits, Incredible Wine & Spirits, Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins, and Bonnie Brae carries this wine.
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Two Rivers 2004 Merlot, Grand Valley, Colorado
Sultry juice with focused flavors of black cherries. The mid-palate has notes of pencil shavings and a hint of chocolate cupcake. Soft tannins and acidity make this an easy wine to drink.
-BF $16
Corks, Bonnie Brae, Crossroads Wine and Spirits in Grand Junction, Hampden Liquor Warehouse, Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins, and Joy Wine and Spirits, carry this wine.
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Two Rivers 2005 Syrah, Delta, Colorado
Yummy Colorado Syrah! Deeply colored purple wine offers flavors of blackberries. Notes of mocha and roasted coffee beans evolve on the mid-palate and finish.
-BF $15
Divino Wine & Spirits carries this wine.
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Two Rivers 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Delta, Colorado
A very elegant cabernet sauvignon. This wine is very balanced. A canvas of black cherries, cherry skins, and cassis marry. The soft tannins offer a complimentary grip. The acidity makes this a great wine for steak, burgers and hearty food.
Tasted November 2, 2006
-BF $16
Bonnie Brae, Reserve List, Crossroads Wine and Spirits in Grand Junction, Wilburs Total Beverage in Fort Collins, and Lido Wine Merchants carry this wine.
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Balistreri 2005 Syrah, Colorado
The winemaker, John Balistreri says this wine offers "A little earth, a little barnyard." These flavors are splashes of interest on a dense blueberry canvas. It offers prominent acid and the finish has tones black pepper.
Tasted June 15, 2006
-BF $24
Divino Wine & Spirits carries this wine.
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Balistreri 2004 Zinfandel, Colorado
Perfumy, with flavors of red raspberries and clove. A full bodied wine with an intensity of flavor and spice. Soft tannins and decent acidity make this a great pair for beef, red sauces, and hearty foods.
Tasted June 15, 2006.
-BF $24

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Balistreri 2005 Colorado Little Feet Merlot, Lovies Vineyards, Colorado
This red was stomped by the children at the 2005 Harvest party, hence the name Little Feet. Big oak nuances are balanced by soft tannins. Black cherry flavors, notes of dark chocolate, with a hint of cherry Lifesaver are bright on the palate with a rich note of vanilla.
Tasted October 22, 2006
-BF $24

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Balistreri 2005 Sangiovese, Talbott's Vineyard, Colorado
Bright and light bodied, this is a fine example of new world sangiovese and how this beloved grape can be grown on domestic soil. Ripe wild raspberry flavors, nuances of cherry brandy, and spice fill the palate. Great acidity and little tannins make it a versatile wine capable of pairing with lighter fare, as well as beef dishes.
Tasted October 22, 2006
-BF $22

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Cocella 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Colorado
Big jammy red with lots of spice. A vanilla robe surrounds flavors of cherry, black licorice, clove, and cinnamon. The label image is the winemakers wife's, as is the name.
-BF $24

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Blookcliffe 2003 Ensemble, Colorado
A blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc, this red is a respectable example of Bordeaux styled wines. Cassis, vanilla, a hint of black licorice, densely flavored, yet elegant, it is a balanced between old world Bordeaux and new world Meritage. Excellent ensemble of these regal grapes.
-BF $25
Divino Wine & Spirits carries this wine.
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Blookcliffe 2003 Cabernet Franc, Colorado
This is a fine example of this grape, one of the parents of cabernet sauvignon. Beautiful nose of roses and spice. On the palate the elegant nuance of cabernet franc bloom. Roses, wild cherries, vanilla, white pepper and a hint of mint. A slightly lighter bodied wine compared to its famous child, but well worth checking out.
-BF $25

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Reeder Mesa 2003 Merlot, Colorado
A lovely fruit forward merlot with a smooth structure. Extremely ripe black cherry flavors are complimented by dark chocolate flavors. Hints of vanilla sing on the finish. Very new world, very tasty.
-BF $25
Bonnie Brae and Crossroads Wine and Spirits in Grand Junction carry this wine.
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Vodka 14
Distilled with certified organic grains and Rocky Mountain spring water. It is a smooth vodka showing a flawless finish. They claim the mountain spring water and their meticulous filtration allows them to create such a quality vodka. Vodka 14 is a little over one years old and has made a mile high name for itself. Distilled in the Grand Tetons. Vodka 14 is pure and exudes quality with every sip.
-BF $30
Find this quality vodka at City Wine, Bonnie Brae, Lido Wine Merchants, Aspen Wine and Spirits, Superior Liquor, Chambers Wine & Liquors, Berthoud Wine & Spirits, Pettijohn's Liquor & Wine--Boulder, Tony's Wine & Specialty Beers, Cheers Liquor Mart--Colorado Springs, Wilburs Total Bevearge--Fort Collins, Valley Liquors--Glenwood Springs, Cottonwood Liquors--Grand Junction, Heritage Wine & Liquors, Village Liquors--Snowmass Village, Arctic Spirits--Steamboat Springs, and Divino Wine & Spirits carries it . . .

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Colorado wines are contenders
When it comes to bottles of wine for gifts or holiday meals, I've noticed that many people like to purchase wine from Colorado, especially if they're sharing the wine with family or friends who live elsewhere. I believe more Colorado wine is sold from Thanksgiving to Christmas than any other time of the year.
     Colorado has a great wine making potential. Many of the producers are starting to tune into what it takes to sell their wines in the local market. For example, Two Rivers Winery recently hired an Australian trained winemaker. Their wines reflect the big, concentrated, juicy flavors we've come to love in new world wine. They also have figured out a way to price their wines so that they are affordable. I found all their wines to be a great value for their price, but the one I was most impressed with was their riesling. Their chardonnay, merlot, syrah, and cabernet sauvignon are fine examples of Western Slope fruit. Their wines generally fall in the $12-$15 price range.
     The quality of wine produced in Colorado will continue to improve. As vines grow older their flavors become more concentrated. Also, as growers figure out what works best for their soil, weather, rain, and average sun, we will see better prices. I believe that our climate is better suited to Rhone Valley, Southern Italian and Spanish grape varieties. These growing areas have warm weather. This is evident in the growing popularity and quality of Colorado syrah. Hopefully, we will see more and more syrah, tempranillo, grenache and my favorite, mourvèdre, being produced in our state. When I interview winemakers from Spain, they always confirm my suspicion, Colorado's growing season is very similar to their Mediterranean climate.
     Balistreri Vineyards is another Colorado producer doing a terrific job. Their red wines are very good. Their Little Feet Merlot, Denver Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are worth checking out. With their winery being right here in town visiting them is a fun afternoon outing.
     Bookcliffe, Alfred Eames, Garfield Estates, Reeder Mesa, Bonacquisti, Crooked Creek, Guy Drew, Sutcliffe, and Cocella offer wines worth checking out too. The people who make these wines are very proud of their craft. Many of them, have walked away from lucrative careers to pursue their dream. Fortunately for them, they live in a state that can grow great grapes. Any experienced winemaker will tell you, your wine can only be as good as the grapes you use.

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Left Hand, Smoke Jumper, Imperial Porter, Colorado
The essence of smoke on the nose is incredible. The grains were hand smoked in small batches in order to import this savory flavor of smoke. It's brownish black color is dense, showing off its malty presence. This brew is complicated with notes of sassafras, chocolate, coffee, smoked meats, and a smoldering campfire. This is an impressive bottle with its Champagne muselet (wire cage and cap). It would make an impressive gift for any micro-brew lover.
Very limited production.
-BF $6 for a 22 ounce bottle
Bonnie Brae carries this beer.
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Oskar Blues Old Chub Lip Balm
Notes of almond, macadamia nuts, and Scottish Ale? Yep, this is one tasty lip balm. It is made from almond and macadamia nut oils with a splash of Old Chub Scottish Ale. Perfect for skiing with its SPF15 protection. A great Christmas gift for the beer fan in your life. Order it online http://www.oskarblues.com
Tasted all day long!
-BF $3 a tube
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