Deep Ellum Brewery has just released their first (only?) production of “Love Runs Deep” Cherry Chocolate Double Brown Stout (deets below). Think you’ll find it at Tom Thumb? Nope. Bolsa Mercado bought the entire batch. Each 22-ounce bottle is individually numbered and made with red tart and dark sweet cherries and Organic/Fair Trade cocoa nibs. Expect to find all 300 of them on the shelves of Bolsa Mercado during their next Open House on February 11.

If you can’t wait until the 11^th to get a food fix from The ‘Cado, head over on February 8. If you are lucky, you may be able to look past talented chef chefs Jeff Harris and Matt Balke and spot the rare, elusive chef Sharon Hage in the kitchen. She will be creating a “Take Home Dinner For Two.” Who knows, by then Bolsa Mercado may have Alan McClure creating Fudgesicles or Grant Achatz doing dishes. Could happen. Pigs fly in Oak Cliff.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE DOUBLE BROWN STOUT -

8% ABV 27 IBUs

Our logical offering for a passionate time of year.

Who says Brewers can’t pluck your heartstrings? We’ll play right to your heart (and

palette and belly) by taking our already smooth and rich Double Brown Stout and taking

out to a night on the town. By adding real Red Tart and Dark Sweet Cherries at the

beginning of fermentation and **(Organic/Fair Trade) cocoa nibs at the end of

conditioning, once a year we treat our Double Brown Stout lavishly. Don’t be a selfish

lover, share with this someone special.

Style: Cherry Chocolate Baltic Porter

Hops: US Goldings, Mt. Hood, US Northern Brewer, Summit

Malts: Pale Ale, Munich light, Brown, Munich Dark, Oats, Crystal Rye, Extra Dark

Crystal, Dehusked Chocolate

Yeast: California Lager

Other: Blackstrap Molasses, Red Tart & Dark Sweet Cherry Puree’, Cocoa Nibs

Packages: 50L, 1/6th bbl

Each fall the major California wineries producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet blends release their new wines. For most wineries, these  vintages are three years old. Some wineries are exceptions as they age their wines for more or less than the most popular length of time. As a result, this year most new releases are from 2008, but some 2007s, 2009s and other years can be found in the mix.

Sigel’s gathered 38 of the best and invited Dallas buyers to The Park City Club this week to sample them. I was fortunate to be invited as a guest. Attendees could also dine on the excellent heavy hors d’oeuvres of tenderloin of beef, cheeses, chicken quesadillas, and fruit.

The overall quality of the wines was exemplary. Something that prompted The Wine Spectator to  comment “2008 Cabernet Sauvignons approach 2007’s stellar quality. The 2008 vintage so far ranks among the best of the decade. Perhaps the only hurdle it faces in reaching the apex is that it stands in the shadow of the monumental 2007 vintage.”

Interestingly, although these wines are designed to age, almost all are drinkable now, especially with some fatty red meat such as rib-eye or T-Bone steak to soften the tannins. Salt on the meat also moderates the texture of tannins in the mouthfeel.

Jump for tasting notes.

These were the wines that I personally liked the most, without regard to price. The order below is mine from top down, with my scores. For information, I report the scores (out of 100) by one of three national critics where available. RP=Robert Parker. ST=Steven Tanzer. WS=Wine Spectator:

94

2009 Tor Kenward Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa ($69.99).

93

2007 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa ($84.99). 92WS

2008 Robert Craig, Affinity, Napa. ($47.99).

2008 Round Pond, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa ($49.99). 91RP.

92+

2008 Hall, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa ($48.99). 95RP

2008 Januik, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington ($34.99). 94WS. The only non-California wine in the show.

2008 Lail Cabernet Sauvignon, Cuvée John Daniel, Napa ($129.99). 93ST.

This second list is my best values of the show:

2008 Robert Craig, Affinity, Napa. ($47.99).

2008 Januik, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington ($34.99). 94WS. The only non-California wine in the show.

2006 Happy Canyon, ‘Brand’, Santa Barbara ($38.99). 91AC

2008 Steele Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills, Lake County. ($29.99). 90AC.

These wines are available at major Sigel’s stores now. In some cases supplies are tight due to small winery output.