The Red Wagon Shoppe - Rochester Location

11/12/2024

From the self-taught vintner (Juan Mercado) who launched the cult project, Realm Cellars, RIISE is his new venture that pivots south, working in the sunny climes of Paso Robles.

Whereas the goal for Realm is to produce world class wines from Bordeaux varieties, RIISE centers on Rhône varieties. Tasting through the inaugural release of these wines into Michigan, the one that stood out most was the 2019 Peace.

Based on 75% Syrah, Peace is rich in a way that one comes to expect from Paso, but its unique mix of spice, smoke, and herbaceousness give it the type of depth and complexity that is not so common. The generosity of this wine can certainly appeal to serious Napa Cab fans while all the layers and nooks and crannies has a much broader appeal to it. This is an ideal special occasion bottle for a finicky drinker.

11/11/2024

Wilson Daniels is arguably the greatest importer of luxury wines from Europe into the States. They have built an impressive legacy in representing some of the best producers from Burgundy, the Loire, Barolo, Sicily, and beyond. Naturally, we hold them in pretty high regard and they are consequently one of our most trusted and important suppliers.

Fittingly, we decided to put on a bit of the spur-of-the-moment walk-around tasting highlighting their portfolio. On this night we will featuring more than a dozen different selections of wines from their deep catalog.

Here is a snapshot of some of the wineries we will be showcasing that evening:

Domaine Leflaive
Volpaia
J. Davies
Torres
Champagne Gosset
Te Mata Estate
Domaine Laroche
Royal Tokaji Co.

On hand we will have our friend Ben Eberlein from Wilson Daniels to pour alongside sommelier Mick Descamps for this special evening.

As tastings of this nature tend to fill up quickly (and some of the wines are not in great supply), we will be limiting spaces for this event. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP as soon as you can to [email protected]

11/09/2024

Foursquare Rum Distillery is tucked away in the southern countryside of Saint Philip, Barbados, on 7 acres of a former sugar plantation and has been producing exceptional, authentic Barbados rum for over 25 years. One of the most respected and admired producers of spirits in the world—and the only family-owned distillery on the island—Foursquare Distillery was established in 1996 by Sir David Seale and is currently operated by his son, Master Distiller and Master Blender Richard Seale.

Foursquare rums are produced using coral stone- and karst limestone-filtered water from local aquifers. Both locally sourced and Guyanese molasses are fermented with distiller’s yeast from South Africa for 44–48 hours before distillation. All Foursquare rums are distilled in either a double retort copper pot still or a twin column Coffey vacuum still.

Needless to say these are some of the most impressive rums available on the world market and we are big fans. Here are a few of their limited release items we have in stock.

11/08/2024

Tomorrow for Saturday Sippin’ we are going to be highlighting far flung regions in France and Spain. From zippy Roussette in the Savoie to juicy elegant Grenache from the Serra de Gredos to ultra-old vine Tempranillo from Toro, there are going to be a whole range of super cool options.

As always there’s no charge to attend and no need to RSVP; simply come by between 11 and 2.

11/08/2024

This version of La Roja is to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Jolly Pumpkin.

A blend of 37 different barrels ranging in age from May 15th 2020 to July 5th of 2022 this product is offered in a 1.5L bottle and once it’s gone is never coming back. This is a true testament to Ron Jeffries and everything he has done for the industry. A true titan he will be greatly missed by us and many other beer lovers alike. Cheers and Mahalo plenty!

11/07/2024

New barrel pick has just dropped. This time it is a special barrel selection of Buffalo Trace…and it is soooo nice. Now available.

11/05/2024

Join us this Thursday, November 7th for an in-store tasting featuring the amazing beers of Eastern Market Brewing.

The event will run from 4-6 and there is no charge to attend. Here is what we have on deck to sample:

313 IPA
Brand New Lager
Razzle Dazzle Sour
plus a couple special offerings from their Ferndale Project

11/02/2024

Tawny Port spotlight: Ramos Pinto.

Port is a category dominated by large houses, which are the ones that most significantly populate the market. I’m not taking anything away from these titans, because I enjoy many of their wines, but if you do a little more digging in this category you can locate and experience some truly marvelous iterations of Port. The very embodiment of this philosophy is captured in the Tawny Ports of Ramos Pinto.

One of the reasons I am such a fan of these wines is that the craftsmanship and attention to detail is simply on another level, evidenced in their Single-Quinta (single farm) 10- and 20-year bottlings. (In my mind, the greatest 20-year Tawny available anywhere belongs to them.) if you are a Port fan, please zero in on Ramos Pinto the next time you’re seeking some out.

11/02/2024

The Calumet Bourbon brand pays homage to Calumet Farm, one of the world’s most successful thoroughbred horse racing farms. The Farm produced two Triple Crown winners, eight Kentucky Derby Winners, eight Preakness winners, and eleven horses in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

All expressions are distilled at a partner distillery in Kentucky using a mash bill of 74 % Corn, 18 % Rye, and 8 % Malted Barley. The family of brands features expressions, or labels, aged 8-16 years in heavy # 4 char barrels sourced from Kentucky Cooperage in Lebanon, Kentucky.

Their range of bourbons and age statements is impressive and is the type of high-quality American whiskey that hides in plain sight, often going overlooked.

11/01/2024

Here is the lineup for tomorrow’s Saturday Sippin which is titled “Super Tuscany”.

Tuscany is the home to legendary wines like Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti, and in the latter half of the 20th Century a wine revolution began—one which challenged long-held traditions and embraced innovation and the international wine landscape. That movement and its wines became known as Super Tuscans.

For this special edition of Saturday Sippin’ we are paying tribute to these wines, featuring 5 x dynamic modern Tuscan offerings.

As always there is no charge to attend and no need to RSVP; just come by between 11a and 2p.

10/30/2024

After talking about it for a long time, I decided to start a regular newsletter. Deviating from the normal wine emails, these will talk about trends and products in the beer, wine, and liquor categories. Check out our inaugural edition of Grapes, Grain, and Suds.

Email from Red Wagon Shoppe Grapes, Grains, and Suds: The Red Wagon Newsletter 10/29/2024 Welcome to our first newsletter! This is something I have talked about doing for a long while, but have

10/30/2024

After a rather lengthy absence, we’d like to welcome back the bodacious Beaux Freres wines, including this beauty.

Their 2021 base-level Willamette Valley Pinot Noir shows the type of detail and expression that you’d commonly find in wines well over $100. This is a masterful performance by winemaker Damien Lapuyade, and is an excellent iteration of Oregon Pinot Noir. We loaded up on this bottling and were able to strike a much better price—at under $60, this wine is hard to beat in the category.

10/26/2024

Locked and loaded for today’s Saturday Sippin’. First we have an energetic Chardonnay-Savagnin blend from the Jura; then on to a rich and herbaceous Jacquere-driven blend from mountainous Savoie; next is a floral-juicy Mondeuse from the same region; followed by a delightfully out-of-place Northern Rhône Gamay; a warm vintage Sancerre Rouge from one of the appellation’s best; and wrapping up with a powerful, layered Malbec from SW France’s Cahors.

Tasting will run from 11a until 2p. As always there’s no charge to attend and no need to RSVP; simply swing on over!

10/25/2024

For tomorrow’s Saturday Sippin’ we are going to be touring through less conspicuous parts of France, making stops in the Loire Valley, Jura, Savoie, and Cahors. 6 wines in all. Come by and experience a lesser known part of the French wine landscape. No passport required.

As always attendance is free of charge and no RSVP is required; simply come by between 11-2.

10/24/2024

Fresh arrival…and this is a good one. Behold the 2024 release of the Wood Finishing Series from Maker’s Mark. The Heart Release is warm, chocolaty, and rich, and clocking in at 111.7 proof this is in that sweet spot for strength.

Incredibly limited, if you are interested call the store, but please act quickly.

10/22/2024

Quite possibly the best young Pomerol I’ve ever tasted, the 2020 Clos du Clocher is a marvel.

Clos du Clocher may have started small, but its story is one of steady growth and refinement. Founded in 1924 by Jean Baptiste Audy, this hidden gem in Pomerol has been a family affair, lovingly built one row of vines at a time. Today, it’s a vineyard spanning 4.6 hectares in the illustrious Right Bank, and the wines coming out of here have never been better.

With a blend dominated by 70% Merlot and rounded out with 30% Cabernet Franc, 2020 is a stellar vintage from this estate. The vineyard’s best plots sit near famed neighbors like Chateau La Fleur Petrus and Trotanoy, sharing the same clay, gravel, and sand soils. It’s no wonder that Clos du Clocher has started turning heads among serious collectors—though prices haven’t yet caught up with the quality. Do not sleep on this beauty!

10/17/2024

Merlot was once the most popular red wine grape in the USA, but after years of over-production and seas filled with average to low-quality wines, the public turned their backs on it. Flash forward to today, though, and this once-bemoaned grape has made an impressive comeback and there are wonderful options galore. To celebrate this turn of events, we are going to put on an all-Merlot tasting. From broad-shouldered Napa to serious-minded Bordeaux and loads of options in between, we are going to do our best to pay tribute to this storied grape. 8 fantastic options in all will be open that day to pay tribute to this grape.

Just come by between 11a-2p, and come see what we have open that day. No need to RSVP, and no charge to attend.