Toast of the Town

Royal Tokaji Essencia 2003

Château Latour 2008

Top Shelf at Marcello’s

While Marcello’s Wine Market in Lafayette has long been known as the go-to place for a wide variety of wines and spirits, it’s the staff of knowledgeable experts that makes this store stand out. We met with general manager Spencer Venable,and certified sommeliers Kelli Bazer and Miki Hebert, who showed us some of their most decadent labels.

Wilderness Trail Kentucky Straight (Marcello’s Private Label)

Royal Tokaji Essencia 2003

Essencia is the world’s most concentrated wine, made from the essence of the ripest aszú grapes. The third vintage since 1993, the 2003 Essencia is offered in a stately brass-hinged wooden box carved from Hungarian oak, lined with silk and containing the indulgent Royal Tokaji Hungarian crystal sipping spoon. The spoon was designed exclusively for Royal Tokaji, enabling 25 sips per bottle — or 50 if you share your spoonful with a loved one! $450

Château Latour 2008

This ruby-red bordeaux blend has an aromatic nose that is luxuriously fresh and pure. Described as both austere and elegant, with tannins that are soft and supple, this vintage has a velvety allure accompanied by great depth and body. With 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a complex wine marked by purity of black fruits, berries, toast and tannins. It has power, richness and a lovely edge of spice to go with the acidity. $1,100

Château Cheval Blanc 2000

One of Bordeaux’s most beautiful labels, Château Cheval Blanc remains among the elite of Saint-Emilion with each new vintage. It is one of the most concentrated Saint-Emilion wines and needs 15-25 years of aging in order to fully develop. This cuvée has a deep color of intense ruby that comes with an explosion of floral notes as well as blackcurrant, a flavor that carries through to the palate to blend with the powerful tannins. $1,500

Wilderness Trail Kentucky Straight

Nothing says “Bourbon” quite like Kentucky, so Marcello’s Wine Market partnered with Wilderness Trail to bring its own private-label whiskey to Acadiana. Bold and spicy, sweet and smoothe, this rich amber drink starts with a sharp heat to wake up the palate. Flavors of malt and brown sugar are at center, followed by hints of cinnamon, black pepper and an oaky citrus note, and a pleasant finish with an aftertaste of vanilla. $70