THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SHEET OF SIX SPECIALS'
We Love Warehouse Sales!
Chateauneuf, Albarino, Champagne & more on superb deals
2022 PIROLETTE SAINT-AMOUR
[reg. $22.99]
SPECIAL - $16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Grabbing good Cru Beaujolais for this price is fabulous and over the last decade, Gregory Barbet’s Domaine Pirolette has risen to leader status in Saint-Amour and Beaujolais itself.
Immediately this fleshy, full red bolts from the glass with scents of red and black plum, boosted by peppercorn and dark chocolate and a last-minute arrival of violet and red earth. The texture shows intensity along with superb depth from the old vines and nicely supported by the minerality and natural lift. Enjoy this stunner over the next 5-6 years, have it with roasted chicken/turkey, chanterelle pasta with cream, grilled pork tenderloin and even Pad Thai.
2023 RAUL PEREZ 'ATALIER'
ALBARINO 'CRUZ DAS ANIMAS'
[reg. $39.99]
SPECIAL - $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
Anything these days from Galicia/Bierzo maestro Raul Perez tends to be spendy so when we discovered a special price on one of his Albarino wines, we almost did a flamenco dance in the parking lot. Thank goodness no one saw us, or we could have been arrested!
Marine-inflicted from the start, sea breeze, saline and shells take the lead followed by scents of peach pit and lime that step forward at as this multidimensional Albarino unfolds. Vinous but contradictory as there is ample structure and vibrancy that folds inward, becomes very vertical and food friendly on the drawn out and elevated finish. There is no shortage of electrifying acidity but the 80+ year old vines buffer it nicely. An excellent selection with crab but also will pair masterfully with grilled salmon.
GIRARD-BONNET 'A MI-CHEMIN'
BLANC E BLANCS GRAND CRU
[reg. $99.99]
SPECIAL - $74.99 BTL./$449.94 - 6 PK
One of the many highlights of my visit to Champagne two weeks ago was a visit to Girard-Bonnet, an upstart producer in Le Mesnil sur Oger. Getting to meet 30-year-old owner Paul Girard, one sees that the future is now, and I cannot express how great these Champagnes are and how their prices and availability will change soon. Think of the likes of Pierre Peters or Suenen before they became sought after and tightly allotted.
A Mi-Chemin (middle of the path) is equal parts from the Grands Crus villages of Le Mesnil and Oger. Base 2022 with 30% 2019, 2020 and 2021, this multi-vintage, sculpted Blanc de Blancs does not have an ounce of fat on it. Lifting lemon, firm chalk, honeysuckle, prominent lime and just a kiss of Anjou pear. The palate is dry and mouth-watering, with a well-balanced and elegant mousse. It is pithy through the mid-palate with classic minerality and has a clean and deceptively long finish. Outstanding Champagne…get yours now while it is on a smashing special!
2023 CLOS STE-MAGDELAINE
MEDITERRANEE BLANC
[reg. $26.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Famous for its Cassis Rose and Cassis Blanc, Provence stalwart Clos Ste-Magdelaine’s IGP Mediterranée offers a mini-Magdelaine experience even if it is just from outside of Cassis. Grown at 1300 feet in proximity to the ocean, this blend of 50% Ugni Blanc and 50% Rolle (French Vermentino) is quite a dashing charmer and now a deal for twenty bucks!
Illuminating and extremely satisfying with expressive notes of lemon blossom, saline, freesia and minerality on the nose. Electrifying tones of orange, rose, lemon, mineral and anise carry over into a clean and crisp, yet deceivingly intense texture that comes together to please the palate with zest and flavor. Try this wine with a simple linguine with shrimp, good olive oil and an assortment of vegetables.
2023 BENEVELLI DOLCETTO
D'ALBA 'LA COSTA'
[reg. $23.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Dolcetto with physique and never straying from its varietal roots, the nose reveals dark plum, dusty clay, Monforte mineral and licorice notes.
From the moment it is poured, it entices you to do what nature tells one to do with Dolcetto - drink the damn thing! Mouth filling and mouthwatering, the depth and detail of place assert themselves, but the Dolcetto salvo and snap-back on the above-the-norm finish come through as well. A delicious everyday red from a favorite Barolo producer, enjoy this wine with salami, sausage, prosciutto, pasta and a bunch of friends.
2020 GALET DE PAPES
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES
[reg. $53.99]
SPECIAL - $39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
For a limited time, one can score Galet de Papes Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf at forty-bucks.
80–110-year-old vines and 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah. Reminiscent of a cross between two great vintages, 2001 and 2017, 2020 is as is the norm for this cuvee, incredibly special, very stacked, and potentially very profound. Cerebral, confident, even cocky Chateauneuf, it is complex, and even at an early age, reveals a kaleidoscope of aromas.
Scents of crème de mure, kirsch, woodsmoke, Moroccan spice, red licorice and hot-rock follow into flavors that are lavish and maintain freshness. There is an intense structure for aging, however it is submerged beneath the core of old vine fruit. The Mourvèdre shines on the finish with tealeaf and berry tones. Cadillac sleekness, it promises to be a hedonist’s delight. Give it until 2027 and drink it through 2036+. We cannot emphasize enough at how good a value this really is. GREATNESS NEEDN’T COST YOU AN ARM AND A LEG!