2021 ALARY CAIRANNE ROUGE
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Cairanne, with its upgrade to full appellation status versus Cotes-du-Rhone Villages represents terrific Rhone values and Alary is one of the superb addresses in the village. A telltale GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) sourced from old vines aging ranging from various parcels in Cairanne, all of which provide a balance between strength and smoothness.

A velvet monster that emits aromas of strawberry, savory earth, tealeaf, Thai spices and black licorice. Texturally, this wine is layered, rich and possesses excellent movement from front to back. Old vine depth is very evident on the lengthy, broad finish that snaps back after the wine is swallowed and pleasantly hangs around. No doubt a 5–7-year ager, enjoy with slow-braised lamb or a simply prepared grilled porterhouse spiked with garlic and coated with black pepper. .

2021 FATTORIA DI FELSINA
CHIANTI CLASSICO 'BERARDENGA'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

If I have told you once, I have now told you a thousand and one times. DO NOT MISS 2021 CHIANTI CLASSICO WINES! The great Felsina version is upon us and their 2021 Annate is a doozy!

Felsina’s 2021 Berardenga Chianti will smoke many other producer’s Riserva bottlings! Super-stylish, this pure red has a brilliant tonality and fascinating development on the nose. Lovely, fruited fragrances of blackcurrant and blueberry emerge first, nicely infused with minty balsam and tobacco. The entry is thrilling in its perfection, calmly developing supple structure, well-gauged extract and an ending finish that prompts a satisfied sigh…There is an extra level of classiness for this vintage, do not miss it! Very lovely now and will continue to drink beautifully for 12+ years.

2022 RASA 'OCCAM'S RAZOR'
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Ever since visiting the Naravane brothers in Walla Walla over a decade ago, we became devout supporters. Full-flavored wines with striking equilibrium are produced and the Occams Razor wines are a great starting point before heading to their upper register wines.

A true to form Washington blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from various Red Mountain, Yakima and Walla Walla vineyards. Sheer deliciousness with good substance and without getting silly with just a bunch of wood, this is a mouthful of red wine, yet with lift and character. Layered black cherry, plum, violet, and anise are encapsulated by underlying milk-chocolate coated espresso bean aromas. Mouth filling and palate staining, there is such an irresistible quality to this wine now, but don't drink it all up at once, it will age nicely for 5-7 years, too.

2021 PRA SOAVE CLASSICO
'STAFORTE'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

This reserve offering from the Pra family is a blend of several top Cru vineyard sites and is drinking extremely well right now. The name comes from the old name Pra’s home village of Monteforte d’Alpone and was created back in 2004. At the time, the trend was to allow Reserve cuvees of Soave to suffer in new oak barrels, Graziano Pra thumbed his nose at that trend and put this wine immediately into stainless steel and to this day it remains an unoaked cuvee.

Essence of the region, the 2021’s interpretation is one that is a mineral monster with a backdrop of honeyed lemon, papaya and lychee and seashore scents. In the mouth, it is suave and sophisticated with voltage and palate coverage. The minerality really picks up in the driving, flavorful mid-palate and keeps on going to the livewire, nervy, persistent finish. A great white wine to drink with a seafood/asparagus risotto, grilled prawns with an Asian influence or a nice Robiola cheese.

2019 RONDAN RIOJA CRIANZA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Rondan is a young Bodega (founded 1993) with a traditional outlook. Jose Saenz de Santamaria is from a Rioja family and learned from some of the best in the region.

90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha. Pronounced, warm spiced earth surrounds aromatic strawberry. Tons of Rioja spice as it opens; there is a nice combination of fine, fleshy fruit aromas and traditional, savory flavors. Lush, classy and forward along with pronounced strawberry licorice-whip on the finish, this is a way above-average everyday red. Drink now and drink lots.

2021 PRANDI DOLCETTO DIANO
D'ALBA 'SORI CRISTINA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Like their counterparts in Dogliani, the village of Diano D'Alba is known for Dolcetto, hence the special notation of its village on the label. In this village, the grape thrives and is quite special, most times delivering something a bit more.

Giovanni Prando's version exquisitely expresses the sandstone soils in the vineyard. Assertive and quite fragrant with striking aromatic plum, violet and spiced-earth on the nose along with a mouth-coating texture that is crunchy, alive and full of Italian succulence. A hell of a Dolcetto! Enjoy it with salami, pasta or smoked sausages.

CHAMPAGNE MARC HEBRART
BLANC DE BLANCS
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK

Champagne Marc Hebrart, led by Jean-Paul Hebrart, is a small but formidable and influential grower Champagne producer who makes a fierce range of top bubblies. Hebrart's Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay with 60% coming from the Grands Crus villages of Chouilly and Oiry but the other 40% comes from the home Premier Cru village, Marieul-sur-Ay across the river and is more known for its Pinot Noir. Instantly enticing, this drop has serious toss-it-back factor exuding finesse and tiny bubbles. Bright aromas of toasted wheat bread, lemon, soft spice and chalk lead into a mouth-coating, scintillatingly seductive texture that cleans the palate and calls you back for another sip, glass or bottle. Luxuriate. Oh indeed!

2022 EVESHAM WOOD PINOT NOIR
'TEMPERANCE HILL'
$45.99 BTL./$551.88 CASE

Temperance Hill provides fruit to many top Oregon producers including the likes of Walter Scott, Bergstrom, Goodfellow and others. Dai Crisp has been managing the Temperance Hill Vineyard since 1999. Having managed Croft Vineyard and then Willakenzie's vines, Dai brought his organic philosophies to Temperance Hill and the results have been stupendous.

With its throwback label, the newly arrived 2022 is gorgeous juice that has immense potential for aging. Based around aromatics, finesse and beauty; red berry, violet, soft smoke, and elusive herbs and spices are the characteristics of this sultry, fine Pinot. In the mouth, it is noticeably young and packed in, but what is underneath is velvety, stylish, deftly proportioned, long, and ethereal. Finishes very sleek, round and extensive, offering up a great, long aftertaste. Hold until end of 2025 then drink through 2035 and beyond.

2016 ALAIN GRAILLOT
CROZES-HERMITAGE
$49.99 BTL. - 9 btls available

A delicious library wine from the King of Crozes! Always a popular producer at The Cellar Door, we never get a chance to offer something that is in its drinking window (and can still develop) from this producer as their wines get snapped up in their youth.

A spectrum of aromas including dried Morello cherry, black olive, fresh baked blueberry pie, wild mushroom and roses, smoke and pepper and on and on. This intellectually complex nose is only outdone by the incredibly balanced lavishness on the palate. It is a beautiful thing to see all the components coming together to form an ethereal package that has the depth and acidity to stand up to any roasted beast you can think of. Very exquisite now and will easily age for another decade.