Friday Sips

Have you ever wanted to be like 007, James Bond? Well now is your chance! James Bond spent his initial youthful existence drinking Moet's Dom Perignon before coming to his senses and becoming a Bollinger man. Now it is time for you to "come of age," and re-introduce yourself to this legend in Champagne. The origins of Bollinger date all the way back to 1829 and this famed 5-star house goes two steps further: first, aging their multi-vintage Special Cuvee Brut on the lees for 3 years versus the required bare minimum of 15 months and secondly, aging a majority percentage of their fruit in neutral barrels to give that signature, powerful Bolly character.

Beautiful aromas of white chocolate, biscuit, truffle, and citrus, lead into an explosive mousse that is evocative, round, creamy and ultra-complex. Long, drawn-out and possessing assertive bubbles that never stray outside their ultimate finesse, this is a very classy version of "Special Cuvee" with great richness and an exceptional racy quality that if you're a Champagne freak such as us, merits your attention, especially at this super-special price!

2011 marks the 16th vintage that The Cellar Door has been working with Pillot's wines and while Laurent one of the Chassagne-Montrachet's prime-time players for his whites, his prowess with reds has become equally as formidable. If you have loved Pillot wines in the past or want to experience one of Burgundy's best-kept secret values drop by to taste or just dive in!!

It's very thrilling to offer this particular selection because so little is ever produced, in fact, this is the first we've offered it since the 2007 vintage. Volnay but quite a bit more because 2 of the 5 plots in this wine come from Premiers Crus vineyards in Volnay (Les Brouillards and Les Roncerets). Finesse, perfume, floral and earth-driven nose, clarity and focus, roses and peonies abound. Velvety texture that's extremely Burgundian Pinot Noir, especially in mid-palate and on the finely-honed, lengthy finish. Excellent depth and movement throughout, this will drink beautifully and develop over the next dozen years.

One of the outstanding deals of real Valpolicella is this wonderful, full-flavored Ripasso from a terrific small producer located in the classic heart of the region, Marano di Valpolicella.

Teeming with character and substance, the 2011 Vaona Valpolicella Ripasso is from a single vineyard which is also responsible for the estate's top Amarone and offers heaps of luscious dark cherry, plum, Indian spice, candied violet and dark chocolate. Full and intense with great balance and fine-grained tannins that support the lushness through to the long finish that is full of mouth-coating complexity. Enjoy now over the next 3-5 years with pasta darned with porcini (or other mushrooms) and tender morsels of slow cooked lamb, a stellar pairing that must be experienced!