Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'GOOSED' HOTSHEET
Napa Cab Special, New Vietti Barolo, Sancerre & more
2018 TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA 'LUCCHINE'
$13.99 BTL./$83.94 - SIX PACK
$13.99 BTL./$83.94 - SIX PACK
A new arrival from our friend Riccardo Tedeschi and his family. In uncertain times like these, we are all looking for drinkers that qualify as ‘don’t think, just drink’. Escapism if you will. This white wine from outside of Verona is perfect for this category.
Tedeschi’s Lucchine is classic Valpolicella without being Ripasso so its profile is all about freshness and vibrancy. A total charmer possessing violet, vivacious dried raspberry fruit and a tangy, persistent finish, it is a perfect wine to go with hearty pasta dishes like stuffed shells or lasagna and consumed in copious amounts.
Tedeschi’s Lucchine is classic Valpolicella without being Ripasso so its profile is all about freshness and vibrancy. A total charmer possessing violet, vivacious dried raspberry fruit and a tangy, persistent finish, it is a perfect wine to go with hearty pasta dishes like stuffed shells or lasagna and consumed in copious amounts.
2016 PIQUEMAL COTES-DU-ROUSSILLON
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Schist happens. The French Catalan region of Cotes-du-Roussillon is located just south of the city of Perpignan in close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and running down to the Spanish border. Due to the abundance of schist soils, high elevation - and bearing in mind its Catalan roots – Cotes-du-Roussillon is sometimes referred to as France's Priorat.
From a longtime Roussillon stalwart and from Generous and rustic aromas of tea-smoke, blueberry, black licorice, lavender, pepper and subtle cinnamon notes. In the mouth, it is rich and layered with plenty of extension. Excellent mouth-filling fruit combined with minerally definition shows why this region is one of France’s most happening. Drink it with an array of dishes from braised venison to a grilled steak smeared with garlic and pepper.
From a longtime Roussillon stalwart and from Generous and rustic aromas of tea-smoke, blueberry, black licorice, lavender, pepper and subtle cinnamon notes. In the mouth, it is rich and layered with plenty of extension. Excellent mouth-filling fruit combined with minerally definition shows why this region is one of France’s most happening. Drink it with an array of dishes from braised venison to a grilled steak smeared with garlic and pepper.
2017 CARPE DIEM NAPA VALLEY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
[reg. $36.99]
SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
[reg. $36.99]
SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, this Cab is made by Christian Moueix and his team at Dominus and they really go out of their way to bring Napa Cab to so many at a nice price and now that this is on special, they are bringing at an amazing price.
Version 2017 is a bit more robust and muscular than usual but this does not deter from the fact that it is exquisitely crafted. Bordeaux-inspired earth and finesse without ever sacrificing the Napa Valley warmth and deep fruit, there is a plethora of cassis, blackberry and cedar to go along with undertones of vanilla, graphite and tobacco. Lots of texture here along with generous mulled spice and red earth. Picks up more backbone as it slides to the handsomely poised finish. A steal of a Napa Valley Cab that will drink and develop through 2026.
Version 2017 is a bit more robust and muscular than usual but this does not deter from the fact that it is exquisitely crafted. Bordeaux-inspired earth and finesse without ever sacrificing the Napa Valley warmth and deep fruit, there is a plethora of cassis, blackberry and cedar to go along with undertones of vanilla, graphite and tobacco. Lots of texture here along with generous mulled spice and red earth. Picks up more backbone as it slides to the handsomely poised finish. A steal of a Napa Valley Cab that will drink and develop through 2026.
2018 REVERDY SANCERRE 'LES COUTES'
VIEILLES VIGNES
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
VIEILLES VIGNES
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Superb terroir combined with old vines is the secret to this magnificent white wine. The Domaine is based in the tiny hamlet of Maimbray, just outside of the village of Sancerre and in close proximity to Chavignol. This is kimmeridgian soil central within Sancerre, a mix of gray clay laden with white chalk known locally as terre blanche. Les Coutes is one of the family's single vineyards that is very steep and possessing 50+ year old vines.
Intensity to go along with the briskness that one expects from Sancerre, uncompromising, sultry aromas of flintstone and pronounced, pleasing mandarin along with gooseberry and lemon rapidly grab your attention. Beautiful dimension and vinous qualities from these old vines combine with lots of cool, snappy crisp tones to form the expansive texture all the way to the drawn out, long finish that shows nervosity that is oh so typical of this renowned growing region. Drink this livewire with halibut, grilled salmon or a fine goat cheese.
Intensity to go along with the briskness that one expects from Sancerre, uncompromising, sultry aromas of flintstone and pronounced, pleasing mandarin along with gooseberry and lemon rapidly grab your attention. Beautiful dimension and vinous qualities from these old vines combine with lots of cool, snappy crisp tones to form the expansive texture all the way to the drawn out, long finish that shows nervosity that is oh so typical of this renowned growing region. Drink this livewire with halibut, grilled salmon or a fine goat cheese.
2017 BERNABELEVA VINOS DE MADRID
'CAMINO DE NAVHERREROS'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
'CAMINO DE NAVHERREROS'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Bernabeleva, meaning the bear's forest, is an exciting Bodega located a mere 50 miles west of Madrid in the foothills of the Sierra de Grados Mountains. Grenache (or Garnacha) is king at this estate and the various elevations and soil-types are what drive each of the estate's wines.
100% Garnacha grown in sandy soil and aged in stainless steel tanks, this is meant to be a layered and nuanced version that holds its freshness beautifully. An intense character of rose petal, violet, anise and well-accented white pepper tones that follow over into a texture that is crunchy, vibrant and mouth filling. Gains plenty of vibrancy on the finish and possesses, once again, an excellent white pepper note. Drink this tempting mouthful of red wine with an array of grilled cuisines; I am partial to eggplant parmesan with this red. A fabulous Spanish red not to be missed!
100% Garnacha grown in sandy soil and aged in stainless steel tanks, this is meant to be a layered and nuanced version that holds its freshness beautifully. An intense character of rose petal, violet, anise and well-accented white pepper tones that follow over into a texture that is crunchy, vibrant and mouth filling. Gains plenty of vibrancy on the finish and possesses, once again, an excellent white pepper note. Drink this tempting mouthful of red wine with an array of grilled cuisines; I am partial to eggplant parmesan with this red. A fabulous Spanish red not to be missed!
2017 D'ARENBERG SHIRAZ
'THE STUMP JUMP'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
'THE STUMP JUMP'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
From one of South Australia's well-known producers, this Shiraz breaks the stereotype of jammy, thick and oozing wines that require heroic doses of penicillin to make it all go away. Seriously, this has the fabulous fruit but also has an abundance of freshness that makes one want to have another glass.
Classic Shiraz aromas of blackberry fruit intertwined with fresh cracked pepper and smoke aromas. Juicy and flamboyant fruit in the mouth, with ground pepper and clove tones adding to the complexity. This is not meant to be a cerebral wine, rather a wine that complements a wide arrange of food. Have it with pizza or a burger with friends or by itself.
Classic Shiraz aromas of blackberry fruit intertwined with fresh cracked pepper and smoke aromas. Juicy and flamboyant fruit in the mouth, with ground pepper and clove tones adding to the complexity. This is not meant to be a cerebral wine, rather a wine that complements a wide arrange of food. Have it with pizza or a burger with friends or by itself.
2016 VIETTI BAROLO 'CASTIGLIONE'
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
Back In February when Elena Penna Currado made a visit, we were fortunate to have a sneak peek at the now arrived, epic 2016 Barolo Castiglione. If you have been under a rock then you’ll know that 2016 is the next big thing for Barolo and Barbaresco. In modern terms, I think of 2010 or 2006 to compare. Based around Ravera with bits of Brunate, Lazzarito, Ginestra, Mosconi, Le Coste and other single crus blended into the final cuvee, this wine is a tribute to past generations of producers who made one great wine from a blend of great sites. One last thing is the price remains the same and this is one of the ultimate values in all of Barolo.
To call this wine an entry Barolo would be injustice because it goes way beyond that classification. Decadent aromas of violet, plum, tea-leaf, black licorice, spice and underlying mushroom shine from the glass and lead into a gripping, tightly-wound, but impressive Barolo with immense potential. Traditionally made, this one has all the goods that will show in time. Hold on to this potentially grand Barolo until end of 2023 and drink it through 2035 and well beyond.
To call this wine an entry Barolo would be injustice because it goes way beyond that classification. Decadent aromas of violet, plum, tea-leaf, black licorice, spice and underlying mushroom shine from the glass and lead into a gripping, tightly-wound, but impressive Barolo with immense potential. Traditionally made, this one has all the goods that will show in time. Hold on to this potentially grand Barolo until end of 2023 and drink it through 2035 and well beyond.
2012 MICHELOT NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES
'LES VAUCRAINS' PREMIER CRU
$89.99 - LIMITED
'LES VAUCRAINS' PREMIER CRU
$89.99 - LIMITED
Need a 2012 bottle for that child born or down the road occasion for that particular year, then this wine is exactly your choice. Elodie Michelot is a top-drawer producer in the village and one who is currently flying under the radar. Rule of thumb for this Premier Cru vineyard is not to touch it until its 10th birthday when it is a great vintage. Vaucrains is Premier Cru in name only. If there were ever to be a reclassification, this site would certainly be elevated to Grand Cru, it is that damn good. It is not uncommon to sell wines from this site at $150 and yet Elodie’s are majorly underpriced.
The color is an intense crimson with a hint of mauve. The nose features rose and licorice. Dense vinous aromas of cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant come first and now at seven years old, some truffle and rosemary arrives. Notes of macerated cherry and blackberry complete the picture. Muscular and vigorous, chewy and full-bodied, its structure is both well built, well balanced and very, very long. Being on the limestone crown above the village of Nuits-St-Georges with Cailles and Les St-Georges, these sturdy wines are built to age. I would recommend holding this until 2024 and it will continue to drink and develop for many (15-20) more years onward. A great wine to celebrate a monumental occasion that occurred in 2012!
The color is an intense crimson with a hint of mauve. The nose features rose and licorice. Dense vinous aromas of cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant come first and now at seven years old, some truffle and rosemary arrives. Notes of macerated cherry and blackberry complete the picture. Muscular and vigorous, chewy and full-bodied, its structure is both well built, well balanced and very, very long. Being on the limestone crown above the village of Nuits-St-Georges with Cailles and Les St-Georges, these sturdy wines are built to age. I would recommend holding this until 2024 and it will continue to drink and develop for many (15-20) more years onward. A great wine to celebrate a monumental occasion that occurred in 2012!
