Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SHOT IN THE ARM' HOTSHEET
Brick House Bargain Pinot, 2016 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, White Burgundy, Cru Beaujeau-Rotie, Under-15 choices and more
2016 AVIGNONESI VINO NOBILE
DI MONTEPULCIANO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
DI MONTEPULCIANO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
n such a positive way, it is akin to a big and perfect storm when a great producer is handed pinnacle-growing conditions and vintage like 2016 has allowed for Avignonesi’s iconic Nobile di Montepulciano to be very special indeed. The Avignonesi estate dates back to 1377 and Pope Gregory when he moved the papal estate from Rome to Avignon. One of the families returned and referred to as Avignonesi and started this estate, which is one of the oldest in Tuscany. With a track record of superb wines, Virginie Saverys purchased Avignonesi in 2009, this historic estate returned to past glory and this is the finest version of this wine since the early 1990s.
Scintillating Sangiovese, this wonderfully pure Nobile possesses scents of red plum, sage, black cherry, and savory earth will have you reminiscing about your last visit to Tuscany! The depth and concentration carry nicely into the mouth as it offers up succulent, ripe and flavorful tones with superb focus and grip, as well as a dark finish that is spicy and long. Drink now through 2028. For Italian wine lovers in general, we strongly suggest that you do not pass this one up. You'll be amazed that something this fantastic from a stellar Tuscan producer can cost so little when you compared to others.
Scintillating Sangiovese, this wonderfully pure Nobile possesses scents of red plum, sage, black cherry, and savory earth will have you reminiscing about your last visit to Tuscany! The depth and concentration carry nicely into the mouth as it offers up succulent, ripe and flavorful tones with superb focus and grip, as well as a dark finish that is spicy and long. Drink now through 2028. For Italian wine lovers in general, we strongly suggest that you do not pass this one up. You'll be amazed that something this fantastic from a stellar Tuscan producer can cost so little when you compared to others.
2018 GUILLAUME CLUSEL
COTEAUX-DU-LYONNAIS 'GALET'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
COTEAUX-DU-LYONNAIS 'GALET'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Located in the hills west and south of Lyon and formerly (and somewhat still) known for wine served in carafes in the city's Bouchon restaurants, the Coteaux du Lyonnais is being transformed by several young growers including Guillaume Clusel. The son of prominent Cote-Rotie stalwart Clusel-Roch, Guillaume has taken these wines into orbit and after a long wait to get them; I am very thrilled to offer them to you all.
When initially tasting this wine, one has to think that perhaps this could be the southernmost eleventh Cru of Beaujolais. Then again, why not call it an extension of Cote-Rotie made with 100% Gamay. Either way, this wine is so attractive in so many ways to so many French wine lovers. From three villages in the southwestern portion if the appellation in close proximity to Vienne and Lyon's southern suburbs, two types of soil make up the foundation; glacial soils with large stones, and gneiss, a rock resembling granite which allow for ultimate terroir expression. Monumental aromas that have pronounced minerality, perfume, blueberry, and raspberry sing from the glass. Very exquisite generosity all while maintaining its poised and debonair traits. Layered and vinous, but never becoming thick or over the top, it finishes with lovely pomegranate and spiciness on the coating, detailed finish. This wine is glorious with a plethora of cuisines; however, we encourage you to cellar some, as lines will blur between great Cru Beaujolais, Burgundy and Cote-Rotie after 4-5 years. Drink over the next 10+ years with sausage & lentils, hearty mushroom dishes or a classic roasted chicken.
When initially tasting this wine, one has to think that perhaps this could be the southernmost eleventh Cru of Beaujolais. Then again, why not call it an extension of Cote-Rotie made with 100% Gamay. Either way, this wine is so attractive in so many ways to so many French wine lovers. From three villages in the southwestern portion if the appellation in close proximity to Vienne and Lyon's southern suburbs, two types of soil make up the foundation; glacial soils with large stones, and gneiss, a rock resembling granite which allow for ultimate terroir expression. Monumental aromas that have pronounced minerality, perfume, blueberry, and raspberry sing from the glass. Very exquisite generosity all while maintaining its poised and debonair traits. Layered and vinous, but never becoming thick or over the top, it finishes with lovely pomegranate and spiciness on the coating, detailed finish. This wine is glorious with a plethora of cuisines; however, we encourage you to cellar some, as lines will blur between great Cru Beaujolais, Burgundy and Cote-Rotie after 4-5 years. Drink over the next 10+ years with sausage & lentils, hearty mushroom dishes or a classic roasted chicken.
2018 FRANCOIS CARILLON
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Last call for this beautiful White Burgundy at its special price! Given that Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault are both north of 50-dollars these days, this very distinguished white Burgundy is a great choice, especially for a White Burgundy lover on a budget.
This wine comes from three plots (two in Puligny-Montrachet, one in Meursault) situated just outside the zones to be referred to as their larger counterparts. A superior version of Bourgogne Blanc and with just the right amplification, mandarin notes with clove, mineral, wet stone and anise lead into a scrumptious, elevated, nervy texture that has depth, dimension, class and persistence. A hell of a lot of white Burg goodness for the price!
This wine comes from three plots (two in Puligny-Montrachet, one in Meursault) situated just outside the zones to be referred to as their larger counterparts. A superior version of Bourgogne Blanc and with just the right amplification, mandarin notes with clove, mineral, wet stone and anise lead into a scrumptious, elevated, nervy texture that has depth, dimension, class and persistence. A hell of a lot of white Burg goodness for the price!
2019 BRICK HOUSE PINOT NOIR
RIBBON RIDGE
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
RIBBON RIDGE
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
One of Oregon's treasures, Brick House and Doug Tunnell created a Pinot Noir, all from their estate fruit that is a fabulous deal.
Younger vines, very unpretentious yet very engaging, this forward Pinot is imminently enjoyable. 2019 is a classic vintage, more subtle than the plump, cigarette-friendly and flamboyant hot vintage wines that were the norm for the middle portion of the decade. For true Pinot Noir lovers, this wine will marvel and astound with its graceful and pure aromas of red flowers, strawberries, herbs and spice. Stylish, lacy and velvety with a subtle backbone the finish extends, seduces and never flows outside its borders. A true classic, this Oregon Pinot Noir will delight with mushroom-based dishes, fowl, or grilled pork for the next 4-6+ years.
Younger vines, very unpretentious yet very engaging, this forward Pinot is imminently enjoyable. 2019 is a classic vintage, more subtle than the plump, cigarette-friendly and flamboyant hot vintage wines that were the norm for the middle portion of the decade. For true Pinot Noir lovers, this wine will marvel and astound with its graceful and pure aromas of red flowers, strawberries, herbs and spice. Stylish, lacy and velvety with a subtle backbone the finish extends, seduces and never flows outside its borders. A true classic, this Oregon Pinot Noir will delight with mushroom-based dishes, fowl, or grilled pork for the next 4-6+ years.
2019 TYRRELL'S SEMILLON
HUNTER VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE - LIMITED
HUNTER VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE - LIMITED
Of all of Australia’s least talked about, yet most beloved varietals, Semillon would be at the top of the list. If you haven’t tried an Australian Semillon, now is the time, as Tyrrell's crafts the greatest of Australia’s and the world's finest versions. A pre-eminent producer and in existence since 1959, this Hunter Valley property makes great wines throughout the range but it is their white wines that are so prized with some versions of their Semillon reaching triple-digit pricing and each year selling out rapidly from the winery and disappearing into many of Sydney's top restaurants.
Tyrrell's 2019 Semillon is aged solely in steel tank and checking in at 10% alcohol, intriguing aromas of lemongrass, lanolin and smoke morph into a fig festival from hell that has been crashed with a dose of hazelnut. Texturally this is very impressive with flavors of lemon, chamomile honey, toast, herbs and spices. Bracingly dry on the finish it tends to snap back, tease, give you the business, withdraw, and then return for more. Truly one of the New World's most individual white wines, this can be enjoyed over the next few years and is a terrific pairing with salmon, lingcod done in a spicy preparation or a shrimp ceviche.
Tyrrell's 2019 Semillon is aged solely in steel tank and checking in at 10% alcohol, intriguing aromas of lemongrass, lanolin and smoke morph into a fig festival from hell that has been crashed with a dose of hazelnut. Texturally this is very impressive with flavors of lemon, chamomile honey, toast, herbs and spices. Bracingly dry on the finish it tends to snap back, tease, give you the business, withdraw, and then return for more. Truly one of the New World's most individual white wines, this can be enjoyed over the next few years and is a terrific pairing with salmon, lingcod done in a spicy preparation or a shrimp ceviche.
2020 AMEZTOI TXAKOLINA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
From the Getaraiko region overlooking San Sebastián, comes the Txakoli from Ameztoi. Ameztoi is regarded as the region's finest and most famous grower with wines that everyone seems to want to drink. From the estate's vineyards, one can see the Atlantic Ocean, visualize, and feel the profound influence that it has on the grapes and the wines.
An all-out blitz to the olfactory senses, this naturally fizzy, fiercely dry, finely tuned, very direct white wine is jacked with precise, aromatic lemon-lime and overflowing mineral and sea smoke scents. Low alcohol, bursting saline-filled and very linear, this stuff is crucial for just about any shellfish preparation.
An all-out blitz to the olfactory senses, this naturally fizzy, fiercely dry, finely tuned, very direct white wine is jacked with precise, aromatic lemon-lime and overflowing mineral and sea smoke scents. Low alcohol, bursting saline-filled and very linear, this stuff is crucial for just about any shellfish preparation.
2016 GUERRERI GONZAGA
TERRE DI SAN LEONARDO ROSSO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
TERRE DI SAN LEONARDO ROSSO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot from the Dolomites in Alto Adige. The Guerreri Gonzaga family has been farming vineyards at their property since the 18th century but it wasn’t until 1978 when Carlo Guerreri Gonzaga had the vision to plant Bordeaux varietals. Success came in the 80s and by the early 90s, this estate was recognized as one of Italy’s finest and one that succeeds where so many others fail at using these particular grape selections.
The Terre di San Leonardo is the second wine here and the elevage is 80% in large Slavonian botti and 20% in French barrique. Brimming with alluring tones of blueberry, black cherry, and baking spices that seemingly swarm around subtle notes of cedar and thyme. In the mouth, this heavenly drink shows a bounty of expressive and layered flavors that are very classy, deceptively dense and refined all leading up to an allspice-laden finish that sticks around longer than it ever should for a wine at this price. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years with the usual suspects.
The Terre di San Leonardo is the second wine here and the elevage is 80% in large Slavonian botti and 20% in French barrique. Brimming with alluring tones of blueberry, black cherry, and baking spices that seemingly swarm around subtle notes of cedar and thyme. In the mouth, this heavenly drink shows a bounty of expressive and layered flavors that are very classy, deceptively dense and refined all leading up to an allspice-laden finish that sticks around longer than it ever should for a wine at this price. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years with the usual suspects.
2019 LEZAUN NAVARRO TINTO
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
Hailing from Spain’s Navarra region, Lezaun’s tasty blend of Tempranillo, Grenache and a drop of Merlot is lively, plucky and a full frontal, honest to the grapes, unoaked version offers that excellent bang for the buck.
Red berries, baking herbs and brambly underbrush shine. In the mouth, it fills the mouth with no rough edges. Finishing with lively earth, blackberry and prominent white pepper tones, it is a lovely Wednesday burger wine or one to sip on for no good reason other than pleasure.
Red berries, baking herbs and brambly underbrush shine. In the mouth, it fills the mouth with no rough edges. Finishing with lively earth, blackberry and prominent white pepper tones, it is a lovely Wednesday burger wine or one to sip on for no good reason other than pleasure.
2019 VICARI LACRIMA DI MORRO D'ALBA
$15.99 BTL./$95.94 - SIX PACK
$15.99 BTL./$95.94 - SIX PACK
Found nowhere else in Italy, the ancient Lacrima variety is exclusively grown in the hills north of Jesi, in the Le Marches region on the Adriatic coast and even with the name Alba; it has nothing to do with Piedmont. Vicari is a new find and specialize in not only this grape but also a fine Verdicchio.
A dense dark color with aromas of red berries, spice and herbs, this 100% Lacrima di Morro shares a medium-bodied palate that is dry in texture with floral and blue fruits but with a wild, soulful finish that lets you know it is not a simple quaffer and requires food. The confluence of components both aromatically and texturally allow it to pair well with chicken cacciatore or penne pasta with a hot sausage sugo.
A dense dark color with aromas of red berries, spice and herbs, this 100% Lacrima di Morro shares a medium-bodied palate that is dry in texture with floral and blue fruits but with a wild, soulful finish that lets you know it is not a simple quaffer and requires food. The confluence of components both aromatically and texturally allow it to pair well with chicken cacciatore or penne pasta with a hot sausage sugo.
