Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S UNDER THE TABLE' HOTSHEET
Collectible Barbera
Bordeaux Red & White
Tasting Announcement
Bordeaux Red & White
Tasting Announcement
2019 CHATEAU BRUILLEAU
PESSAC-LEOGNAN BLANC
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
PESSAC-LEOGNAN BLANC
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
Chateau Bruilleau is a Bordeaux estate that we have used in the past and always admired. This past trip to France I had the chance to visit this miniscule producer who is located in close proximity to the very famous Chateau Latour-Martillac. Previously, we have only ever used the reds but after tasting the white wine, we just had to have some to share with you all!
65% Semillon & 35% Sauvignon, 12 months in barriques (25% new) and only 800-1000 cases produced. If this wine were from Burgundy, had a hyphen followed by the word Montrachet, it would easily sell for three to four times the price. Classic stone fruit; peach, nectarine along with fig, lime and vanilla arriving as it unfolds in the glass. Penetrating, full, creamy and intense with spices, old vine depth and persistency. Very brisk and luminous on the impressively long and luxurious finish. White Bordeaux from this area is very much a tradition but sadly one that is slowly disappearing. Everything involved make it such a joy to see one that is this good that retails for a great price. Drink over the next 6-8 years with lobster, clam chowder or some sort of bisque, dense fish dishes with a sauce and soft-ripened, aged cheeses.
65% Semillon & 35% Sauvignon, 12 months in barriques (25% new) and only 800-1000 cases produced. If this wine were from Burgundy, had a hyphen followed by the word Montrachet, it would easily sell for three to four times the price. Classic stone fruit; peach, nectarine along with fig, lime and vanilla arriving as it unfolds in the glass. Penetrating, full, creamy and intense with spices, old vine depth and persistency. Very brisk and luminous on the impressively long and luxurious finish. White Bordeaux from this area is very much a tradition but sadly one that is slowly disappearing. Everything involved make it such a joy to see one that is this good that retails for a great price. Drink over the next 6-8 years with lobster, clam chowder or some sort of bisque, dense fish dishes with a sauce and soft-ripened, aged cheeses.
2019 CHATEAU BRUILLEAU
PESSAC-LEOGNAN ROUGE
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
PESSAC-LEOGNAN ROUGE
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
Serge Bedicheau is the prototype of a French wine grower. One can picture this late sixties-something dude toiling on his tractor, sporting a beret and just engaged with his vines. Sectioned off from the overlying Graves region, Pessac-Leognan was created in 1987 to highlight the finest terroirs. This prestigious Bordeaux region is home to famous luminaries like Haut-Brion or Papes Clement.
Prominent gravelly soil and a blend of about half each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot both of which are the driving force of this smashing red wine. A full nose of adobe, gravel, serious Morello cherry and rose scents mixed with mulled spice, savory earth and herbs lead into a very proper and poised texture. The delivery of the higher-toned Cabernet are highlighted initially with smoke, wild spices and blueberry arrive along with peat/gravel scents then switch back to the cherry and tobacco. Silky, stylish and quite complex for this level of Bordeaux especially on the detailed, precise, mineral-laden finish that has fine extension. Gorgeous and flavorful now but can also age nicely for another decade. Enjoy with roasted duck or lamb as well as a sautéed ribeye steak.
Prominent gravelly soil and a blend of about half each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot both of which are the driving force of this smashing red wine. A full nose of adobe, gravel, serious Morello cherry and rose scents mixed with mulled spice, savory earth and herbs lead into a very proper and poised texture. The delivery of the higher-toned Cabernet are highlighted initially with smoke, wild spices and blueberry arrive along with peat/gravel scents then switch back to the cherry and tobacco. Silky, stylish and quite complex for this level of Bordeaux especially on the detailed, precise, mineral-laden finish that has fine extension. Gorgeous and flavorful now but can also age nicely for another decade. Enjoy with roasted duck or lamb as well as a sautéed ribeye steak.
2021 AYRES PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Brad McLeroy's Ayres Pinot Noirs have been Cellar Door mainstays for over 15 years now and we are doing backflips over the quality of his 2021 Willamette Valley. As usual, the Ayres Willamette Valley is Pinot Noir blended from the estate's Ribbon Ridge vineyard and augmented with some Yamhill-Carlton fruit.
Commencing with an ambrosial, extensive nose that comes in waves as the wine is swirled in the glass, sensuous violet tones, black fruits, herbs and transparent red earth tones reveal themselves nicely. With respect to the texture, the wine is somewhat like an Italian plum, exploding with ripe dark fruit and then gaining structure and grip on the brilliantly focused and extending finish. Instantly one can figure out that Brad was quite successful for 2021. Very drinkable now, but no problem for this wine to age 4-6 years, too. Kudos to Brad McLeroy for making yet another kickass Pinot Noir.
Commencing with an ambrosial, extensive nose that comes in waves as the wine is swirled in the glass, sensuous violet tones, black fruits, herbs and transparent red earth tones reveal themselves nicely. With respect to the texture, the wine is somewhat like an Italian plum, exploding with ripe dark fruit and then gaining structure and grip on the brilliantly focused and extending finish. Instantly one can figure out that Brad was quite successful for 2021. Very drinkable now, but no problem for this wine to age 4-6 years, too. Kudos to Brad McLeroy for making yet another kickass Pinot Noir.
2018 OLIM BAUDA NIZZA RISERVA
$35.99 BTL./$215.94 - SIX PACK
$35.99 BTL./$215.94 - SIX PACK
Commencing with the 2014 vintage, the Asti area of Nizza became its own appellation. 100% Barbera which is the rule, Nizza’s regulations are very focused indeed. Only from 18 specific villages and it must be 100% Barbera. The minimum total aging before release is 18 months or 30 months for wine labelled 'Riserva’. This is Barbera luxury indeed and without fail, prices for wines in these specific 18 villages are trending upward so at this price it is a magnificent deal.
Purple-red color with an intense and complex bouquet of red fruits typical of the variety. Full and determined on the palate, but nicely balanced, with a pleasant, persistent finish. This wine is seriously layered and crafted beautifully. Pair with risotto with sausages, barbecue brisket with sauce, chili (yes!), braised pork loin in milk (a classic Marcella Hazan recipe), Eggplant Parmesan, Meat or cheese-stuffed ravioli, gnocchi, etc. Drink over the next 12-15 years.
Purple-red color with an intense and complex bouquet of red fruits typical of the variety. Full and determined on the palate, but nicely balanced, with a pleasant, persistent finish. This wine is seriously layered and crafted beautifully. Pair with risotto with sausages, barbecue brisket with sauce, chili (yes!), braised pork loin in milk (a classic Marcella Hazan recipe), Eggplant Parmesan, Meat or cheese-stuffed ravioli, gnocchi, etc. Drink over the next 12-15 years.
2020 BODEGAS CASTANO
MONASTRELL YECLA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
MONASTRELL YECLA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From the Yecla region of Murcia in Spain is this excellent, everyday offering from 100% of the Monastrell (Mourvedre) grape.
Succulent, deep pure and chock full of ripe red berries, anise, cocoa, spice and dusty violet aromas. One sip and you know that it is a mouthful of fleshy red wine as it nicely integrates its black fruit, smoke and mineral notes. Enjoy with simple hearty fare such as grilled pork loin or baked meatloaf.
Succulent, deep pure and chock full of ripe red berries, anise, cocoa, spice and dusty violet aromas. One sip and you know that it is a mouthful of fleshy red wine as it nicely integrates its black fruit, smoke and mineral notes. Enjoy with simple hearty fare such as grilled pork loin or baked meatloaf.
2018 LAFAGE 'TESSELAE'
GSM 'OLD VINES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
GSM 'OLD VINES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Jean-Marc Lafage is an influential producer in the Southern French region of Roussillon. This red is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre from 65-year-old vines planted in schist soils at about 500 feet in elevation.
Comfort wine for comfort food, this chewy red is chock full of accentuated aromas and flavors of spice, lavender, cherry, rhubarb and licorice. Hearty from start to end, and loaded with plenty of hot, exotic spices on the warm and inviting finish. Prepare something forceful, yet inviting with it, the perfect paring is a classic white bean/duck/sausage cassoulet dish that is native to the area but it will also pair beautifully with a simple meat loaf and garlic-spiked mashed potatoes. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years.
Comfort wine for comfort food, this chewy red is chock full of accentuated aromas and flavors of spice, lavender, cherry, rhubarb and licorice. Hearty from start to end, and loaded with plenty of hot, exotic spices on the warm and inviting finish. Prepare something forceful, yet inviting with it, the perfect paring is a classic white bean/duck/sausage cassoulet dish that is native to the area but it will also pair beautifully with a simple meat loaf and garlic-spiked mashed potatoes. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years.
