Hot Sheets

2018 JM RAFFAULT CHINON ROSE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE

Last week, Bryan came home good and drunk one night and turned on the Cartoon Network and watched a Pink Panther marathon, so all thoughts soon turned to brilliant, mouthwatering off-colored wine. At least after the hangover wore off and we saved enough for the impending torridity of 95+ degree-days.

Jean-Maurice Raffault's famed Chinon estate is now run by his son Rodolphe. Located in the central Loire valley, the family has been vignerons in Chinon since 1693 and the estate now comprises 40 hectares spread over six communes. Now in his fifth year at the helm, Rodolphe Raffault has taken his venerable family estate to a new level of excellence and has quickly gained international recognition. 100% Cabernet Franc, Rodolphe’s Chinon Rosé is made with two-thirds directly pressed grapes and one-third saignée method showing bright and crunchy strawberry fruit with a long, succulent finish. It is a versatile and very brisk wine that drinks well on its own, or with charcuterie, goat cheese, fish, and fowl dishes. One of the finest dry rosé values of the season!

2016 CHATEAU DE MONTMIRIAL
VACQUEYRAS 'DEUX FRERES'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Ahhhh, the famed Dentelles de Montmirail. No one had ever attempted to plant grapes on the sunny slopes in this area of Vacqueyras and Gigondas until the arrival of the Archimbaud family. This site of an ancient hot spring straddles the appellations of Gigondas and Vacqueyras, two of the southern Rhône’s most notable crus. The Château de Montmirail was created by Maurice Archimbaud in 1960. The Archimbaud family holds land in both Vacqueyras and Gigondas on clay and limestone soils. Today, Monique Archimbaud, her son Philippe Bouteiller, and her daughter Sylvie run the estate and are one of the big league players in this excellent appellation.

65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, the 2016 shows off a commanding, yet very diplomatic and harmonious presence. There is an extra level of intensity from the superb 2016 vintage. Immediately noticeable is a multitude of complex perfumed aromas of exotic spice, lavender, ground pepper, violet and smoky, gamey notes that all shine on the nose. In the mouth, the flavors speak a dialect that is pure Provencal! No shortage of intensity here, what separates it from going into being redundant is its lively qualities, especially on the minerally, spice-laden finish that seemingly coats the entire palate. Very lovely now and will age well for 8-10+ years. Enjoy obviously with a grilled rib-eye or hangar steak but it will also pair well with marinated skewers that feature lamb, veggies and other meats, lentil/tomato dishes and slow roasted stews like a daube de Provence.

2017 WALTER SCOTT CHARDONNAY
'LA COMBE VERTE'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE - LIMITED

To merely refer to this wine as Willamette Valley Chardonnay just isn’t fair or righteous. Think of it like white Burgundy in its classification, a village wine with a blend of excellent parcels, five in fact: Justice, Freedom Hill, X Novo, Clos des Oiseaux and Sojourner Vineyards. Walter Scott is in the upper echelon of Chardonnay producers and if you have not tried one of their offerings and love white Burgundy, this is necessary because it is a true gateway into their world, especially when the time comes for their highly limited single vineyard wines.

Minimally oaky, and very French (Meursault?) in style with orange, subtle tropical fruit and perfume that surround biscuit and mineral tones. Sophisticated and way above the norm for an American Chardonnay in the mouth. Finesseful, but rich flavors that show gorgeous depth and firmness then slams it home with a persistent, driving, yet very polished and suave finish. This wine showcases the potential for greatness for Oregon Chardonnay when placed in good hands such as these! Very luxurious now, it will continue to develop and gain complexity over the next 6-8 years.

2016 ZENATO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Zenato's overriding goal is to make the best wine possible from each vineyard, and at the same time to coax the maximum expression from every single site in each area. While Zenato's wines are always impressive, it is a great pleasure to support a great producer who chooses to keep prices very consistent out of sheer respect for those of us who love their wines.

Produced from vineyards in the historic zone of Sant’Ambrogio, and 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, and 5% Corvinone. Medium with notes of ripe red currant, bing cherry, earthy minerals, violet and a hint of almond. This velvety, smooth and hearty red is perfect for pappardelle with braised meats in nanna's red sauce, stewed poultry with green olives, tomatoes & capers or a simple take-out margarita pizza with Italian sausage...yummy juice!

2018 DR. THANISCH RIESLING KABINETT
'BERKASTELER BADSTUDE'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

In existence for over 350 years, the Thanisch estate is one of the most historic and important in all of the Mosel, particularly in the top-level village of Bernkastel. Badstube would definitely qualify as a top Premier Cru in the area and Thanisch really succeeds with producing epic Riesling wines from this site that is steep and packed with clay and blue slate soils.

A thrill ride from the moment it is poured, this semi-dry, ethereal Riesling from one of the Mosel's top vineyard sites is achingly beautiful. Peach-oil, wet chalkboard, lilies and satsuma shine on the nose and follow through to a texture that while rich and intense, maintains delicacy and a strong sense of mouth-watering briskness. At 9° alcohol, this is a refreshing and inviting glass of wine pairs well with pork dishes, Thai or Vietnamese cuisine and especially anything done with curries. An outstanding value that will easily age 6-9 years if not longer.

2016 HONIG CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

Boy, this one was quite the surprise! For years, we have known just how good Honig's Sauvignon Blanc is, but upon recently tasting their Napa Valley Cab, we concluded that this is really one of the great secrets in the entire Valley. Not only is this wine terrific and age worthy, it won't set you back 85 bucks!

Deep, yet sophisticated aromas of plum, raspberries, smoke, violet, cocoa, nutmeg and cedar-box are rich and come at you in waves. Layered and full-textured, there is plenty of structure here for aging, but the tannins seem to be gobbled up nicely by the sublime fruit to make it accessible at an early point. Finishing with authority, it planes out and the flavors stick around for a long time. Drink this wonderful expression of the Napa Valley through 2030.

2016 TORMENTOSO PINOTAGE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Tormentoso comes from the name Portuguese sailors used when discovering the Cape of Good Hope, Cabo Tormentoso. One of South Africa's signature grapes, Pinotage is a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that doesn't exactly behave like either varietal.

Savory, soulful with black raspberry, coffee and freshly ground black and green peppercorns. Hearty, fleshy, succulent and very direct, plenty of plum and earth tones shine. A perfect wine for barbecued ribs slathered in a spicy sauce.

2016 ALBERT MOROT BEAUNE
'LES CENT VIGNES PREMIER CRU
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE

One of the region and city’s iconic producers, Domaine Albert Morot has been synonymous with wines from Beaune since 1820. This benchmark domaine has been continuously run by founder Albert Morot’s descendants and the quality has never faltered. After his aunt retired in 2000, Albert’s great, great-grandnephew runs the family business and has ushered it into a new era. Geoffroy Choppin and his team farm just over 20 acres almost entirely in premier cru vineyards. With vines averaging 50 years of age. If you do not know quite yet, Burgundy is in the midst of some stellar vintages. 2015 is great, but 2016 is tres, tres special! This kind of vintage comes along maybe once per decade if that. If I had to compare, which is only human nature, I’d say there is quite a bit of 1999 inspiration here with the detail and depth with a bit of 2005 sprinkled in for concentration without being heavy as well as structure.

A very small site located on the lower Beaune slope. Sand-based soils. Pottery fragments found in this vineyard show that this was a farming settlement in Gallo-Roman times. After the farm disappeared, the site remained without vines for a long time before being planted again. ‘Sanvignes’, or vineless, was then changed to “Cent-Vignes” (hundred vines), since a plot with vines cannot be ‘vineless.’ These reds are remarkable for their color and the delicacy of their aromas. In the mouth, they combine complexity with mellowness. Excellent sap without ever being thick. Perfumy from the outset. Sensual strawberry and more. Clings to the palate, excellent lift with deceptive backbone. Very lengthy indeed. Drink 2021 – 2030+.

FRIDAY SIPS

Piedmont Wines from Coppo

FEATURED COPPO WINES:

2017 Coppo Barbera D’Asti ‘L’Avvocata’
2016 Coppo Barbera D’Asti ‘Camp du Rouss’
2015 Coppo Barbera D’Asti ‘Camp du Rouss’
2018 Coppo Gavi