Hot Sheets

2012 MARQUES DE MURIETTA
RIOJA RESERVA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

When it comes to Spanish wines, there is nothing better than authentic Rioja. Over the years, and for many reasons, it has become a pity that too many Rioja have been losing their Spanish accents. Many of the wines have taken on a more international tone. We prefer the wines that have been inspired by Lopez de Heredia or Muga's Prado Enea versus those who make Rioja wines that taste as though they come from Napa or Walla Walla rather than Spain.

Fortunately, there remain great bastions of authenticity and one of the grand old-school producers is Marques de Murietta. This Rioja is so old-school that it'll make you want to grow an afro! Mocha-spiked dried strawberries teem from the glass with Moroccan spices; leather and roasted earth are along for the ride. Captivating, majestic, mouth-filling, very smooth and gaining complexity as it unfolds in the glass. Lots of movement throughout as well as a drawn-out, silky finish with slight peppery tones make this a compelling wine for 20 bucks. Drink it over the next decade with roasted pork or lamb. If it means anything to you, this wine also was bestowed a 95 point score from James Suckling.

2014 AMAVI CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WALLA WALLA
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Amavi is a superb Walla Walla operation whose wines are made by Jean-Francois Pellet, the same dude who makes the renowned Pepperbridge wines. It is still remarkable to see wines that come exclusively from Walla Walla vineyard sites remain at such superb prices.

Made from fruit from six different Walla Walla vineyards, what is most notable about the 2014 Amavi Cab is its depth and marked forward flavors. Red plum, red currant and blackberry fruit spun with maple, spice, tobacco and a touch of toast coming from a thoughtful use of oak build up as soon as its poured. Plenty of power without lacking the signature smoothness that this estate is noted for; there is abundant "silky grip" and a roundness on the palate which carry over nicely to a lingering, well-honed finish. Quite a steal for 27 bucks, drink it over the next 10-12 years.

2015 MCMANIS PETITE SIRAH
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Unpretentious and exactly what everyone should look for in a best buy California red. This offering always surprises every vintage that we taste it. Nutmeg, Thai-spice and flashy black raspberry fruit dominate the nose. Bold and nicely put together with lots of pepper and succulence in the mouth, this crowd-pleasing, mouth-filling red is perfect with ribs or chicken slathered with spicy, tangy barbecue sauce.

2014 PILLOT BEAUNE PREMIER CRU
'LES BOUCHEROTTES'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

Through marriage, Laurent Pillot scored red wine vineyards from several grand villages within the Cotes-de-Beaune. Boucherottes is a Premier Cru vineyard in southern portion of the Beaune appellation and a stone’s throw from, Pommard. This beautiful parcel planted between 1966 and 1996 presents a terroir that is warm and plush, on a slightly stony, brown limestone soil adjacent to the Pommard 'Boucherottes' Premier Cru. Laurent has a mere 1.13 acres of this Cru and usually about 200 cases are ever produced.

While visiting Laurent two weeks ago, it reaffirmed just how good this guy really is with both white and red wines. Licorice, quite botanical and floral with underlying red and black raspberry. Cinnamon and cocoa arrive. Excellent depth and prominent spice as is usually the case on this wine. Classy on the finish. While there is always excellent aging potential to this Beaune Premier Cru, this wine always provides early enjoyment and can be had with a Sunday roast. Drink through 2026. Coming Soon – Seat At The Table Pre-Arrival tasting of 2015 whites and reds. Stay tuned for invites.

2015 ANSELMO MENDES MUROS ANTIGOS
ESCOLHA VINO VERDE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE

Let’s get one thing out of the way, Vinho Verde is an actual wine region in Northern Portugal and not always the light and fizzy bone dry drink that we all love to quaff. There are some serious, still white wines being produced here and young winemakers such as Anselmo Mendes are the absolute future of the region.

One of several whites, the entry level Escolha is a virtual shellfish magnet. Made from 20% Alvarinho (Albarino), 40% Loureiro and 40% Avessa, this is what I have been so excited about when it comes to white wines these days. The aromas and flavors on this wine are scary-good! Fragrant freshly cut flowers and mineral tones are enhanced and buttressed by white peach and lime. Clean, bone dry and owning mouth-watering briskness. Very pure flavors that remind one of the shore, although the Avessa comes through with some engaging spice and roundness in the middle and chiming finish. This stuff if sooooooooooooooo undervalued, have it with a plethora of seafood, especially steamed clams or large grilled prawns.

NAMEO2013 ROCCA DI FRASSINELLO
MAREMMA TOSCANA ROSSO
'POGGIO ALLA GUARDIA'FWINE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

When Lafite-Rothschild ventures out of Bordeaux to partner up on projects from other growing areas they always choose top name producers of their respective regions. Rocca di Frassinello is the joint venture between Eric de Rothschild and Castellare di Castellina owner Paolo Panerai, a highly regarded Chianti and Super Tuscan producer who has over 10 Tre Bicchieri Awards from Gambero Rosso.

Situated between Bolgheri and Scansano and made with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese, this wine has Bordeaux polish without ever losing its Italian and Tuscan soul. Super-streamlined aromas of plum, generous Italian herbs, iron, blueberry, cassis along with spicy, smoky, vanilla tones from a fine use of oak - think of this as Draymond Green wearing an Armani suit; suave, but with wild hair and a total assassin! Smooth, concentrated, layered but in typical Lafite fashion, not a hair out of place, smooth and very sophisticated. The wine's finish is very drawn-out and lasting with sexy black licorice and tealeaf notes. Utterly brilliant juice from two legends that can be consumed now through 2021.

2014 ROLAND SCHMITT
RIESLING 'GLINTZBERG'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

From a producer located just outside of Strasbourg, the late Roland Schmitt was instrumental in having the Grand Cru system implemented in 1983 and his Altenberg de Bergbieten site was one of the first to achieve this status. Glintzberg is essentially and extension of the Grand Cru site and possesses similar soils but faces more eastward. Riesling is a specialty here and the wines done chez Schmitt are fiercely dry and meant to go with food rather than to be off dry and win competitions.

2014 is a lovely vintage for Alsace and this wine is pristine, detailed and unadulterated, dry Riesling. Bursting on the nose with flint and kaffir lime. Waves of mineral, even more lime, and terrific cut in the mouth. So pure, so clean, so long, and utterly refreshing. Can be accessed now, especially with a spicy Pad Thai dish or with grilled fish. In the future, will gain in weight and complexity, will be a perfect match with traditional pork choucroute, sausages, and roasted chicken. Drink now -2024.

2013 CANTELE SALICE SALENTINO RISERVA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Seemingly, this favorite Italian red is always 12 bucks and seemingly always with impressive accolades including a 90 point score from the Wine Advocate.

Blue fruits, Italian herbs, roasted earth and smoked meat follow through to a chewy, very direct texture that has first-rate depth and personality. Vibrant, redolent and inviting on the extending finish, this wine succeeds where so many other wines from Puglia fail. Full, fleshy and buxom, yet it maintains its enlightening fruit and earth character; a virtuoso over-achiever! Try it with penne pasta done arrabbiata style with tomatoes and hot chili flakes.