Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'LAMB TASTES ADORABLE' HOTSHEET
Everyday Italian Red for 8-bucks, 95 point Dry Vouvray, Montalcino, Pomerol & New Champagne
2018 LA PALAZZETTA
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
La Palazzetta's Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino wines are very traditionally styled (many of you have heard Flavio Fanti's story: no Syrah, Merlot or Cabernet planted anywhere near his land and adamantly - NO BARRIQUES). Tuscany experienced a classic and fine vintage in 2018 with the resulting wines possessing a combination of great fruit, harmonious flavors and substantial definition of origin.
A step up from most Rosso di Montalcino this offering is in fact is declassified top-level fruit from La Palazzetta's fine sites and receives as much love as their Brunello. Majestic and packed with dark cherry, cedar spice and earth opening up with mineral notes and savory sage on the long and balanced finish. A real sleeper in its category, enjoy this vastly undervalued Tuscan treasure over the next 4 to 6 years with hearty pastas, roasted pork loin or a fat T-bone steak.
A step up from most Rosso di Montalcino this offering is in fact is declassified top-level fruit from La Palazzetta's fine sites and receives as much love as their Brunello. Majestic and packed with dark cherry, cedar spice and earth opening up with mineral notes and savory sage on the long and balanced finish. A real sleeper in its category, enjoy this vastly undervalued Tuscan treasure over the next 4 to 6 years with hearty pastas, roasted pork loin or a fat T-bone steak.
2018 PROTOS RIBERA DEL DUERO
'TINTO FINO'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
'TINTO FINO'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Humbly categorized as Tinto Fino (the local name for Tempranillo), this wine punches above its weight class and can compete with Crianza level wines. Made with 100% Tempranillo and aged in French and American oak barrels, this wine is full of deep fruit and Ribera del Duero character.
Fruit-forward with redcurrants and raspberries plus a touch of clove spiciness gives way to a texture that provides lots of palate coverage with deceptively concentrated flavors complimented by a subtly supple, well-rounded finish. Have with grilled pork chops or a nice aged manchego cheese.
Fruit-forward with redcurrants and raspberries plus a touch of clove spiciness gives way to a texture that provides lots of palate coverage with deceptively concentrated flavors complimented by a subtly supple, well-rounded finish. Have with grilled pork chops or a nice aged manchego cheese.
2016 PAOLO PETRILLI
MOTTA DEL LUPO ROSSO
[reg. $12.99]
SPECIAL - $7.99 BTL./$47.94 - SIX PK
MOTTA DEL LUPO ROSSO
[reg. $12.99]
SPECIAL - $7.99 BTL./$47.94 - SIX PK
From a favorite producer in Northern Puglia and meaning ‘wolf’s hill’ in dialect, this delectable red is a screamer at this new limited-time special price. So much that one should load up on it in multiple six packs!
Based around Nero di Troia and blended with Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Bombino, this unoaked Italian Red at a special 8-buck price makes for a weekend wine that can be consumed any day, hour or minute. Ruby red in color with violet reflections, this dynamo is medium structured, with moderate acidity and soft tannins that is reflective of its ethereal plum, and cherry pit scents. Perfect for a whole bunch of flavors (especially tomato-based dishes), Motta Del Lupo is a smooth and easy drinking red wine with a long and friendly finish. Drink it now and often.
Based around Nero di Troia and blended with Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Bombino, this unoaked Italian Red at a special 8-buck price makes for a weekend wine that can be consumed any day, hour or minute. Ruby red in color with violet reflections, this dynamo is medium structured, with moderate acidity and soft tannins that is reflective of its ethereal plum, and cherry pit scents. Perfect for a whole bunch of flavors (especially tomato-based dishes), Motta Del Lupo is a smooth and easy drinking red wine with a long and friendly finish. Drink it now and often.
2017 RASA 'OCCAM'S RAZOR'
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED BLEND
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED BLEND
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
A true to form Washington blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional and Petit Verdot from various Red Mountain, Yakima and Walla Walla vineyards.
Sheer deliciousness with good substance and without getting silly with just a bunch of wood, this is a mouthful of red wine, yet with lift and character. Layered black cherry, plum, violet, and anise are encapsulated by underlying milk-chocolate coated espresso bean aromas. Mouth filling and palate staining, there is such an irresistible quality to this wine now, but don't drink it all up at once, it will age nicely for 5-7 years, too. A great gateway, Rasa experience for twenty bucks.
Sheer deliciousness with good substance and without getting silly with just a bunch of wood, this is a mouthful of red wine, yet with lift and character. Layered black cherry, plum, violet, and anise are encapsulated by underlying milk-chocolate coated espresso bean aromas. Mouth filling and palate staining, there is such an irresistible quality to this wine now, but don't drink it all up at once, it will age nicely for 5-7 years, too. A great gateway, Rasa experience for twenty bucks.
2019 QUINTA DO PORRAIS
DOURO WHITE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
DOURO WHITE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
The Douro region is known for Port but many excellent dry reds and whites are produced.
Made from the ever-popular Codega do Larinho, Rabigato, Verdelho, Viosinho grapes it is provocatively fragrant with bursting aromas of lemon, talc, gerber daisies, and sea-shells. Lively wiry, very dry and with impressive flavor impact, movement and extension it is perfect as a starter or with lighter seafood preparations.
Made from the ever-popular Codega do Larinho, Rabigato, Verdelho, Viosinho grapes it is provocatively fragrant with bursting aromas of lemon, talc, gerber daisies, and sea-shells. Lively wiry, very dry and with impressive flavor impact, movement and extension it is perfect as a starter or with lighter seafood preparations.
2019 HUET VOUVRAY SEC
'LE HAUT LIEU'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
'LE HAUT LIEU'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
95 Points – The Wine Advocate…. In all honesty I have hissed at Huet’s wines more than a bit over the last several vintages. After tasting this wine along with a couple others from them, has me very convinced they are on form again and about to reclaim their rightful position at Vouvray’s pinnacle. This wine is fully dry, energetic and full of character. Great wine and potential indeed.
‘The deep brown clay soils of the Haut-Lieu plateau provide the typical fruitiness and freshness wonderfully in Huet's 2019 Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec. Ripe pear, tangerine and orange fruits with notes of lemon grass and green pimientos intertwined with very fine chalky and later tobacco notes give a remarkably fine, elegant and harmonious, subtly complex and simply gorgeous bouquet with floral (lime blossom!) and yeasty aromas that are immediately attractive. Delicate and linear on the palate, this is a pure, fresh, bone-dry, lean and textured, highly refined and perfectly interwoven Chenin with persistent purity, finesse, salty-mineral tension and very fine tannins. Highly finessed and so pure and vivacious! This is a chalky picture-book Haut-Lieu that can age for many years, even though it is already dangerously seductive! There was no dry Le Haut-Lieu produced in 2018, but the 2019 is possibly the finest, most delicate and elegant I've had in recent years, at least at this early stage. A terrific and buoyant Vouvray that any Chenin lover should try—or, better yet, cellar! - 95 POINTS, WINE ADVOCATE’
‘The deep brown clay soils of the Haut-Lieu plateau provide the typical fruitiness and freshness wonderfully in Huet's 2019 Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec. Ripe pear, tangerine and orange fruits with notes of lemon grass and green pimientos intertwined with very fine chalky and later tobacco notes give a remarkably fine, elegant and harmonious, subtly complex and simply gorgeous bouquet with floral (lime blossom!) and yeasty aromas that are immediately attractive. Delicate and linear on the palate, this is a pure, fresh, bone-dry, lean and textured, highly refined and perfectly interwoven Chenin with persistent purity, finesse, salty-mineral tension and very fine tannins. Highly finessed and so pure and vivacious! This is a chalky picture-book Haut-Lieu that can age for many years, even though it is already dangerously seductive! There was no dry Le Haut-Lieu produced in 2018, but the 2019 is possibly the finest, most delicate and elegant I've had in recent years, at least at this early stage. A terrific and buoyant Vouvray that any Chenin lover should try—or, better yet, cellar! - 95 POINTS, WINE ADVOCATE’
2015 CHATEAU DE SALES POMEROL
$45.99 BTL./$551.88 CASE
$45.99 BTL./$551.88 CASE
Even at 46-dollars, this is a fabulous value from a top-rated Bordeaux producer! Chateau De Sales is one of the better known and value estates within the high-priced neighborhood of Pomerol. Now affiliated with Christian Moeuix (he who also owns Petrus, Trotanoy, Dominus and others) this ancient property that dates back to the 17th century is making wines that are quite fine and ageworthy, especially for the astute and perceptive Bordeaux consumer.
The 2015 is smashing-good and follows suit to this great vintage with its regal depth and personality. Seductively androgynous, this wine possesses dense aromas of blue fruits, forward mineral/ironstone, graphite and spiced earth that are both powerful and velvety. Penetrating and streamlined, ample fruit and support are present along with some killer undertones that just beginning to materialize. If you want to enjoy a bottle, decant and have a nice meal, however, for best results, wait until 2023 and drink through 2030+.
The 2015 is smashing-good and follows suit to this great vintage with its regal depth and personality. Seductively androgynous, this wine possesses dense aromas of blue fruits, forward mineral/ironstone, graphite and spiced earth that are both powerful and velvety. Penetrating and streamlined, ample fruit and support are present along with some killer undertones that just beginning to materialize. If you want to enjoy a bottle, decant and have a nice meal, however, for best results, wait until 2023 and drink through 2030+.
2015 EDMUNDS ST-JOHN SYRAH
'NORTH CANYON ROAD'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
'NORTH CANYON ROAD'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
It is no secret that the wines of Edmunds St. John are influenced by the greats of France and are consequently some of the most complex and interesting of California. Steve Edmunds has spent much of the past 35 years focusing on the grapes of the Rhone and particularly vineyards sites that best show off their unique qualities.
A blend of two vineyards in El Dorado, Fenaughty and Barsotti and tasting is believing. This top-notch St-Joseph wannabe is laden with Savage, ripe, full scents of blackberry jam, game, leather, cracked pepper and smoke that carry into a texture that has waves of flavor that are sultry, lacy, meaty and full of intensity. The finish is substantially lingering, lengthy and shows off a freshly ground black pepper tone that seduces and sticks around well after the wine is swallowed.
A blend of two vineyards in El Dorado, Fenaughty and Barsotti and tasting is believing. This top-notch St-Joseph wannabe is laden with Savage, ripe, full scents of blackberry jam, game, leather, cracked pepper and smoke that carry into a texture that has waves of flavor that are sultry, lacy, meaty and full of intensity. The finish is substantially lingering, lengthy and shows off a freshly ground black pepper tone that seduces and sticks around well after the wine is swallowed.
CHAMPAGNE DENIS CHAPUT
BLANC DE NOIRS EXTRA BRUT
$54.99 BTL./$659.88 CASE
BLANC DE NOIRS EXTRA BRUT
$54.99 BTL./$659.88 CASE
One of the good gifts of 2020 was the opportunity to experience the Champagnes from Cote-de-Bar (Aube) from the Chaput family. Named after father Denis, brothers Xavier and Nicolas run the estate, meticulously farming twelve hectares of grapes from26 plots on SE to West facing hillsides in four Aube villages: Arrentières, Engente, Voigny and Colombé la Fosse and are vinified separately. The Cote des Bar’s southerly warmth and ancient soils are reminiscent of Chablis with Kimmeridgean clay/chalk making for Champagnes that are some of the most intriguing and delicious that I have tasted recently.
The Aube and Cote-de-Bar has both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay planted throughout and is actually closer in distance to Chablis than Reims. The Pinot Noir is particularly prized and this Blanc de Noirs has an abundance of exuberance. This might be best described as Minnie Mouse with a foul mouth as it is sensuous, friendly and utterly likeable in a plucky sort of way. Full bubbles, pure apple fruit with lemon, subtle toastiness and a marine like minerality associated with the Aube. Pleasurable and lingering in the mouth, this is a great way to kick off a great meal, toast being vaccinated or have with shellfish. If you are a Champagne fiend as we are, get in on this excellent version of the jumping grape. Blanc de Blancs is also available. Inquire for availability and pricing.
The Aube and Cote-de-Bar has both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay planted throughout and is actually closer in distance to Chablis than Reims. The Pinot Noir is particularly prized and this Blanc de Noirs has an abundance of exuberance. This might be best described as Minnie Mouse with a foul mouth as it is sensuous, friendly and utterly likeable in a plucky sort of way. Full bubbles, pure apple fruit with lemon, subtle toastiness and a marine like minerality associated with the Aube. Pleasurable and lingering in the mouth, this is a great way to kick off a great meal, toast being vaccinated or have with shellfish. If you are a Champagne fiend as we are, get in on this excellent version of the jumping grape. Blanc de Blancs is also available. Inquire for availability and pricing.
