Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'TOO MUCH FUN' HOTSHEET
93-point Zinfandel & Barbera
Scintillating Sancerre & St-Emilion
Rioja, Lux Freedom Hill Pinot
Scintillating Sancerre & St-Emilion
Rioja, Lux Freedom Hill Pinot
2023 VERON SANCERRE
'CAVE DE BLANQUETTE'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
'CAVE DE BLANQUETTE'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Clear and concise, Thierry Veron’s Sancerre probably isn’t a wine you will want to pair with turkey, however it will surely go with a whole bunch of other things including appetizers or an aperitif. Located in Chavignol, this is one of the most underrated producers in one of Sancerre’s most primetime terroirs.
Above the norm, a virtual mosaic of aromas including mineral, iodine, brine, blossom, smoke, lemongrass and more mineral caress from the glass. In the mouth, this is lyrical Sancerre with prominent sophistication and never strays from its Sancerre sensibilities or paunchiness. The finish is classic, flinty, steely, soil driven and really hangs around. Given it is Chavignol and many from this site go for 30 and north, this is a fine value.
Above the norm, a virtual mosaic of aromas including mineral, iodine, brine, blossom, smoke, lemongrass and more mineral caress from the glass. In the mouth, this is lyrical Sancerre with prominent sophistication and never strays from its Sancerre sensibilities or paunchiness. The finish is classic, flinty, steely, soil driven and really hangs around. Given it is Chavignol and many from this site go for 30 and north, this is a fine value.
2019 OLIM BAUDA BARBERA D'ASTI
'LE ROCCHETTE' SUPERIORE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
'LE ROCCHETTE' SUPERIORE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
93 Points – Vinous…One of the coolest experiences on my latest trip was to go hunting for white truffles and actually finding them. Well, Lili the truffle dog found them, but we had the chance to eat them shaved on several courses with brothers Gianni and Dino Bertolini from Olim Bauda. This dinner showed that Asti is king for Barbera and the wines age incredibly as evidenced by us draining bottles of 12-, 18- and 20-year-old versions.
Le Rocchette is a single vineyard of 50–60-year-old vines outside of the Nizza appellation and is one of Bauda’s secret finds. Concentrated, driving nose of hearty Italian plum, mineral, gentle kisses of smoky oak and underlying cherry pit character. Big boned with its fruit and velvety texture yet full of elegance and suaveness. A luminous presence of vividness follows through to a drawn-out lavish finish that displays hints of milk chocolate, coffee and no shortage of fullness while maintaining poise and freshness. Very lingering, this wine is rocks for under 25-bucks. Enjoy it with risotto dishes laden with beef or sausages. MAGNUMS AVAILABLE - $59.99
Le Rocchette is a single vineyard of 50–60-year-old vines outside of the Nizza appellation and is one of Bauda’s secret finds. Concentrated, driving nose of hearty Italian plum, mineral, gentle kisses of smoky oak and underlying cherry pit character. Big boned with its fruit and velvety texture yet full of elegance and suaveness. A luminous presence of vividness follows through to a drawn-out lavish finish that displays hints of milk chocolate, coffee and no shortage of fullness while maintaining poise and freshness. Very lingering, this wine is rocks for under 25-bucks. Enjoy it with risotto dishes laden with beef or sausages. MAGNUMS AVAILABLE - $59.99
2021 MUGA RIOJA CRIANZA
'EL ANDEN DE LA ESTACION'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'EL ANDEN DE LA ESTACION'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
El Anden de la Estacion is a Rioja Crianza from the hallowed and famous Bodegas Muga. Whenever this top-drawer estate puts their name on to something it is always very fine indeed. Named in honor of the train station that took grapes from Rioja to Bordeaux during phylloxera, Muga has made a quasi-modern style Rioja that is aged 14 months in barrel and from vines planted in 1990-2010.
A real crowd pleasing red, fragrant aromas of raspberry and grenadine surrounded by roasted herbs (rosemary & thyme), leather and gently placed kisses of mocha and tobacco shine. Harmonious and very luscious with penetrating flavors that seduce and attack the palate all at once. Good density of fruit shows over the structure that is buried by the impressive depth. This is a giant killer! Drink through 2030 with an array of cuisine, especially albondigas (a.k.a. Spanish meatballs).
A real crowd pleasing red, fragrant aromas of raspberry and grenadine surrounded by roasted herbs (rosemary & thyme), leather and gently placed kisses of mocha and tobacco shine. Harmonious and very luscious with penetrating flavors that seduce and attack the palate all at once. Good density of fruit shows over the structure that is buried by the impressive depth. This is a giant killer! Drink through 2030 with an array of cuisine, especially albondigas (a.k.a. Spanish meatballs).
2022 MAXIMIN GRUNHAUS
RIESLING 'SCHLOSS'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
RIESLING 'SCHLOSS'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
This FULLY DRY Riesling does not play around, in fact it is akin to sticking your tongue on a frozen pole! Carl von Schubert is a longtime Riesling genius from the Ruwer region and this wine is always a perennial favorite, especially around the holidays.
The Schloss cuvee is a blank slate for its terroir, but also goes with an abundance of food choices. This wine is a flat-out blitzkrieg of character. Prominent lime on the nose along with saline and subtle spice, too. Very varietal Riesling, quite pungent and tense. Bone-dry, virtual stony citrus that shimmers with minerality, it has a racy lemon zest, flinty, finish that really goes. Have this with smoked fish and especially fresh Dungeness crab when it comes into season. It will also marry up with white sausages and the holiday big bird.
The Schloss cuvee is a blank slate for its terroir, but also goes with an abundance of food choices. This wine is a flat-out blitzkrieg of character. Prominent lime on the nose along with saline and subtle spice, too. Very varietal Riesling, quite pungent and tense. Bone-dry, virtual stony citrus that shimmers with minerality, it has a racy lemon zest, flinty, finish that really goes. Have this with smoked fish and especially fresh Dungeness crab when it comes into season. It will also marry up with white sausages and the holiday big bird.
2018 CHATEAU TOUR DE SEGUR
LUSSAC SAINT-EMILION
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
LUSSAC SAINT-EMILION
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Chateau Tour de Segur is in the village of Lussac, one of four satellite regions of St-Emilion and is the one considered the most robust of the group. Always exquisitely farmed and produced, owned by the famed Andre Lurton family group, it is a given that this stylish Red Bordeaux overdelivers.
Stacked and packed this wine shows off class and grace yet has a trucker's mouth with a bit of attitude and sass to it. Teeming with earth, limestone, red cherry, crushed plum and kisses of nutmeg and mineral on the nose, it follows through to a texture that is mouth coating and having all the substance of the warm 2018 vintage. Excellent length and a wine that will outclass more than a few higher-priced neighbors, there is ample structure for aging. Drink through 2030.
Stacked and packed this wine shows off class and grace yet has a trucker's mouth with a bit of attitude and sass to it. Teeming with earth, limestone, red cherry, crushed plum and kisses of nutmeg and mineral on the nose, it follows through to a texture that is mouth coating and having all the substance of the warm 2018 vintage. Excellent length and a wine that will outclass more than a few higher-priced neighbors, there is ample structure for aging. Drink through 2030.
2021 GOTA 'PRUNUS' DAO TINTO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
The ancient Dao region has gone from old and passed by to one of excitement and youth. This producer epitomizes this statement brilliantly with this classic blend of 80% Jaen (Mencia), 10% Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo), 5% Alfochiero Preto and a 5% co-fermented field blend of other varietals.
Lively, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs. They all seem to build as the wine opens in the glass and entice you to take a sip, which is pristine, medium-bodied and forward. It also shows wonderful intensity but is also clean succulent and calls you to pour more from the bottle. An excellent choice with everyday fare as well as being a nice red wine for fish.
Lively, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs. They all seem to build as the wine opens in the glass and entice you to take a sip, which is pristine, medium-bodied and forward. It also shows wonderful intensity but is also clean succulent and calls you to pour more from the bottle. An excellent choice with everyday fare as well as being a nice red wine for fish.
2023 DOMAINE DU MONTROSE
MOURVEDRE 'ILLEGAL'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
MOURVEDRE 'ILLEGAL'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
A producer from Languedoc’s Cote-du-Thongue area that has a decidedly renegade attitude. Olivier Montrose makes delicious appellation wines that follow the rules, but he also makes a line of whimsically labeled and named wines that show different concepts and styles.
Made from 100% Mourvedre, while permitted in the AOC wines of this area, but not 100%, hence they are Vin de France, and this one is appropriately called ‘illegal’. Enticing pekoe, blackberry, sanguine and fall spices are enhanced by roses and currant. Velvety and sultry with ample freshness all conveying the essence of varietal and place. Very tantalizing from start to finish, enjoy this wine with a hearty bean soup, cassoulet, lamb burgers, fried chicken and more.
Made from 100% Mourvedre, while permitted in the AOC wines of this area, but not 100%, hence they are Vin de France, and this one is appropriately called ‘illegal’. Enticing pekoe, blackberry, sanguine and fall spices are enhanced by roses and currant. Velvety and sultry with ample freshness all conveying the essence of varietal and place. Very tantalizing from start to finish, enjoy this wine with a hearty bean soup, cassoulet, lamb burgers, fried chicken and more.
2022 SEGHESIO ZINFANDEL
SONOMA
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
SONOMA
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
93 Points – The Wine Spectator…Having been established in Sonoma since 1895 as growers, Seghesio is an all-star producer when it comes to Zin and their Sonoma cuvee is always an excellent and indulgent choice.
A boisterous, seemingly raspberry-infused Zin that shows gorgeous aromatics of full-fruit as well as an overriding wave of peppery spice and cinnamon aromas that arouses the senses. In the mouth it is generous, ripe, packed with character all flowing to the spacious finish. Have this wine with barbecue, pasta with red sauces or a hunk of blue cheese, you be impressed! This is a whole lot of of zin for under twenty-five dollars! Drink through 2029.
A boisterous, seemingly raspberry-infused Zin that shows gorgeous aromatics of full-fruit as well as an overriding wave of peppery spice and cinnamon aromas that arouses the senses. In the mouth it is generous, ripe, packed with character all flowing to the spacious finish. Have this wine with barbecue, pasta with red sauces or a hunk of blue cheese, you be impressed! This is a whole lot of of zin for under twenty-five dollars! Drink through 2029.
2021 KELLEY FOX PINOT NOIR
'FREEDOM HILL'
$89.99 BTL. - LIMITED!
'FREEDOM HILL'
$89.99 BTL. - LIMITED!
One of the very profound Oregon producers has been able to procure fruit from one of Oregon’s finest sites. A mere 154 cases are produced, and I have excruciatingly limited amounts of this wine that has immense potential. 12.5% alcohol, 50% whole clusters and aged in no new oak barrels, only neutral French oak.
From Kelley Fox: ‘I’m thrilled to offer you my first Pinot noir from Freedom Hill Vineyard, owned and farmed by the Dusschee family. Only seven barrels of this wine comprise this bottling. It’s deeper red than my other Pinots, and both youthful and transparent. I love the hint of violets on the nose carried by red fruits, subtle spices on ocean air. Overall, this wine is deeper than my other bottlings, and the mouth is full of just-ripe blackberries with a hint of salinity and cola. This Freedom Hill is delicious and has a fine focus that continues through the long finish. I can’t wait to make more of this wine.’
From Kelley Fox: ‘I’m thrilled to offer you my first Pinot noir from Freedom Hill Vineyard, owned and farmed by the Dusschee family. Only seven barrels of this wine comprise this bottling. It’s deeper red than my other Pinots, and both youthful and transparent. I love the hint of violets on the nose carried by red fruits, subtle spices on ocean air. Overall, this wine is deeper than my other bottlings, and the mouth is full of just-ripe blackberries with a hint of salinity and cola. This Freedom Hill is delicious and has a fine focus that continues through the long finish. I can’t wait to make more of this wine.’
