Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'ON WITH THE SHOW' HOTSHEET
Tavel Rose, 95 point Barolo, Washington Blend & more
2017 CABASSE SEGURET
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES 'GARNACHO'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES 'GARNACHO'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The name Cabasse is from Italian, casa bassa, which means house under the village. Situated just beneath the picturesque, Provençal village of Seguret, Domaine de Cabasse's roots date back to the 14th century. Along with having a fine hotel and restaurant, superb wines also come from this 33-acre estate that owns land in 3 southern Rhone villages, Seguret, Sablet and Gigondas.
Cabasse literally sits at the border of the villages of Sablet and Seguret. Garnacho is 75% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 8% Counoise, 7% Syrah and aged 6-9 months in large barrels. Instant leap from the glass. Strawberry, perfumed violet, abundant licorice. Lots of wild spices throughout. The texture is poised, expansive and very classy indeed. Lots of depth, perisitence and personality. More and more white pepper arrives. This pairs so well with provencal cuisine like lamb as well as tomato-based fare. Also matches up nicely with North African flavors. Very easy to drink now but no problem for this wine from a great vintage to age 7-8 years as well.
Cabasse literally sits at the border of the villages of Sablet and Seguret. Garnacho is 75% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 8% Counoise, 7% Syrah and aged 6-9 months in large barrels. Instant leap from the glass. Strawberry, perfumed violet, abundant licorice. Lots of wild spices throughout. The texture is poised, expansive and very classy indeed. Lots of depth, perisitence and personality. More and more white pepper arrives. This pairs so well with provencal cuisine like lamb as well as tomato-based fare. Also matches up nicely with North African flavors. Very easy to drink now but no problem for this wine from a great vintage to age 7-8 years as well.
2017 CABASSE SEGURET
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES 'CASA BASSA'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES 'CASA BASSA'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
A complete different beast versus the Garnacho, Casa Bassa is a real Rhone treat indeed.
Old vines, 55-60% Grenache and the remainder Syrah. Aged 12 months in Allier barrels. Arrives showing youth and verticality, probably should have decanted. After about 15 minutes, really soars in the glass. More hedonistic plum, tellicherry pepper, smoke, camphor, black raspberry and late arriving Asian spices and a kiss of cacao. Rich, layered and quite full. Plenty of depth and persistence. Youth of 2016 creeps in but in such a lovely manner. Expansive finish that reveals red and black fruits along with nutmeg and provencal herbs and spices. Easy to drink with a good decanting but no problem to age for 10-12 years from vintage date.
Old vines, 55-60% Grenache and the remainder Syrah. Aged 12 months in Allier barrels. Arrives showing youth and verticality, probably should have decanted. After about 15 minutes, really soars in the glass. More hedonistic plum, tellicherry pepper, smoke, camphor, black raspberry and late arriving Asian spices and a kiss of cacao. Rich, layered and quite full. Plenty of depth and persistence. Youth of 2016 creeps in but in such a lovely manner. Expansive finish that reveals red and black fruits along with nutmeg and provencal herbs and spices. Easy to drink with a good decanting but no problem to age for 10-12 years from vintage date.
2014 BUTY 'BEAST WINES'
WILDEBEEST RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
WILDEBEEST RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Created by famed Walla Walla producer, Buty, Beast Wines are meant to be the doppelganger of the Buty wines. Led by Nina Buty and winemaker Chris Dowsett, these wines have always impressed. Recently, the distributor dropped the price on the Wildebeest blend. This has made it very attractive for 20 bucks so if you love wines from this area that won’t break the bank, order yours ASAP.
24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 24% Syrah, 7% Mourvedre, 3% Grenache, and revealing chewy, hearty, full aromas and flavors of plum, milk chocolate, red licorice, plum, black cherry and nutmeg. In the mouth, it is sumptuous, palate staining and assertive with plenty of Asian spices on the drawn-out, lingering finish. Drink over the next few years. Perfect to pair with a beef brisket.
24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 24% Syrah, 7% Mourvedre, 3% Grenache, and revealing chewy, hearty, full aromas and flavors of plum, milk chocolate, red licorice, plum, black cherry and nutmeg. In the mouth, it is sumptuous, palate staining and assertive with plenty of Asian spices on the drawn-out, lingering finish. Drink over the next few years. Perfect to pair with a beef brisket.
2017 ZARATE ALBARINO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Zarate is not only one of our favorite Albarino producers, they happen to be one of the most influential when it comes to this Spanish, or should we say Galician, white wine. Having been producing since the 1950s, this estate knows a thing or two and what comes off their 10 hectares is best described as delicate exuberance.
The 2017 sports a gorgeous nose of lemon and white peach, with complimentary notes of marine air and seashells that become more prominent as the wine unfolds in the glass. Superbly intense in the mouth with complex notes of lemon-lime and mineral along with no shortage of lifting acidity and a very long finish. A very complex bottle of Albarino and if you love seafood, particularly fresh crab or grilled spot prawns, this is just about the most perfect accompaniment.
The 2017 sports a gorgeous nose of lemon and white peach, with complimentary notes of marine air and seashells that become more prominent as the wine unfolds in the glass. Superbly intense in the mouth with complex notes of lemon-lime and mineral along with no shortage of lifting acidity and a very long finish. A very complex bottle of Albarino and if you love seafood, particularly fresh crab or grilled spot prawns, this is just about the most perfect accompaniment.
2018 MANISSY TAVEL ROSÉ
'CUVEE LES LYS'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
'CUVEE LES LYS'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Tavel is sort of like listening to The Stooges, a funhouse thrills and chills will result when you experience it. Tavel, known for Rosé, has been growing and producing pink wines since 600 BC. Tavel is also very misunderstood as a Rosé region. More often, people are expecting these wines to be simple patio pleasers; however, they are the opposite and the producers who I visited earlier this month all refer to it as vin pour le repas. In addition, one person mentioned that Tavel is not red, white or Rosé - it is Tavel! Limestone soils drive these wines and while they have big color and body, they always maintain energetic presence and an underbelly of illuminating briskness.
Florian Andre of Chateau Manissy is a promising youngster in the region and when he approached the religious order who owned this property, the monks were impressed with his philosophy and after years of turning down other offers, invited Florian to do the wines. The 2018 Tavel Cuvee des Lys reveals raging aromatic red berry, wind-swept herbs, mandarin and plenty of floral aromas shout out for you to take a big swig. Completely dry, generous and mouth filling, but so invigorating, zesty and bursting from front to back. Brilliant ripeness, but brilliantly balanced, this Rosé is a winner that will stand up to grilled white meats, denser fish, tomato-based pasta dishes as well as spicy Asian cuisine.
Florian Andre of Chateau Manissy is a promising youngster in the region and when he approached the religious order who owned this property, the monks were impressed with his philosophy and after years of turning down other offers, invited Florian to do the wines. The 2018 Tavel Cuvee des Lys reveals raging aromatic red berry, wind-swept herbs, mandarin and plenty of floral aromas shout out for you to take a big swig. Completely dry, generous and mouth filling, but so invigorating, zesty and bursting from front to back. Brilliant ripeness, but brilliantly balanced, this Rosé is a winner that will stand up to grilled white meats, denser fish, tomato-based pasta dishes as well as spicy Asian cuisine.
2015 J. CHRISTOPHER PINOT NOIR
'VILLAGES' CHEHALEM MOUNTAIN
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'VILLAGES' CHEHALEM MOUNTAIN
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Made from mostly estate fruit and Lia’s Vineyard, this Pinot is serious business!
An achingly beautiful Pinot Noir value that has enticing and beautifully aromatic aromas of crushed black raspberry, violet and cinnamon that shine brightly from the glass. Texturally, the wine is stylish and refined with an abundance of penetrating fruit along with sneaky structure. The finish is suave and understated with a hint of allspice, red earth and cocoa from oak. A mouth filling Pinot, this selection will pair wonderfully with chops and will drink and develop wonderfully through 2024.
An achingly beautiful Pinot Noir value that has enticing and beautifully aromatic aromas of crushed black raspberry, violet and cinnamon that shine brightly from the glass. Texturally, the wine is stylish and refined with an abundance of penetrating fruit along with sneaky structure. The finish is suave and understated with a hint of allspice, red earth and cocoa from oak. A mouth filling Pinot, this selection will pair wonderfully with chops and will drink and develop wonderfully through 2024.
2016 CAPARZO SANGIOVESE
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
One of Tuscany's and more specifically Montlacino's most excellent producers. Not exactly a 10 dollar Brunello, but a wine with no shortage of honest, true-to-form Sangiovese character. Bing cherry, earth tones, violet, roasted sage and spice dominate this medium and easy red. Fresh and mouth tickling with red fruit flavors following into the mouth and leaving your palate cleansed but satisfied. Don’t think, just drink – specifically with spaghetti & meatballs.
2014 PAOLO SCAVINO
BAROLO 'MONVIGLIERO'
$65.99 BTL. - LIMITED!
BAROLO 'MONVIGLIERO'
$65.99 BTL. - LIMITED!
A Grand Cru from Verduno village first produced by Scavino in the 2007 vintage. The Northern most commune in Barolo, this vineyard has a very special microclimate: warm during the day and cold at night thanks to the cooling breezes coming off the Tanaro River. Always elegant and focused with great tension.
‘Floral and fragrant, this boasts enticing scents of blue flower, wild berry, dark spice and crushed herb. The polished vibrant palate delivers red cherry compote, cranberry, star anise and a hint of orange zest offset by elegant fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced, while an almost salty mineral note lingers on the close. Drink 2021–2028. – 95 PTS - WINE ENTHUSIAST’
‘Floral and fragrant, this boasts enticing scents of blue flower, wild berry, dark spice and crushed herb. The polished vibrant palate delivers red cherry compote, cranberry, star anise and a hint of orange zest offset by elegant fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced, while an almost salty mineral note lingers on the close. Drink 2021–2028. – 95 PTS - WINE ENTHUSIAST’
FRIDAY SIPS
Massican Winery
This Friday, June 7 from 2:30 – 6:30 (note new hours)
We’re back with Friday Sips this week and will feature an exciting winery from Napa Valley that epitomizes the new wave of California wine. Founded in 2009, Dan Petroski’s love of wines from Friuli led him to plant and produce only white wines and producing a style that goes against the normal heavy duty bombs that this area is associated with delivering. Drop by today for an excellent California wine experience unlike any other that you have had.
FEATURED WINES:
2017 Massican Annia (Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, Chardonnay)
2017 Massican Gemina (Pinot Grigio, Greco)
2017 Massican Sauvignon
