Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'GLOWING' HOTSHEET
Classy, Sassy Red Burgundy
Value 20-buck Spanish Reds with fat scores
Soave & Champagne Specials
Value 20-buck Spanish Reds with fat scores
Soave & Champagne Specials
2016 BLACK SLATE PRIORAT
'CELLER CAL PLA' PORERRA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'CELLER CAL PLA' PORERRA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The Black Slate line of wines are superb, very affordable versions from one of Spain's great regions that's known more its luxury wines that sell well above 20 bucks. Of the various wineries featured in this lineup, my favorite is Cal Pla, based in the village of Porrera. This is home to Priorat’s finest Carignan and there is certainly a nice percentage here along with a healthy dose of Grenache. A tiny dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon is added in to bring forth nice structure.
Warm, minerally aromas of currant, cherry, tobacco, spice cake and flowers. Lush, pliant and intense with expressive flavors of red berries, dark chocolate and spices. Typical of Priorat, this has flamboyant palate presence with lots of give and allure but the slate soils allow for freshness and exuberance. Impressive structure and grip, but not the kind that is sadistic. This mouthful of wine goes down smoothly with brilliant focus and palate-staining length that soars. The perfect wine for a grilled leg of lamb. Drink over the next 6-8 years. If you must have a score, this has 92 points from The Wine Advocate.
Warm, minerally aromas of currant, cherry, tobacco, spice cake and flowers. Lush, pliant and intense with expressive flavors of red berries, dark chocolate and spices. Typical of Priorat, this has flamboyant palate presence with lots of give and allure but the slate soils allow for freshness and exuberance. Impressive structure and grip, but not the kind that is sadistic. This mouthful of wine goes down smoothly with brilliant focus and palate-staining length that soars. The perfect wine for a grilled leg of lamb. Drink over the next 6-8 years. If you must have a score, this has 92 points from The Wine Advocate.
2016 BLACK SLATE PRIORAT
'CELLER MAS ALTA' LA VILELLA ALTA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'CELLER MAS ALTA' LA VILELLA ALTA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Another outstanding choice in the Black Slate lineup is from another top drawer estate, Mas Alta. The Black Slate La Vilella Alta is reflective of dense clay-limestone soils and underlying schist in the village of La Vilella Alta. Very old vine Grenache and Carignan drive this wine. The addition of young vine Syrah, Cab and a bit more Grenache bring about exuberance and finely tune this large-scaled offering that is aged in 30% new oak.
The robe and color are almost like reflective violets while the nose proceeds to offer up cherries, briar, sandalwood and touches of tobacco. In the mouth it is very distinctive, definitely large-scaled, but having symphonic harmony. The fruit and coolness of the soil are very expressive while the tannins are elegant with a finish that presents plenty of amplitude and fine notes of cocoa. Drink over the next decade but do decant if you wish to enjoy now. Enjoy with venison, slow roasted pork or a hearty cheese. 93 points from The Wine Spectator.
The robe and color are almost like reflective violets while the nose proceeds to offer up cherries, briar, sandalwood and touches of tobacco. In the mouth it is very distinctive, definitely large-scaled, but having symphonic harmony. The fruit and coolness of the soil are very expressive while the tannins are elegant with a finish that presents plenty of amplitude and fine notes of cocoa. Drink over the next decade but do decant if you wish to enjoy now. Enjoy with venison, slow roasted pork or a hearty cheese. 93 points from The Wine Spectator.
2017 SUAVIA SOAVE CLASSICO
[reg. $19.99]
SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
[reg. $19.99]
SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
While we truly enjoy selling apex wines at sometimes high prices, there is nothing like being continually delighted by an under 15-dollar bottle. Suavia is one of those superb Soave producers that continually provides impeccable quality in their entire range. Vintage after vintage, Suavia Soave has so much complexity and flavor and yet the price remains the same. If you are looking for a food friendly, middle-of-the-week wine to buy by the case and yet still impress your wine savvy friends, look no further.
With vineyard holdings almost exclusively in the heart of the Soave Classico district at high elevation it has so much complexity and dimension that it drinks like something at a more lofty pricepoint. A perfect way to wake your palate up, this stainless steel fermented wine made from 100% garganega is fresh and forward with classic Soave aromas of springtime flowers, tangerine and lemon that are joined by pear and slamming mineral. Bone dry and incredibly clean with excellent range and burst. A delicious white wine for light meals, poultry, mild seafood and shellfish dishes.
With vineyard holdings almost exclusively in the heart of the Soave Classico district at high elevation it has so much complexity and dimension that it drinks like something at a more lofty pricepoint. A perfect way to wake your palate up, this stainless steel fermented wine made from 100% garganega is fresh and forward with classic Soave aromas of springtime flowers, tangerine and lemon that are joined by pear and slamming mineral. Bone dry and incredibly clean with excellent range and burst. A delicious white wine for light meals, poultry, mild seafood and shellfish dishes.
2017 BURKLIN-WOLF
ESTATE DRY RIESLING
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
ESTATE DRY RIESLING
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Riesling may be produced into various levels of dryness ranging from eye-watering, bone-dry, blitzing wines all the way up to some of the grandest dessert wines in the world. The Pfalz region is an extension of Alsace's Vosges Mountains and is one of Germany's warmest and sunniest, hence drier wines are produced here.
Burklin-Wolf is one of this area’s leading and oldest estates and their dry wines are exquisite to pair with so much of our local Oregon seafood. Understated perfume with lovely lime and nectarine qualities. Cracked rock mineral and almost powdery with its components, this is what dry Riesling is all about. Lovely substance up front but gains its firmness, mineral, and backbone in the middle and on the piercing and pleasure-driven finish. Lots of grapefruit and smoke on the finish. Drink over the next 5 years.
Burklin-Wolf is one of this area’s leading and oldest estates and their dry wines are exquisite to pair with so much of our local Oregon seafood. Understated perfume with lovely lime and nectarine qualities. Cracked rock mineral and almost powdery with its components, this is what dry Riesling is all about. Lovely substance up front but gains its firmness, mineral, and backbone in the middle and on the piercing and pleasure-driven finish. Lots of grapefruit and smoke on the finish. Drink over the next 5 years.
2017 RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
A hell of an under twenty-buck Cab that possesses way more character and class than one should at this level.
Lovely woodsmoke aromas surround cassis, red plum, dark chocolate, cedar and allspice. Very poised and refined aromas lead into a texture that has lots of weight without being thick or ponderous. There is some oak here, but it is nicely integrated and buffered by seductively smooth tannins. The finish is harmonious, layered and drawn out with eye-opening red cherry fruit that is indicative of the region’s cooler influence. Drink this scintillating offering now through 2023 with a juicy thick steak.
Lovely woodsmoke aromas surround cassis, red plum, dark chocolate, cedar and allspice. Very poised and refined aromas lead into a texture that has lots of weight without being thick or ponderous. There is some oak here, but it is nicely integrated and buffered by seductively smooth tannins. The finish is harmonious, layered and drawn out with eye-opening red cherry fruit that is indicative of the region’s cooler influence. Drink this scintillating offering now through 2023 with a juicy thick steak.
2017 CAPRANERA AGLIANICO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From Campania, Capranera’s Aglianico is a very pure expression of the land, grape and produced without the influence of oak. Back in the day, we would refer to wines from this area as ornery, cranky and hard red wines, but these days this is one of the most interesting growing regions in Italy.
Smoke, plums, Italian herbs and tanginess are present in this crowd-pleasing, warm, full wine with a generous, ripe and well-built finish. Matches well with game, lamb and pork…and slather them in some garlic & tomatoes.
Smoke, plums, Italian herbs and tanginess are present in this crowd-pleasing, warm, full wine with a generous, ripe and well-built finish. Matches well with game, lamb and pork…and slather them in some garlic & tomatoes.
2017 ALAIN MICHELOT
NUITS-ST-GEORGES 'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$55.99 - 24 btls available
NUITS-ST-GEORGES 'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$55.99 - 24 btls available
Some of the excellence that we sampled on our visit to Burgundy earlier this year is starting to arrive. Domaine Alain Michelot is one of the stalwart, sturdy producers of the large village of Nuits-St-Georges. A visit to this Domaine is akin to attending NSG University because of the holdings that the estate owns. Various vineyards throughout the appellation have allowed for a true study. Alain Michelot always made excellent wines but in a more rustic, sturdier style. Daughter Elodie took over in 2006 and she has cleaned up rusticity and added a beautiful feminine touch without ever sacrificing Nuit’s depth and terroir. These wines are flying so far under the radar right now and we are proud to be out in front. I brought in several sites and a couple of older vintages, email if you would like to see those wines as well as these two (see below).
From 55+ year old vines just below the Premier Cru of Bousselot, this wine is simply dreamy. Smoke, herbs, turned red earth and stone all while gaining rose petal and hinds of anise. Gentle red and black plum arrive. 2017 is a great vintage of detail, class and harmony along with no shortage of depth, and in a word, a great Burgundy lover’s vintage. Lengthy, expansive and lingering. There is plenty of backbone here as expected in a young wine. Hold on to this until 2023 and drink through 2030.
From 55+ year old vines just below the Premier Cru of Bousselot, this wine is simply dreamy. Smoke, herbs, turned red earth and stone all while gaining rose petal and hinds of anise. Gentle red and black plum arrive. 2017 is a great vintage of detail, class and harmony along with no shortage of depth, and in a word, a great Burgundy lover’s vintage. Lengthy, expansive and lingering. There is plenty of backbone here as expected in a young wine. Hold on to this until 2023 and drink through 2030.
2017 ALAIN MICHELOT
NUITS-ST-GEORGES 'CHAMPS PERDRIX'
$65.99 - 24 btls available
NUITS-ST-GEORGES 'CHAMPS PERDRIX'
$65.99 - 24 btls available
Aux Champs Perdrix is a single vineyard site with the lower portion being Premier Cru and the upper being a lieu dit. This tiny site 9about 4 acres in its entirety) is a specialty chez Michelot as this wine as well as a Premier Cru are produced. This site is one of the highest points of Nuits and the wines have a resounding minerality and stoniness to them.
Being in close proximity to Vosne-Romanee, this has excellent aromatic spice and more. Candied ceps, strawberry, allspice, pomegranate, cedar and alluring red flowers with an underlying serious deep sensuality just waiting to be released. Classic and classy red spice, flowers, with a warm and savory note that sets off the cool red tones beautifully adding an extra level of complexity. This is one elegant and sexy glass of pinot that seriously needs a fine dish and preferably a bit more time in the cellar. Drink 2023 – 2033.
Being in close proximity to Vosne-Romanee, this has excellent aromatic spice and more. Candied ceps, strawberry, allspice, pomegranate, cedar and alluring red flowers with an underlying serious deep sensuality just waiting to be released. Classic and classy red spice, flowers, with a warm and savory note that sets off the cool red tones beautifully adding an extra level of complexity. This is one elegant and sexy glass of pinot that seriously needs a fine dish and preferably a bit more time in the cellar. Drink 2023 – 2033.
CHAMPAGNE SAVART
BRUT OVERTURE
[reg. $49.99]
SPECIAL - $39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
BRUT OVERTURE
[reg. $49.99]
SPECIAL - $39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
Super low price on one of my current favorite Grower Champagne producers! Frederic Savart and his family’s bubblies have become quite the force for those who know and love Champagne. Based in Ecueil, a mere 20 minutes from the city limits of Reims, these wines from the Montagne de Reims are not only some of the finest, they are also quite scarce – nine different cuvees from a mere 9¾ acres of vines!
L’Overture is the gateway wine into the bubbly world of Fred Savart. A classic Blanc de Noirs, this wine is entirely from vineyards in Ecueil. Made from 100% Pinot Noir and while all Pinot Noir often stereotyped to be Champagnes of power, Ecueil and Savart’s provide some of the silkiest bubbles around. On the nose, there are gorgeous aromatics of lime, yellow apple, chalk, and a touch of classy white chocolate. In the mouth the mousse and creaminess is incredibly regal, with penetrating and almost floating bubbles. Great texture and superb persistence make this a truly exquisite Champagne value. Alas, given the tiny production, these tend to fly and wind up in Champagne geeks’ cellars. If you dig bubbly as much as we do, free your mind and explore Savart’s wines.
L’Overture is the gateway wine into the bubbly world of Fred Savart. A classic Blanc de Noirs, this wine is entirely from vineyards in Ecueil. Made from 100% Pinot Noir and while all Pinot Noir often stereotyped to be Champagnes of power, Ecueil and Savart’s provide some of the silkiest bubbles around. On the nose, there are gorgeous aromatics of lime, yellow apple, chalk, and a touch of classy white chocolate. In the mouth the mousse and creaminess is incredibly regal, with penetrating and almost floating bubbles. Great texture and superb persistence make this a truly exquisite Champagne value. Alas, given the tiny production, these tend to fly and wind up in Champagne geeks’ cellars. If you dig bubbly as much as we do, free your mind and explore Savart’s wines.
FRIDAY SIPS
Turkey Wines That Aren’t Turkeys
This Friday Nov. 8 from 1:30 – 6:30
Every year, it is always a fun chore to put together wines that go with Thanksgiving dinner. Up until the big day, we will put out some of our favorite wines that we think will accompany all the trimmings. Come in this Friday and have a taste of our first suggestions for Thanksgiving dinner (and other feasts, too)
FEATURED WINES:
2018 Walter Scott Pinot Noir ‘Combe Verte’
2016 Filliatreau Saumur Rouge "Vieilles Vignes"
2017 Ingrid Groiss ‘Gemischter Satz’ White
2018 Cominciole ‘Diamente’ Chiaretto Rose
