Hot Sheets
The Cellar Door's 'Robert Kraft's No Happy Endings' HotSheet
Brunello, Washington Cab Special, 10-Year-Old Trimbach, White Burgundy, Apex Values & more
2014 SEVEN HILLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COLUMBIA VALLEY
[reg. $36.99] SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
COLUMBIA VALLEY
[reg. $36.99] SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
From one of Walla Walla’s originals, it is a thrill to see this Cabernet on such a magnificent special. Founded in 1988 by Casey McClellan, this estate has always delivered when it comes to Washignton wines. The essence of what Columbia Valley is meant to be, made from fruit from five Columbia Valley Appellations - Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope and Yakima.
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carmenere, it has ample depth and is 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 it is poured. Plenty of power without lacking the signature smoothness that Casey is noted for; there is abundant ‘silky grip’ and a roundness on the palate, which carries over nicely to a lingering, well-honed finish. Quite an irresistible steal for 24 bucks and will drink and develop well for a decade.
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carmenere, it has ample depth and is 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 it is poured. Plenty of power without lacking the signature smoothness that Casey is noted for; there is abundant ‘silky grip’ and a roundness on the palate, which carries over nicely to a lingering, well-honed finish. Quite an irresistible steal for 24 bucks and will drink and develop well for a decade.
2015 MAS D'AMILE
MONTPEYROUX ROUGE
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
MONTPEYROUX ROUGE
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
The exuberant Amélie d'Hurlaborde’s has quietly become one of the superb producers in Languedoc. Production here is very small but the quality is mighty and are the types of Languedoc wines that I have been shouting about. Many of the same grapes used here are in the Rhone Valley but undiscovered terroirs are to the forefront, we now know that these wines are very different due to this area of Languedoc having different soils, elevation and very cool evenings.
The 2015 is class with power. Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. Penetrating violet, strawberry licorice, ground pepper and late arriving marine-like scents virtually gleam from the glass. Layered and stylish upon entry, this red spreads out on the palate revealing vibrancy from both the area’s elevation and its Grenache. Extending on the finish and then revealing a surprising second wave that lasts and lasts. Ample structure and depth throughout, this wine has nice early appeal but will also age well for another decade.
The 2015 is class with power. Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. Penetrating violet, strawberry licorice, ground pepper and late arriving marine-like scents virtually gleam from the glass. Layered and stylish upon entry, this red spreads out on the palate revealing vibrancy from both the area’s elevation and its Grenache. Extending on the finish and then revealing a surprising second wave that lasts and lasts. Ample structure and depth throughout, this wine has nice early appeal but will also age well for another decade.
2016 SEVEN OF HEARTS PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
For vintage 2016, our friend Byron Dooley made a left turn by lowering production of the Willamette Valley cuvee but really amping up quality by utilizing fruit that is solely from his 11-acre estate vineyard called Luminous Hills. A barrel selection of lots from this almost four-terroir-in-one-site, these choices provide instantaneous pleasure, yet can also develop nicely. The great Luminous Hills wines are still being produced but we welcome this alluring effort that we think that you will be imminently pleased as soon as you taste.
The 2016 Seven of Hearts is 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. In the mouth, 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 and cocoa that meld in and pleasantly linger. This gorgeous Pinot will pair wonderfully with veal chops and will drink and develop wonderfully through 2025+.
The 2016 Seven of Hearts is 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. In the mouth, 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 and cocoa that meld in and pleasantly linger. This gorgeous Pinot will pair wonderfully with veal chops and will drink and develop wonderfully through 2025+.
2014 CLOS DE L'ELU
ANJOU ROUGE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
ANJOU ROUGE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
From a fine producer, the distributor/importer came to their senses and dropped the price to where we can offer this 100% Cabernet Franc from just outside the city of Angers for twenty bucks and it is quite worth it.
The 2014 Anjou Rouge is one of the ultimate bistro wines, a delicious adventure and as Bryan sometimes so succinctly states, a wine to love and to drink every day for good health. If you like ripe, supple, soft red wines, you may want to stay away from this one. Laden with red raspberry, warm granitic spice, red licorice and tinges of jasmine, this is absolutely dry, pure and red to the bone. Dark, haunting tones come as the wine opens and move into an illuminating, minerally finish. Enjoy this wine with roasted turkey or chicken but it will also pair well with charcuterie or a hearty stew.
The 2014 Anjou Rouge is one of the ultimate bistro wines, a delicious adventure and as Bryan sometimes so succinctly states, a wine to love and to drink every day for good health. If you like ripe, supple, soft red wines, you may want to stay away from this one. Laden with red raspberry, warm granitic spice, red licorice and tinges of jasmine, this is absolutely dry, pure and red to the bone. Dark, haunting tones come as the wine opens and move into an illuminating, minerally finish. Enjoy this wine with roasted turkey or chicken but it will also pair well with charcuterie or a hearty stew.
2016 MONT-EPIN VIRE-CLESSE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
In 1998, the villages of Vire and Clesse (along with two others in close proximity) were elevated to Appellation status meaning more prestige as well as no longer having to say Macon-Vire or Macon–Clesse. Regulations were tightened and quality has since soared. Vire-Clesse’s levels of dryness in the wines are virtually the same as required for Chablis, meaning bone dry.
Domaine Mont-Epin was purchased in 2015 by Richard and Stephane Martin who also own top Maconnais Domaine Croix Senaillet. The brothers are masterful in achieving a balance between mineral assertiveness and suave fruit all without the use of intrusive oak. Redolent of mineral, freshly cut flowers, tangerine and lemon aromas. In the mouth, it exudes the greatness that is the 2016 vintage. Exciting and layered, but with insane electricity and breadth of flavor and character. Drink now through 2023 with grilled white fish like sea bass or sole. In addition, will pair nicely with cheeses like Chevre or Brillat Savarin.
Domaine Mont-Epin was purchased in 2015 by Richard and Stephane Martin who also own top Maconnais Domaine Croix Senaillet. The brothers are masterful in achieving a balance between mineral assertiveness and suave fruit all without the use of intrusive oak. Redolent of mineral, freshly cut flowers, tangerine and lemon aromas. In the mouth, it exudes the greatness that is the 2016 vintage. Exciting and layered, but with insane electricity and breadth of flavor and character. Drink now through 2023 with grilled white fish like sea bass or sole. In addition, will pair nicely with cheeses like Chevre or Brillat Savarin.
2016 CA DEL SARTO NERO D'AVOLA
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
This Sicilian workhorse delivers an amazing value in a food-friendly package that's easy to drink on a consistent basis. Ca del Sarto’s Nero D’Avola is a delicious, full-bodied wine with a generous core of fruit, and an engaging, compelling personality.
Made from 100% Nero d'Avola, it shows plenty of ripe, vivid plum and berry fruit, touched by brightness with none of that funky rubber tire smell that sometimes shows up with this varietal. It will blow your mind with grilled meats, pizza, pasta, or even burgers. In other words, it is a wine for all seasons meaning that you can drink patrician every night of the week.
2015 PIANTATE LUNGHE
ROSSO CONERO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
ROSSO CONERO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
One that we will be pouring this coming Friday, Piantate Lunghe’s classic Conero Cuvee is pure Montepulciano and reveals plenty of blackberry, smoked meat, rosemary and layered plum tones. Deep and mouth filling with sensual fruit to make it very attractive, but still maintains just enough of the savage personality that is Montepulciano, especially in the bursting, spicy finish that is super-long, especially for an 14 dollar wine! One of our favorite new arrivals, you owe it to yourself to order some...or come and taste this Friday
2008 TRIMBACH RIESLING
'CUVEE FREDERIC EMILE'
$74.99 BTL./$449.94 - SIX PK
'CUVEE FREDERIC EMILE'
$74.99 BTL./$449.94 - SIX PK
f there were a hall of fame for Rieslings, Trimbach “Frederic Emile” would be the second Riesling inducted, right after its big brother, Trimbach ‘Clos St. Hune’. Alas, Clos St-Hune sells for north of 200 these days but the Frederic Emile is still something very special indeed. Simply put, when it comes to dry Riesling that can age for eons, there are very few that can enter this realm.
A blend of the Grands Crus vineyards of Geisberg and Osterberg, we are beyond excited to offer one that is 10 years old that is starting to drink beautifully. Aromatic, complex, diamond-esque precision, daunting mineral, lime, floral, more flint some and on and on, we were aghast when we had this with a chicken dish slathered in a Dijon mustard cream sauce. The texture is pristine, bone dry and almost like sticking your finger into a light socket that it is so electrically dry. Superbly touches all points of the palate, this wine soars and then folds in and planes out nicely on the finish that you can still feel several minutes after the wine is swallowed. Truly one of the most profound white wines tasted recently and will certainly be on the top five list of 2019. There is still an abundance of potential for even further aging. One of not only France and Alsace’s greatest white wines but also one of the world's. Drink through 2035+.
A blend of the Grands Crus vineyards of Geisberg and Osterberg, we are beyond excited to offer one that is 10 years old that is starting to drink beautifully. Aromatic, complex, diamond-esque precision, daunting mineral, lime, floral, more flint some and on and on, we were aghast when we had this with a chicken dish slathered in a Dijon mustard cream sauce. The texture is pristine, bone dry and almost like sticking your finger into a light socket that it is so electrically dry. Superbly touches all points of the palate, this wine soars and then folds in and planes out nicely on the finish that you can still feel several minutes after the wine is swallowed. Truly one of the most profound white wines tasted recently and will certainly be on the top five list of 2019. There is still an abundance of potential for even further aging. One of not only France and Alsace’s greatest white wines but also one of the world's. Drink through 2035+.
2010 COL D'ORCIA BRUNELLO DI
MONTALCINO 'POGGIO AL VENTO'
$139.99 BTL./$419.97 - THREE PK
MONTALCINO 'POGGIO AL VENTO'
$139.99 BTL./$419.97 - THREE PK
How does one follow up one of the greatest white wines, you do it with one of Italy’s most prominent, ungodly offerings. From a very special producer, this single vineyard Riserva Brunello is one of the Mount Rushmore cuvees of the region. It also doesn’t hurt that 2010 is one of Montalcino’s legendary vintages that is aging very slowly.
The 2010 Poggio Al Vento reveals complex and alluring scents of dark cherry, raspberry, violet powder, lavender, rosemary, sage and licorice. This beautiful expression of Sangiovese Grosso still displays youthful exuberance of cocoa, ripe tannins and rich berries following from the nose, with an underlying meatiness. This incredibly balanced elixir stains the palate with richness and concentration of flavor yet calls you back with its elegance, finesse and ungodly long, penetrating but youthfully compact finish. I truly would not uncork one of these until the wine’s twelfth birthday. Best 2025 – 2035+.
The 2010 Poggio Al Vento reveals complex and alluring scents of dark cherry, raspberry, violet powder, lavender, rosemary, sage and licorice. This beautiful expression of Sangiovese Grosso still displays youthful exuberance of cocoa, ripe tannins and rich berries following from the nose, with an underlying meatiness. This incredibly balanced elixir stains the palate with richness and concentration of flavor yet calls you back with its elegance, finesse and ungodly long, penetrating but youthfully compact finish. I truly would not uncork one of these until the wine’s twelfth birthday. Best 2025 – 2035+.
FRIDAY SIPS
Marche Madness
Special Guest – Leopardo Felice from Cantina Andrea Felice
Special Guest – Leopardo Felice from Cantina Andrea Felice
This Friday March 1 from 1:30 – 6:30
~Wines will be open at 1:30, Leopardo arrives at 3:30~
Drop by this week to sample two delicious Verdicchio offerings from Lepardo Felice’s family estate along the Adriatic. The man himself will be here to discuss and chat about his on-the-rise white wines.
We will also pour two Conero reds from Piantate Lunghe, another small but superb Le Marches producer.
Drop by this week to sample two delicious Verdicchio offerings from Lepardo Felice’s family estate along the Adriatic. The man himself will be here to discuss and chat about his on-the-rise white wines.
We will also pour two Conero reds from Piantate Lunghe, another small but superb Le Marches producer.
FEATURED WINES:
2017 Andrea Felice Verdicchio dei Castelli dei Jesi
2016 Andrea Felice Verdicchio dei Castelli dei Jesi Riserva
2015 Piantate Lunghe Conero Rosso
2012 Piantate Lunghe Conero Riserva ‘Rossini’
