Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'PRAYING ATLANTIS' HOTSHEET
5 wines + Top Ten List. Oregon Pinot, Napa Cab, Rhone, Champagne, 99 pt Syrah & more
2016 JANASSE COTES-DU-RHONE
VILLAGES 'TERRE D'ARGILE'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
VILLAGES 'TERRE D'ARGILE'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Since the early 1990s, Christophe Sabon has become known as one of the kings of Grenache in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Christophe's Cotes-du-Rhône Villages comes from the wrong side of the tracks, a goal kick from the Chateauneuf village of Courthezon. Unlike his Chateauneuf wines, this wine is 1/4 each of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and ‘monumental’ Mourvedre and is consistently a top performer that has been known to open a can of whoopass on many Gigondas and Vacqueyras wines that go for 15+ dollars more! Consistently, this full-flavored wine shows great complexity early and always ages well but in a vintage like 2016....
This deep and pronounced masterpiece is holding on to its youthful decadence beautifully but with time in the glass, signs of a wine from a vintage of greatness appear. Gorgeous aromas of savory herbes-des-provence, white pepper, violet, rock dust and tea-smoke intertwine with a rich core of velvety red berry compote. This wine perfectly walks the line between decadence and power with impeccable balance and grace. If you are a fan of full-on Rhone wines from a master that smell and taste of where they are grown, do not hesitate, as this beauty will continue to evolve over the next 10-12 years. Slow roasted leg of lamb with a side of ratatouille and white beans is on the brain this morning thinking about what to serve with this wine.
This deep and pronounced masterpiece is holding on to its youthful decadence beautifully but with time in the glass, signs of a wine from a vintage of greatness appear. Gorgeous aromas of savory herbes-des-provence, white pepper, violet, rock dust and tea-smoke intertwine with a rich core of velvety red berry compote. This wine perfectly walks the line between decadence and power with impeccable balance and grace. If you are a fan of full-on Rhone wines from a master that smell and taste of where they are grown, do not hesitate, as this beauty will continue to evolve over the next 10-12 years. Slow roasted leg of lamb with a side of ratatouille and white beans is on the brain this morning thinking about what to serve with this wine.
2016 HORSETAIL PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Horsetail (as well as the more upscale wines called Coattail) are the project of Jaren and Mikey Etzel, sons of Beaux Freres founder Mike Etzel. These wines are very formidable right out of the chute and this line performs well above its price level.
From several excellent vineyard sources, the pedigree of vintage 2016 shines as soon as the wine is poured. At once, the wine is both explosive and reserved, powerful but nuanced, forwardly fruit-driven but deep and long. There are wonderful flavors of plush berries and raspberries that combine with tobacco, mocha, toast, herbs and spices. In the mouth they are drawn together nicely and after about 20 minutes of air, unfold, smooth out and fully reveal its true mettle all while adding to the innate complexity this bottling has. Drink this excellent value Oregon Pinot Noir over the next 8-10 years.
From several excellent vineyard sources, the pedigree of vintage 2016 shines as soon as the wine is poured. At once, the wine is both explosive and reserved, powerful but nuanced, forwardly fruit-driven but deep and long. There are wonderful flavors of plush berries and raspberries that combine with tobacco, mocha, toast, herbs and spices. In the mouth they are drawn together nicely and after about 20 minutes of air, unfold, smooth out and fully reveal its true mettle all while adding to the innate complexity this bottling has. Drink this excellent value Oregon Pinot Noir over the next 8-10 years.
2016 HORSETAIL CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
NAPA VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
A reverse invasion if you will. Lately we have seen numerous California wineries coming into Oregon but the Etzel brothers, through friendships, have made a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and not only is it a legitimate over performer, it is damn delicious, too.
Coming from fruit from two different sites, one on Mt. Veeder and one in Yountville, this striking Cabernet reveals an alluring fusion of cassis, chocolate and berry pie-filling scents with hints of violet and mint. The palate is full bodied and lush echoing dark chocolate and blackberries then carrying over to the finish that is all satin and silk with flavors that linger like a fond memory. Enjoy this Cab over the next decade with a thick juicy dry-aged NY steak or an herb-encrusted rack of lamb.
Coming from fruit from two different sites, one on Mt. Veeder and one in Yountville, this striking Cabernet reveals an alluring fusion of cassis, chocolate and berry pie-filling scents with hints of violet and mint. The palate is full bodied and lush echoing dark chocolate and blackberries then carrying over to the finish that is all satin and silk with flavors that linger like a fond memory. Enjoy this Cab over the next decade with a thick juicy dry-aged NY steak or an herb-encrusted rack of lamb.
2017 BISCI VERDICCHIO DI MATELICA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Located inland and at significantly more elevation gain, what separates the Le Marches regions of Matelica and Castelli di Jesi are their locations and specifically their soils, which are sheer hard limestone and quite unique to the area. Verdicchio is the spiritual white grape of the Le Marches region and like Metallica, we have been devotees of Matelica-based Bisci's wines for 20 years.
The 2017 is a crisp, zesty and vivid flavored white wine that can best be described as Italian dynamite. Teeming aromas of flint, earth, hints of lemon-peel and smoke lead into a tense, bone-dry texture that is well delineated and firm. If you like things like unoaked, zesty, flavorful white wines you will love it! Perfect foil for freshly shucked oysters, grilled prawns and especially crab.
The 2017 is a crisp, zesty and vivid flavored white wine that can best be described as Italian dynamite. Teeming aromas of flint, earth, hints of lemon-peel and smoke lead into a tense, bone-dry texture that is well delineated and firm. If you like things like unoaked, zesty, flavorful white wines you will love it! Perfect foil for freshly shucked oysters, grilled prawns and especially crab.
2017 LAS PERDICES MALBEC
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
Delicious, forthright, honest and chock full of flavor, this Malbec is grown at about 3300 feet in the Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo sub-zone of Mendoza and has major-league yum factor for just north of 10 bucks.
An everyday gem that showcases expressive bright, fresh red juicy fruit, plum, raspberry and dark currant, with some fresh spice, earth and roasted coffee. More than just a juicy-loosey fruit bomb, there is good structure that lays down the tracks for a fleshy, endowed red with engaging nuances.
An everyday gem that showcases expressive bright, fresh red juicy fruit, plum, raspberry and dark currant, with some fresh spice, earth and roasted coffee. More than just a juicy-loosey fruit bomb, there is good structure that lays down the tracks for a fleshy, endowed red with engaging nuances.
NOVEMEBER TOP TEN
(This list goes to 11)
(This list goes to 11)
Our monthly Top 10 feature. A list of what I think is on hand in the shop. We always base the choices on quality-price rapport in lieu of just having 10 be mere trophy wines. So without further ado, here is this month’s Top 10 in no particular order.
2015 CARILLON PULIGNY-MONTRACHET
[reg. $79.99]
now $49.99 – 11 btls available
[reg. $79.99]
now $49.99 – 11 btls available
[epic white Burgundy producer and on a superb special!]
2014 CAYUSE SYRAH ‘ARMADA’
$139.99 – 3 btls available
$139.99 – 3 btls available
[99 pts – Wine Spectator]
2015 PIAGGIA CARMIGNANO ‘IL SASSO’
$33.99 – 4 btls available
$33.99 – 4 btls available
[An OG Super Tuscan. 95 pts – Vinous]
2016 WALTER SCOTT CHARDONNAY ‘X-NOVO’
$59.99 – 4 btls. available
$59.99 – 4 btls. available
[One of Oregon’s most sought after Chardonnays!]
CHAMPAGNE BILLECART-SALMON
BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU
$164.99 MAGNUM – 3 big btls available
BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU
$164.99 MAGNUM – 3 big btls available
[Serve great bubbly from a magnum. Only the finest!]
2005 LA RIOJA ALTA RIOJA
GRAN RESERVA ‘904’
$74.99 – 6 btls available
GRAN RESERVA ‘904’
$74.99 – 6 btls available
[96 pts – Wine Advocate + Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s #1 Wine of 2015]
2017 GAI’A THALESSITIS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO
$32.99 – 4 btls available
$32.99 – 4 btls available
[Undoubtedly one of Greece’s greatest white wines. Period! 95+ pts – The Wine Advocate]
2009 MAURO MOLINO BAROLO ‘CONCA’
$65.99 – 2 btls available
$65.99 – 2 btls available
[Prolific producer from La Morra and a wine from one of this Barolo village’s Grand Cru sites.]
2000 GALET DES PAPES
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES
$49.99 – 12 btls available
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE VIEILLES VIGNES
$49.99 – 12 btls available
[One last shot of this legendary, aged to perfection wine!]
2013 ANDREW WILL CABERNET SAUVIGNON ‘ESPLOSO’
$39.99 – 3 btls available
$39.99 – 3 btls available
[A new wine from one of the pillars of Washington wine. Chris Camarda’s son Will has entered into the fray and is making this wine which is outstanding]
2008 CHAMPAGNE PHILIPONNAT
EXTRA BRUT ‘CLOS DES GOISSES’
$199.99 – 3 btls. available
EXTRA BRUT ‘CLOS DES GOISSES’
$199.99 – 3 btls. available
[Highly sought after, single vineyard Champagne from an epic vintage. 98 pts - Vinous]
SPECIAL WEDNESDAY SIPS
The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year!!
Wednesday November 21 from 1:30 – 6:30
Statistically the day before Thanksgiving has always been the biggest drinking day of the year and we are all for keeping the numbers at their lofty levels!
Come and join us for our favorite in-house tasting of the year which includes the annual pouring of the new releases from Bisci (Verdicchio and Rosso) and a Bordeaux amongst others that will be poured. Bring your family, bring your friends, hell, bring your dog!!
FEATURED STARTING SELECTIONS:
2015 Bisci Rosso Fogliano
2017 Bisci Verdicchio di Matelica
2012 L'Abeille de Fieuzal Pessac Leognan Rouge
These are just to start, many other fun and exciting things will be uncorked!
I’m taking requests within reason :-)
