Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'JUST DO IT' HOTSHEET
New Cameron Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, Bordeaux Special, Felsina Chianti Magnums, Epic Cava & more


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2016 FILLIATREAU SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY
'LA GRANDE VIGNOLLE'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Hey Kids this is Cabernet Franc, but what it really is, is Cabernet Franc with sass & soul! When poured in the glass, the hue of purple is stunningly gorgeous. Equally gorgeous are the aromas! One of the icon estates from an appellation that is not widely known in America, Saumur-Champigny, Domaine Filliatreau makes exquisitely detailed and pure expressions of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc. Eschewing the use of oak, these earth-laden wines always possess soaring fruit, deep color and plenty of intensity without any make-up or lipstick.

La Grande Vignolle is a single cru site that is perched on a chalky cliff and possesses energetic, calcareous soil. 2016 is both aromatic and sturdy possessing generous red and black fruits, Indian spices, energetic stony character with submerged but noticeable fennel and allspice notes. Symbiotically balanced red raspberry fruit in the mouth, with savory spices and herbs, and great supporting structure on the finish, lots of brightness and dimension carries over to the soulful finish. A wonderful wine that is a true taste of France. I love this wine now but knowing the backbone and structure that is there, it will easily age through 2022+.



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2016 CAMERON PINOT NOIR
DUNDEE HILLS RESERVE
$35.99 BTL./$431.88 CASE

Cameron’s Dundee Hills Reserve Pinot Noir is a bridge between the Spring releases and the Grand Cru single vineyards that John makes his profound, limited production wines. Like those offerings, this one is in small production and has become known as the secret find in the formidable Cameron lineup due to its sources and value.

As told to me by John himself this past Saturday evening (although take it with a small grain of salt, we were both a slight bit lit) it is made from 80% Old Vine Abbey Ridge from mostly Pommard clone along with 20% each of Clos Electrique and Arley’s Leap, the 2016 is yet another out of this world version. Slightly darker than usual, fluid, alluring, penetrating aromas of blackberry, lavender, turned earth, cherry blossom and cracked pepper follow through to a classic Cameron texture that is debonair and palate-coating without ever being chunky or heavy-handed. Older vine depth here allows for nice accessibility early on but as always the case with Cameron's top wines, the super-material on the drawn-out finish has buried structure and cut which will allow for another decade of aging and development. Once again, this is superlative juice from one of Oregon's masters. As usual, we are allocated and it will sell out quickly!



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2016 CAMERON CHARDONNAY
DUNDEE HILLS RESERVE
$33.99 BTL./$407.88 CASE

As wonderful as the Pinot is, the Chardonnay does not take a back seat and is a great companion to the Pinot Noir. In fact, since we are allocated on these wines, those who support both will get first dibs. The vintage itself is quite formidable but what makes this even more attractive is that it is 100% declassified Clos Elecctrique Chardonnay!

Offering up building cereal scents that are often associated with white wines from the northern Meursault area, this satisfying Oregon white is definitely a mouthful. The cereal tones are nicely supported by honey, apple, pear and lemon notes as well as fine mineral. A buxom and electric version in the mouth, it enters with substance then fans out with spice and subtle citrus. Superb length and sophistication throughout and immediately appealing, this will strut its stuff with lobster, halibut with cream sauce and much more. Drink this now through 2026+.



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2012 AGUSTI TORELLO MATA CAVA
GRAN RESERVA BRUT
$22.99 BTL./$137.94 - SIX PACK

Often times Cava can be stereotyped and referred to as being industrial. While this region South of Barcelona certainly has producers like refinery producers like Frexinet and Segura Viudas, there is a thriving scene of growers producing great sparkling wines that are more than just eye opening. One of the greatest sparkling wine producers outside of France, Augsti Torello is the renowned godfather of the grower Cava producers. What makes it so special? Agustí Torelló makes small quantities of hand crafted sparkling wines based around the areas indigenous varietals of Parellada, Macabeo, and Xarel-lo and this cuvee was disgorged in early January so a good 5+ years on the lees.

Refined aromas of lemon, biscuit, and mineral entice on the nose. Tightly focused and very elegant flavors of hazelnut, lemon, and spice. This has some very serious high-class mousse. No comparisons here to Champagne, as this wine is special in itself. Lovely on its own, it does work very well at the table with shellfish, fish, and poultry. If you love bubbly, do not miss this! We also hate to remind you, but autumn and various holidays will be here soon enough, and this is an excellent choice for you to serve at any fine dinner.



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2013 RAINOLDI VALTELLINA INFERNO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

"Heroic viticulture" says it all about the Valtellina region, which is a deep gorge, surrounded by the Orobie and the Retiche mountain chains located in Italy's Lombardy region up near the Swiss border. This is one tough region to farm but those adrenaline junkies who do, have the stuff to make some of the most intriguing and pleasurable Nebbiolo in all of Italy.

Aldo Rainoldi is one of the superb growers of this miniscule growing region and his family has been entrenched in wine production in this area since the late 1800s. Inferno is actually the name of the subzone of the Valtellina region and one that has intensely rocky soils. 100% chiavennasca (the local name for nebbiolo) this red is one of the fiercest yet pretty expressions of this noble varietal. Licorice-laden, nice floral tones, chinato-herbs and very steely, it is linear, wiry and textbook with upscale depth and material all without ever being ponderous. True character and finesse shine on the packed, persistent finish - drink it through 2022+. All in all this wine screams purity and pairs well with earthy mushroom dishes or rack of lamb.



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2016 BODEGAS CASTANO
YECLA MONASTRELL
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE

From the Yecla region of Murcia in Spain is this excellent, everyday offering from 100% of the Monastrell (Mourvedre) grape.

Succulent, deep pure and chock full of ripe red berries, anise, cocoa, spice and dusty violet aromas. One sip and you know that it is a mouthful of fleshy red wine as it nicely integrates its black fruit, smoke and mineral notes. Enjoy with simple hearty fare such as grilled pork loin or baked meatloaf. If you like value reds then you MUST experience the Hecula from Yecla.



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2010 FELSINA CHIANTI CLASSICO
RISERVA 'VIGNA RANCIA'
$109.99 - MAGNUM

This blew my mind when I saw that there were magnums of this seamless beauty still available. No matter what we say about 2013, 2015 and 2016, and they are great, they aren’t the 2010. Simply put, this is one of the most profound young wines I have ever tasted from Felsina.

‘Bright, fully saturated red. Knockout nose combines raspberry, minerals, sweet spices and violet; the most ethereal nose of any Rancia since the 2006 vintage. Juicy, pure and precise if youthfully tight, offering lovely inner-mouth energy and perfume to the complex flavors of red berries enlivened by orange peel, sweet spices and flowers. Finishes very long and brisk, with juicy acidity that leaves the taste buds vibrating. An absolute beauty, and much less marked by the tobacco, tar and inky notes that have characterized some recent Rancia vintages. For example, even though 2009 and 2010 are both potentially outstanding vintages for Chianti Classico, there is simply no comparison between this wine and the Rancia 2009. – 95 POINTS – VINOUS’



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2014 CHATEAU MOULIN RICHE
SAINT-JULIEN
[reg. $69.99]
SPECIAL - $39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

St-Julien’s 2nd Growth Château Leoville-Poyferré has been on quite a roll. This luminous château has had its vicissitudes throughout its long history, but since 1990, the wines have been nothing short of stunning. Chateau Moulin-Riche was purchased by Poyferre in 1920 and up until about a decade ago was (and erroneously) regarded as their second wine. In fact, it has always been a separate property and since 2009 has stood bigly on its own merits and great Bordeaux terroir.

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 18% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and from one of the true sleeper vintages of the last decade. Distinguished and gentlemanly, it offers up enticing cedarbox and cassis notes that are now harmonizing with secondary notes of pipe tobacco, licorice and smoke. Ripe, velvety and smooth flavors shine through in the mouth along with some classic Bordeaux gravelly qualities. Yes, it is a bit young but can be accessed with decanting and served with a pan-sautéed steak, lamb chops or roasted duck. Best from 2020 – 2030.




FRIDAY SIPS

New Arrivals from France

Friday September 7 from 1:30 - 6:30

Come by and taste new arrivals from France including the new arrival of HAUT-RIAN Blanc as well as an epic 11-buck Cotes-du-Rhone. Champagne and Burgundy, too. All excellent new choices that we are very excited about, drop by and experience a taste of France for yourself this Friday!

FEATURED WINES:

2016 Gravennes Cotes-du-Rhone
2017 Chateau Haut-Rian Bordeaux Blanc
2015 Marechal Bourgogne Rouge ‘Cuvee Gravel’
2015 Marechal Bourgogne Rouge ‘Cuvee Gravel’






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