Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'WEED CREAM' HOTSHEET
96 pt Vietti Barolo, Chablis, Washington Red Valpolicella Ripasso & more
2017 DESVIGNES MORGON
COTE-DE-PY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
COTE-DE-PY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
With the passing from summer into fall this past weekend, thoughts and drinking patterns are moving from dry Rose over to red wines and there is none better to celebrate harvest than this offering!
A remarkable and ageworthy Morgon, the 2017 Cote-de-Py is all from steep slope with schist soils and 70-year-old vines. Monumental aromas that have pronounced minerality, perfume, violet, and raspberry sing from the glass. Very exquisite, this is virtual Grand Cru Beaujolais with generosity and richness all while maintaining its poised and debonair traits. Layered and old-viney, but never becoming thick or over the top, it finishes with lovely pomegranate and spiciness on the coating, detailed finish. This wine is glorious with a plethora of cuisines; however, we encourage you to cellar some due to its tendency to become pinote, as they say in Beaujolais, after 4-5 years. 2017 possesses the density and depth of 2015 along with the energy that one might find in 2016; the only drawback is the quantities are scarce in this prominently fabulous vintage. Drink over the next 10+ years with sausage & lentils, hearty mushroom dishes or a steak au poivre.
A remarkable and ageworthy Morgon, the 2017 Cote-de-Py is all from steep slope with schist soils and 70-year-old vines. Monumental aromas that have pronounced minerality, perfume, violet, and raspberry sing from the glass. Very exquisite, this is virtual Grand Cru Beaujolais with generosity and richness all while maintaining its poised and debonair traits. Layered and old-viney, but never becoming thick or over the top, it finishes with lovely pomegranate and spiciness on the coating, detailed finish. This wine is glorious with a plethora of cuisines; however, we encourage you to cellar some due to its tendency to become pinote, as they say in Beaujolais, after 4-5 years. 2017 possesses the density and depth of 2015 along with the energy that one might find in 2016; the only drawback is the quantities are scarce in this prominently fabulous vintage. Drink over the next 10+ years with sausage & lentils, hearty mushroom dishes or a steak au poivre.
2015 VAONA VALPOLICELLA
RIPASSO 'PEGRANDE'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
RIPASSO 'PEGRANDE'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
One of the outstanding deals of real Valpolicella is this wonderful, full-flavored Ripasso from a terrific small producer located in the classic heart of the region, Marano di Valpolicella.
Overflowing with character and substance, the 2015 Vaona Valpolicella Ripasso is from a single vineyard, which is also responsible for the estate's top Amarone and offers heaps of luscious aromas of currant, blackberry and licorice, followed by hints of raisins and plums. Full-flavored and expansive, with solid structure and length it is a classic accompaniment to slow braised meats done or hearty, firm cheeses.
Overflowing with character and substance, the 2015 Vaona Valpolicella Ripasso is from a single vineyard, which is also responsible for the estate's top Amarone and offers heaps of luscious aromas of currant, blackberry and licorice, followed by hints of raisins and plums. Full-flavored and expansive, with solid structure and length it is a classic accompaniment to slow braised meats done or hearty, firm cheeses.
2015 CAPCANES MONTSANT
'MAS COLLET SELECCIO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
'MAS COLLET SELECCIO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Celler Capcanes is one of the producers who led the revival of Catalonia’s Montsant region back in the 90s. Forming a horseshoe around the Priotat region and sitting just below, these wines are not mere little brothers; the soil compositions are vastly different as are the temperatures.
The Mas Collet comes from a blend of 40% Garnacha, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Samso (Catalan Carignan) and quickly entices the taster with teeming white pepper and Asian spice along with broad black raspberry overtones. Brambly, warm and fantastically forward this bold charmer shows tremendous presence of depth and fruit and rolls into a finish that is extensive and penetrating for a wine at this price. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years.
The Mas Collet comes from a blend of 40% Garnacha, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Samso (Catalan Carignan) and quickly entices the taster with teeming white pepper and Asian spice along with broad black raspberry overtones. Brambly, warm and fantastically forward this bold charmer shows tremendous presence of depth and fruit and rolls into a finish that is extensive and penetrating for a wine at this price. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years.
2015 NOVELTY HILL MERLOT
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
When it comes to Washington wines that deliver an abundance of bang for the buck there are not too many that do it better than Novelty Hill. The wines here are made by Mike Januik who certainly has a lengthy resume of excellent releases from his eponymously named winery as well as his days with Chateau Ste-Michelle.
Mike Januik excels in all aspects of winemaking, but if there is one varietal that he really rolls with, it is Merlot. Smoked blueberry, licorice and chocolate dominate the nose while echoes of allspice notes and subtle earth add enhancing complexity. In the mouth, it's NOT wimpy Merlot. Nice impacting flavors show smooth and round textures with an underlying minerality. Drink this voluptuous Merlot through 2013.
Mike Januik excels in all aspects of winemaking, but if there is one varietal that he really rolls with, it is Merlot. Smoked blueberry, licorice and chocolate dominate the nose while echoes of allspice notes and subtle earth add enhancing complexity. In the mouth, it's NOT wimpy Merlot. Nice impacting flavors show smooth and round textures with an underlying minerality. Drink this voluptuous Merlot through 2013.
2016 BROCARD CHABLIS
PREMIER CRU 'MONTMAINS'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
PREMIER CRU 'MONTMAINS'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
Here at The Cellar Door we don’t hide the fact that we adore Chablis, especially in its most pure form, that being unoaked. More and more that we taste and visit this area, one is really finding that the values within this famed French region lie within the Premier Cru bottlings. It is on this level where one can score something $30-$40 from apex producers such as Brocard and enjoy it over 10-12 years, especially in grand vintages like 2016.
Montmains is on the opposite bank of the Grands Crus but is one of the cooler sites within the already cool Chablis region. This particular site epitomizes what folks perceive as classic Chablis. Prototype, sculpted and expressive, the first and last word that is shouted from this wine is MINERAL! Tactile, vertical and essence of kimmeridgean/stone/crustacean scents with underlying lemon and floral aspects join in and follow to a very steely, nervy, complex palate that is racy, compact and very persistent. Easily one that will age for 10-15 years, drink it young with raw seafood like oysters but after 2021, have it with fish in a cream sauce.
Montmains is on the opposite bank of the Grands Crus but is one of the cooler sites within the already cool Chablis region. This particular site epitomizes what folks perceive as classic Chablis. Prototype, sculpted and expressive, the first and last word that is shouted from this wine is MINERAL! Tactile, vertical and essence of kimmeridgean/stone/crustacean scents with underlying lemon and floral aspects join in and follow to a very steely, nervy, complex palate that is racy, compact and very persistent. Easily one that will age for 10-15 years, drink it young with raw seafood like oysters but after 2021, have it with fish in a cream sauce.
2013 TORMENTOSO MOURVEDRE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
A new arrival of one of our favorite South African wines. Tormentoso comes from the name Portuguese sailors used when discovering the Cape of Good Hope, Cabo Tormentoso.
Deep, dark and warm perfume of spice, new saddle leather, anise, creamy black and blueberries. Layered and rich with an impressive heartiness that retains elegance and restraint in spite of all of its power. A wonderfully full wine for the money, drink it with meatloaf and more.
Deep, dark and warm perfume of spice, new saddle leather, anise, creamy black and blueberries. Layered and rich with an impressive heartiness that retains elegance and restraint in spite of all of its power. A wonderfully full wine for the money, drink it with meatloaf and more.
2017 QUINTA DE PORRAIS
DUORO WHITE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
DUORO WHITE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
There is always buzz in the wine industry about the next cool region and today's energetic push goes to the Douro in Portugal.
This region is known for Port but many excellent dry reds and whites are produced. Made from the popular (insert sarcastic emoji here) Codega do Larinho, Rabigato, Verdelho, Viosinho grapes it is provocatively fragrant with bursting aromas of lemon, talc, gerber daisies, and sea-shells. Lively wiry, very dry and with impressive flavor impact, movement and extension it is perfect as a starter or with lighter seafood preparations.
This region is known for Port but many excellent dry reds and whites are produced. Made from the popular (insert sarcastic emoji here) Codega do Larinho, Rabigato, Verdelho, Viosinho grapes it is provocatively fragrant with bursting aromas of lemon, talc, gerber daisies, and sea-shells. Lively wiry, very dry and with impressive flavor impact, movement and extension it is perfect as a starter or with lighter seafood preparations.
2013 VIETTI BAROLO 'LAZZARITO'
$164.99 BTL./$989.94 - SIX PACK
$164.99 BTL./$989.94 - SIX PACK
This one definitely does not qualify as one that is an ‘early charmer’. Luca Currado and Vietti takes their small production, single Cru wines to the stratosphere of Barolo and as he once stated to me, ‘I don’t make Barolo for 6 or 8 years, I make them to age 30’. 2013 is a great vintage that is definitely one for the cellar and one that is perfect for the child born or some sort of occasion that occurred in 2013 to open well into the future.
‘This tasting of the 2013 Barolo Lazzarito confirms just how far the wine has come along in recent vintages. Creamy, ample and potent, the 2013 offers an intriguing interplay of aromatics, fruit and structural underpinnings. Gravel, smoke, tar and dark fruit - all signatures of this Serralunga site - are front and center, but it is the wine's overall balance that is most impressive. Scorched earth, leather, smoke and graphite are some of the many notes that reappear on the finish. The 2013 is a real stunner. Drink 2025 – 2053. 96 POINTS – ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS’
‘This tasting of the 2013 Barolo Lazzarito confirms just how far the wine has come along in recent vintages. Creamy, ample and potent, the 2013 offers an intriguing interplay of aromatics, fruit and structural underpinnings. Gravel, smoke, tar and dark fruit - all signatures of this Serralunga site - are front and center, but it is the wine's overall balance that is most impressive. Scorched earth, leather, smoke and graphite are some of the many notes that reappear on the finish. The 2013 is a real stunner. Drink 2025 – 2053. 96 POINTS – ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS’
FRIDAY SIPS
FATTORIA DI PETROIO CHIANTI CLASSICO
WITH SPECIAL GUEST PAMELA LENZI
FATTORIA DI PETROIO CHIANTI CLASSICO
WITH SPECIAL GUEST PAMELA LENZI
This Friday September 28 from 3:30 - 6:30
Join us this as the matriarch/owner of Fattoria di Petroio, Pamela Lenzi will be on hand to pour and discuss the estate's lovely Chianti wines. This is always a party so if you love Chianti, do yourself a solid and be here.
FEATURED WINES:
2014 Petroio Chianti Classico
2015 Petroio Chianti Classico
2013 Petroio Chianti Classico Riserva
2015 Petroio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
2017 Petroio Toscana Rose
