Hot Sheets

2014 ROSTAING COTEAUX-DU-LANGUEDOC
'VASSAL DE PUECH NOBLE'
[reg. $31.99]
SPECIAL - $23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

We have been extolling the Languedoc region for quite some time now and for this selection, we are going to one made by of the pillars of Cote-Rotie. It’s not a coincidence that the vast Languedoc region obtained more notoriety when Rene Rostaing bought land there. It was the terroir and Syrah that immediately attracted him to the region and he hasn’t looked back in becoming one of the leaders and influences.

Our distributor for this wine has 46 bottles left of this amazing wine and offered an excellent special for us. Mostly Syrah (80+ %) with dollops of Grenache and Mourvedre, this wine exudes shapeliness and handsomeness. Located just outside of Nimes at significant altitude, it is deftly structured with graham-like spice that is reminiscent of the fine wines of Cote Rotie. The nose is alluring and thought provoking with white flowers, ripe berries, savory warm spice, white pepper, black olives and roasted meat. This wine is high toned and intellectual in the mouth yet it has prime depth of flavor and impeccable balance. Very attractive now and over the next 5-6 years. Drink with osso bucco, game, stews or grilled fowl.

2015 GOTA VINHOS
'PRUNUS' DAO TINTO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

The cycle of wine education followed by teaching the message is never ending at The Cellar Door. We are always proud to share delicious offerings through descriptions and tasting. The wines of Portugal are emerging beasts on the wine scene and have been for quite a while now. I sampled this (and the sibling white wine below) last week and was thrilled at both their purity and quality.

The ancient Dao region has gone from old and passed by to one of excitement and youth. This producer epitomizes this statement brilliantly with this classic blend of 80% Jaen (Mencia), 10% Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo), 5% Alfochiero Preto and a 5% co-fermented field blend of other varietals. Lively, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs. They all seem to build as the wine opens in the glass and entice you to take a sip, which is pristine, medium-bodied and forward. It also shows wonderful intensity but is also clean succulent and calls you to pour more from the bottle. An excellent choice with everyday fare as well as being a nice red wine for fish.

2015 GOTA VINHOS
'PRUNUS' DAO BRANCO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

As much as I adored the red wine, the white wine may be even more impressive. Again, native Portuguese varietals are used (50% Encruzado, 15% Malvasia Fina, 15% Bical, 15% Cerceal Branco, 5% others) and the best part is there is absolutely no use of oak to interfere with the wine’s briskness and character.

Almost a Mediterranean tease with notes of anise, saline, acacia and melon character. Heaps of liveliness in the mouth offset the palate-coating texture; all building to a detonating finish that seemingly is mandarin meets the sea. Have as an aperitif with cured ham or serve it with scallops, octopus or other substantial shellfish dishes.

2016 CROWLEY PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Crowley is the bomb and whenever we get the chance to entertain you with these selections we leap at the chance. We have been enthusiastically featuring Tyson Crowley’s selections since the 2006 vintage and are quite over the moon with his 2016 Willamette Valley that is made from 80% from Four Winds Vineyard and 20% from Tuckwilla Vineyard.

The newly arrived 2016 Crowley 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 poised 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 from oak. Over delivering for its mere Willamette Valley classification, this gorgeous Pinot will pair wonderfully with veal chops and will drink and develop wonderfully through 2025+.

2015 PIAGGIA CARMIGNANO
'IL SASSO'
$31.99 BTL./$191.94 - SIX PACK
95 POINTS - VINOUS

Carmignano, located northwest of the city of Florence, unofficially is noted as being the first "Super-Tuscan" since Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & other Bordeaux varietals have always been permitted for blending with the native Sangiovese. This region is home to serious big red wines that deliver a lot of bang for the buck. In recent years, the upstart grower Piaggia has taken the lead and has become the benchmark for the region.

70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. ‘Piaggia's 2015 Carmignano Il Sasso is rich, ample and voluptuous in what is a very representative expression of the year. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice, tobacco and dried herbs develop in the glass, but the 2015 is all about fruit intensity and texture. There is not much subtlety here, but wow, is the 2015 gorgeous. – 95 POINTS – VINOUS’

2016 LANDRON MUSCADET
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Bryan loved to swim. He would often come home from taking a dip, and his mom would always say, "Your hair's slick! You were swimming in that damn river again." Contrary to popular West Coast belief, Pittsburgh is not the smoky, sooty city that it once was. Unlike the Superfund site Willamette River, the mighty Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers are very clean. What do Pittsburgh's Three Rivers have to do with this wine??? Read on...

A Cellar Door white wine favorite that is blazing, dry, and mineral-dominated bringing forth all that Muscadet should! Flinty and steely with oyster shell and lemongrass scents that lead into a beautifully focused and surprisingly intense texture that is bracing, vibrant and very, very dry. Many of you, and us as well, have tossed back bottles of the normal cuvee, and this single vineyard, special offering is a downright mighty leap up! Oysters, steamed clams and this Muscadet make for a perfect pairing, but always remember to wait at least an hour before going swimming after eating.

2011 CA' LOJERA BRUT MILLESIMATO
'TUR BLANC'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

We have used the white Lugana from this prime Lake Garda estate for several years and many of you have experienced its undeniable quality so it only makes sense that excellent sparkling wine done in the Champagne method would be produced here. I have often been intrigued as to what the Turbiana grape would be like in sparkling form. Turns out that my hunch was correct and that it does very well as a bubbly.

High class and vintage dated, this sparkling wine reveals lovely aromas of apple, orange, toast, and stone on the nose. In the mouth, it has excellent apple fruit, with good concentration, well-framed acidity, a velvety mousse and a harmonious finish. A truly delicious sparkler that actually is better than Champagne houses like Perrier Jouet, Veuve Clicquot or Moet’s entry non-vintage cuvees and is half the price. Even more important is that it will put everyone in a good mood any time one requires a spot of the jumping grape.

2015 VINUM PETIT SIRAH
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

There is not a damn thing that is light or understated about this Petit Sirah from a cool, Napa-based producer who strives to put fine wines at a good price on to your table.

From Clarksburg, this is a bigass, yummy, ripe, juicy ball of blackberry fruit along with some smoke and briary tones lurking beneath the surface. In the mouth, it possesses a barrage of mouth-filling flavors and sweet/hot spices that make you want to do some sort of silly dance like the Funky Chicken. Drink this chewy red with friends and any dish that is very vociferous and full of flavor.

FRIDAY SIPS

Pre-Holiday Seamless & Themeless

FEATURED WINES:

2016 Chapuis Bourgogne Chardonnay
2016 Charvin Cotes-du-Rhone ‘Le Poutet’
2004 Galet des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes