Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SCORCHING' HOTSHEET
Kelley Fox PinotSpecial, Long Shadows, Dry Rose, Champagne Special & more


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2017 DOMAINE BART
MARSANNAY ROSE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

It’s 100 damn degrees so we may as well start this sheet off with cool Rose wines! Popular thinking is that French Rose only comes from the Rhône, the Loire Valley, Provence or Languedoc, but never from the vaunted region of Burgundy. In fact, Rose from Marsannay is very important in the history of the region. After World War I, the market for red Burgundy, especially Marsannay turned downward and Rose rather became a savior to the region that is now dominated by red wine production. Still, Rose has a place and this one is quite individual indeed.

The biggest dilemma is how much we are going to hoard for ourselves before releasing this to our friends! Both high-pitched and food friendly, Domaine Bart’s version is one-third saignee and two-thirds direct press. Beautifully proportioned and ethereal aromas of smoked red cherry, rose petal, herbs and flinty character carry over into a texture that has substance, elevation and plenty of burst. Plenty of material that stretches out on the palate and finishes with lovely pepper and cinnamon tones, this pink wine can be consumed over the next 2-3 years with stuffed zucchini, smoked trout or smoked salmon, eggplant salad, roasted chicken and more.



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2017 LIBRANDI CIRO ROSE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

One of the most famous lines from Martin Scorsese's classic, Goodfellas, is "when someone's about to get whacked, they never see it coming." Something we didn't see coming is this stunning rose from one of our favorite Southern Italian producers, Librandi. Many of you have experienced this Calabrian stalwart's wonderful reds and we highly urge you to try this mouth-watering, thirst-quenching rosé.

Made from 100% native Gaglioppo grapes, this dry pink wine has impressive character. Alluring morello cherry, smoked herbs, dried rose petals and an underlay of mineral dominate the complex nose. In the mouth, it's mouth-watering, savory and attractive with lots of flavor, depth and intrigue. The finish is vibrant and quite long. As usual, this is great wine with traditionally prepared seafood dishes or alone on the porch, but don't be afraid to pair it with spicy, sassy Latino or Asian preparations, too.



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2015 NERLEUX SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY
'CLOS DES CHATAINS' ROUGE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Initially created in 1957 as a compliment appellation to Saumur, over the years Saumur-Champigny has become one of the go-to areas in the Loire Valley for its prized Cabernet Franc. Wines in all styles are made here, they can be light and brisk but the finest, such as this, express the sandy, yellow rock (tuffeau) terroirs that the region is known for, and they can age very well, especially in great vintages like 2015. One of the superb estates is Domaine de Nerleux. Now led by Amelie Neau, who is the ninth generation of this venerable Saumur family, wines at this estate speak eloquently of varietal and place.

The best way to describe this wine is that it smells and tastes like France. Aromatic and sturdy possessing generous red and black fruits, Indian spices, energetic stony character with submerged but noticeable fennel and allspice notes lead the way. Symbiotically balanced with telltale red raspberry fruit in the mouth, savory spices and herbs, and an abundance of supporting structure on the finish. The vibrancy of fruit along with the earth, herbs and overall dimension carries over to the soulful finish. I adore this wine! Drinks well now but knowing the backbone and structure that is there, it will easily age through 2023+.



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2016 NERLEUX SAUMUR BLANC
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Known more for her red wines, Amelie Neau also makes a small amount of electric, athletic, sculpted white wines from the Chenin Blanc grape. When you open this classic white Saumur, let it sit in your glass for a minute.

Bring it to your nose without swirling and experience the notes of the typical Loire Valley lanolin and chamomile. Then, give it a good swirl – all the fruit comes out and it smells like a completely different wine! The plentiful palate offers up bright, juicy citrus notes with crisp green apple and a slight smokiness. When the equation is finished the minerality from the yellow limestone soil is what pulls it away from ordinary Loire Valley white wines. Drink over the next 4-6 years with grilled fish like halibut and or scallops and prawns.



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2016 KELLEY FOX
PINOT NOIR 'AHURANI'
SPECIAL - $24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

We debuted this Pinot Noir back in April but decided to feature it again at a special price! First offered at $34.99, we are now at $24.99 for this prolific producer’s stunning wine! Decidedly inspired by the old world, particularly Burgundy, Kelley’s influence from her time working alongside David Lett at Eyrie is very evident in her elegant, precise and very ageworthy Pinot Noirs that are consistently in Oregon's top echelon.

A completely different narrative than her Mirabai, Ahurani, named after an ancient Persian goddess of water and well-being, comes forth in a very French style. In fact, as it ages, my suspicion is that it will be difficult to pick as a new world wine in a blind tasting. Coming from the smashing 2016 vintage, Kelley’s Ahurani is genuine Pinot with seductive aspects, it is cerebral and not a deeply-colored, caricature version like others that could be referred to as Pinot to pair with a pack of Kools. Instead, this wine has all the hallmarks of a siren on the rocks with rose-petal, crunchy and not jammy strawberry, subtle pepper and underlying jasmine/mineral aromas which dominate the nose. Ethereal flavors that are caressing, silky and vivid fan out and flow on through to the impressively long, airy finish that also provides pleasurable snap-back. Very accessible now, but for best results, give it another year and drink it through the end of the decade.



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2016 ALVARO PALACIOS
PRIORAT 'CAMINS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Alvaro Palacios is well established as one of Spain’s legacy producers. Whether it be with his family's Rioja estate, his shared estate in Bierzo with his nephew, or here, the home estate, the magical Priorat, he is an influence on many producers then, now and those to come.

For 20 bucks, this hearty, yet smooth red is authoritative and a real statement maker to show off to anyone who loves full reds. 40% Garnacha, 20% Samsó, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, plus others, it's laden with broad plum, cinnamon, licorice and serious wind-swept garrigue, but never fear, the distinct dance of the minerality never strays far in both aroma and taste-wise. Speaking of taste, the texture goes very deep with a full presence of black licorice fruit and never veers into heaviness or thickness and is meant to be consumed in the near-term. Resounding white pepper explodes on the finish that possesses excellent persistence, this is an excellent choice for grilled pork.



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2015 CAPRILI 'ILEX' TOSCANA ROSSO
$10.99 BTL./$65.94 - SIX PACK

While more famous for their Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino wines, Caprili has rolled out a brand new, 100% Sangiovese that drinks well on a Thursday evening while watching television. Many of you all know the wines from Caprili and the value that they deliver but this wine is insane for 10 bucks and in keeping with the Bartolommei family’s credo, this wine is both full of character and flavor while retaining freshness and balance and will carry over to the table.

100% Sangiovese and 100% yummy with serious chug factor going on here. Beaming with aromas that are direct with plush red cherry, savory earth, cedar-box and smoke revealing true-to-form Tuscan character. Very giving and honest with smooth flavors, sneaky backbone, and an engaging finish that is very raspberry-tinged and lingers more than any offering that is 11 bucks ever should.



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2009 CHAMPAGNE VILMART & CIE
'COEUR DE CUVEE' BRUT
[reg. $159.99]
SPECIAL - $109.99 BTL.

The 8,000 case estate of Champagne Vilmart & Cie led by Laurent Champs has widely been regarded as one of the pinnacle Grower Champagne producers period. Strong results soar from these cellars no matter what the vintage, and whenever we have the rare chance to offer a special on the estate’s top cuvee, we certainly take notice. Having sampled this bubbly last week, safe to say it was the best thing that crossed my olfactory senses.

80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, fermented and aged in 225 liter barrels, this wine is beyond a mere toasting Champagne. Top pedigree, there is an abundance of flavors that make one think that this may well be Grand Cru Burgundy with bubbles, it's that impressive. Insanely extravagant and grand, the 2009 is a champagne of perfect balance, great staying power and a tribute to what Laurent can do in a tricky vintage. Accents of lily, honey, brioche and toasted nuts shine within in its powerful bouquet. The taste is crisp, graceful, rich and lasting flavor that recalls notes of saffron and cinnamon. Delicate and enduring effervescence this is luxurious vintage champagne with great aging potential but for those who can't resist, can be accessed early. Usually only about 5000 bottles (not cases!) are made of this top cuvee so if you love Champagne, take advantage of the remaining bottles.



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2014 LONG SHADOWS
SEQUEL SYRAH
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 SIX PACK

By now you all know the story of Long Shadows with founder Allen Shoup gathering together seven superstar winemakers from around the world, each doing his own thing with Washington fruit. John Duval who fashioned and was the overseer of Penfold’s Grange for 15 years makes the Sequel Syrah.

From a diverse selection of Washington's fine Syrah sites spread out from Yakima to Wahluke Slope to Red Mountain, the 2015 is a concentrated and full-on wine reminiscent of a top modern-styled Rhone that is crossed with a fine cool-climate Aussie Shiraz. Gorgeous varietal character with generous, velvety black cherry, plum, coffee bean and licorice that quickly jump from the glass followed by virtual swirled-in nuances of white pepper and tea-smoke arrive as the wine opens in the glass. Sultry, fine, layered and mouth-filling good with kisses of Washington dustiness and Asian spice, which come forth the expansive finish that stains the entire palate. Somewhat irresistible now, it will prove to be at its finest 2020 - 2028.




FRIDAY SIPS

Major Barbera

This Friday July 20 from 1:30 – 6:30

A visit to Italy and a focus on one of Piedmont’s main grapes. Drop by this Friday to sample three offerings of Barbera from some of the area's finest.

FEATURED WINES:

2016 Paolo Scavino Barbera D’Alba ‘Affinato in Carate’
2016 Olim Bauda Barbera D’Asti ‘La Villa’
2015 Cigliuti Barbera D’Alba ‘Serraboella’






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