Hot Sheets

2016 DOMAINE VERPAILLE
MACON-VILLAGES
$15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE

Having sampled a nice lineup of French White Burgundy last week, many of which I knew of, the one surprise came with Domaine Verpaille. Pure and simple, this Vire-based producer’s entry wine bowled me over...and did it again when I discovered the price!

Made from 100+ year old vines located just outside of the Vire-Clesse appellation, hence its Macon Villages status, this wine from a wonderful vintage is smashing. Showing mineral and detail alongside creamy mandarin and lime fruit, it is impactful with a mouth-filling texture that seemingly soars throughout, loads of zesty freshness and lift bring everything together. This is amazing with fish done in a fine sauce or something based around mushrooms.

2014 DASHE ZINFANDEL
DRY CREEK VALLEY
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

Dashe Cellars is a boutique Sonoma winery that quickly rose through the ranks as producers of some of California's most formidable Zins! Michael Dashe gained his experience by working with The Supreme Zinfandel Alien-Being, Paul Draper at Ridge, then in 1996 he decided to branch out on his own and from day one, and these Zins with the whimsical labels have been ultra-magnificent.

Dashe's 2014 Dry Creek Zinfandel is a violet, raspberry and chocolate bomb of a wine. Dark, brooding, delicious and a great example of a warm climate Zin, it has a sultry velvety mouthfeel of a Dry Creek zin and a long, luscious finish that leaves the raspberry and chocolate-spice flavors lingering in your mouth long after you swallow. Grab some lamb shanks and go to town!

2015 COMMANDERIE DE PEYRASSOL
COTES-DE-PROVENCE ROUGE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The magnificent 2015 vintage for the southern Rhône also extends further south into the heart of Provence. Peyrassol is located in the hills of the ‘arriére pays’, backcountry, of the Var, north of St. Tropez. Organically grown, the 2015 Cotes de Provence Rouge is comprised of about 50% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Grenache.

Harmonious, exquisite and not a hair out of place, this palate-staining red delivers up all of the goodness that is Provence. Layered sensuous and deep aromas of blackberry, lavender, cinnamon, wild spice, and white pepper and black olive that follow through to a buxom, smooth yet energetic texture that engages the entire palate from start to finish. Drink this Southern French stunner over the next 4-6 years with lamb.

2015 BURKLIN-WOLF
ESTATE DRY RIESLING
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Riesling may be produced into various levels of dryness ranging from eye-watering, bone-dry, blitzing wines all the way up to some of the grandest dessert wines in the world. The Pfalz region is an extension of Alsace's Vosges Mountains and is one of Germany's warmest and sunniest, hence drier wines are produced here. Burklin-Wolf is one of this area’s leading and oldest estates and their dry wines are exquisite to pair with so much of our local Oregon seafood.

Understated perfume with lovely lime and nectarine qualities. Cracked rock mineral and almost powdery with its components, this is what dry Riesling is all about. Lovely substance up front but gains its firmness, mineral, and backbone in the middle and on the piercing and pleasure-driven finish. Lots of grapefruit and smoke on the finish. Drink over the next 5 years.

2012 ABADIA RETUERTA SARDON DEL DUERO
'SELECCION ESPECIAL'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

Abadia Retuerta is one of the most exciting projects in all of Spain. Started in the early 90s, this estate just outside of Ribera Del Duero in the Sardon Del Duero has been receiving much international recognition. We have worked with these wines on and off for quite a while, but recently, the wines have been away from us due to an importer change. Well, now they are back and in full form, and we are proud to restart with the 2012 Seleccion Especial offering.

75% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, this wine exudes Spanish sophistication at its finest! Full-bodied, loaded with flavor and aromas of black plum, raspberry, fresh-cut roses, vanilla and cedarbox. The texture is ripe and caresses all of the senses. Very long and luxurious, roast some pork laced with paprika and go to town. Drink now through 2022. If you need accolades, this wine has 93 points from The Wine Spectator and was #12 in their Top 100 of 2016.

2015 RASPAIL AY GIGONDAS
$36.99 BTL./$443.88 CASE

Sometimes we have difficulties putting words to what we actually feel about wines. In this case, words that come across a computer screen don't really do this wine justice, because this is a Domaine whose wines should be experienced over a meal with the proper foods. It is no secret that we are enchanted with the great wines of the Rhone Valley and every once in a while a wine comes along that hits on so many levels, it is hard to describe. This is hands down one of the great producers in Gigondas and is always at the top of our list for southern Rhone in general. This domaine is located at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail and sources from ancient vines for the base of their wines; this is ultra-traditional winemaking at its best.

2015 is a superb vintage in this region and that extra level of intensity is evident in the complex array of aromas that waft from the glass, herbes-des-provence, white pepper, exotic Thai spice and wild plum. This hauntingly beautiful Gigondas is a stunning balancing act of compact and lacy pure red fruits and fine structure with a lingering structured finish. Dominque Ay makes wines that require a little bit of time. Hold on to this until the end of 2020 and drink it through 2030.

2011 MASI AMARONE
RISERVA DI COSTASERA
[reg. $83.99]
SPECIAL - $59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PK

I know, I know – what the bloody hell are we thinking promoting Amarone in August?!?! One, it is Masi, two it is on an astonishing special. The Costasera is Masi’s flagship Amarone and that wine is sold at $51.99. The Riserva was created to bring about a more profound version from the oldest and best sites from the Costasera Vineyard. Made with the usual Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, there is also 10% of the ancient, unique Oseleta grape, which was rediscovered by Masi. This imparts structure for longevity and overall is a giant leap up from the Classic Costasera. Even better is this special price!

Full-on, lavish and ageworthy, this hedonistic, buxom offering is loaded with dark chocolate, melted black licorice, dried cherry, dried violet, pepper and hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Chewy, very cherry and intensely textured, there are plenty of complex, wild-spice and baked plum characteristics that come out with aeration. The finish is saturated and superbly long. Think of a big offensive lineman decked out in a tuxedo. Debonair, meditative stuff that can be drunk with substantial fare like red meat or with strong cheeses like parmesan, pecorino or gorgonzola. Like most Amarone, even at age 7, this has fine accessibility but typical of top Masi Amarone wines, this will easily age for 20-25 more years.

2014 BONNY DOON
'A PROPER' CLARET
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Not known for using Bordeaux varietals, it figures Randall Graham would make a slurpable red wine using them in his own style and manner.

At 10 bucks, this kitchen sink blend is 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 22% Tannat, 9% Syrah, 7% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petite Sirah. Pretty berry and plum on the nose lead into a well-balanced palate full of savory fruit notes and a touch of peppery spice. Vivacious, forward, and delicious this is an excellent everyday California red wine that can be drank all by itself, or with your favorite BBQ chicken recipe.

2016 MURGO ETNA ROSSO
$11.99 BTL./$71.94 - SIX PACK

There is common perception that Sicily's climate is akin to a blast furnace. This could not be further from the truth; this island is filled with diversity when it comes to soils, elevations, and climate and grape varietals. Wines from Mt. Etna are some of the trendiest and exciting to come from Italy these days.

Murgo is a producer who seems to be more known for their sparkling and white wines but they also make credible and tasty reds. This entry-level value reveals aromatic tones of red plum, prominent floral traits, clove and thyme build as the wine unfolds in the glass. An engaging, yet mouth-filling and dry texture entices one to enjoy and elaborate over its merits even further. Terrific Italian juice for 12 bucks!

SYNCLINE FRIDAY SIPS

Syncline Wines Being Featured:

2016 Syncline Carignan-Grenache
2016 Syncline Subduction Red
2015 Syncline 'Cuvee Elena' Red
2017 Syncline Grenache Blanc
2017 Syncline Gruner-Veltliner