Hot Sheets

2016 DOMAINE CHAPUIS
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Domaine Chapuis is a small White (and red) Burgundy producer located at the Northern end of Macon in the southern portion of the Burgundy region. Having moved to sustainable farming in 1997, these wines were beautiful surprises since we first started offering them with the 2010 vintage. We have been very excited in our anticipation with sharing this excellent new release that has finally arrived from France with you all.

Almost revealing more in common with Rully or Montagny, north of Macon in the Cotes-Chalonnais and lately about 10 dollars more expensive, hence at $18, this becomes a stunning value. Yellow plum and apple scents virtually glide from the glass along with a gentle touch of spice, smoke and mineral. Lacy entry and superb depth and movement from the 35-55 year old vines. A virtual electric pillow with its combination of depth of fruit and electric mineral acidity, this white stretches out across the entire palate and finishes very long indeed. Drink this lovely white Burgundy over the next 3-4 years with some of the usual fare like scallops, sole in a sauce or a roasted chicken. Don’t be afraid to go outside the borders with a Latino shrimp preparation as well.

2015 BODEGAS VETUS TORO TINTO
'FLOR DE VETUS'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Torridly warm, the Toro region of North-Central Spain has no problem obtaining ripeness. Too often, the wines can become ponderous and caricatures of themselves. Fortunately, more and more producers such as Vetus are dedicated to producing wines that have fullness but are from higher elevation, cooler sites that maintain freshness and show off their origins very well.

100% Tempranillo (known as Tinta de Toro), a full aromatic nose offers spiced plum, roasted earth, vanilla, sandalwood, all of which set an interesting flavor frame for the abundant streaks of blueberry and blackberry fruit. Warm, giving and inviting with a nice balance between spice, creamy fruit and fluttering bright tones. Have this toothsome Spanish red over the next 3-4 years with roasted game meats or grilled pork chops.

2014 HELIX 'POMATIA'
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Helix Pomatia is not the lead singer for a devil-worshipping heavy metal band from the 80s. Helix Pomatia is a blend from one of our Walla Walla favorites, Reininger who started the entire Helix line of wines back in 2004 to explore the various sites of the Columbia Valley.

39% Syrah, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc with deep aromas of blueberry, black cherry, cedar and dried herbs. In the mouth, this vino is very classy and refined with a decadent density and a rich savory note that carries over to a long flavorful finish. Another great red for meat-sauced pasta dishes and steak. Drink over the next 3-4 years.

2017 KELLEY FOX PINOT GRIS ROSE
'MARESH VINEYARD'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Yes, you did read the entry on this wine correctly. Kelley Fox is making a Pinot Gris that is a skin contact Rose and is extremely delicious and worthy of your attention. A mere 159 cases were produced of this wine from vines planted in 1991. Given 14-16 days of skin contact, pressed when fully dry, and aged in clay amphora.

My notes merely stated, ‘what a damn delicious and righteous Oregon Pinot Gris’! Nectarine, red flowers and enhanced by forthright powdery/rocky aspects. This seamless beauty coats your mouth with rich flavors that are kept in perfect balance by lightning-crisp acidity and earth tones that are all derived from an alchemy of older vines planted in the Dundee Hills. Not a porch pounder, this wine screams for seafood, perhaps an elaborate preparation of crab, shrimp or salmon.

2015 LIBRANDI CIRO ROSSO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Calabria's Ciro region is situated not far from the picturesque Ionian coastline on Italy's boot tip. Librandi is one of the area's leading producers and the estate's core wine, Ciro Rosso, is made from 100% Gaglioppo, the most important grape of Calabria. Gaglioppo is originally of Greek origins and is thought to be introduced in Italy around the same time as Aglianico.

Another winner, which we are happy to support, the 2015 version is hearty with a roasted red plum, sottobosco, red licorice and rose petal aromas that follow into a warm, dry Italian texture that screams for tomato-based dishes jacked with some spice.

2015 J. PORTUGAL RAMOS
ALENTEJO RESERVA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

From the world's thrift store for under 10 buck red wine values, this Portuguese wine from the Alentejo region is a flavorful blend (Trincadeira, Aragónez, Syrah) that is so enjoyable for a mid-week bottle.

As you would expect from a southern Portuguese wine lots of dark berry tones are out front with hints of tar, chocolate and pepper. Juicy and ripe in the mouth with hints of coffee, earth, and pepper on the finish, this fun red is perfect for aged cheeses and backyard potluck parties.

2012 BOSCARELLI VINO NOBILE DI
MONTEPULCIANO RISERVA
$45.99 BTL./$275.94 - SIX PACK

When it comes to Boscarelli and this wine, the very limited Riserva is something that is not only one of the pillars of Montepulciano but is one of the most important wines from one of the most epic estates in all of Tuscany. As usual, the De Ferrari family scored with a remarkable red that only made in the finest of vintages and best described as Sangiovese-Sensory-Overload. We think you are gonna like it!

When you stick your nose into this beauty, it offers an array of complex aromas that are undeniably Tuscan. Wild cherry aromas, dried sage, roasted earth, clay, anise, dark chocolate and a bit of nutmeg, smoke and cinnamon. Poised, yet with no shortage of power and smoothness on the palate with high-toned red berries dominating the fine yet substantial tannic structure. Boscarelli is all about typicity and the utmost quality so if you enjoy the flavors and aromas of Tuscany, this is one of the finest examples to grace our lips. Pappardelle in a red sauce with braised meat would make this red sing. Enjoy over the next 15 years.

2015 BLACHON SAINT-JOSEPH
'CUVEE HOMMAGE ROGER BLACHON'
$32.99 BTL./$395.88 CASE

Few things in the wine biz excite me as much as old school Syrah from France’s Northern Rhone Valley. Long established in Mauves, the Blachon family has been delivering handcrafted, pure expressions of Syrah from this cradle of the original St-Joseph appellation for over 30 years and to this day, these wines do not disappoint. The Cuvee Hommage Roger Blachon is produced in honor of their father; Sylvain and Delphine Blachon have followed their famed papa’s path exquisitely. Made from the very steep, monopole vineyard of Les Cotes Saint-Joseph, this is always one of the top examples of the appellation.

I tasted the newly released 2015 a few weeks back in Paris so when I saw it on a distributor’s list it had to be included this week. I love to drink wine, but there is something about putting the glass to your nose and just smelling the beauty of a great wine and this is one of those special circumstances. With a forward and stunning nose consisting of violets, smoke, and cassis, this wine smells so good you almost do not need to taste it. In the mouth, this wine is nicely balanced with bursting plum and spice, an excellent silky texture and layered dense old-vine saturation. Not inaccessible now due to the swath of full fruit, this is a wine for the table and pairs perfectly with herb-crusted duck, or roasted leg of lamb. Drink it through 2026+.

FRIDAY SIPS

White Burgundy & Red Tuscany

FEATURED WINES:

2016 Feuillarde St-Veran ‘Maison Rouge’
2016 Chapuis Bourgogne Chardonnay
2012 Falchini Paretaio Rosso
2015 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva