Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'WIDE-EYED' HOTSHEET
Muga Rioja, 1/2Off Bordeaux Special, Vintage Champagne, Washington Syrah & more


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2014 CHATEAU LE CROCK
SAINT-ESTEPHE
[reg. $59.99]
SPECIAL - $33.99 BTL./$407.88 CASE

Owned and operated by the Cuvelier family, who also have Classified 2nd Growth Chateau Leoville Poyferre in their roster of properties, this particular Chateau was their first purchase in 1903. Chateau Le Crock sits in a very respectable St-Estephe neighborhood located between Chateau Montrose and Cos D’Estournel. Although this is Cru Bourgeois in classification, this particular wine outperforms its status and has more class than some of the Medoc’s Classified Growth chateaux.

2014 is a vastly underrated vintage and one that was flying beneath the radar. It is safe to say that after revisiting and many folks reassessing their initial thoughts, these wines are discovered and the prices are rising. A classic Bordeaux blend with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc this is textbook Saint-Estephe with notes of violet, cassis, black cherry, tobacco, pencil shavings, cedar and cocoa powder. The rich aromas are echoed on the palate, joined by cigar box spice with lush ripe tannins, a touch of vanilla from the fully integrated oak and a long gravelly finish. At first, this stellar red is deceptively open but then it firms up in the middle, revealing its serious side and true pedigree. Best from 2019-2030+. If you want a score, this has 95 points from Decanter Magazine



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2016 BURLOTTO BARBERA D'ALBA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Based in the Barolo village of Verduno, the house of Burlotto was the pioneer of selling Barolo in bottle versus selling in cask (akin to a French Domaine and commonplace today) before Italian unification in 1860. These days the estate is regarded as one of the devout traditionalists and more and more recognition continues to flow from all aspects of media and wine lovers. In fact, Antonio Galloni scored their 2013 Monvigliero Barolo 100 points!

Beyond Barolo, this estate is killing it throughout their entire roster of wines. With this Barbera hailing from Verduno, unlike its brethren from Castiglione, Serralunga and Monforte, this expression is less minerally and earth-driven and focuses more on its sleek fruit and stylish texture. Superbly aromatic with spice, anisette, porcini and absolutely pleasurable juicy red fruits. Supple, round and giving with cocoa driving to an elevated and textbook, Barbera finish. This is the perfect red for all occasions with grilled, braised and roasted fare.



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2017 QUINTA LA RAZA
VINHO VERDE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Vinho Verde is a Northern Portuguese white wine from the Minho region whose name literally means "Green Wine", referring to its youthful freshness rather than its color. The region is characterized by its many small growers. Many of these growers train their vines high off the ground, up trees, fences, and even telephone poles! Vinhos Verdes are light and fresh, and are intended to be drunk within a year. There is some spritz within the wines, but not enough to merit semi-sparkling status but they do have a definite pétillance.

At lower alcohol, this is a "more" wine meaning its light, airy, thirst-quenching qualities make you want to drink more and more! Lime-blossom, seashore and mineral-tinged, it is explosive and slaphappy! Classic Vinho Verde wine isn't meant to be sipped, it is meant to be slammed. Toss it back with a plate of clams, on a picnic or with a bunch of friends.



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2014 BOEDECKER PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Having lived here for over 20 years now and looking at just how the Oregon wine scene has grown, it stymies us to believe that it has only been a decade since we were placing Boedecker on our list of rising star producers and their new 2014 Willamette is an exceptional value for 20 bucks.

Sensual aromas of ripe raspberry and plum with a beautiful exotic spice are both poised and outgoing at the same time. In the mouth, the berry flavors continue only with more of a presence of wild strawberry, dark cherry, and hints of earth. Here is where you can feel it is from the New World, as its, weight, richness, and intensity take over, yet without ever losing its elegance or endurance. Drink through 2022.



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2013 MUGA RIOJA RESERVA
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Quite honestly, there are not enough hyperbolic words to describe both the wines of Muga and what this producer has meant to the quality and history of the Rioja wine region.

Once again, they deliver and their 2013 Reserva is drop-dead stunning. After fermentation, this selection is aged six months in large vats then transferred to small barrels for a further 24 months of aging, truly traditional practices here. Mocha-spiked dried strawberries lavishly waft from the glass with Moroccan spices; leather and roasted earth are along for the ride. Captivating, majestic, mouth-filling, very smooth and gaining complexity as it unfolds in the glass. Lots of movement throughout as well as a drawn-out, silky finish with slight peppery tones make this a compelling and collectible wine for under 30 bucks. Drink it over the next 10-15 years with roasted pork or lamb.



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2017 MASCARONNE COTES-DE-PROVENCE
ROSE 'QUAT' SAISONS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

For those of you who enjoyed the pre-Hollywood versions of Chateau Miraval Rose this is one to seek out and drink. In 1999, this classic Provencal Chateau and its vineyards were revitalized and purchased by Tom Beve an American who formerly owned Chateau Miraval. Located in a different spot than Miraval and possessing different terroir, this Rose is prototype of what good, well crafted, Southern French Rose should be.

Made from the usual suspects, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre this pearl of a dry pink wine is lightly macerated on its skins for a few hours then gently pressed to put forth something quite complex and complete. The core of refined fruit flourishes beautifully and balances the crisp minerality of this lip smacking wine. As this beauty sits in the glass, aromas of fraise du bois, watermelon and herbs du Provence swirl from within. There are three words for this wine – GIVE ME MORE!! One of the most versatile wine styles that exists have this dry Rose with everything from grilled salmon to herb-crusted lamb to fresh goat cheese dishes.



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2013 LE VELETTE
ROSSO ORVIETANO 'SPICCA'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE

The family owned estate of Le Velette lies high on some of the most coveted land in the heart of Orvieto Classico in Umbria and the winemaking tradition here dates back to the Etruscans. The 2013 Spicca is mostly Sangiovese grown at 1000 feet in volcanic soils and if it were from Tuscany, you can bet it wouldn't be 13 bucks.

Lifting aromas of juicy strawberry, game, sage, white flowers and blueberry move nicely into the round and friendly mouthfeel; this fleshy, crunchy red is the perfect accompaniment to pizza, meatloaf, simple red-sauced pasta dishes or as owner Corrado Bottai says, ‘have a few glasses while you are cooking the meal with a hunk of good pecorino cheese’.



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2014 K VINTNERS SYRAH
'MILBRANDT VINEYARD'
$27.99 BTL. - LIMITED!

Like dogs and their owners, wines can often take on the personality of their vintners. Charles Smith of K Wines is a wild dude with plenty of attitude. Taking his cue from the likes of Cayuse, K Wines are full-throttled, loaded with personality, receive huge accolades and are always limited.

‘Probably the greatest vintage of this cuvee to date, the 2014 Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard is 100% Syrah, fermented with 100% whole clusters, that spent 15 months in 20% new French oak barrels and puncheons. This beauty is overflowing with notes of cassis, caramelized meats, licorice and spice, which gives way to a full-bodied, concentrated, superbly textured Syrah that can be enjoyed today, or cellared for a decade. – 94 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE



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2012 CHAMPAGNE VILMART & CIE
GRAND CELLIER D'OR BRUT
$99.99 BTL./$1.199.88 CASE

2012 is generally regarded as the next big thing when it comes to vintage Champagne. 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, however when seeing a great, somewhat miraculous vintage like 2012 just being released, we certainly take notice. I had the chance to drink this bubbly last week; it was safe to say it was the best thing that crossed my lips wine-wise.

From a single vineyard, 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, fermented and aged in 225 liter barrels, this wine is beyond a mere toasting Champagne. Vintage-driven and with 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 2012 is a champagne of perfect balance and great staying power. 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 profound vintage champagne with great aging potential but for those who can't resist, can be accessed early.




FRIDAY SIPS

May MishMash Tasting

This Friday, May 4 from 1:30 - 6:30

Four wines from four vastly different regions open for tasting this Friday. Drop by to taste new releases from Oregon, Tuscany, a vibrant Rose and a new Cab from Washington wine guru, Andrew Will

WINES TO BE TASTED:

2015 J. Christopher Pinot Noir ‘Volcanique’
2017 La Mascaronne Cotes-de-Provence Rose
2013 Ambra Carmignano
2016 Andrew Will Cabernet Sauvignon






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