Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S '1331 WORDS' HOTSHEET
Sonoma Cab, French Syrah, Dundee Hills Pinot, Values & more
2016 CUILLERON SYRAH
'LES CANDIVES'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
'LES CANDIVES'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
The mark of a great producer is not how great their top wines are but how good his or her blue collar, entry wines are. Yves Cuilleron is a Cote Rotie, Condrieu and St. Joseph producer who happens to produce some luxuriously expensive wines in these appellations. In addition to those wines, Yves has also set out to produce wines that allow for a true to form Northern Rhone experience with a roster of 100% varietal wines that he is producing from a patchwork designation in and around these areas known as Collines Rhodaniennes that are mostly planted to Syrah.
The Les Candives Syrah is from top vines situated in Chavanay, just outside the St-Joseph appellation. The nose is reminiscent of St. Joseph highlighting the aromatic side of this magnificent varietal. High-toned lavender, violet, bacon fat, billowy white smoke, dark chocolate, red berry and exotic spice engulf the senses. This is so fragrant that let alone smelling this all day, we would like to wear it! Mouth filling, the complex aromas follow into the mouth with ripe perfumed blackberry fruit, black licorice, white pepper, blueberry and plenty of soft smoke come on even fuller as this aerates. Poised throughout, but with sneaky grip on the finish. The quality of the 20016 vintage has brought an extra something-something to an already wonderful red. Enjoy over the next 4-6 years with herb-encrusted pork tenderloin, charred chops or grilled steak.
The Les Candives Syrah is from top vines situated in Chavanay, just outside the St-Joseph appellation. The nose is reminiscent of St. Joseph highlighting the aromatic side of this magnificent varietal. High-toned lavender, violet, bacon fat, billowy white smoke, dark chocolate, red berry and exotic spice engulf the senses. This is so fragrant that let alone smelling this all day, we would like to wear it! Mouth filling, the complex aromas follow into the mouth with ripe perfumed blackberry fruit, black licorice, white pepper, blueberry and plenty of soft smoke come on even fuller as this aerates. Poised throughout, but with sneaky grip on the finish. The quality of the 20016 vintage has brought an extra something-something to an already wonderful red. Enjoy over the next 4-6 years with herb-encrusted pork tenderloin, charred chops or grilled steak.
2016 CUILLERON MARSANNE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
There is also white wine made in the Northern Rhone and when it comes to Condrieu, Saint-Peray and Saint-Jospeh Blanc, Cuilleron is a guru. Like the previously mentioned Syrah, this wine also comes just outside of Chavanay and is meant to be an affordable and earlyier drinking experience. Bravo to Yves Cuilleron for crafting such beautiful wines for all to enjoy!
Marsanne is a very intriguing and elusive grape that really thrives in this small growing area with granitic soils. The resulting white wine is very fragrant and alive with scents of pear, blossoms, ginger, lime and ample underlying minerality. Mouth-filling and full of energetic burst with lovely complexity and complimentary succulence that carries all the way to the delectable, drawn-out finish that is teeming with flavor and character. Enjoy this delicious white wine with monkfish, grilled tuna or white meats as well as soft-ripened cheese after the main course. Perfect for drinking now and over the next four-6 years.
Marsanne is a very intriguing and elusive grape that really thrives in this small growing area with granitic soils. The resulting white wine is very fragrant and alive with scents of pear, blossoms, ginger, lime and ample underlying minerality. Mouth-filling and full of energetic burst with lovely complexity and complimentary succulence that carries all the way to the delectable, drawn-out finish that is teeming with flavor and character. Enjoy this delicious white wine with monkfish, grilled tuna or white meats as well as soft-ripened cheese after the main course. Perfect for drinking now and over the next four-6 years.
2015 ARTERBERRY-MARESH
PINOT NOIR 'DUNDEE HILLS'
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
PINOT NOIR 'DUNDEE HILLS'
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
This is the gateway drug into Jim Arterberry Maresh’s world of wine from the Dundee Hills. Great bloodlines indeed, what this 35-year-old wunderkind is doing with not only his family’s vineyard (Maresh) as well as some neighboring sites is nothing short of breathtaking. The prime focus here is on single vineyard wines but there is always fruit that is too good to be sold off and hence winds up in this particular cuvee that has impressive material indeed including doses of Maresh.
Pure as Pinot gets and never becoming a juice box or jar of jam, the 2015 Arterberry Maresh shines through with hearty minerality, red and purple floral aromas and creamy red and blueberry fruit. Silky and round in the mouth with ripe tannins and great purity of flavor. This is lovely to drink now and over the next 5-6 years with soft cheeses or roasted chicken that has been loaded with morel mushrooms.
Pure as Pinot gets and never becoming a juice box or jar of jam, the 2015 Arterberry Maresh shines through with hearty minerality, red and purple floral aromas and creamy red and blueberry fruit. Silky and round in the mouth with ripe tannins and great purity of flavor. This is lovely to drink now and over the next 5-6 years with soft cheeses or roasted chicken that has been loaded with morel mushrooms.
2015 UGOLINO ROSSO PICENO
'CASTEL DEL PINO'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'CASTEL DEL PINO'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
A blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, this bursting red comes from just a few kilometers inland from the Adriatic Sea in the region of Le Marches in Italy.
Savory and tangy scents of raspberry, mineral, smoke, some hints of sage and licorice that surround it. Let's face it; this is not a wine to be confused with Tignanello or a Vietti Barolo. It is sheer, joyful, red wine pleasure with smooth fruit, spicy outer edges, and displaying nice substance and length. A new one for us, this is a real find when it comes to the underrated red wines of this region. Red wine for seafood, especially a hearty fish stew that has been jacked with Pernod, Ricard, or some other anise base.
Savory and tangy scents of raspberry, mineral, smoke, some hints of sage and licorice that surround it. Let's face it; this is not a wine to be confused with Tignanello or a Vietti Barolo. It is sheer, joyful, red wine pleasure with smooth fruit, spicy outer edges, and displaying nice substance and length. A new one for us, this is a real find when it comes to the underrated red wines of this region. Red wine for seafood, especially a hearty fish stew that has been jacked with Pernod, Ricard, or some other anise base.
2015 BODEGA LAGARDE
MALBEC 'GUARDA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
MALBEC 'GUARDA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Founded in 1897, this is one of the oldest wine producing operations in Mendoza and have been adeptly operated since 1970 by the Pescarmona family. While I have known about this estate, I honestly can say that I hadn’t tasted the wines before last week but after sampling, call me impressed.
From the Lujan de Cuyo district of Mendoza, the vines for this special cuvee were planted in 1906! From start to finish, this is a thrilling Malbec and one that doesn’t feel like you have walked in to the lumber department at Home Depot! This is a full-flavored wine that exemplifies both strength and finesse. Ahhh there is that word that most Americans don't understand. The connotation that finesse means light could not be further from the truth. Often in this business, you hear Americans use the word "smooth" to describe a wine. They are saying the same thing the rest of the world says when they talk of finesse. Enough of semantics, this is simply very good Malbec! Classy and aromatic with a full nose of Indian spice and black raspberry, it speaks of Argentina. Handsome in the mouth with loads of depth, character, vibrancy from start to long finish. Drink this delight over the next 5-7 years.
From the Lujan de Cuyo district of Mendoza, the vines for this special cuvee were planted in 1906! From start to finish, this is a thrilling Malbec and one that doesn’t feel like you have walked in to the lumber department at Home Depot! This is a full-flavored wine that exemplifies both strength and finesse. Ahhh there is that word that most Americans don't understand. The connotation that finesse means light could not be further from the truth. Often in this business, you hear Americans use the word "smooth" to describe a wine. They are saying the same thing the rest of the world says when they talk of finesse. Enough of semantics, this is simply very good Malbec! Classy and aromatic with a full nose of Indian spice and black raspberry, it speaks of Argentina. Handsome in the mouth with loads of depth, character, vibrancy from start to long finish. Drink this delight over the next 5-7 years.
2016 GULFI NERO D'AVOLA
'ROSSOJBLEO'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
'ROSSOJBLEO'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
With a name like Vito Catania and hailing from Sicily, one would expect this guy to be a character in a mob movie rather than a sustainable, organic farmer. The 2016 Nero D'Avola Rossojbleo (pronounced rosso-E-blay-O…j's are e's in Sicilian dialect) is made from vineyards in south-central Sicily near the town of Ragusa. The Nero d'Avola was selected for cultivation by grape-growers of Avola (Siracusa) several hundred years ago and spread to the commune of Noto, the provinces of Ragusa and Caltagirone, followed by the rest of the island.
The Rossojbleo is an unimposing, fragrant, delightful red wine that is packed with wild plum, wild spice and classic Sicilian tanginess that instantly attracts with its lovely depth. With a finish of wild-spice and roasted berry, this wine has a personality and persistence that is way beyond the under 20-dollar price tag.
The Rossojbleo is an unimposing, fragrant, delightful red wine that is packed with wild plum, wild spice and classic Sicilian tanginess that instantly attracts with its lovely depth. With a finish of wild-spice and roasted berry, this wine has a personality and persistence that is way beyond the under 20-dollar price tag.
2017 PAZO DO MAR
RIBEIRO BLANCO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
RIBEIRO BLANCO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Famous for Albarino, the western Spanish region of Galicia also has several other regions that produce terrific, dry white wine. Ribeiro is one of them and Pazo do Mar is yet another new discovery.
Blended from Godello, Torrontes and Treixadura grapes casual, laid back aromas rule the day. Flinty scents around roses, lilies, spice and powdery orange with more and more spicy tones arriving from the Treixadura grape. Starts lacy and crescendos into the true texture that is vivid, nervy and refreshing with plenty of intensity and thrust. Great shrimp, mussel and crab wine and one to throw back bottle after bottle after bottle.....
Blended from Godello, Torrontes and Treixadura grapes casual, laid back aromas rule the day. Flinty scents around roses, lilies, spice and powdery orange with more and more spicy tones arriving from the Treixadura grape. Starts lacy and crescendos into the true texture that is vivid, nervy and refreshing with plenty of intensity and thrust. Great shrimp, mussel and crab wine and one to throw back bottle after bottle after bottle.....
2013 GUNDLACH-BUNDSCHU
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 'SONOMA'
$42.99 BTL./$515.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 'SONOMA'
$42.99 BTL./$515.88 CASE
One of the most historic properties in California, it cannot be understated the influence that Gundlach-Bundschu has had on Sonoma and California viticulture. This estate has had peaks and valleys throughout its existence but recently has been on a major roll with outstanding wines that give off so much California character for their price levels.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon is very different from Napa both in price and in style. Old school California aromas of ripe cassis, spearmint, espresso, smoky oak are followed by a lush, full texture of character depth and expansion. Excellent structure and vibrancy dominate the finish and reveal that this wine will age nicely, however it is quite charming and chock full of excellent flavor at this moment. Enjoy with a Latino-inspired beef dish over the next decade.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon is very different from Napa both in price and in style. Old school California aromas of ripe cassis, spearmint, espresso, smoky oak are followed by a lush, full texture of character depth and expansion. Excellent structure and vibrancy dominate the finish and reveal that this wine will age nicely, however it is quite charming and chock full of excellent flavor at this moment. Enjoy with a Latino-inspired beef dish over the next decade.
FRIDAY SIPS
Italian Wine Bus
This Friday, April 13 from 1:30 - 6:30
We have the Bus Driver hat and uniform on and we’re driving so get it, sit down, shut up, fasten your seatbelt and HOLD ON! Join us this Friday as we cruise through four different wine regions highlighted by distinct and flavorful values plus one over-the-top library selection.
ITALIAN WINES TO BE TASTED
2006 Antonelli Sagrantino di Montefalco
2013 Rainoldi Valtellina Rosso Superiore ‘Inferno’
2016 Girlan Pinot Bianco
2016 Mastrobarardino Aglianico ‘Mastro’
