Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'HOLIDAY FIREWORKS' HOTSHEET
Chardonnay & Cabernet
Vietti Barbera
Gevrey-Chambertin
Sparkling Wine Values
Vietti Barbera
Gevrey-Chambertin
Sparkling Wine Values
2022 VIETTI BARBERA D'ALBA
TRE VIGNE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The heart and soul of this Barbera comes from three apex Barolo villages (Castiglione Falletto, La Morra & Monforte) with a bit coming from other villages in the Langhe all to make an impressive blend.
Outstanding, refined, and sophisticated, aromas of prominent blueberry, violet, subtle licorice, strawberry, herbs and dusty earth follow through to a smooth, graceful, suavely textured palate that spreads out on the sultry finish that hangs around and flirts well after the wine is swallowed. This downright delicious wine can be enjoyed with a wide range of foods from roasted pork to barbecued chicken to risotto jacked with mushrooms. It is also sneaky with how it will age. Drink and enjoy this offering over the next 5-7 years.
Outstanding, refined, and sophisticated, aromas of prominent blueberry, violet, subtle licorice, strawberry, herbs and dusty earth follow through to a smooth, graceful, suavely textured palate that spreads out on the sultry finish that hangs around and flirts well after the wine is swallowed. This downright delicious wine can be enjoyed with a wide range of foods from roasted pork to barbecued chicken to risotto jacked with mushrooms. It is also sneaky with how it will age. Drink and enjoy this offering over the next 5-7 years.
2022 SANDHI CHARDONNAY
CENTRAL COAST
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
CENTRAL COAST
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
This Central Coast California Chardonnay is indicative of the direction Chardonnay in this area seems to be headed. Cool climate, detailed, fine and never a pineapple princess wrapped greased up in butter and forced to wear an evening gown of oak.
Coast-influenced and aged in thirty percent neutral barrels and seventy-percent stainless steel tanks. Piercing, steely, beautiful mineral dominates this offering along with a robe of lemon, sea breeze and baked apple tones. In the mouth, it is athletic with plenty of spine, which all carries over to a lifting mineral driven finish that extends nicely. Drink this 12.8 % alcohol offering with fresh trout, halibut or chicken.
Coast-influenced and aged in thirty percent neutral barrels and seventy-percent stainless steel tanks. Piercing, steely, beautiful mineral dominates this offering along with a robe of lemon, sea breeze and baked apple tones. In the mouth, it is athletic with plenty of spine, which all carries over to a lifting mineral driven finish that extends nicely. Drink this 12.8 % alcohol offering with fresh trout, halibut or chicken.
2022 PESQUIE VENTOUX ROUGE
'LES TERRASSES' ANNIVERSAIRE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'LES TERRASSES' ANNIVERSAIRE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
For vintage 2022, Fred and Alex Chaudiere made a cuvee to honor their 30th anniversary of this wine from Mont Ventoux that they have been producing and offering through their importer, European Cellars.
A bit of a different blend than usual, this 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah value grown at high elevation shows density, concentration, and ample smoky, peppery plum and blueberry fruit that stretches across the palate. Vinous and structured through its brisk backbone, there is way too much pleasure in this wine for a mere twenty dollars.
A bit of a different blend than usual, this 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah value grown at high elevation shows density, concentration, and ample smoky, peppery plum and blueberry fruit that stretches across the palate. Vinous and structured through its brisk backbone, there is way too much pleasure in this wine for a mere twenty dollars.
2022 AGOSTINA PIERI
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Small but mighty, the young Montalcino estate of Agostina Pieri initially created a frenzy when they were awarded Gambero Rosso’s vaunted Tre Bicchieri Award for their ROSSO! Located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, well actually just outside and between Caprili and Col D’Orcia, the newly arrived 2022 is one formidable Rosso di Montalcino, especially for the price point.
Agostina Pieri’s Rosso di Montalcino is exuberant with cherry and blackberry fruit, roasted sage, violet and rich earth notes. There is a beautiful note of purity once this wine hits the mouth, with a core of ripe cherry, Tuscan roasted herbs and fine tannins that are both ripe and yet add a beautiful frame for the rich and Montalcino decadence to sit upon. The Tuscan herbs arrive late at the finish, which seems to persist for days. While not undrinkable as a nice glass of Italian wine, it really wants food, especially roasted meat dishes, pasta with sage and butter preparations and it would make a pork loin and mushroom dish sing. This is Rosso that really wants to be Brunello. Drink over the next decade.
Agostina Pieri’s Rosso di Montalcino is exuberant with cherry and blackberry fruit, roasted sage, violet and rich earth notes. There is a beautiful note of purity once this wine hits the mouth, with a core of ripe cherry, Tuscan roasted herbs and fine tannins that are both ripe and yet add a beautiful frame for the rich and Montalcino decadence to sit upon. The Tuscan herbs arrive late at the finish, which seems to persist for days. While not undrinkable as a nice glass of Italian wine, it really wants food, especially roasted meat dishes, pasta with sage and butter preparations and it would make a pork loin and mushroom dish sing. This is Rosso that really wants to be Brunello. Drink over the next decade.
2022 RAVENTOS i BLANC
BRUT ROSE 'NIT'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
BRUT ROSE 'NIT'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Unlike most Oregon Rose, Dallas, Oregon-based Illahe Vineyards chooses to make theirs from Tempranillo. When I made a visit to the winery a couple of weeks ago, I was quite impressed with this individual take on their dry pink wine.
Picked on the early side to maintain briskness, pressed directly with no skin contact followed by aging in older oak and acacia barrels, this Rose barrages the senses instantly. Lime, raspberry, coral, aromas give way to a texture with suppleness along with charged acidity with shines on the succulent finish. A swan dive into a cool pool, drink with grilled mussels, gazpacho or with a bunch of good friends.
Picked on the early side to maintain briskness, pressed directly with no skin contact followed by aging in older oak and acacia barrels, this Rose barrages the senses instantly. Lime, raspberry, coral, aromas give way to a texture with suppleness along with charged acidity with shines on the succulent finish. A swan dive into a cool pool, drink with grilled mussels, gazpacho or with a bunch of good friends.
2022 RAVENTOS i BLANC
BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Absolutely stunning sparkling wine made from 40% Xarel-lo, 40% Macabeo, 20% Parellada from 40-year-old vines, this is the estate's flagship sparkling wine. It is also a killer value for its price point.
Upon bringing the glass to your nose to smell, one sees the evidence of excellent diligence. Laden with pear, citrus and freshly cut apple tone, then buffered nicely by fine leesy notes. Polished, mouth filling bubbles bring everything together into a package inspired by Champagne with all its creamy gentleness.
Upon bringing the glass to your nose to smell, one sees the evidence of excellent diligence. Laden with pear, citrus and freshly cut apple tone, then buffered nicely by fine leesy notes. Polished, mouth filling bubbles bring everything together into a package inspired by Champagne with all its creamy gentleness.
2021 GOTA 'MIRRA'
ALENTEJO TINTO
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
ALENTEJO TINTO
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
We have proudly been selling Gota wines for the last several years, particularly their Dao wines. For the first time we are thrilled to offer their red wine from Portugal’s Alentejo region.
Castelão (20%), Moreto (20%), Aragonez (20%), Trincadeira (20%), and others (20%), this classic Portuguese red blend is hearty with strawberry, blackberry, balsamic, mint and cinnamon spice. Aged in stainless steel tanks it maintains excellent freshness and will pair beautifully with Korean barbecue and more.
Castelão (20%), Moreto (20%), Aragonez (20%), Trincadeira (20%), and others (20%), this classic Portuguese red blend is hearty with strawberry, blackberry, balsamic, mint and cinnamon spice. Aged in stainless steel tanks it maintains excellent freshness and will pair beautifully with Korean barbecue and more.
2022 ISENHOWER 'I SERIES'
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Always one of the terrific values of Washington Cab Sauv, Isenhower scores again with their delicious, newly arrived 2022 that comes from three virtuous Columbia Valley vineyards.
94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec. Non-stop vanilla and cocoa notes wrapped around buxom black cherry, smoky oak, cola and milk chocolate scents all virtually glisten the instant the wine is poured into the glass. On the palate, there is style here with nice flowing dense tones, excellent weight, and the typical steadfast, mouth-crawling flavors that one comes to expect in these excellent wines. Layered, forward and accessible; enjoy with a variety of beef dishes and more. Drink through 2030.
94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec. Non-stop vanilla and cocoa notes wrapped around buxom black cherry, smoky oak, cola and milk chocolate scents all virtually glisten the instant the wine is poured into the glass. On the palate, there is style here with nice flowing dense tones, excellent weight, and the typical steadfast, mouth-crawling flavors that one comes to expect in these excellent wines. Layered, forward and accessible; enjoy with a variety of beef dishes and more. Drink through 2030.
2022 PHILIPPE CHERON GEVREY
CHAMBERTIN 'LES SEUVREES'
$86.99 BTL./$521.94 - SIX PACK
CHAMBERTIN 'LES SEUVREES'
$86.99 BTL./$521.94 - SIX PACK
Philippe Cheron is rocking it big time with his lineup of top-drawer Cotes-de-Nuits wines. These are a real joy and undiscovered gems because these days, finding top wines, especially Premiers Crus and single vineyards from Gevrey, Vosne-Romanee and Chambolle at fair (for Burgundy) prices are unheard of. The British press is really taking notice, and I am sure the US wine hack writers will soon follow.
The Les Seuvrees vineyard is in the Gevrey-Chambertin just below Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru. One third of the vineyard was planted in 1954 and the remainder in 1960. It produces a maximum of 1,500 bottles. Tres typique of Southern Gevrey. Red cherry, gentle fine herbs, very classy with underlying muscle that is characteristic of 2022. Lots of chime and extension here, this has some appeal now but will ultimately be at its best from 2027 – 2037.
The Les Seuvrees vineyard is in the Gevrey-Chambertin just below Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru. One third of the vineyard was planted in 1954 and the remainder in 1960. It produces a maximum of 1,500 bottles. Tres typique of Southern Gevrey. Red cherry, gentle fine herbs, very classy with underlying muscle that is characteristic of 2022. Lots of chime and extension here, this has some appeal now but will ultimately be at its best from 2027 – 2037.
