Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, WINE' HOTSHEET
Cristom Pinot, St. Emilion, Port, Under 10 Values, Amarone & more
2015 L'AMEILLAUD VAUCLUSE ROUGE
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
A return engagement for one of our favorite French wines that fits our mantra of ‘don’t think, just drink’. Located between the Cotes-du-Rhone village of Cairanne and Mont Ventoux, this Rhone blend consistently delivers up an abundance of goodness.
Given the warmth of 2015 combined with a 9-dollar price, this wine is pure pleasure in overdrive. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Carignan it is dreamy and easy with pronounced lavender, plum, pepper and plenty of spiced-earth character. Open-armed Mediterranean flavors with excellent depth, personality and dimension make this a beyond suitable red with grilled meats or veggies.
Given the warmth of 2015 combined with a 9-dollar price, this wine is pure pleasure in overdrive. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Carignan it is dreamy and easy with pronounced lavender, plum, pepper and plenty of spiced-earth character. Open-armed Mediterranean flavors with excellent depth, personality and dimension make this a beyond suitable red with grilled meats or veggies.
2012 CHATEAU DUBOURG SAINT-EMILION
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
These days Saint-Emilion wines at 20 bucks are quite a rarity, especially ones of good quality. I consumed a bottle of the Chateau Dubourg over the weekend and was thrilled how well this wine is showing. A small 6.5-acre property in the southwest corner of Saint-Emilion, over the last few vintages it has been thrilling to see how well this wine has performed yet has maintained a fantastic price point.
Prototype in its profile, the 2012 is textbook St-Emilion with luminous scents of blueberry, cherry and cedarbox, as well as an earth and mineral streak along with hints of coffee and nutmeg with hints of fine herbs joining in at the last minute. In the mouth, this wine is stylishly detailed with sophisticated flavors that have telltale Bordeaux firmness and sophistication. Very delicious now and will develop nicely through 2021.
Prototype in its profile, the 2012 is textbook St-Emilion with luminous scents of blueberry, cherry and cedarbox, as well as an earth and mineral streak along with hints of coffee and nutmeg with hints of fine herbs joining in at the last minute. In the mouth, this wine is stylishly detailed with sophisticated flavors that have telltale Bordeaux firmness and sophistication. Very delicious now and will develop nicely through 2021.
2014 CRISTOM PINOT NOIR
'MT. JEFFERSON CUVEE'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
'MT. JEFFERSON CUVEE'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
When it comes to well-established wineries in the Willamette Valley, there is only one Cristom and one Steve Doerner. Utilizing Old World winemaking techniques including whole clusters, native yeast fermentation, and gentle but minimal handling, Cristom handcrafts wines that are smooth, classy and ageworthy, earning Cristom a distinction among wine enthusiasts and industry leaders alike.
The 2014 Mt-Jeff is a bit of an anomaly when it comes to the torrid, sweltering 2014 vintage because of its harmonious core. Rather enchanting and alluring now with smoke, dense, snappy black raspberry, hints of savory earth along with gentle herbs and spices. Gentle, yet layered, ripe and penetrating with lingering spice tones that are present from front to back. Not thick and jammy nor overtly alcoholic, this Pinot finishes with class and plenty of depth. Pretty hard to resist now, but will also age 7-10 years as well. Another winner for Steve Doerner and Cristom. ALSO – I have some older vintages of Cristom Reserve in stock. Email for pricing and availability.
The 2014 Mt-Jeff is a bit of an anomaly when it comes to the torrid, sweltering 2014 vintage because of its harmonious core. Rather enchanting and alluring now with smoke, dense, snappy black raspberry, hints of savory earth along with gentle herbs and spices. Gentle, yet layered, ripe and penetrating with lingering spice tones that are present from front to back. Not thick and jammy nor overtly alcoholic, this Pinot finishes with class and plenty of depth. Pretty hard to resist now, but will also age 7-10 years as well. Another winner for Steve Doerner and Cristom. ALSO – I have some older vintages of Cristom Reserve in stock. Email for pricing and availability.
2016 COLLI DI LAPIO FIANO D'AVELLINO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Because of the cool microclimate where Clelia Romano's Colli di Lapio estate is located in the hills east of Naples and due to the poor volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius, this is a prime growing area for white wine. The Fiano di Avellino takes its name from the variety that the Latins called Vitis Apiana because the vine's grapes were so sweet that they proved irresistible to bees (api).
Absolutely no oak is employed in the making of this Italian white wine. Stony, oceanic aromas prevail with underlying rose-oil, Anjou pear and prominent pink grapefruit tones. Propelling flavors that are nicely formed and concentrated along with a sense of weightlessness. Succulent, dry and really hangs around, this is an ultimate vehicle with seafood. Grand Cru Fiano!? I see a bowl of piping hot pasta with clams, scallops and calamari dressed in olive oil and lemon in our future.
Absolutely no oak is employed in the making of this Italian white wine. Stony, oceanic aromas prevail with underlying rose-oil, Anjou pear and prominent pink grapefruit tones. Propelling flavors that are nicely formed and concentrated along with a sense of weightlessness. Succulent, dry and really hangs around, this is an ultimate vehicle with seafood. Grand Cru Fiano!? I see a bowl of piping hot pasta with clams, scallops and calamari dressed in olive oil and lemon in our future.
2015 D. VENTURA RIBERA SACRA
'VINA DO BURATO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
'VINA DO BURATO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
The Galicia region of Ribera Sacra (sacred banks) is home to some of Spain's most exciting and unique wines. Working this land is extremely difficult with the terraces in some parts so steep that all the grapes are brought down using dumb waiters.
100% Mencia from the single vineyard of Burato and with 80+ year vines, this is a unique, flavorful, detailed 12.5% alcohol red wine that is aged entirely in stainless steel tanks has plenty of impact. The result is a wine of dark red color and offering an intensely aromatic nose of red berries, minerals and dried flowers. Firm redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors possess admirable energy and a sappy quality, picking up light tannins with air. The succulent and very soil-driven finish features a deeper cherry-pit quality and outstanding length. Drink this obscure, yet delicious offering through 2021 and pair it with a bevy of pork dishes, especially Jamon Serrano.
100% Mencia from the single vineyard of Burato and with 80+ year vines, this is a unique, flavorful, detailed 12.5% alcohol red wine that is aged entirely in stainless steel tanks has plenty of impact. The result is a wine of dark red color and offering an intensely aromatic nose of red berries, minerals and dried flowers. Firm redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors possess admirable energy and a sappy quality, picking up light tannins with air. The succulent and very soil-driven finish features a deeper cherry-pit quality and outstanding length. Drink this obscure, yet delicious offering through 2021 and pair it with a bevy of pork dishes, especially Jamon Serrano.
2015 FEUDI BORDONARO NERO D'AVOLA
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Firriato is a producer who owns and represents 6 different properties on Sicily and Feudi Bordonaro is a new discovery for us. 100% Nero D'Avola and a wonderful value of a weeknight red.
Ruby red in color with a persistent bouquet of mulberries, black cherries, mint, vanilla and sage, this wine sings from the glass then follows through to a texture that is packed with spicy ripe fruit and a lingering and balanced finish that possesses well-integrated tannins. We highly recommend this hearty red with roasted meats or spaghetti & meatballs.
Ruby red in color with a persistent bouquet of mulberries, black cherries, mint, vanilla and sage, this wine sings from the glass then follows through to a texture that is packed with spicy ripe fruit and a lingering and balanced finish that possesses well-integrated tannins. We highly recommend this hearty red with roasted meats or spaghetti & meatballs.
2012 TEDESCHI AMARONE
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
When it comes to top-drawer Amarone, Riccardo Tedeschi does not mess around. Simply put, this is one of the best addresses to score greatness and given the ever-escalating pricing of the enormous reds in this region, and while not inexpensive, this wine is an excellent value.
Full-throttle dried cherry and plum notes surround alluring spice, tobacco and earth notes. Texturally, this is traditionally styled Amarone as it is dark, round and mouth coating. Large-scaled throughout, this finishes with powerful ripe red tones, excellent length and a lingering cocoa note that finishes with depth and personality and then snaps back and delivers more. Accessible now, but will easily age well for 10-15 more years as well.
Full-throttle dried cherry and plum notes surround alluring spice, tobacco and earth notes. Texturally, this is traditionally styled Amarone as it is dark, round and mouth coating. Large-scaled throughout, this finishes with powerful ripe red tones, excellent length and a lingering cocoa note that finishes with depth and personality and then snaps back and delivers more. Accessible now, but will easily age well for 10-15 more years as well.
1996 BURMESTER COLHEITA PORT
$24.99 - HALF BOTTLE
$24.99 - HALF BOTTLE
If you ever see Bryan, Karen or Bricco with a new set of dentures and affected English accents, or affected barks in the pup's case, it is because we've gone on a port binge. If you are gonna binge, then do it properly with one of the top makers of Colheita Port. Colheitas are like Late Bottled Vintage Port and are essentially ‘vintage tawnies’. They must be aged at least 7 years before bottling, but may be aged much longer. The long ageing process allows Colheitas to become rich, elegant, light in color, beautiful, dessert wines.
You can buy these delicious, matured, drinkable, vintage dated Colheitas for about the same price as you'd have to pay for young, unmatured ‘vintage port’, then you'd have to wait another 20 years to drink them. Truth be told, many of us don’t have that kind of patience. Fall and winter dictate that we should be imbibing a bit. The house of Burmester is one of the extreme specialists in the production of Colheita Ports.
On the nose, nuts and caramel dominate, but in the mouth, enough stone fruits emerge to bring to mind peaches and cherries drizzled with luscious liquid nuts and caramel. Flavor wise there is elegance and a breathtaking texture, offering rich deep flavor without heaviness. The finish of mocha, chocolate covered almonds and creme brulee are seemingly dotted with a roasted, coffee-like note that adds to the complexity. If you want to experience the magic of beautifully aged Port, here is an opportunity to snag one of the best for a fraction of the price of most vintage Ports and it doesn’t have to be consumed in one sitting. A fantastic way to end a meal with drier salty cheeses such as Aged Gouda or the classic Stilton and of course chocolate as well as caramel desserts.
You can buy these delicious, matured, drinkable, vintage dated Colheitas for about the same price as you'd have to pay for young, unmatured ‘vintage port’, then you'd have to wait another 20 years to drink them. Truth be told, many of us don’t have that kind of patience. Fall and winter dictate that we should be imbibing a bit. The house of Burmester is one of the extreme specialists in the production of Colheita Ports.
On the nose, nuts and caramel dominate, but in the mouth, enough stone fruits emerge to bring to mind peaches and cherries drizzled with luscious liquid nuts and caramel. Flavor wise there is elegance and a breathtaking texture, offering rich deep flavor without heaviness. The finish of mocha, chocolate covered almonds and creme brulee are seemingly dotted with a roasted, coffee-like note that adds to the complexity. If you want to experience the magic of beautifully aged Port, here is an opportunity to snag one of the best for a fraction of the price of most vintage Ports and it doesn’t have to be consumed in one sitting. A fantastic way to end a meal with drier salty cheeses such as Aged Gouda or the classic Stilton and of course chocolate as well as caramel desserts.
FRIDAY SIPS
Piedmont wines from Olim Bauda Special Guest, Olim Bauda’s Gianni Bertolino
This Friday, October 13 from 3:00 - 6:30 (note later start time)
The much anticipated visit and tasting with Olim Bauda’s Gianni Bertolino is finally here! Join us this week as Gianni makes his return for the first time since 2014 pouring and discussing five of his family’s top-drawer wines from Piedmont. Highlighted by prolific new release Barbera, we will also feature an excellent new release white and Nebbiolo as well. Love Piedmont? Then be here this Friday!
FEATURED WINES:
2015 Olim Bauda Barbera D’Asti ‘La Villa’
2013 Olim Bauda Barbera D’Asti ‘Le Rocchette’
2013 Olim Bauda Barbera D’Asti Superiore ‘Nizza’
2013 Olim Bauda Nebbiolo D’Alba ‘San Pietro’
2016 Olim Bauda Gavi di Gavi
