Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'ELOQUENT CLOUDBURST' HOTSHEET
Napa Cab Special, Cru Beaujolais, Pinot Gris, Icon Chianti & more
2014 D.V. CATENA TINTO HISTORICO
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Having been in existence since 1902, Catena is one of the pillars of wine in Argentina. DV Catena is an homage to Don Domingo Vicente Catena, Nicolas Catena Zapata’s father who made a deep, dark blend in the 1930s and he peddled his wares to French bistros in Buenos Aires. Moving ahead to current day, chief winemaker Laura Catena decided to pay tribute to her grandfather by creating this full-flavored blend.
92% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot from three high elevation single vineyards in Mendoza’s Uco Valley. While this blend is full and possessing a serious take-no-prisoners approach, there is a wonderful balance and lift to the wine that makes it just a pleasure to drink. Deep, serious almost haunting, with a full core of black fruits surrounded by aromatic black tea scents, licorice, Mexican hot cocoa, warm spices and a fresh, earthy quality that finishes with a cool high-elevation lift. A classy drink for a great price, we were happy to sit around and drink a glass of this but it carries over to the dinner table extremely well. Enjoy with braised lamb or a slow-cooked pork shoulder.
92% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot from three high elevation single vineyards in Mendoza’s Uco Valley. While this blend is full and possessing a serious take-no-prisoners approach, there is a wonderful balance and lift to the wine that makes it just a pleasure to drink. Deep, serious almost haunting, with a full core of black fruits surrounded by aromatic black tea scents, licorice, Mexican hot cocoa, warm spices and a fresh, earthy quality that finishes with a cool high-elevation lift. A classy drink for a great price, we were happy to sit around and drink a glass of this but it carries over to the dinner table extremely well. Enjoy with braised lamb or a slow-cooked pork shoulder.
2016 VILLA WOLF PINOT GRIS
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
12.5% alcohol and never produced with overripe or botrytis-affected grapes this Pinot Gris comes from the Pfalz region, just north of Alsace.
Villa Wolf is an estate owned by famed German wine guru Ernie Loosen. A gem of a Pinot Gris that livens the flavor of food and refreshes the palate all while delighting the drinker with its sprightliness and fresh fruit. The absence of oak and fatness enables this Gris to bring out the subtle flavor of fine cooking. One to stock up on for any autumn fare; it can also handle richer seafood dishes and a small bit of heat. Put on your psychedelic Pinot Gris binoculars and expand your minds.
Villa Wolf is an estate owned by famed German wine guru Ernie Loosen. A gem of a Pinot Gris that livens the flavor of food and refreshes the palate all while delighting the drinker with its sprightliness and fresh fruit. The absence of oak and fatness enables this Gris to bring out the subtle flavor of fine cooking. One to stock up on for any autumn fare; it can also handle richer seafood dishes and a small bit of heat. Put on your psychedelic Pinot Gris binoculars and expand your minds.
2015 DOMAINE HIRSCH JULIENAS
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
One of the 10 Cru of Beaujolais, Julienas takes its name from Julius Caesar and the growers believe that the area was the site of the first vineyards planted in Beaujolais after the Romans conquered Gaul. This is always one of the more masculine Crus and 2015 follows suit yet somehow is so well dressed.
100% Gamay, this wine comes from a young couple who are originally from Alsace. A tiny estate, Celine and Nicolas Hirsch produce wines from old vines from Chenas, Moulin-A-Vent and this particular Julienas that comes from 50+ year old vines. Packed with peonies, anise, vibrant berry and prominent granitic spice-mineral aspects. The texture is penetrating and airy combined with excellent fruit, movement and persistence. Try with roasted poultry with mushrooms, steak tartare or sausages.
100% Gamay, this wine comes from a young couple who are originally from Alsace. A tiny estate, Celine and Nicolas Hirsch produce wines from old vines from Chenas, Moulin-A-Vent and this particular Julienas that comes from 50+ year old vines. Packed with peonies, anise, vibrant berry and prominent granitic spice-mineral aspects. The texture is penetrating and airy combined with excellent fruit, movement and persistence. Try with roasted poultry with mushrooms, steak tartare or sausages.
2015 TORREDEROS
RIBERA DEL DUERO JOVEN
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
RIBERA DEL DUERO JOVEN
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Are you looking for a wine to divert your attention to the ever-repetitive cable news coverage? Many of us have decided that we are mad as hell and we are not going to take it anymore! We're just gonna get drunk and change the channel!!
In order to digitally enhance your viewing, we are recommending this fresh and engaging Ribera del Duero from a lovely producer. Spain is a veritable thrift store when it comes to everyday drinking red wines and this unoaked red is packed with clean, pure Tempranillo characteristics of strawberry with hints of earth and smoke. Dark and soft-textured with plenty of juicy, mouth-watering notes throughout make this a fantastic red to have with fish or other lighter meat dishes and at the price, it is excellent to drink as a weeknight wine.
In order to digitally enhance your viewing, we are recommending this fresh and engaging Ribera del Duero from a lovely producer. Spain is a veritable thrift store when it comes to everyday drinking red wines and this unoaked red is packed with clean, pure Tempranillo characteristics of strawberry with hints of earth and smoke. Dark and soft-textured with plenty of juicy, mouth-watering notes throughout make this a fantastic red to have with fish or other lighter meat dishes and at the price, it is excellent to drink as a weeknight wine.
It seems to be an every year occurrence that if you wait for it, Mount Veeder’s Cabernet always goes on to a deep special. In order to ‘make numbers’, our distributor has offered out an excellent deal on one of Napa’s beloved producers.
As following suit with recent previous vintages, this cuvee offers up pure Napa Valley honesty and frankly, when priced as it is through the end of the month, absolutely over delivers. Classic Veeder aromas of ripe brambly blackberry, marionberry, cassis, violet, dark chocolate, spearmint and dusty earth. Voluptuous round and full in the mouth with vanilla laden berries dominating a fine and ripe tannin structure. While drinking beautifully right now especially with a thick juicy steak, this stellar bottle of cabernet will continue to gain complexity over the next 10-12 years.
As following suit with recent previous vintages, this cuvee offers up pure Napa Valley honesty and frankly, when priced as it is through the end of the month, absolutely over delivers. Classic Veeder aromas of ripe brambly blackberry, marionberry, cassis, violet, dark chocolate, spearmint and dusty earth. Voluptuous round and full in the mouth with vanilla laden berries dominating a fine and ripe tannin structure. While drinking beautifully right now especially with a thick juicy steak, this stellar bottle of cabernet will continue to gain complexity over the next 10-12 years.
2013 PIANTATE LUNGHE
ROSSO CONERO 'IL PALAZZO'
$13.99 BTL./$83.94 - SIX PACK
ROSSO CONERO 'IL PALAZZO'
$13.99 BTL./$83.94 - SIX PACK
One of our cool Italian wine discoveries over the past year or so, Piantate Lunche is a partnership of three growers who once sold their grapes to Umani Ronchi before jumping out on their own and achieving big success.
An attractive lineup is produced here but it all starts with the scrumptious classic Conero Cuvee, Il Palazzo. Made entirely from the Montepulciano grape, reveals plenty of blackberry, smoked meat, rosemary, and layered plum tones. Deep and mouth-filling with sensual fruit to make it very easy going, but still maintains just enough of the savage personality that is Montepulciano, especially in the bursting, spicy finish that is super-long, especially for an 14 dollar wine. An excellent wine to pair with a Bolognese sauce over top of penne or other tubular pasta.
An attractive lineup is produced here but it all starts with the scrumptious classic Conero Cuvee, Il Palazzo. Made entirely from the Montepulciano grape, reveals plenty of blackberry, smoked meat, rosemary, and layered plum tones. Deep and mouth-filling with sensual fruit to make it very easy going, but still maintains just enough of the savage personality that is Montepulciano, especially in the bursting, spicy finish that is super-long, especially for an 14 dollar wine. An excellent wine to pair with a Bolognese sauce over top of penne or other tubular pasta.
2013 DOMAINE DES BAUMARD
SAVENNIERES 'CLOS DU PAPILLON'
$35.99 BTL./$431.88 CASE
SAVENNIERES 'CLOS DU PAPILLON'
$35.99 BTL./$431.88 CASE
Undoubtedly one of France's greatest dry white wines, Domaine Baumard’s Clos du Papillon has been a profound influence on the new generation of producers in the Loire Valley and is a virtual thesis in the glass.
Clos du Papillon is one of the Grand Cru sites in Savennieres, so named because the plot’s shape resembles a butterfly. The 2013 is absolutely bone crushing and off the charts. Chamomile, quince and serious, serious minerality leap from the glass. More honeyed, Earl Grey tea tones start to arrive after a few minutes along with streamlined orange-zest, white anise and pepper. Incredibly complex, very dry, and with plenty of lift that slices through the concentrated and vinous fruit. The finish is persistent, penetrating, pure and palate-staining long with astonishing movement and length. We still were marveling at the mouth-watering finish 10 minutes after we finished the wine! If you must try one now, go for it, it has wonderful accessibility, especially with hearty seafood like lobster or sole meuniere. Drink through 2025+. Given the prices of Grand Cru white Burgundy, Grand Cru Alsace Riesling or Chablis, this white wine is an unabashed steal for 36-bucks!
Clos du Papillon is one of the Grand Cru sites in Savennieres, so named because the plot’s shape resembles a butterfly. The 2013 is absolutely bone crushing and off the charts. Chamomile, quince and serious, serious minerality leap from the glass. More honeyed, Earl Grey tea tones start to arrive after a few minutes along with streamlined orange-zest, white anise and pepper. Incredibly complex, very dry, and with plenty of lift that slices through the concentrated and vinous fruit. The finish is persistent, penetrating, pure and palate-staining long with astonishing movement and length. We still were marveling at the mouth-watering finish 10 minutes after we finished the wine! If you must try one now, go for it, it has wonderful accessibility, especially with hearty seafood like lobster or sole meuniere. Drink through 2025+. Given the prices of Grand Cru white Burgundy, Grand Cru Alsace Riesling or Chablis, this white wine is an unabashed steal for 36-bucks!
2012 ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI
CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE
'VIGNETO SAN MARCELLINO'
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE
'VIGNETO SAN MARCELLINO'
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
Two exciting developments have occurred with this well-known, legendary single Cru Chianti Classico. One, is that has now been elevated to the vaunted and prestigious Gran Selezione classification which tops the name ‘Riserva’. Two, is that normally we do not get to offer this limited production wine out to the entire list so if you ultimately adore the best of the best of Tuscany then here is your chance to grab some while it is available.
Only produced in great vintages and with a mere 1500 cases produced, one sees the profundity immediately poured. Uplifting yet deep aromas of wild cherry and perfumo di Toscana fill the room once this beauty opens up. Ripe red cherry echoes on the palate then joined by flavors of creamy strawberry, balsamico, violet, cedar, anisette and roasted earth. San Marcellino is always significantly marked by an old-vine vinous note and in a deep vintage such as 2012, that quality is highlighted adding meaty depth to the complex flavors in the mouth. This needs another 2-3 years to fully integrate and then will continue to give you copious amounts of pleasure through 2029+. If you are a lover of great Italian wines, this is a must for your cellar.
Only produced in great vintages and with a mere 1500 cases produced, one sees the profundity immediately poured. Uplifting yet deep aromas of wild cherry and perfumo di Toscana fill the room once this beauty opens up. Ripe red cherry echoes on the palate then joined by flavors of creamy strawberry, balsamico, violet, cedar, anisette and roasted earth. San Marcellino is always significantly marked by an old-vine vinous note and in a deep vintage such as 2012, that quality is highlighted adding meaty depth to the complex flavors in the mouth. This needs another 2-3 years to fully integrate and then will continue to give you copious amounts of pleasure through 2029+. If you are a lover of great Italian wines, this is a must for your cellar.
FRIDAY SIPS
Pancetta’s Italian Thrill Ride
This Friday, September 22 from 1:30 - 6:30
Our friend Todd ‘Pancetta’ Bacon is back with some new and exciting Italian wine arrivals for your tasting pleasure. Drop by this Friday to sample wines from Tuscany, Veneto, Piedmont and Puglia that are true to their Italian roots and possess lots of pizzazz, panache and presence. Todd will arrive at 3:30 but I’ll have the wines ready to go at 1:30.
FEATURED WINES:
2011 Trerose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ‘Santa Catarina’
2013 Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso
2015 Cigliuti Langhe Nebbiolo
2016 Cosimo Taurino Salento Rosato
