Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'AMPED UP' HOTSHEET
15-Buck 92-pt. Cab, Umbria Red, Collectible Barbaresco & Rhone, Dry Riesling + more


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2015 SUBSTANCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
92 POINTS - THE WINE ADVOCATE

Simply put, your 15 bucks that you will spend on a Washington Cab will never reach further heights than this particular offering!

‘One of the best values I’ve tasted in a long time, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon from the team at K Vintners was hand-harvested, natively fermented and aged all in French oak. Smoking good notes of cassis, black currants and hints of plum all emerge from this rich, beautifully textured, layered beauty that has solid tannic grip, a silky, elegant texture and a great finish. It has real elegance and finesse and is a dark fruited, unctuous beauty to drink over the coming 3-4 years. – 92 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE’



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2014 BAUMARD SAVENNIERES
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE

Like any virtuoso, Baumard simply has to show up, because in any vintage their deft touch will magically make fabulous wine appear. One of the great names of the Loire valley and France, the progressive Florent Baumard bottles everything under twist-top, doesn't use wood and prefers to keep his wines at reasonable alcohol levels for the dry wines which are some of France’s treasures.

Heavenly fragrances of nectarine, chamomile, granite and honeysuckle, which arrives after sitting a few minutes in the glass. Really shows the depth and complexity of the terrific 2014 vintage along with its formidable granitic soils and Chenin Blanc qualities. Combines intensity of precision and cut with stellar, high-pitched fruit. Youthful and compact right now, but the depth of low yields and old vines are truly felt. The finish is sterling, crystalline and minerally, very long! Pretty tempting now with its impressive material. Go and grill some salmon with a kiss of ginger, this will bring out the essence of both. Drink it through 2024+.



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2015 LAVRADORES DE FEITORIA
DUORO TINTO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

When it comes to value-oriented red wines, Portugal seemingly is a thrift store of goodness. For 2+ years, this producer’s wines from the Douro region have been go-to selections for 10 bucks. The red is blended with 20% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Barroca, 25% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and 5% of other local varietals.

Flavorful and enticing with cinnamon-laced cherry, dark chocolate and roasted earth. Mouth filling with Eastern spices and licorice elements all in beautiful harmony. Have this well-made juice with marinated beef dishes with lots of garlic and spices, or paella.



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2016 HOBO WINE CO. FOLK MACHINE
CALIFORNIA RED
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Folk Machine flies under the Hobo Wine Company flag and is the brainchild of Kenny Likitprakong. Parts & Labor is an offering that is from 4 varietals and 4 vineyards and is a superb red blend for everyday usage.

12.7% alcohol, 58% Redwood Valley Carignane, 26% Potter Valley Syrah, 11% Arroyo Seco Grenache, and 5% Redwood Valley Barbera. Bringing together pleasant impact without being burdensome, this flavorful and aromatically pleasing red puts forth alluring aromatics that go on for days. The texture is savory with fine and fresh palate-coverage that teems with notes of blackberry, wild strawberry, bramble, anise and roasted earth. The epitome of a Cali-bistro wine, this yummy value will go with pretty much anything you want to toss onto the grill.



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2014 CLEMENS BUSCH
RIESLING TROCKEN
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

A very important figure in the Middle Mosel in Germany, Clemens Busch was one of the first to farm organically back in 1984. This is a man who has never used organic or biodynamic as buzzy marketing words. He and his wife have absolute belief in what they do and conveyed beautifully in their wines. The majority of the wines produced at this estate (including this selection) are dry, although the Busch family do make exquisite sweeter wines as well. However, today we will focus on the racier side of Riesling.

The 2014 Trocken (dry) is aromatic with perfumed and precise aromas of gunflint, apricot, lively nectarine and insatiable minerality. Richly textured and fully dry, yet completely electric. Hell, it could light up all of Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich with its vibrancy. Superb, linear, saline/tangerine finish that goes on for minutes after the wine is swallowed. It is very approachable now, but also has a long future ahead of it. Drink it with fresh halibut or mussels but will age impeccably through 2022, but why wait. Not too shabby for 20 bucks!



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2013 PERTICAIA MONTEFALCO ROSSO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Never one to be short of an opinion, these days my belief is that the three finest producers in Montefalco are Paolo Bea, Antonelli and Perticaia. Unlike the other two luminaries listed, Perticaia is a young estate, only founded in the 90s. Meaning plow in Umbrian dialect, the name chosen by owner Guido Guardigli is very apropos given this property’s commitment and devotion to the soil and environment of Umbria.

What I am most taken with this wine is the refusal to add in any French varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet or Syrah; it is all from native varietals. 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino & 15% Colorino, this wine combines traits of Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mike Tyson. Spice-laden aromas that possess penetrating ripe black and red berry fruit, full-frontal exotic spice and underlying balsamic and underbrush aromas. Polished and debonair, but with excellent thrust and dynamic strength. Modern-tinged without ever losing its sense of place, this flamboyant, spice-bomb thrills from the instant that it is poured. Have with roasted meats, maybe with a touch of spice. Drink through 2022.



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2013 ORATOIRE ST-MARTIN
CAIRANNE COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES
'LES DOUYS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

This particular Southern Rhone red is from one of our absolute favorites. Tenth generation winemakers in the village of Cairanne, Francois and Frederic Alary have been in charge since 1984 and are regarded as perhaps the grandest overachievers in all of the southern Rhone, producing wines that really exceed their humble appellation status. The strength of the domaine is its large percentage of old vines, some of which are more than 100 years old and upon that foundation the Alary brothers have built some of the most soulful wines of the entire Rhone Valley. It only helps to serve their cause that they use exceptionally high percentages of the Princess Of Darkness, Mourvedre, in each of their cuvees.

60% Grenache & 40% Mourvedre are the basis of this sinister, structured Cairanne that comes from 70-100 year old vines. Devastating scents of pipe tobacco and leather combine with a potent palate of assorted ripe plums, spice and peppercorns. The wine possesses a very vinous, complex core as well as a long finish that is firm, stout and full of stuffing. Nevertheless, this is a fairly boisterous, rotund wine that requires, or better put, will truly shine with such hearty red meat entrees as grilled lamb, sausages or beef kabobs. With the work that went into bringing out the best qualities of 2013, this wine can be opened and also cellared and enjoyed through 2024.



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2012 CANTINA DEL PINO
BARBARESCO 'OVELLO'
$52.99 BTL./$635.88 CASE

No longer in the shadow of the Produttori del Barbaresco, Renato Vacca, cousin of Aldo, has been producing stellar wines under the Cantina del Pino label for almost 20 years now. We have been working with these wines since their inception. What continues to emerge from this small cellar is ultra-impressive and respective of Barbaresco’s profound terroir.

Ovello is the ‘home’ vineyard of Cantina del Pino and Renato’s version from this Grand Cru Barbaresco site always ages and develops exquisitely. Well-structured, intense, yet ethereal, this wine will become something very special cellar time. Currently, it is clamped down but reveals plenty of aromatics including rose petals and mineral. In the mouth, it is completely locked up (as can be expected from a young Barbaresco). In another 5 years, it will reveal alluring floral aromas, dried berries, camphor and licorice. The texture will ultimately be concentrated, layered and smooth. Think of great Burgundy; the material and prowess are all here. If you want top-drawer Barbaresco, then this is necessary. Drink 2020 – 2028.




FRIDAY SIPS

This Friday July 14 from 1:30 - 6:30

Bastille Day

We are celebrating France’s National Holiday this Friday! No, we won’t be rolling down Barbur Blvd. in a tank while hoisting a baguette, wearing a beret and chain smoking a pack of Galoises. Instead it will be a Tour de France of a tasting featuring wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Beaujolais and Languedoc.

FEATURED WINES:

2012 Chateau Gaillard Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
2014 Pesquier Vacqueyras
2014 Grossot Chablis Premier Cru ‘Fourchaumes’
2015 Clos de la Roilette Fleurie
2016 D’Oupia Minervois Rose






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