Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'COASTER BRAKES' HOTSHEET
BordeauxValue, Library Oregon Riesling, Grand Cru Burgundy & more
2014 CHATEAU BEAUSEJOUR
FRONSAC BORDEAUX ROUGE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
FRONSAC BORDEAUX ROUGE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Over the last 18 months, many of you have come to adore the 2012 vintage from this excellent Bordeaux producer who is located in the Fronsac appellation, not far from St-Emilion. We have been keeping a secret from you - the 2014 is even stronger! Having tasted this wine at the Chateau last year there has been no shortage of anticipation and then re-tasting it in Bordeaux this year; we knew that it would imminently arrive and that you will all adore it!
Coffee, plum, violet and prototype Right Bank energy. Bright undertones and forest floor scents come out along with classic mineral. In the mouth it is suave, stylish and ‘tres Bordelais’. Gentle spices, plenty of fruit and earth, lots of movement and expansion on the surprisingly long finish. This really punches above its weight class. Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Coffee, plum, violet and prototype Right Bank energy. Bright undertones and forest floor scents come out along with classic mineral. In the mouth it is suave, stylish and ‘tres Bordelais’. Gentle spices, plenty of fruit and earth, lots of movement and expansion on the surprisingly long finish. This really punches above its weight class. Drink over the next 5-6 years.
2010 BELLE PENTE RIESLING
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Last week, one of Oregon’s longtime, under the radar great producers made a visit to the shop. It is always great to see Brian O’Donnell but this time he came bearing info regarding a couple of library releases of his excellent dry Riesling. Claiming he held back much more than he could drink, he decided to let some loose and we are all the better for it. Along with Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, Brian has been a keen Riesling master who always makes wines that age impeccably.
2010 is one of our finest vintages and this wine is exceptional. Aromas of pine, oily lemon, blood orange, and a touch of mint. Restrained, very fine and complex, additional notes of ginger and crystalline lemon fruit seduce the palate and follow through to a very ringing finish. Brilliant dimension, this golden-colored dry nectar drinks perfectly and will continue on for many years to come.
2010 is one of our finest vintages and this wine is exceptional. Aromas of pine, oily lemon, blood orange, and a touch of mint. Restrained, very fine and complex, additional notes of ginger and crystalline lemon fruit seduce the palate and follow through to a very ringing finish. Brilliant dimension, this golden-colored dry nectar drinks perfectly and will continue on for many years to come.
2008 BELLE PENTE RIESLING
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Not to be outdone by its younger brother, the 2008 is magnificent as well but is telling a very different, but equally compelling story. It is so cool to be able to get a Riesling that is mature and at optimum complexity and from a damn fine producer, too!
Gorgeous aromatics of mineral, smoke, wet chalkboard and lime blossom. Dry slightly more broadness but still very racy in the mouth with orange, lime and mineral. Finishing long, secondary and with classic old Riesling notes, the sum of it all is that it is scrumptiously delicious. A perfect wine with a wide variety of foods including scallops, pork chops, halibut, or other white fish, although like the 2010, this has fine maturity so avoid the super spicy stuff when pairing with food. Again, while aging nicely it will persevere and develop even further.
Gorgeous aromatics of mineral, smoke, wet chalkboard and lime blossom. Dry slightly more broadness but still very racy in the mouth with orange, lime and mineral. Finishing long, secondary and with classic old Riesling notes, the sum of it all is that it is scrumptiously delicious. A perfect wine with a wide variety of foods including scallops, pork chops, halibut, or other white fish, although like the 2010, this has fine maturity so avoid the super spicy stuff when pairing with food. Again, while aging nicely it will persevere and develop even further.
2012 CASTELLO DI MONSANTO
CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
What an unfortunate set of circumstances with the name, however, this Monsanto is known for non-genetically engineered wines and generally screwing up everything in its wake. You won't find an ear sprouting off the side of the bottle, nor would you ever accuse this benchmark property of producing mass-produced wines that are made from a recipe book!
Aside from a stretch in the late 90s and 2000s where there was a movement towards modernity, since 1961, the wines have been deservedly glorified by so many Tuscan wine lovers. These wines reflect their unique Tuscan terroir along with having strong Sangiovese character as well as beautiful finesse as well. If you were to grab an Italian dictionary, look up Chianti Classico, you probably would see a picture of Monsanto! Full bodied, refined, and teeming with harmonious red berries and appealing mineral notes and underbrush. The finish is super long, tangy and true to its Barberino Val d’Elsa terroir. Very good now, but will age beautifully for 5-8 more years as well.
Aside from a stretch in the late 90s and 2000s where there was a movement towards modernity, since 1961, the wines have been deservedly glorified by so many Tuscan wine lovers. These wines reflect their unique Tuscan terroir along with having strong Sangiovese character as well as beautiful finesse as well. If you were to grab an Italian dictionary, look up Chianti Classico, you probably would see a picture of Monsanto! Full bodied, refined, and teeming with harmonious red berries and appealing mineral notes and underbrush. The finish is super long, tangy and true to its Barberino Val d’Elsa terroir. Very good now, but will age beautifully for 5-8 more years as well.
2014 EDGEBASTION 'PEPPER POT'
SYRAH BLEND
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
SYRAH BLEND
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
A delicious, hearty red blend from South Africa's Stellenbosch, Paarl and Elgin regions that is chock full of flavor and South African individuality. 80% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre, 3% Grenache and 11% Tannat with ample character that upholds the wine's moniker of pepper pot. Violet, plum, smoke, freshly ground white pepper herbs and licorice dominate the nose while in the mouth, full, spicy, smooth-flowing flavors take hold. Very drinkable now and over the next 2-3 years with grilled anything.
2013 DESVIGNES MORGON 'JAVERNIERES'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Not only one of Beaujolais’s most prolific producers, Domaine Desvignes is one of France’s wine treasures and their Morgon Cru wines are what is so righteous about the good that is currently occurring within Beaujolais. It is the farmers who are exciting and not the negociants like Boy Georges Duboeuf and his banana juice!
Javernieres is a sub cru located on the lower portion of the Py hillside in Morgon. 2013 is a fabulous vintage and this particular offering, is starting to unfold beautifully. Don’t think that it is all fruit, the old vines, soil and general makeup of this wine allows it to age impeccably. When it comes to Morgon and the sheer amounts of iron oxide in the soils of this cuvee, this takes on these aspects but there is almost a streak of Cote-Rotie inspiration in the glass. Monumental aromas that are very French possess pronounced minerality, perfume, olive, smoked meat and raspberry that sing from the glass. Very exquisite, this is virtual Grand cru Beaujolais with generosity and richness all while maintaining its poised and debonair traits. Layered and old-viney, but never becoming thick or over the top, it finishes with lovely pomegranate, graham, serious earthy and energetic stoniness and spiciness on the coating, detailed finish.
Javernieres is a sub cru located on the lower portion of the Py hillside in Morgon. 2013 is a fabulous vintage and this particular offering, is starting to unfold beautifully. Don’t think that it is all fruit, the old vines, soil and general makeup of this wine allows it to age impeccably. When it comes to Morgon and the sheer amounts of iron oxide in the soils of this cuvee, this takes on these aspects but there is almost a streak of Cote-Rotie inspiration in the glass. Monumental aromas that are very French possess pronounced minerality, perfume, olive, smoked meat and raspberry that sing from the glass. Very exquisite, this is virtual Grand cru Beaujolais with generosity and richness all while maintaining its poised and debonair traits. Layered and old-viney, but never becoming thick or over the top, it finishes with lovely pomegranate, graham, serious earthy and energetic stoniness and spiciness on the coating, detailed finish.
2016 ADEGAS ALGUIERA
RIBERA SACRA BLANCO 'BRANDAN'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
RIBERA SACRA BLANCO 'BRANDAN'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
One of the most stunning landscapes in Spain is located in the Galician area of Ribeira Sacra (Sacred Banks). This region dates back to the Romans who excavated the many terraces still present today. The most important grapes are Godello, Albariño and Treixadura for white wines and Mencía, Brancellao and Merenzao for reds. Adega Algueira is a prominent grower, established in this small region for 30 years. Lately many Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain have claimed discovery of these wines and deservedly so, they are smashing.
Paying tribute to the region’s Celtic lineage, the name Brandan comes from the Celtic warlord who originally settled this NW area of Spain. 100% Godello from 30-80 year old vines, this cuvee is a hell of a white wine deal that is a pure palate-pleaser. Lemon, pear, blossom and flinty scents open the show. On the palate, there is crisp electricity, a medium body and a velvety mouthfeel. Lemon and apple flavors together with some background rocky character captivate and luxuriate on the teeming, persistent follow through.
Paying tribute to the region’s Celtic lineage, the name Brandan comes from the Celtic warlord who originally settled this NW area of Spain. 100% Godello from 30-80 year old vines, this cuvee is a hell of a white wine deal that is a pure palate-pleaser. Lemon, pear, blossom and flinty scents open the show. On the palate, there is crisp electricity, a medium body and a velvety mouthfeel. Lemon and apple flavors together with some background rocky character captivate and luxuriate on the teeming, persistent follow through.
2013 JEAN-MARC MILLOT
VOSNE-ROMANEE
$59.99 BTL. - LIMITED!
VOSNE-ROMANEE
$59.99 BTL. - LIMITED!
Jean-Marc Millot, who looks a bit like Beaker from the Muppet Show, has small, but very formidable holdings in and around the village of Vosne-Romanée. There are no tractors employed at chez Millot, everything is done by horse and plow in these old vineyards.
Not much of this Vosne Romanee is produced and the vines are quite old. Major triage in the winery has led to a fabulous, overachieving village level wine. Candied ceps, red licorice whip, pomegranate, cedar and alluring red flowers with an underlying serious deep sensuality just waiting to be released. Classic and classy red spice, flowers, with a warm and savory note that sets off the cool red tones beautifully adding an extra level of complexity. This elegant and sexy glass of pinot seriously needs a fine dish and preferably, a little bit of time in the cellar. Drink 2019 - 2027.
Not much of this Vosne Romanee is produced and the vines are quite old. Major triage in the winery has led to a fabulous, overachieving village level wine. Candied ceps, red licorice whip, pomegranate, cedar and alluring red flowers with an underlying serious deep sensuality just waiting to be released. Classic and classy red spice, flowers, with a warm and savory note that sets off the cool red tones beautifully adding an extra level of complexity. This elegant and sexy glass of pinot seriously needs a fine dish and preferably, a little bit of time in the cellar. Drink 2019 - 2027.
2013 JEAN-MARC MILLOT
ECHEZEAUX GRAND CRU
$149.99 BTL. - LIMITED!
ECHEZEAUX GRAND CRU
$149.99 BTL. - LIMITED!
The only thing Bryan likes more than trying to run over hipsters is great Grand Cru Burgundy. Alas, these examples in the Cotes-de-Nuit are headed to the stratosphere when it comes to pricing, and while $150 is not cheap, it is a bargain, especially since I was offered another producer’s Echezeaux last week that will sell for $385.
Jean-Marc Millot's 2013 Echezeaux highlights aromas that come at you in waves. Classic exotic spiciness and floral character shine, although its youthful oak components lurk about. More blackberry-compote arrives as it sits in the glass. Powerfully textured with unabashed Grand Cru depth and personality, however, there is pronounced suaveness that is sleeping beneath all of the primary components. The finish is young and as to be expected, slammed tight with big league material all rolled up into a ball just waiting to unwind. This is superb juice and will require a bit of patience. Give this godlike genius Grand Cru until 2022 and drink through 2035+. Serious Grand Vin Indeed!
Jean-Marc Millot's 2013 Echezeaux highlights aromas that come at you in waves. Classic exotic spiciness and floral character shine, although its youthful oak components lurk about. More blackberry-compote arrives as it sits in the glass. Powerfully textured with unabashed Grand Cru depth and personality, however, there is pronounced suaveness that is sleeping beneath all of the primary components. The finish is young and as to be expected, slammed tight with big league material all rolled up into a ball just waiting to unwind. This is superb juice and will require a bit of patience. Give this godlike genius Grand Cru until 2022 and drink through 2035+. Serious Grand Vin Indeed!
FRIDAY SIPS
This Friday July 28 from 1:30 - 6:30
New Italian Arrivals Poured By Pancetta
Drop in this Friday to sample new wines and new vintages as well as to celebrate Bryan’s 19th anniversary at The Cellar Door. Todd ‘Pancetta’ Bacon will be pouring a lineup of excellent Italian wines that are not only great for summer but will be fetching the year round. Todd will arrive at 3:30 but I’ll have the wines open at 1:30 for those who wish to come early.
FEATURED WINES:
2012 Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva
2016 Cominciole Chiaretto
2016 Girlan Alto Adige Pinot Bianco
2016 Girlan Alto Adige Sauvignon Blanc
