Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S '5 REDS & 5 WHITES' HOTSHEET
Felsina Riserva Chianti, Bold Cab Blend, Rhone, Pinot Blanc & more


Five Red Wine Selections

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2015 BOISSON CAIRANNE
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

In his late 30s, the very outgoing Bruno Boisson is at the helm of this Cairanne-based Domaine that has roots going back to the 19th century. This is also one of the fabulous tastings to experience if you ever find yourself visiting the Southern Rhone Valley. The Cotes-du-Rhone region of Cairanne represents some of the finest, cellar-worthy values in the entirety of the Rhone and of France. 2015 will be the last vintage for Cotes-du-Rhone status as the region accomplished a well-deserved promotion to Appellation Cru status. Commencing with the 2016 vintage it will be labeled only as Cairanne versus Cotes-du-Rhone Village Cairanne.

All of us Rhone wine enthusiasts are in for quite a thrill ride with both the 2015 and 2016 vintages. This blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah & 10% Mourvedre is mighty impressive. Lavishly powerful while remaining well suited to the finesseful palate because of its supple mouthfeel; this is a hell of a glass of red wine with immense appeal. Serious garrigue notes of lavender, thyme, roasted blackberry and pronounced rosemary notes. Voluptuous upon entry with lots of kirsch flavors in the mouth with plenty of spine. Telltale Cairanne dimension here with its backbone and almost wind-blown qualities. Brilliantly focused, generous finish that is laden with white pepper. Drink it through 2023+.



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2014 TASCA D'ALMRITA
NERO D'AVOLA 'LAMURI'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Lamuri, or "love" in Sicilian dialect, is Tasca d'Almerita's most luscious, fruit forward, youthful Nero d'Avola. Truth told, all factions of wine drinkers will love Lamuri. Tasca D'Almarita has been doing lovely wine for quite some time now, and the newest version of Lamuri impressed us to no end when we sampled it.

Sicily in a bottle, its savory and feral aromas gently give way to pronounced plum, licorice and warm earth tones. Texturally, it is generous, detailed and dry with excellent firmness, structure and length. The licorice, along with Moroccan-spice and smoke come out on the superb, vibrant and refined finish. We recommend having it over the next 4-6 years with roasted game or hard pecorino-like cheeses.



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2014 FABRE MONTMAYOU
MALBEC RESERVA
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

The ever so cluttered world of Malbec from Argentina runs the entire gamut of both price ranges and styles. Henri Joyaux Fabre is from Bordeaux and having arrived to Argentina in the 90s, has become one of the country’s most exciting producers.

The biggest reason we love these wines is the sense of balance to the wines. Certainly full flavored as expected but they exhibit fruit and detail all while never drowned in a bunch of oak. Coming from three Mendoza sub-regions, safe to say, the newly arrived 2014 rocks! Pristine and pure aromas of black licorice, graphite, blackberry, herbs and spices. Lush and bold with underlying firmness. The regalness that this cat obtained from being Bordelaise is definitely present here. The finish has plenty of freshness and red tones that call you back for another glass, another bottle or another case. Drink now and drink lots!



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2012 MEERLUST 'RUBICON'
STELLENBOSCH CABERNET BLEND
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

Meerlust is one of South Africa's oldest and most distinguished wine estates, with a viticultural history dating back to 1756. Leading the estate since 1982 is Hannes Myburgh, 8th generation owner of Meerlust, the historical significance is not lost.

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, this Bordeaux-inspired blend is one of South Africa's most important and iconic wines. Symmetrical aromas of crème de cassis, bing cherry, earth, Havanas and cedar box are what you find on this very serious nose. Somewhat reminiscent of a fine St-Julien (did someone say South Africa's Leoville?) with its bold, layered core of fruit and finesseful structure. Chewy and mouthcoating tannins frame the assertive and lavish fruit perfectly and follow through to a lengthy uber-fine finish to make this an unusually early-accessible Rubicon. Do not be fooled this will live and grow in complexity for another 10-15 years. Aerate this beauty and have at it with a meaty mushroom dish, roasted lamb chops or a serious steak. One of the greats of the world and in our top echelon for red wines of South Africa.



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2012 FATTORIA DI FELSINA
CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
SPECIAL - $27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

Fattoria di Felsina is one of the greatest and most profound of all Tuscan and Chianti properties. The style here is one of power due to prime plots in the southern area of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Felsina first gained fame for doing away with the lesser quality varietals of Chianti and bottling 100% Sangiovese wines in the 80s when it was still illegal to do so. Many consider this as both innovative and maverick, but we consider it genius because over the last 25+ years, Felsina is undoubtedly one of our favorite and greatest Chianti producers.

Here is a special chance to score some bottles at a special price from a vintage that certainly has no shortage of penetration, power and persistence. The 2012 is everything that top Chianti Riserva should be. Layered and loaded the aspects of both terroir and Felsina's distinction. Subtle hints of cedar, thyme, earth, and plenty of chocolate covered red fruit, glimpses of mint and tobacco add complexity and bring everything into its full, upright position. In the mouth, it is succulent, deep and complete showing deceptive structure and weight from start to finish. There's plenty of dramatic material throughout this wine that allows for nice access, but with some age, it will develop and smooth out even more. Felsina's Riserva is a true Tuscan gem and very fairly priced given its outstanding quality. Anyone who has traveled to Tuscany or loves Italian reds should make a point to experience this particular Chianti. Drink now through 2025 with roasted lamb seasoned with Italian herbs and spices.




Five White Wine Selections

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2014 SEVEN OF HEARTS CHARDONNAY
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

Located in Carlton, Byron Dooley's Seven of Hearts operation is quite impressive. Making upwards of 30+ different selections all in miniscule parcels, this small operation has grape sources in both Oregon and Washington. It has been quite a while since we featured the Seven of Hearts Chardonnay but after a visit from Byron last week, it was a gentle reminder of just how good and fairly priced it is.

Two vineyards in two growing regions (Eola-Amity and Yamhill-Carlton) and aged in a combination of oak barrels (10% new) and stainless steel, this Chardonnay is a delight so toss aside your thoughts of ooey gooey buttery Cali-Chard. Subtle aromas of tangerine, creamy pear, subtle spice and mineral fill the glass with a touch of smoke in the background for added complexity. These sultry scents follow seamlessly filling the mouth the pushing onto a long uplifting finish. This is a great wine for roasted poultry, mushroom dishes and an impressive one to sip all on its own.



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2013 CIRO PICARIELLO
FIANO D'AVELLINO 'CIRO 906'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Whether France, Italy, Spain or the New World, Ciro Picariello’s special cuvee Fiano D'Avellino ‘Ciro 906’ is one of the most intriguing and pleasing white wines that I have tasted thus far in 2017. Because of the cool microclimate, 1800-foot elevation and due to the poor volcanic soils, 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.

A young estate founded in 1997, the Ciro 906 comes from a single vineyard that is the highest elevated site on the property and only 300 or so cases are produced. Aged 12 months in stainless steel tanks then a further 6 months in bottle before release, one sniff of this wine reveals its striking qualities. 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.



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2015 VIA ARXENTIA MONTERREI BLANCO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Geographically, the remote Galician region of Monterrei sits right on the border of Portugal and is currently home to some very intriguing and very satisfying wines, both red and white. After toiling in cellars for 15 years, Manuel Guerra Justa is realizing his dream with his own wines from his 8.5 acres estate known as Via Arxentia.

Made from equal portions of the native Godello and Treixadura grapes, subtle aromas of white grapefruit, lemon, ginger, minerals, peach, nutmeg and earth lead into a vinous texture that possesses superb delineation and zestiness. The slow-building finish is very long, subtle, with saline soil tones and terrific grip. This one is too tempting to pass up. Have it with grilled tuna, smoked salmon, or spicy shrimp dishes.



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2015 ROLAND SCHMITT PINOT BLANC
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Lately it seems as though Alsace has become somewhat of a forgotten region within the wine realm mostly because how is one able to decipher whether the wine that you are about to uncork is dry or sweet? Still we proceed and be your guide because we believe in the best here and always on our minds are the terrific, bone-dry and food-friendly wines that come from this area.

Located in the northern stretches of Alsace, 17 miles east of Strasbourg, Roland Schmitt is an award-winning producer who really crafts happiness with their wines. Domaine Schmitt’s Pinot Blanc is a fine expression of the clay-limestone-gypsum soils present to the area. Blazing with honeysuckle, lemon/apple, brioche and prominent wet-stone mineral. Lovely fragrance and purity give way to a texture that is broad, dry and succulent with sweeping brisk citrus tones that cut through the depth like a super-sharp knife. The finish is long and very pleasurable. Drink with white meats, sausages or hearty seafood dishes like scallops in a cream sauce.




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2015 LES PERLES VIOGNIER
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Year in and year out, we are amazed at just how over-delivering this Viognier truly is and version 2015 of this perennial best-buy white's rose, lavender and lily aromas give strong varietal character.

Like the majority of their white wines, Les Perles Viognier is made without oak. Explosive aromas of peach-blossom, orange zest, mineral and spice follow into a texture that is concentrated, yet possesses plenty of cool brisk tones. Plenty of spice, which is natural for Viognier, creeps through on the finish. While we would all love to drink Condrieu as an everyday Viognier, at $60 per bottle, that isn't exactly pragmatic. Instead, throw back some bottles of this impeccable summer-sipper with Latin-inspired seafood dishes.




FRIDAY SIPS

FRIDAY, APRIL 14 FROM 1:30 – 6:30

FABULOUS PRE-HOLIDAY FOUR WINE FRIDAY

Join us this Friday as we delve into another pre-holiday, seamless and themeless Friday tasting. Four wines, all hailing from different parts of the world that are designed to please bunches of varying palates.

FEATURED SELECTIONS:

2015 Cameron Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge
2015 Filliatreau Saumur ‘Chateau Fouquet’
2013 Ciro Picariello Fiano D’Avellino ‘Ciro 906’
2012 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva






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