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2013 POLIZIANO
VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
[reg. $35.99]
SPECIAL - $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
[reg. $35.99]
SPECIAL - $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
One of the Big Four of the Tuscan village of Montepulciano, the neo-classical stylings of Poliziano are always some of our most popular offerings. Year in and year out, Federico Carletti delivers broad wines of texture done with modern practices yet somehow these wines never lose their definition of origin.
The specialty of the house at Poliziano is their exquisite Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Poliziano's 2013 Nobile di Montepulciano's classic beauty woos you in from the first waft of violet, lush cherry, raspberry and sweet roasted Tuscan herbs. All about elegance and balance in the mouth and echoed by intense depth of flavor, alluring spice from a perfect use of oak and fine grained tannins beautifully frame the wine's rich fruit and resounding detail of origin. The quality of this wine is reinforced on the finish, as the depth and expansion of flavor lingers on the palate. Opening one now with a hearty meal wouldn't be a crime but this delicious wine will continue to develop through 2025.
The specialty of the house at Poliziano is their exquisite Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Poliziano's 2013 Nobile di Montepulciano's classic beauty woos you in from the first waft of violet, lush cherry, raspberry and sweet roasted Tuscan herbs. All about elegance and balance in the mouth and echoed by intense depth of flavor, alluring spice from a perfect use of oak and fine grained tannins beautifully frame the wine's rich fruit and resounding detail of origin. The quality of this wine is reinforced on the finish, as the depth and expansion of flavor lingers on the palate. Opening one now with a hearty meal wouldn't be a crime but this delicious wine will continue to develop through 2025.
2015 ORATOIRE SAINT-MARTIN
COTES-DU-RHONE 'P'TIT GARS'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
COTES-DU-RHONE 'P'TIT GARS'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
It just seems as though that a firehose of excellent grower Cotes-du-Rhone that has been opened. In addition to the numerous versions that we have featured since the start of the year, we now are on to our first 2015 and it is from one of our absolute favorites. 10th 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. This particular Cotes-du-Rhone took on a name change; P’tit Gars (or little dudes) is what the brothers were known as while growing up in the village. The wine is from 2015 and is anything but little. A full throttle vintage, 2015 is the finest since 2010 (and 2016 may be even better)!
Pronounced exotic spice, sandalwood, lavender, smoke, Italian plum and pepper on the nose is followed by a substantial texture that is dry, pure, concentrated and red. The finish is firm, palate staining, revealing plenty of hot-rock aspects. Early on this is drinking exquisitely and suggested pairings would be anything from barbecued ribs to roasted duck, a fat steak or grilled, spicy Italian sausages. Drink over the next 4-5 years. Oratoire St-Martin’s wines have always been important to me here at The Cellar Door before for almost 19 years, and this producer merits attention from any lover of Châteauneuf, Gigondas, etc. If you want to know more about the single cuvees, their quality and pricing, shoot me an e-mail, they are available.
Pronounced exotic spice, sandalwood, lavender, smoke, Italian plum and pepper on the nose is followed by a substantial texture that is dry, pure, concentrated and red. The finish is firm, palate staining, revealing plenty of hot-rock aspects. Early on this is drinking exquisitely and suggested pairings would be anything from barbecued ribs to roasted duck, a fat steak or grilled, spicy Italian sausages. Drink over the next 4-5 years. Oratoire St-Martin’s wines have always been important to me here at The Cellar Door before for almost 19 years, and this producer merits attention from any lover of Châteauneuf, Gigondas, etc. If you want to know more about the single cuvees, their quality and pricing, shoot me an e-mail, they are available.
2014 STAG'S LEAP WINE CELLARS
CHARDONNAY 'KARIA'
[reg. $46.99]
SPECIAL - $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
CHARDONNAY 'KARIA'
[reg. $46.99]
SPECIAL - $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
Established in 1970 and one of the winners of the Judgment of Paris, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is Napa influence supremacy. If not for this place well, you get the picture. Buttery yet balanced, there are some rather upscale traits going on here.
Orange creamsicle, almond croissant, tangerine, buttered popcorn and vanilla aromas abound. Generous, unapologetic Cali-Chardonnay with plenty of toast and creamy flavors that are kept in balance with a hint of uplifting, ripe citrus flavors. One to enjoy over the next 5-6 years with roasted poultry, creamy pasta preps or on its own.
Orange creamsicle, almond croissant, tangerine, buttered popcorn and vanilla aromas abound. Generous, unapologetic Cali-Chardonnay with plenty of toast and creamy flavors that are kept in balance with a hint of uplifting, ripe citrus flavors. One to enjoy over the next 5-6 years with roasted poultry, creamy pasta preps or on its own.
2015 LUBERRI RIOJA 'ORLEGI'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
A delicious value red, Luberri’s Orlegi Rioja is aged entirely in stainless steel. Packed with clean, pure Tempranillo aromas of strawberry along with hints of earth, smoke and white pepper, it is quite the middleweight charmer. Savory flavors with surprising dimension, this clean red glimmers with plenty of juicy, mouth-watering notes throughout. Very pleasing indeed, this is a great red for grilled fish.
2015 TOUR DU BON
BANDOL ROSE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
BANDOL ROSE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
It is time to toss aside the archaic thought of solely drinking Rosé wine in summer. In all honesty, many pink wines show even better after summer and into the following year. If after tasting this and your mentality hasn't changed then I recommend that you go home, kick your furnace up to 84 degrees and uncork some bottles of this stellar dry pink wine to get you in the mid-winter spirit!
As is always the case, Bandol Rose always shows better with a bit of age and Tour du Bon’s is no exception. Directly pressed, sans malo-lactic fermentation and from shear limestone on a plateau in the Bandol region, there is not only ample depth and personality, there is lightning in the bottle. Aromatically expressive, illuminating and glowing from the glass, there is an abundance of strawberry, mineral and savory fennel notes. In the mouth, it is intense, elevated, super-succulent and inviting from start to finish. Drink over the next year with savory fish dishes loaded up with some sort of tomato based salsa.
As is always the case, Bandol Rose always shows better with a bit of age and Tour du Bon’s is no exception. Directly pressed, sans malo-lactic fermentation and from shear limestone on a plateau in the Bandol region, there is not only ample depth and personality, there is lightning in the bottle. Aromatically expressive, illuminating and glowing from the glass, there is an abundance of strawberry, mineral and savory fennel notes. In the mouth, it is intense, elevated, super-succulent and inviting from start to finish. Drink over the next year with savory fish dishes loaded up with some sort of tomato based salsa.
2010 COSIMO TAURINO
SALENTO ROSSO 'NOTARPANARO'
$13.99 BTL./$83.94 - SIX PACK
SALENTO ROSSO 'NOTARPANARO'
$13.99 BTL./$83.94 - SIX PACK
Cosimo Taurono is the name that put the wines of Puglia on the map. For such a long time, this estate produced magical wines that epitomized Southern Italy. A downturn in quality occurred in the 90s and up until recently, this great estate was whizzing against the wind sometimes making wines that were quite nice and sometimes making wines that were one-step away from battery acid. Enter a new generation and currently, these wines are back on form and are reminiscent of the great values that we once knew while coming up in the biz and drinking copious amounts of them.
Notarpanaro comes from the name of the original farm on which the Taurino family commenced their winemaking ventures. This particular cuvee comes from a single parcel, is 100% Negroamaro, and truly deserves your attention. mountain berries, plum, allspice, almond allspice and cedar/tobacco characteristics unfold from the glass. In the mouth the dry and nuanced flavors coat the mouth and reveal tones that make one think of the fleshy, vibrant portion of the cherry that is right around the stone. The finish draws out and somersaults into being textbook, yet upscale Southern Italian with its tangy, earthy, spicy qualities and wild red fruits. Pair this delicious wine with slow roasted meats, perhaps something with a spicy Asian influence, but in all truthfulness, it shines best with pizza.
Notarpanaro comes from the name of the original farm on which the Taurino family commenced their winemaking ventures. This particular cuvee comes from a single parcel, is 100% Negroamaro, and truly deserves your attention. mountain berries, plum, allspice, almond allspice and cedar/tobacco characteristics unfold from the glass. In the mouth the dry and nuanced flavors coat the mouth and reveal tones that make one think of the fleshy, vibrant portion of the cherry that is right around the stone. The finish draws out and somersaults into being textbook, yet upscale Southern Italian with its tangy, earthy, spicy qualities and wild red fruits. Pair this delicious wine with slow roasted meats, perhaps something with a spicy Asian influence, but in all truthfulness, it shines best with pizza.
2014 PAUL PRIEUR SANCERRE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
I recently had a bottle of this excellent Sancerre and it was so delicious that it just had to be featured again! Based in the Sancerre village of Verdigny, the Prieur family have been growers in this famed Loire region for 11 generations and are cerebral assassins when it comes to this area’s famed Sauvignon Blanc. The obstacle course of soils (caillote, which is light limestone, silex flint and terre blanche clay/limestone) that this estate owns produces a novella of Sancerre terroir and is not a wine that reveals answers to your questions, but rather one whose complexity keeps you asking questions!
Above the norm, a virtual mosaic of aromas including mineral, iodine, brine, blossom, smoke, lemongrass and more mineral caress from the glass. In the mouth, this is lyrical Sancerre with prominent sophistication and never strays from its Sancerre sensibilities or paunchiness. The finish is classic, flinty, steely, soil driven and really hangs around making it a beautiful match with salmon but also will pair with halibut cheeks in sauce or a high-class goat cheese.
Above the norm, a virtual mosaic of aromas including mineral, iodine, brine, blossom, smoke, lemongrass and more mineral caress from the glass. In the mouth, this is lyrical Sancerre with prominent sophistication and never strays from its Sancerre sensibilities or paunchiness. The finish is classic, flinty, steely, soil driven and really hangs around making it a beautiful match with salmon but also will pair with halibut cheeks in sauce or a high-class goat cheese.
2014 LONG SHADOWS
FEATHER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
FEATHER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
In the early 2000s, Napa Valley vintner, Randy Dunn, joined up with the Long Shadows project and brought his artistry and expertise to Washington State to produce small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley's finest vineyards. His reputation for producing world-class Cabernet spans more than four decades. After making wines at Caymus from 1975-1985, Randy established Dunn Vineyards on Howell Mountain where he continues to create distinctive wines of high acclaim.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 vintage produced wines with exceptional color and rich, complex flavors. Deep crimson colored with pure and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon character. Generous aromas and flavors of dark fruits, violets, coffee and toasted herbs combine with a textured mid-palate to deliver a big, yet focused, wine with polished tannins and persistent finish. Will drink well and develop nicely for 15-20 years.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 vintage produced wines with exceptional color and rich, complex flavors. Deep crimson colored with pure and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon character. Generous aromas and flavors of dark fruits, violets, coffee and toasted herbs combine with a textured mid-palate to deliver a big, yet focused, wine with polished tannins and persistent finish. Will drink well and develop nicely for 15-20 years.
