Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'COMBINATION PLATTER' HOTSHEET
95 point Barolo, French Chardonnay, Rioja, Malbec & more
2015 VINCENT MOREY
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
A legendary name for top-tier wine in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet, this French Chardonnay is always one of our most popular white wines. This tag is resoundingly justified because it’s an utterly delicious drink that emulates traits of its bigger siblings that Vincent Morey makes from Chassagne-Montrachet.
Last year Karen, Michael and I visited Vincent at his Domaine, had the chance to taste this wine from barrel, and were duly impressed. Now that it has arrived, we are immensely pleased and you will be as well. Once poured in the glass, it is like a song that builds and builds. Starts with some restraint and builds into more dramatic and symphonic qualities. Buttered popcorn is followed by orange-blossom, lemon, tinges of rosemary and gunflint. Engaging spice tones arrive. The mouth shows everything that 2015 has to offer! Power, depth, class and superb balance and lift. The finish parachutes and brings it back to earth with its lively, linear citrus/spice tones that have wonderful depth and pleasantly stick around for a long time well after the wine is swallowed. Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Last year Karen, Michael and I visited Vincent at his Domaine, had the chance to taste this wine from barrel, and were duly impressed. Now that it has arrived, we are immensely pleased and you will be as well. Once poured in the glass, it is like a song that builds and builds. Starts with some restraint and builds into more dramatic and symphonic qualities. Buttered popcorn is followed by orange-blossom, lemon, tinges of rosemary and gunflint. Engaging spice tones arrive. The mouth shows everything that 2015 has to offer! Power, depth, class and superb balance and lift. The finish parachutes and brings it back to earth with its lively, linear citrus/spice tones that have wonderful depth and pleasantly stick around for a long time well after the wine is swallowed. Drink over the next 4-5 years.
2015 BOSCARELLI 'PRUNGOLO'
ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO
$20.99 BTL./$125.94 - SIX PACK
ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO
$20.99 BTL./$125.94 - SIX PACK
When pressed to answer the question of who is the best in any given growing region, the answer is always a difficult one. Even in the Tuscan village of Montepulciano, there would be debate between four but in my humble opinion, it seems as the De Ferrari family has pulled out front of the many terrific producers of this area.
Prugnolo Gentile is the name of the clone of Sangiovese utilized in the village of Montepulciano and 90% is utilized in this Rosso that outdoes many others Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Trademark, gorgeous perfume with notes of black cherry liqueur, tobacco, jam, and white pepper. In the mouth, this overachieves with lushness and has plenty of cherry fruit, red currants, leather, and a very long finish. While this manages to maintain the power of Tuscany, it avoids being one of those big 15% alcohol monsters. A beautiful wine, and one of the finest values of the Montepulciano appellation and even more so given that 2015 is shaping up to be a great vintage for the area. Enjoy this hearty, toothsome red over the next 5-6 years with a paparadelle pasta tossed with a meat ragu.
Prugnolo Gentile is the name of the clone of Sangiovese utilized in the village of Montepulciano and 90% is utilized in this Rosso that outdoes many others Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Trademark, gorgeous perfume with notes of black cherry liqueur, tobacco, jam, and white pepper. In the mouth, this overachieves with lushness and has plenty of cherry fruit, red currants, leather, and a very long finish. While this manages to maintain the power of Tuscany, it avoids being one of those big 15% alcohol monsters. A beautiful wine, and one of the finest values of the Montepulciano appellation and even more so given that 2015 is shaping up to be a great vintage for the area. Enjoy this hearty, toothsome red over the next 5-6 years with a paparadelle pasta tossed with a meat ragu.
2014 RENEGADE WINE CO.
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
Something Washington (and American wine in general for that matter) is sorely lacking are good quality, everyday drinking wines that are not ‘concocted’ by some idiot marketing department that is focus group-driven. Renegade wine company is that value oriented project done by Walla Walla-based stalwart Sleight of Hand and winemaker Trey Busch. Simply put, these wines, both this white label and the black label varietal wines below show absurdly insane quality for their humble price points.
Rengade Red was the first born for this venture and we’ve been touting it for many years. 2014 was a warm vintage and this blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec & 5% Cabermet Franc is quite a flavorful 11 buck treat. Black cherry, underlying cocoa tones and fine herbs shine on the nose. Flavorful and all about texture in the mouth, this classy & sassy red is layered with lots of movement and various flavor aspects. Drawn-out, lingering and possessing sneaky substance on the back end.
Rengade Red was the first born for this venture and we’ve been touting it for many years. 2014 was a warm vintage and this blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec & 5% Cabermet Franc is quite a flavorful 11 buck treat. Black cherry, underlying cocoa tones and fine herbs shine on the nose. Flavorful and all about texture in the mouth, this classy & sassy red is layered with lots of movement and various flavor aspects. Drawn-out, lingering and possessing sneaky substance on the back end.
2014 BODEGAS NOEMIA MALBEC
'A LISA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'A LISA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
One of the world's southernmost wine growing regions is quickly and quietly becoming a rising force. With its various microclimates, Patagonia is one of the world's unique wine areas because here Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Pinot Noir are all cultivated and done very well and now are forging their own identities in the wine world. Bodega Noemia have risen to being one of the 2 or 3 leaders of this area and their Malbecs are outstanding, particularly their least expensive offering.
The 2014 is out of this world possessing brightness and lift from this temperate region with really offsets the telltale ripeness and generosity that the grape naturally brings to the table. Layered and laden with blueberry, anise, ample red floral undertones and vanilla bean all round this delightful, mouthfilling, warm winter red. Accolades abound, this wine has scored 93 points from both Decanter Magazine and Wine & Spirits Magazine.
The 2014 is out of this world possessing brightness and lift from this temperate region with really offsets the telltale ripeness and generosity that the grape naturally brings to the table. Layered and laden with blueberry, anise, ample red floral undertones and vanilla bean all round this delightful, mouthfilling, warm winter red. Accolades abound, this wine has scored 93 points from both Decanter Magazine and Wine & Spirits Magazine.
2012 CUNE RIOJA CRIANZA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
CVNE (Cia Viñacola Del Norte De España, or Cune) is one of the most important producers of Rioja wine. Founded in 1879, and unbeknownst to many, these wines really sneak under the radar when it comes to Rioja. The valor of Cune's mantra of maintaining elegance and class in Rioja Alta is very admirable and still after 120+ years, still holds up to this day.
Tempranillo dominated as usual (85%), pronounced, warm spiced earth surrounds perfumy strawberry scents. More and more Rioja spice unfurls as it opens with a nice combination of fine, fleshy fruit aromas and traditional, savory flavors. Lush, classy and forward along with pronounced red licorice-whip on the finish, this is a way above-average everyday red.
Tempranillo dominated as usual (85%), pronounced, warm spiced earth surrounds perfumy strawberry scents. More and more Rioja spice unfurls as it opens with a nice combination of fine, fleshy fruit aromas and traditional, savory flavors. Lush, classy and forward along with pronounced red licorice-whip on the finish, this is a way above-average everyday red.
2012 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN ZINFANDEL
'MAYACAMAS RANGE'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
'MAYACAMAS RANGE'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
2012 marks Storybook Mountain's 36th vintage from California's native varietal. Mayacamas Ranch is their Napa Valley Estate containing the first plots planted in 1880. 2012 is also a spectacular vintage for Zinfandel.
This particular offering is quite wonderful in its youth with forward flavors of fresh blackberry, raspberry, baked pie, classic spice and roasted earth. There's also a hint of exotic dried sweet herbs and spice adding complexity to this blanketing red. Mouthfilling and long lasting on the palate, with great food-friendly restraint and balance, the ripe tannins frame the perfumed fruit perfectly. By no means is this wine undrinkable now, in fact it’s almost too smooth early on!! This is a great red for grilled steak and hearty, slow-cooked tomato-based stews with olives and eggplant. Storybook Mountain's Zins also have a real propensity to age and actually gain richness…no problem to lay a few bottles away and uncork them in a decade.
This particular offering is quite wonderful in its youth with forward flavors of fresh blackberry, raspberry, baked pie, classic spice and roasted earth. There's also a hint of exotic dried sweet herbs and spice adding complexity to this blanketing red. Mouthfilling and long lasting on the palate, with great food-friendly restraint and balance, the ripe tannins frame the perfumed fruit perfectly. By no means is this wine undrinkable now, in fact it’s almost too smooth early on!! This is a great red for grilled steak and hearty, slow-cooked tomato-based stews with olives and eggplant. Storybook Mountain's Zins also have a real propensity to age and actually gain richness…no problem to lay a few bottles away and uncork them in a decade.
2008 FANTINO BAROLO RISERVA
'BUSSIA - CASCINA DARDI
$53.99 BTL./$659.88 CASE
'BUSSIA - CASCINA DARDI
$53.99 BTL./$659.88 CASE
As part owner of the famed Barolo producer Bartolo Mascarello, Alessandro Fantino made the wines and tended the vineyards for 20 years before selling his portion off to Maria-Theresa Mascarello in 1998 to focus on his family's estate. Along with his brother Gian Natale, the brothers make wines from the Bussia area of Monforte D'Alba that are extremely indicative of their home in Piedmont. Decidedly traditional producers and actually apex values given what is in the bottle, the Fantino brothers age their wines for extended periods in large barrels including this Riserva that has garnered 95+ points from Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
‘The 2008 Barolo Riserva Bussia - Cascina Dardi is shaping up to be a real jewel. Exquisite balsamic-inflected aromatics meld into a core of dark fruit. Slender and nuanced, as most wines are in this vintage, the 2008 Riserva is all about grace and finesse. The first signs of aromatic complexity are just beginning to appear, making the 2008 an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next 10-15 years. The 2008 spent five and half years in cask...Drink 2016 – 2033. – 95+ POINTS, VINOUS’
‘The 2008 Barolo Riserva Bussia - Cascina Dardi is shaping up to be a real jewel. Exquisite balsamic-inflected aromatics meld into a core of dark fruit. Slender and nuanced, as most wines are in this vintage, the 2008 Riserva is all about grace and finesse. The first signs of aromatic complexity are just beginning to appear, making the 2008 an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next 10-15 years. The 2008 spent five and half years in cask...Drink 2016 – 2033. – 95+ POINTS, VINOUS’
