Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'DOOR AJAR' HOTSHEET
Syrah, Soave, Chablis, Beaune, 96 pt. Barbaresco & more
2012 TERRE ROUGE SYRAH
'COTES DE L'OUEST' CALIFORNIA
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
'COTES DE L'OUEST' CALIFORNIA
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
An Amador and Rhone Ranger icon, Bill Easton utilizes two labels for his wines. The Easton label is exclusively for his Zinfandels while the Terre Rouge is for his Rhone varietal wines. Back in June Bill received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhone Rangers and he is only the fourth person to do so. In easier terms, these are some of the coolest wines that you will see emerge from California.
The Cotes de L’Ouest Syrah is the entry-level version from Terre Rouge. Made from fruit just west of Amador County and combined with grapes from the estate’s mountain vineyard sites, this Syrah has New World tendencies combined with Old World sensibility. Intellectual, bold and confident, this is a beautifully crafted and seamless bottle of California red. The nose is alluring and thought provoking with white flowers, crunchy ripe berries, savory warm spice, white pepper, and roasted meat. High toned and expansive in the mouth yet it has fine depth of flavor and impeccable balance. It is obvious when drinking the wine that those involved with raising it up, are well acquainted with the wines of the Northern Rhone and if you love great Syrah, you should get to know Easton and Terre Rouge. While drinking beautifully right now it will continue to please and grow over the next 3-5 years.
The Cotes de L’Ouest Syrah is the entry-level version from Terre Rouge. Made from fruit just west of Amador County and combined with grapes from the estate’s mountain vineyard sites, this Syrah has New World tendencies combined with Old World sensibility. Intellectual, bold and confident, this is a beautifully crafted and seamless bottle of California red. The nose is alluring and thought provoking with white flowers, crunchy ripe berries, savory warm spice, white pepper, and roasted meat. High toned and expansive in the mouth yet it has fine depth of flavor and impeccable balance. It is obvious when drinking the wine that those involved with raising it up, are well acquainted with the wines of the Northern Rhone and if you love great Syrah, you should get to know Easton and Terre Rouge. While drinking beautifully right now it will continue to please and grow over the next 3-5 years.
2014 SUAVIA SOAVE CLASSICO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
While we truly enjoy selling expensive wine, there is nothing like being continually delighted by an under 15-dollar bottle. Suavia is one of those superb Soave producers that continually provides impeccable quality in their entire range. Vintage after vintage, Suavia Soave has so much complexity and flavor and yet the price remains the same. If you are looking for a food friendly, middle-of-the-week wine to buy by the case and yet still impress your wine savvy friends, look no further.
With vineyard holdings almost exclusively in the heart of the Soave Classico district at high elevation and although the amazing pricetag suggests it, it is almost a crime to call this Suavia's ‘basic’ Soave as it has so much complexity and dimension that it drinks like something at a more lofty pricepoint. A perfect start to any meal and a great way to wake your palate up, this stainless steel fermented wine made from 100% garganega is fresh and forward with classic Soave aromas of springtime flowers, tangerine and lemon that are joined by pear and slamming mineral that is in view from the moment it is poured. Bone dry and incredibly clean with excellent range and burst. A delicious white wine for light meals, poultry, mild seafood and shellfish dishes.
With vineyard holdings almost exclusively in the heart of the Soave Classico district at high elevation and although the amazing pricetag suggests it, it is almost a crime to call this Suavia's ‘basic’ Soave as it has so much complexity and dimension that it drinks like something at a more lofty pricepoint. A perfect start to any meal and a great way to wake your palate up, this stainless steel fermented wine made from 100% garganega is fresh and forward with classic Soave aromas of springtime flowers, tangerine and lemon that are joined by pear and slamming mineral that is in view from the moment it is poured. Bone dry and incredibly clean with excellent range and burst. A delicious white wine for light meals, poultry, mild seafood and shellfish dishes.
2010 CHATEAU LYONNAT
LUSSAC SAINT-EMILION
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
LUSSAC SAINT-EMILION
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
The entire brilliance of what is going down in Bordeaux with smaller Chateaux that are committed to top farming and winemaking aspects in both famed regions and the satellite regions is quite impressive. Often is the case that one can obtain a terrific bottle that not only drinks well early, but one that can also age well without having to break the bank.
Chateau Lyonnat is located in the village of Lussac, one of 4 satellite regions of St-Emilion and is the one considered the most robust of the group. Always exquisitely farmed and produced, recently Chateau Lyonnat has taken on Hubert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus, one of St-Emilion’s four ‘first growths’. Stacked and packed this wine shows off class and grace, yet has a trucker's mouth with a bit of attitude and sass to it. Teeming with earth, limestone, red cherry, some violet and kisses of nutmeg and mineral on the nose, it follows through to a texture that is mouth coating and having all of the substance of the great 2010 vintage. Excellent length and a wine that will outclass a number of higher-priced neighbors, there is ample structure for aging. Drink from through 2027.
Chateau Lyonnat is located in the village of Lussac, one of 4 satellite regions of St-Emilion and is the one considered the most robust of the group. Always exquisitely farmed and produced, recently Chateau Lyonnat has taken on Hubert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus, one of St-Emilion’s four ‘first growths’. Stacked and packed this wine shows off class and grace, yet has a trucker's mouth with a bit of attitude and sass to it. Teeming with earth, limestone, red cherry, some violet and kisses of nutmeg and mineral on the nose, it follows through to a texture that is mouth coating and having all of the substance of the great 2010 vintage. Excellent length and a wine that will outclass a number of higher-priced neighbors, there is ample structure for aging. Drink from through 2027.
2013 KANONKOP 'KADETTE'
STELLENBOSCH RED
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
STELLENBOSCH RED
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
It is easy to want to compare this South Africa's wines to that of Chile or Australia, but truth be told, they have a personality all of their own. Kanonkop is one of the country's long-time, fine producers and their Kadette Blend is a hell of a value.
29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 54% Pinotage, 10% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, this is a different kind of red wine experience. A full-bodied pepper pot of a wine, plenty of wild strawberry, herbs, rose petal and mineral tones penetrate the nose and the assertive palate. Extensive, complex and flavorful, this wine pairs nicely with roasted meats, especially game.
29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 54% Pinotage, 10% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, this is a different kind of red wine experience. A full-bodied pepper pot of a wine, plenty of wild strawberry, herbs, rose petal and mineral tones penetrate the nose and the assertive palate. Extensive, complex and flavorful, this wine pairs nicely with roasted meats, especially game.
2014 LIONEL BUSSY CHABLIS
VIEILLES VIGNES
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
VIEILLES VIGNES
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Right now, old vine Chablis is a top candidate for "Best White Wine Value in the World". Given the prices of what Meursault, Puligny & Chassagne Montrachet are going for, these wines are a steal. Vintage 2014 is a great one for Chablis and in the best hands, it has quite a lot going for it. This is one to drink while you wait on the Premiers and Grands Crus!
From 50-70 year old vines, there is more fruit and depth here to go along with all of the minerality. Pronounced aromas of gunsmoke, tangerine and Asian pear showing themselves in the form of alluring perfume. With complexity and a mouth-teasing texture, this wine screams of terroir with flavors of saline, quince and sweet snap peas that swirl into a long complete finish. Even though oysters and Chablis are a classic match, this wine will prove too powerful. Have it with sole, scallops and/or/with mushrooms! Drink through 2021.
From 50-70 year old vines, there is more fruit and depth here to go along with all of the minerality. Pronounced aromas of gunsmoke, tangerine and Asian pear showing themselves in the form of alluring perfume. With complexity and a mouth-teasing texture, this wine screams of terroir with flavors of saline, quince and sweet snap peas that swirl into a long complete finish. Even though oysters and Chablis are a classic match, this wine will prove too powerful. Have it with sole, scallops and/or/with mushrooms! Drink through 2021.
2015 MAS DELS METS
MONTSANT TINTO
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
MONTSANT TINTO
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
From Catalonia’s Montsant region, this wine definitely does not want to be Spanish. The blend is Garnacha, Carinena and Tempranillo and 2015 is an overflowing, full vintage in many parts of the Mediterranean. Almost black in color with generous, round, balanced, sumptuous black cherry, balsamic, licorice and white pepper characteristics. A ridiculous, no-brainer deal for nine bucks, we recommend fetching some barbecue or pizza to go and consume many, many bottles!
2010 RAPET BEAUNE PREMIER CRU
'CLOS DU ROI'
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
'CLOS DU ROI'
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
Given all the experience that I have had in Burgundy, it is still a thrill to see who the rising star producers in any given region are. A long time solid producer, Domaine Rapet led by Vincent Rapet is making smoking wines these days and it was an utter thrill to taste through his range of wines when Karen, Michael and I visited him and sat down for an informative tasting when we visited the Domaine back in May.
Situated in the lovely village of Pernand-Vergelesses, Domaine Rapet makes 21 different wines from just under 49 acres of land. Sounds like a lot but in reality, these are all in small production. One could call Vincent Rapet a Pernand specialist, however, the range winds through the appellations of Aloxe-Corton, Savigny-les-Beaune, Chorey-les-Beaune, Beaune Premiers Crus, Pernand and up to Grand Cru red and white Corton. Beaune Clos du Roi is a fabled Premier Cru that is located in the northern end of the region. One of the best parcels in Beaune, the ‘walled vineyard of the king’ possesses sandy/stony soils that always bring about both aromatic qualities as well as dark fruit components to the wines. Something exciting is that we have access to the 2010, which is quite a remarkable vintage for Burgundy.
Aged in 20% new oak, this doll does not have lipstick on her teeth. An indisputable beauty at one hell of a price it is silky, perfumed and layered with an array of complex aromas and flavors from black raspberry to earthy mushroom, spice and an insanely long finish give you a peak into what the greatness of the 2010 vintage brought to this top-notch vineyard. Just beginning to knit together and if drank now, needs rich roasted poultry, mushrooms and more mushrooms or lamb. Best held another year or two and then enjoy through 2025.
Situated in the lovely village of Pernand-Vergelesses, Domaine Rapet makes 21 different wines from just under 49 acres of land. Sounds like a lot but in reality, these are all in small production. One could call Vincent Rapet a Pernand specialist, however, the range winds through the appellations of Aloxe-Corton, Savigny-les-Beaune, Chorey-les-Beaune, Beaune Premiers Crus, Pernand and up to Grand Cru red and white Corton. Beaune Clos du Roi is a fabled Premier Cru that is located in the northern end of the region. One of the best parcels in Beaune, the ‘walled vineyard of the king’ possesses sandy/stony soils that always bring about both aromatic qualities as well as dark fruit components to the wines. Something exciting is that we have access to the 2010, which is quite a remarkable vintage for Burgundy.
Aged in 20% new oak, this doll does not have lipstick on her teeth. An indisputable beauty at one hell of a price it is silky, perfumed and layered with an array of complex aromas and flavors from black raspberry to earthy mushroom, spice and an insanely long finish give you a peak into what the greatness of the 2010 vintage brought to this top-notch vineyard. Just beginning to knit together and if drank now, needs rich roasted poultry, mushrooms and more mushrooms or lamb. Best held another year or two and then enjoy through 2025.
2010 MARCHESI DI GRESY BARBARESCO
RISERVA 'CAMP GROS'
$99.99 - LIMITED!!
RISERVA 'CAMP GROS'
$99.99 - LIMITED!!
Marchesi di Gresy is one of the most important and legendary producers in all of Barbaresco. Their magical single vineyard that sits right in a sweet amphitheater called Martinenga, Camp Gros is right up next to Rabaja and is regarded as a Grand Cru site that produces wines of magnificence and long aging. In 2010 the estate produced a miniscule amount of Riserva from this site and when tasted earlier this year, it was safe to say that I thought it to be one of the greatest young wines to ever emerge from this vaunted estate. It also has a fat score from The Wine Advocate:
‘The 2010 Barbaresco Riserva Camp Gros Martinenga is the first "Riserva" wine made by this historic estate. Since only Tenute Cisa Asinari has access to fruit from this vineyard, the words "Monopole since 1797" were added to the label....This is a gorgeous expression of Nebbiolo that delivers impressive elegance, complexity and intensity. It has all the hallmarks of a great Barbaresco. Soft layers of wild berry and spice peel back to reveal ethereal balsam herb and licorice. The finish is silky, smooth and polished. Put this bottle at the back of your cellar. – 96+ POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
‘The 2010 Barbaresco Riserva Camp Gros Martinenga is the first "Riserva" wine made by this historic estate. Since only Tenute Cisa Asinari has access to fruit from this vineyard, the words "Monopole since 1797" were added to the label....This is a gorgeous expression of Nebbiolo that delivers impressive elegance, complexity and intensity. It has all the hallmarks of a great Barbaresco. Soft layers of wild berry and spice peel back to reveal ethereal balsam herb and licorice. The finish is silky, smooth and polished. Put this bottle at the back of your cellar. – 96+ POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
