Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'AGAINST THE GRAIN' HOTSHEET
91 point Rhone for 15, Oregon Pinot & Sauvignon, Vouvray, Felsina & more
2014 PESQUIE VENTOUX ROUGE
'LES TERRASSES'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
91 PTS. - THE WINE ADVOCATE
'LES TERRASSES'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
91 PTS. - THE WINE ADVOCATE
The area formerly known as Cotes-de-Ventoux and now known simply as Ventoux has a wealth of young producers who are exposing their terroirs and making wines that are significantly more than the light bistro-quaffers that were prominent in the 80s and 90s. These days this is an area of potential and can produce distinctive wines that can rival other southern Rhone villages in quality, especially in the top vineyard sites. The Chaudiere family of Domaine du Pesquie are among the top producers in this region and their wines are some of the Rhone Valley’s most comeplling and under the radar.
‘Always a terrific value, the 2014 Ventoux Terrasses is no exception and offers complex, classic southern Rhone notes of dried garrigue, pepper, spice-box, licorice and sweet cherry fruit. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, elegant and balanced red that gains depth and richness with time in the glass, has loads Provencal character and a great finish. Made from a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah that was aged in tank and old barrels, it can last for 7-8 years. – 91 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
‘Always a terrific value, the 2014 Ventoux Terrasses is no exception and offers complex, classic southern Rhone notes of dried garrigue, pepper, spice-box, licorice and sweet cherry fruit. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, elegant and balanced red that gains depth and richness with time in the glass, has loads Provencal character and a great finish. Made from a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah that was aged in tank and old barrels, it can last for 7-8 years. – 91 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
2012 GROCHAU PINOT NOIR
DUNDEE HILLS
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
DUNDEE HILLS
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
On a mission to explain Oregon's terroir, John Grochau has created two "appellation" wines of which 120 cases were produced. 120 cases were produced and this cuvee was also aged in 30% new oak. 100% from the from the Anderson Family Vineyard, this lifting, exuberant Pinot Noir is so indicative of the Dundee hills.
Built around lavender and floral tones, lavish complexity and detail are present, especially up-front. Less spicy than the Willamette and Eola-Amity this offering is creamy, fine and possessing excellent movement, balance and concentrated strawberry fruit that is almost cushiony. Just when you figured this Pinot Noir out, it changes the questions, brings about more complexity and backbone, significantly in the mid-palate, and carries on through to the drawn-out, firmly put-together finish that snaps back. Very awesome and delicious now and will continue to develop and do great things through 2025.
Built around lavender and floral tones, lavish complexity and detail are present, especially up-front. Less spicy than the Willamette and Eola-Amity this offering is creamy, fine and possessing excellent movement, balance and concentrated strawberry fruit that is almost cushiony. Just when you figured this Pinot Noir out, it changes the questions, brings about more complexity and backbone, significantly in the mid-palate, and carries on through to the drawn-out, firmly put-together finish that snaps back. Very awesome and delicious now and will continue to develop and do great things through 2025.
2015 CAPITAINE VOUVRAY
SEC 'LES PERRIERES'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
SEC 'LES PERRIERES'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Seemingly, Vouvray is two different appellations. There is the first, which unfortunately, many folks have come to know as Vouvray, is one that is industrially produced, unbalanced stuff from the lowlands that are rich in fertile soils that have rolled down the hill after it rains. Good for growing melons, oranges and tomatoes, but not particularly for grapes.
The second appellation lies on the rolling hills above the village of Vouvray and its surrounding seven villages. These vineyard sites are full of nervous energy from the calcareous, rock-laden soils that are very influential to the resulting wines. Les Perrieres, meaning stones, is a dry and jaunting white wine chock full of explosive quince notes that dominate the nose, but expressive sense of origin allows the minerality and stoniness to show through as well. A very ethereal and unrelenting texture that is linear and buffered by brilliant, rapier acidity along with an underbelly of lime and mandarin fruit. The finish seems to go on for days. Racy, tense and zingy this wine is a mouthwatering match with smoked salmon, mussels and goat cheese.
The second appellation lies on the rolling hills above the village of Vouvray and its surrounding seven villages. These vineyard sites are full of nervous energy from the calcareous, rock-laden soils that are very influential to the resulting wines. Les Perrieres, meaning stones, is a dry and jaunting white wine chock full of explosive quince notes that dominate the nose, but expressive sense of origin allows the minerality and stoniness to show through as well. A very ethereal and unrelenting texture that is linear and buffered by brilliant, rapier acidity along with an underbelly of lime and mandarin fruit. The finish seems to go on for days. Racy, tense and zingy this wine is a mouthwatering match with smoked salmon, mussels and goat cheese.
2015 CAPITAINE VOUVRAY
DEMI-SEC 'CUVEE ADRIEN'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
DEMI-SEC 'CUVEE ADRIEN'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Vouvray can be a bit confusing to the uninitiated: its style can vary from dry to sweet (with sparkling, too), depending on the vintage and choice of the producer. Another variable is whether the grapes have been botrytised. Usually some indication of style is given on the bottle: sec, demi-sec, moelleux or selection de grains nobles (dry, medium dry, mellow – or sweet, and noble rotted, respectively).
The Cuvee Adrien is a combination of tuffeau (a chalky porous limestone) and clay soils. Semi-Dry (Demi-Sec) in style, this wine is dominated by an exquisite sense of terroir. Bountiful stony aromas wrapped around aspects of white peach, lemon-lime and blossoms glimmer from the glass. The texture starts ripe and round then all at once becomes firm, bracing and very multi-dimensional. This intellectual wine finishes with nice viscosity, but plenty of lift allows it to pair well with white meats like veal or chicken, trout, salmon, or spicy Asian fare. Drink through 2021.
The Cuvee Adrien is a combination of tuffeau (a chalky porous limestone) and clay soils. Semi-Dry (Demi-Sec) in style, this wine is dominated by an exquisite sense of terroir. Bountiful stony aromas wrapped around aspects of white peach, lemon-lime and blossoms glimmer from the glass. The texture starts ripe and round then all at once becomes firm, bracing and very multi-dimensional. This intellectual wine finishes with nice viscosity, but plenty of lift allows it to pair well with white meats like veal or chicken, trout, salmon, or spicy Asian fare. Drink through 2021.
2015 VILLA DES ANGES
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from France's Languedoc region this fun wine combines both its terroir and varietal. Revealing inviting Southern French aromas of lavender, thyme and licorice along with cassis and cocoa tones, the Ripe, smooth entry gives way to exotic spice on the personable finish. Easy to grasp, easy to like and carries nicely to the dinner table.
2015 BOW & ARROW SAUVIGNON BLANC
'UNION SCHOOL VINEYARD'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
'UNION SCHOOL VINEYARD'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
From Oregon and quite honestly, this Sauvignon Blanc will be unlike anything that sauvignon aficionados have ever seen. For me, there is one and it would be from the famed Touraine producer Clos Roche Blanche but even still....
It figures that Scott Frank would produce something on this level and intellect and still prove to be an utter delicious drink. From the sustainable Union School Vineyard located in the Southern Willamette Valley between Eugene and Corvallis, the utmost care is taken in making these wines. This is pure Sauvignon with an Oregon terroir twist. Captivating aromas of orange, ginger, and smoke. Lean, pure fruit coats the palate then an explosion of verve and almost bead-like aspects arrive carrying through to an impressively long finish that has excellent finesse and detail. Delicious to drink over the next couple of years. An excellent choice to have with fresh halibut smothered in some sort of salsa verde.
It figures that Scott Frank would produce something on this level and intellect and still prove to be an utter delicious drink. From the sustainable Union School Vineyard located in the Southern Willamette Valley between Eugene and Corvallis, the utmost care is taken in making these wines. This is pure Sauvignon with an Oregon terroir twist. Captivating aromas of orange, ginger, and smoke. Lean, pure fruit coats the palate then an explosion of verve and almost bead-like aspects arrive carrying through to an impressively long finish that has excellent finesse and detail. Delicious to drink over the next couple of years. An excellent choice to have with fresh halibut smothered in some sort of salsa verde.
2010 QUINTA DOS ROQUES DAO TINTO
TOURIGA NACIONAL
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
TOURIGA NACIONAL
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
We often speak about spiritual grapes of any given region like Grenache to Chateauneuf, Nero D’Avola to Sicily or Assyrtiko to Santorini but in central Portugal the grape of wonderment is definitely Touriga Nacional. Not only is this the basis of Port, it is often times the base of many of the dry reds from these areas and Quinta Dos Roques happens to make a tremendous version indeed.
A mountainous wine that certainly has an abundance of beauty and sophistication, Quinta dos Roques Touriga Nacional is a wine that takes you on a journey of the olfactory senses. A forward yet hauntingly intriguing nose of violet and garrigue intermixed with warm notes of licorice, anise, eucalyptus, cocoa, roasted coffee, white pepper and pure deep black cherry makes its presence felt immediately. The complexity and concentration of flavor here coats your palate and lingers for what seems like ten minutes. Ultimately, the magic of this beautiful expression of Touriga Nacional is in the balance between elegance and power. Enjoy with hearty dishes such as roasted lamb shank and rack of venison. Drink now through 2022 for expansion and range paired with sensuality.
A mountainous wine that certainly has an abundance of beauty and sophistication, Quinta dos Roques Touriga Nacional is a wine that takes you on a journey of the olfactory senses. A forward yet hauntingly intriguing nose of violet and garrigue intermixed with warm notes of licorice, anise, eucalyptus, cocoa, roasted coffee, white pepper and pure deep black cherry makes its presence felt immediately. The complexity and concentration of flavor here coats your palate and lingers for what seems like ten minutes. Ultimately, the magic of this beautiful expression of Touriga Nacional is in the balance between elegance and power. Enjoy with hearty dishes such as roasted lamb shank and rack of venison. Drink now through 2022 for expansion and range paired with sensuality.
2014 CASTEGGIO BARBERA
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
From Lomardy, this perennial excellent buy is on form yet again with the 2014 vintage. Vibrant aromas of brambly berry, violet, dusty earth and a hint of cocoa fully entice. Bright and fresh with a soft texture and a lingering classic almond aspect intertwined with kirsch finish. A fun and flavorful weeknight wine with antipasti.
2010 FELSINA FONTALLORO
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
Felsina's Fontalloro embodies the true meaning of the term "Supertuscan." A spectacular wine made from the finest Sangiovese grapes, Fontalloro is a product of modern, innovative vinification and Chianti tradition. First conceived in 1983 by the head of Felsina, Giuseppe Mazzocolin, and consulting winemaker Franco Bernabei, Fontalloro quickly rose to the top of the short list of great Super Tuscan wines. Fontalloro is 100% Sangiovese taken from various plots on the Felsina estate and most of the vines utilized are from the original planting on the estate in 1958.
The grapes from these vines are hugely concentrated and full of intense flavor, as well as having terroir specific characteristics that together add to the overall complexity and structure of the wine making sure that the 2010 Fèlsina Fontalloro is destined for greatness and it should be given the conditions of the legendary 2010 Tuscan vintage. Youthful and tight-knit at this point, but impressive savory scents rule the day. A penetrating sense of richness permeates through aromas of herbs & spice, dark chocolate, bold dark berry and intermittent Tuscan earth tones. Very statuesque in the mouth with lots of saturation and plenty of building layers. Plenty of structure shows through as it turns inward towards the finish. Make no mistake, and given that 2004 is a special vintage in southern Tuscany, the material is packed in right now and in need of proper aging for it all to come out. Resounding and impressive and with plenty of fruit up front to almost uncork one, however, this will be at its ultimate best 2018 - 2031. MAGNUMS AVAILABLE!
The grapes from these vines are hugely concentrated and full of intense flavor, as well as having terroir specific characteristics that together add to the overall complexity and structure of the wine making sure that the 2010 Fèlsina Fontalloro is destined for greatness and it should be given the conditions of the legendary 2010 Tuscan vintage. Youthful and tight-knit at this point, but impressive savory scents rule the day. A penetrating sense of richness permeates through aromas of herbs & spice, dark chocolate, bold dark berry and intermittent Tuscan earth tones. Very statuesque in the mouth with lots of saturation and plenty of building layers. Plenty of structure shows through as it turns inward towards the finish. Make no mistake, and given that 2004 is a special vintage in southern Tuscany, the material is packed in right now and in need of proper aging for it all to come out. Resounding and impressive and with plenty of fruit up front to almost uncork one, however, this will be at its ultimate best 2018 - 2031. MAGNUMS AVAILABLE!
