Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'LEMME TELL YOU SOMETHING' HOTSHEET
Barbera, Prosecco, Walla Walla Malbec, Sancerre Rose, Classified Growth Bordeaux & more
LA DOLCI COLLINE PROSECCO BRUT
[reg. $14.99]
SPECIAL $9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
[reg. $14.99]
SPECIAL $9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Many adore Prosecco and in some way, it is the perfect bubbly to enjoy during the summer months. Sadly there is a lake of Prosecco available and much of it at 10 beans leaves a lot to be desired, however with this specially priced version we have one that we not only stand behind, it is one that we are happy to drink copious amounts of ourselves!
At 11.5% alcohol this is a sparkler that possesses serious BPH factor, that's Bottles Per Hour to you and me! Lively and forward with hints of apple, pear and orange-blossom on the nose. In the mouth, it is super clean with a fresh, light, and airy feeling and crisp vibrant bubbles. Just what the doctor ordered for summer days at the beach, in the garden and perfect for the before-dinner aperitivo. While the quality is very high, the price is just right for mixing with fruit purees at brunch and it makes the perfect Bellini.
At 11.5% alcohol this is a sparkler that possesses serious BPH factor, that's Bottles Per Hour to you and me! Lively and forward with hints of apple, pear and orange-blossom on the nose. In the mouth, it is super clean with a fresh, light, and airy feeling and crisp vibrant bubbles. Just what the doctor ordered for summer days at the beach, in the garden and perfect for the before-dinner aperitivo. While the quality is very high, the price is just right for mixing with fruit purees at brunch and it makes the perfect Bellini.
2014 VENDRELL-RIVED
MONTSANT 'SERE'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
MONTSANT 'SERE'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Forming a virtual horseshoe surrounding 3 sides of its more famous skyward neighbor, Priorat, Montsant is being led by numerous young producers like Josep Maria Vendrell Rived. Along with being a great fan of the seminal band, The Pixes, Josep Maria Vendrell Rived also happens to be one hell of a vigneron in this area. Montsant's soils are very different from those of Priorat.
For this cuvee, the vines are grown in a calcareous/clay combination and the wine comprised of 80% Grenache & 20% Carignan. Teeming with white pepper and Asiatic spice along with broad black raspberry overtones, this broad and fantastically forward charmer shows tremendous presence of depth and fruit. The finish is extensive and drawn-out and makes you reach for the bottle repeatedly until it is time to uncork another. Enjoy with grilled chicken or pork dusted with a bit of fennel.
For this cuvee, the vines are grown in a calcareous/clay combination and the wine comprised of 80% Grenache & 20% Carignan. Teeming with white pepper and Asiatic spice along with broad black raspberry overtones, this broad and fantastically forward charmer shows tremendous presence of depth and fruit. The finish is extensive and drawn-out and makes you reach for the bottle repeatedly until it is time to uncork another. Enjoy with grilled chicken or pork dusted with a bit of fennel.
2012 SHEA CELLARS
PINOT NOIR ESTATE
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
PINOT NOIR ESTATE
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
There is something about the Shea Vineyard that makes Oregon Pinot Noir enthusiasts go bat-guano crazy. One of the top sites utilized by several top growers, owner Dick Shea produces wines under his own name in limited quantities and we are fortunate to have some of the 2012.
An on form alpha dog, the 2012 is packed with alluring nuances of violet, jasmine and lilac. On the palate, the full dense aspects of this vintage deliver a core of opaque fruit with exotic warm spices and a long lively finish. One might think that this site only offers powerful, dense fruit and flowers, but in all truthfulness, this pinot has a bit of seductiveness with its velvety robe lying beneath the surface. Very enjoyable now, but plenty of submerged structure will allow this wine to age for another 8-12 years.
An on form alpha dog, the 2012 is packed with alluring nuances of violet, jasmine and lilac. On the palate, the full dense aspects of this vintage deliver a core of opaque fruit with exotic warm spices and a long lively finish. One might think that this site only offers powerful, dense fruit and flowers, but in all truthfulness, this pinot has a bit of seductiveness with its velvety robe lying beneath the surface. Very enjoyable now, but plenty of submerged structure will allow this wine to age for another 8-12 years.
2013 JEROME CALMES MINERVOIS
'LES VIALAS'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'LES VIALAS'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Languedoc is one of the few remaining "sleeping giants" of French wine. In the past and even still, this part of the South of France was known for producing large volumes of low quality wine. Today, thanks to the efforts of many talented young winemakers, the region is producing excellent wines, discovering apex terroirs that have always been here but have never properly been utilized. Jerome Calmes is one of the maestros of Minervois and is one of a generation reclaiming terroir and putting forth excellent wines.
The 2013 Les Vialas cuvee is an absolute winner for 12 bucks offering up ambrosial scents of strawberry, black licorice, some plum and smoked meat with plenty of depth. Penetrating and elaborate in the mouth with layers of flavor and refinement. Excellent body in the middle and back with an uncommonly long, dark finish that is decidedly marked with cracked black pepper notations. Drink now and drink lots. Break out the steak-frites or grill up a cheeseburger.
The 2013 Les Vialas cuvee is an absolute winner for 12 bucks offering up ambrosial scents of strawberry, black licorice, some plum and smoked meat with plenty of depth. Penetrating and elaborate in the mouth with layers of flavor and refinement. Excellent body in the middle and back with an uncommonly long, dark finish that is decidedly marked with cracked black pepper notations. Drink now and drink lots. Break out the steak-frites or grill up a cheeseburger.
2013 ST. BARTHOLOMEW MALBEC
'WALLA WALLA'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
'WALLA WALLA'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
St. Bartholomew is a Washington project that designed to buck the trend of having American wines solely be expensive or gimmick wines with cute labels. So far, we have seen delicious Roussanne and Cabernet Sauvignon and the latest release is definitely the best yet.
Made by Brett Isenhower this Malbec is solely from Walla Walla fruit. Over-delivering in all facets, a full presence of succulent, aromatic plum, hints of cedar, milk chocolate and allspice scents roll beautifully from the instant the wine is poured. In the mouth, the round, layered texture is inviting, billowy, ripe and forward. The finish brightens carrying quite a bit of extension that is uncommon for Walla Walla wines at this price point. Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Made by Brett Isenhower this Malbec is solely from Walla Walla fruit. Over-delivering in all facets, a full presence of succulent, aromatic plum, hints of cedar, milk chocolate and allspice scents roll beautifully from the instant the wine is poured. In the mouth, the round, layered texture is inviting, billowy, ripe and forward. The finish brightens carrying quite a bit of extension that is uncommon for Walla Walla wines at this price point. Drink over the next 3-4 years.
2015 GERARD BOULAY
SANCERRE CHAVIGNOL ROSE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
SANCERRE CHAVIGNOL ROSE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
If you were to place a personal ad looking for a Sancerre, this wine would answer your call right quick. Entrenched firmly and proudly in the Grand Cru Sancerre village of Chavignol, Domaine Boulay can trace its presence in this village back to 1380. Along with neighbors such as Vatan and Cotat, Boulay proves that Chavignol are way beyond what many see as Sancerre.
Of course, Boulay specializes in white wines but he also happens to make a superb Rose done via direct press. 100% terroir-driven and soil-laden, seashell, lanolin, solid perfume, floral and strawberry tones shine on the nose and the wine's texture is rather substantial and layered, but with no shortage of briskness and brace. This is very stereotype-breaking stuff! Drawn-out, linear, very salinous and with a slight hint of spice, pair it with Ceviche, asparagus or salmon.
Of course, Boulay specializes in white wines but he also happens to make a superb Rose done via direct press. 100% terroir-driven and soil-laden, seashell, lanolin, solid perfume, floral and strawberry tones shine on the nose and the wine's texture is rather substantial and layered, but with no shortage of briskness and brace. This is very stereotype-breaking stuff! Drawn-out, linear, very salinous and with a slight hint of spice, pair it with Ceviche, asparagus or salmon.
2011 CAVALLOTTO BARBERA D'ALBA
'VIGNA DEL CUCOLA'
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
'VIGNA DEL CUCOLA'
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
An esteemed producer and one of the early small bottlers (1948) of Barolo Castiglione Falletto based Cavallotto is one of the leading producers of Barolo and makes exquisite wines from the top Cru of Bricco Boschis. As one might expect, their Barbera is outstanding and its pedigree is due to the site.
Vigna Del Cucola is a single Cru within the Bricco Boschis single Cru and the resulting wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 15-18 months. At age 5, this Barbera is starting to become operatic. Aromas that speak more of Piemonte than grape varietal swirl from the glass, with violet, dried rose pedal, dark chocolate, mushroom cap, anise and smoked earth. Rich red fruits smoothly coat the mouth with cardamom and roasted espresso bean following on a vibrant and really persistent finish. The intense complexity that this wine is noted for is just beginning to peak out right now. A Barbera that doesn’t mess around, drink this stunner over the next 4-5 years with mushroom risotto or any pocket pasta stuffed with braised meat, preferably agnolotti.
Vigna Del Cucola is a single Cru within the Bricco Boschis single Cru and the resulting wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 15-18 months. At age 5, this Barbera is starting to become operatic. Aromas that speak more of Piemonte than grape varietal swirl from the glass, with violet, dried rose pedal, dark chocolate, mushroom cap, anise and smoked earth. Rich red fruits smoothly coat the mouth with cardamom and roasted espresso bean following on a vibrant and really persistent finish. The intense complexity that this wine is noted for is just beginning to peak out right now. A Barbera that doesn’t mess around, drink this stunner over the next 4-5 years with mushroom risotto or any pocket pasta stuffed with braised meat, preferably agnolotti.
2006 HAUT-BAGES LIBERAL
PAUILLAC 5TH GROWTH
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
PAUILLAC 5TH GROWTH
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
Last week we held a small Seat At The Table Tasting featuring a lineup of 2006 Bordeaux wines. Safe to say at 10 years on, this vintage is not only an impressive shadow vintage and of very good quality, it is severely undervalued. Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal is located on the Bages hill between Pauillac and St-Julien with three vineyards within Pauillac, the largest adjacent to Chateau Latour. The following are my notes from last week’s tasting:
‘75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. Graphite-laden, prototype Pauillac aromas. More ripe blackberry fruit arrives as it unfolds. Stylish scents, loaded with gravelly tones and a haunting presence of Cabernet Sauvignon. Mysterious, masculine texture that clings to the palate. Lots of material, lots of depth, really formidable offering. Chewy, rich, yet very structured on the finish that shows subtle and integrated oaky spice along with saline, earth tones. This may well be the steal of the entire tasting! Enjoy now with decanting and a fat steak but easily will develop and drink beautifully through 2029+.’
‘75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. Graphite-laden, prototype Pauillac aromas. More ripe blackberry fruit arrives as it unfolds. Stylish scents, loaded with gravelly tones and a haunting presence of Cabernet Sauvignon. Mysterious, masculine texture that clings to the palate. Lots of material, lots of depth, really formidable offering. Chewy, rich, yet very structured on the finish that shows subtle and integrated oaky spice along with saline, earth tones. This may well be the steal of the entire tasting! Enjoy now with decanting and a fat steak but easily will develop and drink beautifully through 2029+.’
