Hot Sheets

2014 GOODFELLOW FAMILY PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Marcus Goodfellow has been thrilling Oregon wine lovers with his Matello wines and now is making wines under his namesake label of Goodfellow Family Wines. As we head into the future and with the ever-rising costs of Pinot Noir grapes, one has to wonder just how long we are going to continue to see value-oriented wines such as this. Having tasted it last week, it was very mind-boggling just how good this wine is for such a low price.

As always, this wine is blended from some of Marcus’s top sources. Smoke, mineral purity and brazen blackberry and cherry scents combine with elusive herbs and spice offering a wine that exquisitely maintains its balance. Seductive, detailed and yet mouthfilling without any of the octane that sometimes comes with the 2014 vintage. Plenty of vibrant red tones keep everything in check, especially on the firm, expanding finish. Very attractive now but will age nicely for 4-6 more years.

2015 CHATEAU HENRI BONNAUD
PALETTE ROSE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE - LIMITED!

Located just outside of Aix En Privence, the Provence region of Palette is quite a rarity because its miniscule size and amount of producers, only 106 acres in total and five producers encompass this magical appellation! Chateau Henri Bonnaud produces stunning reds, whites and this wickedly handsome pink wine that is a virtual requirement for Bouillabaise and other Mediterranean seafood preparations. 40% Mourvedre, 40% Grenache and 20% Cinsault from limestone soils the foot of the famous Mont Sainte-Victoire which was immortalized by Paul Cézanne this wine takes Rose to another level than just one to sip outdoors on its own.

An authentic Rose for a meal, this wine struts its stuff with Exuberant and complex tones of hawthorn, berry, herbes de provence, lemon and strawberry that saunter into a texture that is palate coating and fleshy, yet brisk and full of vivacity. Insane dimension and depth shine on the long, long finish. One can drink this by itself but it really is asskicking stuff a seafood stew, grilled whole chickens with fresh herbs, or crusty bread and an assortment of olives. ALSO, one doesn't have to just drink Rose for summer, this rosé is substantial and complex enough for fall, winter, spring-time and even into 2018!

2012 FONDO ANTICO ROSSO
'I VERSI'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

This Sicilian workhorse delivers an amazing value in a food-friendly package that's easy to drink on a consistent basis and is a delicious, full-bodied wine with a generous core of fruit, and an engaging, compelling personality. We were utterly seduced by its purity, depth and length; in fact, it was hard to put down the tasting glass. Made from Nero d'Avola, Syrah and Merlot, it shows vivid plum and berry fruit, touched by brightness with none of that funky rubber tire, Huarache sandal smell that sometimes shows up with wines of this part of Sicily. It'll blow your mind with grilled meats, pizza, pasta, or even burgers. In other words, it's a wine for all seasons and, in this economy; you can drink this one like a patrician every night of the week.

2015 REUNION MALBEC
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Prototype Mendoza Malbec!! A lovely producer who makes a wine that any crowd will enjoy!!

Aromatic and luscious, this shows Malbec qualities as well as its regional soil structures. Blackberry and plum-pit qualities surround secondary scents of licorice and coffee all which carry into a mouth filling texture that never gets ponderous or burdensome. A perfect wine to drink by the case, it will pair nicely with sauteed pork chops or even a good Bolognese sauce.

2014 DAVENNE ST-BRIS
SAUVIGNON BLANC
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

After 17 years as oenologist at Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, Clotilde Davenne began full time production at her Domaine Les Temps Perdus. The estate covers 9 hectares with vineyards located in the Yonne part of Burgundy, Saint-Bris, Bourgogne Aligote as well as Chablis on all levels from Petit Chablis to Chablis Grand Cru.

Oui dames et messieurs, there is Sauvignon Blanc grown in Burgundy! Formerly known as Sauvignon Saint-Bris, the region of Saint-Bris was elevated to its own appellation status a few years ago. Located in close proximity, and in some cases overlapping the boundaries of Chablis, this gem offers up the essence of great Sauvignon paired with the essence of great Chablis. It is here that the terroir takes over. Scintillating aromas of gunflint, lime, pine, gooseberry and a gentle hint of fresh herbs instantly assault the olfactory senses! The texture is vigorous, vinous, searing-dry and terroir-laden, all flavors that make this a spine-tingling match with oysters. It is also intense enough to go with halibut or salmon.

2012 ACUSTIC CELLER PRIORAT 'PLAER'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE

Many of you have had the chance to experience the Montsant wines from our friend Albert Jane and his Acustic Celler. In 2010 Albert decided to expand his small operation to include wines from the vaunted Priorat region and like the Acustic wines, they are sublime both in quality and in price.

Ancient vine Grenache and ancient vine Carignan and extremely intense! The steep hills around the village of Porrera are known for its fabulous quality cariñena and this wine exhibits it beautifully. Full bodied, muscular, with excellent balance and structure that bode well for the future. This black-purple wine offers up generous plum, blackberry, currant aromas and flavors and, as always with this wine on a background of coffee and chocolate cake. Sensuous scents of blackberry, vanilla, cedar, smoke, pepper and red earth lead into a texture that is rich and gloriously smooth. Alluring aromas The finish is heady and ripe, but with everything in perfect balance. This full-on red is one that will definitely benefit from some aging but it certainly isn’t undrinkable at the moment. Enjoy with lamb or beef through 2025.

2012 JM RAFFAULT CHINON
'CLOS D'ISORE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, Chinon wines are a distinct taste of France and replicating these wines in the New World is quite a challenge. Bravo to those who succeed but they are few and far between. The current winemaker at Domaine J-M Raffault, Rodolphe Raffault is 14th generation and has ably followed in his ancestors' footsteps and is making wines that are some of the finest in the region. Having prime-time terroir doesn't exactly hurt either.

Clos D'Isore is an enclosed vineyard that dates back to the 17th century. The current 6+ acres were planted in 1938 and are steeply situated in clay/limestone soil which sits atop a white chalk subsoil. The 2012 is a well-structured wine with generous raspberry fruits, Asian spices, pronounced flint, sanguine and pekoe all which are packed in snugly at the moment. Old-vine depth backbone and persistence abound, this wine is a $20 offering that can age for a long time. Decant for an hour beforehand if you want to drink now but for best results, drink 2018 – 2025+.

2011 PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO
RISERVA 'OVELLO'
$49.99 BTL/$599.88 CASE

The co-op of Produttori del Barbaresco killed it with their 2011s! A warm, yet well balanced and structured vintage, these are definitely wines that will age impeccably and are compelling expressions that are among the finest that I have seen emerge from them in 25+ vintages of buying, selling, cellaring and drinking the wines. Ovello is prototypical Barbaresco and handsomeness is abound with this vineyard site. Always one of the top-billed, seemingly Ovello is now reaching even loftier status recently as evidenced by the stellar review from Antonio Galloni’s Vinous: ‘The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello, from one of the coolest zones in Barbaresco, is superb. Here it is the wine's precision and energy - both hard to come by in 2011 - that really stand out. Pine, mint, chalk, bright red berries, blood orange and white pepper are some of the signatures in a brilliant, finely-cut Barbaresco that captures the best of both the vintage and this site. Don't miss it! Drink 2021 – 2036 – 94+ VINOUS’