Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'MOVE OVER' HOTSHEET
93 Point Spanish Red for 20, Amarone, Zinfandel, Oregon Red & more


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2013 EASTON ZINFANDEL
AMADOR COUNTY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Easton Zinfandel is kind of like the Oakland A’s of the wine world. Just like the A's, it might not be one of the most recognized names in the Zinfandel world, but it performs each year with great consistency. Being from the "small market" area of California Zin, Amador County this Zinfandel features very ripe delicious fruit, but Bill Easton's philosophy is to avoid extremeties at all cost to produce a civilized, full Zin that is adept to carry over to the table.

2013 is a generous and unapologetic California vintage that provides admirable fruit packed wines. The '13 Easton Zin has nice aromas of red berry fruit and a hint of sundried tomato and spice. In the mouth, the fruit barrage continues with some darker berry tones, black pepper, and good underlying structure and spice, all which allow for pairing with ribs, barbecued chicken or pork.



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2013 DELHOMMEAU MUSCADET
'CUVEE HARMONIE'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

One of the underdog standouts of Muscadet, Michel Delhommeau's Domaine is situated in the "grand cru" sector of the Sevre et Maine area of this region located mere minutes outside the city of Nantes. Here is a man who absolutely loves his vines and produces gifted white wines that won't break the bank. Awarded the Muscadet Producers' Golden Pipette Award in 2010 (the first winner from his village of Monnieres since 1957), this unassuming farmer is doing everything right with his terrific terroir.

Cuvee Harmonie is a blend of 3 different parcels consisting of volcanic gabbro (black volcanic rock), limestone and gneiss (a rock which resembles schist a little in appearance, and which is formed by the action of metamorphic processes on either sedimentary or igneous material) soils. The 2013 smells like rock, Laphroaig-like peat, seashore, saline and lime. Cool as hell – twenty-times as engaging! Brisk, sweeping, classically dry, tangy mineral quality. A step up in range from many others at this level along with a superior finish that is akin to being shot out of a cannon into a cool pool, this wine is so imminently likable. A match made in heaven with oysters, although this wine has enough depth and energy to go with scallops or halibut dressed in a beurre blanc as well. Drink over the next 5 years.



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2012 CONDADO DE HAZA
RIBERA DEL DUERO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Condado de Haza is a famed estate owned by one of the Ribera Del Duero’s and Spain’s most influential producers, Alejandro Fernandez. Along with Vega Sicilia, this man put Ribera Del Duero on the wine map with his other prominent estate, Pesquera. By the time the late 80s arrived, the Pesquera Robera del Duero reached lofty heights and Fernandez decided to expand. After several years of negotiations, with various owners who held these scattered plots, 1989 resulted in the first plantings of this now contiguous vineyard site in the hilltop village of Haza. Over the years this wine has had its inconsistencies but for almost a decade, the Tempranillo that has been emerging from these terrific sites has been nothing short of splendid.

100% Tempranillo and at its best price in many years, this is one that if you like full-flavored Spanish wines you should certainly order!! ‘This rich red shows a deep core of plum, bramble and mineral, with notes of loam and game that impart a savory character. Solid tannins support a thick texture, while balsamic acidity keeps this balanced. Austere but harmonious. Drink now through 2024. – 93 POINTS, THE WINE SPECTATOR



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2012 VAONA AMARONE 'PAVERNO'
$37.99 BTL./$455.88 CASE

A smashing Amarone from one of the area's rising producers and better yet, one that you don't have to sell off a kid or two to obtain. Situated in the heart of the Valpolicella/Amarone region, specifically Marano, the wines from this grower continue to pick up momentum with each subsequent release.

2012 is a superb vintage for these wines and Vaona's Paverno Amarone is a classic blend of 40% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara from vines with an average age of 25 years. Aged in 1250-liter barrels so not to impart overt oakiness and to enhance the maintenance of soul, this hearty, thunderous wine serves up blackberry, tobacco, raisin, almond, spice, mineral and chinato-like herb aromas. On the palate, it is rich and chewy with depth and a superb aftertaste, which confirms all of the characters of the nose. Accessible at an early stage, it will age quite well, too. Decant if opening and have it with a heavy risotto dish, maybe an Italian beef stew, or grab some fine Gorgonzola.



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2014 DOMAINE WEINBACH RIESLING
'RESERVE PERSONNELLE'
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

Across their entire range, Domaine Weinbach produces some of Alsace’s most prolific wines. The Domaine's Rieslings always have fine, complex and delicate aspects to their fruit. Terroir-driven, they are dry, nervy, and racy, but at the same time, show depth and persistence on the palate.

Instantaneously upon smelling this wine, one sees why Riesling is the king of grapes in Alsace! The 2014 Reserve Personnelle is varietally exact on the nose, revealing textbook aromas of peach, saline, some earth and mushroom, and plenty of pronounced, diamond-like minerality. In the mouth, it is supremely focused with plenty of nerve and grip that sets off the peach and grapefruit tones that are also omni-present on the nose. Good structure builds and all culminates on the finish that unfolds and gives off some peppermint and stoniness. An impeccable match with many types of cuisine, this pristine and bone dry Riesling harmonizes wonderfully with halibut or shellfish, but has enough depth to pair with choucroute, veal or goat cheese. Drink this beauty through 2024.



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2014 DIVISION VILLAGES 'BETON'
OREGON RED
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

2014 DIVISION VILLAGES 'BETON' OREGON RED $21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE An urban winery and part of the SE Wine Collective, Division Wine Company is one of our favorite Oregon contrarians. Tom & Kate Monroe produce wines that are reflective of their Oregon roots however, there is a definitive nod to the couple's French training, especially on the wines in the Division-Villages folder that encompass grapes and inspirations of where they have spent time learning and especially drinking in France. If there was ever a Portland-based descendant of Loire-Valley 15th century writer, clergyman and all-around hedonist, Francois Rabelais, it would certainly be Tom Monroe. I'm pretty sure that one written Rabelais philosophy that he (and us) lives by is "When I drink, I think; and when I think, I drink".

Beton is an Oregon wine that if done in France would be the likes that you would find many Parisian bistro, wine bars and restaurants. Impressively inspired by the red wines of the Loire valley, this blend of 65% Cabernet Franc, 25% Gamay Noir, 5% Cot and 5% Pinot Noir (12.5% alcohol) is basking with exuberance, expressiveness and boasts a pure nose of raspberry, jasmine, sandalwood and fresh herbs. Ultimately, this red possesses unexpected richness and character, all without being heavy or oaky (Beton is French for cement and little to no oak is utilized for this wine). Unbridled edges surround plush clean fruit and carry over into a vibrant back flip of a finish. Have this one with pate, soft-ripened cheeses barbecue or carnitas.



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2013 LA CADENETTE
COSTIERES-DE-NIMES
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Located on the cusp of Provence and Languedoc, this 80% Syrah/20% Grenache offering shows dark and aromatic scents of lavender-dust and thyme along with black pepper and black cherry. Ripe, supple and smooth from front to back and then finishes with classic spiciness and broadness. This is the perfect party or outdoor barbecue red wine, so what are you waiting for? Order a case, fire up the grill and invite some friends over!



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2012 NOVELTY HILL MERLOT
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

It's easy to blame one line in a movie on the faltering fortunes of Merlot, but truth be told, it was declining long before "Sideways" hit the big screen. Due in part to over-exposure, over-production and being easy to pronounce, one could justify saying that Merlot at that time was a joke. Fast forward 10 years and we have seen a resurgence of sorts for those who always have made excellent Merlot but never had the means to defend the quality that was always there.

Mike Januik excels in all aspects of winemaking, but if there is one varietal that he really rolls with, it would be Merlot. Smoked blueberry, licorice and chocolate dominate the nose while echoes of allspice notes and subtle earth add enhancing complexity. In the mouth, this is certainly NOT wimpy Merlot. Nice impacting flavors show smooth and round textures with an underlying minerality. Drink this voluptuous Merlot through 2020.






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