Hot Sheets

2012 TINTERO BARBARESCO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

A producer who better known for their white wines, the Tintero family also possesses a tiny 2½-acre parcel of Barbaresco planted in the village of Neive. This isn't merely a glorified Nebbiolo Langhe with Barbaresco slapped on to the label, this is very on-form stuff that while not Giacosa, is also not north of $50 and is one that can be accessed now.

Exuberant and forward tones of strawberry, licorice, tar and vibrancy show off lovely depth and Barbaresco class. In the mouth, it is stylish, luscious and mouth crawling with earthy flavors and a savory, bright finish. Very pleasurable with slow-roasted dishes, drink this excellent Barbaresco value over the next 6-8 years.

2014 SIDEBAR RUSSIAN RIVER RED
ZINFANDEL BLEND
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

Sidebar is the latest project from Napa Valley legend David Ramey that demands your attention. Featuring wines that are pleasurable and well-priced, Ramey has branched out to do some other varietals aside from their grand scale Cabernets and Chardonnays. These new wines under this new label are tasty and fabulous. Earlier this year we featured the Sidebar Sauvignon Blanc. This go round we are featuring a well-crafted, full red that has typical Ramey smoothness.

78% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Alicante Bouschet and a 2% blend of 12 other varietals all coming from 125 year old head-pruned vines, this wine is what is so good about California. Chewy yet civilized and not overblown, bright and exuberant strawberry and cherry combine with spicy dark qualities and make this Zin-based red a superb example of the cool Russian River Valley area. Enjoyable as a young wine, it will drink and provide happiness when accompanied with tangy, meaty dishes over the next 4-6 years.

2015 DOMAINE SIGALES
ASSYRTIKO-ATHIRI SANTORINI WHITE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Located on the island of Santorini, Sigales is known as an Assyrtiko specialist, making one of the best. However, in this white wine, it is blended with one of Greece's most ancient grapes. Athiri (25%) provides intense notes of aromatic citrus and stone fruits and a roundness that balances out the searing aspects of the Assyrtiko. Santorini's volcanic soils are home to very ancient vines with some reaching 150 years.

Combining both the grapes and the terroir, the result is a delectable, intellectual and athletic white wine of fine character and persistence. Agilely perfumed with floral notes and a silky finish along with intensity, briskness and a hell of a lot of character, the euphoric nature of this white wine may cause one to want to break plates, which we are not endorsing. Therefore, to not have your significant other wanting to kill you for breaking the good china, we encourage you to serve it with calamari, braised or grilled fish or a simple melange of roasted vegetables.

2015 J. CHRISTOPHER
'CRISTO IRRESISTO' ROSE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Mostly Grenache and Syrah from one of Oregon’s top-notch Pinot Noir producers, we always look forward to offering bottles of this fabulous and famous wine as soon as we string together a few warm days.

Raging delicious dry pink wine possessing hair-raising aromas and flavors of hawthorn, herbs, spices, and red cherries build and build from the glass to a mouth-filling texture that is crunchy, mouth-watering and very alluring. The Cristo Irresisto Rose is a knockout pairing with just about any grilled fish or chicken. Grab yours now if you love Rose because this one always is popular and sells out quickly!

2012 ANDRE AUBERT
GRIGNAN-LES-ADHEMER ROUGE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

In order to disassociate themselves from the neighborhood nuclear power plant, the Rhone region of Grignan-Les Adhemer was formerly known as Coteaux-de-Tricastin and even before the name change; it was still one of the Southern Rhone's most obscure regions. Located in the northernmost stretches of the southern portion of the Rhone Valley, often is the case, good-sized dollops of Syrah are in these blends that play so nicely off the racy Grenache that is characteristic of this area.

70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan this flavorful red is unpretentious and easy going with lots of strawberry fruit, black pepper, and a smooth, stylish texture that pleasantly lingers throughout. Enjoy this delicious French red with every evening fare like burgers, a simple pasta marinara or sausages.

2014 PALA 'I FIORI'
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Off to the island of Sardinia we go! The Grenache grape, known as Cannonau on the island, was brought by the Kingdom of Aragon when they ruled the island in the Middle Ages and Renaissance era. The grape itself has always possessed a sort of nobility here, is decidedly individual, and shows its marked difference and uniqueness to its impressive island terroir.

Completely different to the Grenache-based Rhone wine listed above, the quite compelling 2014 Pala Cannonau is laden with aromas of Mediterranean garrigue spices, prominent notes of raspberry, plum/pepper, intriguing sea-salt and cinnamon that waft from the glass. After being enticed by the fine aromas, the texture intrigues even further with warm and engaging, interwoven cherry-pit/saline/minerally flavors that unfold into a voluptuous, tangy finish. Enjoy this sultry red with braised meat dishes or aged sheep's milk cheeses.

2010 CHATEAU LAFON-ROCHET
SAINT-ESTEPHE 5TH GROWTH
$65.99 BTL./$791.88 CASE

Something of a rarity for us to feature is an actual classified growth that is not three digits and beyond. Along with famed 5th Growth sister Chateau Pontet-Canet in Pauillac, Lafon Rochet is owned by the Tesseron family who originally blazed their way with Cognac. While Pontet-Canet is a bonafide superstar and whose wines have become very expensive, Lafon Rochet is a sleeping giant. Now run by Basile Tesseron who is really driving the Chateau into even more meticulous farming, it was his father, in 1999 took this estate to a level that they never had performed at and have not looked back since. These are not ‘early drinking porch wines’, they are formidable and age very beautifully.

2010 is quite the legendary vintage throughout Bordeaux and Lafon Rochet has followed the script very well indeed. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, this wine is stacked and packed with material and off the rails potential. Young but classic Saint-Estephe pedigree is present with notes of violet, cassis, black cherry, tobacco, pencil shavings, cedar and cocoa powder. The tight but penetrating aromas echoed on the palate and joined by cigar box spice with lush ripe tannins, a touch of nutmeg and a long gnarly gravelly finish. At first, this stellar red is deceptively open but then it firms up in the middle, revealing its serious side and true backbone that indicates that it will need to go into the cellar for a few years before becoming special. Cellar through 2019 and then drink and watch its development through 2030+.