Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'FEROCIOUS' HOTSHEET
98 point Brunello, Napa Cab Special, Oregon Pinot, Beaujoalis & Zin Values...
2012 MT. VEEDER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
[reg. $45.99]
SPECIAL - $27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
[reg. $45.99]
SPECIAL - $27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
One of the best-kept secrets in the Napa Valley is the subtle return of Mount Veeder’s Cabernet. Save for the difficult 2011 vintage, this estate has been forming excellent wines since the 2008 vintage with a subtle stylistic change which is one that doesn’t take the enamel off of your teeth as these wines once did back in the day!
A hell of a special deal on one of Napa Valley's famous names, this mountain fruit Cabernet Sauvignon is superb for 28 bucks! A full-bodied sensuous beast that reveals classic Napa aromas of bold, dark plum-pepper, allspice, cinnamon, violet and hot rock. High elevation notes of red tones co-exist nicely with saturated, chewy blue tones; a real mouthful of Cabernet doing its stuff as it moves throughout the palate. Through all of this, it maintains freshness which calls you back for another glass and another and another, etc., etc. The finish is penetrating and packed revealing mocha-laced raspberry red tones and sticks around for a long time. Essence of the great 2012 vintage in Napa. Wow! Drink through 2024+.
A hell of a special deal on one of Napa Valley's famous names, this mountain fruit Cabernet Sauvignon is superb for 28 bucks! A full-bodied sensuous beast that reveals classic Napa aromas of bold, dark plum-pepper, allspice, cinnamon, violet and hot rock. High elevation notes of red tones co-exist nicely with saturated, chewy blue tones; a real mouthful of Cabernet doing its stuff as it moves throughout the palate. Through all of this, it maintains freshness which calls you back for another glass and another and another, etc., etc. The finish is penetrating and packed revealing mocha-laced raspberry red tones and sticks around for a long time. Essence of the great 2012 vintage in Napa. Wow! Drink through 2024+.
2014 MCKINLAY PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
One will never find McKinlay wines listed in The Wine Spectator, The Wine Advocate or any other wine media publication. The reclusive Matt Kinne refuses to submit samples. Those in the know and who like the stylings of Cameron, Evesham Wood, Thomas or Eyrie, real Burgundian-influenced Oregon Pinot, know the prowess of this cat.
McKinlay wines are Pinots for Pinot lovers, very sexy, elegant and aromatic. This wine follows the velvet rule of pinot noir perfectly. Red berry, violet, soft smoke, and elusive herbs and spices are the characteristics of the wine. Given that Matt has placed a bunch of declassified fruit from his Special Selection and Ladd Hill cuvees into this wine it makes sense that there is ample dimension. In the mouth, it shows some deceptive backbone, but shining through it all is a texture that is velvety, concentrated and long-legged without being jammy. As always, this wine is beautiful to drink from day one but it also has a tendency to age better than one might believe given its price point! Drink this best buy Oregon pinot now through 2020.
McKinlay wines are Pinots for Pinot lovers, very sexy, elegant and aromatic. This wine follows the velvet rule of pinot noir perfectly. Red berry, violet, soft smoke, and elusive herbs and spices are the characteristics of the wine. Given that Matt has placed a bunch of declassified fruit from his Special Selection and Ladd Hill cuvees into this wine it makes sense that there is ample dimension. In the mouth, it shows some deceptive backbone, but shining through it all is a texture that is velvety, concentrated and long-legged without being jammy. As always, this wine is beautiful to drink from day one but it also has a tendency to age better than one might believe given its price point! Drink this best buy Oregon pinot now through 2020.
2012 CA' VIOLA DOLCETTO D'ALBA 'VILOT'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Renowned Piedmont enologist Beppe Caviola has consulted on many great wines in the area. Along with this successful business, Beppe also has his own vineyards, produces remarkable wines, and is one of the finest practitioners of Dolcetto.
The Vilot vineyards are located near Alba on the way to Serralunga and the wine that is grown here is pure and wonderfully polished with great richness. Warm, round, mouthfilling red that has an abundance of floral and spice aromas with red, black, blueberry and deep violet on the finish. There are very few wines made from the Dolcetto grape that have this much class and dimension. Enjoy this engaging, starry red with steak tartar, younger cheeses and pasta courses.
The Vilot vineyards are located near Alba on the way to Serralunga and the wine that is grown here is pure and wonderfully polished with great richness. Warm, round, mouthfilling red that has an abundance of floral and spice aromas with red, black, blueberry and deep violet on the finish. There are very few wines made from the Dolcetto grape that have this much class and dimension. Enjoy this engaging, starry red with steak tartar, younger cheeses and pasta courses.
2014 MALAT GRUNER VELTLINER KREMSTAL
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Michael Malat is one of Austria’s Kremstal region’s most prolific producers and specialize in both Riesling and Gruner Veltliner. In all ranges, they are also widely renowned as one of Austria's great values given the apex quality that shows in the bottle.
Seeing many excellent versions from other growers, Malat’s 2014 Kremstal Gruner Veltliner is one of the finest versions for a 20 spot that I have tasted in quite some time! Complex and flavorful with fleshy almost candied pear, smoked spices, and electrified minerality. If you are a fan of terroir-driven whites from around the world, do not let one more day pass without trying this fabulous white. Will pair with everything from roasted fish with savory herbs, grilled sausages all the way to ginger packed tom yum soup.
Seeing many excellent versions from other growers, Malat’s 2014 Kremstal Gruner Veltliner is one of the finest versions for a 20 spot that I have tasted in quite some time! Complex and flavorful with fleshy almost candied pear, smoked spices, and electrified minerality. If you are a fan of terroir-driven whites from around the world, do not let one more day pass without trying this fabulous white. Will pair with everything from roasted fish with savory herbs, grilled sausages all the way to ginger packed tom yum soup.
2013 TERRIERE BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Terriere's old vine Beaujolais Village is best described as "Premium Beaujolais Villages" since it is produced from grapes grown in red granite soil (known as rosbif, which also is the term that French use when they come upon a gaggle of drunken Englishmen) entirely within the Cru of Regnie. From a miniscule 5-acre plot, this Gamay undoubtedly punches well above its weight class!
Silky and smooth with notes of fresh summer berries, minerals and dried rose petals. This short story turns into a novel in the mouth with alluring depth from 70-year-old vines as well as the knockout 2013 vintage. Fresh strawberry and raspberry tones are defined by fine backbone and mineral especially on the long and very laid-back finish. I consumed a bottle of this last week and it is drinking oh so well. A nice midweek red wine selection to pair with an abundance of varying cuisines.
Silky and smooth with notes of fresh summer berries, minerals and dried rose petals. This short story turns into a novel in the mouth with alluring depth from 70-year-old vines as well as the knockout 2013 vintage. Fresh strawberry and raspberry tones are defined by fine backbone and mineral especially on the long and very laid-back finish. I consumed a bottle of this last week and it is drinking oh so well. A nice midweek red wine selection to pair with an abundance of varying cuisines.
2013 CRISS CROSS ZINFANDEL 'OLD VINES'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Criss Cross is a project spearheaded by Argentine wine specialist Vino del Sol and Lange Twins winery using old vine fruit from Lodi and making delicious California value reds. The 2013 Zinfandel doesn't overstate the name old vines because these gnarly old things are 80+ years old!
Up-front, in-your face aromas of ripe blackberries, briar, pepper, sweet herbs and cracked pepper lead into a fleshy, bold, succulent texture that fills the mouth. The finish is authoritative, but not so much as it will overpower your meal. Drink this deliciously nuanced and priced Zin value over the next 2-3 years.
Up-front, in-your face aromas of ripe blackberries, briar, pepper, sweet herbs and cracked pepper lead into a fleshy, bold, succulent texture that fills the mouth. The finish is authoritative, but not so much as it will overpower your meal. Drink this deliciously nuanced and priced Zin value over the next 2-3 years.
2012 COMBIER CROZES-HERMITAGE
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
Upon meeting Laurent Combier for the first time, one wonders just when this energetic dude finds time to sleep. Along with being one of the top producers of Crozes-Hermitage, Laurent is also a partner in a vineyard in Priorat, Spain called Trio Infernal and is totally committed to the vineyards with both projects.
Combier's wines are expressive, full of smoothness, emphasizing Syrah's fine fruit character and above all, displaying rock-star aromatics. This particular cuvee is the entry into Laurent's Crozes-Hermitage world. Smoky, peppery and chock full of cassis, currants and subtle cinnamon/white pepper. Lavishly flavored with resounding burst, this is showing beautifully and complete along with and having more persistence and length than usual due to the rigorous and meticulous farming employed by Combier. Enjoy over the next 6-8 years.
Combier's wines are expressive, full of smoothness, emphasizing Syrah's fine fruit character and above all, displaying rock-star aromatics. This particular cuvee is the entry into Laurent's Crozes-Hermitage world. Smoky, peppery and chock full of cassis, currants and subtle cinnamon/white pepper. Lavishly flavored with resounding burst, this is showing beautifully and complete along with and having more persistence and length than usual due to the rigorous and meticulous farming employed by Combier. Enjoy over the next 6-8 years.
2010 FULIGNI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
$79.99 BTL. - LIMITED
$79.99 BTL. - LIMITED
Along with names like Costanti, Biondi Santi and others, Fuligni is one of the very highly touted and revered Brunello producers. There is still a smattering of the 98-point scoring 2010 available and if you are a fan of these wines, you should not miss it!
Fuligni’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a luxurious wine revelaing red cherry, serious Tuscan herbs, rose, violet and gaining more sotto bosco as it unfolds. Sexy, lacy entry leads into more expansive flavors that spread out a bit like a great Burgundy would. As expected there is mountains of youthful structure, this one can definitely cellar and become something even more special. A mighty core of fruit that possesses balls and balance is present, however, it IS a crime to open one right now. Simply put, Mamma Mia! Drink this stylish, profound Brunello 2020 - 2040. Definitely one for a child born or special anniversary that occurred in 2010, it will age that long! If scores are your thing, James Suckling, former Tuscan critic at The Wine Spectator scored it 98 points on his site.
Fuligni’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a luxurious wine revelaing red cherry, serious Tuscan herbs, rose, violet and gaining more sotto bosco as it unfolds. Sexy, lacy entry leads into more expansive flavors that spread out a bit like a great Burgundy would. As expected there is mountains of youthful structure, this one can definitely cellar and become something even more special. A mighty core of fruit that possesses balls and balance is present, however, it IS a crime to open one right now. Simply put, Mamma Mia! Drink this stylish, profound Brunello 2020 - 2040. Definitely one for a child born or special anniversary that occurred in 2010, it will age that long! If scores are your thing, James Suckling, former Tuscan critic at The Wine Spectator scored it 98 points on his site.
