Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'NOUS AIMERONS PARIS TOUJOURS' HOTSHEET
Barolo Special, Washington & Oregon Values, Chianti, Profound French Dessert Wines & more


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2012 REVELRY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Walla Walla-based Revelry Vintners is the brainchild of Jared Burns who is of the belief that good wine doesn’t need to be overblown nor overpriced and this is such an invigorating approach, especially when it comes to the wines from our northern neighbors.

Made from a combination of fruit from Walla Walla, Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope and Horse Heaven Hills, this Cab exceeds in character further than ever should be in a bottle at this price point. No shortage of impact, this Cab is chock full of cassis, blueberry and violet with spikes of cocoa that seemingly swirl in the glass. The texture is buxom and creamy with lots of sensuality to it. A mineral underlay and deceptive structure give this wine nice spine and breadth of flavor. Very drinkable now, especially with braised shortribs or a grilled steak, it would not surprise us if this were to age 3-4 years, too.



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2012 ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI
CHIANTI CLASSICO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Always a huge rock star in Chianti, Marco Ricasoli has stepped it up even more with the brilliant 2012, a complicated vintage but one that will produce many successes such as this.

Almost Riserva, there is an exciting perfume and level of depth that is present that entices from the fist moment that it is poured. Magical cherry-pit, sage, sotto bosco, graphite and sweet spices gleam from the glass. Sumptuous, layered and very packed structure, the Gaiole in Chianti area steeliness overlooks this wine like a mother bear. Driving, penetrating, layered and with plenty of structure, it is very delicious now. As is always the case with Marco’s Chianti, there is no doubt that this wine will age impeccably. Saturated and lifting, this Chianti performs way, way above its price level. Oh yeah, it will go down as one of the non-Riserva wines of the 2012 vintage. Drink through 2022+.



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

Gaston-based Patton Valley has been in existence since 1995 making super-delicious Pinot Noirs from their estate vineyard. Over the years, the team at PVV has learned their estate and its terroir even more and after tasting a range last week, I thought the wines are reaching even loftier heights.

An unbelievable value indeed, the 2014 Willamette Valley is all about Pinot pleasure. Quite sensuous, this new offering unfolds with scents of raspberry, spiced-earth, cracked pepper and gentle traces of vanilla-cola. A pinot lover's pinot, the wine is nicely put-together with good subtlety, grace and sophisticated structure buffered exquisitely by plenty of depth of fruit. Red licorice comes out on the forward, focused and drawn-out finish. Perfect for weeknight drinking or for sharing with any out of town guests over the holiday season.



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2014 PAZO DE SENORANS ALBARINO
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

Located in the Northwest corner of Spain is the Galician region of Rias-Baixas. Until 25 or so years ago, there was no D.O. for this area. Today, only 100% Albarino from this region may be labeled with the Rais-Baixas D.O. Because of the close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, this region's climate is quite different than in other parts of Spain and is Spain’s only region where Albariño can flourish naturally.

Meticulous farming and hand harvesting characterize Pazo de Senorans Albarino. The wine is also aged on its lees and stored in stainless steel tanks that make for a very clean and dry wine with great minerality and intensity. Gorgeous scents of peach and white flowers swirl around the nose while crisp dry fruit plays on the tongue and saturates the entire palate. We absolutely love this wine! Albarino is the ultimate seafood wine and this offering will pair well with crab, smoked albacore, mussels and more.



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2011 CHATEAU PINERAIE CAHORS
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Founded in the 15th century, Chateau Pineraie has won beaucoup awards from many serious competitions throughout France. The base of this hearty red is 85% malbec for its deep dark quality and the rest is merlot that brings a smooth suppleness on the palate.

Deep opaque formidable juice with wild scents of red and blue berries, plum, sandalwood, exotic spice and dried mushrooms pour from the glass and into the mouth where it is full and generous with a thoroughly likeable modern twist. Even though there is a toe in this century, this is Cahors and the flavors of this rich land permeate the pure aromas and flavors found this ancient region. The finish is long, lasting and palate staining. This is a whole lotta wine for under 15 bucks! Drink this wine now and over the next 4-5 years with hearty braised and grilled fare.



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2014 MARRENON LUBERON BLANC
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE

Famous for the book, ‘A Year in Provence’, we have always been fond of the red wine values that consistently emerge from the southern Rhone region of Luberon, however, lately we have been seeing a trend upward with the area’s delicious white wines.

A very prototypical Provencal white with its blend of 40% Rolle (also known as Vermentino), 40% Grenache Blanc, 20% Ugni Blanc. Rolle is becoming more popular with these warmer-climate growers as it brings plenty of exuberance to the pique-nique. The Grenache Blanc brings forth depth and dimension with the Ugni Blanc putting forth just the right amount of mineral and herbs. Here one finds spiced apples, exotic fruit, gingerbread and a lovely crisp finish of depth and length. Lots of burst and lots of sunshine, pair this with goat cheese or lighter seafood preparations.



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2009 FANTINO BAROLO BUSSIA
'CASCINA DARDI'
[reg. $62.99]
SPECIAL! $34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

93+ POINTS - VINOUS
As part owner of the famed Barolo producer Bartolo Mascarello, Alessandro Fantino made the wines and tended the vineyards for 20 years before selling his portion off to Maria-Theresa Mascarello in 1998 to focus on his family's estate. Along with his brother Gian Natale, the brothers make wines from the Bussia area of Monforte D'Alba that are extremely indicative of their home in Piedmont.

Generous and powerful in personality, the 2009 vintage resulted in the brothers only producing one Barolo for the vintage and it is a damn fine one indeed! Located in Monforte d’Alba, the large cru of Bussia has long been considered one of the finest of the entire Barolo DOCG, and is known for putting forth wines of impressive structure and longevity. Fantino uses no small barriques on his wines, making them in a decidedly traditional style with aging in large oak casks for 4 years. The mighty 2009 is from 60-year old vines and at this killer special price is one of the great steals of Barolo. Decadent and full of arousing Barolo quality, this wine reveals ripe, full-throttle aromas of dark fruit, underbrush, maple and licorice all which permeate throughout. In the mouth, there is penetrating full depth but it is youthfully rambunctious, tight and needing some cellar time to obtain class. If you hold until 2018 and drink through 2030, rewards will certainly come! If you like scores, the ever conservative-rating Antonio Galloni from Vinous scored this 93+ points. If you love Barolo bargains, e-mail quickly.



3 Profound Dessert Wines

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2010 PIERRE-BISE COTEAUX-DU-LAYON CHAUME
$53.99 - 500 ML BTL.

The debate rages on, what’s the perfect way to end a special meal. A cup of coffee, a shot of grappa, a glass of cognac, a couple of after dinner mints, or one of the Loire’s best dessert wines. It’s a pretty easy choice for most of us, treat yourself these great Chenin Blanc desert wines from the Coteaux du Layon & Quarts des Chaume regions of the western Loire Valley, specifically the Anjou. Lastly, while these aren't exactly inexpensive, they are amazing with quality/price rapport, especially when one considers who much you'd drop on a bottle of Sauternes at this level!

Domaine Pierre-Bise is one of the most prolific, terroir-specific and highly influential producers of the entire Anjou region. Claude Papin has worked tirelessly to promote the quality that these regions deliver that are staunchly and individually French. These wines are incredible touted by the French press and very little is ever produced. This selection, coming from the village of Chaume, is widely regarded as the finest commune for the Coteaux-du-Layon area and the sweet wines that come from these vineyards are magical indeed. The Coteaux-du-Layon, like the Quarts-des-Chaume below, is made with botrytised grapes. The difference is that it is from sites including schist, sand, and carboniferous soils. Yes, this is a sweet wine but it certainly isn’t gooey and all sugar. The soils as well as the natural acidity of the grape allow it to show in excellent balance. Palate-coating, impeccable movement along with a mineral-tension that creeps through on the luxurious, drawn-out finish. A complete different animal than the Quarts-de-Chaume, it is just as special. Drink through 2035+.



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2010 PIERRE-BISE QUARTS-DE-CHAUME
$64.99 - 500 ML BTL.

"If you're gonna run with the big dogs, you can't p*ss with the puppies." - A famous West Virginia quote.

One doesn't have to worry about Pierre-Bise not runnin' with the Rottweilers or St-Bernards, especially when it comes to their superlative dessert wines. Everyone and their brother who loves and collects stickies should have this wine…The Loire Valley is known as the Garden of France, but it is also known for some of the world's greatest dessert wines. Pierre-Bise’s Quarts de Chaume is a French National Treasure and one could easily reference it as the Chateau d'Yquem of the Loire Valley. Commencing with vintage 2011, this miniscule area of Chaumes (74 acres in total!) will be labeled as Grand Cru.

Vintage 2010 is mighty stuff. Thick and unctuous aromas of baked pear, lemon pie, cinnamon, prolific stony/mineral spice and superripe white peach dominate, but now hitting age 5, it is just starting to unleash some undertones of earl-grey tea, chamomile and earth. In the mouth, it is heavenly, expansive, gloriously textured, and has a stunning, spicy, elevated finish that soars into orbit. This wine is a perfect foil for Foie Gras as well as rich, fruit based desserts, but we would have it by itself as its own dessert. One for the grandkids' grandkids, drink it through 2045+!



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2010 PIERRE-BISE COTEAUX-DU-LAYON
'LES ROUANNIERES'
$33.99 - 500 ML BTL.

A great gateway into the dessert wines from Domaine Pierre-Bise is the Les Rouannieres cuvee. This wine, done with half of it being botrytis, comes from a different village, Beaulieu-sur-Layon. The soils here are volcanic clay with an absence of schist. Aged half in old oak and the other half in stainless steel tank, this is quite an impressive and different showing than the wines from Chaume.

Beautifully aromatic with the telltale honey-orange-pekoe scents that come from this area. Layered, viscous yet quite ethereal and never straying into becoming over the top and too heavy. Drawn-out with an abundance of left and spiced pastry tones on the long and rocking finish that shows no shortage of minerality. A superb value from this producer, drink with cheeses and lighter desserts through 2030.






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