Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'CROCK OF STEW' HOTSHEET
95 pt. Syrah Special, Montalcino Value, Bordeaux, Malbec & more
2012 CHATEAU LA GROLET BORDEAUX
COTES-DE-BOURG ROUGE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
COTES-DE-BOURG ROUGE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Beneath the archaic aspect of secrecy in Bordeaux, there is ample forward thinking of a young generation of Petite Chateaux owners who are making terrific wine and doing with sensible farming and attention to detail in the winery. Let's not be fooled, this area is a great lake of wine and at The Cellar Door, I will still reject 15 out of 20 Petite Chateaux Bordeaux that the wholesalers present to me.
Hubert Bossuet practices biodynamic farming on his estate that is perched on slopes in the Côtes-de-Bourg district affectionately known by locals as "the little Switzerland of Gironde". 30% Old vine Cabernet Sauvignon blended in with 65% Merlot and 5% Malbec; this wine is the epitome of Bordeaux. Soils here are clay and gravel which deliver minerality, but also enhanced by beautifully layered cassis and blue fruits. Earthy spice comes forward on the lengthy finish. Depth and persistence are present both of which are hallmarks of Bordeaux's excellent and much-underrated 2012 vintage. Lovely now with a pan-seared rib-eye steak, duck or aged cheeses. Given the vintage's high quality, it may be aged for 5-7 years, too.
Hubert Bossuet practices biodynamic farming on his estate that is perched on slopes in the Côtes-de-Bourg district affectionately known by locals as "the little Switzerland of Gironde". 30% Old vine Cabernet Sauvignon blended in with 65% Merlot and 5% Malbec; this wine is the epitome of Bordeaux. Soils here are clay and gravel which deliver minerality, but also enhanced by beautifully layered cassis and blue fruits. Earthy spice comes forward on the lengthy finish. Depth and persistence are present both of which are hallmarks of Bordeaux's excellent and much-underrated 2012 vintage. Lovely now with a pan-seared rib-eye steak, duck or aged cheeses. Given the vintage's high quality, it may be aged for 5-7 years, too.
2012 CANALICCHIO
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Canalicchio, led by Franco Pacenti, over-delivers on all levels at his Montalcino estate. Located in the northern reaches of the Brunello di Montalcino zone, Canalicchio’s 2012 Rosso is a hell of a Tuscan tipple that is so tasty for a mere 20 bucks.
Attractively put-together and a delightful expression of Montalcino terroir and character, violet, blackberry, sage and Christmas spice waft from the glass and carry over to the lavish texture. Sneaky structure is present, but Canalicchio’s suppleness and smoothness rule the day and are most present on the easy-going, crowd-pleasing, dark-berry finish. If you’re grilling a bit of beef on a Thursday evening and don’t want to uncork a Brunello, then this is your choice.
Attractively put-together and a delightful expression of Montalcino terroir and character, violet, blackberry, sage and Christmas spice waft from the glass and carry over to the lavish texture. Sneaky structure is present, but Canalicchio’s suppleness and smoothness rule the day and are most present on the easy-going, crowd-pleasing, dark-berry finish. If you’re grilling a bit of beef on a Thursday evening and don’t want to uncork a Brunello, then this is your choice.
2013 CRISTOM PINOT NOIR
'MT. JEFFERSON'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
'MT. JEFFERSON'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
If there is ever a vintage for Cristom and Steve Doerner, 2013 would be it. The conditions play right into the entire operation's hands beautifully. I tasted this over the long weekend and within 30 seconds simply stated that you instantaneously know that this is Cristom!
The 2013 Mt-Jeff is full of fragrance and typical of a Cristom wine based around aromatics and beauty. Red berry, violet, soft smoke, and elusive herbs and spices are the characteristics of the wine. In the mouth, it is sensual, cool, harmonious and virtually weightless. In the mouth, velvety and long-legged without being jammy. The finish is expansive and full of what is good about Oregon’s finest producers’ wines. Seriously delicious and always a consistent performer, this wine is a resounding local choice to share and use for holiday gift-giving, dinners, etc.
The 2013 Mt-Jeff is full of fragrance and typical of a Cristom wine based around aromatics and beauty. Red berry, violet, soft smoke, and elusive herbs and spices are the characteristics of the wine. In the mouth, it is sensual, cool, harmonious and virtually weightless. In the mouth, velvety and long-legged without being jammy. The finish is expansive and full of what is good about Oregon’s finest producers’ wines. Seriously delicious and always a consistent performer, this wine is a resounding local choice to share and use for holiday gift-giving, dinners, etc.
2011 MUGA RIOJA RESERVA
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
When it comes to Rioja, Muga is akin to Soul Train's Don Cornelius – smooth, laid-back and full of everything that icons are made from all without the 12 or so bowls of fine cheeb before heading out on stage. Speaking of stage, when it comes to the legends in Rioja, along with Lopez de Heredia, La Rioja Alta and a few others, Muga definitely plays on the main stage!
Though the legal definition of “Reserva” in the region of Rioja requires three years of ageing, with a minimum of just one year in barrel, this wine spends a full 2 years in barrel, and achieves a complete integration of the flavors of grape and wood, plus the mellowness that only time can provide. Deep, meaty and aromatic on the nose with a beautiful perfume of secondary aromas of tobacco, cedar, leather and deep rich berries in the background, this classically formed Rioja is super complex and has great balance in the mouth. The poise and brilliance that is so prevalent throughout really permeates on the finish that is packed with warm spice, cocoa, leather and one more hit of berry. A real stunner that drinks well out of the chute and will age nicely for 10-12 more years.
Though the legal definition of “Reserva” in the region of Rioja requires three years of ageing, with a minimum of just one year in barrel, this wine spends a full 2 years in barrel, and achieves a complete integration of the flavors of grape and wood, plus the mellowness that only time can provide. Deep, meaty and aromatic on the nose with a beautiful perfume of secondary aromas of tobacco, cedar, leather and deep rich berries in the background, this classically formed Rioja is super complex and has great balance in the mouth. The poise and brilliance that is so prevalent throughout really permeates on the finish that is packed with warm spice, cocoa, leather and one more hit of berry. A real stunner that drinks well out of the chute and will age nicely for 10-12 more years.
2014 ZORZAL MALBEC
'TERROIR UNICO'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
'TERROIR UNICO'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
Zorzal is a relatively small producer in Argentina. When it comes to these sorts of entry-level Malbecs from Argentina, I admire this style, that being no use of oak or worse yet oak chips, just a pure expression Malbec.
The Terroir Unico cuvee shows its sandy soil terroir with its flamboyant aromatics. Blackberry and plum-pit qualities surround secondary scents of licorice and coffee all which carry into a mouth filling texture that is nothing but fun and dare I say, festive. A perfect wine to drink by the case, it will pair nicely with sauteed pork chops or even a good Bolognese sauce.
The Terroir Unico cuvee shows its sandy soil terroir with its flamboyant aromatics. Blackberry and plum-pit qualities surround secondary scents of licorice and coffee all which carry into a mouth filling texture that is nothing but fun and dare I say, festive. A perfect wine to drink by the case, it will pair nicely with sauteed pork chops or even a good Bolognese sauce.
2002 KESSELSTAT RIESLING KABINETT
'KASELER NIES'CHEN'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'KASELER NIES'CHEN'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The challenge for us is to get Riesling into your glasses. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we don't. I've been playing the wine game for almost 30 years and can't tell you countless times when you ask someone if they would like a taste of fine Riesling, they respond "oooooo, yuk-I don't drink anything sweet"! After their refusal to try it, almost every time they proceed to pick out a bottle of overoaked Chardonnay that is even sweeter!
Yes, there is a kiss of sweetness to this wine, but not more that would be in many 2014 Oregon Pinot Gris. On more than one or two occasions, I have mentioned that the greatest of white wines will outlive the greatest of reds and this sterling, 13-year-old Riesling is perfect proof! The main thing that drives this wine are the soils of the vineyard. Kaseler Nies’chen is a top vineyard in the tiny Ruwer region that is packed with hard slabs of blue slate. Pronounced lime, currant and peach along with subtle ginger notes. Piercing, very focused mineral tones which are classic to the blue slate bring out delineation and very cool finesse. Complex, secondary tones are quite present and reveal themselves in such a handsome way. Drinking exquisitely and still packing loads of life, 2002 was a grand vintage for Kabinett, Spatlese and Auslese wines. This semi-dry Riesling possesses a low alcohol level (10.5%) and is brilliantly delineated, complex and most importantly, very detailed. Drinking wonderfully now and will continue to do so for another 4-5 years…if not longer.
Yes, there is a kiss of sweetness to this wine, but not more that would be in many 2014 Oregon Pinot Gris. On more than one or two occasions, I have mentioned that the greatest of white wines will outlive the greatest of reds and this sterling, 13-year-old Riesling is perfect proof! The main thing that drives this wine are the soils of the vineyard. Kaseler Nies’chen is a top vineyard in the tiny Ruwer region that is packed with hard slabs of blue slate. Pronounced lime, currant and peach along with subtle ginger notes. Piercing, very focused mineral tones which are classic to the blue slate bring out delineation and very cool finesse. Complex, secondary tones are quite present and reveal themselves in such a handsome way. Drinking exquisitely and still packing loads of life, 2002 was a grand vintage for Kabinett, Spatlese and Auslese wines. This semi-dry Riesling possesses a low alcohol level (10.5%) and is brilliantly delineated, complex and most importantly, very detailed. Drinking wonderfully now and will continue to do so for another 4-5 years…if not longer.
2012 VOGE CORNAS VIEILLES VIGNES
[reg. $89.99] SPECIAL!- $65.99 BTL./$791.88 CASE
[reg. $89.99] SPECIAL!- $65.99 BTL./$791.88 CASE
The now retired Alain Voge and Alberic Mazoyers, his partner at Domaine Voge and former enologist at Chapoutier, are two guys that live, eat, drink and breathe the passion that is Cornas. There is total reverence and admiration between the two men and the wines are and always have been stunning. Greatness came in 2012 and the results at this address are magnificent.
Thrilling and profound tones of cracked pepper, violets, smoked beef, and undertones of chocolate-covered cherry. In the mouth, it shows a lushness of fruit that is still youthful, but also shows the telltale minerality of the region. The finish is young and exuberant, but seems to go on for what seems like infinity. Fully integrated, ripe tannins promise tremendous aging potential for those willing to wait 15 to 20 years. If you are adventurous and want to uncork one now, decant it for about an hour but realistically, give it until 2018 and then enjoy it over the next decade after that and beyond. Virtuoso Syrah that is destined for greatness. If you like scores, The Wine Advocate scored it 95 points.
Thrilling and profound tones of cracked pepper, violets, smoked beef, and undertones of chocolate-covered cherry. In the mouth, it shows a lushness of fruit that is still youthful, but also shows the telltale minerality of the region. The finish is young and exuberant, but seems to go on for what seems like infinity. Fully integrated, ripe tannins promise tremendous aging potential for those willing to wait 15 to 20 years. If you are adventurous and want to uncork one now, decant it for about an hour but realistically, give it until 2018 and then enjoy it over the next decade after that and beyond. Virtuoso Syrah that is destined for greatness. If you like scores, The Wine Advocate scored it 95 points.
