Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'TIN FOIL HATS' HOTSHEET
Bang for Buck Wines including Chianti Magnums, Cameron, Malbec, Barolo value & more & more


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2014 CAMERON CHARDONNAY
'DUNDEE HILLS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Sometimes we wonder just how in the bloody hell John Paul is able to make such a Chardonnay that is this prolific at such a great price. One of Oregon’s top producers period, this dude’s Chardonnays are absolute wonders and are extremely influential.

Toss aside your notions of big butter-bomb, pull the oak splinters from your tongue kind of wines, this Chardonnay is solely Oregon and most influenced by white Burgundy. The secret behind this 360 case production wine is the fruit sources. All except one barrel is from Abbey Ridge and the blocks are 35 and 40 years old. The other barrel is declassified Clos Electrique. Restraint and self-assuredness are exactly what the 2014 Cameron Chardonnay is all about. Buttered apple, biscuit, anise along with pristine mineral, this is a wonderful Oregon wine to pair with seafood. Harmony throughout, this delicious white is smooth, well-bred, mouth filling without ever becoming heavy and dare we say, quite Burgundian in its presence. As usual, this offering really turns on the electricity with its super-bright, extending finish that reveals its old vine material. Perfect to serve for upcoming feasts for November, December and beyond.



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2013 LA POSTA MALBEC
'PAULUCCI'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Laura Catena’s La Posta project is based around grape growing families in Argentina and are reflective of where they are grown. La Posta also means ‘the tavern’ because this is where many folks would gather locally to share and drink many bottles of their wines.

Angel Paulucci's family produced wine in Italy since the early 1800's, and Angel arrived in Mendoza with his parents in 1953 at the age of 21. The vines for these selections come from Ugarteche at the southern limit of the Lujan de Cuyo department. Black licorice, smoke, red raspberry, tar and rose petal intermingle with subtle sandalwood and vanilla notes that show wonderful refinement. The palate is nicely integrated, velvety and possessing good concentration. The finish is sleek, lasting and incredibly full of life. Drink it now - 2019 and with grilled pork chops or leg of lamb.



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2013 LA POSTA MALBEC
'PIZZELLA'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Pizzella is a complete left turn in comparison to the Paulucci listed above with grapes coming from the Altimira section of La Consulta. The vines here are a bit younger and this number tends to be darker and spicier in its profile, possessing ample blueberry, plum, licorice, and allspice tones while never straying outside of its refined frame.

Very typical of a Laura Catena wine, this wine is not about sheer power and is more about complexity, depth and above all poise. Lots of lingering pleasantness on the finish, this is a perfect wine to enjoy with meat dishes and those combined with tomatoes. Drink over the next 3-4 years.



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2009 FELSINA CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
$61.99 - 1.5 LTR. MAGNUM BOTTLE

Fattoria di Felsina is one of the greatest and most profound of all Tuscan and Chianti properties. The style here is one of power due to prime plots in the southern area of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Felsina first gained fame for doing away with the lesser quality varietals of Chianti and bottling 100% Sangiovese wines in the 80s when it was still illegal to do so. Many consider this as both innovative and maverick, but we consider it genius because over the last 25+ years, Felsina is undoubtedly one of our favorite and greatest Chianti producers.

Here is a special chance to score some larger format bottles from a vintage that certainly has no shortage of penetration, power and persistence. It also happens to have a 93-point score from Antonio Galloni’s Vinous. ‘The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva is stunningly beautiful. It boasts a great core of dark red fruit, licorice, spices, new leather and herbs. The 2009 impresses for its mid-palate density and sheer power. This is a great showing. The 2009 can be enjoyed today, but it is rather muscular, and is probably best suited for aging a few years. This is a terrific showing. A recent bottle of the 1995 was stunning in its beauty. The Riserva is 100% Sangiovese aged in a combination of casks and smaller French oak barrels. – 93 POINTS – VINOUS’



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2014 RAFAEL PALACIOS VALDEORRAS
GODELLO 'BOLO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

If the surname sounds familiar, it is because Rafael Palacios is the younger brother of Spain's most influential winemaker, Alvaro Palacios. Alvaro's influence is felt throughout Spain as well as this new Bodega. By establishing himself in Valdeorras and given his lineage, Rafa has made this Galician region one to be reckoned with both now and in the future.

Aged without the use of any intrusive oak and from vines up to 40 years old, this 100% Godello kills it for 17 bucks and is a pure palate-pleaser. Lemon, pear, blossom and mineral scents open the show. On the palate, there is crisp electricity, medium body and a velvety mouthfeel. Lemon and apple flavors together with some background rocky character predominate in the long finish. As far as food pairings, fish and shellfish would be fine but there is enough substance here to go with the white meat of the holiday turkey.



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2013 PESQUIE VENTOUX ROUGE
'LES TERRASSES'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Pesquie's Ventoux Rouge (70% Grenache 30% Syrah) is one of the most amazing values on the whole damn planet. Formerly known as Cotes-de-Ventoux, Ventoux is the region characterized by alternating hills and valleys that closely surround Mont Ventoux and extend back to the Dentelles de Montmirial. Many youthful producers are changing the image of this region in small increments, fighting against the local co-op menace and putting forth excellent wines that really are reflective of their varying terroirs.

The word Terrasses comes from the Latin word terras, which literally means, "lump of earth". This flavorful yet tender wine exudes the personality of Provence. Aromas of lavender, smoke, thyme and pepper lead into a deceptively deep textured wine with substance and soul. A fine all-season selection that works well with slow-roasted lamb or stews in winter as well as grilled fare in summer. Enjoy this savory Southern French treat over the next 3-4 years. If you need score reassurance, this has 91 from The Wine Advocate.



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2013 GRAMCERY CELLARS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 'LOWER EAST'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE

The perception of this Walla Walla stalwart is that their primary focus is on Syrah and Rhone varietals but what most don’t know is that Greg Harrington and his Gramercy Cellar operation also put forth very genuine Cabernets that are very true to the land and are certainly not overripe, homogenous caricatures of themselves.

Lower East is a tribute to Walla Walla being in Lower East Washington and Greg making his bones at Gramercy Tavern in New York. 2013 is a lovely and full vintage in Washington, but Gramcery wines are always in-check and very much in balance. A full nose of expressive aromas of pipe tobacco, cassis, mint, clove and red earth gives way to a refined, seamless texture that possesses broad and layered attack. Sophisticated, very real and detailed with lots of underlying backbone, especially on the drawn-out and true to its soil finish that fans out so very well. Very lovable now and over the next 7-10 years.



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2011 BREZZA BAROLO
$36.99 BTL./$443.88 CASE

An ultra-traditional producer based in the village of Barolo all of the grapes for this wine come from these hallowed slopes. Since the late 90s, Enzo Brezza has been on fire and right now, at these prices, they are very undervalued given their impeccable quality.

2011 is a warm and quite inviting, full-flavored vintage and Enzo declassified portions of his single cru Castellero and Cannubi vineyard fruit to go into this cuvee. Possessing stylish scents of prominent red licorice surrounded by camphor, mushroom and roses with excellent vivid qualities and a beautiful sense of what Barolo village is all about. Finesseful, rich, very regal and very ethereal wine in the mouth that shows scintillating red fruits and purity. Long and possessing a sneaky structured underbelly, one could have a go at one now with some food, this is the kind of wine that is absolutely perfect for consuming over the next 8-10 years while waiting for your 2006s, 2008s and especially 2010s to come to fruition.









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