Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'TWO-BY-TWO' HOTSHEET
5 pairs of wines from 5 producers incl. Sancerre, Oregon Pinot & Dessert Wine, Cab-Merlot from Italy & more
2011 TEOFILO REYES
RIBERA DEL DUERO CRIANZA
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
RIBERA DEL DUERO CRIANZA
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Teofilo Reyes is one of Spain's most renowned, revered and respected winemakers, having over 50 years’ experience and best known as winemaker at the famed Ribera el Duero estate of Pesquera. When he retired in 1994, he could not stay retired and he and his sons started up Bodegas Reyes. Instantly these wines became quite the Spanish wine darlings, especially given their prime neighborhood and the guys haven't looked back since.
2009 is a lovely vintage for the renowned growing region of Ribera del Duero and the Reyes's version delivers mightily. 100% old vine Tempranillo and aged 16 months in oak, the depth and old-vine intensity is seen in this wine from its deep opaque color to the long complex finish. Rich and deep aromas of black cherry, cinnamon, eucalyptus, strawberry jam and dusty hot earth. Lush and meaty with a long compact finish stuffed with fruit, this luxurious red can be drunk now, but will certainly develop through 2020+.
2009 is a lovely vintage for the renowned growing region of Ribera del Duero and the Reyes's version delivers mightily. 100% old vine Tempranillo and aged 16 months in oak, the depth and old-vine intensity is seen in this wine from its deep opaque color to the long complex finish. Rich and deep aromas of black cherry, cinnamon, eucalyptus, strawberry jam and dusty hot earth. Lush and meaty with a long compact finish stuffed with fruit, this luxurious red can be drunk now, but will certainly develop through 2020+.
2012 TEOFILO REYES
RIBERA DEL DUERO ROBLE 'TAMIZ'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
RIBERA DEL DUERO ROBLE 'TAMIZ'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Tamiz is the gateway into the Reyes world and what a gaping entry way it truly is! Made from younger vines and only seeing 5-7 months in cask, this wine is one that provides instantaneous gratification. Like the previous wine, this is made with all Tempranillo (Tinta del Pais in the Duero) and offers a glimpse of what this luxurious region has to offer.
Made in an early-drinking style this brassy red delivers raspberry, balsam, and spiced earth aromas that flow into a texture that is vibrant, supple and full of character. Plenty of persistence and nice snap-back, this is a delicious everyday red from an upscale region that really offers an excellent glimpse into what the Crianza is all about.
Made in an early-drinking style this brassy red delivers raspberry, balsam, and spiced earth aromas that flow into a texture that is vibrant, supple and full of character. Plenty of persistence and nice snap-back, this is a delicious everyday red from an upscale region that really offers an excellent glimpse into what the Crianza is all about.
2014 PATRICIA GREEN
PINOT NOIR RESERVE
$20.99 BTL./$251.88 CASE
PINOT NOIR RESERVE
$20.99 BTL./$251.88 CASE
Patricia Green and Jim Anderson are long-time vets in the Oregon wine scene and from their days at making the wines at Torii Mor through their now 15-year history doing their own wines at Patricia Green Cellars.
It’s pretty easy to say that this will be one of the fine values from the warm, generous and dramatic 2014 vintage. Showing all of the traits of the 2014 growing season, this is masculine Pinot Noir with dense fruit. Smoky and brazen, full blackberry and cherry scents combine with elusive herbs and spice offering a wine that will please those who are lured in by fruit-forward, chunky Pinots.. Luscious and mouthfilling without any of the octane that is sometimes coming with the 2014 vintage. Plenty of vibrant red tones keep everything in check, especially on the fleshy, expanding finish. Drink over the next 3-4 years.
It’s pretty easy to say that this will be one of the fine values from the warm, generous and dramatic 2014 vintage. Showing all of the traits of the 2014 growing season, this is masculine Pinot Noir with dense fruit. Smoky and brazen, full blackberry and cherry scents combine with elusive herbs and spice offering a wine that will please those who are lured in by fruit-forward, chunky Pinots.. Luscious and mouthfilling without any of the octane that is sometimes coming with the 2014 vintage. Plenty of vibrant red tones keep everything in check, especially on the fleshy, expanding finish. Drink over the next 3-4 years.
2013 PATRICIA GREEN
PINOT NOIR 'BALCOMBE'
$33.99 BTL./$407.88 CASE
PINOT NOIR 'BALCOMBE'
$33.99 BTL./$407.88 CASE
Vintage 2013 is all about classic Pinot Noirs. These are not big alcohol bombs which are traits of warm and dry vintages (see above), but are exactly what traditional Pinot Noir is all about.
Located in the Dundee Hills, adjacent to Domaine Drouhin and just below White Rose, Patricia Green Cellar’s version is quite luxurious, aromatic and possessing fine with clarity and focus. Lavender rose, cherry and pepper tones dominate the nose while in the mouth, it is caressing, silky, vivid and impressively long on the finish revealing lots of pleasant snap-back. Very accessible now, the true typicity of the vintage probably will not arrive for another year or two. Put it in the cellar and drink it 2017 – 2025+.
Located in the Dundee Hills, adjacent to Domaine Drouhin and just below White Rose, Patricia Green Cellar’s version is quite luxurious, aromatic and possessing fine with clarity and focus. Lavender rose, cherry and pepper tones dominate the nose while in the mouth, it is caressing, silky, vivid and impressively long on the finish revealing lots of pleasant snap-back. Very accessible now, the true typicity of the vintage probably will not arrive for another year or two. Put it in the cellar and drink it 2017 – 2025+.
2014 ANDRE NEVEU
SANCERRE 'LONGUES FINS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
SANCERRE 'LONGUES FINS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Profanity cannot describe the greatness of the Sancerre wines from Domaine Andre Neveu. One of the grand names and masters of the region, the wines at Domaine Neveu are based around the sites from where they hail. These are wines that show that while Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc is NOT Sancerre.
Four different cuvees are produced chez Neveu, single parcels reflecting this famed area's diverse soils. Les Longues Fins is from a site that is laden with limestone and the wine always is discreet and doling out its merits in cerebral fashion as it builds from the glass. It also doesn’t hurt that 2014 is a fabulous vintage for these wines! Transparent, finesseful, classic aromas of peat, seashore, pronounced mineral and subtle lemon scents. Linear, electric and focused in the mouth with plenty of intensity in a restrained package; the finish is extreme mineral. Perfect fodder with just about any seafood ranging from freshly shucked oysters to sole bathed in a tarragon-cream sauce.
Four different cuvees are produced chez Neveu, single parcels reflecting this famed area's diverse soils. Les Longues Fins is from a site that is laden with limestone and the wine always is discreet and doling out its merits in cerebral fashion as it builds from the glass. It also doesn’t hurt that 2014 is a fabulous vintage for these wines! Transparent, finesseful, classic aromas of peat, seashore, pronounced mineral and subtle lemon scents. Linear, electric and focused in the mouth with plenty of intensity in a restrained package; the finish is extreme mineral. Perfect fodder with just about any seafood ranging from freshly shucked oysters to sole bathed in a tarragon-cream sauce.
2014 ANDRE NEVEU
SANCERRE 'GRAND FRICAMBAULT'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
SANCERRE 'GRAND FRICAMBAULT'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The Grands Fricambault site is rich with silex soil (very hard, almost diamond-like rocks) vs. old seabed Kimmeridgean marl. Wines from this site are quite boisterous in their aromatic profile, being frontal and not holding much back. Kinda like the great and loquacious Richard Sherman.
Firmly focused, piercing scents that are more rock-dust, steel, smoke and gunflint instead of seashore aromas. Pink grapefruit tones ride alongside touches of lime and herbs pulling everything together to a fine, precise and steely finish of old vine penetration and length. This selection is a perfect match for grilled salmon on a cedar board. PS – Look for the announcement for this week’s Friday Sips, we will be uncorking these!
Firmly focused, piercing scents that are more rock-dust, steel, smoke and gunflint instead of seashore aromas. Pink grapefruit tones ride alongside touches of lime and herbs pulling everything together to a fine, precise and steely finish of old vine penetration and length. This selection is a perfect match for grilled salmon on a cedar board. PS – Look for the announcement for this week’s Friday Sips, we will be uncorking these!
2010 VIGNALTA COLLI EUGANEI
'VENDA ROSSO'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'VENDA ROSSO'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Founded in 1980, Lucio Gomero created Vignalta based on his passion for the red wines from the Right Bank of Bordeaux (Pomerol & St-Emilion).
Il Veneto's Colli Euganei region is in close proximity to Venice. The hills and soil structures allow for exquisite wines made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc to excel all while maintaining their Italian roots. Insanely yummy for 12 bucks and revealing plush blue fruit and nice tealeaf and tobacco character riding shotgun. Voluptuous and sneaky expansive texture that is very clean, brisk, fruit-forward and with an engaging, lingering follow-through.
Il Veneto's Colli Euganei region is in close proximity to Venice. The hills and soil structures allow for exquisite wines made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc to excel all while maintaining their Italian roots. Insanely yummy for 12 bucks and revealing plush blue fruit and nice tealeaf and tobacco character riding shotgun. Voluptuous and sneaky expansive texture that is very clean, brisk, fruit-forward and with an engaging, lingering follow-through.
2009 VIGNALTA COLLI EUGANEI
ROSSO RISERVA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
ROSSO RISERVA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Let's set one thing straight about Vignalta's red wines, these are not glossed-up, overoaked, overpriced Super Tuscan wannabes. Unlike Tuscany, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were introduced to Northern Italy in the late 19th century and the wines here speak beautifully of their terroir versus having to suffer in shimmering new French barrels.
This wine does see oak aging but the new oak is kept to a minimum. The 2009 serves up enticing scents of blueberry, roasted coffee, energetic ironstone and plum. Pure spices arrive from the earth and the wine possesses a coating texture that is dry, tangy and exactly what Colli Euganei is all about. A perfect excuse to cook duck! Drink now and over the next 5-6 years.
This wine does see oak aging but the new oak is kept to a minimum. The 2009 serves up enticing scents of blueberry, roasted coffee, energetic ironstone and plum. Pure spices arrive from the earth and the wine possesses a coating texture that is dry, tangy and exactly what Colli Euganei is all about. A perfect excuse to cook duck! Drink now and over the next 5-6 years.
2010 FAUSSE PISTE 'POST FEAST'
GRENACHE PORT
$26.99 - 375 ML BOTTLE
GRENACHE PORT
$26.99 - 375 ML BOTTLE
One of the unique Northwest operations is that of Jesse Skiles, owner/winemaker of Fausse Piste. This urban winery is not afraid to push buttons and to put forth wines that are particularly inspired by the old world yet done in our own back yard. Jessie happens to be a trained chef as well as doing the wine thing at Owen Roe before starting his current venture. We have featured numerous wines from this very individual producer in the past but for this pair, it something quite unique and not exactly done by hordes of producers in our area.
The ‘Post Feast’ Port is made in a true Port fashion. Aged over 2.5 years in barrel and with the fermentation stopped with the fortification of neutral grape spirits, this outstanding local after dinner wine possesses amazing character and pedigree. 100% Grenache from the Outlook Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, this is an absolute magnet to have with chocolate. One of the most difficult parts of finding Port-inspired versions outside of Portugal is finding one with good balance that is not too grapey, and not ridiculously sweet. Post Feast is done in an elegant and vibrant style, with good balance between sweetness and briskness along with excellent flavors of caramel, blackberry, and spice. Grab the dark chocolate or blue cheese!
The ‘Post Feast’ Port is made in a true Port fashion. Aged over 2.5 years in barrel and with the fermentation stopped with the fortification of neutral grape spirits, this outstanding local after dinner wine possesses amazing character and pedigree. 100% Grenache from the Outlook Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, this is an absolute magnet to have with chocolate. One of the most difficult parts of finding Port-inspired versions outside of Portugal is finding one with good balance that is not too grapey, and not ridiculously sweet. Post Feast is done in an elegant and vibrant style, with good balance between sweetness and briskness along with excellent flavors of caramel, blackberry, and spice. Grab the dark chocolate or blue cheese!
2011 FAUSSE PISTE 'GHOSTS OF ORTOLAN'
ROUSSANNE (SHERRY)
$26.99 - 375 ML BOTTLE
ROUSSANNE (SHERRY)
$26.99 - 375 ML BOTTLE
Ghosts of Ortolan refers to the specter of a wine made from the original Fausse Piste dry white wine, Ortolan. 100% Roussanne and made in a Fino Sherry style, Jesse reserved wine after the dry wine fermented. He left it to age outside to develop its flor. It was then aged a further 3 years to develop the oxidative quality of what one would find within a delicious sherry.
Alluring scents of dried flowers along with prominent saltiness along with suggestions of almonds, brine, some subtle anise and an underlay of tangy earth qualities. In the mouth, it is teeth-rattling dry with brightness and plenty of expansion. The finish is illuminating and seems to go on and haunt for an eternity. A perfect choice for an aperitif but is an imaginative and excellent pairing with sushi.
Alluring scents of dried flowers along with prominent saltiness along with suggestions of almonds, brine, some subtle anise and an underlay of tangy earth qualities. In the mouth, it is teeth-rattling dry with brightness and plenty of expansion. The finish is illuminating and seems to go on and haunt for an eternity. A perfect choice for an aperitif but is an imaginative and excellent pairing with sushi.
