Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'GOOGLY-EYES' HOTSHEET
Walla Walla Malbec, Montrachet at the bottom, Tuscan Red & more!
2013 ST. BARTHOLOMEW MALBEC
WALLA WALLA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
WALLA WALLA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
St. Bartholomew is a Washington project that designed to buck the trend of having American wines solely be expensive or gimmick wines with cute labels. So far, we have seen delicious Roussanne and Cabernet Sauvignon and the latest release is definitely the best yet.
Made by Brett Isenhower this Malbec is solely from Walla Walla fruit. Over-delivering in all facets, a full presence of succulent, aromatic plum, hints of cedar, milk chocolate and allspice scents roll beautifully from the instant the wine is poured. In the mouth, the round, layered texture is inviting, billowy, ripe and forward. The finish brightens carrying quite a bit of extension that is uncommon for Walla Walla wines at this price point. Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Made by Brett Isenhower this Malbec is solely from Walla Walla fruit. Over-delivering in all facets, a full presence of succulent, aromatic plum, hints of cedar, milk chocolate and allspice scents roll beautifully from the instant the wine is poured. In the mouth, the round, layered texture is inviting, billowy, ripe and forward. The finish brightens carrying quite a bit of extension that is uncommon for Walla Walla wines at this price point. Drink over the next 3-4 years.
2013 LOHSA MORELLINO DI SCANSANO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
The village of Scansano is a bastion for Tuscan treasures that are often overlooked. With its slightly warmer climate, hills and abundance of iron-oxide soil, Scansano is one of the more unique growing regions of this famed area of Italy and can deliver wines on all levels.
In 1998, the famous and highly regarded Vino Nobile di Montepulciano estate, Poliziano purchased a plot of land from this vastly underrated area. 85% Morellino (the local clone of Sangiovese) and 15% Ciliegiolo comprise the blend and maintains Poliziano's high standard of excellence and integrity. Nutmeg, dark chocolate and a prominent minerality surrounds black raspberry and roasted plum notes while a mouth-filling combination of wild spice, earth and well-placed core of fruit pleasantly fills the mouth. Classic Sangio tang and juiciness shine throughout, enjoy with grilled or roasted meats, eggplant and hearty pasta dishes.
In 1998, the famous and highly regarded Vino Nobile di Montepulciano estate, Poliziano purchased a plot of land from this vastly underrated area. 85% Morellino (the local clone of Sangiovese) and 15% Ciliegiolo comprise the blend and maintains Poliziano's high standard of excellence and integrity. Nutmeg, dark chocolate and a prominent minerality surrounds black raspberry and roasted plum notes while a mouth-filling combination of wild spice, earth and well-placed core of fruit pleasantly fills the mouth. Classic Sangio tang and juiciness shine throughout, enjoy with grilled or roasted meats, eggplant and hearty pasta dishes.
2012 PINGUS 'PSI' RIBERA DEL DUERO
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
Born into a winemaking family, winemaker/owner Peter Sisseck's was destined to make wine history. His uncle, Peter Vinding-Viers, helped establish the highly regarded Hacienda Monasterio winery in Ribera del Duero, and Peter became winemaker there in 1990. Once his name was synonymous with great wine in Spain, Peter decided to give the world a full view into the depth of his winemaking skills and created the stunning Pingus, one of the most critically acclaimed wines of Spain. It is also one of Spain's most expensive with fewer than 500 cases produced. Peter is a perfectionist who has been known to not produce in certain vintages that were not up to his exacting standards and that level of commitment is found in the second wine of Pingus, Flor de Pingus as well as this wonderful offering known as ‘Psi’. Here is a great chance to drink the brilliance of Pingus for about one-tenth of the price of the grand wine.
95% Tempranillo 5% Grenache and not an overpriced, lightweight, Joven version of Ribera del Duero, the Psi’s natural robust nature of the fruit is massaged into a structure that seduces the palate, caressing the tongue with an almost velvety texture. The presence of coolness is important for the wines reflection of their special western, microclimatic Ribera sector terroir. Fresh-cut rose petal, mineral and creamy marionberry permeate from the glass then follows through to a succulent texture that is tender and chock full of exotic spice. Refined and gorgeous now, it will easily develop for 7-10 years as well.
95% Tempranillo 5% Grenache and not an overpriced, lightweight, Joven version of Ribera del Duero, the Psi’s natural robust nature of the fruit is massaged into a structure that seduces the palate, caressing the tongue with an almost velvety texture. The presence of coolness is important for the wines reflection of their special western, microclimatic Ribera sector terroir. Fresh-cut rose petal, mineral and creamy marionberry permeate from the glass then follows through to a succulent texture that is tender and chock full of exotic spice. Refined and gorgeous now, it will easily develop for 7-10 years as well.
2014 DOMAINE LELIEVRE
COTES-DE-TOUL BLANC
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
COTES-DE-TOUL BLANC
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
A show of hands, who has ever had the chance to drink wines that come from France’s Lorraine region outside of cities like Toul, Nancy or Metz?? About as far off of the wine grid as one could possibly go, the small growing region of Cotes-de-Toul consists entirely of 270 acres for the entire appellation! The region flourished wine-wise until phyloxerra in the 19th century and after two world wars. Mining took precedence as the economic factor and wine growing became an afterthought. Recently there is been a renaissance of sorts with youngsters like Vincent and David Lelievre taking on the roles as caretakers of the small but formidable resurgence of this region.
The white wine here is made from 100% Auxerrois and is an enticing summer (and year round) drink that is an excellent value. Fragrant aromas of honeydew melon, lychee, and soft spice open the show. Impeccably balanced for the second act, this white wine hits you with a wet kiss of minerality, but then rounded out by bursting melon and mandarin, vibrant, brisk acidity, and a pure and extending finish. It is difficult to believe how an obscure wine from France could be such a natural match to Northwest seafood, but have just one bottle of this with fresh local mussels or albacore tuna, and you will become a fan and reach for a second bottle.
The white wine here is made from 100% Auxerrois and is an enticing summer (and year round) drink that is an excellent value. Fragrant aromas of honeydew melon, lychee, and soft spice open the show. Impeccably balanced for the second act, this white wine hits you with a wet kiss of minerality, but then rounded out by bursting melon and mandarin, vibrant, brisk acidity, and a pure and extending finish. It is difficult to believe how an obscure wine from France could be such a natural match to Northwest seafood, but have just one bottle of this with fresh local mussels or albacore tuna, and you will become a fan and reach for a second bottle.
2012 RENZO CASTELLA
DOLCETTO DIANO D'ALBA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
DOLCETTO DIANO D'ALBA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Like their counterparts in Dogliani, the village of Diano D'Alba is known for Dolcetto, hence the special notation of its village on the label. In this village, the grape thrives and is quite special, most times delivering something a bit more.
Renzo Castella's version exquisitely expresses the sandstone soils in the vineyard. Assertive and quite fragrant with striking aromatic plum, violet and spiced-earth on the nose along with a mouth-coating texture that is crunchy, alive and full of Italian succulence. A hell of a Dolcetto! Enjoy it with salami, pasta or smoked sausages.
Renzo Castella's version exquisitely expresses the sandstone soils in the vineyard. Assertive and quite fragrant with striking aromatic plum, violet and spiced-earth on the nose along with a mouth-coating texture that is crunchy, alive and full of Italian succulence. A hell of a Dolcetto! Enjoy it with salami, pasta or smoked sausages.
2010 CHATEAU LES-ORMES-DE-PEZ
SAINT-ESTEPHE
$53.99 BTL./$647.88 CASE
SAINT-ESTEPHE
$53.99 BTL./$647.88 CASE
Situated in the heart of Bordeaux’s St-Estephe region and owned by the Cazes family who own Chateau Lynch-Bages, Les-Ormes-de-Pez is one of the most prestigious of all of the unclassified Chateaux in Bordeaux. Consistently, the pedigree of wines from this estate often will eclipse some of those in the region that have classification status.
2010 is a profound, serious business vintage for Bordeaux and one of hysterical excitement. Les-Ormes de Pez’s blend is classic left bank Bordeaux with 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc & 2% Petit Verdot. An intense ruby red that is best described as elegantly persuasive. Fine spice, cassis and blackberry shine against a backdrop of licorice and cocoa powder. The palate is exquisitely balanced, concentrated, yet still youthful and rambunctious. Ripe berries and briary tones kick in on the entry and give way to alluring chocolate and tobacco tones that spread out on the finish and follow through with pepper and vanilla. There is good appeal and charm to this wine now, but it will be at its ultimate best from 2017 – 2025+.
2010 is a profound, serious business vintage for Bordeaux and one of hysterical excitement. Les-Ormes de Pez’s blend is classic left bank Bordeaux with 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc & 2% Petit Verdot. An intense ruby red that is best described as elegantly persuasive. Fine spice, cassis and blackberry shine against a backdrop of licorice and cocoa powder. The palate is exquisitely balanced, concentrated, yet still youthful and rambunctious. Ripe berries and briary tones kick in on the entry and give way to alluring chocolate and tobacco tones that spread out on the finish and follow through with pepper and vanilla. There is good appeal and charm to this wine now, but it will be at its ultimate best from 2017 – 2025+.
2013 FRANCOIS CARILLON
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
According to Ferris Beuhler, you can never go too far! When it comes to drinking the best chardonnays in the world, you can also never go too far! It has been mentioned by several distributors that it is difficult to sell white Burgundy in this town. Well, it really does go to show the sophistication and knowledge of our friends on our lists that you really know all about the best of the best and every year, White Burgundy outsells California Chardonnay about 10 to 1 in our world, regardless of the pricepoint.
Carillon, like Leflaive and Sauzet, is one of the great names of Puligny Montrachet (see below) who make consistently excellent wines and their reach extends to a delectable Chassagne-Montrachet as well. Piercing but penetrating scents and flavors of rosemary, prominent mineral, butter, and hazelnut and gently placed vanilla notes. Sexy as all get-out, there is ample attack and firm, curve hugging acidity to this serious French Chardonnay. The finish rolls in waves and extends pleasingly well after the wine is swallowed. An outstanding village level wine from a top-drawer producer. Drink through 2024.
Carillon, like Leflaive and Sauzet, is one of the great names of Puligny Montrachet (see below) who make consistently excellent wines and their reach extends to a delectable Chassagne-Montrachet as well. Piercing but penetrating scents and flavors of rosemary, prominent mineral, butter, and hazelnut and gently placed vanilla notes. Sexy as all get-out, there is ample attack and firm, curve hugging acidity to this serious French Chardonnay. The finish rolls in waves and extends pleasingly well after the wine is swallowed. An outstanding village level wine from a top-drawer producer. Drink through 2024.
2013 FRANCOIS CARILLON
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
If there were a specialite de la maison a chez Carillon, it would definitively be the Puligny-Montrachet wines. As wonderful as the previously mentioned Chassagne is, the Puligny amps it up a notch.
Carillon’s 2013 is ultra-impressive with ripe, but very fine aromas of lemon drop, spice, pronounced wet stone and pink grapefruit. Excellent thrust presents itself in the mouth with rich and lavish fullness all while maintaining the detail, grace and refinement of Puligny-Montrachet. Already impressive now, this overachieving village wine will age nicely for another 8-10 years as well. Grab a lobster and a bottle of Carillon Puligny-Montrachet and treat yourself, you will not regret it!
Carillon’s 2013 is ultra-impressive with ripe, but very fine aromas of lemon drop, spice, pronounced wet stone and pink grapefruit. Excellent thrust presents itself in the mouth with rich and lavish fullness all while maintaining the detail, grace and refinement of Puligny-Montrachet. Already impressive now, this overachieving village wine will age nicely for another 8-10 years as well. Grab a lobster and a bottle of Carillon Puligny-Montrachet and treat yourself, you will not regret it!
