Hot Sheets

2011 ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI
CHIANTI CLASSICO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Over the years the following that we’ve developed for Marco Ricasoli's Rocca di Montegrossi wines has become very formidable and deservedly so, these wines on all levels are some of the most tremendous in the entire Chianti region, especially the top-value Classico.

2011 provided Tuscany with very warm conditions that were on the lines of years like 2007 or 1997 resulting in full, fruit-forward wines that have excellent early appeal and nice potential for aging. Montegrossi's 2011 has followed suit but Marco's version never loses what we call "that Gaiole steeliness". Bountiful and full of exuberance, this appealing Chianti sports round cushiony cherry notes that are backed up by smoked sage, violet, roasted earth and tingling hints of cinnamon all leading into a savory, rich and velvety mouthfeel. Submerged structure below the surface forms deceptive backbone allow this Tuscan red to stand up to rich meat-sauced pasta dishes and hard cheeses. Drink THIS ‘Almost Riserva’ Chianti through 2023. If you want a score, this has 92 Points from Antonio Galloni's Vinous Media.

2012 HAUT-RIAN
COTES-DE-BORDEAUX ROUGE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

As we know very well, Chateau Haut-Rian owner/winemaker Michel Doetrich is proficient in White and Rose wine but he is equally skilled with his superbly priced red wines. A spectacular value, this classic Bordeaux blend comes from various sites along the slopes of the Garonne River, which encompass limestone, clay and gravelly soils. More and more as we look at vintage 2012 in Bordeaux, we are recognizing that it is VERY good indeed.

Instantaneous blueberry, roasted coffee, rose petal and mineral tones surround smoke, subtle cigar box and underlying licorice, all which take excellent form and present themselves in a deceptively deep manner. Lacy, silky texture with a classic firm Bordeaux middle that builds and flows judiciously into a finish that takes off, especially given its price point. Very versatile with food pairings. Drink over the next 3-5 years with chicken, rib-eye steak, grilled pork, andouillette sausage, even pizza.

2014 AMEZTOI RUBENTIS
TXAKOLI ROSE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE - LIMITED!

Ameztoi's Rubentis Rosé is the wine world's only performance enhancing drug! What and where is Txakoli you ask. Txacoli is one of the world's tiniest and most picturesque regions. Grown in the Atlantic region of the Basque Country, Arbako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, and Getaraiko Txakolina are the Denominacions that are home to some of Spain's most unique and flavorful wines.

From the Getaraiko region overlooking San Sebastián, comes the Txakoli from Ameztoi. Ameztoi, who has achieved cult-like status, especially for this pink wine, and is widely regarded as the region's finest producer. From the estate's vineyards, one can see the Atlantic Ocean and the profound influence that it has on the grapes and the wines is nothing short of enormous. Made from the ever popular (at least in this part of the Basque region) Hondarribi Zuri (50%) and Hondarribi Beltza (50%) grapes, at 11% alcohol, Ameztoi's Rubentis is a visceral pink wine experience, especially when served and drank from a porron (a.k.a. the Txakoli Bong)! Resoundingly fresh and shimmering, detailed and precise with perfumed crushed stone, seashore, cranberry, cherry-pit and lime-blossom scents that follow into an active, pleasing, bracing, vibrant, chalky and elevated mouth-feel. Truly a wine that will undoubtedly make anyone happy! Drink it now, drink it often, it is a marvelous accompaniment to sushi or other fresh seafood.

2013 CASA CASTILLO MONASTRELL JUMILLA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

If you were to look up the word confusion in the Webster's Dictionary, you might see this entry: 1.) the quality or state of being confused. 2.) an act or instance that is confusing. If you were to look up the word confusion in The Cellar Door Dictionary, this is what you would see: 1.) 4 Oregonians at a 4-way stop-sign in the rain. 2.) Spanish Wine Laws and the state of anarchy of which varietals are "principal grapes," "permitted grapes," and "experimental grapes".

The southeast Spanish region of Jumilla is set up in this manner with numerous allowed varietals, but one red grape above all is most recognized and that is Monastrell or mourvèdre for all of you Francophiles. Casa Castillo is owned by The Sanchez-Cerezo family and their wines on all levels have received many accolades and awards.

The 2013 Jumilla Monastrell is a fantastic best buy that acts like a Baby Bandol and has steak written all over it. 100% Monastrell and packed with blackberry, iron, tea-leaf and scorched earth it is in the mouth an assertive 12 dollar red that has bold fruit then gains brightness and firmness in the back. This super little drinker should be consumed over the next 2-3 years

2013 PATRICIA GREEN CELLARS PINOT NOIR
'BALCOMBE VINEYARD'
$33.99 BTL./$407.88 CASE

The Cellar Door has been working with Patty Green & Jim Anderson's top-level wines since their inception in 2000 and even going back to their old Torii Mor days and the thing that has always impressed us most is just how comsistently wonderful their wines are and continue to be. In fact, I believe they are better than ever.

Vintage 2013 is producing classic Pinot Noirs. These are not big alcohol bombs which which are traits of warm and dry vintages, but a return to what tradtional 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 – 2024+.

2012 DELILLE 'DOYENNE' SYRAH
$39.99 BTL./$407.88 CASE

2014 MALAT RIESLING 'KREMSTAL'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Explaining the virtues and intricacies of the noble Riesling grape is always one of the most frustrating aspects of my job. Riesling is a varietal that comes in all shapes and sizes and levels of sweetness. These range from some of the most ferociously dry and ageworthy versions to some of the sweetest and most sought-after dessert wines in the world and then all points in between.

Take pause and notice this wine. Yes, it's Riesling, yes, it's from Austria, and yes, we have to shout about it out to the non-believers: YES, IT IS DRY! Michael Malat is one of Austria’s Kremstal region’s most prolific producers and specialize in both Riesling and Gruner Veltliner. They are also widely renowned as one of Austria's great values given the apex quality that shows in the bottle. The 2014 Kremstal is aromatic with perfumed and precise aromas of gunflint, apricot, lively nectarine and insatiable minerality. Richly textured and fully dry, yet completely electric. Hell, it could light up all of Vienna with its vibrancy. Superb, linear, saline/tangerine finish that goes on for minutes after the wine is swallowed. It is very approachable now, but also has a nice future ahead of it. Drink it with fresh halibut or mussels but will age impeccably through 2020. Not too shabby for 20 bucks.

2009 BARTOLO MASCARELLO BAROLO
$109.99 - VERY LIMITED!

Here is something we never do, feature a Barolo from a legendary estate that is almost next to impossible to get one’s hands on and becomes one that increases in value as it ages. The late Bartolo Mascarello was one of the devout traditionalists and in the years since he has gone to the great vineyard in the sky, has become even more influential and legendary. Bartolo’s daughter Maria Teresa produces the wines. She has not changed a thing with this miniscule estate whose credo is to keep things on a human level in lieu of going out and expanding and obtaining more land. This has resulted in Barolo collectors’ euphoria to score mere bottles of this juice. We happen to have a small amount available to us now!

In keeping with Bartolo’s tradition of making one single Barolo, the grapes come from a combined 7 acres from four vineyards. Cannubi, Rue and San Lorenzo in Barolo as well as Rocche in La Morra. 2009 is a vintage that while warm is somewhat of an underrated beast. More and more that we see these wines, I often go back to thinking there are glimpses of 2001 in them which was a vintage that folks tripped over their shoelaces to get. Ample levels of fruit are here but typical of this estate’s Barolo wines, there is grip and plenty of backbone. Deep and lifting, there is so much story that is going to be told with this wine’s development. A real on-form expression, this needs at least until its 10th birthday before uncorking. Drink 2019 – 2030.