Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'ALL EARS' HOTSHEET
New 2012 Oregon Pinots, 20 buck White Burgundy, Walla Walla Wine, Provence Rose and more & more
2013 WALLA WALLA VINTNERS SANGIOVESE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
One of the pioneering producers in Walla Walla, Gordy Venneri was regaling in how his Walla Walla Vinters estate was one of only 10 producers located in his charming town back in the mid 90s and how it has blossomed to well over 100 in under 20 years. Gordy was also one of the first to investigate Italian varietals in the region and these days, is doing quite well with them, especially this credible and sumptuous Sangiovese.
The biggest thing here is that there is significantly less new oak used on this wine than in the past, which allows its sense of origin and varietal character to emerge. 2013 is a powerful vintage and in this wine, all the pieces matter. Nicely intertwined aromas revealing luscious blackberry, sage, subtle vanilla/coffee along with hints of licorice rolling through to the palate that is both smooth and boastful. Polished, generous and having everything just in its right place, then finishing up with long flavors that call you back for another taste! Drink through 2021.
The biggest thing here is that there is significantly less new oak used on this wine than in the past, which allows its sense of origin and varietal character to emerge. 2013 is a powerful vintage and in this wine, all the pieces matter. Nicely intertwined aromas revealing luscious blackberry, sage, subtle vanilla/coffee along with hints of licorice rolling through to the palate that is both smooth and boastful. Polished, generous and having everything just in its right place, then finishing up with long flavors that call you back for another taste! Drink through 2021.
2013 FEUILLARDE SAINT-VERAN
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
“Le seul moyen de se délivrer de la tentation, c'est d'y céder” – Oscar Wilde. Translated: The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. When you taste this dashing white Burgundy, it is a sure-fire bet that you will give in to its magnetism. St-Veran is an interesting appellation because it's combination of 8 villages bordering Pouilly-Fuissé on both the north and south. What makes St-Veran special is each of the villages' distinct terroirs. Feuillarde's offering is grown from 40-year-old vines in the St-Veran village of Prisse and is expressive of its predominant Jurassic clay soils that are enhanced with sedimentary limestone.
2013 is the third vintage of Lucien Thomas’s delicious workhorse white wine that absolutely sees no oak barrels. A small but lightning-good vintage for this area, Domaine Feuillarde’s rendition is an exquisite drink. Minerals abound, it shares a seriously complex nose of mandarin orange, lemon, mineral and subtle spice. In the mouth it has terrific intensity, with waves of citrus flavors and you can just feel the old vine intensity, yet it is in no cloying or overblown. Instead, it offers seamless texture and livewire burst on the long finish. Drink now through 2018 with roasted chicken or stuffed mushrooms.
2013 is the third vintage of Lucien Thomas’s delicious workhorse white wine that absolutely sees no oak barrels. A small but lightning-good vintage for this area, Domaine Feuillarde’s rendition is an exquisite drink. Minerals abound, it shares a seriously complex nose of mandarin orange, lemon, mineral and subtle spice. In the mouth it has terrific intensity, with waves of citrus flavors and you can just feel the old vine intensity, yet it is in no cloying or overblown. Instead, it offers seamless texture and livewire burst on the long finish. Drink now through 2018 with roasted chicken or stuffed mushrooms.
2010 CANTELE SALICE SALENTINO RISERVA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
A perennial Southern Italian favorite 12-buck value returns and once again plenty of accolades come with it. First and foremost is the wine's very high ‘yum' factor which is off the charts!
From Puglia, roasted aromas of cherry, leather, spice, tangy earth and licorice follow into a ripe, generous and plummy texture with telltale wild traits that marry up so well to classic tomato-based dishes. This mouth-filling, everyday red will also work well with roasted meats encrusted with herbs and spices. Also has 90 points from The International Wine Cellar.
From Puglia, roasted aromas of cherry, leather, spice, tangy earth and licorice follow into a ripe, generous and plummy texture with telltale wild traits that marry up so well to classic tomato-based dishes. This mouth-filling, everyday red will also work well with roasted meats encrusted with herbs and spices. Also has 90 points from The International Wine Cellar.
2013 CHATEAU LA MASCARONNE
COTES-DE-PROVENCE ROSE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
COTES-DE-PROVENCE ROSE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
In 1999 this classic Provencal Chateau and its vineyards were revitalized and purchased by Tom Beve, an American who formerly owned Chateau Miraval which so many of you enjoyed in the past. Located in a different spot than Miraval and possessing different terroir, this Rose is prototype of what good, well crafted, Southern French Rose should be.
Made from 45% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, 15% Syrah & 15% Mourvedre this pearl of a dry pink wine is lightly macerated on its skins for a few hours then gently pressed to put forth something quite complex and complete. A mouthful of yum, but just as important, one whiff will transport you to the land of lavender! Smoke, subtle spice, strawberry-watermelon notes jump from the glass and lead into a sophisticated and lip-smacking texture that shows itself to be both a regal and serious Rose that is not only just for slamming back, it is great to take to the table. Mascaronne Rose is perfect fodder with grilled tombo tuna, grilled salmon, vegetable-driven salads and goat cheese slathered in olive oil and provencal herbs.
Made from 45% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, 15% Syrah & 15% Mourvedre this pearl of a dry pink wine is lightly macerated on its skins for a few hours then gently pressed to put forth something quite complex and complete. A mouthful of yum, but just as important, one whiff will transport you to the land of lavender! Smoke, subtle spice, strawberry-watermelon notes jump from the glass and lead into a sophisticated and lip-smacking texture that shows itself to be both a regal and serious Rose that is not only just for slamming back, it is great to take to the table. Mascaronne Rose is perfect fodder with grilled tombo tuna, grilled salmon, vegetable-driven salads and goat cheese slathered in olive oil and provencal herbs.
2010 KIR-YIANNI NAOUSSA RED 'RAMNISTA'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Greece is no longer just all about resinous retsina; in fact, there is a thriving wine industry that is being led by a young generation and are proudly producing wines that are distinct to what their terroir and native grape varietals have to offer. Yiannis Boutaris is one of the most important figures in the Greek wine industry. Having worked for the large Boutari estate and heading up their vineyard management and winemaking, this guy was way ahead of his time with his accomplishments in the 80s. Eager to scale back and work on an artisan level at his own estate, Yiannis departed Boutari with a plethora of experience that he has seemingly shared with an entire winemaking nation.
Located in the Naoussa region of Macedonia and made from 100% of the native Xinomavro grape, this hearty red wine has some aspects that one might find if Nebbiolo were grown in a warm climate. It is human nature to want to compare, but let's face it, this wine is fully its own beast and possesses amazing character and can age nicely, too. Full-flavored, complex and jacked with truffle, coffee, black olive and high-toned red fruits, it is robust, structured and mouth filling and not a cocktail kind of red wine, instead it cries out for protein. Have it with a roasted leg of lamb spiked with lots of garlic. Drink through 2023.
Located in the Naoussa region of Macedonia and made from 100% of the native Xinomavro grape, this hearty red wine has some aspects that one might find if Nebbiolo were grown in a warm climate. It is human nature to want to compare, but let's face it, this wine is fully its own beast and possesses amazing character and can age nicely, too. Full-flavored, complex and jacked with truffle, coffee, black olive and high-toned red fruits, it is robust, structured and mouth filling and not a cocktail kind of red wine, instead it cries out for protein. Have it with a roasted leg of lamb spiked with lots of garlic. Drink through 2023.
2012 GROCHAU PINOT NOIR 'EOLA-AMITY'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
On a mission to explain Oregon's terroir, John Grochau has created two "appellation" wines of which 120 cases were produced. Extended barrel aging, 18 months and 30% new oak, this tightly wound, masculine offering from the Eola-Amity region is mighty impressive.
Smoked plum, cinnamon, turned earth and hints of licorice shine and impressively penetrate the olfactory senses. Initially this is luxurious and mouth crawling, but there is ample structure beneath the surface which indicates that it will age quite well along with having its early appeal. Italian plum flavors, precise lifting red tones weave their way through while the oak provides nice complex vanilla character to compliment the earth, spice and stirring fruit. Very persistent, layered and fine with a multitude of berries shining on the finish. Drink through 2023.
Smoked plum, cinnamon, turned earth and hints of licorice shine and impressively penetrate the olfactory senses. Initially this is luxurious and mouth crawling, but there is ample structure beneath the surface which indicates that it will age quite well along with having its early appeal. Italian plum flavors, precise lifting red tones weave their way through while the oak provides nice complex vanilla character to compliment the earth, spice and stirring fruit. Very persistent, layered and fine with a multitude of berries shining on the finish. Drink through 2023.
2012 GROCHAU PINOT NOIR 'DUNDEE HILLS'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Total opposite of the handsome but masculine Eola-Amity is the sexy-smooth and sultry Dundee Hills bottling. Again, only 120 cases were produced and this cuvee was also aged in 30% new oak. 100% from the from the Anderson Family Vineyard, this lifting, exuberant Pinot Noir is so indicative of the Dundee hills.
Built around lavender and floral tones, lavish complexity and detail are present, especially up-front. Less spicy than the Willamette and Eola-Amity this offering is creamy, fine and possessing excellent movement, balance and concentrated strawberry fruit that is almost cushiony. Just when you figured this Pinot Noir out, it changes the questions, brings about more complexity and backbone, significantly in the mid-palate, and carries on through to the drawn-out, firmly put-together finish that snaps back. Very awesome and delicious now and will continue to develop and do great things through 2025.
Built around lavender and floral tones, lavish complexity and detail are present, especially up-front. Less spicy than the Willamette and Eola-Amity this offering is creamy, fine and possessing excellent movement, balance and concentrated strawberry fruit that is almost cushiony. Just when you figured this Pinot Noir out, it changes the questions, brings about more complexity and backbone, significantly in the mid-palate, and carries on through to the drawn-out, firmly put-together finish that snaps back. Very awesome and delicious now and will continue to develop and do great things through 2025.
2012 CHATEAU DUBOURG SAINT-EMILION
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Another gift from the stronger dollar! Last year many folks had a chance to enjoy this wonderful St-Emilion. The new vintage has now arrived and not only is it fabulous; it is also a couple bucks less.
From a small 6.5 acre vineyard located in the southwestern sector of the appellation not far from the Dordogne River, persistent youthful flavors and aromas of violet, blackcurrant, sweet red pepper and underlying heartiness leads on to a velvety, palate-coating texture with fine tannins and cherry-infused cocoa spice that lingers beautifully in the mouth. Chateau Dubourg’s Saint-Emilion is wonderful right-bank Bordeaux that has the dimension and backbone of something more expensive. Drink with roasted beef dishes over the next 4-5 years.
From a small 6.5 acre vineyard located in the southwestern sector of the appellation not far from the Dordogne River, persistent youthful flavors and aromas of violet, blackcurrant, sweet red pepper and underlying heartiness leads on to a velvety, palate-coating texture with fine tannins and cherry-infused cocoa spice that lingers beautifully in the mouth. Chateau Dubourg’s Saint-Emilion is wonderful right-bank Bordeaux that has the dimension and backbone of something more expensive. Drink with roasted beef dishes over the next 4-5 years.
