Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S "BENDER" HOTSHEET
Tuscan Special from Montalcino, Oregon Pinot, Rose, French Apex Buy & more & more
2013 CHATEAU DE LA TERRIERE BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES 'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
One of the results of the gift of a stronger dollar is that the new release of the brilliant 2013 version of this favorite Beaujolais is now at an eye-popping price, the likes of which we haven’t seen on this wine since the 2005 vintage!
Terriere's old vine Beaujolais Village is best described as "Premium Beaujolais Villages" since it is produced from grapes grown in red granite soil (known as rosbif, which also is the term that French use when they come upon a gaggle of drunken Englishmen) entirely within the Cru of Regnie.
From a miniscule 5-acre plot, this Gamay undoubtedly punches well above its weight class! Silky and smooth with notes of fresh summer berries, minerals and dried rose petals. This short story turns into a novel in the mouth with alluring depth from 70-year-old vines as well as the knockout 2013 vintage. Fresh strawberry and raspberry tones are defined by fine backbone and mineral especially on the long and very laid-back finish. This wine goes with a plethora of cuisine and at 12 bucks is a great medium-bodied everyday choice.
Terriere's old vine Beaujolais Village is best described as "Premium Beaujolais Villages" since it is produced from grapes grown in red granite soil (known as rosbif, which also is the term that French use when they come upon a gaggle of drunken Englishmen) entirely within the Cru of Regnie.
From a miniscule 5-acre plot, this Gamay undoubtedly punches well above its weight class! Silky and smooth with notes of fresh summer berries, minerals and dried rose petals. This short story turns into a novel in the mouth with alluring depth from 70-year-old vines as well as the knockout 2013 vintage. Fresh strawberry and raspberry tones are defined by fine backbone and mineral especially on the long and very laid-back finish. This wine goes with a plethora of cuisine and at 12 bucks is a great medium-bodied everyday choice.
2014 AYRES PINOT NOIR ROSE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Over the weekend, I made two stops down in the Willamette Valley with some friends from Pittsburgh who were in town for the craft beer conference. One was to see Brad at Ayres and tasting through his impressive roster of wines, all of the latest releases are predictably very exciting. Within all of the wines tasted, there was one fun and flavorful surprise. Now many of you all know of my disdain for the majority of Oregon Pinot Noir Rose wines, however there are a few that stand out beautifully and this one just beams.
Made entirely from grapes that are planted and dedicated to the production of dry pink wine, Ayres version sees about 5 hours of skin contact before being directly pressed. Firm and honest aromas that are true to the varietal as well as Brad’s vineyard, raspberry, fine spice and mushroom scents roll over into a texture that coats the palate and then sweeps it all clean with brisk vibrancy. Maybe we should refer to this as ‘adult pink lemonade’ because once you pour the cork you will immediately realize that the bottle is drained very quickly. Drink with grilled fish or a bunch of wine guzzling friends.
Made entirely from grapes that are planted and dedicated to the production of dry pink wine, Ayres version sees about 5 hours of skin contact before being directly pressed. Firm and honest aromas that are true to the varietal as well as Brad’s vineyard, raspberry, fine spice and mushroom scents roll over into a texture that coats the palate and then sweeps it all clean with brisk vibrancy. Maybe we should refer to this as ‘adult pink lemonade’ because once you pour the cork you will immediately realize that the bottle is drained very quickly. Drink with grilled fish or a bunch of wine guzzling friends.
2012 COL D'ORCIA ROSSO SPEZIERI
[reg. $17.99] SPECIAL! - $10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
[reg. $17.99] SPECIAL! - $10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
A super wine from a historic and top Brunello di Montalcino producer that is an unabashed Tuscan guzzler. Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Cabernet & Merlot, this wine is like a fine chef blending various spices, both traditional and exotic.
2012 a delicious vintage in Southern Tuscany and this flavorful number reveals mouth-filling, yet smooth and abundant scents and flavors of wild cherry, cassis, sage and pepper. Lots of character and class, this wine is a great Thursday evening pasta wine. Enjoy it now and enjoy it often.
2012 a delicious vintage in Southern Tuscany and this flavorful number reveals mouth-filling, yet smooth and abundant scents and flavors of wild cherry, cassis, sage and pepper. Lots of character and class, this wine is a great Thursday evening pasta wine. Enjoy it now and enjoy it often.
2011 CHAMAN RED BLEND (ARGENTINA)
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 55% Petit Verdot & 5% Malbec from one of Argentina's esteemed families. Luis and Pepe Reginato are the minds behind La Posta. Their father Jose is highly influential within the vineyards of Mendoza's La Consulta region and the guys refer to him as a shaman, hence the clever name.
This engaging red blend with Petit Verdot as its base is from grapes grown in vineyards situated 3200 feet above sea level. Lavish, over-delivering scents of licorice, plum, nutmeg, vanilla and coriander build and build as the wine is swirled in the glass. Full, saturated yet very much a sensuous offering that reveals smoothness and complexity; ample vibrancy and sneaky structure emerge especially on the flavorful and long back-end. Very pleasurable for drinking over the next 3-4 years, especially with a grilled steak.
This engaging red blend with Petit Verdot as its base is from grapes grown in vineyards situated 3200 feet above sea level. Lavish, over-delivering scents of licorice, plum, nutmeg, vanilla and coriander build and build as the wine is swirled in the glass. Full, saturated yet very much a sensuous offering that reveals smoothness and complexity; ample vibrancy and sneaky structure emerge especially on the flavorful and long back-end. Very pleasurable for drinking over the next 3-4 years, especially with a grilled steak.
2013 DONNHOFF RIESLING KABINETT 'KREUZNACHER KROTENPFUHL'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
From a virtual Grand Cru site, Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl, this wine is excessively good for its meager price. Perfume-driven from its superior geological material, there is a multitude of excellence in the bottle. Many regard this Nahe-based producer as being one of the top 2 or 3 Riesling producers in the world and we fully concur. Once you try a wine such as this, your life will change forever!
Alluring, underlying mineral is present that frame apricot, pineapple and grapefruit notes that persist on through the long and mouth-watering finish. Well-balanced throughout, this is a food-lover's playground! Pair it up with Mexican-inspired seafood dishes or grab some ahi tuna, jack it with some soy, ginger and a little Chinese 5-spice, cook it on the rare side and go crazy! One other thing, these wines age like beasts, drink this steal through 2026+.
Alluring, underlying mineral is present that frame apricot, pineapple and grapefruit notes that persist on through the long and mouth-watering finish. Well-balanced throughout, this is a food-lover's playground! Pair it up with Mexican-inspired seafood dishes or grab some ahi tuna, jack it with some soy, ginger and a little Chinese 5-spice, cook it on the rare side and go crazy! One other thing, these wines age like beasts, drink this steal through 2026+.
2012 PLANETA CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Southeastern Sicilian wines, particularly those of the Cerasuolo di Vittoria region, are the trendiest thing to come from Italy these days. Planeta is one of the island’s most influential producers in many ways. Their modern, international wines like Syrah and Chardonnay which suffered in a bunch of new oak barrels that really allowed Sicilian wines to become the more clear visions that they are today.
Frankly, above mentioned wines are not my cup of tea but fortunately Planeta also makes wines with native varietals and many of them like this selection are true and very unadulterated. The 2012 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Rosso is a delicious 60% Nero D'Avola, 40% Frappatto blend that exudes the essence of both of these native varietals. Flamboyant in color and aromatics with lots of blackberry and plum tones, but also exuding its sensuous, smooth side from the distinctive red soils of the region. Well-rounded and very flavorful this is a wonderful selection to pair with just about anything done with tomatoes.
Frankly, above mentioned wines are not my cup of tea but fortunately Planeta also makes wines with native varietals and many of them like this selection are true and very unadulterated. The 2012 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Rosso is a delicious 60% Nero D'Avola, 40% Frappatto blend that exudes the essence of both of these native varietals. Flamboyant in color and aromatics with lots of blackberry and plum tones, but also exuding its sensuous, smooth side from the distinctive red soils of the region. Well-rounded and very flavorful this is a wonderful selection to pair with just about anything done with tomatoes.
2012 BERGSTROM PINOT NOIR 'SILICE'
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK
Another stop on visits to the Willamette Valley was a drop in at Bergstrom. This estate is really hitting it out of the park these days and like the visit at Ayres, all of the wines presented were outstanding. One of the apex selections and choice 2012 Pinots that is now on last call status is from the single vineyard Silice that is contiguous to the winery itself. The name Silice is French for Silica, which comprises the sandy-base of soils that encompass the Chehalem Mountain region. This terroir and significant for Bergstrom is that this wine delivers power through elegance and refinement.
One of the cooler 2012s, balance is of the utmost to this wine with grip and structure lying beneath the beautiful core of plum, violet, nutmeg and marine aspects. Layered, very drawn-out and having impressive persistence, it follows suit to the vintage with some early accessible aspects; however, this wine is going to age extremely well. For best results hold on to it until 2018 and drink through 2026+.
One of the cooler 2012s, balance is of the utmost to this wine with grip and structure lying beneath the beautiful core of plum, violet, nutmeg and marine aspects. Layered, very drawn-out and having impressive persistence, it follows suit to the vintage with some early accessible aspects; however, this wine is going to age extremely well. For best results hold on to it until 2018 and drink through 2026+.
