Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S "OPEN BOOK" HOTSHEET
Barbera & Rioja Specials, White Burgundy, Rose, Apex Buys & more
2012 VINCENT MOREY BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
Vincent Morey is the son of legendary Chassagne-Montrachet producer Bernard Morey. Several years back when Bernard retired, the Domaine was amicably split between his two sons and the wines from both brothers’ respective Domaines have maintained their impeccable quality.
This French Chardonnay has always been one of our most popular white wines, and rightfully so due to meticulous farming from 4 parcels, one in Chassagne-Montrachet, one in Puligny-Montrachet and two in Santenay all just below the limitations to be able to possess the higher appellation status. Nonetheless, this is an outstanding value and one that punches well above its weight class! 2013 is a sneaky-good vintage for white Burgundy. Impressive, upscale aromas indicate that this wine is wearing its platform white Burgundy shoes very well! Aged 50% in oak (20% of that 50% new) and the other 50% in stainless steel, white peach, mineral, butter, orange and subtle smoky scents stand out and follow through to an exciting texture that is compactly rich and is buffered by excellent citrus/stony tones. The finish is electric with impressive expansion and length. Total instant gratification wine! Overall, this is a very affordable white Burgundy experience. 12 cases available and they will go fast, get yours before Karen drinks it all!.
This French Chardonnay has always been one of our most popular white wines, and rightfully so due to meticulous farming from 4 parcels, one in Chassagne-Montrachet, one in Puligny-Montrachet and two in Santenay all just below the limitations to be able to possess the higher appellation status. Nonetheless, this is an outstanding value and one that punches well above its weight class! 2013 is a sneaky-good vintage for white Burgundy. Impressive, upscale aromas indicate that this wine is wearing its platform white Burgundy shoes very well! Aged 50% in oak (20% of that 50% new) and the other 50% in stainless steel, white peach, mineral, butter, orange and subtle smoky scents stand out and follow through to an exciting texture that is compactly rich and is buffered by excellent citrus/stony tones. The finish is electric with impressive expansion and length. Total instant gratification wine! Overall, this is a very affordable white Burgundy experience. 12 cases available and they will go fast, get yours before Karen drinks it all!.
2011 MOLINO BARBERA D'ALBA SUPERIORE "LEGATTERE"
[reg. 36.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
[reg. 36.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
Mauro Molino’s Legattere Barbera is an extremely special, very limited cuvee that we are very fortunate to have access to here in Portland. Made from a Cru Barolo vineyard called Vigna Gattera and 40+ year old vines from Molino's tiny 1.2-acre portion, this Barbera is certainly a wow wine.
An alluring and robust Barbera that shows La Morra's classic refinement and beauty, but also shows the stalwart intensity of the fruit from these old vines. Layered and symphonic, the Legattere runs the gamut of complexity from blackberry fruit and chocolate dust to coffee and allspice tones. The wine's finish is super-long, palate staining and threatens to break just about any stopwatch. Ultra-sexy now and will continue to develop and drink well through 2021 we recommend enjoying it with full-flavored risotto dishes.
An alluring and robust Barbera that shows La Morra's classic refinement and beauty, but also shows the stalwart intensity of the fruit from these old vines. Layered and symphonic, the Legattere runs the gamut of complexity from blackberry fruit and chocolate dust to coffee and allspice tones. The wine's finish is super-long, palate staining and threatens to break just about any stopwatch. Ultra-sexy now and will continue to develop and drink well through 2021 we recommend enjoying it with full-flavored risotto dishes.
2014 MOULIN DE GASSAC PAYS D'HERAULT ROSE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88CASE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88CASE
Aime Guibert and his Mas de Daumas Gassac estate is one of the most important and influential in not only Languedoc but in all of France. Along with the renowned professor, Henri Enjalbert, Aime Guibert discovered this unique terroir and microclimate north of the city of Montpelier in the village of Aniane. Unique that it is from glacial deposits and is rugged enough to attain refinement, but also allows the roots of the vines to go very deep and utilizing grapes that aren’t included in the appellation, meaning Cabernet Sauvignon, this led leading French Wine publication Gault Millau to call their iconic bold red wine the “Lafite of Languedoc”.
Several years back, the Guibert family expanded their operation and began working with neighboring growers to produce fun, full flavored negociant wines from the surrounding countryside and rocky hillsides. This particular Rose is one of three wines in this line and made using native grapes, 50% Carignan and 50% Grenache. Aromatics of strawberries and crushed red fruit leap from the glass. In the mouth, it is fresh with excellent acidity, some mineral components and good length. Very food friendly and perfect for the upcoming 70-degree days later this week, it is a great companion to just about anything you want to throw at it.
Several years back, the Guibert family expanded their operation and began working with neighboring growers to produce fun, full flavored negociant wines from the surrounding countryside and rocky hillsides. This particular Rose is one of three wines in this line and made using native grapes, 50% Carignan and 50% Grenache. Aromatics of strawberries and crushed red fruit leap from the glass. In the mouth, it is fresh with excellent acidity, some mineral components and good length. Very food friendly and perfect for the upcoming 70-degree days later this week, it is a great companion to just about anything you want to throw at it.
2012 VALDIBELLA NERO D'AVOLA "NERO"
$14.99 MAGNUM/$89.94 - SIX PACK
$14.99 MAGNUM/$89.94 - SIX PACK
From Sicily and only available in the 1.5 liter format, this unabashed value red goes a long way for parties or when one is on a date.
Aromatic red plum, violet, clove and thyme. Ripe and full flavors show lovely purity and spice without having any of the overripe prune-laden rusticity that can often be associated with the wines of Sicily. Mouthwateringly delicious, stuff with eggplant parmesan, sausage pizza or a hearty fish stew jacked with olives.
Aromatic red plum, violet, clove and thyme. Ripe and full flavors show lovely purity and spice without having any of the overripe prune-laden rusticity that can often be associated with the wines of Sicily. Mouthwateringly delicious, stuff with eggplant parmesan, sausage pizza or a hearty fish stew jacked with olives.
2012 DOMAINE DU PESQUIER COTES-DU-RHONE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
2012 is an outstanding vintage for the Southern Rhone. Very ageworthy and having depth like 2010 but ultimately with silkier tannins and more immediate accessibility. Excellent persistence and depth abound, this wine is yet another winner from this outstanding Gigondas-based family who does this wine from fruit hailing from the Côtes-Du-Rhône village of Sablet.
Savory roasted earth, lavender, spice-soaked cherry along with prominent white pepper emit from the glass and give off the impression of a wine that is best described as a silky-sledge-hammer. The impacting texture is formidably spice-driven with mouth-filling strawberry, provençal herbs and balsamic – especially on the soulful, cruising Cadillac of a finish. Enjoy this over the next 4-5 years with grilled pork tenderloin encrusted in herbes de provence or a slow cooked roast beef that has been jacked with mushrooms in its own juices.
Savory roasted earth, lavender, spice-soaked cherry along with prominent white pepper emit from the glass and give off the impression of a wine that is best described as a silky-sledge-hammer. The impacting texture is formidably spice-driven with mouth-filling strawberry, provençal herbs and balsamic – especially on the soulful, cruising Cadillac of a finish. Enjoy this over the next 4-5 years with grilled pork tenderloin encrusted in herbes de provence or a slow cooked roast beef that has been jacked with mushrooms in its own juices.
2008 JOSEPH SWAN ZINFANDEL "MANCINI RANCH"
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
As much as we love and enjoy all of Joseph Swan's wines from top-to-bottom, what he became most influential for was his Zinfandel wines. Many have been inspired by these wines or have done time working there including the likes of Ravenswood Zin guru Joel Peterson. Aged entirely in French oak, this Zin is now flirting with lovely secondary tones along with its big, bold qualities.
Packed with judicious black fruit, there are also complex tones of black truffle, thyme, pipe tobacco and smoked earth tones that are riding shotgun in this Russian River rockstar. After 6+ years, this wine is now starting to sing and to show its true pedigree. Spicy and layered, there are excellent red tones to balance out the richness and power. Pronounced cardamom and red earth shine on the saturated, extending finish. It is awakening right now and will continue to develop over the next decade, too. If you fancy yourself a Zin aficionado, then you have to grab some bottles of one of America’s most historic of producer's wine!
Packed with judicious black fruit, there are also complex tones of black truffle, thyme, pipe tobacco and smoked earth tones that are riding shotgun in this Russian River rockstar. After 6+ years, this wine is now starting to sing and to show its true pedigree. Spicy and layered, there are excellent red tones to balance out the richness and power. Pronounced cardamom and red earth shine on the saturated, extending finish. It is awakening right now and will continue to develop over the next decade, too. If you fancy yourself a Zin aficionado, then you have to grab some bottles of one of America’s most historic of producer's wine!
2010 MUGA RIOJA SELECCION ESPECIAL
[reg. $49.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $35.99 BTL./$431.88 CASE
[reg. $49.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $35.99 BTL./$431.88 CASE
After searching through the annals of The Cellar Door musings, it is difficult to believe that the last time we offered this Muga selection was in 2009! First introduced with the 1994 vintage, Seleccion Especial is a neo-classical wine of specially selected parcels from Muga's top vineyards and is a synthesis of past, present and future in a single wine. On the one hand, it has the potential for evolution, complexity and exquisite elegance of the classic wines, and on the other, the up-front character of fruit and fresh spices is more typical of modern-style Rioja wines.
Ripe fruit, characterizes the nose with a predominance of wild red berries, perfectly blended with spices and balsamic ageing aromas. The strength of this wine lies in the wide range of registers within these aromatic sub-groups. We can detect cinnamon, licorice, vanilla, cloves, coconut, black pepper, menthol and all with a fresh character that makes them unique. In the mouth, the attack is warm, friendly, supple and velvety attack. It leaves a feeling of plenitude and an aftertaste seemingly eternal in length and intensity and characterized by rounded tannins and a complex mineral component. With the copious concentration, this wine can actually be accessed now, however, given the submerged structure and pedigree of this magnificent vintage, it will develop and gain incredible dimension over the next 15-20 years as well.
Ripe fruit, characterizes the nose with a predominance of wild red berries, perfectly blended with spices and balsamic ageing aromas. The strength of this wine lies in the wide range of registers within these aromatic sub-groups. We can detect cinnamon, licorice, vanilla, cloves, coconut, black pepper, menthol and all with a fresh character that makes them unique. In the mouth, the attack is warm, friendly, supple and velvety attack. It leaves a feeling of plenitude and an aftertaste seemingly eternal in length and intensity and characterized by rounded tannins and a complex mineral component. With the copious concentration, this wine can actually be accessed now, however, given the submerged structure and pedigree of this magnificent vintage, it will develop and gain incredible dimension over the next 15-20 years as well.
2012 CHEHALEM PINOT NOIR "RIDGECREST VINEYARD"
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
Since 1990, Chehalem has proven its mettle by producing some of the state's finest offerings and yet still there is so much enthusiasm and joy that permeates through Harry Peterson-Nedry's personality that come through in every wine from this inviting estate. The 2012 single vineyard Pinots from Chehalem are impressive across the board but as is usually the case, the Ridgecrest is the one that steals my heart.
From the Ribbon Ridge appellation, the Ridgecrest Vineyard’s original plantings are from 1982 and this offering always shows itself to be attractive yet abstract and intellectual. The aromas for 2012 are striking with sandalwood, perfumed blackberries, violet and bright cranberry undertones. Luxurious, ethereal and multi-faceted in the mouth, it displays outstanding persistence, superb Thai spice, underlying finesse and a drawn-out, seamless finish. Despite the cushion and alluring aspects, resist the urge to drink it now and have it 2017 – 2025.
From the Ribbon Ridge appellation, the Ridgecrest Vineyard’s original plantings are from 1982 and this offering always shows itself to be attractive yet abstract and intellectual. The aromas for 2012 are striking with sandalwood, perfumed blackberries, violet and bright cranberry undertones. Luxurious, ethereal and multi-faceted in the mouth, it displays outstanding persistence, superb Thai spice, underlying finesse and a drawn-out, seamless finish. Despite the cushion and alluring aspects, resist the urge to drink it now and have it 2017 – 2025.
