Hot Sheets

2012 CATALDI MADONNA
MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO "MALANDRINO"
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

One of the real leaders and innovators of Abruzzo, Luigi Cataldi Madonna marries tradition with innovation and produces wines that are seriously upscale for the region yet won't cause one to break the bank in order to enjoy a bottle. Starting in 2012, Cataldi Madonna changed their Montepulciano program drastically by eliminating the use of oak and moving solely to cement tanks for aging. The change has been well received by wine-lovers and the critics including Gambero Rosso who bestowed their vaunted Three Glass Award to this utterly delectable number.

To quote Cataldi Madonna in regards to this selection, "dangerously easy to drink while retaining its complexity and flavor". Deep Purple flavors and aromas without Ritchie Blackmore or ‘Smoke On The Water' this wine exudes violets, plums, marionberry to go along with smoked earth and licorice. In the mouth, it is a spice-bomb with killer depth, vibrancy and definition with superb length on the earth/coffee-tinged finish. One of the most versatile red wines to go with food, it is magical with tomato-based dishes, smoked meats and especially lamb.

2013 DOMAINE CARREL BUGEY CHARDONNAY
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE

Last week I resumed my distributor tastings in full earnest and one of the coolest surprises was this Chardonnay from the Alpine region of Bugey. Domaine Eugene Carrel is a Savoie producer whose wines I have been enjoying drinking and offering over the last few years, in particular their native varietals like Mondeuse and Jacquere. Having virtually never experienced Chardonnay from this area very much, an open mind was needed on my part and it unfolded even more as the wine went into the glass. Knowing that Chardonnay is such a blank slate for terroir, immediately this unoaked version revealed itself to not be like anything from Burgundy or the New World but definitely something that came from a cool-climate mountainous area.

Bugey is a small region located between Lyon and the border of Switzerland and better known for its light, pink, slightly sweet fizzy wines, this Chardonnay is none of that. An Alpine waterfall of a white wine, this is the liquid equivalent of dropping trou and jumping into a cool lake off a 20-foot cliff. Detonating aromas and flavors of green apple, crystallized lime and mineral call you back for glass upon glass. Luminous and full of flavor, this performance enhancer goes perfectly with anything you would want to pair with white wine, both legal and illegal!

2012 DELILLE "D2" COLUMBIA VALLEY
$45.99 BTL./$551.88 CASE

It's been awhile since this highly sought-after Washington wine has been open stock to everyone, normally this wine is tightly allocated and we never receive large amounts. There still is not an abundance of it available so for full-flavored Washington wine fans, we urge you to call or e-mail before it all disappears. The stats for this wine read like a baseball box score. Blended from 42.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1.8% Petit Verdot from 8 vineyards (including the likes of Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun and Red Willow) all with varying percentages, the resulting 2012 is one of the finest versions that this iconic producer has put forth to date. 2012 is a sturdy, structured, full-fruit vintage that has long-term aging written all over it. A full-textured red best described as a velvet beast, layered black cherry, plum, violet, and anise all nicely encapsulated by underlying milk-chocolate coated espresso bean aromas. Mouth filling and palate staining, there is such an irresistible quality to this wine now, but don't drink it all up at once, it will age nicely for 10-12 years, too.

2013 MORGADIO ALBARINO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Street credibility is something that is not easily obtained and if you are a rapper, to you either get shot or go to jail. We have all of this east coast vs. west coast trash talk and it can lead to animosity, turf wars, whose posse is more down and who really live the thug-life. Rias Baixas in Galicia has some of these problems as well. We all know that the most superior wines are produced in the Val Do Salnes, but along with the likes of Fillaboa and Columna, Morgadio is a producer within the Condado Do Tea region of Rias Baixas who have definitely earned their "cred" and are making their case for respectability.

The differences of Albariño from Condado De Tea vs. Albarino from the Val Do Salnes are more than just red and blue; it's the soils and climate. Val Do Salnes is mostly granitic soils whereas Condado Do Tea and Adegas Morgadio are a bit further south and inland right across the river from Portugal and are dominated by sandy soils, which coupled with the warmer climate, give plenty of broad flavors and aromatic characteristics. The flavors and aromas on this wine burst and explode! Pear and orange; touches of licorice and freshly cut grass carry over into the texture that is mouth-fillingly intense along with tongue-grabbing citrus for perfect balance; superb extension. Delicious stuff that goes with just about any seafood preparation. Peace-Out!

2013 GRAYSON ZINFANDEL
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

The 2013 Grayson Zinfandel is a perfect Monday through Thursday sipper. Chock full of pepper and black raspberry with plenty of dusty cocoa added to a hint of smoky, meaty undertones. Super forward, this is a mouth-filling gem that pleases with every sip. It's going to be nice soon so break out the grill, call some friends and uncork many bottles of this most inviting full-flavored Zin. What the hell are you waiting for!?!?

2013 VILLA GIADA BARBERA D'ASTI "SURI ROSSO"
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Andrea Faccio's is considered to be a Barbera master by the local wine/restaurant community in and around Asti and in Piedmont. Other than a small amount of Moscato d'Asti, he concentrates all of his efforts into the production of Barbera wines that reflect each terroir beautifully. The Suri Rosso is fine and spicy with ripeness in addition to red and black fruit aromas intermixed with hints of spice, licorice, dried herbs, and integrated leather and spiced earth. One of the most popular Italian wine values that we offer, it will accompany any hearty risotto dish, firm Alpine cheeses or an Italian-inspired roasted chicken.

2012 PILLOT POMMARD TAVANNES
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE

Many Cellar Door friends will recognize Laurent Pillot's name from their purchases of his exquisite white wines and recently we have been equally as excited over Laurent's top-drawer red wines as well. Through marriage, Laurent has scored red wine vineyards from several grand villages within the Cotes-de-Beaune. Tavannes is a single vineyard within Pommard, of which a portion is Premier Cru. Pillot owns a little under 1½ acres of relatively old Pinot Noir vines and this wine is quite remarkable given its price.

Sexy, soil-action nose with ironstone riding shotgun alongside ripe currant on top of blackberry, cep and semi-exotic spice. Fanning out and seducing the palate yet having plenty of structure, spine and depth all without being old-fashioned virile, hard-nosed Pommard due to Laurent being one of a group of young producers who are re-defining the image of this famous appellation. Chewy, lingering red-tones shine on the nicely formed finish. A super value for red Burgundy that will drink and develop for 10-12 years.