Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S "BAPTISM BY FIREFLY" HOTSHEET
French Wine Specials, Barbaresco, Cali Cab and Chard & more
2011 DOMAINE GRAMENON COTES-DU-RHONE "SIERRA DEL SUD"
[reg. 34.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
[reg. 34.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
One of the most important producers of the Rhône Valley that you never heard of is Domaine Gramenon. This small producer, along with the Perrin brothers at Beaucastel were responsible for bringing notice to, and having the village of Vinsobres elevated to appellation status. Another reason you've never heard of them is the scarcity of their wines. While you can find them in many of Paris's culinary temples (and neighborhood joints) not much makes it to our shores. One of four cuvees, the Sierra del Sud is 100% Syrah and biodynamically farmed. Feral perfume notes that are reminiscent of something made around the Cornas/St-Joseph area even though its roots and vines are firmly in the Southern Rhône.
Way more than an ‘everyday' Cotes-du-Rhone, The 2011 Gramenon Sierra del Sud is magnificent, but has a real problem. The conundrum in question is that the wine is almost TOO irresistible! Don't be fooled, this wine will age stupendously. Lavishly smoky with perfumy, aromatic black raspberry, smoked bacon, black olive and roasted coffee permeate from the glass. In the mouth, it is sensual, graceful with excellent richness that submerges the structure. Concentrated and never heavy, there is ample peppery spice and elevated red tones on the mighty finish. Somehow, this is very accessible and enjoyable with slow-roasted meats but it will also develop stupendously through 2022.
Way more than an ‘everyday' Cotes-du-Rhone, The 2011 Gramenon Sierra del Sud is magnificent, but has a real problem. The conundrum in question is that the wine is almost TOO irresistible! Don't be fooled, this wine will age stupendously. Lavishly smoky with perfumy, aromatic black raspberry, smoked bacon, black olive and roasted coffee permeate from the glass. In the mouth, it is sensual, graceful with excellent richness that submerges the structure. Concentrated and never heavy, there is ample peppery spice and elevated red tones on the mighty finish. Somehow, this is very accessible and enjoyable with slow-roasted meats but it will also develop stupendously through 2022.
2009 LAROSE DU GRUAUD ST-JULIEN
SPECIAL PRICE - $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
SPECIAL PRICE - $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Larose du Gruaud is the second wine from famed Second Growth St-Julien Chateau Gruaud-Larose. This classic blend from younger vines of the estate has really come into its own over recent years and represents stunning Bordeaux value. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc & 5% Petit Verdot, we are thrilled to be able to offer up one from a profound vintage of this delectable offering.
The 2009 Larose du Gruaud offers up aromas of red plum, dark cherry, cedar, graphite, violet and sweet tobacco glisten on the nose, ahhh, vive Saint-Julien! In the mouth, this beauty reels you in with an incredibly velvety feeling, perfectly ripened grape tannins and an uplifting minerality & red cherry licorice whip note. This is a deceptive bottle of young Bordeaux as it is so delicious right now, specifically with a pan-seared thick porterhouse, but it truly needs another 12-18 months to fully unravel itself. An expression of textbook Bordeaux in a great vintage, seemingly ready and approachable when young but will continue to evolve over the next 8-10 years.
The 2009 Larose du Gruaud offers up aromas of red plum, dark cherry, cedar, graphite, violet and sweet tobacco glisten on the nose, ahhh, vive Saint-Julien! In the mouth, this beauty reels you in with an incredibly velvety feeling, perfectly ripened grape tannins and an uplifting minerality & red cherry licorice whip note. This is a deceptive bottle of young Bordeaux as it is so delicious right now, specifically with a pan-seared thick porterhouse, but it truly needs another 12-18 months to fully unravel itself. An expression of textbook Bordeaux in a great vintage, seemingly ready and approachable when young but will continue to evolve over the next 8-10 years.
2011 BUCCI ROSSO PICENO "PONGELLI"
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Bucci is widely regarded as the standard-bearer when it comes to Verdicchio in Italy's Le Marches region. This is a place to where the Classico version often bests most others' Riserva wines. As well known as they are for their white wines, they do happen to make a small amount of red wine and as expected, the quality here is every bit as prominent as their top-drawer white wines.
Pongelli is a single vineyard that is over 40 years old and this blend of 50% Montepulciano and 50% Sangiovese is classically elevated in large barrels. Elusive with perpetual movement, constantly rolling in different, alluring directions each time you draw it to the nose. Piquant, graceful, classy with impressive palate coverage and extension. Creamy, generous and genuine, the two grapes really play their roles to perfection. The darkness and wildness of the Montepulciano offset nicely by the tanginess and roundness of the Sangiovese. One to drink over the next 5-6 years with a classic minestrone or roasted pork loin slathered in Italian herbs.
Pongelli is a single vineyard that is over 40 years old and this blend of 50% Montepulciano and 50% Sangiovese is classically elevated in large barrels. Elusive with perpetual movement, constantly rolling in different, alluring directions each time you draw it to the nose. Piquant, graceful, classy with impressive palate coverage and extension. Creamy, generous and genuine, the two grapes really play their roles to perfection. The darkness and wildness of the Montepulciano offset nicely by the tanginess and roundness of the Sangiovese. One to drink over the next 5-6 years with a classic minestrone or roasted pork loin slathered in Italian herbs.
2012 CARTLIDGE & BROWNE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
The phone rings, the e-mail alert goes off, and many times, it is folks asking us to find them a nice, affordable everyday Cabernet. Oh yeah, they also ask that it be one that doesn't taste like okra-stuffed peppers like so many at this price! Cartlidge & Browne is an operation whose mantra is to produce wines that overachieve for their price points. In fact, Robert Parker, of The Wine Advocate says, "One of the premium purveyors of value-priced...wines (believe me, there are not many that offer high quality at low prices) is Cartlidge & Browne [and they] continue to provide rewarding and surprisingly tasty wine."
2012 is a fantastic vintage throughout California, although most of what is in this price range will not be this good! Alluring spice-box scents surround violet, black cherry and mocha tones. The texture is luscious, mouth filling and spicy with lively red tones on the open and forward finish. A perfect everyday-drinkin' Cab that overachieves and reaches for the stars.
2012 is a fantastic vintage throughout California, although most of what is in this price range will not be this good! Alluring spice-box scents surround violet, black cherry and mocha tones. The texture is luscious, mouth filling and spicy with lively red tones on the open and forward finish. A perfect everyday-drinkin' Cab that overachieves and reaches for the stars.
2013 GENTILINI ROBOLA DI CEPHALONIA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Want to escape Chardonnay hell and Pinot Gris purgatory. While many of our nation's clergy have gotten themselves into a bit of trouble over the last several years, the Cellar Door's Reverend du Vin is still performing exorcisms to chase away evil wine demons. This week's sermon has us shining the light on the upstart white wines from Greece. It is high time that we all stop thinking of Greek wines solely as the stuff that is one-step up from floor polish, retsina, and opening your eyes to some of the delicacies that have been coming from this ancient wine producing country.
From Cephalonia, Gentilini makes this wine from Robola, a grape varietal that firmly has its origins in Greece. The Italians have also staked claim to it, but who can trust the Italians when it comes to matters of time! Anyway, the Robola varietal is taken to lofty heights by a producer who is an unmitigated specialist with this grape. Lovely scents of mineral, orange, lemon, thyme and flint lead into a bone-dry, very crisp mouthful of citrus fruits. The persistence is quite impressive and this wine maintains excellent balance, with good richness and is a natural partner with many kinds of grilled fish, but I even like it all by itself.
From Cephalonia, Gentilini makes this wine from Robola, a grape varietal that firmly has its origins in Greece. The Italians have also staked claim to it, but who can trust the Italians when it comes to matters of time! Anyway, the Robola varietal is taken to lofty heights by a producer who is an unmitigated specialist with this grape. Lovely scents of mineral, orange, lemon, thyme and flint lead into a bone-dry, very crisp mouthful of citrus fruits. The persistence is quite impressive and this wine maintains excellent balance, with good richness and is a natural partner with many kinds of grilled fish, but I even like it all by itself.
2013 CALERA CHARDONNAY "CENTRAL COAST"
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Year in and year out Calera's Central Coast Chardonnay is undoubtedly one of the finest values in this category that comes out of California. From one of the original icon producers, one can hypothesize that if Josh Jensen sourced this fruit from Napa or Sonoma that it would easily be twice the price. Blended from 10 vineyard sites spread out from Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Barbara, this full-flavored Chard never goes astray to become the proverbial butterball and a baseball bat.
Full-textured, yet light on its feet this darling shows a solid nose of mango, peach, spice and yes, buttery charm without the grease. Instead, think of pure creamy length and silky smooth mouth-feel with an abundance of refinement and brightness to balance the whole package. A California wine of equilibrium that pairs beautifully with fish tacos.
Full-textured, yet light on its feet this darling shows a solid nose of mango, peach, spice and yes, buttery charm without the grease. Instead, think of pure creamy length and silky smooth mouth-feel with an abundance of refinement and brightness to balance the whole package. A California wine of equilibrium that pairs beautifully with fish tacos.
2012 EL CORTILLO TEMPRANILLO
$7.99 BTL./$95.88 CASE
$7.99 BTL./$95.88 CASE
La Mancha is a large growing region that encompasses Central Spain and it is here that we are seeing many great values in red wine such as this. Deep and bright ruby color along with a fruit driven nose revealing enticing aromas of ripe blackberry aspects. On the palate, this red shows ripeness, suppleness and a good concentration of character then finishes with good persistence. A darling everyday red at a darling price!
2007 MARCHESI DI GRESY BARBARESCO "CAMP GROS" MARTINENGA
$79.99 BTL./$479.94 - SIX PACK CASE - VERY LIMITED!
$79.99 BTL./$479.94 - SIX PACK CASE - VERY LIMITED!
Marchesi di Gresy is one of the most important and legendary producers in all of Barbaresco and they solely own a magical single vineyard that sits right in a sweet amphitheater called Martinenga. Originally a member of the Produttori del Barbaresco until 1973, current proprietor Alberto Di Gresy wished to showcase his single cru, thus making his own statement in the bottle. Over the last 30+ years, he has definitely succeeded with superb wines that have been renowned and loved by Piedmont aficionados the world over. Part of the Martinenga, Camp Gros butts up next to Rabaja and is regarded as a Grand Cru site that produces wines of magnificence and long aging.
Warmer vintage aromas are present in this opulent 2007 but this is exquisite and revealing immaculate perfume. Fig, spices, turned earth, underlying coolness and licorice. Building texture with the sense of saline from a vineyard that was once under water, tangy, suede-like, mouth-coating and very complex flavors peek above all of the submerged backbone within the wine. Purity abound, this is textbook Grand Cru Barbaresco and this layered offering shows why this is one of the top sites in Barbaresco. Sneaky long with tinges of mineral, brine and prominent camphor, this really sticks around handsomely well after the wine is swallowed. Hold on to this profound Piedmont red until 2017 and drink it through 2030+.
Warmer vintage aromas are present in this opulent 2007 but this is exquisite and revealing immaculate perfume. Fig, spices, turned earth, underlying coolness and licorice. Building texture with the sense of saline from a vineyard that was once under water, tangy, suede-like, mouth-coating and very complex flavors peek above all of the submerged backbone within the wine. Purity abound, this is textbook Grand Cru Barbaresco and this layered offering shows why this is one of the top sites in Barbaresco. Sneaky long with tinges of mineral, brine and prominent camphor, this really sticks around handsomely well after the wine is swallowed. Hold on to this profound Piedmont red until 2017 and drink it through 2030+.
