Hot Sheets

Simply put, when it comes to Oregon Chardonnay, they don't come much better than what John Paul at Cameron does. Not only is this guy a master with Pinot Noir, he is arguably Oregon's most influential when it comes to Chardonnays. Yes, John does Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge and they are profound. They are also $60 and excruciatingly limited. A way to get a top-drawer Cameron Chardonnay experience is through the Dundee Hills cuvee and it is one hell of a value.

I have been working with John's wines for over 20 years now and I am trying to think of a version of this wine that is finer than his 2013. If you are looking for the proverbial California-inspired two-by-four and a pound of butter, skip this one. If you like what French Chardonnay offers with detail, poise, richness without being heavy and extension offer, then this is a must-try. What makes the Cameron Chardonnay always a special deal is its scion material for the 2013 is all from the famed Abbey Ridge Vineyard. Certifiably dangerous, piercing, steely, beautiful mineral scents dominate this offering along with a robe of lemon and apple tones. In the mouth, it is energetic with plenty of depth and substance that carries over to an expansive finish that beautifully lingers. Drink this offering with fresh trout, halibut or a whole roasted chicken jacked with mushrooms.

Pascal Marthouret started out as a mechanic who happened to fall in love with wine and farming when he started tending his elderly godmother's vines. As he progressed he was able to get out from under the car and through relatives, has established his small 15 acre estate which also includes St-Joseph and Condrieu.

2012 is the third vintage that we have featured for this wine and like the previous two it is a formidable value that tells the excellent story of the vintage. With this Northern Rhone wine, Pascal has a very straightforward vision; the production purely delicious Syrah, that is expressive of site and comes with an incredible price tag. His 2012 Syrah over delivers and is well detailed and fruit forward with notes of raspberry, cassis and white pepper. Generous with creamy fruit upon entry which planes into minerally vibrancy, this wine is a remarkable value. A wonderfully versatile red to bring to friend's homes over the holiday season, especially when you are not sure what they will be serving for dinner.

Often times the quality of 12 dollar Malbec is like playing the lottery, you never know if you are going to win. Fortunately, with Lamadrid consistent quality is never a roll of loaded dice, you always come out on top. From the estate's single vineyard in Mendoza's Agrelo region, this Malbec tingles the senses.

An everyday gem showcasing expressive bright, fresh red juicy fruit, plum, raspberry and dark currant, with some fresh spice, earth and roasted coffee, there is excellent fruit intensity and a level of seriousness. More than just a juicy loosey fruit bomb, there is good structure and firm tannins that lay down the tracks for an endowed red with interesting nuances. Lamadrid's Malbec really offers a lot of wine for the money; enjoy it with hearty grilled meats, stews and robust cheeses.

The Bronzo Brothers of Bandol make some of the most beautiful wines in the entire appellation, and in fact, we feel that they are in the big-league with the legendary Domaine Tempier when it comes to Bandol supremacy. Big words, but we'll back 'em!

76% Mourvedre, 16% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 2% Cinsault and 1% Carignan, this is prototype Bandol and an exciting version to put into the cellar or if you use a decanter, one to try early. Vintage 2011 combines an aromatic nose of fresh leather and pipe tobacco with a user-friendly palate of assorted ripe plums, spice and peppercorns. The wine possesses a very long finish even though its tannins are up front yet are fairly well rounded. Nevertheless, it is boisterous, rotund wine that requires another year or two of aging. If you really want to experience one early, buy two bottles and serve it with robust red meat entrees as grilled lamb, sausages or beef kabobs then drink the other bottle in about 5 years.

A Benedictine community in Austria that owns approximately 60 acres of vineyards, Kremstal-based Stift Gottweig's monastery revived their thousand-year-old winemaking tradition with the help of one of the nation's gurus, Fritz Meisbauer.

The Messwein is actually the monastery's sacramental wine and the "Reinheitsgebot", or purity law, of the church must be obeyed. Messwein can only be produced with the permission of the bishop, and it must be only natural and unaltered. At 12% alcohol there is no shortage of burst and character to this bone-dry, teeth-rattling white wine. Energized aromas of lemon and mandarin play off prominent wet-stone, flint and underlying floral aspects. Ample spine and flavor, this is perfect with baked fish dishes and especially Asian cuisine. With this wine, you are blessed my children and you are welcome.

Do you have a friend who fancies himself or herself a wine expert and want to stump them? Well, I have the perfect wine for you! A show of hands, who has ever experienced a red wine made from the Rufete grape? Up until recently, unless I had it in some sort of blend from Spain, I hadn't experienced one either.

A most engaging wine from Spain's high-elevation Salamanca region located ENE of Madrid and about halfway to the Portuguese border. The indigenous Rufete, a grape utilized in both Spain and the Dao and Duoro regions of Portugal, expresses the slate/sand/clay fragrant minerality of the region's hillside soils, along with a bright blackberry/olive varietal. Allspice and licorice surround sleek berry, herbs and peppermint tones. Lacey and showing lavish depth and personality; this wine carries extremely well to the table. Have it with sautéed pork chops coated with Mediterranean herbs and spices.

If one really yearns for the flavors and experience of true-to-life old school, uber-traditional Barbaresco then this is a wine that will really make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Tenuta Scarpa is a true throwback aging their wines in old large barrels for 42 months followed by two more years of bottle age before release. With a large back stock, Scarpa frequently releases library wine such as this. Tettinieve is a single cru 6-acre vineyard in the Barbaresco village of Nieve.

1999 is one of the all-time great vintages of Piedmont and this wine is drinking immaculately and will continue to do so for quite some time. Antique aromas of dried roses, sandalwood, porcini, menthol, mountain spices and on and on. Gorgeously giving there are no concessions to modernity here, this is dry, all about the land that it comes from and reflects its 15-year old color and age. Drawn-out and the essence of ‘gutteral sensualty', this wine is dreamy for anyone who loves the nuances of old Nebbiolo.