Hot Sheets

2010 GUIDO PORRO BAROLO "LAZZAIRASCO"
[reg. $54.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE - LIMITED!

We have a sizzling Barolo deal for you all and it is from one of the area's very prolific producers! Serralunga-based Guido Porro certainly is not about flashy self-promotion, here is a man who genuinely loves his vines and the results are in the bottle. Insanely valued for being single vineyard Barolo wines, perhaps the main reason is that Guido is rarely bothered with sending samples to the wine critics, they have to find him and on occasion, they do as evidenced by a 94 point score from Antonio Galloni's Vinous. Lazzairasco is a sub-plot of the famed Cru Lazzarito vineyard and in the lower bowl of the amphitheater, protected from the winds above. Masculine and powerful, this wine is sort of a Serralunga anti-hero, a well-dressed bad guy yet very likable.

If you haven't heard 2010 for Barolo is an immaculate vintage that has produced classically-structured, long-lived wines. An abundance of ‘Serralunga Steel' comes through on the tightly packed but formidable nose. Haunting dark fruit, smoke, dense licorice and mint draw themselves out and lead to a wiry, generous but stiff young Barolo texture. Intensely structured this wine has enormous potential and should be aged for another 4-5 years before diving in. Drink this beauty from 2018 on through to 2030 and most likely beyond. Safe to say if you want to age wine and not pay prices that soar into the stratosphere then this one is for you!!!

2011 DOMAINE TRIBOULEY COTES-CATALANES VIEILLES VIGNES
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE – LIMITED!

93 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE Jean-Louis Tribouley is en ex-social worker with a passion for the grape who is making some seriously formidable wines from his southern France, Roussillon-based vineyard. Having trained with the icon of the area, Gerard Gauby Tribouley started his estate in 2002 and now has 30 acres farmed biodynamically with low yields and respect to the year and soil.

"Along the same lines, yet with more dark fruit, toasted nut, leather, brine and violets, the 2011 Les Bacs Vieilles Vignes is a gorgeous effort that shows both fabulous aromatic complexity and full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. 65% Grenache, 35% Carignan, 80-100 year old vines. Layered, rich and with serious minerality that comes out with time in the glass (I followed all of these releases for two days), this is a must taste for any Roussillon lover and it's a killer value. While it has the fruit and texture to shine today, there's ample underlying structure to keep it evolving nicely for 12-15 years. – 93 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE."

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2012 AYRES RIBBON RIDGE PINOT NOIR "PERSPECTIVE"
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Last call on a 2012 from one of our favorite Oregon Pinot producers!! The 2012 Ayres Perspective Pinot Noir is now the 3rd version of this particular wine and it is exactly what the name implies, perspective on what a blend from the Ribbon Ridge appellation is all about.

Combining fruit from Ayres along with neighboring Ribbon Ridge Vineyards, Armstrong and Saikkonen, this wine is the great middle ground between the Willamette Valley version and the more upscale offerings below. Knockout nose that comes in waves as the wine is swirled in the glass. Sensuous floral tones, a combination of red and black fruits, herbs and transparent red earth tones reveal themselves nicely, but there is a bunch more just waiting to come out with a little time. In the mouth, the wine is somewhat like an Italian plum, exploding with ripe dark fruit and then gaining structure and grip on the brilliantly focused and extending finish. Drink through 2020+.

2012 LA POSTA COCINA RED BLEND
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

60% Malbec, 20% Syrah, 20% Bonarda from Argentina and a sumptuous succulent red that seems to please many palates.

Smoky aromas of blue fruits, violet and pepper. Tangy, generous and a real spice box. Bonarda shows its exuberance on the quite complex finish. A real winner for pulled pork. At 11 bucks, drink now and drink lots!!

2010 FALCHINI CHIANTI COLLI SENESI
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

More times than often, Chianti that sells for 12 bucks is usually akin to drinking Italian battery acid and not very fun, however when we find one such as this we shout it from the top of the mountain...well at least Council Crest here in Portland!

Falchini is a wonderful producer on all levels but they are most noted for their fine Vernaccia wines. They are quite adept at reds as many of our friends have experienced their fine Super Tuscan, however the best buy on their roster is their delicious Chianti which comes from the hills of Siena. Made from Sangiovese and Canaiolo, beautiful aromatics of cherry, sage, coffee, and herbs and spices, continue in the mouth with refined palate coating tannin, and plenty of length. Cook up some spicy sausage and penne pasta alla vodka with tomato cream sauce, add a glass of this, and voila, you have sheer heaven.

QUINTA DO INFANTADO 10 YEAR OLD TAWNY PORTO
$35.99 BTL.

One of the first estates to Domaine bottle in the 1970s, breaking the monopoly of the large shippers, Quinta do Infantado placed themselves in the Port hierarchy immediately. The philosophy here seems to be "only the best". This credo holds true on all levels because unlike big shipper Port houses who purchase fruit from lower-graded sites for many of their basic Ports, Quinta do Infantado owns only Class A vineyards. This means that all of their Ports ranging from their basic Ruby up to their apex Vintage bottling all hail from the best sites and this offering is no exception.

Even though we are blessed with 80+ degrees in October the fun and sun will soon give way to the inevitable Portland darkness and dampness and a glass of Port and some chocolate should be on the agenda. Both chocolate and port alone are smooth and captivating, but when they are together, sensual fireworks burst in the air! Smooth and outstanding, Infantado's 10 Year Old Tawny Port delivers lovely aromas of flan, caramel, toffee and intermittent dried cherry characteristics. Mouth filling and with a classic sweetness and a refined, vibrant finish that reveals its cask elevation. As mentioned it is a great match with chocolate, but will also work with desserts laced with coffee or a stilton cheese. The beauty of a wood-aged port is that it has already been tawnied for you, so this means you can cork and uncork it as you wish and enjoy the bottle over several months vs. a vintage port that needs to be consumed in one sitting.

2011 DOUBLEBACK CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$99.99 BTL./$599.94 – SIX PACK CASE

Doubleback is the project from ex-NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe with the wines made by Leonetti's Chris Figgins. Not wanting to simply buy some juice and to slap a label with his name on a bottle, Bledsoe bought and planted two vineyards and is highly involved in the winemaking process as well as the vineyard management of this highly anticipated project.

The latest Doubleback Cab is made from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot 4% Petite Verdot, 1% Malbec that delivers solid layers of dark, juicy Cabernet fruit along with stellar blackberry and cherry, plus herbs, cedar, and black pepper all spread over a ripe, smooth, jazzy core. The thoughtful use of French oak adds spice, vanilla, char and espresso aspects for more complexity. The wine's big and grandiose personality is fully on display but it also possesses plenty of structure and will ultimately age nicely for 12-15 years...MAGNUMS AVAILABLE – INQUIRE