Hot Sheets
"SENSORY OVERLOAD" HOTSHEET
under 20 buck Nortwest Wines, Tuscan Montepulciano, Summer Sauvignon & more
2012 ALVARO PALACIOS PRIORAT "CAMINS"
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
How much more can we say about the greatness of Alvaro Palacios. Along with Rene Barbier and Daphne Glorian, he is one of the three who virtually put this ancient growing region on the map and made it one of Spain's most exciting and important. Palacios is originally from Rioja, but in 1989, at age 26, arrived in Priorat with passion, vision and enough energy to light up Barcelona…and its suburbs! Camins is a Priorat wine created by Alvaro as a gateway into the wines of Priorat and as a response to a worldwide economic downturn. For 20 bucks, this hearty, yet smooth red is authoritative and a real statement maker to show off to anyone who loves full reds
40% Garnacha, 30% Samso, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah. "Inky ruby. Aromas of blackberry, cola and spicy oak….intense in the mouth, offering weighty dark berry flavors complicated by Asian spices. The fleshy, broad finish features smooth tannins and appealingly sweet black and blue fruit qualities. – 91 POINTS – INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR
2012 BOEDECKER PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Having lived here for 20 years now and looking at just how the Oregon wine scene has grown, it stymies us to believe that it has only been 7 short years since we were placing Boedecker on our list of rising star producers. No longer on the rising star list and now on the established star list, the husband and wife team of Stewart Boedecker and Athena Pappas have been crafting award-winning wines of quality and passion and their new 2012 Willamette is an exceptional value for 20 bucks.
Sensual aromas of ripe raspberry and plum with a beautiful exotic spice are both poised and outgoing at the same time. In the mouth the berry flavors continue only with more of a presence of wild strawberry, dark cherry, and hints of earth. Here is where you can feel it is from the New World, as its, weight, richness, and intensity take over, yet without ever losing its elegance or endurance. Drink through 2018.
2012 KALEM'S DOWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON "THE BENCHES VINEYARD"
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Kalem's Down is a finely-priced Horse Heaven Hills single vineyard offering from John Albin. A few years ago this Chehalem Mountain-based stalwart expanded his focus beyond Oregon Pinot Noir and started working with Washington fruit. The Benches Vineyard is located about 1000 feet above where the Columbia makes the big bend and is owned and controlled by the folks at Long Shadows.
John's version for the fine 2012 vintage is a superb drink that offers dense forward scents of dark berries and mocha, is smooth and seductive in the mouth with even more dark berry, cassis, milk chocolate, and spice notes arriving on the sumptuous finish.
2013 CHEHALEM GRUNER VELTLINER "RIDGECREST VINEYARD"
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Gruner Veltliner in Oregon isn't exactly a new commodity. About 10 years ago when the Austrian wave was engulfing the US several Oregon producers thought that it would adapt well to our terroir and it has done just that. Never one to just cruise by on previous accomplishments, Chehalem has always strived to advance and ameliorate everything they do.
At 12.8% alcohol, this Oregon Gruner Veltliner is a blazing palate-grabber with shifting scents starting with honeysuckle, white pepper, lime, grapefruit on to white peach, fresh pine and crisp granny smith apple. There is a deep level of natural briskness that makes this a palate-grabbing white of complexity while maintaining blazing freshness and a beautifully textured mouth-feel over to the finish that has an abundance of range and lingering aspects. Pair with an array of seafood, but have fun with this wine because it will compliment many different types of food and will admirably hold up to spicy dishes.
2012 TORRE D'ORTI VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Times are changing in the Amarone producing area of Il Valpolicella of Italy's Veneto region when it comes to the thought process of making Ripasso wines. A reversion of sorts is occurring which highlights the wines not being "baby Amarone" while still maintaining the pass-over process but instead following the original vision of the 50s and 60s which featured wines of breed and uniqueness that were the benchmarks of this process and region. Yes, Amarone is still the same beast of a wine that it is and should be but now many producers such as Torre D'Orti are putting forth wines that don't clobber you but still have flavor and aura that entice and allow one to enjoy a full bottle.
Notes of forest, violet and wild red berries that speak of the Veneto perfectly intermingle with the core of sultry fruit and exotic spice that comes from the ripasso method. Completely dry with equilibrium coming from the high toned fruit brings a level of liveliness to the mix making this an extremely food friendly and versatile bottle of red wine. Enjoy with braised and hearty meat dishes, burgers, nutty cheeses & anything with stewed or roasted veggies.
2013 J-F MERIEAU SAUVIGNON DE TOURAINE "L'ARPENTS DES VAUDONS"
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
The 30-something Jean-Francois Merieau is doing amazing things in a humble wine growing area. Taking his cue from other organic producers in the Loire Valley, this guy really has the chops with his farming and his wines are some of the most soulful and beautiful that we work with.
100% Sauvignon Blanc from old vines located in the Touraine region of the Loire Valley, classic chalky aromas formed nicely around ardent yellow apple, vibrant mandarin and grapefruit scents provide thrills and chills. Plenty of underlying mineral with old-vine depth presence along with intense saline-like briskness, especially on the electric, vinous, lasting finish all come together and make this the ultimate vale Summer Sauvignon Blanc.
2011 POLIZIANO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
One of the Big 3 of the Tuscan village of Montepulciano, the neo-classical stylings of Poliziano are always some of our most popular offerings. Year in and year out, Federico Carletti delivers broad wines of texture done with modern practices yet somehow these wines never lose their definition of origin.
The full-flavored 2011 Nobile di Montepulaciano is derived from 85% Prugnolo Gentile (Montepulciano's Sangiovese clone) and a 15% blend of Canaiolo, Colorino and Merlot. Fragrances of smoke, nutmeg and Belgian chocolate surround black raspberry and roasted plum notes which follow into a decadent texture possessing a combination of wild spice, earth and coffee aspects which lovingly assault the senses. Deceptively structured, classic Sangiovese tang and juiciness shine on the superbly long finish that really clings to the palate. Due to the smoothly-formed nature of this Tuscan red, opening one now with an Italian meal wouldn't be committing a wine infraction. Enjoy over the next decade.
2009 JASMIN COTE-ROTIE
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
Patrick Jasmin has been following in his father Robert's footsteps very admirably. The wines of Côte-Rôtie are complex, cerebral and very elusive. Many think that these wines are large beasts, but in reality, even though they are from the Rhone, they have little in common with Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but tend to lean towards the manner of Chambolle or Chambertin. Poise, sensuality and smoothness rule the day at this very formidable cellar. The wines also age tremendously, too.
From 4 different parcels within this tiny but prestigious appellation, this wine reveals insane syrah-driven aromatics. Lacy but saturated scents of mineral, black olive tapenade, freshly ground pepper, anise, prominent mineral and creosote tones. 2009 is a vintage that started off very rambunctious but as it has aged has become very civilized. Still youthful, the slow-mounting flavors build and coat the palate. Needs 2-3 more years in the cellar but at age 8 or so, this will be sublime. Drink 2017 – 2024+.
