Hot Sheets

Alvaro Palacios is a humble Spanish wine superstar who has none of the myriad of bizarre tendencies of the likes of Mel Gibson or Tom Cruise. Despite having a touch of gold and producing some of Spain's most profound wines, Alvaro is charming, likable and very approachable. If you ever made a visit to one of his three wineries in Spain and he's not traveling, more than likely, he'd host the visit instead of a publicist or assistant! What Alvaro has done with his family's Rioja estate in just over a decade is nothing less than extraordinary. One has to wonder how they can be of such great values given their apex quality.

2010 gave Rioja impeccable conditions with an extended, sunny autumn that allowed for excellent ripening and depth. The Montesa exhibits beautiful fragrances that present red raspberry surrounded by roasted herbs (rosemary & thyme) and gently placed kisses of mocha. Neo-classical, graceful, but very luscious and fine flavors seduce and fill the palate all at once. Good density of fruit shows over the structure, which is submerged by all of the depth and character. Really takes off on the finish which shows excellent dimension and Rioja detail. This is a real giant killer! Drink through 2018.

This past Friday we were chatting about bang for the buck wines and currently for whites it's pretty tough to beat what's going down in France's Chablis region. The soils here are so special and the Chardonnay grown here almost overstates the terroir when it is done in a proper manner. Daniel Dampt has total disdain for oak on his Chablis wines and his sons follow the same mantra. This is a family obsessed with the magnificent terroir of Chablis and their wines ALWAYS reflect it so well.

The 2011 is a blazer of a white wine. If diamonds could have aromas of perfume, this would be it. Pristine, classic Chablis aromas soar from the glass and feature gunsmoke, lemon, gentle hints of juniper and seashells. In the mouth it is precisely and brightly detailed, very delineated and with compact richness in the mid-palate. Wiry and finely tuned with minerally zip on the edges and on the energetic, long finish. Dampt's Chablis wines are nothing but the truth! Drink this over the next 2-4 years with oysters, sole prepared in a light cream sauce or even a smoked ham.

91 POINTS – THE WINE SPECTATOR
These days finding $20 Cabernets that have character can be quite a pain in the posterior so when one of the most prized producers in Argentina offered up one, notice was served. If this were done north of the Columbia River, it certainly wouldn't sell for 20. Its price would be even more dear if it were from Napa!

Full, and harmonious, with rich, concentrated flavors of plum and black cherry, chocolate and subtle minty-spice. Lively red tones bring it nicely into form and extend way beyond what most Cabs at this level offer. Throw this bottle into your next Cabernet tasting, it will perform very well. Better yet, fire up the grill and have it with a marinated skirt steak. If scores are your thing, this has 91 points from The Wine Spectator.

Not only is Peachy Canyon owner/winemaker/rabble-rouser Doug Beckett one of the finest Zinfandel producers in California, he is one of the pioneers of the Paso Robles wine region. The Westside Zin is a pronounced step up from the tasty, entry-level "Incredible Red" bottling that the Beckett family produces.

Best described as Energy Drink for hedonists, the 2010 shows savory old-vine zin density without being heavy or ponderous. Extroverted with fleshy raspberry, cranberry and cherry tones along with plenty of Provencal herbs, briar, and smoky spice. In the mouth it is bright, plump and chock full of berries, licorice and pepper, just what one wants and expects in a Zin.

December usually isn't a time when I go perusing price lists at lunch time. Mostly I'm inhaling lunch and reading the news or this year seeing how the Steelers are aiming for a high draft pick. Yesterday afternoon was a bit different. See, I was multi-tasking, looking for something for a request and found this, a deep markdown on one of Montalcino's most legendary producers.

The 2007 is Brunello with power and also possessing an Eddie Haskell-like charm to it. Dramatic, rich scents leap from the glass with notes of plums, cherries, blackberries, tobacco, chocolate, and leather. Complex, penetrating and silky on the palate with intensity of fruit, reflecting this prominent Tuscan vintage. Superbly packed, gripping and very cellar-worthy. Amazingly, given the almost flirtatious nature of the vintage, it would not be total blasphemy to open one now with a simple grilled steak or hearty Italian meal but for best results we highly recommend holding on to this until its 10th birthday and drinking it through 2032. Awesome stuff and you'll never see it at this price again, especially for a vintage of such pedigree. If you collect Brunello or have a "2007 occasion" to celebrate down the road, don't miss this!