Hot Sheets

Since we started working with John Grochau’s wines 6 years ago we have always remarked at how much virtue and value are in these bottles. As we have watched 2010 unfold into one of Oregon’s prolific vintages, John has rode the wave and once again put forth another excellent Pinot Noir. The question here is, would you like an Oregon Pinot for 22 bucks that has the capacity to age through the end of the decade?

A resounding combination of dark and vibrant scents that are laid back and steadily build as the wine is aired in the glass; impressive depth and range of fruit plus earth beam in the mouth flowing into a long finish of red cherry and peppery tones that echo well after the wine is swallowed. Seriously delicious now but given the attention to detail and structure Grochau Cellars Pinots possess, there is still more stuff to emerge over the next 5-6+ years.

There is something about wines made from grapes grown in kimmeridgian soil that when paired with oysters can cause immense euphoria. The fact of the matter is that France was once covered by water, and kimmeridgian soil is basically decomposed crustaceans. The Kimmeridgian chain runs from the northern part of Burgundy to the Upper Loire and encompasses such famous regions as Sancerre, Chablis, and Pouilly Fume. Clotilde Davenne made her bones as winemaker at Domaine Brocard for 17 years. Now on her own with family land, this gal is making prolific, lightning-in-a-bottle white wines from the entire Yonne region including Chablis, Irancy, Cremant de Bourgogne and this jaunting white wine.

Oui, there is Sauvignon Blanc grown in Burgundy! Formerly known as Sauvignon Saint-Bris, the region was elevated to its own appellation status a few years ago. Located in close proximity, and in some cases overlapping the boundaries of Chablis, this gem offers up the essence of great Sauvignon paired with the essence of great Chablis. It is here that the terroir takes over. Scintillating aromas of gunflint, lime, pine, gooseberry and a gentle hint of fresh herbs instantly assault the olfactory senses! The texture is vigorous, vinous, searing-dry and terroir-laden, all flavors that make this a spine-tingling match with oysters. It is also intense enough to go with halibut or salmon. At 15 bucks, if you love French Sauvignon Blanc like we do, you won’t want to pass this one up.

With over 50 vintages produced, Leone de Castris is one of the most important and historical estates when it comes to Puglia and all of Southern Italian wines. An amazing steal for the money, this hearty full-on Italian red walks the line between old school and new school.

Made with two of the classic Varietals of the Puglia region, 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera, mountain berries, plum, allspice, almond allspice and cedar/tobacco characteristics unfold from the glass. In the mouth the dry and nuanced flavors coat the mouth and reveal tones that make one think of the fleshy, vibrant portion of the cherry that is right around the stone. The finish draws out and somersaults into being textbook, yet upscale Southern Italian with its tangy, earthy, spicy qualities and wild red fruits. Pair this delicious wine with slow roasted meats, perhaps something with a spicy Asian influence or just a simple, well-ripened pecorino cheese. Drink over the next 4-5 years, One last adjunction – if you want reassurance with an accolade, this is one of the rare, under 15 dollar Tre Bicchieri Award Winners from Italian Wine publication, Gambero Rosso

There are many desert wines produced around the world, but there is always something special about drinking Sauternes from the Bordeaux region. In a land where there aren't too many values (this is an expensive proposition to make) this week we are offering you a splendid one, along with the wine below from a satellite region. Neither of these wines will put Chateau Rieussec or Chateau d'Yquem out of business, however, these half-bottles are wonderful expressions of what this hallowed ground has to offer.

Blessed with power, penetration and persuasiveness, 2009 is the first of 3 remarkable vintages for these hallowed dessert wines. Chateau La Riviere’s 2009 brings forth plenty of oomph on the nose with prime spice and underlying apricot, citrus and coconut that transmit nicely from the glass. Round and harmonious, this is a great launching point to the greats of the region. Wonderful richness throughout with honeyed orange arriving on the surprisingly lengthy balanced, brisk finish, this is a wine of character and breed. Have it with berry desserts, but it will undoubtedly be at its pinnacle with a piece of Roquefort. Drink through 2020+.

Sainte-Croix-du-Mont is a hidden gem of a dessert-wine producing region and one that delivers a nice sweet-wine experience for not a lot of money. Located just across the river facing Sauternes and Barsac, the same grapes (Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle) are utilized in the production of the area's wines. Sainte-Croix-du-Mont truly possesses one of nature's strange wonders. Perched a panoramic plateau comprised of vast fossilized oyster beds which give it an exceptional terroir, Château Bel-Air's version is from the estate's oldest vines and is a truly delicious glass of golden nectar. Like 2009 as mentioned with the above-mentioned Sauternes, this area also excelled mightily in 2010.

Enticing, very forward with honeyed earth, full botrytis, dried peach and ruby grapefruit fragrances; in the mouth it is full, round, supple and precocious with fine spices, a drawn-out finish and optimum acidity which cuts through all of the stuffing. Very accessible now through 2018. Drink it with peach/apricot desserts. Roquefort will probably overpower this one so try it with a less powerful bleu cheese like Rogue Bleu or Bleu D'Auvergne.

Last December we proudly offered this tasty Italian white wine that so many of you have enjoyed over the years including this particular vintage. As always is the case, a year on, there is a virtual magical transformation with this white wine and is one that morphs into something completely cerebral and very food-friendly. Located at super-high elevation just inland from the Adriatic Sea, the Le Marches region of Matelica differs greatly from its more well-known Verdicchio brethren, Castelli dei Jesi. Here the soil is damn near pure limestone.

What was sort of peachy, slightly spicy and with undertones of mineral has become briny, profoundly mineral-driven, firm and teeming with quince aspects. Racy with nice vinous traits, this wine possesses plenty of thrust and hang-around factor and is now something to imbibe with grilled prawns, steamed mussels jacked with anise or halibut. Utterly brilliant juice that we can’t get enough of!!

Claude Marechal gets so much out of his wines that come from his humble appellations, yet interestingly, only one is a Premier Cru. After attempting to make a rendezvous for several years, I finally had the chance to visit this guy back in 2012. After the tasting and while driving north out of Burgundy, I left wondering in amazement, what if this man had land in top premier and grand cru sites? The secret to the quality at Domaine Marechal is old vines and a friendship that Claude struck up with a fellow, legendary Burgundian, the late Henri Jayer. Claude does a hell of a job emulating the wines of his mentor and they reveal so much more than their prices would ever suggest. Burgundy is in the midst of a five vintage span (2008 – 2012) of very good to great vintages. Based in Bligny-les-Beaune, Marechal produces 12 different wines from 6 villages and his Savigny-les-Beaune Old Vines comes from three well-positioned single vineyards with vines planted in 1955.

2010 (along with 2005) are the most prolific vintages in the last decade for the Pinot Noirs of Burgundy. Marechal knocked it clear out of the park and on to the adjacent street and broke a Peugeot car window with the quality of his 2010 which is best described as a long-legged beauty with accentuated aromas of roses, mineral, underbrush, black raspberry and cherry-pit. Nicely intertwined and showing beautiful aromatics. A silky texture is present with stellar expansion, this wine really over-delivers for its appellation status. Picks up grip and structure in the middle-palate, it is very drawn-out and ringing with vibrancy and detail. Always tough to call a 40 buck wine a value, but in the realm of Burgundy and top Pinot Noir, this one is just that. As alluring as this killer is now, it will ultimately be at its best 2016 – 2025.

One of Washington’s most revered Cabs, the 2009 Feather is a mountain of a wine! 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from top-level Washington fruit and made by famed Napa Valley Vintner Randy Dunn, this is definitely a candidate for long-term aging.

Impressively built yet maintaining a real sophistication of potent fruit, a presence of blackcurrant, anise, cocoa powder, violet, smoke and cedar box reveal depth and character. Flamboyant, full-textured and packed with teeth-staining flavors it builds into a whopping finish that leaves anyone with a hedonistic streak wanting more. No problem to drink and cellar through 2022.

Cariñena is the name of a province and wine growing region near the city of Zaragoza in Spain that is regarded as the source of the French Carignan grape which is grown in Langeudoc, California and Spain. These days the region is dominated by and is all about the Garnacha grape with 55% of the area being dedicated to this vine.

Always a top 8 dollar value, the Jordán de Asso Garnacha puts forth textbook Spanish Grenache character (100%) with grenadine, strawberry licorice and accented white pepper tones that follow over into a texture that is pleasantly mouth-filling. Gains plenty of vibrancy on the finish and possesses, once again, an excellent white pepper note. Very enticing for a mid-week selection, enjoy this wine with grilled sausage, chicken or pizza.