Hot Sheets

What’s not to like about this wine!?!?! 9 bucks and from the vast Vinos de Madrid sector of central Spain comes this mouth-coating everyday red. The warmth of this region combined with the chameleon-like aspects of Tempranillo aids in delivering broad scents of blackberry, balsamic, vanilla and coriander. Flavorful, mouth-filling and an engaging wine for immediate gratification with an array of foods ranging from hearty vegetarian fare to pork chops or pizza.

Living in the shadow of Nebbiolo and Barbera, Dolcetto can often be forgotten, but when it comes from Dogliani, it is very special and is THE grape of this village, especially since the high-elevation vineyards bring boundless rewards in the bottle. The results and distinction of the quality have not gone unnoticed and commencing in was elevated to DOCG status (hence just Dogliani, no longer Dolcetto di Dogliani) for the best terroirs of the village.

A historic and renowned producer, Einaudi’s 2011 is beautiful and explosive at the same time. Licorice-laden and packed with gorgeous black cherry and mineral tones; voluminous, dry and very precise flavors with undertones of chocolate-covered plums move entrancingly on the layered, palate-staining finish. This is a wily best buy that anyone who is savvy about Italian red wine will undoubtedly purchase!

93 POINTS – THE WINE SPECTATOR

One of Walla Walla’s coolest yet sometimes underappreciated stars, Seven Hills Winery and leader Casey McClellan have been making suave, full flavored expressions of Washington wines for 25 years. Steady and consistent, wonderful juice has been oozing from these cellars for a long time and with a recent distribution change, we have better access to these exciting offerings.

Up today is the 2010 Cabernet from the famed Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla. Lyrical scents of roasted coffee, black raspberry, tobacco, dark chocolate and nutmeg sing from the glass. The penetration and multi-dimensional characteristics from the nose are also present in the mouth. Luxurious and not without a bit of cushion, this stuff is almost dangerous! Soothing and smoothly-textured with building spice and a head-spinning core of blue fruit that takes the lead, but it is the backbone is what ultimately carries the wine and will bring longevity. While it is a Walla Walla wine, this seemingly has a foot in St-Estephe with its underlay of earth. Quite inspiring! Drink from 2015 – 2023+, although if you wanted to test-drive a bottle, it isn’t going to clobber you. If scores entice you, this wine does have 93 points from The Wine Spectator.

A fine specimen of a wine from the temperate Coteaux De L'Ardeche, located between the Northern and Southern Rhone, about 20 km east of the river. Mas D’Intras practices organic, natural farming and this favorite red blend is 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. Inviting, engaging and very fresh from not utilizing any oak in the elevage of the wine, cherries, berries and white pepper from Grenache combine nicely with the fullness, lushness and "purple" aspects of the Syrah. Enjoy on a regular basis with lamb, ratatouille or a slab of ribs with tangy barbecue sauce.

In a region full of mavericks and renegades, Edi Keber is a small producer who seems to be on everyone’s short list of favorites of obscure Italian white wines. This cat makes one wine and one wine only, think of it as a Grand Cru blend from his meticulously-farmed vineyards in the Collio region within Friuli. Only 5,000 cases of this killer white are produced and we are very fortunate to be able to offer it and at a great price to boot. Mostly Friulano and with dollops of Malvasia and Ribolla Gialla that are primarily fermented sans oak with the exception of 20% of the Friulano seeing 10 year old neutral tonneaux.

Rich, yet blitzing, this white wine has the size of a defensive lineman but with the speed of a cornerback and all the cerebral qualities of a good quarterback. One sees the personality and ambassadorship that Edi Keber has for Friuli in this wine! Multi-faceted mineral, peat, nectarine, orange and subtle herbs and spices emerge from the glass. The texture is virtual bombastic delicacy, touching all points of the palate, teeming with vivid electricity and a seemingly never-ending finish, this intriguing white is the epitome of an amusement park thrill-ride that sends the senses up and down and in many circles. One more thing, this wine ages beautifully, too. Drink over the next decade.

The skeptic in me over white wines from this warm area wanted not to like this number but after tasting it, I was quickly won over and scratching my head, marveling at just how zesty it actually is. A fun blend of 53% Viognier, 18% Vermentino, 17% Verdelho and 12% Sauvignon Blanc, all of the aromatics from the varietals matter. A core of peach, ginger, and daisies launch from the glass with no sense of the normal octane scents that are omni-present in Paso white wines. Brisk and bursting but with plenty of texture that will make it handle a fleshier piece of fish. This is joyful stuff that’s so beyond the California stereotype.

A mouth-watering Austrian white wine, Rainer Wess’s 2011 Gruner Veltliner is chock full of pulsating aromas from honeysuckle to white pepper, lime, grapefruit, white peach, fresh pine and crisp granny smith apple. There is a deep level of natural acidity on this white which manages to bring out complexity while maintaining zip and a pleasure-texture mouth-feel. Pair with an array of seafood, but have fun with this wine because it will compliment many different types of food and hold up to spicy dishes beautifully.

Here’s one that’s undoubtedly remarkable and not expensive from a fabulous Spanish white wine specialist. For many years Garciarevalo just made one Rueda but years of convincing from many outside sources and friends, a few years back the estate started the separate cuvee. Tickling you in places that you don't expect, this cool white is 100% of the Verdejo grape and from vines that are 100-145 years old! Aged entirely in stainless steel tanks, one sip of this will give you reason to flash a cheesy-ass grin and continue pouring glass after glass. Lime, mandarin, marzipan and prominent mineral launch from the glass then in the mouth, brisk, enlightening and delicious flavors coat, then cleanse the entire palate. A terrific value that will be cocky while flaunting its personality best with crab, scallops or cod.