Hot Sheets

One of the most superb Chateauneuf-du-Pape producers, the Coulon brothers of Domaine de Beaurenard has been on a big roll and 2010 is their finest work that I’ve seen since following them in 1995. Receiving as much focus as their prized Chateauneuf wines, Rasteau received an upgrade from Cotes-du-Rhone Village status to full appellation status. This wine is a STEAL given the tedious biodynamic and terraced farming that goes into it. Compared with other like wines from Cairanne, Vacqueyras , Rasteau, etc., so many of those hit $30 so at $20 this is amazing.

Superior material present instantly. Upscale aromas. White pepper, pronounced rosemary and Italian plum. Streamlined yet very rich. Lots of licorice on substantial and very drawn-out finish. Alluring and gorgeous, this full-flavored number drinks well now and will do so for another 10-12 years. 2010 is the most prolific vintage I’ve seen in the Rhone since 1990 and when visiting last year, several old-timers thought it the best since ‘78.

talian Montepulciano lesson #493: When the word "Montepulciano" is first in the name of a particular Italian wine, it is the name of the grape and is from the Abruzzo region which lies east of Rome on the Adriatic coast. When the last word of a wine is "Montepulciano", like this wine, it designates the village of Montepulciano which is in Southern Tuscany and the grape is Sangiovese. The Noble wines of Montepulciano are some of the most exciting in Tuscany and represent the best bang for your buck.

The specialty of the house at Poliziano is their exquisite Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and their newly arrived 2009’s classic beauty woos you in from the first waft of violet, lush cherry, raspberry and sweet roasted Tuscan herbs. All about smoothness and balance, then echoed by intense depth of flavor, alluring spice from a deft use of oak beautifully frames the wine's rich fruit and resounding detail of origin. The quality of this wine is reinforced on the finish with the depth and expansion of flavor lingering on the palate. Opening one now with a hearty meal is a must but this delicious wine will continue to develop through 2020.

Founded in 2003, Fall Line’s Tim Sorenson has been producing terrific value Washington wines since their first bottling. Fast forward to the 2009 vintage and the wine media has discovered what we have known since Fall Line's inception, that they are really damn good!

“The one wine not made from Bordeaux varietals is the 2009 El Otro made from 100% Tempranillo sourced from the Boushey Vineyard. It was aged for 18 months in 14% new French oak. Spice box, cedar, rose petal, and black cherry aromas set the stage for a lingering, already complex, lengthy offering that is a fine example of the potential for Tempranillo in eastern Washington. Drink this outstanding wine from 2012 to 2021. - 92 POINTS - THE WINE ADVOCATE”

Portugal is a virtual thrift store when it comes to wine values. Reds are more often featured but now we are starting to see white wines other than Vinho Verde hitting our shores and wines such as this offering can be scintillating. Made with 4 native varietals (Malvasia Fina, Bical, Encruzado and Cerceal) this unoaked white wine has some influence perhaps of the Southern Rhone with anise, acacia and pineapple character.

Heaps of liveliness in the mouth to offset the palate-coating texture, all building to a detonating finish that screams mandarin and mineral. Have as an aperitif with cured ham or serve it with scallops, octopus or other substantial shellfish dishes.

The village of Chinon is known for its castle and its most famous resident, 15th century writer and clergyman, Francois Rabelais. One such philosophy that we live by around here is one that Rabelais once wrote, "When I drink, I think; and when I think, I drink". This basically sums up the attitude of Chinon's 9000 or so citizens, one visit there and you will see, it is food and wine hedonism at its finest. This wine is all about pleasure and even though it is made with Cabernet Franc, serve it in a Burgundy glass as it has more in common with wines like Burgundy that are all about aromatics.

Stylish, elegant and very food-friendly. Laced with scents of currant, mushroom, cinnamon, sandalwood and pepper. Refined and compelling with an elegant, seductive texture. Finishes dry and lively which makes it the perfect picnic wine with charcuterie and cheese.

Sorelle Branco is a small, award-winning estate run by 2 sisters (Antonella and Ersiliana Branco) and they go to expensive, painstaking lengths to produce Prosecco of the highest quality. After tasting, I really saw why this estate is so highly touted within the Italian wine media. Not only is this a beautiful wine to taste, its myriad of tiny bubbles are impressive to gawk at.

Alluring scents of wildflowers, pears, apples and gently placed mineral shimmer from the glass; the texture is energetic, brisk, fruit driven and intense, yet the bubbles are some of the most finesseful and silky I've ever experienced in an Italian bubbly. Beautifully complex and way too classy to be tossed into a Bellini, it’s a perfect starter to Easter or Passover dinner as well as being something to celebrate or drown your sorrows with for this weekend’s hoop action!