Hot Sheets

Alvaro is known for some serious high-end juice, however his Camins is an excellent way to have a Palacios Priorat experience for 20 bucks.

It's hard to believe that we have been featuring the bold, smooth red Priorat wines from Alavaro Palacios for over a decade now. Consistently this dude kills it with his Priorat wines and he remains one of Spain's most important figures. 2011 is the 5th vintage for the Camins and once again it soars. 60% Carinena, 30% Garnacha and a & 10% blend of Cabernet Syrah that's packed with broad plum, cinnamon, licorice and serious wind-swept garrigue, but never fear, the distinct dance of the minerality never strays far in both aroma and taste-wise. Speaking of taste, the texture goes very deep with a full presence of black licorice fruit, less tannins and backbone, this offering never veer into heaviness or thickness and is meant to be consumed in the near-term. Resounding white pepper explodes on the finish that possesses excellent persistence, this is an excellent choice for grilled pork.

90 points and 13 bucks from Washington is virtually unheard of these days, but we actually have one!! ""Polished, velvety and expressive, offering layers of black cherry, blackberry, chocolate and spice flavors that linger effortlessly on the extensive finish. Drink now through 2019. – 90 POINTS – THE WINE SPECTATOR"

Is it Rhone or is it Languedoc?? Located about as far south as one can get before arriving at the wild swamps of the Camargue, this lush red drips of the South of France! Chateau de Virgile has been a mainstay for the Cellar Door but this is the first time we've had the chance to offer their special cuvee from the estate's most ancient vines, many over 90 years old. 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre, this wine goes beyond the normal thinking of what wines from this region should be. Quite a bit more uptown than the classic cuvee, the L'Eneide delivers aromatically-seductive scents of black plum, violet, white pepper, tapenade and hints of dark chocolate. Concentrated, mouth-filling upon entry then giving way to a spice-driven middle and finish that finishes in waves and persists for a hell of a long time. Daube de boeuf is a perfect match but if you have time constraints and steak coated with a mélange of pepper will do just fine.

A cool-breeze of a white wine coming from an estate who gets so much out of their humble Soave that isn't designated as Classico. Hints of wet stone, lemon, and orange on the nose. In the mouth there is excellent intensity without compromising its crispness. Lots more citrus fruits in the mouth, great zing, and a long finish make you keep coming back for another glass. At this price, one can afford to have this stocked up in the refrigerator. You know we will!

To make good wine one needs good grapes and these days at Quivera, the vineyard is the star. A known name in Sonoma and for Zinfandel, Quivera quietly has taken off since being purchased in 2006 and with quality of their long-time biodynamic farming practices at the forefront of all of their wines. "A compact and classical Dry Creek Valley zinfandel, this holds red fruit and cracked black peppercorn spice within the darker tones of its tannins. The structure is firm but doesn't add weight, strengthening the spice through the finish."

The not-so-subliminal message that we have been sending over the last two years when it comes to Bordeaux is that the excitement isn't with the out-of-touch, obscenely-priced classified growth Chateaux, but with wines that deliver high-quality in the $20-$50 range which can certainly be cellared and enjoyed over quite a long period of time. One such fine Chateau within the Margaux region which isn't a classified growth is the 23 acre Chateau Mongravey. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and possessing stylish aromas of aromas of cedar, bright cherry, currant and licorice. On the palate it is round and soft with ripe tannins, rich bright red fruits, warm cigar box notes and earthy undertones. This wine possesses the depth, great balance and finesse that are synonymous with the Margaux region. 2009 (and 2010) are both prolific vintages for Bordeaux and this can use 1-2 more years in the cellar to develop even further. Drink 2014 – 2022+.

To celebrate the birth year of his granddaughter Marguerite, the late David Lett personally selected barrels featuring bits of fruit from all of his sources. 2000 was one of his favorite vintages and it is quite a thrill to be able to have some access to this super, nicely aged Oregon Pinot Noir from one of the founding fathers. At age 12 this is really hitting its stride and doing what old Pinot does, seduces and makes one think. The color here is pure and non-manipulated meaning that it is a pale red versus something that is thick and opaque. Aromatics of strawberry, rhubarb, dried violet, mushroom and enhanced nicely by turned earth/cinnamon tones give way to a super-seductive, Burgundian-inspired texture that crawls around and covers the palate in a sensuous manner. Drawn out and complex, one sees why Eyrie's wines always age so handsomely. Grab a nice soft-ripened cheese and enjoy!