Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S "SNOW ON MARS" HOTSHEET
Cameron Pinot Noir, Muscadet, 20 buck Port, Felsina & 3 terrific recession-busting reds at the bottom
Cameron Pinot Noir, Muscadet, 20 buck Port, Felsina & 3 terrific recession-busting reds at the bottom
2010 CAMERON PINOT NOIR
DUNDEE HILLS RESERVE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE – VERY LIMITED!
DUNDEE HILLS RESERVE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE – VERY LIMITED!
Once again, John Paul has outdone himself and with the terrific 2010 vintage! Dundee Hills Reserve is a bridge from the regular Cameron Dundee Hills on to the single Cru Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique wines. Made from fruit from the Gherts Vineyard which brings dark, lush tones combined with Arley's Leap (upper hillside of Abbey Ridge) to provide stiffness and grip and then a bit from John's newer site called Bess Block (or Clos de Bess) which adds exuberance, this fabulous Pinot Noir is really full of pleasure and potential.
Strawberry, jasmine, lavender all ride shotgun with plum, cracked pepper, hints of meat and smoke and lingering spices. Seductive as usual for a Cameron Pinot Noir, however, there is ample depth, persistence and structure. Lovely as usual now, but really should be put down in the cellar for 2-3 years and enjoyed 2014 – 2021. Only 200 cases were made and it will sell quickly!
Strawberry, jasmine, lavender all ride shotgun with plum, cracked pepper, hints of meat and smoke and lingering spices. Seductive as usual for a Cameron Pinot Noir, however, there is ample depth, persistence and structure. Lovely as usual now, but really should be put down in the cellar for 2-3 years and enjoyed 2014 – 2021. Only 200 cases were made and it will sell quickly!
2011 CAMERON GIULIANO BIANCO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Only 92 cases were made of the electrifying Cameron Giuliano. A very exciting classic Northern Italian-influenced blend of 5 different white grape varieties (Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Auxerrois and Moscato), this is scintillating white wine and year in and year out, one of Oregon's finest.
Upon smelling it's difficult not to believe that it would be from NE Italy and not the Dundee Hills. Soaring scents of tangerine, white flowers and enhanced by forthright minerality. This seamless beauty coats your mouth with flavors that are kept in perfect balance by lightning-crisp acidity and minerality which are derived from an alchemy of ancient vines planted in marlstone and sandstone soils. This wine screams for seafood, in particular simple preparations of crab, shrimp, and even halibut. Nothing brings a bit of sunshine quite like a little Cameron Giuliano.
Upon smelling it's difficult not to believe that it would be from NE Italy and not the Dundee Hills. Soaring scents of tangerine, white flowers and enhanced by forthright minerality. This seamless beauty coats your mouth with flavors that are kept in perfect balance by lightning-crisp acidity and minerality which are derived from an alchemy of ancient vines planted in marlstone and sandstone soils. This wine screams for seafood, in particular simple preparations of crab, shrimp, and even halibut. Nothing brings a bit of sunshine quite like a little Cameron Giuliano.
NO HOLDS BARRED MUSCADET SAMPLER FROM THE REGION'S HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP!
There is Muscadet and then there is Domaine de L'Ecu. After a long absence in our area, we are as excited as a Frenchman who has just found a carton of Gauloises or Gítanes to offer this unbelievable sampler that expresses all of the Guy Bossard's different terroirs in their own unique ways. Grab three glasses, 4 or 5 friends, a bunch of mussels, oysters or white fish and have a fun tasting experience!
Click below to order all Three!
2010 DOMAINE DE L'ECU MUSCADET
"EXPRESSION DE GNEISS" $20
After visiting this prominent terroirist last year it was clear that this guy is the greatest producer in Muscadet. Virtually impossible to turn a profit farming biodynamically the way he does in this humble region, it amazes us that he can sell wines like this at such brilliant pricing. Not only are these Muscadets with unbelievable texture and definition of origin, they will also age wonderfully.
Gneiss (pronounced ga-ness) is metamorphic rock that may have come from granite and is characterized by alternating layers of light and dark bands. It is a warmer, harder soil, or should we say rock-type and it is amazing that a vine could even penetrate it! This wine reflects where it is grown as there are serious gunflint and stony aromas which remind one of a quarry right after it has rained. Combining ripe lemon with these notes adds for complexity. In the mouth, it is intense and gains laser-like persistence and herbs and spice which carry over into the citrusy and thrusting finish. This wine is the mussel wine of the three, but will also go with numerous shellfish preparations, though avoid the spice.
Gneiss (pronounced ga-ness) is metamorphic rock that may have come from granite and is characterized by alternating layers of light and dark bands. It is a warmer, harder soil, or should we say rock-type and it is amazing that a vine could even penetrate it! This wine reflects where it is grown as there are serious gunflint and stony aromas which remind one of a quarry right after it has rained. Combining ripe lemon with these notes adds for complexity. In the mouth, it is intense and gains laser-like persistence and herbs and spice which carry over into the citrusy and thrusting finish. This wine is the mussel wine of the three, but will also go with numerous shellfish preparations, though avoid the spice.
2010 DOMAINE DE L'ECU MUSCADET "EXPRESSION DE GRANITE" $20
If Guy Bossard were in a more famous region like Burgundy or Bordeaux, he would undoubtedly produce white wines that would easily fetch a price that is 10 times the price of these wines. However, he is located in the humble region of Muscadet and what he has done with these wines is nothing less than stellar. The Expression de Granite is cerebral and complex beyond belief for a wine that is $20!
Grown on granitic soils that have more in common with the Côte Blonde section in Côte-Rôtie, this simply put is mind-blowing Muscadet that is one of the finest wines in all of France! Minerally aromas play off of chamomile, classic Muscadet peatiness, lemongrass and honey. Palate-staining and at the same time, brilliantly pure and finesseful. Lots of spine and focus throughout which heads into a glorious finish that is packed with verve, lace and subliminal messages that say that this is virtuoso stuff that you MUST experience with oysters!
Grown on granitic soils that have more in common with the Côte Blonde section in Côte-Rôtie, this simply put is mind-blowing Muscadet that is one of the finest wines in all of France! Minerally aromas play off of chamomile, classic Muscadet peatiness, lemongrass and honey. Palate-staining and at the same time, brilliantly pure and finesseful. Lots of spine and focus throughout which heads into a glorious finish that is packed with verve, lace and subliminal messages that say that this is virtuoso stuff that you MUST experience with oysters!
2010 DOMAINE DE L'ECU MUSCADET "EXPRESSION D'ORTHOGNEISS" $20
Like gneiss, orthogneiss is a product of decomposed quartz. One can almost look at gneiss being the parent soil to orthogneiss with the one major difference being that orthogneiss is a cooler yet thicker soil which brings a more relaxed and rounder style to the finished wine.
This is Muscadet with diamonds and pearls. Billowy notes of yellow apple and Meyer lemon offer the perfect pillow for this powerful terroir to present itself and does it ever. We called this wine a "stealth cobra" because of the fact that it puffed itself up, filling our glassed with drops of round sun-kissed yellow fruit that teeters on tropical and strikes back on the finish with precision-like minerality and insanely defined texture. This impressive effort is a hedonistic exercise in terroir and easily compliments the most decadent preparation of Dover sole in beurre blanc.
This is Muscadet with diamonds and pearls. Billowy notes of yellow apple and Meyer lemon offer the perfect pillow for this powerful terroir to present itself and does it ever. We called this wine a "stealth cobra" because of the fact that it puffed itself up, filling our glassed with drops of round sun-kissed yellow fruit that teeters on tropical and strikes back on the finish with precision-like minerality and insanely defined texture. This impressive effort is a hedonistic exercise in terroir and easily compliments the most decadent preparation of Dover sole in beurre blanc.
2007 FATTORIA DI FELSINA "FONTALLORO"
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 SIX PACK CASE – LIMITED
96 POINTS – STEPHEN TANZER'S INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 SIX PACK CASE – LIMITED
96 POINTS – STEPHEN TANZER'S INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR
Fèlsina's Fontalloro embodies the true meaning of the term "Supertuscan". A spectacular wine made from the finest Sangiovese grapes, Fontalloro is a product of modern, innovative vinification and Chianti tradition. First conceived in 1983 by the head of Felsina, Giuseppe Mazzocolin, and consulting winemaker Franco Bernabei, Fontalloro quickly rose to the top of the short list of great Super Tuscan wines. Fontalloro is 100% Sangiovese taken from various plots on the Felsina estate and most of the vines utilized are from the original planting on the estate in 1958. The grapes from these ancient vines are hugely concentrated and full of intense flavor, as well as having terroir specific characteristics that blend together and add to the overall complexity and structure of the wine...the 2007 Fèlsina Fontalloro is destined for greatness.
"Good full red with a palish rim. Pure, superripe aromas of red cherry, violet, iodine and nutmeg. Superrich, highly concentrated and seamless, with densely packed flavors of raspberry, dark plum and marzipan. Finishes creamy-rich and explosively long, with a pretty violet note. This was so good I really had trouble letting the glass go. It's also the only time I can remember Fontalloro outclassing Rancia (of which I am a huge fan) by such a wide margin, something I had noticed even when tasting barrel samples of these two wines in the estate's cellar two years ago. I'd wait a good five years on this one, then enjoy it for another two decades. Proof positive that Sangiovese is one of the world's great grape varieties.– 96 POINTS FROM THE VERY CONSERVATIVE-SCORING INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR"
"Good full red with a palish rim. Pure, superripe aromas of red cherry, violet, iodine and nutmeg. Superrich, highly concentrated and seamless, with densely packed flavors of raspberry, dark plum and marzipan. Finishes creamy-rich and explosively long, with a pretty violet note. This was so good I really had trouble letting the glass go. It's also the only time I can remember Fontalloro outclassing Rancia (of which I am a huge fan) by such a wide margin, something I had noticed even when tasting barrel samples of these two wines in the estate's cellar two years ago. I'd wait a good five years on this one, then enjoy it for another two decades. Proof positive that Sangiovese is one of the world's great grape varieties.– 96 POINTS FROM THE VERY CONSERVATIVE-SCORING INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR"
2009 CHONO CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
If we had our druthers, all inexpensive Chilean wines would be made in this style. Lead by winemakers/enologists Alvaro Espinosa and Juan Carlos Faundez, Chono is a small estate who puts forth wines that focus fruit and place over quantity and "brand recognition," 2 traits that often make Chilean cabs smell and taste like burned boot. This wine is no such animal. Blackberry, underlying cassis, dusty clay tones and fine herbs shine on the nose and virtually creamy, sultry and all about texture in the mouth. Layered with lots of movement and various complex flavor profiles, it is drawn-out, lingering and possessing excellent substance on the back end. We simply can't believe just how stellar it is for its absurdly fair price! Enjoy it over the next 2-4 years, especially with a grilled steak slathered with peppercorns.
2010 GRAN SASSO SANGIOVESE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Sangiovese from a region on the Adriatic Sea that is more known for its Montepulciano, Gran Sasso really over-delivers on all of their wines. Tell-tale warm climate Sangiovese that's heady, savory and with a combination of blueberry, tangy earth and Italian spices. Mouth-filling, spicy and very uncommon substance for a $10 wine. Overall it is a wine of confidence and character that one can proudly serve to friends with or without food.
2009 BENAZA MONTERREI TINTO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Geographically, the remote Galician region of Monterrei sits right on the border of Portugal and is currently home to some very intriguing and very satisfying wines, both red and white. Mencia is the choice grape here, however it is warm enough that other varietals are often added to the blend. A delicious, elegant, unoaked, fresh red made from 80% Mencia, 10% Tempranillo and 10% Bastardo (we just love saying the name of this grape), and chock full of strawberry, fresh roses and underlying mineral. Plenty of zest and pop in the mouth; lots of soulful character, nice depth and not heavy at all. Prosciutto, smoked meats or mushrooms would be perfect matches with this yummy, off-the-beaten path Spanish red.
2007 TAYLOR-FLADGATE LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORTO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
So it's 90+ degrees and the sun is shining, but for those of us who live in Portland, we know the imminent cold wet days and nights will arrive sooner than we'd like, so it's never too early to think about Port. Taylor-Fladgate is a very renowned Port Lodge and one who makes Ports with power. The 2007 LBV belies its subtle color and possesses ample character, depth and flavor. Very aromatic on the nose, filling your senses with wild berries, vanilla, a touch of walnuts and a serious presence of black licorice. Mouth-filling, warm, inviting and leaving a pleasant, everlasting aftertaste long after the port is swallowed. Drink it with chocolate, a nice hunk of stilton, a cigar, or just by itself.
