Hot Sheets

2016 DOW'S DUORO TINTO 'VALE DE BOMFIN'
[reg. $16.99]
SPECIAL - $11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Your eyes aren't deceiving you…Yes, the famed Port house, Dow's, produces a terrific DRY red wine made from its most famous vineyard utilizing the same grapes that go into their famed ports, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Touriga Barroca.

Unlike many other wines in this price point, this hearty winner stands on its head then does a touchdown dance. Broad, full ripe plum and blackberry cobbler scents that are touched nicely by vanilla and coffee follow into a packed texture that is flavorful, quite dense and layered. Vivid strawberry flavors arrive on the finish to add lift and bring everything together all in a smoothed-out package. A terrific, above average everyday wine that is perfect fodder with burgers or grilled steak slathered with sauteed mushrooms.

2015 CAPEZZANA CARMIGNANO
'VILLA DI CAPEZZANA'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

There are wines from Carmignano and then there is Capezzana. The Bonacossi family’s history in the region dates back to 1920 when they took hold of this property where winemaking dates back to 804 AD. Carmignano is truly the first "Super-Tuscan," as cabernet sauvignon has always been permitted for blending. This region, located northwest of the city of Florence is home to serious red wines that deliver a lot of bang for the buck. Capezzana is an historic property and along with Ambra and Piaggia is generally regarded as the finest grower in the region.

80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and offering up intense aromas of smoky violet, cassis and raspberry with hints of balsam, underbrush and cinnamon. Expansive, chewy, well-harmonized flavors show silky, yet substantial tannins that are gobbled up by the seamless fruit. The prowess of the 2015 vintage shows with this as well as its long finish that spreads out beautifully. A pure and expressive offering from one of Tuscany’s historic estates and while irresistible now, will give more pleasure with age. Drink through 2027. If you like scores, this has 95 points from Decanter Magazine

2017 RASA 'OCCAM'S RAZOR'
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Ever since visiting the Naravane brothers almost a decade ago, we have been always hoping and wishing to offer these Walla Walla wines in some capacity. Now is out big chance as Rasa has a distributor here in Portland for their highly limited production wines. We have access to their stratospheric offerings but today it is all about the blend. If you are interested in any of their limited release wines, inquire.

A true to form Washington blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional and Petit Verdot from various Red Mountain, Yakima and Walla Walla vineyards. Sheer deliciousness with good substance and without getting silly with just a bunch of wood, this is a mouthful of red wine, yet with lift and character. Layered black cherry, plum, violet, and anise are encapsulated by underlying milk-chocolate coated espresso bean aromas. Mouth filling and palate staining, there is such an irresistible quality to this wine now, but don't drink it all up at once, it will age nicely for 5-7 years, too. A great gateway, Rasa experience for twenty bucks.

2017 PINON VOUVRAY SEC
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

The image of Vouvray tends to be a tainted one for most people. In the eyes of the wine geeks and wine lovers throughout the world, they will tell you that some of France's greatest white wines and values come from this magnificent Loire village. Long time Vouvrillon François Pinon and his son Julien are amongst the finest in the region.

The newly arrived 2017 Sec is fully dry. Slender and stylish, this precise Vouvray brings forth aromas of chalkboard, lemon-lime, red apple and an array of mineral. In the mouth, it is fine-tuned with relaxed flavors that carry over to an edgy, mouth-watering finish. Drink this now over the next decade. If you have not experienced a fine Vouvray with Northwest salmon, it is about time that you should.

2018 TRIEBAUMER BLAUFRANKISCH
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Although there is only one particular way to spell Lemberger, the more official name for this grape is Blaufränkicsh, and we found six variations on the spelling of this varietal. Spelling aside, Blaufränkisch (meaning Blue French in German) is a widely grown, late-ripening, Austrian red grape that produces a racy wine with a fruit forward bouquet. Gunter and Regina Triembauer live and work near the city of Rust, (no, we are not talking about Detroit or Cleveland) which in Austria is known as the city of storks and noble wines. For you geography buffs, it lies on the west bank of the Neusiedlersee River near the Hungarian border in the region of Burgenland, an area known more for red wines than whites.

The 2018 is a scrumptious and crunchy red where you'll find a dark garnet, almost black color at the core, layered with spicy white and black pepper over red fruit aromas. There is also plenty of fresh, juicy red plums and cherry pit to back up the fully dry, yet mouthwatering finish. We are fully convinced that this red wine will pair with just about anything from a steaming bowl of pasta with a sugo of beef, lamb and pork to grilled sausage or swordfish.

2015 SAINT-SIFFREIN
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE

One of the better things with the threat of 100% tariffs and no incoming arrivals has been the chance to look back at some things that have been languishing in the distribution pattern. 2015 Rhones have been a prime example. Three vintages in a row has resulted in so many wanting the newest and most current, however, last week one of my reps came out with this wine and it reaffirmed how good the 2015s are and will become.

St-Siffrein has been making wines in Chateauneuf since 1860. 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault from the NW area of the appellation. The grapes ae organically farmed from the Cabrieres and Palestor lieu dits. A mosaic of soils highlighted by clay, limestone and portions of large galets allows this wine to be a velvety beast. Amourous, vivacious and time-honored Chateauneuf aromas prevail from the moment it is poured. Aromatic tea-smoke, rose, cherry-pit, licorice, white pepper and rhubarb shimmer and then follows through to a velvety, well-sculpted, smoothed-out texture that extends and persists. Very lovely at age seven and it will continue to drink beautifully for another six-8 years.

2018 BRANDBORG PINOT GRIS
ELKTON OREGON
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

A former stevedore for 25 years in San Francisco, Terry Brandborg and wife Sue initially started as a garagiste making small amounts of wine in California before uprooting and moved to Oregon in 2002. They chose a site in the Umpqua Valley outside of Elkton due to its high elevation and cool temperatures, which immediately delivered wonderful wines of distinction. In 2013, Elkton received its own AVA because this northern zone of the Umpqua proved itself to make wines that highlight a special terroir.

Brandborg’s Pinot Gris has been one of my favorite versions of this wine that I have recently tasted. Unapologetically modeled after Alsace, this wine reveals a smoky nose with cut white flowers, peach, apple and prominent spice. Quite full, then throwing a curveball of lemony-brisk tones that balances the creamy aspects of the grape with the high elevation tension from the acidity. A wonderful wine with flaky fish dishes or grilled prawns.

2016 ERCAVIO TEMPRANILLO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

From the large, diverse region of Tierra de Castilla, this 100% Tempranillo comes from about 35 miles east of Toledo and reveals plenty of generosity and flavor. Mocha and blackberry tones permeate from the glass and with a little aeration, some smoked meat and pepper. In the mouth, it is luscious and ripe with a dark texture, soft acids and a forward and flavorful finish.

2017 RAPET PERNAND-VERGELESSES ‘LES VERGELESSES’ 1^ER CRU
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK

Situated in the lovely village of Pernand-Vergelesses, Domaine Rapet makes 21 different wines from just under 49 acres of land. Sounds like a lot but in reality, these are all in small production. One could call Vincent Rapet a Pernand specialist, however, the range winds through the appellations of Aloxe-Corton, Savigny-les-Beaune, Chorey-les-Beaune, Beaune Premiers Crus, Pernand and up to Grand Cru red and white Corton. The feature on offer here is from Pernand-Vergelesses.

Perceptive Burgundy lovers who do not necessarily just chase labels know the prowess and value that the wines, especially the Premiers Crus have to offer. East facing, on the road to Beaune, this site leers across the way at the Corton hill. 2017 for Burgundy (both red and white) is superb and very well defined, one where each village and Cru distinguishes themselves beautifully. When I sampled this last week, it revealed the essence of the Cote-de-Beaune’s beauty. Let it be known it possesses underlying strength and substance that will allow it to age and develop. Ample, yet very alluring, radiant and minerally, this Cru from a nicely aged vineyard is always a terrific ageworthy offering. Walks the line between black and red fruits, aromatic aspects are lurking beneath. Total sweet-spot value! Long and impressive. Drink 2022 – 2030.

2017 RAPET PERNAND-VERGELESSES
‘ILE DE VERGELESSES’ 1^ER CRU
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK

Here we stair-step (literally) up the hill to the most profound Premier Cru of Pernand-Vergelesses called Ile de Vergelesses. Wines from this climat, which in Rapet’s case, over delivers and takes Premier Cru to Premier-and-a-half Cru. An Ile de Vergelesses is, as you would expect from its location, is a symbiosis of all that is best in Pernand, and then some.

Fragrant aromas that show the black fruit side of the Cotes-de-Beaune shine as plum, blackberry and peppercorn shine through. Pure and terroir-laden throughout. As expected given its location, this is more tightly focused and structured with impressive material from an excellent core of fruit. The finish is classic northern Côtes-de-Beaune being packed with purity and persistence. Hold on to this one until 2024 and drink it through 2033, you will thank us and then thank yourself for scoring such a value!

FRIDAY SIPS

Pra Soave Comes to The Cellar Door
Special Guest Diego Corradi, Export Director from Pra

FEATURED WINES:

2018 Pra Soave Classico 'Otto'
2016 Pra Soave Classico 'Staforte'
2017 Pra Soave Classico 'Monte Grande
2018 Pra Valpolicella 'Morandina'
2017 Pra Valpolicella Ripasso 'Morandina'