Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'POP'N FRESH' HOTSHEET
96-point Brunello
Ridge Cab, Spanish Red Two-Step
Oregon Pinot Noir, Marsanne/Roussanne and more
Ridge Cab, Spanish Red Two-Step
Oregon Pinot Noir, Marsanne/Roussanne and more
2019 VILLARD MARSANNE-ROUSSANNE
'LES CONTOURS DE MARLANT'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'LES CONTOURS DE MARLANT'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Made by Condrieu/Saint-Joseph rockstar Francois Villard, this white wine comes from younger vines from two specific St-Joe villages, Chavanay and St-Pierre de Boeuf and performs mightily for a mere twenty-dollar bill.
A superb way to familiarize yourself with the terrific white wines of the Northern Rhone this blend of 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne grown in granitic soils is attractive from the moment it is poured. Exciting fragrance, highlighted by ginger-spiked pear scents, shortbread, anise and melon that follows through to a texture that possesses richness combined with zestiness and a thought-provoking inner intensity that carries over to the palate sweeping finish. Drink over the next five years with chicken in a sauce supreme or smoked fish, pork loin, spicy Asian cuisine and hard cheeses like gouda or Manchego.
A superb way to familiarize yourself with the terrific white wines of the Northern Rhone this blend of 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne grown in granitic soils is attractive from the moment it is poured. Exciting fragrance, highlighted by ginger-spiked pear scents, shortbread, anise and melon that follows through to a texture that possesses richness combined with zestiness and a thought-provoking inner intensity that carries over to the palate sweeping finish. Drink over the next five years with chicken in a sauce supreme or smoked fish, pork loin, spicy Asian cuisine and hard cheeses like gouda or Manchego.
2018 HAUT RIAN COTES-DE-BORDEAUX
'ST-SEURIN' ROUGE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
'ST-SEURIN' ROUGE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
91 Points – Decanter Magazine… LAST CALL Y’ALL! While we have known that this has been fabulous for years, the ever-overachieving Chateau Haut-Rian finally is recognized for this Single Parcel red wine by famed British wine publication Decanter Magazine.
‘Soft tannins here, and the fruit is ripe mellow strawberry and raspberry. Really enjoyable, one to savour with a juicy finish. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2021-2030 – 91 POINTS, DECANTER’
‘Soft tannins here, and the fruit is ripe mellow strawberry and raspberry. Really enjoyable, one to savour with a juicy finish. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2021-2030 – 91 POINTS, DECANTER’
2018 COSTER DELS OLIVIER PRIORAT
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
The steep hills around the Priorat village of Porrera are known for fabulous quality Carinena and this wine exhibits it beautifully.
A newer offering from Priorat, this blend of 60% Carinena, 30% Garnacha and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon represents the new mode of Priorat which emphasizes place, succulence and depth over oak tones and extraction. Driving spicy, mulled cherry, slate, wind-swept lavender and plenty of tangy earthy aspects. So damn impressive, it carries over into a palate that is extroverted, ripe and mouth-coating. Natural, energetic minerality shines from the slate soils, there is plenty of backbone and submerged grip and a finish that seemingly lasts forever and spouts class. Amazingly one can uncork a bottle but there is no doubt that this wine will easily age for 8-10 more years as well.
A newer offering from Priorat, this blend of 60% Carinena, 30% Garnacha and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon represents the new mode of Priorat which emphasizes place, succulence and depth over oak tones and extraction. Driving spicy, mulled cherry, slate, wind-swept lavender and plenty of tangy earthy aspects. So damn impressive, it carries over into a palate that is extroverted, ripe and mouth-coating. Natural, energetic minerality shines from the slate soils, there is plenty of backbone and submerged grip and a finish that seemingly lasts forever and spouts class. Amazingly one can uncork a bottle but there is no doubt that this wine will easily age for 8-10 more years as well.
2018 CASA CASTILLO JUMILLA
VINO DE FINCA TINTO
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
VINO DE FINCA TINTO
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
One of the longtime leaders in the Murcia region of Jumilla, Jose Maria Vincente became enlightened quite a while ago with his philosophies towards viticulture and winemaking practices. Back in the 1990s and under the influence of a diabolic importer, one would have to own tweezers to pull the oak shards from the tongue immediately after drinking. Fast forward and liberating himself from such wines, these days the estate is on fire making killer value red wines.
Perhaps one of the most important things that Jose Maria did was to 86 the Cabernet Sauvignon from his vineyards and graft over to Garnacha which ultimately marries well to the dominant Monastrell grape. This brilliant next-level Spanish red is somewhat inspired by Chateauneuf-du-Pape with its 25% Garnacha. The very rocky soils and aging mostly in 5000-liter barrels also plays a major role. A full-scaled, but very velvety red wine, aromatic grenadine, black licorice, warm herbs and hot rock scents, it is damn near flamenco in a glass. Some smoked meat creeps through as it sits in the glass and the texture deep, compact and very well-honed. Cinnamon/hot-spice character rolls from front to back and the finish is plucky and with the right amount of Moroccan spice. Quite compelling for twenty-five bucks, enjoy this through 2028.
Perhaps one of the most important things that Jose Maria did was to 86 the Cabernet Sauvignon from his vineyards and graft over to Garnacha which ultimately marries well to the dominant Monastrell grape. This brilliant next-level Spanish red is somewhat inspired by Chateauneuf-du-Pape with its 25% Garnacha. The very rocky soils and aging mostly in 5000-liter barrels also plays a major role. A full-scaled, but very velvety red wine, aromatic grenadine, black licorice, warm herbs and hot rock scents, it is damn near flamenco in a glass. Some smoked meat creeps through as it sits in the glass and the texture deep, compact and very well-honed. Cinnamon/hot-spice character rolls from front to back and the finish is plucky and with the right amount of Moroccan spice. Quite compelling for twenty-five bucks, enjoy this through 2028.
2019 COL D'ORCIA
TOSCANA ROSSO 'SPEZIERI'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
TOSCANA ROSSO 'SPEZIERI'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
A delectable and unabashed Tuscan guzzler. 85% Sangiovese & 15% Ciliegiolo, this wine is like a fine chef blending various spices, both traditional and exotic.
2019 is the next important vintage in Tuscany and this flavorful number reveals what's to come with the big wines. Mouth-filling, yet smooth and clean with ample scents and flavors of wild cherry, cassis, sage and pepper notes. Lots of character and depth, this wine is a great Thursday evening pasta wine. Enjoy it now and enjoy it often.
2019 is the next important vintage in Tuscany and this flavorful number reveals what's to come with the big wines. Mouth-filling, yet smooth and clean with ample scents and flavors of wild cherry, cassis, sage and pepper notes. Lots of character and depth, this wine is a great Thursday evening pasta wine. Enjoy it now and enjoy it often.
2020 MASTROBERARDINO FALANGHINA
'SANNIO'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'SANNIO'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Sannio is the finest area for the Falanghina grape. Mastroberardino is one of the premier producers of both the grape and Campania region. The first words that come to mind when tasting the wine are zealous, frisky and dynamic which all resonate throughout the whole experience.
Gentle, fresh and complex aromas of fresh cut peach, mandarin, anisette, sheer earth and delicate white flower billow out from the glass. Intense and incredibly nervy in the mouth with a great contrast of blood orange and white spice that enhance the ravishing mouthfeel. A magnet to pair with calamari, shrimp or mussels steamed in white wine, garlic and parsley.
Gentle, fresh and complex aromas of fresh cut peach, mandarin, anisette, sheer earth and delicate white flower billow out from the glass. Intense and incredibly nervy in the mouth with a great contrast of blood orange and white spice that enhance the ravishing mouthfeel. A magnet to pair with calamari, shrimp or mussels steamed in white wine, garlic and parsley.
2019 EVESHAM WOOD PINOT NOIR
'ILLAHE VINEYARD'
$32.99 BTL./$395.88 CASE
'ILLAHE VINEYARD'
$32.99 BTL./$395.88 CASE
A single vineyard heist from one of Oregon's spot-on 5-star producers! Illahe is a superb vineyard site located in the foothills of the Coast Range and is in good company. Croft & Freedom Hill are located here, but Illahe seems to deliver a bit more refinement and grace than these other illustrious sites.
On the composed, aromatic side, the 2019 Evesham Wood Illahe Pinot Noir reveals beautifully aromatic aromas of crushed black raspberry, violet and cinnamon that shine brightly from the glass. In the mouth, the wine is stylish and refined with an abundance of penetrating fruit along with sneaky structure. The finish is suave and understated with a hint of allspice and cocoa from oak. This gorgeous Pinot will pair wonderfully with chops (veal, lamb or pork) and will drink and develop wonderfully through 2030+.
On the composed, aromatic side, the 2019 Evesham Wood Illahe Pinot Noir reveals beautifully aromatic aromas of crushed black raspberry, violet and cinnamon that shine brightly from the glass. In the mouth, the wine is stylish and refined with an abundance of penetrating fruit along with sneaky structure. The finish is suave and understated with a hint of allspice and cocoa from oak. This gorgeous Pinot will pair wonderfully with chops (veal, lamb or pork) and will drink and develop wonderfully through 2030+.
2019 RIDGE ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON SANTA CRUZ
$65.99 BTL./$791.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON SANTA CRUZ
$65.99 BTL./$791.88 CASE
Ridge’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon stresses both the varietal and the vineyard as its source. The vineyard source in question is the famed Santa Cruz Monte Bello vineyard and grapes for this wine consistently produce wines that are more polished, forward and accessible, basically it lives up to its moniker of ‘Baby Bello’.
2019 is a classic Ridge Cab, it is chock full of cassis, blueberry and violet with spikes of cocoa that seemingly swirl in the glass. The texture is buxom and creamy with lots of sensuality to it. A mineral underlay and deceptive structure will allow this wine to age, however, when you uncork a bottle, it will prove to be very irresistible! Drink it over the next 15+ years. Cheers to Ridge for producing a wonderful Cabernet that is this damn good and while not inexpensive, does not force you to take out a second mortgage to drink a bottle.
2019 is a classic Ridge Cab, it is chock full of cassis, blueberry and violet with spikes of cocoa that seemingly swirl in the glass. The texture is buxom and creamy with lots of sensuality to it. A mineral underlay and deceptive structure will allow this wine to age, however, when you uncork a bottle, it will prove to be very irresistible! Drink it over the next 15+ years. Cheers to Ridge for producing a wonderful Cabernet that is this damn good and while not inexpensive, does not force you to take out a second mortgage to drink a bottle.
2015 LISINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
$65.99 BTL./$791.88 CASE
$65.99 BTL./$791.88 CASE
96 Points – Decanter… After all the hype and ballyhoo over the 2016 vintage, many have forgotten about the high quality of the 2015 vintage. Lisini is a stalwart, historic Montalcino property and one where Brunello is ONLY aged in large casks. The 2015 was elevated in 2000–5200-liter barrels and is a steal in comparison to the pricing of the 16s. It also has quite an accolade as well.
‘With vineyards between Sant'Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the inner edge of the Sesta district, Lisini's vineyards are cleansed by constant breezes from the Tuscan Coast. Stony soils with an important underpinning of limestone as well as elevations over 300 metres help preserve freshness in their wines. The 2015 is beautifully fragrant, almost exotic in character. Plump red fruit and sweet summer herbs fill the mouth but rather than being heavy, this is poised and transparent. Ample powdery tannins are fine and lead to a tangy marine finish. – 96 POINTS, DECANTER.
‘With vineyards between Sant'Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the inner edge of the Sesta district, Lisini's vineyards are cleansed by constant breezes from the Tuscan Coast. Stony soils with an important underpinning of limestone as well as elevations over 300 metres help preserve freshness in their wines. The 2015 is beautifully fragrant, almost exotic in character. Plump red fruit and sweet summer herbs fill the mouth but rather than being heavy, this is poised and transparent. Ample powdery tannins are fine and lead to a tangy marine finish. – 96 POINTS, DECANTER.
