Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'I'LL BRAIN YOU' WINESHEET
Ridge Zin & Montepulciano Specials
French White Wines, 96 pt Tuscan
French White Wines, 96 pt Tuscan
2022 RIDGE ZINFANDEL
PASO ROBLES
[reg. $47.99]
SPECIAL - $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
PASO ROBLES
[reg. $47.99]
SPECIAL - $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
A Special price for one of Ridge's sturdy fullback Zinfandels. The Paso Robles cuvee comes from Dusi Ranch and is from vines planted in the 1920s. Not only do the old vines make this wine special, but limestone soils also bring about energy and complexity to go along with the mighty core of fruit.
100% Zinfandel and loaded with large-scaled, rich, round plum and black cherry notes. Briar, smoke and Asian spice back up the full fruit. Impacting, ripe and generous flavors coat the palate then finish with authority, depth and vibrancy. This wine leaves an unmistakable impression that will enable one to release up any pent-up hedonism that may be lurking below the surface! Drink through 2032+.
100% Zinfandel and loaded with large-scaled, rich, round plum and black cherry notes. Briar, smoke and Asian spice back up the full fruit. Impacting, ripe and generous flavors coat the palate then finish with authority, depth and vibrancy. This wine leaves an unmistakable impression that will enable one to release up any pent-up hedonism that may be lurking below the surface! Drink through 2032+.
2023 ET FILLE PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
93 Points - The Wine Spectator... New release from one of our favorite producers, after tasting 2023, I was immediately more excited over this vintage than the 2022...which was nice as well. As usual Jessica Mozeico keeps her Pinot Noirs in fine balance, even in a sultry summer vintage like this. Palmer Creek, Eola Springs, Kalita, Fairsing, Deux Vert, and La Pavillon Vineyards are represented in this imminently loveable, true to form Willamette Valley offering.
Think of this as a Pinot version of a 1980s hair metal power ballad. Red toned yet having the substance of this full vintage, the earth and spice balance out the savory plum and smoke aspects. Rich but lifting on the palate, nice acids intertwine and make for something very pure with a sneaky underbelly of backbone. This Pinot is very accessible now but can continue to develop nicely for a few more years as well.
Think of this as a Pinot version of a 1980s hair metal power ballad. Red toned yet having the substance of this full vintage, the earth and spice balance out the savory plum and smoke aspects. Rich but lifting on the palate, nice acids intertwine and make for something very pure with a sneaky underbelly of backbone. This Pinot is very accessible now but can continue to develop nicely for a few more years as well.
2018 PIANTATE LUNGHE
CONERO ROSSO
[reg. $19.99]
SPECIAL - $14.99 BTL./$89.94 - 6 PK
CONERO ROSSO
[reg. $19.99]
SPECIAL - $14.99 BTL./$89.94 - 6 PK
I cracked open a bottle of this hearty red from the Le Marches region of Conero earlier this year and found that it is in a very lovely place to drink right now.
Made from 100% Montepulciano, revealing plenty of blackberry, smoked meat, rosemary, and layered plum tones. Deep and mouth filling with sensual fruit make it attractive, but a little bit of age has tamed the savage personality that young Conero features. Confident, flavorful and delicious, this silked out red will pair nicely with roasted pork dishes.
Made from 100% Montepulciano, revealing plenty of blackberry, smoked meat, rosemary, and layered plum tones. Deep and mouth filling with sensual fruit make it attractive, but a little bit of age has tamed the savage personality that young Conero features. Confident, flavorful and delicious, this silked out red will pair nicely with roasted pork dishes.
2023 DOMAINE DE CASSAGNOLES
GROS MANSENG
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
GROS MANSENG
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Gilles Baumann's Gros Manseng from southwestern France is consistently one of our favorite groovealicious white wines. Obvious, fragrant passionfruit scents fly from the glass, but in 2023 the cool nights brought about scents of pink grapefruit and mineral which keep it from being a blow-up doll.
Dry, mouth-filling, mouth-watering bursting tangerine-like aspects make this a fleshy miracle in the mouth. If you love things like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, you must have some!! Very versatile, this lively white pairs well with most shellfish and is a magical match with spicy Thai cuisine. Drink it now…then open another bottle, rinse and repeat!
Dry, mouth-filling, mouth-watering bursting tangerine-like aspects make this a fleshy miracle in the mouth. If you love things like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, you must have some!! Very versatile, this lively white pairs well with most shellfish and is a magical match with spicy Thai cuisine. Drink it now…then open another bottle, rinse and repeat!
2020 CARTA FITAPRETA
ALENTEJANO TINTO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
ALENTEJANO TINTO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Antonio Macanita has earned international accolades like Winemaker of the Year, Most Unique Winemaker, and Winemaker of the Generation from various publications and pundits. He only works with native varietals and his wines from this SE Portugal region that borders Spain are both playful, serious and reflect his diligence.
50% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 30% Touriga Nacional & 20% Alicante Bouchet. Full of raspberry, ironstone, sanguine and vibrant cinnamon/spice, and comes across as a hypothetical blend of Rhône, Southern Italy and Spain but never loses its Portuguese roots. Lovely depth and soulful personality, this tasty number is a great everyday drink with your favorite pork products.
50% Aragonez (Tempranillo), 30% Touriga Nacional & 20% Alicante Bouchet. Full of raspberry, ironstone, sanguine and vibrant cinnamon/spice, and comes across as a hypothetical blend of Rhône, Southern Italy and Spain but never loses its Portuguese roots. Lovely depth and soulful personality, this tasty number is a great everyday drink with your favorite pork products.
2021 D'ANGELO AGLIANICO
DEL VULTURE
$23.99 BTL./$143.94 - SIX PK
DEL VULTURE
$23.99 BTL./$143.94 - SIX PK
Subliminal sensuality from Southern Italy. Bold and brazen in personality, this red does more than just give a kiss on the cheek. Hailing from Italy’s Basilicata region, this wine is made with 100% Aglianico.
It is often argued that the finest versions of this hearty varietal come from the Vulture area (although Campania would certainly have a rebuttal about this statement), aromas & flavors of licorice, tea leaf, touches of violet and red earth show generosity along with eloquence and attitude. Enjoy this with lamb, eggplant parmesan or pork chops alla Napoli (tomatoes, garlic, rosemary & green olives) while listening to D'Angelo's (no relation) 'Sugah Daddy' to start and then go and listen to the entirety of 'Black Messiah'.
It is often argued that the finest versions of this hearty varietal come from the Vulture area (although Campania would certainly have a rebuttal about this statement), aromas & flavors of licorice, tea leaf, touches of violet and red earth show generosity along with eloquence and attitude. Enjoy this with lamb, eggplant parmesan or pork chops alla Napoli (tomatoes, garlic, rosemary & green olives) while listening to D'Angelo's (no relation) 'Sugah Daddy' to start and then go and listen to the entirety of 'Black Messiah'.
2022 FRANTZ CHAGNOLEAU
POUILLY-FUISSE 'MADRIGAL'
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
POUILLY-FUISSE 'MADRIGAL'
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
Pouilly-Fuissé is not what you think of it in the eighties. After the decline of its popularity, aside from two Domaines, this is an appellation that became lost as demand for the wines slipped. During this period there was less demand (especially from negociants like Drouhin, Jadot & more) and many growers had to fend for themselves to make a living, but by the early 2000s, small producers who once sold grapes emerged making fantastic wines that are excellent white Burgundy values.
Classically structured and aged in oak (only 15% new) this stylish offering from 50-year-old vines jolted me off my chair when I tasted it before I left for Pittsburgh. The beautiful nose of cereal, orange, lemon, blazing mineral and dusty rock plays nicely with the gentle kiss of oak. In the mouth its nervosity, depth and detail are impressive, the finish long, palate staining and tingling. Pure and fine enough to go with sophisticated crustaceans or fish dishes in sauces. A superb wine to age as well. This and Chagnoleau's other Pouilly-Fuisse wines certainly have vaulted them into the first division with the likes of Chateau Fuisse, Domaine Ferret and Heretiers du Comte Lafon. Drink this rock star through 2033.
Classically structured and aged in oak (only 15% new) this stylish offering from 50-year-old vines jolted me off my chair when I tasted it before I left for Pittsburgh. The beautiful nose of cereal, orange, lemon, blazing mineral and dusty rock plays nicely with the gentle kiss of oak. In the mouth its nervosity, depth and detail are impressive, the finish long, palate staining and tingling. Pure and fine enough to go with sophisticated crustaceans or fish dishes in sauces. A superb wine to age as well. This and Chagnoleau's other Pouilly-Fuisse wines certainly have vaulted them into the first division with the likes of Chateau Fuisse, Domaine Ferret and Heretiers du Comte Lafon. Drink this rock star through 2033.
2018 ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI
'GEREMIA' SUPERTUSCAN RED
$54.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'GEREMIA' SUPERTUSCAN RED
$54.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
96 Points Vinous…Led by Marco Ricasoli, Rocca di Montegrossi is one of Chianti Classico’s top, sought after and highly awarded producers. Along with greatness from those wines, Marco has been producing a Super Tuscan red called Geremia for over 30 years and this wine regularly receives awards in the same realm as the likes of Sassicaia, Tignanello and others but is one-fourth of the price of those luminaries.
2018 yet again is a legend in the making. Merlot and Cabernet as usual, this is a glorious, aromatic, youthfully complex offering. Waves of scents of blueberry cobbler, tangy earth, chocolate, licorice and on and on present themselves and keep coming as the wine airs. Layered, rich, expansive, and just beginning to show what truly is to come. Broad and everlasting, this is a wine that will age extremely well. Drink through 2040+.
2018 yet again is a legend in the making. Merlot and Cabernet as usual, this is a glorious, aromatic, youthfully complex offering. Waves of scents of blueberry cobbler, tangy earth, chocolate, licorice and on and on present themselves and keep coming as the wine airs. Layered, rich, expansive, and just beginning to show what truly is to come. Broad and everlasting, this is a wine that will age extremely well. Drink through 2040+.
