Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'IT'S ELECTRIC' HOTSHEET
Alto Adige Specials
Cab Blend, Montepulciano, Malbec
Voge Saint-Joseph


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2022 ALTOCEDRO MALBEC
'AÑO CERO'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

91 Points Vinous…Altocedro is one of the leaders who is leading Argentina’s Mendoza region into making as owner/winemaker Karim Mussi staes, ‘born and raised’ wines. Founded in 1999 and since 2014, these detailed wines from the very high elevation La Consulta area of Mendoza are in balance, not overoaked and are en fuego for twenty bucks.

This impressive Malbec reveals impressive depth, and expansion that is more common in versions that are much more expensive. Plum and blackberry aromas combine with a backdrop of nutmeg and chocolate summarizing in a texture that is lavish, luscious and full of surprising grip. Extremely likable and long, this wine will pair beautifully with a perfectly grilled steak and more. Drink through 2032.



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2022 GOLDSCHMIDT VINEYARDS
CHARDONNAY RUSSIAN RIVER
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

This California Chardonnay is from Nick Goldschimdt, a New Zealand native who has been making wines in Sonoma and Napa for quite some time. Coming from a site near Sebastopol, this wine is unapologetically Cali-Chard.

A full lush Chardonnay dominated by pineapple and orange from the outset, the palate shows off plenty of richness and buttery characteristics that one expects from California, but it shows a vivid and balanced side that allows it to maintain freshness. Pretty prototype Sonoma and Russian River Chardonnay; enjoy it with fish tacos or ceviche.



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2021 MURI-GRIES LAGREIN
ALTO ADIGE
[reg. $21.99]
SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Muri-Gres is a monastery located south of Brenner Pass in Italy’s Alto Adige region. Benedictine monks have been tending the vines and wines since the mid-1800s. Just after World War II, the brothers began producing DOC wines and they have been quite terrific ever since.

Lagrein is a red wine grape with lineage to Syrah, but not very much like its cousin. In fact, I would equate it as going out on a first date with a hot/handsome vampire. Plenty of smoked meat, but also enhanced by enticing roasted coffee, plum, licorice and red berry notes. Silky-smooth and high-pitched in the mouth, one sees why this grape is the specialty of the estate. Impeccably focused throughout and having a scintillating, luxurious quality on the back end. This wine can be consumed over the next 3-4 years with something hearty like an Alfredo sauce or a full-on cheese-laden/meat sauce lasagna.



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2022 MURI-GRIES PINOT GRIGIO
ALTO ADIGE
[reg. $21.99]
SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Not to be outdone from Muri-Gries is their Pinot Grigio. Unlike many that are labeled as IGP Dolomiti, this is all from DOC sites in the Alto Adige zone. Also unlike many other Pinot Grigio/Gris wines, this one is not boring as batsh!t and has plenty of dimension and deliciousness.

A broad and expressive Pinot Grigio with full-on, classy aromas of melon, apple, mineral and spice. In the mouth, there is lots of vibrancy and refinement, but with gorgeous depth and breadth of flavor and balance, which drive into a long, spice and mineral-laden finish that is the hallmark of more upscale offerings. The obvious match is grilled salmon, but it is versatile enough to drink with roasted chicken, spicy Thai shrimp dishes or scallops.



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2019 JULIEN DUPORT BROUILLY
'LES BALLOQUETS'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Julien Duport comes from a family who has lived in the Brouilly region since 1916, and took over the family estate when one of his uncles retired in 2002. What I love most about these Cru Beaujolais are not only their exquisite detail of origin but their palate presence, depth, structure and imminent drinkability. As Julien says, ‘If one is forced to be a wine-maker it will show in the finished product. When I talk about my wines my clients all say they want to drink my wines; this is paramount. I don’t make wines to be thrown into a spittoon but to be shared and drunk’.

The lieu dit (single, noted parcel) called Les Balloquets is located at about 350-400 meters, 80-year-old vines on pure red granite and situated at a 40-degree angle. One sees when you meet Julien that he is built like a tank because it has to be very rigorous to work vineyard sites such as this one. 2019 is one of my favorite recent Beaujolais vintages and this Brouilly almost takes on a Morgon mentality. Coming up on age five, there are some subtle secondary scents arriving. Aromatic strawberry, scents of wet chalkboard, graham and undertones of violet and plum all making this Gamay very special and intriguing. Spreads out on the palate and persists with peppercorn and a backdrop of succulence. So attractive now and over the next 3-5 years... I see a beautifully sautéed hangar steak with a mushroom sauce or perhaps gently brined pork chops from the grill in our futures.



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2021 TIBERIO MONTEPULCIANO
D'ABRUZZO
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

There are ‘pizza’ Montepulciano D'Abruzzo wines for 10 bucks then there is serious stuff like Tiberio's wines, which are amongst the top in this very bucolic and beautiful growing region. Wines such as this along with others like Cataldi Madonna, Torre dei Beati and La Valentina showing the potential and quality of both the region and grape.

Tiberio's 2021 is a generous red with opaque color and concentrated notes of black plum, ripe cherry, espresso bean, licorice and lavender. Meaty and exotic, maintaining a satisfying roundness and beautiful balance that fills the mouth with deep yet vibrant red earth tones. A fine choice for slow cooked meats, aged cheeses and substantial pasta dishes. Think spaghetti alla chitarra with a lamb ragu.



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2021 LI VELI SUSUMANIELLO
PUGLIA ROSSO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

This is one of the coolest wines on this week’s offer sheet! An old property, it has only been since the renovation by the Falvo family in 1999 that this estate took off and now Li Veli is firmly established as one of the innovators and leaders of this Southern Italian growing region.

Susumaniello is an ancient, rediscovered that has emerged to deliver delicious a different twist on Puglia. Alluring plum, rhubarb, almond allspice and cedar/tobacco characteristics unfold from the glass. In the mouth, the dry and nuanced flavors coat the mouth and reveal tones that make one think of the crunchy portion of a cherry, just around the stone. The finish draws out and somersaults into being textbook, yet upscale Southern Italian with its tangy, earthy, spicy qualities and wild red fruits. Pair this delicious wine with slow roasted meats, perhaps something with a spicy Asian influence or just a simple, well-ripened pecorino cheese.



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2020 RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH RED
'JOHN X. MERRIMAN'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

Rustenberg is one of South Africa's oldest and most distinguished wine farms, with a viticultural history dating back to 1682. Purchased in 1941 by Murray Barlow's family, the historical significance is not lost, especially since this is quite a modern producer.

43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, symmetrical aromas of crème de cassis, bing cherry, earth, Havanas and cedar box are what you find on this very serious nose. Somewhat reminiscent of a fine St-Estephe (did someone say South Africa's Calon Segur?) with its bold, layered core of fruit and finesseful structure. Chewy and mouth coating tannins frame the assertive and lavish fruit perfectly and follow through to a lengthy uber-fine finish to make this an unusually early-accessible John X. Merriman… but do not be fooled this will live and grow in complexity for another 10-15 years. Aerate this beauty and have at it with a meaty mushroom dish, roasted lamb chops or a serious steak. One of the greats of the world and in our top echelon for red wines of South Africa. Drink 2025 - 2035.



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2021 ALAIN VOGE SAINT-JOSEPH
'LES COTES'
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE

Having taken over from Alberic Mazoyer, his handpicked successor, Lionel Frasse is unequivocally awesome with these already legendary wines. The late Alain Voge would be smiling broadly to see his legacy carried on so beautifully. One last thing, Alberic has not entirely disappeared, he still maintains and sells the grapes from his vineyard solely to Domaine Voge and is happy to just working this organic vineyard in an area sans cell phone coverage.

If I had to describe the wine in one sentence, it would best be described as 'purity of fruit and earth with minimal influence from oak', but since I have been known to shoot my mouth off for days about these wines, I will expound. Forward and pretty perfume of smoke, black cherries, and white pepper; in the mouth, it is very clean, and silky with lots of red fruit, high toned briskness, and a finish that fans out nicely, not unlike something from Burgundy, even though it is Syrah from the Northern Rhone. This is just a plain delicious bottle of wine meant for the table and is perfect with everything from duck, to rabbit, to venison. Chuck in a few olives, and now you are really talking! Drink over the next 12-15 years.






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