7/5/17 'SUNKEN TREASURE' HOTSHEET

2015 VOLPAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Let’s start it all off for this short week with a superb Chianti Classico from a very renowned and beloved producer. Perched outside of Radda in Chianti, Volpaia has long made sophisticated, very handsome Chianti in a classic style that reflects Radda’s stylish and smooth qualities. Vintage 2015 in Tuscany has quite a bit of buzz about it and early on is being compared to the likes of 2007 or 1997.

Volpaia’s latest version maintains the fragrant, perfumed floral traits that are what Radda in Chianti are all about, but also possesses has an extra level of intensity from the warmth of 2015. Classic, pure aromas of red berry, underbrush, mineral and a kiss of thyme that lead into a savory, generous texture that is unadulterated all within a sophisticated frame. Finishes rather succulent, red and hangs around nicely. A delicious wine from a terrific producer for under 20, drink it now through 2022 with any Tuscan-influenced dish like braised lamb shanks with white beans or a grilled T-Bone.

2014 GOODFELLOW PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

What a difference a year in the bottle can make! I had the chance to drink a bottle of this excellent Oregon Pinot over the weekend and was knocked over by just how good it has become. Marcus Goodfellow has been shooting fireworks with his Matello wines and now under his namesake label Goodfellow since 2002 and we have been supporters since day one. It is always typical of any of Marcus’s wines to really strut their stuff after some time in the bottle, including this very desirable Willamette Valley cuvee.

Coming from three optimum vineyard sites (Durant, Whistling Ridge & Bishop Creek), this Pinot has taken on very sultry and sensuous aromatics. Not ponderous and octane-fueled as many from this vintage can be, the 2014 Goodfellow Willamette Pinot reveals permeating red and blackcurrant fruit and is enhanced by intertwined cinnamon, violet and red earth following over into a smooth, velvet-laden mouth filling texture that seduces, lingers and calls you back for another glass.

2016 CHARLES JOGUET
CHINON ROSE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

The terroir differences between this Loire Valley rose and previous pink offerings that we have recently offered from Southern France are very apparent from the first moment that you bring the glass to your nose.

Chinon's limestone soils and 100% Cabernet Franc scream out on the 2016 which teems with prominent scents of raspberry and hawthorn along with underlying minerality and fine herbs. Vinous yet very poised texture, not only is this a pleasurable Rose, it also takes on a serious tone that will allow it to pair with a variety of cuisines. In the mouth, there is lots of movement, depth and complexity with a very expressive, illuminating finish that pleasantly lasts for minutes after the wine is swallowed. If you are a fan of the finest rose wines, then this one will be a must-have. Try this one with grilled tuna or swordfish.

2015 AUTOCTON CELLER
'VI NEGRE'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

From our main man Albert Jane, he who happens to be the Catalan mind behind Acustic Celler. Albert’s family also has the Penedes estate of Jane Ventura and when his father passed, Albert inherited Mas Vilella and started his own Penedes project there. We featured the white wine earlier this year and we are very thrilled to offer his stellar red. A non-appellation wine, mostly because Albert really doesn’t care about appellations of denominacions. His aim for Autocton is to blend native varietals from exciting vineyards to produce wines that are both embracing and have ample intrigue.

The Vi Negre is 80% Sumoll (a Catalan red grape almost facing extinction before a recent revival) and 20% Ull de Llebre (Catalan Tempranillo) from very old vines and reveals both warmth and terroir. Red cherry, smoked coffee, pepper and plenty of turned earth aromas follow through to a texture that is engaging yet revealing a wild side. Finishing very assertively, drink this vastly undervalued red over the next 4-6 years, especially with a Mediterranean-inspired pork dish.

2015 TRUCHARD SYRAH 'CARNEROS'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

Straddling Napa and Sonoma counties, sometimes we forget that good Syrah can come out of Carneros. Truchard has been a longtime stalwart and recently it seems that their wines have amped up to yet another fine level.

Classic Syrah opening with blueberry and mulberry, with a dollop of vanilla but with wafts of freshly ground black pepper and nutmeg cloaked with cedar lurking in the background. Strongly varietal and fanning out revealing savory depth and mouthfilling character from start to finish. Enjoy this toothsome number over the next 6-8 years.

2016 MORIN-LANGOREAU
PICPOUL DE PINET
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

Picpoul, meaning ‘lip-stinger’ in English, is a refreshing, dry white grape varietal found in Pinet, which is located in the Languedoc region of France. The great thing about Picpoul is that there are no luxury cuvees of the grape, no crazy use of French oak, always dry, crisp, and just downright delicious. Mostly controlled by four large cooperatives, independent Domaines can be somewhat of a rarity but when we find them and they are this good, we can sometimes jump about and do the Happy Picpoul Dance!

Gorgeous aromatics of melon, green apple and flowers lead into a silky but crisp mouthful of citrus fruit and spice. Anyone who loves dry, crisp white wines, should stock up on this delicious everyday white wine! Divine stuff with shellfish done in just about any Asian preparation. We missed ya Picpoul, we are glad to have ya back. Drink now and drink lots. And to answer the more pertinent question is that there is no YouTube video of anyone at The Cellar Door doing the Happy Picpoul Dance.

2014 MURGO ETNA ROSSO
$11.99 BTL./71.94 - SIX PACK

Sicily, and particularly the wines from Mt. Etna, are very fashionable with wine geeks. It's time to turn you all on to something way outside the typical Italian wine frame and this wine is it! Cool, high elevation tones of black pepper, clove, red berry and smoke lead into a fresh, engaging, yet mouth-filling and dry texture that entices one to enjoy and elaborate over its merits even further. Try it with white meats or heartier fish dishes laced with tomatoes.

2013 BEAURENARD CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
'CUVEE BOISRENARD'
[reg. $85.99]
SPECIAL - $64.99 BTL./$389.94 - SIX PK

New vintages are coming and incentives are being offered to move out existing stocks. One such bastion of greatness is Beaurenard’s epic Cuvee Boisrenard Chateauneuf and we can certainly say that it is one of the wines of the vintage. Boisrenard is the family's top Chateauneuf and is from 90-110 year old vines with the yields being kept to about 1 ton per acre! Parcels of old vines 70-100 years in age, planted in soils of great character and complexity, provide the grapes for this wine. These three old parcels, in which different varieties are planted together, embody the symphony of 13 varieties, though Grenache predominates.

Closed, introverted and very youthful but the aromas are the embodiment of these ancient vines. Lots of creamy blackberry and raspberry. Some roses present. Prominent smoke with a seducing entry then locks up as is very expected from this long-lived, luxury cuvee. Lifting and vivacious, Serious grand scale penetration but never going heavy. Tightens on the packed and very long finish. Definitely one that will age for a long time. Expect to drink this, as most Boisrenards about age 8-10 and it can easily age 25-30 years. An excellent choice for those wishing to put down wine for someone who was born in 2013.

FRIDAY SIPS

Spanning the Globe

FEATURED WINES:

2015 Norman Hardie Cabernet Franc
2015 Autocton 'Vi Negre'
2016 Joguet Chinon Rose
2015 Bucci Verdicchio