11/20/17 THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'LE VIN DE TRYPTOPHAN' HOTSHEET

2015 DEI ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

The diminutive Caterina Dei has long been one of our most esteemed Tuscan producers that we annually work with, especially when it comes to her infallible Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Along with Avignonesi, Boscarelli and Poliziano, she is definitely one of the Big 4 in the area and her Rosso is serious business indeed.

Sage and violet-dominated scents with wild cherry fruit underneath. Luscious, round flavors are nicely buffered by a roasted coffee undertone. The finish invites you back for another glass. Declassified Vino Nobile, it is perfect for everyday consumption, but also is one that will carry nicely to any elegant Italian dinner as well. Have with eggplant parmesan or slow roasted beef.

2013 DEI VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

90% Sangiovese/10% Canaiolo and stepping it up from the eloquent Rosso di Montalcino, the remarkable Vino Nobile is the soul and spirit of the estate. At 27 dollars, this steal of a hearty Tuscan wine easily competes with others in the area (Brunello, Super-Tuscans, Riserva Chianti) that are twice the price.

Given that this wine has a good portion of fruit from the Bossona zone in Montepulciano, and combined with a classic vintage like 2013, there is ample backbone to this wine. Wonderfully pure scents of wild flowers, sage, black cherry, and savory earth will have you reminiscing about your last visit to Tuscany! The depth and concentration carry nicely into the mouth as it offers up succulent, ripe and flavorful tones with superb focus and grip, as well as a dark finish that is spicy and long. Drink now through 2025. For Italian wine lovers in general, we strongly suggest that you do not pass this one up.

2015 BACHEY-LEGROS
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

One of the tastiest surprises that I recently tasted was this White Burgundy that comes from a very fine producer based in Santenay who also has holdings that stretch into Chassagne-Montrachet. A real gem, this vineyard sits on a lower slope overlooking the plain of Santenay and upon tasting, revelaed that it tastes much more upscale than its humble Bourgogne appellation status.

Once poured in the glass, it is like a great song that builds and builds and builds. Starts with some restraint and builds into more dramatic and symphonic qualities. Buttered popcorn is followed by orange-blossom, lemon, tinges of rosemary and gunflint. Engaging spice tones arrive. The mouth shows everything that 2015 has to offer! Power, depth, class and superb balance and lift with impeccable flavor and character. The finish parachutes and brings it back to earth with its lively, linear citrus/spice tones that have wonderful depth and pleasantly stick around for a long time well after the wine is swallowed. Drink over the next few years with fuller seafood dishes.

2015 GOODFELLOW PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Marcus Goodfellow has been thrilling Oregon wine lovers with his Matello wines and now is making wines under his namesake label of Goodfellow Family Wines. As we head into the future and with the ever-rising costs of Pinot Noir grapes, one has to wonder just how long we are going to continue to see value-oriented wines such as this.

A true-to-life Willamette Valley Pinot, this wine is blended from some of Marcus’s top sources - Whistling Ridge Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge district, Durant in the Dundee Hills, and Bishop Creek in Yamhill-Carlton. The 2015 is an appealing, extremely well crafted Pinot that performs mightily but never overacts. Stylish red and blackcurrant fruit permeates from the glass and enhanced by intertwined cinnamon, violet and red earth. The smooth, velvet-laden mouth filling texture that seduces lingers and calls you back for another glass. Support the home team, drink this pinot now over the next 3-4 years with a range of dishes from grilled salmon to lamb shanks to pork roast and smoked fowl.

2015 J. PORTUGAL RAMOS ALENTEJANA

TINTO 'VILA SANTA LOIOS'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Originally garnering a reputation as a consultant for other properties in the 80s and 90s, Joao Portugal Ramos set about doing his own wines in the warm-climate Alentejano region, a large growing area east of Lisbon and stretching to the Spanish border.

A killer value, the 2015 Loios is tasty, hearty and very user friendly. Aged solely in stainless steel tanks, made from three native varietals (35% Aragones, 35% Trincadeira and 30% Castelao) exquisite scents of blueberry, licorice and savory balsamic tones roll from the glass. On the palate it is engaging, shows nice warmth and fleshy characteristics with nice spicy-earth on the back end.

2012 CHATEAU DE SALES POMEROL
[reg. $51.99]
SPECIAL - $35.99 BTL./$431.88 CASE

What a fabulous special from a top-rated Bordeaux producer!! Chateau De Sales is one of the better known and value estates within the high-priced neighborhood of Pomerol. Now affiliated with Christian Moeuix (he who also owns Petrus, Trotanoy, Dominus and others) this ancient property that dates back to the 17th century is making wines that are quite fine and ageworthy, especially for the astute and perceptive Bordeaux consumer.

2012 is an extremely fine, underrated and overlooked vintage for Bordeaux. In fact, if it occurred in the 80s or 90s, it may well have been referred to as great in those eras. A very classy right bank Bordeaux, this wine performs way above expectations. Deep and youthful flavors and aromas of violet, blackcurrant, sweet red pepper and a hearty meatiness that leads on to a structured palate with fine tannins and a cherry infused cocoa spice that lingers beautifully in the mouth and follows through with finesse and grip of something more expensive. Drink now and over the next 10-15 years with a rack of lamb or roasted duck.

LUCIEN ALBRECHT CREMANT D'ALSACE
BRUT ROSE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Just a reminder of our favorite under 20-buck pink bubbly before we hit the ground running with the holidays. Great as a meal starter and for many other occasions as well.

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, possessing a salmon pink color and although a non-vintage cuvee, this gem has a complex and fresh bead that would fool you into thinking it is from a single vintage. Albrecht has always produced this cuvee ‘Method Champenoise’ meaning it goes through the rigorous processing that is the same as is done in the Champagne region. Serve with smoked salmon, grilled vegetables, sushi or dessert. Better yet, just invite some friends over and throw a bunch of bottles back before, during and after dinner.

SPECIAL WEDNESDAY SIPS

The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year!!

FEATURED STARTING SELECTIONS:

2015 Graillot Crozes-Hermitage (Syrah)
Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Premier
2015 Do Ferreiro Rebisaca (white blend from grand Albarino producer)

These are just to start, many other fun and exciting things will be uncorked! I’m taking requests within reason :-)