1/8/18 THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SURVIVE THE GROUND' HOTSHEET

2014 ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS
MALBEC 'TERROIRS'
[reg. $19.99]
SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

January is the best month to buy wine. A distribution change has led to close out pricing on the last four cases of this magical Malbec. Wine aficionado Thomas Jefferson once said, "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing…" This sentence has often been misquoted, as "every generation needs a new revolution"; either way Altos las Hormigas made the change to produce Malbecs that are no longer ‘oodles and gobs oak bombs’ and now are wines that have balance and reflect their origins.

The 2014 Terroirs is all from Mendoza and its sub-region of the Valle de Uco and even more specifically, Vista Flores and Tupungato. Aged in concrete tanks, stainless steel tanks and a bit in large oak barrels, this wine comes from very stony vineyards. Sculpted, mouth filling and yet still maintaining debonair refinement, this wine is a huge uptick from many expressions in this price range. Blackberry, violet, briar and combining peppery spice with more prevalent earth tones and finishing with strawberry/balsamico aspects that fan out nicely. Very sultry and full of character, one sees why this is one of the premier addresses in Argentina!

2015 GUICHARDE MASSIF D'UCHAUX
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES 'GENESTS'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Upgraded after the 2005 vintage to Cotes-Du-Rhone Villages status, the area known as Massif D'Uchaux had long been a sleeper, but recently leaders such as Arnaud Guicharde have put forth extra effort and are making exquisite wines that really reflect their sand, quartz and chalky terroir. 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah, this red is commanding, yet very diplomatic and harmonious. The extra level of depth, complexity and detail from the 2015 vintage is immediately noticeable. An array of complex perfumed aromas of with spice, lavender, ground pepper, violet and raspberry dominate the nose. In the mouth, the flavors speak a dialect that is pure Provençal! Layered and with pinnacle density, the slightly cooler temperatures and higher elevation bring forth nice lift and freshness, especially on the minerally, spice-laden finish. Drink over the next 5-6 years.

2016 BISCI VERDICCHIO DI MATELICA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

It has FINALLY arrived! New vintage of everyone’s favorite heavy metal Verdicchio from the Le Marches region of Matelica. Unlike the more well known Castelli dei Jesi area, Matelica sits at a very high elevation and is sheer limestone rock beneath a thin topsoil surface resulting in wines of mighty minerality.

2016 is a legitimate, classic, steely white wine vintage for most of Italy. This seafood magnet is a zesty and vivid flavored wine that can best be described as Italian dynamite. Teeming aromas of flint, earth, hints of lemon-peel and smoke lead into a tense, bone-dry texture that is well delineated and firm. If you like unoaked, crisp, flavorful white wines you will love it! This wine is a perfect foil for oysters and especially crab, and can be enjoyed by anyone who listens to punk, R & B, classical, or jazz...and of course, Metallica.

2013 CLAAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON
'WHITE BLUFFS'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Claar Cellars, located in the White Bluffs area of the Columbia Valley in Zillah, is a Washington producer who not only provides excellent bang for the buck, they also happen to produce wines that speak of their fine terroir as well as being varietally strong.

Neutral oak barrels are utilized in the production of this earthy, 100% Cab. Deftly structured and integrated wine shows pure blackberry, cassis and leather aromas with flavors of ripe plum, bittersweet chocolate and black cherry on a dusty, earthy, spicy finish. Very enjoyable now and over the next 4-5 years.

2015 CHATEAU FIEUZAL PESSAC-LEOGNAN
'L'ABEILLE DE FIEUZAL BLANC'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Chatau Fieuzal is one of the prominent red and white Bordeaux producers in a region that split off from the Graves area 30 years ago. Pessac-Leognan is home to such renowned producers like Haut-Brion and Pape Clement and this producer really punches above its weight class.

L’Abeille is a second label and one where very little is produced. In fact, only about 3000 cases of white (this wine and the Grand Vin) are ever produced. Red wine does take precedence here but the white wines are very sought after. I visited the Chateau last May and the following are my tasting notes: ‘80% Sauvignon, 20% Semillon and aged in mostly 3-4 year barrels. Honeysuckle, creamy aspects, well-positioned aromas. Gravel, mineral and seashore. Mango, peach and hints of lemon drive home. Fine acidity and impeccably balanced with stellar length. This is very undervalued and can be consumed earlier than the grand vin. Serve with richer seafood dishes with a sauce.’

2014 TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO
'SAN ROCCO'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The Tedeschi family has been making this top-end Valpolicella Ripasso since 1976. Ripasso is a Veneto winemaking technique that consists of taking freshly pressed Valpolicella Classico juice and passing it over the pommace (mainly skins and seeds) of the Amarone. This is truly the best of both worlds, bringing a level of intensity that is perfectly balanced by the fresh and bright berry notes.

Savory red and blueberry fruit, violet and cocoa jump from the glass. These aspects are echoed in the mouth with chocolate notes and soft tannins joining to create a red that is deliciously forward and ready to drink. Enjoy with braised and hearty meat dishes, burgers, nutty cheeses & anything with stewed or roasted veggies.

2014 ERCAVIO TEMPRANILLO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

The everyday drinking Ercavio comes from the massive Tierra del Castilla region in central Spain. 100% Tempranillo reveals plenty of generosity and flavor. Mocha and blackberry tones permeate from the glass and with a little aeration, some smoked meat and pepper. In the mouth, it is luscious and ripe with a dark texture, soft acids and a forward and flavorful finish.

2015 CAMERON PINOT NOIR
'ARLEY'S LEAP'
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASECE

Cameron's Arley's Leap Pinot Noir is the secret weapon, super-deal on John Paul's formidable roster. Known as Arley's Leap because it is named after Abbey Ridge Vineyard owners Bill & Julia Wayne's dear, old departed dog, Arley, whose famous leap was from a second story balcony in Victoria when startled by a cat!

The Arley's Leap Cuvée is made from Abbey Ridge fruit, specifically a block of vines that are originally from clippings from the Clos Electrique vineyard that were planted on a hillside above the original vines in 1990. The wine is also "enhanced" by a touch of some older fruit that does not go into the big Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique and ultimately shows the prowess of John's blending abilities and the results are beyond stunning.

Sexy perfume soars from the glass. Lavender, violet, underlying red licorice and fine cooking herbs prevail. Crunchy dark tones combine nicely with virtual warm-vintage Burgundian sensibilities of smoked meat and strawberry. Graceful, layered and sensuous in the mouth with engaging Asian spices - this penetrates deeply, but is true to its Pinot Noir roots, meaning that it is NOT A PINOT FOR CAB LOVERS! Lots of lift and suppleness arrive on the finish to provide fantastic balance. The quality of John's two best sites especially show on the back end as it sticks around for what seems like an eternity. Drinkable now but will also age and develop nicely through 2027. Kickass juice from one of Oregon's masters…Bravo!

FRIDAY SIPS

Syrah and Matelica

FEATURED SELECTIONS:

2016 Bisci Verdicchio di Matelica
2013 Bonny Doon Syrah ‘La Pousseur’
2014 Gramercy Cellars Syrah ‘Lower East’
2013 Voge Cornas ‘Les Chailles