2/12/18 THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'NOISE ON THE PERIPHERY' HOTSHEET

2014 GIFFORD-HERLINGER
STATELINE RED WALLA WALLA
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Gifford-Herlinger is one of the unknown stars of Walla Walla and surprisingly, we have been offering this terrific red wine for almost 10 years – and the price has remained the same! Stateline Red is a blend that changes every year. Vintage 2014 is made up of five different grapes (53% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 8% Tempranillo and 2% Petit Verdot.) from three Walla Walla vineyards and offers up tremendous value and pedigree for not a lot of money.

Sheer deliciousness with good substance and without getting silly with just a bunch of wood, this hearty Washington red delivers currants, blackberry, fine herbs and spices that dominate the nose while a prominent core of mouth-filling fruit pleases the palate. A perfect wine to serve with grilled ribs or other fare…and one that will please a bunch of varying palates!

2016 PERROUD BROUILLY
'L'ENFER DES BALLOQUETS'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

More and more we are receiving superb response as well as selling Cru Beaujolais. Perhaps the reason is its versatility with food but the real reason is that many folks are discovering that Gamay from this area delivers a hell of a lot more value in the $18-$25 range than pretty much any Pinot from the world at that price point.

Robert Perroud is a Beaujolais bad ass, especially when it comes to the Cru wines of Brouilly. This is the southernmost of the Cru wines and Robert Perroud’s are some of the best. This particular cuvee is from a steep, 40% grade parcel that has impressive terroir. Red Granite, ironstone and sand lead to a noticeable minerality beneath the wine’s lovely core of red and blue fruits. The sandiness of the soils project glass filling aromatics while the texture is velvety and expressive of these old Gamay vines. Long and chiming, this autumnal beauty of a wine can be enjoyed over the next 4-5 years with grilled sausage, roasted chicken, mushroom-laced pasta dishes or baked ham.

2015 AVIGNONESI ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The history of Avignonesi dates back to 1377, when Pope Gregory XI moved the papal residence back to Rome, some noble families of Avignon left France to follow him. It was at that time, in Italy, that one of those families became known as Avignonesi. Soon the Avignonesi family separated into three branches that settled in Rome, Siena and Montepulciano. It is not known exactly when Avignonesi's cellars were built, but they are among the most ancient in Italy. These days the estate is more renowned than ever under the leadership of Virginie Saverys, a wine lover who retired from her legal career and purchased it in 2009.

Following the trend of 2015 wines in Tuscany, Avignonesi’s Rosso is smashing. Primarily Prugnolo Gentile a clone of Sangiovese that is noted for its class and structure, the aromas of this wine are both delicate and intense, with a perfume that is all about Sangio with violet, ripe cherry, anise, and cocoa and espresso bean. Harmonious and balanced with a cool equilibrium, plenty of penetration and a vibrant finish. A terrific offering for 20 bucks that will drink well over the next 3-4 years.

2016 PICARD SANCERRE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Picard's Sancerre Blanc comes from the magnificent clay-limestone, south-facing slopes of the Grand-Chemarin and Coteaux de Marloup vineyards from vines 30 years and older. Picard has planted Sauvignon Blanc clones that produce small berries of aromatic intensity.

The 2016 Sancerre from Jean-Paul Picard really impresses with lovely balance of intense fruit coupled with terroir-driven notes of oyster shells, edamame, meyer lemon, minerality and a long fresh and uplifting finish. A beautiful palate cleanser have with crab cakes and fresh grilled salmon….with the weakening dollar, this is still an impeccable value for a top-notch Sauvignon Blanc from one of France's most famous growing regions…don't miss out, especially since it is a bit of a unicorn, which is a Sancerre for 20-bucks.

2015 PRIMITIVO QUILES
ALICANTE TINTO 'CONO 4'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Spain's road-less-traveled regions are some of the most exciting for high quality and price rapport. Primitivo Quiles is one of Alicante's oldest producers with lineage going back to 1780 and since first offering it with the 2008 vintage, it has become a major player in our under 12 buck red wine category.

Made from 100% Monastrell this meant-to-drink-young number is a dark beauty. Enticing pekoe, blackberry, sanguine and fall spices are nicely enhanced by maple and currant. Velvety and sultry with ample freshness all conveying the essence of varietal and place. Very tantalizing from start to finish, enjoy this wine with grilled sausage, chicken or ribs.

2017 MDZ MALBEC
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

A hearty, savory and unoaked version from Argentina's Mendoza region, this everyday gem showcases expressive bright, fresh red juicy fruit, plum, raspberry and dark currant, with some fresh spice, earth and roasted coffee. More than just a juicy-loosey fruit bomb, there is good structure and firm tannins that lay down the tracks for a fleshy, endowed red with interesting nuances. Have with hearty grilled meats, stews and robust cheeses. Terrific for 10-bucks.

2016 FLORA SPRINGS
ESTATE CHARDONNAY NAPA
SPECIAL - $24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

Calling all fanatics of voluminous, buttery, classic, unapologetic California Chardonnay...One from a Napa legend is on a cool special right now!

No one is going to confuse Flora Springs Napa Chardonnay with a Puligny-Montrachet or Chablis, but for those that love the creamy, tropical, vanilla tones that a well-crafted Chardonnay from California can produce, then here you go. On the nose there is ripe tropical fruits, with mango, papaya, and vanilla being the most noticeable notes. Rich and buttery in the mouth, with more tropical fruits, along with nice spice, and a luscious, oozing texture. Drink this with a Latin inspired grilled swordfish dish, with a spicy pineapple relish or fish tacos.

2015 PILLOT BEAUNE
BOUCHEROTTES PREMIER CRU
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE

Okay, so 50 bucks isn’t a cheap proposition, however, when it comes to Premier Cru in Burgundy from excellent producers, this is a steal. Through marriage, Laurent Pillot scored red wine vineyards from several grand villages within the Cotes-de-Beaune. Boucherottes is a Premier Cru vineyard in southern portion of the Beaune appellation and a stone’s throw from, Pommard. This beautiful parcel planted between 1966 and 1996 presents a terroir that is warm and plush, on a slightly stony, brown limestone soil adjacent to the Pommard 'Boucherottes' Premier Cru. Laurent has a mere 1.13 acres of this Cru and usually about 200 cases are ever produced.

A stunning nose right out of the chute. Roses, pepper, mineral, touches of vanilla and nutmeg waft from the glass with very attractive attributes that are pretty much non-stop. This will develop even more perfume as it ages. Immense expansion clamps down and shows its infancy. Outstanding herbs and Asian spices. Savory, succulent and very long. This may well the best Pillot Beaune wine that I have tasted. Wow! Drink this collectible Premier Cru 2021 – 2030.

2013 CANTINA DEL PINO
BARBARESCO OVELLO
$59.99 - 12 BTLS AVAILABLE
97 PTS - WINE SPECTATOR

Renato Vacca, cousin of Aldo Vacca of Produttori del Barbaresco, has been producing stellar wines under the Cantina del Pino label for 20 years now. We have been working with these wines since their inception. What continues to emerge from this small cellar is ultra-impressive and respective of Barbaresco’s profound terroir. Ovello is the ‘home’ vineyard of Cantina del Pino and Renato’s version from this Grand Cru Barbaresco site always ages and develops exquisitely. This wine garnered a fat 97-point score from The Wine Spectator and we have a mere 12 bottles available.

‘HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: A pretty, firmly structured red, with delicate flavors and subtle power, this evokes floral, red berry, mineral, tobacco and tar aromas and flavors, remaining harmonious and long on the mineral- and tobacco-tinged finish. Best from 2020 to 2036. - 97 POINTS - THE WINE SPECTATOR’

FRIDAY SIPS - THE FOUR ‘C’s’

Chablis, Cab Blend, Chianti & Catalonia

FEATURED WINES:

2016 Louis Michel Chablis
2015 Rodano Chianti Classico
2015 Acustic Celler Montsant
2010 Erasmo Cabernet Blend