4/16/18 THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'CHERRY BLOSSOMS' HOTSHEET
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'CHERRY BLOSSOMS' HOTSHEET
93 pt. ChiantiSpecial, Montrachet, Bandol, Kelley Fox Pinot Value Reds & more
2014 ISOLE E OLENA
CHIANTI CLASSICO
[reg. $27.99]
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CHIANTI CLASSICO
[reg. $27.99]
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
All Italian and Tuscan wine lovers should be absolutely demanding a Chianti such as this. The legendary Paolo de Marchi and his Isole E Olena property consistently make REAL Chianti wines, not knocked-up Napa Valley wannabes! Year in and year out, the consistency of excellence that this wine delivers is unparalleled…hell, even Wine Enthusiast Magazine is on board with a large 93-point score:
‘Fragrant and refined, this radiant red opens with enticing scents of wild berry, aromatic herb, dark spice, menthol and whiffs of tilled soil and pressed blue flower. Ethereally elegant and boasting great tension, the palate delivers succulent red cherry, raspberry, clove and a hint of licorice while vibrant acidity and polished, fine-grained tannins lend balance and support. Drink through 2024. – 93 POINTS, WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE’
‘Fragrant and refined, this radiant red opens with enticing scents of wild berry, aromatic herb, dark spice, menthol and whiffs of tilled soil and pressed blue flower. Ethereally elegant and boasting great tension, the palate delivers succulent red cherry, raspberry, clove and a hint of licorice while vibrant acidity and polished, fine-grained tannins lend balance and support. Drink through 2024. – 93 POINTS, WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE’
2014 DOMAINE DES OUCHES
BOURGUEIL 'CUVEE 20'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
BOURGUEIL 'CUVEE 20'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Next to Pierre Breton, Domaine Des Ouches brothers Thomas and Denis Gambier are right there when it comes to brilliance in Bourgueil, a village in close proximity to Chinon. Cuvee 20 is a play on words. 20 in French is vingt and it rhymes with vin, the French word for wine. Picture yourself kicking back in a French café or bistro with a hunk of paté or rillettes in front of you and having a blast with this particular wine.
100% Cabernet Franc and totally luminous, clean and full of fruit, earth and soul, this wine engages all the olfactory senses. Black raspberry, sanguine, roses and turned earth aromas carry over to a texture that surges with red cherry, sandalwood and an underlay of licorice then elevates and touches all points of the palate. At 12.5° alcohol, this is an enticing wine to serve slightly chilled with just about anything that will clog the arteries.
100% Cabernet Franc and totally luminous, clean and full of fruit, earth and soul, this wine engages all the olfactory senses. Black raspberry, sanguine, roses and turned earth aromas carry over to a texture that surges with red cherry, sandalwood and an underlay of licorice then elevates and touches all points of the palate. At 12.5° alcohol, this is an enticing wine to serve slightly chilled with just about anything that will clog the arteries.
2016 KELLEY FOX
PINOT NOIR 'AHURANI'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
PINOT NOIR 'AHURANI'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
Decidedly inspired by the old world, particularly Burgundy, Kelley’s influence from her time working alongside David Lett at Eyrie is very evident in her elegant, precise and very ageworthy Pinot Noirs that are consistently in Oregon's top echelon. Make no mistake, this is one of the finest producers in Oregon and her wines excel, especially as they age. The Ahurani is a new selection and a sibling of Mirabai.
A completely different narrative than her Mirabai, Ahurani, named after an ancient Persian goddess of water and well-being, comes forth in a very French style. In fact, as it ages, my suspicion is that it will be difficult to pick as a new world wine in a blind tasting. Coming from the smashing 2016 vintage, Kelley’s Ahurani is genuine Pinot with seductive aspects, it is cerebral and not a deeply-colored, caricature version like others that could be referred to as Pinot to pair with a pack of Kools. Instead, this wine has all the hallmarks of a siren on the rocks with rose-petal, crunchy and not jammy strawberry, subtle pepper and underlying jasmine/mineral aromas which dominate the nose. Ethereal flavors that are caressing, silky and vivid fan out and flow on through to the impressively long, airy finish that also provides pleasurable snap-back. Very accessible now, but for best results, give it another year and drink it through the end of the decade.
A completely different narrative than her Mirabai, Ahurani, named after an ancient Persian goddess of water and well-being, comes forth in a very French style. In fact, as it ages, my suspicion is that it will be difficult to pick as a new world wine in a blind tasting. Coming from the smashing 2016 vintage, Kelley’s Ahurani is genuine Pinot with seductive aspects, it is cerebral and not a deeply-colored, caricature version like others that could be referred to as Pinot to pair with a pack of Kools. Instead, this wine has all the hallmarks of a siren on the rocks with rose-petal, crunchy and not jammy strawberry, subtle pepper and underlying jasmine/mineral aromas which dominate the nose. Ethereal flavors that are caressing, silky and vivid fan out and flow on through to the impressively long, airy finish that also provides pleasurable snap-back. Very accessible now, but for best results, give it another year and drink it through the end of the decade.
2016 LOVE & SQUALOR PINOT GRIS
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Love & Squalor’s Matt Berson has been producing wine under this label since 2007 and has developed quite a reputation for producing epic Rieslings and very sultry Pinot Noirs. What is not as known is that he also makes a hell of a Pinot Gris as well and we are proud to offer it broadly for the first time.
A bold, broad and expressive Pinot Gris that has classy aromas of melon, apple, mineral and spice. In the mouth there is gorgeous crispness and refinement, but with gorgeous depth and breadth of flavor and balance which drive into a long, spice and mushroom-laden finish. The obvious match is grilled salmon, but it is versatile enough to drink with roasted chicken, spicy Thai shrimp dishes or scallops.
A bold, broad and expressive Pinot Gris that has classy aromas of melon, apple, mineral and spice. In the mouth there is gorgeous crispness and refinement, but with gorgeous depth and breadth of flavor and balance which drive into a long, spice and mushroom-laden finish. The obvious match is grilled salmon, but it is versatile enough to drink with roasted chicken, spicy Thai shrimp dishes or scallops.
2012 CHATEAU FIEUZAL PESSAC-LEOGNAN
'L'ABEILLE DE FIEUZAL'
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
'L'ABEILLE DE FIEUZAL'
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
Chateau 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 the estate’s second label and is one and only about 1300 or so cases are annually produced. It also happens to be one of the real sleeper values of Bordeaux.
More and more, 2012 is turning out to be a genuine sleeper, somewhat forgotten vintage. It also is starting to look even more impressive on a monetary standpoint as 2014, 2015 and 2016 climb in price. Fine spice, cassis and blackberry shine against a backdrop of smoke and sandalwood. The palate is exquisitely balanced, deceptively persuasive and deep with ripe berries and briary tones kick in on the entry and give way to alluring chocolate and tobacco tones that spread out on the finish and follow through with pepper and cinnamon. Good appeal and charm to this wine now, and will age well through 2023+.
More and more, 2012 is turning out to be a genuine sleeper, somewhat forgotten vintage. It also is starting to look even more impressive on a monetary standpoint as 2014, 2015 and 2016 climb in price. Fine spice, cassis and blackberry shine against a backdrop of smoke and sandalwood. The palate is exquisitely balanced, deceptively persuasive and deep with ripe berries and briary tones kick in on the entry and give way to alluring chocolate and tobacco tones that spread out on the finish and follow through with pepper and cinnamon. Good appeal and charm to this wine now, and will age well through 2023+.
2015 OLIVARES JUMILLA
'ALTOS DE LA HOYA'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
'ALTOS DE LA HOYA'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
The 2015 Monastrell Altos de la Hoya is approximately 90% Monastrell (Mourvedre) with 10% Garnacha that was aged in small barrels, varying in age. The deep almost opaque color gives you the first hint into the fact that this little $10 red has serious cojones. Deep, dark and warm perfume of spice, new saddle leather, anise, creamy black and blueberries. A fun-filled, crowd pleasing wine that is great to bring to upcoming Spring & Summer backyard parties.
2011 CHATEAU PRADEAUX BANDOL
$39.99 - LIMITED!
$39.99 - LIMITED!
...and now for some serious Mourvedre!! These days Bandol is not just Domaine Tempier. Many stalwarts are finally being recognized for outstanding quality and the devout traditionalist Chateau Pradeaux is one that we have been working with and enjoying for many years. Very much a wine that ages extremely well, the 2011 is not just a can of whoop-ass; it is a whole case of whoop-ass! A drop-dead stunner of a Bandol vintage, this wine almost behaves like a French Barolo.
Serious tar scents with undertones of red flower and coffee from earth rather than from the use of new oak. Wiry texture and extremely tightly wound with resounding structure, this wine is powerfully-built and even in a warm vintage will age stupendously. 95% Mourvedre & 5% Grenache with deep, fine fruit notes underneath and more will come out with time. Expect this to be very ripe, layered and profound with complex notes of Provençal herbs, mushroom and floral tones as it ages. Firm and packed in the back, but really stays around exquisitely in the mouth. At age 7, this is starting to awaken and can be consumed with hearty fare through 2027.
Serious tar scents with undertones of red flower and coffee from earth rather than from the use of new oak. Wiry texture and extremely tightly wound with resounding structure, this wine is powerfully-built and even in a warm vintage will age stupendously. 95% Mourvedre & 5% Grenache with deep, fine fruit notes underneath and more will come out with time. Expect this to be very ripe, layered and profound with complex notes of Provençal herbs, mushroom and floral tones as it ages. Firm and packed in the back, but really stays around exquisitely in the mouth. At age 7, this is starting to awaken and can be consumed with hearty fare through 2027.
2015 PILLOT CHASSAGNE MONTRACHET
PREMIER CRU 'LES VERGERS'
$69.99 - LIMITED
PREMIER CRU 'LES VERGERS'
$69.99 - LIMITED
Laurent Pillot is one of the kings of Chassagne-Montrachet wines and this address continues to go from strength to strength. Vergers is one of my favorite Premiers crus sites. The vines on the three small plots were planted in 1955, 1965 and 1984. More and more we are seeing top Premiers Crus with a hyphen followed by the word Montrachet nearing three-digit pricing. Because of this and the wine being one of the top level 2015s in Laurent’s lineup, at this price it should not be missed.
Starts a bit reticent with a rocky, briny nose. Rosemary present but loaded with blood-orange, mineral and plenty of density. A bit on the stubborn, youthful side right now. Super-depth and weight in the mouth with lots of brisk, structured steely tones. Vivid, fine, and having some extroverted fruit and lift on the lengthy finish. This is delicious now but will be a super-apex Chassagne! Drink through 2026.
Starts a bit reticent with a rocky, briny nose. Rosemary present but loaded with blood-orange, mineral and plenty of density. A bit on the stubborn, youthful side right now. Super-depth and weight in the mouth with lots of brisk, structured steely tones. Vivid, fine, and having some extroverted fruit and lift on the lengthy finish. This is delicious now but will be a super-apex Chassagne! Drink through 2026.
FRIDAY SIPS
Pink Parade Rose Tasting
This Friday, April 20 from 1:30 - 6:30
Drop this Friday from 1:30 - 6:30 and prepare to be sunk by four pink torpedoes!! Sancerre, Provence, Languedoc & Lombardy will be represented.
We'll also uncork a red for les nostalgiques who have the notion that something may fall off of them if they drink something pink. :-)
We'll also uncork a red for les nostalgiques who have the notion that something may fall off of them if they drink something pink. :-)
ROSE WINES TO BE TASTED:
2017 Mascaronne Cotes-de-Provence Rose ‘Quat’ Saisons’
2017 Moulin de Gassac Languedoc Rose ‘Guilhem’
2017 Neveu Sancerre Rose
2017 Cominciole Chiaretto Rose ‘Diamente’
