10/9/18 THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'DRUM & BASS' HOTSHEET

2016 TUA RITA
ROSSO DEI NOTRI
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The Super-Tuscan category, at least those outside of Bolgheri, has somewhat fallen out of favor in lieu of Tuscan wines utilizing native grapes. There are exceptions. Tua Rita was founded in 1984 when Virgilio and Rita Tua planted Cabernet Sauvignon in an area located in close proximity to the Southern Tuscan coast in the province of Livorno. Having been working their land and continuing on a well-run trajectory, all of a sudden the estate gained instant celebrity status when Robert Parker gave their 2000 Merlot known as Redigaffi 100 points.

The Rosso dei Notri is one of the fine wines on their roster and delivers a lovely Super Tuscan value. 50% Sangiovese backed up by 50% blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, this Super-Tuscan blend delivers up lovely, well-crafted scents of blueberry, coffee, smoke, and hints of tobacco. New oak shows off a bit, but will integrate nicely with a little age. Harmonious, succulent and flavorful with a nice balance between red and black fruits as well as a cedar/black pepper influence on the understated but packed finish. This wine is very well made and a serious effort from one of the masters and can be enjoyed now through 2024.

2015 CHATEAU DE LA TERRIERE
MOULIN-A-VENT 'CUVEE LA LURE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

About 10 years ago, top Brouilly producer, Chateau de la Terriere acquired 5 acres of old vine Moulin-A-Vent. This was exciting because winemaker Frederic Maignet is widely regarded as a specialist for this Cru. Since that time, they have added more land are just up to over 8 acres spread over 5 different lieu dits. What is most important are the shades of granite along with impressive minerality and various limestone and rocks that are interspersed within the sites.

I often refer to this wine from the King Of Beaujolais, Moulin-A-Vent, as a sensuous Pinot Noir slayer. A burst of violet, rose, deep and dark juicy red and blue berry, spun sugar, candied cep and spicy/minerally/stony aromas roll from the glass. 2015 was an exceptional vintage in Beaujolais and the wines have an added core of rich fruit and depth of flavor; everything is amped up several notches. This is one of the most food friendly red wines on the planet and in a vintage such as 2015 it rivals pinot noir in terms of beauty, complexity and grace. Try with everything from roasted poultry with mushrooms (of course), to salmon, or cheeses and meats. I had a 2009 when I visited France this year and it was superb. 2015 is a similar style of vintage so no problem for this to age for 10-15+ years...yet it can be enjoyed earlier if one wishes, which is what we'll be doing this Friday (see bottom of the page).

2016 LOUIS MICHEL CHABLIS
PREMIER CRU 'SECHETS'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

Chablis hounds all know the prowess and greatness of this producer but lately it seems as though Domaine Michel is climbing their way into the pantheon of Chablis producers. The delicacy and purity of Louis Michel is perfectly expressed within this wine. As usual, at Chez Michel, the wines are never oaked, involve serious excitement, and possess incredible nervosity and grip. Premiers Crus here (and throughout Chablis) offer some of the best values for white Burgundy, Sechet is a select, sub-parcel of the famed Premier Cru Vaillons vineyard. The majority is blended into the Vaillons cuvee but one of the oldest parcels is culled out and hence we have something extremely special and one that is quite a steal!

As we continue to tout, 2016 is a great but tiny quantity Chablis vintage. The Sechets is very crystalline, precise and beautifully terroir driven. Ample saline scents along with pronounced crustaceans and classic flint-rock all with an underlay of perfume that is very characteristic of this offering. Brilliantly focused in the mouth, linear and electric but with fine intensity and richness from the 45-year-old vines, culminating with superb extension and mouth-watering persistency. Not inaccessible now, but this wine will be at its pinnacle from 2021 through 2028+.

2017 HONIG SAUVIGNON BLANC
NAPA VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

In our wine utopia, all Napa Sauvignon Blanc would be at this price point, but alas, we don't live in a wine utopia. All in all, this is a Sauvignon steal and when it comes to the Napa Valley, we highly condone stealing!

Taking its own cue instead those from Bordeaux or the Loire, Honig has always produced a Sauvignon of purity, individuality and true Napa terroir. Aged in 90% stainless steel and 10% neutral barrel, orange, fig, classic mowed-grass and alluring mango-spice follow scents through to a palate that is mouth-watering, mouth coating and flat out yummy, especially with fish tacos or other Latin preparations.

2015 MASI VALPOLICELLA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

From one of Amarone and Italy's most important addresses, Masi's Valpolicella is a non-ripasso version chock-a-block full of violet, explosive and vibrant red raspberry fruit and a tangy long finish. A perfect and vastly underrated wine to go with hearty pasta dishes like stuffed shells or lasagna.

2015 CHEHALEM PINOT NOIR
'THREE VINEYARDS'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Since 1990, Chehalem has proven its mettle by producing some of the state's finest offerings and yet still there is so much enthusiasm and joy that permeating from this long-established Oregon stalwart.

The Three Vineyards is just that, a Pinot Noir that is blended from the three distinct vineyards, Corral Creek, Stoller and the vaunted Ridgecrest. The 2015 is an achingly beautiful Pinot Noir value that has enticing and beautifully aromatic aromas of crushed black raspberry, violet and cinnamon that shine brightly from the glass. In the mouth, the wine is stylish and refined with an abundance of penetrating fruit along with sneaky structure. The finish is suave and understated with a hint of allspice and cocoa from oak. This gorgeous Pinot will pair wonderfully with veal chops and will drink and develop wonderfully through 2025.

2016 PRIMITIVO QUILES
ALICANTE 'CONO 4'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

A slight price drop on a red from one of Spain's road-less-traveled wines regions. This wine is always one of our favorites but is also one that takes you on a very different ride. In fact, if it were akin to rolling in a car, this car might be a 1962 Pontiac.

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.

2015 SNOWDEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
'THE RANCH' NAPA VALLEY'
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE

For over fifty years, three generations of Snowdens have been farming red wine grapes on their ranch located on the eastern slope of the Napa Valley overlooking the towns of Rutherford and St. Helena. In the early 90s the Snowden family decided to produce their own prized cabernet from the same vineyard that the likes of Viader and Silver Oak once purchased grapes. The property touches both the Rutherford and St. Helena appellations. The Howell Mountain appellation is a few hundred yards away. We are talking THE poshest section of the Napa Valley, which makes it so amazing that we can sell these knockouts at these prices.

The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon from Snowden is a playlist that is blended from all of their estate vineyards. Penetrating aromas kick in immediately with a prominent presence of blackcurrant, graphite, hints of red earth and impressively intertwined undertones of espresso from excellent use of French barrels. Lacy fruit and balance rule the day, but its core of fruit is expressive, chewy, and ripe. Very sensuous on the mid-palate then glides into a spice-laden finish that is packed with spices like coriander, nutmeg and mint. Very lengthy and classic Napa Valley, think of this as a classic Middleweight boxer who can move and packs a powerful punch, Marvin Hagler! Pop and pour if you would like but it will age nicely for 12-15 more years.

2016 CHARVIN CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
$75.99 - VERY LIMITED

One of our long-time favorites has hit yet another tape measure home run! I have been buying, selling, cellaring and drinking these wines since the 1990 vintage and has long had an affinity towards Laurent Charvin's outstanding, limited production Chateauneufs. We have 24 bottles of the highly touted and sought after 2016. Have at it!

The Charvin Golden Rule applies to the monumental 2016 and that is to leave it alone for 8-10 years from vintage date. My notes from tasting this wine earlier this year. ‘Starts off like a calm ocean with glorious, almost perfumy fruit. It lures you in then hits like a tsunami! Youthful and very rebellious, but there is class coming. Explosive and penetrating scents of black licorice, black raspberry jam, herbes de provence and hot rock crawl from the glass and carry over into the mouth. Powerful fruit is present, but so is powerful structure that indicates that this requires some patience. The mouth-coating finish that is deep and lingering, but all in a ball right now. Give this mighty Châteauneuf a few years and when it comes to proper age, we promise it to be very velvety and graceful with amazing complexity. Drink 2024 – 2034.'

FRIDAY SIPS

WHITE BURGUNDY VALUES

FEATURED WINES:

2015 Guy Bocard Bourgogne Chardonnay
2016 Paul Pernot Bourgogne Chardonnay
2014 Jaeger-Defaix Rully Premier Cru ‘Mont-Palais’
2015 Terriere Moulin-A-Vent ‘Cuvee La Lure’