11/13/18 THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SUPPLY & COMMAND' HOTSHEET


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SUPPLY & COMMAND' HOTSHEET
Chablis, Chinon & Chateauneuf Specials/ Several Choices for Turkey/ Italian Faves and Under 12 reds


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2016 LAVANTUREUX PETIT CHABLIS
[reg. $29.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

We love, love specials, especially when it occurs on a top-notch Chablis producer’s superb wines. Located in the village of Lignorelles in the northern portion of Chablis, Domaine Lavantureux was founded in 1979 and with the higher elevation than around the village of the Chablis, this is prime terroir for Petit Chablis and Lavantureux excels in this category. The difference between Petit Chablis and Chablis isn't its size but its soil, P-Chablis is grown in Portlandian soil versus Kimmeridgian.

2016 is a great vintage in this area and this wine is drinking extremely well. Perfumed flint, floral and with stylish underlying fruit. Excellent palate coverage is present in the mouth and deftly balances richness with brisk minerality. More stony aspects arrive as it opens and follows into a finish with persistence and character. Very likable and easy to latch on to. Quite a step up from many in this category, enjoy this white with oysters, mussels and especially fresh crab. A few years back I experienced this wine at Restaurant Soleil D’Or just outside of Chablis with merlu (a white fish) cooked on its skin and served over a mousseline of green lentils from Le Puy and green peas, a mighty combination! Only 14 cases available. If there is any left, I’ll open it for this Friday Sips Tasting.



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2014 PALLUS CHINON 'LES PENSEES'
[reg. $26.99]
SPECIAL - $14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

At the tender age of 25, Bertrand Sourdais became a superstar while working in Spain. As winemaker in Spain’s Ribera del Duero region at the then unknown and now famed Abadia Retuerta estate. In 2002 France’s most influential critic, Michel Bettane along with Spain’s top critic, Jose Penin got together to blind taste the two nation’s 31 best wines. The shocker was Abadia Retuerta’s wine finishing tied with 1994 Vega Sicilia and ahead of the 1999 Chateau Latour. Soon after his father’s retirement, Bertrand returned home to create something top-notch in his native Chinon and over the last decade, we have seen these wines propelled into some of the best Cabernet Franc reds that the Loire Valley has to offer.

30 year old vines situated in a prime area not far from Baudry’s Croix Boisee site, this wine comes from average 30 year old vines and is 100% Cabernet Franc. Never an oak festival, Bertrand ages it in 3-4 year old barrels for 12 months then another six in concrete. When drinking this Chinon, we recommend using a Burgundy glass versus a Bordeaux glass because Cab Franc in this area is more about aromatics and less about heft. Now Chinon might not be for everyone, as it is certainly not a lollipop wine. Yet for those that love aromatic, refined wines it is not to be missed. Classic nose of baked cherry, sandalwood, jasmine, and spicy herb notes. Pure red cherry, and mineral assault the palate, with great intensity, yet texture wise more akin to red Burgundy. A long, complex and delicious finish keep you coming back for another glass. Such an amazingly versatile food wine, Chinon is always prevalent on the Paris bistro scene and one can see why. This wine works with a wide variety of foods from rillettes to beef curry dishes to your favorite lamb stew. It is also quite surprisingly delicious with your holiday turkey. Drink over the next decade.



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2016 GOODFELLOW PINOT NOIR
RIBBON RIDGE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Goodfellow owner/winemaker Marcus Goodfellow always strives to make stylish Pinot Noirs that maintain detail and nuance. 2016 is no exception and having been working with his wines since their inception in vintage 2002, I thoroughly believe this excellent vintage is some of his finest work.

The 2016 Ribbon Ridge is one of the great values in Oregon Pinot Noir. From declassified fruit from the Whistling Ridge vineyard, this 2016 totally follows the patterns of the vintage's generosity and totally delivers the goods. Sensuous, refined aromas of blackberry, strawberry, soft, slightly elusive herbs, spices, and an underlay of earth and red-hot candy pepper tones build and build as the wine unfolds in the glass. Texturally, it is silky and seductive with clarity and exquisite finesse along with ultra-fine depth and tannins. All of the spices that are on the nose are very present on the drawn-out finish. This wine can be accessed now, however, like many 2016s, it has backbone and well-formed structure to allow it to age through 2027. This is also a nice local choice for turkey, which will nicely impress the out of town guests.



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2015 VALDIPIATTA VINO NOBILE
DI MONTEPULCIANO
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

Valdipaitta was founded 45 years ago but it was not until 1990 when Giulio Caporali purchased the estate and elevated all aspects. This offering is the flagship of the property. Farmed at over 1000 feet in the heart of Tuscany’s Montepulciano zone, it is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo.

A classic beauty that woos you in from the first waft of violet, lush cherry, raspberry and sweet roasted Tuscan herbs. This wine is all about balance in the mouth with an undertow of intense depth of flavor, alluring spice and fine grained tannins that beautifully frame the rich fruit. The quality is echoed on the finish, as the depth and expansion of flavor lingers on the palate. Opening one now with a hearty meal would not be a crime but this delicious wine will continue to develop for a decade.



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2017 HAYES CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Located in California’s Central Coast region and produced at Clos LaChance, the lineup of wines from this producer offer formidable bang for the buck. While this Cab certainly won't put Dominus or Chateau Montelena out of business, it also is about one-fifteenth the price and makes for a perfect glass pour on a Tuesday or Thursday evening.

Dusty, plummy and very up-front. Some spearmint and cocoa powder add enhancement. Succulent, middleweight, plush and not re-inventing the wheel, this delicious everyday comfort-food kind of wine will appease Cab fans who like a good deal.



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2013 FIORENZO NADA
BARBARESCO 'MANZOLA'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

After visiting Piedmont this past May, one thing that opened my eyes, especially in Barbaresco, are the number of growers whose wines are on the upswing and may or may not have been brought in for one reason or another. One of the three main villages of Barbaresco, (along with Neive and Barbaresco) Treiso is now being recognized and its terroirs being shown by the many young producers in this area. Led by 32-year-old Danilo Nada, these wines are an absolute steal. Get in on them now!

The Manzola vineyard is located in Treiso and is becoming regarded as one of the fine sites. This site is best be described as benevolent. If aromas could be velvety, this would be the candidate. Classy, well formed and tender with raspberry, mineral, mint, roses along with subtle pepper. In the mouth, it is quite suave before firming up in the mid-palate. A vertical and very lengthy finish. Give this until the end of 2019 and enjoy it through the end of the next decade.



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2016 DOMAINE DU MOULIN
GAILLAC ROUGE
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

The wines from Gaillac, a region located 45 minutes outside of Toulouse and near the city of Albi always excite us. When one of these toothsome reds arrives at an $11 price, it gets us as excited as a carnie finding a piñata full of crank at the Rose Festival!

50% Syrah, 50% Duras with scents of wild spices and wild little red fruits. Mineral, sanguine and licorice also turn up and all follows through to a supple, round and amply brisk texture that is soulfully France. Drink with duck, pork belly, soft-ripened cheese, smooth pate, pretty much anything that is bad for the blood sugar but good for the soul. Also a much-underrated choice to pair with upcoming holiday fare.



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CESAR FLORIDO
MOSCATEL ESPECIAL
$14.99 - HALF BOTTLE

Bodega Cesar Florido is a small but superb Sherry producer who makes the usual, entire lineup, however, this estate is dedicated to preserving the Moscatel grape of the village of Chipiona. One of the few producers to estate bottle, this sweet wine is aged one year in solera.

A big amber color with aromas of toffee, dried oranges, roses, smoked nuts, honey and caramel that really entice. Full of flavor, richness, finely grained acids to buffer the sweetness and a lengthy nutty finish. This is my favorite Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie or Sweet Potato Bourbon Pie wine. It also is fabulous with chocolate.



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2015 PIERRE USSEGLIO
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
[reg. $52.99]
SPECIAL - $36.99 BTL./$443.88 CASE

With the distributor wanting to bring in 2016, we have a nice incentive on one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s very renowned producers. Domaine Pierre Usseglio led by Thierry, Jean-Pierre and Sandrine Usseglio produce highly touted, and neo-classical wines that stand the test of time very nicely.

The 2015 is a classic offering that possesses intense, full aromas of blackberry, rhubarb, lavender and ground pepper. In the mouth, it is everything the nose delivers. Full-bodied, plenty of Chateauneuf hot rock, nice spice and plenty of backbone. Like many 2015s, there is some accessibility in its youth and it will continue to develop nicely through 2028+.




FRIDAY SIPS

Say Hell No To Nouveau/Turkey Wines

This Friday November 16 from 1:30 - 6:30

Our annual celebration of le vrai Beaujolais which go very well with turkey. Come taste 3 top Cru wines from this hallowed region that aren't eight week old embryos. We’ll also be pouring an excellent white wine to pair with the Big Bird as well and if the Petit Chablis above isn’t sold out, we’ll uncork that, too.

FEATURED WINES:

2017 Clos de la Roilette Fleurie
2016 Terriere Brouilly
2016 Terres Dorees Cote-de-Brouilly
2017 Donnhoff Riesling Trocken (Dry)
SAVE THE DATE - DECEMBER 7
The Annual 'It's A Cameron Festivus' Celebration with Cameron Winery's own John Paul