3/18/19 The Cellar Door's 'More Than Interesting' HotSheet

2015 TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA
SUPERIORE 'MATERNIGO'
$25.99 BTL./$155.94 - SIX PACK

The seriousness of the wines in Il Valpolicella that aren’t Amarone has increased mightily over the last twenty years and leaders like Riccardo Tedeschi have been working single cru vineyards such as this, making mouth filling, complex wines that drink early and age well. Above all, these wines come from non-dried grapes, which reflect their sites and in so many ways are redefining this famed region. Maternigo comes from a very steep vineyard called Impervio. Having first started working with this wine with the 2010 vintage, I am of the belief that 2015 is the finest to date for this wine.

A full-on Italian wine that carries a big swagger stick it is not only very Italian but very much speaks of the Veneto. Pronounced plum, amare, cherry, mineral and nutmeg aromas shine rather quickly after it is poured into the glass. In the mouth, it is full flavored, generous and very expansive. Despite being large scaled, there is an underbelly of freshness and poise which never allows it to become ponderous. Layered, long and succulent, enjoy this wine with slow roasted cuisine like osso buco over the next 10-12 years.

2016 TERRIERE BROUILLY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

FINALLY! Word has come down at just how much that this sultry, bursting red should be appreciated. Separating itself from common Brouilly, this northern appellation wine is grown in hard, red granite and while not Morgon, has an inspiration of its minerality. Here is the most wonderful review!

‘A roller coaster of a Gamay running the gamut of strawberry, peonies and prominent mineral. Classically textured, energetic and vinous, this carries very well from front to back and lingers beautifully with its detail and fruit’. – 93+ POINTS FROM THE J-O WINE JOURNAL’

2016 VOGE COTES-DU-RHONE
'LES PEYROUSES'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Not your ordinary Cotes-du-Rhone but one from the great Cornas masters! From the cooler climate, 45th parallel Northern Rhône Valley and 100% Syrah, this fascinating, refined and aromatic expression is typical of the region with miniscule production. Serious business, this offering is so unlike the wines from the Southern Rhone in its profile and projects nothing but sheer poise and grace all while having excellent substance and backbone.

2016 is the second of three in a row of outstanding vintages in the Northern portion of the Rhone Valley. Obscenely fragrant with currants, violets, pronounced smoked meat that is classic to the area. The black pepper is here, but it is a backdrop along with hints of dark chocolate. A refined killer showing expansive layered flavors that creep through the mouth. High-toned grip that moves into red fruits at the end finishing long and over delivering for its price. Drink this sensuous Syrah over the next 5-6 years.

2016 PLANETA FRAPPATTO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The wines from Sicily are the some of the trendiest from Italy these days. Planeta is one of the island’s most influential producers in many ways. Their modern, international wines like Syrah and Chardonnay which suffered in a bunch of new oak barrels really allowed Sicilian wines to become the more clear visions that they are today. Frankly, the above-mentioned internationally styled wines are not my cup of tea but fortunately Planeta also makes wines with native varietals and many of them like this selection are true and very unadulterated.

100% of the native Frappatto grape and from the SE area of Sicily, this fragrant, detonating in the mouth red is full of vibrant, crunchy cherry fruit, smoke, pepper and underlying plum tones that follow through to a texture that tingles and fills the mouth without being tannic or heavy. Perfect for drinking over the next two or three years with fish and tomato dishes.

2018 NAUTILUS SAUVIGNON BLANC
'MARLBOROUGH'
$15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE

New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are a lot like your pet dog. Labrador or Golden Retrievers come to mind because they are friendly, full of energy and life and rarely bite. Sampled last week I thought it to be one of the more regal New Zealand Sauvignons that we have tasted recently.

The nose exhibits intense, typical aromatic varietal characters starting with a delicate tangerine/lime juice aroma and evolving into intense ripe passion fruit notes. In the mouth, this wine tends toward the riper end of the aroma/flavor spectrum with perhaps a little more emphasis on stone fruit flavors and zesty acidity to finish it all off. Break out the spicy Szechuan or Thai cuisine to pair with this one.

2015 ARALDICA BARBERA D'ASTI
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

A terrific value from a superb Barbera-specialist that is honest and lacks any pretense…nothing but good drinkin'!

Full of aromas of red cherry, blueberry and flowers setting the stage with some spiced earth and mineral. Authentic, pure and fresh with a round mouthfeel and a vibrant, friendly personality. A super deal for a mere 10 bucks and is one that can be consumed on any day for any occasion - including bacon and eggs in bed! Better yet, have it with roasted fare or tomato-based pasta dishes amongst others because of its masterful versatility.

2016 FERREIRA 'ESTEVA'
DOURO TINTO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

A delicious everyday DRY red that is made by a fabulous port lodge. The region of the Duoro is both advanced and archaic at once. On one hand you have the tradition of the great sweet Port wines then on the other you have innovation with the region’s dry reds like this that are made from the same grape varietals.

40% Tinta Roriz, 35% Tinta Barroca, 15% Touriga Franca, 10% Touriga Nacional and exactly as you would expect from a Duoro wine, lots of lush dark berry tones with hints of earth, chocolate and pepper rule the day. Juicy and ripe berries coat the mouth with a soft texture and a touch of spice on the finish. This versatile fun red is perfect for weeknight drinking with cheeseburgers and other good things.

2017 WALTER SCOTT PINOT NOIR
'JUSTICE VINEYARD
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE

Located adjacent to Walter Scott’s winery, literally their own back yard, the Casteel family of Bethel Heights’s Justice Vineyard is one of the crown jewels of the Eola-Amity region. For years, Ken & Erica from Walter Scott begged, pleaded, badgered and pestered the Casteels to purchase some grapes. Their persistence paid off, thus we are able to offer Walter Scott’s interpretation of one of Oregon’s finest sites.

From 20-year-old vines, this is the crux of Eola-Amity with youthful, smoked strawberry, sage and lavender scents along with a potpourri of spices. An unbridled smoky tone adds even more as the wine unfurls in the glass. Beautifully persistent and layered. Fans out beautifully then turns inward to let you know that it could use some cellar time. Very lasting finish. Don't be fooled by its initial charm, this is still a young wine and will do nothing but get better and better and better. 130 cases produced.

2017 WALTER SCOTT CHARDONNAY
'JUSTICE VINEYARD
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE

This wine jumped right at me when I tasted a few weeks back and quickly stole my heart. Dare if I should ever be heard saying this, but it is reminiscent of an Oregon version of Puligny-Montrachet.

Wet stone, slightly reductive, mineral, kisses of peach and lime all wrapped around buttered/caramel popcorn tones. Brilliantly penetrating. Great acids and focus. Penetrates very deeply and gains nerve and tension. An energetic, jaunting finish keeps going and going and going. While this Chardonnay is damn delicious at the moment, the potential is ungodly and no doubt will age 12-15 years. 195 cases produced.

FRIDAY SIPS

Spring Break/March Madness

FEATURED WINES:

2016 Chateau Laplagnotte-Bellevue
St-Emilion Grand Cru
2016 Evesham Wood ‘Illahe’ Pinot Noir
2015 Bois de Boursan Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Maybe more depending on who shows up :-)