5/20/19 The Cellar Door's 'SALT OF THE EARTH' HotSheet


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SALT OF THE EARTH' HOTSHEET
Volpaia Chianti, Beaurenard Reserve Rasteau & more


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2016 OLIVARES JUMILLA TINTO
'ALTOS DE LA HOYA'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Like clockwork, this tasty red wine from Spain’s Jumilla region usually receives a 90-point score and continues to deliver so much with its 90% Monastrell (mourvèdre), 10% Grenache blend.

‘Deep, vivid ruby color. Vibrant red/blue fruit scents, along with building spiciness and a sexy floral topnote. Silky and energetic on the palate, with a core of brisk acidity adding lift and cut to sweet cherry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors. Focused and lithe on the clinging, blue fruit-driven finish, which is framed by fine-grained, harmonious tannins. The blend of power and elegance here is pretty impressive, as is the value that it delivers. – 90 POINTS – VINOUS



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2016 VOLPAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Searching for 20-dollar Chianti Classico from the best producers is akin to Snoop Dogg giving up weed. FUHGEDDABOUTIT!

Castello di Volpaia is one of the giant names in Chianti. Perched outside of Radda in Chianti, Volpaia have long made sophisticated, very handsome Chianti. Traditionally-made Chianti, this is undoubtedly one of the finest Volpaia Chianti Classico Normalé that we have tasted! Maintaining the fragrant, perfumed floral traits that are what Radda in Chianti are all about, this wine has an extra level of intensity from the prime growing conditions in 2016.

Pretty and very savory Chianti highlighted by penetrating depth, red fruit characteristics and a generous finish that has an earthy purity along with roasted coffee/sage notes underneath. While it has always been delicious, the latest and greatest version of Volpaia's Chianti Classico is now one of THE spectacular values in all of Tuscany. If you love great Chianti, you will surely want to grab a box of this and drink it now through 2026.



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2017 L'ECOLE NO. 41
CHENIN BLANC 'OLD VINES'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

These days Chenin Blanc has experienced a resurgence not only in the Loire Valley. There has never needed to be a resurgence at L’Ecole No. 41 because they have been making prime time delicious Chenin Blanc since 1987 and the 2017 Old Vines version is off the charts once again.

L'Ecole's grapes for this small production wine come from the three sites, all planted in 1978 and 1979. With its old-vine presence, this wine is obscenely fragrant and flavorful - so much that it jacks your palate and pleasantly takes over! Scents of honeydew melon, mineral and hints of lanolin follow through to a meteoric texture that is cut like a diamond and yet has super-lemony viscosity, especially on the drawn-out follow-through. An amazing northwest white wine that will pair well with halibut or scallops dressed in a nice sauce.



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2017 TERRIERE BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Chateau de la Terriere's Beaujolais Villages Vieilles Vignes is best described as "Premium Beaujolais Villages" due to the wine being produced from grapes that are grown in stony, white granite soil entirely within the Cru of Regnie.

Silky and smooth with notes of fresh summer berries, minerals and dried rose petals. This short story turns into a novel in the mouth with alluring depth from 70-year-old vines as well as the knockout 2017 vintage. Fresh strawberry and raspberry tones are defined by fine backbone and mineral especially on the long and very laid-back finish. I consumed a bottle of this last week and it is drinking oh so well. A nice midweek red wine selection to pair with an abundance of varying cuisines. /div>



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2016 BEAURENARD RASTEAU
'LES ARGILES BLEUES'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE

We have long featured Domaine de Beaurenard’s Rasteau wine; however, one thing that we have kept secret is their luxury bottling known as Argiles Bleues. Not because we didn’t want to share with you, we just never received much in order to offer out to the broad list.

Argiles Bleues is made from the Coulon family’s terraced sites in Rasteau but these are specifically ones that are from old vines and have the famed blue clay soil. 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah and possessing a very exciting nose. Seemingly warm climate Barolo in its stature. Dusty with reglise, rosemary and balsamic soaked strawberries. Billowy attack up front. Superb intensity and vinosity. Tightens on finish but extends with excellent minerality. The equivalent of Boirenard (Beaurenard’s top Chateauneuf) in Rasteau. Easily one that will drink well and age for 15+ years.