8/13/19 The Cellar Door's 'DECANTATIONS' HotSheet

2018 PRA SOAVE CLASSICO 'OTTO'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

In any given growing region, there are always producers who will stand out and Italy’s famed Soave region is no different. Think of it as Soave MMA and without any doubt these days, the current titleholder is Pra. Graziano Pra started his estate in the 1980s and in no time became a force. Lately we have been seeing nothing but excellence and we are excited to offer the new 2018 Otto.

Otto is named after Graziano’s Border collie and is made from 100% Garganega from 30-60 year old vines. This is a white wine that I really dislike referring to as a mere entry wine because it has plenty of spine and doesn’t fold up its tent after a year in the bottle. Gorgeous aromatics seduce with notes of mineral, lemon, and white flowers. Bone dry, excruciatingly refreshing powdery citrus scents shine and not to mention even more mineral and a touch of mushroom and earth lingering beneath the surface. Very complex, and just plain fun to drink, this is one of our absolute favorite Italian white wines and it has enough substance to pair with salmon as well as being one of the ultimate white wines for fresh mussels.

2017 LA TERRIERE BROUILLY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Since taking leadership of his family’s estate, Gregory Barbet and Chateau de la Terriere have been on quite a roll. This estate produces fabulous wines in Moulin-A-Vent as well as Regnie but if there is a specialty of the house, it would have to be Brouilly. 2017 for Cru Beaujolais is a small quantity but epic quality vintage that possesses broad fruit that is balanced by detail, mineral and ample structure.

Supreme sensuality is evident as soon as the wine is poured into the glass. Creamy raspberry fruit shines along with nutmeg and graham from the granitic soils. As it unfurls, mineral, peat and pepper arrive. A very mouth filling, chewy core that is very poised and succulent with engaging red earth on the layered, lifting, long finish. Beautiful now but will develop well for another six-7 years.

2018 GOODFELLOW PINOT GRIS
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Every now and again, one forgets things. Like me heading to the coast and leaving my wine bag on the table. Getting to Tigard and not wanting to drive back nor drink Safeway Swill, I made a call to Marcus Goodfellow and picked some bottles up including this new release.

Coming in at 12.5% alcohol, this Gris is so electric that it’ll make you want groove your ass but good! Marcus Goodfellow's magical touch has appeared and his new 2018 is quasi-inspired by old-school Alsace and seemingly Alto Adige but never leaves its Oregon roots. A bevy of fresh citrus flavors flow from the glass - tangerine, lime and lemongrass lead into a crisp, smoky palate that is at once mouth filling and quenching but also showing old vine richness all while maintaining poise and a dry personality. A fantastic way to begin the festivities on a warm evening with vibrant cheeses or perfect with sole or halibut.

2013 GOODFELLOW PINOT NOIR
WHISTLING RIDGE VINEYARD
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

Here is an excellent treat to see just how well Marcus’s Pinot Noirs age. Given his use of whole cluster (50% in 2013), these wines often require some cellar time however; this wine is starting to reveal its character and personality. A superb site that was planted in 1990 and located in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, Whistling Ridge takes its name from the persistent summer winds that arrive every afternoon and evening.

2013 is a very underrated vintage from the state’s top producers, Marcus rocked it in 2013 and made an exquisite, sultry Pinot Noir that at age six, is really hitting its stride and doing what a slightly mature Pinot does, seduces and makes one think. The color here is pure and non-manipulated meaning that it is red versus something that is an opaque purple. Aromatics of plum, rhubarb, violet, mushroom and enhanced nicely by turned earth/cinnamon tones give way to a complex texture that crawls around and covers the palate in a sensuous manner. Drawn out and complex, one sees why Goodfellow's wines always age so handsomely. Grab a nice soft-ripened cheese and enjoy. One can also continue to age this and see more development for another decade.

2017 CASA CASTILLO JUMILLA
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

These days, Spain’s wine producers are less reliant on what journalist likes what style and we are seeing either small, emerging producers or established, over-oaked ones reimagining the wines. Forging a new path, producers like Casa Castillo are making wines that reflect the soils. The Sanchez-Cerezo family owns Casa Castillo and 20 years ago one needed tweezers to pull the splinters out of your tongue from all of the oak being utilized. These days the wines are so different and are magical with food.

The 2017 Jumilla Monastrell is a fantastic best buy that has strong varietal character as well as Spanish spirit. 100% Monastrell (Mourvedre) and packed with blackberry, iron, tea-leaf and scorched earth it is in the mouth an assertive red that has bold fruit then gains brightness and firmness in the back. This super little drinker should be consumed over the next 12-18 months with hearty dishes.

2017 ZUCCARDI MALBEC
MENDOZA 'SERIE A'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE

Prototype Malbec, this is what everyone visions when drinking Malbec from Argentina. It does not hurt that it is from one of their superb producers as well.

Plum and raspberry tones surround spice and pepper follow into a texture that is solid, ripe, meaty and firm. The finish is deceptively long and finely tuned. Another monster slam-dunk from Zuccardi. Delicious with just about any red meat dish, pizza or tomato-based pastas.

2004 PETTERINO GATTINARA
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

The Italian region of Piedmont, which is famous for Barolo and Barbaresco, also extends well north of these famous areas and regions like Gattinara have been producing wines for centuries. Recently the producers in this area (as well as Ghemme, Faro & Lessona) have really upped the ante on their quality and primetime Nebbiolo wines are sprouting up and not only do they represent excellent price/quality rapport, they can age quite well, too. Situated between Barolo and the Swiss border, the soils and overall terroir for Gattinara are significantly different being a combination of volcanic rock along with iron-rich gravel.

Petterino is a tiny producer who typically releases their wines later than most. As is evidenced in the rest of Piedmont, 2004 is structured, stupendous and drinking very well. A beautiful, secondary, antique nose with a mountain of camphor and mint. Dried flowers, prominent steely mineral tones with a generous, ripe core that has evolved beautifully and really excels in its frame of acidity and integrated tannins. Wiry, fine, smoothed out and full of Nebbiolo character, this wine is drinking perfectly now and over the next 5-6 years. Pair it with a slow braised beef or lamb and an eruption is bound to take place.

2007 PETTERINO GATTINARA RISERVA
$41.99 BTL./$503.88 CASE

The Riserva version is another step up and a slightly warmer vintage like 2007 can favor the Northern Piemonte areas.

Chocolate, licorice, mint, pekoe, mushroom and underlying rose petal. Develops more fragrance and allure as it opens. Assertiveness is still prominent but the depth of fruit from these older sites take hold. This can still age but is also very formidable now. Something very special for any Nebbiolo fiend. One can serve risotto with braised beef, osso buco or a pan-seared steak with mushrooms. A wonderful chance to enjoy an older, complex Piedmont wine, if you love them, do not miss these.

FRIDAY SIPS

Burger Wines

FEATURED WINES:

2017 Cabasse Seguret Cotes-du-Rhone Villages ‘Garnacho’
2016 Foxglove Zinfandel Paso Robles
2015 Veronica Ortega Bierzo ‘Quite’
2015 Haut-Rian Cotes-de-Bordeaux Rouge ‘Saint-Seurin’