9/9/19 The Cellar Door's 'PAIRED UP' HotSheet


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'PAIRED UP' HOTSHEET
94 pt. Oregon Pinot, Burgundy, France Bistro, Sardinia & more



French Bistro Wines
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2016 COURBISSAC MINERVOIS
'LES TRAVERSES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

This is one such example of a Languedoc wine that I have been shouting about over the last several years. Many of the same grapes used here are in the Rhone Valley but undiscovered terroirs are to the forefront, we now know that these wines are very different due to this area of Languedoc having different soils, elevation and vastly different temperatures and surroundings. Beloved Minervois has taken on newfound popularity with wine geeks due to its rising qualities in the bottle.

Made from almost equal portions of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Offering up ambrosial scents of strawberry, black licorice, some plum and smoked meat with depth but cooler, elevated freshness so never to be cloying or boozy. Penetrating and elaborate in the mouth with layers of flavor and refinement, excellent body in the middle and back with an uncommonly long, dark finish that is decidedly marked with cracked black pepper notations. Enjoy this superb French wine over the next few years, especially with hearty stews, perhaps laced with olive.



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2016 FORGUES TOURIANE GAMAY
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

The story behind Valerie Forgues and her wines is one that brings a smile but is also one that is very unexpected...and too long to have on a weekly sheet! Over time, she has experienced ups and downs in the business but somehow became Daniel-san with the legendary Miyagi-san of the Loire Valley, the now retired Didier Barrouillet of Clos Roche Blanche. Didier helped to guide her along, sometimes with tough love arguments, to convert farming to organics, hand harvest and ultimately make wines that achieve beautiful sense of place.

A fresh, quaffable, but cerebral Loire red made from 100% Gamay grapes there tends to me of a botanical aspect than the Gamay from Beaujolais. Raspberry, sandalwood, pronounced jasmine and pepper roll from the glass. More spicy-earth aromas come on as it opens (we recommend using a Riedel Pinot Noir glass.) Ardent and fruit-driven with plenty of soulful, mineral tones which bring brightness to the sumptuous finish.



Keine Angst - Austria Red & White
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2017 JURSTSCHITSCH GRUNER VELTLINER
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Grüner Veltliner is always a wine that intrigues and pleases at the same time that one investigates a bottle. One must remember that even though there is a commonality of language, Austrian wines differ quite a bit from their German neighbors. More often than not, and especially Grüner Veltliner, these wines are fermented dry and have a fuller presence about them, yet with no shortage of zest or mineral. Jurtschitsch is a producer who has followed suit with the youth movement in Austria that caused this nation to excel with their wines on all levels.

From the Langenlois region, this Gruner is generous with mineral soaked lemon-lime and peach aromas and flavors; the mineral intensity turns to a crisp and fresh mouth-feel that instantly coats and cleanses and simply doesn't quit. We love this and if you like fresh, intense and nervy wines, you will too. A superb effort to enjoy for this last blast of summer, try this delicious Grüner with everything from salad, artichokes, grilled asparagus to grilled pork chops with a fruit preparation.



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2016 HEINRICH BURGENLAND RED
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Now we did say Austria, hence you had to know that a curveball was coming. Located in the ESE area of Austria, the Burgenland region is more known for its red wines than white wines. Highly respected, very inspirational and innovative, this estate was one of the ones to put Austrian red wines on the map.

The Burgenland Red is a scrumptious blend of 80% Zweigelt (a cross between Blaufrankish and St-Laurent, a native varietal linked to Pinot Noir), 15% Blaufrankisch and 5% St. Laurent. Bursting, medium-bodied and promiscuous, this slammable juice is chock full of cranberry and blueberry notes along with the aphrodisiac-like scent of the hard top of a crème brulée that has just been cracked with the spoon. All about unabated pleasure enjoy this versatile, sumptuous red with a piping bowl of pasta, fried chicken, tacos, grilled steak, etc.



Oregon Wines From Belle Pente
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2015 BELLE PENTE PINOT NOIR
'BELLE PENTE ESTATE VINEYARD'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

One of the most underrated Oregon producers, Brian O'Donnell is an established, humble, quiet superstar in Oregon whose wines we absolutely believe in. This Yamhill-Carlton estate makes wines that are over-the-top and phenomenal for the price point, especially given all of the newbie, many dollar Oregon versions out there. Finally, these wines are starting to get some attention as evidenced by the big review from Vinous.

‘Shimmering red. Powerful aromas of fresh red berries, cherry pit, blood orange and minerals, with a touch of licorice adding depth. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering densely packed black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that put on weight and pick up a spicy topnote with air. Shows very good breadth and seamless texture, finishing with impressive clarity, harmonious tannins and a lingering red fruit preserve quality. – 94 POINTS, VINOUS



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2016 BELLE PENTE DRY MUSCAT
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Une Bombe Aromatique! Do not be led astray by your stereotypical thoughts about Muscat because this Oregon beauty takes its cue from the noble varietal in Alsace. Like that region’s versions, Belle Pente’s is never sweet and in fact is drier than most Chardonnays!

This is an exciting wine instantly as it is poured into the glass! Raging full-on aromas of apricot, passionfruit, white pepper and prominent mineral. In the mouth, it is bone dry, packed with lots of velvety elegance. The finish seemingly has fresh, magical, apple-acidity and goes and goes and goes. Want a wine that works exquisitely with green vegetables? Then this is your choice…and it is almost obligatory to drink with asparagus. It also pairs nicely with crab, mussels, or curries.



Two Reds From Sardinia
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2014 SELLA & MOSCA 'TANCA FARRA'
ALGHERO ROSSO
$23.99 BTL./$143.94 - SIX PACK

In a roundabout way, Sella & Mosca are somewhat responsible for saving the world’s wine industry. Originally founded in 1899, two savvy Piemontese businessmen used their sandy soils as a virtual nursery to plant new phyloxerra resistant rootstock for grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon that inevitably made their way to Bordeaux and other regions. After phyloxerra became a non-entity, Sella & Mosca went into business to make wine for themselves utilizing Cabernet and other French varietals which have long been in existence here well before Tuscany and other regions which have capitalized on the Cab phenomenon.

Tanca Farra is an excellent offering from Sardinia’s Alghero DOC that is a blend of 50% Cannonau and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Assertive and individual, very authentic aromas of black cherry, orange-pekoe, sea breeze, cracked pepper, wind-swept herbs are buffered by rosemary and licorice. Loads of depth, density, broadness, and earth and dark spices fill the mouth, follow through to a finish that is well sculpted, drawn out, and tiptoes between balance, finesse and underlying power.



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2015 SELLA & MOSCA
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Brought to Sardinia by the Moors, the spiritual grape of the island is Cannonau, more commonly known as Grenache. The bouquet here is full and is typical of its varietal character with grenadine, pepper and some smoked meat tones that carry over into the exotic, hearty texture. Although it is Italian, in all actuality, it is more like combining the best traits of Spain, Italy and Southern France and combining it into a Sardinian package. Enjoy this perennial best buy that receives impressive accolades with pizza or smoked meat dishes.



Red & White Burgundy
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2016 PERNOT-BELICARD
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

The name Pernot in Puligny-Montrachet is quite an excellent one. Philippe Pernot is the son of the legendary Paul Pernot. To this day he continues to work at his father’s Domaine, however, he and his wife also make wine from her family’s plots under the Pernot-Belicard label that range from this moonsaulting Bourgogne all the way up to a stellar Meursault-Perrieres.

From just below the Puligny limitation and above the Route National in a very respectable neighborhood, this is essence of Cote D’Or white Burgundy. Sophistication and harmony in the bottle and glass, this is a superior version of Bourgogne Blanc. Floral notes with orange, mineral, rosemary and anise lead into a wiry, nervy texture that has all of the weight and richness that the low-yielding 2016 white Burg vintage has to offer. A linear, complex and lengthy finish makes this a great wine for matching up with sole or halibut in rich sauces. Drink over the next 4-5 years.



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2016 JUILLOT MERCUREY ROUGE
'LES VIGNES DE MAILLONGES'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

Drive 30 minutes south of Beaune and you’ll arrive at the growing region of Mercurey. Cool name aside, this area has had appellation status for as long as the Cote D’Or. Taking its name after the namesake Roman god who also represented trade, this name is apropos because Mercurey lies on the Agrippa Road between Chalon-sur-Saone and the famed Roman village of Autun. A red Burgundy for 30 bucks that is good? That will undoubtedly be the question that is asked of us regarding this wine. We will simply retort a resounding "yes" as our answer. Laurent Juillot is one of the superb producers of Burgundy that you have not heard of. Based in the Côte Chalonnais, the Domaine specializes in Mercurey wines, but also has holdings in Rully as well as Corton Charlemagne and Corton Rouge.

This cuvee is from vines planted in 1958 and 1982, aged in 15% of new oak and is about Burgundy’s purity of Pinot Noir. Steely red berry fruit is submerged by spiced earth, sanguine and mineral at this moment. There is plenty of depth and personality here, but it needs another 2-3 years to emerge. In the mouth, the silk and subtlety are present. The finish is gripping and structured, but is nicely supported by red fruit and detail of origin. Lots of freshness, we recommend holding on to this one until the end of 2021 then drink though 2029.




FRIDAY SIPS

White Burgundy & Red Rhone

This Friday Sept. 13 from 1:30 - 6:30

Drop by this Friday to taste some favorites from two of our go-to regions. Included will be the new release of Charvin’s Cotes-du-Rhone as well as the return of the Vessigaud Macon-Fuisse.

FEATURED WINES:

2017 Charvin Cotes-du-Rhone ‘Le Poutet’
2017 Petite Galet Cotes-du-Rhone
2016 Grossot Chablis Premier Cru ‘Vaucopins
2017 Vessigaud Macon-Fuisse ‘Les Haut de Fuisse’
No Friday Sips next Friday September 20