9/16/19 The Cellar Door's 'GOOD TIMES ROLL' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'GOOD TIMES ROLL' HOTSHEET
Piedmont Values, 91 pt. Cab, Ridge, Beaune & Operating Hours while Bryan is in Pittsburgh
2017 SUBSTANCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Simply put, your 15 bucks that you will spend on a Washington Cab will never reach further heights than this particular offering.
‘Precise and vibrantly structured, with black cherry, espresso and spice flavors that take on richness toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2024. – 91 POINTS – THE WINE SPECTATOR’
‘Precise and vibrantly structured, with black cherry, espresso and spice flavors that take on richness toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2024. – 91 POINTS – THE WINE SPECTATOR’
2016 CARLONE CROATINA
COLLINE NOVARESI
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
COLLINE NOVARESI
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
One of the most compelling wines that I was able to sample last week is this selection from Northern Piedmont. Davide Carlone’s land is within the Boca region, which is about halfway between Barolo and Barbaresco and the Swiss border. Not only is Nebbiolo present here (Boca) but Croatina, also known as Bonarda, is also present and Davide’s version is from 80-100+ year old vines and is one of the finest versions that I have ever sampled.
An illuminating red that is like the neon lights outside of an Amsterdam "tart" shop. Warm, sultry and bursting with strawberry and licorice. Deft, light-on-its-feet yet properly hearty and flavorful from the instant that it is placed in the mouth all the way to the savory, succulent finish. A groovy kind of wine that will take you on a fantastic voyage and is all about the old vines as well as the earth. Enjoy this over the next 3-4 years with pasta done with meat sauces.
An illuminating red that is like the neon lights outside of an Amsterdam "tart" shop. Warm, sultry and bursting with strawberry and licorice. Deft, light-on-its-feet yet properly hearty and flavorful from the instant that it is placed in the mouth all the way to the savory, succulent finish. A groovy kind of wine that will take you on a fantastic voyage and is all about the old vines as well as the earth. Enjoy this over the next 3-4 years with pasta done with meat sauces.
2017 VON WINNING RIESLING
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Riesling may be produced into various levels of dryness ranging from eye-watering, bone-dry, blitzing wines all the way up to some of the grandest dessert wines in the world. The Pfalz region is an extension of Alsace's Vosges Mountains and is one of Germany's warmest and sunniest, hence drier wines are produced here. Von Winning is one of the fine producers and there is always something exciting emerging from this estate.
The 2017 ‘Winnings’ Riesling is one that is a prototype to pair with spicy cuisine. Not to dry, not too sweet it bursts with peach-oil, lilies and satsuma on the nose the following through to a texture that maintains delicacy and a strong sense of mouth-watering briskness. At 11.5° alcohol, it is refreshing, inviting and marries up with sausages, Thai or Vietnamese cuisine.
The 2017 ‘Winnings’ Riesling is one that is a prototype to pair with spicy cuisine. Not to dry, not too sweet it bursts with peach-oil, lilies and satsuma on the nose the following through to a texture that maintains delicacy and a strong sense of mouth-watering briskness. At 11.5° alcohol, it is refreshing, inviting and marries up with sausages, Thai or Vietnamese cuisine.
2017 YOHAN LARDY
MOULIN-A-VENT 'MICHELONS'
$19.99 btl/$239.88 case
MOULIN-A-VENT 'MICHELONS'
$19.99 btl/$239.88 case
Yohan Lardy is the son of legendary Beaujolais vintner Lucien Lardy and these days is one of the trendiest producers in France. Initially the Les Michelons lieu dit in the Cru of Moulin-A-Vent was the first that Johan had. Since then he has grown and makes wine from Fleurie and Chenas as well.
From a prized section of Moulin-A-Vent, this 4-acre parcel comes from vines planted in 1950 and 1911. A burst of violet, rose, deep and dark juicy red and blue berry, cinnamon stick, and prevailing spicy/minerally/stony aromas roll from the glass and follow through to a texture that is both penetrating and airy. Try with everything from roasted poultry, pan-seared sirloin steak, salmon, or a charcuterie plate. Even though we aren't thinking about it right now, this will be excellent with Thanksgiving dinner. If this entices you now, order some because it will be long gone by T-Day. Drink over the next 10-12 years.
From a prized section of Moulin-A-Vent, this 4-acre parcel comes from vines planted in 1950 and 1911. A burst of violet, rose, deep and dark juicy red and blue berry, cinnamon stick, and prevailing spicy/minerally/stony aromas roll from the glass and follow through to a texture that is both penetrating and airy. Try with everything from roasted poultry, pan-seared sirloin steak, salmon, or a charcuterie plate. Even though we aren't thinking about it right now, this will be excellent with Thanksgiving dinner. If this entices you now, order some because it will be long gone by T-Day. Drink over the next 10-12 years.
2017 ESPELT GARNACHA
'OLD VINES' EMPORDA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'OLD VINES' EMPORDA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From Catalonia's Emporda region, a stone's throw from the French border on the Mediterranean, Espelt is a producer who fashions super wines that put forth an abundance of bang for the buck.
The color here stands out like a blackberry stain on white linen! Sustained, generous scents of black cherry quickly jump into licorice and cocoa tones with engaging nuances of cracked pepper and roasted earth. The attack is round, concentrated and luscious with tannins that are delicate and smooth. Everything highlights the fruit, which follows up with a long finish. Demonstrative of the entire Espelt philosophy and personality, this very expressive wine is a harmonious reflection of authenticity and fruit. Ideal with a mushroom tart as well as braised short ribs.
The color here stands out like a blackberry stain on white linen! Sustained, generous scents of black cherry quickly jump into licorice and cocoa tones with engaging nuances of cracked pepper and roasted earth. The attack is round, concentrated and luscious with tannins that are delicate and smooth. Everything highlights the fruit, which follows up with a long finish. Demonstrative of the entire Espelt philosophy and personality, this very expressive wine is a harmonious reflection of authenticity and fruit. Ideal with a mushroom tart as well as braised short ribs.
2013 RAPALINO NEBBIOLO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Located in the famed Barolo village of Monforte D’Alba, Rapalino is known there as well as the rest of the world as Poderi Gallo. In America, because of some large assclown producer who specializes in wine that is somewhat indestructible and more akin to sewage, the family decided against a fight against a bully and just labeled them with their name. I digress...on to the wine.
This producer is one of the very traditional producers in Piedmont and this wine comes from the top Monforte vineyard of Pianromualdo. 2013 is a cool and classic vintage and this wine is showing itself very well now. Aromatic, complex and a complete over-achiever, this 100% Nebbiolo demands respect and adulation from the first moment it is poured. Licorice-laden, nice floral tones, chinato-herbs and very steely, it is linear, wiry and textbook with upscale depth and material all without ever being ponderous. True character and finesse shine on the packed, persistent finish. Very drinkable now so go and get some chanterelles and pasta.
This producer is one of the very traditional producers in Piedmont and this wine comes from the top Monforte vineyard of Pianromualdo. 2013 is a cool and classic vintage and this wine is showing itself very well now. Aromatic, complex and a complete over-achiever, this 100% Nebbiolo demands respect and adulation from the first moment it is poured. Licorice-laden, nice floral tones, chinato-herbs and very steely, it is linear, wiry and textbook with upscale depth and material all without ever being ponderous. True character and finesse shine on the packed, persistent finish. Very drinkable now so go and get some chanterelles and pasta.
2017 RIDGE PETITE SIRAH
LYTTON ESTATE
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
LYTTON ESTATE
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
This is Pure Wine Fury and is a selection we do not get to offer to the entire list all too often. From 1972 through 1992, Ridge produced a Petite Sirah that had become quite talked about by fans who have long followed this famed California producer. In 2009, it re-emerged with plenty of gusto and we are proud to have it alongside their hallowed Zinfandel blends.
2017 is 94% Petite Sirah, 6% Zinfandel and is varietally strong in all facets. Ballsy might be the best description here. Packed, stacked, lots of black fruits, brambly herbs and spice, olive, licorice and underlying minerally tones. Mouth filling, savory, ample fruit and plenty of vibrancy keeps it in balance. Drawn-out, peppery and very lingering, enjoy it over the next 10-15 years.
2017 is 94% Petite Sirah, 6% Zinfandel and is varietally strong in all facets. Ballsy might be the best description here. Packed, stacked, lots of black fruits, brambly herbs and spice, olive, licorice and underlying minerally tones. Mouth filling, savory, ample fruit and plenty of vibrancy keeps it in balance. Drawn-out, peppery and very lingering, enjoy it over the next 10-15 years.
2016 PILLOT BEAUNE PREMIER CRU
'LES BOUCHEROTTES'
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
'LES BOUCHEROTTES'
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
hrough marriage, Laurent Pillot scored red wine vineyards from several grand villages within the Cotes-de-Beaune. Boucherottes is a Premier Cru vineyard in southern portion of the Beaune appellation and a stone’s throw from, Pommard. This beautiful parcel planted between 1966 and 1996 presents a terroir that is warm and plush, on a slightly stony, brown limestone soil adjacent to the Pommard 'Boucherottes' Premier Cru.
2016 is a magical red Burgundy vintage and this is a steal for fifty bucks. 1.13 acres. 20 and 50 year old vines. Shows the finesse, depth and structure of the vintage very well. Roses, pepper, mineral, touches of vanilla and nutmeg waft from the glass with very attractive attributes that are pretty much non-stop. This will develop even more nuance as it ages. Immense expansion clamps down and shows its infancy. Gains grip and spine on the finish. Quite lengthy and chocolatey, which is typical of this site. Leave this one in the cellar until 2022 and enjoy through 2030.
2016 is a magical red Burgundy vintage and this is a steal for fifty bucks. 1.13 acres. 20 and 50 year old vines. Shows the finesse, depth and structure of the vintage very well. Roses, pepper, mineral, touches of vanilla and nutmeg waft from the glass with very attractive attributes that are pretty much non-stop. This will develop even more nuance as it ages. Immense expansion clamps down and shows its infancy. Gains grip and spine on the finish. Quite lengthy and chocolatey, which is typical of this site. Leave this one in the cellar until 2022 and enjoy through 2030.
Operating hours while Bryan is in Pittsburgh
*No Friday Sips this week
*Mon., Tues., Wed. - normal hours
*Thurs. & Fri. Sept. 19 and 20 – open 12:00 – 3:30 for pickups only
*Monday September 23 – closed
*Tuesday September 24 - open at 1:00 PM
Friday Sips will return on September 27
*No Friday Sips this week
*Mon., Tues., Wed. - normal hours
*Thurs. & Fri. Sept. 19 and 20 – open 12:00 – 3:30 for pickups only
*Monday September 23 – closed
*Tuesday September 24 - open at 1:00 PM
Friday Sips will return on September 27
