3/2/20 The Cellar Door's 'LOU REED' HotSheet

2017 ALLIMANT-LAUGNER
PINOT BLANC
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

In order to have you drink more wines from Alsace, we are introducing an excellent Pinot Blanc. Domaine Allimant-Laugner dates back to the 1500s with Hubert Laugner being the 11th generation. Located at the southernmost point of Northern Alsace, not far from famed village Bergheim, Hubert produces the entire range of what is available in Alsace.

Dry, crisp and detailed as well possessing lift, dimension and energy that all come from Hubert’s limestone-based soils. Complex, spiced honey and wet-stone aromas surround smoke and red apple tones. In the mouth, the attack is restrained, precise and expansive. The passion for this wine around here is unyielding. We enthusiastically recommend that you try with simply prepared halibut or chicken.

2015 MASTROBERARDINO
TAURASI 'RADICI'
[reg. $59.99]
SPECIAL - $36.99 BTL./$221.94 - SIX PK

Generally regarded as the producer who made the most impact with the Aglianico grape in Campania, Mastroberardino has been an inspiration to not only this region but to all of Italy. The quality level of what this estate has put forth with both their reds and whites cannot be understated. The estate’s Radici Taurasi was the wine that proved that epic, long-lived red wines could have potential and over the years, they have not disappointed. In 1996, the winery’s work was further recognized when the Italian government selected Mastroberardino to manage the preservation of Pompeii’s ancient viticultural techniques at the Villa dei Misteri archaeological site.

100% Aglianico, Taurasi is the highest rated DOCG of Campania and deservedly so because the wines that emerge from these hallowed soils are always profound. Very ageworthy, this wine possesses formidable scents of wild cherry, sea-smoke, licorice, nutmeg, violet and roasted earth that follow into a glorious, rather youthful palate that is lavish yes very structured. The finish is bold with scintillating boysenberry and saline/earth notes that extend for days. One can open a bottle now if you were to decant about an hour in advance and have with something like lamb, but with experience with great Taurasi, these wines often take on a Barolo-like note as they age, so we feel that it will ultimately be best 2023 - 2036.

2015 CIACCI PICCOLOMINI D'ARGONA
TOSCANA ROSSO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

From one of my favorite Brunello producers comes this terrific blend of primarily Sangiovese along with kisses of Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot all emerging from fruit that comes from Montlacino.

Aged in old Slavonian botti for the Sangiovese and smaller barrels for the international varietals, this plump juicy wine is teeming with cherry and berry fruit. Undertones of sage and tobacco play nicely off allspice and cocoa notes that leap from the glass and carry over into a texture that is fleshy, savory and sumptuous in the mouth with plenty of lift, depth and personality. From top-to-bottom and front-to-back, one can really see why Ciacci is one of the greatest makers in all of Brunello, Tuscany and Italy. Have this Baby Super-Tuscan over the next 2-3 years with tomato-based pastas, roasted pork or grilled vegetables. If you love yummy red wine and Tuscany, you will not want to miss this delectable drinker.

2016 ANDRE AUBERT
GRIGNAN-LES-ADHEMER ROUGE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

In order to disassociate themselves from the neighborhood nuclear power plant, the Rhone region of Grignan-Les Adhemer was formerly known as Coteaux-de-Tricastin and even before the name change it was still one of the Southern Rhone's most obscure regions. Located in the northernmost stretches of the southern portion of the Rhone Valley, often is the case, good-sized dollops of Syrah are in these blends that play so nicely off the racy Grenache that is characteristic of this area.

40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 20% Carignan this flavorful red is unpretentious and easy going with lots of strawberry fruit, black pepper, and a smooth, stylish texture that pleasantly lingers throughout. Enjoy this delicious French red with every evening fare like burgers, a simple pasta marinara or sausages.

2017 LAVRADORES DE FIETORIA
DOURO TINTO
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

When it comes to value-oriented red wines, Portugal seemingly is a thrift store of goodness.

The red is blended with 20% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Barroca, 25% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and 5% of other local varietals. Flavorful and enticing with cinnamon laced cherry, dark chocolate and roasted earth. Mouth filling with Eastern spices and licorice elements all in beautiful harmony. Have this well-made juice with marinated beef dishes with lots of garlic and spices, or paella.

2015 MARQUES DE MURIETTA
RIOJA RESERVA
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

The Rioja Revolution is not being televised; it is live and direct at The Cellar Door. When it comes to Spanish wines, there is nothing better than authentic Rioja. Over the years, and for many reasons, it has become a pity that too many Rioja have been losing their Spanish accents. Many of the wines have taken on a more international tone. We prefer the wines that have been inspired by Lopez de Heredia or Muga's Prado Enea versus those who make Rioja wines that taste as though they come from Napa or Walla Walla rather than Spain.

Fortunately, there remain great bastions of authenticity and one of the grand old-school producers is Marques de Murietta. This Rioja is so old school that it will make you want to give up the photocopier and the mimeograph to produce dittoes. Mocha-spiked dried strawberries teem from the glass with Moroccan spices; leather and roasted earth are along for the ride. Captivating, majestic, mouth-filling, very smooth and gaining complexity as it unfolds in the glass. Lots of movement throughout as well as a drawn-out, silky finish with slight peppery tones make this a compelling wine for 20 bucks. Drink it over the next decade with roasted pork or lamb. If it means anything to you, this wine came in at #40 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 for 2019.

2017 NOVELTY HILL MERLOT
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Mike Januik, one of Washington’s legendary vintners, makes Novelty Hill wines and the beautiful thing about them is the pricing. Through all of the accolades, these wines remain killer values and while not the quality of many with significantly higher prices, they do represent real wines that aren’t from purchased bulk juice and with a cute name slapped on top the label.

Suave and very handsome, this merlot exudes incredible class. Lush raspberry, violet, coffee and subtle Bordeaux-inspired mineral notes carry over into a smooth, generous and forward texture that is both easy-going and deep. Nicely drawn-out with building spiced-earth notes on the finish. Yet another fabulous Novelty Hill selection for the money - drink it now through 2025.

2018 LINGUA FRANCA PINOT NOIR
EOLA-AMITY ESTATE
$44.99 BTL./$269.94 - SIX PACK

One of the exciting arrivals into the Oregon wine scene is the emergence of Lingua Franca. Founded and operated by Larry Stone (Master Sommelier), David Honig and the legendary Meursault maestro Dominque Lafon, and along with winemaker Thomas Savre, this estate is nothing but the truth. Oregon is in a perfect storm of great vintages with 2017 and 2018. There are some similarities but more differences, especially as they both will cellar very well.

All from the estate site, this Pinot walks the line with a fabulous core of fruit as well as having detail, finesse and plenty of savory, smoky qualities. Delivering grace and regal depth of fruit all conjuring up harmonious notes of strawberry, licorice, white pepper and cocoa-dust, this wine is quite the seductress. Texturally this offering is concentrated and persistent with plenty of dark tones up front that fan out into a vivid, suave and rich finish. This is top-notch, obsessive farming and winemaking at its pinnacle and while this wine has immense accessibility, there is even more potential lurking, which will undoubtedly unfold with a few years of cellaring. Drink through 2029+.

FRIDAY SIPS

Introducing New Rhone Wines from Crous Saint-Martin

FEATURED CROUS ST-MARTIN WINES:

2017 Crous St-Martin Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2016 Crous St-Martin Gigondas 'Les Espaliers'
2016 Crous St-Martin Vacqueyras "Les Volutes'
2017 Crous St-Martin Cairanne 'Goupilles'