5/26/20 The Cellar Door's 'Pink & Red' HotSheet
The Cellar Door's 'Pink & Red' HotSheet
Six Scintillating Dry Rose Wines, Four red wines including Chateauneuf-du-Pape & Walla Walla Red
2019 CHARVIN COTES-DU-RHONE ROSE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Rose from a Chateuneuf-du-Pape maestro and in our world, is lovingly referred to as the Cadillac of Cotes-du-Rhone Rose wines.
I tasted this rose recently and was knocked over, as is often the norm for this wine. Pale pink color, all directly pressed after two hours of skin contact. Very provencal herb scents, particularly lavender and fenoueil along with hawthorn, rose and cherry pit. Livewire zip, plenty of material that fills the mouth. Scintillating and succulent on the finish, this rose seemingly lasts for an hour on the finish. Will be one of the selections of the summer. Well, at least while I have some, it is very limited!
I tasted this rose recently and was knocked over, as is often the norm for this wine. Pale pink color, all directly pressed after two hours of skin contact. Very provencal herb scents, particularly lavender and fenoueil along with hawthorn, rose and cherry pit. Livewire zip, plenty of material that fills the mouth. Scintillating and succulent on the finish, this rose seemingly lasts for an hour on the finish. Will be one of the selections of the summer. Well, at least while I have some, it is very limited!
2019 PLOUZEAU CHINON ROSE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Started in 1976 by Pierre Plouzeau, this famed Chinon estate is now run by his son Marc since 1999. Over time, the estate has grown and Marc has taken his venerable family estate to a new level of excellence and has quickly gained international recognition.
100% Cabernet Franc, the Plouzeau Chinon Rosé is made with half directly pressed grapes and the other half with a 12-hour skin maceration all together showing bright and crunchy strawberry fruit with a long, succulent finish. It is a versatile and very brisk wine that drinks well on its own, or with charcuterie, goat cheese, fish, and fowl dishes. One of the finest dry rosé values of the season.
100% Cabernet Franc, the Plouzeau Chinon Rosé is made with half directly pressed grapes and the other half with a 12-hour skin maceration all together showing bright and crunchy strawberry fruit with a long, succulent finish. It is a versatile and very brisk wine that drinks well on its own, or with charcuterie, goat cheese, fish, and fowl dishes. One of the finest dry rosé values of the season.
2019 MANISSY TAVEL ROSE
'LES LYS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'LES LYS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Tavel is not red, white or Rose - Tavel is Tavel! Limestone soils drive these wines and while they have big color and body, they always maintain energetic presence and an underbelly of illuminating briskness. Florian Andre of Chateau Manissy is one of the region’s superb producers and when he approached the religious order who owned this property, the monks were impressed with his philosophy and after years of turning down other offers, invited Florian to do the wines.
The wines of Tavel are not sit on the porch and 'watch life stroll by' wines; they are very food-friendly and quite serious. Friendly and lovely in the initial year, they are often even better in the second and third year after vintage date. The 2019 Tavel Cuvee des Lys reveals raging aromatic red berry, wind-swept herbs, mandarin and plenty of floral aromas shout out for you to take a big swig. Completely dry, generous and mouth filling, but so invigorating, zesty and bursting from front to back. Brilliant ripeness, but brilliantly balanced, this Rose is a winner that will stand up to grilled white meats, denser fish, tomato-based pasta dishes as well as spicy Asian cuisine.
The wines of Tavel are not sit on the porch and 'watch life stroll by' wines; they are very food-friendly and quite serious. Friendly and lovely in the initial year, they are often even better in the second and third year after vintage date. The 2019 Tavel Cuvee des Lys reveals raging aromatic red berry, wind-swept herbs, mandarin and plenty of floral aromas shout out for you to take a big swig. Completely dry, generous and mouth filling, but so invigorating, zesty and bursting from front to back. Brilliant ripeness, but brilliantly balanced, this Rose is a winner that will stand up to grilled white meats, denser fish, tomato-based pasta dishes as well as spicy Asian cuisine.
2019 SAINT-DAMIEN GIGONDAS ROSE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
At the top end of the Provencal Rose category and about as scarce as they come are dry Rose wines from the famed Gigondas region. Saint-Damien is one of the prime producers of the region and they have grapes and land dedicated just for this tiny production Rose that is located in the specific parcel called La Moutte. Just below Pesquier and close to the Ouveze River, this is both a serious yet uplifting Rose.
80% Cinsault from vines planted in 1970 then augmented with 20% Syrah, this wine is a virtual pink kaleidoscope in its hue, aromas and flavors. Commencing with jaunting scents of red plum, strawberry and subtle spice, it inconspicuously morphs into aspects of blood orange, mineral and hints of rosemary. Palate filling, generous and with jolting, brisk acid to bring it together and carry over to the authentic, very dynamic and persistent finish. Drink over the next 2+ years.
80% Cinsault from vines planted in 1970 then augmented with 20% Syrah, this wine is a virtual pink kaleidoscope in its hue, aromas and flavors. Commencing with jaunting scents of red plum, strawberry and subtle spice, it inconspicuously morphs into aspects of blood orange, mineral and hints of rosemary. Palate filling, generous and with jolting, brisk acid to bring it together and carry over to the authentic, very dynamic and persistent finish. Drink over the next 2+ years.
2019 MASI ROSE
'ROSA DEI MASI' VENETO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'ROSA DEI MASI' VENETO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
For the first time ever we are offering legendary Amarone and Valpolicella producer, Masi’s dry pink wine.
Made from 100% Refosco, this is a razor’s edge of a pink wine. Aromatic, very fresh scents of intense raspberry, hawthorn, mineral and fine herbs. In the mouth, it is crisp with a fine core of fruit all rolling nicely to the extending, very luminous finish. Perfect for green veggies like asparagus or broccoli but delicious with shellfish or as a welcoming glass with friends.
Made from 100% Refosco, this is a razor’s edge of a pink wine. Aromatic, very fresh scents of intense raspberry, hawthorn, mineral and fine herbs. In the mouth, it is crisp with a fine core of fruit all rolling nicely to the extending, very luminous finish. Perfect for green veggies like asparagus or broccoli but delicious with shellfish or as a welcoming glass with friends.
2019 LEONE DI CASTRIS ROSE
'FIVE ROSES' PUGLIA
$17.99 BTL.,/$215.88 CASE
'FIVE ROSES' PUGLIA
$17.99 BTL.,/$215.88 CASE
One must remember that although Italy produces Rose from many parts, there are only three traditional areas for Rose – Chiaretto in Lombardy/Veneto, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo and Puglia. With over 60 vintages produced, Leone de Castris is one of the most important and historical estates when it comes to Puglia and all of Southern Italian wines. Over 300 years old, the oldest in Puglia and founded in 1665, Leone de Castris can lay claim to being the first to export Italian Rosé to the US and to utilize and English name.
Made from 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera di Lecce, this crystalline and thirst-quenching Rose always receives numerous accolades. Vintage 2019 is deft, fresh and zingy with plenty of melon, quince, red raspberry and freshly cut herbs. Lots of mouthwatering, gushing flavors engage the entire palate and leave one wanting more! Call it pink-lemonade for adults! Drink it with grilled prawns simply prepared with olive, rock salt and pepper.
Made from 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera di Lecce, this crystalline and thirst-quenching Rose always receives numerous accolades. Vintage 2019 is deft, fresh and zingy with plenty of melon, quince, red raspberry and freshly cut herbs. Lots of mouthwatering, gushing flavors engage the entire palate and leave one wanting more! Call it pink-lemonade for adults! Drink it with grilled prawns simply prepared with olive, rock salt and pepper.
2017 WALLA WALLA VINTNERS
SANGIOVESE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
SANGIOVESE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
One of the pioneering producers in Walla Walla, Walla Walla Vintners estate was only the eighth producer located in his charming town back in the mid-90s. 25 years on, Walla Walla has blossomed to well over 100 and they were one of the first to investigate Italian varietals in the region. These days, Scott Haladay and family now own the property with former Long Shadows assistant Derek Vipond making the wines, this legacy winery is still producing strong wines that deliver great bang for the buck.
2017 is harmonious, lavishly fruit forward and stylish. Nicely intertwined aromas revealing luscious blackberry, sage, subtle vanilla/coffee along with hints of licorice rolling through to the palate that is both smooth and boastful. Polished, generous and having everything just in its right place, then finishing up with long flavors that call you back for another taste! Drink through 2026.
2017 is harmonious, lavishly fruit forward and stylish. Nicely intertwined aromas revealing luscious blackberry, sage, subtle vanilla/coffee along with hints of licorice rolling through to the palate that is both smooth and boastful. Polished, generous and having everything just in its right place, then finishing up with long flavors that call you back for another taste! Drink through 2026.
2018 SIERRA NORTE
BOBAL-TEMPRANILLO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
BOBAL-TEMPRANILLO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
From just outside Valencia, this Spanish blend of the local Bobal grape (65%) combined with a big splash of Tempranillo is quite the head turner for 10 bucks.
Organically farmed and permeated with dark chocolate, Asian spice, red, black and blue berries that coat the mouth with roasted earth and good structure to add a level of intrigue. Utterly enchanting with soulful fare from barbecued ribs to paella.
Organically farmed and permeated with dark chocolate, Asian spice, red, black and blue berries that coat the mouth with roasted earth and good structure to add a level of intrigue. Utterly enchanting with soulful fare from barbecued ribs to paella.
2016 OLIM BAUDA BARBERA D'ASTI
'LE ROCCHETTE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 SIX PACK
'LE ROCCHETTE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 SIX PACK
The Bertollini family who owns Olim Bauda are top-level practitioners of Barbera wines and it is quite a thrill to see these nice folks receive heaps of praise for their wines from top to bottom. Le Rocchette is from the eponymous-named vineyard in Isole d'Asti whose vines were planted in 1950 and instantaneously one can discover that this wine steps it up a level or six from most 20 buck Barbera D'Asti wines.
‘The 2016 Barbera d'Asti Superiore Le Rocchette is a gorgeous example of Barbera from Asti. Floral and savory, with attractive earthy underpinnings, the 2016 offers tons of complexity and nuance in a mid-weight style that is hugely appealing. Sweet dark plum, espresso, licorice, dried herbs and menthol all open up in this super-expressive, understated Barbera from Olim Bauda. – 92 POINTS, VINOUS’
‘The 2016 Barbera d'Asti Superiore Le Rocchette is a gorgeous example of Barbera from Asti. Floral and savory, with attractive earthy underpinnings, the 2016 offers tons of complexity and nuance in a mid-weight style that is hugely appealing. Sweet dark plum, espresso, licorice, dried herbs and menthol all open up in this super-expressive, understated Barbera from Olim Bauda. – 92 POINTS, VINOUS’
2012 DOMAINE DE LA CHARBONNIERE
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
'HAUTES BRUSQUIERES'
SPECIAL - $65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
'HAUTES BRUSQUIERES'
SPECIAL - $65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
Domaine de la Charbonniere is an outstanding Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer that is operated by sisters Veronique and Caroline Maret. Something very cool is to be able to actually find a bottle with a little bit of age on it and see it perform so well. 2012 is somewhat of a forgotten vintage that has turned out very superb. Initially we thought this was fabulous but they were overshadowed by 2010. Now that we are able to look at them at age eight we are seeing the excellence that many of us along with the producers were echoing. This was Veronique and Caroline’s first vintage and they made an instant impact with this wine.
Haut Brusquieres is from a single site just north of the village itself. The prototype big Chateauneuf stones are omni-present but there is an ample amount of clay for good water retention. 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah and from start to finish this wine shares pronounced fraise du bois, roasted plum, kirsch, smoke, mineral, exotic cumin, licorice and game. The wild side of this rich red is a balance found in the mouth with a giving core of pure fruit that is morphing into virtual floral flavors. The expansive and open-knit structure and lingering spice laden finish make this wine something exquisite to put on to the table. Still doing well with grilled foods or tangy sauces but soon it will require things that are slow braised. Enjoy for another decade.
Haut Brusquieres is from a single site just north of the village itself. The prototype big Chateauneuf stones are omni-present but there is an ample amount of clay for good water retention. 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah and from start to finish this wine shares pronounced fraise du bois, roasted plum, kirsch, smoke, mineral, exotic cumin, licorice and game. The wild side of this rich red is a balance found in the mouth with a giving core of pure fruit that is morphing into virtual floral flavors. The expansive and open-knit structure and lingering spice laden finish make this wine something exquisite to put on to the table. Still doing well with grilled foods or tangy sauces but soon it will require things that are slow braised. Enjoy for another decade.
