1/12/21 The Cellar Door's 'IT'S BEEN A WHILE' Hotsheet

2018 COL D'ORCIA 'SPEZIERI' ROSSO
[reg. $19.99]
SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

A superb value wine from a historic and top Brunello di Montalcino producer that is an unabashed Tuscan guzzler. 85% Sangiovese and 15% Ciliegiolo, this wine is like a fine chef blending various spices, both traditional and exotic.

2018 a delicious, very well-balanced vintage in Southern Tuscany and this flavorful number reveals mouth-filling, yet smooth and abundant scents and flavors of wild cherry, cassis, sage and pepper. Lots of character and class, this wine is a great pasta wine. Enjoy it now and enjoy it often.

2016 BUJANDA RIOJA CRIANZA
[reg. $19.99]
SPECIAL - $12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE

It is rare to find a strong Rioja that is simultaneously an excellent representation of its style, a smooth drink and a full-on value. 100% Tempranillo, the 2016 Bujanda Rioja Crianza fits the bill. Pronounced, warm spiced earth surrounds perfumed strawberry. More and more Rioja spice as it opens; there is a nice combination of fine, fleshy fruit aromas and traditional, savory flavors. Lush, classy and forward along with pronounced licorice-whip on the finish. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR 20, DO CARTWHEELS FOR IT FOR 13 BUCKS!

2017 CROUS SAINT-MARTIN
GIGONDAS 'L'ESPALIERS'
$24.99 BTL. - LIMITED!

Crous St-Martin is a Domaine in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and the project itself is from Bastide St-Dominique winemaker Eric Bonnet in collaboration with Rhone guru and importer Harry Bosmans.

From purchased fruit just beneath the Dentelles de Montmirial, one sees Eric Bonnet’s studies in Burgundy shine through on this cuvee that has superb price/quality rapport. 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah & 10% Mourvedre aged in mostly tank with a small potion brought up in used barriques. One of four in a row, 2017 is a superb vintage with extra levels of intensity evident in the complex array of aromas that waft from the glass. Highlighted by herbes-des-provence, white pepper, exotic Thai spice and wild plum, this hauntingly beautiful Gigondas is a stunning balancing act of compact and lacy pure fruits and deceptive, underlying power with a lingering silky finish. Drink it through 2028. Also, 94 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

2017 BALBOA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ARTIST SERIES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Balboa’s Tom Glase is really one of the superb Walla Walla producers that many have not heard of. Having cut his teeth at L’Ecole No. 41, Tom founded the Balboa label over a decade ago. Balboa’s estate Eidolon Vineyard in the Rocks District of Walla Walla sits at slightly higher elevation, which allows Cabernet Sauvignon to perform very well.

The 2017 Cabernet shows the power of the varietal and warmth of the site but being aged in used barrels, the special terroir of these vines comes through with lots of allure. Lushly structured and integrated, this wine shows black cherry, cassis and allspice aromas with flavors of ripe plum and dark chocolate carrying to an earthy, spicy finish. Delicious in its youth but will age nicely for a decade from vintage date.

2015 PECCHENINO BAROLO 'BUSSIA'
[reg. $79.99]
SPECIAL - $59.99 BTL. - LIMITED

Known as masters of Dogliani, brothers Orlando and Attilio Pecchenino dipped their toes in Barolo over a decade ago. They started with limited holdings (Okay, they are still small, there are only 400 cases of this selection prodcued) but have gradually added more in some superb sites. These wines are classic but clean, very stylish and prolific and this offering from the famed Bussia in Monforte d’Alba rocks.

The mighty 2015 is on a killer special price making it a grand steal for Barolo. Decadent and full of arousing Barolo quality, this wine reveals ripe, full-throttle aromas of dark fruit, underbrush, maple and licorice all which permeate throughout. In the mouth, there is penetrating full depth but it is youthfully rambunctious, tight and needing some cellar time to obtain class. If you hold until 2023 then drink through 2032, rewards will certainly come!

2018 TASCA D'ALMRITA GRILLO
$14.99 BTL./$279.88 CASE

A historical Sicilian grape, Grillo, meaning cricket, gained initial notoriety from being the grape of Marsala. Tasca has been making dry wines from Grillo at Tenuta Regaleali for many years and this version is one of the gateway white wines into the world of Sicilian white wines.

Lightning in a bottle, sultry aromas grow and build as the wine sits in the glass. A presence of white flowers, lemongrass, peach and peat aromas with a gentle hint of spice on the tail end. A very distinct and fine palate that is substantial, detailed, wiry and full of electricity. The finish is luxurious, lavish and extends for about 10 miles. Break out the swordfish and do it in a salmoriglio sauce.

2018 INGRID GROISS GEMISCHTER SATZ
AUSTRIA WHITE BLEND
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Ingrid Groiss is a young talent and one who is following her vision and making some of the most intriguing wines that I have recently tasted.

Gemischter Satz roughly translates into ‘mixed set’ and the blend here is a remarkable 16 varietals from 50-year-old vines. Comprised of Pinot Blanc, MUller Thurgau, Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Grauburgunder, Fruhroter Veltliner, Neuburger, Zierfandler, Rotgipfler, Samling, Roter Veltliner, Grauer Voslauer, Hietl Rote, Weisse Voslauer and Silberweisse, this dry white wine is the epitome of spice and mineral all in one bottle. Compelling apricot, mandarin, pine needle and, white pepper, chalk and spice traits, there is marvelous depth that is offset in a most refined and complex way by mineral-driven briskness. Serious scents of wet stone, mint and oyster shell start to shine on the second and third sips. Classy, linear, harmonized and very drawn-out this wine can be enjoyed with a Vietnamese spicy seafood dish to traditional pork and sauerkraut and so many more.

2017 VOGE SAINT-PERAY BLANC
'FLEUR DU CRUSSOL'
[reg. $65.99]
SPECIAL - $44.99 BTL. - 12 btls available

Along with being an icon of Cornas, Domaine Voge is a pioneer of dry St-Peray, a small but excellent appellation south of Cornas and Hermitage dedicated to white and sparkling wines. Fleur du Crussol is the top wine in the lineup of Voge white wines and comes from a single site that is 100% Marsanne and from 80-year-old vines. Alain Voge created this wine in 1999 with the friendly assistance of the late Daniel Denis, sommelier from the Lyon area and an expert representative of Rhone Valley wines. The Crussol mountain range, which gave its name to the wine, is extremely important for the Saint-Peray, because it provides limestone elements essential for making fine white wines.

‘Pale gold. Mineral- spice-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas take on a suave floral nuance with air. Offers incisive, deeply concentrated pear and bitter orange zest flavors that are complicated by suggestions of honeysuckle and smoky lees. The mineral note drives the extremely long, penetrating finish, which hangs on with strong tenacity and lingering floral, citrus fruit notes. - 94 POINTS – VINOUS.’ Drink through 2030+. If you love great White Burgundy or white Chateauneuf, you owe it to yourself to drink this selection!

2019 LEONE DI CASTRIS ROSE
'FIVE ROSES' PUGLIA
[reg. $19.99]
SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

With over 60 vintages produced, Leone de Castris is one of the most important and historical estates when it comes to Puglia, Southern Italy and especially dry pink wines. Leone de Castris can also 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 Rose is delcious the year round. 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.

2018 BATISTELLE SOAVE CLASSICO
'MONTESEI'
$11.99 BTL./$71.94 - SIX PACK

While we adore the Soave stylings of Pra, Gini and Suavia, there is also a plethora of wonderful producers in this zone. Up until 2002, the Dal Bosco family sold their grapes to the local co-op and soon after created Le Battistelle with their many parcels around Brognoligo in Soave.

The Montesei is a playful, dry, very enticing effort that is a hell of a deal. In fact, all three of these are great deals due to the wonders of Pancetta directly importing them and avoiding a national-importer extra layer mark-up. Made from 100% of the Garganega grape, this Soave is from a selection of the estate’s sites possesses rushing spring water like aromas that deliver apple and lime tones with fine mineral. Crisp, forward, invigorating, ripe and imminently slurpable. Drink with hors d’oeuvres, lighter seafood or as an aperitif.