6/7/22 The Cellar Door's 'UN TRUC DE OUF' HotSheet

2018 CLOS ST-ANTONIN COTES-DU-RHONE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Back from three weeks in France. Many stories to tell and much wine to sell (coming soon to a hotsheet near you)!
One of the deals we cut before departure is a new series of wines from the Sabon family of Domaine de la Janasse. Clos St-Antonin is a site located in Jonquieres that was purchased in 2014 and headed up by Isabelle Sabon.

A prototype Rhone blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah & 10% Mourvedre, this wild earth-laden CDR is from 30-50 year old vines and possesses aromatic and flavorful garrigue, raspberry and strawberry notes. Ample roti aspects shine in this stylish, middleweight every evening Cotes-du-Rhone that can be paired very well with so many dishes.

2018 CLOS ST-ANTONIN 'PLAN DE DIEU'
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Elevated to Cotes-du-Rhone Villages status in 2005, Plan de Dieu (God’s plain) has been in the larger shadows of the likes of Rasteau and Cairanne. Don’t be mistaken by thinking it is not of the same quality because names like Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Rayas Fonsalette, Manarine and more are made from this region and it’s only fitting that the Sabon family from Janasse join the party. This is also THE safest bet to be elevated in the future to full appellation status to join brethren like Rasteau, Gigondas and Vacqueyras.

From 60-70 year old vines and a diverse blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre & 20% Syrah, this wine is open for business with complexity and class. Red and black berry tones lead the charge, followed by engaging scents of smoke, pekoe, white pepper and rosemary. Smooth and fanning out over the entire palate, there is an abundance of Rhone soul throughout. Enjoy this with lamb or a slab of barbecued ribs over the next 4-5 years.

2018 FIORENZO NADA BARBARESCO
[reg. $52.99]
SPECIAL - $39.99 BTL./$239.94 - SIX PK

Nothing more needs to be said about the Barbaresco wines from Bruno and winemaker/son Danilo. This may well be the leading estate in the Barbaresco village of Treiso. Especially given their accolades for their single vineyard wines. It is quite a thrill to offer their dynamic entry Barbaresco (made from grapes from Rombone and Manzola vineyards) at a fantastic special price.

Impressive indeed, there is both weight and finesse. Loaded with perfumy aromas of porcini, rose petal and prominent black licorice, which follow into a texture, that is youthful, quite spicy palate filling, structured and very drawn-out. You really want to have this one with food or bury into the cellar. If you want to uncork one, have it with mushrooms or braised meat and do decant. Best 2024 – 2032.

2021 CHATEAU BELLINI
COTEAUX VAR EN PROVENCE ROSE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Pink fireworks sans any merde de Hollywood attitudes! After selling Chateau Miraval, Tom Bove bought a 10th century property, restored, and converted its 70 acres to organic production. With chalk and clay terraces, excellent drainage and cool nights allow for excellent winemaking that includes this outstanding dry Rose.

We have been aching for warm days to enjoy pink wine and given the short crops in France and Italy, do not wait too long because many of our offerings for pink wines will be one and done. Impeccably formed, this textbook blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon & Clairette is quite beguiling. Smoke, lime, touches of freshly cut roses with Provençal herbs and strawberry arriving on the scene to add layers of complexity. Combining a flavorful palate-presence with excellent chime, this mouth-watering marvel can be consumed in copious qualities or with grilled chicken or tuna jacked with herbs, anise, and not a bad combo with shellfish done in a Thai-inspired preparation.

2019 BRANDBORG PINOT NOIR
'BENCH LANDS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Once again, Elkton, Oregon-based Terry Brandborg has delivered yet another of his very individual Pinot Noirs that happens to come from the Umpqua Valley versus the Willamette. These wines have excellent distinction and offer excellent value, especially for those who want something for twenty bucks that can be enjoyed on a regular basis.

Coming in at 13.3% alcohol, this wine reveals its slightly warmer climate but carries its weight and color with a deft touch. Lively red cherry, hints of smoked plum along with cinnamon spice and earth aromas engage the taster then follow through to a tangy, bright mouthfeel that builds richness on the fine finish.

2020 GABRIELSKLOOF CHENIN BLANC
WALKER BAY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Before I left for France, I had the opportunity to taste through a lineup of wines from smaller producers from South Africa. Not only did this afternoon reveal the future of what is to come from this nation, it also highlighted each estate’s terroirs very well. Get nine-dollar Southern hemisphere critter and gimmick wines out of your mentality because these are distant light years away from such things.

Coming specifically from the Bot River section of the Walker Bay region, this cool site and wine bowled me over. Frankly, it out Loire’d things that I tasted earlier that week. Engaging scents of quince paste, yellow apple, lanolin, and peach. Driven by vertical mineral acidity, there is nice body behind the briskness. Finishes long and lingering and will pair beautifully with salmon on a cedar plank, grilled prawns or a tangy goat cheese.

2021 LA VALENTINA PECORINO
COLLINE PESCARESI BIANCO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

La Valentina is a superb Montepulciano d’Abruzzo producer and one that we have been working with for many years. We mostly just feature their reds but the last few years we have shown this white wine as well.

Pecorino, the grape, has nothing to do with Pecorino, the cheese. Prominent on the Adriatic Coast, La Valentina’s version of this dry wine could be referred to as Italian Muscadet given its mighty mineral and oceanic qualities. Combining ripe lemon with these notes adds for complexity. In the mouth, it is intense and gains laser-like persistence, herbs, and spice that carry over into the citrusy and thrusting finish. This wine rocks with mussels and will pair with numerous shellfish preparations.

2019 FALCHINI CHIANTI COLLI SENESI
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Perennially, this is the finest weeknight Chianti we offer. Noted for their Vernaccia di San Gimignano wines, Falchini also puts forth excellent red wines. The latest Chianti comes from hills around Siena, hence Colli Senesi, is very on point in the excellent 2019 vintage.

Made from Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and very Chiantigiana, meaning essence of pure Chianti sans makeup, bells, whistles, steroids, etc. Fine and balanced aromatics of cherry, licorice, coffee, wild herbs and spice, continuing in the mouth with a refined, classy, savory texture and plenty of length. Cook up some spicy sausage with penne pasta topped with tomato, vodka cream sauce, then pour a generous glass of this - sheer heaven!

2018 PILLOT POMMARD 'TAVENNES'
$52.99 BTL./$635.88 CASE

Laurent Pillot is one of the Chassagne-Montrachet's prime-time players for his whites but over the last 15 years, his prowess with reds from the Cote-de-Beaune region has become equally as formidable. These wines are some of the best-kept secrets in the world of top drawer Pinot Noir. Through marriage, Laurent has scored red wine vineyards from several grand villages within the Cotes-de-Beaune. Tavannes is a single vineyard within Pommard, of which a portion is Premier Cru. Pillot owns a little under 1½ acres of relatively old Pinot Noir vines and this wine is quite remarkable given its price.

Sexy, sultry nose with ironstone riding shotgun alongside ripe currant on top of blackberry, cep and semi-exotic spice. Fanning out and seducing the palate yet having plenty of structure, spine and depth all without being old-fashioned virile, hard-nosed Pommard due to Laurent being one of a group of young producers who are re-defining the image of this famous appellation. Chewy, lingering red-tones shine on the nicely formed finish. A super Red Burgundy (French Pinot Noir) that will drink and develop for 12-14 years.

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