Friday Sips


THE CELLAR DOOR'S WHITE RHONE FRIDAY FEATURE
With the Tour de France starting tomorrow and Bastille Day on the 14th,
why not kick the festivities off with four Rhone White wines
Marsanne, Roussanne and more
We will be closed July 3 and 4 returning July 5.


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2021 CUILLERON MARSANNE
'COLLINES RHODANNIENES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Small amounts of toothsome white wines are made in the Northern Rhone and when it comes to the areas of Condrieu, Saint-Péray and Saint-Joseph Blanc, Yves Cuilleron is a guru.

Like many of his St-Joseph wines, this wine also comes just outside of Chavanay (a St-Joe & Condrieu village/zone) and is meant to be an affordable and earlier drinking experience. Marsanne is a very intriguing and elusive grape that really thrives in this small growing area with granitic soils. The resulting white wine is very fragrant and alive with scents of pear, blossoms, ginger, lime and ample underlying minerality. Mouth-filling and full of energetic burst with lovely complexity and complimentary succulence that carries all the way to the delectable, drawn-out finish that is teeming with flavor and character. Enjoy this delicious white wine with monkfish, grilled tuna or white meats as well as soft-ripened cheese after the main course. Perfect for drinking now and over the next four-6 years.



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2021 CUILLERON ROUSSANNE
'COLLINES RHODANNIENES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Roussanne is not just exclusive to the Southern Rhone, it is also a formidable grape in the Northern Rhone as well. Often times blended with Marsanne, there are several producers who bottle it on its own. This particular Roussanne comes from grapes the Saint-Joseph village of Chavanay and the Condrieu village of Saint-Michel-sur-Rhone and is in part stainless steel tanks and part neutral barrels for six months.

Beautiful, low-key fragrances of peach, marzipan, prominent lime gimlet-like aspects along with underlying smoke and cinnamon toast. Kisses of mineral arrive. Very agreeable and fine in the mouth. Lovely depth and lovely balance with ample citrus tones on the stylish, spicy finish. Try with halibut steamed in parchment with olive oil, parsley, chives and basil as well as salt cod with potatoes or a roasted pork tenderloin with pears.



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2021 CUILLERON VIOGNIER
'COLLINES RHODANNIENES'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Don't think of this as some sort of flowery and overblown version, instead it comes from two Condrieu villages (Chavanay and Saint-Pierre-de Boeuf) on alluvial and granitic soils. Like the others it is also aged in both steel and neutral oak and is a hell of an introduction to the Viognier wines of this area....which in most instances are way more expensive!

Varietally strong with beautifully complex fragrances of white peach, roses, pepper and lemon. Serious business with its depth and poise all without ever becoming unctuous or weighty. Streamlined brisk acidity and enhanced stony, mineral aspects highlight the expansive finish. A selection that certainly punches above its weight class, drink this scrumptious white wine with a seafood tagine, smoked tuna with Asian spices, chicken with curry, scallops with butter and strong, double or triple cream cheeses.



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2021 CUILLERON SAINT-JOSEPH BLANC
'LE LOMBARD'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

Jumping it up a notch into full-bird appellation status, this cuvee is made from 100% Marsanne from old vines (planted in late 80s with the oldest going back to 1967) S/SE exposure on steep, terraced vineyards. The name comes from the small hamlet, Bois Lombard, that sits just above these vineyards.

In an instant, ginger and pear notes arrive. Nectarine, blossoms, kisses of clove and lemon with nice minerality woven add further complexity. In the mouth one sees the extra layers of depth and energy versus the Estate Marsanne listed above. Suave, creamy entry then fans out on the palate before cruising into the finish that jaunts then widens with persistence and class. A nice butter/almond/banana note along with a touch of lemongrass arrives on the second taste. This is quite delicious and you'll want to pair it with asparagus risotto, crab cakes, seabass or chicken with fennel or tarragon sauce or a strong goat cheese. It will also develop nicely through 2030.






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