Friday Sips


THE CELLAR DOOR'S FRIDAY SURPRISE
Sancerre, Sparkling Rose
plus a Red Wine Value


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2022 NEVEU SANCERRE 'LE MANOIR'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

One of France's treasures, Domaine Neveu crafts some of the most profound wines in Sancerre, seamlessly integrating traditional methods and the best modern technique to bring out the very essence of the terroir, creating rich, elegant wines that have long been sought after by in-the-know Sancerre fans. This much Sancerre in one bottle is probably illegal in at least 27 states! Le Manoir is a single Cru site is located in the village of Sancerre, just south in an area known as Le Manoir de L’Etang from 50+ year old vines and a special combination of pebbly limestone and sandy soil. Along with the Mont Damnes Cru that the estate makes, is the most ageworthy in the Neveu lineup.

Beauty of Sancerre personified, the off the charts 2022 reveals compelling, multi-dimensional aspects of seabreeze, lemon, subtle orange-musk and prominent flinty aromas. Nice depth throughout along with an abundance of racy, chalky, mineral-acidity. Old-vine sophistication abound, this wine sprawls energetically from front to back, back to front and so forth then finishes with a hell of a lot of pop and extension. A real wow wine and one of my personal favorites of the region! Break out the salmon and cedar plank and go to town.



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2019 HUGUET DE CAN FEIXES
NEGRE SELECCIO PENEDES
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Many of you know the famed Can Feixes white but several years back the Huguet family wanted to produce an accompanying red wine to go along with the famed Blanc Seleccio. Based in the hills of Penedes just south of Barcelona, this outstanding producer scored big with this wine. They make a more expensive version but it is this one that steals our hearts for under twenty bucks.

Tempranillo in this area is not what is normally associated, especially since it is famed for white and sparkling wines. Seventy percent Tempranillo and thirty percent Merlot, instantaneous, stunning aromas that seemingly come from the berry patch leap-frog from the glass! Boysenberry, blueberry & raspberry combine with thyme and anise scents and then follow through to a palate that is crowd-pleasing, lavishly deep and complex. There is plenty of built-up muscle around the edges to give it spine all widening on the debonair and persistent finish. This is a wonderful wine to pair with braised lamb shanks over the next 4-6 years.



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G.D. VAJRA EXTRA BRUT ROSE
'N.S. DELLA NEVE'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

A thrill ride of a sparkling rose wine made by one of our favorite and top-notch Barolo producers, GD Vajra. The effort and meticulous labor that goes into the production of this wine is over-the-top not only for a wine at this price but hell, there are Champagne producers that don’t go this far! Hand harvested, 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Nebbiolo from a single vineyard where Barolo intersects with the Alta Langa and is aged on the lees 48-60 months before bottling.

Vivacious, adventurous and shimmering with gushing red berry fruits along with a touch of herb and biscuit. Following through to the mouth, this bubbly has teeth yet has remarkable finesseful bubbles for a sparkling wine at this price. Mouth-filling bubbles provide a vivid, elevated and electric texture that coats and refreshes all of your taste senses. Imminently slurpable and with no shortage of impact, it is joyful for drinking by itself and with roasted chicken or light seafood dishes.






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