Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SKIPPING STONES' WINESHEET
Massive Ridge Wine Special
Portugal, Cahors, Friuli
Portugal, Cahors, Friuli
2023 RIDGE GRENACHE BLANC
'ADELAIDA' PASO ROBLES
[reg. $46.99]
SPECIAL - $27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
'ADELAIDA' PASO ROBLES
[reg. $46.99]
SPECIAL - $27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
Routinely, this fabulous white wine from California icon Rodge goes on special and this price is beyond fantastic. The lead grape for most White Chateauneuf-du-Pape, it also thrives in the limestone soils of Paso Robles.
Located thirteen miles from the Pacific Ocean, cool nights and sea breezes provide fine energy for this lush grape. The 2023 models spiced pear and mandarin aspects further enhanced by ginger, honeysuckle and anise scents. A standout, luxuriant texture but poised and incredibly attractive with radiating acids weaving throughout. Beautiful and delicious, proving Ridge’s prowess with white wine as well as reds. Enjoy over the next six to eight years with sea bass, tuna tataki, even a Caesar salad.
Located thirteen miles from the Pacific Ocean, cool nights and sea breezes provide fine energy for this lush grape. The 2023 models spiced pear and mandarin aspects further enhanced by ginger, honeysuckle and anise scents. A standout, luxuriant texture but poised and incredibly attractive with radiating acids weaving throughout. Beautiful and delicious, proving Ridge’s prowess with white wine as well as reds. Enjoy over the next six to eight years with sea bass, tuna tataki, even a Caesar salad.
2020 ANTONELLI MONTEFALCO
ROSSO RISERVA
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
ROSSO RISERVA
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
As we wind down our Friday Tastings, an extra bottle or two frequently may be uncorked. I hadn’t tasted this in a while so we opened and one and suffice to say, it is tasting sooooo good and deserves all its accolades.
The 2020 Montefalco Riserva is one of only seventeen Umbrian wines awarded Tre Bicchiere in Gambero Rosso’s 2025 guide. Produced from their oldest vines and finest plots, the blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Sagrantino come together with ‘loud/soft/loud’ attributes. Noteworthy, booming aromas waft from the glass. Prominent blackberry, sage, cherry pit and balsamic notes follow through to a texture that is palate-staining, layered, and complex all while maintaining an airy aspect. Extensive, expansive and very Italian, you will want to drink this with a slow roasted leg of lamb jacked with Italian herbs or a full-flavored meat and cheese-filled lasagna over the next ten years.
The 2020 Montefalco Riserva is one of only seventeen Umbrian wines awarded Tre Bicchiere in Gambero Rosso’s 2025 guide. Produced from their oldest vines and finest plots, the blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Sagrantino come together with ‘loud/soft/loud’ attributes. Noteworthy, booming aromas waft from the glass. Prominent blackberry, sage, cherry pit and balsamic notes follow through to a texture that is palate-staining, layered, and complex all while maintaining an airy aspect. Extensive, expansive and very Italian, you will want to drink this with a slow roasted leg of lamb jacked with Italian herbs or a full-flavored meat and cheese-filled lasagna over the next ten years.
2023 BOARD TRACK RACER 'SPEED
RACER' COLUMBIA RED BLEND
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
RACER' COLUMBIA RED BLEND
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From Mark Ryan Winery, a producer of large Washington Reds, Board Track Racer was created in 2007 to offer wines designed not to break the bank.
A revelation indeed, Speed Racer is made for everyday drinking. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 13% Merlot. Black cherry, vivid red plum, dusty cocoa tones and fine herbs shine on the nose. Flavorful and all about texture in the mouth, this sassy blend has more substance than should ever be at twelve dollars. Have it with a fat burger, tortilla chips and spicy salsa and more.
A revelation indeed, Speed Racer is made for everyday drinking. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 13% Merlot. Black cherry, vivid red plum, dusty cocoa tones and fine herbs shine on the nose. Flavorful and all about texture in the mouth, this sassy blend has more substance than should ever be at twelve dollars. Have it with a fat burger, tortilla chips and spicy salsa and more.
2024 MARTISSIMA COLLIO BIANCO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
During my weekly sales call tastings, many wines are presented. Some good, some are rubbish but occasionally one or two sticks its ass out to grab my attention. Tasting this Friuli white wine for the first time, it clocked my palate like a bolt of lightning.
Marta Venica is the daughter of the influential Venica estate, and this is her personal project. Only indigenous grapes are used from this small vineyard planted in the 1970s. An extremely complex wine that moves and changes as it airs in the glass. Kicking off with finesseful scents of lemongrass, quince paste, subtle almond and overflowing mineral. More rose oil and spice scents arrive after a few minutes. The texture is dry and luxurious maintaining Venica’s trademark of finesse. Finely tuned, tense and vibrant flavors that all have their place and then lead to a long, almost velvety, silky finish. This is a wow wine, especially with crab, salt cod or pan-seared salmon preparations.
Marta Venica is the daughter of the influential Venica estate, and this is her personal project. Only indigenous grapes are used from this small vineyard planted in the 1970s. An extremely complex wine that moves and changes as it airs in the glass. Kicking off with finesseful scents of lemongrass, quince paste, subtle almond and overflowing mineral. More rose oil and spice scents arrive after a few minutes. The texture is dry and luxurious maintaining Venica’s trademark of finesse. Finely tuned, tense and vibrant flavors that all have their place and then lead to a long, almost velvety, silky finish. This is a wow wine, especially with crab, salt cod or pan-seared salmon preparations.
2023 PATO & WOUTERS
BAIRRADA TINTO 'DNMC'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
BAIRRADA TINTO 'DNMC'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Daughter of one of Portugal’s wine pillars, Filipa Pato’s father Luis is responsible for putting the Atlantic region of Bairrada on the wine map. Named Winemaker of the Year by Portuguese gastronomy guide, Revista de Vinhos in 2020 along with her husband, sommelier Willem Wouters, they are part of the exciting present and future of Portugal’s wines.
Made from 100% of the Baga grape. Individuality and class behind a robe of strawberry fruit, mountain spices, wildflowers, mint and saline ride along and provide complexity. The agile texture and briskness imparts succulence and persistence. A fabulous effort that can be drunk with sausages, bean dishes with bacon, duck and chicken.
Made from 100% of the Baga grape. Individuality and class behind a robe of strawberry fruit, mountain spices, wildflowers, mint and saline ride along and provide complexity. The agile texture and briskness imparts succulence and persistence. A fabulous effort that can be drunk with sausages, bean dishes with bacon, duck and chicken.
2023 CLOS LA COUTALE CAHORS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Cahors, located in the Dordogne, is the fountainhead of the Malbec grape. Expressions from this area have virtually nothing in common with those from Argentina; wines from this area are drier and expressions of the soil and conjure up the old term, black wines of France.
Clos la Coutale's Cahors combines noble, sturdy history with modern, fruity accessibility blended with 80% Malbec (known as Cot or Auxerrois locally) with 20% Merlot for smoothness. The nose is ravishing with tones of black licorice, blackberry, hints of graphite, and spices. Very drinkable over the next 4-5 years with duck, hearty stews, bleu cheese and pâté.
Clos la Coutale's Cahors combines noble, sturdy history with modern, fruity accessibility blended with 80% Malbec (known as Cot or Auxerrois locally) with 20% Merlot for smoothness. The nose is ravishing with tones of black licorice, blackberry, hints of graphite, and spices. Very drinkable over the next 4-5 years with duck, hearty stews, bleu cheese and pâté.
