Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'INSTANT EUPHORIA' HOTSHEET
Valpolicella Ripasso & Washington Cab
New Zealand Sauv Blanc & Muscadet
Barolo Specials from Brezza & Grasso
Bierzo, Beaujolais, Bordeaux
New Zealand Sauv Blanc & Muscadet
Barolo Specials from Brezza & Grasso
Bierzo, Beaujolais, Bordeaux
2019 PIROLETTE SAINT-AMOUR
'LE CARJOT'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
'LE CARJOT'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The Cellar Door is all about wish fulfillment. There are many who work around here who wish to come back as Bricco the Dog (the Cellar Door pup who is very pampered/spoiled). Bryan wishes to be the guitar on the cover of the Liz Phair’s 2003 self-titled album. Many of you wish for great wines at great prices, and especially all of you fans of delicious Cru Beaujolais.
The vines for this impressive Gamay grow on ancient, craggy, weathered blue stone soil. This results in a more structured and sturdy offering that has some similarities to the famed and now retired Lebeaupin Clos de la Brosse. In fact, this site probably is even more impressive. From the great 2019 vintage black plum, dark chocolate, a hint of coffee and peonies along with emerging black licorice and black pepper notes soar from the glass. In the mouth, this full-flavored red touches all points of the palate, shows sneaky structured tannins, prominent mineral and plenty of generosity. Layered and very fine, this wine will also age well for a decade and may be enjoyed with beef filet with bacon or done as steak au poivre, macaroni & cheese, particularly if done with Gruyere or Comte, leg of lamb as well as Korean BBQ chicken.
The vines for this impressive Gamay grow on ancient, craggy, weathered blue stone soil. This results in a more structured and sturdy offering that has some similarities to the famed and now retired Lebeaupin Clos de la Brosse. In fact, this site probably is even more impressive. From the great 2019 vintage black plum, dark chocolate, a hint of coffee and peonies along with emerging black licorice and black pepper notes soar from the glass. In the mouth, this full-flavored red touches all points of the palate, shows sneaky structured tannins, prominent mineral and plenty of generosity. Layered and very fine, this wine will also age well for a decade and may be enjoyed with beef filet with bacon or done as steak au poivre, macaroni & cheese, particularly if done with Gruyere or Comte, leg of lamb as well as Korean BBQ chicken.
2020 JOSE-ANTONIO GARCIA
BIERZO 'UNCULIN'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
BIERZO 'UNCULIN'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The question is, are you cool enough to drink this Bierzo? This wine is so chic and bright that you will have to go out and buy a new pair of RayBan's just to fit in. Frankly, this red wine makes me want to jump out of my shoes whenever I drink it.
From one of the new generation of Bierzo producers, Jose Antonio Garcia is one of the new generation leaders of this region. Having made his wines at Raul Perez's facilities, the finesse, purity and influence is here. Mencia based. Lifting, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs and plenty of meat and mineral that all seem to build as the wine opens in the glass. Wonderful intensity and medium body from low-yielding fruit, high elevation and old vines. A red wine that will pairs impeccably with Spain's national vegetable – pork! Sausages, chops, loin, Serrano ham, it all works with this wine.
From one of the new generation of Bierzo producers, Jose Antonio Garcia is one of the new generation leaders of this region. Having made his wines at Raul Perez's facilities, the finesse, purity and influence is here. Mencia based. Lifting, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs and plenty of meat and mineral that all seem to build as the wine opens in the glass. Wonderful intensity and medium body from low-yielding fruit, high elevation and old vines. A red wine that will pairs impeccably with Spain's national vegetable – pork! Sausages, chops, loin, Serrano ham, it all works with this wine.
2019 TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO
'SAN ROCCO'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
'SAN ROCCO'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
The Tedeschi family has been making this top-end Valpolicella Ripasso since 1976. Ripasso is a Veneto winemaking technique that consists of taking freshly pressed Valpolicella Classico juice and passing it over the pommace (mainly skins and seeds) of the Amarone. This is truly the best of both worlds, bringing a level of intensity that is perfectly balanced by the fresh and bright berry notes that come naturally from the Corvina grape.
The newly arrived 2019 San Rocco is more muscular and multi-faceted than the 2018 tasted last year when Sabrina Tedeschi was here for a tasting. Instantly this Ripasso offers heaps of luscious dark cherry, plum, Egyptian spice, amare and dark chocolate. Full bodied and intense with great balance and fine-grained tannins support the lushness through to the long finish that is full of mouth-coating complexity. Enjoy now over the next 6-8 years.
The newly arrived 2019 San Rocco is more muscular and multi-faceted than the 2018 tasted last year when Sabrina Tedeschi was here for a tasting. Instantly this Ripasso offers heaps of luscious dark cherry, plum, Egyptian spice, amare and dark chocolate. Full bodied and intense with great balance and fine-grained tannins support the lushness through to the long finish that is full of mouth-coating complexity. Enjoy now over the next 6-8 years.
2021 OTU SAUVIGNON BLANC
MARLBOROUGH AWATERE VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
MARLBOROUGH AWATERE VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Located in the Marlborough region of New Zealand and named after the Otowhero River where sea-swept terroir combined with steep hillside sites make for very individual yet still true to the New Zealand identity of Sauvignon Blanc. It is also one that doesn't p!ss me off when I drink it, especially with Thai food.
The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is very pure, as it only sees stainless steel tanks and never the inside of a dreaded barrel. Extroverted and exuding confidence, this bright Sauvignon provides a bombardment of indulgence. Mango, lime, fresh mint and subtle herbs dominate and follow over to a texture that is bracing yet has nice fullness and vivacity. One to pair with Asian chicken or fish preparations and you can highlight it with a touch of spice.
The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is very pure, as it only sees stainless steel tanks and never the inside of a dreaded barrel. Extroverted and exuding confidence, this bright Sauvignon provides a bombardment of indulgence. Mango, lime, fresh mint and subtle herbs dominate and follow over to a texture that is bracing yet has nice fullness and vivacity. One to pair with Asian chicken or fish preparations and you can highlight it with a touch of spice.
2019 DEVONA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
A Northwest producer that I have wanted to highlight for a while! John Abbot was the long time winemaker at Abeja producing many impressive wines with great consistency over many vintages. These wines always possessed an instinctual feel as well as complexity and character. Never big boring, tooty-frooty, overtly boozy, smoker-friendly wines that are so associated with Walla Walla and Washington, the wines always had nuance, layers and many compelling qualities. After his departure, John and wife Molly set out to make their own expressions of not only Washington wines but they also produce damn fine Oregon Pinots as well.
If you remember the old Abeja Cab wines from back in the day, you will be bowled over by how beautifully this wine shows. Exquisite floral aromas combine with concentrated, but not thick aromas of plum, cassis, rose petal, nutmeg and red earth. In the mouth, it is voluptuous, caressing, rich and not a hair out of place! There is density present, but sophistication and class here wins out over brawn and steroids. Superb extension and the quality of vineyard sources shine. An over-the-moon, great Washington Cab that will age impeccably for 10-15 years.
If you remember the old Abeja Cab wines from back in the day, you will be bowled over by how beautifully this wine shows. Exquisite floral aromas combine with concentrated, but not thick aromas of plum, cassis, rose petal, nutmeg and red earth. In the mouth, it is voluptuous, caressing, rich and not a hair out of place! There is density present, but sophistication and class here wins out over brawn and steroids. Superb extension and the quality of vineyard sources shine. An over-the-moon, great Washington Cab that will age impeccably for 10-15 years.
2021 HUCHET MUSCADET
'LA CHAUVENIERE'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'LA CHAUVENIERE'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
The new release of Muscadet superstar Jeremie Huchet's La Chauveniere is chilling down in our fridges as this is written and best of all, it is still twelve bucks.
Bone dry and having nothing to do with the Muscat grape, Muscadet is 100% Melon. Stunning seashells shimmer from the glass (say that phrase five-times fast). Very direct with underlying white flowers, lemon drop and prominent gabbro soil flinty quality. Super-exuberant, expressive and jaunting. Very mineral from start to the live-wire finish. Shuck a dozen of briny oysters, what the hell are you waiting for!
Bone dry and having nothing to do with the Muscat grape, Muscadet is 100% Melon. Stunning seashells shimmer from the glass (say that phrase five-times fast). Very direct with underlying white flowers, lemon drop and prominent gabbro soil flinty quality. Super-exuberant, expressive and jaunting. Very mineral from start to the live-wire finish. Shuck a dozen of briny oysters, what the hell are you waiting for!
2020 LUNGAROTTI 'CADETTO'
UMBRIA ROSSO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
UMBRIA ROSSO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Founded in the 1962, Giorgio Lungarotti literally put Umbria and the small appellation of Torgiano (located just south of Perugia) on to the wine map. Now led by his daughters Chiara and Teresa, these wines continue with the soul and spirit that this central Italian region is so known for. Cadetto is a tasty everyday red from Lungarotti’s various Umbria vineyards and mainly Sangiovese with a field blend of other native varietals. The wine is aged only in stainless steel tanks and has quite a pluckiness and vibrancy to it.
This Sangiovese has serious "chug" factor…Vibrant aromas of juicy strawberry, game, sage, white flowers and blueberry move nicely into the round and friendly mouthfeel. This animated red is the perfect accompaniment to pizza, meatloaf, simple red-sauced pasta dishes or alone while looking for cooking inspiration.
This Sangiovese has serious "chug" factor…Vibrant aromas of juicy strawberry, game, sage, white flowers and blueberry move nicely into the round and friendly mouthfeel. This animated red is the perfect accompaniment to pizza, meatloaf, simple red-sauced pasta dishes or alone while looking for cooking inspiration.
2019 CHATEAU LESTAGE-DARQUIER
MOULIS-EN-MEDOC 'GRAND POUJEAUX'
$24.99 BTL./$299.94 CASE
MOULIS-EN-MEDOC 'GRAND POUJEAUX'
$24.99 BTL./$299.94 CASE
In the spirit of next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, we at The Cellar Door originally had an idea that we would hold our own Olympics for many of our wine distributors' warehouse workers. While the 'See Who Can Smoke Two Packs Fastest" event and 'Palette Jack relay Races' would be well received, the 'Reading, Counting and Data Entry' events would ultimately be a fiasco! This Bordeaux from Moulis is NOT a fiasco.
Chateau Lestage-Darquier is situated in a hill district made famous by Chateau Chasse-Spleen about halfway between the Listrac and Margaux regions. This is quality gravelly soil over top of Garonne clay and makes for a lovely red Bordeaux that compared to a few neighbors that are more famous, is criminally undervalued. 2019 is an awe-inspiring vintage for Bordeaux and this blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc is from vines planted in 1975. Classic Bordeaux aromas, but allow it to breathe for 30 minutes and it will detonate in the glass and show just how fine it is. Generous tones of blackcurrant, Valrhona chocolate, smoke, mineral, earth and cedar-box follow into an archetypal texture that reveals the depth and thrust of the vintage but maintains its delineation and class. Enjoyable now, however, this will drink beautifully and develop even further through 2030 and probably beyond.
Chateau Lestage-Darquier is situated in a hill district made famous by Chateau Chasse-Spleen about halfway between the Listrac and Margaux regions. This is quality gravelly soil over top of Garonne clay and makes for a lovely red Bordeaux that compared to a few neighbors that are more famous, is criminally undervalued. 2019 is an awe-inspiring vintage for Bordeaux and this blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc is from vines planted in 1975. Classic Bordeaux aromas, but allow it to breathe for 30 minutes and it will detonate in the glass and show just how fine it is. Generous tones of blackcurrant, Valrhona chocolate, smoke, mineral, earth and cedar-box follow into an archetypal texture that reveals the depth and thrust of the vintage but maintains its delineation and class. Enjoyable now, however, this will drink beautifully and develop even further through 2030 and probably beyond.
2017 BREZZA BAROLO 'SARMASSA'
[reg. $74.99]
SPECIAL - $53.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
[reg. $74.99]
SPECIAL - $53.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
Enzo Brezza is an exceptional, ultra-traditional producer has been on fire with undervalued Barolo wines, all which come from the hallowed slopes of his home base of Barolo village. Not as well-known as Cannubi (see below), the finest wines of Enzo’s range come from Sarmassa, located in close proximity to Cannubi and straddling the border of La Morra and Cerequio. This also includes a Bricco Sarmassa Riserva that is only released in the finest vintages although that is for another time. Meantime, this wine is a showstopper indeed and especially with its smashing special price.
Characterized by supreme sublimity and a fine bouquet of rose and licorice, the 2017 Sarmassa is compelling even in its youth. This is a complete wine, packed with dark berry fruit, licorice, coffee, lots of underbrush and earth tones, and a length so long that it would make a finely tuned Swiss watch go kerplooey! This is a seriously stacked Barolo, and will only start to become accessible after 2024 and will easily drink well through 2034+. A must for any serious collector of Barolo!
Characterized by supreme sublimity and a fine bouquet of rose and licorice, the 2017 Sarmassa is compelling even in its youth. This is a complete wine, packed with dark berry fruit, licorice, coffee, lots of underbrush and earth tones, and a length so long that it would make a finely tuned Swiss watch go kerplooey! This is a seriously stacked Barolo, and will only start to become accessible after 2024 and will easily drink well through 2034+. A must for any serious collector of Barolo!
2017 ELIO GRASSO BAROLO 'CHINIERA'
[reg. $99.99]
SPECIAL - $69.99 BTL./$419.94 - SIX PACK
[reg. $99.99]
SPECIAL - $69.99 BTL./$419.94 - SIX PACK
96 Points - Vinous...Tucked away in the hills between Monforte d'Alba and Castiglione Faletto is the Cantina and vineyards of Elio Grasso. We have been ardent supporters of these wines for a while now, and it is extremely clear that Gianluca Grasso is without a doubt one of the superstars of Barolo so it truly is amazing to see this epic Barolo on special.
Vigna Chiniera, located within Monforte D'Alba is a south facing vineyard that sits at 320-360 meters and is a completely different animal than the Casa Mate. Loosely packed, sandy soil with a limestone base is what makes this wine very special. Solidly built, stacked and structured, this prodigal Barolo possesses full-on plum fruit combining mushroom with intense camphor and roses. Darker-toned and building broadness, there is ample Barolo oomph to the texture. The finish is pure, assertive, but typical of Chiniera, refined, poised and very long. An outstanding wine that again with decanting, will show well with a substantial meal, but for best results, give it another year or two, and enjoy it through 2040.
Vigna Chiniera, located within Monforte D'Alba is a south facing vineyard that sits at 320-360 meters and is a completely different animal than the Casa Mate. Loosely packed, sandy soil with a limestone base is what makes this wine very special. Solidly built, stacked and structured, this prodigal Barolo possesses full-on plum fruit combining mushroom with intense camphor and roses. Darker-toned and building broadness, there is ample Barolo oomph to the texture. The finish is pure, assertive, but typical of Chiniera, refined, poised and very long. An outstanding wine that again with decanting, will show well with a substantial meal, but for best results, give it another year or two, and enjoy it through 2040.
