Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SCENIC JOURNEY' HOTSHEET
Saint-Emilion Special
NW Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir & Syrah
Muscadet, & under 15 Rhone & Beaujolais
NW Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir & Syrah
Muscadet, & under 15 Rhone & Beaujolais
94 Points – The Wine Advocate… From Arribes, an obscure Spanish region located in the far reaches of western Spain along the Portuguese border. A field blend led by the Rufete grape and with a dollop of other native varietals from 36 small plots.
11.5% alcohol and lightly colored, this red offers fragrant minerality of the region's hillside soils, along with bright blackberry/olive/sanguine highlights. Allspice and licorice surround berry, herbs and peppermint tones. Lacey and showing lavish depth and personality; this gamey, gnarly wine carries extremely well to the table. Have with ham, pork, bacon, and on and on.
11.5% alcohol and lightly colored, this red offers fragrant minerality of the region's hillside soils, along with bright blackberry/olive/sanguine highlights. Allspice and licorice surround berry, herbs and peppermint tones. Lacey and showing lavish depth and personality; this gamey, gnarly wine carries extremely well to the table. Have with ham, pork, bacon, and on and on.
Located in Panzano in Chianti, up near Fontodi, the wines of Le Cinciole are some of the finest in all of Tuscany. In 1991, Milan residents Luca and Valeria Orsini took a radical leap; and purchased Le Cinciole in the storied Chianti village of Panzano, relocating to Tuscany and leaving their former careers as a math professor and an architect behind to become grape growers and winemakers.
The exciting 2020 version is a fine one indeed and one that exudes Panzano. Classic Sangiovese nose with savory red berry aspects, black pepper, aromatic Italian herbs, leather, roses and tobacco rounding it all out. An excellent core of cherry fruit assaults the palate with supple structure coating the entire mouth. This is a well-rounded and elevated Chianti Classico. No shortage of complexity, the flavors and aromas keep you coming pack for more. Drink now through 2030+.
The exciting 2020 version is a fine one indeed and one that exudes Panzano. Classic Sangiovese nose with savory red berry aspects, black pepper, aromatic Italian herbs, leather, roses and tobacco rounding it all out. An excellent core of cherry fruit assaults the palate with supple structure coating the entire mouth. This is a well-rounded and elevated Chianti Classico. No shortage of complexity, the flavors and aromas keep you coming pack for more. Drink now through 2030+.
2018 CHATEAU GAILLARD
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
[reg. $46.99]
SPECIAL - $29.00 BTL. - 36 btls available
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
[reg. $46.99]
SPECIAL - $29.00 BTL. - 36 btls available
We are running a nice deal on this superb St-Emilion to make room for the impending arrival of 2019.
2018 is an excellent red Bordeaux vintage and this wine soars. Deep with penetrating fruit which submerges the tannins and makes it deceptively easy to access now. Do not drink it all because it will age nicely for 10-15 years. Unequivocal excitement from points A, B and C! All about sensuality. Moves from plum to raspberry; splendid penetration and old vine (50 years) depth. Underlying mineral and cocoa powder present. Brilliant depth and generosity, persistence and backbone that lingers exquisitely. Undervalued at $47, a real steal for $29!
2018 is an excellent red Bordeaux vintage and this wine soars. Deep with penetrating fruit which submerges the tannins and makes it deceptively easy to access now. Do not drink it all because it will age nicely for 10-15 years. Unequivocal excitement from points A, B and C! All about sensuality. Moves from plum to raspberry; splendid penetration and old vine (50 years) depth. Underlying mineral and cocoa powder present. Brilliant depth and generosity, persistence and backbone that lingers exquisitely. Undervalued at $47, a real steal for $29!
Planted in 1982, Ridgecrest was the first vineyard planted in the now uber-famous Ribbon Ridge appellation and is owned, farmed and vinified by Harry Peterson-Nedry and his winemaker daughter Wynne, both formerly of Chehalem.
This Pinot Gris is influenced more by Alsace than Italy. Bold, broad and expressive. Full-on, classy aromas of melon, apple, mineral and spice. In the mouth, there is gorgeous crispness and refinement, but with upscale depth and breadth of flavor and balance that drive into a long, spice and mushroom-laden finish that is the hallmark of a grand Pinot Gris. The obvious match is grilled salmon, but it is versatile enough to drink with roasted chicken, spicy Thai shrimp dishes or scallops.
This Pinot Gris is influenced more by Alsace than Italy. Bold, broad and expressive. Full-on, classy aromas of melon, apple, mineral and spice. In the mouth, there is gorgeous crispness and refinement, but with upscale depth and breadth of flavor and balance that drive into a long, spice and mushroom-laden finish that is the hallmark of a grand Pinot Gris. The obvious match is grilled salmon, but it is versatile enough to drink with roasted chicken, spicy Thai shrimp dishes or scallops.
A challenging vintage for the Beaujolais region, Chateau de la Terriere succeeded with their very fine entry Beaujolais. Made from fruit entirely grown within the Cru of Regnie, the 2021 is a throwback to the cooler, spicier wines with clarity that one may have found in the 1990s.
Raspberry with underlying spicy tones of coriander and pepper shimmer from the glass and carry over to a texture that is agile and snappy with underlying aromatic herb tones. Cool, persistent flavors cascade into a vivid finish. Pair this with sausages, roasted chicken, grilled salmon or a nice Tomme cheese.
Raspberry with underlying spicy tones of coriander and pepper shimmer from the glass and carry over to a texture that is agile and snappy with underlying aromatic herb tones. Cool, persistent flavors cascade into a vivid finish. Pair this with sausages, roasted chicken, grilled salmon or a nice Tomme cheese.
Founded in the 1950s, Louis Metaireau’s effusive energy led to the formation of the "Arts et Vignerons" group that was responsible for restoring the name and quality of Muscadet. Over time his Domaine has grown and now it is his daughter Marie-Luce runs the show and delivers some of the most stately white wines of France.
Made with 100% Melon, the Black Label Muscadet comes from 60-70 year old vines and is bone dry with sheer electricity. Gorgeously pure aromas of oyster jus, lemon zest, peaty earth and a kiss of Meyer lemon. Excellent intensity, but maintains brilliant clarity and ferocity. In the mouth, it is cut like a diamond, very refined and multi-dimensional with stellar depth of flavor. Bright and linear acidity balances everything out and the finish is non-stop. Grand Cru Muscadet indeed, this cries out for fresh crab or oysters, but will also go well with chicken in a light sauce or just about any fish done in a beurre blanc sauce.
Made with 100% Melon, the Black Label Muscadet comes from 60-70 year old vines and is bone dry with sheer electricity. Gorgeously pure aromas of oyster jus, lemon zest, peaty earth and a kiss of Meyer lemon. Excellent intensity, but maintains brilliant clarity and ferocity. In the mouth, it is cut like a diamond, very refined and multi-dimensional with stellar depth of flavor. Bright and linear acidity balances everything out and the finish is non-stop. Grand Cru Muscadet indeed, this cries out for fresh crab or oysters, but will also go well with chicken in a light sauce or just about any fish done in a beurre blanc sauce.
When it comes to this producer, the term 'elegance of simplicity' is very apropos. Specializing in Rhone varietals, Elephant Seven is a Walla Walla newcomer who is following the trend towards balance and producing fantastic wines that do not tip the scales with high alcohol levels.
Over-delivering, aromatic plum-pepper scents combine with smoked bacon, rose, black olive and underlying herbs and exotic spices roll from the glass and follow through to a texture that while deep and penetrating, carries terrific balance and smoky tones throughout. Long and lasting on the finish. Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Over-delivering, aromatic plum-pepper scents combine with smoked bacon, rose, black olive and underlying herbs and exotic spices roll from the glass and follow through to a texture that while deep and penetrating, carries terrific balance and smoky tones throughout. Long and lasting on the finish. Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Now led by Jim Anderson, the late Patty Green's longtime business partner, it is now twenty-one years of fine wines at Patricia Green Cellars and they uncompromisingly state that they make many, many single vineyard wines. Lately the wines have taken an even more formidable step up in their already high quality with fantastic focus of origin.
A love letter to Ribbon Ridge, the estate vineyard was originally planted in 1984, making it the second oldest in the AVA after Ridgecrest. This cuvee contains old vines ranging from 24-38 years. Lavender rose, cherry and pepper tones dominate the nose while in the mouth, it is caressing, silky, vivid and impressively long on the finish revealing lots of pleasant snap-back. Very accessible now, the true typicity of the vintage probably will not arrive for another year or two. Put it in the cellar and drink it end 2024 – 2035+.
A love letter to Ribbon Ridge, the estate vineyard was originally planted in 1984, making it the second oldest in the AVA after Ridgecrest. This cuvee contains old vines ranging from 24-38 years. Lavender rose, cherry and pepper tones dominate the nose while in the mouth, it is caressing, silky, vivid and impressively long on the finish revealing lots of pleasant snap-back. Very accessible now, the true typicity of the vintage probably will not arrive for another year or two. Put it in the cellar and drink it end 2024 – 2035+.
The under fifteen-dollar Cotes-du-Rhone of your dreams! Located in Suze-la-Rousse, one the northernmost villages of the Southern Rhône Valley, Gravennes is a family operation utilizing organic techniques.Their signature wine has become an annual favorite here at The Cellar Door.
2021 follows up previous releases very nicely indeed. Stylish and avoiding jammy heaviness, plenty of cherry aromas along with cassis and lavender lead off, then the warm brambly fruit takes hold. Blackberries dominate, backed up by wonderful smoke, chocolate, pepper, and forest flavors, finishing with a spicy and fine, grenadine inspired finish.