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THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'MERRY SOLSTICE' HOTSHEET
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French Sparkling Rose Under 30
Chablis, Dolcetto, Garnacha
10-year-old Syrah
Chablis, Dolcetto, Garnacha
10-year-old Syrah
2021 GROSSOT CHABLIS
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Owning 32 acres (25 in AOC Chablis and 7 spread out over three different Premiers Crus), this outstanding, undervalued producer has converted his vineyards to organic and harvests everything manually. We have been enjoying these wines since the 2004 vintage and given the wonders that have come from this cellar, it is no surprise that the 2021 is delicious.
The big secret to the complexity and ravishing quality here is that Eve Grossot utilizes old vines and later bottling. Absolutely unoaked and from a cool, very traditional vintage, the intensity from all of these aspects is immediately evident as soon as you put the glass to your nose. Essence of Chablis, it possesses scents of oyster shell, wet stone and gunflint abound as well as some subtle citrus and wisteria scents. Mineral-driven aromas lead to a mineral-driven texture with excellent tension, focus and electricity. The finish is long, stylish and definitely a gift from the soil! Sometimes hearing that so-and-so wine is Chablis-inspired gets old, our response is to drink the real deal instead.
The big secret to the complexity and ravishing quality here is that Eve Grossot utilizes old vines and later bottling. Absolutely unoaked and from a cool, very traditional vintage, the intensity from all of these aspects is immediately evident as soon as you put the glass to your nose. Essence of Chablis, it possesses scents of oyster shell, wet stone and gunflint abound as well as some subtle citrus and wisteria scents. Mineral-driven aromas lead to a mineral-driven texture with excellent tension, focus and electricity. The finish is long, stylish and definitely a gift from the soil! Sometimes hearing that so-and-so wine is Chablis-inspired gets old, our response is to drink the real deal instead.
2022 BENEVELLI DOLCETTO D'ALBA
'LA COSTA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'LA COSTA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
A great highlight of my trip to Italy earlier this year was a visit and tasting with Massimo Benevelli. Widely regarded as one of the top shooting stars of Monforte D’Alba, this estate was founded by his father Piero in 1978 with a mere seven acres which over the years has been expanded to just over twenty-seven and a mere 4,000 cases in total are produced. The majority of the holdings are focused in three apex Cru sites south of the village, Le Coste di Monforte, Ravera di Monforte and Mosconi and this particular Dolcetto comes from a slope near the winery/house in Monforte that was planted in 1986.
Never straying from its varietal roots, the nose reveals dark plum, dusty clay, Monforte mineral and licorice notes. More aromatically expressive as it unfolds in the glass, it entices you to do what nature tells one to do with Dolcetto - drink the damn thing! Mouth filling and mouthwatering, the depth and detail of place assert themselves, but the Dolcetto salvo and snap-back on the above-the-norm finish come through as well. Have this wine with salami, sausage, prosciutto, pasta and a bunch of friends.
Never straying from its varietal roots, the nose reveals dark plum, dusty clay, Monforte mineral and licorice notes. More aromatically expressive as it unfolds in the glass, it entices you to do what nature tells one to do with Dolcetto - drink the damn thing! Mouth filling and mouthwatering, the depth and detail of place assert themselves, but the Dolcetto salvo and snap-back on the above-the-norm finish come through as well. Have this wine with salami, sausage, prosciutto, pasta and a bunch of friends.
JEAN BOURDY CREMANT DU JURA
BRUT ROSE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
BRUT ROSE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
France's mountainous Jura region is well known for many epicurean delights including some of the nation's most intriguing wines. One category that falls into the sheer exuberance profile is the area's sparkling wines because unlike the majority of the white wines, these are not made in an oxidized style. With his almost Rollie Fingers styled mustache, Jean Bourdy makes quite a range of wines, both still and sparkling that are always impressive and have inspired many from the area as well.
This sparking Rose is 100% of the native Trousseau grape. Slightly darker in color than most Cremant Rose due to Bourdy utilizing the saignee method, this complex, finesse-laden bubbly is made in accordance to the Methode Champenoise. Complex notes of baking spice, strawberry, rose, orange peel, mountain spices and quince. Nobly balanced, firmly dry with a fine, creamy mousse, fine red fruits and almost woven acidity for backbone. Very lengthy for non-Champagne, this can work well as an aperitif with hors d'oeurves, after dinner with a cheese course, particularly with aged Comte or Gruyere or Beaufort as well as a great choice for fondue night.
This sparking Rose is 100% of the native Trousseau grape. Slightly darker in color than most Cremant Rose due to Bourdy utilizing the saignee method, this complex, finesse-laden bubbly is made in accordance to the Methode Champenoise. Complex notes of baking spice, strawberry, rose, orange peel, mountain spices and quince. Nobly balanced, firmly dry with a fine, creamy mousse, fine red fruits and almost woven acidity for backbone. Very lengthy for non-Champagne, this can work well as an aperitif with hors d'oeurves, after dinner with a cheese course, particularly with aged Comte or Gruyere or Beaufort as well as a great choice for fondue night.
2021 GRANITO DEL CADALOSA GARNACHA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
From Dani Landi and Fernando Garcia, the minds behind Comando G comes a very affordable old vine Garnacha grown at 500-1000 meters. Elevation is what drives the vine, the wine and is what differentiates them from the versions from the Rhone, Catalonia, and Languedoc.
The granitic sand soils from this area have been utilized for centuries to make glass windows for many of Spain’s palaces and these vines are grown in that same soil. Wonderfully put together aromas of blackcurrant, strawberry, laurel and licorice shine on the nose and lead into a texture that is both handsome and tenacious all at once. Transparent, penetrating and complex with a finish that has superb snap-back and a stopwatch-busting, long finish. A real delight for 20-bucks.
The granitic sand soils from this area have been utilized for centuries to make glass windows for many of Spain’s palaces and these vines are grown in that same soil. Wonderfully put together aromas of blackcurrant, strawberry, laurel and licorice shine on the nose and lead into a texture that is both handsome and tenacious all at once. Transparent, penetrating and complex with a finish that has superb snap-back and a stopwatch-busting, long finish. A real delight for 20-bucks.
2020 PEACHY CANYON ZINFANDEL
'WEST SIDE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'WEST SIDE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
A Paso Robles icon, Peachy Canyon’s West Side cuvee is best described as Energy Drink for Zin enthusiasts.
The current 2020 shows superb Zin density without being heavy or ponderous. Extroverted with fleshy raspberry, cranberry and cherry tones along with plenty of Provencal herbs, briar, and smoky spice. In the mouth, it is bright, plump and chock full of berries, licorice and pepper. The generosity of the region and vintage gives off an ever so slight exotic character as the wine moves towards the spice-laden finish. Consistent from start to finish, and really good! Drink now through 2027 with a big steak.
The current 2020 shows superb Zin density without being heavy or ponderous. Extroverted with fleshy raspberry, cranberry and cherry tones along with plenty of Provencal herbs, briar, and smoky spice. In the mouth, it is bright, plump and chock full of berries, licorice and pepper. The generosity of the region and vintage gives off an ever so slight exotic character as the wine moves towards the spice-laden finish. Consistent from start to finish, and really good! Drink now through 2027 with a big steak.
2022 UGOLINO ROSSO PICENO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
A blend of Sangiovese (40%) and Montepulciano (60%), this bursting red comes from just a few kilometers inland from the Adriatic Sea in the region of Le Marches in Italy.
Savory and tangy scents of raspberry, mineral, smoke, some hints of sage and licorice that surround it. Let's face it; this is not a wine to be confused with Tignanello or a Vietti Barolo instead it is a sheer, joyful, red wine pleasure with smooth fruit, spicy outer edges, displaying nice substance and length and a tasty every evening red. A real find when it comes to the underrated red wines of this region, it can work with so much including seafood.
Savory and tangy scents of raspberry, mineral, smoke, some hints of sage and licorice that surround it. Let's face it; this is not a wine to be confused with Tignanello or a Vietti Barolo instead it is a sheer, joyful, red wine pleasure with smooth fruit, spicy outer edges, displaying nice substance and length and a tasty every evening red. A real find when it comes to the underrated red wines of this region, it can work with so much including seafood.
2013 ALAIN VOGE CORNAS
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$99.99 NTL./$599.94 - SIX PK - LIMITED
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$99.99 NTL./$599.94 - SIX PK - LIMITED
When I visited the Northern Rhone back in 2015 and tasted the 2013 vintage that followed the warm 2011 and 2012s, I thought that even though these are tightly formed, they will emerge as classic, very fine, complex French Syrah wines. Whether it was Cote-Rotie, Cornas, Hermitage, my hunch was correct, they have really turned into spectacular wines that are essence of this famed region. Our friend, Lionel Frasse, gérant at Domaine Voge opened the library for us; if you have a wine lover who appreciates greatness this makes for an awesome gift.
Instantly one sees Grand Cru here. Monumental, very multi-dimensional, secondary aromas shine with aromatic black olive, black truffle, licorice, mineral, dark Valrhona choclate all surrounding sexy strawberry, smoke and black pepper. Slow building then expansive complex texture that has elegance and smoothness to go along with the fine backbone. Very long, very vivid and very fine indeed! At age ten, this is off the chain and as evidenced by a 1999 and 2000 uncorked earlier this year when Lionel was in town, it will easily age and develop further for another decade and beyond.
Instantly one sees Grand Cru here. Monumental, very multi-dimensional, secondary aromas shine with aromatic black olive, black truffle, licorice, mineral, dark Valrhona choclate all surrounding sexy strawberry, smoke and black pepper. Slow building then expansive complex texture that has elegance and smoothness to go along with the fine backbone. Very long, very vivid and very fine indeed! At age ten, this is off the chain and as evidenced by a 1999 and 2000 uncorked earlier this year when Lionel was in town, it will easily age and develop further for another decade and beyond.
2019 LUKE JEFFERSON PINOT NOIR
'THE HEAD AND HEART'
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK
'THE HEAD AND HEART'
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK
Luke Jefferson Vineyards was started in 2012 by influential Cristom winemaker Steve Doerner and his wife Irene Steh as an homage to their young son Luke. The Doerner style utilizing whole clusters is evident in these small production wines. Tiny production, these are some of the most compelling Oregon PInot Noirs out there. Made from their vineyard on the eastern slopes of Eola-Amity that was planted in 2000, this small 2.5-acre site is planted to five clones. Aged in 30% new oak with ample whole cluster fermentation, it is ethereal and cerebral.
Even in its young stages, 2019 Oregon Pinots are amongst the finest ever from our state. Luxuriously complex notes of lavender, cinnamon-coated strawberries, mushrooms and intermittent, aromatic herbs and spice gently careen for the glass. Suave, full of fashion-sense with ripe red cherry, telltale cinnamon and very fine tannins, which give some flattering structure beneath the surface. Think of a perfectly tailored Armani suit and you will understand the wine. Smoke and lacey fruit linger on the saturated, long yet compact and youthful finish. Give this until 2024 and drink it through 2034+.
Even in its young stages, 2019 Oregon Pinots are amongst the finest ever from our state. Luxuriously complex notes of lavender, cinnamon-coated strawberries, mushrooms and intermittent, aromatic herbs and spice gently careen for the glass. Suave, full of fashion-sense with ripe red cherry, telltale cinnamon and very fine tannins, which give some flattering structure beneath the surface. Think of a perfectly tailored Armani suit and you will understand the wine. Smoke and lacey fruit linger on the saturated, long yet compact and youthful finish. Give this until 2024 and drink it through 2034+.
2022 WALTER SCOTT PINOT NOIR
'LA COMBE VERTE'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
'LA COMBE VERTE'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
It is nice to be able to offer this to friends because this cuvee normally sells through well before the holidays. Something perfect to impress and share with out of town guests! When it comes to this wine as well as its Chardonnay sibling, I often hesitate to call it merely Willamette Valley because of the quality of vineyards, farming and winemaking that goes into the production of them. They are that serious and impeccable values.
The 2022 marks a return (for this vintage at least) to being a majority of Eola-Amity fruit blended with the mighty Freedom Hill vineyard. Sensuous aromatics with an impressive core of poised fruit, engaging smoke and spice all that follows through to a silky texture that expands nicely and maintains vibrancy throughout. Lengthy and very promising, this seriously delectable and seamless Pinot is an unmitigated heist! Very enjoyable now but this will also easily age and develop for 8-10+ years.
The 2022 marks a return (for this vintage at least) to being a majority of Eola-Amity fruit blended with the mighty Freedom Hill vineyard. Sensuous aromatics with an impressive core of poised fruit, engaging smoke and spice all that follows through to a silky texture that expands nicely and maintains vibrancy throughout. Lengthy and very promising, this seriously delectable and seamless Pinot is an unmitigated heist! Very enjoyable now but this will also easily age and develop for 8-10+ years.
