Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'JOIN THE PARADE' HOTSHEET
Dreamy Chianti
97-point Andrew Will Red
Chardonnay Special
Numerous 20-and under values
97-point Andrew Will Red
Chardonnay Special
Numerous 20-and under values
2018 LE CINCIOLE CHIANTI CLASSICO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
93 Points – Vinous…The Chianti of your dreams. In the early 90s, Luca and Valeria Orsini relocated to Panzano in Chianti from Milano. In quick fashion, they became noticed for their high-quality wines. Their forward thinking work continues and these days this organic estate makes treasured wines that are more than just accolades, one feels the sense of detail and excellence throughout.
‘The 2018 Chianti Classico is a wine of magnificent purity and class. Lavender, sage, tobacco and cedar open first, leading to a core of dark red/purplish fruit. Savory and earthy, with terrific persistence, the 2018 has so much going on. Readers will find a deep, layered Chianti Classico full of character. The 2018 will benefit from a few years in bottle, as it is a bit tight at this stage. – 93+ POINTS, VINOUS’. If you want an early go at this wine, splash it into a decanter and have it with a hearty ragu or steak dish. Will be at its best end of 2023 through 2030.
‘The 2018 Chianti Classico is a wine of magnificent purity and class. Lavender, sage, tobacco and cedar open first, leading to a core of dark red/purplish fruit. Savory and earthy, with terrific persistence, the 2018 has so much going on. Readers will find a deep, layered Chianti Classico full of character. The 2018 will benefit from a few years in bottle, as it is a bit tight at this stage. – 93+ POINTS, VINOUS’. If you want an early go at this wine, splash it into a decanter and have it with a hearty ragu or steak dish. Will be at its best end of 2023 through 2030.
2020 CABASSE SABLET
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
From a perennial favorite Rhone producer, Sablet is one of the main specialties at Domaine de Cabasse. As the name Sablet indicates, there are sandy soils that always make this wine a very flattering and endearing choice. 2020 follows the five previous fine vintages very nicely and has excellent early appeal.
70% Grenache, 27% Syrah & 3% Carignan this wine is best defined as being crimson. Aromatic, finely tuned with scents of peonies, underlying red plum and white pepper. The texture here is fabulously full with succulence, balance and engaging depth. Nice expansion and mineral aspects shine on the fine finish that comes together nicely. Drink over the next 4-5 years with provençal stuffed tomatoes and/or zucchini, roasted porchetta, grilled or roasted leg of lamb with herbes de provence.
70% Grenache, 27% Syrah & 3% Carignan this wine is best defined as being crimson. Aromatic, finely tuned with scents of peonies, underlying red plum and white pepper. The texture here is fabulously full with succulence, balance and engaging depth. Nice expansion and mineral aspects shine on the fine finish that comes together nicely. Drink over the next 4-5 years with provençal stuffed tomatoes and/or zucchini, roasted porchetta, grilled or roasted leg of lamb with herbes de provence.
2019 BODEGA VIA ARXENTIA
MONTERREI TINTO
[reg. $21.99] SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
MONTERREI TINTO
[reg. $21.99] SPECIAL - $13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
From a Galicia veteran who decided to go into business for himself in 2007, Manuel Guerra Justo has provided us with some excellent red and white wine finds from Galicia’s most remote and smallest appellation, Monterrei.
This unoaked red is made primarily from Mencia with small amounts of the local varietals of Caiño and Sousal sprinkled into the blend. This wine makes me want to jump out of my shoes when I smell it! Lively, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs. They all seem to build as the wine opens in the glass and entice you to take a sip, which is pristine, medium-bodied and forward. It also shows wonderful intensity from the use of low-yielding fruit, finishing with lots of brightness and persistence.
This unoaked red is made primarily from Mencia with small amounts of the local varietals of Caiño and Sousal sprinkled into the blend. This wine makes me want to jump out of my shoes when I smell it! Lively, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs. They all seem to build as the wine opens in the glass and entice you to take a sip, which is pristine, medium-bodied and forward. It also shows wonderful intensity from the use of low-yielding fruit, finishing with lots of brightness and persistence.
2018 DOMAINE ANDERSON
CHARDONNAY 'ANDERSON VALLEY'
[reg. $45.99] SPECIAL - $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
CHARDONNAY 'ANDERSON VALLEY'
[reg. $45.99] SPECIAL - $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
Louis Roederer does Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Okay, so we definitely know that they utilize these grapes for their sparkling wines in both France and California but Roederer chairman Jean-Claude Rouzaud had an idea to acquire Dach winery to make non-sparkling versions of these grapes. With significant investment and love, the results are now in and are fantastic. In order to build some excitement, our distributor has given us incentive to get into your glasses with an excellent, limited special price.
The 2018 Domaine Anderson Chardonnay is quite formidable. The biggest thing for this wine is it never strays from its California roots with depth, richness and some of the butter tones yet it does reflect its cool site with a brisk and vivacious finish. Plenty of quince, pear, nutmeg and white peach along with a fine toastiness that flows nicely into a creamy full texture yet one where the volume is restrained and carries well to the table. There is oak here but not overblown by any means. Ample orange and spice on the lengthy finish. One to have with richer seafood dishes and one to look at instead of drinking overpriced and overoaked versions from Napa and Sonoma.
The 2018 Domaine Anderson Chardonnay is quite formidable. The biggest thing for this wine is it never strays from its California roots with depth, richness and some of the butter tones yet it does reflect its cool site with a brisk and vivacious finish. Plenty of quince, pear, nutmeg and white peach along with a fine toastiness that flows nicely into a creamy full texture yet one where the volume is restrained and carries well to the table. There is oak here but not overblown by any means. Ample orange and spice on the lengthy finish. One to have with richer seafood dishes and one to look at instead of drinking overpriced and overoaked versions from Napa and Sonoma.
2016 MASI 'BROLO DI CAMPOFIORIN'
VENETO ROSSO
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
VENETO ROSSO
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PACK
Since the inception of The Cellar Door, many of you have shared our passion for the wines of Masi. Dinners and tastings with Raffaele Boscaini have proved very popular and these wines are super-killers and influential benchmarks of the Veneto region and Amarone. Brolo di Campofiorin takes on the Ripasso concept of the great Campofiorin and expounds on it even further.
Almost attacking like an Amarone, this super-Veneto red unveils broad, Amarone-inspired aromas of plum pit, dark Valrhona chocolate, chartreuse-like herbs, cracked pepper and nutmeg, which carry over into a layered and rich texture that is full and assertive, yet maintaining what we call "Masi handsomeness." Drawn-out and very long, this is a super value at $26 and these six packs will not be available for long. If you love Masi as we do, e-mail us immediately! Drink through 2028.
Almost attacking like an Amarone, this super-Veneto red unveils broad, Amarone-inspired aromas of plum pit, dark Valrhona chocolate, chartreuse-like herbs, cracked pepper and nutmeg, which carry over into a layered and rich texture that is full and assertive, yet maintaining what we call "Masi handsomeness." Drawn-out and very long, this is a super value at $26 and these six packs will not be available for long. If you love Masi as we do, e-mail us immediately! Drink through 2028.
2019 EUGENE CARREL ALTESSE
'ROUSSETTE DE SAVOIE' BLANC
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
'ROUSSETTE DE SAVOIE' BLANC
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
The oldest white grape in the Savoie region, there is still debate over Altesse’s genetic origins. Perhaps it is a cousin of Hungary’s furmint, possibly from Cyprus or even French in origin. However, the soil and climate are what makes the wines of from this grape and Alpine region unique.
Crystalline, cool, precise aromas of peach-blossom, hints of anise and lime lead into a deceivingly crisp, intense texture that almost reminded us of a gushing mountain stream. No intrusive oak here, nothing but purity, and simply put, a miracle in the mouth. Drink this thrill-ride of a wine with trout, scallops with a citrus marinade, gruyere and more.
Crystalline, cool, precise aromas of peach-blossom, hints of anise and lime lead into a deceivingly crisp, intense texture that almost reminded us of a gushing mountain stream. No intrusive oak here, nothing but purity, and simply put, a miracle in the mouth. Drink this thrill-ride of a wine with trout, scallops with a citrus marinade, gruyere and more.
2019 LUMINOUS HILLS
PINOT NOIR 'ASTRA'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
PINOT NOIR 'ASTRA'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
Luminous Hills is Byron Dooley’s (also known for Seven of Hearts) home vineyard and is one of the more diverse sites in Yamhill-Carlton. It is here that one feels as though there are three or four vineyards in one as its micro-terroirs changes quite a bit. The clones planted are quite diverse as well and both Willakenzie and Jory soils are present.
Three Pinots come from this site (Astra, Lux & Estate) and if I were to say I were forced to pick a favorite of the three, Astra is probably my choice yet I still dig the others as well. Then again, those who know me know that my preferences for Pinot Noir run towards the silky side of things. From the northern blocks of the vineyard, this wine speaks out feminine sophistication. The aromas are sexy and sultry with lots of petites fruits rouges. Refined and classy. More and more perfume arrives. Turns introverted and mysterious but with superb velvety traits and expansion. Very fine Pinot, see you in 5 years!
Three Pinots come from this site (Astra, Lux & Estate) and if I were to say I were forced to pick a favorite of the three, Astra is probably my choice yet I still dig the others as well. Then again, those who know me know that my preferences for Pinot Noir run towards the silky side of things. From the northern blocks of the vineyard, this wine speaks out feminine sophistication. The aromas are sexy and sultry with lots of petites fruits rouges. Refined and classy. More and more perfume arrives. Turns introverted and mysterious but with superb velvety traits and expansion. Very fine Pinot, see you in 5 years!
2019 DOMAINE DES FORGES
ANJOU GAMAY 'FRIANDISE'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
ANJOU GAMAY 'FRIANDISE'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
With the escalation of prices for Loire Valley wines, it is exhilarating to see something very slurpable from a top Savennieres/Anjou Domaine emerge and offer much pleasure.
The Gamay grape of the red wines in this area are very different from those of Beaujolais. Aromatic, cherry pit, perfumed rose petal and violet. Middleweight, high pitched, dancing in the mouth and perfect to serve with a chill alongside a plate of meats and cheeses yet it is serious enough to go with a more upscale meal as well. A great value, any French wine lover should enjoy this red.
The Gamay grape of the red wines in this area are very different from those of Beaujolais. Aromatic, cherry pit, perfumed rose petal and violet. Middleweight, high pitched, dancing in the mouth and perfect to serve with a chill alongside a plate of meats and cheeses yet it is serious enough to go with a more upscale meal as well. A great value, any French wine lover should enjoy this red.
2017 ANDREW WILL SORELLA
$89.99 BTL./$539.94 - SIX PACK
$89.99 BTL./$539.94 - SIX PACK
97 Points – The Wine Advocate…Sorella is synonymous with Andrew Will and this legendary red blend is ALWAYS one of the greatest to come from Washington. 2017 is no exception and as usual, this Cabernet-dominated blend from the oldest block at Champoux vineyard (1972) is monumental indeed.
‘A resounding success, the deep ruby-colored 2017 Sorella displays beautiful purple highlights and explodes from the glass with aromas of blackberry, cigar box and dried tobacco with hints of graphite and dusty purple flowers. Full-bodied, the wine is ripe and round, with an immaculate mouthfeel, showing an impressive depth of flavor. With succulent red and black fruit expressions and soft cinnamon spice tones from oak, the wine is a whirlwind of complexity across the mid-palate. Emerging with a balanced structure and lifted tannic backbone, the wine lingers with persistence and intention, as flavors of dusty bitter dark chocolate, black plum and spiced dark cherries flutter across the finish. Bravo, this is absolutely stunning and will drink amazingly for the next two decades to come. – 97 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
‘A resounding success, the deep ruby-colored 2017 Sorella displays beautiful purple highlights and explodes from the glass with aromas of blackberry, cigar box and dried tobacco with hints of graphite and dusty purple flowers. Full-bodied, the wine is ripe and round, with an immaculate mouthfeel, showing an impressive depth of flavor. With succulent red and black fruit expressions and soft cinnamon spice tones from oak, the wine is a whirlwind of complexity across the mid-palate. Emerging with a balanced structure and lifted tannic backbone, the wine lingers with persistence and intention, as flavors of dusty bitter dark chocolate, black plum and spiced dark cherries flutter across the finish. Bravo, this is absolutely stunning and will drink amazingly for the next two decades to come. – 97 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
