Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'BACON CHEESESTEAK' HOTSHEET
Unconventional Savory Italian Reds
Washington Red & Austrian White Blends
96 pt. Spanish Red, Rhone Value & more
Washington Red & Austrian White Blends
96 pt. Spanish Red, Rhone Value & more
2019 L'ECOLE NO. 41
'FRENCHTOWN' RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'FRENCHTOWN' RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
A new arrival from one of Walla Walla’s influential and oldest producers who continually strives for excellence, even in this twenty-dollar blend.
Bordeaux grapes combined with Rhone grapes (18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Syrah, 10% Malbec, 45% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Grenache), this red has serious suck-it-down factor. Flamboyant, exuberant aromas of cassis, blueberry, dusty earth and tobacco carry over to a texture that is positively velvety and smoothly covers the entire palate with ambiance and spirit. Drinkable now and over the next 3-4 years, this is a lovely red from one of the longtime stalwarts that stands above so many other under 20 dollar Washington blends.
Bordeaux grapes combined with Rhone grapes (18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Syrah, 10% Malbec, 45% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Grenache), this red has serious suck-it-down factor. Flamboyant, exuberant aromas of cassis, blueberry, dusty earth and tobacco carry over to a texture that is positively velvety and smoothly covers the entire palate with ambiance and spirit. Drinkable now and over the next 3-4 years, this is a lovely red from one of the longtime stalwarts that stands above so many other under 20 dollar Washington blends.
2019 DOMAINE DES MARRANS
FLEURIE 'LES MARRANS'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
FLEURIE 'LES MARRANS'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
When a vintage like 2019 collides with an appellation like Fleurie and a producer of this pedigree, velvety fireworks are sure to occur. Established in 1970, Domaine Des Marrans is now under the leadership of young Mathieu Melinand. This cuvee is from the lieu dit of which the estate takes its name. The Les Marrans vineyard is located in the SE area of Fleurie and is comprised of classic pink granite soil.
The 2019 is flat-out delicious and reflects Marran and Mathieu’s meticulous nature with a nose full of complex but pretty aromas of red fruits, strawberry and raspberry, not to mention mineral. As this beauty sits in the glass, violet and spice join in on the nose while in the mouth pure and lively fruits shine with sneaky structure, sneaky length and elegant backbone. These long terroir-driven flavors on the finish show the real supremacy that 45+ year old vines and attention to detail impart. Superbly formed, enjoy this wine over the next 6-8 years with roasted pork with apples, Vietnamese beef-based dishes, pot-au-feu (French roast beef) and even heartier seafood dishes.
The 2019 is flat-out delicious and reflects Marran and Mathieu’s meticulous nature with a nose full of complex but pretty aromas of red fruits, strawberry and raspberry, not to mention mineral. As this beauty sits in the glass, violet and spice join in on the nose while in the mouth pure and lively fruits shine with sneaky structure, sneaky length and elegant backbone. These long terroir-driven flavors on the finish show the real supremacy that 45+ year old vines and attention to detail impart. Superbly formed, enjoy this wine over the next 6-8 years with roasted pork with apples, Vietnamese beef-based dishes, pot-au-feu (French roast beef) and even heartier seafood dishes.
2020 INGRID GROISS GEMISCHTER SATZ
AUSTRIA WHITE BLEND
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
AUSTRIA WHITE BLEND
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
We have been featuring this young talent’s wines for the last several years but it seems that 2020 has propelled her into Austrian rock star status. Ingrid Groiss’s wines are grown and made in the Weinviertel region not far from the border of the Czech Republic. These wines are brilliant expressions of cool climate terroir and as one sees in this wine, it overrides the 17 grape varietals that comprise the final blend.
Fully dry, the Gemischter Satz (or mixed set) is a classification where it is compulsory to blend, where at least three varietals must be planted together, and which none makes up more than 50% of the blend. Lastly, they must be fermented together as well. Ingrid’s 2020 checks in at 12.5% alcohol and reveals enhanced spicy, pepper tones with lime, nectarine, wet stone and wet chalkboard along for the ride. Beautiful depth on the dry texture that expands and reveals spice tones at the end. A perfect pairing for pork, heartier seafood preparations and spicy Thai dishes.
Fully dry, the Gemischter Satz (or mixed set) is a classification where it is compulsory to blend, where at least three varietals must be planted together, and which none makes up more than 50% of the blend. Lastly, they must be fermented together as well. Ingrid’s 2020 checks in at 12.5% alcohol and reveals enhanced spicy, pepper tones with lime, nectarine, wet stone and wet chalkboard along for the ride. Beautiful depth on the dry texture that expands and reveals spice tones at the end. A perfect pairing for pork, heartier seafood preparations and spicy Thai dishes.
2019 COLENE CLEMENS PINOT NOIR
'DOPP CREEK'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
'DOPP CREEK'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
93 Points – The Wine Spectator…Founded in 2008, this lovely Chehalem Mountain based estate has sneakily put forth terrific wines that garner excellent accolades and best of all, are very tasty indeed. The leadoff hitter in the lineup is the Dopp Creek Pinot Noir, which is an overview of the estate vineyard that straddles the border of Chehalem Mountain and Ribbon Ridge.
‘Slowly unfurls, opening with taut raspberry and stony mineral, then drawing in a rich and plush texture that glides toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2030. – 93 POINTS’
‘Slowly unfurls, opening with taut raspberry and stony mineral, then drawing in a rich and plush texture that glides toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2030. – 93 POINTS’
2019 I CLIVI SCHIOPETTINO
VENEZIA GIULIA
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
VENEZIA GIULIA
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
One of the surprise hits of last year, we have access to a smattering more of this delicious Italian red. Northern Italy is the home of some of Italy's most flavorful and innovative red wines. This red wine from Friuli, which is located near the Slovenian border, is one such wine. Avoiding the pitfalls of unripe grapes that sometimes plague this region, I Clivi masters the fine line between clever and stupid and makes wines that are unique and very special.
This wine, which is made from the obscure Schiopettino grape, has both ripeness and intensity as well as generously proportioned, savory baked red cherry aromas, lavender, hints of herbs and violets, which progress into a flavorful, chewy and extending palate. This wine is very accessible, and will carry over to the Italian table very nicely and show well with an array of pasta dishes or a risotto jacked with peas and pancetta, speck or prosciutto di San Daniele.
This wine, which is made from the obscure Schiopettino grape, has both ripeness and intensity as well as generously proportioned, savory baked red cherry aromas, lavender, hints of herbs and violets, which progress into a flavorful, chewy and extending palate. This wine is very accessible, and will carry over to the Italian table very nicely and show well with an array of pasta dishes or a risotto jacked with peas and pancetta, speck or prosciutto di San Daniele.
2019 FRANZ GOJER LAGREIN
SUDTIROLER 'GRANAT'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
SUDTIROLER 'GRANAT'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
More fun with off the path, aberrant Italian red wines, here is one from the Sudtiroler, or Alto Adige region. Made from the native Lagrein, this unique red is well worth experiencing, especially if you want sense adventure beyond the Sangiovese normalcy of Italian reds.
Pantheon funk, like any Ohio Players masterpiece is the hallmark here. Plenty of smoked meat, but also enhanced by enticing roasted coffee, plum, licorice and red berry notes. Silky-smooth and high-pitched in the mouth with an almost Syrah-like smoky texture. Impeccably focused throughout and having a scintillating, luxurious quality on the back end. This wine can be consumed over the next 6-7 years with something hearty like an alfredo sauce or a full-on cheese-laden/meat sauce lasagna.
Pantheon funk, like any Ohio Players masterpiece is the hallmark here. Plenty of smoked meat, but also enhanced by enticing roasted coffee, plum, licorice and red berry notes. Silky-smooth and high-pitched in the mouth with an almost Syrah-like smoky texture. Impeccably focused throughout and having a scintillating, luxurious quality on the back end. This wine can be consumed over the next 6-7 years with something hearty like an alfredo sauce or a full-on cheese-laden/meat sauce lasagna.
2019 CHATEAU CADENETTE
COSTIERES DE NIMES ROUGE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
COSTIERES DE NIMES ROUGE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Is it Rhone or is it Languedoc? Truthfully, who cares because it is just a great soulful Southern French quaffer. Okay, for those who need to know, we will tell you…it is on the west side of Nimes on the Languedoc side near the Camargues.
A classic Grenache/Syrah blend it is scrumptious and savory, peppery and packed with plum and tapenade notes. Good depth of fruit, no shortage of character. Perfect with ratatouille, burgers or just about any stew.
A classic Grenache/Syrah blend it is scrumptious and savory, peppery and packed with plum and tapenade notes. Good depth of fruit, no shortage of character. Perfect with ratatouille, burgers or just about any stew.
2019 J. PALACIOS BIERZO
'CORULLON' VINO DE VILLA
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
'CORULLON' VINO DE VILLA
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
The Corullon cuvee is from very old vineyards specifically coming from the Cru (now Vino de Villa) village of Corullon and the resulting wine is packed, stacked and much more serious than the usual Petalos that we always feature. Commencing with the 2017 vintage, the category of Vino di Villa was created to classify the villages and vineyards of Bierzo. This has been quite the change and once again, we are finding that Bierzo is very exciting.
91% Mencia, 1% Alicante Bouschet and 8% white grapes from 200 different parcels in and around the village of Corullon. The perfume here is very profound. The scents are almost combining a top-drawer Premier Cru from Burgundy and a fine, mid-slope Côte-Rôtie. Alluring raspberry, red flower, aromatic herbs, olive, licorice and mineral that arrives after the wine opens. Creamy, seductive texture that goes way deep from the 50-90 year old vines here. Literally floats in the mouth and shows expansiveness and girth even in a compact, youthful state. Super-substance on the packed finish. Incredible potential from start to finish. Drink this Spanish monument 2024 - 2034. If you dig scores, this has 96 points from The Wine Advocate.
91% Mencia, 1% Alicante Bouschet and 8% white grapes from 200 different parcels in and around the village of Corullon. The perfume here is very profound. The scents are almost combining a top-drawer Premier Cru from Burgundy and a fine, mid-slope Côte-Rôtie. Alluring raspberry, red flower, aromatic herbs, olive, licorice and mineral that arrives after the wine opens. Creamy, seductive texture that goes way deep from the 50-90 year old vines here. Literally floats in the mouth and shows expansiveness and girth even in a compact, youthful state. Super-substance on the packed finish. Incredible potential from start to finish. Drink this Spanish monument 2024 - 2034. If you dig scores, this has 96 points from The Wine Advocate.
