Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S '2.22.22' HOTSHEET
Amarone Special
Red & White Cotes-du-Rhone
Zerbina Sangiovese, French & Oregon Pinot Noir
Red & White Cotes-du-Rhone
Zerbina Sangiovese, French & Oregon Pinot Noir
2020 CHÂTEAU PEGAU
CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE BLANC ‘CUVEE LÔNE’
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE BLANC ‘CUVEE LÔNE’
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
In 2012, the highly acclaimed Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer Domaine du Pegau purchased 41 hectares of land in Sourgues, just outside of Châteauneuf. Wines from these plots are labeled as Château Pegau with both Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Rhône Villages wines produced.
For the first time ever we have a chance to offer the excellent white Cotes-du-Rhone named ‘Lône’ after the small stream that runs adjacent to the Château. Forward, generous yet full of brightness, this blend of 40% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc, 20% Grenache Blanc and 10% Ugni Blanc saunters from the glass with immediate white nectarine, honeysuckle, lychee and powdery lime tones. A prototype Southern Rhône white with excellent body and depth, there is copious freshness due to the wine being elevated sans malolactic fermentation and aged in stainless steel tank. Drink with steamed mussels jacked with white wine and Pernod, asparagus-based dishes or swordfish with a spicy salsa.
For the first time ever we have a chance to offer the excellent white Cotes-du-Rhone named ‘Lône’ after the small stream that runs adjacent to the Château. Forward, generous yet full of brightness, this blend of 40% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc, 20% Grenache Blanc and 10% Ugni Blanc saunters from the glass with immediate white nectarine, honeysuckle, lychee and powdery lime tones. A prototype Southern Rhône white with excellent body and depth, there is copious freshness due to the wine being elevated sans malolactic fermentation and aged in stainless steel tank. Drink with steamed mussels jacked with white wine and Pernod, asparagus-based dishes or swordfish with a spicy salsa.
2020 CHÂTEAU PEGAU
CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE VILLAGES ‘SETIER’
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE VILLAGES ‘SETIER’
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Not to be outdone by the Blanc, Pegau’s 2019 Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Rouge is ultra-successful indeed. Coming from exquisite terroir, this robust red comes from stony soils that are similar to those of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and are farmed at very low yields from 30-60 year old vines.
60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre, there is plenty of oomph from the vintage and grape varietals but underlying is the classic Pegau soul and smoothness. Sensuous scents of grenadine, rosemary and leather combine with assorted ripe plums, Thai spices and peppercorns. The wine possesses a very vinous, complex core as well as a long finish that is harmonious full of stuffing. Nevertheless, this broad wine requires, or better put, will truly shine with such hearty red meat entrees as grilled lamb, sausages or beef kabobs. With the prowess and density that 2019 offers, this wine can be opened now, but it will age nicely for 7-10 years from vintage date.
60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre, there is plenty of oomph from the vintage and grape varietals but underlying is the classic Pegau soul and smoothness. Sensuous scents of grenadine, rosemary and leather combine with assorted ripe plums, Thai spices and peppercorns. The wine possesses a very vinous, complex core as well as a long finish that is harmonious full of stuffing. Nevertheless, this broad wine requires, or better put, will truly shine with such hearty red meat entrees as grilled lamb, sausages or beef kabobs. With the prowess and density that 2019 offers, this wine can be opened now, but it will age nicely for 7-10 years from vintage date.
2019 LUKE JEFFERSON
PINOT NOIR 'SYMBION'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
PINOT NOIR 'SYMBION'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
Oregon Pinot Noir fans, especially those who love classic versions, I implore you to jump on the 2019 vintage. These are beautifully formed, harmonious, restrained and very cellar worthy wines. One of the terrific values is Cristom winemaker Steve Doerner and wife Irene Steh’s small side project that is named after their son.
The newly released 2019 is an excellent expression of Oregon Pinot Noir. The nose is extremely becoming and laden with currant, violet and cinnamon notes along with a kiss of black pepper tones to add dimension. Enticingly aromatic, but the mouth is even more impressive! Excellent ripeness with seductive flavors that crawl throughout the mouth, it is impeccably refined with very deceiving structure, length and backbone. Real Pinot lovers should not miss this one! Drink now through 2027+.
The newly released 2019 is an excellent expression of Oregon Pinot Noir. The nose is extremely becoming and laden with currant, violet and cinnamon notes along with a kiss of black pepper tones to add dimension. Enticingly aromatic, but the mouth is even more impressive! Excellent ripeness with seductive flavors that crawl throughout the mouth, it is impeccably refined with very deceiving structure, length and backbone. Real Pinot lovers should not miss this one! Drink now through 2027+.
2019 ZERBINA 'CEREGIO'
SANGIOVESE DI ROMAGNA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
SANGIOVESE DI ROMAGNA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
About a year ago, we held a Zoom tasting with Cristina Geminiani from Fattoria Zerbina. We had received this wine but opted not to show it due to it being quite rambunctious so we tasted the 2017 instead. Move forward a year and this wine is not only showing very well, it has surpassed the 2017 in quality and is one of the best versions of this wine we have ever worked with.
Sage and violet-dominated scents with red plum aspects are followed by a savory texture that is nicely buffered by a subtle roasted coffee/earth secondary aspect, which brings about another level of complexity. Accessible now and over the next 3-4 years, this is a thought-provoking Italian wine with serious backbone and persistence for its price. Have this wine with a gnocchi dish slathered in a light tomato sauce, pasta with sausages, braised pork and much more.
Sage and violet-dominated scents with red plum aspects are followed by a savory texture that is nicely buffered by a subtle roasted coffee/earth secondary aspect, which brings about another level of complexity. Accessible now and over the next 3-4 years, this is a thought-provoking Italian wine with serious backbone and persistence for its price. Have this wine with a gnocchi dish slathered in a light tomato sauce, pasta with sausages, braised pork and much more.
2020 RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
MARGARET RIVER
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
MARGARET RIVER
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Undoubtedly a Cabernet lovers Cabernet, Ringbolt is a twenty-buck version that possesses way more character and class than one should at this level. So many times critics and tasters lump all of Australian wines into one genre when it comes to vintage. This is sort of like saying that climate, weather conditions and soils are the same in Portland as they are in Pittsburgh. Western Australia is its own entity, especially the Margaret River area that has tendencies of a dry Bordeaux vintage or cooler California sites due to its coastal proximity.
Lovely woodsmoke aromas surround cassis, red plum, dark chocolate, cedar and allspice. Very poised and refined aromas lead into a texture that has lots of weight without being thick or ponderous. There is some oak here, but it is nicely integrated and buffered by seductively smooth tannins. The finish is harmonious, layered and drawn out with eye-opening red cherry fruit that is indicative of the region’s cooler influence. Drink this scintillating offering now through 2028 with a juicy thick steak.
Lovely woodsmoke aromas surround cassis, red plum, dark chocolate, cedar and allspice. Very poised and refined aromas lead into a texture that has lots of weight without being thick or ponderous. There is some oak here, but it is nicely integrated and buffered by seductively smooth tannins. The finish is harmonious, layered and drawn out with eye-opening red cherry fruit that is indicative of the region’s cooler influence. Drink this scintillating offering now through 2028 with a juicy thick steak.
2020 DIANETTI 'VIGNAJULIA'
OFFIDA PECORINO BIANCO
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - SIX PACK
OFFIDA PECORINO BIANCO
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - SIX PACK
It is worth featuring this wine again as it received the vaunted Tre Bicchieri (three glass) award from Gambero Rosso/Slow Food’s 2022 wine guide, quite an accomplishment for a wine under 20 bucks. Nestled in the southern reaches of the Le Marches, close to the Abruzzo border is the tiny growing region of Offida Pecorino. Having nothing to do with the namesake sheep’s milk cheese, the grape of choice is called Pecorino (it is Italy, go figure). In 2011, this area was elevated to DOCG status due to its terroir but especially for the potential of the white wines made from the Pecorino grape.
Powdery, penetrating and pristine with scents of orange, vitamin, wet stone and a swath of Italian herbs. Upon entry, this blitzes the palate, folds, unfolds, gains tension with its natural acidity, and soars on the finish. One of the ultimate seafood siren songs, enjoy with ling cod in an olive oil preparation and much more.
Powdery, penetrating and pristine with scents of orange, vitamin, wet stone and a swath of Italian herbs. Upon entry, this blitzes the palate, folds, unfolds, gains tension with its natural acidity, and soars on the finish. One of the ultimate seafood siren songs, enjoy with ling cod in an olive oil preparation and much more.
2017 THREE WINE COMPANY
PETITE SIRAH
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
PETITE SIRAH
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Three Wine Company is the venture of famed Sonoma wine vet Matt Cline. If the name sounds familiar, it is because Matt was the winemaker at Cline Cellars and has taken his talents over to Contra Costa where he is making exquisite wines.
From an old site in Contra Costa, this Petite Sirah is a can, oops, a bottle of whoop-ass. Full bodied, chewy and dense, ripe black plum fruit, tangy earth, spice and mineral on the nose as well as hints of tar, cocoa, and briar. Powerhouse mouth-filling flavors of ripe blackberries and blueberries abound on the palate followed by a lingering finish and juicy ripe tannins that frame the fruit. This wine can easily age for five years but the luscious fruit and approachable tannins make it a tough one to stash away. It's late February, but we can dream of sun (or simply grill between raindrops), so don the "kiss the chef" apron and break the Weber out…it's time.
From an old site in Contra Costa, this Petite Sirah is a can, oops, a bottle of whoop-ass. Full bodied, chewy and dense, ripe black plum fruit, tangy earth, spice and mineral on the nose as well as hints of tar, cocoa, and briar. Powerhouse mouth-filling flavors of ripe blackberries and blueberries abound on the palate followed by a lingering finish and juicy ripe tannins that frame the fruit. This wine can easily age for five years but the luscious fruit and approachable tannins make it a tough one to stash away. It's late February, but we can dream of sun (or simply grill between raindrops), so don the "kiss the chef" apron and break the Weber out…it's time.
2019 PAZO DE EGUREN TEMPRANILLO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
At this price, it is all about flow with this wine. You can decipher flow as smoothness, movement or how many bottles will flow down your gullet in one sitting!
From the warm climate La Mancha area, this Tempranillo is made in an early-drinking style that shows off sassy scents of raspberry, balsam, and spiced earth aromas that flow into a texture that is vibrant, supple and full of character. Plenty of persistence and nice snap-back, this is a delicious everyday red that works along, with a burger or a bunch of friends.
From the warm climate La Mancha area, this Tempranillo is made in an early-drinking style that shows off sassy scents of raspberry, balsam, and spiced earth aromas that flow into a texture that is vibrant, supple and full of character. Plenty of persistence and nice snap-back, this is a delicious everyday red that works along, with a burger or a bunch of friends.
2019 FRANCOIS MIKULSKI VOLNAY
'SANTENOTS DU MILIEU' PREMIER CRU
$129.99 BTL. - LIMITED
'SANTENOTS DU MILIEU' PREMIER CRU
$129.99 BTL. - LIMITED
A prolific, very collectible French Pinot Noir from one of Meursault’s most formidable producers. In an interesting twist, the vineyard of Santenots actually sits within the borders of Meursault (the whites are still called Meursault). The soils here are a very red limestone along with a dense clay structure that makes wines that possess the Volnay finesse but are a bit more rich and amplified. Mikulski’s vines were planted in 1947 and 1976 and the depth on this wine is magnificent indeed.
The aromatics on this are probably illegal in 14 states, my God! Insanely perfumed, but never flowing outside its border of restraint. The wine is chock full of sensuous strawberry, rhubarb, licorice, rose, black pepper and mineral aromas that go on for days. Unbelievably forward right now, but I fully expect it to close down a bit. In the mouth, the Volnay aspects seem to come about as it crawls and seduces the mouth, even at a young age. Hold on to this one until 2026 and drink through 2038 and beyond.
The aromatics on this are probably illegal in 14 states, my God! Insanely perfumed, but never flowing outside its border of restraint. The wine is chock full of sensuous strawberry, rhubarb, licorice, rose, black pepper and mineral aromas that go on for days. Unbelievably forward right now, but I fully expect it to close down a bit. In the mouth, the Volnay aspects seem to come about as it crawls and seduces the mouth, even at a young age. Hold on to this one until 2026 and drink through 2038 and beyond.
2015 PRA AMARONE 'MORANDINA'
[reg. $89.99]
SPECIAL - $65.99 BTL. - LIMITED
[reg. $89.99]
SPECIAL - $65.99 BTL. - LIMITED
95 POINTS – VINOUS… Soave kings Pra have been in the red wine game for only twenty years but that hasn’t stopped the family from putting forth Amarone and Valpolicella wines that are equal in quality to their epic white wines.
'The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Morandina does a wonderful job of delivering the intensity of Amarone, but in a savory and balanced style that I’m finding quite attractive. Crushed cherries and stone dust evolve into notes of plum sauce, cloves, sage and dark chocolate. It’s velvety in texture yet lifted in feel, coming across as juicy at times, with vibrant acids that excite the palate with mineral-tinged red fruits and sweet spices. This becomes darker and more intense through the finale, revealing tart black currants, herbal tones and a hint of bitter coffee. There’s simply so much going on here, with a structure that can carry the 2015 in the cellar for well over a decade. – 95 POINTS VINOUS'.
30 or so bottles available - Special price runs through February 28 or upon sell-out.
'The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Morandina does a wonderful job of delivering the intensity of Amarone, but in a savory and balanced style that I’m finding quite attractive. Crushed cherries and stone dust evolve into notes of plum sauce, cloves, sage and dark chocolate. It’s velvety in texture yet lifted in feel, coming across as juicy at times, with vibrant acids that excite the palate with mineral-tinged red fruits and sweet spices. This becomes darker and more intense through the finale, revealing tart black currants, herbal tones and a hint of bitter coffee. There’s simply so much going on here, with a structure that can carry the 2015 in the cellar for well over a decade. – 95 POINTS VINOUS'.
30 or so bottles available - Special price runs through February 28 or upon sell-out.
