Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'WINES OF WONDER' HOTSHEET
French Chardonnay under 10 beans
Puglia Paradise
Napa Cab, Cru Beaujolais
Puglia Paradise
Napa Cab, Cru Beaujolais
2021 PIETRAVENTOSA PRIMITIVO
PUGLIA 'VOLERE VOLARE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
PUGLIA 'VOLERE VOLARE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
As Bill Murray said so succinctly in Stripes, ‘it’s party time, Italian style’! I am almost giddy with excitement over this and the following wine from Puglia, they are amongst the finest from the heel of the boot that I have tasted in quite a while. Founded in 2005, this estate immediately established themselves as a top player in the Gioia del Colle area smack in the center of Puglia between Bari on the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west side.
Pretty telltale of this grape and region, this toothsome red proclaims its case with both passion and civility. Bold tones of red and black cherry are encompassed by pekoe, Mexican hot chocolate, kisses of licorice and even orange peel. Ample peppery notes arrive shortly after pouring into the glass. Twelve months in stainless steel and twelve in barrel (no new), there is generosity and vibrancy to the wine. Sappy notes shine with almost amaro/plum aspects finishing long and with a tangy spicy note that is very prominent in this region. Enjoy this red with a lamb or spicy pork dish. I really dig this wine with meatballs in a slow-cooked tomato sauce as well as North African flavors…lighten up Francis!
Pretty telltale of this grape and region, this toothsome red proclaims its case with both passion and civility. Bold tones of red and black cherry are encompassed by pekoe, Mexican hot chocolate, kisses of licorice and even orange peel. Ample peppery notes arrive shortly after pouring into the glass. Twelve months in stainless steel and twelve in barrel (no new), there is generosity and vibrancy to the wine. Sappy notes shine with almost amaro/plum aspects finishing long and with a tangy spicy note that is very prominent in this region. Enjoy this red with a lamb or spicy pork dish. I really dig this wine with meatballs in a slow-cooked tomato sauce as well as North African flavors…lighten up Francis!
2021 PIETRAVENTOSA 'OSSIMORO'
MURGIA ROSSO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
MURGIA ROSSO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
The Ossimoro is also from the same area but is under the Murgia Rosso designation as it is a blend of Primitivo and Aglianico. Supple and showing beautiful fruit from the Primitive which balances out the untamed structure and character of Aglianico. This offering is aged in stainless steel then moved to one year old barriques for further development.
Both haunting and aromatic aromas of blueberry, smoked meat, rose, cocoa, and sea salt combine with palate of assorted ripe plums, exotic spice, mineral and peppercorns. The wine possesses an expansive and lasting finish. Even though its tannins are supple and well rounded, this gripping and fervent wine is a pleasurable smack on the ass. Long, very Southern Italian with its savory, high-toned finish. Pair this wine with grilled lamb chops or leg of lamb slathered with Italian herbs, rigatoni with spicy sausages and tomatoes, marinated beef kabobs.
Both haunting and aromatic aromas of blueberry, smoked meat, rose, cocoa, and sea salt combine with palate of assorted ripe plums, exotic spice, mineral and peppercorns. The wine possesses an expansive and lasting finish. Even though its tannins are supple and well rounded, this gripping and fervent wine is a pleasurable smack on the ass. Long, very Southern Italian with its savory, high-toned finish. Pair this wine with grilled lamb chops or leg of lamb slathered with Italian herbs, rigatoni with spicy sausages and tomatoes, marinated beef kabobs.
2021 FINCA SANDOVAL
MANCHUELA TINTO 'SALIA'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
MANCHUELA TINTO 'SALIA'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Commencing in 2004 the large region of Castile La Mancha was carved into thirteen different regions. This move was long overdue as terroirs have immense differences as well as grape varietals. Manchuela is a small, inland SE region bordered by Jumilla, Utiel Requena and Ribera del Jucar. Bobal thrives here and this cuvee is 40 percent ancient vines with a healthy 60% dose of Syrah.
Put this in a blind tasting of Northern Rhone Syrah and you would be hard pressed to call it out as Spain. Very aromatic from the sand and clay soils, bold blackberries spring from the glass upon being poured. Following the fruit, fine minerality arrives with ample scents of freshly ground Lampong black pepper and a touch of black olive. Stylish, satiny texture with building depth and fruit along with high-toned fresh acidity to maintain its elegant core. Enjoy this over the next 8-10 years with a sirloin steak slathered with chanterelles, venison/elk, smoked duck or chicken and a milder blue cheese like Bleu d'Auvergne.
Put this in a blind tasting of Northern Rhone Syrah and you would be hard pressed to call it out as Spain. Very aromatic from the sand and clay soils, bold blackberries spring from the glass upon being poured. Following the fruit, fine minerality arrives with ample scents of freshly ground Lampong black pepper and a touch of black olive. Stylish, satiny texture with building depth and fruit along with high-toned fresh acidity to maintain its elegant core. Enjoy this over the next 8-10 years with a sirloin steak slathered with chanterelles, venison/elk, smoked duck or chicken and a milder blue cheese like Bleu d'Auvergne.
2020 FOXGLOVE ZINFANDEL
PASO ROBLES
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
PASO ROBLES
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Made by famed Chardonnay producers Jim and Bob Varner, the brothers' Foxglove label has become synonymous with top-value California wines. Yet again these guys absolutely over-deliver with their always terrific Paso Robles Zin.
Enhanced by two percent Petit Sirah, this Zin explodes from the glass with juicy dark raspberry, blueberry, briar and spice without being ponderous or overtly alcoholic. Warm and full bodied on the palate with dark berries and rich spice dominating the long flavorful finish. Drink barbecued ribs or pulled pork sandwiches over the next year or two.
Enhanced by two percent Petit Sirah, this Zin explodes from the glass with juicy dark raspberry, blueberry, briar and spice without being ponderous or overtly alcoholic. Warm and full bodied on the palate with dark berries and rich spice dominating the long flavorful finish. Drink barbecued ribs or pulled pork sandwiches over the next year or two.
2021 RÉIS TIMORASSO BIANCO
DERTHONA COLLI TORONES
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
DERTHONA COLLI TORONES
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Located at the border of Lombardy, Liguria and Emilia Romagna, the Timorasso grape thrived in this area of Piedmont from the Middle Ages up until Phyloxerra in the late 1800s when it fell out of use and replaced by red wines. In the 1980s, Walter Massa and Andrea Mutti started a reclamation project and saved the grape. Thirty-plus years later, we now have other producers exploring this area, including this project done by six young friends who have been linked since their school days.
On the more substantial side of white wine, think of this as a White Barolo as it is grown in the same blue marl soils. Big-hearted scents of nectarine, lemon, starfruit, saline, anise and stellar minerality. In the mouth it starts creamy but quickly increases its burst, thrust and energy. Ample material and suaveness on the close and one that pairs well with fried calamari, roasted spaghetti squash, pork loin with a fruit compote, Taleggio cheese or hold back bottles for Dungeness crab season.
On the more substantial side of white wine, think of this as a White Barolo as it is grown in the same blue marl soils. Big-hearted scents of nectarine, lemon, starfruit, saline, anise and stellar minerality. In the mouth it starts creamy but quickly increases its burst, thrust and energy. Ample material and suaveness on the close and one that pairs well with fried calamari, roasted spaghetti squash, pork loin with a fruit compote, Taleggio cheese or hold back bottles for Dungeness crab season.
2022 DESVIGNES MORGON
'CORCELETTE'
[REG. $34.99]
SPECIAL - $24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
'CORCELETTE'
[REG. $34.99]
SPECIAL - $24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
Not only one of Beaujolais’s most prolific producers, Domaine Desvignes is one of France’s wine treasures. Specializing in Morgon Cru wines, they are what is so righteous about the good that is currently occurring within Beaujolais.
50–60-year-old vine fruit from this lieu dit that sits at the highest point overlooking the village of Villie Morgon. Pink granite and schist rules the roost when it comes to the soils and the wines from this Cru always show power but due to elevation, also show impressive verve and lift. Brilliant scents of bing cherry, Italian plum, savory mineral, underlying peach skin and freshly ground pepper. Darker on the initial mouth feel than what the aromas would initially show. Broad, vinous and fanning out across the entire palate before giving way to an impressive, high-pitched, persistent finish that rolls on and on. Enjoy over the next decade-plus with roasted or grilled duck breast, rib-eye with a chanterelle sauce, jambalaya, Bun Thit Nuong (Vietnamese pork & Rice noodles), Beaufort (or strong gruyere) cheese.
50–60-year-old vine fruit from this lieu dit that sits at the highest point overlooking the village of Villie Morgon. Pink granite and schist rules the roost when it comes to the soils and the wines from this Cru always show power but due to elevation, also show impressive verve and lift. Brilliant scents of bing cherry, Italian plum, savory mineral, underlying peach skin and freshly ground pepper. Darker on the initial mouth feel than what the aromas would initially show. Broad, vinous and fanning out across the entire palate before giving way to an impressive, high-pitched, persistent finish that rolls on and on. Enjoy over the next decade-plus with roasted or grilled duck breast, rib-eye with a chanterelle sauce, jambalaya, Bun Thit Nuong (Vietnamese pork & Rice noodles), Beaufort (or strong gruyere) cheese.
2017 SPRING MOUNTAIN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA
$79.99 BTL./$479.94 - SIX PACK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA
$79.99 BTL./$479.94 - SIX PACK
Spring Mountain is prime real estate for Cabernet Sauvignon, with Diamond Mountain to its north and Mt. Veeder to the south. A sort of cult winery going back to the 1960s, for those of you who are not familiar with this winery, Spring Mountain is a small production operation, all the fruit is from their own three historic vineyards in this elite Spring Mountain appellation of Napa Valley, and the quality is still impeccable. Considering how expensive the majority of Napa Cab is these days; this special wine is quite a deal and ages beautifully.
Age seven and we are starting to see hints of secondary aspects. Typical of Spring Mountain, these are definitely for those who like big and bold yet turn to smooth in time. We are just starting to see the results. Intense, yet sophisticated aromas of plum, raspberries, smoke, violet, cocoa, nutmeg and cedar-box. Rich and comes at you in waves. There is still ample structure for even further development, but the tannins are gobbled up nicely by the sublime fruit. Finishes with authority but planes out and the flavors stick around for a hell of a long time. Drink this wonderful expression of the Napa Valley through 2030+.
Age seven and we are starting to see hints of secondary aspects. Typical of Spring Mountain, these are definitely for those who like big and bold yet turn to smooth in time. We are just starting to see the results. Intense, yet sophisticated aromas of plum, raspberries, smoke, violet, cocoa, nutmeg and cedar-box. Rich and comes at you in waves. There is still ample structure for even further development, but the tannins are gobbled up nicely by the sublime fruit. Finishes with authority but planes out and the flavors stick around for a hell of a long time. Drink this wonderful expression of the Napa Valley through 2030+.
2021 VETRICCIE CORSICA ROUGE
'ILE DE BEAUTE'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'ILE DE BEAUTE'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From Corsica, this tasty value red made with Nielluccio (linked to Sangiovese via Genoa) and Sciacarello (native to Corsica) will make you want to catch island fever.
Tangy licorice, red currants, brine, spice and sage scents. Rhythmic, forward, savory flavors hypothetically combine influences of mainland Italy sprinkled in with traits of Sicily then finishing with a sultry kiss of southern Rhone aspects. Drinks extremely well now and is a genuinely enjoyable way to enhance grilled chicken or sausage.
Tangy licorice, red currants, brine, spice and sage scents. Rhythmic, forward, savory flavors hypothetically combine influences of mainland Italy sprinkled in with traits of Sicily then finishing with a sultry kiss of southern Rhone aspects. Drinks extremely well now and is a genuinely enjoyable way to enhance grilled chicken or sausage.
2022 DOMAINE DES FORGES
CHARDONNAY
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
CHARDONNAY
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
Located in the Loire Valley's Anjou district, Domaine des Forges specializes in Savennieres. They also happen to make a lineup of fun, fighting varietal wines from the region that are meant to be deleted by the bottle on any day or any moment.
Unoaked and preserving its cooler climate profile, playful scents pear, lime and melon follow into a texture that possesses burst along with cushion and succulence. A zippy offering that will pair nicely with grilled fish or vegetables. This is a closeout deal, when it is gone, it is gone!
Unoaked and preserving its cooler climate profile, playful scents pear, lime and melon follow into a texture that possesses burst along with cushion and succulence. A zippy offering that will pair nicely with grilled fish or vegetables. This is a closeout deal, when it is gone, it is gone!
