Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'DRINK UNTIL YA DON'T STINK' HOTSHEET
Marsanne & Syrah Special
Collectible Chateauneuf, Red Burgundy & Napa Cab
Bubbly Rose from Mt. Etna & several under-20 values
Collectible Chateauneuf, Red Burgundy & Napa Cab
Bubbly Rose from Mt. Etna & several under-20 values
A superb special from one of the hottest names in Condrieu and St-Joseph, this 100% Syrah is from vines just above the St-Joseph appellation and older vines located across the river from Condrieu. A tiny bit of younger vine St-Joseph also winds up into this cuvee as well.
Aged in 1-6 year old 500-600 liter barrels, classic Northern Rhone Syrah in both aromas and flavors are present. A real pepper-pot nose abundant with plum and raspberry fruit, it is generous with creamy fruit upon entry all unfurling into minerally vibrancy. A wonderfully versatile, spectacular value red to bring to friends’ homes over the autumn season, especially when you are not sure what they will be serving for dinner. Enjoy with stews, smoked and braised meats as well as the impending arrival of fall chanterelle mushrooms.
Aged in 1-6 year old 500-600 liter barrels, classic Northern Rhone Syrah in both aromas and flavors are present. A real pepper-pot nose abundant with plum and raspberry fruit, it is generous with creamy fruit upon entry all unfurling into minerally vibrancy. A wonderfully versatile, spectacular value red to bring to friends’ homes over the autumn season, especially when you are not sure what they will be serving for dinner. Enjoy with stews, smoked and braised meats as well as the impending arrival of fall chanterelle mushrooms.
Last call for a Cellar Door exclusive and favorite Italian white wine from Emilia Romagna! Made from the local Romagna grape, Albana, a great Italian term when describing wine is ‘equiliberato’, which means that everything is there and in perfect proportion with each other, this wine has this great balance in spades.
A gift from the soil with its almost quartz-like aromas, this wine keeps inviting you back for more. Transparent, mineral-driven aromas unfurl and mandarin, grapefruit and gentle nectarine aromas carry over into a texture that starts round then turns on the jets with briskness, luminosity and a cool, oceanic, saline/mineral finish. A magical match with crab or scallops as well as other fleshy fishes like cod or halibut. It also goes very well with Proscuitto di Parma or Mortadella and will age and develop for 6-8 years, although it is deliciously irresistible right now, especially at 12.71% alcohol.
A gift from the soil with its almost quartz-like aromas, this wine keeps inviting you back for more. Transparent, mineral-driven aromas unfurl and mandarin, grapefruit and gentle nectarine aromas carry over into a texture that starts round then turns on the jets with briskness, luminosity and a cool, oceanic, saline/mineral finish. A magical match with crab or scallops as well as other fleshy fishes like cod or halibut. It also goes very well with Proscuitto di Parma or Mortadella and will age and develop for 6-8 years, although it is deliciously irresistible right now, especially at 12.71% alcohol.
Tendril is Tony Rynders (formerly of Domaine Serene) high-end Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines that he started after departing in 2010. These wines immediately took off and became very sought-after. Some years after launching Tendril, Tony created another label focused on playful, delicious, value-oriented wines called Child’s Play and this Malbec from Washington’s Rattlesnake Hills shines brightly.
12 months aging in neutral oak barrels, not only does this wine have a playful side, it also has formidable quality. Major-league yum factor this well-formed Northwest gem showcases expressive bright, fresh red juicy fruit, plum, raspberry and dark currant, with some fresh spice, earth and roasted coffee. More than just a juicy-loosey fruit bomb, there is good structure that lays down the tracks for a fleshy, endowed red with engaging nuances. Drink over the next 6-8 years.
12 months aging in neutral oak barrels, not only does this wine have a playful side, it also has formidable quality. Major-league yum factor this well-formed Northwest gem showcases expressive bright, fresh red juicy fruit, plum, raspberry and dark currant, with some fresh spice, earth and roasted coffee. More than just a juicy-loosey fruit bomb, there is good structure that lays down the tracks for a fleshy, endowed red with engaging nuances. Drink over the next 6-8 years.
100% Marsanne. Saint-Peray is the southern neighbor village of Cornas but it is here where the soils change from granite to limestone meaning the appellation is dedicated solely to white grapes for still and sparkling wines. Marsanne is king in this appellation, Roussanne came a bit later, but Voge continues with the tradition of 100% Marsanne for all its Saint-Peray wines.
Harmonie is aged in stainless steel and concrete tanks. 30-year-old vines, mostly limestone with granite streaks sewn into the steep vineyard site. Pear and orange immediately jump. Hints of ginger and blossom. Smoke, mineral and saline on full entry, gains dustiness and expands on the palate. Spicy, savory finish that is seemingly a red wine disguised as a full white wine. Drink over the next 5-7 years with trout or halibut in sauce, Indian cuisine, creamy risotto with asparagus and other vegetables and aged goat cheese.
Harmonie is aged in stainless steel and concrete tanks. 30-year-old vines, mostly limestone with granite streaks sewn into the steep vineyard site. Pear and orange immediately jump. Hints of ginger and blossom. Smoke, mineral and saline on full entry, gains dustiness and expands on the palate. Spicy, savory finish that is seemingly a red wine disguised as a full white wine. Drink over the next 5-7 years with trout or halibut in sauce, Indian cuisine, creamy risotto with asparagus and other vegetables and aged goat cheese.
Many of you have familiarized yourselves with this producer's mouthwatering Orvieto white wines; however, they also make tasty red wines. This particularly offering is made from warmer sites near Orvieto and aged a short six months in oak barrels.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese, lifting aromas of juicy strawberry, game, sage, white flowers and blueberry move nicely into the round and friendly mouthfeel; this fleshy, crunchy red is the perfect accompaniment to pizza, meatloaf, simple red-sauced pasta dishes. Have a few glasses while you are cooking the meal while savoring a hunk of good pecorino cheese.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese, lifting aromas of juicy strawberry, game, sage, white flowers and blueberry move nicely into the round and friendly mouthfeel; this fleshy, crunchy red is the perfect accompaniment to pizza, meatloaf, simple red-sauced pasta dishes. Have a few glasses while you are cooking the meal while savoring a hunk of good pecorino cheese.
Based in Bligny-les-Beaune, Claude Marechal produces 12 different wines from six villages. What amazes us is how much material they obtain from some of the most humble holdings in Burgundy. Back in the day, there were certain wine scribes who would declare that one should only drink Premier or Grand Cru Burgundy. This statement is now archaic due to such high quality and attention to detail in so many vineyards in the region. Oh yeah, it also does not hurt that Claude's mentor and inspiration is none other than the late-great Henri Jayer, he of Echezaux fame!
We have featured Marechal’s wines for 20+ years, but have rarely offered their very underrated and undervalued Chorey-les-Beaune. From the grand scale 2019 Red Burgundy vintage, sensuous aromatics suggest lovely wild strawberry, cinnamon stick, kisses of cocoa, pronounced lavender and exotic spice. Drier than New World Pinot Noir, this wine penetrates deep and is poised and multi-faceted. Complete and very sophisticated, it is refined, suave pure and long with pepper and plum dominating the focused finish. Braise some beef and then pour a mushroom sauce over it and get ready have your ass launched into orbit! Drink over the next 10-12 years.
We have featured Marechal’s wines for 20+ years, but have rarely offered their very underrated and undervalued Chorey-les-Beaune. From the grand scale 2019 Red Burgundy vintage, sensuous aromatics suggest lovely wild strawberry, cinnamon stick, kisses of cocoa, pronounced lavender and exotic spice. Drier than New World Pinot Noir, this wine penetrates deep and is poised and multi-faceted. Complete and very sophisticated, it is refined, suave pure and long with pepper and plum dominating the focused finish. Braise some beef and then pour a mushroom sauce over it and get ready have your ass launched into orbit! Drink over the next 10-12 years.
Right now, the entire island of Sicily exploding with producers, but the question remains, where is the pinnacle region? Easy answer, it is Etna. Murgo is a family owned operation who specializes in sparkling wines as well as well as fabulous reds and whites. A few years back, I got extremely excited by the sparkling wines last year and was primed to work with them but a convoluted distribution system and high prices got in the way. That is until now!
100% of the native Nerello Mascalese grape, aromas of red flowers, lemon-lime, shortbread and gentle spice teem from the glass leading into a crisp clean palate with ripe tangerine, subtle toastiness, wet stone, smoke, cherry pit and white chocolate. Excellent with pan-seared Halibut, prawns, hors d'oeuvres and toasting. It is hard to believe the new and improved price of this outstanding bottle of fizz and we if you love bubbles as we do, we cannot encourage you enough to try a bottle of this exemplary jumping grape!
100% of the native Nerello Mascalese grape, aromas of red flowers, lemon-lime, shortbread and gentle spice teem from the glass leading into a crisp clean palate with ripe tangerine, subtle toastiness, wet stone, smoke, cherry pit and white chocolate. Excellent with pan-seared Halibut, prawns, hors d'oeuvres and toasting. It is hard to believe the new and improved price of this outstanding bottle of fizz and we if you love bubbles as we do, we cannot encourage you enough to try a bottle of this exemplary jumping grape!
Utilizing the same grape as Bierzo, Mencia, this best buy, very individual red carries the humble Tierra de Leon designation. Do not be fooled, it performs above this mere country wine status and is a great midweek choice.
Highlighted by bright cranberry and smoky jamon tones with cinnamon, cloves and baking spice, it is easy-going and unique. After tasting this Mencia, we craved a pulled-pork sandwich or carnitas taco but one could enjoy this wine with any cured meat, salami or grilled meat.
Highlighted by bright cranberry and smoky jamon tones with cinnamon, cloves and baking spice, it is easy-going and unique. After tasting this Mencia, we craved a pulled-pork sandwich or carnitas taco but one could enjoy this wine with any cured meat, salami or grilled meat.
One of the great names of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the Armenier sisters and now Sophie's son Vincent established their remarkable wines and were among the first to practice biodynamic viticulture in the region. Smashing wines have emerged from these cellars since 1990 and their wines are in the big leagues with the likes of Charvin, Vieux Telegraphe, Vieux Donjon and their cousins at Beaurenard.
The 2020 Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape is one of the finest young Chateauneuf wines I have tasted this year. Loaded with black fruits, underlying raspberry, licorice, smoke and hot-stone scents nose, it continues in the mouth with lots of dense, packed fruit, roasted meats, and a nice lifting peppery/mineral quality. With aeration its elegance and breed comes out, showing the need for a few quite years of rest. This will be at its peak 2026-2035+. A great Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Period. Fans of these wines should not miss!
The 2020 Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape is one of the finest young Chateauneuf wines I have tasted this year. Loaded with black fruits, underlying raspberry, licorice, smoke and hot-stone scents nose, it continues in the mouth with lots of dense, packed fruit, roasted meats, and a nice lifting peppery/mineral quality. With aeration its elegance and breed comes out, showing the need for a few quite years of rest. This will be at its peak 2026-2035+. A great Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Period. Fans of these wines should not miss!
Ramey founder and Napa legend David Ramey honed his craft at such luminous producers like Dominus, Rudd and was one of the persons responsible for the advent of the entire Chalk Hill appellation. What we love most about Ramey's sterling wines is that his wines are built more to express balance, structure and richness more than just following the normal Napa trend of overripe flavor and alcohol and his children are maintaining these high standards. One of the top Cabs at Ramey, Annum is a reserve, select cuvee from the best lots and sites.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum’s nose features licorice, cassis, cedar, vanilla bean and savory earth with mint chocolate, cardamom, coffee bean and a core of red and black fruits—so many layers and grand cru depth indeed. Full bodied but not overblown, detonating luscious fruits, chocolate and spice accents are framed by ripe, structured grip, great freshness and backbone all finishing long and layered. Yes! Drink 2026 - 2037+.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum’s nose features licorice, cassis, cedar, vanilla bean and savory earth with mint chocolate, cardamom, coffee bean and a core of red and black fruits—so many layers and grand cru depth indeed. Full bodied but not overblown, detonating luscious fruits, chocolate and spice accents are framed by ripe, structured grip, great freshness and backbone all finishing long and layered. Yes! Drink 2026 - 2037+.