Hot Sheets

2021 PRA VALPOLICELLA
SUPERIORE 'MORANDINA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

We have been using famed Soave king Pra’s Valpolicella and Amarone wines for several years and this may well be the finest version of their Valpolicella to date. 2021 is shaping up to be a great Veneto vintage, five-stars and the most grand since the legendary 2010.

Pra’s style for this red is a throwback to the olden days of trattoria-style Valpolicella that were thrown back in multiple bottles. Pleasurable and made for drinking rather than aging, this Valpol is about pent-up, red-fruit hedonism. Flashy, aromatic cherry-soaked balsamic aromas with underlying herbs and minerals. Illuminating and fun with flavors that attack from start to finish. 2021 has a bit more fruit; it will pair with a plethora of dishes ranging from burgers, spaghetti and meatballs, a plate of antipasti and oh, by the way, it happens to be one of our favorite pizza wines. One taste and you will want a case!

2021 CHATEAU JOUCLARY CABARDES
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Vent Est-Vent Ouest. This is the motto of Cabardes, one of Languedoc's lesser-known regions. Located minutes outside of the medieval city of Carcassonne, this region seemingly is Bordeaux slammed into the Rhone. Atlantic varietals (Cabernet/Merlot, etc) co-exist with Rhone varietals (grenache, syrah, etc.) and come together to make impeccably scrumptious wines.

Composed of Grenache, Syrah and Merlot, Jouclary's 2021 Cabardes is a terrific, soulful, tres francais glass of red wine. Enchanting with raspberry, red licorice, cassis, lavender and pepper scents that all wonderfully reveal its Languedoc roots. Poised with good depth; mineral and red tones from Bordeaux grapes shine and black fruit and spices from Rhône grapes sing. Performs way over its 14-dollar price point! Grill up sausages, burgers, portabella mushrooms, or just about anything.

2021 RAUL PEREZ BIERZO BLANCO
GODELLO 'ULTRIEA'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Raul Perez has been a force since the initial explosion of Bierzo. Over the last two-plus decades, Raul is also one of the leaders who initially brought the region back to prominence; he also brought about further change with delivering stylish wines dedicated to detail of origin.

Better known for red wines, there is a miniscule amount of White Bierzo produced here. Made from 100% Godello, this takes this grape to another level. Being from Bierzo there is definitely some body and depth but the natural electricity of the grape shouts and zings. Pink grapefruit, mango and prominent slate-driven wet chalkboard scents follow through to a palate coating texture with ample verve, vibrancy and cut. Grab some swordfish, tuna or fresh Chinook salmon and toss it on the grill, this will enhance it even further. Drink this killer through the end of 2027.

2021 FLANEUR PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

A flaneur is, quite simply, a leisurely wanderer, a worldly explorer, a connoisseur of life, maybe Van Halen trashing a hotel room after playing ‘Unchained’. Led by former Beaux Freres winemaker Grant Coulter, this Carlton-based producer has been their presence known with very fine and classy Pinot Noirs and more.

A superbly supple Oregon Pinot Noir that does not rely on a bunch of new oak flavorings. Waves of cherry blossom, lavender, black plum and fresh-turned earth/spice billow from the glass and fill your senses; the structure is refined, rich yet maintaining elegance with a drawn-out, cushiony finish. Drink over the next 7-8 years.

2018 CHATEAU VIEUX CHEVROL
LALANDE DE POMEROL
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Lalande de Pomerol is an appellation that lies just north of Pomerol and many new Chateaux owners have pumped lots of vibrancy into this once-forgotten area and what is emerging are terrific wines that have become ground-zero for magical price/quality rapport. The differences between Lalande de Pomerol and Pomerol are revealed in the soils. Lalande has more sand in the soils whereas Pomerol possesses more clay and gravel. Vieux Chevrol's soils in the village of Neac have more in common with Pomerol, especially due to the abundance of clay and less sand.

Traditionally formed, this Bordeaux kills it for its price point. Only 10% new oak utilized so it maintains its soulful nucleus of red earth, which marries with fine blueberry fruit, cinnamon, caraway and laurel tones. The ampleness of the fruit combined with the depth of the vintage make this very alluring. Warm, engaging, yet maintaining weightless aspects, all which extend and linger brilliantly. Smooth and lacy now and will develop nicely through 2030.

2021 ARAMIS SHIRAZ 'WHITE LABEL'
MCLAREN VALE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

This is the Critter-Wine Exterminator, because it uses whatever means necessary to obliterate those sorts of Aussie wines with its quality. You know Critter wines, industrially produced Aussie wines with cutesy animal labels that are akin to taking the Browns to the Super Bowl when consumed.

A flavorful and unapologetically Australian everyday red that is from McLaren Vale in South Australia is an explosion of fruit and spice. Lively blackberry jam, briar, roasted earth, cinnamon and cocoa lead into a mouth-filling, ripe, peppery texture that is fun to serve to a large group of both wine and non-wine lovers. Also perfect red for a meat-filled gathering of friends.

2020 JAEGER-DEFAIX RULLY BLANC
'MONT-PALAIS' PREMIER CRU
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

Damn we love white Burgundy! Jaeger-Defaix is an offshoot project from top-level Chablis producer Bernard Defaix. Located just south of the Côte D'Or and Chassagne-Montrachet, the wines of Rully can offer exquisite white Burgundy experiences without doing damage to your pocketbook.

From 40-45 year old vines from the Premier Cru vineyard, Mont-Palais, located at the highest and stoniest point of the Rully slopes, this wine is certifiably dangerous and is drinking extremely well! Elegant aromas of round and creamy pear, white peach, hazelnut and a delicate touch of flowers fill the nose. What stands out on the palate is the incredible texture and lingering mouthfeel that are perfectly balanced with notes ripe pear fruit, mineral, honey, and that classic hazelnut note with mineral electricity. Very complex, refreshing, and utterly delicious; a gorgeous, excellent chardonnay that is not to be missed! Drink now through 2030+ with roasted poultry, lobster, and crab with lots of butter or soft-ripened cheeses.

CHAMPAGNE ULLENS BRUT
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK

New producers without bloodlines are a rarity in Champagne. In 2012 and when young Belgian Maxime Ullens de Schooten and his partner Anna launched the first Champagne from their newly founded winery in 2019, the following year, the title of "Winemaker of the Year" from the renowned Gault Millau followed. Based in an area outside of Reims called Massif St-Thierry, these are fantastic on a tiny production level and are quickly becoming very sought after bubblies.

80% Meunier & 20% Chardonnay, this wine does not possess the usual fruity and flowery aspect that the Meunier is normally about. The vins claires (still wines) are aged in neutral oak barrels before heading to bottle for their usual Champagne aging. Instead, almost autumnal scents of brioche, dried lemons, subtle floral, biscuit and chalk are seemingly non-stop. In the mouth, there is a very fine mousse with some fullness yet is much more marked by balance and dimension. Very long indeed and truly one of the most individual Pinot Meunier-based bubblies I have tasted.

2019 MAURO MOLINO BAROLO
$45.99 BTL./$551.88 CASE

95 Points – The Wine Advocate… La Morra is the home for refined and sophisticated Barolo. Don't be fooled, these wines pack plenty of punch, they are Barolo indeed. Since 1978 Mauro Molino, father of Matteo and Martina who now are at the helm, has produced wines that can best be described as neo-classical. Wines that are produced using appropriate technology to maintain the flavors of the region.

‘This wine shows great harmony, a lightweight style and a polished mouthfeel, with strong power too. The aromas follow a classic Nebbiolo playlist with small currants, blue flower and rusty nail. As far as classic Barolo goes, the 2019 is about as classic as they come. This wine is especially lifted and bright. With 45,000 bottles made, you get an outstanding value here. – 95 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’. Drink end 2024 – 2032+.