Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'MESMERIZING' HOTSHEET
Five Fat Specials - three for under 12-bucks
New Walter Scott Pinot, St-Estephe
Chuggable Italian White
Sancerre & Santenay Friday Tasting info at bottom
New Walter Scott Pinot, St-Estephe
Chuggable Italian White
Sancerre & Santenay Friday Tasting info at bottom
2021 PESQUIER VACQUEYRAS
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Mathieu Boutiere is essentially a one-man show and based in Gigondas who many of you have supported over the last 2+ decades. We have always known he makes a minute amount of Vacqueyras and have tasted it on numerous occasions, but with only 250-400 cases produced; this is only the third time we have ever been offered any to feature.
Very different from the Gigondas, the small 2-acre plot is located north of the village in the Dentelles and is a blend of 60% Grenache & 40% Syrah. Combining a commanding, feral, groove-a-licious yet very diplomatic presence, this 60% Grenache/40% Syrah blend features a multitude of complex perfumed aromas of exotic spice, lavender, ground pepper, mineral, smoked meat and raspberry which dominate the nose. In the mouth, the flavors speak a dialect that is pure Provençal! Layered and with pinnacle intensity, this wild and full red holds its nice freshness, especially on the wild, spice-laden finish that seemingly coats the entire palate. Very lovely now and will age well for a decade. Have it with braised venison or lamb shanks and other meats.
Very different from the Gigondas, the small 2-acre plot is located north of the village in the Dentelles and is a blend of 60% Grenache & 40% Syrah. Combining a commanding, feral, groove-a-licious yet very diplomatic presence, this 60% Grenache/40% Syrah blend features a multitude of complex perfumed aromas of exotic spice, lavender, ground pepper, mineral, smoked meat and raspberry which dominate the nose. In the mouth, the flavors speak a dialect that is pure Provençal! Layered and with pinnacle intensity, this wild and full red holds its nice freshness, especially on the wild, spice-laden finish that seemingly coats the entire palate. Very lovely now and will age well for a decade. Have it with braised venison or lamb shanks and other meats.
2022 LEBREUIL PERNAND
VERGELESSES 'LES BOUTIERE'
$54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
VERGELESSES 'LES BOUTIERE'
$54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
Difficult to pronounce yet easy to love, Pernand-Vergelesses is one of the three villages that make up the Grand Cru Corton hill. Perceptive Burgundy lovers who do not necessarily just chase labels know the prowess and value that these wines have to offer.
Tucked up against the Grands Crus of Corton and Corton-Charlemagne and at the border of Aloxe-Corton's Premiers Crus, this fabulous French Pinot Noir is bursting with potential. East facing, on the road to Beaune, this site leers across the way at the Corton hill. When I sampled this last week, it revealed the essence of the Cote-de-Beaune’s beauty. Let it be known it possesses underlying strength and substance that will allow it to age and develop. Ample, yet very alluring, radiant and minerally, this Cru from a nicely aged vineyard is always a terrific ageworthy offering. Walks the line between black and red fruits, aromatic aspects are lurking beneath. Total sweet-spot value! Long and impressive. Drink from end of 2025 - 2035.
Tucked up against the Grands Crus of Corton and Corton-Charlemagne and at the border of Aloxe-Corton's Premiers Crus, this fabulous French Pinot Noir is bursting with potential. East facing, on the road to Beaune, this site leers across the way at the Corton hill. When I sampled this last week, it revealed the essence of the Cote-de-Beaune’s beauty. Let it be known it possesses underlying strength and substance that will allow it to age and develop. Ample, yet very alluring, radiant and minerally, this Cru from a nicely aged vineyard is always a terrific ageworthy offering. Walks the line between black and red fruits, aromatic aspects are lurking beneath. Total sweet-spot value! Long and impressive. Drink from end of 2025 - 2035.
2023 CASALE MARCHESI FRASCATI
$15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE
$15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE
Bringing as much pleasure as the wacky weedus, known as Roman Red in Mel Brooks’ History of the World is this version of the classic Roman White wine, Frascati. Now let’s face it, the majority of Frascati are one-step up from flat 7-Up, but ever since this selection came to our attention, it has been a reliable Italian white staple.
Impress your friends when you speak of the blend (Malvasia Puntinata, Malvasia di Candia, Trebbiano Toscano, Greco, Bombino and Bellone) but in reality, just toss it back in copious quantities. Exuberant, floral, citrus-blossom lead into a texture that has Fantastic palate-presence not usually found in Frascati. A great white for clams and mussels tossed in spaghetti or linguine with good olive oil and a few chili flakes.
Impress your friends when you speak of the blend (Malvasia Puntinata, Malvasia di Candia, Trebbiano Toscano, Greco, Bombino and Bellone) but in reality, just toss it back in copious quantities. Exuberant, floral, citrus-blossom lead into a texture that has Fantastic palate-presence not usually found in Frascati. A great white for clams and mussels tossed in spaghetti or linguine with good olive oil and a few chili flakes.
2023 WALTER SCOTT PINOT NOIR
'COMBE VERTE'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
'COMBE VERTE'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
A new vintage and arrival of one of our favorite Eola-Amity producers and best of all, there is some quantity available and its quality and price are at their usual superb levels. The blend is Distraction, Sojeau, Temperance Hill Vineyard, & Witness Tree from Eola-Amity combined with old vine fruit from the mighty Freedom Hill Vineyard.
More lush and forward than usual, this above-the-norm entry level Pinot Noir is very accessible and full of pleasure. Revealing both excellent fruit along with plenty of tension, grip and lively red tones. Walking the fine line between black and red, the 2023 brings forth sensuous aromatics with an impressive core of poised fruit, engaging smoke and spice all that follows through to a silky texture that expands nicely and maintains vibrancy throughout. Lengthy and very promising, this seriously delectable and seamless Pinot is an unmitigated heist! Very enjoyable now but this will also easily age and develop for 5-7+ years.
More lush and forward than usual, this above-the-norm entry level Pinot Noir is very accessible and full of pleasure. Revealing both excellent fruit along with plenty of tension, grip and lively red tones. Walking the fine line between black and red, the 2023 brings forth sensuous aromatics with an impressive core of poised fruit, engaging smoke and spice all that follows through to a silky texture that expands nicely and maintains vibrancy throughout. Lengthy and very promising, this seriously delectable and seamless Pinot is an unmitigated heist! Very enjoyable now but this will also easily age and develop for 5-7+ years.
2020 BURKLIN WOLF
ESTATE ROUGE
[REG. $25.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
[REG. $25.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The hook for this wine is its name and locale. From Germany’s Pfalz region, which is somewhat of an extension of Alsace, the name Rouge sounds a whole lot nicer than Rot. Either way this cool climate red wine is dry, vibrant, medium bodied and perfect as we move into the fall season.
Made from a blend of Dornfelder, Pinot Noir and Acolon grapes, lively cherry pit, clove and vanilla scents follow through to a succulent, juicy texture that has a good core of fruit, spice and lively aspects. All of the components come together and make for a nice glass of red on its own but also pairs well with sausages, chicken tikka masala, pork tenderloin with cumin/coriander spices and best of all, November’s Thanksgiving turkey.
Made from a blend of Dornfelder, Pinot Noir and Acolon grapes, lively cherry pit, clove and vanilla scents follow through to a succulent, juicy texture that has a good core of fruit, spice and lively aspects. All of the components come together and make for a nice glass of red on its own but also pairs well with sausages, chicken tikka masala, pork tenderloin with cumin/coriander spices and best of all, November’s Thanksgiving turkey.
2022 UGOLINO ROSSO PICENO
[REG. $17.99]
SPECIAL - $11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
[REG. $17.99]
SPECIAL - $11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
60% Montepulciano, 40% Sangiovese, this bursting red is not a wine to be confused with Brunello or Barolo. Instead it is a heartwarming red wine pleasure that is very fine with many Italian food choices and will please a bunch of palates.
Savory and tangy scents of raspberry, mineral, smoke, some hints of sage and licorice that surround it. Smooth fruit, spicy outer edges, displaying nice substance and length, it is a tasty every evening red and a real find when it comes to the underrated red wines of this region.
Savory and tangy scents of raspberry, mineral, smoke, some hints of sage and licorice that surround it. Smooth fruit, spicy outer edges, displaying nice substance and length, it is a tasty every evening red and a real find when it comes to the underrated red wines of this region.
2022 KIENTZLER CHASSELAS
ALSACE BLANC
[REG. $15.99]
SPECIAL - $10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
ALSACE BLANC
[REG. $15.99]
SPECIAL - $10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
READ MY LIPS, THIS IS NOT A SWEET WHITE WINE! Chasselas is the spiritual grape of Switzerland and is found sporadically in the Loire Valley and Germany but thrives well in Alsace and is somewhat making a comeback.
This terroir-driven, unoaked and perfect for the table white wine is explosively aromatic with lime, prominent mineral, spices and subtle rose. Palate blitzing, nervy and bone dry. Enjoy with light seafood pasta, hard cheeses or vegetarian dishes based around cabbage.
This terroir-driven, unoaked and perfect for the table white wine is explosively aromatic with lime, prominent mineral, spices and subtle rose. Palate blitzing, nervy and bone dry. Enjoy with light seafood pasta, hard cheeses or vegetarian dishes based around cabbage.
2022 CHATEAU MAYLANDIE
CORBIERES 'CABANON'
[REG. $14.99]
SPECIAL - $9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
CORBIERES 'CABANON'
[REG. $14.99]
SPECIAL - $9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Prototype Southern French value from Languedoc’s Corbieres region.
Maylandies Cabanon Rouge is a blend of 70% Carignan and 30% Cinsault and 100% tasty. Mediterranean aromas of crushed red raspberry, wind-swept herbs, lavender and pepper along with gentle cocoa notes filled the air. A soulful wine indeed…a truly harmonious ensemble of savory richness and elegance that follows through to the ample dry and vibrant finish. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years with sausage and bean casserole, barbecued chicken, grilled steak or burgers.
Maylandies Cabanon Rouge is a blend of 70% Carignan and 30% Cinsault and 100% tasty. Mediterranean aromas of crushed red raspberry, wind-swept herbs, lavender and pepper along with gentle cocoa notes filled the air. A soulful wine indeed…a truly harmonious ensemble of savory richness and elegance that follows through to the ample dry and vibrant finish. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years with sausage and bean casserole, barbecued chicken, grilled steak or burgers.
2020 CHATEAU MEYNEY
SAINT-ESTEPHE
[REG. $59.99]
SPECIAL - $46.99 BTL./$281.94 - 6PK
SAINT-ESTEPHE
[REG. $59.99]
SPECIAL - $46.99 BTL./$281.94 - 6PK
Given its impressive terroir and locale (next to Montrose and Phelan Segur), one has to wonder why this Saint-Estephe Chateau was never included in the Classified Growth Selection of 1855. Never mind as much, because it remains a superb value and with the arrival of Anne Le Naour and Hubert de Bouard, these wines have taken off like a missile.
2020 is quietly becoming a modern classic due to its late arriving spring, warm summer and very sunny, fine harvest season. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and a large portion, 13% in fact, of Petit Verdot, the 2020 is impressive at this early stage. Do not be fooled, this wine will age beautifully. Savory, deep and classic St-Estephe grittiness shines along with sensuous scents of cedarbox, touches of tobacco, violet, cassis and underlying black raspberry. Lavishly texture, especially upon entry then builds up structure and grip to go along with all the fruit and detail. Firms up on the finish, but the loaded material really sticks around and taunts you well after the wine is swallowed. Bounds of excitement in this wine, personally we would give this until the beginning of 2026 and then consume it through 2036. Also - 94 Points - Vinous.
2020 is quietly becoming a modern classic due to its late arriving spring, warm summer and very sunny, fine harvest season. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and a large portion, 13% in fact, of Petit Verdot, the 2020 is impressive at this early stage. Do not be fooled, this wine will age beautifully. Savory, deep and classic St-Estephe grittiness shines along with sensuous scents of cedarbox, touches of tobacco, violet, cassis and underlying black raspberry. Lavishly texture, especially upon entry then builds up structure and grip to go along with all the fruit and detail. Firms up on the finish, but the loaded material really sticks around and taunts you well after the wine is swallowed. Bounds of excitement in this wine, personally we would give this until the beginning of 2026 and then consume it through 2036. Also - 94 Points - Vinous.
