Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'HOW WE ROLL' HOTSHEET
92 point Montepulciano & Spanish red for 20, S. French Rose, Malbec, Collectible Nebbiolo, Cornas and Ridge Wine
2013 CATALDI MADONNA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO
'MALANDRINO'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE - LIMITED!
'MALANDRINO'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE - LIMITED!
One of the real leaders and innovators of Abruzzo, Luigi Cataldi Madonna marries tradition with innovation and produces wines that are seriously upscale for the region yet won't cause one to break the bank in order to enjoy a bottle. Following their instinct to return to terroir, Cataldi Madonna changed their Montepulciano program drastically by eliminating the use of oak and moving solely to cement tanks for aging. The change has been well received by wine-lovers and the critics including Gambero Rosso who bestowed their vaunted Three Glass Award and Vinous who scored it 92 points.
‘Deep ruby. Enticing aromas and flavors of mineral-driven red cherry, dark berries and herbs. Very fine-grained, precise wine with a clean finish featuring noteworthy freshness and noble tannins. Malandrino is Cataldi Madonna’s most improved wine and one of the flag bearers of the new wave of very successful unoaked Montepulciano wines now increasingly in fashion. – 92 POINTS, VINOUS’
‘Deep ruby. Enticing aromas and flavors of mineral-driven red cherry, dark berries and herbs. Very fine-grained, precise wine with a clean finish featuring noteworthy freshness and noble tannins. Malandrino is Cataldi Madonna’s most improved wine and one of the flag bearers of the new wave of very successful unoaked Montepulciano wines now increasingly in fashion. – 92 POINTS, VINOUS’
2011 ALLEGRO CON SPIRITO TORO
'MONTE HINIESTA'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
'MONTE HINIESTA'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
Torridly warm, the Toro region of North-Central Spain has no problem obtaining ripeness. Too often, the wines can become ponderous and caricatures of themselves. Fortunately, these days there are many civilized expressions of these 100% Tempranillo wines and the fine producer, Allegro Con Spirito delivers a fine one with their "Monte Hiniesta bottling. It also has a 92-point score from The Wine Advocate as well.
‘The 2011 Monte Hiniesta comes from six parcels of 65-year-old vines that are cultivated bio-dynamically. The wine is raised in new and second year French barrels. It has a gorgeous, vivacious, ravishing bouquet of wild strawberry, maraschino cherry and dark plum that is beautifully delineated. The palate is succulent on the entry with plush tannins, crisp acidity and a compact, fruit-driven finish that deserves another two years to unfurl. The aftertaste is very long, with hints of spice and white pepper. This represents great value. Drink 2014-2020. – 92 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
‘The 2011 Monte Hiniesta comes from six parcels of 65-year-old vines that are cultivated bio-dynamically. The wine is raised in new and second year French barrels. It has a gorgeous, vivacious, ravishing bouquet of wild strawberry, maraschino cherry and dark plum that is beautifully delineated. The palate is succulent on the entry with plush tannins, crisp acidity and a compact, fruit-driven finish that deserves another two years to unfurl. The aftertaste is very long, with hints of spice and white pepper. This represents great value. Drink 2014-2020. – 92 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
2015 BEAURENARD ROSE
'BIOTIFUL FOX'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'BIOTIFUL FOX'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer Domaine de Beaurenard comes a new, value-oriented dry pink wine from the Vaucluse region of Provence. Biotiful Fox is a play on words as Beaurenard means beautiful fox and les freres Coulon farm using Biodynamic principles.
Made with mostly Grenache along with Syrah and Mourvedre, the first words in my notes when Karen Michael and I visited at Domaine de Beaurenard in May were ‘cherry bomb’. Alluring all of the senses and aromatically gorgeous with fragrant hawthorn, subtle strawberry, fine herbs and smoke, this playful and subtle Provencal pink wine shows debonair characteristics of underlying mineral and red fruit. Then POW!, it plugs in the jolting electrodes on the finish with its brisk and gushing qualities adding to a superb, lengthy finish. Try a fun, slightly spicy marinade on ahi tuna or chicken, toss it on the grill and uncork many bottles, you will not be sorry!
Made with mostly Grenache along with Syrah and Mourvedre, the first words in my notes when Karen Michael and I visited at Domaine de Beaurenard in May were ‘cherry bomb’. Alluring all of the senses and aromatically gorgeous with fragrant hawthorn, subtle strawberry, fine herbs and smoke, this playful and subtle Provencal pink wine shows debonair characteristics of underlying mineral and red fruit. Then POW!, it plugs in the jolting electrodes on the finish with its brisk and gushing qualities adding to a superb, lengthy finish. Try a fun, slightly spicy marinade on ahi tuna or chicken, toss it on the grill and uncork many bottles, you will not be sorry!
2012 RIDGE ESTATE MERLOT
'MONTE BELLO VINEYARD'
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
'MONTE BELLO VINEYARD'
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
When one thinks of the great wines from this California stalwart, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon usually are the first things that come to mind. Ridge initially made a Merlot in the 70s. In the time since its plantation, a portion of the great Monte Bello Cab for many years. As the vines matured, and given the First Growth status of the vineyard, Ridge felt that the Merlot deserved a bottling of its own. This truly is one of the special Merlot wines that is produced in the New World and is one where you must toss aside all of your preconceived notions about the grape, it is absolutely stunning and given that it is from Monte Bello, will age impeccably!
Made from 100% of this noble varietal, it is a voluptuous, robust and balanced expression displaying a deep garnet color with an intensely concentrated nose of black cherry, blackberry essence, spearmint, chocolate and freshly ground cumin. On the palate, it is full-bodied and velvety, with fine-grained tannins and an extremely long finish that is vinous, layered and very smooth. Very sensual throughout, this wine will drink beautifully over the next 15+ years.
Made from 100% of this noble varietal, it is a voluptuous, robust and balanced expression displaying a deep garnet color with an intensely concentrated nose of black cherry, blackberry essence, spearmint, chocolate and freshly ground cumin. On the palate, it is full-bodied and velvety, with fine-grained tannins and an extremely long finish that is vinous, layered and very smooth. Very sensual throughout, this wine will drink beautifully over the next 15+ years.
2013 BUCCI VERDICCHIO
CASTELLI DEI JESI CLASSICO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CASTELLI DEI JESI CLASSICO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
There is Verdicchio then there is Bucci’s Verdicchio, a producer who is among the pinnacle of Italian white wine producers. This estate’s Classico outperforms many other top producers Reserve wines, and don’t get me started on the grand Villa Bucci, however, for 20 bucks this wine is a screamer.
Drinking exquisitely at this moment, the 2013 Bucci has nectarine soaked in mineral scents that dominate the nose with underlying rockdust, yellow apple, flint and lime. Fully dry, rich attack with intense flavors and brilliant clarity. The finish does what all great white wines do, coats the mouth and the briskly cleans it! Have this with grilled halibut steaks; at 20 bucks per bottle for one of Italy's finest white wines, this is a smash-up deal!
Drinking exquisitely at this moment, the 2013 Bucci has nectarine soaked in mineral scents that dominate the nose with underlying rockdust, yellow apple, flint and lime. Fully dry, rich attack with intense flavors and brilliant clarity. The finish does what all great white wines do, coats the mouth and the briskly cleans it! Have this with grilled halibut steaks; at 20 bucks per bottle for one of Italy's finest white wines, this is a smash-up deal!
2014 LA POSTA
MALBEC 'FAZZIO'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
MALBEC 'FAZZIO'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
2014 LA POSTA
MALBEC 'FAZZIO'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Laura Catena’s La Posta project is based around grape growing families in Argentina and are reflective of where they are grown. La Posta also means ‘the tavern’ because this is where many folks would gather locally to share and drink many bottles of their wines.
Along with Paulucci and Pizzella, Fazzio is yet another Malbec and this version comes from the Tupungato region of Mendoza and grown at 3500 feet. Pristine and pure Malbec scents of black licorice, graphite, blackberry, herbs and spices. Lush and bold with underlying firmness. The regalness that this estate obtains is insane especially given the price point. The finish has plenty of freshness and red tones that call you back for another glass, another bottle or another case!
Along with Paulucci and Pizzella, Fazzio is yet another Malbec and this version comes from the Tupungato region of Mendoza and grown at 3500 feet. Pristine and pure Malbec scents of black licorice, graphite, blackberry, herbs and spices. Lush and bold with underlying firmness. The regalness that this estate obtains is insane especially given the price point. The finish has plenty of freshness and red tones that call you back for another glass, another bottle or another case!
2010 TRAVAGLINI GATTINARA
'TRE VIGNE'
$45.99 BTL./$275.94 - SIX PACK
'TRE VIGNE'
$45.99 BTL./$275.94 - SIX PACK
Situated between Barolo and the Swiss border, the soils and overall terroir for Gattinara are significantly different being a combination of volcanic rock along with iron-rich gravel. With its distinctive, curvaceous, funky-ass looking bottle, Travaglini is one of the region's most important producers. For many years, this was the go-to producer for Gattinara but alas, the decade of the 90s found them in the wilderness with mediocre at best quality. A generation change came about just after 2000 and the quality has soared back to levels that it once was.
The Tre Vigne cuvee is a superb Nebbiolo for those who love to collect and drink wines from this grape, yet a wonderful diversion outside of Barolo and Barbaresco. Tre Vigne is one of the top wines at the estate and is only produced in the best vintages. A marriage of three different vineyard sites all which are expressive of their soils, this wine is major league good and has ungodly aging potential. Like the entirety of Piedmont, 2010 is destined for greatness! Alluring, refined scents. Prominent licorice, graphite and asphalt along with red fruits and potpourri-spices. Submerged perfume and undoubtedly promise unleash in a couple of years. Sultry core of fruit and then gains significant structure and spine. Energetic, mysterious and elusive, but something very seductive is here. Youthful finish that really hangs around but clamps down letting one know that it needs to go into the cellar. Give this until 2018 and drink through 2027 and probably beyond.
The Tre Vigne cuvee is a superb Nebbiolo for those who love to collect and drink wines from this grape, yet a wonderful diversion outside of Barolo and Barbaresco. Tre Vigne is one of the top wines at the estate and is only produced in the best vintages. A marriage of three different vineyard sites all which are expressive of their soils, this wine is major league good and has ungodly aging potential. Like the entirety of Piedmont, 2010 is destined for greatness! Alluring, refined scents. Prominent licorice, graphite and asphalt along with red fruits and potpourri-spices. Submerged perfume and undoubtedly promise unleash in a couple of years. Sultry core of fruit and then gains significant structure and spine. Energetic, mysterious and elusive, but something very seductive is here. Youthful finish that really hangs around but clamps down letting one know that it needs to go into the cellar. Give this until 2018 and drink through 2027 and probably beyond.
2013 VOGE CORNAS
'LES CHAILLES'
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
'LES CHAILLES'
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
2009 through 2013 in the Northern Rhone Valley are proving to be thrilling vintages, all which tell a different story. Along with Clape, Domaine Voge is one of the two grand old producers in Cornas, a small Syrah appellation that is finally getting recognition for its greatness and deservedly so, these are collectible wines which age impeccably.
Les Chailles is a cuvee coming from parcels that have vines with an average age of 30 years and planted granitic terraces bordering a calcareous hill. This proximity gave particular siliceous rock called “Les Chailles” which bring about a very special terroir aspect. 2013 is a very classic, old school Northern Rhone vintage. A true and alluring expression Syrah, this wine presents fragrant aromas of spice, tar and a suggestion of smoke which surround black and blueberry fruit. The mouth-feel is layered and full of depth and pepper with fine, ripe and integrated tannins. A layer of earth and savory meatiness comes forth as well as a lingering, drawn out finish of fruitcake spices add to the mystique of this stunning red. Still hiding beneath itself, this wine could use a little bit of cellar time, but the youthful raw material is profound. Drink 2018 – 2026.
Les Chailles is a cuvee coming from parcels that have vines with an average age of 30 years and planted granitic terraces bordering a calcareous hill. This proximity gave particular siliceous rock called “Les Chailles” which bring about a very special terroir aspect. 2013 is a very classic, old school Northern Rhone vintage. A true and alluring expression Syrah, this wine presents fragrant aromas of spice, tar and a suggestion of smoke which surround black and blueberry fruit. The mouth-feel is layered and full of depth and pepper with fine, ripe and integrated tannins. A layer of earth and savory meatiness comes forth as well as a lingering, drawn out finish of fruitcake spices add to the mystique of this stunning red. Still hiding beneath itself, this wine could use a little bit of cellar time, but the youthful raw material is profound. Drink 2018 – 2026.
