Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S "JUMP OFF THE EDGE" HOTSHEET
Chianti Special, 7 buck red, Collectible Pommard, Chablis & more & more


2013 PALACIOS-REMONDO RIOJA "LA VENDIMIA"
PRICE

The Vendimia is the entry level Rioja of the Palacios family's Rioja bodega. Alvaro always puts forth a superb value that's classic to the Rioja Baja sector of the D.O. Packed with clean, pure Tempranillo (50%) aromas of strawberry along with hints of earth, smoke and white pepper from the Grenache (50%). Dark and supple flavors shine with plenty of juicy, mouth-watering notes throughout and the overall impression goes quite deep for a Rioja at this price. A great red for grilled poultry or fish it should be consumed over the next 3-4 years.

2012 POGGIO SCALETTE CHIANTI CLASSICO
[reg. $32.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Last week we featured a Barbera that was on a spectacular clearance deal. This week, and from the same wholesaler, comes a killer Chianti from a top-notch Greve-based producer who is better known for a Super-Tuscan called Il Carbonaione that retails in the $90-$100 range.

Poggio Scalette's Chianti is made with all of the same passion that goes into their uber-expensive wine and is worth every bit at its regular price but at 20 bucks we can't come up with enough hyperbole except to say is that there are 10 cases and they will disappear quickly! 100% Sangiovese and exactly what top-level Chianti is all about, Scalette's 2012 is a version with power yet has a brilliant tonality and fascinating development on the nose. Lovely fruited fragrances of blackcurrant and blueberry emerge first, nicely infused with minty balsam. The entry is thrilling in its seamless aspects, calmly developing a luscious and tangy structure with well-gauged extract and a finish that prompts a satisfied sigh. Very lovely now and will continue to drink and develop through 2022.

2012 NOVELTY HILL COLUMBIA VALLEY MERLOT
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

When it comes to Washington wines that deliver an abundance of bang for the buck there aren't too many that do it better than Novelty Hill. The wines here are made by Mike Januik who certainly has a lengthy resume of excellent releases from his eponymously named winery as well as his days with Chateau Ste-Michelle.

2012 in Washington is shaping up to be very special indeed, these are wines of deep fruit and substance yet show class and detail very well. Suave and very handsome, this Merlot exudes incredible class given its dense core. Bold black raspberry, violet, coffee and subtle Bordeaux-inspired mineral notes carry over into a smooth, generous and forward texture that is fine and filling. Nicely drawn-out with building spiced-earth notes on the finish, this is yet another winner from Novelty Hill. Drink through 2021+.

2013 LOUIS MICHEL CHABLIS
$25.99 BTL./$311.88 CASE

Chablis hounds all know the prowess and greatness of this producer but lately it seems as though Domaine Michel is climbing their way into the pantheon of Chablis producers, which includes the likes of Dauvissat, Raveneau and Fevre. Probably what Louis Michel is known for is the adamant stance that no oak is ever utilized on their wines. The only wood you will see on a visit here is that on the front of the building when you enter.

The 2013 Chablis is what folks in New Orleans would call ‘lagniappe', meaning a gift of something extra. Essence of minerality, this wine reminds me of the stunning 2007 with a bit more. Pristine Chablis aromas soar from the glass and feature gun smoke, lemon, gentle hints of juniper and seashell. In the mouth it is precise and brightly detailed, very delineated and with compact richness in the mid-palate. Wiry and finely tuned with a mineral zip around the edges complimented by an expressive, long and livewire finish. Almost performing on a Premier Cru level, have this immaculate white wine with sole, grilled prawns or even salmon over the next 5 years.

2013 EYRIE PINOT BLANC WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The significance of Eyrie Vineyards and David Lett on Oregon's wine history can never be downplayed. Still going stronger than ever, David's son Jason is now at the wheel and continuing in his late father's footsteps by making classically styled wines, both red and white. Eyrie's Pinot Blanc is one of Oregon's textbook white wines.

Dry, crisp and terroir-driven as well owning more lift, dimension and body than the average Pinot Blanc. Complex, spiced honey and wet-stone aromas surround smoke and red apple tones. In the mouth, the attack is restrained, precise and expansive. The enthusiasm for this wine around here is unyielding and is one that we enthusiastically recommend that you try with simply prepared halibut or chicken.

2013 FERLAIA NERO-D'AVOLA-SYRAH TERRE SICILIANE
$6.99 BTL./$83.88 CASE

There is no need to go into all of the intricacies of this hearty, mouth filling red from Sicily. At 7 bucks it falls into our usual mantra of don't think-just drink. Seriously, it has been a long time since I have found something that is actually drinkable in this price range so go to town if you want to guzzle or have a fun party wine. Packed with Mediterranean personality and showing a peppery personality with forward flavors of plum and chocolate complimented by hints of roasted earth, herbs and spice. At this price, you can drink numerous bottles or live out your Amar'e Stoudamire dreams and bathe in it!

2006 ERASMO RESERVA DI CALIBORO RED
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 – SIX PACK CASE

Famed Brunello di Montalcino producer Col D'Orcia's owner Francesco Marone Cinzano has an incredible passion for top-flight, classified Growth Bordeaux and in the mid-90s decided to explore an operation far, far away, Chile's Maule Valley to be exact.

Col D'Orcia's greatness is exquisitely carried over to the southern hemisphere nicely. Erasmo's Reserva di Caliboro is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Merlot and is from densely planted high-quality French clones. Impeccably stylish and complex, this is one of the coolest wines I've seen come from Chile. Penetrating aromas kick in immediately with a prominent presence of blackcurrant, graphite, hints of red earth and impressively intertwined undertones of espresso from excellent use of French barrels. Lacy fruit and balance rule the day, but its core of fruit is expressive, chewy and expansive. Firmly formed on the mid-palate then glides into a spice-laden finish that packed with spices like coriander, nutmeg and pepper and lasts and lasts and lasts. At age 8, this is drinking very well and will continue for another 5-7 more years.

2012 PILLOT POMMARD PREMIER CRU "CHARMOTS"
$79.99 - LIMITED!

It is a well-known fact that we have had a genuine attraction to Laurent Pillot's wines for many years. We have been working with his white wines since the mid-90s and lately we seem to get even more excited when we taste his red wines.

Part of a movement to bring out the beauty of Pommard in lieu of its once stereotypical hard, bombastic qualities, Laurent Pillot makes wines here that have both stylish aspects to go along with aromatic intensity and beauty as well as never losing substance or depth. 2012 is somewhat of a miraculous vintage for Burgundy given all of the challenges and quantity shortages. Across the board, these are lovely, focused wines possessing depth and plenty of potential for aging. The 2012 has an exciting, jumping perfumed nose that penetrates and keeps building in the glass. Blueberry, cherry, rose, mineral and red earth follow through to a youthful, well-structured, debonair palate that spreads out on the palate and then does what a young red Burgundy typically does, packs in and flips you off telling you to come back in 5 years! Very persistent and profound, this is one to lay down in the cellar and open up for a special occasion from 2018 – 2030.

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