Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S "THE BUS IS GOING TO CANTON" HOTSHEET
2012 Eyrie Pinots, Collectible Barolo, Chablis, Bordeaux, & under 12 buck values
2012 DOMAINE GROSSOT CHABLIS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
One of the under the radar producers in the Chablis region, Jean-Pierre Grossot seemingly gives his outstanding wines away. We have been enjoying these wines since the 2004 vintage and given the wonders that have come from this cellar, it is no surprise that the 2012 is outstanding.
The big secret to the complexity and ravishing quality here is that Monsieur Grossot's fruit for this offering comes from well-sloped vineyards in Fleys, which are a virtual extension of the Premier Cru Mont de Milieu. The intensity of these 35-year-old vines is immediately evident as soon as you put the glass to your nose. Essence of Chablis, it possesses scents of oyster shell, wet stone and gunflint abound as well as some subtle citrus and wisteria scents. Rich and pronounced texture with excellent tension, focus and grip. The finish is long, stylish and definitely a gift from the soil! Sometimes hearing that so-and-so wine is Chablis-inspired gets old, our response is to drink the real deal instead! Given the quality of the 2012 vintage and a 20-buck price point, this blazing, dry white wine is a steal!
The big secret to the complexity and ravishing quality here is that Monsieur Grossot's fruit for this offering comes from well-sloped vineyards in Fleys, which are a virtual extension of the Premier Cru Mont de Milieu. The intensity of these 35-year-old vines is immediately evident as soon as you put the glass to your nose. Essence of Chablis, it possesses scents of oyster shell, wet stone and gunflint abound as well as some subtle citrus and wisteria scents. Rich and pronounced texture with excellent tension, focus and grip. The finish is long, stylish and definitely a gift from the soil! Sometimes hearing that so-and-so wine is Chablis-inspired gets old, our response is to drink the real deal instead! Given the quality of the 2012 vintage and a 20-buck price point, this blazing, dry white wine is a steal!
2011 FATTORIA MONTELLORI CHIANTI "MONTELLORI"
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Located halfway between Florence and Lucca, this 120 acre estate has been adeptly operated by the Nieri family since 1895 and produces a range of Chianti and other Tuscan wines that are quite impressive. One of three different Chianti wines offered, the Montellori is a great Wednesday/Thursday tipple that is 100% Sangiovese from 30-40 year old vines and aged in stainless steel tank.
Well-balanced, ample, aromatic marionberry, cherry, Tuscan sage, and underlying red earth shine on the nose while in the mouth it is dry and hearty with excellent vibrancy and length. A perfect Italian red to pair with tomato-based dishes, simple pastas or hard cheeses.
Well-balanced, ample, aromatic marionberry, cherry, Tuscan sage, and underlying red earth shine on the nose while in the mouth it is dry and hearty with excellent vibrancy and length. A perfect Italian red to pair with tomato-based dishes, simple pastas or hard cheeses.
2012 EYRIE PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Even a long-time Oregon stalwart can make changes. The new Willamette Valley cuvee at Eyrie which replaces and meshes two of their fine wines into one outstanding wine. Black Cap and Eyrie Estate now are combined and this wine is ridiculously good and in true Eyrie form, is very cellar-worthy.
Even though there is plenty of cushion from the warm 2012 vintage, this is still shows Eyrie's telltale tightly wound gnarly aspects that always take time to unfold. Plenty of red cherry, strawberry and fine herbs show and the texture is linear and youthful with superb depth and concentration, yet maintaining an almost airy quality all in a tight, vertical form right now. The finish is transparent, minerally, red and persistent. Having so much material here and classic tones buried beneath the surface this wants another 2-3 more years to open. If you want instant gratification, this isn't the wine, but if you are patient, love true-to-form, not-sweet Pinot Noir order some and wait until 2016 and then drink it through 2024, because it will transform into a magical Oregon Pinot with Volnay-inspirations kind of experience.
Even though there is plenty of cushion from the warm 2012 vintage, this is still shows Eyrie's telltale tightly wound gnarly aspects that always take time to unfold. Plenty of red cherry, strawberry and fine herbs show and the texture is linear and youthful with superb depth and concentration, yet maintaining an almost airy quality all in a tight, vertical form right now. The finish is transparent, minerally, red and persistent. Having so much material here and classic tones buried beneath the surface this wants another 2-3 more years to open. If you want instant gratification, this isn't the wine, but if you are patient, love true-to-form, not-sweet Pinot Noir order some and wait until 2016 and then drink it through 2024, because it will transform into a magical Oregon Pinot with Volnay-inspirations kind of experience.
2012 EYRIE PINOT NOIR RESERVE "ORIGINAL VINES"
$74.99 BTL./$899.88 CASE
$74.99 BTL./$899.88 CASE
So often is the case we are a nation of here and now. Opposite of this statement is Eyrie Vineyards. David Lett, who was widely regarded as the curmudgeonly grandfather of Oregon wine left a great legacy behind and his son Jason is carrying it on in reverent fashion. Ultimately, many folks want to drink these wines straight after release when they are commonly tighter than a tick, which is a pity because these wines ultimately unfold and become some of the classiest and purest of all of Oregon wines.
Eyrie's Reserve comes from the estate's Original Pinot Noir vines that planted in 1965. 2012 is a vintage that will provide sexy depth of fruit but this wine is certainly tightly wound and very youthful with plenty of red berry and red flowers. Extremely pure and gentle and there are terrific Dundee Hills scents that are awaiting to come out with time. Lots of breed and satisfying strawberry tones that are delineated and locked in. The material here is ultra-impressive and it is on the finish where this statement is fully realized. There is a swan beneath the surface; give it until 2019 then drink it through 2030 to obtain the maximum pleasure that is in this bottle.
Eyrie's Reserve comes from the estate's Original Pinot Noir vines that planted in 1965. 2012 is a vintage that will provide sexy depth of fruit but this wine is certainly tightly wound and very youthful with plenty of red berry and red flowers. Extremely pure and gentle and there are terrific Dundee Hills scents that are awaiting to come out with time. Lots of breed and satisfying strawberry tones that are delineated and locked in. The material here is ultra-impressive and it is on the finish where this statement is fully realized. There is a swan beneath the surface; give it until 2019 then drink it through 2030 to obtain the maximum pleasure that is in this bottle.
2010 CHATEAU COUTET ST-EMILION GRAND CRU
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Chateau Coutet has to be one of St-Emilion's best-kept secrets. Situated in a golden triangle of St-Emilion between classified growths Chateaus Angelus, Beausejour Becot & Beausejour Duffeau Lagarrose, Coutet is one contiguous 26 acre plot in a hell of a respectable neighborhood. The present owners aunt passed away at the age of 104 and she never had any notion of using pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals, thus this estate has been organic by default since the late 19th century.
2010, along with 2009 are back-to-back profound vintages within Bordeaux and the quality is high on all levels. This wine is a heist at 27 bucks!! Stacked and packed this wine shows off class and grace, yet has a trucker's mouth with a bit of attitude and sass to it. Teeming with earth, limestone, alluring raspberry, some violet and kisses of espresso and tobacco on the nose, it follows through to a texture that is mouth-coating and having all of the substance of the great 2010 vintage. A superbly structured finish that hangs around nicely, this giant slayer can be consumed now and over the next 6-8 years, especially with duck or a rib-eye sautéed with butter and shallots.
2010, along with 2009 are back-to-back profound vintages within Bordeaux and the quality is high on all levels. This wine is a heist at 27 bucks!! Stacked and packed this wine shows off class and grace, yet has a trucker's mouth with a bit of attitude and sass to it. Teeming with earth, limestone, alluring raspberry, some violet and kisses of espresso and tobacco on the nose, it follows through to a texture that is mouth-coating and having all of the substance of the great 2010 vintage. A superbly structured finish that hangs around nicely, this giant slayer can be consumed now and over the next 6-8 years, especially with duck or a rib-eye sautéed with butter and shallots.
2012 ESPELT GARNACHA "OLD VINES" EMPORDA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From Catalonia's Emporda region, a stone's throw from the French border on the Mediterranean, Espelt is a producer who fashions super wines that put forth an abundance of bang for the buck. The color here stands out like a blackberry stain on white linen!
Sustained, generous scents of black cherry quickly jump into licorice and cocoa tones with engaging nuances of cracked pepper and roasted earth. The attack is round, concentrated and luscious with tannins that are delicate and smooth. Everything highlights the fruit, which follows up with a long finish. Demonstrative of the entire Espelt philosophy and personality, this very expressive wine is a harmonious reflection of authenticity and fruit. Ideal with a mushroom tart, grilled or braised pork loin.
Sustained, generous scents of black cherry quickly jump into licorice and cocoa tones with engaging nuances of cracked pepper and roasted earth. The attack is round, concentrated and luscious with tannins that are delicate and smooth. Everything highlights the fruit, which follows up with a long finish. Demonstrative of the entire Espelt philosophy and personality, this very expressive wine is a harmonious reflection of authenticity and fruit. Ideal with a mushroom tart, grilled or braised pork loin.
2013 ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS BONARDA
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Like Malbec, Bonarda's presence Argentina can't be understated. Mentioned in the 19th century it seemingly has always been cultivated and is still Argentina's second most planted varietal. In 2008 it was discovered that the Bonarda in Argentina is actually not Bonarda Novarese, which is from Piedmont but actually Douce Noir, a grape also known as Charbono, and whose roots actually are from France's Savoie region. Still as it has evolved, it is now something very distinctively Argentine and still delicious!
Colonias las Liberas is made by famed Malbec practitioner Altos las Hormigas and savory, frontal red aromas and flavors present themselves straight away and entice you to want to drink it at just about any moment. Juicy and supple, it smoothly accompanies anything from pizza to empanadas to grilled meat or veggies.
Colonias las Liberas is made by famed Malbec practitioner Altos las Hormigas and savory, frontal red aromas and flavors present themselves straight away and entice you to want to drink it at just about any moment. Juicy and supple, it smoothly accompanies anything from pizza to empanadas to grilled meat or veggies.
2010 LUIGI BAUDANA BAROLO SERRALUNGA
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
Baudana is a small, historical Barolo estate located in the commune of Serralunga D'Alba. In 2009, famed family-operated Barolo-based estate Vajra purchased the estate with great enthusiasm and we have quickly seen results go from very good to very profound. Baudana has holdings in two Grand Cru vineyard sites, Baudana and Cerretta. Single vineyard wines are offered and are amazing, but they also are twice the price of this excellent value. Traditional vinification is practiced for this wine and the results are stunning.
Being from Serralunga, this Barolo has no shortage of grip and spine. Traditionally styled and combined with the grand scale of 2010, this is all about power-terroir. Classic Serralunga with cherry licorice, subtle balsam, flowers and pronounced ironstone unfolding as the wine slowly builds in the glass. Broad and penetrating, this forceful, mouth-coating Barolo has plenty of force and depth. More backbone and youthful tannic structure arrives on the packed and very, very persistent finish. As mentioned, this wine will come together immaculately. Put it the cellar until the beginning of 2018 and drink it through 2028 and beyond. Would you like a value to put in the cellar for a child who was born in 2010's 21st birthday? This is your ticket!
Being from Serralunga, this Barolo has no shortage of grip and spine. Traditionally styled and combined with the grand scale of 2010, this is all about power-terroir. Classic Serralunga with cherry licorice, subtle balsam, flowers and pronounced ironstone unfolding as the wine slowly builds in the glass. Broad and penetrating, this forceful, mouth-coating Barolo has plenty of force and depth. More backbone and youthful tannic structure arrives on the packed and very, very persistent finish. As mentioned, this wine will come together immaculately. Put it the cellar until the beginning of 2018 and drink it through 2028 and beyond. Would you like a value to put in the cellar for a child who was born in 2010's 21st birthday? This is your ticket!
