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Hot Sheet of Exciting Wine Deals!

"THEY SAY WE CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP" HOTSHEET

Bubbles, 2012 Oregon Pinots, Nebbiolo & 95 Point Mt Eden BigBoy Chardonnay Special





DOMAINE CLAVELIN CREMANT DE JURA BRUT "COMTE"
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE


France's mountainous Jura region is well-known for many epicurean delights including some of the nation's most intriguing wines. One category that falls into the sheer exuberance profile are the area's sparkling wines because unlike the majority of the white wines, these aren't made in an oxidized style. One such terrific offering and top-notch wine is this bubbly from Hubert Clavelin.

100% Chardonnay and made in the traditional Champagne method the aromas and flavors of this version of the jumping grape play in a league way above this mere $17 price point. Apple puffed-pastry, butter-tones, orange and mineral aromas glimmer from the glass and follow into a texture that dances with finesse and electricity. It also boasts excellent depth and mouth-watering fruit then finishes with boundless character that allows it to be something wonderful to share with a bunch of friends, perhaps at the table with fish or with the cheese course, which should include Comte. If you are unable to find Comte cheese then a good cave-aged Gruyere will do just fine. Given that deals on Champagne from the namesake region under 40 bucks will be a rare commodity this year, we encourage you to take advantage of this scrumptious offering. As we'd say around here, we'd rather drink an affordable, well-made sparkling wine from outside the Champagne region versus some half-assed large-production quote ‘real' Champagne with an artificial price.



2011 GALLINO NEBBIOLO LANGHE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE


It's a crime that this humble Piedmont grower isn't yet a household name (mainly due to the fact that Gallino doesn't produce a Barolo or Barbaresco) his Roero-grown Barbera and Nebbiolo wines are blazing values and often receive accolades, including numerous Tre Bicchieri Awards from Gambero Rosso over the years.

Aromatic, fine, complex and a complete over-achiever, this Piedmont red demands respect and adulation from the first moment it is poured. Licorice-laden, nice floral tones, chinato-herbs and very steely, it is linear, wiry and textbook with upscale depth and material all without ever being ponderous. True character and finesse shine on the packed, persistent finish. A hard-working Nebbiolo to drink while you wait for your big Barbaresco and Barolo wines to come to fruition.



2010 MOUNT EDEN CHARDONNAY ESTATE
[reg. $64.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE


We offered this a couple months back but the distributor really sweetened the pot and gave us a very limited time sweet deal!! If there were ever to be a case to quantify a California Chardonnay as being Grand Cru, Mt. Eden's Estate cuvee would certainly be deemed as one of the top contenders. Simply put this is iconic Cali-Chard and is one that ages like a beast. The scion material for this wine was planted by Martin Ray in the 1940s and 1960s high up on the Santa Cruz Mountains and over the years this wine has attained legendary status, especially since the estate limits the production to anywhere between 1000 and 1200 cases.

The 2010 Estate Chardonnay shows why Mount Eden is regarded as one of the apex predators when it comes to this varietal. All of the great Burgundian techniques are practiced all while maintaining California roots and material. Rich aromas and flavors of orange, churned butter, smoked hazelnut and an underlay of vanilla spice, this is definitely NOT "Cougar Juice"! The opulence is nicely buffered by a lively streak of mountain minerality that makes it succeed with balance where so many others in California fail. As previously mentioned, this wine ages impeccably. Enjoy over its first 4-5 years with sautéed scallops or lobster then another 10 afterwards with more sauces and soft-ripened cheeses. Also, if scores are your thing, this one has 95 points from Antonio Galloni's Vinous Media.



2012 RIDGE GEYSERVILLE
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE – LIMITED!


A real standard-bearer for not only Zin, but for American wines in general, Ridge has made the Geyserville as a single-site Zinfandel since 1966 and the current blend is once again off the charts. The Geyserville is from 3 adjoining vineyard sites all with gravelly soil and including some of the oldest vines (up to 130 years) that Ridge utilizes and perennially is my favorite of Ridge's Zin-based wines. 2012 is a real mind-blower early on and guess what; it's going to become even better! The term "layered" was invented for Geyserville. The 2012 is a chanteuse that is 71% Zinfandel, 19% Carignane, 7% Petite Sirah, 1% Alicante Bouschet & 2% Mataro that both explodes and seduces with peppery tones as well as pronounced chocolate covered plum tones, briar and licorice. In the mouth, it is crammed with savory, luscious and spicy flavors that have full fruit and are extremely well-integrated and carry over into the gorgeous, ripe finish. Drink now through 2019+. Most ageworthy of all Ridge "zinfandels," Geyserville is magnificent when young yet the wines change, re-inventing themselves in bottle, developing more nuance and complexity as years pass. Drink some now but do hold some back and enjoy through 2024.



2012 CHATEAU COUSTARELLE CAHORS
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE


Cahors is located in the Dordogne and the wines that come from the vineyards surrounding the small city possess the moniker: "the black wines of France." The best way to describe this soulful offering is to say that it smells and tastes very French. Its characteristics are so French that one sniff may send you running for a pack of smokes, a baguette, some pâté and a white flag for purposes of surrender!

Coustarelle's Cahors combines noble, sturdy history with modern, fruity accessibility blended with 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot for smoothness and underlying suppleness. The nose is ravishing with tones of black licorice, blackberry, hints of tar, and spices. Very drinkable now, especially with roasted duck, hearty stews, bleu cheese and pâté.



2013 HERENCIA ALTES TERRE ALTE TINTO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE


It's back and once again possesses a 90 point score from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate. This sturdy red wine from Spain's Catalonia region always makes so many people so very happy. Well, maybe it is because they drink too much of it because even though it packs good fullness, it goes down quite easily.

100% Grenache. Chewy, lots of black licorice and plum tones riding on top of herbs and spices. Drawn-out and calling one back for another glass, this is perfect with a grilled burger amongst many other options.



2013 BOW & ARROW MELON WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE


For me, is may be the most exciting under $20 dry white wine in Oregon and from one of our amazing urban stars. Scott Frank worked at Cameron for 4 years and he takes his influence from the Loire Valley. Melon is the grape from the area around Nantes, specifically the Muscadet region and this Oregon version is flat-out mouth-watering!

Commencing with minerally scents and undertones of flint, this pale white then draws more complexity from lemongrass, melon and lime tones for enhancement. Brisk and mouthwatering on the palate with fine intensity and length, this is a wonderful match for a plate of freshly shucked northwest oysters – but you all knew that anyway.



2012 EVESHAM WOOD PINOT NOIR "LE PUIT SEC"
$35.99 BTL./$431.88 CASE – LIMITED!!


Located outside of Salem, Evesham Wood was founded by Russ Raney in 1986 and over the years established itself as a 5-star, go-to Oregon Pinot Noir producer. In 2010 Russ took retirement and sold the estate to his friend and protege Erin Nuccio and the quality of the wines has not missed a beat, they are outrageously terrific and age extremely well.

Le Puit Sec (the dry well) is Evesham's home vineyard and was planted in 1986. The statement that this vineyard makes is always one of finesse, class and suaveness. 2012 provided knockout results. Delivering graceful aromas and flavors that conjure up harmonious notes of strawberry, smoke and cocoa-dust followed by a concentrated and persistent texture with plenty of dark tones up front which fan out into a vivid, lacy and rich finish. This is top-notch, obsessive farming and winemaking at its pinnacle and like the majority of 2012s, this wine shows engaging approachability now but in this case, best results will occur between 2016 – 2024.



2012 BRICK HOUSE PINOT NOIR "CUVEE DU TONNELIER"
$42.99 BTL./$515.88 CASE – LIMITED!!


One of Oregon's most popular estates due to quality, there is quite a backstory to what Doug Tunnell is all about when it comes to his wines. Returning to his Oregon roots in 1990, Doug set about on being one of the early leaders of organic viticulture in Oregon. Results came quickly as did a rabid following for the wines and deservedly so, they truly are some of our best. Excitement has been brewing for the 2012s from Brick House and the first one we are showing doesn't disappoint.

Cuvee du Tonnelier is from Brick House's original vines planted in 1990. Combining robustness, earth and an underbelly of smoothness and sensuality this mouth-coating Pinot reveals spirited aromas of violet, plum, coriander, ample turned earth and a gentle kiss of vanilla and cracked pepper. Chock full of depth and persistence, plenty of character and burst arrive and will do even more as the wine ages. The awesome potential on this drawn-out Pinot is boundless. Hold until 2016 and drink through 2025.



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