Hot Sheets

Tommaso Bussola is one of the leading producers of Amarone. Originally a stone mason, Bussola took over this estate, having learned some about the business from his uncle, Giuseppe, a local grower who still tends to the vineyards. In general, Valpolicella is a region noted for high quality reds that offer a lot of wine for not a lot of money, having said that, not all Valpolicella is created equally. The inquisitive nature of Tommaso Bussola lends to the creation of some the region's most interesting and thoughtfully produced red wines and this one from the Ca del Laito line is steal at 20 bucks.

Made utilizing the Ripasso technique, the unique wine-making practice of Valpolicella, which wine made during the recent vintage is reserved then placed atop the pressed grape skins and lees in the vats just used for Amarone and allowed to ferment further in contact with those skins, thus acquiring additional body and flavor. This version has it all! Dark, lush, dried strawberry, dark chocolate, ginger, and tobacco combine with a full and pleasing texture that keeps up with hearty dishes. The complexity here is inspired by Amarone and unlike Amarone, is one that can be accessed now. If you like big Italian red wines then don't miss this one! Drink over the next 3-4 years.

Vent Est-Vent Ouest. This is the motto of Cabardes, one of Languedoc's lesser-known regions. Located minutes outside of the medieval city of Carcassonne, this region seemingly is Bordeaux slammed into the Rhone. Atlantic varietals (Cabernet/Merlot, etc) co-exist with Rhone varietals (grenache, syrah, etc.) and come together to make impeccably scrumptious wines.

Winds prevail from both the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea and allow for lots of movement and cooling for the wines that come from this somewhat warm region. Composed of Grenache, Syrah and Merlot, Jouclary's 2011 Cabardes is wonderfully complex with dashing raspberry, red licorice, cassis, lavender and pepper scents that are all wonderfully positioned with fine depth and extension. Serve with a range of cuisine from burgers to pho to ratatouille.

The area formerly known as Cotes-de-Ventoux and now known simply as Ventoux has a wealth of young producers who are exposing their terroirs and making wines way more than the light bistro-quaffers that were prominent in the 80s and 90s. These days this is an area of potential and can produce distinctive wines that can rival other southern Rhone villages in quality, especially in the top vineyard sites.

Owner/winemaker Sebastien Vincenti is a protégé of famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer Andre Brunel, he of Les Cailloux fame. 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and the rest equal parts Mourvedre and Carignan from limestone soils, scintillating lavender, red cherry, white pepper and smoky mineral scents lead into a texture that is both lively and layered as well as showing a level of sophistication that is normally reserved for wines of a much higher pedigree. Ethereal and spicy throughout then finishes up with pronounced strawberry, currant and thyme notes on the uncommonly long finish.

Uncompromising and unapologetically California in its intense, mouth-filling profile, Truchard's 2012 Carneros Chardonnay is a rich wine with layers of tropical fruit, peaches and pears. The fruit opens up into a smooth, creamy and buttery texture of apples and pears that glide across the palate. Hints of citrus and oak tones highlight the wine's rich and lingering finish. Those who enjoy opulent, full-throttle California Chardonnay will most definitely be enamored with this particular selection.

One of the most eye-opening whites that I experienced during my tasting meetings with distributors last week was this debonair Pinot Blanc from a most unexpected source, Germany's Rheinhessen region.

A delectable white wine for not a lot of money, this wine really shows off the aromatic side of Pinot Blanc with forward aromas of minerality, pear, pineapple and soft cardamom spice all coming from the site and varietal because this white sees no wood. Balancing fresh terroir character with ripe and pure fruit, this wakes your palate up and coats it with balanced earthy richness that makes it perfect to start a meal or with roasted chicken and mushroom dishes.

The Aragon region of Spain, and in this case, the region of Carinena, is Spain's wine Thrift Store! Lots of gulpable treasures made with Garnacha are found here including this miraculous $8.50 winner! This is your favorite barbecue wine - you just haven't tasted it yet!

Lavishly toned wild strawberry jam scents play off savory herbs, spices and licorice following into a texture that is supple and mouth-coating, but possesses plenty of the nice peppery tones that Garnacha brings. Drink this vivid Spanish red with just about anything from the grill.

Gulfi is a Sicilian producer that is currently making some of the most compelling Italian red wines that we think should be in your glass. Vito Catania came to the area with a vision of making ancient-style using modern technology. Since he purchased his 100 acres in 1996, he's certainly succeeded in becoming one of Sicily's most charmed producers.

50% Nero D'Avola and 50% Frappatto, this fragrant, detonating in the mouth red is full of vibrant, crunchy cherry fruit, smoke, pepper and underlying plum tones that follow through to a texture that tingles and fills the mouth without being tannic or heavy; perfect for drinking over the next two or three years with fish and tomato dishes.

One of the emerging players in the Eola-Amity appellation of the Willamette Valley, Walter Scott wines have dazzled since we commenced in using them a couple years ago. A selection of new releases from the 2012 vintage are now available and one of the standouts is their single vineyard Clos des Oiseaux Pinot Noir. This site is located in close proximity to Cristom's Jessie Vineyard and the 2012 is rocking.

Delivering grace and regal depth of fruit all which conjure up harmonious notes of strawberry, licorice, white pepper and cocoa-dust, this wine is quite the seductress. Texturally this offering is concentrated and persistent with plenty of dark tones up front which fan out into a vivid, suave and rich finish. This is top-notch, obsessive farming and winemaking at its pinnacle and while this wine has immense accessibility there is even more potential lurking which will undoubtedly unfold with a few years of cellaring.

94 – 96 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE

Upon first visiting Greg Harrington in Walla Walla, we immediately knew that his wines were going to take off and become not-so-easy to get our hands on. Accolades have come and now much of Gramercy Cellars' wines are sold via the mailing list, but fortunately we are able to score some of one of my favorite Syrahs in all of Washington. To pay tribute to his time spent in New Orleans, Greg chose the name Lagniappe, which means "something extra" in the Cajun dialect for this wine and having been the first Gramercy wine that made me a follower, I have such a soft-spot for it and its undeniable force.

"A step up in terms of complexity, depth and richness, the 2011 Syrah Lagniappe is Greg's cooler climate focused Syrah. Coming from the Red Willow, Olsen and SJR Vineyards and fermented with 50% whole cluster, it offers a brilliantly complex bouquet of violets, peppered steak, blackberry, stem and exotic spices along with a medium to full-bodied, focused and balanced mouthfeel. Really stretching out on the finish, it's an overall classy, elegant Syrah that will age gracefully for 12-15 years. Drink 2016-2026. – 94 – 96 POINTS FROM THE WINE ADVOCATE"