Hot Sheets
"ANGELS & DRUNKS" HOTSHEET
2012 Oregon Pinot Noirs, Fine Buys from Tuscany & Argentina, new Beaurenard Rasteau & more
2011 DOMAINE DE BEAURENARD RASTEAU ROUGE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Receiving as much focus as their prized Chateauneuf wines, Domaine de Beaurenard's Rasteau is a STEAL given the tedious biodynamic and terraced farming that goes into it. Formerly known as Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Rasteau, this village received a well-deserved upgrade to full appellation status in 2009. I flat-out went crazy over this white in France back in February and the following are my tasting notes:
"The 2011 is a damn sexy version and it flaunts its qualities instantaneously. Comfort Rasteau! Pronounced licorice and rosemary, underlying perfumed strawberry. Round, silky and having good movement; picks up more depth and backbone, nicely poised and having way more extension than most at this level. Lots of snap-back on finish and even better on 2nd taste after aeration. Drink through 2020."
2012 AYRES RIBBON RIDGE PINOT NOIR "PERSPECTIVE"
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The 2012 Perspective is now the 3rd version of this particular wine and it is exactly what the name implies, perspective on what a blend from the Ribbon Ridge appellation is all about. Combining fruit from Ayres along with neighboring Ribbon Ridge Vineyards, Armstrong and Saikkonen, this wine is the great middle ground between the Willamette Valley version and the more upscale offerings below.
Knockout nose that comes in waves as the wine is swirled in the glass. Sensuous floral tones, a combination of red and black fruits, herbs and transparent red earth tones reveal themselves nicely, but there is a bunch more just waiting to come out with a little time. In the mouth the wine is somewhat like an Italian plum, exploding with ripe dark fruit and then gaining structure and grip on the brilliantly focused and extending finish. Drink through 2020+.
2012 AYRES RIBBON RIDGE PINOT NOIR "LEWIS RODGERS LANE"
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Having worked in all facets of the wine industry including 5+ years as cellar master at Domaine Drouhin, Brad McLeroy is a serious player as evidenced by him continually making prolific Pinots since 2003 and also receiving numerous 90+ scores from publications like The International Wine Cellar and The Wine Advocate.
One of the most purely delicious 2012s that we have tasted, this is seriously supple Oregon pinot noir that does not have rely on a bunch of new oak flavorings. Waves of cherry blossom, lavender, black plum and fresh-turned earth/spice billow from the glass and fill your senses; the structure is refined, rich yet maintaining elegance with a drawn-out, warm finish. Enjoy over the next decade.
2012 AYRES RIBBON RIDGE PINOT NOIR "PIONEER"
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
The Pioneer Pinot Noir is Brad's luxury cuvee and is one that is so fairly priced especially given its superb quality and potential for longevity.
The 2012 is deep and dark with aromas of juicy black cherry and raspberry, minerality, cinnamon-graham cracker and violet. The feeling in the mouth is round and coating with rich flavors of ripe berry filling the mouth and minerals in the background. There is an elegant restraint about this pinot noir that nicely balances the deep core of fruit and fine-grained tannins along with a long, elegant finish that is filled with spice and depth. Drink through 2022+.
2013 BODEGA AZUL MALBEC MENDOZA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Last week there was something concocted called World Malbec Day so we figured what the hell, we'll play along. Azul is a small producer in Argentina's Uco Valley who puts out terrific wine from top to bottom. What is most impressive is that they are able to maintain such fair pricing, especially in a category where so much of the under-$12 Malbec crowd is manipulated and quite frankly, a bit of a snooze.
Grown at 4,000 feet this Malbec the high elevation vineyard site is what drives the wine. For this ridiculously fair price, it is safe to say, this Malbec rocks! Pristine and pure Malbec aromas of black licorice, graphite, blackberry, herbs and spices. Lush and bold with underlying firmness. The regalness that this estate obtains is insane! The finish has plenty of freshness and red tones that call you back for another glass, another bottle or another case! Drink now and drink lots!
2012 CANTINA DEL TABURNO FALANGHINA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
The white wines from Campania are some of Italy's finest and possess character not found virtually anywhere else on the sunny peninsula. Cantina del Taburno always makes wines that represent fabulous value and their 2012 is no exception.
Classic Falangina grape qualities abound!!! Enlightening, fresh and complex aromas of fresh chalky mineral, mandarin, anisette, sheer earth and delicate white flower billow out from the glass. Intense and attractively sassy in the mouth with a tense contrast of melon and blood orange fruits that enhance the ravishing mouthfeel and white spice finish. Have this electric white with simply prepared grilled white fish drizzled in olive oil with salt and pepper.
2012 FATTORIA LA PARRINA PARRINA ROSSO
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
Located in the Grosseto province of Tuscany, the Parrina appellation is one of the area's smallest. Plenty of good things come from this region and this warm-climate 100% Sangiovese is one of them. Lifting aromas of juicy strawberry, game, sage, white flowers and blueberry move nicely into the round and friendly mouthfeel; this fleshy, crunchy red is the perfect accompaniment to pizza, meatloaf or simple red-sauced pasta dishes.
2012 L'ECOLE NO. 41 COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$19.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
A few years back, L'Ecole's Red blend was known as Recess Red. Starting with the 2009 vintage, L'Ecole No. 41 decided that this wine should be taken way more seriously given the high quality. A label upgrade and subtle name change combined with swank material makes this a killer Walla Walla deal. 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 4% Malbec, 54% Merlot, 5% Mourvedre, 4% Grenache and 4% Cabernet Franc, this red has serious suck-it-down factor.
Flamboyant, exuberant aromas of cassis, blueberry, dusty earth and tobacco carry over to a texture that is positively velvety and smoothly covers the entire palate with ambiance and spirit. Drinkable now and over the next 3-4 years, this is a lovely red from one of the longtime stalwarts that stands above so many other under 20 dollar Washington blends.
