Hot Sheets

Hot Sheet of Exciting Wine Deals!

"SLAINTE!" HOTSHEET

Zin Specials, Collectible Bandol & Barbaresco values, 20 buck White Burg, Gosset Champagne & more!




2010 FOUR VINES PASO ROBLES ZINFANDEL "BIKER"
[reg. $26.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE


If you're a Zinfandel fanatic you should unquestionably have this operation's full-flavored bounties in your drinking repertoire. The Four Vines crew are wine rebels who specialize in Zin and make wines that are decidedly American. The Biker is their Paso Robles version and comes from two well-established vineyard sites of western Paso Robles, Dusi and Preston Vineyards.

Big, full dark berry notes combine with dust, cedarbox and white pepper aromas which lead into a ripe, jammy, yet lively texture that launches in the mouth. Drink this hearty, lush red wine with grilled pork, shortribs or spice-marinated chicken. On special, for 16 bucks this textbook Zinfandel (and the following wine just below) is smoking for its price!



2010 FOUR VINES AMADOR ZINFANDEL "MAVERICK"
[reg. $26.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE


The Maverick is a different take on Zinfandel in comparison to the Biker; this is authoritative, balls-to-the-wall, impactful Zin! From dry-farmed, head-pruned vines from Amador County's Shenandoah Valley, the old vines here give this stunner intensity and an elixir-like concentration.

Ripe, warm notes of raspberry and juicy cherry play off perfectly intertwined pepper-spice and lovely violet scents. The high elevation vineyard site brings forth a briskness that balances out the richness and makes this zin a great match for grilled meats, brick-oven pizza and tomato-based dishes.



2010 JEAN-CLAUDE THEVENET MACON-PIERRECLOS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE


Providing some of the most terrific values in White Burgundy, the current state of wine in Burgundy's Mâcon region has never been better. Forget about drinking wines from large negociants, the cool and best wines are in this region are at the grower level. The transparent whites from Thevenet always delight and send the mind reeling due to his fanatical practice in the vineyard and seamless translation into the winery. The only negative note is that we never get enough. The Thevenet brothers are true terroirists and following in the footsteps of their father, set out to maintain the pristine flavors of this land. No intrusive oak is ever used; this is chardonnay in its most naked and defined state.

Intense yet tender aromas of lemon, freshly cut crisp yellow apple, plenty of flint and mineral enhance the wine to let you know where it is from. Ripe, but almost diamond-like precision and finesse shine in the mouth. Firm and electric on the finish, with great texture and depth of flavor that hangs around nicely; have it with very simple fish dishes, roasted chicken rubbed with fresh herbs or a light mushroom pasta dish. 2010 is a magnificent vintage for white Burgundy, this wine drinks beautifully now and will continue over the next 2-3 years.



2011 SANT' ANTONIO VALPOLICELLA "NANFRE"
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE


Coming across your screen right now is a happy wine from Italy's Veneto region that instantly brought a smile to our faces when we tossed back a bottle a few weeks ago. From a fast-rising Amarone and Valpolicella producer, Sant' Antonio has made a cleanly-made, fresh, fun wine from Il Valpolicella that is classic to what an entry-level Valpol needs to be.

Full of cherry-pit, dark chocolate and vibrant herbs, it is fun, mouth-filling and goes down very easy. One taste and you'll find out why we ask, "what's not to like about this red??!!"



2011 CHAMAN RED BLEND (ARGENTINA)
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE


20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 55% Petit Verdot & 5% Malbec from one of Argentina's esteemed families. Luis and Pepe Reginato are the minds behind La Posta. Their father Jose is highly influential within the vineyards of Mendoza's La Consulta region and the guys refer to him as a shaman, hence the clever name.

This engaging red blend with Petit Verdot as its base is from grapes grown in vineyards situated 3200 feet above sea level. Lavish, over-delivering scents of licorice, plum, nutmeg, vanilla and coriander build and build as the wine is swirled in the glass. Full, saturated yet very much a sensuous offering that reveals smoothness and complexity; ample vibrancy and sneaky structure emerge especially on the flavorful and long back-end. Very pleasurable for drinking over the next 3-4 years, especially with a grilled steak.



2013 OSTATU RIOJA BLANCO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE


One of our favorite spring/summer wines has arrived early and at its most fresh point! Over the last decade we have touted this white Rioja from old vines as a great every day, thirst-quenching number and 2013 continues this legacy and doesn't disappoint.

85% Viura and 15% Malvasia, this white wine tickles you in places that you did not know you had! Zingy, bursting lemon-drop and mineral aromas carry over to the brilliantly detailed texture which exudes strong varietal character and thrilling peristence. You'll want to drink multiple glasses of this regardless of what is on the table including any and all seafood dishes, fresh cheeses and white meats with fruit-based marinades.



2010 DOMAINE BASTIDE-BLANCHE BANDOL "CUVEE FONTANEOU"
$29.99 BTL. – VERY LIMITED!!


One of the supreme producers of this famous Mediterranean region, Bastide Blanche's Cuvee Fontaneou can best be described as "Mighty Mourvedre". This bottling is 98% Mourvedre, 2% Grenache from a same-named parcel that is a stone's throw from the Mediterranean Sea and is from red clay soils over an abundance of limestone. Very much a wine for the cellar, this is not just a can of whoop-ass, it's a whole case of whoop-ass!!! Like the rest of France, 2010 for Bandol is a drop-dead stunner of a vintage and this wine almost behaves like a French Barolo!

Serious tar scents wit undertones of red flower and coffee from earth rather than from the use of new oak. Wiry texture and extremely tightly wound with resounding structure, this wine needs to relax in the cellar for at least a 5 years. Fine fruit notes are underneath and will come out with time. Expect this to be very ripe, layered and profound with complex notes of provençal herbs, mushroom and floral tones as it ages. Firm and packed in the back, but really stays around exquisitely in the mouth. If you like a wine to smack you around, go ahead and open one now, but you will be punished. For best results drink this mountainous mourvèdre 2017-2026+. Who sez you can't get an ageworthy wine for a nice price??!!



2005 PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO RISERVA "PAJÉ"
$43.99 BTL./$527.88 CASE


We are so fortunate in Oregon to have direct access to the wines from the Produttori del Barbaresco and because of this, we are able to offer their wines at very fair prices. Pajé is one of the real underrated sleepers of the Produttori Cru Barbaresco wines, especially since they've been producing outstanding, powerful wines from this site since the mid-90s.

The 2005 was singing in its early days with exorbitant definition of origin. After a year it went to sleep but now it is starting to re-emerge into just what it should be. Like one of its more famous neighbors, Montestefano, this has plenty of Barolo traits with its mass and power. Packed with balsamic tones along with ripe dark fruits and black licorice, one can drink this with a good decanting now and over the next decade.



CHAMPAGNE GOSSET GRANDE RESERVE BRUT
$65.99 BTL./$395.94 – SIX PACK CASE


Last month I had the chance to visit Champagne Gosset and experienced the entire gamme with a couple of things really knocking me for a loop, especially the 2002 Celebris (more on that one when it arrives). We have been featuring bubblies from Champagne Gosset for 15 years at The Cellar Door and I have been working with them even longer and yet again even on my visit, the cuvee that stands apart for its sheer price/quality rapport is the spectacular Grande Reserve Brut.

Blended from 3 vintages plus Reserve wines, 43% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir & 15% Pinot Meunier from 12 Grands Crus and 1 Premier Cru make up the blend. 4-5 years on lees before bottling. Brioche aromas, lots of penetration and depth, fine spices beneath the surface. Apple and pear-drop scents present to. Full, really fans out nicely, maintains its grip, spine and backbone of zestiness throughout. Very firm, sculpted and drawn-out, I have always loved this wine and especially as it unfolds and warms, it is like rekindling that love all over again. Simply irresistible if you're a Champagne junkie!



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