Hot Sheets

Exactly what the world has been waiting for, a very fine indeed Northwest Zinfandel!! Angel Vine is the project of Ed Fus who owns a Pinot Noir vineyard here in Oregon from which he sells the fruit to other producers. To make a complete 180 and do something completely different, this cat has serious passion for Zinfandel and scores some very good fruit from Washington which he sells under the Angel Vine tag. Simply put, these full-flavored wines are flat-out delicious and if you love Zin and local wines, you owe it to yourself to have some in your glass.

98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah from 3 vineyards (Alder Ridge in Horse Heaven Hills, Avery in the Columbia Valley near Maryhill and Stonetree from Wahluke Slope) this full-on red is dominated by peppery, wind-swept cherry aromas with underlying, but nicely integrated spice-box & anise tones. Typical warmth of the site really comes out and reveals pure and underlying earth tones. Supple entry and with suave, silky tannins from front to back. Vibrant acidity arrives on the mid-palate. Gains more material, especially on the very classy finish. Drink through 2017.

Hearty Cotes-du-Rhone in winter is a good thing!! Mas de Libian is located in the foothills on the way to the Ardeche, this is a bastion of a Côtes-du-Rhône area which in the past had often been overlooked. The Thibon family has been farming and making wine at Mas de Libian since 1670. Fast-forward to modern-day, we have a generation who is keen to pay respect to the earth, vines and wines. The 2012 Côtes-du-Rhône is named after Zan, a particular licorice that comes in bits (bouts).

Average age of 35 year old vines are utilized here and there are no magical winemaking tricks. 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, this sophisticated monster emits aromas of jammy strawberry, tea leaf, Thai spices and black licorice. Texturally layered with excellent movement and penetrating depth especially on the lengthy, broad finish that snaps back after the wine is swallowed and pleasantly hangs around. No problem for aging for 3-5 years, but with its flavor impact and smoothness, it can be enjoyed within 3-5 minutes after pulling the cork with slow-braised lamb or a simply prepared grilled porterhouse spiked with garlic and coated with black pepper.

This long-time Oregon producer has been on quite a roll lately and we are very excited to offer you a delectable morsel of a white wine. Given that Witness Tree only has 2½ acres of Pinot Blanc planted, this will always be a wine of small quantity. What it makes up for there is its stature, which is quite compelling.

From the ‘Abbey Ridge' clone of Pinot Blanc, this is classy Oregon white that is sure to please a bunch of palates. Lime, pear, subtle mineral follow through to a texture that feels Pinot Bianco with its excellent briskness. Serve with crab or halibut.

As you are reading this, Bryan will be driving into Burgundy and getting excited for another visit to Domaine Chauvenet. To celebrate, we scored a little special on this outstanding over-achiever from one of the benchmark Domaines of Nuits-St-Georges. Interestingly enough, next to Domaine Chauvenet's Vosne-Romanée, this is the smallest production of the Domaine.

Receiving all of the love that the top Premiers Crus, this wine is one hell of a glass of Pinot!! Refined, yet elusive aromas, quite formidable for just having the mere Bourgogne appellation status. Cherry-pit, cooking herbs, violets give way to a texture that is well-formed with excellent mid-palate depth and persistence. Moves nicely and given the greatness of 2010, performs mightily. Drink over the next 5-7 years.

One of the biggest steals in Barbaresco is the base-level Barbaresco from Cantina Del Pino. The Cellar Door has been touting Renato Vacca (yes, the name is familiar, Renato is Produttori del Barbaresco director Aldo Vacca's cousin) and these wines have gone from being super to other-worldly. Coming from 4 vineyards within the Barbaresco region (Ovello, Albano, Albesani and Gallina), Round, full aromas of rose petal and pronounced red and black licorice permeate throughout the glass and follow through to the palate which is classic, warm-vintage Barbaresco. Brilliant thrusting fruit, accentuated by spice and full tannins which are submerged by the voluptuousness that Mother Nature bestowed on this renowned region. The finish shows youthful and packed but has stellar length and potential. There is a bit of early charm, but give it another year or so and then drink it through 2021.