Hot Sheets

Hot Sheet of Exciting Wine Deals!

"DEUCES" HOTSHEET

6 Pairs of wines. Read to the bottom for Washington values, Bubbles, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir & more




WASHINGTON VALUES


2012 KALEM'S DOWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON "THE BENCHES VINEYARD"
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE


A new, outstanding Horse Heaven Hills single vineyard value offering from John Albin. A few years ago this Chehalem Mountain-based stalwart expanded his focus beyond Oregon Pinot Noir and started working with Washington fruit. The Benches Vineyard is located about 1000 feet above where the Columbia makes the big bend and is owned and controlled by the folks at Long Shadows.

John's version for the fine 2012 vintage is a superb drink that offers dense forward scents of dark berries and mocha, is smooth and seductive in the mouth with even more dark berry, cassis, milk chocolate, and spice notes arriving on the sumptuous finish.



2010 SOUTHARD COLUMBIA VALLEY RED (SYRAH BLEND)
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE


We featured this Washington value earlier this year and just re-tasted it and thought we should do a rewind and show it again! Southard is something that one doesn't see every day; an upstart Washington operation who isn't groping at stars by initially offering wines for 50 bucks a bottle that are nothing more than flashy packaging and expensive new oak barrels. Scott Southard's humbly-named Columbia Valley Red is a blend of 55% Syrah/45% Mourvedre.

Well-crafted, well-balanced initially with strong Syrah aspects of aromatic plum and red cherry then picking up dusty herbs, blueberry and pekoe all while providing ebullient peppery and smoky characteristics throughout. Fine and expansive texture mingles about with cool vibrancy, especially on the earth and spice-driven finish.




ROCKIN' RIESLING SPECIALS!


2010 MAXIMIN GRUNHAUSER RIESLING TROCKEN
[reg. $23.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE


93 POINTS – THE WINE SPECTATOR
Forget your fears about great Riesling, especially when it comes to this FULLY DRY version from one of the great producers of the Ruwer region in Germany. A real blazer with fierceness and elegance at the same time, dry wine lovers really owe it to themselves to try some! "Tangy and dry, with lots of apricot tart, tarragon, grapefruit and baked apple flavors. Dried pineapple and spice notes fill this midpalate, and the bright finish overflows with white pepper and mineral, with an intense and vibrant spiciness. Best from 2014 through 2024. – 93 POINTS, THE WINE SPECTATOR"



2002 C.H. BERRES RIESLING KABINETT "WEHLENER KLOSTERBERG"
[reg. $21.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE


Many times I have mentioned that the greatest of white wines will outlive the greatest of reds and this sterling, 11 year old Riesling is perfect proof! The main thing that drives this wine are the soils of the vineyard. Wehlener Klosterberg is a south-facing vineyard in the famed village of Wehlen (also home to the grand Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard) and has a combo of decomposed blue slate, clay and stone.

Pronounced lime and peach along with subtle ginger notes. Piercing, very focused mineral tones which are classic to the blue slate bring out delineation and very cool finesse. Complex, secondary tones are quite present and reveal themselves in such a handsome way. Drinking exquisitely and still packing loads of life, 2002 was a grand vintage for Kabinett, Spatlese and Auslese wines. This semi-dry Riesling possesses a low alcohol level (7.5%) and is brilliantly delineated, complex and most importantly, very detailed. Drinking wonderfully now and will continue to do so for another 4-5 years...if not longer!




NEBBIOLO ADVENTURES


2006 SERTOLI SALIS VALTELLINA SUPERIORE "CAPO DI TERRA"
$23.99 BTL./$143.94 - SIX PACK CASE


"Heroic viticulture" says it all about the Valtellina region, which is a deep gorge, surrounded by the Orobie and the Retiche mountain chains located in Italy's Lombardy region up near the Swiss border. This is one tough region to farm but those adrenaline junkies who do, have the stuff to make some of the most intriguing and pleasurable Nebbiolo in all of Italy.

One of the smashing producers is Conti Sertoli Salis who has been producing wine since 1869. 100% chiavennasca (the local name for nebbiolo) this red is one of the most pure and pretty expressions of this noble varietal. Haunting scents of freshly-turned earth, peat, dried roses, cherry pit, camphor and orange peel shine on the nose that is full of complexity and dimension. In the mouth it is well-structured, sculpted and full of complexity with a fine velvety aspect beneath the surface. Dense and soaring on the finish, this ultra-traditional Nebbiolo screams purity and pairs well with earthy mushroom dishes or rack of lamb. At age 7 and drinking beautifully it will continue to develop over the next 5-7 years. So Italian, so Alpine and so unique, this is a wine for those who love to go on a Nebbiolo thrill-ride.



2009 GIUSEPPE CORTESE BARBARESCO "RABAJA"
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE


We recently featured the terrific Barbera from this killer producer now it's time to feature his single vineyard Rabaja Barbaresco which is priced quite well given its always mind-boggling pedigree. "The 2009 Barbaresco Rabaja is a fabulous choice for readers who want to drink a Cortese wine while some of the more structured vintages age in the cellar. A compelling range of juicy dark berries, flowers, spices and mint blossom in the glass. Fleshy, radiant and supple, the 2009 embodies all of the best qualities of the vintage. Piercarlo Cortese didn't feel the 2009 could handle four years in cask, so there is no Riserva, all to the benefit of the "regular" Rabaja bottling. A sexy, gracious finish framed by silky tannins rounds things out in style. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. – 93 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE"




A PAIR OF OREGON PINOTS


2011 J. CHRISTOPHER PINOT NOIR "SANDRA ADELE" DUNDEE HILLS
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE


One of Oregon's rock stars strikes again with a new-release reserve offering! Jay Somers continues to put forth detailed, sensuous Pinots that brilliantly express their terroirs. All of the single vineyard and top wines have been released and we'll be featuring all of these soon but to whet your appetite we're kicking it off with the Sandra Adele cuvee. From 2 outstanding, well-established Dundee Hills sites (Abbey Ridge and Charlie's Vineyards) the perfume of this shy & sultry beauty is the first thing to hit you.

Classic pinot allure; lacy and fine with even more essence of fragrant red berry, allspice and red earth which carries over to the palate. The texture here is all about silk with lovely depth and an elegance so often not found in new-world pinot noir. Although with some aeration this pinot opens up, there is deceptive grip and firmness on the finish suggesting that you give this stellar bottling another 3 years to come together and open up to reveal its true glory. Best enjoyed from 2017 – 2025. The 2011 Sandra Adele also possesses a fat 93 point score from The Wine Advocate. If you have Pinot lovers on your holiday list, this is definitely a stellar gift choice!



2010 ET FILLE PINOT NOIR "WILLAMETTE VALLEY"
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE


Another 20 dollar winner from the delicious 2010 Pinot Noir vintage. Enticing and beautifully aromatic aromas of crushed black raspberry, violet and cinnamon shine brightly from the glass and carry over into a stylish and refined texture with an abundance of penetrating fruit & perfumed flowers along with sneaky structure. The finish is suave and understated with a hint of allspice and cocoa from oak. This gorgeous Pinot will pair wonderfully with veal chops and will drink and develop wonderfully over the next 3-5 years.




THE HOLIDAY BUBBLE MACHINE


CHAMPAGNE ALFRED GRATIEN BRUT CLASSIQUE
[reg. $67.99] SPECIAL PRICE - $46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE


Small and traditional is a beautiful thing when it comes to Champagne, so only the best of the best will climb out of Gratien's cellars in the backstreets of Epernay. Gratien is one of Karen and Bryan's all time favorite producers in Champagne and that sure is saying a lot because we view bubbles as more of a necessity than a choice and we can hardly contain ourselves with the elation of being able to offer this special choice at a great price.

Champagne Alfred Gratien has been producing exquisitely made, handcrafted sparkling wines from the Champagne region of France since 1864 and with a total production of barely 20,000 cases, Gratien has developed somewhat of a cult like status with great sites available to them and a rich tradition to back it up. Long-standing relations with growers in Champagne's Grand Cru vineyards gives cellar master Nicolas Jaeger (who followed his father Jean-Pierre) access to the finest grapes. The philosophy is akin to Krug or Bollinger which is to age the vins claires in small oak barrels. Gratien also prefers to have impeccable cut to their Champagnes and this is achieved by not allowing the wines to go through malolactic fermentation. The bubblies from Gratien are Champagnes for those who love the big full and rich stylings of Krug, Pol Roger or Bollinger. Full-bodied and well-constructed with bursting, radiant fruit flutters from the glass along with expressive, polished scents of apple, serious brioche and citrus lead into a generous, yet elegant texture with very fine bubbles and a complex, long finish. A true connoisseur's Champagne, enjoy it by itself, with friends or with a memorable meal based around seafood.



PRE BARON CREMANT DE LOIRE BRUT
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE


Like any virtuouso, Pre Baron simply has to show up and with their deft touch will make fabulous wine. Known for top-level Touraine wines, both white and especially red, this estate has prowess with sparkling wine production.

Made from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay in the traditional Champagne method, this wine exudes class with its palate-pleasing apricot, quince and mineral character. An ideal choice for those who don't want to drop the bank on Champagne, it's a fine sipper that will pair nicely with hors d'oeurves, reveling or toasting.




FUN-FILLED DESSERT WINES


2012 ELIO PERRONE MOSCATO D'ASTI "SOURGAL"
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE


People absolutely adore Moscato D'Asti. I have had numerous people who don't like wine, tell me how fond of this stuff they are. I have had serious collectors of wine who have told me that they can't get enough of the stuff. Recently I even had one woman who used it at her wedding to serve with the cake, tell me it was the hit of the party.

Former motocross champion Stefano Perrone is considered to be by many as one of the leaders of Moscato d'Asti. This delightful semi-sweet, low-alcohol wine makes the perfect light ending to a meal, all by itself, or with a simple fruit inspired dessert dish. It also makes for a great finish to the holiday meal and won't get grandma too loaded either. Aromatic orange and peach tones, lots of burst and very light on its feet. At this price, it is an absolute must for all Cellar Door friends to have a bottle of this in their refrigerator for those occasions that call for a sweet ending.



2012 ELIO PERRONE "BIGARO"
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE


An alternative to Perrone's delicious Moscato, made essentially in the same style but having different characteristics, Bigaro is a fun semi-sparkling dessert wine from Piedmont composed of 50% Moscato and 50% Brachetto.

It is the color of love, a gorgeous raspberry hue, with pretty aromas of wild strawberries and sweet spice. Slightly sweet, slightly bubbly, and very thirst quenching and a perfect accompaniment to fruit tarts, cookies, or by itself. You can drink it out of the bottle, get a couple straws, or just pour it over one another. Now that's romantic!




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