Hot Sheets

As we know and has been proven over and over for many years, John Paul is a master with pinot noir, but when you speak to him, he always waxes equally about the qualities of his chardonnays. Some of the new world's most captivating chardonnays emerge from John's cellars, we should set the record straight. First, these are not the old-style, insipid, lean and green chardonnay that Oregon was once so famous for. Secondly, they aren't the super-charged, thick and sweet style, Cameron is all about balance.

What makes the Cameron Chardonnay always a special deal is its scion material which is 90% from Abbey Ridge off of vines planted in 1980 and the other 10% being from Clos Electrique. The 2012 is chock full of lemon, papaya and pear aromas that intermingle nicely with subtle stony character and undertones of spiced cereal. Flavorful without being overblown, owning a silky smooth mouthfeel and great balance, this wine is a consistent winner that pairs beautifully with most Northwest seafood like salmon and halibut, or makes the perfect match with roasted poultry.

João Portugal Ramos is one of the real heroes of modern Portuguese wines. His influence on what is being accomplished in this country, especially with the dry wines, can never be understated. Originally garnering a reputation as a consultant for other properties in the 80s and 90s, Joao set about doing his own wines in the warm-climate Alentejano region, a large growing area east of Lisbon and stretching to the Spanish border. A killer value, the 2012 Loios is a kickass value red.

Aged solely in stainless steel tanks, made from 3 native varietals (35% Aragones, 35% Trincadeira and 30% Castelão) exquisite scents of blueberry, licorice and savory balsamic tones roll from the glass. On the palate it is engaging, shows nice warmth and fleshy characteristics with nice spicy-earth on the back end. Drink with grilled sausages.

A marked step up for this producer is the stunning Reserva bottling. If this wine were produced in Spain's Ribera del Duero region, one can bet it wouldn't sell for 20 bucks, more like 40! With João's Riserva, the grape make-up is 25% Aragonês, 25% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Touriga Nacional, 20% Syrah & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and it reveals sexy, polished, refined tones of strawberry jam, brown sugar, coriander and intermittent earth tones. In the mouth it is full, lacy and with excellent depth and personality. Spreads out nicely in the mouth as it moves from front to back; as it opens, the persistent red and black berry qualities shine through. The finish is suave, poised and really shows excellent length for its price-level. I enjoyed a bottle a few weeks back with a grilled pork chop and before I knew it, the bottle was on "E". Drink it over the next 6-8 years with meat.

Brunello Bianco indeed! Made by Brunello di Montalcino producer extraordinaire Caprili this white wine simply ravishes the palate. Sant' Antimo is a designation within Montalcino for wines that aren't Brunello or Rosso di Montalcino and yet can often deliver excellent quality as this one does.

Made with one-third each Vermentino, Trebbiano and Malvasia, absolutely no oak is utilized in this enthralling Italian white wine which brims with aromatic lime, peppermint and saline aspects. Mouth-filling and clean and set off wonderfully by blazing peach-pit and zesty minerality which provides dazzling freshness. Classy and lingering, this wine is excellent to pair with fish dishes done in tomatoes.

A classic Gigondas from one of the region's under-the-radar producers. Les Chênes Blancs is one of the Rhone Valley's hidden gems and their flagship wine comes from vineyards located just beneath the Dentelles de Montmirial. Resounding aromas of lavender make you think that you are sitting on the veranda at a house in Provence waiting for the lamb to be done grilling so that you can uncork a bottle.

Scents of thyme, red raspberry and undertones of smoked meat give this plenty of definition of origin. Full-bodied, but not a bruiser due to the unique terroir which gives lovely refinement. Compact and rich flavors surround plenty of Asian spice and expand into a haunting and expanding finish. Drink over the next decade with lamb.

Founded in 1980, Lucio Gomero created Vignalta based on his passion for the red wines from the Right Bank of Bordeaux (Pomerol & St-Emilion). Il Veneto's Colli Euganei region is in close proximity to Venice. The hills and soil structures allow for exquisite wines made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc to excel all while maintaining their Italian roots.

Gemola is one of Italy's most profound red wines that we're pretty sure that you've never heard of and the 2007 has received yet another Tre Bicchieri Award from Italian wine publication, Gambero Rosso. We showed this wine at last week's Northern Italian wine/pairings event at Gracies and it was quite the head-turner to many tasters. Opaque, detailed and never losing its Italian sensibilities, this Bordeaux-inspired blend from just outside of Venice puts forth scents of black cherry, plum, cedar, currant, mocha, tangy earth, sage and anise. Flavor-wise, this number is impressively structured and stacked with earth-laden notes from the terroir joining the generosity in the middle and especially on the luxuriously-long finish. You wouldn't be committing a crime if you were to open one now with something grilled or braised, however given the prowess and track record of Gemola, it is poised for greatness and will continue to develop, gain further nuance and complexity over the next 12-15+ years.

A visit to Domaine Chauvenet is equivalent to attending Nuits-St-Georges 101, 102, the masters & the Doctorate class. Jean Chauvenet's son-in-law has been making the wines here since 1991 and tasting through his line-up is long but highly informative, these are some of the finest not only in Nuits-St-Georges but in all of Burgundy and they age stupendously. One of the great values in Nuits-St-Georges is Chauvenet's Nuits-St-Georges. Way more than mere village wine, this particular offering is derived from 5 parcels with very old vines. 2 of them are Premier Cru but with holdings too small to merit their own bottling, hence they go into this offering and give it even more substance. Saint Jacques, Les Allots, Les Lavieres, Les Charmottes, and Les Athees are the single vineyards that are blended in and are all located north of the village and offer pleasure and each brings something special to this bottling.

Devastatingly handsome. Dark cherry, plum, multi-layered white pepper and mineral scents. More and more arrive including limestone and strawberry. Dense and gripping but with a sultry core of vinous fruit. Gains backbone and focuses in on the youthfully bound finish. 2010 is a slam-dunk great vintage for red Burgundy and this for its price is so fine. Hold it until 2016 and drink through 2025+