Hot Sheets

Something cool and very affordable from one of Spain's great regions that's known more its luxury wines that sell well above 20 bucks! Black Slate is done by Celler Celilio and is specifically from the high-elevation village of Gratallops (or as Bryan calls it-Garnacha-Land on the moon) is a deep, haunting red from black slate soils which is crazy-fabulous for its pricepoint.

“Overflowing with ripe black cherry and blacker styled fruits, licorice, freshly crushed stone, and assorted floral nuances on the nose, it turns structured on the finish, with loads of tannic grip. A big wine that has plenty of fruit and textured, it has a stacked mid-palate and is perfectly balanced on the palate. It should evolve gracefully for over a decade. – 93 POINTS – THE RHONE REPORT”

The appellation of Vire-Clesse in Burgundy's Maconnais region was created in 1998, mainly as one to rival Pouilly-Fuisse, but to also show off the two exceptional terroirs of the villages of Vire and Clesse. Domaine Rene Michel is a renowned producer succeeding with French Chardonnay in this area and the family makes Maconnais wines that behave like those from more upscale neighborhoods all while never losing their own credibility.

Luxurious scents of buttered popcorn, grilled hazelnut, mineral, deep mandarin and well-integrated allspice. Loads of depth and uncommon refinement, lacy, silky and layered with impressive cut and verve on the substantially long finish. It was here where Bryan's notes went from PG-13 to R to NC-17 very quickly. Outstanding juice that's great with classic seafood, but possessing enough oomph to stand up to lobster.

Seems to be that we’re thumbing our noses at Spain this week with the above-mentioned Priorat and this particular Rose. When looking at the map, your eyes will tell you that these are from Spain but in order to maintain your wine street credibility, you need to refer to them as from Catalonia.

Absolutely wonderful and fragrant, but with plenty of restraint and zip. Sandy soils bring about aromatics, and this 100% Garnacha offers up scents of freshly cut strawberry raspberry, mineral and Mediterranean herbs. The texture and the hook of this hot pink number is zingy, full of flavor and brisk, mouth-watering character. A yummy sleeper from the Emporda region on the Mediterranean Sea right next to the border of France.

Founded by Chris Bilbro in 1979, Marietta isn’t about catering to the tourist trade and for those looking to stock their trophy rooms. What they are all about is producing direct expressions of Sonoma that deliver great flavor and impact for not a ton of money.

A blend of 3 of Sonoma's fine growing areas, primarily Alexander Valley with dollops of Zin from Dry Creek and Russian River added in for complexity, power and vibrancy, the 2011 possesses a combination of black raspberry, strawberry/balsamico, sage and white pepper aromas. Definitely not about being oaky, no now oak is utilized! Cinnamon-earth tones, plenty of penetration but ultimately this is about the engaging succulent fruit. The texture come in waves and turns red and vibrant on the persistent, drawn-out finish that isn’t burdensome or thick. Beautiful to drink now and will age nicely for 4-6 years, too.

Like Malbec, Bonarda’s presence Argentina can’t be understated. Mentioned in the 19th century it seemingly has always been cultivated and is still Argentina’s second most planted varietal. In 2008 it was discovered that the Bonarda in Argentina is actually not Bonarda Novarese, which is from Piedmont but actually Douce Noir, a grape also known as Charbono, and whose roots actually are from France’s Savoie region. Still as it has evolved, it is now something very distinctively Argentine and still delicious!

Colonias las Liberas is made by famed Malbec practitioner Altos las Hormigas and savory, frontal red aromas and flavors present themselves straight away and entice you to want to drink it at just about any moment. Juicy and supple, it smoothly accompanies anything from pizza to empanadas to grilled meat or veggies.

Here is a great example of just how the country of Italy seems to thrive on chaos and confusion.

PECORINO: both a cheese and a wine grape and a hell of a nightmare if you were to wander into a wine & cheese shop in Le Marches or Abruzzo on Italy’s Adriatic Coast to place an order! Yes pecorino is a cheese, but it is also a native white grape of this Central Italian area that when done right, is fabulously yummy. From Le Marches region, Pecorino is total different beast altogether than Verdicchio or its Pecorino brethren from Abruzzo. Also, this portion of Southern Le Marches in the Ascoli-Piceno province, received a well-deserved upgrade to DOCG status in 2011 and this wine’s quality duly reflects the reasoning behind the promotion.

Provocatively fragrant with multi-faceted aromas of orange, talc, gerber daisies, saline and sea-shells, it is wiry, nervy, very dry and linear with loads of vibrancy, movement, depth and extension. A magical combination with mussels or prawn dishes slathered in garlic, olive oil and/or tomatoes.

Yet another winner from a noted, fine Oregon producer in 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 5-7 years.

About a decade ago, British Champagne guru and Master of Wine, Tom Stevenson wrote that Vilmart was the best grower in Champagne, and hasn't disavowed that remark in the interim!! Quite simply, this producer's wines intrigue, allure, entice, seduce and scintillate both Bryan and Karen. Laurent Champs wood-ages his Champagnes, giving them a pronounced Burgundian character - perhaps the grower Krug?!?!?! In fact, Bryan usually serves them in either a Riedel Sommelier flute or a good white wine glass.

Cuvee Rubis is one of Vilmart’s two prized Rose bubblies and like the rest of what’s produced at this cellar, is EXCRUCIATINGLY limited stuff that gets snapped up quickly. Quite honestly, when drinking this Champagne, think of Grand Cru Burgundy with bubbles, it is that profound. Perhaps the best word to describe this Rose Champagne is radiant. From the first moment it is poured to the last drop of the bottle, this word epitomizes what it’s exactly about. Gorgeous aromatics of rhubarb, chalk, and a touch of classy white chocolate flow freely and build and entice more as it opens in the glass. In the mouth the mousse and creaminess is incredibly regal, with penetrating red fruits, most noticeably strawberry. No malolactic fermentation brings about firm focus and plenty of zesty energy and nervosity. It’s seductive palate-presence, fine bubbles, seamless follow-through and overall balance make this a truly special Champagne. If you love top-notch fizz then you must have some bottles of this one!