Hot Sheets

Since 1989 Alvaro Palacios has become Spanish wine royalty by being one of the influences having put two growing regions on the wine map, Priorat and Bierzo. What Alvaro has done with his family's Rioja estate in just over a decade is nothing less than extraordinary and one has to wonder how they can be of such great values given their apex quality.

“The 2009 La Montesa is a blend of 65% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo picked by hand from the namesake vineyard and aged 20% in new oak. It has a well-defined strawberry, Morello and shortcake-scented bouquet infused with fennel and licorice. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, expressive red berry fruit tinged with burnt toast and white pepper, and an elegant, caressing finish that speaks of its place. This is a very commendable Rioja. Drink now-2018. – 92 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE”

Made by famed Chardonnay producers Jim and Bob Varner, the brothers’ Foxglove label has become synonymous with top-value California wines. Yet again these guys absolutely over-deliver with their always terrific Paso Robles Zin.

Enhanced by a little kiss of Petite Sirah, this Zin explodes from the glass with juicy dark raspberry, blueberry, briar and spice without being ponderous or overtly alcoholic. Warm and full bodied on the palate with dark berries and rich spice dominating the long flavorful finish. This is a whole lot o' zin for under fifteen bucks – drink it with barbecued ribs or pulled pork sandwiches over the next year or two.

We as a wine industry need to do a better job of promoting rose more than just wines to drink when the sun is out. More often they can be serious and consumed year round. Here in Portland, this should be perfect to follow our motto of Rose in the Rain. Chateau la Canorgue is a prodigal Provence producer who excels with reds, whites and particularly this superb, dry pink wine. One whiff will transport you to the land of lavender!

Smoke, spice, strawberry and watermelon notes jump from the glass and lead into a sophisticated and mouth-watering texture that shows itself to be regal rose. From initially gawking at the color until the last drop when you drain the bottle, it is perfect fodder with grilled tombo tuna or grilled prawns.

After going through the archives of our weekly Hot Sheets, we are proud to say the Cellar Door has been a Vernaccia-Free Zone since 2006 – until today. Full disclosure – I loathe Vernaccia di San Gimignano, so if one is promoted on our offerings, it really has to make the cut and then prove itself worthy even further. Before last week I didn’t know this producer at all but after tasting, was quite impressed that it wasn’t a washed-out tourist wine but one that delivers character and Italian spirit. Young Simone Santini is a real comer on to the Tuscan wine scene and a mere 2500 or so cases are ever produced of his white wine.

Classy tones of orange, lemon, mineral, anise and a hint of almond carry over into a clean and crisp, yet deceivingly intense texture that that’s fully dry on the palate with lift and palate-presence usually not found in these wines. At 12.5% alcohol, one can throw back several glasses with antipasti, lighter seafood preparations or a simple pasta tossed with vegetables and olive oil.

Introducing yourself to Lagrein is like a chance meeting with Dracula. Alto Adige's native and probably most famous red varietal is most always sanguine in quality, but don't let it frighten you, its alluring and mouth-coating qualities prove to be one of Italy's most versatile wines.

Gnarly nuances of wild raspberry, roasted coffee, and smoked meat highlight the classic food-friendly texture that is dry but with penetrating fruit. This wine really requires a dish where cheese is involved. Having a fondue party or serving lasagna while watching Mafiosi movies that the Italian-American Anti-Defamation League frowns upon then a bottle of Lagrein is your ticket to the party!

The Carmenere grape was originally planted in the Medoc in Bordeaux and is part of the Cabernet family. While virtually extinct there due to it being difficult to ripen in Bordeaux's conditions, it is alive and thriving in Chile.

Root:1's version is an assertive charmer. Leather, spice, tea-leaf, black licorice and black plum shine on the nose and follow through to a texture that is broad, polished and persistent; it is a yummy, full-flavored wine that is perfect for every-evening consumption.

40 beans for top-level Burgundy from a top level producer from land in a top-level village is about as rare as the Cleveland Browns actually making the playoffs. Louis Boillot is the husband of famed Chambolle-Musigny goddess Ghislaine Barthod and his wines are nothing short of sensational. The couple built a cave in Chambolle and share many of the vineyard practices and now Louis’s wines have gone off the charts yet still remain solid values. Possessing land stretching from Volnay all the way north to Gevrey-Chambertin, the style of Pinot Noir here is one of class and material. Grands Poisots is a single Volnay vineyard in the northern portion of the village neighboring Pommard.

Old vine presence is noted all over this wine and it really brings it on the deep nose and texture. Fine scents of peonies, black raspberry and spiced earth follow through to a concentrated, but tight-knit texture that rolls with intensity, depth and backbone. Today this is all in mid-mouth, although the finish is very persistent. Give this outstanding Burgundy value until 2016 and drink through 2024.

Bryan gets a bit weary of hearing all of the Pinot Noir bible-and-chest thumpers who claim their region is better than the other region. This mentality has become one that is old, tired and closed-minded mainly due to the fact that all Pinot Noir growing areas are small and all have their own distinctions. If you are a true Pinot Noir lover, you should embrace all areas that grow this holy-grail grape, because there aren't many areas that are suited to grow it properly.

OK, I’ve orated my mega-rant for the day and with that being said, Domaine Drouhin’s 2011 Willamette Pinot Noir is one of the most impressive versions of this cuvee to date. This says heaps, considering this Franco/Oregon stalwart has produced many mighty versions of this offering over the last 25 years.

The nose offers jasmine and red flower notes with underlying complex red cherry, fresh turned earth, sage and cinnamon. Red-toned with elegant richness and sensuously textured, which is a consistent theme in DDO's wines. The mid-palate is supple and round with a cushion of fruit that joins the perfume on the finish and sneaks in with its seductive structure. Give this bottle another year to fully knit together and it will easily age and develop another decade.