Hot Sheets

Since their inception in 1993, Renwood quickly became one of the benchmarks for large-scaled, award-winning Amador County Zinfandel. Syrah and Barbera are also produced at Renwood, but it is their Zinfandel wines that have made them very famous and one of California's most beloved.

The Zin on offer here is from the Fiddletown Appellation of Amador County's Sierra Foothills. A massively-sculpted expression of Zin with a nose you want to dive into hitting every taste bud in the mouth. Not for the faint of heart, it's a virtual mosh pit of flavor highlighting dark plum and blueberry with bits of dark chocolate and Mexican Mole aspects. A real powerhouse Zin for under 20 bucks, Renwood's Fiddletown Zin shows that you don't have to give up your first born to get good wine from California.

A cat who is on a steep ascent to Barolo and Piedmont stardom, Enzo Brezza's apex Barbera comes from one of the hallowed Grand Cru sites of Barolo! The Cannubi vineyard overlooks the village of Barolo and is comprised of 5 major plots, Cannubi Muscatel being one of them. From the first aroma to the super-long finish, this wine oozes class.

Aromatically pure, the streamlined, graceful nose reveals lacy chocolate-covered cherry, sneaky mineral, and well-integrated spicy and dusty earth tones. On the palate, it's a seamless Barbera that is rich, mouth-crawling and impressively put together; especially on the finish that fans out nicely. A definite step-up from everyday Barbera, try with risotto or braised beef. Drink it over the next 7-10 years.

Bodegas Caro is a Mendoza, Argentina collaboration between 2 legends of wine royalty who are none other than the legendary Chateau Lafite-Rothschild and Argentina's wine forefather, Nicolas Catena. "The 2010 Amancaya is a blend of 65% Malbec and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon from several sub-regions, raised for 12 month in French oak (25% new).

The Malbec dominates the floral bouquet with dark cherries, violets and strawberry pastilles that is well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins that lend the Amancaya a silky smooth texture. There is a touch of red peppercorn on the mid-palate with a spicy-tinged finish that is controlled and very focused. This is a classy wine for the price. - 91 POINTS - THE WINE ADVOCATE"

Here's something you don't see every day, a white wine from Northern Puglia that is made from the Fiano grape which is more indigenous to Campania than Puglia. Santa Lucia has been a go-to producer for their hearty red wine made from the Nero di Troia grape which we have been featuring for almost 15 years here at The Cellar Door.

Last week I first sampled this white wine and was quite excited to feature it this week. This portion of Puglia is quite different than the southern reaches which cultivate Negroamaro and Primitivo. Quite a bit cooler, grown at higher elevation (850 feet) and influenced by ocean breezes, only 500 cases of this white are produced. Anjou pear, lemon-drop and prominent pink grapefruit tones follow through to propelling flavors that are nicely formed and concentrated along with a sense of weightlessness. Succulent, dry and really hangs around, this is an ultimate vehicle with raw seafood. Why waste $17 on some dirty sugar-water Pinot Gris or overoaked Chardonnay when you can drink something so titillating and adventurous like top Fiano!

The wines of the more famous Rioja region provide harmony and class, wines from the Catalunya region are more about power and persistence. While the borders say they are in Spain, the population of the region that surrounds Barcelona are proudly Catalan in their independent beliefs and traditions as well as their language. Many of you know the prowess of the wines of Jané Ventura, and quite honestly, we get agita repeating over and over just how fabulous these wines are. We are also fortunate that the Jané family deals with someone directly here in Oregon, because these would be a hell of a lot more expensive if there was a middle man.

The full-flavored Negre Selecció can best be described as a "Super Catalan". Blended with Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sumol, this buxom red reveals both warmth and terroir. Red cherry, smoked coffee, pepper and plenty of turned earth aromas follow through to a texture that is engaging, supple, layered and mouth-filling. Finishing very assertively, drink this vastly undervalued red over the next 4-6 years, especially with roasted pork or lamb.

Guillaume Reynouard purchased this estate in 1995 and fully converted it to organic farming by 1998. Located 20 miles from the small city of Saumur in the village of Le Puy Notre Dame, the hillside site which the grapes come from is that of classic Loire tuffeau soil.

100% Cabernet Franc and simply full of exuberance and expressiveness all while boasting a pure nose of black raspberry, jasmine, sandalwood and fresh herbs, this wine possesses unexpected richness and character, all without being heavy or oaky (none is utilized for this wine). Wild edges surround plush clean fruit and carry over into a vibrant back flip of a finish. Have this one with pate, soft-ripened cheeses or roasted chicken, a real taste of France!!!

A terrific producer in Gevrey-Chambertin and led by Didier Chevillon, Domaine Dupont-Tisserandot has come forth as a confident and superb address in this hallowed village. If you haven't heard by now, 2010 is an off-the-charts, must-have vintage for red Burgundy.

From 50+ year old vines with detail and precision and is Gevrey-Chambertin personified! Smoke and mineral shine as well as pronounced chocolate licorice. Poised and quite expansive in the mouth with a good spine and stand-up structure. Rather luscious finish which reveals a little oak that will undoubtedly integrate with a few years of age. This is pretty uptown village level wine and given the prices of Cote-de-Nuit wines, it is priced extremely well. Hold on to this bad-boy until 2016 and drink it through 2025+.