Hot Sheets

2010 DOMAINE DROUHIN PINOT NOIR
$35.99 BTL./$215.94 – SIX PACK CASE

Domaine Drouhin’s wines are better than ever and that says volumes given their dynamic track record since 1988. Upon us now is the newly released, very exciting 2010 Pinot Noir that is one handsome devil. Unlike the fatter and more alcoholic 2009, it is harmonious and with impeccable equilibrium and not only drinks well early, but has wonderful aging potential. Perfumy and vibrant aromas of red cherry, cinnamon, pepper and baking spices. The mouth is classic Domaine Drouhin silk with enticing red fruits that are enhanced by well-placed spice and toffee flavors that are very primary and young. Amazingly broad and expansive in the mouth and done without being a jar of Welches Jam. The finish is harmonious, svelte, drawn-out and with everything in place. Quite alluring now, but this youngster will certainly mature beautifully over the next decade

2010 ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS MALBEC
“TERROIR” VALLE DE UCO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Many of you have been great supporters of the Malbec wines from Altos las Hormigas, both the Clasico and the Reserva. A relative newcomer to this Italian-owned, Argentina operation is a bottling that comes solely from the Valle de Uco within Mendoza. The vineyards here sit at 900 meters, have excellent drainage and most importantly, are very stony. Sculpted, muscular and yet still maintaining debonair refinement, this wine is a huge uptick from the Clasico. Blackberry, violet, briar and combining oak-spice with earth/mineral/spice. Rich, full-flavored and laden with vivacious red tones throughout and finishing with strawberry/balsamico aspects that fan out nicely. Very sultry and full of character, one sees why this is one of the premier addresses in Argentina!

2009 TORMENTOSO PINOTAGE $11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

We stink. Why do we stink?? Too often we forget about all of the goodness that is happening in South Africa and their wines. This is simply a minor oversight - truth be told, there is major-excitement here! Made by MAN Vineyards, Tormentoso comes from the name Portuguese sailors used when discovering the Cape of Good Hope, Cabo Tormentoso. One of South Africa’s signature grapes, Pinotage is a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that doesn’t exactly behave like either varietal. Savory, soulful with black raspberry, coffee and freshly ground black and green peppercorns. Hearty, fleshy, succulent and very direct, plenty of plum and earth tones shine. A perfect wine for barbecued ribs slathered in a spicy sauce.

2006 DORIGO MONTSCLAPADE (CAB/MERLOT BLEND) COLLI ORIENTALI DEL FRIULI $39.99 BTL./$239.94 – SIX PACK CASE

Like Goodfellas, you know it’s going to be a good mob movie when in the first scene someone gets whacked. While many faccia bruta Super-Tuscan wines deserve to be whacked for the misuse of French varietals, Girolamo Dorigo’s revered Montsclapade is definitely not one of them! 40% Cabernet Sauvignon 50% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc…and about ¼ the price of the top Super-Tuscans from Bolgheri. With this being stated, Montsclapade is one of the revolutionary reds of Italy. In Friuli, Bordeaux varietals have long been present been present, introduced during the Habsburg reign. In the early 70s, Girolamo Dorigo created this wine an d quietly put it on the map of cool wines with Bordeaux varietals. The 2006 behaves like a top-drawer Graves. Make no mistake, it is still VERY Italian! An intense ruby red that is best described as elegantly persuasive. Fine spice, cassis and blackberry shine against a backdrop of licorice and cocoa powder. The palate is exquisitely balanced, concentrated, yet still youthful and rambunctious. Ripe berries and briary tones kick in on the entry and give way to alluring chocolate and tobacco tones that spread out on the finish and follow through with pepper and vanilla. There is good appeal and charm to this wine now, but it will be at its ultimate best from 2014 – 2021+.