Hot Sheets

2022 I FAURI
MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Currently in Abruzzo there is a major renaissance happening with this region’s wines. Oh, there are still lots of $10-12 pizza wines, but what we have been seeing over the past several years are producers delivering more serious wines that offer a plentitude of complexity and flavor and still they do not cost abundance of money.

The 2022 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a hell of an Italian red wine. Exciting, top-notch, soulful, fun and inviting with a classic Montepulciano nose of purple tones (violets, plums, marionberry) to go along with smoked meat and licorice. In the mouth it is a spice-bomb with killer depth, vibrance and definition with superb length on the earth/coffee-tinged finish. One of the most versatile red wines to go with food, it is magical with tomato-based dishes, smoked meats and especially lamb.

2021 MCKINLAY PINOT NOIR
SPECIAL SELECTION
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK

Most Oregon Pinot fans really don’t know McKinlay’s Matt Kinne. Now alongside son Jake, this Oregon producer has been making great, red-tinged, highly ageworthy Pinot Noirs since the mid-eighties. You will not find these written up in various wine publications, Matt and his son Jake are happiest toiling about their farm and vines just producing fantastic wines that are fairly priced but develop so well with cellar time.

Perfumed aromas of red berries, spice, and roses with a hint of anise and pepper lead to layers of lush red fruit and underbrush on the palate. Fine tannins frame and extend the rich flavors that are a bit packed in right now but poised for sexy greatness. Having been producing wine and the special Selection since the mid-eighties, McKinlay Pinots are always a great expression of where they are grown, and the Special Selection is not produced every vintage. This is certainly one to put into the cellar. Drink 2026 - 2037+. Given all the trendy sixty-plus dollar versions that we sell during the holidays, I double dog dare you to uncork this when its about ten in a blind tasting and watch it finish on or near the top.

2021 MORIN CHITRY BLANC
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

A 30-acre Domaine that has been in the Morin family since 1650, Olivier Morin took a long, strange trip into the world of wine. After studying oenology in Beaune, Olivier worked for 10 years in radio as both an announcer and as a night-time DJ before giving up the rock’n’roll lifestyle to take over the family Domaine alongside his brother in 1992. The appellation of Chitry is bucolic beauty at its finest. Located in the Yonne, slightly under ten miles from Chablis yet with both similarities and differences in soils and overall terroir.

I cringe when pundits refer to this as ‘baby Chablis', mostly because the wines from this region maintain their own personalities quite well. There is piercing minerality here but there is also an abundance of yellow apple, white flowers and subtle peach tones. In the mouth it seems to pirouette like a ballet dancer on speed before it gains depth and tenderness with a combo of marine and fine spice aspects arriving on the finish. Tres prêt a boire! Enjoy with scallops, prawns or soft-ripened cheeses.

2022 VENDRELL MONTSANT
'MILOCA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Like mentioned about the Chitry just above this entry, I always get agita when people refer to Montsant as ‘baby Priorat.’ This region forms a horseshoe below Montsant, but the terroirs and climate (and wines) are quite different. Only in his forties, Josep-Maria Vendrell is considered as one of the fine producers in the area.

The Miloca cuvee is the epitome of a Catalan country wine. 100% Carignan, this organic offering is rich and vibrant at the same time. Virtual purple aromas of plum and blueberry with surrounding notes of thyme and rosemary along with savory earth scents lead into a gruff yet charming, earth-laden, spicy finish. This is a perfect choice with BBQ ribs, chops or chicken slathered with a spicy sauce.

2023 LUIS PATO BEIRAS BRANCO
'VINHAS VELHAS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The Clash once so succinctly stated ‘NO ELVIS, BEATLES OR THE ROLLING STONES’! Non-conformist Portuguese producer Luis Pato has the same attitude in philosophy with ‘no cabernet, merlot or pinot noir’! A legend in Portugal, Luis Pato put the Barraida and Beiras regions on the worldwide wine map. Located just west of the famed Dao region, this area is known for its reds and the Atlantic influence, however there are tiny amounts of white wine produced, and this new adventure will not only light up all the senses.

Made with native varietals (Bical, Sercialinho and Cerceal) this unoaked white wine has influence of the Southern Rhone with anise, acacia and lemon-honey character. This is where the comparisons end because heaps of liveliness in the mouth slash into the vinous, old vine texture, all building to a detonating finish that screams mandarin and mineral. Have as an aperitif with cured ham or serve it with scallops, octopus or other substantial shellfish dishes.

2022 CHAIDAINE TOURAINE ROUGE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

This red, featured about a year ago during time away from the office, became a bit of a neglected child. 11 months on and this Loire Valley red from Francois Chidaine, one of the area’s true wizards, has emerged like a genius prodigy.

Equal portions of Cabernet Franc, Côt & Pineau D’Aunis, it is a smooth, aromatic blend offering pure high-pitched scents of strawberry, earth, sandalwood, a kiss of licorice and turned earth. Gorgeously vivacious, food-friendly juice that has nice ripeness, gritty earthiness, and a peppery, vibrant, red fruit-laden finish. All these flavors combined with sausage and peppers, charcuterie, sturdy vegetable stew, grilled or sauteed chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and on and on show off its diversity at the table.

2018 CHATEAU BOUSACASSE
MADIRAN 'BLACK LABEL'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Humble Madeiran is an area that we have written about in the past and here the Tannat grape takes center stage, and let us tell you, it is one tricky grape because it is like an unruly animal that needs to be tamed, so that it can be shown off. A few years in the bottle always helps and this at six years old is splendid.

Inky, dark and potent with blackberry, licorice, cooking herbs, and undertones of smoke dominate the nose. Chewy flavors abound in the mouth, with unbridled energy, earth tones, and a tangy, drawn-out finish. Perfect for drinking with duck, barbecued ribs or a gnarly blue cheese over the next 4-6 years.

2023 TENUTA SANT'ANTONIO
VALPOLICELLA 'NANFRE'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Coming across your screen right now is a happy wine from Italy's Veneto region that instantly brought a smile to our faces when we tossed back a bottle a few weeks ago.

From somewhat of an undiscovered Amarone/ Valpolicella producer, Sant' Antonio has made a cleanly-made, fresh, fun wine from Il Valpolicella that is classic to what an entry-level Valpol needs to be. Full of cherry-pit, dark chocolate and vibrant herbs, it is fun, mouth-filling and goes down easily in heroic doses. One taste and you will find out why we ask, "what's not to like about this red??!!"

2022 BEDROCK 'EVANGELHO'
HERITAGE RED
$39.99 BTL./$239.94 - SIX PACK

95 Points – Vinous…We have been impatiently waiting for new releases from one of our favorite Sonoma producers to arrive. Many of you have come to know and love these wines over the years and when co-owner Chris Cotrell was here last spring, that tasting really sealed the deal. Evangelho Vineyard is from Contra Costa County and planted in 1890 by Portuguese immigrants in Antioch. This ancient site was sold to Chris and Morgan Peterson by Frank Evangelho as he preferred it not become a suburban development. Straddling the delta of San Pablo Bay and Sacramento River and planted in about thirty feet of sand. Fifty-five percent Zin with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and others including Castelao, which was thought to be extinct in America, Bedrock makes very stylish wines from this site… Fast forward and Bedrock now sells some of this fruit to Ridge for an ATP selection.

Purple aromas. Killer suave aromatics. Red and black cherry with abundant garrigue, this almost feels like a Northern area Chateauneuf-du-Pape. If were served to me blind, I would be thinking Janasse, Charvin or hell, even Rayas. White pepper, sage, hickory and undertones of blueberry arrive. Very generous and sultry, loads of persistence. This is a badass!!! No problem to enjoy early…no problem to age it 15-20 years.