Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'CASPITA' HOTSHEET
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Voge Cornas times Two
Tedeschi Special, Haut-Rian & Gruner
Voge Cornas times Two
Tedeschi Special, Haut-Rian & Gruner
2021 DOMAINE FONTSAINTE CORBIERES
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
When it comes to Languedoc’s Corbieres region, Domaine Fontsainte is definitely on the Mt. Rushmore of producers. For almost forty years, Fontsainte has consistently released detailed wines remain terrific values.
The black label classic version is 60% Carignan, 30% Grenache Noir, 10% Syrah. The Carignan is made by the classic carbonic maceration method, which allows for forward, room-filling aromas of ripe strawberry, anisette, garrigue and cocoa tones to twirl from the glass. This wine is round, vivacious and luscious in the mouth with tannins that are ripe and integrated. Everything shows off the fruit, which moves right into the lengthy expressive finish with pepper, earth and complexity. Ideal with bratwurst, burgers, pizza, grilled fish or roasted chicken with herbes de provence.
The black label classic version is 60% Carignan, 30% Grenache Noir, 10% Syrah. The Carignan is made by the classic carbonic maceration method, which allows for forward, room-filling aromas of ripe strawberry, anisette, garrigue and cocoa tones to twirl from the glass. This wine is round, vivacious and luscious in the mouth with tannins that are ripe and integrated. Everything shows off the fruit, which moves right into the lengthy expressive finish with pepper, earth and complexity. Ideal with bratwurst, burgers, pizza, grilled fish or roasted chicken with herbes de provence.
2020 GRACCIANO DELLA SETA
VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is the major wine from the popular and much visited southeastern Tuscan village of Montepulciano. In this area, like the majority of Tuscany, the prime grape is Sangiovese (locally known as Prugnolo Gentile) and the organic producer Gracciano della Seta does very well indeed in highlighting the grape and where it is grown.
93% Prugnolo Gentile (the local clone of Sangiovese) and 7% Colorino, Canaiolo & Merlot. Aged primarily in larger barrels, this classic and sensuous Tuscan red captivates with violet, lush cherry, raspberry, sage and mineral. This wine is all about elegance and balance in the mouth with an intense depth of flavor, alluring spice and energy from the soils all beautifully frame the well-placed fruit. The overall quality from the entry is pleasantly echoed on the finish and depth and expansion of flavor linger on the palate. A terrific Tuscan wine that is undervalued and one that will drink and develop over the next 10-12 years.
93% Prugnolo Gentile (the local clone of Sangiovese) and 7% Colorino, Canaiolo & Merlot. Aged primarily in larger barrels, this classic and sensuous Tuscan red captivates with violet, lush cherry, raspberry, sage and mineral. This wine is all about elegance and balance in the mouth with an intense depth of flavor, alluring spice and energy from the soils all beautifully frame the well-placed fruit. The overall quality from the entry is pleasantly echoed on the finish and depth and expansion of flavor linger on the palate. A terrific Tuscan wine that is undervalued and one that will drink and develop over the next 10-12 years.
2021 VIOLIN PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Many times, I am asked who the terrific, yet unknown Oregon producers are and lately I have to say one of them is Violin Cellars. Having now been tasting their wines for the last several years and finally making a visit to his Amity-based cellar, I think it is safe to say that Will Hamilton is one of the next big things when it comes to Eola-Amity producers. Having gained experience at Walter Scott and Laurent Montalieu’s NW Wine Company and Evening Land, these wines are going from strength to super strength.
From 95% Eola-Amity Fruit and a small bit from First Man Vineyard in the Tualatin Hills AVA, it is almost a crime to refer to this as ‘entry wine’. Violet, plum, lavender, red licorice, kisses of tarragon and cinnamon follow through to a sultry texture with deceptive depth, poise and material. Like any superb Pinot Noir, this wine fans out nicely on the palate, extends beautifully, and sticks around.
From 95% Eola-Amity Fruit and a small bit from First Man Vineyard in the Tualatin Hills AVA, it is almost a crime to refer to this as ‘entry wine’. Violet, plum, lavender, red licorice, kisses of tarragon and cinnamon follow through to a sultry texture with deceptive depth, poise and material. Like any superb Pinot Noir, this wine fans out nicely on the palate, extends beautifully, and sticks around.
2022 NIGL GRUNER VELTLINER
'KREMSER FREIHEIT'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
'KREMSER FREIHEIT'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Gruner Veltliner is the wonder grape that goes with many foods that usually make wine taste weird. Martin Nigl and now along with Martin Jr., produces extraordinarily transparent, mineral-drenched wines of mindboggling clarity that many wine lovers feel are among the absolute elite in Austria.
Generous with mineral soaked lemon-lime and peach aromas and flavors; the mineral intensity turns to a crisp and fresh mouth-feel that instantly coats, cleanses and simply does not quit. We love this and if you like fresh, intense, nervy wines, you will too. Drink this delicious Grüner with everything from salad, artichokes, grilled asparagus to grilled pork chops with a fruit preparation.
Generous with mineral soaked lemon-lime and peach aromas and flavors; the mineral intensity turns to a crisp and fresh mouth-feel that instantly coats, cleanses and simply does not quit. We love this and if you like fresh, intense, nervy wines, you will too. Drink this delicious Grüner with everything from salad, artichokes, grilled asparagus to grilled pork chops with a fruit preparation.
2019 TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA
'MATERNIGO' SUPERIORE
[reg. $44.99]
SPECIAL - $31.99 BTL./$191.94 - SIX PACK
'MATERNIGO' SUPERIORE
[reg. $44.99]
SPECIAL - $31.99 BTL./$191.94 - SIX PACK
Not only is this a thrill ride of a wine, the locale-named Maternigo is from a vineyard called ‘Impervio’ and is so steep that it may well make a mountain goat puke! This seven-acre single vineyard possesses superior terroir consisting of intermittent white and yellow limestone marls. Done with traditional vinification without any drying of the grapes and aged for 14 months in 2000 and 2500-liter barrels, 2019 is yet another sluger in Riccardo Tedeschi's lineup.
Dense and impressive with aromas of blackberry, bing cherry, almond and dark chocolate filling your nose. The palate is luscious and finely textured, from entry right through to the impressively long, high-toned finish. Despite its depth and spine, it truly reaches the pinnacle of the marriage between balance and approachability as well as elegance and power. Braised pork shoulder, osso bucco and a cheese course are the no-brainer choices but this beauty will make a roasted chicken something special and sing with grilled steak. Drink through 2031.
Dense and impressive with aromas of blackberry, bing cherry, almond and dark chocolate filling your nose. The palate is luscious and finely textured, from entry right through to the impressively long, high-toned finish. Despite its depth and spine, it truly reaches the pinnacle of the marriage between balance and approachability as well as elegance and power. Braised pork shoulder, osso bucco and a cheese course are the no-brainer choices but this beauty will make a roasted chicken something special and sing with grilled steak. Drink through 2031.
2019 GILBERT CELLARS 'LEFT BANK'
CABERNET BLEND
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CABERNET BLEND
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Given all of the winemaking operations throughout Washington it often leaves us with some difficult and not-so-difficult choices to make on which wines to offer. Too often we are presented with homogenized versions of wines that seem to all taste the same. What we look for in newly presented wines are those of distinction and that show sense of place over those that are nothing but juice-boxes shrouded with too much oak that mask themselves as wine.
One of the new and exciting producers who we have recently come across is Gilbert Cellars. Located in Yakima, the wines that are produced at this cellar are solid contenders when it comes to price/quality rapport. Coming from the Horse Heaven Hills appellation, the blend of Bordeaux varietals is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Carmenere. Hearty and full-flavored exhibiting black cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder, violet, and aromatic herbs and spices on the nose. Mouth-coating with ripe, but even-keeled smooth-textured fruit and detail all which carry to a finish that is lasting and very handsome; drink over the next 3-4 years.
One of the new and exciting producers who we have recently come across is Gilbert Cellars. Located in Yakima, the wines that are produced at this cellar are solid contenders when it comes to price/quality rapport. Coming from the Horse Heaven Hills appellation, the blend of Bordeaux varietals is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Carmenere. Hearty and full-flavored exhibiting black cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder, violet, and aromatic herbs and spices on the nose. Mouth-coating with ripe, but even-keeled smooth-textured fruit and detail all which carry to a finish that is lasting and very handsome; drink over the next 3-4 years.
2022 CHATEAU HAUT-RIAN
BORDEAUX BLANC
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
BORDEAUX BLANC
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
The telltale green and white label wine always morphs into more mineral as we get closer to the new release. The 2022 is absolutely delightful and very food friendly at this time having developed and now expressing its terroir.
Upfront mineral, peat, smoke and seashore scents beautifully mingle with the famous lemony tones that this white wine is so known for. Brisk, flavorful and a fresh jaunt to the palate as well as being a damn fine pairing with shellfish.
Upfront mineral, peat, smoke and seashore scents beautifully mingle with the famous lemony tones that this white wine is so known for. Brisk, flavorful and a fresh jaunt to the palate as well as being a damn fine pairing with shellfish.
2021 ALAIN VOGE CORNAS
'LES CHAILLES'
$54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
'LES CHAILLES'
$54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
Voge is a genius producer in Cornas and their Syrah wines from very steep terraces are always very collectible. Now overseen by the very affable and rock and roll loving Lionel Frasse, this estate never seems to miss. Les Chailles used to be known as young vines but now these sites are 40+ years old and anything younger is culled out and declassified. While the benchmark Vieilles Vignes (see below) is the Rushmore wine, it is spendy....this is a terrific way to score a Voge experience for about half the going rate.
Les Chailles cuvee delivers thrilling and profound tones of cracked pepper, violets, smoked beef, and undertones of chocolate-covered cherry. In the mouth, it shows a lushness of fruit that is still youthful, but also shows the tell-tale minerality and backbone-structure of the region. The finish is young and exuberant, but seems to go on and on. There is tremendous aging potential for those who collect. If you are adventurous uncork one now with a steak slathered in a mélange of peppercorns, but for best results give it until the end of 2025 and then enjoy it over the next decade after that.
Les Chailles cuvee delivers thrilling and profound tones of cracked pepper, violets, smoked beef, and undertones of chocolate-covered cherry. In the mouth, it shows a lushness of fruit that is still youthful, but also shows the tell-tale minerality and backbone-structure of the region. The finish is young and exuberant, but seems to go on and on. There is tremendous aging potential for those who collect. If you are adventurous uncork one now with a steak slathered in a mélange of peppercorns, but for best results give it until the end of 2025 and then enjoy it over the next decade after that.
2013 ALAIN VOGE CORNAS
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$99.99 BTL./$599.94 - SIX PACK
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$99.99 BTL./$599.94 - SIX PACK
To put things into perspective and to show just how small the Cornas appellation truly is – the small Dundee Hills appellation in Oregon is just under 1200 acres. Cornas in its entirety is just under 400! Moreover, it is on some of the steepest slopes imaginable. Always tightly allocated, we did touchdown dances when Lionel Frasse.
When I visited the Northern Rhone back in 2015 and tasted the 2013 vintage that followed the warm 2011 and 2012s, I thought that even though these are tightly formed, they will emerge as classic, very fine, complex French Syrah wines. Whether it was Cote-Rotie, Cornas, Hermitage, my hunch was correct, they have really turned into spectacular wines that are essence of this famed region. Instantly one sees Grand Cru here. Monumental, very multi-dimensional, secondary aromas shine with aromatic black olive, black truffle, licorice, mineral, dark Valrhona choclate all surrounding sexy strawberry, smoke and black pepper. Slow building then expansive complex texture that has elegance and smoothness to go along with the fine backbone. Very long, very vivid and very fine indeed! At age ten, this is off the chain and as evidenced by a 1999 and 2000 uncorked that evening, it will easily age and develop further for another decade and beyond. Supplies are limited (20 bottles), so order soon.
When I visited the Northern Rhone back in 2015 and tasted the 2013 vintage that followed the warm 2011 and 2012s, I thought that even though these are tightly formed, they will emerge as classic, very fine, complex French Syrah wines. Whether it was Cote-Rotie, Cornas, Hermitage, my hunch was correct, they have really turned into spectacular wines that are essence of this famed region. Instantly one sees Grand Cru here. Monumental, very multi-dimensional, secondary aromas shine with aromatic black olive, black truffle, licorice, mineral, dark Valrhona choclate all surrounding sexy strawberry, smoke and black pepper. Slow building then expansive complex texture that has elegance and smoothness to go along with the fine backbone. Very long, very vivid and very fine indeed! At age ten, this is off the chain and as evidenced by a 1999 and 2000 uncorked that evening, it will easily age and develop further for another decade and beyond. Supplies are limited (20 bottles), so order soon.
