Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SLICE OF GABAGOOL' HOTSHEET
Walla Walla Cabernet Franc
Five choices for under 20
Summer Spanish Red for 10
Collectible Hermitage
Five choices for under 20
Summer Spanish Red for 10
Collectible Hermitage
2019 COURBISSAC MINERVOIS
TRAVERSES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
TRAVERSES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Languedoc’s Minervois region utilizes many of the same grapes as in the Rhone Valley, but undiscovered terroirs are to the forefront. We now know that these wines are quite different due to this area of Languedoc having different soils, elevation and vastly different temperatures and surroundings.
Made from almost equal portions of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Offering up scents of strawberry, black licorice, some plum and smoked meat/barnyard/black olive with depth but cooler, elevated freshness so never to be cloying or boozy. Penetrating and elaborate in the mouth with layers of flavor and refinement, excellent body in the middle and back with an uncommonly long, dark finish that is decidedly marked with cracked black pepper notations. Enjoy this superb French wine over the next few years, especially with hearty stews, pork chops and dishes based around white beans.
Made from almost equal portions of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Offering up scents of strawberry, black licorice, some plum and smoked meat/barnyard/black olive with depth but cooler, elevated freshness so never to be cloying or boozy. Penetrating and elaborate in the mouth with layers of flavor and refinement, excellent body in the middle and back with an uncommonly long, dark finish that is decidedly marked with cracked black pepper notations. Enjoy this superb French wine over the next few years, especially with hearty stews, pork chops and dishes based around white beans.
2021 ZILLIKEN RIESLING
KABINETT 'SAARBERG'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
KABINETT 'SAARBERG'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Kabinett means Kabinett at Zilliken and not Spatlese! In fact, at 8% alcohol, it is amazing at just how energetic and crystalline that it truly is, then again, that is what Saar Rieslings are all about, especially those from the steep Saarberger vineyard.
Blazing with nectarine, lime, slate and a subtle underlay of saline and subtle peppermint, the nose here is absolutely thrilling. In the mouth, this unqualified delicious medium-dry white bursts, lifts and moves throughout the mouth with a finish that floats like a cloud. Most importantly, this calls you to want to pour glass after glass. Not only is this wine impeccable now, but it will also age nicely for 8-10+ years. Drink with white sausages, Thai and Sichuan cuisine or smoked mussels. Owner/winemaker Dorothee Zilliken says her goal is to produce Riesling with the highest level of lightness and finesse and she surely accomplished this with this beautiful wine.
Blazing with nectarine, lime, slate and a subtle underlay of saline and subtle peppermint, the nose here is absolutely thrilling. In the mouth, this unqualified delicious medium-dry white bursts, lifts and moves throughout the mouth with a finish that floats like a cloud. Most importantly, this calls you to want to pour glass after glass. Not only is this wine impeccable now, but it will also age nicely for 8-10+ years. Drink with white sausages, Thai and Sichuan cuisine or smoked mussels. Owner/winemaker Dorothee Zilliken says her goal is to produce Riesling with the highest level of lightness and finesse and she surely accomplished this with this beautiful wine.
2022 DECUGNANO DEL BARBI
UMBRIA ROSSO 'BATTITO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
UMBRIA ROSSO 'BATTITO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
We adore this producer's mouthwatering Orvieto white wines; however, they also make tasty red wines. This offering is made from warmer sites near Orvieto and aged a short six months in oak barrels.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese, lifting aromas of juicy strawberry, game, sage, begonias and plum move nicely into the round and friendly mouthfeel; this fleshy, crunchy red is the perfect accompaniment to pizza, meatloaf, red-sauced pasta dishes. Have a few glasses while you are cooking the meal while savoring a hunk of good pecorino cheese.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese, lifting aromas of juicy strawberry, game, sage, begonias and plum move nicely into the round and friendly mouthfeel; this fleshy, crunchy red is the perfect accompaniment to pizza, meatloaf, red-sauced pasta dishes. Have a few glasses while you are cooking the meal while savoring a hunk of good pecorino cheese.
2022 PIROLETTE SAINT-AMOUR
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
If you ever find yourself in the Cru Beaujolais village of Saint-Amour and in the vineyards and you listen closely you may well hear the ghost of Barry White crooning over 'love, wine and soul'. Our longtime friend Gregory Barbet has placed this exciting estate on the map with fantastic wines over the last decade. We uncorked the new release 2022 and with its density and zestiness, bottles were tossed back in rapid fashion.
2022 is a high quality and tasty vintage for the entire region. Immediately, this Gamay vaults from the glass with scents of red and black plum, boosted peppercorn as it opens, dark chocolate and a last-minute arrival of violet and peonies. The texture shows lovely intensity along with superb depth from the old vines and nicely supported by the minerality and natural lift that this site delivers. Enjoy this stunner over the next 5-6 years, have it with roasted chicken, grilled pork tenderloin and even Pad Thai.
2022 is a high quality and tasty vintage for the entire region. Immediately, this Gamay vaults from the glass with scents of red and black plum, boosted peppercorn as it opens, dark chocolate and a last-minute arrival of violet and peonies. The texture shows lovely intensity along with superb depth from the old vines and nicely supported by the minerality and natural lift that this site delivers. Enjoy this stunner over the next 5-6 years, have it with roasted chicken, grilled pork tenderloin and even Pad Thai.
2022 STRATUM PINOT NOIR
WAIPARA VALLEY
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
WAIPARA VALLEY
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
The phone rings, the e-mail alert goes off, and the calls are folks asking us to find them a nice, affordable everyday Pinot Noir. Oh yeah, they also ask that it be one that does not taste like okra-stuffed peppers like so many can be at this price point!
Ripe and forward stewed black cherry and rose aromas with undertones of herbs, black pepper and cola. Medium-flavored, fleshy and nicely intertwined with subtle use of oak...one that is not going to put the likes of Cristom or a Gevrey-Chambertin out of business, but as it is, you have a delicious-drinking everyday Pinot Noir for not a lot of money! Did we mention that it comes from one the furthest corners of the earth?
Ripe and forward stewed black cherry and rose aromas with undertones of herbs, black pepper and cola. Medium-flavored, fleshy and nicely intertwined with subtle use of oak...one that is not going to put the likes of Cristom or a Gevrey-Chambertin out of business, but as it is, you have a delicious-drinking everyday Pinot Noir for not a lot of money! Did we mention that it comes from one the furthest corners of the earth?
2021 ECHOLANDS CABERNET
FRANC 'BLUE MOUNTAIN VNYD'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
FRANC 'BLUE MOUNTAIN VNYD'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
A new release from one of our favorite Walla Walla producers, this Cabernet Franc is varietally stimulating from the jump and typifies the cooler climate aspect of Blue Mountain area of Walla Walla. 2021 is really shaping up to be very formidable for wines from this area and a wine such as this exemplifies this statement.
Aged 30% in new barrels along with various other forms of wood vessels, this lovely Cabernet Franc shows the essence of the wine's red raspberry core, along with lavender, rose and hints of anise. The slight warmth of this allows for superb intensity and palate presence yet keeps the octane in check as it is only 13.3% alcohol. Layered and lofty dimensions spread out on the palate giving fine detail and character. Enjoy this excellent Cab Franc over the next 10-12 years.
Aged 30% in new barrels along with various other forms of wood vessels, this lovely Cabernet Franc shows the essence of the wine's red raspberry core, along with lavender, rose and hints of anise. The slight warmth of this allows for superb intensity and palate presence yet keeps the octane in check as it is only 13.3% alcohol. Layered and lofty dimensions spread out on the palate giving fine detail and character. Enjoy this excellent Cab Franc over the next 10-12 years.
2022 HAMILTON RUSSELL
CHARDONNAY 'HEMEL-EN-AARDE'
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
CHARDONNAY 'HEMEL-EN-AARDE'
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
Hamilton Russell is not only one of South Africa’s best producers, but they also happen to put forth one of the New World’s most prolific Chardonnays. Situated close to the sea in one of the southernmost growing regions (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley), Anthony Hamilton Russell took over from his father in 1991 producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that are seriously prolific examples!
Standing on its own merits yet definitively inspired by White Burgundy, the 2022 Chardonnay displays beautiful aromas of lemon curd and passion fruit with hints of buttered toast and honey, intermingled with a ribbon of caramel. Packed with fine flavors of lemon meringue and pineapple, the racy finish shows us great finesse with integrated brightness and a stony minerality. Harmonious and complex, this wine ages very well and can be enjoyed with decadent seafood preparations for 10-12 years.
Standing on its own merits yet definitively inspired by White Burgundy, the 2022 Chardonnay displays beautiful aromas of lemon curd and passion fruit with hints of buttered toast and honey, intermingled with a ribbon of caramel. Packed with fine flavors of lemon meringue and pineapple, the racy finish shows us great finesse with integrated brightness and a stony minerality. Harmonious and complex, this wine ages very well and can be enjoyed with decadent seafood preparations for 10-12 years.
2021 BAJEL-PIRATA
ALICANTE MONASTRELL
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
ALICANTE MONASTRELL
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Monastrell (Mourvedre for you francophiles) is widely planted throughout SE Spain. Differences are quite noticeable from Yecla to Jumilla and Alicante. Ruth and Ana De Andres have projects and wines from numerous spots in Spain with the majority, like this offering, being killer for their price points.
Provocative and chock full of smoke notes and dark, haunting fruit. Exotic spices abound with mineral and chewy blueberry and coffee notes in the mouth. The full-on blitzing finish follows through on the theme of this wine meaning lots of spice. Do an old school Uncle Gus impersonation, grab a gallon of gasoline, toss it on to the grill, put on your favorite protein, and say - NOW, THAT’S A FIRE!
Provocative and chock full of smoke notes and dark, haunting fruit. Exotic spices abound with mineral and chewy blueberry and coffee notes in the mouth. The full-on blitzing finish follows through on the theme of this wine meaning lots of spice. Do an old school Uncle Gus impersonation, grab a gallon of gasoline, toss it on to the grill, put on your favorite protein, and say - NOW, THAT’S A FIRE!
2020 JL CHAVE SELECTIONS
HERMITAGE 'FARCONNET'
$74.99 BTL./$449.94 - SIX PACK
HERMITAGE 'FARCONNET'
$74.99 BTL./$449.94 - SIX PACK
95 Points – Vinous…These days the Chave Domaine Hermitage sells for far north of $200 but if one wants a Chave experience, the Chave Selection version is excellent.
Farconnet is one of the newer selections and prior to 2007; remaining grapes that did not make it into the grand cuvee were sold off. This selection comes from three distinct climats on the famed Hermitage hill (Diognieres, Peleat, and Greffieux) and named after the man from whom Jean-Louis’s great grandfather purchased the Bessards parcel. Hermitage is often referred to as the manliest wine of France, and this 2020 is built like a fleet-footed inside linebacker. Packed, dense and laden with woodsmoke, cassis, violet, hints of game and loads of ground cracked pepper. Great fruit intensity, full body, but all packed in behind a wall of well-structured grip. This wine should be cellared for another 2-3 years and then enjoyed over the next twenty plus as it will continue to develop, soften and become silky, smooth and ungodly complex. If you have a child born in 2020, this wine will definitely be there for their 21st birthday.
Farconnet is one of the newer selections and prior to 2007; remaining grapes that did not make it into the grand cuvee were sold off. This selection comes from three distinct climats on the famed Hermitage hill (Diognieres, Peleat, and Greffieux) and named after the man from whom Jean-Louis’s great grandfather purchased the Bessards parcel. Hermitage is often referred to as the manliest wine of France, and this 2020 is built like a fleet-footed inside linebacker. Packed, dense and laden with woodsmoke, cassis, violet, hints of game and loads of ground cracked pepper. Great fruit intensity, full body, but all packed in behind a wall of well-structured grip. This wine should be cellared for another 2-3 years and then enjoyed over the next twenty plus as it will continue to develop, soften and become silky, smooth and ungodly complex. If you have a child born in 2020, this wine will definitely be there for their 21st birthday.
