4/12/21 The Cellar Door's 'MUCH TO READ' Hotsheet


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'MUCH TO READ' HOTSHEET
10 WINES - 5 red/5 bubbly


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2018 GOODFELLOW PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

It is ludicrous to refer to this wine as 'entry level' simply because the scion material that goes into this blend is quite impressive. Entirely declassified from their single vineyards (Durant, Whistling Ridge, Fir Crest, Lewman & Temperance Hill), this Pinot Noir is a great representation of a Village blend of Eola-Amity, Dundee Hills, Ribbon Ridge and Yamhill-Carlton represented.

Ample whole cluster fermentation gives this wine nice grip but as always, Marcus produces wines of terrific breed and character. Sensuous, refined aromas of blackberry, strawberry, soft, slightly elusive herbs, spices, and an underlay of earth and red-hot candy pepper tones build and build. Silky and seductive with clarity and exquisite finesse along with ultra-fine depth of fruit and backbone. All of the spices that are on the nose are present on the drawn-out finish. Drink this superb over-achieving Oregon Pinot over the next 8-10 years.



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2017 PLANETA ETNA ROSSO
'ERUZIONE 1614'
$29.99 BTL./$171.94 - SIX PACK

95 points - Wine Enthusiast...From one of Sicily's most famous and inspiring producers, Eruzione 1614 takes its name from one of the many Mount Etna eruptions. This one lasted over 10 years.

100% Nerello Mascalese and coming from three renowned sites on the mountain. The olfactory notes of this red wine change like an obstacle course as it sits in the glass. Transparent and very focused with prominent red fruits, savory herbs like rosemary, laurel and anise. Some underlying balsamic and turned earth aspects arrive as it unfolds in the glass. Expansive and ethereal on in the mouth, plenty of depth from these ancient vines comes through immediately. Lots of palate coverage and almost velour-like qualities, especially on the very refined finish that shows rocky energy along with intermittent kisses of vanilla. Very wonderful to drink now and over the next decade. Pair this with mushroom dishes, game or little birds.



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2016 HAUT-RIAN BORDEAUX ROUGE
'SAINT-SEURIN'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Last Call for the great 2016...Formerly known as Prestige, this Bordeaux comes from select parcels, particularly Saint-Seurin. Old vines and a classic Cabernet/Merlot blend from the Chateau's oldest vines.

Cassis, Italian plum and vanilla along with undertones of sage, North African spice and anise. Layered and with good impact in the mouth, Loads of depth, but plenty of underlying firm Cabernet character. Broad-scaled yet very smooth finish that spreads out very nicely. Displaying ample character, complexity and aging potential, this is irresistible now and can develop through 2026. A grilled rib-eye and a bottle of Haut-Rian should be in your immediate future.



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2019 CHAMPET COTE-ROTIE
'LA VILLALIERE'
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE

I wasted about fifteen minutes looking at Washington Syrah before seeing this selection that is from a profound single Cote-Rotie Cru. La Vialliere's slopes often exceed 50% grade and are some of the rockiest in all of Cote-Rotie's Cote Brune. Formidable amounts of mica-schist combined with the Champet brothers’ commitment to traditional ways make this wine from this site almost a Chambertin-inspired Cote-Rotie, especially as it ages. Think about all of that when you drop eighty or so for some flatland Washington Syrah that pairs best with a pack of Kools.

A great vintage for sure, 2019 is built to age. 95% Syrah, 5% Viognier aged mainly in larger, neutral barrels and little to no de-stemming. Very sturdy today but within 6-7 years will become very silky and substantial in stature and complexity. Currently, aromas of violet combine with blackberry, black olive, smoked meat, roasted earth, spice and pure ironstone qualities. In the mouth it is classic, very youthful and with a velvet monster lurking beneath the surface. This one will require a little bit of cellar time (I recently drank a 2004 and it was beautiful.) Knockout, packed and structured finish, this wine will exude nothing but brilliance from 2026 - 2042+.



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2018 ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS
MALBEC 'CLASICO'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

92 points - Decanter...'A bright and breezy Malbec from a terroir-driven winery, with fruit taken from vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley at an average of 1,000m. It's aged for 12 months in concrete vats to preserve the fruit purity, packed full of juicy, ripe raspberry and savoury plum with gentle hints of liquorice and spice. - 92 POINTS'



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2019 G.B. BURLOTTO
SAUVIGNON BLANC 'DIVES'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Something of an anomaly is this terrific Sauvignon Blanc from one of Piedmont’s small but very exclusive Barolo producers. Based in Verduno and garnering several 100-point scores for their Barolo wines, this Sauvignon Blanc from 45-year-old vines located in the same zone as their pinnacle reds has become somewhat of a house specialty.

Intense, nervy, and deceptively substantial, the sensuous aromas truly make this wine. Lusty aromatics freshly cut lemon blossoms, smoke, peach and mineral explode from the glass and harmonize so well with what goes on with the texture. Enjoy this seriously well-done Sauvignon Blanc with a seafood risotto with asparagus amongst other tasty choices.



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2019 BRANDBORG PINOT GRIS
ELKTON OREGON
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

One of my favorite (and that says a whole hell of a lot when it comes to this grape) Oregon Pinot Gris wines from an unusual appellation in the Umpqua Valley just outside of Elkton. High elevation, coastal proximity and cool temperatures put forth wines of distinction.

Unapologetically modeled after Alsace, this wine reveals a smoky nose with cut white flowers, peach, apple and prominent spice. Quite full, then throwing a curveball of lemony-brisk tones that balances the creamy aspects of the grape with the high elevation tension from the acidity. A wonderful wine with flaky fish dishes or grilled prawns.



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2019 SOHM & KRACHER
GRUNER-VELTLINER
$14.99 LTR BTL./$179.88 CASE

Nothing says springtime fun like a liter of tasty Austrian Gruner Veltliner. A partnership between Restaurant Le Bernardin Chief Sommelier Aldo Sohm and Austrian wine royalty Gerhard Kracher, son of the late Alois Kracher, this wine from the Niederosterreich region of Burgenland is full of blitzing personality.

Perhaps the finest liter version of an entry wine that I've tasted. At 12% alcohol there is no shortage of burst and character to this bone-dry, teeth-rattling white wine. Energized aromas of lemon and mandarin play off prominent wet-stone, flint and underlying floral aspects. Ample spine and flavor, this is perfect with baked fish dishes and especially Asian cuisine.



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THEVENET & FILS
BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

I tasted this bubbly made from 100% Chardonnay in Macon by a superb family that knocked me over and proved that there is so much excitement in Macon that goes beyond their fine still white wines.

Only about 500 cases are produced. Delightful from the moment it is poured, packed with yellow and green apple tones with underlying lime and mineral. Minimal dosage leads to spine-tingling vibrancy and effervescence. Lots of texture and attractiveness, this is great both on its own or a table.



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2013 GUY BOCARD MEURSAULT
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$65.99 BTL./$791.88 CASE

From one of the most reluctant of Meursault maestros, Guy Bocard has quite a penchant for releasing his wines late. It is quite a treat to have something that has not been tariffed and is now almost 8 years old. It also has that beautiful golden color that White Burgundy gains as it ages.

From vines plated in the 1940s and 1950s as well as coming from prime vineyard sites (Sous La Velle, Pellans, Durots, Dressoles & Malpoirers), apple-honey, lime, nicely intertwined flint, butter and cereal aromas go non-stop on the sneaky-brilliant 2013. Dense, full and extremely classy, some secondary aromas are creeping through. Smoked nuts, ripe Meyer lemon, marmalade tones that are very laid back. More oceanic scents arrive. Harmonious, generous, graceful and offering up a touch of butterscotch. The finish is saturated and really combines density and freshness. Drink through 2029.