7/12/21 The Cellar Door's 'FORZA AZZURRI' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'FORZA AZZURRI' HOTSHEET
Gigondas Rose & Bordeaux From a Posh 'Hood, Tuscan Treat & Puglia Special, Oregon & California offerings plus more
2018 ACUSTIC CELLER MONTSANT
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
91 points, Vinous & The Wine Advocate…We have known Albert Jane since his days at his family’s winery Jane Ventura in the early 2000s. After branching off and starting Acustic Celler in Montsant in 2003, we have continually admired, bought, sold and drank these wines since the inception of the label. Albert is Catalan through and through and to see the evolution of his wines (especially since 2006 when he met some friends and myself in Chateauneuf-du-Pape) has been nothing short of terrific.
Forming a horseshoe around the Priotat region and sitting just below, these wines are not mere little brothers; the soil compositions are vastly different as are the temperatures. Albert's blend of 70% Carignan & 30% Grenache seemingly picks up where Languedoc leaves off in both region and quality. Mediterranean herbs and spices dance around permeating blackberry, violet and wind-swept minerality. Strong varietal character with harmonious, but solid, concentrated fruit. Impressive spiciness presents itself on the full, pleasantly structured, yet agile finish. Very attractive now but can age for 5-7 years.
Forming a horseshoe around the Priotat region and sitting just below, these wines are not mere little brothers; the soil compositions are vastly different as are the temperatures. Albert's blend of 70% Carignan & 30% Grenache seemingly picks up where Languedoc leaves off in both region and quality. Mediterranean herbs and spices dance around permeating blackberry, violet and wind-swept minerality. Strong varietal character with harmonious, but solid, concentrated fruit. Impressive spiciness presents itself on the full, pleasantly structured, yet agile finish. Very attractive now but can age for 5-7 years.
2018 PIAGGIA CARMIGNANO 'IL SASSO'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Carmignano, located northwest of the city of Florence, unofficially is noted as being the first "Super-Tuscan" since Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & other Bordeaux varietals have always been permitted for blending with the native Sangiovese. This region is home to red wines that deliver a lot of bang for the buck. In recent years, Piaggia has taken the lead and has become the benchmark for the region. "One of the best wineries in the region of Carmignano, rather, in Tuscany. – Gambero Rosso".
2018’s growing conditions allowed this blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot to be even more compelling than usual. Packed, dense wild cherry and berry scents rule the day along with penetrating smoke, sage and sandalwood undertones. Lavish, deep, yet tenderly balanced this is extremely fine. Succulent, flavorful and owning an exacting and extensive finish for a wine at this price.
2018’s growing conditions allowed this blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot to be even more compelling than usual. Packed, dense wild cherry and berry scents rule the day along with penetrating smoke, sage and sandalwood undertones. Lavish, deep, yet tenderly balanced this is extremely fine. Succulent, flavorful and owning an exacting and extensive finish for a wine at this price.
2020 CASALE MARCHESE FRASCATI
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Bringing as much pleasure as the wacky weedus, known as Roman Red in Mel Brooks’ History of the World is this version of the classic Roman White wine, Frascati. Now let’s face it, the majority of Frascati are one-step up from flat 7-Up, but ever since this selection came to our attention, it has been a summer staple.
Impress your friends when you speak of the blend (Malvasia Puntinata, Malvasia di Candia, Trebbiano Toscano, Greco, Bombino and Bellone) but in reality, just toss it back in copious quantities. Exuberant, floral, citrus-blossom lead into a texture that has Fantastic palate-presence not usually found in Frascati. A great white for clams and mussels tossed in spaghetti or linguine with good olive oil and a few chili flakes.
Impress your friends when you speak of the blend (Malvasia Puntinata, Malvasia di Candia, Trebbiano Toscano, Greco, Bombino and Bellone) but in reality, just toss it back in copious quantities. Exuberant, floral, citrus-blossom lead into a texture that has Fantastic palate-presence not usually found in Frascati. A great white for clams and mussels tossed in spaghetti or linguine with good olive oil and a few chili flakes.
2015 CHATEAU PICQUE-CAILLOU
PESSAC-LEOGNAN (Bordeaux)
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
PESSAC-LEOGNAN (Bordeaux)
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
Pessac-Leognan is an appellation within the Graves region that is reserved for the top estates and best terroirs. In existence since 1780, Château Picque Caillou is located in a very respectable neighborhood that is situated in close proximity to two famed Graves Chateaux, Haut-Brion and Pape-Clement.
With vintage 2015, the estate utilized 60% Cabernet Sauvignon (one of the highest percentages ever for this estate), 35% Merlot and 5% Petite Verdot. An intense ruby red that is best described as elegantly persuasive. Fine spice, cassis and blackberry shine against a backdrop of licorice and violet. 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 cinnamon. A hell of a Bordeaux value, there is good appeal and charm to this wine now, and it is will age well through 2030+.
With vintage 2015, the estate utilized 60% Cabernet Sauvignon (one of the highest percentages ever for this estate), 35% Merlot and 5% Petite Verdot. An intense ruby red that is best described as elegantly persuasive. Fine spice, cassis and blackberry shine against a backdrop of licorice and violet. 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 cinnamon. A hell of a Bordeaux value, there is good appeal and charm to this wine now, and it is will age well through 2030+.
2018 DASHE ZINFANDEL
'VINEYARD SELECT'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
'VINEYARD SELECT'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Dashe Cellars is a boutique, Sonoma winery that quickly rose through the ranks as producers of some of California's most formidable Zins! Michael Dashe gained his experience by working with The Supreme Zinfandel Alien-Being, Paul Draper at Ridge, then in 1996 he decided to branch out on his own and from day one, and these Zins with the whimsical labels have been ultra-magnificent.
Blended from superb sites in Dry Creek and Contra Costa, Dashe's 2018 Vineyard Select Zinfandel is a violet, raspberry and chocolate bomb of a wine. Dark, brooding, delicious and a great example of a warm climate Zin, it has a sultry velvety mouthfeel of a Dry Creek zin and a long, luscious finish that leaves the raspberry and chocolate-spice flavors lingering in your mouth long after you swallow. Grab some lamb shanks and go to town. Enjoy over the next decade.
Blended from superb sites in Dry Creek and Contra Costa, Dashe's 2018 Vineyard Select Zinfandel is a violet, raspberry and chocolate bomb of a wine. Dark, brooding, delicious and a great example of a warm climate Zin, it has a sultry velvety mouthfeel of a Dry Creek zin and a long, luscious finish that leaves the raspberry and chocolate-spice flavors lingering in your mouth long after you swallow. Grab some lamb shanks and go to town. Enjoy over the next decade.
2019 CASA SANTOS LIMAS
'BON VENTOS' TINTO
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
'BON VENTOS' TINTO
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
From the Vinhos do Lisboa region of Portugal and comprised of Castelão, Camarate, Tinta Miúda and Touriga Nacional, all native Portuguese varietals. At $8.99, what the hell are you waiting for!?
Hearty, spicy & tangy aromas and flavors all provide delicious depth of fruit and ample definition of place. A great all-around, anytime red that should be ordered by the bottle and especially by the case if you are having a gathering and need to please a bunch of palates.
Hearty, spicy & tangy aromas and flavors all provide delicious depth of fruit and ample definition of place. A great all-around, anytime red that should be ordered by the bottle and especially by the case if you are having a gathering and need to please a bunch of palates.
2018 TOUR PENET MACON-PERRONE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
This is a dreamy White Burgundy in both price and quality. We previously featured this early in 2020 and after a year-plus in bottle, the flavors and aromas have all come together and the result is tasting oh so good.
Intense yet tender aromas of lemon, freshly cut crisp yellow apple, white peach with a minerally undertow allows the wine to let you know where it is from. The sun shines here so the fruit is present, but there is virtual diamond-like precision and finesse that shimmers in the mouth. Firm and vibrant on the finish with fleshy, crunchy texture and depth of flavor that hangs around nicely. Enjoy it with simple fish dishes, grilled prawns, salads or lighter cheeses.
Intense yet tender aromas of lemon, freshly cut crisp yellow apple, white peach with a minerally undertow allows the wine to let you know where it is from. The sun shines here so the fruit is present, but there is virtual diamond-like precision and finesse that shimmers in the mouth. Firm and vibrant on the finish with fleshy, crunchy texture and depth of flavor that hangs around nicely. Enjoy it with simple fish dishes, grilled prawns, salads or lighter cheeses.
2015 PETRILLI 'FERRAU' ROSSO
C'ACCE MMITA DI LUCERA
[reg. $29.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
C'ACCE MMITA DI LUCERA
[reg. $29.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Best known for his red called Agramente, Ferrau is its more cerebral sibling. The same blend of grapes (Nero di Troia, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Bombino) is incorporated into this red wine. The difference is the elevation for the wine. Unlike the Agramente, the Ferrau is aged in used barrels and takes on a different and beguiling personality.
Named after the Italian painter Ferrau Fenzoni, the Ferrau shows complexity and an extra layer of depth. Dried violets, roses and black cherry shine nicely. Always released a bit later, this wine reveals some virtual smoked porcini notes along with excellent high-toned briskness. All of the components come together nicely and fan out across the entire palate. Try this wine with a spicy lamb or pork dish with tomatoes. I really dig it with meatballs as well as dishes that contain North African flavors.
Named after the Italian painter Ferrau Fenzoni, the Ferrau shows complexity and an extra layer of depth. Dried violets, roses and black cherry shine nicely. Always released a bit later, this wine reveals some virtual smoked porcini notes along with excellent high-toned briskness. All of the components come together nicely and fan out across the entire palate. Try this wine with a spicy lamb or pork dish with tomatoes. I really dig it with meatballs as well as dishes that contain North African flavors.
2020 SAINT-DAMIEN GIGONDAS ROSE
$29.99 BTL. - VERY LIMITED
$29.99 BTL. - VERY LIMITED
Last summer, this Rose won the pink season. So complex, so invigorating and so substantial. 2020 is even better but alas, quantities are not, and hence this will come and go very quickly.
At the top end of the Provencal Rose category and about as scarce as they come are dry Rose wines from the famed Gigondas region. Saint-Damien is one of the prime producers of the region and they have grapes and land dedicated just for this tiny production Rose that is located in the specific parcel called La Moutte. Just below Pesquier and close to the Ouveze River with a blend of 80% Cinsault & 20% Syrah, this wine changes like an obstacle course as it unfolds. Aromatically gorgeous with fragrant hawthorn, subtle strawberry, fine herb and smoky tones. Playful and subtle, it initially shows debonair characteristics of underlying mineral and red fruit, then POW, it plugs in the jolting electrodes on the finish with its brisk and gushing qualities adding to a superb, lengthy finish. Try a slightly spicy marinade on ahi tuna or chicken if you want to savor it now, however, it will work at Thanksgiving, during this winter’s crab season and into next summer and probably 2023 as well.
At the top end of the Provencal Rose category and about as scarce as they come are dry Rose wines from the famed Gigondas region. Saint-Damien is one of the prime producers of the region and they have grapes and land dedicated just for this tiny production Rose that is located in the specific parcel called La Moutte. Just below Pesquier and close to the Ouveze River with a blend of 80% Cinsault & 20% Syrah, this wine changes like an obstacle course as it unfolds. Aromatically gorgeous with fragrant hawthorn, subtle strawberry, fine herb and smoky tones. Playful and subtle, it initially shows debonair characteristics of underlying mineral and red fruit, then POW, it plugs in the jolting electrodes on the finish with its brisk and gushing qualities adding to a superb, lengthy finish. Try a slightly spicy marinade on ahi tuna or chicken if you want to savor it now, however, it will work at Thanksgiving, during this winter’s crab season and into next summer and probably 2023 as well.
2019 HELIOTERRA PINOT BLANC
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
A bit of a stealth Oregon producer, Anne Hubatch makes elegant, very refined and sensual wines from vineyards throughout the northwest and the 2019 Willamette Valley Pinot Blanc is no exception.
A blend of several Willamette sites, this is classy and sassy Pinot Blanc. Notes of mango, lemon, mineral and subtle cardamom careen from the glass. In the mouth, it starts creamy and very prototype as it picks up energy and briskness in the middle and on the lingering, tingling finish.
A blend of several Willamette sites, this is classy and sassy Pinot Blanc. Notes of mango, lemon, mineral and subtle cardamom careen from the glass. In the mouth, it starts creamy and very prototype as it picks up energy and briskness in the middle and on the lingering, tingling finish.
