1/24/22 The Cellar Door's 'EL JEFE' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'EL JEFE' HOTSHEET
96-point Oregon Pinot Noir & Owen Roe, New Vietti Barbera Release, Cool Whites, Value Red & more
2019 VIETTI BARBERA D'ALBA
'TRE VIGNE'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
'TRE VIGNE'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
A perennial favorite, Vietti’s Barbera D’Alba Tre Vigne is on form yet again and is a very delicious Italian tipple. Made from fruit from three primary Barolo villages, 2019 is a classically formed Piemontese vintage meaning the wines are sculpted around structure, aromatics, vividness and red fruit aspects.
Very sculpted, there is refinement and poise throughout. Fragrant and revealing lots of upfront cherry with lovely blackberry and mineral undercurrents. Rosemary, spice and decidedly billowy with ample depth and spine as well as a deep finish that really soars. Risotto spiked with porcini, chanterelles and any other mushroom paired with this perennial champion will be just divine. Drink through 2027+.
Very sculpted, there is refinement and poise throughout. Fragrant and revealing lots of upfront cherry with lovely blackberry and mineral undercurrents. Rosemary, spice and decidedly billowy with ample depth and spine as well as a deep finish that really soars. Risotto spiked with porcini, chanterelles and any other mushroom paired with this perennial champion will be just divine. Drink through 2027+.
2018 CHATEAU BELLINI
COTEAUX VAROIS EN PROVENCE BLANC
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
COTEAUX VAROIS EN PROVENCE BLANC
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Way back in the day, and before it was sold to Hollywood celebrities and became complete merde, Chateau Miraval was one of our favorite estates, especially for the white wine. After Tom Bove sold, he went and acquired a couple of new properties which he feels possess even greater terroir. Like the old Miraval Blanc, the Chateau Bellini Blanc is also made from 100% Rolle (Vermentino for you Italo-philes) and is a prototype for this varietal and region.
Situated about 40 miles east of Aix-en-Provence, this white entices with compelling, expressive notes of lemon blossom, saline, freesia and minerality on the nose. A luscious entry gives way to a vinous texture that possesses perky crispness and balance and is a total vehicle for fish jacked with Pernod and herbes de provence, bouillabaisse, green vegetables or a spicy, Latino-inspired seafood preparation.
Situated about 40 miles east of Aix-en-Provence, this white entices with compelling, expressive notes of lemon blossom, saline, freesia and minerality on the nose. A luscious entry gives way to a vinous texture that possesses perky crispness and balance and is a total vehicle for fish jacked with Pernod and herbes de provence, bouillabaisse, green vegetables or a spicy, Latino-inspired seafood preparation.
2019 GRANITO DEL CADALSO GARNACHA
SIERRA DEL GREDOS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
SIERRA DEL GREDOS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Continuing our infatuation with the Grenache from the Sierra del Gredos region just outside Spain is a project from two of the leaders in the area, Dani Landi and Fernando Garcia. These old Garnacha vines are grown at 500-1000 meters and the elevation is what drives the vine, the wine and what makes them so different from the versions from the Rhone, Catalonia, Languedoc et. al.
The granitic sand soils from this area have been utilized for centuries to make glass windows for many of Spain’s palaces and these vines are grown in that same soil. Wonderfully put together aromas of blackcurrant, strawberry, laurel and licorice shine on the nose and lead into a texture that is both handsome and tenacious all at once. Transparent, penetrating and complex with a finish that has superb snap-back and a stopwatch-busting, long finish, this prodigal value can be consumed over the next 6-8 years, particularly with Spain’s national vegetable - pork.
The granitic sand soils from this area have been utilized for centuries to make glass windows for many of Spain’s palaces and these vines are grown in that same soil. Wonderfully put together aromas of blackcurrant, strawberry, laurel and licorice shine on the nose and lead into a texture that is both handsome and tenacious all at once. Transparent, penetrating and complex with a finish that has superb snap-back and a stopwatch-busting, long finish, this prodigal value can be consumed over the next 6-8 years, particularly with Spain’s national vegetable - pork.
2017 ARTERBERRY-MARESH PINOT NOIR
DUNDEE HILLS 'OLD VINES'
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
DUNDEE HILLS 'OLD VINES'
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
96 points – Vinous… Jim Maresh is a third generation Oregon producer who comes from great bloodlines; in fact, one could say Oregon wine royalty. What he is doing with not only his family’s vineyard (Maresh) as well as some neighboring sites is nothing short of breathtaking. 2017 is simply magnificent for this wine and the depth and material reveal themselves early but the fact of the matter is that this wine is built to soar and built to age.
‘Glistening scarlet. A highly complex bouquet evokes red berry and cherry preserves, along with building Asian spice, rose oil and smoky mineral flourishes. Shows fine delineation and seamless texture, offering concentrated, spice-tinged Chambord, cherry, cola and spicecake flavors that pick up a strong rose pastille nuance with air. Finishes extremely long and pure, with fine-grained tannins providing framework and gentle grip to lingering red fruit, five-spice powder and savory herb notes. 70% of this fruit comes from the estate Maresh vineyard and the other 30% is from the neighboring Weber vineyard; the vast majority of the vines were planted in the late 1970s– 96 POINTS, VINOUS’. Hold this until 2024 and enjoy it over the following 10-12 years.
‘Glistening scarlet. A highly complex bouquet evokes red berry and cherry preserves, along with building Asian spice, rose oil and smoky mineral flourishes. Shows fine delineation and seamless texture, offering concentrated, spice-tinged Chambord, cherry, cola and spicecake flavors that pick up a strong rose pastille nuance with air. Finishes extremely long and pure, with fine-grained tannins providing framework and gentle grip to lingering red fruit, five-spice powder and savory herb notes. 70% of this fruit comes from the estate Maresh vineyard and the other 30% is from the neighboring Weber vineyard; the vast majority of the vines were planted in the late 1970s– 96 POINTS, VINOUS’. Hold this until 2024 and enjoy it over the following 10-12 years.
2020 CAN FEIXES BLANC 'SELECCIO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
It is no secret that the ‘can of fishes’ is one of our favorite best buy white wines. Hailing from the Penedes region of Spain, located just south of Barcelona, this wine exudes character and class. The blend is from Paralleda, which gives mineral, and detail, Macabeo, which brings flowers and citrus, Chardonnay mixed in for richness and Malvasia for aromatic perfume.
What amazes us most is how it morphs into something different in the spring and summer, but is equally pleasing in the winter. In the summer, it blazes with floral and peachy tones and an undercurrent of mineral. In the winter, it shows its wilder side due to the vines close proximity to the sea. Scintillating scents of seashore (say that 5-times-fast!) combined with more prominent mineral, lemongrass and piquant lime and ginger aromas, the 2020 Can Feixes cries out for Ceviche, freshly shucked oysters or crab.
What amazes us most is how it morphs into something different in the spring and summer, but is equally pleasing in the winter. In the summer, it blazes with floral and peachy tones and an undercurrent of mineral. In the winter, it shows its wilder side due to the vines close proximity to the sea. Scintillating scents of seashore (say that 5-times-fast!) combined with more prominent mineral, lemongrass and piquant lime and ginger aromas, the 2020 Can Feixes cries out for Ceviche, freshly shucked oysters or crab.
2019 CHATEAU PLAISANCE ANJOU ROUGE
'SUR LA BUTTE'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
'SUR LA BUTTE'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
Young, dynamic and somewhat of an outlaw, thirty-something Vanessa Cherruau farms land in the western Loire Valley, specifically the small slope of Chaumes. She purchased it from another renegade of the area, Guy Rochais and what makes them both rebels is their insistence on producing dry wines from this hallowed area. Quarts de Chaumes is reserved solely for sweet wines, thus the whites and her reds are labeled as Anjou Blanc and Rouge. Who knows, perhaps in the future these and others in this area could have their own appellation and name.
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, this is certainly NOT Bordeaux, California or Washington. In fact, you will want to serve this in a Burgundy/Pinot Noir glass. Laden with red raspberry, warm granitic spice, sanguine and tinges of jasmine, this is absolutely dry, pure, earthy and red to the bone. Dark, haunting tones come as the wine opens and move into an illuminating, minerally finish. Enjoy this wine with roasted duck or chicken but it will also pair well with charcuterie or a hearty stew.
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, this is certainly NOT Bordeaux, California or Washington. In fact, you will want to serve this in a Burgundy/Pinot Noir glass. Laden with red raspberry, warm granitic spice, sanguine and tinges of jasmine, this is absolutely dry, pure, earthy and red to the bone. Dark, haunting tones come as the wine opens and move into an illuminating, minerally finish. Enjoy this wine with roasted duck or chicken but it will also pair well with charcuterie or a hearty stew.
2015 ANTONELLI SAGRANTINO DI
MONTEFALCO 'CHIUSA DI PANNONE'
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
MONTEFALCO 'CHIUSA DI PANNONE'
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
The spiritual grape of Umbria's Montefalco region, Antonelli does a magnificent job in bringing out the varietal’s full expression. Rarely seen outside of this area, the Sagrantino puts forth large-scaled wines that can age for a long time. Chiusa di Pannone is a small and mighty 6½ acre vineyard that is chock full of chalky-clay soil with underlying gravel deposits. This wine is a passion for Antonelli as only limited amounts are produced and only from fine vintages.
Vintage 2015 doesn’t mess around in this region and this large and in-charge red wine seemingly has it all. Robust, heady and intense, blackberry, tobacco, mint, almond, spice and vanilla dominate the nose while the mouth is rich and so chewy that you almost need a fork to have this wine. The super-long aftertaste confirms all of the characters of the aromas. Still a baby, but one can see the deep and thrusting core of beauty and potential that is within the entire package of this wine. If you do uncork one, have it with a heavy risotto dish, maybe an Italian beef stew, but if aged, grab some fine Gorgonzola and prepare yourself for something that is truly operatic. Seriously, this wine will have no problem aging 25-30 years from vintage date. A great choice for those who enjoy the likes of Amarone or Chateaueuf and have a child or future occasion from 2015.
Vintage 2015 doesn’t mess around in this region and this large and in-charge red wine seemingly has it all. Robust, heady and intense, blackberry, tobacco, mint, almond, spice and vanilla dominate the nose while the mouth is rich and so chewy that you almost need a fork to have this wine. The super-long aftertaste confirms all of the characters of the aromas. Still a baby, but one can see the deep and thrusting core of beauty and potential that is within the entire package of this wine. If you do uncork one, have it with a heavy risotto dish, maybe an Italian beef stew, but if aged, grab some fine Gorgonzola and prepare yourself for something that is truly operatic. Seriously, this wine will have no problem aging 25-30 years from vintage date. A great choice for those who enjoy the likes of Amarone or Chateaueuf and have a child or future occasion from 2015.
2018 DOMAINE DE PELLEHAUT
COTES-DE-GASCOGNE ROUGE
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
COTES-DE-GASCOGNE ROUGE
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
Perhaps one of the friendliest red blends that we will ever show you, this wine is made from a producer who is more known for their high-quality Armagnacs. A virtual kitchen sink blend of almost equal parts of Cabernet, Merlot, Tannat and Malbec with bits of Syrah and Pinot Noir tossed in to the mix.
An easy-going, fleshy, middleweight, supple everyday gem showcasing expressive bright, fresh red juicy fruit, plum, raspberry and dark currant, with some fresh spice, earth and roasted coffee. Full of palate pleasure for a mere 11-bucks
An easy-going, fleshy, middleweight, supple everyday gem showcasing expressive bright, fresh red juicy fruit, plum, raspberry and dark currant, with some fresh spice, earth and roasted coffee. Full of palate pleasure for a mere 11-bucks
2016 OWEN ROE SYRAH
RED WILLOW 'CHAPEL BLOCK'
$53.99 BTL./$647.88 CASE
RED WILLOW 'CHAPEL BLOCK'
$53.99 BTL./$647.88 CASE
Maybe Washington Hermitage? The Red Willow Vineyard is a profound Washington vineyard site and more importantly, possesses some of the oldest Syrah vines (planted 1986) in Washington. As time has passed, this site has become very prized by many top winemakers for not only Syrah but for Cabernet as well. Owen Roe was one of the early proponents for Syrah from this cool site. They have been producing this wine from The Chapel Block since the early 2000s.
Fleet-footed, deep, and intense, this Syrah is quite lavish. Impressively deep and rich aromas and flavors never show heat and maintain exquisite purity. Winter fruits, nutmeg, vanilla, smoke and white pepper shine. Deep, concentrated yet lifting on the finish that shows loads of expansion and length all lasting for minutes after the wine is swallowed. Try this fabulous Syrah with something very sassy and substantial and preferably smoked. Drink through 2032+.
Fleet-footed, deep, and intense, this Syrah is quite lavish. Impressively deep and rich aromas and flavors never show heat and maintain exquisite purity. Winter fruits, nutmeg, vanilla, smoke and white pepper shine. Deep, concentrated yet lifting on the finish that shows loads of expansion and length all lasting for minutes after the wine is swallowed. Try this fabulous Syrah with something very sassy and substantial and preferably smoked. Drink through 2032+.
