5/10/22 The Cellar Door's 'AUTOMATICALLY STACKED' HotSheet

2019 PEACHY CANYON PETITE SIRAH
PASO ROBLES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

A big wine from a Paso Robles stalwart.

Full bodied, chewy and gamey, with dense, ripe black fruit, tangy earth, spice and mineral on the nose as well as hints of tar, cocoa, and subtle toasty oak. Powerhouse mouth-filling flavors of ripe blackberries and blueberries abound on the palate followed by a rich yet clean, lingering finish and juicy ripe tannins to frame the fruit. This wine can easily age for five years but the luscious fruit and approachable tannins make it a tough one to stash away. Have it with vociferous meat dishes, chocolate, fat cigars, a big spliff, as an after-dinner tipple and more.

2020 RAUL PEREZ 'ATALIER' ALBARINO
'A CRUZ DAS ANIMAS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Raul Perez is one of the new leaders of modern traditionalists in Spain. He is based in and around Bierzo and Valdeorras however, he also happens to make some rocking Albarino wines that compete with the apex producers in Galicia’s Val do Salnes.

Marine-inflicted from the get go, seabreeze, saline and shells take the lead followed by scents of peach pit and lime that step forward at various times as this complex white opens in the glass. Virtually viscous but contradictory as there is ample structure and vibrancy that folds inward, becomes very linear and food friendly on the long, drawn out and elevated finish. There is ample, electrifying acidity here but the 80+ year old vines buffer it nicely. A great selection with crab but also will pair masterfully with grilled salmon.

2016 CHATEAU GAILLARD
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

Situated on the lower half of the slope below the historic village of Saint-Emilion, Château Gaillard possesses 20 hectares of vines. Neighboring Chateau Canon-Gaffeliere and dragged from obscurity by owner/winemaker Catherine Nouvel-Papon's determination to estate-bottle the vineyards' total production, she brought Château Gaillard's commitment to excellence to the next level. These days the wines are even more impressive and extremely undervalued given their high quality and propensity to age.

If you have not heard by now, the gods were fantastically kind 2016 for Bordeaux. Given all the fine vintages that we have sold from Catherine, this one may be her best work to date. As always, Catherine’s St-Emilion Grand Cru is powerful and full-bodied. Vintage 2016 adds extra layers as well as extra smoothness and dimension. Clear and precise strokes of blackberry, plum, chocolate and nutmeg aromas along with aspects of red raspberry, mint and salinity from the high (30%) percentage of Cabernet Franc. Expansive and showing ample movement and depth from the 50+ year-old vines, this will make you do a double take next time you reach for a 75-dollar Washington blend. Oh yeah, the finish: luxury and length abound with plenty of underlying grip. Extremely ageworthy, one may enjoy some now and enjoy some later. Drink through 2031+.

2019 PRA VALPOLICELLA 'MORANDINA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Having only entered the Valpolicella/Amarone game in 2001, the revelation of just how good these wines are is nothing short of impressive. Grown in an area where both the Valpol and Amarone are known for the expressions of brutal power, Pra’s versions maintain integrity, class and succulence while maintaining that power base all due to the active limestone in the area. The Valpolicella is classically produced and the elevage is in large 2000-liter barrels and has a quick drying period of 20 days.

Lively juice with aromas of blackberry, bing cherry, almond and dark chocolate all filling your nose. Lusciously textured but plenty of buoyancy from entry to the impressive finish with fine balance and approachability throughout makes it never be oversized or heavy. Truckloads of fruit define the palate, with notes of espresso bean, exotic spice and chocolate covered berries and earth all coming out on the finish. A great twenty-dollar Valpolicella that will impress and work so well with any Italian dinner.

2017 ARTERBERRY-MARESH PINOT NOIR
'OLD VINE'
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE

96 points – Vinous… Last call for this outstanding ageworthy Oregon Pinot from fabulous sites and a third generation producer. 2019 is coming soon and it will sell for $59.99 versus this 2017 which is a steal at $45.

‘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.

2016 CHATEAU BEAUSEJOUR FRONSAC
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

While we won’t confuse this with the Chateau Gaillard listed above, this small Chateau is located in close proximity to Saint-Emilion and is fifth generation female-owned.

One for earlier consumption while waiting for the big wines, blackcurrants, smoke, mineral and an underbelly of cherry, spice and baking herbs, it is well textured, classy and dry. The finish is sneaky long for a fifteen-buck wine. Prototype petite chateau Bordeaux and one that carries beautifully to the dinner table. Drink now – 2024.

2017 THOMAS MOREY
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET 'VIDE BOURSE'
$119.00 BTL. - 12 bottles available

Vide Bourse was only elevated to Premier Cru status in 1974 and one must wonder why it took so long, especially given its privileged location. Situated just below Batard-Montrachet, Thomas Morey (son of Bernard, brother of Vincent) has a tiny parcel with ancient vines where no one really knows exactly when they were planted. Probably pre-1940s. This estate is top-notch and this wine is always a grand expression of white Burgundy.

From a divine vintage, this wine at age five can be accessed but honestly should be held for a bit longer. A 1950s pin-up model of Chassagne-Montrachet! Buxom, very sexy and seductive. Pronounced honey-cereal-oatmeal tones buffered by ripe orange tones. Youthfully-wrapped, broad and loaded with virtual Grand Cru depth. Plenty of spine and grip present to go nicely with all the fruit and spice. Sublime balance for such a full white Burg. Plenty of spice, musk and powdered rock on the long, long finish…WOW!

2020 LI VELI 'PRIMONERO'
SALENTO ROSSO
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

Le Veli is the southern Italian project of the Falvo family, former owners of the famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano producer, Avignonesi.

Made from 85% Negroamaro grape, 15% Primitivo. Tones of raspberry, briar, wild spice, savory herbs and gently placed vanilla tones from oak fill the glass. Mouth-filling, ripe, generous luscious and without any pretensions, the wine reveals lots of depth and mouth-watering spicy fruit that is sure to delight just about any hearty red wine lover. Perfect with pizza or spaghetti topped with marinara sauce.