9/19/22 The Cellar Door's 'UNCORK & UPLIFT' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'UNCORK & UPLIFT' HOTSHEET
Gramercy Cellars Syrah Returns
Barbera, Cabernet, Vinho Verde
Epic White Rhone
Barbera, Cabernet, Vinho Verde
Epic White Rhone
2020 RENATO RATTI
BARBERA D'ALBA 'BATTAGLIONE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
BARBERA D'ALBA 'BATTAGLIONE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
A long-time Cellar Door friend, Pietro Ratti has been producing exquisite wines for over 30 years since taking over for his father and if you have ever have the chance to meet him and taste his wines, you will see slam-dunk evidence that they truly take on his personality - very gentlemanly stuff! Formerly known as Torreglione, the grapes for this Barbera selection are grown amongst some uber-famous Barolo vineyards in the La Morra district.
The 2020 is illuminating and floral with plenty of hearty raspberry tones with prototype Ratti sophistication revealing its spirit from this particular area of Piedmont’s Barolo zone. Blanketed with engaging spices, smoke and high-toned mineral aspects and flavors that are very forward, Pietro doesn’t intervene with the fine terroir. Drink this beauty over the next 4-6 years with roasted meats, risotto and mushroom-laden dishes. A perfect red wine to welcome the autumnal equinox and changing flavors on our plates.
The 2020 is illuminating and floral with plenty of hearty raspberry tones with prototype Ratti sophistication revealing its spirit from this particular area of Piedmont’s Barolo zone. Blanketed with engaging spices, smoke and high-toned mineral aspects and flavors that are very forward, Pietro doesn’t intervene with the fine terroir. Drink this beauty over the next 4-6 years with roasted meats, risotto and mushroom-laden dishes. A perfect red wine to welcome the autumnal equinox and changing flavors on our plates.
2018 LOS VASCOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON
GRANDE RESERVE 'CROMAS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
GRANDE RESERVE 'CROMAS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Owned by Lafite Rothschild, Los Vascos has been one of our go-to estates and commencing in 2018 & 2019, they decided to narrow their focus with this wine, highlighting the terroir of the Colchagua Valley and giving it the same aging treatment as their Grands Crus Bordeaux wines, making an already fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon even more fabulous.
The 2018 Cromas Cab is beautifully proportioned and way above what Chile is known to produce at this price. Cassis, underlying blueberry, dusty clay tones and fine herbs shine on the nose and virtually creamy, sultry and all about texture in the mouth. Layered with lots of movement and various complex flavor profiles, it is drawn-out, lingering and possessing excellent substance on the back end. We simply can't believe just how stellar it is for its absurdly fair price! Enjoy it over the next 6-8 years, especially with a grilled steak slathered in herbs.
The 2018 Cromas Cab is beautifully proportioned and way above what Chile is known to produce at this price. Cassis, underlying blueberry, dusty clay tones and fine herbs shine on the nose and virtually creamy, sultry and all about texture in the mouth. Layered with lots of movement and various complex flavor profiles, it is drawn-out, lingering and possessing excellent substance on the back end. We simply can't believe just how stellar it is for its absurdly fair price! Enjoy it over the next 6-8 years, especially with a grilled steak slathered in herbs.
2020 JL CHAVE SELECTIONS
SAINT-JOSEPH BLANC 'CIRCA'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
SAINT-JOSEPH BLANC 'CIRCA'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
Circa, formally known as ‘Celeste’, is from Roussanne planted in Mauves on steep granitic slopes. The inaugural vintage for St-Jo Blanc under the Selections label was 2009 after the purchase of a profound 10-acre vineyard called ‘Clos Florentin’. The land here has inspired Jean-Louis to plant and work with more Roussanne as the terroir and varietal are expressed very well.
White grapes, specifically Marsanne and Roussanne, account for only 10% of Saint-Joseph's vines so we never see these wines offered in mass quantity. Savory aromas that are expressive and aromatic fill the glass. Nectarine, ginger, jasmine, acacia and white pepper aspects shine on the nose. Unapologetically full bodied with a lovely round texture, sneaky mineral and plenty of late-arriving mandarin tones fill the mouth and provide immense palate-pleasure. Very enjoyable with both fullness and freshness, enjoy drinking this over the next decade. It absolutely sings with asparagus dishes, halibut in sauce or seared scallops wrapped in bacon.
White grapes, specifically Marsanne and Roussanne, account for only 10% of Saint-Joseph's vines so we never see these wines offered in mass quantity. Savory aromas that are expressive and aromatic fill the glass. Nectarine, ginger, jasmine, acacia and white pepper aspects shine on the nose. Unapologetically full bodied with a lovely round texture, sneaky mineral and plenty of late-arriving mandarin tones fill the mouth and provide immense palate-pleasure. Very enjoyable with both fullness and freshness, enjoy drinking this over the next decade. It absolutely sings with asparagus dishes, halibut in sauce or seared scallops wrapped in bacon.
2018 PRIELER BLAUFRANKISCH
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Although there is only one particular way to spell Lemberger, the more official name for this grape is Blaufränkicsh, and we found six variations on the spelling of this varietal. Spelling aside, Blaufränkisch (meaning Blue French in German) is a widely grown, late-ripening, Austrian red grape that produces a racy wine with a fruit forward bouquet. The Prieler family, led by winemaker Georg live and work a mere ten minutes from the city of Rust, (no, we are not talking about Detroit or Cleveland) which in Austria is known as the city of storks and noble wines. For you geography buffs, it lies on the west bank of the Neusiedlersee River near the Hungarian border in the region of Burgenland, an area known more for red wines than whites.
The 2018 is a scrumptious and crunchy red where you'll find a dark garnet, almost black color at the core, layered with spicy white and black pepper over red fruit aromas. There is also plenty of fresh, juicy red plums and cherry pit to back up the fully dry, yet mouthwatering finish. We are fully convinced that this red wine will pair with just about anything from a steaming bowl of pasta with a sugo of beef, lamb and pork to grilled sausage or swordfish.
The 2018 is a scrumptious and crunchy red where you'll find a dark garnet, almost black color at the core, layered with spicy white and black pepper over red fruit aromas. There is also plenty of fresh, juicy red plums and cherry pit to back up the fully dry, yet mouthwatering finish. We are fully convinced that this red wine will pair with just about anything from a steaming bowl of pasta with a sugo of beef, lamb and pork to grilled sausage or swordfish.
2020 NICOLE CHANRION
COTE-DE BROUILLY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
COTE-DE BROUILLY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Cote-de-Brouilly is very, very different from Brouilly. Brouilly surrounds the Mont de Brouilly while the Cote-de-Brouilly is of higher elevation and much tinier in vineyard size. From an extinct volcano and hard soils, Cote-de-Brouilly are always more deeply concentrated than their Brouilly cousins and seemingly possess more spice.
Nicole Charion has worked these steep vineyard sites for over five decades. Now working with her son Romain, this small estate is always regarded as one of the best addresses of the appellation. Consistently one of the most fragrant wines on the hill, 2020 brought EXTRAORDINARY quality. Dark garnet, with delicious, complex, suggestively perfumed aromas of black plum, blackberries with mineral and subtle notes of tarragon. Bright, layered peppery fruit and herbs make a wine that's refreshing but worthy of more attention than just casual sipping due to its mouthfilling texture that can best be described as a miracle in the mouth. It is starting to become chicken and mushroom season so have at it.
Nicole Charion has worked these steep vineyard sites for over five decades. Now working with her son Romain, this small estate is always regarded as one of the best addresses of the appellation. Consistently one of the most fragrant wines on the hill, 2020 brought EXTRAORDINARY quality. Dark garnet, with delicious, complex, suggestively perfumed aromas of black plum, blackberries with mineral and subtle notes of tarragon. Bright, layered peppery fruit and herbs make a wine that's refreshing but worthy of more attention than just casual sipping due to its mouthfilling texture that can best be described as a miracle in the mouth. It is starting to become chicken and mushroom season so have at it.
2021 ASNELLA VINHO VERDE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Located in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region just across the border from Galicia, white wines from this area are a virtual extension of their Spanish neighbors just across the Minho River. This region is famous for its spritzy light whites yet a category of non-fizzy, serious white wines that reflect terroir virtually go unnoticed. Candidly, if they were grown north of the border in Galicia, they would easily be priced at ten dollars higher.
Asnella is a new offering and one that I became very excited over when tasting a couple weeks back. 60% Arinto, 40% Loureiro and aged six months in stainless steel tanks, The aromas and flavors on this wine are scary-good! Fragrant freshly cut flowers and mineral tones are enhanced and buttressed by white peach and lime. Clean, bone dry and owning mouth-watering briskness. Very pure flavors that remind one of the shore with some engaging spice and roundness in the middle and chiming finish. This stuff is sooooooooooooooo undervalued, have it with spring rolls, steamed clams with saffron, salt cod fritters or a Vietnamese sweet/sour tamarind-based fish soup.
Asnella is a new offering and one that I became very excited over when tasting a couple weeks back. 60% Arinto, 40% Loureiro and aged six months in stainless steel tanks, The aromas and flavors on this wine are scary-good! Fragrant freshly cut flowers and mineral tones are enhanced and buttressed by white peach and lime. Clean, bone dry and owning mouth-watering briskness. Very pure flavors that remind one of the shore with some engaging spice and roundness in the middle and chiming finish. This stuff is sooooooooooooooo undervalued, have it with spring rolls, steamed clams with saffron, salt cod fritters or a Vietnamese sweet/sour tamarind-based fish soup.
2020 DANAUS COSTERS DEL SEGRE TINTO
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
Danaus is a collaboration between Domaine Bousquet from Argentina and Costers del Sio in Spain’s Catalonia region. The grapes from Costers del Segre, an appellation in western Catalonia located close to the Aragon border delivers tasty everyday wines.
45% Tempranillo, 45% Garnacha, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and loaded with Mediterranean personality it shows peppery, forward flavors of chocolate truffle complimented with raspberry. Roasted earth, herbs and spice bring everything together. The texture starts out plush and supple quickly gaining spicy notes on the soulful finish.
45% Tempranillo, 45% Garnacha, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and loaded with Mediterranean personality it shows peppery, forward flavors of chocolate truffle complimented with raspberry. Roasted earth, herbs and spice bring everything together. The texture starts out plush and supple quickly gaining spicy notes on the soulful finish.
2017 GRAMERCY CELLARS SYRAH
'LAGNIAPPE' RED WILLOW VINEYARD
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE - LIMITED
'LAGNIAPPE' RED WILLOW VINEYARD
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE - LIMITED
Upon first visiting Greg Harrington in Walla Walla back in 2007, we immediately knew that his wines were going to take off and become not so easy to get our hands on. Accolades have come and now much of Gramercy Cellars' wines are sold via the mailing list, but fortunately, they have returned and we are able to score some of one of my favorite Syrahs in all of Washington. To pay tribute to his time spent in New Orleans, Greg chose the name Lagniappe, which means "something extra" in the Cajun dialect for this wine. Having been the first Gramercy wine that made me a follower I have such a soft spot for it and its undeniable force.
Commencing in 2015, Lagniappe comes from one source, the famed Red Willow vineyard prized for its Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in 10-percent new barrels, this Syrah is a resounding nod to the old world with an abundance of Hermitage/Cote-Rotie-like influences. Prolific, cerebral, evasive and potentially very long-lived, the 2017’s aromas of violet, plum, wet chalkboard, black olive and pronounced black pepper lead into a texture that is chewy and youthfully backward. Sensual deep fruit is present as is the wines impeccable, Grand Cru depth. Integrated subtle smoked meat tones chime in at the end with herbs, more smoke, pepper and plenty of structure, depth and a graham-like minerality. This is a special occasion, wow wine needing several years in the cellar. Drink 2024 – 2035+.
Commencing in 2015, Lagniappe comes from one source, the famed Red Willow vineyard prized for its Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in 10-percent new barrels, this Syrah is a resounding nod to the old world with an abundance of Hermitage/Cote-Rotie-like influences. Prolific, cerebral, evasive and potentially very long-lived, the 2017’s aromas of violet, plum, wet chalkboard, black olive and pronounced black pepper lead into a texture that is chewy and youthfully backward. Sensual deep fruit is present as is the wines impeccable, Grand Cru depth. Integrated subtle smoked meat tones chime in at the end with herbs, more smoke, pepper and plenty of structure, depth and a graham-like minerality. This is a special occasion, wow wine needing several years in the cellar. Drink 2024 – 2035+.
2017 GRAMERCY CELLARS SYRAH
WALLA WALLA
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE - LIMITED
WALLA WALLA
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE - LIMITED
Made from Syrah from two vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, Holy Roller Vineyard in The Rocks and Les Collines, this Syrah combines structure, finesse and attractiveness to put forth a Syrah that I wish we would see more of from this region. Currently, there are too many examples of Walla Walla Syrah that are goopy, overweight and monotone but the landscape is improving and Gramercy Cellars truly is one of the leaders and finest producers.
The 2017 Walla Walla is very exciting, boasting classic ground black pepper scents with extreme fragrance. Abundant earth tones arrive at first, but as it opens, the wine unfolds with cured meat, black licorice and fresh blackberry scents. Lacy, sexy and quite penetrating with chicory and pronounced spiciness on the extensive finish. Not impenetrable now, it will age and develop nicely through 2030.
The 2017 Walla Walla is very exciting, boasting classic ground black pepper scents with extreme fragrance. Abundant earth tones arrive at first, but as it opens, the wine unfolds with cured meat, black licorice and fresh blackberry scents. Lacy, sexy and quite penetrating with chicory and pronounced spiciness on the extensive finish. Not impenetrable now, it will age and develop nicely through 2030.
