11/14/22 The Cellar Door's 'WINE O'CLOCK' HotSheet

2017 POLLARD RED BLEND
YAKIMA VALLEY
[reg. $36.99]
SPECIAL - $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

A Yakima Valley Red Blend from Robin Pollard’s own vineyard and made by her partner, Andrew Will founder and legend Chris Camarda, this wine soars with purity and class. A bit of a throwback as it is 12.6% alcohol and elevated in only 20% new oak to allow it to display its terroir.

44% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sheer deliciousness with good substance and without getting silly with just a bunch of wood, this vivacious Washington red delivers currants, blackberry, fine herbs and spices that dominate the nose while a prominent core of mouth-filling fruit pleases the palate. A perfect wine to serve with grilled ribs or other fare and is one that will please a plethora of varying palates.

2021 CELLER PARDAS 'RUPESTRIS'
PENEDES BLANC
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

I continually state believe that when it comes to Spain and its wines, the outliers that are the most exciting. Yes, Rioja is Rioja and is always great but these days my favorite wines from this place come from the autonomous regions of Catalonia and Galicia. Celler Penedes is a young operation in the Upper Penedes region located south of Barcelona. Founded in 1996 by Ramon Perera and Jordi Arnan, these guys are farming their 60+ acres on hillside terraces, making absolute authentic, organic wines that deliver ample quality and character for fair prices.

Enamored with the entire Pardas range, I am most infatuated with this white wine. Pure and essence of sea and land, this blend of 80% Xarel.lo and 20% Malvasia de Sitges, both native grapes, has both geek street credibility and yet is so much about pleasure. Intense aromas of melon, quince, and holly, saline and mineral follow through to a texture that is broad and diverse with cool fruit that is seemingly suspended on a tight wire with its zest and burst. The finish here is lively, refreshing and quite complex with all components and aspects making this wine ideal for mussels, clams and grilled fish like halibut or snapper.

2020 JEAN-FRANCOIS MERIEAU COT
'CENT VISAGES'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

Jean-Francois Merieau is an unknown Loire Valley rock star located south of Amboise and Blois who after wandering the world and spending time in S. Africa, returned home and has taken what he learned abroad and combined it with the traditions of his area. Focusing on single vineyards, one of the gems is this stunning red wine from 50-100 year old Cot (Malbec) vines.

Different than what is produced in Cahors and Argentina, the nose is scintillating with fragrant raspberry, licorice, subtle sandalwood, pepper and spice-box. Old vine intensity is present on the nose and in the mouth, and done without the invasion of new oak. Chewy red fruits and more dry than their new world brethren, its texture is high-toned with plenty of backbone and length. This is a food wine and a very individual one that is rather tasty with duck, smooth pate, hearty stews and even carnitas. If you want an even more esoteric experience, take some bottles, and put them down for 5 years - it will be even more sublime.

2021 TABORDET POUILLY-FUME
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

One of the wines that I tasted before departing to Pittsburgh that I became quite infatuated with is this smashing Sauvignon Blanc from the early thirty-something Marius Tabordet. A fourth generation Sancerrois, Marius took off across the river to work with his vineyards in Pouilly-Fume. Even though these two villages are neighbors and Sancerre is more famous, Pouilly-Fume 9and nothing to do with Pouilly-Fuisse) has strong terroirs with ample silex stones in the soil. More often than not, these wines, especially in this price range surpass their more known counterparts in Sancerre. Although similarities between the two usually outweigh the differences, Sancerre tends to have more fruitiness and citrusy acids while Pouilly-Fumé often has more body weight and a smoky complexity and mineral acids.

This classy Pouilly-Fume has ripping aromas of gooseberry, fresh cut grass, and pronounced flint from the silica soils. Lightning is the key word here in describing the palate. Incredible pure citrus fruit flavors, mixed with the perfect amount of mineral, and savory herbs. The differences between Sancerre and Pouilly are evident as there is more broadness; however, similarities are in its long, chiming flinty finish. Classic Pouilly-Fume allure allows it to pair well with things like sea bass, salmon, sole or a fresh Crottin du Chavignol goat cheese. Exquisite stuff that should not be missed by well, you know, all of you!

2021 DOMAINE DES GRAVENNES
COTES-DU-RHONE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

From one of the northernmost areas of the Southern Rhone, Suze La Rousse-based Domaine des Gravenne’s Cotes-du-Rhone has become an annual favorite here at The Cellar Door. 2021 follows up previous releases very nicely indeed.

Stylish and avoiding jammy heaviness, plenty of cherry aromas along with cassis and lavender lead off, then the warm brambly fruit takes hold. Blackberries dominate, backed up by wonderful creosote smoke, chocolate, pepper, and forest flavors, finishing with a spicy and fine, grenadine inspired finish.

2017 HADEN FIG PINOT NOIR
FREEDOM HILL
$32.99 BTL./$395.88 CASE

If you don't know Erin Nuccio's wines then it is time that you familiarize yourself with them, they are stunners. Along with owning Evesham Wood since 2009, Erin has made wine under his own label, Haden Fig, for several years and if you enjoy refined, classy Pinot Noir then these should be right up your alley.2017 marked the first release of Freedom Hill for Haden Fig and best of all, it is 2017!

This classic vintage requires some cellar time but it is getting close and decanting an hour before drinking, will allow a whole lot of nuances to arrive. Tightly focused aromas of ripe black raspberry, cherry, violet, anise, licorice whip and cardamom, this pinot is aromatically stunning! Layered and gripping in the mouth with generosity and great purity of flavor. From a 2-acre plot of Pommard clone vines, the material here is undeniably impressive and the compact finish lingers on and on. Best end of 2023 – 2030+.

2018 BREZZA BAROLO 'CANNUBI'
[reg. $74.99]
SPECIAL - $59.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PK

Sometimes with stardom comes arrogance and pretense. With so much recent worldwide demand for Brezza’s impeccable Italian masterpieces, one could expect this Barolo maestro to be a total jagoff. This is absolutely not the case, and while we always love selling great wine, it is an even greater pleasure to sell great wines from a genius and artist who is gentlemanly, extremely friendly and nice like Enzo Brezza!

Around here, we often describe Cannubi as being the 'Volnay Champans of Barolo'. The sandy soils are a virtual hillside beach and the Brezza site is at the magical 250-meter mark, which allows the wine to articulate its aromatics so well. The 2018 is textbook Barolo with alluring aromas of mineral, flowers, perfume, berry and a hint of coriander and tar come out of this youthful, but substantially complex nose. Very traditional with great typicity in the mouth, excellent density and flavor shine, but plenty of backbone and grip are present, which will need some time to resolve and become exquisite. Wiry, earth-laden spicy fruit are late arrivals on the very long finish. A beguiling Barolo for the money and is one that should be consumed with earthy, truffle and mushroom fare from 2020 through 2030+.

2017 BREZZA BAROLO 'CANNUBI'
[reg. $74.99]
SPECIAL - $59.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PK