10/15/24 The Cellar Door's 'THE KETTLE'S ON THE BOIL' Wine Sheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'THE KETTLE'S ON THE BOIL' HOTSHEET
Rhone, Piedmont & Sauv Blanc
Andrew Will Cab
Andrew Will Cab
2022 JL CHAVE SELECTIONS
COTES-DU-RHONE 'MON COEUR'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
COTES-DU-RHONE 'MON COEUR'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
The Chave family has been standard bearers for Hermitage since 1481 and current leader Jean Louis Chave continues this legacy today. In 1995 Jean-Louis started a negociant business under the name JL Chave Selections and this uptown Cotes-du-Rhone comes from a 50% Grenache/50% Syrah blend from superb vineyards in the Southern Rhone villages of Vinsobres, Visan, Buisson & Estargues.
2022 is a bold vintage, one for debauchees but given who makes this wine, a balance between strength and smoothness is on display. A velvet monster emitting aromas of marionberry, bold cherry, white pepper, Thai spices and black licorice. Texturally, this layered, resonant wine possesses excellent movement from front to back. Old vine depth is very evident on the lengthy, broad finish that snaps back after the wine is swallowed and pleasantly hangs around. No doubt a 5–7-year ager, but with its flavor impact and smoothness, it can be enjoyed within 5-7 minutes with slow-braised lamb or a simply prepared grilled porterhouse spiked with garlic and coated with black pepper.
2022 is a bold vintage, one for debauchees but given who makes this wine, a balance between strength and smoothness is on display. A velvet monster emitting aromas of marionberry, bold cherry, white pepper, Thai spices and black licorice. Texturally, this layered, resonant wine possesses excellent movement from front to back. Old vine depth is very evident on the lengthy, broad finish that snaps back after the wine is swallowed and pleasantly hangs around. No doubt a 5–7-year ager, but with its flavor impact and smoothness, it can be enjoyed within 5-7 minutes with slow-braised lamb or a simply prepared grilled porterhouse spiked with garlic and coated with black pepper.
2023 SOUTHERN RIGHT
SAUVIGNON BLANC
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
SAUVIGNON BLANC
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Not a second label, Southern Right is a separate project of one of South Africa’s GOATs, Anthony Hamilton-Russell. The two wines in this range are outside of his normal Pinot and Chardonnay realm and have South Africa written all over them.
The 2023 Sauvignon is meant to be Sauvignon from a place and not one that is simply about varietal. Finesse notes of gooseberry, sage and fleshy tangerine bounce off crisp minerality, white flowers and tangy pink grapefruit creating a slow building wave in the glass. Fleshy, yet focused on the palate with a crisp and clean lingering finish of bright citrus and subtle mineral spice. A piquant way to kick off a meal, it is also a game winning touchdown with pan-seared halibut, lemon-infused chicken or fresh goat cheeses.
The 2023 Sauvignon is meant to be Sauvignon from a place and not one that is simply about varietal. Finesse notes of gooseberry, sage and fleshy tangerine bounce off crisp minerality, white flowers and tangy pink grapefruit creating a slow building wave in the glass. Fleshy, yet focused on the palate with a crisp and clean lingering finish of bright citrus and subtle mineral spice. A piquant way to kick off a meal, it is also a game winning touchdown with pan-seared halibut, lemon-infused chicken or fresh goat cheeses.
2020 CARLONE CROATINA
COLLINE NOVARESE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
COLLINE NOVARESE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Always one of my favorite red wines from Northern Piedmont, Davide Carlone’s land is within the Boca region, about halfway between Barolo and Barbaresco and the Swiss border. Not only is Nebbiolo present here (Boca) but Croatina, also known as Bonarda, also thrives very well in this area and Carlone's version is VERY special.
The vines for this scrumptious red wine are 85-100 years old and provide layers of texture and complexity. Sultry scents of plum, mushroom, underlying graham-like spice. Medium-to-full texture with mysteriousness that this local grape delivers along with a hint of spiciness and tanginess this is a wine that can be uncorked with roasted or grilled meats, but also one that will age nicely for 8-10 years, too. This is what is so exciting about Italy right now, the use of indigenous grapes and the expression of the boot's diverse terroirs. 92 Points - Vinous if you like scores.
The vines for this scrumptious red wine are 85-100 years old and provide layers of texture and complexity. Sultry scents of plum, mushroom, underlying graham-like spice. Medium-to-full texture with mysteriousness that this local grape delivers along with a hint of spiciness and tanginess this is a wine that can be uncorked with roasted or grilled meats, but also one that will age nicely for 8-10 years, too. This is what is so exciting about Italy right now, the use of indigenous grapes and the expression of the boot's diverse terroirs. 92 Points - Vinous if you like scores.
2019 PEIQUE BIERZO
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Located in the Northwestern “inland corner” of Spain, Bierzo enjoys recognition from the rest of the world for its production of Mencia - the varietal we will not compare to other grapes.
Unoaked with vivid tones of cherry pit, dark chocolate, pepper and soft roasted herbs, the essence of Bierzo’s terroir is on full display with this bursting and transparent red. All the components seem to build as the wine opens in the glass and entice you to take a sip that is pristine, medium-bodied and instantaneously quaffable. More importantly, this wine also shows wonderful intensity from the use of old vine (55 years) fruit that all culminates in the succulent, minerally finish which expands nicely and wants you to take another sip. Enjoy this excellent, very individual Spanish red with sausages, Serrano ham, or even a fish done in a tomato-based broth.
Unoaked with vivid tones of cherry pit, dark chocolate, pepper and soft roasted herbs, the essence of Bierzo’s terroir is on full display with this bursting and transparent red. All the components seem to build as the wine opens in the glass and entice you to take a sip that is pristine, medium-bodied and instantaneously quaffable. More importantly, this wine also shows wonderful intensity from the use of old vine (55 years) fruit that all culminates in the succulent, minerally finish which expands nicely and wants you to take another sip. Enjoy this excellent, very individual Spanish red with sausages, Serrano ham, or even a fish done in a tomato-based broth.
2022 LI VELI SALICE SALENTINO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
I always have a soft spot for these wines from Puglia that are from the Falvo family, former owners of the famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano producer, Avignonesi.
Blue fruits, Italian herbs, roasted earth and smoked meat follow through to a chewy, very direct texture that has first-rate depth and personality. Vibrant, redolent and inviting on the extending finish, this wine succeeds where so many other wines from Puglia fail. Full, fleshy and buxom, yet it maintains its enlightening fruit and earth character, a virtuoso overachiever! Try it with penne pasta done arrabbiata style with tomatoes and hot chili flakes.
Blue fruits, Italian herbs, roasted earth and smoked meat follow through to a chewy, very direct texture that has first-rate depth and personality. Vibrant, redolent and inviting on the extending finish, this wine succeeds where so many other wines from Puglia fail. Full, fleshy and buxom, yet it maintains its enlightening fruit and earth character, a virtuoso overachiever! Try it with penne pasta done arrabbiata style with tomatoes and hot chili flakes.
2021 ANDREW WILL 'TWO BLONDES'
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
2021 is shaping up to be an outstanding vintage for Washington Cabernet Sauvignon and it is only fitting that one of the state's foundation producers furnish a stunning new release.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Camarda Family’s Two Blondes Vineyard outside of Zillah in the Yakima Valley this forward, lacy-smooth Cab unfolds scrumptious notes of blackberry, cassis, graphite, underlying dusty cocoa and earth along with just a kiss of smoked nutmeg. Flavorful, driving, very persistent juice that is pound for pound and dollar for dollar, is one of the best Washington Cabernet values out there. Lingering and sculpted, this is a serious and accessible wine and will develop and become even more impressive over the next 12-15 years.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Camarda Family’s Two Blondes Vineyard outside of Zillah in the Yakima Valley this forward, lacy-smooth Cab unfolds scrumptious notes of blackberry, cassis, graphite, underlying dusty cocoa and earth along with just a kiss of smoked nutmeg. Flavorful, driving, very persistent juice that is pound for pound and dollar for dollar, is one of the best Washington Cabernet values out there. Lingering and sculpted, this is a serious and accessible wine and will develop and become even more impressive over the next 12-15 years.
