5/5/25 The Cellar Door's 'CINCO DE VINO' WineSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'CINCO DE VINO' WINESHEET
Rose, Mediterranean White Wines
94-point Cab for Twenty
Beaune & Grand Cru Valpolicella
94-point Cab for Twenty
Beaune & Grand Cru Valpolicella
2022 IDE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
'LAMPLIGHTER' SONOMA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'LAMPLIGHTER' SONOMA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
94 Points – Decanter Magazine…From Sonoma, the Ide label folks strive to deliver wines from California that connect with people who want to uncork a nice bottle for not much money yet possess quality and can carry over to the table.
If you love Cabernet Sauvignon and want a wine that you can afford to drink from California on a regular basis, then this is the perfect wine for you. Notes of tobacco leaf, cassis, and spice on the nose. Packed full of even more cassis / mulberry fruit, dusty tannins, and good length in the mouth, it is impossible to overstate what a terrific value this is. Enjoy this with regular Cabernet fare. Steaks, lamb, burgers, etc.
If you love Cabernet Sauvignon and want a wine that you can afford to drink from California on a regular basis, then this is the perfect wine for you. Notes of tobacco leaf, cassis, and spice on the nose. Packed full of even more cassis / mulberry fruit, dusty tannins, and good length in the mouth, it is impossible to overstate what a terrific value this is. Enjoy this with regular Cabernet fare. Steaks, lamb, burgers, etc.
2024 LA CROIX GRATIOT
PICPOUL DE PINET
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
PICPOUL DE PINET
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The Mother of all Picpouls returns and just in time for summer drinking fun! Well, we never know if May flowers lead to June-uary…but we remain positive. Young Anaïs Ricôme is the current titleholder and leader of the Picpoul de Pinet appellation, and her wines are the finest Picpoul wines that I have ever tasted. No cooperative bullmerde, this is legit and nothing but the truth.
Scintillating scents of seashore (say that 5-times-fast!) combined with prominent mineral, lemongrass and piquant lime and ginger aromas and follow over into a texture that makes you want to boogie down. An exhilarating wine to keep around the house. You can sip it, slurp it, guzzle it back while cooking, shower with it…although you may wind up on a naughty internet site. Drink this with steamed mussels or clams but there is also enough substance to show well with zucchini dishes along with fish like ling cod or sea bass.
Scintillating scents of seashore (say that 5-times-fast!) combined with prominent mineral, lemongrass and piquant lime and ginger aromas and follow over into a texture that makes you want to boogie down. An exhilarating wine to keep around the house. You can sip it, slurp it, guzzle it back while cooking, shower with it…although you may wind up on a naughty internet site. Drink this with steamed mussels or clams but there is also enough substance to show well with zucchini dishes along with fish like ling cod or sea bass.
2020 QUINTA DA MURADELLA
MONTERREI TINTO 'CANDEA'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
MONTERREI TINTO 'CANDEA'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
A splash of Spain from the northwestern region of Monterrei, Quinta da Muradella's Candea Tinto is a blend of Mencia, found in Bierzo, along with doses of Tempranillo, Garnacha Tintorera & Mouraton.
Very soulful, this wine elicits good discussion, changing multiple times in the glass. Starts off very mineral, giving way to floral tones, white pepper and overriding blackberry fruit. Silky and pleasing with excellent movement in the mouth, this 12% alcohol red is not a heavyweight but very sculpted, layered and extensive. A lovely springtime red without a bunch of wood, this goes well with pork of course but why not grilled swordfish or tuna with a spicy salsa.
Very soulful, this wine elicits good discussion, changing multiple times in the glass. Starts off very mineral, giving way to floral tones, white pepper and overriding blackberry fruit. Silky and pleasing with excellent movement in the mouth, this 12% alcohol red is not a heavyweight but very sculpted, layered and extensive. A lovely springtime red without a bunch of wood, this goes well with pork of course but why not grilled swordfish or tuna with a spicy salsa.
2021 OLIFANTSBERG PINOTAGE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Elizma Visser is one of South Africa’s superb young producers and she really sets out to make wines of elegance and character from rocky soils on mountainous vineyards.
Pinotage is a grape that is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault and is somewhat of the signature grape of South Africa. The beauty of this version is its ultimate smoothness. Magnetic scents of chocolate-covered cherries, rock dust and pronounced white pepper. Supple, spicy, and displaying the fruit-forward side of this varietal versus the usual aggressive character in the mouth with smooth tannins. A blazing selection for drinking over the next 4-5 years and is a perfect pairing with grilled ribs or spicy sausages.
Pinotage is a grape that is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault and is somewhat of the signature grape of South Africa. The beauty of this version is its ultimate smoothness. Magnetic scents of chocolate-covered cherries, rock dust and pronounced white pepper. Supple, spicy, and displaying the fruit-forward side of this varietal versus the usual aggressive character in the mouth with smooth tannins. A blazing selection for drinking over the next 4-5 years and is a perfect pairing with grilled ribs or spicy sausages.
2022 GROSSE-PIERRE
CHIROUBLES 'CLAUDIUS'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
CHIROUBLES 'CLAUDIUS'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
I like to challenge wine lovers to name me all ten Crus of Beaujolais without looking at their phones. They often get six to nine, Chiroubles is the one often overlooked. Often stereotyped as a lighter Cru, Pauline Passot is changing the face of this area and making stunning wines of substance and character.
Claudius is a lieu dit (single site) with 90–100-year-old vines and is exquisite and very indicative of what the youth of Beaujolais are accomplishing. Sensual hedonism, this dramatic offering delivers a full presence of crème de framboise, smoke, violet, warm granite and undertones of strawberry jam and cinnamon-stick. Resoundingly mouth-filling this gem distributes a total eruption of flavors that cascade through the mouth. The finish is plentiful, and pink and black peppercorns fill in beautifully with broad and balanced fruit that coats the throat as it goes down. The classic pairing is roasted chicken with mushrooms or coq au vin or go outside the periphery and have it with Indian or Moroccan cuisine. Drink through 2032.
Claudius is a lieu dit (single site) with 90–100-year-old vines and is exquisite and very indicative of what the youth of Beaujolais are accomplishing. Sensual hedonism, this dramatic offering delivers a full presence of crème de framboise, smoke, violet, warm granite and undertones of strawberry jam and cinnamon-stick. Resoundingly mouth-filling this gem distributes a total eruption of flavors that cascade through the mouth. The finish is plentiful, and pink and black peppercorns fill in beautifully with broad and balanced fruit that coats the throat as it goes down. The classic pairing is roasted chicken with mushrooms or coq au vin or go outside the periphery and have it with Indian or Moroccan cuisine. Drink through 2032.
2023 ALPHA MALAGOUZIA
'TURTLES VINEYARD'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'TURTLES VINEYARD'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Go on kiddies, do not be afraid, this white wine is not retsina or ouzo. Times have changed and there is excitement in Greece as the wines have become serious and very respected, especially the white wines. Malagouzia is a varietal that is the Draymond Green of Greek grapes. Intense yet fleet-footed enough to run the point. The difference is that Draymond has been known to be tossed from a game or six, Malagouzia will only be tossed back and implore you to pour another glass.
Very Mediterranean in profile with classic sea salt tones lurking beneath scents of honeydew, chamomile, white peach, subtle anise and pepper tones. Terrific concentration on the palate but with the site being six hundred meters (not feet), plenty of jaunt and thrust arrive on the mid-palate and long finish. You can certainly pair it with Greek cuisine like souvlaki, dolmas or spanakopita, but it is particularly fine with Mediterranean flavors. Calamari, zucchini-based dishes, pesto or something like curry and shrimp.
Very Mediterranean in profile with classic sea salt tones lurking beneath scents of honeydew, chamomile, white peach, subtle anise and pepper tones. Terrific concentration on the palate but with the site being six hundred meters (not feet), plenty of jaunt and thrust arrive on the mid-palate and long finish. You can certainly pair it with Greek cuisine like souvlaki, dolmas or spanakopita, but it is particularly fine with Mediterranean flavors. Calamari, zucchini-based dishes, pesto or something like curry and shrimp.
2022 PILLOT BEAUNE
BOUCHEROTTES PREMIER CRU
$65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
BOUCHEROTTES PREMIER CRU
$65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
Boucherottes is a Premier Cru vineyard in the southern portion of the Beaune appellation and a stone’s throw from Pommard. This beautiful parcel planted between 1966 and 1996 presents a terroir that is warm and plush, on a slightly stony, brown limestone soil adjacent to the Pommard 'Boucherottes' Premier Cru. Laurent has a mere 1.13 acres of this Cru and usually about two hundred cases are produced.
Expansive aspects, there is a classic wild fruit and earth component to this wine, yet it is the old vine depth which is impressive and will come through in droves as it ages. Creamy, still quite feminine, very stylish and sultry – almost teasing to the point of being an early drinker. Just when you feel this, it gains spine and substance on the compact yet exceptionally long finish. Quite lengthy and chocolatey and very typical of this site. Drink through 2035+.
Expansive aspects, there is a classic wild fruit and earth component to this wine, yet it is the old vine depth which is impressive and will come through in droves as it ages. Creamy, still quite feminine, very stylish and sultry – almost teasing to the point of being an early drinker. Just when you feel this, it gains spine and substance on the compact yet exceptionally long finish. Quite lengthy and chocolatey and very typical of this site. Drink through 2035+.
2021 TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA
SUPERIORE 'FABRISERIA'
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
SUPERIORE 'FABRISERIA'
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
Recently Tedeschi's 2021 Fabriseria won the prestigious prize, the Crown, of the renowned Italian publication Guide Vini Buoni d’Italia Touring Club 2025. The Crown is a prize awarded by the regional coordinators of the Guide to the wines that have obtained the highest marks. La Fabriseria is one of the Tedeschi family's top single vineyards with both Amarone and Valpolicella produced from these high-elevation grapes. Simply put, this is one of the finest Valpolicella wines you will taste. Even more so given that 2021 like so much of Italy has delivered historic results.
Cropped at the same levels as Amarone, the significant difference here is that the grapes are not dried and made without the ripasso technique. 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella 5% Oseleta, this terrific Italian red is mind blowing. Classic Veneto amare scents along with cherry pit, tealeaf and touches of anise follow through to a concentrated but very well-balanced texture that's hearty, savory and engagingly elusive due to aging 24 months in large, traditional Slavonian botti. Long and drawn out, this wine is quite the match with polenta coated with a hearty lamb or pork sugo with porcini mushrooms. Drink through 2034+.
Cropped at the same levels as Amarone, the significant difference here is that the grapes are not dried and made without the ripasso technique. 40% Corvina, 40% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella 5% Oseleta, this terrific Italian red is mind blowing. Classic Veneto amare scents along with cherry pit, tealeaf and touches of anise follow through to a concentrated but very well-balanced texture that's hearty, savory and engagingly elusive due to aging 24 months in large, traditional Slavonian botti. Long and drawn out, this wine is quite the match with polenta coated with a hearty lamb or pork sugo with porcini mushrooms. Drink through 2034+.
2024 CORA CERASUOLO
D'ABRUZZO ROSE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
D'ABRUZZO ROSE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Too often wines from Abruzzo like this are made from tank refineries and given names like Tollo, Becco or have a stick tied around the bottle neck. Perhaps they should rename them as Stupido. Here is a wine that is inexpensive, made by a real winery with real grapes….and one of the first Rose of the season.
An early drinking Cerasuolo with a cherry-like color and aromas along with undertones of herbs and mineral. In the mouth it exudes freshness with dry and invigorating flavors that pique the imagination with visions of biting into a slice of freshly cut watermelon. Drink this wine through the summer with grilled fish, hors d’oeurves or just out on the porch while you watch life go by.
An early drinking Cerasuolo with a cherry-like color and aromas along with undertones of herbs and mineral. In the mouth it exudes freshness with dry and invigorating flavors that pique the imagination with visions of biting into a slice of freshly cut watermelon. Drink this wine through the summer with grilled fish, hors d’oeurves or just out on the porch while you watch life go by.
