5/18/26 The Cellar Door's 'MACH WEITER' Wine Sheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'MACH WEITER' WINESHEET
10 wines including new 95-point Rioja
Graillot Crozes Blanc, Prosecco
Sicily, Haut-Rian, Douro White under 12
Graillot Crozes Blanc, Prosecco
Sicily, Haut-Rian, Douro White under 12
2025 LUPU DEL SOLE
TERRE SICILIANE ROSO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
TERRE SICILIANE ROSO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
If you ever ratted out your mob colleagues, you might end up in witness protection running a Ferris wheel. Still, all is not lost: when your pasta dinner is basically egg noodles and ketchup, Lupu del Sole Rosso is the wine upgrade that might make you nostalgic for your loansharking and whacking days.
This blend of Nero d’Avola/Nerello Mascalese exudes the essence of both Sicilian varietals. Flamboyant aromatics with blackberry and plum tones but also conveying its vibrancy. Well-rounded and flavorful this is a wonderful summer red to pair with slow roasted chicken spiked with lots of Italian herbs, caponata, arancini or saltimbocca.
This blend of Nero d’Avola/Nerello Mascalese exudes the essence of both Sicilian varietals. Flamboyant aromatics with blackberry and plum tones but also conveying its vibrancy. Well-rounded and flavorful this is a wonderful summer red to pair with slow roasted chicken spiked with lots of Italian herbs, caponata, arancini or saltimbocca.
2020 HAUT-RIAN CADILLAC
COTES-DE-BORDEAUX ROUGE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
COTES-DE-BORDEAUX ROUGE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Chateau Haut-Rian’s classic red Bordeaux is drinking oh so beautifully at age five.
2020 is classic in aromas and flavors and is prototype French Merlot (90%) with a ten percent addition of Cabernet Sauvignon. Sumptuous blueberry fruit leads the way followed by a mosaic of herbs and spices including tealeaf, dark chocolate and turned earth. A seductive attack with supple texture and brilliant mineral/earth detail, there is no question that it is Bordeaux. Very red and black cherry on the ringing, fine, deceptively long finish. Drink with chicken dishes, cheeseburgers, lentil soup and more.
2020 is classic in aromas and flavors and is prototype French Merlot (90%) with a ten percent addition of Cabernet Sauvignon. Sumptuous blueberry fruit leads the way followed by a mosaic of herbs and spices including tealeaf, dark chocolate and turned earth. A seductive attack with supple texture and brilliant mineral/earth detail, there is no question that it is Bordeaux. Very red and black cherry on the ringing, fine, deceptively long finish. Drink with chicken dishes, cheeseburgers, lentil soup and more.
2020 ALVAR DE DIOS ARRIBES TINTO
'CAMINO DE LOS ARRIEOS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
'CAMINO DE LOS ARRIEOS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
From Arribes, a remote region in western Spain along the Portuguese border, this field blend is built around Rufete with lesser amounts of other native varieties from 36 tiny plots.
At 12.5% alcohol, this red shows the fragrant minerality of Arribes’ hillside soils, with bright notes of blackberry, olive, and sanguine. Allspice and licorice frame layers of berry, herbs, and peppermint. Lacy and full of personality, this gamey, gnarly wine shines at the table with ham, pork, bacon, and more.
At 12.5% alcohol, this red shows the fragrant minerality of Arribes’ hillside soils, with bright notes of blackberry, olive, and sanguine. Allspice and licorice frame layers of berry, herbs, and peppermint. Lacy and full of personality, this gamey, gnarly wine shines at the table with ham, pork, bacon, and more.
BIANCAVIGNA PROSECCO
CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
A Prosecco that doesn’t p#ss me off, BiancaVigna’s bubblies defy the usual mediocrity—more soul and depth, less bubble-gum gloss born of a marketing idiot’s concept.
The color and fragrances of this sparkler provide luminosity with no shortage of fabulous flavor. Wildflowers, lime and yellow apple twinkle from the glass. Texturally it is pure silk with dignified bubbles that caress the senses before closing with a long, virtually ambient finish. Perfect as an aperitif and as a refined accompaniment for hors d'oeuvres, first courses and magnificent with sushi.
The color and fragrances of this sparkler provide luminosity with no shortage of fabulous flavor. Wildflowers, lime and yellow apple twinkle from the glass. Texturally it is pure silk with dignified bubbles that caress the senses before closing with a long, virtually ambient finish. Perfect as an aperitif and as a refined accompaniment for hors d'oeuvres, first courses and magnificent with sushi.
2023 ALAIN GRAILLOT
CROZES-HERMITAGE BLANC
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
CROZES-HERMITAGE BLANC
$49.99 BTL./$299.94 - SIX PACK
Back in 2015 when I visited Domaine Graillot, Max Graillot was fully on board with the changes made to this limited white wine. Formerly, Max’s father Alain made it an old-fashioned, heavier, oaky style. Nowadays this 80% Marsanne/20% Roussanne blend is aged in half one-year barrels with the other half in stainless steel without the use of malolactic fermentation.
Savory, expressive aromas fill the glass led by apricot and pear with ginger, jasmine, anise and white pepper undertones. Fruit-driven, lovely round core, sneaky mineral with plenty of late-arriving mandarin tones provide immense palate-pleasure. Very enjoyable over the next 7-8 years, this wine absolutely sings with asparagus dishes, halibut in sauce or seared scallops wrapped in bacon.
Savory, expressive aromas fill the glass led by apricot and pear with ginger, jasmine, anise and white pepper undertones. Fruit-driven, lovely round core, sneaky mineral with plenty of late-arriving mandarin tones provide immense palate-pleasure. Very enjoyable over the next 7-8 years, this wine absolutely sings with asparagus dishes, halibut in sauce or seared scallops wrapped in bacon.
2024 ARCHITECT CABERNET
SAUVIGNON SONOMA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
SAUVIGNON SONOMA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Architect Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit like Willie Wonka's golden ticket or the next mean spirited reality show, the buzz and excitement never seem to go away and is always viewed, or in this case, consumed. Being one of the best-priced California Cabs that we feature, do not let the Oompa Loompas buy it out from under you.
Teeming with aromas of blueberry, cassis and mocha with no shortage of old-school California peppermint and anisette scents, those who love Cabernet will immediately be impressed. Savory and fruit forward, with amiable flavors, structure and finely balanced tannins that drop a poised, gentlemanly finish that hangs around nicely.
Teeming with aromas of blueberry, cassis and mocha with no shortage of old-school California peppermint and anisette scents, those who love Cabernet will immediately be impressed. Savory and fruit forward, with amiable flavors, structure and finely balanced tannins that drop a poised, gentlemanly finish that hangs around nicely.
2024 FRANCO SERRA
DOLCETTO D'ALBA
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
DOLCETTO D'ALBA
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
A real steal for the money, this light, vivid Dolcetto is raised in stainless steel and is a bright, quaffable drink with soul.
Pleasurable aromas start with stony minerality, mint, purple flowers and hints of red plum. A wonderful introduction into the grape and grande territorio that is Piedmont. Have with ‘Piemontese Sushi’, known as carne cruda. Steak tartare will work in its place as well as a mushroom dominated pasta dish or a plate of salumi.
Pleasurable aromas start with stony minerality, mint, purple flowers and hints of red plum. A wonderful introduction into the grape and grande territorio that is Piedmont. Have with ‘Piemontese Sushi’, known as carne cruda. Steak tartare will work in its place as well as a mushroom dominated pasta dish or a plate of salumi.
2021 KNOLL PINOT NOIR 'ELKTON'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The Elkton AVA, an enclave within the larger Umpqua Valley AVA, is regarded as the coolest and wettest of all Oregon growing regions. Being a mere thirty-five miles from the coast, it is prime for deliciously full Pinot Noir. After a career in real estate, Leslie Beckley made a momentous change following her passion for viticulture and winemaking in her fifties by starting a vineyard and winery.
Pinots from this region take on aromatic aspects and body that feels a bit like Sonoma Coast but is all Oregon. Marionberry, salt, ground pepper, kisses of chocolate/coriander aromas reveal their presence immediately. In the mouth, one feels the fullness but never without the smoothness and silkiness that is fine Pinot Noir. Formidable thrust and spice on the marine-inspired finish that lingers on in a dark-toned manner. Enjoy it over the next decade.
Pinots from this region take on aromatic aspects and body that feels a bit like Sonoma Coast but is all Oregon. Marionberry, salt, ground pepper, kisses of chocolate/coriander aromas reveal their presence immediately. In the mouth, one feels the fullness but never without the smoothness and silkiness that is fine Pinot Noir. Formidable thrust and spice on the marine-inspired finish that lingers on in a dark-toned manner. Enjoy it over the next decade.
2024 QUINTA PORRAIS
DOURO BRANCO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
DOURO BRANCO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
The Douro region is known for Port, but excellent dry reds and whites are produced.
Made from provincial Codega do Larinho, Rabigato, Verdelho, Viosinho grapes it is provocatively fragrant with bursting aromas of lemon, talc, gerber daisies, and seashells. Lively wiry, very dry clean flavors, movement and extension set it off as a starter or with lighter seafood preparations.
Made from provincial Codega do Larinho, Rabigato, Verdelho, Viosinho grapes it is provocatively fragrant with bursting aromas of lemon, talc, gerber daisies, and seashells. Lively wiry, very dry clean flavors, movement and extension set it off as a starter or with lighter seafood preparations.
2016 LA RIOJA ALTA RIOJA
'VINA ARANA' GRAN RESERVA
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK
'VINA ARANA' GRAN RESERVA
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK
95 Points – Decanter Magazine…Produced for decades, the great bastion of traditionally styled Rioja La Rioja Alta upgraded their Vina Arana Reserva to Gran Reserva. Deservedly so, the terroir and grapes deliver stunning results and the new 2016 is on top form.
Mineral, sandalwood, roasted spice, lead pencil, game, dried strawberry, and earth shape the nose. Poised and seamless, this old-school Rioja is fresh and sophisticated, with a core of red fruit and a long finish framed by velvety tannins. It will age for at least another decade, but drinks beautifully now with rack of lamb, roasted pork, lentils, or aged cheeses.
Mineral, sandalwood, roasted spice, lead pencil, game, dried strawberry, and earth shape the nose. Poised and seamless, this old-school Rioja is fresh and sophisticated, with a core of red fruit and a long finish framed by velvety tannins. It will age for at least another decade, but drinks beautifully now with rack of lamb, roasted pork, lentils, or aged cheeses.
