8/24/26 The Cellar Door's 'WHACK-A-WINE' Wine Sheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'WHACK-A-WINE' WINESHEET
8 wines...95 point BaroloSpecial
Pinot Noir, Dry Riesling
Provencal White, Italian Red for 10
Chassagne-Montrachet & Grenache
Pinot Noir, Dry Riesling
Provencal White, Italian Red for 10
Chassagne-Montrachet & Grenache
2025 CHÂTEAU DE ROQUEFORT
BLANC 'PETIT SALÉ'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
BLANC 'PETIT SALÉ'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
From one of our favorite Southern French rosé producers comes this white wine from an ideal site in Provence. Château de Roquefort sits between the Massif de Sainte-Baume and the sea, with vineyards on plateaus around 400 meters.
11.5% alcohol. Made primarily from Clairette Blanche with portions of Vermentino and Ugni Blanc, it is the kind of wine I would call “al dente” if wine could be described that way. Ethereal notes of salty nectarine, lemon, herbs, sea smoke, and stone carry into a palate-gripping texture. Bright and driven through the uplifting finish, it is excellent with goat cheese, grilled chicken, seafood spring rolls, or vegetarian dishes centered on zucchini or pesto.
11.5% alcohol. Made primarily from Clairette Blanche with portions of Vermentino and Ugni Blanc, it is the kind of wine I would call “al dente” if wine could be described that way. Ethereal notes of salty nectarine, lemon, herbs, sea smoke, and stone carry into a palate-gripping texture. Bright and driven through the uplifting finish, it is excellent with goat cheese, grilled chicken, seafood spring rolls, or vegetarian dishes centered on zucchini or pesto.
2023 LE PARADOU GRENACHE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Le Paradou is a project from the Chaudière family, who make some of the Ventoux area’s most respected wines at Château Pesquié. Brothers Alexandre and Frédéric have created a series of outstanding values, including this 100% Grenache sourced from sites along France’s Mediterranean rim.
Strawberry, grenadine, red licorice, and white pepper make it forward, vibrant, and true to its Southern French roots. It delivers plenty of character and flavor for the price. Drink it now and often, especially with grilled chicken, fish, vegetables, and other casual fare. Also, enjoying it during this week’s full moon may also help ward off vampires and werewolves.
Strawberry, grenadine, red licorice, and white pepper make it forward, vibrant, and true to its Southern French roots. It delivers plenty of character and flavor for the price. Drink it now and often, especially with grilled chicken, fish, vegetables, and other casual fare. Also, enjoying it during this week’s full moon may also help ward off vampires and werewolves.
2025 CARL LOEWEN RIESLING
'MAXIMIN KLOSTERLAY' TROCKEN
$44.99 BTL./269.94 - SIX PACK
'MAXIMIN KLOSTERLAY' TROCKEN
$44.99 BTL./269.94 - SIX PACK
German wine labels can be daunting, but we’re here to help. In the southern Mosel village of Leiwen, Carl Loewen dates to 1803, when a Paris agent purchased vineyards and buildings from the Maximin order during a Napoleonic secularization auction. The sale included the steep, 65% Maximiner Klosterlay vineyard and Christopher Loewen’s ancestors later acquired land in this Premier Cru (Erste Lage) site.
A profound young dry Riesling, this wine wins you over instantly. From its steep blue-slate site, it shows delicacy, focus, energy, and diamond-like precision, with wet chalk, creamy lemon, and a mineral, bone-dry finish. Wiry and long, it pairs well with sausage, pork, halibut, or mussels and should age beautifully. Drink now through 2040.
A profound young dry Riesling, this wine wins you over instantly. From its steep blue-slate site, it shows delicacy, focus, energy, and diamond-like precision, with wet chalk, creamy lemon, and a mineral, bone-dry finish. Wiry and long, it pairs well with sausage, pork, halibut, or mussels and should age beautifully. Drink now through 2040.
2023 COR CELLARS CABERNET
FRANC COLUMBIA VALLEY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
FRANC COLUMBIA VALLEY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Luke Bradford skillfully runs COR Cellars in Lyle, Washington. After time in Tuscany, Sicily, and Syncline Cellars, he saw Washington’s potential, sourcing from top Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Gorge, and Wahluke Slope sites.
This ambrosial wine layers velvety dark plum, raspberry, herbs, spice, and chocolate-covered raspberry, balancing decadence with brisk focus. Pair with braised short ribs in tangy sauce.
This ambrosial wine layers velvety dark plum, raspberry, herbs, spice, and chocolate-covered raspberry, balancing decadence with brisk focus. Pair with braised short ribs in tangy sauce.
2021 JC SOMERS PINOT NOIR
'NOUVELLE LUNE' DUNDEE HILLS
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
'NOUVELLE LUNE' DUNDEE HILLS
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
I’ve known Jay and Ronda Somers for thirty years, though their energy makes it hard to see them as Oregon wine elders. After J. Christopher, Jay returned to small-winery roots with JC Somers. Nouvelle Lune, or “new moon,” comes from Dundee Hills’ Abbey Ridge, La Colina, and Nicolas Family vineyards.
It is quintessential Dundee Hills: aromatic and detailed, with violet, plum, jasmine, and lavender; silky, mouth-coating texture; a tightening finish; impressive length; and decade-long potential.
It is quintessential Dundee Hills: aromatic and detailed, with violet, plum, jasmine, and lavender; silky, mouth-coating texture; a tightening finish; impressive length; and decade-long potential.
2025 MAURO MOLINO
BARBERA D'ALBA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
BARBERA D'ALBA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Since 1978, the Molino family has produced wines of poise, personality, and vivid aromatic and flavor impact—hallmarks of Barolo’s picturesque village of La Morra. This toothsome Barbera is impeccably put together and true to its origins, with enticing aromatics and stylish flavors.
Aged entirely in tank, it is a varietally honest Barbera. Strawberry and Italian plum aromas rise from the glass and continue to the high-toned, fleshy, harmonious, and silky-smooth palate. There is nothing not to like here. Enjoy it with risotto, root vegetables, or pork dishes.
Aged entirely in tank, it is a varietally honest Barbera. Strawberry and Italian plum aromas rise from the glass and continue to the high-toned, fleshy, harmonious, and silky-smooth palate. There is nothing not to like here. Enjoy it with risotto, root vegetables, or pork dishes.
2025 MAURO MOLINO BAROLO
SPECIAL - $46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
SPECIAL - $46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
[reg. $59.99]...95 Points - The Wine Advocate. Following Molino’s superb Barbera is their highly regarded 2021 Barolo. Aged in neutral 2,500- and 5,200-liter casks, it comes from two La Morra sites and one in Perno, an emerging area of Monforte.
Intensely aromatic, this Barolo from the outstanding 2021 vintage opens with perfumed rose petal, strawberry, and licorice. Though currently folded in on itself, a sensuous depth lurks beneath, showing signs of greatness through notes of asphalt, dark Belgian chocolate, and a deep core of red fruit. The palate is wonderfully intense, finely structured, and elegantly classic, with mouth-filling flavors that carry seamlessly from the nose. Best from late 2027 through 2037.
Intensely aromatic, this Barolo from the outstanding 2021 vintage opens with perfumed rose petal, strawberry, and licorice. Though currently folded in on itself, a sensuous depth lurks beneath, showing signs of greatness through notes of asphalt, dark Belgian chocolate, and a deep core of red fruit. The palate is wonderfully intense, finely structured, and elegantly classic, with mouth-filling flavors that carry seamlessly from the nose. Best from late 2027 through 2037.
2023 PILLOT CHASSAGNE
MONTRACHET 'LES CHENES'
$74.99 BTL./$449.94 - SIX PACK
MONTRACHET 'LES CHENES'
$74.99 BTL./$449.94 - SIX PACK
Les Chênes is a vineyard where Pillot owns a substantial parcel just below Premier Cru Maltroie. It forms the backbone of his village Chassagne-Montrachet, though he sets aside a small portion for this single-vineyard bottling—perhaps a Deuxième Cru in spirit.
The nose shows a classic Chassagne-Montrachet Chardonnay profile: lemon cake, baking spice, smoked rosemary, pronounced minerality, and hints of crème brûlée. The palate opens plush and generous, with a lightly powdery texture, then tightens around bright acidity that carries through the long finish.
The nose shows a classic Chassagne-Montrachet Chardonnay profile: lemon cake, baking spice, smoked rosemary, pronounced minerality, and hints of crème brûlée. The palate opens plush and generous, with a lightly powdery texture, then tightens around bright acidity that carries through the long finish.
2024 UGOLINO ROSSO PICENO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
A blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, this lively red comes from just a few kilometers inland from Italy’s Adriatic coast in Le Marche.
Savory, saucy aromas of raspberry, mineral, smoke, sage, and licorice lead the way. This is not a wine to confuse with Brunello or Barolo; it is joyful, smooth-fruited, gently spicy, and nicely balanced, with good length. It works well with pasta or meat dishes, but it is especially suited to bolder seafood—and served slightly chilled.
Savory, saucy aromas of raspberry, mineral, smoke, sage, and licorice lead the way. This is not a wine to confuse with Brunello or Barolo; it is joyful, smooth-fruited, gently spicy, and nicely balanced, with good length. It works well with pasta or meat dishes, but it is especially suited to bolder seafood—and served slightly chilled.
