9/28/26 The Cellar Door's 'CATNIP' Wine Sheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'CATNIP' WINESHEET
8 wines...Barbaresco & Bandol values
Albariño, Washington Red Blend
Barbera, Under 15 Spanish Red
Albariño, Washington Red Blend
Barbera, Under 15 Spanish Red
2021 CIECK CANAVESE ROSSO
'TUCC-UN' (Barbera Blend)
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'TUCC-UN' (Barbera Blend)
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Created in 1996, the Canavese DOC in Piedmont encompasses a wide range of grapes and wines. Although the white grape Erbaluce is well known, leading producers also make excellent red blends such as this one. Cieck’s Barbera-based Tucc-Un is one of its three Canavese Rossi, blended with Freisa and the local Neretto di San Giorgio.
Sultry aromas of plum and sandalwood carry an undercurrent of cardamom-like spice. The palate is medium-bodied, with the local grapes adding intrigue and Barbera contributing spice and tang. Intellectual yet soulful, it is exemplary with roasted or grilled meats.
Sultry aromas of plum and sandalwood carry an undercurrent of cardamom-like spice. The palate is medium-bodied, with the local grapes adding intrigue and Barbera contributing spice and tang. Intellectual yet soulful, it is exemplary with roasted or grilled meats.
2021 BASTIDE BLANCHE
BANDOL ROUGE
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
BANDOL ROUGE
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
Alongside Bandol leaders such as Pradeaux, Gros Nore and Pibarnon, the Bronzo brothers of Bastide Blanche produce some of the appellation’s most compelling wines. Their perennial-favorite rosé is well known, but the estate’s reds are even more impressive.
To borrow from the Replacements, “Give Me One More Dose of Thunder!” This vibrant 2021 is a must for Southern French wine enthusiasts, with youthful aromas of herbes de Provence, black truffle, leather, spice, strawberry and wild purple flowers. Athletic yet hedonistic, it is approachable now but structured enough to reward cellaring. Best from late 2027 through 2035.
To borrow from the Replacements, “Give Me One More Dose of Thunder!” This vibrant 2021 is a must for Southern French wine enthusiasts, with youthful aromas of herbes de Provence, black truffle, leather, spice, strawberry and wild purple flowers. Athletic yet hedonistic, it is approachable now but structured enough to reward cellaring. Best from late 2027 through 2035.
2025 ALTOS DE TORONA
ALBARIÑO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
ALBARIÑO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Based in O Rosal, in the southern reaches of Rías Baixas in Galicia, Altos de Torona is new to us, and its Albariño offers exceptional value.
Terraced vineyards above the Miño River, proximity to the Atlantic, sandy granite soils, and cool ocean breezes give this fine white a vivid saline minerality. Mineral slathered, it gains depth in the glass as floral notes mingle with nectarine, lemongrass, and sea spray. Energetic yet elegant, it has impressive depth, character, and a detailed, lingering finish. Pair it with clams, mussels, salmon, halibut, cod, sea urchin—almost anything that swims.
Terraced vineyards above the Miño River, proximity to the Atlantic, sandy granite soils, and cool ocean breezes give this fine white a vivid saline minerality. Mineral slathered, it gains depth in the glass as floral notes mingle with nectarine, lemongrass, and sea spray. Energetic yet elegant, it has impressive depth, character, and a detailed, lingering finish. Pair it with clams, mussels, salmon, halibut, cod, sea urchin—almost anything that swims.
2023 JANUIK COLUMBIA VALLEY
RED BLEND
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
RED BLEND
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Washington wine pioneer Mike Januik helped establish the state on the world wine map, from his tenure as Wine Director at Chateau Ste-Michelle to today.
The Columbia Red is a standout value with its broad blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 10% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre and 1% Malbec. Layered aromas and flavors of black cherry, smoke, licorice, cassis and violet meet integrated oak. Graceful and rich, it gains structure, acidity and grip on the second taste, with a surprisingly saturated, long finish for the price.
The Columbia Red is a standout value with its broad blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 10% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre and 1% Malbec. Layered aromas and flavors of black cherry, smoke, licorice, cassis and violet meet integrated oak. Graceful and rich, it gains structure, acidity and grip on the second taste, with a surprisingly saturated, long finish for the price.
2024 MAXIMIN GRUNHAUSER
RIESLING TROCKEN 'SCHLOSS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
RIESLING TROCKEN 'SCHLOSS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Pay attention to this bottle: Maximin Grünhaus is one of the Ruwer’s—and Germany’s—most important producers, and this wine, formerly labeled simply “Trocken” and “Monopol,” does not disappoint. Yes, it is Riesling. Yes, it is German. And for the skeptics: YES, IT IS DRY!
Aromatic and expansive on the palate, it vividly expresses the Ruwer’s slate soils. Livewire, luminous, succulent, and stony, it finishes with brilliant energy—grooving on the dance floor while staying cool as a cucumber. A natural match for turkey, it also pairs beautifully with seared albacore tuna marinated in ginger, soy, and garlic, or with spicy Thai dishes.
Aromatic and expansive on the palate, it vividly expresses the Ruwer’s slate soils. Livewire, luminous, succulent, and stony, it finishes with brilliant energy—grooving on the dance floor while staying cool as a cucumber. A natural match for turkey, it also pairs beautifully with seared albacore tuna marinated in ginger, soy, and garlic, or with spicy Thai dishes.
2021 PASTERNOSTER 'SYNTHESI'
AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Subliminal sensuality from Southern Italy: bold and brazen, this red delivers far more than a kiss on the cheek. Made from 100% Aglianico in Basilicata, it comes from the Vulture area, often considered the variety’s finest source—though Campania would surely disagree.
Generous and eloquent, it offers aromas and flavors of licorice, tea leaf, violet, and red earth, all with inimitable attitude. Enjoy it with a Sunday meat sauce, eggplant Parmesan, or pork chops alla Napoli with tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, and green olives.
Generous and eloquent, it offers aromas and flavors of licorice, tea leaf, violet, and red earth, all with inimitable attitude. Enjoy it with a Sunday meat sauce, eggplant Parmesan, or pork chops alla Napoli with tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, and green olives.
2021 ANGELO NEGRO
BARBARESCO 'BASARIN'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
BARBARESCO 'BASARIN'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
Because Angelo Negro’s core wines and home base are in Roero, its small-production Barbaresco and Barolo are often overlooked—a benefit to consumers, given their quality-to-price ratio. Basarin, a cru in Neive that straddles Barbaresco and Treiso, seems to carry the DNA of all three Barbaresco villages. The monumental 2021 Piedmont vintage makes finding a single-cru wine for under forty dollars feel like pulling off a robbery.
Aged in traditional large barrels, it opens with roses, tar, subtle spice, and earth. As expected, especially in a vintage like this, the palate is generous, with chewy, expressive fruit, firm structure, and excellent definition that tightens on the finish. It offers exceptional length, depth, grip, dimension, and layering for the price—hallmarks of a great vintage. Though youthful, a devoted Nebbiolo disciple could try one now; for best results, cellar it until late 2027 and drink through 2035.
Aged in traditional large barrels, it opens with roses, tar, subtle spice, and earth. As expected, especially in a vintage like this, the palate is generous, with chewy, expressive fruit, firm structure, and excellent definition that tightens on the finish. It offers exceptional length, depth, grip, dimension, and layering for the price—hallmarks of a great vintage. Though youthful, a devoted Nebbiolo disciple could try one now; for best results, cellar it until late 2027 and drink through 2035.
2022 SUCCES VINICOLA CONCA DE
BARBERA 'CUCA DE LLUM'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
BARBERA 'CUCA DE LLUM'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Conca de Barberà has nothing to do with the Barbera grape—or conking someone over the head with a bottle. Located in central Catalonia, this diverse growing region spans flat and gently rolling land that rises to 600 meters, creating a range of terroirs and a diverse selection of grapes.
Made from 100% Trepat, the wine layers boysenberry, blueberry, and raspberry with notes of thyme and anise. The palate is crowd-pleasing, lush, and complex, with muscular structure and mineral edges. Its iron-fist-in-a-velvet-glove character broadens through a savory, persistent finish.
Made from 100% Trepat, the wine layers boysenberry, blueberry, and raspberry with notes of thyme and anise. The palate is crowd-pleasing, lush, and complex, with muscular structure and mineral edges. Its iron-fist-in-a-velvet-glove character broadens through a savory, persistent finish.
