Friday Sips
WEDNESDAY SIPS
The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year
Today November 23 from 1:00 - 6:30
The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year
Today November 23 from 1:00 - 6:30
Statistically the day before Thanksgiving has always been the biggest drinking day of the year and we are all for keeping the numbers at their lofty levels.
Come and join us for our favorite in-house tasting of the year which includes the annual pouring of the new release of Graillot Crozes-Hermitage amongst other profound, icon wines that will be poured.
Come and join us for our favorite in-house tasting of the year which includes the annual pouring of the new release of Graillot Crozes-Hermitage amongst other profound, icon wines that will be poured.
2014 ALAIN GRAILLOT
CROZES-HERMITAGE
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
CROZES-HERMITAGE
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Alain Graillot and his son Maxime are the Kings of all Crozes-Hermitage producers and a Syrah icon whose colleagues include the likes of Chave, Clape, Voge and Jamet. Sitting in a wine bar in Paris earlier this year, Bryan threw back a bottle of Graillot's Crozes and had an in-depth conversation with the establishment's owner at just how prolific these wines really are. When it comes to Crozes Hermitage, Alain Graillot is the Muhammed Ali of the area. There are other contenders, some very good, but none of their Crozes Hermitage wines are the equal of this champion's. Since 1985, Alain Graillot has perfected his art making some of the most sophisticated, complex and grand wines on all levels. The 2014 Crozes-Hermitage is another beauty, but it has a real problem. The conundrum in question is that the wine is almost TOO irresistible! Don't be fooled, this wine will age stupendously.
We love to drink wine, but there is something about putting the glass to your nose and just smelling the beauty of a great wine. This is one of those special circumstances. After tasting this version, the first sentence in my notes were "frustrated Côte-Rôtie". Makes sense, Alain is originally from Vienne and definitely has a deft and delicate touch when it comes to his wines. Magical perfume notes with prominent woodsmoke, olive, black raspberry, hints of licorice and cherry blossom immediately seduce from the start. In the mouth, it is expectedly tight and linear but with plenty of depth and poise. Wonderful finesse and ethereal depth and a finish that is illuminating and sneaky-long with the youthful exuberance and structure taking over. Exquisite to drink now but no problem for it to age 10-12 years. Note that in 2014, there was none of the grand vin, La Guiraude, it is all in the classic cuvee.
We love to drink wine, but there is something about putting the glass to your nose and just smelling the beauty of a great wine. This is one of those special circumstances. After tasting this version, the first sentence in my notes were "frustrated Côte-Rôtie". Makes sense, Alain is originally from Vienne and definitely has a deft and delicate touch when it comes to his wines. Magical perfume notes with prominent woodsmoke, olive, black raspberry, hints of licorice and cherry blossom immediately seduce from the start. In the mouth, it is expectedly tight and linear but with plenty of depth and poise. Wonderful finesse and ethereal depth and a finish that is illuminating and sneaky-long with the youthful exuberance and structure taking over. Exquisite to drink now but no problem for it to age 10-12 years. Note that in 2014, there was none of the grand vin, La Guiraude, it is all in the classic cuvee.
2012 ALAIN VOGE ST-JOSEPH 'LES VINSONNES'
[reg. $42.99]
SPECIAL $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
[reg. $42.99]
SPECIAL $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
Last week, a Friday Sips regular asked if we would show the difference between Crozes and Saint-Joe. OK, how about if we do it from two legends! A super St-Joseph from one of the Grand Old Cornas kings. When Alain Voge took on Alberic Mazoyeres as a partner, Alberic brought along a little over 2 acres of St-Joseph from the classic portion of the appellation, one parcel in Mauves and the other in Glun, 2 of the original 6 St-Joseph villages. Aged in entirely in small French barriques, but none new, this is a sultry bottle of ageworthy Saint-Joe!
2012 is another superb vintage in the recent run of fabulousness for the Northern Rhone and is one that has quite a bit of cushion. At this special price, this lovely French Syrah offers up plenty of bang for the buck. Purely expressed, this wine combines aromatic finesse with excellent concentration but always stays true to its French roots. Forward and pretty perfume of smoke, black cherries, and white pepper. In the mouth, it is very clean, and silky with an abundance of red and blackberry aspects, high-tones around the edges, and spreading out over the impressively formed finish. The 2012 is just a plain delicious bottle of Syrah meant for the table, perfect with everything from duck, to rabbit, to venison. Add in a few olives, and now you are really talking. It will also age well so drink it through 2027.
If you want to check this wine out you had better show up on the early side because at this price for such an iconic producer’s wine, the 32 bottles that I have will surely go quickly.
2012 is another superb vintage in the recent run of fabulousness for the Northern Rhone and is one that has quite a bit of cushion. At this special price, this lovely French Syrah offers up plenty of bang for the buck. Purely expressed, this wine combines aromatic finesse with excellent concentration but always stays true to its French roots. Forward and pretty perfume of smoke, black cherries, and white pepper. In the mouth, it is very clean, and silky with an abundance of red and blackberry aspects, high-tones around the edges, and spreading out over the impressively formed finish. The 2012 is just a plain delicious bottle of Syrah meant for the table, perfect with everything from duck, to rabbit, to venison. Add in a few olives, and now you are really talking. It will also age well so drink it through 2027.
If you want to check this wine out you had better show up on the early side because at this price for such an iconic producer’s wine, the 32 bottles that I have will surely go quickly.
CHAMPAGNE GOSSET
GRANDE RESERVE BRUT
[reg. $69.99]
SPECIAL $54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PK
GRANDE RESERVE BRUT
[reg. $69.99]
SPECIAL $54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PK
We have been featuring bubblies from Champagne Gosset for 15 years at The Cellar Door, yet time after time, the cuvee that stands apart for its sheer price/quality rapport is the spectacular Grande Reserve Brut. Blended from 3 vintages plus Reserve wines, 43% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir & 15% Pinot Meunier from 12 Grands Crus and one Premier Cru make up the blend. 4-5 years on lees before bottling.
Brioche aromas, lots of penetration and depth, fine spices beneath the surface. Apple and pear drop scents present to. Full, really fans out nicely, maintains its grip, spine and backbone of zestiness throughout. Very firm, sculpted and drawn-out, I have always loved this wine and especially as it unfolds and warms, it is like rekindling that love all over again. Simply irresistible if you are a Champagne junkie!
MAGNUMS AVAILABLE - $119.99 PER 1.5 LITER BOTTLE
Brioche aromas, lots of penetration and depth, fine spices beneath the surface. Apple and pear drop scents present to. Full, really fans out nicely, maintains its grip, spine and backbone of zestiness throughout. Very firm, sculpted and drawn-out, I have always loved this wine and especially as it unfolds and warms, it is like rekindling that love all over again. Simply irresistible if you are a Champagne junkie!
MAGNUMS AVAILABLE - $119.99 PER 1.5 LITER BOTTLE
THE ABOVE WINES ARE JUST A START...
As always, this is such a fun day with many bottles open and requests (within reason) are taken. Stop by and hoist a glass with us to celebrate.
NOTE - The Cellar Door will be closed on Thursday November 24 & Friday November 25 for the long weekend and will return Monday Nov. 28 at 9:30 AM. Happy Thanksgiving!!
As always, this is such a fun day with many bottles open and requests (within reason) are taken. Stop by and hoist a glass with us to celebrate.
NOTE - The Cellar Door will be closed on Thursday November 24 & Friday November 25 for the long weekend and will return Monday Nov. 28 at 9:30 AM. Happy Thanksgiving!!
