Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SO IT BEGINS' HOTSHEET
French Pinot Noir
Red Mountain Cabernet Special
Port, Etna Bianco, Carneros Red
Red Mountain Cabernet Special
Port, Etna Bianco, Carneros Red
2019 SOOS CREEK CABERNET SAUVIGNON
'TERRIBLE BEAUTY'
[reg. $37.99]
SPECIAL - $24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
'TERRIBLE BEAUTY'
[reg. $37.99]
SPECIAL - $24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
Soos Creek is a fabulous but often overlooked producer has been making wine since 1989 and given their early arrival on to the Washington scene, it allowed them to score fruit from the likes of Champoux, Ciel du Cheval and others.
The Terrible Beauty Cab is on a hell of a special now. A combination of three smashing sites (Klipsun Vineyard & Ciel du Cheval Vineyard from the Red Mountain appellation and Elephant Mountain Vineyard from the Rattlesnake Hills AVA outside of Yakima); this Cabernet performs at a much higher standard than its 25-dollar price point. Laden with cassis, tobacco, blackberry, smoke, allspice and black pepper tones that are nicely integrated with spicy oak notes on the nose. Polished, harmonized and sophisticated in the mouth, this wine is a great match with any red meat dish. Smoky flavors shine among the well-placed red fruit tones that have lovely depth and concentration without being overbearing or hot. The finish is very expansive, balanced and offering up an array of spices. A true Cab lover's Cab and one that is accessible and will easily drink for 10-12 years.
The Terrible Beauty Cab is on a hell of a special now. A combination of three smashing sites (Klipsun Vineyard & Ciel du Cheval Vineyard from the Red Mountain appellation and Elephant Mountain Vineyard from the Rattlesnake Hills AVA outside of Yakima); this Cabernet performs at a much higher standard than its 25-dollar price point. Laden with cassis, tobacco, blackberry, smoke, allspice and black pepper tones that are nicely integrated with spicy oak notes on the nose. Polished, harmonized and sophisticated in the mouth, this wine is a great match with any red meat dish. Smoky flavors shine among the well-placed red fruit tones that have lovely depth and concentration without being overbearing or hot. The finish is very expansive, balanced and offering up an array of spices. A true Cab lover's Cab and one that is accessible and will easily drink for 10-12 years.
2017 MOURRE DU TENDRE
COTES-DU-RHONE 'CUVEE PAUL'
$23.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
COTES-DU-RHONE 'CUVEE PAUL'
$23.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
A very small but formidable Rhone producer, Chateau Mourre du Tendre has been bottling their own wine since 1988 yet the Paumel family has been vignerons for seven generations. Located in Courthezon and highlighted by their top Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Mourre du Tendre’s Cotes-du-Rhone wines are brought up with same techniques and aging as their epic Chateauneuf. Always one of the last producers to release, it is so cool to be able to offer something with some bottle age and that is drinking very well.
Mostly Grenache with portions of Carignan and Cinsault from 40-60 year old vines in Courthezon, Camaret and Plan de Dieu, this is Cotes-du-Rhone with a bit more. Smoothed out, the 2017 is drinking exquisitely. Full yet luscious without being thick or overtly tannic. Ample, complex, lovely black cherry, grenadine and hints of black licorice and rosemary. Smoky and layered, especially as it moves towards the long finish. Drinking very well now and will continue to do well through 2027.
Mostly Grenache with portions of Carignan and Cinsault from 40-60 year old vines in Courthezon, Camaret and Plan de Dieu, this is Cotes-du-Rhone with a bit more. Smoothed out, the 2017 is drinking exquisitely. Full yet luscious without being thick or overtly tannic. Ample, complex, lovely black cherry, grenadine and hints of black licorice and rosemary. Smoky and layered, especially as it moves towards the long finish. Drinking very well now and will continue to do well through 2027.
2020 PILLOT CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET
ROUGE 'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
ROUGE 'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
Oui monsieur et dames, Red Chassagne Montrachet does exist! In fact, 30% of the appellation is red and Laurent Pillot makes a spectacular version with Pinot Noir vines planted in 1959, 1962, 1963 and 1969.
Darker-tinged than usual, with late-arriving griotte cherry aspects showing as the wine opens. Cool and detailed, aromatic with an underlay of nutmeg and pepper. Layered and penetrating from these old vines. Moves in waves and fills the entire palate then glides into a sensual finish that does clamp down. Accessible now with aeration, however, give it until the end of next year and drink through 2032.
Darker-tinged than usual, with late-arriving griotte cherry aspects showing as the wine opens. Cool and detailed, aromatic with an underlay of nutmeg and pepper. Layered and penetrating from these old vines. Moves in waves and fills the entire palate then glides into a sensual finish that does clamp down. Accessible now with aeration, however, give it until the end of next year and drink through 2032.
2017 TRUCHARD NAPA RED BLEND
'THE SHEPHERD'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'THE SHEPHERD'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Straddling Napa and Sonoma counties, sometimes we forget that good red wines other than Pinot Noir can come out of Carneros. Truchard has been a longtime stalwart and this savory red blend shines with quite an unexpected blend of grapes.
Tempranillo, Zinfandel and Syrah all from Truchard's estate vineyards, gushing aromas of black raspberry, mint, pepper, smoke, and a touch of exotic spice on the nose; plenty of intensity of fruit in the mouth, with succulent and smooth notes to go along with the depth, unapologetic California character and length. Luscious and very accessible now and over the next 3-4 years.
Tempranillo, Zinfandel and Syrah all from Truchard's estate vineyards, gushing aromas of black raspberry, mint, pepper, smoke, and a touch of exotic spice on the nose; plenty of intensity of fruit in the mouth, with succulent and smooth notes to go along with the depth, unapologetic California character and length. Luscious and very accessible now and over the next 3-4 years.
2022 I CUSTODI ETNA BIANCO 'AEDES'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
After visiting Mt. Etna a few months ago, I came away with the same enthusiasm that I had for the red wines on the volcano; however, white wines have me very enchanted, enlightened and excited. The only problem with Etna's white wines is the very small production.
100% Carricante grown at 2100 feet. I Custodi is one of the guardians of the mountain and their entry white wine comes from a single contrada (think Burgundy or Oregon single vineyard) called Muganazzi on the eastern side of the appellation facing the Ionian Sea. This allows classic salty, sea aspects to permeate the wine and add to the citrus, verbena and volcanic spice tones. Brisk with livewire tension and deceptive depth, this pure, unoaked white wine goes on and on. With the ever escalating, insane white Burgundy pricing these days, we are always searching for other options and Etna whites certainly fit the bill. A hell of a match with swordfish or tuna in a tomato/caper preparation.
100% Carricante grown at 2100 feet. I Custodi is one of the guardians of the mountain and their entry white wine comes from a single contrada (think Burgundy or Oregon single vineyard) called Muganazzi on the eastern side of the appellation facing the Ionian Sea. This allows classic salty, sea aspects to permeate the wine and add to the citrus, verbena and volcanic spice tones. Brisk with livewire tension and deceptive depth, this pure, unoaked white wine goes on and on. With the ever escalating, insane white Burgundy pricing these days, we are always searching for other options and Etna whites certainly fit the bill. A hell of a match with swordfish or tuna in a tomato/caper preparation.
2021 UMANI RONCHI 'PODERE'
MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
The Abruzzo region that lies east of Rome on the Adriatic coast is home to this savory red that is a perfect every night, pizza or pasta wine.
Nose-filling and mouth-filling! 100% Montepulciano, Deep Purple flavors and aromas without Ritchie Blackmore or Smoke On The Water along with underpinning strawberry, pepper and herbs carrying over to a lively finish. Good to have alone but very food-friendly. Have with pasta alla puttanesca or alla arrabiata sauce…which ever fits your mood.
Nose-filling and mouth-filling! 100% Montepulciano, Deep Purple flavors and aromas without Ritchie Blackmore or Smoke On The Water along with underpinning strawberry, pepper and herbs carrying over to a lively finish. Good to have alone but very food-friendly. Have with pasta alla puttanesca or alla arrabiata sauce…which ever fits your mood.
2001 KOPKE COLHEITA PORTO
$59.99 BTL.
$39.99 - HALF BOTTLE
$59.99 BTL.
$39.99 - HALF BOTTLE
Any time it comes to good port, I always want to reference the Rolling Stones album entitled Sticky Fingers. Not wishing to incite The Legion of Decency and possibly have my phone tapped, I am going with a theme of nostalgia.
Remember 2001? Harry Potter movies were popular, Tom F. Brady was starting to emerge to begin a dynasty, I-Tunes appeared and changed how we obtain music, U2 made a hell of a comeback album and many wine lovers had a bit of Mississippi Leg-Hound in them to obtain bottles of 2001 Port. Kopke saved one of their best for last. Colheita is a vintage aged-tawny that is this renowned house’s specialty. In their cool-looking bottles, the 2001 exhibits the traits of this legendary vintage. Glossy, sexy, full-throttle aromas deliver connotations of caramel-covered cherries. Mineral kissed with hazelnut and cinnamon-candy adds to its impressive dimension. Creamy, rich, full and expansive on the palate. Voluptuous and smooth with an impressively long aftertaste that lasts! One can sip over a 3-4 month period from the time the bottle is opened. Drink it with chocolate desserts or stilton cheese!
Remember 2001? Harry Potter movies were popular, Tom F. Brady was starting to emerge to begin a dynasty, I-Tunes appeared and changed how we obtain music, U2 made a hell of a comeback album and many wine lovers had a bit of Mississippi Leg-Hound in them to obtain bottles of 2001 Port. Kopke saved one of their best for last. Colheita is a vintage aged-tawny that is this renowned house’s specialty. In their cool-looking bottles, the 2001 exhibits the traits of this legendary vintage. Glossy, sexy, full-throttle aromas deliver connotations of caramel-covered cherries. Mineral kissed with hazelnut and cinnamon-candy adds to its impressive dimension. Creamy, rich, full and expansive on the palate. Voluptuous and smooth with an impressively long aftertaste that lasts! One can sip over a 3-4 month period from the time the bottle is opened. Drink it with chocolate desserts or stilton cheese!
