Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'WIDE LOAD' WINESHEET
Etna Bianco Wines
93-Point Rioja for 20
Oregon White Blends from Goodfellow & Walter Scott
93-Point Rioja for 20
Oregon White Blends from Goodfellow & Walter Scott
2021 NOVELTY HILL 'R.S.R.'
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED BLEND
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED BLEND
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Classic Washington value. 46% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc mostly from Novelty Hill’s estate Stillwater Creek located east of Yakima and north of Royal Slope.
Suave and handsome, this Blend exudes incredible class. Bold black raspberry, violet, coffee and subtle Bordeaux-inspired mineral notes carry over into a smooth, generous and forward texture that is fine and filling. Nicely drawn-out with building spiced-earth notes on the finish, this is yet another winner from Novelty Hill. Drink over the next five years.
Suave and handsome, this Blend exudes incredible class. Bold black raspberry, violet, coffee and subtle Bordeaux-inspired mineral notes carry over into a smooth, generous and forward texture that is fine and filling. Nicely drawn-out with building spiced-earth notes on the finish, this is yet another winner from Novelty Hill. Drink over the next five years.
2023 DOMAINE OEDIPODA
BEAUJOLAIS JULLIÉ
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
BEAUJOLAIS JULLIÉ
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
Jullié is one of the oldest villages in Beaujolais and located up the hill from Julienas and may be included in its Cru Julienas designation. Domaine Oedipoda, recommended to the local importer by Anne-Sophie Dubois, are some of the best I have tasted from the Julienas/Jullié area.
Jullié, named for a designated Beaujolais village falls between Beaujolais-Villages and Cru designation. Cheerful and delicious, it erupts from the glass with scents of red and black plum, emerging ground pepper, dark chocolate and a last-minute arrival of cherry blossoms and peonies. The texture shows intensity along with superb depth and nicely supported by the minerality and natural lift from high elevation sites. Enjoy over the next 5-6 years; have it with roasted chicken, grilled pork tenderloin and even Pad Thai.
Jullié, named for a designated Beaujolais village falls between Beaujolais-Villages and Cru designation. Cheerful and delicious, it erupts from the glass with scents of red and black plum, emerging ground pepper, dark chocolate and a last-minute arrival of cherry blossoms and peonies. The texture shows intensity along with superb depth and nicely supported by the minerality and natural lift from high elevation sites. Enjoy over the next 5-6 years; have it with roasted chicken, grilled pork tenderloin and even Pad Thai.
2023 GOODFELLOW
WHISTLING RIDGE BLANC
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
WHISTLING RIDGE BLANC
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Marcus Goodfellow has been a good friend of The Cellar Door for 25+ years, and Bryan has had shared bottles and football trash-talk since 1994. After speaking with Marcus last week after tasting this white, I told him, friendship aside, my wine decisions are all about quality…and this is one of the best white wines from Oregon.
Inspired by the vineyard designated blends in Alsace, Marcus has put forth something very special. Made with four traditional grapes seen both in Alsace and here in Oregon, the desire to allow Whistling Ridge Vineyard to speak transcending the varietals is accomplished very well indeed. Shining aromas of honeysuckle, apple, lemon, tinges of exotic spice and a genuine stoniness from the non-irrigated vines taking a vow of poverty and going deep to find the basalt rock where the moisture lies. Old-vine depth, dry, racy and radiant with loads of personality and structure in the mouth. Mouth-watering and extensively complex on the finish. Given this wine's backbone, experience shows that this wine will ages very well…Drink it over the next decade and beyond.
Inspired by the vineyard designated blends in Alsace, Marcus has put forth something very special. Made with four traditional grapes seen both in Alsace and here in Oregon, the desire to allow Whistling Ridge Vineyard to speak transcending the varietals is accomplished very well indeed. Shining aromas of honeysuckle, apple, lemon, tinges of exotic spice and a genuine stoniness from the non-irrigated vines taking a vow of poverty and going deep to find the basalt rock where the moisture lies. Old-vine depth, dry, racy and radiant with loads of personality and structure in the mouth. Mouth-watering and extensively complex on the finish. Given this wine's backbone, experience shows that this wine will ages very well…Drink it over the next decade and beyond.
2024 WALTER SCOTT
FIR CREST BLANC
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
FIR CREST BLANC
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
A first for Walter Scott is this exciting white blend dominated by Pinot Blanc with doses of Pinot Gris and Auxerrois from thirty-four-year-old vines at Fir Crest Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton. Initially for 2022 and 2023, Walter Scott collaborated with Napa Valley white wine guru, Dan Petrosky from Massican to make this blend but for 2024 it is continued solely by Ken and Erica also showing homage to Dan with the blue label.
Co-harvested and co-fermented, the Gris and Auxerrois bring luminous aromatics like fig, smoke and orchard fruits with the Blanc revealing depth and layers buffered by a bolt of lightning acidity. The presence of palate coverage is very impressive and the finish very vivid and lively. This should be your new go-to local salmon choice.
Co-harvested and co-fermented, the Gris and Auxerrois bring luminous aromatics like fig, smoke and orchard fruits with the Blanc revealing depth and layers buffered by a bolt of lightning acidity. The presence of palate coverage is very impressive and the finish very vivid and lively. This should be your new go-to local salmon choice.
2022 RADLEY & FINCH PINOTAGE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From South Africa's Paarl region, this is a different kind of red wine experience.
A generous pepper pot of a wine, wild strawberries, herbs, rose petal and mineral tones penetrate the nose and the assertive palate. Extensive, complex and flavorful, this wine pairs nicely with roasted meats, especially game and is a terrific weeknight red.
A generous pepper pot of a wine, wild strawberries, herbs, rose petal and mineral tones penetrate the nose and the assertive palate. Extensive, complex and flavorful, this wine pairs nicely with roasted meats, especially game and is a terrific weeknight red.
2020 SIERRA CANTABRIA
RIOJA CRIANZA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
RIOJA CRIANZA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
93 Points – Vinous…The Eguren family has proudly produced wines in the most famous of Spain's wine regions since 1870 and consistently delivers wines of penetration, class and especially value.
100% Tempranillo and exactly what neo-classical Rioja is all about. Modern fruit-forward tones of strawberry and spicy oak mingle nicely with earth tones. Abundant voluptuous fruit is present in the mouth with lacey tannins and soft spice enables this wine to carry nicely to the dinner table.
100% Tempranillo and exactly what neo-classical Rioja is all about. Modern fruit-forward tones of strawberry and spicy oak mingle nicely with earth tones. Abundant voluptuous fruit is present in the mouth with lacey tannins and soft spice enables this wine to carry nicely to the dinner table.
2023 TWILL CELLARS SYRAH
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
People often ask about new, unknown, rising producers in Oregon. One of my responses is Twill Cellars. Located outside of West Linn with their vineyard in the Tualatin Hills, winemaker Chris Dickson makes thoughtful wines using fruit from this site along with several other superb sites.
Pinot Noir is prominent at Twill, but Syrah is also a specialty and passion. Think France as the inspiration versus Australia, this wine is full of fragrance and finesse. Fifty percent from Stormy Morning Vineyard in the Tualatin Hills and 50% From Deux Vert in Yamhill-Carlton, tantalizing scents of black raspberry, roasted earth, cranberry, white pepper and hints of asphalt make feel as though you have been to two continents! Stylish flavors expand and fill the mouth. Brisk, red-tinged notes show in the middle, but the wine extends beautifully unveiling a sultry, sensual finish. Treat this as you would any noble Syrah wine from France; have with venison, pheasant or a filet of beef slathered in peppercorns. Drink over the next 5-7 years.
Pinot Noir is prominent at Twill, but Syrah is also a specialty and passion. Think France as the inspiration versus Australia, this wine is full of fragrance and finesse. Fifty percent from Stormy Morning Vineyard in the Tualatin Hills and 50% From Deux Vert in Yamhill-Carlton, tantalizing scents of black raspberry, roasted earth, cranberry, white pepper and hints of asphalt make feel as though you have been to two continents! Stylish flavors expand and fill the mouth. Brisk, red-tinged notes show in the middle, but the wine extends beautifully unveiling a sultry, sensual finish. Treat this as you would any noble Syrah wine from France; have with venison, pheasant or a filet of beef slathered in peppercorns. Drink over the next 5-7 years.
2024 DOMAINE CHARVIN
COTES-DU-RHONE ROSE
$23.99 BTL. - LIMITED
COTES-DU-RHONE ROSE
$23.99 BTL. - LIMITED
It has arrived, one of our favorite pink wines. Every year we wait like rabid dogs at the door for this eccentric but ultra-talented Chateauneuf dude’s wines to arrive.
Laurent Charvin will tell you is that he is not a rosé specialist, nor does he want to be one. But quite honestly, he produces one of the most rocking’ rose wines in all of Provence! All at once, this is bold and brisk. Beautifully colored and possessing fragrant scents of fresh-cut flowers, insane kirsch and hints of citrus and thyme. In the mouth it detonates then sweeps clean the palate with dry, lifting flavors that have substance behind them. Charvin’s Rosé is always one of our most popular, and the results are in the bottle. This is rosé of miniscule production and rapidly sells out, so if you are as fashionable as we are, order yours now.
Laurent Charvin will tell you is that he is not a rosé specialist, nor does he want to be one. But quite honestly, he produces one of the most rocking’ rose wines in all of Provence! All at once, this is bold and brisk. Beautifully colored and possessing fragrant scents of fresh-cut flowers, insane kirsch and hints of citrus and thyme. In the mouth it detonates then sweeps clean the palate with dry, lifting flavors that have substance behind them. Charvin’s Rosé is always one of our most popular, and the results are in the bottle. This is rosé of miniscule production and rapidly sells out, so if you are as fashionable as we are, order yours now.
2024 BENANTI ETNA BIANCO
$29.99 BTL./$179.94 - SIX PACK
$29.99 BTL./$179.94 - SIX PACK
We love Cote D’Or White Burgundy but often I find myself scratching my head when people are tripping over themselves to obtain Meursault and Montrachet village wines that are selling for one hundred and north when one can find something such as this for thirty. It is less fat as well! One of the best and most established Etna producers is Benanti and this Etna Bianco is a real over-performer.
100% Carricante. From sites on the east and south side of the mountain ranging between 2300-3100 feet, a mass presence of diamond-like mineral, seashore, lemongrass, peach and peat aromas and a gentle hint of spice on the tail end. Multifaceted in the mouth with an equally sultry texture that is substantial, dialed-in and full of voltage. The finish is lavish and extends for miles. At 12 ° alcohol, break out the swordfish and do it in a salmoriglio sauce.
100% Carricante. From sites on the east and south side of the mountain ranging between 2300-3100 feet, a mass presence of diamond-like mineral, seashore, lemongrass, peach and peat aromas and a gentle hint of spice on the tail end. Multifaceted in the mouth with an equally sultry texture that is substantial, dialed-in and full of voltage. The finish is lavish and extends for miles. At 12 ° alcohol, break out the swordfish and do it in a salmoriglio sauce.
2022 BENANTI ETNA BIANCO
SUPERIORE 'CONTRADA RINAZZO'
$65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
SUPERIORE 'CONTRADA RINAZZO'
$65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
After years of experience the business, we continue to learn. A visit from Antonio Benanti last month taught us that the term Superiore for Etna Bianco denotes its exclusivity to the sites in the village of Milo on the east side of the mountain.
Contrada is a designation for single vineyards on Etna and Rinazzo would certainly be certified as Grand Cru. Staring at the sea, the site is five at 2600 feet, the soil is from ancient lava craters with fine grain. Very distinct aromas of saline, breezy yellow fruits, perfume, seashells, superb mineral and on and on. Focused and intense, with a succulent, briny attack, it is packed with lime and orange peel, persimmon almost fluorescent flavors, yet remains deft, cerebral, stony and vertical. Youthful and can easily age fifteen-plus years. If this were Burgundy it would easily be four times the price!
Contrada is a designation for single vineyards on Etna and Rinazzo would certainly be certified as Grand Cru. Staring at the sea, the site is five at 2600 feet, the soil is from ancient lava craters with fine grain. Very distinct aromas of saline, breezy yellow fruits, perfume, seashells, superb mineral and on and on. Focused and intense, with a succulent, briny attack, it is packed with lime and orange peel, persimmon almost fluorescent flavors, yet remains deft, cerebral, stony and vertical. Youthful and can easily age fifteen-plus years. If this were Burgundy it would easily be four times the price!
