Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'CHOP IT UP' WINESHEET
Bordeaux for 12
Malbec & Walla Walla Cab Special
Friuli White, Alpine Red
Malbec & Walla Walla Cab Special
Friuli White, Alpine Red
2023 ZUCCARDI MALBEC
MENDOZA 'Q'
[reg. $24.99]
SPECIAL - $17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
MENDOZA 'Q'
[reg. $24.99]
SPECIAL - $17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
92 Points - The Wine Advocate...Founded in 1963, Zuccardi is one of Argentina’s most respected wineries. The Q Series Malbec is an excellent blend from Mendoza's Uco Valley and from high elevation vineyards.
Full yet focused with notes of black currant beautifully interwoven with a touch of floral, mint, cedar and mineral. Mouth filling, concentrated flavors of bold fruit, chocolate and wild spice but with ample freshness that comes from vineyards located at almost four thousand feet. Drink over the next 6-8 years. Throw this bottle into your next big red wine tasting or fire up the grill; this is great with any grilled meat, particularly a marinated flank steak.
Full yet focused with notes of black currant beautifully interwoven with a touch of floral, mint, cedar and mineral. Mouth filling, concentrated flavors of bold fruit, chocolate and wild spice but with ample freshness that comes from vineyards located at almost four thousand feet. Drink over the next 6-8 years. Throw this bottle into your next big red wine tasting or fire up the grill; this is great with any grilled meat, particularly a marinated flank steak.
2023 BRANKO 'CAPO'
BIANCO COLLIO FRIULI
$31.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
BIANCO COLLIO FRIULI
$31.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
A ‘nome di fantasia’ white from Friuli, Capo is an old-vine blend of Malvasia, Friulano and a kiss of Sauvignon Blanc. Full-bodied yet clean, perfect balance and maximum intensity are present from the moment it is poured. All the intricacies of the blended grapes marry beautifully and come forth without any barriers.
Rich aromas of ripe clementine, smoke, minerality and anise perfume permeate the nose. Layer upon layer of flavor fill the mouth with concentrated tangerine, creamy pear and superb mineral crispness. As it unfolds in the glass this noble white possesses an amplified level of complexity with breath-taking depth, personality and a mineral underlay. This white spreads out on the palate, is dry and everlasting with dimension that places it in same realm as many of the world’s most regal white wines, yet because of direct import, it is at a great price.
If you like apex white wine and have not tried Capo before, then you must experience a bottle or more. Drink it over the next decade with lobster or any other rich seafood dish and even sturdier white meats.
Rich aromas of ripe clementine, smoke, minerality and anise perfume permeate the nose. Layer upon layer of flavor fill the mouth with concentrated tangerine, creamy pear and superb mineral crispness. As it unfolds in the glass this noble white possesses an amplified level of complexity with breath-taking depth, personality and a mineral underlay. This white spreads out on the palate, is dry and everlasting with dimension that places it in same realm as many of the world’s most regal white wines, yet because of direct import, it is at a great price.
If you like apex white wine and have not tried Capo before, then you must experience a bottle or more. Drink it over the next decade with lobster or any other rich seafood dish and even sturdier white meats.
2021 QUINTA DE SAES
DAO TINTO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
DAO TINTO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
From the famed Dao region, Quinta de Saes Tinto is Portugal personified.
25% Touriga Naçional, 25% Alfrocheiro, 25% Jaen, 25% Tinta Pinheira it is pure pleasure. Packed with Mediterranean personality displaying hearty, peppery and very forward scents and flavors of chocolate truffle complimented with raspberry, leather, roasted earth, sage and spice that bring everything together. The texture starts out plush and supple quickly gaining zest and spine on the earth-laden, snap-back finish. An outstanding choice for twenty dollars.
25% Touriga Naçional, 25% Alfrocheiro, 25% Jaen, 25% Tinta Pinheira it is pure pleasure. Packed with Mediterranean personality displaying hearty, peppery and very forward scents and flavors of chocolate truffle complimented with raspberry, leather, roasted earth, sage and spice that bring everything together. The texture starts out plush and supple quickly gaining zest and spine on the earth-laden, snap-back finish. An outstanding choice for twenty dollars.
2023 DANILO THOMAIN
'ENFER D'ARVIER' ROSSO
$29.99 BTL./$179.94 - SIX PACK
'ENFER D'ARVIER' ROSSO
$29.99 BTL./$179.94 - SIX PACK
Geek of the Week Selection! Danilo Thomain remains the only independent bottler of the Italian Alpine region Valle d’Aosta’s fabled Enfer d’Arvier—a seven-hectare amphitheater of granitic terraces. This region does not translate into ‘the hell of Arvier’ for nothing, these unforgiving slopes are steep enough to make a mountain goat puke.
Made with 100% Petite Rouge (Italian is a second language, even on this side of the Alps), there is no shortage of swagger to this red. Sultry scents of plum, mushroom, underlying graham-like spice. Medium-to-full texture with mysteriousness that this indigenous grape delivers. Hints of mountain herbs and spices along with tangy, earthy notes on the long finish. An excellent choice with a Milanese pork chop, schnitzel, lasagna with bechamel sauce or aged Gruyere. Drink over the next decade.
Made with 100% Petite Rouge (Italian is a second language, even on this side of the Alps), there is no shortage of swagger to this red. Sultry scents of plum, mushroom, underlying graham-like spice. Medium-to-full texture with mysteriousness that this indigenous grape delivers. Hints of mountain herbs and spices along with tangy, earthy notes on the long finish. An excellent choice with a Milanese pork chop, schnitzel, lasagna with bechamel sauce or aged Gruyere. Drink over the next decade.
2022 MATSU TORO TINTO
'EL RECIO'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
'EL RECIO'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Up until the early nineties, the biggest problem with Toro’s wines they were incredibly alcoholic in nature. Nowadays, this area lives up to its potential with talented young producers as well as well-known Spanish producers from famous regions like Vega Sicilia who have bought land and are making fabulous, nuanced reds.
Matsu has been in the Toro region since the 1930s but since 1998 have sought to make textural, restrained wines. They have also eschewed the Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva categories to focus on vineyard identity. 100% Tempranillo with a full aromatic nose offering spiced plum, roasted meat, vanilla, sandalwood, all of which set an interesting flavor frame for the underbelly of blueberry and blackberry. Warm, full and inviting with a nice balance between spice, rich ripe fruit and natural firmness and extension. Drink over the next five years.
Matsu has been in the Toro region since the 1930s but since 1998 have sought to make textural, restrained wines. They have also eschewed the Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva categories to focus on vineyard identity. 100% Tempranillo with a full aromatic nose offering spiced plum, roasted meat, vanilla, sandalwood, all of which set an interesting flavor frame for the underbelly of blueberry and blackberry. Warm, full and inviting with a nice balance between spice, rich ripe fruit and natural firmness and extension. Drink over the next five years.
2022 CHATEAU MALBAT
BORDEAUX ROUGE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
BORDEAUX ROUGE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Chateau Malbat is a delicious Right bank Bordeaux that follows its righteous path of over-delivering and especially since it is from the luscious 2022 vintage.
An excellent petite chateau from the southeast end of Bordeaux, this area is recognized for Country Bordeaux wines versus 'grand chateaux' production. Classy Bordeaux with pronounced Cabernet and Merlot aromas and flavors of smoked mineral, violet, cherry and a touch of tobacco. Medium-bodied, full of fleshiness, direct and well made. Enjoy over the next year or two with an array of dishes from pan seared steak, chicken, pho and more.
An excellent petite chateau from the southeast end of Bordeaux, this area is recognized for Country Bordeaux wines versus 'grand chateaux' production. Classy Bordeaux with pronounced Cabernet and Merlot aromas and flavors of smoked mineral, violet, cherry and a touch of tobacco. Medium-bodied, full of fleshiness, direct and well made. Enjoy over the next year or two with an array of dishes from pan seared steak, chicken, pho and more.
2024 MAXIMIN GRUNHAUS
RIESLING 'MAXIMIN'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
RIESLING 'MAXIMIN'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Located in the Ruwer Valley of Germany’s Mosel region, renowned producer Maximin Grunhaus’s Maximin Riesling is always a tremendous value.
Slightly off dry, the low yielding 2024 vintage produced 20% of normal. Stirring clarity, lifting lemon-lime, wet chalkboard aromas float into a blitzing texture with ample acidity and mineral tones on the finish highlighted by peach sorbet flavors with bounteous, mouthwatering briskness. Enjoy with spicy Thai or Chinese cuisine, mussels or smoked fish.
Slightly off dry, the low yielding 2024 vintage produced 20% of normal. Stirring clarity, lifting lemon-lime, wet chalkboard aromas float into a blitzing texture with ample acidity and mineral tones on the finish highlighted by peach sorbet flavors with bounteous, mouthwatering briskness. Enjoy with spicy Thai or Chinese cuisine, mussels or smoked fish.
2022 BLEDSOE FAMILY CABERNET
SAUVIGNON 'WALLA WALLA'
[reg. $64.99]
SPECIAL - $46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
SAUVIGNON 'WALLA WALLA'
[reg. $64.99]
SPECIAL - $46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
Initially known for the celebrated Doubleback wines, the Bledsoe Family wines from former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe have emerged into prominence as well . This is not a vanity project where a former athlete/celebrity slaps his or her name on a label, Drew is involved mightily with all aspects of these Walla Walla offerings and owns four vineyard sites in the region, all which contribute to this formidable wine.
Authoritative and fragrant with black cherry wrapped around alluring, exotic aspects of cumin, mint, allspice, and chocolate dust. Dense and lavish with power, decadence and enough spine for aging. A fine presence of oak here, but not the dominant feature in this impressive Washington Cab that finishes gutsy, and very expansive. It may be enjoyed now if decanted at least an hour in advance. Drink this through 2034+.
Authoritative and fragrant with black cherry wrapped around alluring, exotic aspects of cumin, mint, allspice, and chocolate dust. Dense and lavish with power, decadence and enough spine for aging. A fine presence of oak here, but not the dominant feature in this impressive Washington Cab that finishes gutsy, and very expansive. It may be enjoyed now if decanted at least an hour in advance. Drink this through 2034+.
