Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S '5 ACROSS THE EYES' HOTSHEET
5 Reds & 5 White/Pink/Bubbly
2016 CAPEZZANA CARMIGNANO
'VILLA DI CAPEZZANA'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
'VILLA DI CAPEZZANA'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
96 points, Decanter Magazine…Located northwest of the city of Florence, Carmignano is home to serious red wines that deliver a lot of bang for the buck. Capezzana is an historic property and along with Ambra and Piaggia is generally regarded as the finest grower in the region. Newly arrived is the prodigious 2016 vintage which is a grand scale and seamless Tuscan vintage. If you love the wines of this area, do not miss this one!
‘A mild winter was followed by a rainy spring, giving great water reserves for the summer. The growing season was without extremes, the grapes reaching ripeness after three days of rain in the middle of September. 'All the grapes were perfect,' said Filippo Contini Bonacossi. Indeed, 2016 is one of the best recent vintages in Tuscany. This wine, crimson and dark, is full of concentration and extract without losing grace. Fresh bramble fruits dominated by raspberry are joined by violet, leafy notes and liquorice. The tannins are grainy and masculine, yet precise on the finish. Refreshing and balanced, this is the wine representative of the estate's postmodern winemaking: the first to be officially organic and partially aged in large oak vessels. A great Carmignano. Drinking Window 2020 - 2046.’ – 96 POINTS, DECANTER MAGAZINE
‘A mild winter was followed by a rainy spring, giving great water reserves for the summer. The growing season was without extremes, the grapes reaching ripeness after three days of rain in the middle of September. 'All the grapes were perfect,' said Filippo Contini Bonacossi. Indeed, 2016 is one of the best recent vintages in Tuscany. This wine, crimson and dark, is full of concentration and extract without losing grace. Fresh bramble fruits dominated by raspberry are joined by violet, leafy notes and liquorice. The tannins are grainy and masculine, yet precise on the finish. Refreshing and balanced, this is the wine representative of the estate's postmodern winemaking: the first to be officially organic and partially aged in large oak vessels. A great Carmignano. Drinking Window 2020 - 2046.’ – 96 POINTS, DECANTER MAGAZINE
2019 PALACIOS PRIORAT 'CAMINS'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
91 points - Wine Advocate...Known as one of the three or four producers who helped reinvent modern Priorat, Alvaro Palacios has become synonymous with ultra-luxurious wines. Not wanting to be known as a producer who specializes in wines for label chasers about 15 years ago, Alvaro created this as an entryway into this famous Catalan region located about two hours south of Barcelona in Spain.
'The regional blend 2019 Camins del Priorat is a blend of 35% Garnacha, 24% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cariñena, 10% Merlot and 3% other varieties. The grapes were destemmed, lightly crushed and then fermented with the natural yeasts in a combination of stainless steel, oak and concrete vats. After fermentation, it matured in barrel and oak vats for four months. This wine showcases the power and concentration of 2019, an extraordinarily warm and dry year, but the wine has great finesse. There are more balsamic aromas from the Bordeaux varieties, which incredibly didn't dehydrate that year: the leaves took a long time to turn yellow. There are notes of licorice and something balsamic. This is juicy and chewy, powerful, pungent and intense, with muscle but with great balance and very clean. This is the most modern and international of their wines, with a showy profile. A triumph over the conditions of the vintage.’ - 91 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE
'The regional blend 2019 Camins del Priorat is a blend of 35% Garnacha, 24% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cariñena, 10% Merlot and 3% other varieties. The grapes were destemmed, lightly crushed and then fermented with the natural yeasts in a combination of stainless steel, oak and concrete vats. After fermentation, it matured in barrel and oak vats for four months. This wine showcases the power and concentration of 2019, an extraordinarily warm and dry year, but the wine has great finesse. There are more balsamic aromas from the Bordeaux varieties, which incredibly didn't dehydrate that year: the leaves took a long time to turn yellow. There are notes of licorice and something balsamic. This is juicy and chewy, powerful, pungent and intense, with muscle but with great balance and very clean. This is the most modern and international of their wines, with a showy profile. A triumph over the conditions of the vintage.’ - 91 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE
2018 DOMAINE D'AUGERON
LANDES ROUGE
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
LANDES ROUGE
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
Have you ever gone shopping for groceries while not knowing what you want to eat only to come home with a box of Twinkies. This concept is very similar to shopping for inexpensive merlot-based wines without a good compass. You get it home, pull the cork and have it open into a puree of okra-stuffed green peppers with a healthy dose of misplaced oak. This wine from an estate located halfway between Bordeaux and Pau in the Cotes-de-Gascogne breaks the mold.
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Indicative of its Gascogne roots, it shows off luscious scents of blueberry, kirsch, mineral and smoke that lead into a plush, generous and very likeable texture that finishes way above the norm for its price level. Serve slightly cool (about cellar temperature) with roasted or grilled chicken.
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Indicative of its Gascogne roots, it shows off luscious scents of blueberry, kirsch, mineral and smoke that lead into a plush, generous and very likeable texture that finishes way above the norm for its price level. Serve slightly cool (about cellar temperature) with roasted or grilled chicken.
2018 WOODWARD CANYON 'NELMS ROAD'
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
At this 20-dollar price level we can all be happy when it comes to this early drinking Cab from Woodward Canyon which is a great opportunity while you wait for Woodward's big wines to come to fruition.
Non-stop vanilla and cocoa notes that are wrapped around buxom black cherry, smoky oak, cola and creamy milk chocolate which all virtually glisten the instant the wine is poured into the glass. On the palate, there is lots of style here with nice flowing dense tones, excellent weight and the typical steadfast, mouth-crawling flavors that one comes to expect in these excellent wines. Layered, forward and accessible; enjoy through 2026.
Non-stop vanilla and cocoa notes that are wrapped around buxom black cherry, smoky oak, cola and creamy milk chocolate which all virtually glisten the instant the wine is poured into the glass. On the palate, there is lots of style here with nice flowing dense tones, excellent weight and the typical steadfast, mouth-crawling flavors that one comes to expect in these excellent wines. Layered, forward and accessible; enjoy through 2026.
2016 CHERON VOSNE-ROMANEE
'LES BARREAUX
SPECIAL - $74.99 BTL.
'LES BARREAUX
SPECIAL - $74.99 BTL.
I want to move through the last bottles of this excellent wine to make room for new vintages, hence the great price. Philippe Cheron keeps placing his mark on the Burgundy map each year with great selections such as this offering. Alas as in Burgundy, prices keep escalating but with this estate flying under the radar, they remain nicely priced. There are a couple other producers who work from this site and their wines are significantly more expensive.
Les Barreaux is located in quite a respectable neighborhood bordering the Grand Cru of Richebourg and legendary Premier Cru Cros Parentoux. Always performs on a Premier Cru level and should be upgraded IMHO. Spice box, crème de mure, and Italian plum, more and more fragrance as it opens. Potpourri and other exotic spices. Lots of clarity and focus even at a youthful point. Rocky and stony flavors emerge due to the abundance of limestone but the bottom line is the 2016 structure and gorgeous core of fruit. Rich, yet tender, there is a veneer of silk that crawls through the mouth. Energetic, very long and with serious snap back. Hold until 2022 and drink through 2030+.
Les Barreaux is located in quite a respectable neighborhood bordering the Grand Cru of Richebourg and legendary Premier Cru Cros Parentoux. Always performs on a Premier Cru level and should be upgraded IMHO. Spice box, crème de mure, and Italian plum, more and more fragrance as it opens. Potpourri and other exotic spices. Lots of clarity and focus even at a youthful point. Rocky and stony flavors emerge due to the abundance of limestone but the bottom line is the 2016 structure and gorgeous core of fruit. Rich, yet tender, there is a veneer of silk that crawls through the mouth. Energetic, very long and with serious snap back. Hold until 2022 and drink through 2030+.
2018 EDI KEBER COLLIO BIANCO
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PK
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 - SIX PK
In a region full of mavericks and renegades, Edi Keber is a small producer who seems to be on everyone's short list of favorites of obscure Italian white wines. This cat makes one wine and one wine only (a mere 5000 cases), think of it as a Grand Cru blend from his meticulously-farmed vineyards in the Collio region within Friuli.
The 2018 Bianco is comprised of 70% Friulano and with 15% each of Malvasia and Ribolla Gialla that are primarily fermented sans oak with the exception of 20% of the Friulano seeing 10-year-old neutral tonneaux. A dramatic, forward nose of tangerine, white flowers is enhanced by forthright minerality, all which unfold as the wine airs and develops in the glass. This seamless beauty coats your mouth with intense flavors that are kept in perfect balance by lightning-crisp acidity and minerality which are derived from an alchemy of ancient vines planted in classic Friuli ‘ponka' soil, that being a crumbly, stony marl. A gorgeously stacked white wine, this really screams for substantial seafood dishes, particularly salmon, however it will also work with vegetables and prosciutto. One last thing, this wine has an uncanny ability to age and this one will drink and develop very well for a decade. In the spirit of Jermann's Vintage Tunina or Vie di Romans Flor di Uis, this perennial Tre Bicchieri-award winning wine is a true benchmark for the 'nomi di fantasia' white wines of Italy!
The 2018 Bianco is comprised of 70% Friulano and with 15% each of Malvasia and Ribolla Gialla that are primarily fermented sans oak with the exception of 20% of the Friulano seeing 10-year-old neutral tonneaux. A dramatic, forward nose of tangerine, white flowers is enhanced by forthright minerality, all which unfold as the wine airs and develops in the glass. This seamless beauty coats your mouth with intense flavors that are kept in perfect balance by lightning-crisp acidity and minerality which are derived from an alchemy of ancient vines planted in classic Friuli ‘ponka' soil, that being a crumbly, stony marl. A gorgeously stacked white wine, this really screams for substantial seafood dishes, particularly salmon, however it will also work with vegetables and prosciutto. One last thing, this wine has an uncanny ability to age and this one will drink and develop very well for a decade. In the spirit of Jermann's Vintage Tunina or Vie di Romans Flor di Uis, this perennial Tre Bicchieri-award winning wine is a true benchmark for the 'nomi di fantasia' white wines of Italy!
2020 MANARINE COTES-DU-RHONE ROSE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
The Southern French Rose wines keep trickling in and we welcome the new arrival of this mouth-filling Cotes-du-Rhone version that pleases the palate very well. Domaine La Manarine is from the Plan de Dieu area in Provence that is the true spiritual home of Côtes-du-Rhône wines. On this plain, it is solely CDR. A young, familial Domaine of 40 acres in a sea of grapes created by Gilles Gasq in 2001, these wines have been quite impressive in their short history.
60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre & 20% Syrah. Not a hint of sweetness in this bone dry offering that is quite Froggy. We say Froggy, not only because it is French, but also because the aromas leap from the glass! Smoke, strawberries and subtle herbs dominate the nose while the palate is lifting, refreshing and full of zest and generosity and persistence.
60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre & 20% Syrah. Not a hint of sweetness in this bone dry offering that is quite Froggy. We say Froggy, not only because it is French, but also because the aromas leap from the glass! Smoke, strawberries and subtle herbs dominate the nose while the palate is lifting, refreshing and full of zest and generosity and persistence.
2020 LA YUNTA TORRONTES
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
Never heard of Torrontes? Well it's time for all you white wine lovers come up to speed. The varietal Torrontes is recognized as the emblematic white grape of Argentina, thriving in the high altitude of the Andean foothills.
La Yunta's explosive Torrontes exhibits enticing aromas - hints of peach pit, flowers, and orange citrus fruit. Beautiful brightness with succulence that keeps you coming back for more. On second sip, we found aromas of gooseberry, spicy banana and lychee that lead to a surging floral finish with a touch of honey. It's not a sweet wine by a long shot, but plays fantastically on the myriad of fruit flavors.
La Yunta's explosive Torrontes exhibits enticing aromas - hints of peach pit, flowers, and orange citrus fruit. Beautiful brightness with succulence that keeps you coming back for more. On second sip, we found aromas of gooseberry, spicy banana and lychee that lead to a surging floral finish with a touch of honey. It's not a sweet wine by a long shot, but plays fantastically on the myriad of fruit flavors.
2019 COWHORN 'SPIRAL 36'
APPLEGATE WHITE
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
APPLEGATE WHITE
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
There is a common perception that Oregon wine is solely from the Willamette Valley but the reality is there are many other areas making fantastic wines. Cowhorn in Southern Oregon is one such producer who is committed to biodynamic farming and Rhone varietals and happens to produce excellent wines outside of the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris realm.
From the Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon comes this sultry, engaging blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. Alluring and fragrant peach, orange and star anise aromas shine and carry into a viscous, ripe, generous palate. As it moves to the back of the mouth, more zesty citrus aspects bring everything together. A truly wonderful effort from Southern Oregon, so don't be shy about drinking it.
From the Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon comes this sultry, engaging blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. Alluring and fragrant peach, orange and star anise aromas shine and carry into a viscous, ripe, generous palate. As it moves to the back of the mouth, more zesty citrus aspects bring everything together. A truly wonderful effort from Southern Oregon, so don't be shy about drinking it.
LOUIS NICAISE BRUT ROSE PREMIER CRU
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
One of the most toothsome tipples that I had the chance to sample last week was this stylish Rose from an excellent grower. Based in Hautvillers just outside of Epernay in the Vallee de la Marne, this estate has taken up a new generation and the wines are criminally undervalued given their pedigree.
Now led by Laure Nicaise-Préaux and her husband/winemaker Clement Préaux, they are the fourth generation to make Champagne at her family estate. Clement was an assistant at Jacques Selosse and his training shows very well. Two-third Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay this distinctive Bubbly Rose is quite a charmer. Lower dosage makes it an excellent choice to carry to the table. The Pinot presence is evident from the first sip with an almost strawberry and lemon wrapped in feuilletté notation along with a kiss of smoked nut. These delicate and refined aromas lead into a flavorful, crawling and seductive mousse that reveals plenty of electricity and detail on the long and illuminating finish. Extremely impressive sparkling wine. Have this with with sole or halibut in a full-flavored sauce or with any duck preparation.
Now led by Laure Nicaise-Préaux and her husband/winemaker Clement Préaux, they are the fourth generation to make Champagne at her family estate. Clement was an assistant at Jacques Selosse and his training shows very well. Two-third Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay this distinctive Bubbly Rose is quite a charmer. Lower dosage makes it an excellent choice to carry to the table. The Pinot presence is evident from the first sip with an almost strawberry and lemon wrapped in feuilletté notation along with a kiss of smoked nut. These delicate and refined aromas lead into a flavorful, crawling and seductive mousse that reveals plenty of electricity and detail on the long and illuminating finish. Extremely impressive sparkling wine. Have this with with sole or halibut in a full-flavored sauce or with any duck preparation.
