Hot Sheets

2018 ANTIDOTO RIBERA DEL DUERO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Something of a rarity in a very high rent neighborhood is this bomb of a Tempranillo from quite an influential figure. Frenchman Bertrand Sourdais singlehandedly put the far eastern, high elevation portion of Ribera del Duero on the map by making the wines at Atauta. When the global economic downturn occurred in 2009, Bertrand went back to France but the sirens of this area always had been beckoning and thus became the genesis of Antidoto.

‘The meatier 2018 Antídoto had some resemblances with a Northern Rhône Syrah: hints of smoked bacon and flowers, juicy and plummy, ripe without excess and quite showy. It had a little less alcohol than the 2017 and felt more balanced and round. It had fine, chalky tannins and a dry, long finish. It matured in 600-liter oak barrels for nine months, which was a shorter élevage that seems to have respected the fruit. – 92 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE’

2017 TRIMBACH RIESLING
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The adulation for Trimbach’s wines from Alsace is much deserved, top to bottom the wines range from the very solid and high performing and are absolute benchmarks of Alsace. One of the big statements that Trimbach has always made is that they want to have their wines distinguished as DRY and great fodder for gastronomic delights.

Typical of a Trimbach Riesling, this wine shows essence of nervosity and focus of origin. Loads of movement and energy with diamond-crystal stoniness, pine and freshly- squeezed lemon. The texture is exactly what the nose would lead you on with; sort of like drinking diamonds! Striking, nervy and very minerally…and yes, bone dry! The finish is very wiry and long. Impressive material here, this will work with sausage, pork, halibut, oysters or mussels in very pure forms. Drink it now through 2026.

2018 MAURO MOLINO
BARBERA D'ASTI 'LERADICI'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Leradici, meaning the roots, is a single vineyard in Costigliole d’Asti that was purchased in 2015 by the Molino family, one of the top Barolo players in the village of La Morra. One of the superb villages for Barbera in the Asti zone, this wine comes from 20-40 year old vines and is a remarkable score for its price point.

A cacophony of ripe, deep aromas and flavors with truffle, violet, cocoa and exotic spice, the 2018 Molino Barbera D'Asti reveals palate-coating flavors that are vivacious and pleasing. All makes this the perfect wine for hearty fare such as braised or slow roasted meats, or try it with a three-cheese pizza of grana padana, pecorino, and mozzarella and fine with a mushroom pasta as well.

2019 AMEZTOI TXAKOLINA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

From the Getaraiko region overlooking San Sebastián, comes the Txakoli from Ameztoi. Ameztoi has achieved cult-like status with their pink version, however, the best and most classic wine is their white Txakoli. From the estate's vineyards, one can see the Atlantic Ocean, visualize, and feel the profound influence that it has on the grapes and the wines.

Made from the ever-popular (at least in this part of the Basque region) Hondarribi Zuri grape, naturally spritzy and at low (under 11.5%) alcohol, Ameztoi's Getaraiko Txakolina is a visceral white wine experience, especially when served and drank from a porron! Resoundingly fresh and shimmering, detailed and precise with perfumed crushed stone, seashore and lime-blossom scents that follow into a pleasing, bracing, vibrant, fiercely dry and elevated mouth-feel. Truly a wine that will undoubtedly make anyone happy! Drink it now, drink it often, it is a marvelous accompaniment to sushi or other fresh seafood.

2017 WOODWARD CANYON 'NELMS ROAD'
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Back to its old 20-dollar price level and we are all happy. Introduced as a second label to Woodward Canyon in 1998, the Nelms Road cuvee of younger vine fruit from many of the same Woodward Canyon sources always provides a delicious experience that can be accessed immediately. 2017 is being touted as a knockout vintage for Washington's wines and this wine will provide a terrific early-drinking 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 with a variety of beef dishes and more. Drink through 2025.

2016 BODEGAS CARO MALBEC 'ARUMA'
$13.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Bodegas Caro is a collaboration between 2 legends of wine royalty, none other than heralded Bordeaux estate Chateau Lafite-Rothschild and Argentina's wine forefather, Nicolas Catena. Originally known for their Malbec/Cabernet blends, for their 10th anniversary, Bodegas Caro rolled out a pure Malbec in honor of the grape that has come to symbolize Argentina.

Deep in color and civilized in aroma, possessing ample blueberry, plum, licorice, allspice and coffee tones while never straying outside of its refined frame this tasty red is typical of Lafite and Catena. Full-flavored and not about sheer power it is more about complexity, depth and above all smoothness. Lots of lingering pleasantness on the finish, this is a perfect wine to enjoy with meat dishes and those combined with tomatoes. Drink over the next 2-3 years.

2016 SAN ISIDRO GARNACHA
'OLD VINE'
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

Another insane value from Spain, just how do they do it for so cheap?!? What sets this flavorful Spanish red apart is that the Garnacha vines that this wine is sourced from are at least 60 years old in the central Spanish wine region of Calatayud and make for a scrumptious everyday red.

Waves of black cherry, dried roses, almond and nutmeg follow into a very Spanish texture that reveals brightness and layered tones of fruit, pepper and licorice. Enjoy this wine with smoked meats or a simple, fat cheeseburger.

2017 PILLOT VOLNAY
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE

We know how great Laurent Pillot’s white wines are but lately we almost anticipate his releases of red wines even more. Through marriage he inherited several great parcels and it is an absolute thrill to offer yinz all two vintages that are both very formidable and yet oh so different. The 2017 is Cote de Beaune elegance personified. Pillot’s Volnay holdings are 1.8 acres spread out over 5 parcels planted between 1960 and 1999. Two are classed Premier Cru, Ronceret and Brouillards, but unfortunately, they are too small to bottle on their own, so Pillot declassifies the two Premiers Crus parcels and assembles the entirety into one cuvee.

The 2017 is feminine beauty, a sensuous redhead if you will. Spice-laden but with rocking perfume. Generous strawberry and blackberry with Limestone minerality being very present. Starts inward and then spreads out with excellent penetration. Combines the one-third use of new oak nicely with the fruit and earth. Pulsating, lively, tingling, long finish. More and more perfume shine as it unfolds. Drink end of 2022 – 2032.

2016 PILLOT VOLNAY
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE

While 2017 is a sensuous vintage with detail, clarity and focus, 2016 is one of power and depth of fruit. Excellent potential as well and a very different story yet both will meet somewhere along the route and have compelling histories throughout their drinking ranges.

2017 would be akin to The Wire where characters and stories develop slowly. 2016 is an epic that has lots of explosions and flashes. Pole vaulting perfume! Very exciting from the get-go with a kiss of oak up front coming off as cinnamon and clove spices. Peppercorn and lacy strawberry fruit abound. Youthful as to be expected. Deep, structured with depth, and becoming clamped down. Lovely persistence and potential, drink 2022 – 2031.