Hot Sheets

2014 GIRLAN PINOT GRIGIO
ALTO ADIGE
$14.99 BTL./$89.94 - SIX PACK

There was a time that tasting Pinot Grigio could be a bit like sitting through Godfather 3, you sort of see what they were trying to achieve but you are always left scratching your head as to why they even bothered. From Italy's Alto Adige region, this producer has put forth some of the finest Italian white wines that I've consumed this year and that includes this tasty Pinot Grigio.

Girlan does very little to tamper with the purity, doing all fermentation and aging in stainless steel tanks. If you ever wanted to know what we are talking about when we say, pure, clean and crisp, then this would be a good example. Attractive aromas of apple, peach, and white flowers along with prominent flinty, stony aspects. Clean and elegant in the mouth, this has subtle richness, with virtually crunchy fruit and a pristine, mouthwatering finish. One can have this wine on its own as an aperitif but it really shines with grilled prawns or fresh crab.

CHAMPAGNE DRAPPIER
BRUT 'CARTE D'OR'
[reg. $56.99]
SPECIAL - $35.99 BTL./$215.94 - SIX PACK

Champagne Drappier has important relevance in the history of Champagne. Loctaed in Urville in the Aube, the southern portion Champagne and founded in 1808, the Drappier family first planted Pinot Noir in this area. This reality has driven this area to become very fine for its Pinot Noir amongst many larger houses as well as the plethora of growers that inhabit this area.

Until the end of the week, this excellent fizz is on a deep special. Some 70 miles from the heart of Champagne, these soils of this area are vastly different from the normal chalk. Kimmeridgian soil is prominent here – same as in Chablis and Sancerre but in the -Aube, it is the Pinot Noir that is prized. 75% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay, this is typical of the fizz done in the area with its full-bodied character. Rich, and caressing, very finely placed bubbles seduce the palate; lots of follow-through and poise…one can see lots of love went into this Champagne and at this excellent price, one should take advantage!

CHAMPAGNE LOUIS ROEDERER
BRUT PREMIER
[reg. $56.99]
SPECIAL - $46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK

Known for the luxurious and over the top expensive Cristal, Champagne Roederer makes a wide range of cuvees in all price ranges and is one of the historic houses of the region with history goes back to 1765. It is a large landholder in the area, and is able to produce around 80% of its grape requirements.

The current cuvee of Louis Roederer's multi-vintage, Brut Premier, is a perennial winner and, as usual, is on world-beating form! This year's release is as seductively rich as it has ever been with sophisticated, pear-ginger-vanilla tinged fruit that is well into its creamy, full stage and just beginning to pick up its alluring biscuit quality along with impeccable brisk nervosity. An undeniable steal at this price, this is one that will surely please any Champagne lover. Last chance at this price, it goes back up at the end of the week.

MALIBRAN PROSECCO
'CINQUEGRAMMI'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK

We at The Cellar Door have immense preferences when it comes to Prosecco and what we prefer are sparkling wines in the area that are from families and are of an artisan quality. Since we were first introduced to this producer back in 2010, they have been consistently featured on our shelves and in our weekly musings.

Cinquegrami is a special cuvee denoting the small dosage added into this bone-dry and shimmering bubbly. Explosive citrus blossom, melon and prominent mineral scents. Classy small bubbles take this Prosecco to another level of sophistication. Lots of breed, flavor and complexity. At 11% alcohol, this is perfect for throwing back numerous bottles and it is a damn fine match with sushi.

2015 FRANCOIS CARILLON
PULIGNY-MONTRACHET
$65.99 BTL./$791.88 CASE

According to Ferris Beuhler, you can never go too far! When it comes to drinking the best chardonnays in the world, you can also never go too far! It has been mentioned to us by several distributors that it is difficult to sell white Burgundy in this town. Well, it really does go to show the sophistication and knowledge of our friends on our lists that you really know all about the best of the best….every year, White Burgundy outsells California Chardonnay about 10 to 1 in our world, regardless of the price point. Carillon, like Leflaive and Sauzet, is one of the great names of Puligny Montrachet who make consistently excellent wines.

Carillon’s 2015 offering is ultra-impressive with ripe, but very fine aromas of lemondrop, spice, pronounced wet stone and pink grapefruit. Excellent thrust presents itself in the mouth with rich and lavish fullness all while maintaining the detail, grace and refinement of Puligny-Montrachet. Already impressive now, this overachieving village wine will age nicely for another 5-7 years as well. Grab a lobster and a bottle of Carillon Puligny-Montrachet and treat yourself, you won’t regret it!

2010 ERASMO CABERNET-MERLOT
$26.99 BTL./$161.94 SIX PACK

Famed Brunello di Montalcino producer Col D'Orcia's owner Francesco Marone Cinzano has an incredible passion for top-flight, classified Growth Bordeaux and in the mid-90s decided to explore an operation far, far away, Chile's Maule Valley to be exact.

Col D'Orcia's greatness is exquisitely carried over to the southern hemisphere nicely. Erasmo's gateway red’s backbone is the 60% of Cabernet Sauvignon from densely planted, high-quality French clones. Impeccably stylish and complex, this is one of the coolest wines I have seen come from Chile. Penetrating aromas kick in immediately with a prominent presence of blackcurrant, graphite, hints of red earth and impressively intertwined undertones of espresso from excellent use of French barrels. Lacy fruit and balance rule the day, but its core of fruit is expressive, chewy and expansive. Firmly formed on the mid-palate then glides into a spice-laden finish that packed with spices like coriander, nutmeg and pepper and lasts and lasts and lasts. At age 6, this is drinking very well and will continue for another 5-7 more years.

2015 CAMERON PINOT NOIR
'DUNDEE HILLS'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

I held on to a little bit of this particular Cameron Pinot Noir for the end of the year and have some left! One of the superb Oregon Pinot releases this year, Cameron is down to the last cases of this magical Pinot Noir and given that it is the end of summer and to entice you to come in this week, we are pouring it! As usual, this cuvee is solely from Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique Vineyards.

Typical for vintage 2015 being a flashy show-off wine, this dynamo is rich and stylish with tones of black raspberry, plenty of gentle spice, Dundee Hills mineral and a pronounced overtone of lavender and pepper which round out the finish nicely. Direct and dazzling stuff that is layered and mouth filling, this pinot goes straight to the back of the mouth to an expansive finish that is virtually never found in under 25-dollar Pinot Noir. Just under 3 cases are left so speak now as they say!

2013 ST-JEAN DU BARROUX
VENTOUX ROUGE 'L'ARGILLE'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

What Philippe Gimel is doing in Ventoux is transcendent. From Nancy and a pharmacist for 5 years, Philippe founded Saint-Jean de Barroux in 2003 after doing stints at famed Chateauneuf producers Beaucastel and Janasse. Originally starting with just over 10 acres, Philippe has gradually expanded to 33 acres spread out over three sections from just beneath Mont Ventoux to the Dentelles de Montmirial (85 parcels!) all of vastly different terroirs. Organic farming takes oot at this estate and the wines are full-scaled yet with all of the poise and freshness desired for wines from this area.

I tasted the excellent 2013 in France and decided that we had to have some. Even more impressive than the excellent 2011 and 2012 we used, the 2013 is comprised of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and then 5% each of Carignan and Cinsault. This Ventoux will honestly outperform a number of Chateauneuf because it is that damn good! Very traditional in its profile, the harmony and sophistication on this wine allow it to be something very special. Devastatingly eloquent, this over-achiever's aromas encompass you and draw you right in with its beguiling character. Loads of violet, thyme, plum and white pepper with an underlay of smoked rock, what we have here shows amazing poise and personality. Ethereal, mouth crawling and with impressive depth and spiced earth in the mouth and a lovely offering that is everything that we love about the Rhone Valley and Ventoux. L’Argile likes meat - drink this stellar choice over the next 10-12 years with beef, lamb, etc., you will not be disappointed.

2016 BEAURENARD
COTES-DU-RHONE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

This flavorful Rhone is insanely good for this price! Produced by famed Chateauneuf brothers Daniel and Frederic Coulon, this wine is receives as much love as their $80+ Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As the brothers have continued to add more Cotes-du-Rhone land, the majority of this wine comes from sites just north of the small city of Orange and then enhanced by small parts of Rasteau to make a delectable, go-to, every evening drinker.

Way more complexity and dimension than an ordinary Cotes-du-Rhone should ever have, the 2016 possesses an equally, if not more compelling story to the vaunted 2015 and is one of the best versions of this wine that we have seen to date. Plenty of stuffing here with the beautiful Beaurenard perfume lurking beneath the surface. Plum, thyme and licorice present, lots of palate coverage but smooth and not heavy whatsoever. White pepper and plenty of persistence on the long finish. 2016 is a marvelous vintage and one that will drink and develop nicely through 2020.

2011 CONTI COSTANTI
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
[reg. $92.00]
SPECIAL - $65.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK

In Tuscany, there is Sangiovese and then there is Sangiovese from the Brunello di Montalcino area. It is the essence of the grape varietal, and the wines of the area are the gems of anyone’s cellar. Sixth generation, Andrea Costanti is one of the ambassadors of this great Tuscan appellation. With one taste of Andrea's wine, it is clear that he is rooted in great local traditions.

This layered and impressive Brunello leaps from the glass with notes of plums, cherries, blackberries, tobacco, chocolate, and leather. Complex, layered and silky on the palate with richness of fruit, reflecting this warm Tuscan vintage. It would not be total blasphemy to open one now with a simple grilled steak or hearty Italian meal. Drink through 2027+...also, if you like scores, Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored it 95 points.

FRIDAY SIPS

La Derniere Goutte (The Last Drop) of 2017

FEATURED SELECTIONS:

2011 Chateau Charmail Haut-Medoc
Champagne Drappier Carte D’Or
Plus a couple more from our end of the year stash!