Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SWISS CHEESE DEFENSE' HOTSHEET
93 pt Malbec Below 20, Montalcino, Trimbach, Rioja, Burgundy & more
2011 HERMANOS PECINA
RIOJA CRIANZA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
RIOJA CRIANZA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Even though this estate is just over 20 years old, the wines that emerge from this Bodega are the epitome of traditionally made Rioja. Pedro Pecina worked for 20 years at La Rioja Alta so it is a no brainer that these wines are made in this fashion and would be this damn good to boot.
‘Deep red. Spicy, smoke-tinged cherry and red berry scents are complemented by suggestions of incense and vanilla. Smoky black raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors are lifted and energized by a mineral element. Sappy, incisive and fresh on the finish, firmed by supple, well-knit tannins. – 91 POINTS, VINOUS’
‘Deep red. Spicy, smoke-tinged cherry and red berry scents are complemented by suggestions of incense and vanilla. Smoky black raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors are lifted and energized by a mineral element. Sappy, incisive and fresh on the finish, firmed by supple, well-knit tannins. – 91 POINTS, VINOUS’
2012 CONTI COSTANTI
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
SPECIAL $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
SPECIAL $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The Costanti family has been part of Montalcino since 1555. Montalcino residents are a tightly knit community, with a strong sense of identity and deep love for their territory. After all, they are producing the purest and most profound expression of Sangiovese in the world. Andrea Costanti is one of the ambassadors of this great Tuscan appellation and after meeting him for the first time ever a few weeks back, I came away even more impressed after finding out that he has always resisted the urge to expand beyond his 5000 cases. The reason being, he has never wanted to have land that isn’t around his winery.
With one taste of Andrea's wine, it is clear that he is rooted in great local traditions yet he is receptive to what is going on in the international wine community. The Costanti vineyards are located in the Matrichese cru, the central area and the heart of Montalcino, a territory that produces wines of the greatest complexity and elegance. The biggest thing he explained about this wine is that 2012 is a 5-star vintage for Montalcino. This awesome Rosso is luscious and ripe with red berry fruit, roasted sage, and violet and rich earth notes. There is a beautiful note of purity once this wine hits the mouth, with a core of ripe cherry, Tuscan roasted herbs and fine tannins that are both ripe and yet add a beautiful frame for the rich and decadent fruit to be at the forefront. This is a wine that to be consumed with a fine meal, especially roasted meat dishes, pasta with sage and butter preparations and it would make a mushroom dish sing. This is a Rosso really wanting to be a Brunello and often outdoes many of its more famous Brunello brethren. Drink over the next decade.
With one taste of Andrea's wine, it is clear that he is rooted in great local traditions yet he is receptive to what is going on in the international wine community. The Costanti vineyards are located in the Matrichese cru, the central area and the heart of Montalcino, a territory that produces wines of the greatest complexity and elegance. The biggest thing he explained about this wine is that 2012 is a 5-star vintage for Montalcino. This awesome Rosso is luscious and ripe with red berry fruit, roasted sage, and violet and rich earth notes. There is a beautiful note of purity once this wine hits the mouth, with a core of ripe cherry, Tuscan roasted herbs and fine tannins that are both ripe and yet add a beautiful frame for the rich and decadent fruit to be at the forefront. This is a wine that to be consumed with a fine meal, especially roasted meat dishes, pasta with sage and butter preparations and it would make a mushroom dish sing. This is a Rosso really wanting to be a Brunello and often outdoes many of its more famous Brunello brethren. Drink over the next decade.
2012 TRIMBACH RIESLING
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$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 2020.
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 2020.
2013 ZORZAL MALBEC
'GRAN TERROIRS'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
93 PTS - WINE ADVOCATE
'GRAN TERROIRS'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
93 PTS - WINE ADVOCATE
Zorzal is located at 4500 feet in the sub region of the Uco Valley called Gualtallary just outside of Tupungato. Being at this elevation, Zorzal is the highest winery in all of Mendoza. The high portion of chalk in the soil combined with the elevation gives this killer Malbec an insane amount of energy. Aged 12-18 months in 2-3 year old French barrels, this wine never departs from its origins.
‘The 2013 Gran Terroir Malbec is a blend from different vineyards in Gualtallary, the highest part of the department of Tupungato in the Valle de Uco. The grapes fermented in cement vats and matured in used oak barrels for approximately one year. It's very perfumed and spicy, aromatic in a way that makes you go to the glass over and over again. The palate has the 2013 electricity and the Gualtallary chalkiness making for supple, tasty and saline flavors and a very long finish. Simply superb! – 93 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
‘The 2013 Gran Terroir Malbec is a blend from different vineyards in Gualtallary, the highest part of the department of Tupungato in the Valle de Uco. The grapes fermented in cement vats and matured in used oak barrels for approximately one year. It's very perfumed and spicy, aromatic in a way that makes you go to the glass over and over again. The palate has the 2013 electricity and the Gualtallary chalkiness making for supple, tasty and saline flavors and a very long finish. Simply superb! – 93 POINTS, THE WINE ADVOCATE’
2013 CAMUS-BRUCHON
SAVIGNY-LES-BEAUNE
'GRANDS LIARDS'
$45.99 BTL./$551.88 CASE
SAVIGNY-LES-BEAUNE
'GRANDS LIARDS'
$45.99 BTL./$551.88 CASE
Guillaume Camus is one of the rising stars in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune, making wine from vineyard holdings in Savigny-Les-Beaune, Pommard and Beaune. Guillaume is all about his vineyards, this young dude is reverential to his past believing that it is much more important to have great grapes that truly express the site’s terroir to make extraordinary wines. Karen, Michael and I visited him in May and he was extremely generous with a 3+ hour tasting which made us garner even more respect for these extremely underrated and undervalued Burgundy. In fact, he finished by opening 2009, 2006, 1999 and 1985 to show how well these wines age!
From two parcels planted in 1916 and 1922, this site, situated in one of Savigny's fine neighborhoods, located next to Serpentieres. The Grands Liards vineyard isn’t Premier Cru but it honestly should be and the fact that it isn’t holds the price down a bit. A thin layer of clay over prominent limestone rock shows off in this wine's deep and mysterious nature. The nose is compact with mineral, dried flowers, roasted coffee and loads of black cherry and plum fruit. On the palate of this vinous beauty, all of the berry notes coat the tongue and keep the ripeness of the vintage in perfect balance. The old vines along with the grip of 2013 shows in the structure of ripe & fine-grained tannins that offer the perfect framework for all of the alluring floral, dried porcini and bing cherry notes. This is a wine that can be had now if you were to decant it for about 90 minutes before serving but have patience and leave it alone until 2019 and enjoy it through 2030.
From two parcels planted in 1916 and 1922, this site, situated in one of Savigny's fine neighborhoods, located next to Serpentieres. The Grands Liards vineyard isn’t Premier Cru but it honestly should be and the fact that it isn’t holds the price down a bit. A thin layer of clay over prominent limestone rock shows off in this wine's deep and mysterious nature. The nose is compact with mineral, dried flowers, roasted coffee and loads of black cherry and plum fruit. On the palate of this vinous beauty, all of the berry notes coat the tongue and keep the ripeness of the vintage in perfect balance. The old vines along with the grip of 2013 shows in the structure of ripe & fine-grained tannins that offer the perfect framework for all of the alluring floral, dried porcini and bing cherry notes. This is a wine that can be had now if you were to decant it for about 90 minutes before serving but have patience and leave it alone until 2019 and enjoy it through 2030.
2015 DOG POINT
SAUVIGNON BLANC 'MARLBOROUGH'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
SAUVIGNON BLANC 'MARLBOROUGH'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Dog Point Vineyard combines the considerable winegrowing experience of Ivan Sutherland and James Healy, the former chief viticulturalist and head winemaker at New Zealand's Cloudy Bay and their offerings have become in-demand cult wines throughout New Zealand.
Using the best fruit from their sites, these beer-swillin’ Kiwis produce eye-popping Sauvignon that has all of the classic explosive characteristics. Bursting, lively, fully dry with almost-illegal aromatics of papaya, passionfruit, and lemongrass. In the mouth, this is like biting into a superb, perfectly ripened nectarine and chasing with an equally perfect orange. Mouth coating and fascinating, this wine finishes with gusto and elevation and is a perfect wine to pair with spicy Szechuan or Thai cuisine as well as lively shellfish dishes.
Using the best fruit from their sites, these beer-swillin’ Kiwis produce eye-popping Sauvignon that has all of the classic explosive characteristics. Bursting, lively, fully dry with almost-illegal aromatics of papaya, passionfruit, and lemongrass. In the mouth, this is like biting into a superb, perfectly ripened nectarine and chasing with an equally perfect orange. Mouth coating and fascinating, this wine finishes with gusto and elevation and is a perfect wine to pair with spicy Szechuan or Thai cuisine as well as lively shellfish dishes.
2015 FERRANDIERE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
There is always something good happening in the South of France when it comes to delicious wine values and Ferrandiere focuses on exactly what so many people love about inexpensive, nicely made Languedoc wines.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon with dark and aromatic scents of lavender-dust and thyme along with black pepper and black cherry. Ripe, supple and smooth from front to back and then finishes with classic spiciness and broadness. A perfect wine for parties or while watching basketball.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon with dark and aromatic scents of lavender-dust and thyme along with black pepper and black cherry. Ripe, supple and smooth from front to back and then finishes with classic spiciness and broadness. A perfect wine for parties or while watching basketball.
(2015) TINTERO ROSSO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Parentheses on the vintage because grapes come throughout the Piedmont growing region, hence, no DOC, no vintage. No problem, this succulent Italian red is all about big bang for 10 bucks!
From the (2015) vintage, this is about equal parts of Barbera (50%) and Dolcetto (40%) and with dollops of Nebbiolo and Cabernet blended in. Vivacious, clean, bursting. Red berry succulence with mineral, dark chocolate and licorice. Mouth filling, brilliant and imminently quaffable. Antipasti consisting of salami, carpaccio, some buffalo mozzarella. Also delicious with a carne asada taco.
From the (2015) vintage, this is about equal parts of Barbera (50%) and Dolcetto (40%) and with dollops of Nebbiolo and Cabernet blended in. Vivacious, clean, bursting. Red berry succulence with mineral, dark chocolate and licorice. Mouth filling, brilliant and imminently quaffable. Antipasti consisting of salami, carpaccio, some buffalo mozzarella. Also delicious with a carne asada taco.
