Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'IS IT OVER YET?' HOTSHEET
Ridge Zin, Red for Turkey, Pinot Gris, Bubbles, Malbec and more
2015 TEDESCHI VALPOLICELLA
'LUCCHINE'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'LUCCHINE'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
As we slowly roll towards T-Day, it is time to recommend wines to go with the big bird. Normally one of my rules is not to use Italian reds because they go better with their own cuisine. Rules are made to be broken and in this case, this fresh and engaging Valpolicella promises to be a damn delicious pairing.
Tedeschi is a top-notch Amarone and Valpolicella and Lucchine is the unoaked, trattoria version in this splendid lineup. Pleasurable and made for drinking rather than aging, this Valpol is about pent-up, red-fruit hedonism. Flashy, aromatic cherry-soaked balsamic aromas with underlying herbs and minerals. Illuminating and fun with flavors that attack from start to finish. The sheer succulence works so well with turkey as well as for pizza the day after or before the main day.
Tedeschi is a top-notch Amarone and Valpolicella and Lucchine is the unoaked, trattoria version in this splendid lineup. Pleasurable and made for drinking rather than aging, this Valpol is about pent-up, red-fruit hedonism. Flashy, aromatic cherry-soaked balsamic aromas with underlying herbs and minerals. Illuminating and fun with flavors that attack from start to finish. The sheer succulence works so well with turkey as well as for pizza the day after or before the main day.
2013 BELLE PENTE PINOT GRIS
'WILLAMETTE VALLEY'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
'WILLAMETTE VALLEY'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Wanna know who makes my favorite Oregon Pinot Gris? Belle Pente is always at the top of the short list and is always one that I admire very much. Fans of Pinot Gris will find a lot to like in Belle Pente's 2013 vintage. To me, this version is old school, dry-style Alsace-inspired and checking in at 12.7% alcohol, one feels the freshness that goes along with the round aspects that this grape delivers very well.
Grapes for this beauty came primarily from Belle Pente's own estate, Rivenwood, and Walker vineyards, all of which are planted on sedimentary formations, with over soil that imparts a distinct minerality underling the apple, pear, and Meyer lemon flavors and aromas. Sneaky depth and persistence rule the day up front and in the mid-palate while finishing clean, fresh, longer and where many seemingly fall from a cliff. Dry and brilliant stuff that is a wonderful drink and perfect with a mushroom pasta, smoked salmon or scallops in butter. Only 638 cases produced.
Grapes for this beauty came primarily from Belle Pente's own estate, Rivenwood, and Walker vineyards, all of which are planted on sedimentary formations, with over soil that imparts a distinct minerality underling the apple, pear, and Meyer lemon flavors and aromas. Sneaky depth and persistence rule the day up front and in the mid-palate while finishing clean, fresh, longer and where many seemingly fall from a cliff. Dry and brilliant stuff that is a wonderful drink and perfect with a mushroom pasta, smoked salmon or scallops in butter. Only 638 cases produced.
2014 RIDGE ZINFANDEL
PAGANI RANCH
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
PAGANI RANCH
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
80% Zinfandel, 17% Alicante Bouschet, 3% Petite Sirah. Since 1991, Ridge has made zinfandel from the old Pagani vineyard on the east-facing side of Sonoma Valley. All the vines were planted 90-120 years ago. Pagani Ranch is the Ndamukong Suh of their line-up. Big, forceful, assertive yet cerebral. OK, so it doesn't have his nasty temper, it has deep, full-throttle attractiveness to it now and will age impeccably as well.
The decadently thunderous nose instantly reveals that you are in for one hell-ride of a wine experience! Layered plum, coriander, a distinct minerality and plenty of briary spice. In the mouth, it is Zin hedonism at its finest, but the blend of grapes allows for complexity, depth and grace on the lasting, luxurious finish. Always a special cuvee from Ridge, drink this with something substantial if you would like to enjoy now or put it down for 5 years and drink it for the decade following as Ridge’s Zins have a great propensity to develop exciting nuance as they relax in the cellar.
The decadently thunderous nose instantly reveals that you are in for one hell-ride of a wine experience! Layered plum, coriander, a distinct minerality and plenty of briary spice. In the mouth, it is Zin hedonism at its finest, but the blend of grapes allows for complexity, depth and grace on the lasting, luxurious finish. Always a special cuvee from Ridge, drink this with something substantial if you would like to enjoy now or put it down for 5 years and drink it for the decade following as Ridge’s Zins have a great propensity to develop exciting nuance as they relax in the cellar.
2011 MARECHAL BOURGOGNE ROUGE
'CUVEE GRAVEL'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
'CUVEE GRAVEL'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
"Baby Steps into Burgundy" may be the title of our next novel. In this case, this wine’s title is the great intro into the Holy Grail region of Pinot Noir. Claude Marechal gets so much out of his wines that come from six different appellations, yet only one is a Premier cru. After many years, I finally had the chance to visit this guy, and driving away left wondering in amazement, what if this man had land in top premier and grand cru sites?
The secret to the quality here is old vines and a friendship that Claude Marechal has struck up with a fellow, famous Burgundian, Henri Jayer. Claude Marechal does a hell of a job emulating the wines of his mentor and reveal so much more than the price would suggest. 2011 is a sneaky-good vintage in Burgundy and is one that has put on muscle as it has been in bottle. From 30+ year old vines within the villages of Bligny-les-Beaune and Pommard, the 2011 Cuvee Gravel possesses gentle but prominent aromas of perfume, elusive herbs and seemingly conjure up notations of a Beaune Premier Cru that might be twice its price.
Compact and classic with true-to-form Burgundy flavors that are really all about pleasure. Lovely movement, finesse and elegance throughout. Sneaky structure arrives on the finish that is succulent and fans out nicely. At age 5, this is stunning now and will continue to drink well over the next 3-5 years. I recently tossed back a 2008 and it was such a stupendous, very on form red Burgundy. This will undoubtedly perform the same way.
The secret to the quality here is old vines and a friendship that Claude Marechal has struck up with a fellow, famous Burgundian, Henri Jayer. Claude Marechal does a hell of a job emulating the wines of his mentor and reveal so much more than the price would suggest. 2011 is a sneaky-good vintage in Burgundy and is one that has put on muscle as it has been in bottle. From 30+ year old vines within the villages of Bligny-les-Beaune and Pommard, the 2011 Cuvee Gravel possesses gentle but prominent aromas of perfume, elusive herbs and seemingly conjure up notations of a Beaune Premier Cru that might be twice its price.
Compact and classic with true-to-form Burgundy flavors that are really all about pleasure. Lovely movement, finesse and elegance throughout. Sneaky structure arrives on the finish that is succulent and fans out nicely. At age 5, this is stunning now and will continue to drink well over the next 3-5 years. I recently tossed back a 2008 and it was such a stupendous, very on form red Burgundy. This will undoubtedly perform the same way.
2013 MENDEL MALBEC
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
One of the blazing Malbec newcomers is Mendel. Owned by wine enthusiast and successful businesswoman, Annabelle Sielecki and with wines made by superstar Argentine maker Roberto de la Mota, this estate has launched themselves into Mendoza’s upper echelon.
Made grapes grown in the Mayor Drummond section of Mendoza’s Lujan de Cuyo, the vine average for this wine is 85 years old and it is elevated in 40% new French oak. An attractive "velvet monster" that unveils lively aromas of strawberry, plum-pepper, allspice, cinnamon, violet and hot rock, one smell reveals that it is from old vines at a high elevation. Sexy, saturated, chewy, polished, and a real mouthful of red wine. Through all of this, it maintains freshness which calls you back for another glass and another and another, etc., etc. The finish is penetrating and dense revealing chocolate-covered raspberry tones and lingering around for a long time. Drink through 2023.
Made grapes grown in the Mayor Drummond section of Mendoza’s Lujan de Cuyo, the vine average for this wine is 85 years old and it is elevated in 40% new French oak. An attractive "velvet monster" that unveils lively aromas of strawberry, plum-pepper, allspice, cinnamon, violet and hot rock, one smell reveals that it is from old vines at a high elevation. Sexy, saturated, chewy, polished, and a real mouthful of red wine. Through all of this, it maintains freshness which calls you back for another glass and another and another, etc., etc. The finish is penetrating and dense revealing chocolate-covered raspberry tones and lingering around for a long time. Drink through 2023.
2010 COSIMO TAURINO
SALICE SALENTINO
$11.99 BTL./$71.94 - SIX PACK
SALICE SALENTINO
$11.99 BTL./$71.94 - SIX PACK
Cosimo Taurino is the name that put the wines of Puglia on the map. For such a long time, this estate produced magical wines that epitomized Southern Italy. A downturn in quality occurred in the 90s and up until recently, this great estate was whizzing against the wind sometimes making wines that were quite nice and sometimes making wines that were one-step away from battery acid. Enter a new generation and currently, these wines are back on form and are reminiscent of the great values that we once knew while coming up in the biz and drinking copious amounts of them.
100% Negroamaro, roasted aromas of cherry, leather, spice, tangy earth and licorice follow into a ripe, generous and plummy texture with telltale wild traits that marry up so well to classic tomato-based dishes, especially a penne with a spicy arrabiata sauce.
100% Negroamaro, roasted aromas of cherry, leather, spice, tangy earth and licorice follow into a ripe, generous and plummy texture with telltale wild traits that marry up so well to classic tomato-based dishes, especially a penne with a spicy arrabiata sauce.
2012 LA HORRA
RIBERA DEL DUERO 'CORIMBO'
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
RIBERA DEL DUERO 'CORIMBO'
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
A few years back, rumors persisted about Rioja icon Bodegas Roda buying land and making wine across the small mountain chain in the primo region of Ribera Del Duero. Soon enough rumors became facts and for the first time we are seeing the results of the brilliance that this estate exudes.
2012 is actually the fifth vintage for this so-called entry Ribera Del Duero red wine. Made from 100% Tinta del Pais (the Tempranillo clone for the region), this wine displays the power and richness that is what this area is about yet maintains all of the class and suaveness that Roda is about. Exuding Spanish sophistication at its finest, the 2012 is loaded with flavor and aromas of black plum, raspberry, fresh-cut roses, vanilla and cedarbox. The texture is ripe and caresses all of the senses with fine structure and zestiness brought about from the area’s cool nights; it is also very long, savory and silky. Truly undervalued at 28 bucks, roast some pork laced with paprika and go to town. Drink now through 2024.
2012 is actually the fifth vintage for this so-called entry Ribera Del Duero red wine. Made from 100% Tinta del Pais (the Tempranillo clone for the region), this wine displays the power and richness that is what this area is about yet maintains all of the class and suaveness that Roda is about. Exuding Spanish sophistication at its finest, the 2012 is loaded with flavor and aromas of black plum, raspberry, fresh-cut roses, vanilla and cedarbox. The texture is ripe and caresses all of the senses with fine structure and zestiness brought about from the area’s cool nights; it is also very long, savory and silky. Truly undervalued at 28 bucks, roast some pork laced with paprika and go to town. Drink now through 2024.
BAUMARD CREMANT DE LOIRE
TURQUOISE BRUT
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
TURQUOISE BRUT
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Like any virtuoso, Baumard simply has to show up, because with their deft touch they will make fabulous wine. Known for dry Savennieres and some of France's greatest dessert wines from Quarts de Chaume and the Coteaux du Layon, Baumard has taken their prowess and has produced a sparkling wine that is perfect for those who do not want to drop the bank on Champagne.
Made from Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc in the traditional Champagne method, this wine exudes class with its lip-stinging apricot, quince and brioche character. A fine sipper that will pair nicely with hors d'oeurves and for holiday gatherings.
Made from Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc in the traditional Champagne method, this wine exudes class with its lip-stinging apricot, quince and brioche character. A fine sipper that will pair nicely with hors d'oeurves and for holiday gatherings.
