Hot Sheets

NAMEOF2012 CHATEAU STE-MICHELLE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 'COLD CREEK'
$26.99 BTL./161.94 - SIX PACK

Often times we look at a producer like Chateau Ste-Michelle and see their wide range and forget just how good the more limited single vineyard and Reserve wines actually are. The best part of it all is that they remain hidden beneath all of the momentary Washington trends and are significant values. Combine an apex great vintage like 2012 with a historic and important vineyard like Cold Creek and you have the makings for something that can be very special!

Sitting in the Columbia Valley south of the Wahluke Slope region Cold Creek Vineyard was planted in 1973 and the old vine intensity really shows off beautifully in this well-structured and ageworthy offering. Lyrical, old-school scents of chocolate and nutmeg finished off with mild cedar spice. On the palate, juicy dried black cherry fades to plum and cassis, melded with coffee and dark chocolate. The penetration and multi-dimensional characteristics from the nose are also present in the mouth. Luxurious and not without a bit of cushion, this stuff is almost dangerous! Soothing and smoothly textured with building spice and a head-spinning core of blue fruit take the lead, but the backbone is what ultimately carries the wine and will bring longevity. Not inaccessible now with 30 minutes in a decanter, this wine will be at its best 2017 – 2025+.

2015 EVESHAM WOOD PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

One of Oregon's most profound producers, Evesham Wood has released their crowd-pleasing, mouth filling 2015 Pinot Noir. As usual, this five-star producer’s Willamette Valley is always a wonder wine for under 20 bucks, so if you like these wines, be quick, this one will go bye-bye as fast as The Cleveland Brownies’ dreams of getting a wine yesterday!

Erin Nuccio is a super nice guy who damn near gives his wines away…they are ridiculously good for so little! Evesham Wood's 2008 is an appealing, extremely well done, honest pinot noir that performs way above its seventeen-dollar price-tag. Stylish red and blackcurrant fruit permeates from the glass enhanced by intertwined cinnamon, violet and red earth. Textural depth abound, ripe pure berry notes and fine balance carry exquisitely from start to finish. This wine will take you from salmon to lamb to roasted chicken and mushroom risotto. Stock up for all of your fall/winter Pinot needs.

2012 TEDESCHI 'MATERNIGO'
VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE
[reg. $39.99]
SPECIAL $24.99 BTL./$149.94 SIX PACK

Having been in existence since 1630, Tedeschi has always been a formidable name for Amarone and Valpolicella. Lately Riccardo Tedeschi has taken his family’s estate to some of the loftiest levels by creating single parcel wines that exude greatness reflecting their specific origins while possessing ample decadence.

An awe-inspiring special intro price, not only is this a thrill ride of a wine, the locale-named Maternigo is from a vineyard called ‘Impervio’ and is so steep that it may well make a mountain goat puke! This seven-acre single vineyard possesses superior terroir consisting of intermittent white and yellow limestone marls. Done with traditional vinification without any drying of the grapes and aged for 14 months in 2000 and 2500-liter barrels, this wine maintains a formidable, yet beautiful presence attaining power through elegance. Sensually red in color, it has a wide and embracing bouquet with scents of forest fruits, juniper, and tobacco, prominent stony mineral and coffee essences. Seamless and sexy on the palate with generous fruit, well-balanced zest and spine and a finish that goes on and on and let’s you know that this ain’t your grandpa’s old Valpol that comes from a jug! Beautiful with mushrooms or braised pork. Drink now over the next 10+ years.

2014 ROBERT WEIL
RIESLING TROCKEN 'TRADITION'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

I will reiterate it once again from earlier this year. Explaining the virtues and intricacies of the noble Riesling grape is always one of the most frustrating aspects of my job. Riesling is a varietal that comes in all shapes and sizes and levels of sweetness. These range from some of the most ferociously dry and ageworthy versions to some of the sweetest and most sought-after dessert wines in the world and then all points in between. Take pause and notice this wine. Yes, it's Riesling, yes, it's from Germany, and yes, we have to shout about it out to the non-believers: YES, IT IS DRY!

Germany’s Rheingau region rested on its laurels for way too long, becoming known as a place virtually "Disnified" with tourists coming to see timber-lined houses and to taste wine at tasting room with folks wearing lederhosen pouring them, all while ignoring quality. While there is a renaissance occurring with a new generation of producers, Robert Weil, the unwavering king of high quality remains the same and continues to deliver ungodly great wines on all levels. The Trocken (dry) category of Riesling has become wildly popular because of its diversity. Like the sweet wines, Trocken is a blank slate for its terroir, but also goes with an abundance of food choices. This wine is a flat out blitzkrieg of character. Prominent lime on the nose along with some saline and subtle spice, too. Very varietal Riesling, quite pungent and tense. Bone-dry, virtual stony citrus that shimmers with the minerality, it has a racy lemon zest, flinty, finish that really goes. I’m sort of thinking halibut or mussels but this will also work very well with white sausages and especially the holiday big bird.

2013 OLIVARES JUMILLA
'ALTOS DE LA HOYA'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

A perennial Cellar Door favorite! Year in and year out, this wine always gets its 90-point score and provides brilliant everyday-drinking fun. A wine like this proves that the best under 12 dollar deals are still to be had with European wines, especially on the Iberian Peninsula.

The 2013 Altos de la Hoya is 90% Monastrell (Mourvedre) with 10% Garnacha aged in small barrels, varying in age. The vines used for this wine were planted in 1872 (no, not 1972!) and instantaneously the statement of "nothing beats an old vine" comes into play. The deep almost opaque color gives you the first hint into the fact that this little $10 red has serious cojones. Abundant aromas of dark and warm spice, new saddle leather, anise, creamy black and blueberries. Layered and rich with an impressive heartiness that retains freshness in spite of all of its power. A wonderfully full wine for the money that is great to bring to parties or drink as an everyday favorite.

2014 COLLEGIATA
MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO
$8.50 BTL./$101.88 CASE

Whether it be Abruzzo or Toscana, the red wines of both of these regions are extremely exciting. When the word “Montepulciano” is first, like this wine, it is the name of the grape and is from the Abruzzo region that lies east of Rome on the Adriatic coast.

This best buy is the perfect little every night, pizza or pasta wine that is both nose filling and mouth filling! Fragrant, forward aromas of flavors of strawberry, pepper and herbs carry over into a lively and mouth-watering finish that is red and very food-friendly. Have it with a spicy meatball.

2014 PATZ & HALL CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER 'DUTTON RANCH'WINE
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

Since 1988, Patz and Hall have been making their show stopping Chardonnays from stellar fruit from some of the best vineyard sites in Northern California. Last week when presented with this offering, it definitely got my attention. So much that I poured an extra taste and went back to it two hours later, which is something I NEVER do with California Chardonnay. No, it is not white Burgundy but it certainly does stand out as one of the finer, most suave versions done in America.

Probably made most famous by Kistler doing a single cru wine, Dutton Ranch’s initial Chardonnay plot was planted in 1969. Patz & Hall’s has been made since 1988 and includes fruit from this scion parcel along with other prized subplots within the Ranch. Unlike many others in California, this chardonnay is not a Louisville Slugger and three pounds of butter. It does have some intertwined oaky, buttery notes, but done with lots of class and are accented by pronounced orange, restrained mango/floral and cinnamon tones. The mouth-feel is seducing, rich, very balanced and gains ample nervosity on the follow through. One of the most resoundingly delectable expressions of Chardonnay that I have recently tasted from California.

CHAMPAGNE COLIN BLANC DE BLANCS
'BLANCHE CASTILLE'
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE

The small family Domaine of Champagne Colin has been farming in Vertus since 1829. Led by brothers Richard (vineyards) and Romain (winemaker) and Richard's wife Delphine (sales & export), only 7,500-8,000 cases are produced from their 26 acres of vines.

This year's release of Blanche de Castille is seductively rich with creamy lemon custard, mineral, spicy vanilla-tinged fruit as well as the usual ‘melting butter in a skillet aroma’ on the alluring nose. Lacy and finesseful bubbles abound, this bubbly has sophistication, class and amazing persistence. An undeniable steal at this price, it is primed for any festive occasion including Halloween. Seriously, enjoy it among friends, with some charcuterie or grilled prawns.

2011 ROCHE DE BELLENE
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN PREMIER CRU
'LES CHAMPEAUX'
$89.99 BTL./$539.94 SIX PACK

2011 ROCHE DE BELLENE GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN PREMIER CRU 'LES CHAMPEAUX' $89.99 BTL./$539.94 SIX PACK Nicolas Potel is a Burgundian through and through and his papa, Gerard Potel was an inspiration to many who produce wines from this great area as well as those who consume it. Old Domaine de la Pousse D’Or wines have provided some of my most memorable Pinot Noir experiences. After Gerard passed, Nicolas moved on to a negociants business and in 2009, created Maison and Domaine de Bellene. Sandwiched between 2010 and 2012, 2011 has been somewhat of a forgotten vintage that after 5 years is a stealth, sneaky very fine indeed vintage. The famed Premier Cru vineyard Les Champeaux is situated on the upper slope just north of the village and often is the prototype model of Gevrey-Chambertin.

The components are all extraordinary in their richness: neither rough nor heavy. The wine’s architecture is a marvel of harmony, with very fine and noble tannins bringing a silky roundness to the wine that the Burgundians call "gras". A more energetic note is added by the acidity. The impressions left on the palate are yet another chapter to this story: candied cherry, subtle and exotic oak, refined spices; this is where the real tasting begins...and it goes on and on. This is a grand wine which deserves the best accompaniment: prime meat, morels, truffles, wild hare, aged cheeses. This is an anti-hero wine while just starting to reveal some secondary nuances, still should be cellared further. If you want to drink, decant it but it will be best from 2018 through 2028+.