Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'KIND THINGS' HOTSHEET
2008 Oregon Pinot, 9 buck Tempranillo + Gaja, Champagne & Cabernet Specials


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2011 CASA LAPOSTOLLE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 'ALEXANDRE'
[reg. $26.99]
SPECIAL! $14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Growing up immersed in the world of viticulture, Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle and her husband Cyril create stellar wines that combine French expertise with superb Chilean terroir. Consulting on the project is none-other than Michel Roland who travels to Casa Lapostolle four times a year to taste and to direct. The 2011 Cuvee Alexandra Cabernet Sauvignon is in the upper end of their range and for a mere few days, it is on an astounding deal!

From 50+ year old, non-irrigated vines, this beautifully proportioned Cab is way above what Chile is known to produce which is usually akin to listening to a Lionel Ritchie box set. Blueberry, underlying cassis, dusty clay tones, pekoe, tobacco and fine herbs shine on the nose. Dreamy, sultry and all about texture in the mouth, this classy & sassy red is layered with lots of movement and various complex flavor profiles. Drawn-out, lingering and possessing excellent substance on the back end, we simply cannot believe just how stellar it at such an absurdly fair price! Enjoy it over the next 4-6 years, especially with a grilled steak slathered in herbs. Order now, pricing is good through 2-29.



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2013 GAJA CA' MARCANDA
TOSCANA ROSSO 'PROMIS'
[reg. $52.99]
SPECIAL! $34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

A legend in Barolo and Barbaresco, Angelo Gaja has been making wine in Tuscany for 20+ years as well. Nineteen ninety-six brought the acquisition of the Ca' Marcanda property on the Tuscan coast regions of Maremma and Bolgheri.

Here is a chance for a limited time to experience one of these wines without taking out a second mortgage. 55% Merlot, 35% Syrah and 10% Sangiovese, this Super-Tuscan blend delivers up enticing, well-crafted scents of blueberry, coffee, smoke, and hints of tobacco. New oak shows off a bit, but will integrate nicely with a little age. Harmonious, succulent and flavorful with a nice balance between red and black fruits as well as a cedar/black pepper influence on the understated but packed finish. This wine is very well made and a serious effort from one of Italy’s modern masters and can be enjoyed now through 2023. Special pricing good through 2-29.



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2014 MONTENIDOLI VERNACCIA
DI SAN GIMIGNANO
$15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE

Over the years, I have proudly stated that our hotsheets are ‘Vernaccia-free zones.’ For the most part, I loathe the stuff because so much of it is overproduced, diluted and geared to be poured to tourists at outdoor terraces in the town of San Gimignano itself.

Every now and then one comes that floors me, and this is one of those times. Elisabetta Fagiuoli is a specialist of this varietal but she prefers to macerate the juice on its skins to extract more dimension and flavor. The Vernaccia di San Gimignano Tradizionale is laden with scents of honey, quinine, fine herbs and ample mineral from the soils that were once sea beds. A palate coating Vernaccia that has impressive livewire qualities and terrific extension to go along with the prominent depth. Pair this delicious Tuscan white wine with crustaceans, including oysters and prawns. Also, fine with sushi, quiche and seasonal vegetarian dishes.



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CHAMPAGNE ALFRED GRATIEN
BRUT CLASSIQUE
SPECIAL! $46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK

Small and traditional is a beautiful thing when it comes to Champagne, so only the best of the best will climb out of Gratien's cellars in the backstreets of Epernay. Gratien is one of Karen and Bryan's all-time favorite producers in Champagne and that sure is saying a lot because we view bubbles as more of a necessity than a choice and we can hardly contain ourselves with the elation of being able to offer this special choice at a great price.

Champagne Alfred Gratien has been producing exquisitely made, handcrafted sparkling wines from the Champagne region of France since 1864 and with a total production of barely 20,000 cases, Gratien has developed somewhat of a cult like status with great sites available to them and a rich tradition to back it up. Long-standing relations with growers in Champagne's Grand Cru vineyards gives cellar master Nicolas Jaeger (who followed his father Jean-Pierre) access to the finest grapes.

The philosophy is akin to Krug or Bollinger which is to age the vins claires in small oak barrels. Gratien also prefers to have impeccable cut to their Champagnes and this is achieved by not allowing the wines to go through malolactic fermentation. The bubblies from Gratien are Champagnes for those who love the big full and rich stylings of Krug, Pol Roger or Bollinger. Full-bodied and well-constructed with bursting, radiant fruit flutters from the glass along with expressive, polished scents of apple, serious brioche and citrus lead into a generous, yet elegant texture with very fine bubbles and a complex, long finish. A true connoisseur's Champagne, enjoy it by itself, with friends or with a memorable meal based around seafood.



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CHAMPAGNE ALFRED GRATIEN
BRUT CLASSIQUE ROSE
SPECIAL! $54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK

We have been offering the bubblies from Champagne Gratien for many years but this is the first time we have ever had the ability to offer their Classique Rose cuvee. The epitome of Gratien’s style, the hallmark, perfumy aromatics come from the use of 40% Pinot Meunier.

Perhaps the best word to describe this Rosé Champagne is radiant. From the first moment it is poured to the last drop of the bottle, this word epitomizes what it is exactly about. Gorgeous aromatics of rhubarb, chalk, and a touch of classy white chocolate flow freely, build, and entice more as it opens in the glass. In the mouth the mousse and creaminess is refined with penetrating red fruits, most noticeably strawberry. No malolactic fermentation brings about firm focus and plenty of zesty energy and nervosity. Its seductive palate-presence, fine bubbles, seamless follow-through and overall balance make this a truly special Champagne for its price point.



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2014 BRUNIER VENTOUX ROUGE
'MEGAPHONE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Over the last 15 years, the Brunier family of Vieux Telegraphe fame has been spreading their expertise across many other areas of the Rhone outside of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. While visiting the Domaine last June, I had the chance to sample a red from the Ventoux region that is rapidly becoming more exciting and no longer known for just bistro wines. As terroirs are being uncovered, folks like Bruniers and Philippe Gimel along with a couple others are taking this region to new and exciting heights.

80% Grenache, 20% Syrah and from the village of St-Hippolyte-de-Graveyron in close proximity to the Dentelles de Montmirial, this wine has Vieux Telegraphe DNA and markings all over it but in a more value-oriented, earlier drinking style. So what if this wine won’t last fifteen years, it is delicious now and over the next 4-6 years. Grown in sandy/clay soils with light limestone. Scintillating lavender, red cherry, white pepper and hickory smoke and mineral scents lead into a texture that is both lively and layered as well as showing a level of sophistication that is normally reserved for wines of a much higher pedigree. Ethereal and spicy throughout then finishes up with pronounced strawberry, currant and thyme notes on the uncommonly long finish.



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2012 PAZOS DE EGUREN
TEMPRANILLO
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE

At 9 bucks there is no reason to deliberate and contemplate very much when it comes to this wine…don’t think, just drink! From the warm climate LA Mancha area, this Tempranillo is made in an early-drinking style that shows off brassy scents of raspberry, balsam, and spiced earth aromas that flow into a texture that is vibrant, supple and full of character. Plenty of persistence and nice snap-back, this is a delicious everyday red that works along, with a burger or a bunch of friends.



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2008 JOHAN PINOT NOIR
'NILS RESERVE'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

Residing in the Willamette Valley adjacent to the Van Duzer Corridor, this vineyard is one of Oregon’s most exciting. Owned and farmed by Dag Johan Sundby, a native Norwegian, this 175-acre vineyard site is farmed using biodynamic and organic principles and is one where grapes are sold and sought after by many other wineries. A bit of wine is also produced at Johan and the results are outstanding.

Dag and winemaker Dan Rinke held back some of the prolific 2008 vintage to sell as a library selection so it is a real treat to offer up something that is drinking beautifully at 7+ years old and will continue to develop even further. A barrel selection (40% new) and with half done in whole cluster fermentation, one tastes why we want to age wines produced in this style. While the aromas of the 2008 Johan Nils Reserve Pinot Noir are still lavish and exotic, secondary aromas of dried mushroom and underbrush have joined the spice, violet, black cherry, Indian incense and earth adding a deeper complexity to the initial flavors. The palate is round, supple and concentrated and complex, this sultry and meaty Pinot is kept in balance with ripe tannins, wonderful acidity and a lingering, multi-faceted finish. Absolutely beautiful now and will continue to develop further over the next decade. Enjoy with a roasted rack of lamb or a mushroom risotto dish.









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