Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'CAPERS ROLL' HOTSHEET
Vietti, Walla Walla Cab value, GrandCru Burgundy, Dry Riesling & more


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2013 VIETTI BARBERA D'ALBA
'TRE VIGNE'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

The only disappointment with the great 2013 vintage in Piedmont is the miniscule quantities; otherwise, the quality of the harvest in this classic, cool vintage was and is impeccable. The Vietti name and the Currado family are synonymous with great wines from Piemonte. The late Alfredo Currado is highly influential when it comes to Barolo. Son Luca has kept up his papa’s traditions with great Barolo, but over the last two decades, he has become the “Boss of Barbera.” This title is apropos due to Luca’s fanaticism over Bruce Springsteen and his tongue-in-cheek aspirations to be the first Piemontese wine Mafioso.

As the name for this wine implies, this Barbera comes from 3 vineyard sites in the Alba region, specifically from Castiglione Faletto and Monforte, both superb Barolo villages, and Castiglione Tinella which is renowned for its superb Barbera. 2013 is a classically formed Piemontese vintage meaning the wines are sculpted around structure, aromatics, vividness and red fruit aspects. A sculpted middleweight, there is refinement and poise throughout. Linear and revealing lots of cherry pit and mineral. Rosemary, spice and decidedly floral with ample depth and spine as well as a deep finish that really soars. Risotto spiked with porcini, chanterelles and any other mushroom paired with this perennial champion will be just divine. Drink through 2020+. Hurry, only 8 cases available!!



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2012 VIETTI NEBBIOLO LANGHE 'PERBACCO'
$54.99 - MAGNUM

By now, many of you have heard the real backstory of this wine but it is always worth reiterating it. Barolo/Barbaresco in all but name, the Perbacco is a selection of juice and vineyards that show more readiness and drinkability.

"The 2012 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is fabulous. Floral and lifted, the 2012 is one of the more refined editions of Perbacco I can remember tasting. The flavors are bright, focused and beautifully articulated throughout. Chalky notes support a sculpted, brilliant finish laced with hints of orange peel, white pepper and crushed rocks. Simply put, I can't recommend the 2012 Perbacco highly enough. This is as good as it gets for the money. Perbacco is predominantly a blend of vineyards; four in Barolo and two in Barbaresco, including new parcels in Montaribaldi and Pajore. Can the 2012 Barolos be meaningfully better than this? - 92 POINTS, ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS MEDIA"



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2013 AMAVI CABERNET SAUVIGNON
'WALLA WALLA'
$54.99 - MAGNUM

Amavi is a superb but relatively unknown Walla Walla operation. Jean-Francois Pellet, the winemaker at Pepperbridge wines, makes these formidable wines. Originally set out to be accessible and easy-going wines, Jean-Francois could not just make something such as this, hence the wines have insane complexity, depth and presence that is normally reserved for way more expensive offerings.

The 2013 is majestic Cab! A big mouthful of Washington flavors and packed with copious and flirtatious cassis, coriander, cracked pepper, smoke and subtle tobacco scents all which follow into a generous, layered and extensive texture that really last. Very approachable now and will continue to drink and develop for 10-12 years.



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2013 KIENTZLER RIESLING
'RESERVE PARTICULIERE'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Lately it seems as though Alsace has become somewhat of a forgotten region within the wine realm mostly because how is one able to decipher whether the wine that you are about to uncork is dry or sweet? Still we proceed and be your guide because we believe in the best here and always on our minds are the terrific, bone-dry and food-friendly wines that come from this area. Ribeauville-based Domaine Kientzler is a long-time Cellar Door favorite and their electric 2013 Reserve Riesling is fabulous… and yes, FULLY DRY!!

This Riesling is a bridge between the Domaine’s entry version and their Grands Crus. 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, very minerally and possessing finesse and detail throughout all carrying over to a jaunting, wiry and lengthy finish. Impressively crafted, this dry white wine will work with sausage, pork, halibut or mussels in very pure forms. Enjoy over the next decade.



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2013 CATENA MALBEC
APPELLATION VISTA FLORES
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

A new release from one of Argentina’s pioneer producers, this Malbec comes from the Mendoza appellation of Vista Flores and is a terrific choice for 15 bucks.

Typical for this portion of Mendoza, this big yet smooth red that displays suave, deep, blackberry fruit, mint and mocha that are nicely put together. In the mouth, there is nice vinous depth along with excellent integration of wood-smoke, earth, plummy fruit and finely grained tannins. The finish is substantial and broad but with its high elevation influence, maintains nice coolness and calls one back for sip after sip.



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2014 CASA CASTILLO MONASTRELL
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

The southeast Spanish region of Jumilla permitted to use numerous accepted varietals, but one red grape above all is most recognized and that is Monastrell or mourvedre for all of you Francophiles! The Sanchez-Cerezo family owns Casa Castillo and their wines on all levels have received many accolades and awards. The 2014 Jumilla Monastrell is a fantastic best buy that has strong varietal character as well as Spanish spirit.

100% Monastrell and packed with blackberry, iron, tea-leaf and scorched earth it is in the mouth an assertive 12-dollar red that has bold fruit then gains brightness and firmness in the back. This super little drinker should be consumed over the next 12-18 months with hearty dishes.



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2014 GOODFELLOW FAMILY
PINOT GRIS 'CLOVER'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

On more than one occasion, I have been known to form an opinion or six on wine that has raised the hackles of some folks, but it also is intended to bring about thought about what goes into the glass. Pinot Gris is one of those such categories and it is common knowledge that I pretty much loathe this grape, especially when done in a boring, dirty sugar water form. However, when one is as good as something like this, I’ll always get behind it and offer full support. So hear this loud and clear, the 2014 Goodfellow ‘Clover’ Pinot Gris is one of the finest made in Oregon. Period.

Marcus Goodfellow has been making outstanding, very ageworthy wines since 2002 under his Matello label and now his Goodfellow label. Clover is a Reserve selection of Pinot Gris and aged in neutral barrel, which brings forth depth and dimension but never any spicy, oaky, vanilla notes. The cuddly, yet crushing nose of yellow apple, lanolin and mineral scents along with cereal tones entices from the moment it is poured and becomes even more compelling with air. In the mouth one can see how this stands apart from so many others, it softly waltzes around with luxurious spicy fruit that careens into energetic mineral and smokiness on the chiseled, persistent, long finish. Enjoy this wine now- 2020 with delicacies like sole in a light cream sauce and caramelized onions.



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2006 CHANDON DE BRIAILLES
CORTON 'BRESSANDES' GRAND CRU
$114.99 BTL. - LIMITED

Every now and again, an older version of something special comes our way. Chandon de Briailles is a small Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer located in the small village of Savigny-les-Beaune. This domaine is owned by de Nicolay family with Claude and her brother Francois being the the two people responsible for overseeing one of Burgundy's greatest and hottest Domaines. For a while, this domaine missed the mark, but since the early ‘90's they are back on track and rapidly becoming difficult to acquire. These wines are not for those who like their Pinot or Chardonnay big, fat, and oaky, rather these are very sensual wines combining elegance, splendid fruit, and incredible purity.

Bressandes is always the ballerina of the estate’s Corton offerings. Don’t be fooled, this ballerina will hit like a tank because of Corton’s natural grip and density. At age 10, this is starting to unfold but there is still ample potential for further development. A sultry Grand Cru, this wine is laden with perfumy scents of a generous combo of red fruits, mushroom and wild, animalistic spiciness as well as the firmly focused ironstone minerality of this site. Extraordinary depth of flavor combined with a rich, vinous texture, powerful structure, and tremendously long finish, it is a wine of beguiling intensity that is starting to smooth out, gain secondary aromas and flavors yet still promises a long future of elegant enjoyment and development. Drink this apex Pinot through 2026+.









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