Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S "YUGE" HOTSHEET
Barbaresco Value, Chassagne-Montrachet, Chianti, Cotes-du-Rhone & more
2013 JANASSE COTES-DU-RHONE
RESERVE
$16.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
RESERVE
$16.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Over the past 17+ years, the Domaine de la Janasse Cotes-Du-Rhone is always one of the most fun wine values that we sell. It doesn’t hurt that the quality/price ratio is off the charts either! If Domaine de la Janasse’s Christophe Sabon were a rock star, he would be on the scale of Pearl Jam - he is that damn good!
Every ounce of love and meticulous quality that goes into his $125+ Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-Du-Pape is sent all the way down to his immaculate Cotes-Du-Rhone. Quite a bit more than your average CDR, the 2013 is a blend of 40% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 20% Carignan, 15% Syrah and 5% Cinsault with very soulful and sensual Janasse aromas permeating from the glass. Ripe raspberry, strawberry jam, lavender, smoke, and all of the Rhone spiciness represented. The texture is giving, mouth filling, balanced and with just a touch of wildness to let you know that it will never be tamed! The back end is dominated by plum and pepper announcing superb poise and smoothness well after the wine is swallowed. Buy this one by the trunkload and drink it with anything grilled or braised over the next 3-5 years.
Every ounce of love and meticulous quality that goes into his $125+ Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-Du-Pape is sent all the way down to his immaculate Cotes-Du-Rhone. Quite a bit more than your average CDR, the 2013 is a blend of 40% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 20% Carignan, 15% Syrah and 5% Cinsault with very soulful and sensual Janasse aromas permeating from the glass. Ripe raspberry, strawberry jam, lavender, smoke, and all of the Rhone spiciness represented. The texture is giving, mouth filling, balanced and with just a touch of wildness to let you know that it will never be tamed! The back end is dominated by plum and pepper announcing superb poise and smoothness well after the wine is swallowed. Buy this one by the trunkload and drink it with anything grilled or braised over the next 3-5 years.
2014 PILLOT CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET
ROUGE 'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
ROUGE 'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
The village of Chassagne-Montrachet is home to some of the greatest white wines in the world; however, 40% of the wine that emerges from these vineyards is red and made from Pinot Noir. Many of you have consumed numerous bottles of Laurent Pillot’s top-level white and red wines over the many years that we have featured them. I have been asking to score some of this fabulous Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge and finally, Laurent has allotted us some and we are over the moon excited to offer it for the first time.
Harvested from four small plots planted between 1959 and 1969 and aged in 20% new oak, this miniscule production red wine is a hair-raising Burgundy and Cotes-de-Beaune value. If an emoji could come across everyone’s screen to illustrate this wine, it would be one of a cherry. Undercurrents of peppercorn, nutmeg and licorice, there is not a mean bone in this wine’s makeup. Vinous from the old vines, very tasteful and fanning out on the palate, this wine extends, persists and is charming, enticing and scrumptious. A second taste reveals more structure and Cotes-de-Beaune brightness. Gorgeous to drink now and over the next 7-10 years.
Harvested from four small plots planted between 1959 and 1969 and aged in 20% new oak, this miniscule production red wine is a hair-raising Burgundy and Cotes-de-Beaune value. If an emoji could come across everyone’s screen to illustrate this wine, it would be one of a cherry. Undercurrents of peppercorn, nutmeg and licorice, there is not a mean bone in this wine’s makeup. Vinous from the old vines, very tasteful and fanning out on the palate, this wine extends, persists and is charming, enticing and scrumptious. A second taste reveals more structure and Cotes-de-Beaune brightness. Gorgeous to drink now and over the next 7-10 years.
2011 CASTELL'IN VILLA
CHIANTI CLASSICO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
CHIANTI CLASSICO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Difficult and demanding are probably the words to best describe the ultra-traditionalist current proprietor of this historic estate, Principessa Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa. Speak what you would like about her resolve and toughness; she delivers some of the greatest wines of Tuscany’s Chianti region.
2011 has just arrived and it is a very admirable and quite open-knit follow-up to the firm 2010. Located in Castelnuovo Berardenga in the southern reaches of the Chianti zone, these are wines of power yet are very precise reflecting their unmistakable Tuscan terroir along with having strong Sangiovese character. If you were to grab an Italian dictionary, look up Chianti Classico, you probably would see a picture of Castell’in Villa! Full bodied, ruggedly handsome and teeming with harmonious red berries, graphite, potpourri spices and appealing mineral notes and underbrush define the aromas and flavors all unfurling to a finish that is saturated, pure and voluminous. Very tasty now, but will also age exquisitely for another decade.
2011 has just arrived and it is a very admirable and quite open-knit follow-up to the firm 2010. Located in Castelnuovo Berardenga in the southern reaches of the Chianti zone, these are wines of power yet are very precise reflecting their unmistakable Tuscan terroir along with having strong Sangiovese character. If you were to grab an Italian dictionary, look up Chianti Classico, you probably would see a picture of Castell’in Villa! Full bodied, ruggedly handsome and teeming with harmonious red berries, graphite, potpourri spices and appealing mineral notes and underbrush define the aromas and flavors all unfurling to a finish that is saturated, pure and voluminous. Very tasty now, but will also age exquisitely for another decade.
2006 CASTELL'IN VILLA
CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
$54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
$54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
Riserva truly means something special at Castell’In Villa and this wine must be included in the lofty levels of such prodigal versions as Felsina’s Vigna Rancia, Volpaia’s Coltassala and Monsanto’s Il Poggio. This is genius Chianti that is built to age and one where no compromises are made in order to cater to the whims and palates of the many flatulent wine critics.
Made from all Sangiovese, this wine doesn’t play around, it is that damn good and it ages like a beast! At age 9, this wine is still slightly young but with a good decanting, this wine really sings and yet there is so much more story to be told. Full-bodied and traditionally styled with autumnal scents of ripe berry, chestnut, roasted almond, mushroom and Tuscan spices. In the mouth, it is very youthful and profound with bold texture as well as exuberantly assertive structure. As mentioned, if you want to try a bottle now, definitely decant it 45 minutes before served, but for it to be at its best, drink it 2017 – 2030 and beyond. If you collect and love the greatest of Tuscan wines, this very individual icon is an absolute MUST for your cellar.
Made from all Sangiovese, this wine doesn’t play around, it is that damn good and it ages like a beast! At age 9, this wine is still slightly young but with a good decanting, this wine really sings and yet there is so much more story to be told. Full-bodied and traditionally styled with autumnal scents of ripe berry, chestnut, roasted almond, mushroom and Tuscan spices. In the mouth, it is very youthful and profound with bold texture as well as exuberantly assertive structure. As mentioned, if you want to try a bottle now, definitely decant it 45 minutes before served, but for it to be at its best, drink it 2017 – 2030 and beyond. If you collect and love the greatest of Tuscan wines, this very individual icon is an absolute MUST for your cellar.
2014 BODEGAS LA AZUL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
La Azul is a small producer in Argentina's Uco Valley who puts out terrific wine from top to bottom. What is most impressive is that they are able to maintain such fair pricing, especially in a category where so much of the under-$12 crowd is manipulated and frankly, a bit of a snooze.
A fine line between New World and Old World is nicely drawn out on the nose. Nice cedary aspects along with cocoa and peppermint play nicely off underlying earth and mineral scents. In the mouth, there is a plentitude of voluptuous flavors that are nicely enhanced by bright, high-elevation red tones. La Azul’s Cab is a sumptuous everyday number to be drunk now and over the next year or two.
A fine line between New World and Old World is nicely drawn out on the nose. Nice cedary aspects along with cocoa and peppermint play nicely off underlying earth and mineral scents. In the mouth, there is a plentitude of voluptuous flavors that are nicely enhanced by bright, high-elevation red tones. La Azul’s Cab is a sumptuous everyday number to be drunk now and over the next year or two.
2014 TERRE BRULEE
CHENIN BLANC 'SWARTLAND'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
CHENIN BLANC 'SWARTLAND'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Chenin Blanc has long been grown in South Africa. Up until 20 years ago, it was normal for it to go into their home-brew grog that was one-step up from jet-fuel. Like Argentina's Malbec, it was only when young wine producers discovered that a treasure chest of old vines that they knew could make something special.
Terre Brulee's Chenin Blanc vines are 45 years old and this white wine exhibits the South African Chenin personality beautifully. The wines here are the project of top-notch Vouvray producer, Vincent Careme. Very different from Vouvray, this Chenin is full-textured, dry and partially aged in 500-liter oak barrels to bring viscosity and density. Clean, very pure and loaded with pineapple, lime, lanolin and a touch of honey on the nose. In the mouth, intense, very lively, full flavors of tropical citrus and sneaky minerality entice and make one want to go out and find some fresh fish. A perfect choice to accompany Thai or Latino-inspired cuisine or the imminent (hopefully) arrival of Oregon Salmon.
Terre Brulee's Chenin Blanc vines are 45 years old and this white wine exhibits the South African Chenin personality beautifully. The wines here are the project of top-notch Vouvray producer, Vincent Careme. Very different from Vouvray, this Chenin is full-textured, dry and partially aged in 500-liter oak barrels to bring viscosity and density. Clean, very pure and loaded with pineapple, lime, lanolin and a touch of honey on the nose. In the mouth, intense, very lively, full flavors of tropical citrus and sneaky minerality entice and make one want to go out and find some fresh fish. A perfect choice to accompany Thai or Latino-inspired cuisine or the imminent (hopefully) arrival of Oregon Salmon.
2012 DE FORVILLE BARBARESCO
'VIGNETO LORETO'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
'VIGNETO LORETO'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
De Forville is one of the best-kept secrets in the village of Barbaresco. For years this estate has flown under the radar with a terrific line-up of top-notch wines all based from vineyard sites within the Barbaresco village area. This specific offering is from a single cru site. Vigneto Loreto is a sub-plot of the famed Ovello vineyard and this particular portion is firmly influenced by the Tanaro River 280 meters below.
2012 is a Nebbiolo-lover's vintage for Barbaresco and De Forville scored with their young, but mighty 2012. Refined and sophisticated with rose, mushroom and steely-mineral aromas. Rich with nice depth and length and yet holding a presence of structure and wiry, sculpted character. Even though this wine shows a prettiness that is very engaging to smell, its imposing underbelly and compact, focused, long finish will make for an engaging wine in the future. Decant if you want to drink one early but it will ultimately be at its pinnacle 2018 – 2028.
2012 is a Nebbiolo-lover's vintage for Barbaresco and De Forville scored with their young, but mighty 2012. Refined and sophisticated with rose, mushroom and steely-mineral aromas. Rich with nice depth and length and yet holding a presence of structure and wiry, sculpted character. Even though this wine shows a prettiness that is very engaging to smell, its imposing underbelly and compact, focused, long finish will make for an engaging wine in the future. Decant if you want to drink one early but it will ultimately be at its pinnacle 2018 – 2028.
