Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'ICE COLD ICE' HOTSHEET
92 pt. Port value, Oregon Pinot for 20, Cotes-du-Rhone, Nebbiolo & more
2013 RENATO RATTI NEBBIOLO 'OCHETTI'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Not only is Pietro Ratti debonair and a gentle Barolo soul, he is one of the best storytellers in all of Piedmont with a great sense of humor. His wines seemingly are the same way. Pietro's Nebbiolo is from a single vineyard in the Roero region of Piedmont situated at an altitude of 820 feet. The soils here are sandy which make for quite a handsome Nebbiolo that is quite different from those of the Langhe region around Alba.
Persistently aromatic scents of strawberry licorice, rose, tar and spice follow through to a finely detailed texture that is essence of what Nebbiolo is and should be. Classy and thought provoking, elegant and full all at once, this classy red can be consumed over the next 4-6 years. Have it with braised lamb or beef in a red wine (preferably Nebbiolo) sauce. Stop in on Friday if you’d like to sample Pietro’s Nebbiolo, we will have it open between 1:30 – 6:30.
Persistently aromatic scents of strawberry licorice, rose, tar and spice follow through to a finely detailed texture that is essence of what Nebbiolo is and should be. Classy and thought provoking, elegant and full all at once, this classy red can be consumed over the next 4-6 years. Have it with braised lamb or beef in a red wine (preferably Nebbiolo) sauce. Stop in on Friday if you’d like to sample Pietro’s Nebbiolo, we will have it open between 1:30 – 6:30.
2012 BREA WINE COMPANY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
The movement in California to make civilized Cabernet that exude balance without sacrificing flavor is well underway. Brea Wine Company is a project run by two dynamic dudes, Chris Brockway of Broc Cellars and Tim Elenteny of TE Imports and the desire is to make site-specific wines that deliver excellent values.
Taking advantage of up and coming sites in both Lodi and Lake County, there is an abundance of character in this Cab for such a fair price. Teeming with currant, cherry, earth and some spearmint tones that follow into a texture that is undoubtedly Cabernet in its profile. Lovely depth and tact throughout with a core of fine fruit and spice that draws out even further on the vivaciously red finish. An excellent choice with vegetarian fare or pork loin over the next two-three years.
Taking advantage of up and coming sites in both Lodi and Lake County, there is an abundance of character in this Cab for such a fair price. Teeming with currant, cherry, earth and some spearmint tones that follow into a texture that is undoubtedly Cabernet in its profile. Lovely depth and tact throughout with a core of fine fruit and spice that draws out even further on the vivaciously red finish. An excellent choice with vegetarian fare or pork loin over the next two-three years.
2012 L'AMEILLAUD COTES-DU-RHONE
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
Year in and year out this Cotes-du-Rhone is a banging deal for 11 bucks. 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 20% Carignan and 5% Mourvèdre from 35-year-old vines in and around Cairanne.
Sturdy, yet very handsome with plenty of cherry aromas along with cassis and lavender lead off, then the warm brambly fruit takes hold. Blackberries dominate, backed up by wonderful creosote smoke, chocolate, pepper, and forest flavors, finishing with a spicy and very long, long finish. This can handle any grilled and roasted meats, especially herb-rubbed and marinated leg of lamb. Drink it now and drink it in heroic doses!
Sturdy, yet very handsome with plenty of cherry aromas along with cassis and lavender lead off, then the warm brambly fruit takes hold. Blackberries dominate, backed up by wonderful creosote smoke, chocolate, pepper, and forest flavors, finishing with a spicy and very long, long finish. This can handle any grilled and roasted meats, especially herb-rubbed and marinated leg of lamb. Drink it now and drink it in heroic doses!
2014 ZERBINA RAVENNA BIANCO
'CEREGIO'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
'CEREGIO'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Many of our friends have become very familiar with Cristina Geminiani’s esteemed wines from the Romagna region, especially the Ceregio Sangiovese. A new addition to her portfolio and meant to accompany the red is this mouthwatering and flavorful white wine.
This dry white wine is made primarily with Trebbiano then augmented by several others including the vaunted Albana grape. A great Italian term when describing wine is "equiliberato" which means that everything is there and in perfect proportion with each other, this wine has this great balance in spades. With its almost quartz-like aromas, this wine keeps inviting you back for more. Impeccable apple-spice fruit, more than a touch of mineral and wet chalkboard aromas permeate from the glass. The texture is seemingly very crystallized with cut and briskness along with a pure and illuminating finish. A magical match withal kinds of shellfish, this outstanding value Italian white wine is enjoyable in all seasons.
This dry white wine is made primarily with Trebbiano then augmented by several others including the vaunted Albana grape. A great Italian term when describing wine is "equiliberato" which means that everything is there and in perfect proportion with each other, this wine has this great balance in spades. With its almost quartz-like aromas, this wine keeps inviting you back for more. Impeccable apple-spice fruit, more than a touch of mineral and wet chalkboard aromas permeate from the glass. The texture is seemingly very crystallized with cut and briskness along with a pure and illuminating finish. A magical match withal kinds of shellfish, this outstanding value Italian white wine is enjoyable in all seasons.
2014 SEVEN OF HEARTS PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
For vintage 2014, here in Oregon it was quite easy for wines to go awry with higher alcohol levels and sappy fruit. Fortunately, there are producers like Byron Dooley at Seven of Hearts who prefer to maintain symmetry and pure Pinot character within their wines.
Violet, plum, lavender, red licorice, kisses of tarragon and cinnamon/red-hot candies follow through to a succulent, sultry texture with deceptive depth, poise and material. Like any superb Pinot Noir, this wine fans out nicely on the palate, extends beautifully, and sticks around. A steal of a top-notch Oregon Pinot Noir, this wine can easily be enjoyed now and over the next 5+ years.
Violet, plum, lavender, red licorice, kisses of tarragon and cinnamon/red-hot candies follow through to a succulent, sultry texture with deceptive depth, poise and material. Like any superb Pinot Noir, this wine fans out nicely on the palate, extends beautifully, and sticks around. A steal of a top-notch Oregon Pinot Noir, this wine can easily be enjoyed now and over the next 5+ years.
2010 TAYLOR FLADGATE LATE-BOTTLED
VINTAGE PORTO
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
92 POINTS - WINE SPECTATOR
VINTAGE PORTO
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
92 POINTS - WINE SPECTATOR
Want to serve wine with chocolate? Port is a slam-dunk, especially when it comes from one of the apex port lodges. Whether it be their huge scoring vintage ports that live forever, or a wonderful Late-Bottled Vintage version such as this, Taylor Fladgate is always at the forefront for high quality port wines.
Always on the power side, these are deep wines of substance. The 2010 LBV belies its subtle color and possesses ample character, depth and flavor. Very aromatic on the nose, filling your senses with wild berries, vanilla, a touch of walnuts and a serious presence of black licorice. Mouth filling, warm, inviting and leaving a pleasant, everlasting aftertaste long after the port is swallowed. Drink it with chocolate, a nice hunk of stilton, a cigar, or just by itself. If scores tempt you, this has 92 points from The Wine Spectator. Drink now and the beauty of LBV Port is one does not have to consume an entire bottle in one sitting; this can be drawn from over a several month period.
Always on the power side, these are deep wines of substance. The 2010 LBV belies its subtle color and possesses ample character, depth and flavor. Very aromatic on the nose, filling your senses with wild berries, vanilla, a touch of walnuts and a serious presence of black licorice. Mouth filling, warm, inviting and leaving a pleasant, everlasting aftertaste long after the port is swallowed. Drink it with chocolate, a nice hunk of stilton, a cigar, or just by itself. If scores tempt you, this has 92 points from The Wine Spectator. Drink now and the beauty of LBV Port is one does not have to consume an entire bottle in one sitting; this can be drawn from over a several month period.
2012 CHATEAU SAINT-GEORGES
ST-GEORGES ST-EMILION
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
ST-GEORGES ST-EMILION
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
It has been a while since we’ve heard from our eloquent friend Petrus Desbois from this top-notch, sleeper Château in the St-Emilion area of Bordeaux. For those of you who follow these wines, you should definitely continue with your vertical with the ravishing 2012. Vintage 2012 has Petrus extremely excited and this Chateau has created a marvelous offering from a vintage that is highly underrated and very cellar worthy indeed. Considering how spendy the 2009s and 2010s have become, this wine, coupled with a strong currency exchange, is an absolute steal for those who like to age Bordeaux.
The 2012 is the usual assemblage of 60% Merlot/20% Cabernet Sauvignon/20% Cabernet Franc and shows off scintillating scents of blueberry, cherry, some cedarbox as well as an earth and mineral streak along with hints of coffee and nutmeg from the use of well-placed oak. In the mouth, this wine is stylish and ripe with sophisticated flavors that still have some firmness. Finesseful and long wine that has plenty of spine for aging, but isn’t inaccessible. If you want to try a Bordeaux early for the full fruit experience, have a go at this. However, those in the know with this wine know how well it develops. Drink this beauty through 2027 and beyond.
The 2012 is the usual assemblage of 60% Merlot/20% Cabernet Sauvignon/20% Cabernet Franc and shows off scintillating scents of blueberry, cherry, some cedarbox as well as an earth and mineral streak along with hints of coffee and nutmeg from the use of well-placed oak. In the mouth, this wine is stylish and ripe with sophisticated flavors that still have some firmness. Finesseful and long wine that has plenty of spine for aging, but isn’t inaccessible. If you want to try a Bordeaux early for the full fruit experience, have a go at this. However, those in the know with this wine know how well it develops. Drink this beauty through 2027 and beyond.
