Hot Sheets

2013 SLEIGHT OF HAND 'THE SPELLBINDER'
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Sleight of Hand is a superb Walla Walla-based producer who happens to excels in the art of blending. These are undoubtedly wines of serious substance and depth all while having forward and crowd-pleasing personalities as well as numerous accolades.

‘Functioning as the second wine of The Conjuror, the 2013 The Spell Binder is a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, yet also incorporates Syrah and other varieties. Aged 10 months in neutral oak, it has beautiful cassis, blackberry, spring flower, and lead pencil shaving nuances to go with a vibrant, forward, medium to full-bodied profile on the palate. It's straight up delicious and will drink nicely for 4-6 years. It's a killer value! Trey Busch continues to shows his wine making talent with these latest releases, and I was impressed with the entire lineup. Don't let the whimsical names fool you, these are top-notch wines. In addition, there's some killer value here as well. – 91 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE’

BAUMARD SAVENNIERES
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE

What is it about apartment complexes and fireworks? It could be July 33rd, and if you live near one, you will still hear them booming in the night. The brilliant dry white wines from Domaine Baumard are like this, whether young or old, these oooh and ahh inspiring wines are a plethora of explosive colors in the mouth and on the nose. Where else but the Loire Valley can you score a dry white wine that will live 10-15+ years and still sell for less than thirty dollars? Consider this statement the next time you go out and look for a white Burgundy…hell, look at what Oregon is doing with Pinot Gris pricing and what California is doing with Chardonnay prices.

Heavenly fragrances of nectarine, chamomile, granite and honeysuckle, which arrives after sitting a few minutes in the glass. Really shows the depth and complexity of the terrific 2012 vintage along with its formidable granitic soils and Chenin Blanc qualities. Combines intensity of precision and cut with stellar, high-pitched fruit. Youthful and compact right now, but the depth of low yields and old vines are truly felt. The finish is sterling, crystalline and minerally, very long! Pretty tempting now with its impressive material. Go and grill some salmon with a kiss of ginger, this will bring out the essence of both. Drink it through 2024+.

2009 FELSINA CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
$59.99 - MAGNUM BOTTLE

Fattoria di Felsina is one of the greatest and most profound of all Tuscan and Chianti properties. The style here is one of power due to prime plots in the southern area of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Felsina first gained fame for doing away with the lesser quality varietals of Chianti and bottling 100% Sangiovese wines in the 80s when it was still illegal to do so. Many consider this as both innovative and maverick, but we consider it genius because over the last 25+ years, Felsina is undoubtedly one of our favorite and greatest Chianti producers.

Here is a special chance to score some larger format bottles from a vintage that certainly has no shortage of penetration, power and persistence. It also happens to have a 93-point score from Antonio Galloni’s Vinous. ‘The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva is stunningly beautiful. It boasts a great core of dark red fruit, licorice, spices, new leather and herbs. The 2009 impresses for its mid-palate density and sheer power. This is a great showing. The 2009 can be enjoyed today, but it is rather muscular, and is probably best suited for aging a few years. This is a terrific showing. A recent bottle of the 1995 was stunning in its beauty. The Riserva is 100% Sangiovese aged in a combination of casks and smaller French oak barrels. – 93 POINTS – VINOUS’

2012 BELDA VINO VALENCIA
TINTO MONASTRELL
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE

Head's up here comes another no-brainer red from Spain, that is just plain delicious. This tasty red is 100% monastrell (mourvèdre) and possesses restrained complexity that gives this wine designer quality at discount prices.

Deep, dark and warm perfume of steeped tea, olive, anise, creamy black and blueberries emerge from the glass and meld into a texture that is fresh along with an impressive heartiness that retains elegance and restraint in spite of all of its power. A wonderfully full wine for the money that is great for all occasions as it will pair beautifully with hearty stews, grilled meats and full flavored cheeses. This wine makes the perfect house red to bring into the New Year.

MALIBRAN PROSECCO BRUT
'CINQUEGRAMI'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK

We at The Cellar Door have immense preferences when it comes to Prosecco and what we prefer are sparkling wines in the area that are from families and are of an artisan quality. Since we were first introduced to this producer in 2010 they have been consistently featured on our shelves and in our weekly musings.

Cinquegrami is a special cuvée denoting the small dosage added into this bone-dry and shimmering bubbly. Explosive citrus blossom, melon and prominent mineral scents. Classy small bubbles take this Prosecco to another level of sophistication. Lots of breed, flavor and complexity. At 11% alcohol, this is perfect for throwing back numerous bottles and it is a damn fine match with sushi.

ORIOL-ROSSELL CAVA

BRUT ROSE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Many feel very superstitious as we approach a new year. We get very superstitious around here as we feel that if you drink rubbish for New Year's, then you are destined to drink rubbish for the next 365 days as well. Being the black-cat fearing folks that we are, we refuse to ever let things like Gallo, Barefoot and 98% of Chilean wines ever cross our lips during the week between Christmas and New Year's.

Located smack dab in the Penedes region, Oriol Rossell are Cava specialists and this sparkler is designed to not break the bank. The one in their magnificent range that always entices us is this Cava Rose. Made in the Champagne method with extended lees aging, this pink fizz is made from the ever-popular trepat grape that actually produces excellent Rose wines both still and sparkling. The color is hot pink that looks and tastes stunning once it is poured. The mousse is a delicate foam that cascades over one's tongue. The finish is all-together refined and elegant. The wine is dry showing lots of juicy red currants and fresh strawberries touched by rose petals and ginger. A wonderful value for rounding out 2015, it is also a great revelation on January 1st for recovering from a bit too much revelry from the night before!

CHAMPAGNE VILMART & CIE
BRUT 'GRAND CELLIER'
$74.99 BTL.

One of the very important small growers in Champagne, Quite simply, this producer's wines intrigue, allure, entice, seduce and scintillate. Laurent Champs wood-ages his Champagnes, giving them a pronounced Burgundian character, perhaps the grower Krug?!?!?! In fact, I usually serve them in a Riedel Burgundy glass instead of the traditional Champagne flute in order to obtain more nuances and aromatics. The Grand Cellier is not a mere non-vintage cuvee, but a superior multi vintage offering. 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims, this bubbly is debonair, complex and very dry. Elegant, rich and persistent with its tones of lemon, saffron, anise, brioche and underlay of chalky mineral from start to long, long finish.