Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'MERRY & BRIGHT' WINESHEET
97-Point Barolo
Cali-Cab, New Cotes-du-Rhone
Compelling Portuguese Wines
Cali-Cab, New Cotes-du-Rhone
Compelling Portuguese Wines
2021 Marietta "Arme'
| Cabernet Sauvignon
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
| Cabernet Sauvignon
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
Excuses regarding Cabernet prices are over when it comes to this wine because for 27-bucks, this has serious pop for those who like what California has to offer. Founded by the late Chris Bilbro in 1979, son Scot has been at the estate for over 10 years and is now fully in charge. Never a shortage of depth and power, this Cab is blended from fruit from Sonoma’s Alexander Valley and the McDowell Valley, hence the excellent price.
Cassis, cedar, dusty earth, well-integrated spicy oak and kisses of peppermint tones follow through to a sumptuous texture that is concentrated and well balanced. Builds nice vibrancy and texture on the finish that extends beautifully. This prodigal, full-flavored value drinks exquisitely now and will continue to do so for another decade.
Cassis, cedar, dusty earth, well-integrated spicy oak and kisses of peppermint tones follow through to a sumptuous texture that is concentrated and well balanced. Builds nice vibrancy and texture on the finish that extends beautifully. This prodigal, full-flavored value drinks exquisitely now and will continue to do so for another decade.
2020 St. Siffrein Cotes-du-Rhone
'Au Bord du Chemin'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'Au Bord du Chemin'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
We have worked with this excellent Northern Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate's wines for several years, but this is the first time that we have featured their Cotes-du-Rhone. From clay/sand soils from a mere roadway across from the Chateauneuf appellation, this 80% Grenache/20% Syrah blend is very classic in style and character.
Poised and precise; stacked but never fat, vintage 2020's seamless aspects are marked all over this wine. Upscale fragrances of hot-rock, lavender, fennel and raspberry. Structured and very Provencal; seemingly fragrant in the mouth as well as lengthy, cerebral and ethereal. Drink over the next 4-5 years. If you are your budget won't allow you to have a go at this estate's Châteauneuf, the Cotes-du-Rhone is well worth enjoying!
Poised and precise; stacked but never fat, vintage 2020's seamless aspects are marked all over this wine. Upscale fragrances of hot-rock, lavender, fennel and raspberry. Structured and very Provencal; seemingly fragrant in the mouth as well as lengthy, cerebral and ethereal. Drink over the next 4-5 years. If you are your budget won't allow you to have a go at this estate's Châteauneuf, the Cotes-du-Rhone is well worth enjoying!
2021 Xisto Ilimitado
Douro Tinto
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Douro Tinto
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
One of the leaders of the young, new wave of Portuguese wine producers, Luis Seabra is the mind behind these genius wines from the Douro Valley. The old reputation for these wines was to be over-oaked, jammy and too heavy, but Luis is proving the finesse-laden, flavorful and detailed terroir driven wines are not only possible but successful.
From vines planted between 1960 and 1980 in elevations ranging from 1200-2000 feet in yellow schist soils, this wine almost feels like a Portuguese hypothetical blend of Saint-Joseph and Roussillon. Seven different varietals are in the blend led by Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, this balanced red shines brightly. High-toned lavender, cranberry, billowy white smoke, red plum, fine herbs and Thai spice engulf the senses. Mouth filling, the complex aromas follow into the mouth with energetic fruit, black licorice, white pepper, blueberry and plenty of soft smoke come on increasingly as this aerates. Very textural with sneaky backbone on the finish. Enjoy over the next 6-8 years with a lean beef tenderloin, stir-fried Asian pork preparations, pepper-coated pork tenderloin, game meats and mushroom laden dishes.
From vines planted between 1960 and 1980 in elevations ranging from 1200-2000 feet in yellow schist soils, this wine almost feels like a Portuguese hypothetical blend of Saint-Joseph and Roussillon. Seven different varietals are in the blend led by Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, this balanced red shines brightly. High-toned lavender, cranberry, billowy white smoke, red plum, fine herbs and Thai spice engulf the senses. Mouth filling, the complex aromas follow into the mouth with energetic fruit, black licorice, white pepper, blueberry and plenty of soft smoke come on increasingly as this aerates. Very textural with sneaky backbone on the finish. Enjoy over the next 6-8 years with a lean beef tenderloin, stir-fried Asian pork preparations, pepper-coated pork tenderloin, game meats and mushroom laden dishes.
2021 Xisto Ilimitado
Douro Branco
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Douro Branco
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
As fine as Luis Seabra's red wine is, the white is even more fascinating and compelling to me. Made from four unfamiliar grapes (60% Rabigato, 15% Gouveio, 15% Códega, 10% Viosinho) from 30–45-year-old vines between 1600-2000 feet in mica-schist soils, this wine has so much extensiveness. It also changes its form several times while aerated in the glass.
Nectarine, green apple, red pear, wet stone, almost anise-pepper spice and pronounced minerality highlight the nose. The palate is mineral-driven, bright and walking the line between power and vividness. Coats and cleanses the palate and really zings on the exceptionally long finish. Enjoy this brilliant white wine with swordfish, tuna, fried calamari or even a spicy vegetarian dish.
Nectarine, green apple, red pear, wet stone, almost anise-pepper spice and pronounced minerality highlight the nose. The palate is mineral-driven, bright and walking the line between power and vividness. Coats and cleanses the palate and really zings on the exceptionally long finish. Enjoy this brilliant white wine with swordfish, tuna, fried calamari or even a spicy vegetarian dish.
2023 Surrau 'Limizzana'
Vermentino di Gallura
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Vermentino di Gallura
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Vermentino is grown throughout Italy but there is something that is quite different when it comes from Sardinia. Situated in the northern end of the island, this cool, splashy, unoaked white wine should be in your drinking repertoire.
Captivating, enchanting aromatics of seashell and mineral form around notes of lemon and white flowers with a hint of spice joining as the wine unfolds. Incredibly refreshing and dry with mouth-quenching intensity and an inviting texture filled with crunchy flavors of Meyer lemon, pear and a splash of salinity. Enjoy this delicious white as an aperitivo, with fresh shellfish or with roasted chicken over the next 12-18 months.
Captivating, enchanting aromatics of seashell and mineral form around notes of lemon and white flowers with a hint of spice joining as the wine unfolds. Incredibly refreshing and dry with mouth-quenching intensity and an inviting texture filled with crunchy flavors of Meyer lemon, pear and a splash of salinity. Enjoy this delicious white as an aperitivo, with fresh shellfish or with roasted chicken over the next 12-18 months.
2021 Peachy Canyon Zinfandel
'Incredible Red'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
'Incredible Red'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
A perennial favorite Zin from one of California and Paso Robles's great Zin-masters is back on our hot sheets after a short absence and once again is very tasty indeed.
Over-delivering, velvety, layered and smooth with tell-tale, full-throttle Zin character that builds and builds alluring red and black cherry, rhubarb, violet and cocoa. Flavorful and mouth coating with spice on the back end. Perfect for weeknight fare.
Over-delivering, velvety, layered and smooth with tell-tale, full-throttle Zin character that builds and builds alluring red and black cherry, rhubarb, violet and cocoa. Flavorful and mouth coating with spice on the back end. Perfect for weeknight fare.
2020 Paolo Scavino Barolo
'Bric Del Fiasc'
$89.99 BTL. - LIMITED
'Bric Del Fiasc'
$89.99 BTL. - LIMITED
97 Points - Wine Spectator...Produced from the best exposure at the top of the Fiasco Cru, this wine was first bottled as a single vineyard in 1978. Owned and farmed by the Scavino family since 1921, this vineyard demonstrates the classic Castiglione Falletto combination of elegance and power, with a density of fruit, and vibrant, refined tannins.
The 2020 Bric del Fiasc is pure with fruit-driven aromas of redcurrant, asphalt and licorice, along with a strong floral component and an aromatic suggestion of incense. Masculine and denser in the mouth with firm structure that will shed as it ages. Today it comes across as rich but with a bit of brash behavior as it always shows, especially in its youth. The finish is packed, extremely long with no shortage of ripe, gripping tannins that need time to resolve. Drink this sexy-beast 2028 – 2040+.
The 2020 Bric del Fiasc is pure with fruit-driven aromas of redcurrant, asphalt and licorice, along with a strong floral component and an aromatic suggestion of incense. Masculine and denser in the mouth with firm structure that will shed as it ages. Today it comes across as rich but with a bit of brash behavior as it always shows, especially in its youth. The finish is packed, extremely long with no shortage of ripe, gripping tannins that need time to resolve. Drink this sexy-beast 2028 – 2040+.
