Hot Sheets

2013 GIOVANNI ROCCA BARBERA D'ALBA
'PIAN ROMUALDO'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

Located in the Barolo village of Monforte D’Alba, Giovanni Rocca is a thrilling producer who has land in many great sites yet continues to be very stealth, flying beneath the radar and noses of many in the wine world. This is quite good for us because pricing is still great. Pian Romualdo is hallowed ground for Barbera, Rocca is one of three owners, and the estate’s Barbera vines were planted in 1958.

2013 is ultra-successful and the next big thing for the Piedmont region. For Barbera Mother Nature aided in delivering wines that possess concentration, but also possesses plenty of backbone that are akin to classic years like 2006, 2004 or 1999. Rocca’s killer Barbera features robust scents of strawberry, Belgian dark chocolate, rose petal and subtle undertones of smoke and herbs lead into a mouth-filling texture that oozes class and grace, yet has bursting energy, structure and is quite cellar-worthy. The finish takes off like a fighter jet! An abundance of wine here for not a ridiculous amount of money (direct import is wonderful!) and only about 800 cases were made for the entire world.

2010 CHATEAU LYONNAT
LUSSAC SAINT-EMILION
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

Over the past 3+ years we have mentioned the who, where, why and how of the new excitement of Bordeaux. Yes, classified growth wines are still spectacular but they are definitely sniffing glue and/or huffing gas when it comes to pricing. The entire brilliance of what is going down with smaller Chateaux that are committed to top farming and winemaking aspects in both famed regions and the satellite regions is quite impressive. Often is the case that one can obtain a terrific bottle that not only drinks well early, but one that can also age well without having to break the bank.

Chateau Lyonnat is located in the village of Lussac, one of 4 satellite regions of St-Emilion and is the one considered the most robust of the group. Always exquisitely farmed and produced, recently Chateau Lyonnat has taken on Hubert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus, one of St-Emilion’s four ‘first growths’. Stacked and packed this wine shows off class and grace, yet has a trucker's mouth with a bit of attitude and sass to it. Teeming with earth, limestone, red cherry, some violet and kisses of nutmeg and mineral on the nose, it follows through to a texture that is mouth coating and having all of the substance of the great 2010 vintage. Excellent length and a wine that will outclass a number of higher-priced neighbors, there is ample structure for aging. Drink from the end of 2017 through 2027.

2013 CLOS FANTINE FAUGERES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Sort of like SE Oregon, the village and red wine growing region of Faugeres is very remote. Tucked away in the hills above the city of Beziers in the Languedoc, this region extremely well known in wine circles as one of the fine secrets of France. Clos Fantine is a new producer to us and is located in very close proximity to the legend of the area, Leon Barral.

2013 is a very exquisite vintage in these parts, and this full-throttled offering is no exception! Based around old vine Grenache and Carignan with dollops of Syrah and Cinsault, Clos Fantine's wine is dense and very spicy with plenty of extroverted scents of blackberry, ginger, smoke, and white pepper. In the mouth, it goes quite deep and fills the mouth with warm, Mediterranean fruit, but also carries a feral streak that makes it go beautifully with grilled leg of lamb, venison, or any other game dish. Drink this lovely Southern French red over the next 5 years.

2013 LUCCHETTI LACRIMA
MORRO D'ALBA
[reg. $14.99]
SPECIAL - $9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Sometimes there is no loyalty in the wine business and here is one such case. Unbeknownst to the local importer, Lucchetti went and cut a deal with a national importer, thus severing the relationship. Local cat has a bunch of vino so he decides to poke the antagonists in the eye by hauling it all off at a remarkable price. Take advantage while it’s available!

Lacrima Morro D'Alba wines are unlike any other red wine that you will taste and despite having Alba in its name, this grape has absolutely nothing to do with Piedmont, Barolo, Barbaresco or Barbera, it hails from Le Marches along Italy’s Adriatic Coast. Overflowing with rose petal aromatics and a host of fruits, ranging from cherry to cranberry to apricot. Dry, medium bodied, modest in alcohol (13°) and with no shortage of flavor and character. Very juicy with lots of brightness and compliments sausage, carpaccio or chicken in tomatoes. At 10 bucks, this is one to drink now and often.

2012 SEVEN HILLS PETIT VERDOT
WALLA WALLA 'MCCLELLAN VINEYARD'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

Petit Verdot is one of Bordeaux’s great blending varietals but every year Walla Walla stalwart Casey McClellan bottles a small amount on its own. 100% of this hearty grape and coming solely from the estate McClellan Vineyard in Walla Walla.

Possessing masculine traits from the vintage, vineyard and varietal, powerful scents of cassis, plum, blackberry, sandalwood, cedar box, and other exotic spices follow through to a texture that is packed and stacked. Along with its opaque core of fruit, the barrage of spiciness and grip continues with layers of flavors and a very extending finish. An underlying velvety trait allows for some early accessibility but ultimately this will be at its best 2018 – 2025.

2014 MARQUES DE IRUN RUEDA
$8.99 BTL./$107.88

So mouth-watering delicious and full of substance, we thought it to be something that we would have to charge $11.99 for, not $8.99!! Marques de Irun is owned by famed sherry outfit Lustau and they extend their quality to this area quite well.

Rueda is a Spanish region for crisp clean whites made from the Verdejo grape and can be difficult to beat as far as bang for your buck. This extremely fresh white is bursting with tropical notes of gooseberry, kiwi and pineapple. In the mouth, all of that succulent fruit is joined by refreshing pink grapefruit tartness and a touch of mineral with a long clean finish. This is one to slurp down while you are looking out at the horizon and contemplating the void.

2013 TALLEY CHARDONNAY
ARROYO GRANDE
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

Over the past few years we have seen a trend in the California Chardonnay market with consumers drinking less and less of the big thick ooey-gooey, over-oaked monsters. While the style is one that many still like, it is difficult to enjoy more than one glass of anything with the viscosity of maple syrup. Sensing this trend, excellent Chardonnay producers such as Talley Vineyards have maintained the "California profile" while at the same time reducing the extraction, thus making a wine that will keep you coming back for another glass.

The 2013 Talley Chardonnay has juicy qualities with tropical notes of pineapple, mango, and a hint of apple, spice, vanilla, and plenty of length. Lovely on its own, or even better with simple roasted chicken, it is a wine to enjoy over the next couple of years. Another successful vintage for Talley, but then again what else do you expect from such a terrific producer.

2013 FUBBIANO VERMENTINO
COLLINE LUCCHESE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The Vermentino grape has been cultivated in Tuscany’s Colline Lucchesi since medieval times. Located in the hills surrounding the city of Lucca, Marco Corsini’s Fattoria di Fubbiano has history going back to 1694. Undoubtedly, an innovator of the region, this team’s passion is very evident in their wines.

With its close proximity to the sea, this white wine is unlike the majority that often emerge from Tuscany. A full on, delicious white that is extremely compelling with expressive notes of lemon blossom, saline, freesia and minerality on the nose. A luscious entry, which gives way to a vinous texture that is elevated and possessing perky crispness and balance; a total vehicle for fish jacked with anise and Italian herbs.

2010 MERIEAU TOURAINE BRUT 'BULLES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

We have been using young Jean-Francois Merieau’s red and white Loire Valley wines for about 5 years now but this is the first foray into his scrumptious, dry sparkling wine produced in the Champagne method.

Made with 90% Chenin Blanc, 10% Chardonnay this fizz spends 24 months on its lees that allows for brilliant dimension. A range of apple aromas wafts from the glass along with undertones of biscuit and underlying mineral. In the mouth, it is inviting, regal, full of elevation and zest all with a finesseful, creamy mousse. The finish is very refined, classy and long. A fantastic sparkling wine that won't break the bank. Have it for toasting, guzzling, celebrating or with goat cheese or a flaky white fish in sauce.

2011 GRAMONA CAVA BRUT
'LA CUVEE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

As many of you know, Karen and I have Champagne fetishes. We also know that many of you have this same secret dark skeleton. Being the Champagne addicts that we are, we often will turn our noses up at anything produced outside of the Champagne region. Fighting against the machine-harvest Cava menace, Gramona comes to cleanse our minds, souls and our palates with yet another spectacular sparkling wine. This is a fizz that we have absolutely no problem drinking, and you shouldn’t either, especially since it won’t bust the piggy bank like Champagne is doing right now.

The biggest difference in this wine versus the industrially produced versions of Cava is the aging, 3½ years opposed to a year or less for many others, and the more prominent use of the top xarel.lo grape. Instantly, one look and smell indicates that this is a much more serious expression. Marzipan, flowers, peach-pit, and an almost cherry scent calmly and gently waft. One can see that Gramona, inspired by the greats of Champagne with its outstanding finesse, both aromatically and in flavor. Creamy, fine bubbles are enhanced by energetic and lemony briskness that is very apparent on the mouth-watering, palate-cleansing, thrusting finish. Again, a bit more serious, but still great for sipping and it will nicely stand up to cod, salmon, shrimp or something drowned in a romesco sauce.