Hot Sheets

Hot Sheet of Exciting Wine Deals!

"SOIF" HOTSHEET

Crazy Brunello Special, Lafon Macon, 11 year old Riesling, Value California Cab, Rhone and more




1.) 2011 ACHAVAL-FERRER MALBEC "MENDOZA"
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE


92 POINTS – THE WINE SPECTATOR

As usual, Achaval is still at the pinnacle of their game and once again has received super accolades for their entry-level Mendoza Malbec which consistently trumps others Reserva versions. "Very pure, with a beam of raspberry coulis, blackberry and cherry pulp notes that pump out layers of spice, flint and wildflowers. Juicy yet structured, with a mineral edge to the long, savory finish. – 92 POINTS – THE WINE SPECTATOR"



2.) 2012 LES HERETIERS DU COMTE LAFON MACON-VILLAGES
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE – 4 CASES AVAILABLE


Yes, this is the same Dominique Lafon who is famous for producing his family's Meursault wines under the Comte Lafon label and who is generally regarded as one of France's greatest makers period. This selection comes from his Macon estate which has been producing stellar wines since the late 90s. Clay and chalk soils from 2 villages (Uchizy and Chardonnay) provide the backbone and spirit of this true to form, French Chardonnay-lover's Chardonnay!

The 2012 is superbly mouth-filling and with notes of apple turnover, wet stone and lemon-peel that spread out over the entire palate. Plenty of tangerine notes bring liveliness throughout, especially on the finish where the mineral is simply provocative. An absolute bulls eye shot of a white Burgundy that is unfortunately quite limited.



3.) 2011 VAONA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE


Over the last two-plus decades, the Veneto region around the cities of Venice and Verona has experienced a renaissance of monumental proportion! Amarone, Valpolicella, Soave, the list goes on. Many exciting producers such as this one are making it happen.

This wine is classic Valpolicella without being Ripasso so its profile is all about freshness and vibrancy. A total charmer, Vaona's Classico is full of violet, explosive dried raspberry fruit and a tangy, rich and long finish. This is a perfect wine to go with hearty pasta dishes like stuffed shells or lasagna and at 12 bucks is one to be consumed in copious amounts.



4.) 2010 MAS DE LIBIAN COTES-DU-RHONE "KHAYYAM"
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE


One of the most complete vintages that I've ever seen in the Southern portion of the Rhone Valley, 2010 seems to almost be a new version of the renowned 1990 vintage. Not only are we seeing the seamless aspects in grand wines such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but its formidable qualities extend to the likes of Cotes-du-Rhone.

Mas de Libian is located in the foothills on the way to the Ardeche, this is a bastion of a Cotes-du-Rhone area which in the past had often been overlooked. The Thibon family has been farming and making wine at Mas de Libian since 1670. Fast-forward to modern-day, we have a generation who is keen to pay respect to the earth, vines and wines. The Khayyam Cuvée is a resounding uptick from their classic Cotes-du-Rhone and celebrates the 11th century poet and mathematician Omar Khayyam whose texts celebrated wine, women and Carpe Diem philosophy.

The 2010 is something very, very special, this velvet monster emits aromas of jammy strawberry, tea leaf, Thai spices and black licorice. Texturally, this wine is layered, rich and possesses excellent movement from front to back. Super-vinous from old vines which are very evident on the lengthy, broad finish that snaps back after the wine is swallowed and pleasantly hangs around. Enjoy over the next 6-8 years with slow-braised lamb or a simply prepared grilled porterhouse spiked with garlic and coated with black pepper.



5.) 2011 FOXGLOVE PASO ROBLES CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE


Foxglove is California Chardonnay specialists Jim and Bob Varner's best-buy oriented side project and not only are Foxglove offerings delicious wines, they are also very affordable, especially in the high-finance, stratospheric world of Cali-Cab. This one has a dark purple hue that transforms into a bright cherry red when swirled.

Aromas of black cherry, leather and a touch of spice box jump out of the glass. The smooth entry evolves into a lush, ripe, round mouth-feel filled with boysenberry, blackberry and earthy flavors that carry into a fine finish that reveals touches of mocha. All in all this an attractive, charming Cab that isn't one bit superfluous and that cab-lovers can confidently serve at any occasion.



6.) 2012 CATALDI MADONNA PECORINO "GIULIA"
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE


From the "What The Hell Were We Thinking" file of Abruzzo wines is this masterful white from a grape that frankly 20 years ago was heading towards extinction. Sadly this area was following the rest of the world and ripping up vines like this and Passerina in order to plant more Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and worst of all, Pinot Grigio, all in an area not suited for any of them. Thank goodness logic has prevailed and we are seeing a resurrection of native grapes not only in Abruzzo but on the entire sunny peninsula as well.

Cataldi Madonna is one of the top names for Montepulciano D'Abruzzo so it would only make sense that the estate would produce a smokin' Pecorino. Oh yeah, Pecorino, only in Italy would a grape have the same name as a famous cheese! In all seriousness, this white kills it from the first sniff until the last swallow. Delightfully persistent and intense with aromas of nectarine, lemon-lime and seabreeze that jump from the glass and then blitz the palate with depth, cut and mouth-watering illumination. Throw this one down with calamari or other shellfish.



7.) 2002 C.H. BERRES RIESLING KABINETT "WEHLENER KLOSTERBERG"
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE


Many times I have mentioned that the greatest of white wines will outlive the greatest of reds and this sterling, 11 year old Riesling is perfect proof!

Some history: The Berres family is recorded to have resided and worked in the vineyards of Urzig since the year 1510. Upon secularization of the Mosel by Napoleon, one of the first great private wine estates to be established was that of Peter Nicolay in Urzig, including the finest sites in Urzig, Erden, Wehlen, Graach and Zeltingen. Through marriage and inheritance Nicolay became C.H. (Carl Hubert) Berres, which continued to produce and market the estate's great Rieslings under the Peter Nicolay brand until 1986, when the estate was divided upon inheritance. Carl Hubert's grandson Alfred (father of Markus) retained nearly 10 acres of old, ungrafted Riesling vines in the best sites, including Urzig's famous Wurzgarten and legendary, minuscule Goldwingert, and Erden's Treppchen. While fine wines continued to be made in the original Berres/Nicolay cellars, sales were limited to the local trade, with significant accumulation of great older vintages in the Berres cellars as a result, hence the reason we see older wines from this vaunted estate.

The main thing that drives this wine are the soils of the vineyard. Wehlener Klosterberg is a south-facing vineyard in the famed village of Wehlen (also home to the grand Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard) and has a combo of decomposed blue slate, clay and stone. Pronounced lime and peach along with subtle ginger notes. Piercing, very focused mineral tones which are classic to the blue slate bring out delineation and very cool finesse. Complex, secondary tones are quite present and reveal themselves in such a handsome way. Drinking exquisitely and still packing loads of life, 2002 was a grand vintage for Kabinett, Spatlese and Auslese wines. This semi-dry Riesling possesses a low alcohol level (7.5%) and is brilliantly delineated, complex and most importantly, very detailed. Drinking wonderfully now and will continue to do so for another 4-5 years…if not longer!



8.) 2007 COL D'ORCIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
[reg. $60.99} ABSURD SPECIAL PRICE - $39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE


This should absolutely be a crime!! Selling a Brunello from such a prolific producer at this price is unheard of!! Our local distributor still has 20 cases of it and they want to head on to Col D'Orcia's 2008 vintage so they offered us a crazy deal on their highly touted 2007. 93s from International Wine Cellar, The Wine Advocate and 94 from Wine Enthusiast magazine. If you love Brunello as much as we do you should jump on this one because we will never get the chance to sell Col D'Orcia's wines at 40 bucks anytime soon.

"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is very beautiful in this vintage. Ripe, silky tannins frame expressive red cherries, flowers, licorice and tobacco. Sweet floral notes add lift on the delicate finish. Col d'Orcia's 2007 is pure elegance and finesse from start to finish. The wine spent 36 months in oak, all of which it has handled with grace. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2037.

Count Francesco Marone Cinzano is soft-spoken and reserved. He is also one of the most driven of Montalcino's large landowners. A quiet, non-publicized conversion to biodynamic farming that has been underway for several years is typical of the way things are done at Col d'Orcia. Cinzano's right-hand man, estate manager Edoardo Virano, has worked at Col d'Orcia since 1977 and has an intimate level of knowledge of the property and its history that is second to none. Col D'Orcia makes a wide range of wines, although it is the Brunelli that stand out most. In a typical vintage the Brunelli can be enjoyed a few years after release, but history continues to teach me that they bloom most fully between ages 20-30. Luckily, the estate has an extensive library of older wines that are re-released with some frequency, which gives consumers the opportunity to taste older vintages with perfect provenance, something I have been able to do on a few occasions. – 93 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE"



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