Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'READY TO RUMBLE' HOTSHEET
Freedom Hill Pinot Noir
Bordeaux, Dolcetto, Rose
Nobile Montepulciano Special
Bordeaux, Dolcetto, Rose
Nobile Montepulciano Special
2021 ELIO GRASSO
DOLCETTO D'ALBA
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
DOLCETTO D'ALBA
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
Consistently producing some of Piedmont's finest, highly awarded and most sought-after Barolo wines, Gianluca Grasso continues to churn out stellar wines from the region’s blue-collar grapes as well. Whether it be his Barbera, Chardonnay or this Dolcetto, these wines come from one of the most respectable Barolo neighborhoods, Monforte d'Alba and specifically in and around Casa Mate and Chiniera.
2021 is a magical Piedmont vintage and this crunchy, fleshy Dolcetto is teeming with red plums, black cherry and undertones of lavender and dark chocolate. In the mouth it is zippy yet maintaining nice smoothness, substance, depth and heaping Monforte sturdiness. Serve with a slight chill for summer. Very accessible, this red wine will pair with anything from a steaming bowl of pasta with a sugo of beef, lamb and pork to grilled sausage or a cheeseburger.
2021 is a magical Piedmont vintage and this crunchy, fleshy Dolcetto is teeming with red plums, black cherry and undertones of lavender and dark chocolate. In the mouth it is zippy yet maintaining nice smoothness, substance, depth and heaping Monforte sturdiness. Serve with a slight chill for summer. Very accessible, this red wine will pair with anything from a steaming bowl of pasta with a sugo of beef, lamb and pork to grilled sausage or a cheeseburger.
2021 CASTERA JURANCON SEC
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
This is your favorite dry, crisp French white wine, however most of you all haven't tasted it...yet! Situated in Southwestern France, the region of Jurancon in the foothills of the Pyrenees provides white wines ranging from bone dry all the way to super-dense dessert wines.
A bone dry splash of happiness. 70% Gros Manseng and 30% Petite Corbu, grown in sandy, silty soils along with puddingstones at steep 350-meter slopes, broad aromas of honeyed lemon-oil, apricot and tropical fruits, which are spiked with aromatics spice. Gorgeous mouth-coating, fleshy and lush flavors fill the mouth only to be upstaged by the saline-like acidity and zinginess that instantly cleanses only leaving the fresh flavors behind for what seems like 10 minutes.
A bone dry splash of happiness. 70% Gros Manseng and 30% Petite Corbu, grown in sandy, silty soils along with puddingstones at steep 350-meter slopes, broad aromas of honeyed lemon-oil, apricot and tropical fruits, which are spiked with aromatics spice. Gorgeous mouth-coating, fleshy and lush flavors fill the mouth only to be upstaged by the saline-like acidity and zinginess that instantly cleanses only leaving the fresh flavors behind for what seems like 10 minutes.
2023 CA' LOJERA LUGANA
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
This is your favorite dry, crisp Italian white wine, however most of you all haven't tasted it...yet! Located on the south shore of Lake Garda on the border of the Veneto and Lombardy, the estate of Ca’ Lojera specializes in Lugana. This white wine region mostly puts forth wines consumed in the trattoria of the region, however, Ca’ Lojera takes the wines made from the Turbiana grape to loftier heights than anyone would ever expect.
Armed with engaging aromas of mandarin and honeydew, there is an abundance of underlying mineral in this unoaked white wine that are almost reminiscent of something dry and lively from France’s Alsace region. Revealing a sizeable core, but also no shortage of crisp, brisk, sweeping zesty, stone flavors that coat and cleanse the entire palate. An excellent choice for seafood dishes particularly ahi tuna cooked rare and doused in a green or tomato-based salsa.
Armed with engaging aromas of mandarin and honeydew, there is an abundance of underlying mineral in this unoaked white wine that are almost reminiscent of something dry and lively from France’s Alsace region. Revealing a sizeable core, but also no shortage of crisp, brisk, sweeping zesty, stone flavors that coat and cleanse the entire palate. An excellent choice for seafood dishes particularly ahi tuna cooked rare and doused in a green or tomato-based salsa.
2021 AMIRAULT BOURGUEIL
'COTE 50'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
'COTE 50'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Located across the river from Chinon, Benoit Amirault's wines are a true taste of France. From vines right at the border of Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil, this 100% Cabernet Franc grown on sand/gravel/clay soils is pure and forward.
Pulsating aspects with more sandalwood swirled in with undertones of plum and cherry pit, stony mineral and a tiny, attractive kiss of sweet bell pepper, soon arriving. Billowy, vibrant and earthy, but with luscious dry fruit on the well-balanced and sneaky-sturdy palate and airy finish. Serve in any glass you would use for Pinot Noir and enjoy with coarse pate, pork loin or tenderloin, duck, steak-frites and rillettes if you can find them.
Pulsating aspects with more sandalwood swirled in with undertones of plum and cherry pit, stony mineral and a tiny, attractive kiss of sweet bell pepper, soon arriving. Billowy, vibrant and earthy, but with luscious dry fruit on the well-balanced and sneaky-sturdy palate and airy finish. Serve in any glass you would use for Pinot Noir and enjoy with coarse pate, pork loin or tenderloin, duck, steak-frites and rillettes if you can find them.
2023 ILLAHE TEMPRANILLO ROSE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Unlike most Oregon Rose, Dallas, Oregon-based Illahe Vineyards chooses to make theirs from Tempranillo. When I made a visit to the winery a couple of weeks ago, I was quite impressed with this individual take on their dry pink wine.
Picked on the early side to maintain briskness, pressed directly with no skin contact followed by aging in older oak and acacia barrels, this Rose barrages the senses instantly. Lime, raspberry, coral, aromas give way to a texture with suppleness along with charged acidity with shines on the succulent finish. A swan dive into a cool pool, drink with grilled mussels, gazpacho or with a bunch of good friends.
Picked on the early side to maintain briskness, pressed directly with no skin contact followed by aging in older oak and acacia barrels, this Rose barrages the senses instantly. Lime, raspberry, coral, aromas give way to a texture with suppleness along with charged acidity with shines on the succulent finish. A swan dive into a cool pool, drink with grilled mussels, gazpacho or with a bunch of good friends.
2019 AVIGNONESI VINO NOBILE
DI MONTEPULCIANO
[reg. $29.99]
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
DI MONTEPULCIANO
[reg. $29.99]
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
The Noble wines of Montepulciano are some of the most exciting in Tuscany and represent the best bang for your buck and Avignonesi is one of the finest and most famous in this DOCG region.
Vintage 2019 is a classic Nobile di Montepulciano, and Avignonesi's seemingly has no hairs out of place. One whiff of the wonderfully pure scents of wildflowers, sage, black cherries, and savory earth will have you reminiscing about your last visit to Tuscany! The depth and concentration carry nicely into the mouth as it offers up succulent, ripe and flavorful tones with superb tight focus and grip as well as finishing dark, spicy and long. Drink now – 2030+.
Vintage 2019 is a classic Nobile di Montepulciano, and Avignonesi's seemingly has no hairs out of place. One whiff of the wonderfully pure scents of wildflowers, sage, black cherries, and savory earth will have you reminiscing about your last visit to Tuscany! The depth and concentration carry nicely into the mouth as it offers up succulent, ripe and flavorful tones with superb tight focus and grip as well as finishing dark, spicy and long. Drink now – 2030+.
2020 CHATEAU BOURREE
CASTILLON COTES-DE-BORDEAUX
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CASTILLON COTES-DE-BORDEAUX
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Noted as one of the larger regions of Bordeaux, Castillon (formerly Cotes-de-Castillon) provides immense diversity due to its sheer land mass. Chateau La Bourree is located remarkably close to the eastern border of Saint-Emilion and has been impeccably run by the Meynard family since the 19th century.
Merlot-based and the essence of what one desires in right bank Bordeaux. Scents of crushed plum, perfume, blueberry, and intricately woven dusty earth expand as the wine airs. Classy and huggable Bordeaux, excellent depth of fruit and equilibrium provide extra dimension to the notable core of fruit, especially on the congenial finish. Deceptively drawn out, this wine follows over to the table quite nicely. Enjoy this one over the next 4-5 years with duck, lamb chops or a risotto jacked with ceps.
Merlot-based and the essence of what one desires in right bank Bordeaux. Scents of crushed plum, perfume, blueberry, and intricately woven dusty earth expand as the wine airs. Classy and huggable Bordeaux, excellent depth of fruit and equilibrium provide extra dimension to the notable core of fruit, especially on the congenial finish. Deceptively drawn out, this wine follows over to the table quite nicely. Enjoy this one over the next 4-5 years with duck, lamb chops or a risotto jacked with ceps.
2022 BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF
'THE WOLFTRAP' RED
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
'THE WOLFTRAP' RED
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
From South Africa's Franschhoek Valley within the Paarl region, this blend of 80% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre and 1% Viognier is always an outstanding value...and especially for 10-bucks!
This snarling animal belies its 10-dollar price point. Zesty and forward plum and pepper tones along with floral aspects to round everything out. The flavors coat the mouth and finish with silky tones beneath its spicy and sassy veneer. Drink this one with rare roast beef.
This snarling animal belies its 10-dollar price point. Zesty and forward plum and pepper tones along with floral aspects to round everything out. The flavors coat the mouth and finish with silky tones beneath its spicy and sassy veneer. Drink this one with rare roast beef.
2022 WALTER SCOTT PINOT NOIR
'FREEDOM HILL'
$69.99 BTL./$419.94 - SIX PK
'FREEDOM HILL'
$69.99 BTL./$419.94 - SIX PK
Ken Pahlow knows the Freedom Hill Vineyard like the back of his hand having had experience making wines from this site since the nineties back in his days at St. Innocent. Freedom Hill Vineyard is in the foothills of the coast range ten miles southwest of Salem, in the warmer Eola Hills area. This site is protected from strong coastal winds by hills to the east and benefits from heat rising off the valley floor. Noted for producing wines of power, this one follows suit and is always the last of the lineup to reveal its ultimate personality.
Freedom Hill Vineyard is always one of Oregon's powerhouse sites. Typically, big and dense, Ken is an expert at working with this vineyard and bringing out its beauty in lieu of its sheer mass. 2022 is one of the best versions yet! Broad aromatics dominate this offering. Pronounced plum, blackberry, piecrust, and Asian spice, this wine penetrates very deeply and is not about being an oak bomb or a caricature of itself. For a Pinot with some power, it is very nimble and alive. Well-structured on the finish with tones of caramel and earth. As usual, Freedom Hill is ageworthy, and this one is no exception.
Freedom Hill Vineyard is always one of Oregon's powerhouse sites. Typically, big and dense, Ken is an expert at working with this vineyard and bringing out its beauty in lieu of its sheer mass. 2022 is one of the best versions yet! Broad aromatics dominate this offering. Pronounced plum, blackberry, piecrust, and Asian spice, this wine penetrates very deeply and is not about being an oak bomb or a caricature of itself. For a Pinot with some power, it is very nimble and alive. Well-structured on the finish with tones of caramel and earth. As usual, Freedom Hill is ageworthy, and this one is no exception.
