Hot Sheets


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'FUSION SANS CONFUSION' HOTSHEET
Janasse Rhone, Ken Wright Pinot
Influential Arneis & Muscadet
Barbaresco, Bordeaux, 10-buck Bierzo


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2022 MALVIRA ROERO ARNEIS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Along with Giovanni Almondo, Malvira is in the super-upper-echelon of Roero Arneis producers. The Damonte family established Malvira in 1950 but it was not until 1974 that estate bottling occurred. The vineyards at Malvina average 50 years and Arneis makes up half of the estate's production and the results are consistently stunning.

The newly arrived 2022 unoaked, fully organic and reveals a frontal attack with nectarine, starfruit, lime and mineral all enlightening further as the wine is swirled. In the mouth depth from the old vines combined with the energy from the soils bring about an expansiveness combined with terrific vibrancy that is especially luminous on the finish. Enjoy this delicious Arneis with seafood pasta spiked with garlic, grilled tuna with a green salsa, grilled asparagus, feta or goat cheese.



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2021 JANASSE 'TERRE D'ARGILE'
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE - LIMITED

Welcome back Domaine de la Janasse! It has been a minute since we have offered wine from this superstar Chateauneuf Domaine and even longer for this fabulous cuvee. The Sabon family's Cotes-du-Rhône Villages comes from the wrong side of the tracks, a goal kick from the Chateauneuf village of Courthezon and 25% each Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and ‘monumental’ Mourvedre and is consistently a top that can be consumed early and age very well indeed.

Lavishly powerful while remaining well suited to the finesseful palate because of its supple mouthfeel; this is a hell of a glass of red wine with immense appeal. Serious garrigue notes of lavender, thyme, roasted blackberry and pronounced rosemary notes. Voluptuous upon entry with lots of kirsch flavors in the mouth with plenty of spine. Telltale Janasse dimension here with its backbone and almost wind-blown qualities. Brilliantly focused with generous finish that is laden with white pepper. Drink it through 2021, especially with lamb chops.



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2022 VINOS DE ARGANZA
BIERZO 'SECULO'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Spanish party action indeed! Lively, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs, the essence of Bierzo’s terroir is on full display with this bursting and transparent red.

All of the components seem to build as the wine opens in the glass and entice you to take a sip that is pristine, medium-bodied, and instantaneously quaffable. More importantly, this wine also shows wonderful Mencia minerally character all culminating in a succulent, soil-driven finish. Enjoy this excellent, very individual Spanish red with sausages, Serrano ham or even a fish done in a tomato-based broth.



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2020 CASTELLO DI VERDUNO
BARBARESCO
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK

Castello di Verduno is a historic property located in the trendy village of Verduno famed for the Grand Cru Monvigliero vineyard. Verduno was formed as the inheritance of the three sons of Giovanni Battista (the other two sons received G.B. Burlotto and Cascina Massara). Barbaresco was added to the estate when Gabriella Burlotto married Franco Bianco, who brought had a Barbaresco winery including vines in Rabaja. Nowadays the winery owns 5 hectares in Barbaresco and five in Verduno and Mario Andrion has been the winemaker since 2000 aging the wines in large botti leading to a very traditional philosphy. The results are old school wines that provide immense pleasure and show this western sector of Barolo that is now in-demand as many like Vietti, Scavino, Giacosa and more have bought land in this area.

From a blend of two terrific Barbareco Cru vineyards (mostly Faset with a good dollop of Rabaja), it is energetic, wiry and very fine Barbaresco. Scents of Morello cherry are followed by chalk, prominent mineral, mint, underlying floral, and licorice tones. The palate is quite svelte and vertical with its depth showing as it moves towards the structured, quite lasting finish. A superb collectible value, this wine is quite youthful now but not without some sneaky plushness on the mid-palate. Hold on to it until 2026 and drink through 2033+.



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2021 DOMAINE DE LA FRUITIERE
MUSCADET 'GNEISS DE BEL ABORD'
$19.99.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

93 Points - Decanter...One of the big developments in Muscadet has been the creation of a Cru system that is not unlike that of Beaujolais. Seven have been designated and we are now seeing names and areas like Clisson, Goulaine and more on the labels. This has injected terrific life into the region and has young producers excited about working their land versus departing the region because making a living was virtually impossible. The Lieubeau family makes Cru Muscadet and with this wine, it goes a step further being a single vineyard offering from gneiss soil.

Gneiss is metamorphic rock that may have come from granite and characterized by alternating layers of light and dark bands. It is a warmer, harder soil, or should we say rock-type and it is amazing that a vine could even penetrate it! This wine reflects where it is grown, as there are serious gunflint and stony aromas that remind one of a quarry right after it has rained. Combining ripe lemon with these notes adds for complexity. In the mouth, it is intense and gains laser-like persistence and herbs and serious peat carrying over into the citrusy and thrusting finish. A perfect wine from a dozen freshly shucked oysters or steamed mussels jacked with Pernod and parsley.



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2020 HUETT MERLOT COLUMBIA VALLEY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

From a Northwest producer who focuses on value wines, Ryan Huett makes wines from both Oregon and Washington including this silky, temptuous Merlot.

A voluptuous, creamy number offers plush, smooth and graceful aromas and flavors from start to finish. Smoked violet, black raspberry with strokes of milk chocolate, herbs and nutmeg tones are lacy and rich with excellent fruit that is perfectly in balance. Deceptively deep with a polished finish that oozes suppleness and sophistication.



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2022 KEN WRIGHT PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

Always popular, this particular pinot Noir from one of Oregon's longtime favorites is blended from Ken Wright’s excellent single vineyards and meant to be an earlier drinker. Easily loved, the 2022 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is an unabashed, full-flavored charmer that walks the line between the dark side and vibrancy of Oregon Pinot Noir.

Aromas of crushed blackberry, violet and cinnamon shine brightly from the glass. Stylishly flavored with an abundance of penetrating fruit along with subtle structure; the finish is warm and crowd-pleasing with hints of allspice and cocoa. Drink over the next 5-7 years.



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2020 CHATEAU LARRIVET HAUT-BRION
PESSAC-LEOGNAN (Bordeaux) ROUGE
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE

A historic Bordeaux property from the Pessac-Leognan region (formerly part of Graves), it was founded in 1840 and based on three sites until consolidated in 1941 by Monsieur Guillemand. In 1987, the Gervosan family acquired the Chateau and its vines and elevated to even higher glory thus becoming one of the stalwarts of the region.

2020 is a great vintage in Bordeaux and this classic blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot & 13% Cabernet Franc is very impressive indeed. Forward, persistent scents of violet, earth-tinged adobe, graphite, cocoa powder and raspberry. Those same room-filling aromatics transfer beautifully to the texture and coat the mouth with red fruit and cassis, yet keep great balance, good structure and that ‘long-and-winding road’ of a finish that we have come to expect from this beauty. No problem for this grand vintage to drink well and develop for another twenty years. Highly recommended for those who love Bordeaux or those who would just like to see what all of the hullabaloo is about when it comes to this area of Pessac-Leognan. Moreover, best yet is that it is priced well south of 100 bucks.






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