Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'GROOVY CHEMICALS' HOTSHEET
Cool Spring White Wines from Oregon & Greece
13-year-old Italian red wine
Tempranillo, Beaujolais, Pinot Noir
13-year-old Italian red wine
Tempranillo, Beaujolais, Pinot Noir
2022 DOMAINE COLETTE
BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
L'eau est ici réservée pour faire cuire les pommes des terres. This should be the motto for Beaujolais, and particularly this Beaujolais-Village offering.
Superb producer from Lantigne, which someday may be the eleventh Cru. Traditional Beaujolais fermentation and elevation. Pure Gamay from average 45-year-old vines on pink granite. Gorgeous aromas of raspberry, raspberry, and more raspberry. Undertones of granite and pink peppercorn, it has an excellent core of pure fruit in the mouth, with enough spice notes, to make it a complex bottle of wine. But then again, when a wine is this delicious, we simply encourage you to pull out your eight track, throw on a little ‘It's Ecstasy When you lay Next to Me’ by Barry White, and mon dieu! Ok, that and pair with a plethora of dishes – pho, sausage & lentils, roasted or grilled chicken and so much more.
Superb producer from Lantigne, which someday may be the eleventh Cru. Traditional Beaujolais fermentation and elevation. Pure Gamay from average 45-year-old vines on pink granite. Gorgeous aromas of raspberry, raspberry, and more raspberry. Undertones of granite and pink peppercorn, it has an excellent core of pure fruit in the mouth, with enough spice notes, to make it a complex bottle of wine. But then again, when a wine is this delicious, we simply encourage you to pull out your eight track, throw on a little ‘It's Ecstasy When you lay Next to Me’ by Barry White, and mon dieu! Ok, that and pair with a plethora of dishes – pho, sausage & lentils, roasted or grilled chicken and so much more.
2022 DOMAINE JONATHAN PEY
MORGON 'CRU BELLEVUE'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
MORGON 'CRU BELLEVUE'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
Rarely do we offer two wines from Beaujolais on the same wine sheet back-to-back. That is until today, because this is a significant step up from the previous Colette offering, both in price and quality. From a producer who has his hands in many pots, Jonathan Pey bought land in Morgon and Fleurie and has proceeded to produce impressive wines that reveal their origins very well indeed.
From the lieu dit of Bellvue which sits at 1300 feet, this site was planted in 1953. Eroded granitic soils are spread throughout this lieu dit which provides very different wines than the iron-rich soils of Cote-de-Py. Very fragrant with delicious, complex aromas of strawberries with mineral and savory herbs and spices and a fine mineral undercurrent. Bright, layered peppery fruit and herbs make a wine worthy of more attention due to its old vine, mouthfilling texture that fills and coats the palate. Sneaky structure on the finish that really sticks around. Enjoy over the next decade with a Sunday roast beef, steak au poivre, morel pasta in a cream sauce or hearty cheeses.
From the lieu dit of Bellvue which sits at 1300 feet, this site was planted in 1953. Eroded granitic soils are spread throughout this lieu dit which provides very different wines than the iron-rich soils of Cote-de-Py. Very fragrant with delicious, complex aromas of strawberries with mineral and savory herbs and spices and a fine mineral undercurrent. Bright, layered peppery fruit and herbs make a wine worthy of more attention due to its old vine, mouthfilling texture that fills and coats the palate. Sneaky structure on the finish that really sticks around. Enjoy over the next decade with a Sunday roast beef, steak au poivre, morel pasta in a cream sauce or hearty cheeses.
2023 GOODFELLOW PINOT BLANC
TSAI VINEYARD
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
TSAI VINEYARD
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Anytime Marcus Goodfellow releases a cool white wine we take notice. This Pinot Blanc, which clocks in at 11.1% alcohol, is from the Tsai Vineyard. Formerly known as Elvenglade in Yamhill-Carlton, it was originally planted in 1986 with other varietals like Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay arriving in the late nineties/early 2000s.
A Pinot Blanc with restorative powers, this finely tuned, brisk as hell, livewire version reveals excellent nectarine and lime fruit, terrific saline and more underlying depth and intricacy, especially as the wine develops ion the glass. Pair this tasty white wine with crab, scallops, asparagus and especially steamed mussels.
A Pinot Blanc with restorative powers, this finely tuned, brisk as hell, livewire version reveals excellent nectarine and lime fruit, terrific saline and more underlying depth and intricacy, especially as the wine develops ion the glass. Pair this tasty white wine with crab, scallops, asparagus and especially steamed mussels.
2021 CHATEAU PESQUIE
VENTOUX ROUGE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
VENTOUX ROUGE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Contrary to what we have seen lately, spring has sprung and that means it is time to break out the grill! Ventpux is an area of potential that can produce distinctive wines that can rival other southern Rhone villages in quality, especially in the top vineyard sites.
The Chaudiere family of Domaine du Pesquie are among the top Ventoux producers. Flowing lavender, red cherry, white pepper and hickory smoke and hot-rock scents lead into a texture that is both lively and layered as well as showing a level of sophistication that is normally reserved for wines of a much higher pedigree. Ethereal and spicy throughout then finishes up with pronounced strawberry, currant and thyme notes on the uncommonly long finish. Drink with chops. Lamb or pork.
The Chaudiere family of Domaine du Pesquie are among the top Ventoux producers. Flowing lavender, red cherry, white pepper and hickory smoke and hot-rock scents lead into a texture that is both lively and layered as well as showing a level of sophistication that is normally reserved for wines of a much higher pedigree. Ethereal and spicy throughout then finishes up with pronounced strawberry, currant and thyme notes on the uncommonly long finish. Drink with chops. Lamb or pork.
2020 GENTILINI ROBOLA
CEPHALONIA 'RHOMBUS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CEPHALONIA 'RHOMBUS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
It is high time that we all stop thinking of Greek wines solely as the stuff that is one-step up from floor polish, retsina, and opening your eyes to some of the delicacies that have been coming from this ancient wine producing country.
From Cephalonia, Gentilini makes this wine from Robola, a grape varietal that firmly has its origins in Greece. The Italians have also staked claim to it, but who can trust the Italians when it comes to matters of time! Anyway, the Robola varietal is taken to lofty heights by a producer who is an unmitigated specialist with this grape. Lovely scents of sea shore, powdery orange, lemon, thyme and flint lead into a bone-dry, very crisp mouthful of citrus fruits. The persistence is impressive, maintains excellent balance, good richness and is a natural partner with many kinds of grilled fish, but I can easily drink a whole bottle by itself.
From Cephalonia, Gentilini makes this wine from Robola, a grape varietal that firmly has its origins in Greece. The Italians have also staked claim to it, but who can trust the Italians when it comes to matters of time! Anyway, the Robola varietal is taken to lofty heights by a producer who is an unmitigated specialist with this grape. Lovely scents of sea shore, powdery orange, lemon, thyme and flint lead into a bone-dry, very crisp mouthful of citrus fruits. The persistence is impressive, maintains excellent balance, good richness and is a natural partner with many kinds of grilled fish, but I can easily drink a whole bottle by itself.
2021 FLACO TEMPRANILLO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From outside of Madrid and a tasty every evening wine.
Savory spices combine with generous dark fruit, violet, hints of licorice and roasted earth tones on the nose and follow through into a texture that is plush and inviting. The fruit is the focus here and there is plenty of it. This would pair very well with grilled pork chops although I could envision myself throwing down a bottle of this with a cheeseburger. A wonderful value and small price to pay for a toothsome mouthful of red wine.
Savory spices combine with generous dark fruit, violet, hints of licorice and roasted earth tones on the nose and follow through into a texture that is plush and inviting. The fruit is the focus here and there is plenty of it. This would pair very well with grilled pork chops although I could envision myself throwing down a bottle of this with a cheeseburger. A wonderful value and small price to pay for a toothsome mouthful of red wine.
2021 TIBERIO MONTEPULCIANO
D'ABRUZZO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
D'ABRUZZO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Tiberio was established in 2000. Located only 23 miles from the sea near the city of Pescara, this Montepulciano is from 52-year-old vines at 350 meters.
One can smell and taste the marine and high elevation influence beneath the swath of red plum, Morello cherry, licorice, blood orange and saline aspects. Full bodied, deep, cherry red that has nice Abruzzo tangy flavors. Old vine penetration throughout which follows into a superb, extending finish. This wine seemingly is made for sauces with tomatoes and lamb dishes. Bolognese, lamb pasta, arrabiata, amatriciana – mangè, mangè! Drink through 2029.
One can smell and taste the marine and high elevation influence beneath the swath of red plum, Morello cherry, licorice, blood orange and saline aspects. Full bodied, deep, cherry red that has nice Abruzzo tangy flavors. Old vine penetration throughout which follows into a superb, extending finish. This wine seemingly is made for sauces with tomatoes and lamb dishes. Bolognese, lamb pasta, arrabiata, amatriciana – mangè, mangè! Drink through 2029.
2019 DOMAINE MARECHAL
CHOREY-LES-BEAUNE
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
CHOREY-LES-BEAUNE
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
Back in the day, there were certain wine scribes who would declare that one should only drink Premier or Grand Cru Burgundy. This statement is archaic due to such high quality and attention to detail in so many vineyards in the region. We have featured Marechal’s wines for 20+ years but have rarely offered their very underrated and undervalued Chorey-les-Beaune.
From the grand scale 2019 Red Burgundy vintage, sensuous aromatics suggest lovely wild strawberry, cinnamon stick, kisses of cocoa, pronounced lavender and exotic spice. Drier than New World Pinot Noir, this wine penetrates deep and is poised and multi-faceted. Complete and sophisticated, it is refined, suave pure and long with pepper and plum dominating the focused finish. Braise some beef and then pour a mushroom sauce over it and get ready have your ass launched into orbit! Drink over the next 10-12 years.
From the grand scale 2019 Red Burgundy vintage, sensuous aromatics suggest lovely wild strawberry, cinnamon stick, kisses of cocoa, pronounced lavender and exotic spice. Drier than New World Pinot Noir, this wine penetrates deep and is poised and multi-faceted. Complete and sophisticated, it is refined, suave pure and long with pepper and plum dominating the focused finish. Braise some beef and then pour a mushroom sauce over it and get ready have your ass launched into orbit! Drink over the next 10-12 years.
2011 CANTINE LONARDO TAURASI
'VIGNE D'ALTO'
$65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
'VIGNE D'ALTO'
$65.99 BTL./$395.94 - SIX PACK
Aglianico and Southern Italian wines at their finest, Cantine Lonardo specializes in wines from Campania’s Taurasi region, and it is quite exciting to have a selection that is 13-years-old and drinking impeccably.
28 months of aging followed by two more years in bottle, the 2011 is an outstanding library release. Thank goodness because a three-year-old Taurasi would kick you in the teeth and this mature beauty is drinking very well. Formidable scents of dried black cherry, sea-smoke, licorice, nutmeg, black licorice, underbrush and roasted earth that follow into a glorious, vertical palate that is richly structured. The finish is bold with scintillating boysenberry, smoke, leather and saline/earth notes that extend for days. Italian wine lovers in the know will grab these wines, especially given that the same quality in a Brunello, Barolo or Super Tuscan will set you back two or three times the price. Often referred to as the Barolo of the South, this wine pairs exquisitely with lamb. Enjoy it for another decade.
28 months of aging followed by two more years in bottle, the 2011 is an outstanding library release. Thank goodness because a three-year-old Taurasi would kick you in the teeth and this mature beauty is drinking very well. Formidable scents of dried black cherry, sea-smoke, licorice, nutmeg, black licorice, underbrush and roasted earth that follow into a glorious, vertical palate that is richly structured. The finish is bold with scintillating boysenberry, smoke, leather and saline/earth notes that extend for days. Italian wine lovers in the know will grab these wines, especially given that the same quality in a Brunello, Barolo or Super Tuscan will set you back two or three times the price. Often referred to as the Barolo of the South, this wine pairs exquisitely with lamb. Enjoy it for another decade.
