3/25/19 The Cellar Door's 'STOKED FOR SPRING' HotSheet


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'STOKED FOR SPRING' HOTSHEET
Sangiovese Sampler, Beaune Value, Produttori del Barbaresco, Gruner Veltliner & more


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2018 COLONIAS LAS LIEBRES
BONARDA 'MENDOZA'
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Like Malbec, Bonarda's presence Argentina cannot be understated. Mentioned in the 19th century it seemingly has always been cultivated and is still Argentina's second most planted varietal. In 2008 it was discovered that the Bonarda in Argentina is actually not Bonarda Novarese, which is from Piedmont but actually Douce Noir, a grape also known as Charbono, and whose roots actually are from France's Savoie region. Still as it has evolved, it is now something very distinctively Argentine and still delicious!

Colonias las Liberas is made by famed Malbec practitioner Altos las Hormigas and savory, frontal red aromas and flavors present themselves straight away and entice you to want to drink it at just about any moment. Juicy and supple, it smoothly accompanies anything from pizza to empanadas to grilled meat or veggies.



Sangiovese Sampler
3 bottles - $60.00

available by the single bottle or case as well

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2016 ZERBINA SANGIOVESE DI ROMAGNA
$13.00

A longtime stalwart, Zerbina’s Sangiovese delivers so much pleasure for not a lot of money. Fully unoaked, this generous red wine from an hour east of Bologna has been in our Sangiovese repertoire for years.

From specially planted clones and high density, this wine shows a pretty and sophisticated quality that has knockout depth. Nicely intertwined with luscious blackberry, sage, some vanilla/coffee notes, and hints of licorice; the texture is about as smooth and sultry as an Isaac Hayes love ballad. Polished, generous and having everything just in its right place, then finishing up with long flavors that call you back for another taste – in other words, it's Sangio-riffic!!!



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2016 WALLA WALLA VINTNERS
SANGIOVESE
$27.00

One of the pioneering producers in Walla Walla, Gordy Venneri was regaling in how his Walla Walla Vintners estate was one of only 10 producers located in his charming town back in the mid 90s and how it has blossomed to well over 100 in under 20 years. Gordy was also one of the first to investigate Italian varietals in the region and these days, is doing quite well with them, especially this credible and sumptuous Sangiovese.

2016 is a very harmonious, fruit forward and stylish vintage and in this wine, all the pieces matter. Nicely intertwined aromas revealing luscious blackberry, sage, subtle vanilla/coffee along with hints of licorice rolling through to the palate that is both smooth and boastful. Polished, generous and having everything just in its right place, then finishing up with long flavors that call you back for another taste! Drink through 2024.



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2016 LA GERLA SANGIOVESE
‘POGGIO GLI ANGELI’
$20.00

La Gerla is a superb Brunello di Montalcino producer located in Castelnuove dell’Abate, which is also home to such notable names like Caprili, Ciacci Piccolomini and Gaja. They also do not take a back seat to any of them these are outstanding wines.

From 15-year-old Montalcino vines, this red is aged four months in large barrel followed by bottle aging before release. Inviting and savory it is a wine with no shortage of honest, true-to-form Sangiovese character. Bing cherry, earth tones, violet, roasted sage and spice dominate this medium-bodied, fleshy red. Fresh and mouth tickling with red fruit flavors following into the mouth and leaving your palate cleansed but satisfied. Drink it now with spaghetti & meatballs. Okay, it will pair with other Italian delights, too. Try a grilled steak or minestrone.




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2017 LAFAGE COTES-CATALANS BLANC
'MIRAFLORS'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Muscat, Roussanne, Viognier, Vermentino and Sauvignon from 35-year-old vines in terraced sand and gravel soils right against the sea. At lower alcohol (usually under 11.5%), the sea keeps this dry wine from ever becoming heavy.

Aromatic as all get out from the Viognier, Muscat Roussanne with the Grenache Blanc and Gris bringing depth and the Vermentino and Sauvignon providing burst and crispness, this wine has an abundance of character and flavor. Electrifying and very aromatic tones of orange, rose lemon, mineral, anise and a generous hint of marine scents which carry over into a clean and crisp, yet deceivingly intense texture that all comes together to please the palate with zest and flavor. Try this wine with a simple linguine with shrimp, good olive oil and an assortment of vegetables.



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2017 OTT GRUNER VELTLINER
'AM BERG'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

If you are in search of a white wine that will impressed you like a wonderful red, you need to experience what wine nerds have known for years, and Gruner Veltliner is the wonder grape that goes with many foods that usually make wine taste weird. Bernhard Ott produces extraordinarily transparent, mineral-drenched wines of mindboggling clarity from his family’s vineyards that are located along the picturesque Danube River in Lower Austria.

Plenteous aromas and flavors abound. Mineral soaked apricot and peach aromas and flavors; the mineral intensity turns to a crisp and fresh mouthfeel that instantly coats and cleanses the entire palate and closes with late arriving mint and smoky tones that buoyantly linger. Try this delicious Gruner with everything from salad, artichokes, grilled asparagus, and halibut cheeks to grilled pork tenderloin.



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2016 NOVY CELLARS ZINFANDEL
'RUSSIAN RIVER
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

Novy Cellars was the spawn and sequel for owner/winemaker Adam Lee’s Siduri label, which focused on Pinot Noir. Novy is Zinfandel and Syrah and they are quite impressive. Part of the second wave of Rhone-style innovators in California, these wines took off and never looked back. The style here is one of refinement but never lacking in depth or dimension.

Even though the label seemingly is inspired by a Pink Floyd concert, this Zin is very serious without ever becoming overindulgent or pretentious. Coming mostly from three vineyards (Jensen Lane, Limerick Lane & Carlisle) with vines planted in 1927 and earlier, this wine is what is so good about California. Chewy yet civilized and not overblown, bright and exuberant strawberry and cherry combine with spicy dark qualities and make this Zin-based red a superb example of the cool Russian River Valley area. Enjoyable as a young wine, it will drink and provide happiness when accompanied with tangy, meaty dishes over the next decade.



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2016 MOROT BEAUNE PREMIER CRU
'LES BRESSANDES'
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE

One of the Beaune region’s iconic producers, Domaine Albert Morot has been synonymous with wines from the hills above the city since 1820 and run by founder Albert Morot’s descendants. Quality here has never faltered; these wines have always been exceptional. After his aunt retired in 2000, Albert’s great, great-grandnephew runs the family business. Geoffroy Choppin farms just over 20 acres almost entirely in premier cru vineyards. with vines averaging 50 years of age. Karen, Michael & I had the chance to visit and taste with Geoffroy and when we found out they switched importers we were excited. We became ecstatic when we saw the pricing on these brilliant wines, which are unparalleled heists now that they are working with a new liaison. If you don’t know quite yet, Burgundy is in the midst of some stellar vintages. 2015 is great, but 2016 is tres, tres special! This kind of vintage comes along maybe once per decade if that. If I had to compare, which is only human nature, I’d say there is quite a bit of 1999 inspiration here with the detail and depth with a bit of 2005 sprinkled in for concentration without being heavy as well as structure.

3 acres, located in the middle of the slope with a southeasterly exposure. Its soil enjoys a good balance of limestone, loams and clay. The plot may be named for a previous owner – a 13th-century canon, Johannis Bressand or from three elderly spinsters from Bresse who were there at the same time. Very vinous. Lots of movement. Goes from extrovert to introvert and back and forth. Very mineral but with a profound core of fruit. This is red-tinged and structured. Vertical and lengthy. Drink 2021 – 2035+.



2013 Produttori del Barbaresco Single Vineyard Sale
I am wanting to make room for new arrivals and have some bottles from this legendary producer hanging around.
Rabaja, Ovello, Pora and more,
Email if you're interested and I'll send you the list.

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FRIDAY SIPS

Occitanie

This Friday March 29 from 1:30 – 6:30

You probably have not heard of the French region of Occitanie. Then again you certainly have if you love wine.
In 2016, many of France’s regions were merged into super regions. Occitanie is the name of the super-region that is comprised of Languedoc-Roussilon and the Midi-Pyrenees, both of which has inspired this week’s tasting.

FEATURED WINES:

2015 Mas D’Amile Montpeyroux Rouge
2015 Mas D’Amile Vieux Carignan
2017 Philemon Gaillac Rouge ‘Croix D’Azal’
2017 Lafage ‘Miraflors’ Cotes Catalanes Blanc