4/29/19 The Cellar Door's 'HYPNOTIC PIXIE DUST' Hot Sheet

2017 VILLA MEDORO
MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

For years, we have been trying to obtain these excellent Italian wines from the Abruzzo region. Federica Morricone took over this estate in 1996 at the age of 22 and rose up as one as the finest producers in this area, culminating in winning Gambero Rosso’s most promising new producer in 2007. Many accolades and awards later, we finally have these wines available to us now.

The Montepulciano is very perky indeed. Round, glass filling aromas of roses, blackberries, hints of mint and plenty of mineral and wild spice follow through to a texture that is harmonious pleasure-driven, succulent and food-friendly. A nice match with tomato-based dishes but even more impressive with lamb-based dishes. What the hell, combine tomatoes, lamb and Villa Medoro Montepulciano because a miracle in the mouth is sure to occur.

2017 VILLA MEDORO PECORINO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

PECORINO: Both a cheese and a wine grape and a quagmire if you were to wander into an Abruzzo wine & cheese shop to place an order! Yes, pecorino is a cheese, but it is also a delicious native white grape of Abruzzo and 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.

Villa Medoro 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.

2017 CROWLEY PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Commencing with his first wine in vintage 2006, we instantly were able to grasp that Tyson Crowley was going to be a formidable force when it comes to fine Oregon Pinot Noir. Having honed his craft previously at Cameron and others Tyson has been able to take those lessons and equate them into his own work.

Crowley wines are Pinots for Pinot lovers, very sexy, elegant and aromatic. If we want something gutsy, we will drink a bold Cotes-Du-Rhone, because pinot noir just ain't supposed to be like that. A blend of four sites, Tuckwilla Vineyard, Four Winds Vineyard, La Colina Vineyard and Oracle Vineyard, this wine follows the velvet rule of pinot noir perfectly. Very engaging aromas of spiced raspberry, perfume, and red clay. In the mouth, it is medium-bodied, silky, refined and very airy with lots of flesh and earth notes on the finish.

2017 ESPORAO 'MONTE VELHO'
ALENTEJO TINTO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

The Portuguese region of Alentejo borders Spain yet is still influenced by the Atlantic. Warm days and cool nights provide perfect conditions for wines that are chewy with traditional earthy herbal tones that are buffered nicely by warm and engaging modern fruit personalities.

Made with the native Portuguese varietals of Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, and Trincadeira along with a dollop of Syrah, this everyday sipper of a red becomes an everyday ponder at its $12 price point. Honest, unpretentious and perfect for anything including stews, burgers and pasta.

BRUNO CORMERAIS
BRUT TRADITIONELLE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

One of the most intriguing and cool sparkling wines that I have tasted recently and it is a terrific value. Bruno Cormerais is one of the Muscadet (no, not sweet Muscat but the area in the western Loire Valley) region’s maestro producers. Along with his dry white wines from the Melon grape, he makes this scrumptious sparkling wine from the Folle Blanche grape. Some might know this grape as Picpoul or Gros Plant and it produces both dry and bubbly wines with high nervosity that allow them to pair well with shellfish.

Made in the traditional Champagne method and aged on lees for 2-3 years, initillay it comes forth with chalky, mineral scents that build into lime, granny smith apple and fine wheat thin/white chocolate aspects. Bracing and frothy, this sparkling wine is elevated, lively and brisk. Pair it with a bowl of mussels or clams with a side of fries.

2012 SERGENT MADIRAN
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Sometimes it is important to have a wine that you can just drink and shut up about and this soulful wine that fits that statement very well indeed.

From SW France’s Madiran region, this hearty, opaque red will make you look like a rock star at your next backyard bash. Forward, deep dark and brooding with black and red plum, roasted coffee, spice, maple and dark cherry. Just the right amount of oak ageing is used to soften out the formidable Tannat grape bringing a roundness on the palate. Enjoy this with now and over the next 4-6 years with a wintertime roast beef, duck or a gnarly blue cheese.

2014 BERTHAUT GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN
'CLOS DE CHEZEAUX'
$49.99 BTL. - limited

An excellent opportunity for red Burgundy! This year I resolved not to blow my stack over wines that have become proverbial trophies. These are the selections where we are allocated mere bottles. With this battle for these bottles comes ridiculous pricing which is why I resolved to focus on who is the next superstar. One such is Amelie Berthaut. Along with having holdings in famous villages like Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanee, she is leading the charge and changing the image of her home village of Fixin. Since Amelie took over a few years back, these wines are some of the prettiest and yet most formidable that we’ve seen from this estate. Translation is that she is becoming quite well known and we have a great opportunity to secure top-drawer Burgundy at fine prices. Read further....

From a tiny Clos that is situated just beneath the famous Premier Cru of Cazetiers. Vines planted in 1985, 1941 and 1929. 50% whole cluster fermentation. A somewhat forgotten vintage and one where the prices are mostly about 20% less than 2015. Red toned and driven by scents of raspberry, herbs, smoke and red earth. Kisses of coriander spice, subtle licorice but still present. Savory and sensual, picks up spine in the mid palate. Lots of clarity here and never gets thick. Very classy Burgundy indeed. Clamps down on finish. This will cellar well. Drink 2020+.

FRIDAY SIPS

Sauvignon & Chianti

FEATURED WINES:

2018 Jacques Rouzé Quincy ‘Vignes D’Antan’
2018 Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Rocca di Montegrossi Toscana Rosé
2016 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico