7/6/20 The Cellar Door's 'WE LIKE FUN' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'WE LIKE FUN' HOTSHEET
Alvaro Palacios Priorat,
Patricia Green Pinot Noir,
Pinot Grigio & Under 12 Portuguese Values,
Washington Wine Specials, Rose & more
2015 WATERS SYRAH 'WASHINGTON STATE'
[reg. $31.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
[reg. $31.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Since its inception in 2005, Waters has been quite the player in Walla Walla. In many ways, their Syrah wines have provided pleasure, thus allowing for recognition and acclaim. For the Washington cuvee, winemaker Jamie Brown utilizes fruit from two vineyards (Patina Vineyard in Walla Walla and Olsen Vineyard in eastern Yakima).
This cuvee is aged entirely in neutral French oak barrels so not to compromise the character of the grape or the Washington terroir. The warm vintage 2015 provides an elixir of earthy, briary raspberry, cherry, and blueberry fruit with hints of smoke, woodland spices and black pepper, which shine on the nose and carry over to a texture that is laid-back in a buxom way with ample depth and persistence. Well-formed and gaining sleekness on the full finish, it is one to enjoy over the next 4-5 years. There are about 10 cases of this available and it will sell out quickly.
This cuvee is aged entirely in neutral French oak barrels so not to compromise the character of the grape or the Washington terroir. The warm vintage 2015 provides an elixir of earthy, briary raspberry, cherry, and blueberry fruit with hints of smoke, woodland spices and black pepper, which shine on the nose and carry over to a texture that is laid-back in a buxom way with ample depth and persistence. Well-formed and gaining sleekness on the full finish, it is one to enjoy over the next 4-5 years. There are about 10 cases of this available and it will sell out quickly.
2015 WATERS INTERLUDE
CAB-MERLOT BLEND
[reg. $31.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CAB-MERLOT BLEND
[reg. $31.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Not only does Waters excel with Rhone varietals in Washington, they also make exquisite wines with Bordeaux varietals as well. Interlude one of Jamie Brown’s two blended wines (the other is from Grenache and Syrah) that really offers a lot of wine for not a lot of money, especially at this special price.
50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec. Sultry, promiscuous and layered aromas and flavors of black cherry, smoke, licorice, cassis and violet shine with all of the varietals taking a verse and backed up nicely by intertwined oak. Graceful, rich and with loads of cushion, on the second taste, one picks up impressive structure, acidity and grip. The finish is surprisingly saturated and long for its price-level. Drink over the next 4-7 years with grilled lamb chops.
50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec. Sultry, promiscuous and layered aromas and flavors of black cherry, smoke, licorice, cassis and violet shine with all of the varietals taking a verse and backed up nicely by intertwined oak. Graceful, rich and with loads of cushion, on the second taste, one picks up impressive structure, acidity and grip. The finish is surprisingly saturated and long for its price-level. Drink over the next 4-7 years with grilled lamb chops.
2018 SIMCIC PINOT GRIGIO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
‘Blind tastings are to wine what strip poker is to love’ --- Kermit Lynch. I dare you to put this in one of your so-called blind Pinot Gris/Grigio tastings and determine where it is from. If someone guesses Slovenia’s Brda region then give them a cookie. Okay, so I’m cheating a bit because Marjan Simcic’s vineyards straddle the border between Italy’s Friuli region and Slovenia, owning sites in both nations and regarded as one of the real rising players in this area.
A virtual extension of Friuli (or is Friuli a virtual extension of this area) Brda offers up many of the same grape varietals and the soil types have terrific similarities. The prices are also fantastic as well. Beautiful scents of melon, smoke, and mineral on the nose. Completely elegant and understated in the mouth there is marvelous concentration of fruit, and incredible length. An incredible summer white wine, this is perfect all by itself, ably accompanying many of your favorite seafood dishes. Personally, we would stuff the blind tasting and instead, invite a few friends over, grab some salmon, and drink lots of the remarkable Simcic Pinot Gris.
A virtual extension of Friuli (or is Friuli a virtual extension of this area) Brda offers up many of the same grape varietals and the soil types have terrific similarities. The prices are also fantastic as well. Beautiful scents of melon, smoke, and mineral on the nose. Completely elegant and understated in the mouth there is marvelous concentration of fruit, and incredible length. An incredible summer white wine, this is perfect all by itself, ably accompanying many of your favorite seafood dishes. Personally, we would stuff the blind tasting and instead, invite a few friends over, grab some salmon, and drink lots of the remarkable Simcic Pinot Gris.
2018 ALVARO PALACIOS PRIORAT
'CAMINS DEL PRIORAT'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
'CAMINS DEL PRIORAT'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Known as one of the three or four producers who helped reinvent modern Priorat, Alvaro Palacios has become synonymous with ultra-luxurious wines. Not wanting to be known as a producer who specializes in wines for label chasers about 15 years ago, Alvaro created this as an entryway into this famous Catalan region located about two hours south of Barcelona in Spain.
40% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah from Alvaro’s wealth of vineyards, this wine absolutely goes over the moon in quality for its price point. Then again, what else would you expect from this dude. Teeming with broad plum, cinnamon, licorice and serious wind-swept garrigue, the distinct dance of the minerality never strays far in both aroma and taste. Speaking of taste, the texture goes very deep with a full presence of black licorice fruit and fine backbone, this offering never veer into heaviness or thickness and is meant to be consumed in the near-term. Resounding white pepper explodes on the finish that possesses excellent persistence make this is an excellent choice for grilled pork.
40% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah from Alvaro’s wealth of vineyards, this wine absolutely goes over the moon in quality for its price point. Then again, what else would you expect from this dude. Teeming with broad plum, cinnamon, licorice and serious wind-swept garrigue, the distinct dance of the minerality never strays far in both aroma and taste. Speaking of taste, the texture goes very deep with a full presence of black licorice fruit and fine backbone, this offering never veer into heaviness or thickness and is meant to be consumed in the near-term. Resounding white pepper explodes on the finish that possesses excellent persistence make this is an excellent choice for grilled pork.
2019 CHATEAU LAUROU FRONTON ROSE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Another one that could fall into the blind tasting/strip poker/love lexicon is this wine from the soulful Fronton region located outside of Toulouse. More often than not, most wine lovers are clueless about Fronton, formerly known as Cotes-de-Frontonnais and its wines and grapes. Even though they do not immediately roll off the tongue, the majority of times that I get these wines into the clients’ glasses they love them because of their unique taste of France.
55% Negrette, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Syrah, 10% Gamay and best of all it is hot pink and nothing but delicious fun!! Virtual neon aromas of cherries crossed with watermelon and a nice underlay of herbs and mineral. Crunchy, balancing its lovely fruit, mysterious minerality and explosive freshness, this is a crucial choice for any rose lover. Drink with mussels, spicy Asian dishes or on the deck while taking French lessons.
55% Negrette, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Syrah, 10% Gamay and best of all it is hot pink and nothing but delicious fun!! Virtual neon aromas of cherries crossed with watermelon and a nice underlay of herbs and mineral. Crunchy, balancing its lovely fruit, mysterious minerality and explosive freshness, this is a crucial choice for any rose lover. Drink with mussels, spicy Asian dishes or on the deck while taking French lessons.
2018 IL MOLINACCIO
ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO 'IL GOLO'
$15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE
ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO 'IL GOLO'
$15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE
A producer that is a Montepulciano mainstay in Tuscany but one that I have not had a ton of experience with up until tasting a couple weeks back.
Mostly Sangiovese with a small dollop of Alicante, organically farmed and aged in stainless steel tanks before bottling, this wine seemingly tastes like the guts of Montepulciano. Forward scents of ripe cherry and raspberry dominate the nose with violet, leather, black pepper, and sweet herbs. There is delicious liveliness in the mouth with ripe tannins and good purity giving this red immediate appeal. An easy Tuscan red that wants to be loved. Enjoy with meatloaf, spaghetti carbonara or a minestrone soup.
Mostly Sangiovese with a small dollop of Alicante, organically farmed and aged in stainless steel tanks before bottling, this wine seemingly tastes like the guts of Montepulciano. Forward scents of ripe cherry and raspberry dominate the nose with violet, leather, black pepper, and sweet herbs. There is delicious liveliness in the mouth with ripe tannins and good purity giving this red immediate appeal. An easy Tuscan red that wants to be loved. Enjoy with meatloaf, spaghetti carbonara or a minestrone soup.
2017 QUINTA DO CORREIO DAO TINTO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
"A revolution has been taking place in the vineyards and cellars of Portugal. . . nothing short of astonishing!" - Jancis Robinson, from her book, "Jancis Robinson Tastes the Best Portuguese Table Wines."
Quinta dos Roques, and its co-owned properties, Quinta do Correio and Quinta das Maias, lead this revolution with high quality wines and innovation in producing the first group of seriously regarded Portuguese varietals that have set the standard for all the rest of the producers and greatly reduced the reliance on often ill-matched field blends.
From Portugal's famous Dão region comes this modestly priced red made from native grapes. 45% Jaen (known as Mencia in Spain) 35% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and 10% Alfrocheiro and chock full of strawberry, mocha, and vibrant cinnamon/spice, this flavorful red wine comes across as a hypothetical blend of Rhône, Southern Italy and Spain but never loses its Portuguese roots. Lovely depth and soulful personality, this tasty number is a great everyday drink with pizza, pastas, stews or burgers.
Quinta dos Roques, and its co-owned properties, Quinta do Correio and Quinta das Maias, lead this revolution with high quality wines and innovation in producing the first group of seriously regarded Portuguese varietals that have set the standard for all the rest of the producers and greatly reduced the reliance on often ill-matched field blends.
From Portugal's famous Dão region comes this modestly priced red made from native grapes. 45% Jaen (known as Mencia in Spain) 35% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and 10% Alfrocheiro and chock full of strawberry, mocha, and vibrant cinnamon/spice, this flavorful red wine comes across as a hypothetical blend of Rhône, Southern Italy and Spain but never loses its Portuguese roots. Lovely depth and soulful personality, this tasty number is a great everyday drink with pizza, pastas, stews or burgers.
2017 QUINTA DO CORREIO DAO BRANKO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Also from Quinto do Correio is their delicious, everyday guzzling white wine. Made with 4 native varietals (Malvasia Fina, Bical, Encruzado and Cerceal) this unoaked white wine has some influence perhaps of the Southern Rhone with anise, acacia and pineapple character. Heaps of liveliness in the mouth to offset the palate-coating texture, all building to a detonating finish that screams satsuma and smoke. Have as an aperitif with cured ham or serve it with scallops, octopus or ceviche.
2018 PATRICIA GREEN PINOT NOIR
'FREEDOM HILL VINEYARD'
$29.99 BTL./$179.94 - SIX PACK
'FREEDOM HILL VINEYARD'
$29.99 BTL./$179.94 - SIX PACK
This is the perfect convergence of an outstanding Oregon Pinot Noir. Legendary producer utilizing one of Oregon’s iconic sites all culminated with an outstanding vintage. 2018 marked the seventh vintage that PGC has purchased fruit from this widely known and famed Oregon site and the quality again is superb.
Freedom Hill Vineyard is located in the foothills of the coast range 10 miles southwest of Salem and is protected from strong coastal winds by hills to the east, benefiting from heat rising off the valley floor. This delicious offering is flamboyant and forward, bursting with aromas of ripe black raspberry, cherry, violet, anise, licorice whip and cardamom. Silky and round in the mouth with ripe tannins and great purity of flavor and one hell of a persistent but youthful finish. Enjoy over the next decade.
Freedom Hill Vineyard is located in the foothills of the coast range 10 miles southwest of Salem and is protected from strong coastal winds by hills to the east, benefiting from heat rising off the valley floor. This delicious offering is flamboyant and forward, bursting with aromas of ripe black raspberry, cherry, violet, anise, licorice whip and cardamom. Silky and round in the mouth with ripe tannins and great purity of flavor and one hell of a persistent but youthful finish. Enjoy over the next decade.
