7/20/20 The Cellar Door's 'OH LA VACHE' HotSheet

2018 TOUR-PENET MACON-PERONNE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

This White Burgundy was very popular at the beginning of the year and abruptly sold out. More has finally returned and it is an outstanding choice for a summer white. Situated 18 kilometers north of the city of Macon, this delicious unoaked Chardonnay from the village of Peronne kills it with its excellent price. A seventeenth century Chateau and property that once belonged to the poet/politician Lamartine in the 19th century, its current gérants are the Ferret family who make only one wine from these energetic limestone soils.

Intense yet tender aromas of lemon, freshly cut crisp yellow apple, white peach with a minerally undertow allows the wine to let you know where it is from. The sun shines here so the fruit is present, but there is virtual diamond-like precision and finesse that shimmers in the mouth. Firm and vibrant on the finish with fleshy, crunchy texture and depth of flavor that hangs around nicely. Enjoy it with simple fish dishes, grilled prawns, salads or lighter cheeses.

2017 DURIGUTTI CABERNET FRANC
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Brothers Hector and Pablo Durigutti are the leaders of a young generation of winemakers in Argentina that are producing stellar wines. This Mendoza estate established in 2002 and has expanded over time with three levels of wine. Cabernet Franc isn’t the first thing when one thinks of wines from this nation but more and more we are seeing excellent examples such as this one emerge from these high elevation vineyard sites.

Fifty percent each from Mendoza regions of Agrelo and La Consulta, it is a very refined take on this varietal. Up front and attractive, revealing prominent black raspberry, clove, pekoe and cinnamon scents that follow into a texture that is mellow, smooth and very poised. Excellent depth, body and length belie its modest price point. Drink this delicious, superbly priced Reserve Cab Franc over the next 3-4 years.

2018 DOMAINE DE LA PIROLETTE
SAINT-AMOUR
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Located at the top of the hill in Saint-Amour, the northernmost Cru of Beaujolais, and the estate of Domaine de la Pirolette dates back to 1630. In 2013, our friend Gregory Barbet (also whose family owns Chateau de la Terriere) purchased the estate. He is one of the new generation of producers who are redefining this Cru. In the past wines from this area were light, vapid and could be all sold in Paris for Valentine’s Day. Coinciding with the Beaujolais wine board spending for soil analyses, the wines in St-Amour are thoughtfully made, reflecting the impressive diversity of the vineyards.

This offering is the sum of several soil types: pierres bleues, pink granitic sandstone, flint, clay and gravel and aged in concrete eggs. Inspired by Gerard Lebeaupin at Clos de la Brosse, pigeage is done with a large wood grate. Think of a French press for wine. A luminous presence of crème de framboise, smoked violet, anise, warm granite and undertones of strawberry and cinnamon-stick. Resoundingly vivacious, this gem is a total eruption of flavors that cascade through the mouth. Finishes lengthy and full of spice, but fills in beautifully with sultry fruit that coats the throat as it goes down. A wine that’s meant to allure and caress rather than overwhelm and smash, enjoy it over the next 7-8 years with roasted or grilled chicken, pork tenderloin with exotic spices, heartier fish dishes, pad Thai, or mushroom-based vegetarian dishes.

2019 LE VELETTE 'LUNATO'
ORVIETO CLASSICO SUPERIORE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Be quiet brain or I will stab you with a Q-Tip! We suggest that you keep telling yourself this as you have a go at this wine, because you probably wouldn't pick off a wine store shelf without guidance. Le Velette is one of the apex Orvieto producers (even featured on a Rick Steves Umbria episode) and it has been quite a while since we have had access to their top white cuvee, Lunato.

40% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 20% Procanico, 15% Verdello and 5% Drupeggio as well as being free from intrusive oak aging. Made from the estate’s oldest vines, the wine impressively shows its depth as soon as it hits the mouth. Stylish tones of lemongrass, oyster shell and nectarine lead into a ripe, generous, and rather explosive texture that is enhanced beautifully by brisk, lively acidity, especially on the finish that has lots of burst. Whether you serve shellfish, sea bass, spicy chicken, and gazpacho or just want a nice glass of white wine after a busy day, this one is hard to beat.

2016 MASSENA GSM
'MOONLIGHT RUN'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

The Massena label is a partnership between Dan Standish, a winemaker for Torbreck and Jaysen Collins from Turkey Flat and in 1999; they worked the vintage in Clare Valley. The Moonlight Run, their initial wine, derives its name from their nightly drive back to the Barossa. During the drive home, they would share their ideas about the perfect wine to wash down a hard night's work. Out of this ideal, Moonlight Run and further collaboration was born. Wines under the Massena label are made from 100% Barossa Valley fruit, using traditional, natural wine making techniques to capture the unique flavors of the Barossa.

A classy and civilized Aussie Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre blend aged in neutral French, a wonderful texture and sexy aromatics enhance the wine and avoid the goopy/oaky characteristics that are associated with Barossa. Forward, exotic nose of strawberry, dark raspberry, white pepper, aromatic herbs and roasted earth. Have this Aussie accented, Chateauneuf-inspired red alongside thick grilled lamb chops laced with rosemary. Drinks well now and will continue to develop over the next 6-8 years.

2016 CHATEAU BEAUSEJOUR FRONSAC
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Located in close proximity to Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, the tiny and picturesque region of Fronsac is home to some real gems like this offering. Chateau Beausejour is one of the areas fine producers and run by the Melet family (who also own Chateau Bel-Air in Pomerol) since 1870. Now in the hands of 5th generation Veronique Guilhamon and entirely female owned and operated, gold medals at the Concours de Bordeaux competition immediately arrived.

Made with the usual Bordeaux suspects (Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc), this red wine announces itself with frontal scents of blue fruits, subtle cocoa, mineral and mulled spices that carry over into a satisfying texture, chock full of flavor and with complexity usually reserved for its neighbors in more famous appellations. Black currants and earth tones come out on the succulent and archetypal right bank Bordeaux finish that has lace and elegance. A beautiful drop for 15 bucks, this wine is excellent to pair with duck, rib-eye steak slathered with shallots slow cooked in butter, mushroom pasta or a nicely ripened Camembert. Given 2016 is a profound vintage; it will age nicely for 7-8 more years.

2017 PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

A friendly and savory Syrah from South Africa that is sure to appease a crowd of diverse palates. Not too heavy and not too light, it possesses all of the trappings of scrumptious Syrah with scents of blackberry, violet, woodsmoke and cracked pepper. In the mouth, it is supple and mouthfilling all while letting you know that it is much more distinguished than most Shiraz/Syrah wines that are in the overflowing ten-buck category. If you love drinkable Syrah and a good deal, load up and get loaded on this one.

2017 BRICK HOUSE PINOT NOIR 'SELECT'
[reg. $41.99]
SPECIAL - $29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

Here is something we don’t get to see every day; a wine from Oregon’s famed Brick House Vineyards on a terrific special. One of the originators of Oregon's organic viticulture movement, former CBS Middle East correspondent and Oregon native Doug Tunnell planted his Ribbon Ridge area vineyard site in 1990 and since then has become quite an influence for Oregon viticulture. Converting over to biodynamic farming, limiting production and being all about the vineyard site, the small production is always sought-after by Oregon wine lovers.

The Select Pinot Noir is all from Brick House fruit and is a selection of barrels that are a bit forward and attractive. Make no mistake, this is still quite serious Pinot Noir. I adore the 2017 vintage, especially with its unyielding finesse and silky aspects. Dazzling aromas come in waves as the wine is swirled in the glass revealing Sensual rose petal, a combination of red and black fruits, herbs and transparent red earth tones. As it opens, one can see that more and more emerges. In the mouth, the wine is somewhat like an Italian plum, exploding with ripe dark fruit and then gaining structure and grip on the brilliantly focused and extending finish. Instantaneously one can figure out that 2017 is a great vintage, but also one that will age impeccably. Drink over the next decade.

2015 MASTROBERARDINO TAURASI
'RADICI'
[reg. $59.99]
SPECIAL - $36.99 BTL./$221.94 - SIX PK

Generally regarded as the producer who made the most impact with the Aglianico grape in Campania, Mastroberardino has been an inspiration to not only this region but to all of Italy. The quality level of what this estate has put forth with both their reds and whites cannot be understated. The estate’s Radici Taurasi was the wine that proved that epic, long-lived red wines could have potential and over the years, they have not disappointed. In 1996, the winery’s work was further recognized when the Italian government selected Mastroberardino to manage the preservation of Pompeii’s ancient viticultural techniques at the Villa dei Misteri archaeological site.

100% Aglianico, Taurasi is the highest rated DOCG of Campania and deservedly so because the wines that emerge from these hallowed soils are always profound. Very ageworthy, this wine possesses formidable scents of wild cherry, sea-smoke, licorice, nutmeg, violet and roasted earth that follow into a glorious, rather youthful palate that is lavish yes very structured. The finish is bold with scintillating boysenberry and saline/earth notes that extend for days. One can open a bottle now if you were to decant about an hour in advance and have with something like lamb, but with experience with great Taurasi, these wines often take on a Barolo-like note as they age, so we feel that it will ultimately be best 2023 - 2036.