10/12/20 The Cellar Door's 'PRIZE IN THE CRACKERJACKS' HotSheet


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'PRIZE IN THE CRACKERJACKS' HOTSHEET
Saint-Emilion Special, Kelley Fox Pinot Noir, Apex Arneis, two under 12 values & more


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2017 MARIETTA 'ARME'
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

So much Cabernet in one bottle for such a fair price! Marietta’s Arme Cabernet is one of California’s hardest working, flavorful and ageworthy values, period. This particular vintage has a number of accolades including a fat review from Vinous.

‘The 2017 Armé is another gorgeous wine in this range from Marietta. Inky dark blue and purplish fruit, lavender, menthol and spice all grace this sumptuous racy and inky wine with great balance. The 2017 is a super value in California Cabernet Sauvignon. Wow.’ – 91-93 POINTS, VINOUS



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2019 HERMANOS PECINA
RIOJA BLANCO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

We have used this fabulous Rioja estate’s red wines for several years but this is the first time that we have had access to their engaging, unoaked white wine entirely from the Viura grape. Given the pedigree of the Pecina brothers and Pedro’s experience with La Rioja Alta, one would figure this wine would be delicious.

Lightning in a glass, the zingy, bursting lemon-drop and mineral aromas carry over to the brilliantly detailed texture, which exudes strong varietal character and thrilling persistence. You will want to drink multiple glasses of this regardless of what is on the table including all seafood dishes, fresh cheeses and white meats with fruit-based marinades.



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2015 CHATEAU GRAND-CORBIN
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU CLASSE
[reg. $49.99]
SPECIAL - $34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

The famed Bordeaux region of Saint-Emilion has an entirely different classification system for its wines versus those of the Medoc. The name Grand Cru is tossed around like a frisbee but it goes even a bit further. The apex of Grand Cru for this region is known as Premier Cru Classe ‘A’. There are only four and include the likes of Cheval Blanc, Ausone, etc. Then there is Premier Cru Classe ‘B’, counts 14, and includes Figeac, Clos Fourtet and others. The next layer, which includes this wine, is Grand Cru Classe and there are 64 Chateaux entitled to this status and let’s face it, none of these 82 mentioned are cheap - yet this is a steal! Following this is Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, which over 200 are represented. Lastly, there is just plain Saint-Emilion. Hope this helps because this wine is priced very well given its lofty status.

Located north of the village almost at the Pomerol border and just under 1.5 miles from famed Chateau La Conseillante, this epic Bordeaux is stylish and destined for greatness. Pronounced mulberry and violet tones which are surrounded by plenty of cinnamon and pepper notes from both the use of French oak and the sand and blue clay found in this St-Emilion sector as well as the famed Pomerol area. The palate is sultry, round and deep with flavors that deliver ripe blackberry, then chocolate, allspice and tobacco. The finish is extremely persistent and this wine is a definite candidate for long-term aging. It wouldn't be a crime if you open one, but have it with something that has pretty forceful flavors like rack of lamb, but it will ultimately be best 2023 – 2030+.



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2019 ZENI BARDOLINO CLASSICO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

From Italy’s Veneto region, this high-spirited red proves the Venetians aren't blind! Bardolino is a light to middleweight red and a Lake Garda specialty.

Zeni’s version is a blend 50% Corvina, 40% Rondinella, 10% Molinara. Cherry pit and red flowers dominate the very cheerful aromas and texture. Lots of cool red fruits, nice lift and earth throughout. Pair with Risi e Bisi. Look up the recipe, especially the Marcela Hazan version. Also delicious with light first courses.



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2019 BRUNO GIACOSA
ROERO ARNEIS
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

The name Giacosa is synonymous when it comes to Barbaresco but it is also equally as important when it comes to Arneis. In the 1960s, along with Alfredo Currado from Vietti, the late, great Bruno Giacosa is responsible and the inspiration for what we taste in today’s vision of Arneis.

One of the definitive benchmarks of the region, it is a spendy version that is well worth the cost. The new 2019 is quite mineral-driven, ripe and stunningly balanced with an underlay of blood orange, lemongrass, and starfruit on the nose. In the mouth it is dazzling, dry and brisk, but with no shortage of depth and flavor. A fantastic white for simply prepared cracked crab or other seafood dishes, especially seared tuna in an Asian prep or fried calamari although if one really wanted to indulge some hedonistic fantasy, it could make for an expensive deck wine because it is so easy to drink on its own.



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2018 OINOS CORBIERES
'LES CARDERES'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Corbieres is an expansive Languedoc growing region so one can imagine the variability of quality. While there is a plethora of mediocrity done here, (fortunately we don't see much of it), there are also many tremendous values to be had and this is one of them.

50% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 25% Carignan, it's packed with smoke, black pepper, violets, southern French herbs and strawberry which lead into a luscious texture that shows plenty of freshness and style as well as a flavorful and persistent finish. At this price it can be consumed at just about any barbecue.



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2018 IL BORRO 'BORRIGIANO'
VALDARNO DI SOPRA ROSSO
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK

The DOC of Valdarno di Sopra is one of Tuscany’s newest yet one of its most historic. Located just about halfway from Florence to Arezzo in Eastern Tuscany, history goes back to 1716 when the Grand Duke Cosimo III de’ Medici tried to regulate the Tuscan wine production. Pomino, Chianti, Carmignano and Valdarno di Sopra were mentioned but only the first three ever established. Sangiovese wines made in this area could be known as Chianti Colli Arentini, however, numerous Super Tuscan producers started to make wines from Merlot, Syrah, Cab and Sangiovese that became uncategorized greatness. Finally, in 2011, the DOC was established and estates like Il Borro are now able to utilize the label.

Known for its higher priced blends, the Borrigiano’s intriguing assemblage of 35% Syrah, 40% Syrah and 25% Sangiovese, is a superb, rather uncovered discovery to most Tuscan wine fans that opens the floodgates to Il Borro’s wines. Strawberry, pepper, spicebox and violet scents follow into a generous and penetrating offering with stellar balance, polish and layered fruit with a drawn-out finish that refuses to leave your mouth. Drink with the usual Tuscan fare over the next 6-8 years.



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2018 KELLEY FOX PINOT NOIR
'MIRABAI' DUNDEE HILLS
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

One of Oregon Pinot’s elusive superstars, Kelley Fox has once again made beautiful wines in a great vintage. The 2018 Mirabai is a blend of the two of the vineyards that Kelley utilizes, Maresh (40% and sites planted between 1970 and 1988) and Weber (1983 planted, all Pommard Clone).

From the soul of Oregon's earth, this Pinot Noir reflects the realness of the superb land that it is grown on yet also reflects the mind behind the making. Genuine Pinot here with seductive aspects, it is cerebral and not a deeply colored, caricature version that pairs well with a pack of Kools. Instead, this wine has all the hallmarks of a siren on the rocks with rose-petal, crunchy strawberry, subtle pepper and underlying jasmine/mineral aromas which dominate the nose. Ethereal flavors that are caressing, silky and vivid fan out and flow to the impressively long, airy finish that also provides pleasurable snap. Not inaccessible, but for best results, give it another 12-18 months and drink it through the end of the decade.