3/15/21 The Cellar Door's 'MARVELOUS MARVIN' HotSheet


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'MARVELOUS MARVIN' HOTSHEET
Value Red Burgundy from Beaune, Under-12 everyday choices, First 2020 Olive Oil, 10 year old Walla Walla Red & more


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2019 QUINTA DA AVELEDA
LOUREIRO & ALVARINHO BLANCO
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

One to order by the trunkload… Located in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region just across the border from Galicia, white wines from this area are a virtual extension of their Spanish neighbors just across the Minho River. This region is famous for its spritzy light whites but non-spritz still wines that reflect smashing value also are produced by one of our favorite producers in this area.

Coming in at 11% alcohol, this blend of 70% Loureiro, 30% Alvarinho (Albarino in Spanish) there is so much character for so little money. Finely tuned, very direct and jacked with precise, aromatic lemongrass, nectarine and prominent flint and sea smoke from the Louriero with the Alvarinho bringing complex, saline-filled and linear notes to the party. Drawn out, frolicsome and spirited, this stuff is crucial for just about any seafood preparation, especially shellfish like razor clams.



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2019 HIRSCH JULIENAS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

One of the 10 Cru of Beaujolais, Julienas takes its name from Julius Caesar and the growers believe that the area was the site of the first vineyards planted in Beaujolais after the Romans conquered Gaul. This is always one of the more earth-driven, sturdy Crus, it does follow suit for 2019, which is very much a Beaujolais lover's vintage not unlike 2011 and one whose components are precise and unexaggerated.

100% Gamay, this wine comes from a young couple who are originally from Alsace. A tiny estate, Celine and Nicolas Hirsch produce wines from old vines from Chenas, Moulin-A-Vent and this particular Julienas that comes from 50+ year old vines. Packed with peonies, anise, vibrant berry and prominent granitic spice-mineral aspects. The texture is penetrating and airy combined with excellent fruit, movement and persistence. Try with roasted poultry with mushrooms, steak tartare or sausages.



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2017 VINUM CELLARS PASO ROBLES
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 'THE INSIDER'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

90 points - Wine Enthusiast… 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Located in Napa Valley since 1997, Vinum Cellars is committed to putting forward and flavorful wines that one may enjoy on a frequent basis.

'Dense aromas of black currant, earthy herbs, tobacco and pencil shavings show on the nose of this bottling. Brighter touches of plum and mulberry power the palate, where chopped herbs and graphite flavors add complexity.' - 90 POINTS, WINE ENTHUSIAST



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2018 VON WINNING RIESLING
'WINNING' PFALZ
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Riesling may be produced into various levels of dryness ranging from eye-watering, bone-dry, blitzing wines all the way up to some of the grandest dessert wines in the world. The Pfalz region is an extension of Alsace's Vosges Mountains and is one of Germany's warmest and sunniest, hence drier wines are produced here.

Von Winning is one of this area’s leading and oldest estates and their range of wines are exquisite to pair with so much. Understated perfume with lovely lime and nectarine qualities. Cracked rock mineral and almost powdery with its components, this is what slightly off-dry Riesling is all about. Lovely substance up front but gains its firmness, mineral, and backbone in the middle and on the crunchy and pleasure-driven finish. Lots of grapefruit and smoke on the finish. Drink over the next 5 years with spicy cuisine as well as roast chicken, white sausages or halibut dressed up with a sauce.



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2019 LE VELI 'PASSAMENTE'
SALICE SALENTINO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Le Veli is the southern Italian (Puglia) project of the Falvo family, former owners of the famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano producer, Avignonesi.

A fun offering meant to please a large number of palates. Made from 100% of the Negroamaro grape, it has strong Zinfandel-like influences. Tones of raspberry, briar, wild spice, savory herbs and gently placed vanilla tones fill the glass. Mouth-filling, ripe, generous luscious and without any pretensions, the wine reveals lots of depth and mouth-watering spicy fruit that is sure to delight just about any hearty red wine lover. Perfect with pizza or spaghetti topped with marinara sauce.



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2017 MARECHAL CHOREY-LES-BEAUNE
$42.99 BTL./$515.88 CASE

Based in Bligny-les-Beaune, Claude Marechal produces 12 different wines from six villages. What amazes us is how much material they obtain from some of the most humble holdings in Burgundy. Back in the day, there were certain wine scribes who would declare that one should only drink Premier or Grand Cru Burgundy. This statement is now archaic due to such high quality and attention to detail in so many vineyards in the region. Oh yeah, it also doesn't hurt that Claude's mentor and inspiration is none other than the late-great Henri Jayer, he of Echezaux fame!

Something exciting and for the first time after working with M. et Mme Marechal’s wines for 20 years, we are offering their delicious Chorey-les-Beaune. Sensuous aromatics suggest lovely wild strawberry, cinnamon stick, kisses of cocoa, pronounced lavender and exotic spice. Drier than New World Pinot Noir, this wine penetrates deep and is poised and multi-faceted. Complete and very sophisticated, it is refined, suave pure and long with pepper and plum dominating the focused finish. Braise some beef and then pour a mushroom sauce over it and get ready have your ass launched into orbit! Drink over the next 10-12 years.



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2017 MARECHAL SAVIGNY-LES-BEAUNE
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE

Claude and Catherine Marechal’s Savigny-les-Beaune Old Vines comes from three well-positioned single vineyards with vines planted in 1955. Vintage 2017 is an excellent one whose subsequent wines have luminous aromatics along with silky, complex textures. This is vintage of fine detail and one that will be very sneaky in its longevity yet will always maintain approachability.

Fragrant aromas that show the black fruit side of the Côtes-de-Beaune shine as plum, blackberry and peppercorn shine through. Pure and terroir-laden throughout. Tightly focused and tightly wound with impressive material from an excellent core of fruit. The finish is classic northern Beaune and is tightly focused, compact and very persistent. Hold on to this one until its fifth birthday and drink it through 2029, you will thank us (and yourself) for scoring such a fine Pinot Noir value. Michael, Karen and I recently tossed back a 2010 and at age 10 is utterly glorious.



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2018 CASTELLO DI VOLPAIA
CHIANTI CLASSICO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

92 points - Vinous…What is still amazing is that given all of the hype and price increases of many wines these days; we are still able to sell an iconic wine such as Volpaia's Chianti Classico for twenty bucks. Year in and year out, this wine is a portrait of consistency and follows through to what each vintage provides all while never sacrificing its Radda locale essence.

'The 2018 Chianti Classico is a gorgeous, mid-weight wine that captures the essence of the estate's high-altitude vineyards. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, licorice, mint, pine and cedar are some of the many aromas and flavors that are woven throughout. The 2018 is gracious, inviting and impeccable in its balance. - 92 POINTS - VINOUS



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2010 RASA COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
'IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION'
$74.99 - VERY LIMITED

It is quite a thrill to be able to score a 10-year-old wine from one of Walla Walla's most prolific producers. A bit off the main tourist circuit, Billo and Pinto Naravane have been producing stunning Rhone and Bordeaux varietals since their inception in 2007. I was fortunate to visit in 2011 and was immediately taken with the wines. Alas there wasn't much distribution in Oregon but that also has changed and it is exciting to offer this luminous blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc from Echo Ridge, DuBrul, Kiona, Dionysus, and Weinbau Vineyards.

From Billo and Pinto Naravane: 'Our father came to the United States in 1969. Our mother came in 1972. We followed in 1974 (ages 7 and 5). They made sacrifices in order to establish a life here. Our family story of sacrifice and hard work is special because it is uniquely ours. What makes it extraordinary is that our story is merely commonplace in the short history of the United States. The wine, in Order to form a more perfect Union, honors our parents and the sacrifices they made and it honors the promise that is the United States.' At age ten and from a vintage that is very cellar-worthy, this wine is starting to take off at age ten. Some secondary tones starting to arrive on the very persuasive, complex nose. Roasted espresso, dark chocolate, dried herbs, blueberry and cherry shine on the palate, expands, and fans out on the full and attractively persistent finish. This is Walla Walla grandness indeed and will age, develop and drink well for at least another decade.



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2020 GULFI OLIVE OIL
SE SICILY
$39.99 BTL. - 500 ML BOTTLE

Only 16 six packs of this stunning olive oil made it to Oregon and we have three of them! The Catania family not only delivers exquisite wine under they also makes miniscule amounts of olive oil. The olive oils from the cooler, SE Sicilian region of Chiaramonte Gulfi are renowned and very sought-after by foodies around the world. Gulfi’s trees are centuries old and the variety of olive utilized here is called Tonda Iblea and this slightly larger, native olive delivers oils with very individual aromas and flavors.

Dense, fresh and lively with an almost sun-dried tomato-like scent along with brilliant grass and more prominent spice tones… quite complex and mouth-filling, this is an oil that is best served raw and with good bread and salt… Not bad for cooking either, but maybe a tad strong for finishing a delicate fish… if you finish something with this oil, do it with something that possesses more amplified flavors. A wonderful compliment to any Mediterranean seafood dish…and good bread. Like the limited quantities of their superb wines, very little is produced so we are truly blessed to be able to offer these 18 bottles.