5/10/21 The Cellar Door's 'IRREGARDLESS' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'IRREGARDLESS' HOTSHEET
Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (Baby Bello), Sizzling Italian Red for 10 beans, Monumental Montepulciano, Apex Beaujolais Villages, Bordeaux & more
2019 GOODFELLOW PINOT GRIS
'WHISTLING RIDGE VINEYARD'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'WHISTLING RIDGE VINEYARD'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Here is something you do not see but once or twice per year, an Oregon Pinot Gris offered on one of our sheets. Fact of the matter is that this wine is extremely good and from a single vineyard from vines planted in 1990.
Over the years Marcus Goodfellow has become one of the superb tactician with this grape and this single Cru is seemingly something out of what Alsace used to be, fully dry and with excellent depth and palate coverage. Prominent, explosive aromas of orange-blossom, ginger, anise and almost a touch of red fruit leap from the glass and carry over into a generous, mouth-filling, dense texture that maintains freshness for such a full-scaled white. Dry, rich and wild with exotic spice that shines on the precise, viscous, old world-inspired finish.
Over the years Marcus Goodfellow has become one of the superb tactician with this grape and this single Cru is seemingly something out of what Alsace used to be, fully dry and with excellent depth and palate coverage. Prominent, explosive aromas of orange-blossom, ginger, anise and almost a touch of red fruit leap from the glass and carry over into a generous, mouth-filling, dense texture that maintains freshness for such a full-scaled white. Dry, rich and wild with exotic spice that shines on the precise, viscous, old world-inspired finish.
2019 DOMAINE DU CLOS DU FIEF
BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES 'LA ROCHE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES 'LA ROCHE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Seemingly, many this week's musings are based around old vineyards. Based in the Cru of Julienas, Michel and Sylvain Tete produce exquisite and site driven Gamay wines and this wine performs at Cru level.
Consistently one of the most fragrant and mineral-driven red wines in and around Julienas, this site that sits about 4 km away and perched at 350 meters, very steep and with crushed granite and blue stones and bedrock in very close proximity. Hence the name La Roche. 2019 is a Beaujolais lover's kind of vintage. Almost magenta in color with delicious, complex aromas of strawberries, wet stone and subtle notes of pastille and marjoram. Buoyant, layered and peppery fruit with a stretching texture make a wine that's more than worthy of casual sipping due to its depth and complexity that can best be described as a miracle in the mouth! Drink this gorgeous, vastly underestimated offering with roasted chicken that has been laced with mushrooms, preferably morels, through 2026.
Consistently one of the most fragrant and mineral-driven red wines in and around Julienas, this site that sits about 4 km away and perched at 350 meters, very steep and with crushed granite and blue stones and bedrock in very close proximity. Hence the name La Roche. 2019 is a Beaujolais lover's kind of vintage. Almost magenta in color with delicious, complex aromas of strawberries, wet stone and subtle notes of pastille and marjoram. Buoyant, layered and peppery fruit with a stretching texture make a wine that's more than worthy of casual sipping due to its depth and complexity that can best be described as a miracle in the mouth! Drink this gorgeous, vastly underestimated offering with roasted chicken that has been laced with mushrooms, preferably morels, through 2026.
2018 FILLABOA ALBARINO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The differences of Albariño from Condado De Tea vs. Albarino from the Val Do Salnes are more than just red and blue; it is the soils and climate. Val Do Salnes is mostly granitic soils whereas Condado Do Tea & Fillaboa are a bit further south and inland right across the river from Portugal and are dominated by sandy soils, which coupled with the warmer climate, give plenty of broad flavors and aromatic characteristics.
The flavors and aromas on this wine burst and explode! Pear and orange; touches of licorice and freshly cut grass carry over into the texture that is mouth-fillingly intense along with tongue-grabbing citrus for perfect balance; superb extension. Delicious stuff that goes with just about any seafood preparation.
The flavors and aromas on this wine burst and explode! Pear and orange; touches of licorice and freshly cut grass carry over into the texture that is mouth-fillingly intense along with tongue-grabbing citrus for perfect balance; superb extension. Delicious stuff that goes with just about any seafood preparation.
2018 SAINT ANDRE CORBIN
SAINT-GEORGES SAINT EMILION
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
SAINT-GEORGES SAINT EMILION
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The satellite of St-Émilion on the northern side known as St-Georges St-Émilion provides plenty of knockout, age-worthy Bordeaux that really go for a song. Only eight producers are in this tiny region whose wines can compete with many underachievers from its more famous neighbor. I have been experiencing this Château's wine since the 2002 vintage and the superlative 2018 definitely bowled me over.
Impressive from start to finish due to 55-60 year old vines, there is over-reaching ripeness, generosity, and warmth. Plenty of St-Émilion limestone qualities on the nose along with dense raspberry fruit and enticing tones of espresso; authentic, flavorful and forward along with plenty of clarity, this wine provides a hell of a lot of pleasure along with deceptive backbone for aging, especially on the classically firm finish. Not inaccessible now with a good decanting, however it will develop nicely for a decade from vintage date.
Impressive from start to finish due to 55-60 year old vines, there is over-reaching ripeness, generosity, and warmth. Plenty of St-Émilion limestone qualities on the nose along with dense raspberry fruit and enticing tones of espresso; authentic, flavorful and forward along with plenty of clarity, this wine provides a hell of a lot of pleasure along with deceptive backbone for aging, especially on the classically firm finish. Not inaccessible now with a good decanting, however it will develop nicely for a decade from vintage date.
2017 PIANTATE LUNGHE
CONERO RISERVA 'IL PALAZZO'
$24.99 BTL./$149.94 - SIX PACK
CONERO RISERVA 'IL PALAZZO'
$24.99 BTL./$149.94 - SIX PACK
Piantate Lunghe is a partnership of three growers who once sold their grapes to Umani Ronchi before jumping out on their own and achieving big success. Only in existence since 2004, this knockout producer has been receiving heaps of praise from Italy’s wine pundits and we have consistently been impressed since their debut here with the 2010 vintage.
100% Montepulciano. Il Palazzo is a new arrival from a single site into the lineup. Poetic and animalistic all at once, very exciting aromas of plum, sage, mineral and telltale Montepulciano sanguine aspects build nicely from the glass. In the mouth, it is firmly dry with nice depth and earth tones. Food-friendly and undoubtedly Italian both in its aromatic and flavor profile; enjoy this sinister beauty over the next 6-8 years with hearty pasta dishes or braised pork loin.
100% Montepulciano. Il Palazzo is a new arrival from a single site into the lineup. Poetic and animalistic all at once, very exciting aromas of plum, sage, mineral and telltale Montepulciano sanguine aspects build nicely from the glass. In the mouth, it is firmly dry with nice depth and earth tones. Food-friendly and undoubtedly Italian both in its aromatic and flavor profile; enjoy this sinister beauty over the next 6-8 years with hearty pasta dishes or braised pork loin.
2018 THREE WINE COMPANY
ZINFANDEL 'RED LABEL'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
ZINFANDEL 'RED LABEL'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
Three Wine Company is the venture of famed Sonoma wine vet Matt Cline. If the name sounds familiar, it is because Matt was the winemaker at Cline Cellars and has taken his talents over to Contra Costa where he is making exquisite wines.
The Red Label Zinfandel is from the northeast corner of Contra Costa. This eruption of wine fortitude presents luscious aromas of freshly picked berries with a touch of black pepper. Classic Zin, it is palate filling with aspects of ripe, juicy raspberries and blackberries. Exotic spices arrive on the toothsome, long finish add to the overall complexity of the wine. This is a terrific match with hearty Italian fare, mouth-watering steaks, or chocolate decadences.
The Red Label Zinfandel is from the northeast corner of Contra Costa. This eruption of wine fortitude presents luscious aromas of freshly picked berries with a touch of black pepper. Classic Zin, it is palate filling with aspects of ripe, juicy raspberries and blackberries. Exotic spices arrive on the toothsome, long finish add to the overall complexity of the wine. This is a terrific match with hearty Italian fare, mouth-watering steaks, or chocolate decadences.
2018 PALA 'SILENZI' ROSSO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE
Off to the island of Sardinia we go! The grapes for this wine are an interesting blend. Monica is a native varietal to the island and Carignan was brought by the Kingdom of Aragon when they ruled the island in the Middle Ages and Renaissance era. The grape itself has always possessed a sort of nobility here, is decidedly individual, and shows its marked difference and uniqueness to its impressive island terroir.
Warm and spicy aromas of plum, herbs, and smoked meat lead into a texture that is generous, wild and full of character and soul. Whether you are planning to have a drink before an evening of kneecapping or having a drink with some smoked fare, you will have to enjoy both with a glass of Silenzi.
Warm and spicy aromas of plum, herbs, and smoked meat lead into a texture that is generous, wild and full of character and soul. Whether you are planning to have a drink before an evening of kneecapping or having a drink with some smoked fare, you will have to enjoy both with a glass of Silenzi.
2018 RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE 'SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS'
$64.99 BTL./$779.88 CASE
ESTATE 'SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS'
$64.99 BTL./$779.88 CASE
Ridge's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is all about stressing the varietal and the vineyard as its source and if this wine were produced in Napa, it would easily fetch twice the price.
The vineyard source in question is Monte Bello and grapes for this wine consistently produce wines that are more polished, forward and accessible, basically it lives up to its moniker of "Baby Bello". A classic Ridge wine, it is chock full of cassis, blueberry and violet with spikes of cocoa that seemingly swirl in the glass. The texture is buxom and creamy with lots of sensuality to it. A mineral underlay and deceptive structure will allow this wine to age, however, when you uncork a bottle, it will prove to be very irresistible! Drink it over the next 12-15+ years.
The vineyard source in question is Monte Bello and grapes for this wine consistently produce wines that are more polished, forward and accessible, basically it lives up to its moniker of "Baby Bello". A classic Ridge wine, it is chock full of cassis, blueberry and violet with spikes of cocoa that seemingly swirl in the glass. The texture is buxom and creamy with lots of sensuality to it. A mineral underlay and deceptive structure will allow this wine to age, however, when you uncork a bottle, it will prove to be very irresistible! Drink it over the next 12-15+ years.
