11/8/21 The Cellar Door's 'FOR SURE' HotSheet


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'FOR SURE' HOTSHEET
Three Glorious Languedoc Wines, Bordeaux & Ridge Wines, Oregon, Washington & Italy for under-20


Click to Order
2019 FERRANDO CANAVESE ROSSO
'LA TORRAZZA'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE

The region of Carema and sub region of Canavese are part of Piedmont. In reality, they sit very far north of Barolo and Barbaresco on the border of the Valle D’Aosta about an hour north of Turin. Luigi Ferrando is the unmitigated leading producer of this region, producing some absolutely legendary Nebbiolo wines from Carema but also from the Canavese region which was created only in 1996. Relatively known for white wines, this area has come on quite impressively for its reds as well.

The Ferrando Canavese Rosso is Nebbiolo-based with about 30% Barbera and a dollop of the local Neretta grape. 2019 is ultra-successful as it the conditions provided excellent generosity, but also possesses plenty of crunchiness and zip due to the elevation and cool nights. Very engaging, savory scents of strawberry, mint, licorice and subtle undertones of smoke and herbs lead into a mouth-filling and vivacious texture that oozes deliciousness and a level of depth that is exactly why this producer is regarded as one of the finest in all of Piedmont. A wine with substance, dimension and owning a finish that takes off, enjoy it with beef/pork stuffed ravioli or a risotto done with cheese and mushrooms.



Click to Order
2019 LANCYRE PIC SAINT-LOUP ROUGE
'COSTE D'ALEYRAC'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Pic St-Loup is one of the most highly regarded growing regions of the Languedoc region and often has more in common with the Northern Rhone than the South. Here daytime temperatures can hit 100 degrees, but almost always night time temps are below 60. Syrah also thrives here in the clay-limestone soils that are also intermingled with scree.

For the 2019, this long-time, top-tier Chateau blends 50% Syrah with 40% Grenache and 10% Carignan to deliver a formidable and well-crafted wine. Pronounced crème de mure tones along with red berries, white pepper and sweeping French herbs swoon from the glass. Harmonious, mouth-filling and filled with the essence of what Languedoc is all about…total, 100% soul! A terrific wine with the likes of leg of lamb, roasted duck or a nicely aged Reblochon or Brillat-Savarin cheese.



Click to Order
2019 LANCYRE PIC SAINT-LOUP ROUGE
'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE

The big change occurred for Pic Saint-Loup in 2017 when it was deservedly upgraded from Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St-Loup to full appellation status with the Coteaux-du-Languedoc moniker no longer necessary. With terroirs being rediscovered, as well as losing the albatross of being under the Languedoc flag, the appellation is delivering some cracking delicious wines. Flanked by the coolness of the Cevennes foothills providing cooler climate conditions as well as maintaining its Mediterranean influences, there is much to enjoy.

The blend on the old vine cuvee is 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache on classic clay/limestone soils from a single plot of 45-year-old vines. The 201 Vieilles Vignes captivates its audience with black raspberry aromas which lead to a broad, spice, animalistic, ripe red/black raspberry-packed personality. This prodigal, chewy-textured offering is dense yet maintains Lancyre's trademark pride and poise. It is complex, sultry, crammed with fruit, and possesses a splendid, pure, and long finish that screams of pepper and herbes de provence. One of the things that gives me much agita is the notion that wines from Languedoc all must retail for 10 bucks. This simply is not true, especially when one realizes the potential of the terroir, a wine such as this and from this Chateau’s stature proves that greatness is just under our noses. Enough spiel, drink this debonair killer over the next 8-10 years.



Click to Order
2019 LANCYRE PIC SAINT-LOUP BLANC
'LA ROUVIERE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

One of the real treats of this terrific Languedoc Three-Step is the premier offering of their white wine to our clients. 80% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 10% Viognier from clay and a whole heap of cracked limestone. Aged in stainless steel tanks for four months sans malolactic fermentation, the estate refers to this as a fusion of freshness and sunshine.

Shamelessly aromatic with cool tones of nectarine, lime and subtle mineral/ginger/lilac characteristics waft from the glass then follow through to a balanced, yet finely formed texture that bursts with lively fruit, anise and saline. Picks up lively dry citrus aspects on the long, driving finish; excellent material and mineral throughout, it is very credible and true to the varietals and growing region. A formidable white wine that should be consumed with scallops, crab or an aged goat cheese. A red wine drinker's white wine!



Click to Order
2018 HELIX 'POMATIA'
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

Helix Pomatia is not the lead singer for a devil-worshipping heavy metal band from Norway. In reality, it is a blend from a Walla Walla favorite, Reininger who started the entire Helix line of wines back in 2004 to explore the various sites of the Columbia Valley.

A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & % Cabernet Franc with deep aromas of blueberry, black cherry, cedar and dried herbs. In the mouth, this vino is very classy and refined with a decadent density and a rich savory note that carries over to a long flavorful finish. Another great red for meat-sauced pasta dishes and steak. Drink over the next 3-4 years.



Click to Order
2019 SHIBA-WICHERN AUXERROIS
'HALVAN VINEYARD'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The Auxerrois grape is most known in the wines of Alsace and can be blended and even referred to as Pinot Blanc, yet it is a completely different grape with origins around Lorraine in France. Several producers also utilize it here in Oregon including Cameron but rising star, Shiba-Wichern’s mono-varietal version is solely from the Havlin Vineyard in the Van Duzer Corridor region and checks in at 12.5% alcohol.

Fragrant aromas of honeydew melon, lychee, and soft spice open the show. Impeccably balanced for the second act, this white wine hits you with a wet kiss of minerality, but then rounded out by bursting melon and mandarin, vibrant, brisk acidity, and a pure and extending finish. It is difficult to believe how a relatively obscure grape could be such a natural match to Northwest seafood, but have just one bottle of this with fresh local mussels or albacore tuna, and you will become a fan and reach for a second bottle.



Click to Order
2019 VALLEVO MONTEPULCIANO
D'ABRUZZO
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE

Fun, forward, fruit-driven unpretentious, Montepulciano is the consummate wine for just about any occasion. Ordering in pizza? Drink Montepulciano. Celebrating sending the brats back to school after the upcoming holiday vacations? Drink Montepulciano (although some parents may prefer Champagne. If this is the case, call Bryan immediately)! Having a party?? Drink Montepulciano.

So now that you have the idea, make a plan to order many bottles of this mouth-filling, fruit-driven red that is simply lip-smacking good! Harmonious and chock full of bright, lively strawberry fruit. Mouth-filling, dry and delivering a combination of spice and earth it makes for a perfect every evening Italian wine.



Click to Order
2016 CHATEAU CANON SAINT-MICHEL
CANON-FRONSAC
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE

Over the past ten years we have mentioned the who, where, why and how of the new excitement of Bordeaux. Yes, classified growth wines are still spectacular but they are without question sniffing glue and/or huffing gas when it comes to pricing. The entire brilliance of what is going down with smaller Chateaux that are committed to top farming and winemaking aspects in both famed regions and the satellite regions is quite impressive. Often is the case that one can obtain a terrific bottle that not only drinks well early, but one that can also age well without having to break the bank.

Canon-Fronsac is a hidden gem that lies within lands of greatness. Just southwest of St-Emilion and 5 kilometers from the Pomerol plain, this is an area where many small producers are able to excel. Chateau Canon St-Michel has been quite a terrific find and epitomizes the term ‘boutique winery’, owning a mere 4 hectares. Chalk-driven soils with clay outcroppings, this wine is quite handsome, possessing dense aromas of blue fruits, forward mineral/ironstone, graphite and spiced earth. Increasingly aromatic as it unfurls in the glass, everything comes together nicely on the silky but structured texture that extends and fans out on the deceptively packed, lingering finish. This is right bank Bordeaux personified and a steal for 32-bucks. Drink this bad-boy through 2031.



Click to Order
2019 RIDGE GONSALVES MATARO
(Mourvedre) 'CONTR COSTA'
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

Both Bryan and Karen collectively have worked with Ridge wines for a total 85+ years combined and this is one of the rare occasions, if ever, that we have been allocated the Mataro (Mourvedre for you Francophiles). Masters at this Spanish varietal, Ridge has been working with the grape throughout its long history. This delectable treat from Contra Costa comes from vines that are 100 years old and the results are mind blowing. Then again, it is Ridge so would we expect less?!

From the start, the wine has immense, vinous old vine character with blueberry, violet, underlying gamey tones, roasted coffee, licorice and slight sanguine aspects. In the mouth, it is lacy, lavish, but never goes outside its framework and maintains its energetic balance. The sandy soil gives it lovely aromatic presence as well as vibrancy cut through the dense fruit. The finish initially shows its youth, but ambushes, snaps back and persists and persists. Drink over the next 10-12 years.