8/8/22 The Cellar Door's 'JUICE GROOVE' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'JUICE GROOVE' HOTSHEET
Oregon Wine From Kelley Fox
Spanish Red Special (Priorat)
Values from Bordeaux, Zerbina & more
Spanish Red Special (Priorat)
Values from Bordeaux, Zerbina & more
2018 COSTER DELS OLIVIERS PRIORAT
[reg. $26.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
[reg. $26.99]
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The steep hills around the Priorat village of Porrera are known for fabulous quality Carinena and this wine exhibits it beautifully.
A newer offering from Priorat, this blend of mostly Carinena and Garnacha represents the new mode of Priorat which emphasizes place, succulence and depth over oak tones and extraction. Driving spicy, mulled cherry, slate, wind-swept lavender and plenty of tangy earthy aspects. So damn impressive, it carries over into a palate that is extroverted, ripe and mouth-coating. Natural, energetic minerality shines from the slate soils, there is plenty of backbone and submerged grip and a finish that seemingly lasts forever and spouts class. Amazingly one can uncork a bottle but there is no doubt that this wine will easily age for 8-10 more years.
A newer offering from Priorat, this blend of mostly Carinena and Garnacha represents the new mode of Priorat which emphasizes place, succulence and depth over oak tones and extraction. Driving spicy, mulled cherry, slate, wind-swept lavender and plenty of tangy earthy aspects. So damn impressive, it carries over into a palate that is extroverted, ripe and mouth-coating. Natural, energetic minerality shines from the slate soils, there is plenty of backbone and submerged grip and a finish that seemingly lasts forever and spouts class. Amazingly one can uncork a bottle but there is no doubt that this wine will easily age for 8-10 more years.
2021 OSTATU RIOJA BLANCO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
One of our favorite summer wines has arrived…Over the last decade we have touted this white Rioja from old vines as a great every day, thirst-quenching number and 2021 continues this legacy and doesn't disappoint.
85% Viura and 15% Malvasia, this white wine tickles you in places that you did not know you had! Zingy, bursting lemon-drop and mineral aromas carry over to the brilliantly detailed texture which exudes strong varietal character and thrilling persistence. You'll want to drink multiple glasses of this regardless of what is on the table including any and all seafood dishes or sheep milk cheeses.
85% Viura and 15% Malvasia, this white wine tickles you in places that you did not know you had! Zingy, bursting lemon-drop and mineral aromas carry over to the brilliantly detailed texture which exudes strong varietal character and thrilling persistence. You'll want to drink multiple glasses of this regardless of what is on the table including any and all seafood dishes or sheep milk cheeses.
2016 CHATEAU BEAUSEJOUR FRONSAC
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
From a great vintage (2016), this Bordeaux is not only drinking impeccably, it is the best value on this week’s musings. Fifth generation and female-owned, this Saint-Emilion neighbor punches well above its weight class. Stylish and smoothness abound yet still maintaining a nice core of dry Right Bank Bordeaux fruit.
Blackcurrants, smoke, mineral and an underbelly of cherry, spice and baking herbs, it is well textured, classy and dry. The finish is sneaky long for a fifteen buck wine. Prototype petite chateau Bordeaux and one that carries beautifully to the dinner table. Drink with braised beef, lamb, Vietnamese cuisine, roasted chicken and much more.
Blackcurrants, smoke, mineral and an underbelly of cherry, spice and baking herbs, it is well textured, classy and dry. The finish is sneaky long for a fifteen buck wine. Prototype petite chateau Bordeaux and one that carries beautifully to the dinner table. Drink with braised beef, lamb, Vietnamese cuisine, roasted chicken and much more.
2020 BEDROCK ZINFANDEL OLD VINE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The mind behind Bedrock Wine Company comes from excellent wine bloodlines; Morgan Twain-Peterson is the son of famed, influential Ravenswood Zinfandel maestro Joel Peterson. Morgan is devoted to maintaining California’s heritage vines and grapes and quickly, these wines have become some of California’s most exciting.
With an average age of 80 year old vines here as well as taking a cue from Ridge and adding in grapes like Carignan, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah and others, this wine shows very impressive range. Smoked raspberry, briar and subtle pepper tones are impressively penetrating. Ripe, suave, civilized and mouth filling, exactly what a good zin ought to be. The old vine density and spice spread out and follow through to the exhilarating and fine finish. While it cries out for good barbecued pork chops, it will also pair well with beef or smoked meats. These wines also have a propensity to age and this will easily develop for 7-10 years.
With an average age of 80 year old vines here as well as taking a cue from Ridge and adding in grapes like Carignan, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah and others, this wine shows very impressive range. Smoked raspberry, briar and subtle pepper tones are impressively penetrating. Ripe, suave, civilized and mouth filling, exactly what a good zin ought to be. The old vine density and spice spread out and follow through to the exhilarating and fine finish. While it cries out for good barbecued pork chops, it will also pair well with beef or smoked meats. These wines also have a propensity to age and this will easily develop for 7-10 years.
2020 FILLIATREAU SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY
'LA GRANDE VIGNOLLE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'LA GRANDE VIGNOLLE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
One of Saumur-Champigny’s old guard, Domaine Filliatreau makes exquisitely detailed, profound and pure expressions of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc. Eschewing the use of oak, these neo-classical wines always possess soaring fruit, deep color and plenty of intensity without any make-up or lipstick.
2020 is a terrific year for red Loire wines and this wine is delicious with a plethora of dishes. Black raspberry, sandalwood, pronounced sanguine aspects, jasmine and pepper roll from the glass. More spice and intense aromas come on as it opens (we recommend using a Riedel Pinot Noir glass.) Ardent and fruit-driven with plenty of soulful, mineral tones which bring brightness to the sumptuous finish. Have this wine with anything lamb, a chicken drumstick, duck, or (no joke) carnitas!
2020 is a terrific year for red Loire wines and this wine is delicious with a plethora of dishes. Black raspberry, sandalwood, pronounced sanguine aspects, jasmine and pepper roll from the glass. More spice and intense aromas come on as it opens (we recommend using a Riedel Pinot Noir glass.) Ardent and fruit-driven with plenty of soulful, mineral tones which bring brightness to the sumptuous finish. Have this wine with anything lamb, a chicken drumstick, duck, or (no joke) carnitas!
2016 ZERBINA SANGIOVESE
'TORRE DI CEPARANO'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
'TORRE DI CEPARANO'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Cristina Geminiani, owner/winemaker at Fattoria Zerbina, one of Italy's finest producers. Her wines from the Romagna area of Emilia-Romagna are some of the Boot's true hidden gems. Not only does this influential deliver great white and dessert wines, the red wines are of equal importance and her Mighty Sangiovese Riserva will drop kick many 35+-dollar Chianti Riserva through the futbol goalposts of life.
Located in Emilia-Romagna, specifically Romagna, between Bologna and the coast, on the "opposite" side of the Apennines, the influence of the Adriatic Sea plays more of a role, and hence her expressions of Sangiovese are very different their Tuscan neighbors. At age six, this Sangiovese is starting to gain aromatic complexity with notes of dark cherry, black licorice, pepper, tobacco, and earth. Lavish and intense in the mouth, there is suede-like structure and power, but it really comes together as the wine is aerated, especially if you serve it in a Bordeaux glass. Terrific complexity abound, this wine has moxie, class, depth and persistence. We have been experiencing and cellaring this wine since the mid-‘00s and it ages very well indeed. Drink through 2026+.
Located in Emilia-Romagna, specifically Romagna, between Bologna and the coast, on the "opposite" side of the Apennines, the influence of the Adriatic Sea plays more of a role, and hence her expressions of Sangiovese are very different their Tuscan neighbors. At age six, this Sangiovese is starting to gain aromatic complexity with notes of dark cherry, black licorice, pepper, tobacco, and earth. Lavish and intense in the mouth, there is suede-like structure and power, but it really comes together as the wine is aerated, especially if you serve it in a Bordeaux glass. Terrific complexity abound, this wine has moxie, class, depth and persistence. We have been experiencing and cellaring this wine since the mid-‘00s and it ages very well indeed. Drink through 2026+.
2021 KELLEY FOX GRUNER VELTLINER
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
One of Oregon’s finest and most elusive winemakers, Kelley Fox is very well known for her finesse-laden, very refined and classy Pinot Noirs. These days as Kelley has expanded, terrific white wines have emerged from her cellar including this minute, 64 case production of Gruner Veltliner from Chehalem Mountain fruit.
Legit and fit, this reveals classic Gruner mentality. Mandarin fruit is very present but mineral shines through along with Alpine spices and peppermint. All tank fermented, there is plenty of cut and blitz but also not shortage of depth, character and superb length on the very upscale finish. This wine will age well but it is almost too irresistible at the moment. Enjoy it with green vegetables, lightly battered halibut or cod fish tacos as well as a pork tenderloin with a spicy chutney.
Legit and fit, this reveals classic Gruner mentality. Mandarin fruit is very present but mineral shines through along with Alpine spices and peppermint. All tank fermented, there is plenty of cut and blitz but also not shortage of depth, character and superb length on the very upscale finish. This wine will age well but it is almost too irresistible at the moment. Enjoy it with green vegetables, lightly battered halibut or cod fish tacos as well as a pork tenderloin with a spicy chutney.
2019 JUILLOT MERCUREY ROUGE
'CLOS DES BARRAUTS' PREMIER CRU
SPECIAL - $34.99 BTL. - Very Limited
'CLOS DES BARRAUTS' PREMIER CRU
SPECIAL - $34.99 BTL. - Very Limited
Drive 30 minutes south of Beaune and you’ll arrive at the growing region of Mercurey. Cool name aside, this area has had appellation status for as long as the Cote D’Or. Taking its name after the namesake Roman god who also represented trade, this name is apropos because Mercurey lies on the Agrippa Road between Chalon-sur-Saone and the famed Roman village of Autun. A red Burgundy for 35 bucks that is good? That will undoubtedly be the question that is asked of us regarding this wine. We will simply retort a resounding "yes" as our answer. Laurent Juillot is one of the superb producers of Burgundy that you have not heard of. Based in the Cote Chalonnais, the Domaine specializes in Mercurey wines, but also has holdings in Rully as well as Corton Charlemagne and Corton Rouge.
From the outstanding 2019 vintage, this cuvee is from vines planted in 1972 and 1980, aged in 30% of new oak and is about Burgundy’s purity of Pinot Noir. Steely red berry fruit is submerged by spiced earth, sanguine and mineral at this moment. There is plenty of depth and personality here, but it needs another 2-3 years to emerge. In the mouth, the silk and subtlety are present. The finish is gripping and structured, but is nicely supported by red fruit and detail of origin. Lots of freshness, we recommend holding on to this one until the end of 2023 then drink though 2031. 16 bottles available.
From the outstanding 2019 vintage, this cuvee is from vines planted in 1972 and 1980, aged in 30% of new oak and is about Burgundy’s purity of Pinot Noir. Steely red berry fruit is submerged by spiced earth, sanguine and mineral at this moment. There is plenty of depth and personality here, but it needs another 2-3 years to emerge. In the mouth, the silk and subtlety are present. The finish is gripping and structured, but is nicely supported by red fruit and detail of origin. Lots of freshness, we recommend holding on to this one until the end of 2023 then drink though 2031. 16 bottles available.
2020 IPPOLITO CIRO ROSSO
'LIBER PATER'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
'LIBER PATER'
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
Always one of my favorite Italian red wine values, last week I tasted and absolutely loved Ippolito’s latest Ciro Rosso. After I heard the price, devious thoughts came about and made me dream of boarding a plane and heading off to take the oath and join the ‘ndrangheta (Calabria's mafia)!
Librandi's Ciro Rosso is made from 100% Gaglioppo, the most important indigenous grape of Calabria. Gaglioppo is originally of Greek origins and is thought to be introduced in Italy around the same time as Aglianico. It is human nature to make comparisons and maybe the closest analogy that we come up with is that it may be likened to a warm climate Nebbiolo. Tar, mineral, smoked red licorice and dried flowers. The texture is well formed, tangy, dry and semi-spicy with a fine and savory finish. Not one to sit around and sip as a cocktail, it is perfect to drink now and over the next 2-3 years with roasted meats with tomatoes or a spicy pasta dish. It is amazing how this wine can cut into chili flakes.
Librandi's Ciro Rosso is made from 100% Gaglioppo, the most important indigenous grape of Calabria. Gaglioppo is originally of Greek origins and is thought to be introduced in Italy around the same time as Aglianico. It is human nature to make comparisons and maybe the closest analogy that we come up with is that it may be likened to a warm climate Nebbiolo. Tar, mineral, smoked red licorice and dried flowers. The texture is well formed, tangy, dry and semi-spicy with a fine and savory finish. Not one to sit around and sip as a cocktail, it is perfect to drink now and over the next 2-3 years with roasted meats with tomatoes or a spicy pasta dish. It is amazing how this wine can cut into chili flakes.
