10/18/22 The Cellar Door's 'LOOPED' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'LOOPED' HOTSHEET
Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir
93-Point Montepulciano for 20
20-Year-Old Tawny Port, Arneis
& Cabernet for 11-beans
93-Point Montepulciano for 20
20-Year-Old Tawny Port, Arneis
& Cabernet for 11-beans
2020 TIBERIO MONTEPULCIANO
D'ABRUZZO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
D'ABRUZZO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
93 Points – Vinous…Montepulciano and Abruzzo are both ancient and have been making wines since the Neolithic period. The DOC of Montepulciano D’Abruzzo was created in 1968 and most was done by local cooperatives and made into quaffing trattoria wines. These days, things are changing as more and more investment is arriving, sub-divisions are being created, terroirs explored and we are seeing the diversity and character that this grape can provide. Youthful producers whose families once sold to the co-ops are taking charge with new estates. Tiberio is one such producer who has only estate bottling and labeling their wines since 2000.
Located only 23 miles from the sea near the city of Pescara, this Montepulciano delivers so much Italian red brilliance for not a lot of money. From 57-year-old vines at 350 meters, one can smell and taste the marine influence beneath the swath of red plum, Morello cherry, licorice, blood orange and saline aspects. Full bodied, deep, cherry red that has nice Abruzzo tangy flavors. Old vine penetration throughout which follows into a superb, extending finish. This wine seemingly is made for sauces with tomatoes and lamb dishes. Bolognese, lamb pasta, arrabiata, amatriciana – mangè, mangè! Drink through 2028.
Located only 23 miles from the sea near the city of Pescara, this Montepulciano delivers so much Italian red brilliance for not a lot of money. From 57-year-old vines at 350 meters, one can smell and taste the marine influence beneath the swath of red plum, Morello cherry, licorice, blood orange and saline aspects. Full bodied, deep, cherry red that has nice Abruzzo tangy flavors. Old vine penetration throughout which follows into a superb, extending finish. This wine seemingly is made for sauces with tomatoes and lamb dishes. Bolognese, lamb pasta, arrabiata, amatriciana – mangè, mangè! Drink through 2028.
2018 BASTIDE BLANCHE BANDOL ROUGE
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE
Alongside luminaries such as Pradeaux, Gros Nore or Pibarnon, the Bronzo Brothers at Bastide Blanche make some of the most compelling wines in the entire Bandol appellation. So many of you know the prowess of their Rose wine, which is a perennial favorite, but this estate is even more compelling with their red wines.
A velvet monster indeed, this blend of 73% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 4% Cinsault, 2% Syrah & 1% Carignan possesses complex and youthful aromas of herbs du Provence, black truffle, leather, spice, strawberry and wild purple flowers. A finely tuned athletic offering with a hedonistic allure that is second to none. Although this stunning 2018 has early appeal and could be had on the younger-than-usual side, this bold Bandol should see your cellar for a bit. The rewards will be greater than imagined...If you want some now, decant and have with lamb but for best results, wait until 2024 and drink through 2030.
A velvet monster indeed, this blend of 73% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 4% Cinsault, 2% Syrah & 1% Carignan possesses complex and youthful aromas of herbs du Provence, black truffle, leather, spice, strawberry and wild purple flowers. A finely tuned athletic offering with a hedonistic allure that is second to none. Although this stunning 2018 has early appeal and could be had on the younger-than-usual side, this bold Bandol should see your cellar for a bit. The rewards will be greater than imagined...If you want some now, decant and have with lamb but for best results, wait until 2024 and drink through 2030.
2020 LUIS PATO 'PATO REBEL'
BAIRRADA TINTO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
BAIRRADA TINTO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
As The Clash once so succinctly stated ‘NO ELVIS, BEATLES OR THE ROLLING STONES’! Non-conformist Portuguese producer Luis Pato seemingly has the same attitude in philosophy with ‘no Cabernet, Merlot or Pinot Noir’! A legend in Portugal, Luis Pato literally put the Barraida region and the Baga grape on the worldwide wine map. Located just west of the famed Dao region, the maritime influence on these wines cannot be overstated and the Baga grape gives somewhat of a notation of an Atlantic Nebbiolo.
Based around Baga (90%) with a dollop of Touriga Nacional to bring about fruit and roundness. Bright with red berry, raspberry, a little bit of leather and spice box. Ripe, chewy red fruits are integrated nicely with subtle oak tones. The finish is wild with a little game and plenty of bright flavors and briary spiciness. Drink over the next 3-4 years particularly with Portugal’s main vegetable, pork.
Based around Baga (90%) with a dollop of Touriga Nacional to bring about fruit and roundness. Bright with red berry, raspberry, a little bit of leather and spice box. Ripe, chewy red fruits are integrated nicely with subtle oak tones. The finish is wild with a little game and plenty of bright flavors and briary spiciness. Drink over the next 3-4 years particularly with Portugal’s main vegetable, pork.
2020 LETH GRUNER-VELTLINER
'RIED STEINAGRUND'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'RIED STEINAGRUND'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
If you really want to stay ahead of the curve and look cool while doing it, drink Gruner Veltliner. If you are having artichokes, asparagus or anything that is difficult to pair with wine, drink Gruner Veltliner. Planning a get-together with many different tastes involved, why not drink something fun, delicious and interesting that isn’t Chardonnay or Pinot Gris? If you want to be somewhat of a wine geek or just look like one, drink Gruner Veltliner.
Leth is a fine estate in the Wagram region on the Danube River, 50 miles west of Vienna. The loess soils of the region give Gruner a spicy-peppery aspect that is typical to Austria's Wagram area. Brisk aromas of lemon-pepper, mandarin, serious mineral and anise lead to a finish that is clean and pure but with plenty of substance and structure. Seafood instantly comes to mind, but will also pair nicely with Asian dishes as well. Drink now and often.
Leth is a fine estate in the Wagram region on the Danube River, 50 miles west of Vienna. The loess soils of the region give Gruner a spicy-peppery aspect that is typical to Austria's Wagram area. Brisk aromas of lemon-pepper, mandarin, serious mineral and anise lead to a finish that is clean and pure but with plenty of substance and structure. Seafood instantly comes to mind, but will also pair nicely with Asian dishes as well. Drink now and often.
2019 TERRIERE BROUILLY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Upon having to postpone a small Cru Beaujolais tasting last week due to good government bulls^%t and customs agents, I was able to re-taste and drink one of the remaining bottles of the soon to be gone 2019 Terriere Brouilly and it is smoking good right now!
2019 is a glorious Beaujolais vintage and a dramatic full presence of crème de framboise, smoked violet, anise, warm granite and undertones of strawberry jam and cinnamon-stick vault from the glass. Resoundingly mouth filling with a cascade of flavor that delights the mouth. Finishes substantially with spice, but fills in beautifully with broad and balanced fruit that coats the throat as it goes down. An undoubted miracle in the mouth!
2019 is a glorious Beaujolais vintage and a dramatic full presence of crème de framboise, smoked violet, anise, warm granite and undertones of strawberry jam and cinnamon-stick vault from the glass. Resoundingly mouth filling with a cascade of flavor that delights the mouth. Finishes substantially with spice, but fills in beautifully with broad and balanced fruit that coats the throat as it goes down. An undoubted miracle in the mouth!
2020 VIETTI ARNEIS
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Filling very big footsteps gracefully, Luca's father Alfredo Currado is one of the most important men in the entire realm of Italian wine with his visionary practices of labeling his Baroli with their designated vineyard sites. In 1967, Luca's papa "rediscovered" the ancient Arneis grape. Luca tells this history much better in person, but prior to then, Arneis was made in a sweet and cloying, alcoholic style, but Alfredo bucked the tradition and made wines that were clean, fresh and vibrant and became influential to two generations of both winemakers and wine drinkers.
2021 is a fantastic voyage for one of Italy's most iconic white wines. Gorgeously aromatic and stunningly balanced with loads of blood orange, lemongrass, starfruit, and mineral 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.
2021 is a fantastic voyage for one of Italy's most iconic white wines. Gorgeously aromatic and stunningly balanced with loads of blood orange, lemongrass, starfruit, and mineral 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.
MENERES PORTO
20-YEAR-OLD TAWNY
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
20-YEAR-OLD TAWNY
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
Even though we are basking in 75-degree days in Mid-October, the fun and sun will soon give way to the inevitable Portland darkness and dampness and a glass of Port and some chocolate should be on the agenda. Both chocolate and port alone are smooth and captivating, but when they are together, sensual fireworks burst in the air!
Meneres is an old house bought by the former owner of Quinta do Noval, and this smooth outstanding steal for its category 20-Year-Old Tawny Port delivers lovely aromas of flan, caramel, toffee and intermittent dried cherry characteristics. Mouth filling and with a classic sweetness and a refined, vibrant finish that reveals its cask elevation. As mentioned, it is a great match with chocolate, but also pairs with desserts laced with coffee or a stilton cheese. The beauty of a wood-aged port is that it has already been tawnied for you, so this means you can cork and uncork it as you wish and enjoy the bottle over several months vs. a vintage port that needs to be consumed in one sitting.
Meneres is an old house bought by the former owner of Quinta do Noval, and this smooth outstanding steal for its category 20-Year-Old Tawny Port delivers lovely aromas of flan, caramel, toffee and intermittent dried cherry characteristics. Mouth filling and with a classic sweetness and a refined, vibrant finish that reveals its cask elevation. As mentioned, it is a great match with chocolate, but also pairs with desserts laced with coffee or a stilton cheese. The beauty of a wood-aged port is that it has already been tawnied for you, so this means you can cork and uncork it as you wish and enjoy the bottle over several months vs. a vintage port that needs to be consumed in one sitting.
2020 LOS MORROS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$10.99 BTL./$131.88 CASE
From Chile’s Maipo Valley, the Los Morros winery is designated for value wines and their Cabernet Sauvignon is banging for 11-bucks.
Chewy, bold black cherry, allspice, and mocha carry over to the warm, full, and inviting texture that is sumptuous and mouth coating from the attacking start to the substantial, spicy finish. Drink this wine over the next 2-3 years with a big juicy steak.
Chewy, bold black cherry, allspice, and mocha carry over to the warm, full, and inviting texture that is sumptuous and mouth coating from the attacking start to the substantial, spicy finish. Drink this wine over the next 2-3 years with a big juicy steak.
2019 JC SOMERS PINOT NOIR
'ABBEY RIDGE'
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
'ABBEY RIDGE'
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
The relationship between Jay Somers and Bill Wayne (owner at Abbey Ridge) goes back to pre-1996 when Jay was working at Cameron with John Paul. Whether it is J. Christopher, Cameron or now JC Somers, Jay knows this site and has a magical touch in his own form with the making of wines from the Oregon Grand Cru site.
More akin to a Bolshoi ballerina than a UFC fighter, this pinot is sleek, stylish and possesses plenty of structure for aging. Still fairly youthful and unevolved, it still manages to captivate on the nose with scents of deep raspberry along with an undertow of red cherry, cedar, anise, and red earth. There is no shortage of depth of fruit on the palate; notes of red fruits play off the detailed earth and gentle kiss of oak and ride shotgun with the good backbone of the wine. While not undrinkable right now, this wine will definitely benefit from another three-4 years in the cellar and then will drink beautifully through 2034+. Undoubtedly a Pinot for Pinot-philes, not pinot for cabernet lovers.
More akin to a Bolshoi ballerina than a UFC fighter, this pinot is sleek, stylish and possesses plenty of structure for aging. Still fairly youthful and unevolved, it still manages to captivate on the nose with scents of deep raspberry along with an undertow of red cherry, cedar, anise, and red earth. There is no shortage of depth of fruit on the palate; notes of red fruits play off the detailed earth and gentle kiss of oak and ride shotgun with the good backbone of the wine. While not undrinkable right now, this wine will definitely benefit from another three-4 years in the cellar and then will drink beautifully through 2034+. Undoubtedly a Pinot for Pinot-philes, not pinot for cabernet lovers.
