2/6/23 The Cellar Door's 'DAZZLING DOZEN' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'DAZZLING DOZEN' HOTSHEET
Six Pairs of Wines By Producer
Chateauneuf Red & White, Oregon Pinot, Spain, Tuscany & more
Chateauneuf Red & White, Oregon Pinot, Spain, Tuscany & more
2017 AVIGNONESI NOBILE
DI MONTEPULCIANO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
DI MONTEPULCIANO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The Avignonesi estate dates back to 1377 and Pope Gregory when he moved the papal estate from Rome to Avignon. One of the families returned and referred to as Avignonesi and started this estate, which is one of the oldest in Tuscany. With a track record of superb wines, Virginie Saverys purchased Avignonesi in 2009, this historic estate returned to past glory.
Scintillating Sangiovese, this wonderfully pure Nobile possesses scents of red plum, sage, black cherry, and savory earth. The depth and concentration carry nicely into the mouth as it offers up succulent, ripe and flavorful tones with superb focus and grip, as well as a dark finish that is spicy and long. Drink now through 2029. If you need wine enhancement, otherwise known as a score, this has 93 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Scintillating Sangiovese, this wonderfully pure Nobile possesses scents of red plum, sage, black cherry, and savory earth. The depth and concentration carry nicely into the mouth as it offers up succulent, ripe and flavorful tones with superb focus and grip, as well as a dark finish that is spicy and long. Drink now through 2029. If you need wine enhancement, otherwise known as a score, this has 93 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
2019 AVIGNONESI ROSSO
DI MONTEPULCIANO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
DI MONTEPULCIANO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
BEDROCK 'SHEBANG' RED '15TH CUVEE'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Bedrock Wine Company is from Morgan Twain-Peterson, son of legendary Zinfandel producer Joel Peterson. Since 2007, this Sonoma producer is killing it with Zins, Syrah, and blends from heritage varietals planted by immigrants who came to California at various times. The Whole Shebang is a multi-vintage blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mataro, and other Mediterranean varieties fermented with native yeasts and aged in used French barrels. Unlike many other blends at this price point, this is a bulls%&t-free zone! Authentic, delicious and a steal!
Cinnamon-earth tones, plenty of penetration but ultimately this is about the engaging succulence. Flavors come in waves and turn red and vibrant on the persistent, drawn-out finish that shows some dusty cocoa/earth and is chewy without being burdensome or thick. This is a perfect cheeseburger wine but also pairs nicely with pulled pork, spicy ribs, vegetarian fried rice dishes and more.
Cinnamon-earth tones, plenty of penetration but ultimately this is about the engaging succulence. Flavors come in waves and turn red and vibrant on the persistent, drawn-out finish that shows some dusty cocoa/earth and is chewy without being burdensome or thick. This is a perfect cheeseburger wine but also pairs nicely with pulled pork, spicy ribs, vegetarian fried rice dishes and more.
2020 BEDROCK SYRAH 'NORTH COAST'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Committed to Syrah, Morgan and his business/winemaking partner/consigliere Chris Cottrell also make serious Syrahs. This offering comes from a blend of Santa Barbara, Napa and Sonoma sites and definitely shows its California fruit, but also a French inspiration because it never feels blasted with oak or thick like many Washington or Aussie caricature versions.
Wily aromas of perfumed black plum, smoked meat, freshly ground white pepper and a hint of cinnamon. Fills the mouth nicely and possesses supple, smooth tannins and a nice backbone as well. Very drinkable now and over the next 8-10 years with a lamb barbacoa, braised short ribs and lean game meats like venison.
Wily aromas of perfumed black plum, smoked meat, freshly ground white pepper and a hint of cinnamon. Fills the mouth nicely and possesses supple, smooth tannins and a nice backbone as well. Very drinkable now and over the next 8-10 years with a lamb barbacoa, braised short ribs and lean game meats like venison.
2021 VALDESIL GODELLO 'VALDEORRAS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Bodegas Valdesil is one of the early producers to estate bottle with wines from eastern Galicia’s Valdeorras region. The white Godello grape (and red Mencia below) rule the day in this region and are definitely worthy of your wine adventure attention.
Very subtle aromas of white grapefruit, lemon, ginger, minerals, peach, nutmeg and earth. Vinuous texture that possesses superb delineation and zestiness. The slow-building finish is long, subtle, with saline soil tones, and terrific grip. In the group of Spanish white wines from tasted from Galicia last week, this was the clear winner. This one is too tempting to pass up. Have it with smoked fish dishes, ceviche or mussels.
Very subtle aromas of white grapefruit, lemon, ginger, minerals, peach, nutmeg and earth. Vinuous texture that possesses superb delineation and zestiness. The slow-building finish is long, subtle, with saline soil tones, and terrific grip. In the group of Spanish white wines from tasted from Galicia last week, this was the clear winner. This one is too tempting to pass up. Have it with smoked fish dishes, ceviche or mussels.
2020 VALDESIL MENCIA 'VALDEORRAS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Valdeorras is not far from Bierzo, hence the use of the Mencia grape. After the Romans finished purging the area for gold (hence the name Valdeorras) they commenced to planting vines, the wines from which were mentioned in Latin documents.
After being somewhat neglected in the 19th and even into the 20th centuries, this area has roared back producing outstanding reds from Mencia and whites from Godello. Lively, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs and plenty of mineral all come together as the wine opens in the glass. Wonderful intensity and medium body from low yielding fruit, but also clean due to no oak being employed in the winemaking process. A red wine for pork.
After being somewhat neglected in the 19th and even into the 20th centuries, this area has roared back producing outstanding reds from Mencia and whites from Godello. Lively, inviting tones of marionberry, pepper and soft roasted herbs and plenty of mineral all come together as the wine opens in the glass. Wonderful intensity and medium body from low yielding fruit, but also clean due to no oak being employed in the winemaking process. A red wine for pork.
2019 MURI-GRES LAGREIN ALTO ADIGE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Muri-Gres is a monastery located south of Brenner Pass in Italy’s Alto Adige region. Benedictine monks have been tending the vines and wines since the mid-1800s. Just after World War II, the brothers began producing DOC wines and they have been quite terrific ever since.
Lagrein is a red wine grape with lineage to Syrah, but not very much like its cousin. In fact, I would equate it as going out on a first date with a hot/handsome vampire. Plenty of smoked meat, but also enhanced by enticing roasted coffee, plum, licorice and red berry notes. Silky-smooth and high-pitched in the mouth. Almost red Burgundy from Mercurey-like texture. Impeccably focused throughout and having a scintillating, luxurious quality on the back end. This wine can be consumed over the next 3-4 years with something hearty like an Alfredo sauce or a full-on cheese-laden/meat sauce lasagna.
Lagrein is a red wine grape with lineage to Syrah, but not very much like its cousin. In fact, I would equate it as going out on a first date with a hot/handsome vampire. Plenty of smoked meat, but also enhanced by enticing roasted coffee, plum, licorice and red berry notes. Silky-smooth and high-pitched in the mouth. Almost red Burgundy from Mercurey-like texture. Impeccably focused throughout and having a scintillating, luxurious quality on the back end. This wine can be consumed over the next 3-4 years with something hearty like an Alfredo sauce or a full-on cheese-laden/meat sauce lasagna.
2021 MURI-GRES PINOT BIANCO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Many of you all know our infatuation with the Pinot Blanc/Bianco grape around here. As things go in Alto Adige, they are quite different from their Friulian brethren. The monks strive to produce very elegant versions and the newly arrived 2021 is no exception.
The 2021 expresses the aromatic side of Pinot Bianco with nose-tickling minerality of pear, pineapple and soft cardamom spice. Best yet, it sees no wood offering a freshness that wakes the palate with balanced earthy richness making it a perfect start to a meal or a pairing with grilled prawns.
The 2021 expresses the aromatic side of Pinot Bianco with nose-tickling minerality of pear, pineapple and soft cardamom spice. Best yet, it sees no wood offering a freshness that wakes the palate with balanced earthy richness making it a perfect start to a meal or a pairing with grilled prawns.
2019 ET FILLE PINOT NOIR 'HEREDITY'
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
The Cellar Door has been preaching about the merits and superb virtues of Jessica Mozieco’s wines that should be more known and adored. More and more we are solving this issue, especially since we have had greater access to the wines and that you all have been enjoying these finesse-laden but complex offerings as we regularly feature them and you taste them.
Heredity is a Reserve wine that is a bridge between her Willamette Valley (see below) and her Single Vineyard wines.12.8% alcohol with top fruit from Kalita Vineyard in Yamhill Carlton and Le Pavillon in Dundee Hills in its blend. Haunting and revealing red earth tones. Lovely aromatics build and build from the glass. Black fruit compote, rose petal, kisses of coffee, pepper and vanilla round out the aromas. Touches of power lay beneath the rather refined surface. Cool, quite lavish and bringing out more cinnamon especially on the quite expansive finish. Drink over the next fifteen years.
Heredity is a Reserve wine that is a bridge between her Willamette Valley (see below) and her Single Vineyard wines.12.8% alcohol with top fruit from Kalita Vineyard in Yamhill Carlton and Le Pavillon in Dundee Hills in its blend. Haunting and revealing red earth tones. Lovely aromatics build and build from the glass. Black fruit compote, rose petal, kisses of coffee, pepper and vanilla round out the aromas. Touches of power lay beneath the rather refined surface. Cool, quite lavish and bringing out more cinnamon especially on the quite expansive finish. Drink over the next fifteen years.
2019 ET FILLE PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
More than just an ‘entry wine’, this wine delivers the goods at a great price and all in at 12.9% alcohol. This really shows how great 2019 is as a vintage, lower alcohol without sacrificing depth and dimension.
Cool toned yet having the substance of this full vintage, the earth and spice balance out the cool plum and smoke aspects. Rather ethereal on the palate, nice acids intertwine and make for something very pure with a sneaky underbelly of backbone. This Pinot is very accessible now but can continue to develop nicely for a several years as well.
Cool toned yet having the substance of this full vintage, the earth and spice balance out the cool plum and smoke aspects. Rather ethereal on the palate, nice acids intertwine and make for something very pure with a sneaky underbelly of backbone. This Pinot is very accessible now but can continue to develop nicely for a several years as well.
2017 SENECHAUX CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
Owned since 2006 by the Cazes family who also own Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux, this longtime Chateauneuf estate has really taken off in the last decade. The red is made primarily from the Bois de Senechaux lieu dit, which borders Le Crau and Charbonniere, both possess ample large red rocks that are synonymous with this region. Other sites are from south/center of the village and possess sand, limestone and clay.
2017 is quite striking. 48% Grenache, 30% Syrah & 22% Mourvedre. Superior material present instantly. Upscale aromas, powerful fruit and structure from Senechaux parcel with aromatics, finesse and energy coming from the others. White pepper, pronounced rosemary and Italian plum. Streamlined yet very rich. Lots of licorice on substantial and very drawn-out finish. Alluring and gorgeous, this full-flavored number drinks well now and will do so for another 12-14 years.
2017 is quite striking. 48% Grenache, 30% Syrah & 22% Mourvedre. Superior material present instantly. Upscale aromas, powerful fruit and structure from Senechaux parcel with aromatics, finesse and energy coming from the others. White pepper, pronounced rosemary and Italian plum. Streamlined yet very rich. Lots of licorice on substantial and very drawn-out finish. Alluring and gorgeous, this full-flavored number drinks well now and will do so for another 12-14 years.
2020 SENECHAUX
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BLANC
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE BLANC
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
The white Chateauneuf from Senechaux is quite limited in production with only about 1000 cases made per vintage. 33% Roussanne, 29% Clairette, 28% Grenache Blanc & 4% Bourboulenc, the grapes are from the Bois Senechaux and Grande Froide parcels and are aged in various vessels.
Fresh and alive aromas. Lilies, blossoms, white peach, anise and pineapple/ginger notes. Fragility and finesse around all of the depth of fruit. Generous entry, then coats the entire palate and lifts off. Seriously long yet so much more to say. It is okay if you want to drink early or hold for a later date. Enjoy through 2030+.
Fresh and alive aromas. Lilies, blossoms, white peach, anise and pineapple/ginger notes. Fragility and finesse around all of the depth of fruit. Generous entry, then coats the entire palate and lifts off. Seriously long yet so much more to say. It is okay if you want to drink early or hold for a later date. Enjoy through 2030+.
