2/13/23 The Cellar Door's 'GET LUCKY' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'GET LUCKY' HOTSHEET
Woodward Canyon, Oregon Pinot
Pouilly-Fuisse, Rose Champagne
Two Under-14 Italian reds
Pouilly-Fuisse, Rose Champagne
Two Under-14 Italian reds
2019 FLORANE 'FLEUR DE PAMPRE'
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES VISAN
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
COTES-DU-RHONE VILLAGES VISAN
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
If you love the Rhone, you need to know Visan as well as Domaine La Florane, one of the Rhone’s most exciting growers. Once a papal enclave in the 14th century, Visan is a small-enclosed section of the Vaucluse bordered by the Northern Rhone. The mind behind Domaine La Florane is Adrien Fabre who happens to be married to Claire Michel, Vieux Donjon in Chateauneuf's winemaker, daughter of the legendary Lucien Michel making a Rhone Dream Team indeed. The flagship of the estate, the Fleur de Pampre cuvee conveys the Fabre vision so very well.
70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Carignan & 5% Cinsault aged in concrete tanks, this wine is a refined beauty with plenty of spine and attitude. A nose of lavender, thyme, hot rocks, blackberry, black licorice and pronounced rosemary notes leads into a classic yet clean texture that has generous kirsch and blueberry flavors yet maintains its lively aspects. Vintage 2017 brought about depth and class, especially on the brilliantly focused and expansive finish. Enjoy this wine now over the next five-6 years with hearty meals such as grilled rack of lamb.
70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Carignan & 5% Cinsault aged in concrete tanks, this wine is a refined beauty with plenty of spine and attitude. A nose of lavender, thyme, hot rocks, blackberry, black licorice and pronounced rosemary notes leads into a classic yet clean texture that has generous kirsch and blueberry flavors yet maintains its lively aspects. Vintage 2017 brought about depth and class, especially on the brilliantly focused and expansive finish. Enjoy this wine now over the next five-6 years with hearty meals such as grilled rack of lamb.
2018 BOEDECKER PINOT NOIR
'SOLACE' WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
'SOLACE' WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Something of a unicorn these days, a Pinot that sells for under 20-bucks that is delicious. I often get people saying they want an inexpensive Oregon Pinot that tastes like Abbey Ridge or Maresh vineyards which are three and four times the price…I want to win the lottery, let’s see who gets lucky first.
Boedecker consistently bring forth fine values on all price levels and this wine is no exception. A bit on the sturdy side of Pinot Noir and from the lush 2018 vintage, aromatic cherries and berries rule the day along with an underlay of earthy spice on the lingering finish. A terrific midweek Pinot that punches above its price point.
Boedecker consistently bring forth fine values on all price levels and this wine is no exception. A bit on the sturdy side of Pinot Noir and from the lush 2018 vintage, aromatic cherries and berries rule the day along with an underlay of earthy spice on the lingering finish. A terrific midweek Pinot that punches above its price point.
2020 FERRET POUILLY-FUISSE
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
If you love white Burgundy and Pouilly-Fuisse, you might want to jump on this one. Sadly, with the next vintage, it is taking a VERY unhappy price increase ($55.99) and 2021 is not nearly as prolific as this 2020 in this region. Along with Chateau Fuisse, this elite Domaine are like The Beatles and The Kinks of Pouilly-Fuisse. Both have long histories and are influential, especially in making single plot wines, which have led to the recent development of a Premier Cru system for this appellation. Founded by Jeanne Ferret with the brilliance being maintained by her daughter Collette, this go-to estate did not lose a beat when Louis Jadot purchased it in 2008 after she passed. Currently the female winemaker lineage continues with Audrey Braccini being the guardian of the estates traditions.
The best vintage for this area since 2017, 2020 is a rock star vintage for the Maconnais and this wine is absolutely in orbit. This seamless beauty is a combination of top parcels in the PF amphitheater. No new oak is utilized with half brought up in concrete and the other half in 2-5 year old barrels. Unfolding and revealing nectarine, orange and underlying saline and stoniness. Hints of butter come through and add even more. In the mouth, it is lacy and shows impressive movement beneath all of the saturation and depth. Serious detail, class and electricity on the everlasting finish. Enjoy this scintillating White Burgundy through 2033.
The best vintage for this area since 2017, 2020 is a rock star vintage for the Maconnais and this wine is absolutely in orbit. This seamless beauty is a combination of top parcels in the PF amphitheater. No new oak is utilized with half brought up in concrete and the other half in 2-5 year old barrels. Unfolding and revealing nectarine, orange and underlying saline and stoniness. Hints of butter come through and add even more. In the mouth, it is lacy and shows impressive movement beneath all of the saturation and depth. Serious detail, class and electricity on the everlasting finish. Enjoy this scintillating White Burgundy through 2033.
2019 D'ANGELO AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Subliminal sensuality from Southern Italy. Bold and brazen in personality, this red does more than just give a kiss on the cheek. Hailing from Italy’s Basilicata region, this particular wine is made with 100% Aglianico.
It is often argued that the finest versions of this hearty varietal come from the Vulture area (although Campania would certainly have a lot to say), aromas & flavors of licorice, tea leaf, touches of violet and red earth show generosity along with eloquence and attitude. Enjoy this with lamb, eggplant parmesan or pork chops alla Napoli (tomatoes, garlic, rosemary & green olives) while listening to D'Angelo's (no relation) 'Sugah Daddy' to start and then go and listen to the entirety of 'Black Messiah'.
It is often argued that the finest versions of this hearty varietal come from the Vulture area (although Campania would certainly have a lot to say), aromas & flavors of licorice, tea leaf, touches of violet and red earth show generosity along with eloquence and attitude. Enjoy this with lamb, eggplant parmesan or pork chops alla Napoli (tomatoes, garlic, rosemary & green olives) while listening to D'Angelo's (no relation) 'Sugah Daddy' to start and then go and listen to the entirety of 'Black Messiah'.
CHAMPAGNE DRAPPIER
ROSE DE SAIGNEE BRUT
$54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
ROSE DE SAIGNEE BRUT
$54.99 BTL./$329.94 - SIX PACK
If you are hoping for more than a kiss goodnight on Feb. 14, flowers alone will not cut it. Instead you will need a bottle of this impeccably made, Rose Champagne an important producer from that not only makes bubblies that have excellent quality/price rapport, they have inspired an area for over 100 years. Drappier is a house based in Urville in Southern Champagne’s Aube region, Drappier is one of the few remaining producers to make their Rose utilizing the saignee (bleed) method.
The Aube is prized for its Pinot Noir and this cuvee is made solely from the varietal. For those of you who think of Rose as being sweet, this is a myth, as the top examples of so called pink Champagne are bone-dry, often with a lower dosage than most producers non-vintage. On the nose, there are gorgeous aromatics of rhubarb, chalk, and a touch of classy white chocolate. In the mouth the mousse and creaminess is incredibly regal, almost satin-like with penetrating red fruits, most noticeably strawberry. The texture and finesse are worth the price of admission but there is so much more. Enjoy with a salmon en papillote, lobster, strawberry dessert or Langres cheese.
The Aube is prized for its Pinot Noir and this cuvee is made solely from the varietal. For those of you who think of Rose as being sweet, this is a myth, as the top examples of so called pink Champagne are bone-dry, often with a lower dosage than most producers non-vintage. On the nose, there are gorgeous aromatics of rhubarb, chalk, and a touch of classy white chocolate. In the mouth the mousse and creaminess is incredibly regal, almost satin-like with penetrating red fruits, most noticeably strawberry. The texture and finesse are worth the price of admission but there is so much more. Enjoy with a salmon en papillote, lobster, strawberry dessert or Langres cheese.
2019 WOODWARD CANYON
CABERNET FRANC ESTATE
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
CABERNET FRANC ESTATE
$46.99 BTL./$563.88 CASE
It is remarkable at how some of the founding fathers of Walla Walla have never been left behind nor lost a step. Woodward Canyon continues to be a leaders and one that is always working with others to lift and promote the wines of Walla Walla. Lately there is more of a movement for them to make more estate wines from their 41 acres west of the city.
Cabernet Franc has always been loved at Woodward Canyon and this new offering shines and shows just how well this grape can perform in a warm climate. Velvet throughout, this full Walla Walla red is layered, dense and teeming with cassis, smoked raspberry and North African spices. Poised, rich and regal. Beautifully ripe but packed, structured and although showing lusciousness and cushion, a year or two in the cellar would not hurt. Impressively sculpted with Walla Walla’s terroir really on display, we recommend holding this until 2025 and enjoying through 2034. If you want to enjoy early, decant it for about an hour then have it with a sautéed rib eye or hanger steak with butter.
Cabernet Franc has always been loved at Woodward Canyon and this new offering shines and shows just how well this grape can perform in a warm climate. Velvet throughout, this full Walla Walla red is layered, dense and teeming with cassis, smoked raspberry and North African spices. Poised, rich and regal. Beautifully ripe but packed, structured and although showing lusciousness and cushion, a year or two in the cellar would not hurt. Impressively sculpted with Walla Walla’s terroir really on display, we recommend holding this until 2025 and enjoying through 2034. If you want to enjoy early, decant it for about an hour then have it with a sautéed rib eye or hanger steak with butter.
2018 CASA CASTILLO JUMILLA
VINO DE FINCA TINTO
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
VINO DE FINCA TINTO
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
93 Points – The Wine Advocate…One of the longtime leaders in the Murcia region of Jumilla, Jose Maria Vincente became enlightened quite a while ago with his philosophies towards viticulture and winemaking practices. Back in the 1990s and under the influence of a diabolic importer, one would have to own tweezers to pull the oak shards from the tongue immediately after drinking. Fast forward and liberating himself from such wines, these days the estate is on fire with their fabulous red wine lineup.
Perhaps one of the most important things that Jose Maria did was to get rid of the Cabernet Sauvignon from his vineyards and graft over to Garnacha (25%), which ultimately marries well to the dominant Monastrell grape. The very rocky soils and aging mostly in 5000-liter barrels plays a major role. A full-scaled, but very velvety red wine, aromatic grenadine, black licorice, warm herbs and hot rock scents, it is damn near flamenco in a glass. Some smoked meat creeps through as it sits in the glass and the texture deep, compact and very well honed. Cinnamon/hot-spice character rolls from front to back and the finish is plucky and with the right amount of Moroccan spice. Quite compelling for twenty-five bucks, enjoy this through 2028.
Perhaps one of the most important things that Jose Maria did was to get rid of the Cabernet Sauvignon from his vineyards and graft over to Garnacha (25%), which ultimately marries well to the dominant Monastrell grape. The very rocky soils and aging mostly in 5000-liter barrels plays a major role. A full-scaled, but very velvety red wine, aromatic grenadine, black licorice, warm herbs and hot rock scents, it is damn near flamenco in a glass. Some smoked meat creeps through as it sits in the glass and the texture deep, compact and very well honed. Cinnamon/hot-spice character rolls from front to back and the finish is plucky and with the right amount of Moroccan spice. Quite compelling for twenty-five bucks, enjoy this through 2028.
2019 FALCHINI CHIANTI
COLLI SENESI
$13.99 BTL./$83.94 - SIX PACK
COLLI SENESI
$13.99 BTL./$83.94 - SIX PACK
Perennially, this is the finest weeknight Chianti we offer. Noted for their Vernaccia di San Gimignano wines, Falchini also puts forth excellent red wines. The latest Chianti comes from hills around Siena, hence Colli Senesi, is very on point in the excellent 2019 vintage.
Made from Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and very Chiantigiana, meaning essence of pure Chianti sans makeup, bells, whistles, steroids, etc. Fine and balanced aromatics of cherry, licorice, coffee, wild herbs and spice, continuing in the mouth with a refined, classy, savory texture and plenty of length. Cook up some spicy sausage with penne pasta topped with tomato, vodka cream sauce, then pour a generous glass of this - sheer heaven.
Made from Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and very Chiantigiana, meaning essence of pure Chianti sans makeup, bells, whistles, steroids, etc. Fine and balanced aromatics of cherry, licorice, coffee, wild herbs and spice, continuing in the mouth with a refined, classy, savory texture and plenty of length. Cook up some spicy sausage with penne pasta topped with tomato, vodka cream sauce, then pour a generous glass of this - sheer heaven.
2021 PAOLO SCAVINO LANGHE ROSSO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
From one of the legendary Barolo producers comes one of Piedmont’s superb values that is made from younger vines of indigenous varietals (Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetta et. al.) and is just a remarkable tipple.
Full frontal and fleshy with plum, savory herbs, red cherry, licorice and underlying earth tones. Quite mouth filling, forward and full of generosity all while being very Italian, very Piemontese and best of all very drinkable! Try it with slow roasted fare yet it will still pair nicely with a range of dishes, in fact, I am having one this evening with a cheeseburger from the grill.
Full frontal and fleshy with plum, savory herbs, red cherry, licorice and underlying earth tones. Quite mouth filling, forward and full of generosity all while being very Italian, very Piemontese and best of all very drinkable! Try it with slow roasted fare yet it will still pair nicely with a range of dishes, in fact, I am having one this evening with a cheeseburger from the grill.
