6/12/23 The Cellar Door's 'THIRST CRAVING CURES' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'THIRST CRAVING CURES' HOTSHEET
Icon Chianti Special
Northwest Chard (unoaked), Cab & Pinot
Chassagne-Montrachet & French Cabernet Franc Collectibles
Northwest Chard (unoaked), Cab & Pinot
Chassagne-Montrachet & French Cabernet Franc Collectibles
2022 TAMELLINI SOAVE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Coming from the humble growing area of Soave on vineyards just below the Classico denomination, Gaetano and Pio Francesco Tamellini founded their estate in 1998 to prove that there is much more happening in these vineyards versus the ocean of inadequacy that is normally associated with this classification. They also happen to be terrific white wine values as well.
Sea breeze, mineral and teeming with dried lemon on the nose. Polished and mouth filling but plenty of brisk acids present themselves nicely. Perfectly poised and fully dry with the classic almond-lemon aspects on the invigorating finish. Obviously, this is fish-friendly; however, it is excellent with green vegetables or just while sitting on the porch.
Sea breeze, mineral and teeming with dried lemon on the nose. Polished and mouth filling but plenty of brisk acids present themselves nicely. Perfectly poised and fully dry with the classic almond-lemon aspects on the invigorating finish. Obviously, this is fish-friendly; however, it is excellent with green vegetables or just while sitting on the porch.
2021 LUKE JEFFERSON 'SYMBION'
PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
A small side project, now retired from Cristom winemaker Steve Doerner initially started Symbion in 1997 and it has morphed into the entry wine of Luke Jefferson. Once again, do not be fooled into thinking that there is an abundance of this wine; this has always been small production.
Eola Hills dominant, this Pinot is the partially whole cluster style that Steve prefers. Instantly enticing notes of lavender, cinnamon-coated strawberries, mushrooms and intermittent, aromatic herbs and spice gently careen for the glass. Suave, full of fashion-sense with ripe red cherry, telltale cinnamon and very fine tannins, which give some flattering structure beneath the surface. Think of elegance, poise yet assertiveness and you will understand the wine. Smoke and lacey fruit linger on the saturated, old-vine finish. Very sexy now and will continue to develop through 2029 and probably beyond.
Eola Hills dominant, this Pinot is the partially whole cluster style that Steve prefers. Instantly enticing notes of lavender, cinnamon-coated strawberries, mushrooms and intermittent, aromatic herbs and spice gently careen for the glass. Suave, full of fashion-sense with ripe red cherry, telltale cinnamon and very fine tannins, which give some flattering structure beneath the surface. Think of elegance, poise yet assertiveness and you will understand the wine. Smoke and lacey fruit linger on the saturated, old-vine finish. Very sexy now and will continue to develop through 2029 and probably beyond.
2019 SAN GIUSTO A RENTENNANO
CHIANTI CLASSICO
[reg. $52.99] SPECIAL - $39.99 BTL./$239.94 - SIX PK
CHIANTI CLASSICO
[reg. $52.99] SPECIAL - $39.99 BTL./$239.94 - SIX PK
Often times this wine is so very limited that it never makes the weekly musings…and virtually never on special! From Gaiole in Chianti, the epitome of this are of Chianti’s wines is omni-present in this great producer’s wines, terrific power, underlying refinement and freshness with plenty of what we call, ‘Gaiole steel’. These wines are quite rare and if you love the greats of Tuscany, you owe it to yourself to grab some because this performs on a higher than Riserva level.
There are exquisite Tuscan aromatics depth levels present that entices from the fist moment that it is poured. Magical cherry-pit, sage, sotto bosco, graphite and savory spices gleam from the glass. Sumptuous, layered and very packed structure, the Gaiole in Chianti area steeliness overlooks this wine like a mother bear. Driving, penetrating, layered and with plenty of structure, there is no doubt that this wine will age impeccably. Saturated and lifting, it is not undrinkable now, but will be at its apex from 2024 – 2032. 36 Bottles Available
There are exquisite Tuscan aromatics depth levels present that entices from the fist moment that it is poured. Magical cherry-pit, sage, sotto bosco, graphite and savory spices gleam from the glass. Sumptuous, layered and very packed structure, the Gaiole in Chianti area steeliness overlooks this wine like a mother bear. Driving, penetrating, layered and with plenty of structure, there is no doubt that this wine will age impeccably. Saturated and lifting, it is not undrinkable now, but will be at its apex from 2024 – 2032. 36 Bottles Available
2020 RASA CELLARS 'OCCAM'S RAZOR'
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$24.99 BTL./$299.88 CASE
One of Walla Walla’s most exciting ‘Rocks’-based producers, Rasa is known for much higher end wines so it only makes sense that an entry Cab like this truly punch above its weight at an absurd price.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from some top notch Washington sites, the flavorful Cab is neither overblown or overoaked. Layered black cherry, plum, violet, and anise are encapsulated by underlying milk-chocolate coated espresso bean aromas. Mouth filling, there is such an irresistible quality to this wine now, but don't drink it all up at once, it will age nicely for 6-8 years, too. A great gateway, Rasa experience for twenty-five bucks.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from some top notch Washington sites, the flavorful Cab is neither overblown or overoaked. Layered black cherry, plum, violet, and anise are encapsulated by underlying milk-chocolate coated espresso bean aromas. Mouth filling, there is such an irresistible quality to this wine now, but don't drink it all up at once, it will age nicely for 6-8 years, too. A great gateway, Rasa experience for twenty-five bucks.
2022 GILBERT CELLARS
UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
One of Yakima’s exciting producers, Gilbert Cellars produces superb wines, both red and white, that are solid contenders when it comes to price/quality rapport. Unoaked Chardonnay from the Northwest and the rest of the world are quite popular. Gilbert has been an early arriver on to the scene and we have been offering this wine for well over a decade.
The best way to describe this wine is that it frolics! Fun and pleasing aromas of pear, lime and mineral follow into a texture that possesses plenty of burst along with cushion and succulence. A flavorful offering that will pair nicely with grilled fish or vegetables.
The best way to describe this wine is that it frolics! Fun and pleasing aromas of pear, lime and mineral follow into a texture that possesses plenty of burst along with cushion and succulence. A flavorful offering that will pair nicely with grilled fish or vegetables.
2021 CUILLERON SYRAH
'LES VIGNES D'A COTE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'LES VIGNES D'A COTE'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The mark of a fine producer is not how great their top wines are but how good his or her blue collar, entry wines are. Yves Cuilleron is a Cote Rotie, Condrieu and St. Joseph producer who happens to produce some luxuriously expensive wines in these appellations. In addition to those wines, Yves has also set out to produce wines that allow for a true to form Northern Rhone experience with a roster of 100% varietal wines that he is producing from a patchwork designation in and around these areas known as Collines Rhodaniennes that are mostly planted to Syrah.
The grapes are sourced from a prime Saint-Joseph village, Chavany, and this wine always over delivers for only 20-bucks. Straddling the line between traditional and modern, Yves Cuilleron’s wines always speak of place but always have a generous core of fruit. The 2021 reveals a real pepper-pot nose abundant with plum, raspberry and black olive, it is poised with lifting fruit upon entry all unfurling into minerally vibrancy. A wonderfully versatile, spectacular value red to bring to friends’ homes, especially when you are not sure what they will be serving for dinner.
The grapes are sourced from a prime Saint-Joseph village, Chavany, and this wine always over delivers for only 20-bucks. Straddling the line between traditional and modern, Yves Cuilleron’s wines always speak of place but always have a generous core of fruit. The 2021 reveals a real pepper-pot nose abundant with plum, raspberry and black olive, it is poised with lifting fruit upon entry all unfurling into minerally vibrancy. A wonderfully versatile, spectacular value red to bring to friends’ homes, especially when you are not sure what they will be serving for dinner.
2019 YANNICK AMIRAULT
ST-NICOLAS-DE-BOURGUIEL
'LES MALGAGNES'
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
ST-NICOLAS-DE-BOURGUIEL
'LES MALGAGNES'
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK
It has been awhile since we have offered a top-end Loire Valley Cabernet Franc. Normally wine lovers associate the Loire with its delicious white wines, but what many folks fail to realize is that there is a bounty of prodigious red wines that are produced in le jardin de France. Not as famous as the neighboring villages of Bourgueil or Chinon, the wines of St-Nicolas-de-Bourguiel used been known as the “Oakland of the Touraine” for more for their guzzling, working-class, bar a vin qualities. That is until now. Over the last decade, a few producers have taken the lead and have proved that these wines can compete with their more famous neighbors. Most folks’ experiences with St-Nicolas have always been with the not-so-serious quaffers of the appellation, so I marveled at what is one of the choicest St-Nicolas wines. It also doesn’t hurt that it is from one of the region’s top two or three growers.
Made up of 100% cabernet franc, we recommend serving it in a Riedel or Spiegelau Burgundy glass due to its fragrant attributes. Detailed, tres Français, and soulful with generous raspberry and currant fruits, Asian spices, green fig, licorice and sandalwood aromas carry over to a texture that has serious depth and dimension fifty-year-old vines from a 4 acre plot grown on pure red limestone and tuffeau soils. Along with a sense of buoyancy, bounce and expansion, this Cab Franc reveals a fine, long finish with great persistence. While quite fine and delicious, the wine with some cellar time should expand, and then fine, earthy complexity will join the fruit and spice mélange. A truly outstanding wine that should be in the cellar of anyone that loves beautifully aromatic, soulful French wines that fly off the usual Bordeaux/Rhone/Burgundy radar. Drink now with an hour of aeration but for best results, drink 2025 – 2035+.
Made up of 100% cabernet franc, we recommend serving it in a Riedel or Spiegelau Burgundy glass due to its fragrant attributes. Detailed, tres Français, and soulful with generous raspberry and currant fruits, Asian spices, green fig, licorice and sandalwood aromas carry over to a texture that has serious depth and dimension fifty-year-old vines from a 4 acre plot grown on pure red limestone and tuffeau soils. Along with a sense of buoyancy, bounce and expansion, this Cab Franc reveals a fine, long finish with great persistence. While quite fine and delicious, the wine with some cellar time should expand, and then fine, earthy complexity will join the fruit and spice mélange. A truly outstanding wine that should be in the cellar of anyone that loves beautifully aromatic, soulful French wines that fly off the usual Bordeaux/Rhone/Burgundy radar. Drink now with an hour of aeration but for best results, drink 2025 – 2035+.
2020 PILLOT CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET
'LE CHENE'
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK
'LE CHENE'
$59.99 BTL./$359.94 - SIX PACK
Le Chene is a vineyard that Laurent Pillot owns a nice sized piece of that sits just below the Premier Cru of Maltroie. This is the lead dog for his village Chassagne-Montrachet but recently he has been culling out a tiny portion to make a special bottling, a Deuxieme Cru perhaps. In addition, let’s point out at how well priced this wine is right now – this sale price is what MY COST is these days on Chassagne-Montrachet!
The 2020 Le Chene falls somewhere between the Chassagne-Montrachet and his Premiers Crus, probably closer to the Premiers in this vintage. The location of this particular vineyard allows for a bit more amplification than the regular village wine obtains, hence the price jump. Classic buxom aromas with plenty of orange peel, butter, hints of allspice and vanilla come aboard soon after. As it unfolds in the glass for a few minutes, it really shows how formidable that it truly is. Round, broad attack upon entry with good density and spice all building on the palate followed by a firmly dry, but long and expansive finish. There is a hell of a lot of charm here even though it is early days. Enjoy it through 2034. 36 Bottles Available
The 2020 Le Chene falls somewhere between the Chassagne-Montrachet and his Premiers Crus, probably closer to the Premiers in this vintage. The location of this particular vineyard allows for a bit more amplification than the regular village wine obtains, hence the price jump. Classic buxom aromas with plenty of orange peel, butter, hints of allspice and vanilla come aboard soon after. As it unfolds in the glass for a few minutes, it really shows how formidable that it truly is. Round, broad attack upon entry with good density and spice all building on the palate followed by a firmly dry, but long and expansive finish. There is a hell of a lot of charm here even though it is early days. Enjoy it through 2034. 36 Bottles Available
2020 CASA SANTOS LIMA
LISBOA TINTO 'ESPIGA'
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
LISBOA TINTO 'ESPIGA'
$8.99 BTL./$107.88 CASE
Like their value-minded brethren from the Southern hemisphere, Portugal's Lisboa region is producing yummy wines that will not break the bank and will lead you to not think, just drink!
Made from Touriga Nacional, Castelao, Tinta Roriz, Syran & Alicante this number is hearty, ripe and full of spicy plum and herbs to along with enticing scents of mocha. Mouth filling, juicy and flavorful, this wine is perfect for everyday sipping with everyday meals.
Made from Touriga Nacional, Castelao, Tinta Roriz, Syran & Alicante this number is hearty, ripe and full of spicy plum and herbs to along with enticing scents of mocha. Mouth filling, juicy and flavorful, this wine is perfect for everyday sipping with everyday meals.
