8/14/23 The Cellar Door's "ATMOSPHERIC" Hotsheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'ATMOSPHERIC' HOTSHEET
Ridge Wine Special
Red & White Burgundy
Albarino, Sangiovese, Cabernet
Red & White Burgundy
Albarino, Sangiovese, Cabernet
2019 PERTIMALI MONTECUCCO ROSSO
'LA QUERCIOLINA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'LA QUERCIOLINA'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
In 1998, the area between Montalcino and Morellino di Scansano was established as the DOC known as Montecucco. Soon after many Brunello di Montalcino producers began buying land and producing wines from the area’s Sangiovese grapes and in 2011, the region was elevated to top tier DOCG status. The Sassetti family’s Pertimali estate is one of the pinnacle in Montalcino and in fact, their Brunello wines are Bryan’s desert island versions. Alas, those offerings are very expensive but with the Montecucco Rosso is a true to form Pertimali experience at an outstanding price.
Deep Sandy/clay soils bring forth an immediate attraction with dashing Sangiovese aromatics. Sage and violet-dominated scents with red plum aspects are followed by a savory texture that is nicely buffered by a subtle roasted coffee secondary aspect, which brings about another level of complexity. Accessible now and over the next 5-7 years, this is a thought-provoking Tuscan wine with serious backbone and persistence for its price.
Deep Sandy/clay soils bring forth an immediate attraction with dashing Sangiovese aromatics. Sage and violet-dominated scents with red plum aspects are followed by a savory texture that is nicely buffered by a subtle roasted coffee secondary aspect, which brings about another level of complexity. Accessible now and over the next 5-7 years, this is a thought-provoking Tuscan wine with serious backbone and persistence for its price.
2021 RIDGE GRENACHE BLANC
'ADELAIDA VINEYARD' PASO ROBLES
[reg. $39.99]
SPECIAL - $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
'ADELAIDA VINEYARD' PASO ROBLES
[reg. $39.99]
SPECIAL - $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
93 Points - Wine Enthusiast... A few years back Ridge launched this delicious white Grenache and its quality and value made it a quick success. As vintages moved forward, we saw incremental price increases but the local distributor, W-D 40, seriously lubed the price to stupid levels. As it usually happens, the wine hit the sales skids and now they have decreased the price back to its value level.
90% Grenache Blanc, 6% Roussanne, 4% Picpoul and exploding with character, this palate staining yet electric white offers beautiful fragrances of peach-blossom, rose petal, ginger and gently placed acacia and anise-pepper tones. Wonderfully fleshy from the white Rhone varietals but with underlying nervosity that keeps it from becoming burdensome. Incredibly floating and intense stuff that buzzes on the finish and lasts for quite a long time for a Cali wine at this price level. Enjoy this superb Chardonnay alternative over the next 4-5 years with an array of fleshier seafood dishes.
90% Grenache Blanc, 6% Roussanne, 4% Picpoul and exploding with character, this palate staining yet electric white offers beautiful fragrances of peach-blossom, rose petal, ginger and gently placed acacia and anise-pepper tones. Wonderfully fleshy from the white Rhone varietals but with underlying nervosity that keeps it from becoming burdensome. Incredibly floating and intense stuff that buzzes on the finish and lasts for quite a long time for a Cali wine at this price level. Enjoy this superb Chardonnay alternative over the next 4-5 years with an array of fleshier seafood dishes.
2020 FOSSIL POINT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 'PASO ROBLES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 'PASO ROBLES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Continuing a Paso Robles theme following the Ridge wine is a Cabernet from a project that emphasizes flavorful wines that over perform for fair prices.
Chewy and ripe flavors expand into a firm and spicy middle Scrumptious from the first moment, full-flavors and aromas of roasted blackberry, milk chocolate, cooking herbs, pepper and smoke it is unpretentious, full of generosity and energy then extending into a way above average finish. A great red for grilled steak, braised short ribs in tangy sauce or a spice-encrusted pork chop are primo pairings. Like Eartha Kitt said when she played the Catwoman in Batman – ‘Simply Purrrrrrr-Fect’.
Chewy and ripe flavors expand into a firm and spicy middle Scrumptious from the first moment, full-flavors and aromas of roasted blackberry, milk chocolate, cooking herbs, pepper and smoke it is unpretentious, full of generosity and energy then extending into a way above average finish. A great red for grilled steak, braised short ribs in tangy sauce or a spice-encrusted pork chop are primo pairings. Like Eartha Kitt said when she played the Catwoman in Batman – ‘Simply Purrrrrrr-Fect’.
2021 MORGADIO ALBARINO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
There are significant differences when it comes to the main growing region of Albarino, Rias Baixas in the northwest corner of Spain. Rocking their wines for 30 years in the Condado de Tea section that borders the Minho River, which separates it from Portugal, Morgadio, is one of the most respected and regarded addresses for Albarino.
A slightly warmer climate along with sandy soils, give plenty of broad flavors and aromatic characteristics. The flavors and aromas on this wine burst and explode! Pear and orange; touches of licorice and freshly cut grass carry over into the texture that is mouth-fillingly intense along with tongue-grabbing citrus for perfect balance; superb extension. Delicious stuff that goes with just about any seafood preparation.
A slightly warmer climate along with sandy soils, give plenty of broad flavors and aromatic characteristics. The flavors and aromas on this wine burst and explode! Pear and orange; touches of licorice and freshly cut grass carry over into the texture that is mouth-fillingly intense along with tongue-grabbing citrus for perfect balance; superb extension. Delicious stuff that goes with just about any seafood preparation.
2019 CHATEAU ST-ANDRE CORBIN
SAINT-GEORGES SAINT-EMILION
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
SAINT-GEORGES SAINT-EMILION
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
92 Points - Wine Enthusiast...The satellite of St-Émilion on the northern side known as St-Georges St-Émilion provides plenty of knockout, age-worthy Bordeaux that really go for a song. Only eight producers are in this tiny region whose wines can compete with many underachievers from its more famous neighbor. I have been experiencing this Château's wine since the 2002 vintage and the superlative 2019 definitely bowled me over.
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. Impressive from start to finish due to 55-60 year old vines, there is over-reaching ripeness, generosity, and warmth. Plenty of St-Émilion limestone qualities on the nose along with dense raspberry fruit and enticing tones of espresso; authentic, flavorful and forward along with plenty of clarity, this wine provides a hell of a lot of pleasure along with deceptive backbone for aging, especially on the classically firm finish. Not inaccessible now with a good decanting, however it will develop nicely for a decade from vintage date.
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. Impressive from start to finish due to 55-60 year old vines, there is over-reaching ripeness, generosity, and warmth. Plenty of St-Émilion limestone qualities on the nose along with dense raspberry fruit and enticing tones of espresso; authentic, flavorful and forward along with plenty of clarity, this wine provides a hell of a lot of pleasure along with deceptive backbone for aging, especially on the classically firm finish. Not inaccessible now with a good decanting, however it will develop nicely for a decade from vintage date.
2019 PILLOT CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET
'LE CHENE'
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
'LE CHENE'
$59.99 BTL./$719.88 CASE
These days scoring Chassagne or Puligny-Montrachet (or Meursault for that matter) for sixty-bucks are something of a mirage. Fortunately, with our direct relationship with Laurent Pillot, we are able to offer a single vineyard offering for a great price. Le Chene is a vineyard that Laurent has a nice sized piece of that sits just below the Premier Cru of Maltroie. Maybe we should call it a Deuxieme Cru ??.
2019 is a vintage that has brought us voluptuous and creamy white Burgundy wines. Very precise Chassagne aromas of peach, orange and rosemary. Plenty of mineral beneath a gentle kiss of vanilla from proper use of barrique. Beautiful expanse and cushion from the vintage occurs in the mouth. Beautifully drawn out, but also very energetic. Killer Juice! Drink now – 2030+.
2019 is a vintage that has brought us voluptuous and creamy white Burgundy wines. Very precise Chassagne aromas of peach, orange and rosemary. Plenty of mineral beneath a gentle kiss of vanilla from proper use of barrique. Beautiful expanse and cushion from the vintage occurs in the mouth. Beautifully drawn out, but also very energetic. Killer Juice! Drink now – 2030+.
2020 CHOFFLET GIVRY ROUGE 'HERITAGE'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Not all Burgundy is expensive. Often this region is stereotyped by nothing but Grand Cru. Trophy hunters and label chasers are to blame for much of these misinterpretations, but true Burgundy lovers enjoy wines from all the communes of this prominent Pinot region. Five generations of Chofflets have toiled at this tiny 12-acre estate located close to the town of Givry. Young Jonathan Brunot now runs it so the dynasty continues. Many of us who were coming up in the wine biz often confused Givry with Gevrey. A bit of distance (and pricing) separates these two, which only share that they come from Burgundy and both made from Pinot Noir.
The Heritage cuvee is quite a steal and is delicious French Pinot Noir. From a single hillside of 30 year old vines, the 2020 offers intense red fruit flavors of cassis, raspberry and wild cherry, ground pepper, underlying smoke and is ready to drink on release. We really love this wine and for the special price and a vintage of this caliber, it is definitely going find a place in our cellars as well. Drink this beauty with pork or mushroom laden dishes through 2029+.
The Heritage cuvee is quite a steal and is delicious French Pinot Noir. From a single hillside of 30 year old vines, the 2020 offers intense red fruit flavors of cassis, raspberry and wild cherry, ground pepper, underlying smoke and is ready to drink on release. We really love this wine and for the special price and a vintage of this caliber, it is definitely going find a place in our cellars as well. Drink this beauty with pork or mushroom laden dishes through 2029+.
2021 NOVELLUM CHARDONNAY
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
This is the sort of Chardonnay that Languedoc became known for when we started seeing them in the 1990s. So what makes it special…? The price for one thing. Novellum Chardonnay easily tastes like it could cost twice, or three times as much. While its style is lush, it isn't over the top or blown up with oak.
The Montrachet of the Midi, it is a home-run hitter. Okay, that is a bit overstating it but it does show nice depth of character and flavor...not exactly of the Pillot Chassagne listed above. Subdued blond honey color offers openly spicy flavors lightly lifted by citrus and pear. Broad mouth, round out the round, fleshy finish. Tasty indeed, have it as an every evening Chardonnay with fish tacos and more.
The Montrachet of the Midi, it is a home-run hitter. Okay, that is a bit overstating it but it does show nice depth of character and flavor...not exactly of the Pillot Chassagne listed above. Subdued blond honey color offers openly spicy flavors lightly lifted by citrus and pear. Broad mouth, round out the round, fleshy finish. Tasty indeed, have it as an every evening Chardonnay with fish tacos and more.
2022 CECILIA BERETTA BARDOLINO
'LA COSTIERA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
'LA COSTIERA
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE
From the Veneto region more famed for Valpolicella and Amarone, Bardolino is located close to Lake Garda and is a light, plucky, summery red that should be served with a chill.
Made from Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara grapes, cherry pit and red flowers dominate. Very cheerful with cool red fruits, nice lift and earth throughout. Enjoy in summer with anything you would serve a dark rose or light red with, even fish. For cooler months, have it with Risi e Bisi. Look up the recipe, especially the Marcela Hazan version. Also delicious with light first courses and finger food.
Made from Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara grapes, cherry pit and red flowers dominate. Very cheerful with cool red fruits, nice lift and earth throughout. Enjoy in summer with anything you would serve a dark rose or light red with, even fish. For cooler months, have it with Risi e Bisi. Look up the recipe, especially the Marcela Hazan version. Also delicious with light first courses and finger food.
