8/28/23 The Cellar Door's 'WIRED ON WINE' HotSheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'WIRED ON WINE' HOTSHEET
Influential Sicilian Red & 96-Point ChiantiSpecial
Dry French Red & White Under-15
Oregon Pinot, Washington Red Blend
The Cellar Door will be closed from Wednesday, August 30 through September 6 while Bryan is in Pittsburgh.
We will reopen at 12:30 PM on the 6th.
Dry French Red & White Under-15
Oregon Pinot, Washington Red Blend
The Cellar Door will be closed from Wednesday, August 30 through September 6 while Bryan is in Pittsburgh.
We will reopen at 12:30 PM on the 6th.
2021 ANDREW WILL
'INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT'
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT'
COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Each year whenever I taste the new vintage of this blend from one of Washington’s Rushmore producers, I continually ask, is this really twenty-dollars because it sure performs well above that price point. Honestly, most Washington blends at this price can leave a lot to be desired, not this one.
All from Andrew Will’s own Two Blondes Vineyard, this Cabernet Franc led Bordeaux blend enhanced with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is about the balance of varietals and place versus being a smacked upside the head with jammy fruit and oak. Abundant cassis, blueberry and violet scents along with spikes of cocoa seemingly swirl from the glass. The texture is buxom and creamy with lots of sensuality to it. A red earth and spearmint underlay gives this wine nice spine and breadth of flavor. Very drinkable now, especially with braised short ribs or a grilled steak, however, given who produces the wine, it wouldn't surprise me if this were to age 5-6 years, too.
All from Andrew Will’s own Two Blondes Vineyard, this Cabernet Franc led Bordeaux blend enhanced with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is about the balance of varietals and place versus being a smacked upside the head with jammy fruit and oak. Abundant cassis, blueberry and violet scents along with spikes of cocoa seemingly swirl from the glass. The texture is buxom and creamy with lots of sensuality to it. A red earth and spearmint underlay gives this wine nice spine and breadth of flavor. Very drinkable now, especially with braised short ribs or a grilled steak, however, given who produces the wine, it wouldn't surprise me if this were to age 5-6 years, too.
2022 LA TOUR SAINT-MARTIN
MENETOU-SALON BLANC 'MOROGUES'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
MENETOU-SALON BLANC 'MOROGUES'
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The great Sancerre Alternative! Not only is Tour Saint-Martin and owner/winemaker Bertrand Minchin one of the Loire Valley's most important producers, his wines are some of France's best-kept secrets. Located 20 minutes south and west of Sancerre, Menetou Salon is made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc and this version comes from the top Cru of Morogues.
Typical notes of Sauvignon are present on the first nose with smoke and iodine nuances that surround orange and lemon fruit. The texture starts round due to the vintage effect then fine saline notes emerge behind the expanse while retaining a refreshing tangy character. A typical Menetou-Salon Sauvignon, this standard-bearer of the Upper Loire is a perfect match with a sautéed sea bass, mashed sweet potatoes, prawn carpaccio or a Crottin du Chavignol goat cheese.
Typical notes of Sauvignon are present on the first nose with smoke and iodine nuances that surround orange and lemon fruit. The texture starts round due to the vintage effect then fine saline notes emerge behind the expanse while retaining a refreshing tangy character. A typical Menetou-Salon Sauvignon, this standard-bearer of the Upper Loire is a perfect match with a sautéed sea bass, mashed sweet potatoes, prawn carpaccio or a Crottin du Chavignol goat cheese.
2021 ET FILLE PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
92 Points - Decanter... We always state how it is a thrill to sell great wine but when it comes from nice and even greater people, it becomes that much more rewarding. We featured this wine earlier but it now is armed with a 92-Point score from Decanter.
'A gorgeous Pinot Noir made with ample freshness that punches well above its price point—aromas of violet, candied orange peel...The palate is fresh and lively, with real elegance and florality. Red raspberries mingle with candied blueberries, sweet cherry coulis, and plenty of fresh acidity delivering a brilliant finish. - 92 POINTS, DECANTER'
'A gorgeous Pinot Noir made with ample freshness that punches well above its price point—aromas of violet, candied orange peel...The palate is fresh and lively, with real elegance and florality. Red raspberries mingle with candied blueberries, sweet cherry coulis, and plenty of fresh acidity delivering a brilliant finish. - 92 POINTS, DECANTER'
2020 ZILLIKEN RIESLING ESTATE
[reg. $23.99]
SPECIAL - $15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE
[reg. $23.99]
SPECIAL - $15.99 BTL./$191.88 CASE
In 2007, the region of Mosel-Saar-Ruwer was officially broken up into its individual regions. This was a good thing because all three are very different indeed. The Saar is the coolest of the three with cold easterly winds regularly raging down the Saar River, which forces grapes to take a vow of poverty as they earn their merit and ripeness. By many miles, the renowned producer in the Saar is Egon Mueller. These wines will set you back three digits but a group of super-seconds, which includes Zilliken who are the primary owners of the Saarberger Rausch vineyard, continually produce wines that carry to the table beautifully.
Zilliken’s Estate Riesling is 9% alcohol and possesses medium-dry aspects, maybe coming off a bit drier than expected. Wonderfully pure aromas of mineral, lime, nectarine and white flowers lead into a gorgeous mouthfeel packed with serious electricity but buffered nicely by its core of depth. Barely a slight perception of sweetness, as it is incredibly well balanced. Enjoy this delicious and incredibly complex wine now through 2027. Owner/winemaker Dorothee Zilliken says her goal is to produce Riesling with the highest level of lightness and finesse and she surely accomplished this with this beautiful wine that can pair with shrimp cocktail, crab, white fish in sauce or even a roast chicken doused in spices like paprika.
Zilliken’s Estate Riesling is 9% alcohol and possesses medium-dry aspects, maybe coming off a bit drier than expected. Wonderfully pure aromas of mineral, lime, nectarine and white flowers lead into a gorgeous mouthfeel packed with serious electricity but buffered nicely by its core of depth. Barely a slight perception of sweetness, as it is incredibly well balanced. Enjoy this delicious and incredibly complex wine now through 2027. Owner/winemaker Dorothee Zilliken says her goal is to produce Riesling with the highest level of lightness and finesse and she surely accomplished this with this beautiful wine that can pair with shrimp cocktail, crab, white fish in sauce or even a roast chicken doused in spices like paprika.
2022 KIENTZLER CHASSELAS 'ALSACE'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
The Teutonic two-step continues and for this wine, we roll over the border into France's Alsace region. Chasselas is the spiritual grape of Switzerland and is found sporadically in the Loire Valley and Germany but thrives well in Alsace and is somewhat making a comeback.
This terroir-driven, unoaked and perfect for the table white wine is explosively aromatic with lime, prominent mineral, spices and subtle rose. Palate blitzing, nervy and bone dry. Enjoy with light seafood pasta, hard cheeses or vegetarian dishes based around cabbage.
This terroir-driven, unoaked and perfect for the table white wine is explosively aromatic with lime, prominent mineral, spices and subtle rose. Palate blitzing, nervy and bone dry. Enjoy with light seafood pasta, hard cheeses or vegetarian dishes based around cabbage.
2018 MUGA RIOJA CRIANZA
'EL ANDEN DE LA ESTACION'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
'EL ANDEN DE LA ESTACION'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
A new Rioja Crianza project from the hallowed and famous Bodegas Muga. Whenever this top-drawer estate puts their name on to something, it is always very fine indeed. Named in honor of the train station that took grapes from Rioja to Bordeaux during phyloxerra, Muga has made a quasi-modern style Rioja that is aged 14 months in barrel and from vines planted in 1990-2010.
70% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha. Shapely and snappy scents of wild strawberry, licorice, sage, cedarwood and vanilla-spice fill the glass and follow through onto the palate that is round and friendly but maintains a wonderful uplifted food-friendly mouthfeel. An engaging and delicious red that is beautifully made and very impressive for the price tag. Drink now over the next 4-5 years with lamb chops, paella and cheese-filled enchiladas.
70% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha. Shapely and snappy scents of wild strawberry, licorice, sage, cedarwood and vanilla-spice fill the glass and follow through onto the palate that is round and friendly but maintains a wonderful uplifted food-friendly mouthfeel. An engaging and delicious red that is beautifully made and very impressive for the price tag. Drink now over the next 4-5 years with lamb chops, paella and cheese-filled enchiladas.
2021 COS 'PITHOS' VITTORIA ROSSO
$39.99 BTL./$239.94 - SIX PACK
$39.99 BTL./$239.94 - SIX PACK
One of the highlights and most anticipated visits on my trip to Sicily this past spring was to visit COS. One of the early pioneers of the Vittoria region in SE Sicily, COS was founded in 1980 by three friends, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. These days Giusto Occhipinti (uncle of Arianna Occhipinti) maintains his presence at the estate. Attention to detail, Giusto feels the vineyard is the estate’s 'life savings' and needs to be protected. This means organic farming that soon was converted to biodynamic farming. Not only is this one of the most influential on the island, it is also very important to Italian wine in general.
I started working with these wines in 2007 and this wine, Pithos was one of the first that I came across that was aged entirely in clay amphora. This formerly was a blend of Nero D'Avola and Frappatto but recently the estate changed it to 100% Nero D'Avola. This is nothing of what you would think of stereotypical Nero D'Avola! Pithos rises from the underground and will take you to Italian wine Nirvana…we promise! Vintage 2021 reveals complex and alluring scents of dark cherry, raspberry, violet powder, lavender, rosemary, sage and licorice. This beautiful Sicilian expression displays youthful exuberance of cracked pepper, sneaky backbone and savory berries following by an underlying mineral earthy quality. This incredibly balanced elixir stains the palate with layered components yet calls you back with its elegance, finesse and ungodly long finish. There is an engaging appeal to this wine now, but it will continue to develop and drink well over the next 10-15 years. If you love Italy's profound reds, do not miss out!
I started working with these wines in 2007 and this wine, Pithos was one of the first that I came across that was aged entirely in clay amphora. This formerly was a blend of Nero D'Avola and Frappatto but recently the estate changed it to 100% Nero D'Avola. This is nothing of what you would think of stereotypical Nero D'Avola! Pithos rises from the underground and will take you to Italian wine Nirvana…we promise! Vintage 2021 reveals complex and alluring scents of dark cherry, raspberry, violet powder, lavender, rosemary, sage and licorice. This beautiful Sicilian expression displays youthful exuberance of cracked pepper, sneaky backbone and savory berries following by an underlying mineral earthy quality. This incredibly balanced elixir stains the palate with layered components yet calls you back with its elegance, finesse and ungodly long finish. There is an engaging appeal to this wine now, but it will continue to develop and drink well over the next 10-15 years. If you love Italy's profound reds, do not miss out!
2016 ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI
CHIANTI CLASSICO
'SAN MARCELLINO' GRAN SELEZIONE
[reg. $64.99]
SPECIAL - $47.99 BTL. - 14 btls
CHIANTI CLASSICO
'SAN MARCELLINO' GRAN SELEZIONE
[reg. $64.99]
SPECIAL - $47.99 BTL. - 14 btls
96 Points - Decanter, 95 Points - Vinous, 95 Points - Wine Spectator... Marco Ricasoli is a Chianti god! Karen and I have been long-time fans of these outstanding Chianti wines and have known Marco for almost 20 years after many wine dinners and Cellar Door in-house tastings with him. Small but mighty, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Chianti wines are in-demand and sought after…and deservedly so! Commencing with the 2010 vintage, the vaunted and prestigious Gran Selezione classification, which tops the name ‘Riserva’ was created and a decade on, we are seeing many prestigious bottles. Unlike Riserva, this category is more scrutinized and never in large production.
San Marcellino is a single vineyard and this wine is only produced in the best vintages. 2016 is a seamless and profound Chianti vintage and this along with all of Marco’s wines has been getting crazy accolades. ‘Vigna San Marcellino is both youthfully fresh and maturely complex. It includes a healthy dose of the deeply coloured Pugnitello grape, and both this and the Sangiovese saw long post-fermentation macerations of over 30 days in 2016. Liquorice, tarragon and broom interlace with exuberant plum and understated toasted nuances that are seductive. Laden with black cherry and rich, velvety tannins, the palate is creamy in texture, while underlying chalkiness and saline minerality lend energy, leading to a sappy, refreshing finish.’ – 96 POINTS, DECANTER
San Marcellino is a single vineyard and this wine is only produced in the best vintages. 2016 is a seamless and profound Chianti vintage and this along with all of Marco’s wines has been getting crazy accolades. ‘Vigna San Marcellino is both youthfully fresh and maturely complex. It includes a healthy dose of the deeply coloured Pugnitello grape, and both this and the Sangiovese saw long post-fermentation macerations of over 30 days in 2016. Liquorice, tarragon and broom interlace with exuberant plum and understated toasted nuances that are seductive. Laden with black cherry and rich, velvety tannins, the palate is creamy in texture, while underlying chalkiness and saline minerality lend energy, leading to a sappy, refreshing finish.’ – 96 POINTS, DECANTER
2020 CHATEAU PARAZA
'OH LA LA' PAYS D'OC ROUGE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
'OH LA LA' PAYS D'OC ROUGE
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE
Aside from the cheesy-ass label, there is nothing not to like about this flavorful Languedoc bistro blend from a superb Minervois producer. 60% Syrah, 20% Marselan, 10% each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this open-knit and inviting red wine shouts 'drink me' as soon as it is poured.
Teeming with smoke, pepper, violet and plum. Melted chocolate and Mediterranean herb tones join in and follow to a texture that is silky with very good fleshy aspects. Freshly ground black pepper highlights the finish. This is VERY good juice. Enjoy over the next 2-3 years with grilled burgers, pizza, pasta, grilled vegetables and much much more!
Teeming with smoke, pepper, violet and plum. Melted chocolate and Mediterranean herb tones join in and follow to a texture that is silky with very good fleshy aspects. Freshly ground black pepper highlights the finish. This is VERY good juice. Enjoy over the next 2-3 years with grilled burgers, pizza, pasta, grilled vegetables and much much more!
