3/3/26 The Cellar Door's 'SONIC NACHO' Wine Sheet
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'SONIC NACHO' WINESHEET
8 wines including mature Rioja
Orvieto, Gigondas, 94 pt. Malbec
Pinot Noir & Merlot Values
Orvieto, Gigondas, 94 pt. Malbec
Pinot Noir & Merlot Values
2024 LE VELETTE ORVIETO
CLASSICO 'BERGANORIO'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
CLASSICO 'BERGANORIO'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Le Velette is one of the stars of Umbria’s Orvieto region and if one were to ever drink liquid emeralds in a white wine, this would be it.
A jazzy bouquet filled with fresh fruit, floral and mineral nuances. Complex flavors of lemon, lime and apricot with beguiling texture and a piercing finish that has a sneaky touch of almond. Great for Ceviche and other light seafood dishes.
A jazzy bouquet filled with fresh fruit, floral and mineral nuances. Complex flavors of lemon, lime and apricot with beguiling texture and a piercing finish that has a sneaky touch of almond. Great for Ceviche and other light seafood dishes.
2021 KNOLL PINOT NOIR
ELKTON OREGON
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
ELKTON OREGON
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The Elkton AVA is an enclave within the larger Umpqua Valley AVA and is regarded as the coolest and wettest of all Oregon growing regions. Being a mere thirty-five miles from the coast, it is prime for deliciously full Pinot Noir. After a career in real estate, Leslie Beckley made a momentous change following her passion for viticulture and winemaking in her fifties by starting a vineyard and winery.
2021 follows suit to the vintage’s fabulous qualities and Pinots from this region take on aromatic aspects and body that feels a bit like Sonoma Coast but is all Oregon. Marionberry, salt, ground pepper, kisses of chocolate/coriander aromas reveal their presence immediately. In the mouth, one feels the fullness but never without the smoothness and silkiness that is fine Pinot Noir. Formidable thrust and spice on the marine-inspired finish that lingers on in a dark-toned manner. Enjoy it over the next decade.
2021 follows suit to the vintage’s fabulous qualities and Pinots from this region take on aromatic aspects and body that feels a bit like Sonoma Coast but is all Oregon. Marionberry, salt, ground pepper, kisses of chocolate/coriander aromas reveal their presence immediately. In the mouth, one feels the fullness but never without the smoothness and silkiness that is fine Pinot Noir. Formidable thrust and spice on the marine-inspired finish that lingers on in a dark-toned manner. Enjoy it over the next decade.
2024 ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS
MALBEC 'TERROIRS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
MALBEC 'TERROIRS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
94 Points – Vinous…Wine aficionado Thomas Jefferson once said, "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing…" This sentence is often misquoted, as "every generation needs a new revolution"; either way there is something of an uprising with Altos las Hormigas that is spreading throughout Mendoza and that is focusing on terroir and quality of fruit versus beating the hell out of the wines with too much oak.
An abrupt change occured a little over a decade ago. The wines are now aged in concrete and large, untoasted wood foudres, providing the real mission, a renewed focus on terroir. 2024 possesses a very captivating nose with creme de mure scents and serious minerality to go along with the vibrant cherry pit aspects. Prominent nutmeg notes hover above turned earth and subtle coffee trail into an old-vine texture with high elevation freshness for excellent balance. Takes off like a rocket on the superb, saturated finish. This top-notch, undervalued juice will drink well for 4-6 years.
An abrupt change occured a little over a decade ago. The wines are now aged in concrete and large, untoasted wood foudres, providing the real mission, a renewed focus on terroir. 2024 possesses a very captivating nose with creme de mure scents and serious minerality to go along with the vibrant cherry pit aspects. Prominent nutmeg notes hover above turned earth and subtle coffee trail into an old-vine texture with high elevation freshness for excellent balance. Takes off like a rocket on the superb, saturated finish. This top-notch, undervalued juice will drink well for 4-6 years.
2022 LE CINCIOLE
CHIANTI CLASSICO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
CHIANTI CLASSICO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Located in Panzano in Chianti, up near Fontodi, the wines of Le Cinciole are some of the finest and sought-after in all of Tuscany.
Silky, sultry wines are the norm at this organically farmed estate located at 450 meters. Aromatic, perfumy tones that are typical of Panzano reveal wild cherry, caramel, and Tuscan herbs, particularly sage, all lead into a juicy, ripe black fruit flavor framed nicely by structured tannins and acidity. Lavishly put-together and drinkable now through 2032.
Silky, sultry wines are the norm at this organically farmed estate located at 450 meters. Aromatic, perfumy tones that are typical of Panzano reveal wild cherry, caramel, and Tuscan herbs, particularly sage, all lead into a juicy, ripe black fruit flavor framed nicely by structured tannins and acidity. Lavishly put-together and drinkable now through 2032.
2022 LAME DELISLE BOUCARD
BOURGUEIL 'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
BOURGUEIL 'VIEILLES VIGNES'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Bourgueil is located across the river from Chinon and in many ways, outperforms its more famous neighbors.
The same ideals around being very French and made from 100% Cabernet Franc, delicate raspberry, dried herbs, licorice, sandalwood and tobacco permeate from the glass and continue challenging the olfactory senses as it opens. In the mouth, the lavish 2022 vintage gives it plushness, but overall, the composition of the wine is lacy, classy and seemingly fragrant in the mouth. The finish is seamless, refined and very French. Partake in a bottle with a roasted, herb-encrusted pork-loin.
The same ideals around being very French and made from 100% Cabernet Franc, delicate raspberry, dried herbs, licorice, sandalwood and tobacco permeate from the glass and continue challenging the olfactory senses as it opens. In the mouth, the lavish 2022 vintage gives it plushness, but overall, the composition of the wine is lacy, classy and seemingly fragrant in the mouth. The finish is seamless, refined and very French. Partake in a bottle with a roasted, herb-encrusted pork-loin.
2023 CORVIDAE MERLOT
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Corvidae is a second label of Owen Roe which consists of excellent, varietally strong offerings.
Indicative of its Washington roots, luscious blueberry, kirsch, mineral and smoke scents lead into a plush, likeable texture that finishes way above the norm for its price level. Serve slightly cool (about cellar temperature) with roasted or grilled chicken.
Indicative of its Washington roots, luscious blueberry, kirsch, mineral and smoke scents lead into a plush, likeable texture that finishes way above the norm for its price level. Serve slightly cool (about cellar temperature) with roasted or grilled chicken.
2021 SANTA DUC
GIGONDAS 'AUX LIEUX DITS'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
GIGONDAS 'AUX LIEUX DITS'
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE
Gigondas has many talented players but (in my opinion) the current holder of the title belt is Domaine Santa Duc. Aux Lieux Dits is a complex blend of eight different parcels with varying soils and located both in the Dentelles and on the classic plain. Benjamin Gras produces captivating wines so if you love Rhone wines, you do not want to miss these. I love the best of 2021 vintage with its clarity and detail yet holding their depth and regularly half a degree to a full degree less alcohol compared to surrounding vintages.
Energetic aromas and extra levels of complexity are evident with the multitude of scents including rosemary, lavender, white pepper, exotic Thai spice and wild plum. A stunning balancing act of compact, deep lacy blackberry and raspberry, saturation, movement and fine structure and a lingering silky finish, this wine is knockout now and will easily develop for 12-15 more years.
Energetic aromas and extra levels of complexity are evident with the multitude of scents including rosemary, lavender, white pepper, exotic Thai spice and wild plum. A stunning balancing act of compact, deep lacy blackberry and raspberry, saturation, movement and fine structure and a lingering silky finish, this wine is knockout now and will easily develop for 12-15 more years.
2015 MARQUES DE LEGARDA
RIOJA GRAN RESERVA
$35.99 BTL./$215.94 - SIX PACK
RIOJA GRAN RESERVA
$35.99 BTL./$215.94 - SIX PACK
Owned and made by Bodega de la Real Divisa, Marques de Legarda is the oldest Rioja Bodega, in existence since 1367. These wines are uncompromisingly traditional, and old releases are quite common. Valuable information about this style of Rioja is they are not fruit-driven and modern and unquestionably influenced by long barrel aging and earth.
The classification on this wine is Gran Reserva, it is compulsory to be aged in oak for at least 24 months (Legarda ages 37 months) followed by a minimum of 36 months in bottle before release - 2015 is current. Aromatic with chocolate-covered cherry aromas, dried floral notes, spice, aromas of integrated oak, sage and much, much more as it sits in the glass. One sip, and you have realized that you are tasting Spanish royalty here. Velvety, lifting, complex, and bright; never about weight. Long and drawn-out at the end, and one last superlative - it will rock for another fifteen years as well!
**1999 GRAN RESERVA ALSO AVAILABLE - $45.99, email for more details**
The classification on this wine is Gran Reserva, it is compulsory to be aged in oak for at least 24 months (Legarda ages 37 months) followed by a minimum of 36 months in bottle before release - 2015 is current. Aromatic with chocolate-covered cherry aromas, dried floral notes, spice, aromas of integrated oak, sage and much, much more as it sits in the glass. One sip, and you have realized that you are tasting Spanish royalty here. Velvety, lifting, complex, and bright; never about weight. Long and drawn-out at the end, and one last superlative - it will rock for another fifteen years as well!
**1999 GRAN RESERVA ALSO AVAILABLE - $45.99, email for more details**
