THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'RABBIT EARS' WINESHEET
9 wines including 95 point Chablis Grand Cru SpeCial
Zinfandel, Barbera, Cool Whites
Southern Italian under-14
2023 MARIETTA ZINFANDEL 'ROMAN'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
93 Points – Wine Enthusiast Magazine…93% percent Zinfandel, 3% Petite Sirah and 4% Barbera come from estate vineyards in Alexander Valley and the McDowell Valley.
A combination of black raspberry, strawberry/balsamico, sage and white pepper. Definitely not oaky because no new oak is utilized. Cinnamon-earth tones, plenty of penetration but ultimately about the engaging succulent fruit. Flavors come in waves and turn red and vibrant on the persistent, drawn-out finish that shows mocha and is rich without being burdensome or thick. Beautiful to drink now and over the next 4-5 years.
2025 PEWSEY VALE RIESLING
EDEN VALLEY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
Australia is a magnificent place, even if many creatures can kill you. Some people believe Riesling is the equivalent of a 10-foot, deadly Fierce snake, one of the world's most venomous, and simply avoid it. Riesling, like snakes, have their place in this world. TO compare, snakes rid Australia of annoying rodents and fine Riesling helps eradicate the world of plump, innocuous white wine.
For over 150 years Eden Valley’s established a reputation for some of Australia’s best Riesling and at the forefront is Pewsey Vale and their estate vineyard was first planted 175 years ago. Cool climate, 250 meters above sea level, it is enticingly fragrant, ardently dry, and mouth-watering delight chock full of citrus blossoms, lime juice, talc and peppermint. In the mouth it is invigorating, lively and gushing with luminous finish. Have a bottle or six with spicy Thai food.
2024 OLIM BAUDA
BARBERA D'ASTI 'LA VILLA'
$16.99 BTL./$101.94 - SIX PK
A longtime Cellar Door favorite, this Barbera has been one of my recent go-to TV wines because of its diversity with or without food.
Evident equilibrium with raspberries, hints of underbrush, rose and mineral emerging. The texture is stimulating and satisfying. Harmoniously hearty, vibrant possessing a succulent finish, it is perfect with pasta dishes with meat sauce, roasted chicken, medium aged pecorino, sausage pizza and more.
2023 DOMAINE LAURENS
MARCILLAC 'PIERRES ROUGES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
For years, the world has been trying to figure out France's obsession with Jerry Lewis movies. There are those who will now deny this, saying it is now a generation removed, but we do not believe it. Maybe it is Jerry's lighthearted way that utterly goes against their nature. However, in a twisted way the French must think that Jerry has as much soul as James Brown, Sly Stone or even Daft Punk for that matter. What Jerry Lewis lacks in soul, the French more than make it up with soulful wines and nothing gets us more excited than underdog wines off the AutoRoute regions, and the obscure region of Marcillac is one such area.
The remote Aveyron region is better known as the home for Roquefort cheese. Delightful, country French wine is produced and is a true taste of France’s once famed village life. Very red with licorice whip, crushed cranberry and sanguine aromas, it shows unique character. 100% Fer Servadou, bright, lively and full of life with a fun finish, it will go beautifully with paté, duck confit, Kansas City barbecue (ribs or pulled pork, your choice), perhaps a grilled steak - you get the picture.
2024 ALGUEIRA RIBEIRA SACRA
'BRANDAN' GODELLO BLANCO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE
One of the most stunning landscapes in Spain is the Galician area of Ribeira Sacra (Sacred Banks). Dating back to the Romans who excavated the terraces still present today, the Godello grape is a mainstay for the region’s white wines. Adega Algueira is a prominent grower, established in this small region for 30 years and whose wines are bastions on bunches of Spain’s Michelin-starred restaurants’ wine lists.
Paying tribute to Galicia’s Celtic lineage, the name Brandan comes from the Celtic warlord who originally settled this NW area of Spain. All Godello from old vines, this cuvee is a palate pleasing white wine deal. Lemon, pear, blossom and flinty scents open the show. On the palate, there is crisp electricity, a medium body, and velvety mouthfeel. Lemon and apple flavors together with the background rocky character captivating and luxuriating on the teeming, persistent follow through.
2023 JL CHAVE
CROZES-HERMITAGE 'SILENE'
[reg. $39.99]
SPECIAL - $26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
A terrific special from Syrah/Hermitage god Jean-Louis Chave who commenced his negociant business in 1995.
Expressive, full of grip and substance, this cool-climate Syrah shows impeccable detail. Graham and cinnamon surround Italian plum and blackberry with an undercurrent of ground pepper and tea smoke arriving. Sultry and energetic with lovely palate presence all carrying to a mineral and licorice driven finish. Enjoy over the next decade with a Sunday roast of beef or lamb, mushroom dishes and more. If you need score reassurance, Wine Spectator scored 93 points.
2022 ANDREW WILL 'TWO BLONDES'
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$37.99 BTL./$455.88 CASE
From one of Washington’s genius producers, Andrew Will’s ‘black label’ wines give a superb experience for a fine price versus their minuscule produced, expensive single vineyard blends.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon Two Blondes Vineyard outside of Zillah in the Yakima Valley this forward, lacy-smooth Cab unfolds scrumptious notes of blackberry, cassis, graphite, underlying dusty cocoa and earth just a kiss of smoked nutmeg. Flavorful, driving, very persistent juice that pound for pound, is one of the best Washington Cabernet values. Lingering and sculpted, this is a serious and accessible wine and will develop and become even more impressive over the next decade.
2021 IPPOLITO CIRO ROSSO
'LIBER PATER'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Virtually only found in Calabria, Gaglioppo is a grape originally of Greek origins and the closest analogy for us is that it may be akin to warm climate Nebbiolo.
Ippolito's Ciro is hearty with roasted red plum, briar, red licorice and seabreeze aromas that follow to luring, dry Italian texture with tangy earth. This red wine pairs very well with spicy food as evidenced by the Calabrian chiles that are omni-present in the area. Try this with a penne arrabbiata or a jalapeno burger.
2021 PINSON CHABLIS
'LES CLOS' GRAND CRU
[reg. $129.99]
SPECIAL - $99.99 BTL./$599.94 - 6 PK
One of the oldest and top-echelon Chablis estates, there is never a set recipe chez Pinson, Charlène and her father Laurent Pinson make decisions based on the conditions of the vintage, experience and natural feel.
‘90% was vinified in stainless with 10% in new oak followed by an élevage in 1-year old wood. A deft but not invisible application of wood sets off ripe yet cool aromas of citrus peel, pear and apple compote along with hints of mineral reduction and oyster shell. There is excellent volume and impressive mid-palate density to the larger-scaled flavors that flash focused power on the youthfully austere and superbly long finale that exhibits a touch of wood. This classy effort is very promising and built to reward extended keeping. In a word, outstanding.’ - 95 Points - Burghound