2024 TURLEY
ZINFANDEL 'JUVENILE'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Sourced from 27 vineyards and the gateway into Turley’s fifty different labels, the Juvenile Zinfandel is unapologetic in its full-throttle approach.

A terrific value indeed, this is classic Turley Zin exhibiting a brilliant ruby color and aromas of plum, jam, herbs, allspice and pepper with a hint of warm vanilla. Broad blackberry and dried plum fruit in its cinnamon and sneaky, cherry-influenced aromas, this fairly full-bodied bottling’s dense flavors pick up engaging hints of caramel, dark chocolate and toffee along the way. Drink over the next few years in partnership with short ribs in a tangy sauce, pulled pork and marinated, Asian-inspired flank steak.

2019 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN
ZINFANDEL MAYACAMAS RANGE
SPECIAL - $34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

[reg. $44.99]...The historic Storybook Mountain estate was established in 1976 with the vineyards themselves going back to the 1880s. At 88-years-young, Jerry Seps is still making the wines and farming the vines.

Over the years Cabernet has become the ruling force in Napa and Storybook is one of the last holdouts with Zinfandel taking precedence. Napa Zin is almost extinct, and this style and wine is vastly different than Sonoma. Always a late releaser, 2019 is a fierce effort. Turned earth, peppermint patty, sage, red plum and undertones of cracked pepper shine on the nose. In the mouth, the wine is formidable with superb depth and grip that build on the long and precise finish. Very fascinating now. Enjoy it with stews and braised meat dishes over the next 8-10 years.

2025 LA VERRIERE BORDEAUX
SAUVIGNON BLANC
$14.99 BTL./$89.94 - SIX PACK

At the eastern edge of Bordeaux, where Castillon meets Duras in the Dordogne/Lot region, Alain Bessette is known as a standout vigneron. A regular honoree among the “Talents of Bordeaux Supérieur,” a select group of top appellation winemakers, he continues to earn awards and critical praise for his wines.

In this secluded area, many growers pick early, but Alain waits a bit longer, steering clear of the lean, sharp, green notes the region can produce. His confident Sauvignon Blanc shows crisp lime, guava, melon, and gentle herbal notes, with no oak and a bright, spicy edge. It starts brisk and clean, expands on the palate, then narrows into a pure varietal finish. On a visit a few years ago, Alain and his wife, Dolores, served it with calamari and herb-grilled shrimp from the plancha—a terrific match. Is it a rival to our Haut Rian Blanc? Not exactly; it offers a different expression. Enjoy this mouthwatering white now, and often.

2023 BEDROCK 'SONOMA'
SAUVIGNON BLANC
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Bedrock’s individual Sauvignon Blanc comes from some fabulous vineyards laden with rocks and cobblestone from just outside the town of Sonoma.

Aged in barrel without becoming an oak festival from hell, this wine uses neutral 320-liter barrels to deliver both depth and energy. The region’s diurnal shifts are central to its character. Blood orange and mandarin mingle with rose, lime, mango, and subtle spice. There is no grassy edge here; instead, it offers personality, drive, layered complexity, and easy drinkability. Pair it with seared scallops and spring peas, halibut or cod with spicy salsa, or a goat cheese salad.

2019 CHATEAU LAROSE-TRIMOULET
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

Stylish Saint-Émilion Château Larose Trimoulet sits just one mile north of the famed medieval village, near Grand Cru Classé Château Dassault.

From another excellent vintage, the 2019 is beginning to shine at age seven. It offers layers of Christmas spice, dark fruit, truffle, sweet earth, peppermint patty, and fine herbs, with outstanding complexity. The succulent palate shows excellent poise, smoothness, and finesse through a broad finish. Nearing its pinnacle, it will drink beautifully through its fifteenth birthday.

2022 CA LA BIONDA VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE 'CASALVEGRI'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE

The Veneto’s most famous wine is Amarone but given their immensity and expense, I really believe the future is single vineyard Valpolicella wines. This wine from the single vineyard Casalvegri is on the lines of Tedeschi’s Fabriseria or Maternigo and while Ca La Bionda makes top-drawer Amarone, they choose to only use the grapes from this site for this non-ripasso wine.

70% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella & Molinara from grapes that aren’t dried. Mind-blowing, classic Veneto amare scents along with cherry pit, tea leaf and touches of anise follow through to a contemplative, well-balanced texture that's savory and engagingly elusive due to aging 18 months in large, traditional 3000-liter Slavonian casks. Long and drawn out, this wine is quite the match with polenta that's been coated with a lamb stew, roasted duck or risotto Milanese with or without porcini mushrooms. Drink through 2034.

2023 COTEAU MORGON
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

“It is not difficult to believe, but it is difficult to see with one's eyes what is right in front of one's eyes.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Beaujolais’s grassroots renaissance has been building for years. Wine should complement food and bring pleasure—not whack you over the head, especially as hangovers worsen with age. Jonathan Pey’s approachable Morgon has become our go-to house Beaujolais. Aromas of crème de framboise, smoked violet, anise, strawberry, and cinnamon rise from the glass. Vibrant and expressive, it delivers cascading flavors, a long, spicy finish, and supple fruit that coats the palate. Pair it with roast chicken and mushrooms, grilled fish, or Indian and Moroccan dishes.

2023 ZERBINA SANGIOVESE
ROMAGNA 'POGGIO VICCHIO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

92 Points – Wine Enthusiast Magazine… Cristina Geminiani delivers another award-winning wine from her Romagna vineyards.

Sourced from a single plot within the distinguished Marzeno site, this pure Sangiovese highlights tangy berries, red flowers, fennel, and sage. Its suede-like structure combines terrific complexity and vibrancy with depth, character, and persistence, establishing it as a standout in Zerbina’s superb range. Pair it with classic Italian dishes featuring grilled pork or beef; it is especially compelling with penne Bolognese or lasagna.

2024 PATRICIA GREEN PINOT NOIR
FREEDOM HILL
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE

This wine brings together the essential elements of outstanding Oregon Pinot Noir: a legendary producer, an iconic vineyard, and an exceptional vintage. The late Patty Green and her business partner and co-winemaker, Jim Anderson, produced exquisite wines from the estate’s founding in 2000.

After Patty’s passing in 2017, Jim continued her legacy and the estate’s superb quality. Aromas of wild strawberry, saffron, violet, and rose petal rise from the glass. The wine lands softly on the palate, then expands with impressive breadth and fine texture. Accessible now, it also has the long finish, structure, and grip to age beautifully for another 10–15 years. A genuine value from one of Oregon’s finest producers.

2021 CARLONE CROATINA
COLLINE NOVARESE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Davide Carlone’s Northern Piedmont vineyards lie in Boca, roughly halfway between Barolo and Barbaresco and the Swiss border. The region grows not only Nebbiolo but also Croatina. Carlone’s version comes from a majority of vines aged 80 to more than 100 years and ranks among the finest I have tasted.

Luminous and vivid, it evokes the neon glow outside an Amsterdam “tart” shop. Warm and sultry, it bursts with strawberry and licorice. Light on its feet yet satisfyingly hearty, it remains flavorful from the first sip through the savory, succulent finish. This groovy wine is a fantastic voyage shaped by old vines and the earth.

2021 JEROME CALMES
MINERVOIS 'LES VIALAS'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

We at The Cellar Door are not role models. Like Sir Charles Barkley, we are often the antiheroes of the wine world, fiercely independent in our search for exceptional values from around the globe. Some call us less than user-friendly or cuddly—usually wine marketers, the industry’s natural adversaries. In truth, we can be quite cuddly, especially when presenting an open, accessible best buy like this wine from Languedoc’s Minervois region.

A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Carignan, it is deceptively complex, with aromas of smoke, wild berries, spice, licorice, and ground black pepper. The palate is long and smooth, supported by fine tannins. Enjoy it with lamb, cassoulet, pork chops coated in olive oil and herbs, or pork braised with tomatoes.

2024 FICHET BOURGOGNE
COTE D'OR BLANC VIEILLES VIGNES
$46.99 BTL./$281.94 - SIX PACK

Jean-Philippe Fichet’s Old Vine Bourgogne Blanc Côte d’Or is without doubt a Mini-Meursault. From two plots: Les Pellands, just across from Meursault Charmes, and Les Millerandes, on the edge of Meursault village, with vines ranging from forty to eighty years old.

Lemon, almond, and pure mineral notes combine with subtle cereal and spice. It offers impressive depth and briskness, with the cushion and breadth of Meursault clearly present. Though accessible right out of the gate, it often shows beautifully six to ten years from vintage, especially in a focused, great white wine year like 2024. Pair it with sautéed scallops in beurre blanc, roasted chicken, or fresh crab.

2022 LOS MORROS CARMENERE
CENTRAL VALLEY
$12.99 BTL./$155.88 CASE

Carmenere was first planted in Bordeaux’s Médoc. Because it ripens poorly in Bordeaux’s climate, the grape is now virtually extinct there but thrives in Chile.

Los Morros’s version is an assertive charmer, with aromas of leather, spice, tea leaf, black licorice, and black plum. Those notes carry onto a broad, polished, persistent palate, making this full-flavored wine an ideal everyday choice.

2024 SURRAU CANNONAU DI
SARDEGNA 'NARACU'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Like the Cleveland Browns, Sardinia has a long history of getting their asses kicked. Phoenicians, Romans, Cathars, and Moors all had their turn occupying Sardinia. Like the Brownies, Sardinia eventually found its Jim Brown in the Kingdom of Aragon, which drove the Moors from the island. Good times indeed.

Surrau is a steadfast producer on the island’s north end. Cannonau is Grenache, originally brought to Sardinia by the Moors; after a millennium there, it now feels essentially native and bears little resemblance to versions from Spain or the Rhône. Aromas of sea salt, strawberry, peppercorn, thyme, and black plum lead into a poised, well-balanced palate. It is a natural match for lamb and other meaty fare.

2023 FORAGER CABERNET
SAUVIGNON NAPA 'OAKVILLE'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Another excellent value from Scenic Root Wine Growers and its Forager line. As with the Oregon and Sonoma Pinot Noirs, the exact sources are unclear, but the fruit quality is impressive.

Oakville is home to Opus One, PlumpJack, Far Niente, and other Napa icons, and this wine delivers an Oakville experience without the steep price or decade-long wait. Firmly rooted in California, it shows polished aromas with a subtle Bordeaux accent. Cassis, tobacco, spearmint, and vanilla carry into a supple, rounded texture touched by powdered chocolate and spicy earth. The finish confirms its authenticity, lingering impressively.

2024 FORGES SAVENNIERES
'CLOS DU PAPILLON'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE

Savennieres, one of France’s great dry white wine regions, remains underrated, and Domaine des Forges makes a standout example with its single-site, Grand Cru-level Clos du Papillon. At $33, it is not cheap, but a comparable single-vineyard cuvée from Burgundy, Sancerre, or Chablis would likely cost significatly more.

The 2024 release is excellent, opening with chamomile, quince, and vivid minerality, then adding honeyed Earl Grey, orange zest, white anise, and pepper as it unfolds in the glass. Complex, very dry, and lifted enough to balance its concentrated fruit, it finishes long, pure, and mouthwatering, with impressive energy and persistence. It is already appealing, especially with hearty seafood, and should drink beautifully through 2036 and beyond.