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.

MASSIMO COLLETI
PROSECCO TREVISO
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE

Look beneath the polished surface of the wine business and you’ll find we’re not always the cute, cuddly creatures we’re made out to be; our conversations are often laced with salty language. A recent tasting with the supplier of this sparkling wine led to a genuine discovery: one of the best Proseccos I’ve ever tasted. High praise, because I despise most derivative Prosecco—or “pro-suck-o”—as little more than sugary water with bubbles.

Back to the story: between colorful metaphors, Joe the Reaper explained that Massimo Coletti is a tiny, award-winning estate that goes to painstaking—and expensive—lengths to produce Prosecco of the highest quality. After tasting it, I understood the acclaim. The wine is as beautiful to drink as its countless tiny bubbles are to watch. Wildflowers, pears, apples, and a delicate mineral note rise from the glass. The palate is energetic, brisk, fruit-driven, and intense, yet the bubbles are exceptionally refined and silky for the region. Complex and far too classy for a Bellini, it pairs beautifully with light seafood or works equally well as an aperitivo.

2023 PESQUIÉ VENTOUX ROUGE
'LES TERRASSES'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Formerly called Côtes-du-Ventoux, Ventoux is a landscape of rolling hills and valleys surrounding Mont Ventoux and stretching toward the Dentelles de Montmirail. A new generation of producers is gradually reshaping the region’s image, challenging the dominance of local cooperatives and crafting excellent wines that reflect their varied terroirs.

60% Grenache, 40% Syrah. With the unmistakable character of Provence, aromas of lavender, smoke, thyme, and pepper lead to a deceptively deep, textured wine with substance and soul. This versatile, year-round red pairs with slow-roasted lamb or winter stews as readily as summer grilled fare.

2024 EVESHAM WOOD PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
SPECIAL - $19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

[reg. $24.99]...A limited short-time special on one of Oregon’s most behind the curtain producers. Eola-Amity based Evesham Wood has been delivering apex Oregon Pinot Noirs for forty years and this stellar 2024 is a brilliant value for twenty-bucks.

From the moment it is poured, inviting aromas of crème de cassis, cherry, violet, cedar, and subtle mint emerge. This beautiful Pinot shows impressive depth, poise, and balance, making it a versatile match for salmon, lamb, roasted chicken, or mushroom risotto. Drink over the next 6–8 years.

2025 LAGAR DE CERVARA ALBARIÑO
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

This Galician property belongs to Rioja legend La Rioja Alta, whose estates have lately been delivering staggering quality. Lagar de Cervera lies in O Rosal, near the sea and the Miño River. Its alluvial soils and proximity to the Atlantic give the wine a pronounced maritime character.

Two words come to mind when tasting this white: beauty and fireworks. Briny and mineral-driven, it gains intensity in the glass as floral notes mingle with nectarine, tangerine, saline, and lemongrass. Energetic yet elegant, with depth and personality, it is a ballerina wielding a crowbar. The finish is pure, precise, and persistent. Pair it with clams, mussels, salmon, halibut, cod, sea urchin—or almost anything else that swims.

2021 IL PALAZZINO
'ARGENINA' CHIANTI CLASSICO
GRAN SELEZIONE
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE

94 Points – Vinous...From the outstanding 2021 vintage, this is one of the Gran Selezione category’s best values. These wines typically begin around $45, making this underpriced bottle especially compelling. Il Palazzino is based in Monti, within Gaiole in Chianti, where the Sderci family has owned the estate for more than a century and has grown grapes and made wine for roughly 30 years.

From the Argenina cru, the wine opens with classic Tuscan aromas of roasted herbs, violet, cherry, mint, dusty earth, and savory roasted meat. Ripe Bing cherry drives the palate, framed by spice and fine-grained tannins. Poised, expressive, and true to form, this elegant, sultry Chianti offers impressive energy and depth. Drink through 2035.

2025 BISCI VERDICCHIO DI
MATELICA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The Master of Puppets of Matelica returns with a new vintage. We don’t know whether the metal legends in Metallica drink this wine, but they should endorse it—because in this region, Nothing Else Matters.

Aromas of flint, earth, lemon peel, and smoke lead to a taut, bone-dry palate that is precise and firm. Fans of crisp, flavorful, unoaked whites will love it. It is an ideal match for smoked fish, crab, and anyone listening to punk, R&B, classical, jazz—or, of course, Metallica cranked up to 11.

2024 UGOLINO ROSSO PICENO
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

How the hell did all yinz lovers of under-$15 wine miss this a few weeks ago? Maybe you were on vacation, so here’s another reminder of just how delicious it is.

A blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese, it opens with lively aromas of raspberry, minerals, smoke, sage, and licorice. Don’t mistake it for Brunello or Barolo; this is a joyful, smooth-fruited wine with gentle spice, fine balance, and good length. It pairs well with pasta and meat dishes, but especially shines with bolder seafood when served slightly chilled.

2022 LYDIAN CABERNET
SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Though part of Avennia’s second label, this undervalued Cabernet Sauvignon outperforms many wines twice its price. Founded in 2010 and led by Chris Peterson, formerly of DeLille Cellars, Avennia’s Lydian Columbia Valley wines offer superb Washington quality for under $25.

Vanilla and cocoa frame black cherry, smoky oak, cola, and creamy milk chocolate aromas. The palate is stylish, dense, and well weighted, with the persistent flavors typical of these wines. Layered, approachable, and ideal with steak or short ribs; enjoy through 2031.

2023 ARNAUD MORTET GEVREY
CHAMBERTIN 'MA CUVEE'
$119.99 BTL./$719.94 - 6 PK

The Mortet name is synonymous with Burgundy’s renowned village of Gevrey-Chambertin. In 2006, at just 24, Arnaud Mortet took over the estate after the sudden passing of his influential father, Denis. Over the past two decades, he has built on that legacy with powerful Gevrey-Chambertin wines.

Ma Cuvée is Arnaud’s love letter to the village, drawn from seven sites, including four just below the Grands Crus. A true expression of Gevrey-Chambertin, it layers strawberry, smoke, and mineral over chocolate, licorice, and blackberry. The palate is poised and expansive, with a firm spine and upright structure. A lush finish reveals a touch of oak that should integrate with a few years of age. Hold until end 2027 and drink through 2038+.