Hot Sheets
THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'POINT BLANK' HOTSHEET
Chateauneuf, 91 point Rioja for 15, Soave Oregon Pinot & more
2010 VINA REAL RIOJA CRIANZA
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
Vina Real is another arm/winery of CVNE that was founded in 1920 and one where the wines are strikingly different than those of CUNE with slightly different blends and a few months longer in French and US barrels. Lately these wines have been receiving some much-deserved accolades and the 2010 follows this trend and is absolutely delectable Spanish juice.
‘As with the Reserva, the Crianza is usually a blend of 90% Tempranillo complemented with small amounts of Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. 2010 had textbook climatic conditions to be a great vintage. The destemmed grapes carry out both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel vats and the wine ages for some 14 months in French and American oak barrels. This 2010 has a nice bright cherry color with a clean and open nose displaying red fruits and a spicy touch, coming through as quite a traditional nose and a polished palate with good acidity as they aim for freshness and drinkability. This Crianza represents superb value for money. Drink now-2020. – 91 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE’
‘As with the Reserva, the Crianza is usually a blend of 90% Tempranillo complemented with small amounts of Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. 2010 had textbook climatic conditions to be a great vintage. The destemmed grapes carry out both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel vats and the wine ages for some 14 months in French and American oak barrels. This 2010 has a nice bright cherry color with a clean and open nose displaying red fruits and a spicy touch, coming through as quite a traditional nose and a polished palate with good acidity as they aim for freshness and drinkability. This Crianza represents superb value for money. Drink now-2020. – 91 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE’
2013 TRIENNES 'ST-AUGUSTE' ROUGE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Bricco, the new Cellar Door mascot puts his paw-stamp of approval on this delightful Provencal red wine! Located just east of Marseilles in the region of Var, Triennes is the southern project of 2 legendary Burgundy producers; Domaine Dujac and Domaine de la Romanee Conti. St-Auguste is Triennes's flagship wine and vintage 2013 is very attractive indeed!
Made from Cabernet, Syrah and a tiny tinge of Merlot, this yummy red from the Var teems with scents of cassis, blueberry, smoke and pronounced herbes de provence. Stylish and flavorful, it invites you to climb aboard the Triennes transport machine taking you to Southern France. Currant, cherry, pepper and tobacco work their way from front to back. An absolute delight to drink and smell, this one pairs famously with lamb slathered in Moroccan spices.
Made from Cabernet, Syrah and a tiny tinge of Merlot, this yummy red from the Var teems with scents of cassis, blueberry, smoke and pronounced herbes de provence. Stylish and flavorful, it invites you to climb aboard the Triennes transport machine taking you to Southern France. Currant, cherry, pepper and tobacco work their way from front to back. An absolute delight to drink and smell, this one pairs famously with lamb slathered in Moroccan spices.
2011 ANTONELLI MONTEFALCO ROSSO
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Montefalco Rosso embodies the link between wine and the area of Montefalco in the landlocked region of Umbria, which borders Tuscany, Le Marches and Lazio. Produced from 70% Sangiovese along with 15% each of Sagrantino and Merlot, this wine epitomizes the character and identity championed by Filippo Antonelli.
Aged in large barrels, this wine takes on the vision of what Filippo Antonelli strives for: excellent fruit along with plenty of Umbrian terroir – concentration and depth along with freshness and likability. Savory, generous and very traditionally made. Lots of marionberry, cherry, Italian herbs, and underlying spices. Dry and hearty with excellent vibrancy and length, this wine instantly transports you to Central Italy! Drink with an array of dishes including slow-roasted beef or risotto jacked with mushrooms.
Aged in large barrels, this wine takes on the vision of what Filippo Antonelli strives for: excellent fruit along with plenty of Umbrian terroir – concentration and depth along with freshness and likability. Savory, generous and very traditionally made. Lots of marionberry, cherry, Italian herbs, and underlying spices. Dry and hearty with excellent vibrancy and length, this wine instantly transports you to Central Italy! Drink with an array of dishes including slow-roasted beef or risotto jacked with mushrooms.
2014 AYRES PINOT NOIR
'LEWIS RODGERS LANE'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
'LEWIS RODGERS LANE'
$31.99 BTL./$383.88 CASE
Made entirely from fruit from Ayres Vineyard and named for the road that is adjacent, the 2014 really speaks of the site and voluptuous qualities that are very much indicators of the Ribbon Ridge appellation.
One of the most purely delicious 2014s that we have tasted, this one is a seriously supple Oregon Pinot Noir that does not rely on a bunch of new oak flavorings. Waves of cherry blossom, lavender, black plum and fresh-turned earth/spice billow from the glass and fill your senses; the structure is refined, rich yet maintaining elegance with a drawn-out, warm finish. Enjoy over the next decade.
One of the most purely delicious 2014s that we have tasted, this one is a seriously supple Oregon Pinot Noir that does not rely on a bunch of new oak flavorings. Waves of cherry blossom, lavender, black plum and fresh-turned earth/spice billow from the glass and fill your senses; the structure is refined, rich yet maintaining elegance with a drawn-out, warm finish. Enjoy over the next decade.
2014 GINI SOAVE CLASSICO
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE
Brothers Claudio and Sandro Gini, whose family has been present in Soave since the 18th century, were among a new generation of producers who saw the potential for the production of exciting white wines in this great region. As recently as 20 years ago producers such as Gini moved towards using the best varietal of the region, Garganega, and lowered crop yields bringing more dimension and complexity to the wines all which certainly have elevated the area to become known for producing some of Italy’s finest white wines.
Gorgeous aromatics seduce with notes of mineral, lemon, and white flowers. Bone dry, excruciatingly refreshing powdery citrus scents shine and not to mention even more mineral and a touch of mushroom and earth lingering beneath the surface. Very complex, and just plain fun to drink, this is one of our absolute favorite Italian white wines and it has enough substance to pair with holiday fare as well as being one of the ultimate white wines for fresh crab.
Gorgeous aromatics seduce with notes of mineral, lemon, and white flowers. Bone dry, excruciatingly refreshing powdery citrus scents shine and not to mention even more mineral and a touch of mushroom and earth lingering beneath the surface. Very complex, and just plain fun to drink, this is one of our absolute favorite Italian white wines and it has enough substance to pair with holiday fare as well as being one of the ultimate white wines for fresh crab.
2013 FERRAND CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
Last year when visiting producers in Chateauneuf, one of my favorite visits was with Philippe Bravay at Domaine Ferrand. Located in the northern reaches of the appellation, this man goes about his business in a confident manner doing the wines the way he wants allowing for no set recipe and working with whatever the tale the vintage tells.
90% Grenache with the remaining 10% comprised of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault, the 2013 reveals classy, sultry and very upscale aromas that persist and soar from the glass. The northern-Châteauneuf perfume is present, but the old vines penetrate with violet, blackberry, tealeaf and smoked meat. In Bryan’s notebook, he wrote that this wine reminded him of a psychopathic Beaucastel. More and more white pepper and cumin scents arrive as it sits in the glass. This wine is a debonair killer in the mouth; extremely old viney (100 year old vines) with some savage firm qualities that will resolve themselves with cellaring. The finish is densely packed with superb material and spice. A wow wine that should be drunk 2018 – 2025.
90% Grenache with the remaining 10% comprised of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault, the 2013 reveals classy, sultry and very upscale aromas that persist and soar from the glass. The northern-Châteauneuf perfume is present, but the old vines penetrate with violet, blackberry, tealeaf and smoked meat. In Bryan’s notebook, he wrote that this wine reminded him of a psychopathic Beaucastel. More and more white pepper and cumin scents arrive as it sits in the glass. This wine is a debonair killer in the mouth; extremely old viney (100 year old vines) with some savage firm qualities that will resolve themselves with cellaring. The finish is densely packed with superb material and spice. A wow wine that should be drunk 2018 – 2025.
