10/5/20 The Cellar Door's 'FILOU' HotSheet


THE CELLAR DOOR'S 'FILOU' HOTSHEET
96-Point Ridge & 96 point bubbly, Oregon Pinot & French Rose Specials, Barolo and a gaggle of under-20 Values


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2018 FRANCOIS MERLIN SYRAH, COLLINES RHODANIENNES
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

The mark of a fine producer is not how great their top wines are but how good his or her blue collar, entry wines are. Francois Merlin is a Cote Rotie, Condrieu and St. Joseph producer who happens to produce some luxuriously expensive wines in these appellations. In addition to those wines, Francois has also set out to produce wines that are a true to form Northern Rhone experience from a patchwork designation in and around these areas known as Collines Rhodaniennes that are mostly planted to Syrah and some Viognier. Like in Burgundy and the classification of Bourgogne, 20-25 years ago, Collines Rhodaniennes wines weren’t taken as seriously but these days a new generation has overcome that perception and currently these can be some of France’s most wondrous values.

The grapes are sourced from a prime Saint-Joseph & Condrieu village, Saint-Michel sur Rhone, and this wine seriously punches above its price and weight class for only 20-bucks. Straddling the line between traditional and modern, Merlin’s wines always speak of place but always have a generous core of fruit. The 2018 reveals a real pepper-pot nose abundant with plum, raspberry and black olive, it is generous with lifting fruit upon entry all unfurling into minerally vibrancy. A wonderfully versatile, spectacular value red to bring to friends’ homes over the warmer months, especially when you are not sure what they will be serving for dinner.



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2018 RIDGE PETITE SIRAH
LYTTON SPRINGS
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

From 1972 through 1992, Ridge produced a Petite Sirah that had become quite talked about by fans who have long followed this famed California producer. In 2009, it re-emerged with plenty of gusto and stands proudly alongside their hallowed Zinfandel blends.

‘The 2018 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah is totally stunning. Bright, focused and powerful, the 2018 presents a breathtaking interplay of rich Petite fruit allied to a classic, old-school sense of structure. Dark blue/purplish fruit, leather, licorice, lavender, menthol and gravel are some of the many notes that infuse the 2018 with all those layers of flavor. The 2018 is a real stunner. – 96 POINTS, VINOUS



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2018 VICARI LACRIMA DI MORRO D'ALBA
'DASEMPRE DEL POZZO BUONO'
$14.99 BTL./$89.94 - SIX PACK

Found nowhere else in Italy, the ancient Lacrima variety is exclusively grown in the hills north of Jesi, in the Le Marches region on the Adriatic coast and even with the name Alba; it has nothing to do with Piedmont. Vicari is a new find and specialize in not only this grape but also a fine Verdicchio (see next entry).

A Guinness stout-like in color with aromas of red berries, spice and herbs, this 100% Lacrima di Morro shares a medium-bodied palate that is dry in texture with floral and blue fruits but with a wild, soulful finish that lets you know it is not a simple quaffer and requires food. The confluence of components both aromatically and texturally allow it to pair well with chicken cacciatore or penne pasta with a hot sausage sugo.



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2018 VICARI VERDICCHIO
'CAPOFILA DEL POZZO BUONO'
$12.99 BTL./$77.94 - SIX PACK

Equally adept at white wines, Vicari also produces a tasty Verdicchio that delivers immense bang for the buck. The Castelli dei Jesi region also overlaps into the Lacrima di Morro D'Alba area and these grapes are solely from these sites.

Loomed over by alluring aromas of almond, ripe pear, lemongrass and seashore this superbly terroir-driven white starts off round and fans out on the palate only to tuck itself in and focus on the finish. Plenty of lemon and mineral with great freshness that cleanses the palate perfectly; enjoy this beautiful offering with fried or roasted seafood, a classic minestrone, grilled vegetables or start a meal off right with a glass to jumpstart your taste buds.



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2019 YVES LECCIA ROSE
ILE DE BEAUTE (Corsica)
[reg. $29.99]
SPECIAL - $22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE

The wines of Corsica have provided intellect and intrigue over the last several years and given the rugged conditions on the island, both with the landscape and people; it is no wonder that the wines have such an independent and individual streak to them. Grown at a somewhat high elevation combined with the sea influence and clay/limestone and schist soils, this Rosé’s more than a warm weather quaffer. Sure, there is ample freshness and delight, but there is also an underlay of seriousness and dimension, too.

Gloriously sophisticated and made with the indigenous Nielluciu and Sciaccarellu grapes, there is a certain tranquility to this wine. Strawberries, saline, mineral, sneaky herbs and spices, and then a bit more wet stone for good measure. Succulently textured, plenty of zest and zing but also plenty of back end and depth. Think of this as something special to carry to the dinner table. Have it with grilled or baked fish jacked with olive oil, salt and fennel. No problem to drink over the next 2 years.



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2016 MAURO MOLINO BAROLO
$39.99 BTL./$479.88 CASE

La Morra is the home for refined and sophisticated Barolo. Do not be fooled, these wines pack plenty of punch and we have been proudly featuring them for almost two decades. Since 1978 Mauro Molino, father of Matteo and Martina who now are at the helm, has produced wines that can best be described as neo-classical wines that are produced using appropriate technology to maintain the flavors of the region and their gateway Barolo is always a tremendous value.

Intensely aromatic, this Barolo from a five-star vintage is telltale La Morra with its perfumed rose petal and red licorice tones. At this time it is quite wrapped up into itself but a sultry beast is lurking beneath with blaring signs of greatness; dense clay, asphalt, dark Belgian chocolate and a deep core of red fruit. Wonderfully intense in the mouth with fine structure. This classic and elegant Barolo is marked by gorgeous mouth filling flavors carrying over seamlessly from the nose. Best 2022 - 2031.



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2017 PENLEY ESTATE CABERNET
SAUVIGNON 'PHOENIX' COONAWARA
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

When asked about Australian wine, the response from most people is Shiraz and Barossa. The remote South Australian region of Coonawara is the base of many great producers like Penfold's, Riddoch, Katnook, Parker, Penley and more. This is Australia’s spiritual home for Cabernet Sauvignon and many of the nation’s finest versions come from this land along with some absolute steals as well.

Female owned, Ang and Bec Tolley with winemaker Kate Goodman's wines from the famed Terra Rosa soils are some of the heroes from Down Under. The Phoenix is from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and rocks the house. Packed with tones of cassis, black raspberry and pepper surrounded by an engaging undertow of cocoa and allspice. In the mouth, it is deep, voluptuous and smooth offering that has lots of depth and structure as well. This wine is very fine right now, but will also age through 2024.



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2018 CASTANO YECLA TINTO 'ALCARIA'
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Located south of Valencia and inland from Alicante, this warm-climate growing region is one of Spain's smallest. Size isn't necessarily everything, especially when it comes to superb values and since the 1980s, and Castano consistently delivers the goods.

Based around Monastrell, with Garnacha Tintorera and Syrah blended in, this ample red possesses surprising depth, body and structure for such a low price. Glass-filling aromas of violet, blackberry and creosote follow into a warm, pleasure-laden texture that proves to be versatile with lots of everyday fare. Try it with pizza, pork chops, jalapeno burgers and more.



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2016 BERGSTROM PINOT NOIR
'GREGORY RANCH'
[reg. $61.99]
SPECIAL - $41.99 BTL./$503.88 CASE

Given the unpredictability and potential small quantity of the 2020 harvest as well as the abundance of unsold wine from recent past vintages, it is a surprise to see something of this caliber on special. Always one of the more robust Pinot Noirs from Bergstrom, this Pinot shows its Yamhill-Carlton roots very well for vintage 2016. Even given its predilection for wines from this site to want to run towards being over the top, Josh Bergstrom and team always have a way of maintaining equilibrium.

Harmony is of the utmost to this wine with grip and structure lying beneath the beautiful core of plum, violet, nutmeg and marine aspects. Layered, very drawn-out and having impressive persistence, it follows suit to the vintage with some early accessible aspects; however, this wine is going to age extremely well. For best results hold on to it until 2022 and drink through 2029+.



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2008 CHAMPAGNE LAURENT PERRIER
BRUT MILLESIME
$79.99 BTL./$479.94 - SIX PACK

The Champagne house of Laurent Perrier is one of the most important producers of Champagne, and has been in existence since 1812. Between the World Wars, this house fell into disrepair, but under the brilliant leadership of the late, great Bernard De Nonancourt since 1949, their status soared. Many great cuvees have been produced at this house and as a longtime fan of the finesseful bubbly that emerge from these cellars, I feel the 2008 has to be among the finest that I have ever tasted from LP.

50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir, all Grand Cru. While still young, this Champagne has all the makings of greatness. Produced from grand cru vineyards, it already balances ripe white fruits with a firm structure that will age well. It’s relatively dry and has plenty of acidity, which will also aid in the longevity.. *Cellar Selection* - 96 POINTS – WINE ENTHUSIAST