10/19/26 The Cellar Door's 'VAYA CON VINO Wine Sheet

2025 DE FORVILLE
BARBERA D'ASTI 'CA' DEL BUC'
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE

Like most Piedmont producers, this estate makes more than Barolo and Barbaresco. Those wines are reserved for special friends and occasions, while Dolcetto and Barbera are the everyday choices.

This mouthwatering wine comes from the Barbaresco stalwart’s small holdings in Asti and is a classic expression of Barbera d’Asti. Fast-moving yet sculpted, it has the tenacity of a boxer who never quits—think Sugar Ray Leonard. Aromas of cocoa, black raspberry, tangy earth, and allspice lead to a chewy palate and a lingering, satisfying finish. Personable and polished, it delivers exceptional value, drinking like a wine that costs far more than $18. Bravissimo to De Forville.

2025 GOODFELLOW 'WHISTLING
RIDGE' BLANC
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

Inspired by Alsace’s vineyard-designated blends, Marcus Goodfellow has created something special. Using traditional Alsatian varieties also grown in Oregon, this wine allows the Whistling Ridge Vineyard to transcend the individual grapes and speak clearly for itself.

Glistening aromas of honeysuckle, apple, lemon, and exotic spice are anchored by pronounced rocky minerality. The dry-farmed vines reach deep into basalt soils for moisture, giving the wine remarkable depth and character. Dry, racy, and radiant, it is structured and intensely flavorful, with a long, mouthwatering, complex finish.

2022 RIDGE ZINFANDEL
'PAGANI RANCH'
SPECIAL - $34.99 BTL./$419.88 CS

[reg. $54.99]…Ridge has produced Zinfandel from Pagani Vineyard on Sonoma Valley’s west side since 1991, drawing mostly from vines planted more than a century ago. Pagani Ranch is the Mean Joe Greene of the lineup: big, forceful, and assertive, yet cerebral and charming—more vintage Coca-Cola ad than nasty temper.

Savory cherry and plum aromas mingle with bramble, white pepper, and spice. The palate is powerful yet composed, with Ridge’s signature balance and texture. This blue-chip wine from a Hall of Fame producer pairs beautifully with barbecued chicken, brisket, birria, or a properly grilled T-bone. Enjoy over the next 15 years.

2024 BALLAND COTEAUX DU
GIENNOIS 'LES BEAUX JOURS'
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

Overrated: $40 Sancerre. Underrated: Coteaux Giennois, an appellation about an hour north whose Sauvignon Blanc often costs half as much. With Sancerre prices soaring, its lesser-known but excellent neighbors deserve attention.

Stony, sea-breeze aromas mingle with lemon, grapefruit, and star anise. Vivid, lifted, and mouthwatering, this focused white pairs beautifully with sockeye salmon, halibut with pico de gallo, or steamed clams over pasta.

2023 CARTA DI FITAPRETA
ALENTEJANO TINTO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE

António Maçanita has earned international honors including Winemaker of the Year, Most Unique Winemaker, and Winemaker of the Generation. Working exclusively with native varieties, he produces wines from southeastern Portugal, near the Spanish border, that are playful yet serious and reflect his meticulous approach.

This blend of native varietals offers raspberry, ironstone, sanguine notes, cinnamon, and spice. It evokes a meeting of the Rhône, southern Italy, and Spain while remaining distinctly Portuguese. Soulful and generously textured, it is an excellent everyday red for your favorite pork dishes.

2021 AVIGNONESI 'GRIFI'
TOSCANA ROSSO
$27.99 BTL./$335.88 CASE

93 points – Vinous…The outstanding 2021 Tuscan vintage extends beyond Chianti and Brunello, as Avignonesi demonstrates with showstopping wines from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Its remarkably well-priced Super Tuscan, Grifi, blends 65% Cabernet Sauvignon with 35% Sangiovese.

Layered aromas of red plum, herbs, iron, blueberry, sage, and cassis lead to a smooth, concentrated palate marked by classic Avignonesi polish. A long, structured finish points to development through 2034.

2024 JL CHAVE SELECTIONS
COTES-DU-RHONE 'MON COEUR'
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

The Chave family has made wine since 1481 and remains a standard-bearer—and, in my view, a guardian—of the Rhône’s greatness. Jean-Louis Chave, the 16th generation, launched a négociant business in 1995 to complement the domaine’s elite Hermitage and Saint-Joseph wines, producing exceptional values.

The lone Southern Rhône selection, Mon Coeur consistently rises above everyday Côtes-du-Rhône. Sourced from Vinsobres, Visan, Buisson, and Estargues, this equal blend of Grenache and Syrah is a hors catégorie Côtes-du-Rhône—far beyond a simple Wednesday-night bottle. Immediately engaging, it captures the region’s balance of power and finesse, with notes of herbes de Provence, white pepper, exotic Thai spice, and wild plum. Compact yet lacy red fruit meets fine structure and a lingering, silky finish. Drink through 2031.

2022 CORTIJO RIOJA
TEMPRANILLO
$11.99 BTL./$143.88 CASE

Made entirely from Tempranillo, this wine bursts with strawberry, Thai spice, subtle mocha, and violet. The palate is supple and generous, supported by a fine structural backbone. Rather than pairing elaborate wines with simple food, embrace the pleasure of this delicious everyday red alongside herb-roasted pork loin or Serrano ham and Manchego.

2020 ANDREW WILL SORELLA
'CHAMPOUX VINEYARD'
$89.99 BTL./$539.94 - SIX PACK

98 Points – The Wine Advocate…When asked to name Washington’s finest wines, Andrew Will’s Sorella is always among my first choices. A benchmark producer since 1989, Andrew Will has crafted a sublime 2020 vintage.

Made entirely from Champoux Vineyard fruit, the Bordeaux-style blend comprises 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Merlot. Refined aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, and strawberry lead to underlying notes of tobacco, mocha, and spice. Supple, richly textured, and deceptively approachable now, it should gain nuance and dimension over the next twenty years.