New Wine Releases April 2010

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Monthaven Winery
2008 Central Coast Chardonnay; $24 (3 Liters)
13.5/20 — A full-bodied wine with a buttery mid-palate housed in a unique octagonal box.

Paso Robles

Austin Hope
2005 Hope Family Vineyard Syrah; $42
14/20 — A nose of blueberry and cassis leads to persistent dark berry and spice flavors, balanced by high-toned minerality.

Santa Barbara County

Bianchi
Signature Selection 2008 Pinot Grigio, Los Alamos Vineyard; $21
13/20 — Offering notes of exotic floral, litchi and kiwi, this smooth wine pairs well with grilled Asian cuisine.

Santa Lucia Highlands

Paraiso
2008 Pinot Noir; $25
14/20 — Notes of black cherry, smoke and spice are balanced by a backdrop of warm oak.

Robert Talbott Vineyards
2008 Logan Pinot Noir; $25
14/20 — This wine offers lueberry and cherry cola flavors on the palate with silky texture.

Santa Ynez County

Palmina
2008 Arneis; $22
13.5/20 — Light golden-green in color, this white wine offers a creamy citrus nose and flavors of pear, kumquat and lemongrass.

NORTH COAST

Carneros

Robert Mondavi Winery
2008 Pinot Noir; $27
13.5/20 — Aromas and flavors of blackberries and red cherries are brightened by a hint of cranberry and graphite; ends with a long finish.

Dry Creek Valley

Quivira
2007 Wine Creek Ranch, Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel; $34
14/20 — A splash of Petite Sirah adds base notes to this medium-bodied wine with dark fruit flavors.

Napa Valley

Biltmore Reserve
2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay; $19
14/20 — Aromas of pineapple, pear, butter and oak are followed by a round mouth-feel with balanced acidity.

Blackbird Vineyards
2007 Blackbird Vineyards Contrarian; $90
15.5/20 — A blend of mostly Cabernet Franc with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine offers a structured palate with layers of dark berries, cola, cocoa, and black truffle.

Frank Family Vineyards
2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay; $33
14.5/20 — This vibrant Chardonnay opens with aromas of citrus blossom, honeysuckle, white peach and apple; The palate is luscious, with stone fruit, kumquat, and apple tarte tatin flavors.

Krupp Brothers
2006 Black Bart Syrah; $60
14.5/20 — This wine opens with sweet aromas of blueberries, black raspberries, and lavender mingling with bacon fat and graphite; Berry flavors with vanilla and oak fill the mouth.

Krupp Brothers
2006 Black Bart's Bride; $50
14.5/20 — Flavors of lemon pie, pie crust and minerality lead to a creamy textural finish.

Ma(i)sonry
2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc; $32
14/20 — Exhibiting a lively nose of gooseberry, ruby grapefruit, apricot and honey, this wine displays a rich and creamy mid-palate with bright acidity.

Russian River Valley

Merriam Vineyards
2005 Dunnsden Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; $35
14.5/20 —Aged 24 months in 100 percent French oak, this wine offers aromas of cassis, coffee and mocha with flavors of blackberry and cherry.

Rancho Zabaco
2008 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc; $18
14/20 — This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of lime peel, cut grass and gooseberry, with notes of peach and tropical fruit.

Sonoma County

Dan Aykroyd
2007 Discovery Series Sonoma County Chardonnay; $18
14/20 — Displaying sweet vanilla notes and fruit-foward flavors, this wine has an essence of pear, apple and pineapple.

Korbel
Brut Rosé; $12
13/20 — This medium-dry sparkler is bright with fresh flavors of strawberry, cherry and melon.

Sonoma Valley

Signaterra
2006 Three Blocks; $50
13.5/20 — A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (64 percent) and Merlot (36 percent), this organic wine offers dark chocolate and cigar aromas and flavors of currant and plum.

Suisun Valley

Red Côte
2008 Rosé; $10
12.5/20 — Comprised of two-thirds Merlot and one-third Syrah, this wine exhibits brisk acidity with citrus and strawberry flavors.

SOUTH COAST

Malibu Newton Canyon

Rosenthal the Malibu Estate
2005 Surfrider Red Dessert Wine; $12
14/20 — A full-bodied dessert wine with a character of plum, raspberry and spice.

Rosenthal the Malibu Estate
2005 Malibu Newton Canyon Merlot, the Devon Vineyard; $26
13.5/20 — This Merlot has 12 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 5 percent Petit Verdot blended in, and offers full-bodied taste with smooth texture.

Temecula Valley

Thornton
NV Brut; $24
13.5/20 — Apple, pear, and tropical aromas meld with toasty yeast flavors, while the finish is long and creamy.

MICHIGAN

LEELANAU PENINSULA

L. Mawby
N.V. Cremant Classic Brut; $22
13.5/20 — Made completely from Vignoles grapes, this medium-bodied sparkling wine exhibits yeasty and nutty aromas on the nose and fruit flavors in the mouth.

OREGON

WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Cooper Mountain Vineyards
2008 Reserve Chardonnay; $15
13.5/20 — Made from organic and biodynamic grapes, this wine offers subtle notes of mineral and apple, with hints of vanilla.

WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Gorman Winery
2006 Zachary's Ladder; $30
14/20 — A blend of 65 percent Merlot; 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon; and 10 percent Petit Verdot, this meritage displays good balance of fruit and oak.

HORSE HEAVEN HILLS

Alder Ridge Winery
2006 Malbec; $40
14/20 — A bouquet of plum, blackberries and currants leads into a pallet of plums, wet basalt and elegant tannins.

ONTARIO

NIAGARA PENINSULA

Le Clos Jordanne
2006 Village Reserve Chardonnay; $30
15/20 — Exhibiting intense melon and pear fruit flavors in the mouth, this wine finishes on minerally stone fruit.

13th Street Winery
2008 13° Below Zero Riesling; $19 (375 ml)
14.5/20 — A versatile wine, this Riesling offers fruity sweetness with succulent acidity; pairs well with mild blue and sharp-aged cheeses.

Tawse Winery
2007 Wismer Vineyard Cabernet Franc; $42
14/20 — This wine displays a palate of cranberry, mulberry and pomegranate, with a lengthy finish.

SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Black Swan
2009 South Eastern Australia Pinot Grigio; $8
12.5/20 — Pale straw in color, this wine displays citrusy and light floral aromas with pear and stone fruit flavors.

McWilliam's Hanwood Estate
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon; $12
13/20 — Aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry lead into flavors of cassis with vanilla oak notes.

FRANCE

BORDEAUX

Château Grand Corbin-Despagne
2009 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé François Despagne; $22
15/20 — Displaying complex notes of red fruits, this wine, when young, pairs well with meats and game.

Château La Marzelle
2009 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé Philippe Genevey; $40
14.5/20 — With a rich palate and good density, this wine displays a complex nose and fresh tannins.

BURGUNDY

Domaine Tollot-Beaut
2006 Beaune-Greves Premier Cru; $50
15/20 — This full-bodied wine exhibits oily characteristics with notes of rhubarb and soil.

Domaine Pierre Matrot
2007 Puligny Montrachet Les Chalumeaux Premier Cru; $57
14.5/20 — A crisp white wine with nice acidity; offers lemon and mineral on the palate.

CHAMPAGNE

Dom Pérignon
Rosé Oenothèque 1990; $1,000
18.5/20— The first Dom Pérignon Rosé of the Oenothèque family, this wine shows intensity and warmth with an exotic bouquet of papaya, crystallized orange, curry leaves and sweet spices.

Champagne Jacquart
N.V. Prestige Cuvée Brut de Nominée; $65
15.5/20 — An equal blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this cuvee offers aromas of grapefruit and lime, with fresh flavors and hints of brioche on the long finish.

LOIRE VALLEY

Domaine des Baumard
Crémant de Loire Carte Corail Rosé; $19
13/20 — This dry sparkler with delicate foam offers lively flavors of red currants and raspberries.

Langlois Chateau
Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé; $19
13/20 — Offering fine bubbles and fruitiness, this sparkling rosé is perfect for red fruit desserts.

MOULIN-A-VENT

Georges Duboeuf
2008 Moulin-a-Vent; $15
13.5/20 — The most robust wine of the Beaujolais, this Gamay is full-bodied with good length.

NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES

Louis Bouillot
Perle de Nuit, Blanc de Noirs Brut; $19
13/20 — This Crémant de Bourgogne is comprised of 90 percent Pinot Noir and 10 percent Gamay, and is full-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel.

PROVENCE

Famille Negrel
Instant Eternel Rosé; $25
14/20 — Aromas of citrus and gooseberry lead into red fruit flavors in the mouth, with elegant minerality.

SPAIN

PRIORAT

Bodegas Mas Alta
2005 Artigas; $40
14.5/20 — Comprised of 65 percent Grenache and 35 percent Carignan, this wine is smooth and spicy, with notes of blueberry, lavender, and cherry.

MARLBOROUGH

Cupcake
2009 Sauvignon Blanc; $14
13/20 — Hints of grapefruit, gooseberry and citrus are rounded by a long, creamy finish.

Wither Hills
2003 Pinot Noir; $25
14/20 — A richly flavored Pinot Noir showing bright cherry and spice notes.

STELLENBOSCH

Waterford Estate
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; $18
14/20 — Ripe tannins and notes of cedar, leather and truffle lead into a refined long, dry finish.

WESTERN CAPE

Bouchard Finlayson
2008 Blanc de Mer; $24
14.5/20 — This white blend offers fruit flavors on the palate of kiwi, peaches, pineapple and honeysuckle; Pair with oysters or fresh fish.

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