New Wine Releases July 2010

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Cupcake Vineyards
2007 Petite Sirah; $12
13/20 — Opening with aromas of pomegranate and blueberries, this wine displays flavors of spice accented by dark chocolate.

Livermore Valley

Annika Vineyards
2008 Chardonnay; $40
13.5/20 —The nose and palate offer leesy character along with apple and ripe peach flavors; The finish shows a faint vanilla note and a lingering hint of buttered popcorn.

Monterey County

J. Lohr Estates
2009 Bay Mist White Riesling; $10
13/20 — Enticingly fruity, this pale yellow Riesling offers fruit aromas and flavors of apricot, apple, and rose petal spice.

Paso Robles

Bianchi Winery
2006 Signature Selection Petite Sirah, Plummer Vineyard; $22
13.5/20 — This bold and dark wine shows earthy-coffee and blackberry jam characteristics.

Eberle Winery
2009 Viognier, Mill Road Vineyard; $21
13.5/20 — A nose of honeysuckle, citrus blossoms and apricots opens into flavors of ripe pears, peaches, almonds and spice.

Niner Wine Estates
2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Bootjack Ranch; $17
13.5/20 — Scents of Meyer lemons, mandarin oranges and herbs open into flavors of pineapple, tangerine, lemon and minty basil.

Sculpterra
2007 Syrah; $26
13.5/20 — Bursting with ripe plums and vanilla, this wine shows hints of spice with rich, ripe berry dominating the flavor profile.

Santa Ynez Valley

Zaca Mesa
2005 Black Bear Block Syrah; $58
15/20 — Aromas and flavors of rich blackberry, cassis, mocha, cedar and sage spice lead into a lingering finish in this full-bodied wine.

Zaca Mesa
2007 Chardonnay; $18
13.5/20 — Showing bright mango, papaya, tangerine and pear aromas and flavors, this wine pair well with shellfish or light pasta.

Livermore Valley

Annika Vineyards
2008 Chardonnay; $40
13.5/20 —The nose and palate offer leesy character along with apple and ripe peach flavors; The finish shows a faint vanilla note and a lingering hint of buttered popcorn.

NORTH COAST

Carneros

Benziger Family Winery
2008 Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay; $20
14/20— Crisp and lean with a medium mouthfeel, this wine offers flavors of bright green apple, pear and peach.

Dry Creek Valley

Bradford Mountain
2006 Zinfandel, Grist Vineyard; $33
14/20— The palate displays flavors of black and red cherry and wild mixed berries; The wine is fresh and juicy with a vibrant mouthfeel and slight minerality on the finish.

Ravenswood
2007 Teldeschi Zinfandel; $35
14/20 — Perfumed with scents of black raspberry, apricot and spices, this wine exhibits dominant red and dark berry flavors with a subtle tobacco note.

Napa Valley

Beaulieu Vineyard
2006 Private Reserve Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon; $115
16.5/20 — Robust in character, this wine displays dark, concentrated fruit that intensifies across the palate, with notes of black licorice, loam and coffee. Firm tannins linger with hints of cocoa through the finish.

Bennett Lane Winery
2009 Maximus White Feasting Wine; $28
14/20 — Aromatic notes of white peach, papaya and orange blossom lead into flavors of mandarin oranges, mango and nectarine.

Brown Estate
2006 Arrested Late Harvest Zinfandel; $48 (375 ml)
14/20 — Shows true varietal fruit flavors straight through to the essence of the spirits; Pair with honey-drizzled blue cheese, dark chocolate, or a Meyer lemon bar for three unique palate sensations.

Decoy
2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc; $54
15.5/20 — Lively aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit and kiwi lead into a palate with refreshing acidity and flavors of guava and citrus peel.

Waterstone
2007 Napa Valley Merlot; $18
14.5/20 — On the palate, this wine features cherry, plum and blackberry fruit with supple tannins and a lingering finish.

Russian River Valley

C. Donatiello Winery
2007 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley; $24
14/20 — Opening with scents of lemon curd and apricot, this wine has a palate layered with spiced apple, honey and nutmeg.

Iron Horse Vineyards
2008 Native Yeast Chardonnay; $46
15/20 — A nose of honeydew, banana and yeast lees leads into flavors of tropical fruit, along with creamy texture and balanced acidity.

Sonoma Coast

MacRostie
2008 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay; $25
14.5/20 — Pale straw in color, this wine offers bright and creamy lemon custard aromas; In the mouth, it is rich and round with tropical pineapple and hints of key lime pie.

MULTIPLE AVAs

Barefoot
Moscato; $7
12/20 — Sweet with juicy flavors, this wine offers notes of pears and lemon.

Barefoot Bubbly
Brut Cuvée; $10
12.5/20 — A dry sparkler with fruit-filled aromas, this California Chardonnay Champagne offers flavors of green apples with hints of kiwi and peach.

Blackstone Winemaker's Select
2008 Zinfandel, California; $12
13/20 — A full-bodied wine with toasted spice and vanilla aromas, this Zin shows flavors of raspberry, black cherry, and wild berry.

Dancing Bull
2008 Chardonnay; $12
13/20 — Refreshingly crisp, this balanced wine displays primary flavors of juicy peaches and tropical fruits, with aromas of vanilla and honeysuckle.

Mirassou Winery
2008 California Riesling; $12
13/20 — This California table wine is soft and approachable, with fruit-forward aromas and flavors of peach, apple and floral notes.

TRÉ
2007 California Cabernet Sauvignon; $9
12.5/20 — This bold wine shows dark berry, jam and toasty aromas, with rich ripe fruit and savory oak flavors.

MICHIGAN

Old Mission Penninsula

2 Lads Winery
2008 Cabernet Franc; $25
13.5/20 — Nicely structured with tart, tangy acid; Notes of cranberry, plum and raspberry fill the palate.

Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
2008 Naked Chardonnay, Estate Grown; $18
13/20 — Hints of tropical fruit and floral aromas linger in the nose, while a citrus-packed palate shows plumpness.

WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Bella Terrazza Vineyards
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; $26
13.5/20 — This wine displays flavors and aromas of black cherry and blackberries, with notes of cocoa, cinnamon and cardamom.

Hedges Family Estate
2007 Red Mountain; $25
14/20 — A majority blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine displays firm tannins and well-defined acidity.

RiverAerie
2008 Rosé, Columbia Valley; $12
12/20 — Light and fragrant, this wine opens with aromas of berries and cassis, followed by red fruit flavors.

Seven Hills
2009 Riesling, Columbia Valley; $14
13.5/20 — Off-dry in style with light sweetness, this Riesling opens with honeysuckle and green apple, continuing into flavors of honey and poached pear.

Seven Hills
2006 Tempranillo, Columbia Valley; $20
13.5/20 — Sweet, bright fruit by mouth with a clean finish and mild dry tannins; Medium-bodied with notes of dark cherry fruit and spice.

BAJA CALIFORNIA

VALLE DE GUADALUPE

L.A. Cetto
2008 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; $10
13.5/20 — Deep ruby colored with an intense bouquet and flavor of black cherries, black pepper, cinnamon, plums, vanilla and toasted oak.

SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Yellow Tail Reserve
2008 Special Selection Chardonnay; $11
13.5/20 — This wine displays a fresh and vibrant palate of melon, peach and tropical fruit flavors, balanced with fine citrus acid and oak.

FRANCE

ALSACE

Helfrich
2009 Pinot Gris, Noble Tier; $14
13.5/20 — Amber in color, this wine features a screw-cap opening and displays flavors of apple, fig and peach. The structured backbone leads to a smooth finish.

Helfrich
2009 Gewurztraminer, Noble Tier; $14
13.5/20 — Scents of roses, lychee, and cinnamon jump out at the nose; A rich palate and bright fruit flavors are complemented by a full body in this screw-cap wine.

BORDEAUX

Chateau Pontet-Fumet
2005 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru; $35
14/20 — A nose of ripe red and black fruits leads into a medium-bodied palate with good weight and concentration with licorice, tobacco and smoke.

BURGUNDY

Bouchard Pere & Fils
2007 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru; $141
16.5/20 — A rich and powerful white wine with strong personality and good ageing potential; Fruit and toasty aromas blend with mineral notes typical of the wine's appellation.

Bouchard Pere & Fils
2007 Meursault Perrieres Premier Cru; $75
16/20 — This sophisticated interpretation of Chardonnay lingers with layers of dried pear, roasted nuts, vanilla and toast.

Domaine Pierre Gelin
2006 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur; $74
15/20 — Bright ruby red in color with a bouquet of wooden notes followed by aromas of undergrowth and truffles; Full-bodied on the palate with persistent minerality.

CHAMPAGNE

Moët & Chandon
NV Nectar Impèrial; $40
14.5/20 — Subtly sweet, this dessert Champagne offers rich expression of ripe exotic fruits with hints of honey, and exhibits strong fruitiness with a smooth finish.

CÔTES DE PROVENCE

Sainte Victoire

Mas Negrel Cadenet
2008 Rosé; $37
14/20 — The bouquet is complex and powerful, with notes of candied fruit, vanilla and "creme brulée." The mouth is also pleasantly powerful, with a rich taste of honey, liquorice and fruit.

LOIRE VALLEY

Monmousseau
NV Touraine Cuvée JM Brut; $11
13/20 — Abundant, fine bubbles are exhibited in this bright and lively sparkler, offering slight acidity and fruity notes.

ITALY

UMBRIA

Cantina Novelli
2006 Montefalco Sagrantino; $46
15/20 — Weighty with good texture, this red wine offers a fruity bouquet of blackberries and tart cherries; In the mouth, it is succulent with balanced acidity.

Cantina Novelli
2007 Bianco Cube; $14
13/20 — This white blend is bright and zesty, with fragrances of pineapple and peach; A refreshing palate leads to a finish with lightly tangy notes.

SPAIN

CALATAYUD

San Alejandro
2007 Las Rocas Garnacha; $13
14/20 — Deep-ruby colored with attractive aromas of kirsch, raspberries, pepper and melted licorice; A full-flavored, fruit-driven wine with supple texture and long aftertaste.

PENEDES

Codorniu
N.V. Pinot Noir Rosé Brut Cava; $15
13.5/20 — This wine shows dominant red fruit notes, with a bouquet of raspberries and blackberries, followed by a crisp citrus finish.

TORO

Bodegas Farina
2004 Gran Dama de Toro; $45
14/20 — Opening with a nose of blackberry, blueberry, caramel and toast, this wine is dry in the mouth with zippy acidity; Flavors offer layers of tart blackberry, ripe tomato and cherry with vanilla.

HAWKES BAY

Craggy Range
2007 Le Sol Syrah, Gimblett Gravels; $60
14.5/20 — Ripe but not over-ripe, this full-bodied wine shows nice concentration and a multi-layered palate with dry granite-like tannins, tempered by succulent ripe fruit and integrated oak notes.

COASTAL REGION

Graham Beck
2008 Gamekeeper's Reserve Chenin Blanc; $14
13.5/20 — Upfront tropical fruit, ripe pineapple, melon, peaches and honey flavours on the nose; The juicy palate shows layers of ripe tropical fruit complemented by a clean and crisp aftertaste.

FRANSCHHOEK

Morena
Cuvée Catherine; $12
13/20 — Comprised of 70 percent Pinot Noir and 30 percent Chardonnay, this pink sparkler shows characteristics of citrus and tropical fruit.

WESTERN CAPE

Sebeka
2008 South Africa Sauvignon Blanc; $7
13/20 — Showing feisty acidity, this South African white offers layers of fresh citrus flavors with grassy notes.

Sebeka
2008 Shiraz Pinotage "Cape Blend"; $8
12/20 — Flavors of jammy blackberry, dark cherry and black spice are displayed, along with intense red fruit and red berry characters.

CHILE

CENTRAL VALLEY

Terrapura
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; $9
12.5/20 — On the nose, this wine shows red fruit, blueberries and plums with soft floral notes, leading into flavors of red fruit and blueberries.

COLCHAUGA VALLEY

Koyle
2007 Royale Syrah; $25
14/20 — This wine exhibits aromas of fresh meat, wild berry, and black cherry; With a silky and harmonious texture, it pairs well with red meats, hard cheeses and hearty dishes.

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