New Wine Releases November 2012

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Monterey

{Noble Vines}
2011 446 Chardonnay; $12
13.5/20 — Named for Clone 4 in Block 46 of their San Bernabe Vineyard, this soft Chardonnay offers peach flavors with a touch of vanilla and spice.

Paso Robles

Viña Robles
2010 RED4; $17
13.5/20 — A blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, this medium-bodied wine boasts red fruit flavors and a pleasing finish.

Santa Barbara County

Wild Horse
2010 Unbridled Pinot Noir; $35
14/20 — This full-bodied red wine boasts enticing berry aromas with a hint of cola on the nose and rich fruit flavors in the mouth.

Santa Lucia Highlands

Gallo Signature Series
2010 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir; $35
14/20 — A complex and full-bodied wine, it displays fragrant aromas, black fruit flavors and soft tannins.

Santa Maria Valley

Bonny Doon Vineyard
2008 Bien Nacido X-Block Syrah; $42
15.5/20 — A roller coaster for the senses, the wine boasts aromas and flavors of citrus, smoke, tobacco, black currant, cranberry, licorice and game meats.

NORTH COAST

Anderson Valley

Navarro Vineyards
2011 Dry Gewürztraminer; $19
13.5/20 — Boasting intense floral aromas on the nose, it reveals bright citrus flavors and a dry finish in the mouth.

Carneros

Isabel Mondavi
2009 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir; $35
13.5/20 — A medium-bodied Pinot Noir offering cherry flavors and a vibrant acidity, it would pair well with dishes like roast turkey, grilled salmon and duck confit.

Robert Mondavi
2010 Pinot Noir Reserve; $60
14.5/20 — Boasting aromas of black fruit and violet aromas on the nose, it reveals complex fruit flavors and silky tannins in the mouth.

Chalk Hill

Mossback
2009 Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon; $25
14.5/20 — Composed mostly of Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot, this full-bodied red wine is well-balanced and offers great value for the price.

Dry Creek Valley

Fritz
2011 Estate Sauvignon Blanc; $25
14/20 — This aromatic white wine boasts stone fruit and citrus flavors and vibrant acidity.

Mendocino County

Castello di Amorosa
2011 "Dolcino" Gewürztraminer; $24
13.5/20 — A semi-sweet wine, it displays aromas of apricot, honeysuckle, hazelnut and rose petals and a somewhat syrupy mouthfeel.

Testa Vineyards
2009 Black "DUE"; $20
14.5/20 — A blend of Carignane, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon, it offers a sophisticated array of bright, tart, dark brooding fruit flavors.

Truett Hurst
2011 Schucks Sauvignon Blanc; $12
12.5/20 — This beautifully wrapped bottle is more notable for its packaging than the rather sweet Sauvignon Blanc inside.

Napa Valley

Ackerman Family Vineyards
2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; $75
15/20 — Made with certified-organic grapes, this full-bodied red wine features dark fruit flavors and sturdy tannins that bode well for cellaring.

CADE
2011 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc; $26
14/20 — At 14.2 per cent alcohol, this crisp and clean white wine is slightly too strong.

Chappellet
2010 Cervantes Mountain Cuvée; $32
14.5/20 — A blend of four Bordeaux varietals, this well-balanced meritage offers rich fruit flavors and a full-bodied mouthfeel.

Colgin Cellars
2003 Cariad; $600
16.5/20 — Meaning love in Welsh, the 2003 Cariad is an exquisitely crafted blend of 50 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 36 per cent Merlot, 5 per cent Cabernet Franc and 9 per cent Petit Verdot.

Conn Creek
2008 Napa Valley Anthology; $55
14.5/20 — This meritage composed mostly of Cabenernet Sauvignon features bright, red fruit flavors, supple tannins and a medley of spices on the finish.

Paraduxx
2011 Napa Valley Rosé; $26
13.5/20 — Composed of 71 per cent Zinfandel and 29 per cent Merlot, it offers characteristic strawberry flavors and plenty of minerality and acidity, balanced by lovely floral accents.

PlumpJack
2011 Reserve Chardonnay; $48
14.5/20 — This full-bodied white wine offers fresh flavors of apple, banana and fig marked by a soft acidity.

Robert John Vineyards
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon; $75
14.5/20 — A young and still relatively tight wine, its aromas are light but interesting with notes of black fruit, caramel, rose petal, tobacco and spice.

Russian River Valley

Iron Horse
2007 Classic Vintage Brut; $38
14/20 — Composed of 75 per cent Pinot Noir and 25 per cent Chardonnay, it boasts flavors of apple and pear with yeasty notes on the finish.

Joseph Jewell
2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir; $33
14/20 — This medium-bodied red wine features earthy aromas on the nose and red fruit flavors with a hint of sweetness in the mouth.

Sonoma-Loeb
2010 Envoy Chardonnay; $49
15/20 — A crisp Chardonnay, it boasts tropical and citrus fruit flavors and a clean finish.

Sonoma Coast

MacRostie
2009 Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay; $35
14/20 — This full-bodied white wine offers pineapple, pear and mineral flavors of pineapple and a long, smooth finish.

Sonoma County

Ancient Oak Cellars
2011 Sonoma County Chardonnay; $20
13.5/20 — An unoaked Chardonnay, it displays fresh fruit flavors with plenty of acidity and minerality.

Huge Bear
2010 Chardonnay; $40
14.5/20 — This rich, full-bodied white wine features crisp apple and lemon flavors that would pair well with roast chicken or freshwater salmon.

Louis M. Martini
2010 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon; $18
13.5/20 — A fruit-forward red wine, it offers rich dark fruit flavors with hints of mocha and caramel.

SOUTH COAST

Temecula Valley

Thornton
2011 Roussane; $19
13/20 — On the nose, this lovely white wine offers wildflower and honey aromas with pear and apple fruit.

MULTIPLE AVAS

Barefoot Cellars
California Sauvignon Blanc; $6
12.5/20 —This light, bargain-priced wine displays fragrant aromas and crisp fruit flavors.

Francis Coppola Winery
2010 Diamond Red Blend; $18
13.5/20 — A blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this well-balanced red wine offers rich, spicy fruit flavors and sturdy tannins.

Gnarly Head
2011 Pinot Grigio; $9
12.5/20 — This crisp white wine offers fragrant aromas of citrus, peach and honeysuckle followed by lush melon flavors in the mouth.

Herzog
2011 Late Harvest Orange Muscat; $20
13.5/20 — A sweet dessert wine, it boasts rich aromas and mouth-filling flavors of orange and apricot with tropical fruit notes.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
2011 Chardonnay; $7
13/20 — A dry white wine displaying soft apple flavors, it would pair well with seafood, roast turkey or crunchy salads.

IDAHO

SNAKE RIVER VALLEY

Ste Chapelle
2010 Special Harvest Riesling; $11
12.5/20 — This sweet Riesling features citrus aromas, pineapple and peach flavors and a touch of acidity.

MICHIGAN

LEELANAU PENINSULA

Bowers Harbor Vineyards
2011 Rosé, Pinot Noir; $15
13/20 — A dry, food-friendly wine, it offers a mélange of strawberry, cranberry and melon flavors with a hint of pepper on the finish.

NEW YORK

FINGER LAKES

Shaw Vineyard
2010 Li Bella Pinot Grigio; $15
14/20 — This aromatic white wine boasts bright citrus flavors with a touch of sweetness.

OREGON

CHEHALEM MOUNTAINS

Adelsheim
2011 Pinot Blanc; $22
13.5/20 — This dry white wine displays tangy citrus flavors and a lively acidity on the palate.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Soter Vineyards
North Valley 2009 Pinot Noir; $30
14/20 — A medium-bodied red wine, it boasts lush flavors of black cherry and raspberry with hints of spice on the long, silky finish.

PENNSYLVANIA

BERKS COUNTY

Long Trout Winery
Berried in Chocolate; $16
13/20 — This sweet dessert wine made with chocolate can be enjoyed on its own or paired with more chocolate.

VIRGINIA

NORTHERN NECK GEORGE WASHINGTON BIRTHPLACE

Ingleside Vineyards
2008 Petit Verdot; $20
14.5/20 — This dry red wine blended with some Merlot features dark fruit flavors and firm tannins.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Chrysalis Vineyards
2010 Viognier; $29
15/20 — A full-bodied and fragrant white wine, it boasts heady aromas of pear, tropical and citrus fruits.

Cross Keys Vineyards
2009 Ali d'Oro; $30 (375 ml)
13/20 — Made from late harvest Traminette, a hybrid varietal based on Gewürztraminer, Ali d'Oro boasts fragrant aromas and rich apricot and honey flavors.

WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Cadaretta
2011 SBS; $23
13.5/20 — A Bordeaux-style blend of 76 per cent Sauvignon Blanc and 24 per cent Semillon, it reveals crisp stone fruit flavors, a cool minerality and a crisp acidity in the mouth.

Col Solare
2008 Red Wine; $75
15/20 — A full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, it displays an excellent balance of fruit, acidity and tannins.

Northstar
2008 Columbia Valley Merlot; $41
13.5/20 — This well-balanced red wine features dark fruit flavors with a touch of spice and soft tannins.

AUSTRIA

Burgenland

Heinrich
2009 Red; $15
13/20 — Blended from Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, this food-friendly wine offers rounded red fruit flavors and medium tannins.

Niederösterreich

BioKult
2010 Rosé; $13
13.5/20 — A dry rosé made from the native Blauer Zweigelt varietal, the wine boasts tart strawberry, kiwi and melon flavors with a touch of minerality.

FRANCE

Bordeaux

Château Côte Montpezat
2009 Cuvée Compostelle; $15
14/20 — Offering blueberry and raspberry on the nose, this full-bodied red wine reveals luscious fruit flavors and soft tannins in the mouth.

La Fleur Morange Mathilde
2010 Saint-Emilion; $18
12.5/20 — A dry red wine, it displays cooked fruit flavors with plenty of earthy notes and firm tannins.

Les Hauts de Lagarde
2010 Rouge; $13
14/20 — Composed of 65 per cent Merlot, 25 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 per cent Cabernet Franc, this medium-bodied wine boasts warm black fruit flavors and smooth, rounded tannins.

Burgundy

Georges Duboeuf
2012 Beaujolais Nouveau; $10
12.5/20 — This celebrated young wine boasts fresh fruit flavors and soft tannins, but lacks depth and complexity.

Jaillance
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay; $13
13/20 — Crisp and medium-bodied, this sparkling blend of Burgundian varietals works well as an aperitif.

Languedoc-Roussillon

Domaine La Tour Vielle
2006 Banyuls Rimage Mise Tardive; $32
14/20 — Composed of 90 per cent Grenache and 10 per cent Carignan, this elegant dessert wine is true to type.

Les Petits Grain
Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois; $12
13.5/20 — This fortified dessert wine boasts sweet apricot, orange and honey flavors and a thick mouthfeel.

Loire Valley

François Pinon
2009 Vouvray Cuvée Silex Noir; $20
14/20 — An organic wine made from Chenin Blanc, it offers citrus and mineral flavors with floral notes.

ITALY

Alto Adige

Nals Margreid
2011 Lagrein aus Gries; $19
13/20 — A young wine, it offers fresh red fruit flavors with hints of chocolate and violet and supple tannins.

Sicily

Feudo Principi di Butera
2010 Nero d'Avola; $17
13.5/20 — Dry and full-bodied, this rich red wine boasts spicy aromas on the nose and cherry flavors in the mouth.

Veneto

Fattori
2011 Soave Daniele; $16
14/20 — This well-balanced white wine displays floral and stone fruit aromas on the nose and citrus flavors on the palate.

Rocca Sveva
2010 Soave Classico DOC; $10
13/20 — A fresh and fruity wine, it would pair well with fish and seafood, grilled chicken and garden salads.

PORTUGAL

Casal Garcia
2010 Vinho Tinto; $7
13/20 — This blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz is light, fruity and food-friendly.

SPAIN

Rías Baixas

Santiago Ruiz
2011 White Blend; $20
13/20 — A blend of Albariño, Loureiro, Caiño white, Treixadura and Godello, this dry white wine is crisp and well-balanced.

Toro

Numanthia
2008 Red Wine; $60
14.5/20 — Made entirely of Tinta de Toro grapes, this robust, full-bodied wine boasts complex flavors of dark fruit and spice complemented by sturdy tannins.

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Mountain Door
2011 Malbec; $9
13/20 — A reasonably-priced Malbec offering generous red fruit flavors, it would pair well with a grilled steak or spicy pizza.

Reginato
Sparkling Rosé of Malbec; $16
13/20 — This brightly colored sparkler displays crisp strawberry and rhubarb flavors and a dry finish.

AUSTRALIA

South Eastern Australia

FishEye
2011 Pinot Grigio; $7
12.5/20 — Aromatic and light-bodied, this crisp white wine offers peach and tropical fruit flavors with a touch of sweetness.

NEW ZEALAND

Marlborough

Kim Crawford
2011 Sauvignon Blanc; $18
14/20 — Crisp and clean, this acidic white wine displays tropical and stone fruit flavors with vegetal notes.

Nobilo
2011 Sauvignon Blanc; $13
13.5/20 — This aromatic white wine features pineapple and passionfruit flavors and a crisp mouthfeel.

Villa Maria Estate
2011 Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc; $22
13.5/20 — This food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc boasts a bright acidity and crisp tropical and citrus flavors that would pair well with seafood and grilled vegetables.

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