New Wine Releases July 2013

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Baron Herzog
2010 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon; $13
13/20 — An easy drinking Cab, it features jammy blackberry and plum flavors with hints of vanilla and spice. 30,000 cases.

Happy Canyon

Grassini Family Vineyards
2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; $65
15/20 — This robust, ripe Cabernet Sauvignon boasts dominant red fruit flavors and aromas, firm tannins and a lengthy finish. 230 cases.

Santa Barbara County

Martian Ranch & Vineyard
2011 Uforic; $22
14/20 — Made from Albariño, this dry white wine offering muted citrus flavors with plenty of minerality pairs well with white fish and seafood. 420 cases.

Santa Lucia Highlands

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection
2011 Diamond Pavilion; $20
13.5/20 — Composed of 98 percent Chardonnay and 2 percent Muscat, this silky white wine displays apple, pear and pineapple flavors with a touch of vanilla.

Santa Ynez Valley

Kalyra
2009 Verdelho Angelique; $21 (375 ml)
14/20 — Made from Verdelho grapes and fortified with brandy, this 18 percent alcohol dessert wine boasts sweet citrus flavors and a smooth finish. 43 cases.

CENTRAL VALLEY

Clarksburg

Clarksburg Wine Company
2010 Cabernet Franc; $28
14/20 — Composed of 97 percent Cabernet Franc and 3 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, this full-bodied red wine features cherry and blackberry flavors with earthier notes of cedar and clove. 132 cases.

NORTH COAST

Carneros

Buccio
2010 Pinot Noir; $24
14/20 — This medium-bodied Pinot offers fairly complex red fruit flavors with a touch of spice and soft tannins. 198 cases.

Schug
2009 Rouge de Noirs; $30
13.5/20 — A light, sparkling Pinot Noir, it is dry and crisp in the mouth and displays cola-like flavors. 448 cases.

Mendocino

Eppa Wine Company
SuperFruit Sangria; $12
12.5/20 — This blend of organically grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah combined with organic juices such as pomegranate and blueberry is fruity, sweet and low in alcohol.

Napa Valley

Beaulieu Vineyard
2009 Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; $125
16.5/20 — At 15.7 percent alcohol, BV's flagship Cab is a big, full-bodied wine that will likely continue improving in the bottle over the next decade or two.

Brand
2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; $225
17/20 — Made from Pritchard Hill fruit, this elegant Cabernet Sauvignon boasts concentrated black fruit flavors of great complexity and well-integrated tannins. 247 cases.

Shafer
2010 One Point Five; $72
15/20 — Displaying ripe berry aromas complemented by herbal notes, this complex, full-bodied red wine reveals supple tannins in the mouth and a lengthy finish. 8,500 cases.

Rockpile

Beekeeper
2010 Madrone Spring Vineyard Zinfandel; $60
15/20 — This thick, fruit-forward Zinfandel features concentrated black cherry and blackberry flavors with a touch of pepper on the finish. 109 cases.

Russian River Valley

Dutton Goldfield
2011 Dutton Ranch Emerald Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir; $58
14.5/20 — A delicate and medium-bodied wine, it offers lush red fruit flavors with notes of baking spice and silky tannins. 391 cases.

Iron Horse
2008 Wedding Cuvée; $38
14.5/20 — Composed of 85 percent Pinot Noir and 15 percent Chardonnay, this dry sparkling wine displays and aromatic nose and stone fruit flavors in the mouth. 3,600 cases.

Ten Acre
2010 Stephens Vineyard Pinot Noir; $55
14.5/20 — This elegant Pinor Noir features cherry and violet aromas, red fruit flavors and soft tannins. 190 cases.

Sonoma Coast

MacPhail
2010 Pratt Vineyard Pinot Noir; $49
14.5/20 — An earthy Pinot Noir, it is unfined and unfiltered, offering plum and spice flavors and full-bodied mouthfeel. 223 cases.

OREGON

DUNDEE HILLS

Stoller
2009 Cathy's Reserve Pinot Noir; $100
16.5/20 — This well-structured Pinot Noir boasts raspberry and violet aromas, intense fruit flavors with a touch of spice and supple tannins. 88 cases.

YAMHILL-CARLTON

Kramer Vineyards
2010 Celebrate Müller-Thurgau; $18
13.5/20 — Made by carbonating batches of still wine, this sparkling wine is light and fruity. 265 cases.

WASHINGTON

WALLA WALLA VALLEY

Abeja
2012 Viognier; $30
13.5/20 — This aromatic white wine offers juicy tropical fruit flavors and a food-friendly acidity. 238 cases.

Syzygy
2009 Syrah; $37
14.5/20 — Pronounced szz-eh-jee, this full-bodied red wine features concentrated, spicy dark fruit flavors and a dry finish. 528 cases.

SOUTH AFRICA

Stellenbosch

Glenelly
2010 "Glass Collection" Cabernet Sauvignon; $20
13.5/20 — A balanced red wine, it offers black fruit flavors, a balanced acidity and a full-bodied mouthfeel.

ITALY

Puglia

Layer Cake
2010 Primitivo; $15
13.5/20 — This inky black wine displays equally black fruit flavors with peppery notes and firm tannins.

Umbria

Perticaia
2007 Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG; $48
13/20 — Although aged for 3 years before release, it is still rather bitter and tannic, but would pair well with gamey meats and mature cheeses.

Veneto

Tommasi
2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico; $72
14.5/20 — A robust blend of partially dried grapes, this rich red wine boasts a thick mouthfeel and dark red fruit flavors with a touch of sweetness.

PORTUGAL

Douro

Veedha
2009 Douro Red; $14
13/20 — This blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional offers black ruit flavors and sturdy tannins.

ARGENTINA

Salta

Kaiken
2012 Terroir Series Torrontes; $17
13/20 — Sweet on entry, this aromatic white wine features crisp tropical fruit flavors that finish rather roughly.

San Juan

Graffigna
2011 Centenario Malbec; $15
13/20 — This full-bodied red wine displays ripe berry flavories with peppery notes and a firm tannins.

CHILE

San Antonio Valley

Matetic Vineyards
2009 Corralillo Syrah; $28
14/20 — Made from certified organic grapes, this inky-colored wine offers rich dark fruit flavors with hints of chocolate and spice. 2,900 cases.

AUSTRALIA

South Eastern Australia

Jacob's Creek
2012 Sweet Red; $12
13/20 — At 10.8 percent alcohol, this medium-bodied wine offers sweet juicy flavors that make this wine a good summer selection.

More New Releases