New Wine Releases April 2014

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Arroyo Grande Valley

Laetitia
2008 Brut Coquard; $35
13.5/20 — Composed of 75 percent Pinot Noir and 25 percent Chardonnay, this crisp sparkling wine offers refreshing citrus and apple flavors with a hint of toast. 458 cases.

Monterey

La Crema
2012 Monterey Pinot Gris; $20
13.5/20 — Fresh and lively in the mouth, it displays pear, yellow plum and tropical fruit notes.

Paso Robles

DAOU Vineyards & Winery
2010 Estate Soul of a Lion; $100
15.5/20 — Composed of 74 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 12 percent Cabernet Franc, 8 percent Merlot and 6 percent Petit Verdot, this robust red wine boasts concentrated black fruit flavors, plenty of oak and firm tannins.

Justin
2011 Isosceles; $70
15/20 — This full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend displays ripe blackberry and black cherry flavors with notes of licorice and spice.

CENTRAL VALLEY

Lodi

LangeTwins
2010 Malbec; $15
13/20 — This smooth-sipping Malbec offers bright cherry and raspberry flavors with a touch of pepper on the finish. 824 cases.

NORTH COAST

Schramsberg
2009 Blanc de Noirs; $40
14/20 — Composed of 87 percent Pinot Noir and 13 percent Chardonnay, this elegant sparkler features a fragrant nose and refreshing fruit flavors. 10,719 cases.

Alexander Valley

Seghesio
2010 Sangiovese; $30
14.5/20 — This rich red wine displays red fruit flavors with earthy notes and supple tannins. 1,900 cases.

Anderson Valley

La Rochelle Winery
2010 Deer Meadows Vineyard Pinot Noir; $75
14.5/20 — Boasting heady aromas of red cherry, pomegranate and cranberry, it reveals an excellent balance of fruit, acidity and tannin in the mouth. 235 cases.

Carneros

Castello di Amorosa
2011 Los Carneros Pinot Noir; $36
14.5/20 — This fruit-forward red wine features bright cherry and raspberry flavors and silky tannins. 1,319 cases.

Howell Mountain

Beekeeper
2012 "Black Bee" Old Vine Reserve Zinfandel; $75
16/20 — Thick and inky, this Black Sears Vineyard Zinfandel boasts intense black fruit flavors with notes of black pepper and sturdy tannins. 348 cases.

Napa Valley

Black Stallion
2009 Bucephalus Red Blend; $150
15/20 — Named after Alexander the Great's beloved horse, this flagship offering needs more time to achieve balance. 350 cases.

Freemark Abbey
2012 Chardonnay; $30
14.5/20 — This classic Napa Chardonnay features buttery oak flavors and a creamy mouthfeel. 13,000 cases.

Lawer Family Wines
2010 Hooker "Old Boys" Cabernet Sauvignon; $32
14.5/20 — Blended with a touch of Petit Verdot, this full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits dark fruit flavors with notes of baking spice and supple tannins. 203 cases.

Robert John Vineyards
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon; $75
14.5/20 — This full-bodied red wine features floral and earthy aromas, cranberry and pomegranate flavors, and sturdy tannins.

Russian River Valley

Gary Farrell
2010 Stiling Vineyard Pinot Noir; $50
15/20 — Fairly light in the mouth, it displays fragrant red fruit, floral and spice aromas, a bright acidity and silky tannins. 296 cases.

Iron Horse
2009 Wedding Cuvée; $40
14/20 — Composed of 78 percent Noir and 22 percent Chardonnay, this crisp sparkling wine offers citrus, stone fruit and mineral flavors. 2,250 cases.

Ten Acre
2011 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir; $38
14/20 — This medium-bodied Pinot Noir features fragrant cherry and spice aromas, candied red fruit flavors and soft tannins. 350 cases.

Truett Hurst
2012 Bluebird Sauvignon Blanc; $22
13.5/20 — Fresh and aromatic, it reveals steely lime and pineapple flavors with grassy notes and a clean finish. 470 cases.

Sonoma County

Matanzas Creek Winery
2012 Helena Bench Sauvignon Blanc; $40
14.5/20 — This well-balanced white wine boasts complex fruit and mineral flavors and a crisp acidity.

SIERRA FOOTHILLS

El Dorado

Sierra Vista Vineyards
2009 Grenache; $22
13/20 — Blended with a touch of Syrah, this Grenache is incredibly light in color and texture, almost to the point of being insubstantial.

MULTIPLE AVAS

Biltmore
NV Century White American; $15
13/20 — A blend of Muscat Canelli, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Malvasia, this semi-sweet wine displays fragrant citrus aromas and flavors.

Dark Horse
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon; $14
12.5/20 — This full-bodied red wine shows ripe black fruit flavors with a touch of vanilla and supple tannins. 100,400 cases.

Healdsburg Ranches
2011 Coastal Series Zinfandel; $12
13/20 — A jammy Zinfandel featuring complex spice notes and firm tannins, it represents good value for money.

{Noble Vines}
2011 1 Red Blend; $14
13.5/20 — This medium-bodied blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel exhibits dark fruit flavors and peppery notes. 25,000 cases.

COLORADO

WEST ELKS

Sutcliffe Vineyards
2011 Cabernet Franc; $28
13/20 — This earthy red wine displays floral aromas, red fruit flavors and soft tannins. 143 cases.

OREGON

YAMHILL-CARLTON

Kramer Vineyards
2010 Rebecca's Reserve Pinot Noir; $35
14/20 — Medium-bodied and silky, it displays earthy cherry and raspberry flavors with a touch of cola. 100 cases.

TEXAS

TEXAS HIGH PLAINS

Pedernales Cellars
2010 Texas High Plains Tempranillo; $40
13/20 — This dry red wine offers earthy red fruit flavors and soft tannins. 279 cases.

VIRGINIA

MONTICELLO

Trump Winery
2008 Simply Red; $16
12.5/20 — Composed of 48 percent Merlot, 26 percent Cabernet Franc, 21 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 5 percent Petit Verdot, this medium-bodied blend features dark fruit flavors and supple tannins. 4,700 cases.

WASHINGTON

14 Hands
2012 Chardonnay; $12
13/20 — This easy-drinking Chardonnay exhibits refreshing apple and pear flavors and a creamy mouthfeel.

BAJA CALIFORNIA

Guadalupe Valley

Monte Xanic
2011 Calixa Rosado; $14
12.5/20 — A rosé of Grenache, it offers crisp strawberry and red grapefruit flavors. 585 cases.

SOUTH AFRICA

Western Cape

House of Mandela
2012 Thembu Collection Chenin Blanc; $13
13/20 — This fair trade certified wine displays peach and tropical fruit flavors with mineral notes. 5,000 cases.

AUSTRIA

Neusiedlersee

Juris
2011 Sankt Laurent Selection; $27
13.5/20 — This soft red wine features juicy red fruit flavors with a touch of sweetness.

FRANCE

Burgundy

Domaines Leflaive
2011 Mâcon-Verzé; $37
14/20 — A Chardonnay made from biodynamic grapes, it features minerally lemon and pear flavors.

Loire Valley

Clau de Nell
2011 Cabernet Franc; $39
14.5/20 — This biodynamic red wine boasts a good balance of complex fruit flavors, vibrant acidity and supple tannins.

Domaine des Forges
2011 Coteaux du Layon St Aubin; $11
13/20 — This sweet Chenin Blanc displays pineapple and grapefruit flavors with hints of dried apricot, fig and date.

GREECE

Peloponnese

Sofos
White; $12
12/20 — Composed of half Moschofilero and half Chardonnay, this organic blend exhibits crisp citrus flavors with herbal notes.

ITALY

Piedmont

Bera
2012 Moscato d'Asti DOCG; $19
13.5/20 — This sweet sparkling wine features fragrant floral aromas and a lively mouthfeel. 6,666 cases.

Tuscany

Dievole
2001 Dieulele Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva; $81
16/20 — Mostly made from Sangiovese, this rich, complex red wine boasts intense black cherry flavors and well-integrated tannins. 375 cases.

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi
2010 Pietraregia Riserva; $25
13.5/20 — This balanced red wine features earthy dark fruit flavors and supple tannins.

Veneto

Loriella
Prosecco Spumante Treviso; $24
13/20 — This refreshing sparkling wine offers citrus and almond notes and a crisp mouthfeel.

SPAIN

Priorat

Vall Llach
2009 Idus de Vall Llach; $50
15/20 — A blend of Cariñena, Merlot, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this rich, robust red wine boasts complex berry flavors with earthy and mineral notes.

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Luminis
2012 Allamand Altamira Malbec; $25
13.5/20 — This full-bodied red wine displays spicy black fruit flavors and sturdy tannins. 600 cases.

Red Rock Winery
2012 Mendoza Malbec; $14
13/20 — Offering floral and peppery aromas, it reveals dark fruit flavors and supple tannins. 25,840 cases.

AUSTRALIA

Hunter Valley

Hope Estate
2011 Mountain Wash Chardonnay; $15
13/20 — This medium-bodied Chardonnay exhibits ripe peach and apricot flavors with floral and citrus notes.

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