Sorry to have been MIA last week; a death in the family (my sister-in-law) took us upstate for the weekend. New stuff follows, along with the current samplers (sorry, I seem to have vaporized two of them). Best to all, Judy
NEW WHITES
La Vielle Ferme 2006 Cotes du Luberon @ $7.99
Tierruca 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $8.99
Steenberg 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $9.99
(back) Round Hill 2007 Chardonnay @ $9.99
Botalcura 2007 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
Sawbuck 2006 Chardonnay @ $11.99
Fairhills 2008 Chardonnay @ $11.99 (well, I petitioned for this one and will stand by it)
Toscalo 2006 Vernaccia @ $13.99
(new vintage_ Mackenzie 2007 Chardonnay @ $14.99
Delta 2007 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
(new vintage) MacMurray 2007 Pinot Gris @ $17.99
(new vintage) Laredde 2007 Sancerre @ $19/99
Belland-Chapuis 2007 Sancerre @ $20.99
(new vintage) Steele 2007 Chardonnay @ $21.99
Saintsbury 2997 Chardonnay @ $22.99
NEW REDS:
Nederburg 2007 Pinotage @ $9.99
Sin Ley 2006 Monastrell @ $9.99
(back) Botalcura 2006 Syrah/Malbec @ $10.99
Kermit Lynch 2007 Vin de Pay de Vaucluse @ $10.99 (this is killer, we all fell in love)
Stonehedge 2007 Merlot @ $10.99
Releaf 2007 Cab/Merlot/Shiraz @ $11.99 (super)
(new vintage) Strong Arms 2007 Shiraz @ $11.99
(new vintage) Vale do Bonfim 2006 Douro @ $13.99 (some of you nay like it, but too oaky for me)
Vitalonga 2004 Elcione @ $13.99
Maryhill 2007 Winemakers Blend @ $14.99
Mackenzie 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $14.99
Chigi Saracini 2006 Chianti Classico @ $15.99
Crios 2007 Malbec @ $15.99
Hesketh 2006 Shiraz @ $17.99
De Loach 2007 Zinfandel @ $19.99
Mitolo 2007 Cabernet "Jester" @ $21.99
De Loach 2007 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir @ $23.99
Benton Lane 2007 Pinot Noir @ $24.99
Toad Hall 2004 Pinot Noir "Lavender Hill" @ $38.99
Vina al Lado de la Casa 2006 Yecla @ $34.99
Judy Rings in the New!
Ringing in the new year inspired me to ferret out three new wines to feature . . . A bit of a challenge, since we try our best not to complicate our lives by taking in new items during the holiday season. I did manage to fine a sampler's worth, though, so here goes!
Emerson Vineyards 2007 Pinot Gris
The father-son team of Tom and Elliott Johns own and tend 127 acres of vineyard in Oregon's Willamette Valley; here Elliott makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris from grapes grown on the estate and Syrah from grapes bought in from Lodi California. Elliott strives for the most elegant wines possible, a style that is clearly evident in his Pinot Gris: silvery and brilliant, it has flavors of pineapple and lime, with a crisp finish highlighting spice and minerality.
$16.99/btl;$169.90/cs
The father-son team of Tom and Elliott Johns own and tend 127 acres of vineyard in Oregon's Willamette Valley; here Elliott makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris from grapes grown on the estate and Syrah from grapes bought in from Lodi California. Elliott strives for the most elegant wines possible, a style that is clearly evident in his Pinot Gris: silvery and brilliant, it has flavors of pineapple and lime, with a crisp finish highlighting spice and minerality.
$16.99/btl;$169.90/cs
Belpoggio 2007 Rosso Piceno "Stupor Mundi"
The Belpoggio Estates are located in the heart of the Marches, on Italy's Adriatic coast, where the winegrowing tradition is thousands of years old. The growers here have jointly 500 acres in production, and all practice eco-compatible agriculture, paying the greatest attention to respecting the land and the environment. This Rosso Piceno is a judicious blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, made and matured entirely in stainless steel; an almost transparent ruby red, it has intense fruit flavors of ripe peach and plum. Why the name "stupor mundi," which is Latin for "wonder of the world"? The label features a portrait of Frederick II, who became Holy Roman Emperor at the age of three; his intelligence and talents were so formidable that he soon acquired the nickname "Stupor Mundi."
$11.99/btl;$119.90/cs
The Belpoggio Estates are located in the heart of the Marches, on Italy's Adriatic coast, where the winegrowing tradition is thousands of years old. The growers here have jointly 500 acres in production, and all practice eco-compatible agriculture, paying the greatest attention to respecting the land and the environment. This Rosso Piceno is a judicious blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, made and matured entirely in stainless steel; an almost transparent ruby red, it has intense fruit flavors of ripe peach and plum. Why the name "stupor mundi," which is Latin for "wonder of the world"? The label features a portrait of Frederick II, who became Holy Roman Emperor at the age of three; his intelligence and talents were so formidable that he soon acquired the nickname "Stupor Mundi."
$11.99/btl;$119.90/cs
Chateau Pesquié 2006 Terrasses
One of the leading estates in the Côtes du Ventoux appellation, Chateau Pesquié is a family venture now in the third generation, second generation Paul and Edith Chaudière having recently passed the baton to sons Alexandre and Frederic and their cousin Reynaud. The Chaudières named this wine in homage to the Provence countryside terraces their ancestors carved into carefully chosen sites and planted to olive groves and vines. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the wine is dark red with berry aromas, powerful on the palate but with elegant tannins and a spicy finish.
$14.99/btl;$149.90/cs
One of the leading estates in the Côtes du Ventoux appellation, Chateau Pesquié is a family venture now in the third generation, second generation Paul and Edith Chaudière having recently passed the baton to sons Alexandre and Frederic and their cousin Reynaud. The Chaudières named this wine in homage to the Provence countryside terraces their ancestors carved into carefully chosen sites and planted to olive groves and vines. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the wine is dark red with berry aromas, powerful on the palate but with elegant tannins and a spicy finish.
$14.99/btl;$149.90/cs
Samplers B, with 2 bottles of each wine: $73.25
Sampler D
Tara's Rebus of the Inauguration and All-American Celebration
$83.99
2 bottle of each
Gruet Brut Methode Champenoise $14.99
Crisp, and full-bodied sparkling wine, which has developed rich
complexity and fine mousse. The allure of toasty finish from
twenty-four months on tirage, is a complement to the sophisticated
apple and citrus flavor. Winemaker's Note: Brilliant with ultra fine
bubbles. A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and
grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style!
Candor NV Zinfandel $17.99
Zinfandel is California's signature grape, and a variety that has gone
through more rough patches and glory days than most. Zinfandel in the
glass can be thrilling, and it can be absolutely generic. Great
Zinfandel grapes grow in pockets all over the state, and the Hope
family have done their homework. This wine benefits from a combination
of hardy, gnarly old vines, some of them over 50 years old, and
exuberant new ones, all meticulously farmed. Blended together across
vineyards and vintages, Candor Zinfandel has real panache—bright berry
fruit, spice, and that undefinable zing that says it's really Zinfandel.
Liberty School 06 Cabernet Sauvignon $14.99
Liberty School's Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from the east side
of Paso Robles, prime Cabernet country, with the added complexity of a
few west side sources. Drawing on multiple vineyards—usually about a
dozen each year—allows the winemaking team to take advantage of
different soils, micro-climates, clones and rootstocks to create a
harmonious, balanced, rounded final product.
$83.99 for two of each
Sampler D
Tara's Rebus of the Inauguration and All-American Celebration
$83.99
2 bottle of each
Gruet Brut Methode Champenoise $14.99
Crisp, and full-bodied sparkling wine, which has developed rich
complexity and fine mousse. The allure of toasty finish from
twenty-four months on tirage, is a complement to the sophisticated
apple and citrus flavor. Winemaker's Note: Brilliant with ultra fine
bubbles. A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and
grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style!
Candor NV Zinfandel $17.99
Zinfandel is California's signature grape, and a variety that has gone
through more rough patches and glory days than most. Zinfandel in the
glass can be thrilling, and it can be absolutely generic. Great
Zinfandel grapes grow in pockets all over the state, and the Hope
family have done their homework. This wine benefits from a combination
of hardy, gnarly old vines, some of them over 50 years old, and
exuberant new ones, all meticulously farmed. Blended together across
vineyards and vintages, Candor Zinfandel has real panache—bright berry
fruit, spice, and that undefinable zing that says it's really Zinfandel.
Liberty School 06 Cabernet Sauvignon $14.99
Liberty School's Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from the east side
of Paso Robles, prime Cabernet country, with the added complexity of a
few west side sources. Drawing on multiple vineyards—usually about a
dozen each year—allows the winemaking team to take advantage of
different soils, micro-climates, clones and rootstocks to create a
harmonious, balanced, rounded final product.
$83.99 for two of each
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!