Sorry to have been MIA lately, but the combination of post-holiday doldrums and our attempt to take inventory left me with little to report. The listing below represents everything new we have taken in since the first week of January. As per usual, please check our web site (www.heightschateau.com) for the current samplers and for news of upcoming in-store tastings . . . and for info on the upcoming dinner at the Wine Bar on Henry St. featuring Tony DiDio Selections.
NEW WHITES:
Carta Vieja 2009 Sauvignon Blanc @ $6.99
Citrusy aromas and flavors, bracing acidity, classic varietal grassiness
(new vintage) Ipsum 2008 Rueda @ $10.99
A blend of Viura and Verdejo from 30+-year-old vines, vibrant and crisp with tropical fruit flavors
(back) Nyakos 2006 Pinot Gris @ $10.99
Elegant and round, unoaked, with forest flavors typical of the region around Budapest
Rauen 2008 Riesling Halbtrocken @ $12.99
Flavors of pear, apple, and honeysuckle, with bright acidity
(new vintage) Schmitges 2008 Rivaner @ $13.99
100% Muller-Thurgau from the Mosel, fresh, clean, and zesty
(new vintage) Oyster Bay 2009 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
Tropicals and gooseberries, an abundant bouquet, and crisp lively acidity
Domaine Pelaquie 2008 Laudun @ $13.99
A blend of five different white grapes from the Rhone, elegant and subtle with hints of white fruit
Backsberg 2008 Chardonnay @ $14.99
Apricots, almonds and cream, intense aromas in a Kosher chardonnay from South Africa
Bavard 2007 Bourgogne @ $18.99
An elegant expression of a precise and pure white Burgundy vintage
Mulderbosch 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $19.99
A stylish Sauvignon Blanc from one of the best white wine producers in South Africa
Russiz Superiore 2007 Sauvignon Blanc @ $22.99
A reserved, sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc from part of the Felluga family's winegrowing dynasty
Rauen 2008 Riesling Auslese @ $23.99 (500 ml)
Full, rich, aromatic, loaded with vanilla and honey
Carta Vieja 2009 Sauvignon Blanc @ $6.99
Citrusy aromas and flavors, bracing acidity, classic varietal grassiness
(new vintage) Ipsum 2008 Rueda @ $10.99
A blend of Viura and Verdejo from 30+-year-old vines, vibrant and crisp with tropical fruit flavors
(back) Nyakos 2006 Pinot Gris @ $10.99
Elegant and round, unoaked, with forest flavors typical of the region around Budapest
Rauen 2008 Riesling Halbtrocken @ $12.99
Flavors of pear, apple, and honeysuckle, with bright acidity
(new vintage) Schmitges 2008 Rivaner @ $13.99
100% Muller-Thurgau from the Mosel, fresh, clean, and zesty
(new vintage) Oyster Bay 2009 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
Tropicals and gooseberries, an abundant bouquet, and crisp lively acidity
Domaine Pelaquie 2008 Laudun @ $13.99
A blend of five different white grapes from the Rhone, elegant and subtle with hints of white fruit
Backsberg 2008 Chardonnay @ $14.99
Apricots, almonds and cream, intense aromas in a Kosher chardonnay from South Africa
Bavard 2007 Bourgogne @ $18.99
An elegant expression of a precise and pure white Burgundy vintage
Mulderbosch 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $19.99
A stylish Sauvignon Blanc from one of the best white wine producers in South Africa
Russiz Superiore 2007 Sauvignon Blanc @ $22.99
A reserved, sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc from part of the Felluga family's winegrowing dynasty
Rauen 2008 Riesling Auslese @ $23.99 (500 ml)
Full, rich, aromatic, loaded with vanilla and honey
NEW REDS:
(back) Aguaribay 2006 Malbec @ $9.99
Smooth, rich fruit, good acidity, from an Argentine winery with Rothschild connections
(new vintage) Paso a Paso 2008 Tempranillo @ $9.99
Nice combination of fruit, earthiness, and spice, aged six months in French oak
(new vintage) Strong Arms 2008 Shiraz @ $11.99
A McLaren Vale Shiraz, soft, easy-drinking, modest yet stylish
Padrillos 2008 Malbec @ $11.99
Ripe, with dark fruit aromas, hints of chocolate and black cherry
(back) Kanonkop 2008 Kadette @ $12.99
A blend of Pinotage, Cab, and Merlot, full-bodied with concentrated fruit flavors and a spicy finish
(new vintage) Ijalba 2005 Rioja "Murice" @ $13.99
Concentrated black currant flavors mixed with soft vanilla oak
(back) Casnati 2006 Malbec @ $14.99
Medium-bodied and balanced, with flavors of ripe plums and blueberries
(back) Chateau de la Chaize 2006 Brouilly @ $14.99
A racy Beaujolais with earthy aromas and bright raspberry fruit
(new vintage) Maryhill 2007 Winemaker's Red @ $14.99
A Bordeaux-style blend with a twist (the twist coming from the addition of a bit of Syrah), medium-bodied, with black ripe fruit and a hint of spice in the finish
(new vintage) Backsberg 2007 Pinotage @ $14.99
Kosher from South Africa, fresh and soft, with Pinotage intensity and a supple texture
Batasiolo 2007 Dolcetto @ $18.99
Warm, full, and mellow with flavors of blackberry, black pepper, and cedar
(different vintage . . . we have had the 2005, but distributor just unearthed some 2004) Ijalba 2004 Graciano @ $19.99
Intense and well-rounded, with balanced acidity and a fruity aroma
Clos des Cazaux 2007 Vacqueyras @ $19.99
Spicy, peppery, earthy, with hints of black cherry in the background
Starry Night 2006 Petite Syrah @ $19.99
deep, rich fruit driven flavors of ripe plums and black cherries with hints of anise and white pepper
Domaine Carneros 2006 Pinot Noir @ $24.99
Rich, luscious flavors with a long, silky finish
Nozzole 2005 Chianti Classico @ $25.99
Classic Sangiovese, with notes of earth, mushrooms, and leather and an elegant tannic backbone
Domaine Chandon 2007 Pinot Meunier @ $27.99
Rich, vibrant, and silky, with flavors of cherries, plums, and ripe strawberries
Torres Gran Coronas 1994 Mas La Plana @ $29.99
A blend of Cabernet and Tempranillo, rich and full with the leather and vanilla notes characteristic of ageing
St. Innocent 2007 Pinot Noir Villages Cuvee @ $29.99
A blend of grapes from three different vineyards, with bright berry flavors and a core of minerality
Ruffino 2005 Reserva Ducale Oro @ $42.99
A classic Chianti Classico, elegant and lush with notes of violets, cherries, plums and spice
(back) Aguaribay 2006 Malbec @ $9.99
Smooth, rich fruit, good acidity, from an Argentine winery with Rothschild connections
(new vintage) Paso a Paso 2008 Tempranillo @ $9.99
Nice combination of fruit, earthiness, and spice, aged six months in French oak
(new vintage) Strong Arms 2008 Shiraz @ $11.99
A McLaren Vale Shiraz, soft, easy-drinking, modest yet stylish
Padrillos 2008 Malbec @ $11.99
Ripe, with dark fruit aromas, hints of chocolate and black cherry
(back) Kanonkop 2008 Kadette @ $12.99
A blend of Pinotage, Cab, and Merlot, full-bodied with concentrated fruit flavors and a spicy finish
(new vintage) Ijalba 2005 Rioja "Murice" @ $13.99
Concentrated black currant flavors mixed with soft vanilla oak
(back) Casnati 2006 Malbec @ $14.99
Medium-bodied and balanced, with flavors of ripe plums and blueberries
(back) Chateau de la Chaize 2006 Brouilly @ $14.99
A racy Beaujolais with earthy aromas and bright raspberry fruit
(new vintage) Maryhill 2007 Winemaker's Red @ $14.99
A Bordeaux-style blend with a twist (the twist coming from the addition of a bit of Syrah), medium-bodied, with black ripe fruit and a hint of spice in the finish
(new vintage) Backsberg 2007 Pinotage @ $14.99
Kosher from South Africa, fresh and soft, with Pinotage intensity and a supple texture
Batasiolo 2007 Dolcetto @ $18.99
Warm, full, and mellow with flavors of blackberry, black pepper, and cedar
(different vintage . . . we have had the 2005, but distributor just unearthed some 2004) Ijalba 2004 Graciano @ $19.99
Intense and well-rounded, with balanced acidity and a fruity aroma
Clos des Cazaux 2007 Vacqueyras @ $19.99
Spicy, peppery, earthy, with hints of black cherry in the background
Starry Night 2006 Petite Syrah @ $19.99
deep, rich fruit driven flavors of ripe plums and black cherries with hints of anise and white pepper
Domaine Carneros 2006 Pinot Noir @ $24.99
Rich, luscious flavors with a long, silky finish
Nozzole 2005 Chianti Classico @ $25.99
Classic Sangiovese, with notes of earth, mushrooms, and leather and an elegant tannic backbone
Domaine Chandon 2007 Pinot Meunier @ $27.99
Rich, vibrant, and silky, with flavors of cherries, plums, and ripe strawberries
Torres Gran Coronas 1994 Mas La Plana @ $29.99
A blend of Cabernet and Tempranillo, rich and full with the leather and vanilla notes characteristic of ageing
St. Innocent 2007 Pinot Noir Villages Cuvee @ $29.99
A blend of grapes from three different vineyards, with bright berry flavors and a core of minerality
Ruffino 2005 Reserva Ducale Oro @ $42.99
A classic Chianti Classico, elegant and lush with notes of violets, cherries, plums and spice