Sorry to be a day late; a few urgent chores took precedence this week. I need to make one price correction from last week's listing: The Flos de Pinoso white is $11.99, not $9.99. Now on to this week's new wines!
NEW WHITES:
LiBella 2009 Pinot Grigio @ $12.99
from Shaw Vineyard in New York's Finger Lakes, a light, fruit-forward white with a crisp lemony finish
(new vintage) Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier @ $13.99
a distinctive blend with a fragrant bouquet of fresh fruit notes and a slightly off-dry harmony of fruit flavors
Bichot 2008 Macon-Villages @ $13.99
a classic white Burgundy with flavors of apple, quince, and lemon, all wrapped in a round frame
(new vintage) Carras 2009 Assyrtiko @ $13.99
from central Macedonia, an intensely aromatic white with great acidity
Guigal 2009 Cotes du Rhone @ $14.99
primarily Viognier, with some Roussane, Marsanne, Clairette, and Bourboulenc, made entirely in stainless steel, fresh, fruity and well-rounded with plenty of richness and body
(new vintage) Brun 2009 Beaujolais Blanc @ $15.99
a clean, crisp, fresh Chardonnay from an organic producer in the Beaujolais
(back) Cloudline 2008 Pinot Gris @ $15.99
tank-fermented to emphasize the varietal's freshness, with floral aromatics and good acidity
La Crema 2007 Chardonnay @ $16.99
from the cool-climate Monterey appellation, a fruit-driven tropical-flavored Chardonnay
Shaw 2007 Riesling @ $17.99
from the Finger Lakes, tangy and fresh with a bracing edge and a nice tang on the finish
Ca Rugate 2008 Soave @ $18.99
a delicate, elegant Soave with hints of wildflowers, great minerality and depth
Mann 2009 Auxerrois Vielles Vignes @ $18.99
from a biodynamic producer in Alsace, a fresh, juicy, moderately dense white with a peppery finish
Kim Crawford 2009 Sauvignon Blanc @ $18.99
arguably the benchmark for this varietal, crisp and powerful, with intense aromas of gooseberry and citrus
(new vintage) Bichot 2008 Long-Depaquit Chablis @ $21.99
a white Burgundy with a fresh palate, floral overtones, and tingling acidity
(new vintage) Neyers 2009 Chardonnay @ $29.99
complex and layered, full-bodied, mixing toasty vanilla oak with ripe pear and fig
(new vintage) ZD 2008 Chardonnay @ $39.99
a ripe-fruited Chardonnay made in the classic full-throated California style
LiBella 2009 Pinot Grigio @ $12.99
from Shaw Vineyard in New York's Finger Lakes, a light, fruit-forward white with a crisp lemony finish
(new vintage) Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier @ $13.99
a distinctive blend with a fragrant bouquet of fresh fruit notes and a slightly off-dry harmony of fruit flavors
Bichot 2008 Macon-Villages @ $13.99
a classic white Burgundy with flavors of apple, quince, and lemon, all wrapped in a round frame
(new vintage) Carras 2009 Assyrtiko @ $13.99
from central Macedonia, an intensely aromatic white with great acidity
Guigal 2009 Cotes du Rhone @ $14.99
primarily Viognier, with some Roussane, Marsanne, Clairette, and Bourboulenc, made entirely in stainless steel, fresh, fruity and well-rounded with plenty of richness and body
(new vintage) Brun 2009 Beaujolais Blanc @ $15.99
a clean, crisp, fresh Chardonnay from an organic producer in the Beaujolais
(back) Cloudline 2008 Pinot Gris @ $15.99
tank-fermented to emphasize the varietal's freshness, with floral aromatics and good acidity
La Crema 2007 Chardonnay @ $16.99
from the cool-climate Monterey appellation, a fruit-driven tropical-flavored Chardonnay
Shaw 2007 Riesling @ $17.99
from the Finger Lakes, tangy and fresh with a bracing edge and a nice tang on the finish
Ca Rugate 2008 Soave @ $18.99
a delicate, elegant Soave with hints of wildflowers, great minerality and depth
Mann 2009 Auxerrois Vielles Vignes @ $18.99
from a biodynamic producer in Alsace, a fresh, juicy, moderately dense white with a peppery finish
Kim Crawford 2009 Sauvignon Blanc @ $18.99
arguably the benchmark for this varietal, crisp and powerful, with intense aromas of gooseberry and citrus
(new vintage) Bichot 2008 Long-Depaquit Chablis @ $21.99
a white Burgundy with a fresh palate, floral overtones, and tingling acidity
(new vintage) Neyers 2009 Chardonnay @ $29.99
complex and layered, full-bodied, mixing toasty vanilla oak with ripe pear and fig
(new vintage) ZD 2008 Chardonnay @ $39.99
a ripe-fruited Chardonnay made in the classic full-throated California style
NEW REDS:
Tarima 2008 Monastrell @ $8.99
100% Monastrell sourced from 25-35 year old vines and matured in stainless steel
(new vintage) Parraza 2008 Minervois @ $9.99
a mix of Carignane, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, juicy and full-bodied with blueberry and blackberry flavors
Schloss Muhlenhof 2009 Dornfelder @ $10.99
easy-drinking but savory, filled with notes of orange zest and cassis fruit
Finca el Reposo 2009 Malbec @ $11.99
in the "value" line produced by Campo Negro, a Malbec with great concentration and a lot of character for the price
Castelo di Nieve 2009 Grignolino @ $12.99
from a family-owned estate in the Piedmont, a light-ish red with fresh fruit flavors, bold acidity, and a cloak of smooth tannins
(new vintage) Jelu 2008 Pinot Noir @ $12.99
a juicy Pinot with sweet blueberry and plum aromas and a hint of wild thyme
Tour des Gendres 2009 Bergerac @ $12.99
from the flagship of the Bergerac appellation, a blend of Malbec and Merlot, well structured, enjoyable, and highly versatile
(back) Sebastiani 2007 Zinfandel @ $13.99
a great example of the lower-alcohol "claret style" that Sebastiani Zinfandels are known for, a wine that is all about drinkability
Croisille 2007 Cahors @ $13.99
a rich, ripe and well structured Cahors, with ample black fruit that shines through the minerality and firm tannins
La Dournie 2009 St. Chinian @ $13.99
from a sixth-generation family-owned estate in the south of France, an expressive blend of Syrah, Carignane and Grenache, full and fresh with persistent dark berry flavors
(new vintage) Station 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
a value Cabernet sourced from a variety of top Napa vineyards, with aromas of juicy red fruit complemented by notes of sweet oak and spice
Prieure Borde Rouge 2008 Rubellis @ $13.99
Syrah, Grenache and Carignan from Corbieres vines ranging in age from 15 to 60 years, rich and complex yet fresh and softly structured
Vega Murillo 2008 Tinto de Toro @ $14.99
100% Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo), pleasant, zingy, and fresh, with adequate levels of tannin and acidity to give the wine elegance, roundness and balance
Duorum 2008 Douro @ $17.99
a joint project of two of Portugal's best-known oenologists, a blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, and Touriga Franca from two different parts of the Douro, light and fruity and made for easy drinking
Bichot 2008 Bourgogne @ $17.99
a lean, firm, structured Pinot Noir with bright cherry fruit
(new vintage) Qupe 2008 Central Coast Syrah @ $17.99
a blend of cool-climate Santa Barbara grapes and warm-climate Paso Robles grapes, with the cool-climate fruit giving spice, acidity and balanced alcohol and the warm-climate fruit providing softness, roundness, ripeness and more up-front fruit flavors and aromas
Clos Julien 2008 Pinot Noir Reserve @ $18.99
a blend from three of the top vineyard sites in the Willamette valley, deeply aromatic with good minerality and length
Educated Guess 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
made from grapes grown in several of Napa's most prestigious grape-growing districts, a rich, ripe, amazingly complex Cab for the money
David Bruce 2008 Pinot Noir @ $23.99
from Pinot Noir specialist David Bruce, a Russian River-styled version with lush berries on the palate and extracted red cherry fruit
Marques de Murrietta 2005 Rioja @ $23.99
mostly Tempranillo with a bit of Garnacha and Mazuelo, with ripe fruit on the palate, good acidity, a supple roundness, and just a hint of new oak
Hedges 2007 Red Mountain @ $23.99
a Washington state Bordeaux-style blend, made from three estate vineyards, fragrant and supple yet with substance and grip
(new vintage) Evening Land 2009 Pinot Noir @ $28.99
delicious blackberry, black cherry, red plum and wild strawberry flavors that are kept tight and focused in a well balanced and nicely textured package
Pietradolce 2008 Etna Rosso @ $31.99
from the northeastern slopes of Mount Etna, 100% Nerello Mascalese, a wine with luxuriant tannins, expressive notes of wild blackberry, smoked spices, chocolate, and mushrooms culminating in a very long finish
Tarima 2008 Monastrell @ $8.99
100% Monastrell sourced from 25-35 year old vines and matured in stainless steel
(new vintage) Parraza 2008 Minervois @ $9.99
a mix of Carignane, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, juicy and full-bodied with blueberry and blackberry flavors
Schloss Muhlenhof 2009 Dornfelder @ $10.99
easy-drinking but savory, filled with notes of orange zest and cassis fruit
Finca el Reposo 2009 Malbec @ $11.99
in the "value" line produced by Campo Negro, a Malbec with great concentration and a lot of character for the price
Castelo di Nieve 2009 Grignolino @ $12.99
from a family-owned estate in the Piedmont, a light-ish red with fresh fruit flavors, bold acidity, and a cloak of smooth tannins
(new vintage) Jelu 2008 Pinot Noir @ $12.99
a juicy Pinot with sweet blueberry and plum aromas and a hint of wild thyme
Tour des Gendres 2009 Bergerac @ $12.99
from the flagship of the Bergerac appellation, a blend of Malbec and Merlot, well structured, enjoyable, and highly versatile
(back) Sebastiani 2007 Zinfandel @ $13.99
a great example of the lower-alcohol "claret style" that Sebastiani Zinfandels are known for, a wine that is all about drinkability
Croisille 2007 Cahors @ $13.99
a rich, ripe and well structured Cahors, with ample black fruit that shines through the minerality and firm tannins
La Dournie 2009 St. Chinian @ $13.99
from a sixth-generation family-owned estate in the south of France, an expressive blend of Syrah, Carignane and Grenache, full and fresh with persistent dark berry flavors
(new vintage) Station 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
a value Cabernet sourced from a variety of top Napa vineyards, with aromas of juicy red fruit complemented by notes of sweet oak and spice
Prieure Borde Rouge 2008 Rubellis @ $13.99
Syrah, Grenache and Carignan from Corbieres vines ranging in age from 15 to 60 years, rich and complex yet fresh and softly structured
Vega Murillo 2008 Tinto de Toro @ $14.99
100% Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo), pleasant, zingy, and fresh, with adequate levels of tannin and acidity to give the wine elegance, roundness and balance
Duorum 2008 Douro @ $17.99
a joint project of two of Portugal's best-known oenologists, a blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, and Touriga Franca from two different parts of the Douro, light and fruity and made for easy drinking
Bichot 2008 Bourgogne @ $17.99
a lean, firm, structured Pinot Noir with bright cherry fruit
(new vintage) Qupe 2008 Central Coast Syrah @ $17.99
a blend of cool-climate Santa Barbara grapes and warm-climate Paso Robles grapes, with the cool-climate fruit giving spice, acidity and balanced alcohol and the warm-climate fruit providing softness, roundness, ripeness and more up-front fruit flavors and aromas
Clos Julien 2008 Pinot Noir Reserve @ $18.99
a blend from three of the top vineyard sites in the Willamette valley, deeply aromatic with good minerality and length
Educated Guess 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
made from grapes grown in several of Napa's most prestigious grape-growing districts, a rich, ripe, amazingly complex Cab for the money
David Bruce 2008 Pinot Noir @ $23.99
from Pinot Noir specialist David Bruce, a Russian River-styled version with lush berries on the palate and extracted red cherry fruit
Marques de Murrietta 2005 Rioja @ $23.99
mostly Tempranillo with a bit of Garnacha and Mazuelo, with ripe fruit on the palate, good acidity, a supple roundness, and just a hint of new oak
Hedges 2007 Red Mountain @ $23.99
a Washington state Bordeaux-style blend, made from three estate vineyards, fragrant and supple yet with substance and grip
(new vintage) Evening Land 2009 Pinot Noir @ $28.99
delicious blackberry, black cherry, red plum and wild strawberry flavors that are kept tight and focused in a well balanced and nicely textured package
Pietradolce 2008 Etna Rosso @ $31.99
from the northeastern slopes of Mount Etna, 100% Nerello Mascalese, a wine with luxuriant tannins, expressive notes of wild blackberry, smoked spices, chocolate, and mushrooms culminating in a very long finish