The likelihood is pretty slim that there will be anything new to report next week, it being the week between Christmas and New Year's, so I'll take this opportunity to wish one and all a very Merry Christmas and all good things to come in 2011. And speaking of New Year's, be assured that we have an ample stock of all your favorite brands of bubbly from all over the world for your midnight "pop the cork" pleasure. Looking forward to seeing one and all in the year to come! Best, Judy
NEW WHITES
Frey NV Natural White @ $10.99
from America's pioneering organic winery in Mendocino county, a blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, delicate, soft and flowery with a smooth finish
(back) Presle 2009 Touraine @ $10.99
a New World-styled Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire valley, with a zippy acidic structure and bright flavors of grapefruit, tropical fruit, green pepper, and fresh grass
(new vintage) Oyster Bay 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
always a benchmark for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, bright and a bit racy, with added complexity from classic gooseberry, lime juice and lemongrass aromas with tropical nuances
(back) Kumeu River Village 2007 Chardonnay @ $15.99
a lush, medium-bodied Chardonnay with elegant flavors of lemon, passion fruit and grass balanced by bright acidity and underlying minerality
Seghesio 2009 Fiano @ $16.99
from an award-winning producer of Italian wines in Sonoma, a rich, ripe version of a southern Italian varietal with delicate flavors of pear skins and spices on the finish
La Crema 2007 Chardonnay @ $20.99
a rich, creamy Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast region, smoky and spicy with richness and texture on the finish
(new vintage) Guado al Tasso 2009 Vermentino @ $23.99
produced at Antinori's estate in the Bolgheri, 100% Vermentino with a very intense fruity fragrance characteristic of this varietal and a palate that it is sapid, harmonious, and very persistent, with a delightful minerality
Drouhin 2008 Puligny-Montrachet @ $51.99
from a great Burgundy vintage, a silky-smooth Chardonnay, distinguished and elegant, long and persistent in the aftertaste, ending on an exceptional wealth of flavors, both floral and fruity
Kistler 2008 Chardonnay "Les Noisetiers" @ $65.99
a barrel-fermented Chardonnay made using traditional French techniques, driven by mineral characteristics as opposed to fruit, with a balanced presence on the palate, tightly wound around a resounding acid core, that carries through and beyond the crisp yet lengthy and lasting finish
Frey NV Natural White @ $10.99
from America's pioneering organic winery in Mendocino county, a blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, delicate, soft and flowery with a smooth finish
(back) Presle 2009 Touraine @ $10.99
a New World-styled Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire valley, with a zippy acidic structure and bright flavors of grapefruit, tropical fruit, green pepper, and fresh grass
(new vintage) Oyster Bay 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
always a benchmark for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, bright and a bit racy, with added complexity from classic gooseberry, lime juice and lemongrass aromas with tropical nuances
(back) Kumeu River Village 2007 Chardonnay @ $15.99
a lush, medium-bodied Chardonnay with elegant flavors of lemon, passion fruit and grass balanced by bright acidity and underlying minerality
Seghesio 2009 Fiano @ $16.99
from an award-winning producer of Italian wines in Sonoma, a rich, ripe version of a southern Italian varietal with delicate flavors of pear skins and spices on the finish
La Crema 2007 Chardonnay @ $20.99
a rich, creamy Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast region, smoky and spicy with richness and texture on the finish
(new vintage) Guado al Tasso 2009 Vermentino @ $23.99
produced at Antinori's estate in the Bolgheri, 100% Vermentino with a very intense fruity fragrance characteristic of this varietal and a palate that it is sapid, harmonious, and very persistent, with a delightful minerality
Drouhin 2008 Puligny-Montrachet @ $51.99
from a great Burgundy vintage, a silky-smooth Chardonnay, distinguished and elegant, long and persistent in the aftertaste, ending on an exceptional wealth of flavors, both floral and fruity
Kistler 2008 Chardonnay "Les Noisetiers" @ $65.99
a barrel-fermented Chardonnay made using traditional French techniques, driven by mineral characteristics as opposed to fruit, with a balanced presence on the palate, tightly wound around a resounding acid core, that carries through and beyond the crisp yet lengthy and lasting finish
NEW REDS:
(new vintage) Ijalba 2009 Livor Rioja @ $9.99
a Rioja meant to be enjoyed young, bright and smooth with happy red fruit flavors
(new vintage) Releaf 2009 Cab/Merlot/Shiraz @ $10.99
made with organically grown grapes in South Africa's Western Cape region, a blend that perfectly balances fruit flavors, structure, and acidity, yielding a wine with concentrated flavors and complexity
(new vintage) Ijalba 2009 Livor Rioja @ $9.99
a Rioja meant to be enjoyed young, bright and smooth with happy red fruit flavors
(new vintage) Releaf 2009 Cab/Merlot/Shiraz @ $10.99
made with organically grown grapes in South Africa's Western Cape region, a blend that perfectly balances fruit flavors, structure, and acidity, yielding a wine with concentrated flavors and complexity
Frey NV Natural Red @ $10.99
from America's pioneering organic winery in Mendocino county, a blend of Carignane, Zinfandel, and Syrah with an expansive bouquet, light, young, and fruity, well balanced with a very attractive finish
(new batch) D'Agalis NV Yo No Puede Mas @ $17.99
an organic wine produced by a young man destined to be one of the stars of the Languedoc, a blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, medium-bodied, light in tannin and quite elegant, very earthy, with red fruit notes
Frey 2007 Petite Sirah @ $17.99
from America's pioneering organic winery in Mendocino county, a lush, full-bodied red with a rich and expansive bouquet, well-structured with lots of black cherry, spices, cocoa and sage
(new vintage) Catena 2008 Malbec @ $19.99
from one of Argentina's standard-bearers, rich and concetrated, a true gem showing off the beauty and complexity of the Malbec grape
Volpaia 2007 Chianti Classico @ $19.99
from a Chianti vintage of great quality and concentration, a well-structured wine with strong aromas of fresh red fruit and hints of cherry and a juicy finish
Forefront 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $20.99
the second label of Pine Ridge, producing a Bordeaux-style red that blends multiple varieties and appellations to give a modern profile in its fruit-forward character as well as tremendous complexity
Tardieu Laurent 2008 Les Becs Fins @ $22.99
from one of the most highly acclaimed negociants in the Rhone, a blend of Grenache and Syrah, elegant and medium-bodied with silky tannins and good acidity
Turley 2009 Zinfandel Juvenile @ $25.99
rich, powerful, exotic, made from vines 25 years of age or younger
WillaKenzie 2007 Pinot Meunier @ $27.99
a grape usually used as a component in Champagne but here made as a still wine on its own, fresh, vibrant and fun, showing finesse, concentration, and great balance
L'Anglore 2009 Les Traverses @ $28.99
a red Rhone blend from a producer in Tavel, with a billowing aroma of licorice, blueberry and cherry with a fine spice laden palate that has much in common with Burgundy
Gelin 2007 Fixin Clos Napoleon @ $37.99
a single-vineyard Burgundy from a small family estate, a mix of red and dark fruit with fine tannins and great structure
Miner 2008 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard @ $59.99
a spectacular single-vineyard Pinot, dark and brooding with hints of oak overshadowed by black cherry and exotic spices
Zenato 2006 Amarone @ $70.99
luscious and decadent, with wonderful aromas of black licorice and blueberry follow through to a full body, with juicy, round tannins, best after 2011
Antinori 2007 Tignanello @ $99.99
wonderfully ripe and seductive, a wine of unquestionable personality, rich and warm with dense muscular fruit and an impeccable finish with no harsh edges
Fontodi 2007 Flaccianello Della Pieve @ $173.99
one of the greatest vintages ever for one of the greatest of the super-Tuscans, bold, extroverted, with sensual layers of candied cherries, violets, spices and minerals, with weight, complexity, and a round, elegant finish, 96 points from Mr. Parker
(new batch) D'Agalis NV Yo No Puede Mas @ $17.99
an organic wine produced by a young man destined to be one of the stars of the Languedoc, a blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, medium-bodied, light in tannin and quite elegant, very earthy, with red fruit notes
Frey 2007 Petite Sirah @ $17.99
from America's pioneering organic winery in Mendocino county, a lush, full-bodied red with a rich and expansive bouquet, well-structured with lots of black cherry, spices, cocoa and sage
(new vintage) Catena 2008 Malbec @ $19.99
from one of Argentina's standard-bearers, rich and concetrated, a true gem showing off the beauty and complexity of the Malbec grape
Volpaia 2007 Chianti Classico @ $19.99
from a Chianti vintage of great quality and concentration, a well-structured wine with strong aromas of fresh red fruit and hints of cherry and a juicy finish
Forefront 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $20.99
the second label of Pine Ridge, producing a Bordeaux-style red that blends multiple varieties and appellations to give a modern profile in its fruit-forward character as well as tremendous complexity
Tardieu Laurent 2008 Les Becs Fins @ $22.99
from one of the most highly acclaimed negociants in the Rhone, a blend of Grenache and Syrah, elegant and medium-bodied with silky tannins and good acidity
Turley 2009 Zinfandel Juvenile @ $25.99
rich, powerful, exotic, made from vines 25 years of age or younger
WillaKenzie 2007 Pinot Meunier @ $27.99
a grape usually used as a component in Champagne but here made as a still wine on its own, fresh, vibrant and fun, showing finesse, concentration, and great balance
L'Anglore 2009 Les Traverses @ $28.99
a red Rhone blend from a producer in Tavel, with a billowing aroma of licorice, blueberry and cherry with a fine spice laden palate that has much in common with Burgundy
Gelin 2007 Fixin Clos Napoleon @ $37.99
a single-vineyard Burgundy from a small family estate, a mix of red and dark fruit with fine tannins and great structure
Miner 2008 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard @ $59.99
a spectacular single-vineyard Pinot, dark and brooding with hints of oak overshadowed by black cherry and exotic spices
Zenato 2006 Amarone @ $70.99
luscious and decadent, with wonderful aromas of black licorice and blueberry follow through to a full body, with juicy, round tannins, best after 2011
Antinori 2007 Tignanello @ $99.99
wonderfully ripe and seductive, a wine of unquestionable personality, rich and warm with dense muscular fruit and an impeccable finish with no harsh edges
Fontodi 2007 Flaccianello Della Pieve @ $173.99
one of the greatest vintages ever for one of the greatest of the super-Tuscans, bold, extroverted, with sensual layers of candied cherries, violets, spices and minerals, with weight, complexity, and a round, elegant finish, 96 points from Mr. Parker