Pretty slim pickins this week (and probably next week as well), but I can offer a few new wines and one new sampler (maybe more if any of my colleagues have gotten their act together).
NEW WHITES:
(new vintage) Lot 205 2006 Chardonnay @ $10.99
Sanz 2007 Rueda @ $11.99
Felici 2005 Verdict @ $19.99
(new vintage) Pascal Jolivet 2007 Sancerre @ $24.99
(new vintage) Schug 2007 Chardonnay @ $24.99
(new vintage) Lot 205 2006 Chardonnay @ $10.99
Sanz 2007 Rueda @ $11.99
Felici 2005 Verdict @ $19.99
(new vintage) Pascal Jolivet 2007 Sancerre @ $24.99
(new vintage) Schug 2007 Chardonnay @ $24.99
NEW REDS:
(new vintage) Lot 205 2006 Petite Sirah @ $10.99
Backsberg 2007 Pinotage @ $14.99
Bonnaventura 2006 Chinon @ $21.99
(back) Le Pas de l'Escalette 2005 Les Clapes @ $24.99
Domaine Saint Just 2006 Saumur-Champigny @ $24.99
(new vintage) Lot 205 2006 Petite Sirah @ $10.99
Backsberg 2007 Pinotage @ $14.99
Bonnaventura 2006 Chinon @ $21.99
(back) Le Pas de l'Escalette 2005 Les Clapes @ $24.99
Domaine Saint Just 2006 Saumur-Champigny @ $24.99
and here's my new sampler . . .
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