Quite a bit new this week (including, yes, a few roses to help you think about the coming of spring), so without further ado . . .
NEW WHITES:
Rapitala 2009 Piano Maltese @ $9.99
a 50/50 blend of Grillo and Cataratto from Sicily, rich with melon, almond, and fresh basil
Evel 2009 Douro White @ $10.99
a blend of the Douro's native white varietals, elegant, bright and refreshing with hints of apple and citrus
(back) Otto's Constant Dream 2009 Riesling @ $10.99
a dry, crisp Riesling from Marlborough, with vibrant aromatics and pleasant minerality
Tabali 2010 Viognier @ $12.99
a dynamic new entry from Chile, with flavors of fresh herbs and ripe peaches
(new vintage) Palagetto 2009 Vernaccia @ $12.99
our benchmark for Vernaccia, soft and subtle, with fresh, clean floral aromas
(back) Laurenz und Sophie 2009 Gruner Veltliner @ $12.99
lively and vibrant, with floral aromas and flavors of white core fruit and citrus mingled with minerality and refreshing acidity
Zenato 2009 Lugana San Benedetto @ $12.99
100% Trebbiano from the Veneto, with notes of peach, citrus, banana and herbs accompanied by a crisp acidity and supple body on the palate
Ponga 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $14.99
light and juicy with just enough grapefruit flavor to let you know it's a Sauvignon Blanc without overwhelming you with citrus flavors
Urbanite 2009 Verdelho @ $15.99
from Lodi, California, a Verdelho with melon/citrus fruit character and a round mouth-filling texture
(new vintage) Hirsch 2009 Veltliner #1 @ $16.99
creamy yet light and elegant, full of sweet grain and roasted corn, a classy Gruner for everyday drinking
Lincourt 2009 Chardonnay "Steel" @ $19.99
a first for this winery, a stainless-steel Chardonnay, crisp and racy, with firm acidity and underlying minerality
La Crema 2009 Chardonnay @ $20.99
intensely flavored, with an exotic nose of honeysuckle and pear with delicate hints of hazelnut and butterscotch
Deschamps 2009 Poully-Fume @ $21.99
a Sauvignon Blanc of great structure, elegance, and balance, aromatic, with a firm texture and a long finish
Rapitala 2009 Piano Maltese @ $9.99
a 50/50 blend of Grillo and Cataratto from Sicily, rich with melon, almond, and fresh basil
Evel 2009 Douro White @ $10.99
a blend of the Douro's native white varietals, elegant, bright and refreshing with hints of apple and citrus
(back) Otto's Constant Dream 2009 Riesling @ $10.99
a dry, crisp Riesling from Marlborough, with vibrant aromatics and pleasant minerality
Tabali 2010 Viognier @ $12.99
a dynamic new entry from Chile, with flavors of fresh herbs and ripe peaches
(new vintage) Palagetto 2009 Vernaccia @ $12.99
our benchmark for Vernaccia, soft and subtle, with fresh, clean floral aromas
(back) Laurenz und Sophie 2009 Gruner Veltliner @ $12.99
lively and vibrant, with floral aromas and flavors of white core fruit and citrus mingled with minerality and refreshing acidity
Zenato 2009 Lugana San Benedetto @ $12.99
100% Trebbiano from the Veneto, with notes of peach, citrus, banana and herbs accompanied by a crisp acidity and supple body on the palate
Ponga 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $14.99
light and juicy with just enough grapefruit flavor to let you know it's a Sauvignon Blanc without overwhelming you with citrus flavors
Urbanite 2009 Verdelho @ $15.99
from Lodi, California, a Verdelho with melon/citrus fruit character and a round mouth-filling texture
(new vintage) Hirsch 2009 Veltliner #1 @ $16.99
creamy yet light and elegant, full of sweet grain and roasted corn, a classy Gruner for everyday drinking
Lincourt 2009 Chardonnay "Steel" @ $19.99
a first for this winery, a stainless-steel Chardonnay, crisp and racy, with firm acidity and underlying minerality
La Crema 2009 Chardonnay @ $20.99
intensely flavored, with an exotic nose of honeysuckle and pear with delicate hints of hazelnut and butterscotch
Deschamps 2009 Poully-Fume @ $21.99
a Sauvignon Blanc of great structure, elegance, and balance, aromatic, with a firm texture and a long finish
NEW REDS:
Colonia 2009 Bonarda "Las Liebres" @ $8.99
dense, dark, and ripe, an excellent example of Bonarda from Argentina, produced by Altos Las Hormigas
Loios 2009 Tinto @ $9.99
from Portugal's Alentejo region, a blend of several indigenous varietals, soft and easy-drinking with an intensely fruity aroma
Joostenberg 2009 Little J @ $9.99
from a South African winery family-owned since the 1870s, a Shiraz/Cinsault blend with a little splash of Viognier, fresh and flavorful with a soft, lush mouthfeel
Clos de Torribas 2006 Crianza @ $9.99
mostly Tempranillo with a little Cabernet blended in, light on the palate with well integrated tannins
(back) Ferreirinha 2008 Douro Esteva @ $9.99
a blend made from traditional Douro varietals, complex and well balanced with lively red fruit on the nose
Purato 2009 Nero d'Avola @ $10.99
certified organic from a family-owner winery in Sicily, sumptuous and rounded on the palate with succulent mouthfeel and modest acidity leading to a nicely dry finish
Domaine Font Sainte 2008 Corbieres @ $10.99
a blend of Carignane, Grenache, and Syrah, round and concentrated, with delicate tannins and vivid acidity
Deloach 2009 Pinot Noir @ $11.99
light in body, almost Beaujolais in style, with bright fruit flavors and a medium finish
Ventisquero 2008 Pinot Noir @ $13.99
a Pinot from Chile's Casablanca valley with a delicate body, fresh with a balanced acidity and soft tannins that deliver greater complexity to its structure
Querceto 2008 Chianti Classico @ $13.99
subtle yet bright, slightly tannic and food-friendly, easily a benchmark for young Chianti Classico Riserva
(back) Cooperativa di Cupertino 2003 Cupertino @ $13.99
95% Negroamaro and 5% Malvasia Nera, a rustic yet charming red with generous notes of black cherries, plums, spice and violets, all set against underlying earthy depth
Dupeuble 2009 Beaujolais @ $13.99
from a quality-conscious organic producer of Gamay, and from a terrific Beuajolais vintage as well, a stunning effort that is bright yet deep and attractively fruit-forward
(new vintage) Domaine La Croix Belle 2008 Grenache/Syrah @ $13.99
a wine classically expressive of its origins, brilliant ruby in color with a nose of blackberry and spices, ample and full-bodied with a complex finish
Tabali 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $14.99
a dynamic new entry from Chile, an elegant, well balanced Cab with a sturdy core of fruit and medium tannins
(back) Corvidae 2008 Rook @ $14.99
in the new line from stellar winemaker David O'Reilly, a blend of Cab, Merlot, and Syrah with lots of ripe fruit flavors, ample acidity, and chewy tannins
Cuvee du Vatican 2009 Cotes du Rhone Villages @ $15.99
the baby brother to what many consider to be the "king" of Chateauneuf-du-Papes, ripe and smooth, with juicy acidity and light tannins
Chateau Moulin de la Roquille 2006 Cotes du Franc @ $15.99
a top-grade right-bank red Bordeaux made of 70% Merlot and 15% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with aromas of berries, plums, vanilla and spice
Bonnet 2008 Graves @ $16.99
from the Andre Lurton stable, an equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet, well layered with vanilla and micha, a modern-style Bordeaux with lots of appeal
Heredad Solitierra 2006 Priorat @ $16.99
a value-priced Priorat, round and toasty with a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel
Beck 2009 Zweigelt @ $17.99
made by biodynamic producer Judith Beck, a medium to full bodied Zweigelt with ripe cherry fruit balanced with unripe plum freshness, no tannins and a hint of acidity
Rocher-Calon 2008 Montagne-St. Emilion @ $17.99
95% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, with blackberry and plum notes on the nose and classic cedar and black pepper tones with a soft lingering finish
Klee 2009 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
from Chris Berg's Racine Wine Company, a Pinot with sweet red fruit, great flavor concentration, and a red fruit, nutmeg, and clove finish
Clos des Cazaux 2007 Vacqueyras @ $19.99
a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre from 40-50-year-old vines, with a fragrant floral bouquet and an underpinning of zesty minerality
Firestone 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
a deep, rich full-flavored Cab with chewy yet supple tannins and a finish that is long, smooth and strong
Cipriani 2009 Teroldego @ $20.99
Alto Adige's esoteric red grape, made here in a ripe, plush style
Pataille 2007 Passetoutgrain @ $21.99
two-thirds Gamay and one-third Pinot Noir fermented together, a red with an easy charm overlaying a voluptuous and vibrant core of rich, mineral-drenched fruit
Noussan 2009 Cuvee de la Cote @ $22.99
a field blend from a parcel of particularly old vines, made by a garagiste in the Aosta valley, earthy and dry with floral aromas and long-lasting berry, herbal, and mineral flavors
Dominio IV 2009 Pinot Noir "Love Lies Bleeding" @$23.99
a stunning Pinot Noir from a small-production family-run Oregon winery, soft and sweetly elegant but with a firm backbone
Beckmen 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $23.99
from a family-run estate in the Santa Ynez valley, an approachable, medium-bodied Cab with a good balance of tannins and fruit
Echeverria 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $23.99
a rich, full-bodied Cabernet with intense notes of strawberry, blackberry and cherry complemented by hints of coffee and tobacco, balanced and smooth with a lingering finish
Adelsheim 2009 Pinot Noir @ $23.99
from an Oregon pioneer in its third decade, producing elegant, vibrant, understated versions of the grape
Oddero 2007 Langhe Nebbiolo @ $24.99
100% Nebbiolo from an historic estate in the Piedmont noted for producing wines that are not just technically correct but brimming with personality
Calera 2008 Pinot Noir @ $27.99
soft and luscious, classic California Pinot Noir with a medium body, mineral notes, and a long finish
Rollin 2006 Pernand-Vergelesses @ $28.99
a tight, pure Burgundy with firm acidity and subtle, delicate flavors
Anaba 2007 Pinot Noir @ $29.99
a dense, richly textured Sonoma Pinot with dark berry fruits balanced by fine tannins
Jean-Marc Morey 2004 Chassagne Rouge "Champs Gains" @ $29.99
a Burgundy with finesse, well balanced fruit aromas and flavors, and beautiful acidity
Costa de Oro 2007 Pinot Noir "Gold Coast" @ $31.99
from an estate winery in the Santa Maria valley, a blend of ten different lots of Pinot Noir, spicy, floral, and layered with a smooth finish
Cantina del Pino 2007 Barbaresco @ $38.99
a stunning expression of Nebbiolo, with aromas and flavors of red cherries, flowers, mint, and licorice, rendered in a restrained, highly polished style
Le Salette 2006 Amarone @ $46.99
a stylish Amarone with layers of dark fruit, spices, mineral, and menthol
Pride Mountain 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $75.99
a Cabernet that is all about balance, with supple ripe tannins providing a foundation for dark fruit and with nuanced acidity giving structure and lift without bite
Colonia 2009 Bonarda "Las Liebres" @ $8.99
dense, dark, and ripe, an excellent example of Bonarda from Argentina, produced by Altos Las Hormigas
Loios 2009 Tinto @ $9.99
from Portugal's Alentejo region, a blend of several indigenous varietals, soft and easy-drinking with an intensely fruity aroma
Joostenberg 2009 Little J @ $9.99
from a South African winery family-owned since the 1870s, a Shiraz/Cinsault blend with a little splash of Viognier, fresh and flavorful with a soft, lush mouthfeel
Clos de Torribas 2006 Crianza @ $9.99
mostly Tempranillo with a little Cabernet blended in, light on the palate with well integrated tannins
(back) Ferreirinha 2008 Douro Esteva @ $9.99
a blend made from traditional Douro varietals, complex and well balanced with lively red fruit on the nose
Purato 2009 Nero d'Avola @ $10.99
certified organic from a family-owner winery in Sicily, sumptuous and rounded on the palate with succulent mouthfeel and modest acidity leading to a nicely dry finish
Domaine Font Sainte 2008 Corbieres @ $10.99
a blend of Carignane, Grenache, and Syrah, round and concentrated, with delicate tannins and vivid acidity
Deloach 2009 Pinot Noir @ $11.99
light in body, almost Beaujolais in style, with bright fruit flavors and a medium finish
Ventisquero 2008 Pinot Noir @ $13.99
a Pinot from Chile's Casablanca valley with a delicate body, fresh with a balanced acidity and soft tannins that deliver greater complexity to its structure
Querceto 2008 Chianti Classico @ $13.99
subtle yet bright, slightly tannic and food-friendly, easily a benchmark for young Chianti Classico Riserva
(back) Cooperativa di Cupertino 2003 Cupertino @ $13.99
95% Negroamaro and 5% Malvasia Nera, a rustic yet charming red with generous notes of black cherries, plums, spice and violets, all set against underlying earthy depth
Dupeuble 2009 Beaujolais @ $13.99
from a quality-conscious organic producer of Gamay, and from a terrific Beuajolais vintage as well, a stunning effort that is bright yet deep and attractively fruit-forward
(new vintage) Domaine La Croix Belle 2008 Grenache/Syrah @ $13.99
a wine classically expressive of its origins, brilliant ruby in color with a nose of blackberry and spices, ample and full-bodied with a complex finish
Tabali 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $14.99
a dynamic new entry from Chile, an elegant, well balanced Cab with a sturdy core of fruit and medium tannins
(back) Corvidae 2008 Rook @ $14.99
in the new line from stellar winemaker David O'Reilly, a blend of Cab, Merlot, and Syrah with lots of ripe fruit flavors, ample acidity, and chewy tannins
Cuvee du Vatican 2009 Cotes du Rhone Villages @ $15.99
the baby brother to what many consider to be the "king" of Chateauneuf-du-Papes, ripe and smooth, with juicy acidity and light tannins
Chateau Moulin de la Roquille 2006 Cotes du Franc @ $15.99
a top-grade right-bank red Bordeaux made of 70% Merlot and 15% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with aromas of berries, plums, vanilla and spice
Bonnet 2008 Graves @ $16.99
from the Andre Lurton stable, an equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet, well layered with vanilla and micha, a modern-style Bordeaux with lots of appeal
Heredad Solitierra 2006 Priorat @ $16.99
a value-priced Priorat, round and toasty with a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel
Beck 2009 Zweigelt @ $17.99
made by biodynamic producer Judith Beck, a medium to full bodied Zweigelt with ripe cherry fruit balanced with unripe plum freshness, no tannins and a hint of acidity
Rocher-Calon 2008 Montagne-St. Emilion @ $17.99
95% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, with blackberry and plum notes on the nose and classic cedar and black pepper tones with a soft lingering finish
Klee 2009 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
from Chris Berg's Racine Wine Company, a Pinot with sweet red fruit, great flavor concentration, and a red fruit, nutmeg, and clove finish
Clos des Cazaux 2007 Vacqueyras @ $19.99
a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre from 40-50-year-old vines, with a fragrant floral bouquet and an underpinning of zesty minerality
Firestone 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
a deep, rich full-flavored Cab with chewy yet supple tannins and a finish that is long, smooth and strong
Cipriani 2009 Teroldego @ $20.99
Alto Adige's esoteric red grape, made here in a ripe, plush style
Pataille 2007 Passetoutgrain @ $21.99
two-thirds Gamay and one-third Pinot Noir fermented together, a red with an easy charm overlaying a voluptuous and vibrant core of rich, mineral-drenched fruit
Noussan 2009 Cuvee de la Cote @ $22.99
a field blend from a parcel of particularly old vines, made by a garagiste in the Aosta valley, earthy and dry with floral aromas and long-lasting berry, herbal, and mineral flavors
Dominio IV 2009 Pinot Noir "Love Lies Bleeding" @$23.99
a stunning Pinot Noir from a small-production family-run Oregon winery, soft and sweetly elegant but with a firm backbone
Beckmen 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $23.99
from a family-run estate in the Santa Ynez valley, an approachable, medium-bodied Cab with a good balance of tannins and fruit
Echeverria 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $23.99
a rich, full-bodied Cabernet with intense notes of strawberry, blackberry and cherry complemented by hints of coffee and tobacco, balanced and smooth with a lingering finish
Adelsheim 2009 Pinot Noir @ $23.99
from an Oregon pioneer in its third decade, producing elegant, vibrant, understated versions of the grape
Oddero 2007 Langhe Nebbiolo @ $24.99
100% Nebbiolo from an historic estate in the Piedmont noted for producing wines that are not just technically correct but brimming with personality
Calera 2008 Pinot Noir @ $27.99
soft and luscious, classic California Pinot Noir with a medium body, mineral notes, and a long finish
Rollin 2006 Pernand-Vergelesses @ $28.99
a tight, pure Burgundy with firm acidity and subtle, delicate flavors
Anaba 2007 Pinot Noir @ $29.99
a dense, richly textured Sonoma Pinot with dark berry fruits balanced by fine tannins
Jean-Marc Morey 2004 Chassagne Rouge "Champs Gains" @ $29.99
a Burgundy with finesse, well balanced fruit aromas and flavors, and beautiful acidity
Costa de Oro 2007 Pinot Noir "Gold Coast" @ $31.99
from an estate winery in the Santa Maria valley, a blend of ten different lots of Pinot Noir, spicy, floral, and layered with a smooth finish
Cantina del Pino 2007 Barbaresco @ $38.99
a stunning expression of Nebbiolo, with aromas and flavors of red cherries, flowers, mint, and licorice, rendered in a restrained, highly polished style
Le Salette 2006 Amarone @ $46.99
a stylish Amarone with layers of dark fruit, spices, mineral, and menthol
Pride Mountain 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $75.99
a Cabernet that is all about balance, with supple ripe tannins providing a foundation for dark fruit and with nuanced acidity giving structure and lift without bite
NEW ROSES:
Domaine des Diables 2009 Cotes de Provence @ $12.99
a Syrah-based rosé with lots of spice, steely minerals, and deep fruit
Domaine de Font Sainte 2009 Gris de Gris @ $12.99
mostly Grenache with a little Mourvèdre, Carignane, and Cinsault blended in, fresh, dense and rich with a remarkable persistence on the palate
La Source de Vignelaure 2009 Coteaux d'Aix @ $14.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet, floral and light with notes of summer fruits
Domaine des Diables 2009 Cotes de Provence @ $12.99
a Syrah-based rosé with lots of spice, steely minerals, and deep fruit
Domaine de Font Sainte 2009 Gris de Gris @ $12.99
mostly Grenache with a little Mourvèdre, Carignane, and Cinsault blended in, fresh, dense and rich with a remarkable persistence on the palate
La Source de Vignelaure 2009 Coteaux d'Aix @ $14.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet, floral and light with notes of summer fruits