Sorry to be a bit late with my posting this week, but as you might surmise, our communal energies over the last few days have been devoted to bringing off a successful anniversary bash last night. Our heartfelt thanks to all who joined us (more than 300 of you) and made the evening such a great success; all of us, most especially Matthew, were extremely proud and pleased.
NEW WHITES:
(new vintage) Chateau de la Presle 2010 Sauvignon @ $11.99
New-World-styled Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire, with a zippy acidic structure and bright flavors
Tour des Gendres 2010 Bergerac @ $11.99
from an estate in southwestern France turning out characterful wines, a Sauvignon/Semillon blend with fresh aromas of peach and pink grapefruit, a lively mouth feel, and a long finish
House Wine 2008 White @ $11.99
full of beautiful, floral flavors, mouth-filling and fresh, a Chardonnay-based blend, with some Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris mixed in
Anni 2009 Riesling @ $11.99 (liter)
a Riesling from the Pfalz region, elegant, silky, medium-dry
Kuentz-Bas 2009 Alsace White @ $12.99
a fruity yet delicate blend with aromas of fresh lemons and a crisp, clean palate
Peyral 2009 Bergerac @ $12.99
from a small, family-run winery at the edges of the Dordogne, a Sauvignon Blanc-based white with fresh aromas and light acidity
Regaleali 2010 Bianco @ $13.99
a blend of three indigenous Sicilian grapes, Inzolia, Grecanico, and Catarrato, fresh, clean and ripe with a surprisingly long and balanced finish
Argyros 2010 Atlantis White @ $13.99
mostly Assyrtilo with a small amount of two other native Santorini grapes blended in, distinctly flavored with citrus overtones and a crisp freshness from Assyrtilo's high acidity
Belle Vue 2009 Muscadet @ $13.99
classic Muscadet from a new young organic producer in the Loire, crisp yet with a soft texture, medium texture, and understated aromatics
Clayhouse 2008 Adobe White @ $14.99
from an award-winning Paso Robles winery, a blend of Viognier, Princess, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne, with flavors of apple and stone fruit and a crisp, balanced finish
Kuentz-Bas 2008 Pinot Blanc @ $16.99
very bright and fresh on the nose with a bit of a peach aroma, light but silky on the palate with a lift of citrus on the aftertaste
Castello di Spessa 2006 Ribolla Gialla @ $17.99
a rich, ripe white that shows the extraction and balance that old vines in the Collio are known for
Reuilly 2008 White @ $18.99
from a tiny appellation southwest of Sancerre, a grassy, limey Sauvignon Blanc, elegant, racy and vibrant
Domaine de Montcy 2007 Cour-Chevery @ $18.99
made 100% from the native grape called Romarantin, unoaked, with rich apple, honeydew, and quince notes
Joseph Drouhin 2009 Chablis Vaudon @ $21.99
very mineral in character, almost briny, with great purity of taste and a pleasant floral style
Gaunoux 2007 Bourgogne @ $21.99
crisp and fresh with a balance of mineral and fruit, everything you want in a basic white Burgundy
High Flyer 2009 Grenache Blanc @ $21.99
from the Somerston Wine Company, located in the hills high above Napa Valley, a Grenache Blanc redolent of melon and citrus, layered with mineral and spice with a clean, refreshing finish
Haut Peyrous 2009 Graves @ $25.99
a classic white Graves from the stable of Marc Darroze, 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon, superbly balanced with clean acidity balancing the white and tropical fruit flavors
Long-Depaquit 2008 Chablis Les Vaucopins @ $34.99
from a vintage true to type for Chablis, with a balanced center, discrete fruit, smoky rock, and spine-tingling acidity
Peter Michael 2009 Chardonnay Belle Cote @ $92.99
fresh and lively with complex aromatics showing abundant tropical fruit blossom notes, a medium body, and a sound underlying structure
Peter Michael 2009 Chardonnay La Carriere @ $92.99
from the steepest and rockiest of the estate vineyards, a barrel-fermented Chardonnay that is rich with oak spice and texture, destined for a long life
(new vintage) Chateau de la Presle 2010 Sauvignon @ $11.99
New-World-styled Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire, with a zippy acidic structure and bright flavors
Tour des Gendres 2010 Bergerac @ $11.99
from an estate in southwestern France turning out characterful wines, a Sauvignon/Semillon blend with fresh aromas of peach and pink grapefruit, a lively mouth feel, and a long finish
House Wine 2008 White @ $11.99
full of beautiful, floral flavors, mouth-filling and fresh, a Chardonnay-based blend, with some Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris mixed in
Anni 2009 Riesling @ $11.99 (liter)
a Riesling from the Pfalz region, elegant, silky, medium-dry
Kuentz-Bas 2009 Alsace White @ $12.99
a fruity yet delicate blend with aromas of fresh lemons and a crisp, clean palate
Peyral 2009 Bergerac @ $12.99
from a small, family-run winery at the edges of the Dordogne, a Sauvignon Blanc-based white with fresh aromas and light acidity
Regaleali 2010 Bianco @ $13.99
a blend of three indigenous Sicilian grapes, Inzolia, Grecanico, and Catarrato, fresh, clean and ripe with a surprisingly long and balanced finish
Argyros 2010 Atlantis White @ $13.99
mostly Assyrtilo with a small amount of two other native Santorini grapes blended in, distinctly flavored with citrus overtones and a crisp freshness from Assyrtilo's high acidity
Belle Vue 2009 Muscadet @ $13.99
classic Muscadet from a new young organic producer in the Loire, crisp yet with a soft texture, medium texture, and understated aromatics
Clayhouse 2008 Adobe White @ $14.99
from an award-winning Paso Robles winery, a blend of Viognier, Princess, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne, with flavors of apple and stone fruit and a crisp, balanced finish
Kuentz-Bas 2008 Pinot Blanc @ $16.99
very bright and fresh on the nose with a bit of a peach aroma, light but silky on the palate with a lift of citrus on the aftertaste
Castello di Spessa 2006 Ribolla Gialla @ $17.99
a rich, ripe white that shows the extraction and balance that old vines in the Collio are known for
Reuilly 2008 White @ $18.99
from a tiny appellation southwest of Sancerre, a grassy, limey Sauvignon Blanc, elegant, racy and vibrant
Domaine de Montcy 2007 Cour-Chevery @ $18.99
made 100% from the native grape called Romarantin, unoaked, with rich apple, honeydew, and quince notes
Joseph Drouhin 2009 Chablis Vaudon @ $21.99
very mineral in character, almost briny, with great purity of taste and a pleasant floral style
Gaunoux 2007 Bourgogne @ $21.99
crisp and fresh with a balance of mineral and fruit, everything you want in a basic white Burgundy
High Flyer 2009 Grenache Blanc @ $21.99
from the Somerston Wine Company, located in the hills high above Napa Valley, a Grenache Blanc redolent of melon and citrus, layered with mineral and spice with a clean, refreshing finish
Haut Peyrous 2009 Graves @ $25.99
a classic white Graves from the stable of Marc Darroze, 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon, superbly balanced with clean acidity balancing the white and tropical fruit flavors
Long-Depaquit 2008 Chablis Les Vaucopins @ $34.99
from a vintage true to type for Chablis, with a balanced center, discrete fruit, smoky rock, and spine-tingling acidity
Peter Michael 2009 Chardonnay Belle Cote @ $92.99
fresh and lively with complex aromatics showing abundant tropical fruit blossom notes, a medium body, and a sound underlying structure
Peter Michael 2009 Chardonnay La Carriere @ $92.99
from the steepest and rockiest of the estate vineyards, a barrel-fermented Chardonnay that is rich with oak spice and texture, destined for a long life
NEW REDS:
Boissan NV Cuvee du Sommelier @ $9.99
from fifth-generation growers in the Rhone (originally from Burgundy), 100% Grenache, beautifully balanced, with dry tannins and fresh acidity, a hint of limestone, mint, thyme, and lavender
Santa Sofia 2007 Valpolicella @ $12.99
a good clean, plummy wine with a hint of spice with whiff of raisins and modest finish, a wine with virtually universal appeal
Hito 2008 Ribera del Duero @ $14.99
from Emilio Moro's Bodegas Cepa 21a dynamic, modern young wine, 100% Tinto Fino with an intense, complex nose of red fruits, a wine of elegance and balance
Argiolas 2009 Perdera @ $14.99
a classic expression of Sardinia's Monica grape, medium to full-bodied with hints of smoke and tar, with layers of dark fruit, herbs, spices and minerals
Chateau Massiac 2008 Minervois @ $14.99
a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Carignan from vines grown in rocky clay-limestone soil, rich with dominant flavors of black currant, earthy, spicy and intense
(back) Avignonese 2007 Rosso @ $14.99
a rich, approachable Tuscan blend of equal parts Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, round and lively in the mouth with ripe cassis and cherry flavors that resonate on the palate before fading into a finish that ends with a touch of earth and black fruit
Source de Vignelaure 2007 Red @ $15.99
a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Grenache, with aromas and flavors of black currant, cherry and spice, soft tannins, and a long finish
Reuilly 2008 Pinot Noir @ $17.99
from a tiny appellation southwest of Sancerre, a fresh, lively Pinot with intense juicy red fruit with distinct minerality and herbal notes backed by a touch of tannin
(back) Corte alla Flora 2007 Rosso di Montepulciano @ $18.99
a powerful Tuscan red rich with earthy red fruit and a velvety palate with the intense flavors balanced by firm tannins and good acid
Cal Demoura 2006 L'Infidele @ $18.99
a blend of all the regional grapes of the Languedoc — Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan — that emphasizes finesse, freshness, and full expression of the fruit
Chateau de Gueyze 2008 Buzet @ $18.99
the leading brand of the cooperative La Cave des Vignerons de Buzet, a blend of 40% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon with a soft, harmonious finish, a touch earthy, with an elegant tannic structure
Podere la Cappella 2007 Chianti Classico @ $20.99
certified organic from the heart of the Chianti Classico region, a juicy and bright Chianti with lovely red fruit and firm, ripe tannins
Pillot 2008 Bourgogne Rouges Grandes Terres @ $21.99
a value Pinot Noir, bright on the palate with lots of citrusy freshness, zippy, racy, and eminently food-friendly
High Flyer 2007 Centerline Red @ $29.99
from the Somerston Wine Company, located in the hills high above Napa Valley, a dark, juicy, spicy, modern blend with fruit, cinnamon, licorice, moderate acidity, and good tannins on the finish
Chateau Vignelaure 2005 Coteaux d'Aix en Provence @ $31.99
a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet, Grenache and Syrah, with spice, structure, elegance and roundness
Fleur Haut Bages Liberal 2007 Pauillac @ $34.99
the second label of Haut Bages Liberal, a fifth-growth Bordeaux, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc from the estates younger vines, with rich, round tannins and a long finish
Pipeau 2007 St. Emilion @ $36.99
known for consistency of style from one vintage to the next, a wine with expressive fruit, an opulent nose of red berries, roundness on the palate, with good length and a harmonious and elegant finish
Drouhin 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin @ $49.99
an organic Burgundy with an earthy nose with bright red fruit aromas, flavors of medium weight, sophisticated, nuanced, and elegant
Boissan NV Cuvee du Sommelier @ $9.99
from fifth-generation growers in the Rhone (originally from Burgundy), 100% Grenache, beautifully balanced, with dry tannins and fresh acidity, a hint of limestone, mint, thyme, and lavender
Santa Sofia 2007 Valpolicella @ $12.99
a good clean, plummy wine with a hint of spice with whiff of raisins and modest finish, a wine with virtually universal appeal
Hito 2008 Ribera del Duero @ $14.99
from Emilio Moro's Bodegas Cepa 21a dynamic, modern young wine, 100% Tinto Fino with an intense, complex nose of red fruits, a wine of elegance and balance
Argiolas 2009 Perdera @ $14.99
a classic expression of Sardinia's Monica grape, medium to full-bodied with hints of smoke and tar, with layers of dark fruit, herbs, spices and minerals
Chateau Massiac 2008 Minervois @ $14.99
a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Carignan from vines grown in rocky clay-limestone soil, rich with dominant flavors of black currant, earthy, spicy and intense
(back) Avignonese 2007 Rosso @ $14.99
a rich, approachable Tuscan blend of equal parts Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, round and lively in the mouth with ripe cassis and cherry flavors that resonate on the palate before fading into a finish that ends with a touch of earth and black fruit
Source de Vignelaure 2007 Red @ $15.99
a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Grenache, with aromas and flavors of black currant, cherry and spice, soft tannins, and a long finish
Reuilly 2008 Pinot Noir @ $17.99
from a tiny appellation southwest of Sancerre, a fresh, lively Pinot with intense juicy red fruit with distinct minerality and herbal notes backed by a touch of tannin
(back) Corte alla Flora 2007 Rosso di Montepulciano @ $18.99
a powerful Tuscan red rich with earthy red fruit and a velvety palate with the intense flavors balanced by firm tannins and good acid
Cal Demoura 2006 L'Infidele @ $18.99
a blend of all the regional grapes of the Languedoc — Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan — that emphasizes finesse, freshness, and full expression of the fruit
Chateau de Gueyze 2008 Buzet @ $18.99
the leading brand of the cooperative La Cave des Vignerons de Buzet, a blend of 40% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon with a soft, harmonious finish, a touch earthy, with an elegant tannic structure
Podere la Cappella 2007 Chianti Classico @ $20.99
certified organic from the heart of the Chianti Classico region, a juicy and bright Chianti with lovely red fruit and firm, ripe tannins
Pillot 2008 Bourgogne Rouges Grandes Terres @ $21.99
a value Pinot Noir, bright on the palate with lots of citrusy freshness, zippy, racy, and eminently food-friendly
High Flyer 2007 Centerline Red @ $29.99
from the Somerston Wine Company, located in the hills high above Napa Valley, a dark, juicy, spicy, modern blend with fruit, cinnamon, licorice, moderate acidity, and good tannins on the finish
Chateau Vignelaure 2005 Coteaux d'Aix en Provence @ $31.99
a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet, Grenache and Syrah, with spice, structure, elegance and roundness
Fleur Haut Bages Liberal 2007 Pauillac @ $34.99
the second label of Haut Bages Liberal, a fifth-growth Bordeaux, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc from the estates younger vines, with rich, round tannins and a long finish
Pipeau 2007 St. Emilion @ $36.99
known for consistency of style from one vintage to the next, a wine with expressive fruit, an opulent nose of red berries, roundness on the palate, with good length and a harmonious and elegant finish
Drouhin 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin @ $49.99
an organic Burgundy with an earthy nose with bright red fruit aromas, flavors of medium weight, sophisticated, nuanced, and elegant
NEW ROSES:
Borsao 2010 Rose @ $7.99
Garnacha from the Campo de Borja, light to medium bodied with pleasant red berry flavors, bright, crisp, acidity, and a medium-long finish
Pannier 2009 Rose d'Anjou @ $10.99
Cabernet Franc from the Loire, soft-textured, with nicely defined fruit and crisp freshness
Pinord NV La Nansa @ $10.99
a "needle wine" (slightly fizzy) from the Penedes, a blend of Grenache and Merlot, medium-bodied with a rich, full palate
Carrel 2010 Rose de Savoie @ $11.99
a blend of Gamay and Mondeuse, with round strawberry and raspberry flavors balanced by fresh, zippy acidity
Librandi Ciro 2010 Rosato @ $11.99
100% Gaglioppo from vineyards overlooking the Ionian Sea, slightly effervescent, with spicy notes and mineral aromas accompanied by a palate of flowers and a slight tartness
Gaia 2010 14-18h @ $13.99
made from the native Agiorgitiko grape, macerated 14-18 hours on the skins, extremely refreshing with juicy acidity
Source de Vignelaure 2010 Rose @ $13.99
a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Cabernet, crisp, clean, and slightly floral, a classic example of Provencale rose
Chateau d'Oupia 2010 Minervois @ $13.99
from a high-quality producer of classically styled, berry-flavored Minervois from old hillside vines, a heady blend of Carignan, Grenache, and a bit of Syrah, dry and muscular with impressive length
Feudi di San Gregorio 2010 Ros'Aura @ $13.99
from Italy's Campania region, made 100% from Aglianico, bright and lively with a balance of strawberry and cherry notes and clean, crisp minerality
Brun 2010 Rose d'Folie @ $15.99
100% Gamay from a producer specializing in naturally made wines with low alcohol and great purity of fruit, creamy, fresh and lively, and extremely quaffable
Domaine Pelaquie 2010 Tavel @ $15.99
classic Tavel, a blend of Grenache and Cinsault that is smooth, generous and fruity
Reuilly 2009 Pinot Gris @ $15.99
from a tiny appellation southwest of Sancerre, a racy wine with a bouquet of apricot, peach, and litchi, brisk acidity and a persistent finish
(new vintage) Torre dei Beati 2010 Cerasuolo @ $16.99
made by a husband-wife team, both former sommeliers, as dark a rose as you'll ever encounter, a juicy, fun wine with surprisingly good acidity
Lauverjat 2010 Sancerre @ $18.99
100% Pinot Noir from the Loire, crisp, vigorous, bright, with subtle fruit and a touch of minerality
Vignelaure 2010 Coteaux d'Aix @ $20.99
from the most famous wine-producing estate of Provence, a Grenache-Syrah blend that is elegant, complex and perfectly balanced
Borsao 2010 Rose @ $7.99
Garnacha from the Campo de Borja, light to medium bodied with pleasant red berry flavors, bright, crisp, acidity, and a medium-long finish
Pannier 2009 Rose d'Anjou @ $10.99
Cabernet Franc from the Loire, soft-textured, with nicely defined fruit and crisp freshness
Pinord NV La Nansa @ $10.99
a "needle wine" (slightly fizzy) from the Penedes, a blend of Grenache and Merlot, medium-bodied with a rich, full palate
Carrel 2010 Rose de Savoie @ $11.99
a blend of Gamay and Mondeuse, with round strawberry and raspberry flavors balanced by fresh, zippy acidity
Librandi Ciro 2010 Rosato @ $11.99
100% Gaglioppo from vineyards overlooking the Ionian Sea, slightly effervescent, with spicy notes and mineral aromas accompanied by a palate of flowers and a slight tartness
Gaia 2010 14-18h @ $13.99
made from the native Agiorgitiko grape, macerated 14-18 hours on the skins, extremely refreshing with juicy acidity
Source de Vignelaure 2010 Rose @ $13.99
a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Cabernet, crisp, clean, and slightly floral, a classic example of Provencale rose
Chateau d'Oupia 2010 Minervois @ $13.99
from a high-quality producer of classically styled, berry-flavored Minervois from old hillside vines, a heady blend of Carignan, Grenache, and a bit of Syrah, dry and muscular with impressive length
Feudi di San Gregorio 2010 Ros'Aura @ $13.99
from Italy's Campania region, made 100% from Aglianico, bright and lively with a balance of strawberry and cherry notes and clean, crisp minerality
Brun 2010 Rose d'Folie @ $15.99
100% Gamay from a producer specializing in naturally made wines with low alcohol and great purity of fruit, creamy, fresh and lively, and extremely quaffable
Domaine Pelaquie 2010 Tavel @ $15.99
classic Tavel, a blend of Grenache and Cinsault that is smooth, generous and fruity
Reuilly 2009 Pinot Gris @ $15.99
from a tiny appellation southwest of Sancerre, a racy wine with a bouquet of apricot, peach, and litchi, brisk acidity and a persistent finish
(new vintage) Torre dei Beati 2010 Cerasuolo @ $16.99
made by a husband-wife team, both former sommeliers, as dark a rose as you'll ever encounter, a juicy, fun wine with surprisingly good acidity
Lauverjat 2010 Sancerre @ $18.99
100% Pinot Noir from the Loire, crisp, vigorous, bright, with subtle fruit and a touch of minerality
Vignelaure 2010 Coteaux d'Aix @ $20.99
from the most famous wine-producing estate of Provence, a Grenache-Syrah blend that is elegant, complex and perfectly balanced