Another rather sparse wee, albeit with some stuff of great interest (notably, those Qupe wines). Stay cool!
NEW WHITES:
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Dry Riesling @ $10.99
from the winery that is arguably North America's leading producer of this grape, a dry, crisp, refreshing style of Riesling with beautiful fruit flavors, crisp acidity and an elegant finish
Shinn Estate 2010 Coalescence @ $12.99
a stainless-steel-fermented winemaker's blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Merlot Blanc showing a refreshing style with a splash of fruit followed by a zing of acidity
Shinn Estate 2010 First Fruit Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
from Long Island's North Fork, a brightly aromatic Sauvignon Blanc delivering bright citrus and spring flower aromas with layers of pear, pear skin and green melon
Qupe 2009 Bien Nacido Cuvee @ $18.99
a blend of Viognier and Chardonnay from the Bien Nacido vineyard, blending exotic floral and peach aromatics from ripe Viognier enhanced with the tart green apple and lively acidity of early picked Chardonnay
(new vintage) Qupe 2010 Marsanne @ $18.99
flinty, mineral flavors with peach pit, citrus and hazelnuts followed by a honeyed finish
Acacia 2009 Chardonnay @ $20.99
from a pioneer in the Carneros appellation, a clean, crisp Chardonnay with a creamy edge, with layers of flavor and bright balanced acidity
Crochet 2009 Sancerre La Croix du Roy @ $29.99
classic Sancerre, with inviting citrus and fruit aromas, leading to hints of herb, sweet floral notes and more ripe fruit on the palate
(back) Cloudy Bay 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $29.99
from the leader in forging New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc's international reputation and defining the distinct Marlborough style, a Sauvignon Blanc of vibrant intensity withn elegant line and length
Qupe 2007 Roussanne @ $35.99
100% Roussanne from the Bien Nacido vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, lean and focused with aromas of hazelnut and peach pit and great minerality
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Dry Riesling @ $10.99
from the winery that is arguably North America's leading producer of this grape, a dry, crisp, refreshing style of Riesling with beautiful fruit flavors, crisp acidity and an elegant finish
Shinn Estate 2010 Coalescence @ $12.99
a stainless-steel-fermented winemaker's blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Merlot Blanc showing a refreshing style with a splash of fruit followed by a zing of acidity
Shinn Estate 2010 First Fruit Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
from Long Island's North Fork, a brightly aromatic Sauvignon Blanc delivering bright citrus and spring flower aromas with layers of pear, pear skin and green melon
Qupe 2009 Bien Nacido Cuvee @ $18.99
a blend of Viognier and Chardonnay from the Bien Nacido vineyard, blending exotic floral and peach aromatics from ripe Viognier enhanced with the tart green apple and lively acidity of early picked Chardonnay
(new vintage) Qupe 2010 Marsanne @ $18.99
flinty, mineral flavors with peach pit, citrus and hazelnuts followed by a honeyed finish
Acacia 2009 Chardonnay @ $20.99
from a pioneer in the Carneros appellation, a clean, crisp Chardonnay with a creamy edge, with layers of flavor and bright balanced acidity
Crochet 2009 Sancerre La Croix du Roy @ $29.99
classic Sancerre, with inviting citrus and fruit aromas, leading to hints of herb, sweet floral notes and more ripe fruit on the palate
(back) Cloudy Bay 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $29.99
from the leader in forging New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc's international reputation and defining the distinct Marlborough style, a Sauvignon Blanc of vibrant intensity withn elegant line and length
Qupe 2007 Roussanne @ $35.99
100% Roussanne from the Bien Nacido vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, lean and focused with aromas of hazelnut and peach pit and great minerality
NEW REDS:
El Porvenir de los Andes 2006 Amauta II @ $20.99
from a small family-owned winery in Cafayate in the north of Argentina, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cab and Merlot with big fruit flavors, full in the mouth with an almost velvety mouth feel and a really long finish
Dal Forno 2004 Amarone @ $499.99 (not a typo!)
a monumental wine, silky and elegant, full and opulent on the palate with fabulously polished tannins and a long, long finish, considered his best ever by winemaker Romano Dal Forno
El Porvenir de los Andes 2006 Amauta II @ $20.99
from a small family-owned winery in Cafayate in the north of Argentina, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cab and Merlot with big fruit flavors, full in the mouth with an almost velvety mouth feel and a really long finish
Dal Forno 2004 Amarone @ $499.99 (not a typo!)
a monumental wine, silky and elegant, full and opulent on the palate with fabulously polished tannins and a long, long finish, considered his best ever by winemaker Romano Dal Forno
NEW ROSES:
Calatroni 2010 Pinot Grigio @ $11.99
from the Oltreo' Pavese, a "vivace" (sparkling) wine with a delicate flavor and an elegant palate, only 1500 cases made
Shinn Estate 2010 Rose @ $13.99
a 75/25 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, intensely flavored with ripe red fruit, nice freshness and understated herbal edges
Chateau Roubine 2009 Cotes de Provence @ $15.99
from one of the five leading domaines in Provence (and one of the oldest in France), brilliantly fresh, bone dry, well balanced, surprisingly gripping and textured for a rosé