Lots of goodies this week . . . surely something here to catch your interest! Do check the calendar on our web site for news of in-store tastings.
NEW WHITES:
Casas del Bosque 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
a classic nose of lemon peel, citrus juice and passion fruit that leads to a bracing jolt of acid that tingles the tongue, with lemon, a little grapefruit and gooseberry cleansing the palate, leading to a clean, bright finish
Notios 2010 White @ $13.99
a blend of Moschofilero from Tripoli and Roditis from nearby Aigialia, light, lively and citrusy, a blend that displays the best characteristics of each grape
Nuraghe Crabioni 2010 Vermentino @ $14.99
from a new state-of-the-art winery in Sardinia, a full, rich Vermentino with hints of apricot and honey, crisp and refreshing with a long almondy aftertaste characteristic of the grape
Ca Adua 2010 Gavi @ $14.99
a textbook example of the Cortese grape, mouth-filling on the palate with notes of citrus, green melon, and a touch of baking spice and a long finish with touches of lemon and herb
Muga 2010 Rioja @ $14.99
a blend of Malvasia and Viura, barrel-fermented, fresh and lively but with great intensity and persistence
Casalfarneto 2009 Verdicchio "Fontevecchia" @ $15.99
a single-vineyard Verdicchio, dry, minerally, creamy, with a touch of tropical fruit and a hint of the saline of the sea on the finish
Mittnacht 2010 Cuvee Gyotaku @ $16.99
from a relatively new family-run estate in Alsace, a white blend (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat) made specifically for sushi and sashimi, aromatic, dry and fresh to complement fish, with enough character to stand up to soy and wasabi
Sipp 2010 Pinot Gris @ $19.99
from an Alsace producer organic since 2005, a complex and smoky Pinot Gris with hints of tropical fruits, wide on the palate and and balanced by a nice acidity typical of the 2010 vintage
Sipp 2007 Riesling Osterberg" @ $21.99
fruity, rich, and racy, a very expressive Riesling from a "grand cru" vineyard in Alsace
(new vintage) Fefinanes 2010 Albarino @ $21.99
consistently rated one of the best Albarinos produced, round, clean and pleasant on the palate with notes of honey and lemon
Ferraton 2009 Condrieu @ $69.99
an outstanding example of Viognier, with intense and complex aromas and a palate that shows ripe apricot, peach and honey characters, intensely rich, giving a light sensation of sweetness, but finishing dry with mineral and savory notes
Dagueneau 2009 Pur Sang Fume de Pouilly @ $114.99
vividly peachy and with great minerality, evocative more of a great Riesling than of Sauvignon Blanc, with a long, luscious, vibrant finish
Dagueneau 2009 Silex Fume de Pouilly @ $154.99
Daguenau's "grand cru," if you will, in this vintage tightly wound, with a piercing minerality that leads to floral, lemon verbena, lime, and thyme notes, very long on the finish and very precise
Casas del Bosque 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
a classic nose of lemon peel, citrus juice and passion fruit that leads to a bracing jolt of acid that tingles the tongue, with lemon, a little grapefruit and gooseberry cleansing the palate, leading to a clean, bright finish
Notios 2010 White @ $13.99
a blend of Moschofilero from Tripoli and Roditis from nearby Aigialia, light, lively and citrusy, a blend that displays the best characteristics of each grape
Nuraghe Crabioni 2010 Vermentino @ $14.99
from a new state-of-the-art winery in Sardinia, a full, rich Vermentino with hints of apricot and honey, crisp and refreshing with a long almondy aftertaste characteristic of the grape
Ca Adua 2010 Gavi @ $14.99
a textbook example of the Cortese grape, mouth-filling on the palate with notes of citrus, green melon, and a touch of baking spice and a long finish with touches of lemon and herb
Muga 2010 Rioja @ $14.99
a blend of Malvasia and Viura, barrel-fermented, fresh and lively but with great intensity and persistence
Casalfarneto 2009 Verdicchio "Fontevecchia" @ $15.99
a single-vineyard Verdicchio, dry, minerally, creamy, with a touch of tropical fruit and a hint of the saline of the sea on the finish
Mittnacht 2010 Cuvee Gyotaku @ $16.99
from a relatively new family-run estate in Alsace, a white blend (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat) made specifically for sushi and sashimi, aromatic, dry and fresh to complement fish, with enough character to stand up to soy and wasabi
Sipp 2010 Pinot Gris @ $19.99
from an Alsace producer organic since 2005, a complex and smoky Pinot Gris with hints of tropical fruits, wide on the palate and and balanced by a nice acidity typical of the 2010 vintage
Sipp 2007 Riesling Osterberg" @ $21.99
fruity, rich, and racy, a very expressive Riesling from a "grand cru" vineyard in Alsace
(new vintage) Fefinanes 2010 Albarino @ $21.99
consistently rated one of the best Albarinos produced, round, clean and pleasant on the palate with notes of honey and lemon
Ferraton 2009 Condrieu @ $69.99
an outstanding example of Viognier, with intense and complex aromas and a palate that shows ripe apricot, peach and honey characters, intensely rich, giving a light sensation of sweetness, but finishing dry with mineral and savory notes
Dagueneau 2009 Pur Sang Fume de Pouilly @ $114.99
vividly peachy and with great minerality, evocative more of a great Riesling than of Sauvignon Blanc, with a long, luscious, vibrant finish
Dagueneau 2009 Silex Fume de Pouilly @ $154.99
Daguenau's "grand cru," if you will, in this vintage tightly wound, with a piercing minerality that leads to floral, lemon verbena, lime, and thyme notes, very long on the finish and very precise
NEW REDS:
(new vintage) Coltibuono 2010 Canceli @ $9.99
a blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Syrah from Tuscany yet outside the classic DOC appellations, fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel, offering nice, ripe fruit and a straightforward mouthfeel with a gentle finish
Universo de los Andes 2010 Malbec @ $11.99
from Patagonia, way south in Argentina, a Malbec that is aromatic, delicate and elegant
(new vintage) Cataregia 2004 Terra Alta @ $11.99
a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet, from the under-appreciated region of Terra Alta, aged to perfection
St. Martin de la Garrigue 2008 Tradition @ $11.99
a tank-raised blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah from the Languedoc, bright and juicy, showing crisp red berry and cherry flavors that feature mineral and saline notes, with peppery hints on the finish
Castillo de Molina 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $11.99
an expressive and complex nose, fruity and well-integrated palate with good volume and soft, ripe tannins that lead to a long finish
(back) Messenger NV Merlot @ $12.99
a rich and smooth Merlot made from equal parts Napa and Sonoma fruit, soft and inviting on the palate
Thomas Henry 2009 Zinfandel @ $13.99
produced by Tom Meadowcroft of Meadowdroft Family Wines, a Zin with dark berry flavors, with smooth tannin structure, and fresh berry and briary aromatics
Damilano 2009 Barbera @ $14.99
a full, rich, complex Barbarea with excellent balance and length
Argiolas 2009 Costera @ $14.99
a blend of 90% Cannonau, 5% Carignano and 5% Bovale Sardo, with layers of exquisitely perfumed fruit buttressed by fine, silky tannins
Crabioni 2010 Cannonau @ $14.99
from a new state-of-the-art winery in Sardinia, a warm red with an intense nose with spices and red fruit, smooth, with a touch of acidity, fruity, structured with a long finish
Schreiner 2009 Blaufrankisch @ $14.99
from Austria's Burgenland, a Blaufrankisch with typical notes of black pepper and cherry with a hint of herbaceousness
(new vintage) Zaccagnini 2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo @ $14.99
aromas of blackberries and plums and, on the palate, ripe berries, dried herbs, and a touch of vanilla leading to a long, supple finish
(back) Almancay 2007 Malbec @ $15.99
wonderful layers of ripe black cherry, plums, spice and tobacco. well structured, with ripe tannins and moderate acidity balancing the juicy fruit flavors
Bonnat 2008 Graves @ $16.99
a full-bodied blend of Cab and Merlot, with an intense nose of red and black berries, woody with toasted notes, an elegant, fruity and spicy mouth feel, with a finish presenting delicate wooded tannins
Cros de la Mure 2009 Cotes du Rhone @ $17.99
a blend of Grenache and Syrah from biodynamically farmed vineyards, deeply colored and richly flavored with blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and spice
Tablas Creek 2010 Patelin de Tablas @ $17.99
a blend of four red Rhône varietals, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Counoise, all sourced from seven top Rhone vineyards in Paso Robles, plump and mouth-filling, loaded with fruit and sheer character
Pian delle Querci 2009 Ross di Montalcino @ $17.99
a stunning example of Brunello's little brother, with a round, full mouth feel and soft, elegant tannins
Thymiopoulos 2009 Naoussa "Young Vine" @ $17.99
a single-vineyard Xinomavro from Naoussa, with upfront fresh and fruity charm, smooth texture, and a persistent finish
Train Wreck 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $18.99
an Alexander Valley Cab with aromas of fresh blackberries, ripe plum compote and toasty vanilla/cedar and flavors of ripe black and red fruits, supple tannins and a rich and lingering finish
Praxis 2007 Merlot @ $19.99
also from Alexander Valley, a sleek, elegant Merlot with good acidity and a full mouth feel
Chateau Penin 2008 Grande Selection @ $19.99
a harmonious, fleshy Bordeaux with vanilla aromas coming from the oak mingling well with jammy red berry fruit notes
Tour Bayard 2007 Montagne-St. Emilion @ $20.99
a Merlot-based Bordeaux, flavorsome and elegant, with delightful aromas of plums leading to warm, ripe fruit on the palate, with good structure attributable to barrel aging
Gruet 2008 Pinot Noir @ $22.99
ripe and complete with focused black cherry, plum, anise and floral notes framed by light oak
Mercouri 2007 Red @ $22.99
a blend of Refosco and Mavrodaphne from the western Peloponnesos, deep and complex, with black fruit, layers of spice, and herbal notes
Petitot 2009 Cotes de Nuits Villages @ $24.99
Pinot Noir from a 45-year-old vineyard, fairly full-bodied, spicy on the palate with a slight touch of oak
Chofflet-Valdenaire 2009 Givry @ $26.99
a fruity, accessible Pinot, seamlessly elegant with aromas of blackcurrant, raspberry, morello cherry and floral nuances
Saint-Martin 2008 Marsannay @ $30.99
a solid, structured Burgundy with impressive minerality, an earthy sweetness, super balance, ripe tannins, and great freshness
Fleur de Jaugue 2008 Bordeaux @ $32.99
primarily Merlot with a bit of Cabernet Franc, medium- to full-bodied, with refined tannins and a silky texture
Domaine de Nalys 2008 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $34.99
a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache (unusual for Chateauneuf), meaty and savory on the nose, blending those notes with cherries, leather, allspice and earth on the palate, full but fresh, with a long finish
CUNE 2004 Rioja Reserva @ $39.99
rich and raisiny, with lots of dark spice, vanilla sweetness, licorice, dried cherries, and a leafy finish
Ferraton 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $39.99
from a great vintage in the southern Rhone, a Chateauneuf with complex and subtle aromas of sour cherries, plum, roasted coffee and cinnamon with hints of leather, spices and garrigue
Ceretto 2007 Barolo Zonchere @ $43.99
a blend from several vineyards, ripe and juicy, unmistakably serious yet quite racy
Pian delle Querci 2004 Brunello @ $44.99
a rich bouquet of cut flowers mingled with red berry fruit and some pungent notes, ample on the palate and fairly soft, with bright cherry fruit supported by moderately intense cherry acidity, and by tannins that are already quite smooth
Potensac 1996 Medoc @ $44.99
a dense and dark Bordeaux with a classic left-bank Cabernet nose, refined and structured but not austere, with firm tannins countered by a trace of extract
Groth 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $49.99
from estate-controlled vineyards in Oakville, a big, lush Cab, clean and fruity with bright acidity and a soft and supple texture
Fenocchio 2006 Barolo @ $52.99
a complex nose with an intense ethereal aromas mixed with warm spice and rose notes, hugely structured on the palate with excellent balance between tannins and the spicy fruit
Musella 2006 Amarone @ $53.99
a traditionally-styled Amarone with raisin and spices on the nose and light prune notes, full-bodied and chewy, with lots of fruit and a long finish
Sigaut 2007 Chambolle-Musigny @ $59.99
a premier cru Burgundy with a fruit-driven nose of very high-toned Pinot and detailed, intense, precise and minerally flavors that culminate in a finish of real verve
Cliff Lede 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $61.99
classic, elegant Stag's Leap Cabernet, with black currant and citrus blossom aromas, fine-grained tannins, and a full, rich mid-palate expand through the finish with semi-sweet chocolate, balanced by fresh minerality
(new vintage) Coltibuono 2010 Canceli @ $9.99
a blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Syrah from Tuscany yet outside the classic DOC appellations, fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel, offering nice, ripe fruit and a straightforward mouthfeel with a gentle finish
Universo de los Andes 2010 Malbec @ $11.99
from Patagonia, way south in Argentina, a Malbec that is aromatic, delicate and elegant
(new vintage) Cataregia 2004 Terra Alta @ $11.99
a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet, from the under-appreciated region of Terra Alta, aged to perfection
St. Martin de la Garrigue 2008 Tradition @ $11.99
a tank-raised blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah from the Languedoc, bright and juicy, showing crisp red berry and cherry flavors that feature mineral and saline notes, with peppery hints on the finish
Castillo de Molina 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $11.99
an expressive and complex nose, fruity and well-integrated palate with good volume and soft, ripe tannins that lead to a long finish
(back) Messenger NV Merlot @ $12.99
a rich and smooth Merlot made from equal parts Napa and Sonoma fruit, soft and inviting on the palate
Thomas Henry 2009 Zinfandel @ $13.99
produced by Tom Meadowcroft of Meadowdroft Family Wines, a Zin with dark berry flavors, with smooth tannin structure, and fresh berry and briary aromatics
Damilano 2009 Barbera @ $14.99
a full, rich, complex Barbarea with excellent balance and length
Argiolas 2009 Costera @ $14.99
a blend of 90% Cannonau, 5% Carignano and 5% Bovale Sardo, with layers of exquisitely perfumed fruit buttressed by fine, silky tannins
Crabioni 2010 Cannonau @ $14.99
from a new state-of-the-art winery in Sardinia, a warm red with an intense nose with spices and red fruit, smooth, with a touch of acidity, fruity, structured with a long finish
Schreiner 2009 Blaufrankisch @ $14.99
from Austria's Burgenland, a Blaufrankisch with typical notes of black pepper and cherry with a hint of herbaceousness
(new vintage) Zaccagnini 2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo @ $14.99
aromas of blackberries and plums and, on the palate, ripe berries, dried herbs, and a touch of vanilla leading to a long, supple finish
(back) Almancay 2007 Malbec @ $15.99
wonderful layers of ripe black cherry, plums, spice and tobacco. well structured, with ripe tannins and moderate acidity balancing the juicy fruit flavors
Bonnat 2008 Graves @ $16.99
a full-bodied blend of Cab and Merlot, with an intense nose of red and black berries, woody with toasted notes, an elegant, fruity and spicy mouth feel, with a finish presenting delicate wooded tannins
Cros de la Mure 2009 Cotes du Rhone @ $17.99
a blend of Grenache and Syrah from biodynamically farmed vineyards, deeply colored and richly flavored with blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and spice
Tablas Creek 2010 Patelin de Tablas @ $17.99
a blend of four red Rhône varietals, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Counoise, all sourced from seven top Rhone vineyards in Paso Robles, plump and mouth-filling, loaded with fruit and sheer character
Pian delle Querci 2009 Ross di Montalcino @ $17.99
a stunning example of Brunello's little brother, with a round, full mouth feel and soft, elegant tannins
Thymiopoulos 2009 Naoussa "Young Vine" @ $17.99
a single-vineyard Xinomavro from Naoussa, with upfront fresh and fruity charm, smooth texture, and a persistent finish
Train Wreck 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $18.99
an Alexander Valley Cab with aromas of fresh blackberries, ripe plum compote and toasty vanilla/cedar and flavors of ripe black and red fruits, supple tannins and a rich and lingering finish
Praxis 2007 Merlot @ $19.99
also from Alexander Valley, a sleek, elegant Merlot with good acidity and a full mouth feel
Chateau Penin 2008 Grande Selection @ $19.99
a harmonious, fleshy Bordeaux with vanilla aromas coming from the oak mingling well with jammy red berry fruit notes
Tour Bayard 2007 Montagne-St. Emilion @ $20.99
a Merlot-based Bordeaux, flavorsome and elegant, with delightful aromas of plums leading to warm, ripe fruit on the palate, with good structure attributable to barrel aging
Gruet 2008 Pinot Noir @ $22.99
ripe and complete with focused black cherry, plum, anise and floral notes framed by light oak
Mercouri 2007 Red @ $22.99
a blend of Refosco and Mavrodaphne from the western Peloponnesos, deep and complex, with black fruit, layers of spice, and herbal notes
Petitot 2009 Cotes de Nuits Villages @ $24.99
Pinot Noir from a 45-year-old vineyard, fairly full-bodied, spicy on the palate with a slight touch of oak
Chofflet-Valdenaire 2009 Givry @ $26.99
a fruity, accessible Pinot, seamlessly elegant with aromas of blackcurrant, raspberry, morello cherry and floral nuances
Saint-Martin 2008 Marsannay @ $30.99
a solid, structured Burgundy with impressive minerality, an earthy sweetness, super balance, ripe tannins, and great freshness
Fleur de Jaugue 2008 Bordeaux @ $32.99
primarily Merlot with a bit of Cabernet Franc, medium- to full-bodied, with refined tannins and a silky texture
Domaine de Nalys 2008 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $34.99
a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache (unusual for Chateauneuf), meaty and savory on the nose, blending those notes with cherries, leather, allspice and earth on the palate, full but fresh, with a long finish
CUNE 2004 Rioja Reserva @ $39.99
rich and raisiny, with lots of dark spice, vanilla sweetness, licorice, dried cherries, and a leafy finish
Ferraton 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $39.99
from a great vintage in the southern Rhone, a Chateauneuf with complex and subtle aromas of sour cherries, plum, roasted coffee and cinnamon with hints of leather, spices and garrigue
Ceretto 2007 Barolo Zonchere @ $43.99
a blend from several vineyards, ripe and juicy, unmistakably serious yet quite racy
Pian delle Querci 2004 Brunello @ $44.99
a rich bouquet of cut flowers mingled with red berry fruit and some pungent notes, ample on the palate and fairly soft, with bright cherry fruit supported by moderately intense cherry acidity, and by tannins that are already quite smooth
Potensac 1996 Medoc @ $44.99
a dense and dark Bordeaux with a classic left-bank Cabernet nose, refined and structured but not austere, with firm tannins countered by a trace of extract
Groth 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $49.99
from estate-controlled vineyards in Oakville, a big, lush Cab, clean and fruity with bright acidity and a soft and supple texture
Fenocchio 2006 Barolo @ $52.99
a complex nose with an intense ethereal aromas mixed with warm spice and rose notes, hugely structured on the palate with excellent balance between tannins and the spicy fruit
Musella 2006 Amarone @ $53.99
a traditionally-styled Amarone with raisin and spices on the nose and light prune notes, full-bodied and chewy, with lots of fruit and a long finish
Sigaut 2007 Chambolle-Musigny @ $59.99
a premier cru Burgundy with a fruit-driven nose of very high-toned Pinot and detailed, intense, precise and minerally flavors that culminate in a finish of real verve
Cliff Lede 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $61.99
classic, elegant Stag's Leap Cabernet, with black currant and citrus blossom aromas, fine-grained tannins, and a full, rich mid-palate expand through the finish with semi-sweet chocolate, balanced by fresh minerality