Quite a bit new this week, which is why it has taken me so long to pull this all together!
NEW WHITES:
La Forge Estate 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
produced by Domaines Paul Mas from vines grown just south of Carcassone, herbaceous, fruity, rich, and well balanced
Des Rochers 2010 Macon-Chaintre @ $10.99
unoaked Chardonnay, fresh, crisp and clean with citrus acidity and an edge of minerality
Varanda do Conde 2010 Branco @ $11.99
a blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura from vineyards in the far north of the Vinho Verde region, rich, aromatic, and creamy, with a final lemon peel character
Tishbi 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $11.99
herbaceous fragrances and fruity flavors, Kosher for Passover
Luneau Papin 2010 Muscadet @ $13.99
rich and pure with great minerality, Tmade in a very perfumed and fresh aromatic style
Tabali 2010 Viognier @ $13.99
from one of the northernmost vineyard regions of Chile, a fresh and fruity Viognier with classic floral and nectarine aromas and layers of fresh fruit on the palate
Murphy's Law 2010 Riesling @ $13.99
from Washington's Columbia Valley, a Riesling that rides the razor's edge of ripe fruit balanced with the zing and verve of natural acidity
Zemmer 2010 Pinot Grigio @ $14.99
an elegant flowery aroma with typical tones of ripe fruit (pear, melon) and spices, a fruity mineral flavor, full-bodied with fresh acidity
Van Ruiten 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $14.99
made from Lake County grapes, crisp and fruit-forward, with aromas of grapefruit and Meyer lemon complemented by flavors of lemon-grass, lavender, and rosemary
Buchegger 2011 Gruner Veltliner @ $15.99
from an Austrian estate that dates from 1893, a single-vineyard Gruner, pure and elegant
Dalton 2011 Unoaked Chardonnay @ $16.99
a fruity wine bursting with citrus and tropical fruit flavors, Kosher for Passover
Vocoret 2009 Chablis @ $19.99
fresh and light, with lovely citrus tones, hints of limestone, apple, well balanced with nice acidity on the finish
Darnat 2010 Bourgogne @ $19.99
rich, full-bodied, and assertive, spicy and mineral, with tremendous zest and nuttiness, a classic style
Zind-Humbrecht 2009 Pinot Blanc @ $21.99
infectiously delicious, with bittersweet citrus zest and licorice on a subtle, creamy, lush palate
Copain 2010 Chardonnay @ $28.99
the first-ever Chardonnay from this estimable producer, a beautiful wine with perfect balance and the pure taste of the Chardonnay grape
La Forge Estate 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
produced by Domaines Paul Mas from vines grown just south of Carcassone, herbaceous, fruity, rich, and well balanced
Des Rochers 2010 Macon-Chaintre @ $10.99
unoaked Chardonnay, fresh, crisp and clean with citrus acidity and an edge of minerality
Varanda do Conde 2010 Branco @ $11.99
a blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura from vineyards in the far north of the Vinho Verde region, rich, aromatic, and creamy, with a final lemon peel character
Tishbi 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $11.99
herbaceous fragrances and fruity flavors, Kosher for Passover
Luneau Papin 2010 Muscadet @ $13.99
rich and pure with great minerality, Tmade in a very perfumed and fresh aromatic style
Tabali 2010 Viognier @ $13.99
from one of the northernmost vineyard regions of Chile, a fresh and fruity Viognier with classic floral and nectarine aromas and layers of fresh fruit on the palate
Murphy's Law 2010 Riesling @ $13.99
from Washington's Columbia Valley, a Riesling that rides the razor's edge of ripe fruit balanced with the zing and verve of natural acidity
Zemmer 2010 Pinot Grigio @ $14.99
an elegant flowery aroma with typical tones of ripe fruit (pear, melon) and spices, a fruity mineral flavor, full-bodied with fresh acidity
Van Ruiten 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $14.99
made from Lake County grapes, crisp and fruit-forward, with aromas of grapefruit and Meyer lemon complemented by flavors of lemon-grass, lavender, and rosemary
Buchegger 2011 Gruner Veltliner @ $15.99
from an Austrian estate that dates from 1893, a single-vineyard Gruner, pure and elegant
Dalton 2011 Unoaked Chardonnay @ $16.99
a fruity wine bursting with citrus and tropical fruit flavors, Kosher for Passover
Vocoret 2009 Chablis @ $19.99
fresh and light, with lovely citrus tones, hints of limestone, apple, well balanced with nice acidity on the finish
Darnat 2010 Bourgogne @ $19.99
rich, full-bodied, and assertive, spicy and mineral, with tremendous zest and nuttiness, a classic style
Zind-Humbrecht 2009 Pinot Blanc @ $21.99
infectiously delicious, with bittersweet citrus zest and licorice on a subtle, creamy, lush palate
Copain 2010 Chardonnay @ $28.99
the first-ever Chardonnay from this estimable producer, a beautiful wine with perfect balance and the pure taste of the Chardonnay grape
NEW REDS:
Torres 2008 Sangre de Toro @ $6.99
a fruit-forward blend of Grenache and Carignan with exuberant notes of spices and blackberries and velvety tannins
Lamargue 2008 Syrah @ $9.99
fresh, vibrant, and concentrated with soft tannins and a smooth, round finish
Oracle 2011 Pinotage @ $9.99
delicate aromas of plum laced with wood-spice and vanilla with hints of chocolate, mouth-filling complexity, and a distinctive berried aftertaste
La Forge Estate 2010 Pinot Noir @ $10.99
made by Domaines Paul Mas from grapes mainly grown at the Domaine La Forge in the Languedoc, medium-bodied and elegant, with delicate aromas and a long finish
(back) Auriol 2009 Cotes du Rhone @ $10.99
a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, wonderfully balanced in the mouth with rich red fruit and spices, soft and mature, silky smooth on the finish
En Fuego 2010 Tempranillo @ $10.99
from the unsung region of Yeclas in southeastern Spain, a brightly fruited, well balanced red, simple and fun, Kosher for Passover
Don Mendoza 2010 Malbec @ $11.99
berries, cherries, and mature figs on the nose, mature fruits and cherries on the palate, round with pleasant sweet tannins, Kosher for Passover
Tishbi 2010 Cab/Petite Syrah @ $11.99
fruity and fresh, with an aroma of strawberries and herbs, a balance of youth and vitality, Kosher for Passover
Parker Station 2009 Pinot Noir @ $12.99
the second label of Fess Parker, offering a Pinot with lively acidity and flavors of bright cherry, cranberry, strawberry fruit and vanilla on the palate
Tassin 2009 Bordeaux @ $13.99
a 60/40 Merlot/Cabernet blend, an intense, ruby-colored wine with soft berry flavors and spice notes
Gamazo 2010 Tinto de Toro @ $13.99
from Spain's Toro region, a beefy, full-bodied version of Tempranillo, bold, youthful, and vibrant, delivering gleaming dark fruit, spice, and Toro's famously firm minerally edge
Rupert & Rothschild 2009 Classique @ $14.99
a classic Bordeaux blend, elegant and appealing with good complexity, well rounded with a soft tannin structure and supported by earthy undertones
Ollieux Romanis 2008 Corbieres @ $15.99
a blend of Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah, a southern French classic, with bold, ripe fruit, wild green spice, licorice and a touch of minerality
Big Vine 2009 Pinot Noir @ $15.99
from California's Central Coast, a perfectly balanced blend of rich Arroyo Grande fruit and the finesse of Santa Rita Hills with aromatic notes of red fruits and cola and damp earth, high natural acidity and depth of fruit flavor on the palate
Couly-Dutheil 2010 Chinon @ $17.99
a perennial Parisian favorite, 100% Cabernet Franc, charming, fruity and round, unoaked to preserve the pure fruit flavors
Le Breuil Renaissance 2008 Medoc @ $17.99
aromas and flavors that are classic Medoc, but with a high proportion of Merlot that makes the wine especially soft on the palate
Colinot 2009 Passetoutgrain @ $17.99
a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay from northern Burgundy, medium-bodied, lean and edgy in texture, with granitic minerality and a spicy, smoky personality
Tabali 2010 Pinot Noir @ $18.99
from one of the northernmost vineyard regions of Chile, an intense yet elegant Pinot, creamy, with pungent dark fruit and a note of tangy acidity
Klee 2009 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
delicious pure fruit, well balanced and easy to drink, with the kind of elegance and sophistication that usually can be found only in wines costing far more
(new vintage) Cousin-Leduc 2010 Le Cousin @ $20.99
100% Grolleau, an ancient red grape variety indigenous to the Loire, a buoyantly fruity and dynamic medium-bodied red that expresses the soil and terroir it comes from
Terre di Corzano 2009 Chianti @ $20.99
primarily Sangiovese with a bit of old-vine Canaiolo, a beautifully juicy, refined expression of Chianti bursting with cherry and spice fruits and an overall personality that is extremely drinkable
Geografico 2007 Montegiachi Chianti @ $21.99
principally Sangiovese with the addition of a small percentage of Colorino, with a nice core of ripe fruit and chocolate and a berry undertone, medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a medium finish
Numanthia 2009 Termes @ $22.99
vibrant and fruity, concentrated and elegant, with a silky texture and a long, complex finish, a perfect expression of the Toro region of Spain
Big Vine 2009 Cabernet @ $22.99
a classic Napa Valley Cab blending juice from three different appellations, with obvious dark fruit and earthy notes reminiscent of "Rutherford Dust"
David 2010 Cotes du Rhone Reserve @ $23.99
a blend of Grenache and Syrah from vines averagine 55 years of age, with a nose of garrigue and dark fruit, black currants and herbs on the palate and a smooth finish, Kosher for Passover
Ella Valley 2007 Shiraz @ $24.99
from Israel's Judean Hills, a medium- to full-bodied intense wine loaded with blackberries, plums, currants and raspberries on the nose with additional hints of bitter citrus peel and earthiness on the palate, great depth of flavor, Kosher for Passover
Aldegheri 2007 Sengiarossa @ $24.99
a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Merlot and other varieties that shows plush, rich concentration and a soft, velvety feel, with aromas of black cherry, cassis, leather, tobacco and a touch of licorice
Munia 2003 Toro Reserva @ $25.99
100% Tinto de Toro, aromatically complex with fruit sensation predominating, full-bodied yet soft, with a n elegant texture and ripe tannins
Moreau 2009 Maranges @ $29.99
a Pinot Noir from northern Burgundy with red berry aromas (raspberry and cherry), round, elegant and supple on the palate
Centeilles 2007 Minervois @ $29.99
from a pioneer of quality and elegance in Minervois, an elegant, smooth, complex red, full of earth, tobacco and spice character
Flora Springs 2009 Cabernet @ $33.99
focused Napa in style, with plenty of ripeness channeled by solid acid and tannic structure, loads of dark currant, coffee, chocolate and oaky spice on the nose followed by ripe black currant fruit lifted by tangy acids and accented by bitter chocolate
J. K. Carriere 2007 Pinot Noir @ $34.99
clean, serious and vibrant, with high-tone cherry, pepper and grilled meat on the nose and a palate that shows sour cherry and fresh raspberry with just a hint of rare grilled steak and white pepper
Rossignol 2009 Bourgogne @ $34.99
an earthy and distinctly floral dark-berry-fruit nose, leading to quite rich and altogether serious flavors that possess unusually good volume and a really lovely texture on the mocha-infused finish
Norman Hardie 2009 Pinot Noir @ $40.99
from southern Ontario, Canada, a classic Burgundian-styled Pinot with subtle elegance, lots of berry-like fruit, crisp acidity and a remarkably long, harmonious finish
Canneta 2006 Brunello Il Pino @ $41.99
from an excellent Brunello vintage, a rich and elegant wine with hints of mature fruit on the nose, harmonious on the palate, slightly tannic, with great character
Brewer-Clifton 2009 Pinot Noir @ $42.99
a highly expressive Pinot from California's Central Coast that highlights the character of the Santa Rita Hills appellation, with a sweet red-fruited fragrance and a spicy, meaty palate and firm tannins
Giroud 2009 Santenay @ $43.99
a heady nose from old vines, impressive energy, delicious flavors throughout
Sincope 2008 Rosso @ $47.99
a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo from Umbria, with plum, black cherry, spice and tobacco notes wrapped in moderate tannins and finisheing with a hint of ash
Chateau Montelena 2009 Cabernet @ $49.99
a supple, fragrant Cab from an unusually cool Napa vintage, with expressive dark red fruit and floral and spice notes woven throughout
Cantemerle 2009 Haut-Medoc @ $59.99
from a popular classed-growth chateau in the southern Medoc, and arguably the best vintage they have ever produced, an ethereal, elegant Bordeaux, smooth and supple with ripe black fruit
Capanna 2007 Brunello @ $59.99
bold and dark with exceedingly Brunello-like extravagance and opulence, full-bodied, loads of aromatic momentum, impressively complex, soft, ripe and generous on the finish
Altesino 2007 Brunello @ $65.99
a dark, traditionally-styled Brunello with savory aromas of leather and cured meat behind ripe fruit and blackberry, tight and clean with a streamlined mouthfeel
Caymus 2009 Cabernet @ $79.99
an opulent, fruit-forward Cab, supple and creamy-textured, full-bodied but elegant and really approachable
Palazzo 2009 Cabernet Franc @ $86.99
delicate and aromatic, with floral tones of crushed violets and lavender, a rich, pure mouthfeel, and an extremely elegant finish
Clos du Marquis 2009 St. Julien @ $89.99
ripe and surprisingly soft, packed with generous blackberry juice flavors, a stunning wine with great purity of fruit and depth of flavor
Lagrange 2009 St. Julien @ $95.99
bright and perfumed, with blueberry, flower and licorice on the nose, full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long, long finish, deemed by the critics the best wine produced by this estate in a long, long time
Covenant 2009 Cabernet @ $99.99
soft, ripe and lush tannins framing a richly layered blend of anise, cassis, blackberry, chocolate and spice flavors, Kosher for Passover
Torres 2008 Sangre de Toro @ $6.99
a fruit-forward blend of Grenache and Carignan with exuberant notes of spices and blackberries and velvety tannins
Lamargue 2008 Syrah @ $9.99
fresh, vibrant, and concentrated with soft tannins and a smooth, round finish
Oracle 2011 Pinotage @ $9.99
delicate aromas of plum laced with wood-spice and vanilla with hints of chocolate, mouth-filling complexity, and a distinctive berried aftertaste
La Forge Estate 2010 Pinot Noir @ $10.99
made by Domaines Paul Mas from grapes mainly grown at the Domaine La Forge in the Languedoc, medium-bodied and elegant, with delicate aromas and a long finish
(back) Auriol 2009 Cotes du Rhone @ $10.99
a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, wonderfully balanced in the mouth with rich red fruit and spices, soft and mature, silky smooth on the finish
En Fuego 2010 Tempranillo @ $10.99
from the unsung region of Yeclas in southeastern Spain, a brightly fruited, well balanced red, simple and fun, Kosher for Passover
Don Mendoza 2010 Malbec @ $11.99
berries, cherries, and mature figs on the nose, mature fruits and cherries on the palate, round with pleasant sweet tannins, Kosher for Passover
Tishbi 2010 Cab/Petite Syrah @ $11.99
fruity and fresh, with an aroma of strawberries and herbs, a balance of youth and vitality, Kosher for Passover
Parker Station 2009 Pinot Noir @ $12.99
the second label of Fess Parker, offering a Pinot with lively acidity and flavors of bright cherry, cranberry, strawberry fruit and vanilla on the palate
Tassin 2009 Bordeaux @ $13.99
a 60/40 Merlot/Cabernet blend, an intense, ruby-colored wine with soft berry flavors and spice notes
Gamazo 2010 Tinto de Toro @ $13.99
from Spain's Toro region, a beefy, full-bodied version of Tempranillo, bold, youthful, and vibrant, delivering gleaming dark fruit, spice, and Toro's famously firm minerally edge
Rupert & Rothschild 2009 Classique @ $14.99
a classic Bordeaux blend, elegant and appealing with good complexity, well rounded with a soft tannin structure and supported by earthy undertones
Ollieux Romanis 2008 Corbieres @ $15.99
a blend of Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah, a southern French classic, with bold, ripe fruit, wild green spice, licorice and a touch of minerality
Big Vine 2009 Pinot Noir @ $15.99
from California's Central Coast, a perfectly balanced blend of rich Arroyo Grande fruit and the finesse of Santa Rita Hills with aromatic notes of red fruits and cola and damp earth, high natural acidity and depth of fruit flavor on the palate
Couly-Dutheil 2010 Chinon @ $17.99
a perennial Parisian favorite, 100% Cabernet Franc, charming, fruity and round, unoaked to preserve the pure fruit flavors
Le Breuil Renaissance 2008 Medoc @ $17.99
aromas and flavors that are classic Medoc, but with a high proportion of Merlot that makes the wine especially soft on the palate
Colinot 2009 Passetoutgrain @ $17.99
a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay from northern Burgundy, medium-bodied, lean and edgy in texture, with granitic minerality and a spicy, smoky personality
Tabali 2010 Pinot Noir @ $18.99
from one of the northernmost vineyard regions of Chile, an intense yet elegant Pinot, creamy, with pungent dark fruit and a note of tangy acidity
Klee 2009 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
delicious pure fruit, well balanced and easy to drink, with the kind of elegance and sophistication that usually can be found only in wines costing far more
(new vintage) Cousin-Leduc 2010 Le Cousin @ $20.99
100% Grolleau, an ancient red grape variety indigenous to the Loire, a buoyantly fruity and dynamic medium-bodied red that expresses the soil and terroir it comes from
Terre di Corzano 2009 Chianti @ $20.99
primarily Sangiovese with a bit of old-vine Canaiolo, a beautifully juicy, refined expression of Chianti bursting with cherry and spice fruits and an overall personality that is extremely drinkable
Geografico 2007 Montegiachi Chianti @ $21.99
principally Sangiovese with the addition of a small percentage of Colorino, with a nice core of ripe fruit and chocolate and a berry undertone, medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a medium finish
Numanthia 2009 Termes @ $22.99
vibrant and fruity, concentrated and elegant, with a silky texture and a long, complex finish, a perfect expression of the Toro region of Spain
Big Vine 2009 Cabernet @ $22.99
a classic Napa Valley Cab blending juice from three different appellations, with obvious dark fruit and earthy notes reminiscent of "Rutherford Dust"
David 2010 Cotes du Rhone Reserve @ $23.99
a blend of Grenache and Syrah from vines averagine 55 years of age, with a nose of garrigue and dark fruit, black currants and herbs on the palate and a smooth finish, Kosher for Passover
Ella Valley 2007 Shiraz @ $24.99
from Israel's Judean Hills, a medium- to full-bodied intense wine loaded with blackberries, plums, currants and raspberries on the nose with additional hints of bitter citrus peel and earthiness on the palate, great depth of flavor, Kosher for Passover
Aldegheri 2007 Sengiarossa @ $24.99
a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Merlot and other varieties that shows plush, rich concentration and a soft, velvety feel, with aromas of black cherry, cassis, leather, tobacco and a touch of licorice
Munia 2003 Toro Reserva @ $25.99
100% Tinto de Toro, aromatically complex with fruit sensation predominating, full-bodied yet soft, with a n elegant texture and ripe tannins
Moreau 2009 Maranges @ $29.99
a Pinot Noir from northern Burgundy with red berry aromas (raspberry and cherry), round, elegant and supple on the palate
Centeilles 2007 Minervois @ $29.99
from a pioneer of quality and elegance in Minervois, an elegant, smooth, complex red, full of earth, tobacco and spice character
Flora Springs 2009 Cabernet @ $33.99
focused Napa in style, with plenty of ripeness channeled by solid acid and tannic structure, loads of dark currant, coffee, chocolate and oaky spice on the nose followed by ripe black currant fruit lifted by tangy acids and accented by bitter chocolate
J. K. Carriere 2007 Pinot Noir @ $34.99
clean, serious and vibrant, with high-tone cherry, pepper and grilled meat on the nose and a palate that shows sour cherry and fresh raspberry with just a hint of rare grilled steak and white pepper
Rossignol 2009 Bourgogne @ $34.99
an earthy and distinctly floral dark-berry-fruit nose, leading to quite rich and altogether serious flavors that possess unusually good volume and a really lovely texture on the mocha-infused finish
Norman Hardie 2009 Pinot Noir @ $40.99
from southern Ontario, Canada, a classic Burgundian-styled Pinot with subtle elegance, lots of berry-like fruit, crisp acidity and a remarkably long, harmonious finish
Canneta 2006 Brunello Il Pino @ $41.99
from an excellent Brunello vintage, a rich and elegant wine with hints of mature fruit on the nose, harmonious on the palate, slightly tannic, with great character
Brewer-Clifton 2009 Pinot Noir @ $42.99
a highly expressive Pinot from California's Central Coast that highlights the character of the Santa Rita Hills appellation, with a sweet red-fruited fragrance and a spicy, meaty palate and firm tannins
Giroud 2009 Santenay @ $43.99
a heady nose from old vines, impressive energy, delicious flavors throughout
Sincope 2008 Rosso @ $47.99
a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo from Umbria, with plum, black cherry, spice and tobacco notes wrapped in moderate tannins and finisheing with a hint of ash
Chateau Montelena 2009 Cabernet @ $49.99
a supple, fragrant Cab from an unusually cool Napa vintage, with expressive dark red fruit and floral and spice notes woven throughout
Cantemerle 2009 Haut-Medoc @ $59.99
from a popular classed-growth chateau in the southern Medoc, and arguably the best vintage they have ever produced, an ethereal, elegant Bordeaux, smooth and supple with ripe black fruit
Capanna 2007 Brunello @ $59.99
bold and dark with exceedingly Brunello-like extravagance and opulence, full-bodied, loads of aromatic momentum, impressively complex, soft, ripe and generous on the finish
Altesino 2007 Brunello @ $65.99
a dark, traditionally-styled Brunello with savory aromas of leather and cured meat behind ripe fruit and blackberry, tight and clean with a streamlined mouthfeel
Caymus 2009 Cabernet @ $79.99
an opulent, fruit-forward Cab, supple and creamy-textured, full-bodied but elegant and really approachable
Palazzo 2009 Cabernet Franc @ $86.99
delicate and aromatic, with floral tones of crushed violets and lavender, a rich, pure mouthfeel, and an extremely elegant finish
Clos du Marquis 2009 St. Julien @ $89.99
ripe and surprisingly soft, packed with generous blackberry juice flavors, a stunning wine with great purity of fruit and depth of flavor
Lagrange 2009 St. Julien @ $95.99
bright and perfumed, with blueberry, flower and licorice on the nose, full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long, long finish, deemed by the critics the best wine produced by this estate in a long, long time
Covenant 2009 Cabernet @ $99.99
soft, ripe and lush tannins framing a richly layered blend of anise, cassis, blackberry, chocolate and spice flavors, Kosher for Passover