Quite a bit new this week . . . and I have been asked to again list new spirits arrivals, so here we go!
NEW WHITES:
Hugues Beaulieu 2010 Picpoul de Pinet @ $9.99
fresh and fine aromas of grapefruit and exotic fruit, lime flavors, with typical focusing acidity
(new vintage) Casas del Bosque 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
dry and racy in the mouth, offering incisive citrus flavors, a firm finish, with impressive clarity and spicy persistence
(new vintage) Frenzy 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
zesty, aromatic and fresh with delicious flavors of peach, grapefruit, lime, melon and fresh-cut grass
Tiburzi 2010 Brigante @ $10.99
a delicious blend of 50% Grechetto and 50% Chardonnay from Umbria, with a beautifully floral and herbal nose and a rich palate of lemon, light tropical notes, and stone fruit
(back) Duret 2010 Quincy @ $12.99
quite typical of the appellation, with notes of flowers and citrus on the nose
Cros 2010 Bordeaux Blanc @ $13.99
almost entirely Sauvignon Blanc from 40-year-old vines, a white Bordeaux with great purity of fruit and aromatic complexity
Vallevo 2010 Pecorino @ $14.99
from Abruzzo on Italy's east coast, a medium-bodied wine with citrus aromas and flavors of lime, lemon and almond
Baglio di Pianetto 2010 Ficiligno @ $15.99
produced from selected vineyards at Baglio di Pianetto, the Sicilian estate of Count Marzotto, an unusual blend of Viognier and Insolia, fruity and smooth with excellent balance and structure
Taft Street 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
from the Russian River Valley, vibrant and pure, with a fine stony edge framing lemon and herb notes
Honig 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $16.99
mostly from Honig's sustainably farmed vineyards in Rutherford, a Loire Valley-styled Sauvignon Blanc with notes of melons, white currants, figs and a hint of citrus oil
Arnaldo-Caprai 2010 Grechetto @ $17.99
100% Grechetto from Umbria, intensely fruity and delicate, soft and well balanced
Beauregard Ducasse 2009 Graves @ $17.99
grapefruit and grassy notes on the nose, citrus and apple on the palate with really nice minerality
Reale 2010 Aliseo Bianco @ $17.99
from Campania, a blend of three native varietals, Biancazita, Biancolella and Pepella, all from very old vines, with aromas and flavors of flowers, herbs, lemon peel and wet stones and mouth-watering fresh acidity
Steinschaden 2011 Gruner Veltliner 1.5L Box @ $19.99
classic Gruner, with layered fruits and spices on the nose, a good dose of white pepper, and great minerality on the palate
Casal de Armas 2010 Ribeiro @ $22.99
predominantly Treixadura, with intoxicating fruity aromatics that are balanced by shimmering mineral notes and great fruit/acid balance
(new vintage) Neyers 2010 Chardonnay @ $27.99
a Burgundian-styled Napa Chardonnay, creamy and full-bodied, loaded with fresh butter, chalk, and toasty orchard fruits
Leroux 2009 Savigny-les-Beaune @ $39.99
from Burgundy's rising star, Benjamin Leroux, classic white Burgundy, lively and elegant, with great purity of fruit
Bret Brothers 2009 Pouilly-Fuisse @ $39.99
a lovely balance of elegance and lushness, with peach and quince fruit and a mineral streak and a big finish
Radikon 2005 Jakot Bianco @ $42.99
100% Friulano, fresh and well balanced, with notes of stone fruit and almonds
Hugues Beaulieu 2010 Picpoul de Pinet @ $9.99
fresh and fine aromas of grapefruit and exotic fruit, lime flavors, with typical focusing acidity
(new vintage) Casas del Bosque 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
dry and racy in the mouth, offering incisive citrus flavors, a firm finish, with impressive clarity and spicy persistence
(new vintage) Frenzy 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
zesty, aromatic and fresh with delicious flavors of peach, grapefruit, lime, melon and fresh-cut grass
Tiburzi 2010 Brigante @ $10.99
a delicious blend of 50% Grechetto and 50% Chardonnay from Umbria, with a beautifully floral and herbal nose and a rich palate of lemon, light tropical notes, and stone fruit
(back) Duret 2010 Quincy @ $12.99
quite typical of the appellation, with notes of flowers and citrus on the nose
Cros 2010 Bordeaux Blanc @ $13.99
almost entirely Sauvignon Blanc from 40-year-old vines, a white Bordeaux with great purity of fruit and aromatic complexity
Vallevo 2010 Pecorino @ $14.99
from Abruzzo on Italy's east coast, a medium-bodied wine with citrus aromas and flavors of lime, lemon and almond
Baglio di Pianetto 2010 Ficiligno @ $15.99
produced from selected vineyards at Baglio di Pianetto, the Sicilian estate of Count Marzotto, an unusual blend of Viognier and Insolia, fruity and smooth with excellent balance and structure
Taft Street 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
from the Russian River Valley, vibrant and pure, with a fine stony edge framing lemon and herb notes
Honig 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $16.99
mostly from Honig's sustainably farmed vineyards in Rutherford, a Loire Valley-styled Sauvignon Blanc with notes of melons, white currants, figs and a hint of citrus oil
Arnaldo-Caprai 2010 Grechetto @ $17.99
100% Grechetto from Umbria, intensely fruity and delicate, soft and well balanced
Beauregard Ducasse 2009 Graves @ $17.99
grapefruit and grassy notes on the nose, citrus and apple on the palate with really nice minerality
Reale 2010 Aliseo Bianco @ $17.99
from Campania, a blend of three native varietals, Biancazita, Biancolella and Pepella, all from very old vines, with aromas and flavors of flowers, herbs, lemon peel and wet stones and mouth-watering fresh acidity
Steinschaden 2011 Gruner Veltliner 1.5L Box @ $19.99
classic Gruner, with layered fruits and spices on the nose, a good dose of white pepper, and great minerality on the palate
Casal de Armas 2010 Ribeiro @ $22.99
predominantly Treixadura, with intoxicating fruity aromatics that are balanced by shimmering mineral notes and great fruit/acid balance
(new vintage) Neyers 2010 Chardonnay @ $27.99
a Burgundian-styled Napa Chardonnay, creamy and full-bodied, loaded with fresh butter, chalk, and toasty orchard fruits
Leroux 2009 Savigny-les-Beaune @ $39.99
from Burgundy's rising star, Benjamin Leroux, classic white Burgundy, lively and elegant, with great purity of fruit
Bret Brothers 2009 Pouilly-Fuisse @ $39.99
a lovely balance of elegance and lushness, with peach and quince fruit and a mineral streak and a big finish
Radikon 2005 Jakot Bianco @ $42.99
100% Friulano, fresh and well balanced, with notes of stone fruit and almonds
NEW REDS:
(new vintage) J P Azetaio 2010 Tinto @ $7.99
a blend of Castelao, Aragonez, and Syrah, fruity and forward with a light touch of earthiness and exotic spices
Sardasol 2010 Tempranillo @ $8.99
fruity aromas, balanced, smooth and silky on the palate with pleasant tannins and a long wild-berry finish
Les Vignerons de Buzet 2009 Merlot/Cabernet @ $9.99
a Bordeaux-style red from Gascony, with ripe berry notes and a fruity, smooth texture
Viu Manent 2011 Carmenere @ $9.99
intense aromas of spices, well balanced with nicely rounded tannins, good volume, and a pleasingly long finish
Bacalhoa 2009 Tinto de Anfora @ $10.99
full up-front fruit characters of plum and blackberry and a mouth filling wine with soft fine tannins and a lingering finish
Tartas 2010 Bordeaux @ $10.99
a blend of 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc; with a bright nose of cassis and red fruit followed by considerable weight and structure on the palate
Maipe 2011 Malbec @ $11.99
from 35-year-old vines, a Malbec with complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character
Les Carregades 2009 Medoc @ $12.99
classic Medoc, with a nose of dark berry fruits, black pepper and cedar notes, low tannins on the palate, with flavors of black cherry, plum and a little roasted coffee in the finish
(new vintage) Amplio 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
a blend of 85% Cabernet and 15% Merlot, medium-bodied, well balanced, and astonishingly complex
Sardasol 2005 Navarra Reserva @ $13.99
a blend of Tempranillo, Merlot and Cabernet from Navarre, barrel-aged, with deep, complex aromas and a rich palate
Baglio di Pianetto 2010 Nero d'Avola @ $15.99
produced from selected vineyards at Baglio di Pianetto, the Sicilian estate of Count Marzotto, a Nero d'Avola with impressive concentration, attractive spice, and great varietal character
Three Trees 2009 Vdp Cotes Catalanes @ $15.99
100% Syrah from Domaine de Majas in the foothills of the Pyrenees, with an almost white-wine-like freshness and exuberance
Beauregard Ducasse 2009 Graves @ $17.99
richly fruited, savory and powerful, classic Graves from an outstanding vintage
Pull Eighty 2010 Pinot Noir @ $18.99
made from two highly regarded Oregon vineyards, well balanced, a classic expression of Pinot Noir
Meran 2009 Lagrein @ $19.99
from a major coop in the South Tyrol region of Italy, a velvety-soft red with aromas of violets and cherries, fine tannins, and a persistent finish
Jean Royer 2011 Le Petit Roy @ $19.99
from an up-and-coming producer in the region, a "baby" Chateauneuf-du-Pape designed for immediate drinking
(new vintage) El Porvenir 2009 Amauta I @ $20.99
a blend of Malbec, Cabernet and Syrah from northwest Argentina, made under the direction of noted California flying winemaker Paul Hobbs, an intense, harmonious blend with a balanced touch of oak
(new vintage) Ricasoli 2009 Brolio Chianti Classico @ $22.99
full, round, and structured on the palate, with toasty hints and sweet tannins with a lingering finish
BV 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $24.99
a big, brawny Cabernet Sauvignon loaded with dark red fruit, smoke, tar and licorice, showing gorgeous balance and great length in an up-front style
Domaine Grand Veneur 2009 Lirac Clos de Sixte @ $26.99
a Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend, fleshy, opulent and powerful but with velvety tannins, filled with wonderfully ripe fruit yet fresh and floral in character
Alpha Box & Dice 2009 Mistress Red @ $34.99
an exotic field blend of sorts (Touriga Nacional, Tinto Negra Molle, Cabernet) mostly from Barossa Valley, gamy and juicy with notes of wild red berries, olives, and wet earth
Pian delle Quercie 2004 Brunello @ $44.99
a rich bouquet of cut flowers, ample on the palate with bright cherry fruit supported by moderately intense cherry acidity, and by tannins that are already quite smooth
(back) Stevenson Barrie 2007 Pinot Noir @ $44.99
one of the standouts of the 2007 Oregon vintage and rarely found outside the state, an earthy, meaty Pinot with great body and structure
Stella di Campalto 2008 Rosso di Montalcino @ $47.99
a highly personal, strikingly beautiful wine with nuances of black olives, dried cherries, and subtle earthiness
Paul Hobbs 2010 Russian River Pinot Noir @ $57.99
a deeper, darker Pinot with sweet spices, new leather and licorice notes that wrap around the finish
(new vintage) J P Azetaio 2010 Tinto @ $7.99
a blend of Castelao, Aragonez, and Syrah, fruity and forward with a light touch of earthiness and exotic spices
Sardasol 2010 Tempranillo @ $8.99
fruity aromas, balanced, smooth and silky on the palate with pleasant tannins and a long wild-berry finish
Les Vignerons de Buzet 2009 Merlot/Cabernet @ $9.99
a Bordeaux-style red from Gascony, with ripe berry notes and a fruity, smooth texture
Viu Manent 2011 Carmenere @ $9.99
intense aromas of spices, well balanced with nicely rounded tannins, good volume, and a pleasingly long finish
Bacalhoa 2009 Tinto de Anfora @ $10.99
full up-front fruit characters of plum and blackberry and a mouth filling wine with soft fine tannins and a lingering finish
Tartas 2010 Bordeaux @ $10.99
a blend of 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc; with a bright nose of cassis and red fruit followed by considerable weight and structure on the palate
Maipe 2011 Malbec @ $11.99
from 35-year-old vines, a Malbec with complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character
Les Carregades 2009 Medoc @ $12.99
classic Medoc, with a nose of dark berry fruits, black pepper and cedar notes, low tannins on the palate, with flavors of black cherry, plum and a little roasted coffee in the finish
(new vintage) Amplio 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
a blend of 85% Cabernet and 15% Merlot, medium-bodied, well balanced, and astonishingly complex
Sardasol 2005 Navarra Reserva @ $13.99
a blend of Tempranillo, Merlot and Cabernet from Navarre, barrel-aged, with deep, complex aromas and a rich palate
Baglio di Pianetto 2010 Nero d'Avola @ $15.99
produced from selected vineyards at Baglio di Pianetto, the Sicilian estate of Count Marzotto, a Nero d'Avola with impressive concentration, attractive spice, and great varietal character
Three Trees 2009 Vdp Cotes Catalanes @ $15.99
100% Syrah from Domaine de Majas in the foothills of the Pyrenees, with an almost white-wine-like freshness and exuberance
Beauregard Ducasse 2009 Graves @ $17.99
richly fruited, savory and powerful, classic Graves from an outstanding vintage
Pull Eighty 2010 Pinot Noir @ $18.99
made from two highly regarded Oregon vineyards, well balanced, a classic expression of Pinot Noir
Meran 2009 Lagrein @ $19.99
from a major coop in the South Tyrol region of Italy, a velvety-soft red with aromas of violets and cherries, fine tannins, and a persistent finish
Jean Royer 2011 Le Petit Roy @ $19.99
from an up-and-coming producer in the region, a "baby" Chateauneuf-du-Pape designed for immediate drinking
(new vintage) El Porvenir 2009 Amauta I @ $20.99
a blend of Malbec, Cabernet and Syrah from northwest Argentina, made under the direction of noted California flying winemaker Paul Hobbs, an intense, harmonious blend with a balanced touch of oak
(new vintage) Ricasoli 2009 Brolio Chianti Classico @ $22.99
full, round, and structured on the palate, with toasty hints and sweet tannins with a lingering finish
BV 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $24.99
a big, brawny Cabernet Sauvignon loaded with dark red fruit, smoke, tar and licorice, showing gorgeous balance and great length in an up-front style
Domaine Grand Veneur 2009 Lirac Clos de Sixte @ $26.99
a Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend, fleshy, opulent and powerful but with velvety tannins, filled with wonderfully ripe fruit yet fresh and floral in character
Alpha Box & Dice 2009 Mistress Red @ $34.99
an exotic field blend of sorts (Touriga Nacional, Tinto Negra Molle, Cabernet) mostly from Barossa Valley, gamy and juicy with notes of wild red berries, olives, and wet earth
Pian delle Quercie 2004 Brunello @ $44.99
a rich bouquet of cut flowers, ample on the palate with bright cherry fruit supported by moderately intense cherry acidity, and by tannins that are already quite smooth
(back) Stevenson Barrie 2007 Pinot Noir @ $44.99
one of the standouts of the 2007 Oregon vintage and rarely found outside the state, an earthy, meaty Pinot with great body and structure
Stella di Campalto 2008 Rosso di Montalcino @ $47.99
a highly personal, strikingly beautiful wine with nuances of black olives, dried cherries, and subtle earthiness
Paul Hobbs 2010 Russian River Pinot Noir @ $57.99
a deeper, darker Pinot with sweet spices, new leather and licorice notes that wrap around the finish
NEW ROSES:
Sardasol 2011 Rosado @ $8.99
100% Grenache, refreshingly clean, with aromas of strawberries and other ripe red berries, zippy acidity, and a bone-dry finish
Charles & Charles 2011 Rose @ $10.99
100% Syrah from Washington state, a bit lighter and more delicate than in 2010, with a great balance of fruit, acid and savory
Mulderbosch 2011 Rose @ $10.99
Cabernet-based from South Africa, intensely aromatic with tangerine peel, raspberry and wild strawberries and a palate with lovely weight and notes of grapefruit on the long finish
La Selve 2011 Maguelonne @ $10.99
a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah from a biodynamically farmed estate in the Ardeche, dry and crisp yet rich and complex
Domaine Houchart 2011 Cotes de Provence @ $11.99
classic Provencale rose, lively and fresh, with citrus fruit aromas and plenty of freshness
Chateau d'Oupia 2011 Minervois @ $13.99
a blend of Syrah and Carignan from the Minervois, fresh and well balanced, medium-bodied with notes of strawberry, rose petals, and a hint of almonds
Plouzeau 2011 Chinon @ $13.99
Cabernet Franc from a biodynamic producer in the Loire, pure, bracing and penetrating, with strong finishing minerality and excellent persistence
Commanderie de la Bergemone 2011 Coteaux d'Aix @ $14.99
from one of the foremost estates in this appellation, a deft blend of six different grapes, with classic aromas of wild strawberries and red currants, a light, floral character, and a crisp, bone-dry palate
Sainte Lucie 2011 MiP @ $14.99
a playful blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, typical of Provence with its expressive aromatics, light-bodied nature and fresh clean finish
La Manarine 2011 Cotes du Rhone @ $14.99
a blend of Grenache, young vines Mourvedre, and Syrah, bright and light, with racy acidity and a good balance of fruitiness and minerality
Valdinera 2011 Chiaro di Luna @ $14.99
100% Nebbiolo from the Piedmont, with a delicate bouquet, the taste of dried cherry flavors, and a dry, clean, elegant finish
Mas de Gourgonnier 2011 Cotes de Provence @ $15.99
a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet, Carignan, and Mourvedre, refreshingly clean and dry yet bold and flexible enough to marry with a wide range of fare
Mas de Cadenet 2011 Cotes de Provence @ $16.99
an award-winning rose from the foothills of Sainte-Victoire with a refined and complex bouquet with both fruity and floral notes and a fresh yet rich, smooth and well balanced palate
Edmunds St. John 2011 Bone Jolly @ $19.99
a Gamay rose from California's El Dorado county, fresh, juicy and vivacious
Bagnol 2011 Cassis @ $25.99
from a tiny port town on the Riviera, a blend of Cinsault, Carignan and Grenache, rich and full-bodied with precise aromas of pink grapefruit, wild strawberries and musky herbs
Sardasol 2011 Rosado @ $8.99
100% Grenache, refreshingly clean, with aromas of strawberries and other ripe red berries, zippy acidity, and a bone-dry finish
Charles & Charles 2011 Rose @ $10.99
100% Syrah from Washington state, a bit lighter and more delicate than in 2010, with a great balance of fruit, acid and savory
Mulderbosch 2011 Rose @ $10.99
Cabernet-based from South Africa, intensely aromatic with tangerine peel, raspberry and wild strawberries and a palate with lovely weight and notes of grapefruit on the long finish
La Selve 2011 Maguelonne @ $10.99
a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah from a biodynamically farmed estate in the Ardeche, dry and crisp yet rich and complex
Domaine Houchart 2011 Cotes de Provence @ $11.99
classic Provencale rose, lively and fresh, with citrus fruit aromas and plenty of freshness
Chateau d'Oupia 2011 Minervois @ $13.99
a blend of Syrah and Carignan from the Minervois, fresh and well balanced, medium-bodied with notes of strawberry, rose petals, and a hint of almonds
Plouzeau 2011 Chinon @ $13.99
Cabernet Franc from a biodynamic producer in the Loire, pure, bracing and penetrating, with strong finishing minerality and excellent persistence
Commanderie de la Bergemone 2011 Coteaux d'Aix @ $14.99
from one of the foremost estates in this appellation, a deft blend of six different grapes, with classic aromas of wild strawberries and red currants, a light, floral character, and a crisp, bone-dry palate
Sainte Lucie 2011 MiP @ $14.99
a playful blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, typical of Provence with its expressive aromatics, light-bodied nature and fresh clean finish
La Manarine 2011 Cotes du Rhone @ $14.99
a blend of Grenache, young vines Mourvedre, and Syrah, bright and light, with racy acidity and a good balance of fruitiness and minerality
Valdinera 2011 Chiaro di Luna @ $14.99
100% Nebbiolo from the Piedmont, with a delicate bouquet, the taste of dried cherry flavors, and a dry, clean, elegant finish
Mas de Gourgonnier 2011 Cotes de Provence @ $15.99
a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet, Carignan, and Mourvedre, refreshingly clean and dry yet bold and flexible enough to marry with a wide range of fare
Mas de Cadenet 2011 Cotes de Provence @ $16.99
an award-winning rose from the foothills of Sainte-Victoire with a refined and complex bouquet with both fruity and floral notes and a fresh yet rich, smooth and well balanced palate
Edmunds St. John 2011 Bone Jolly @ $19.99
a Gamay rose from California's El Dorado county, fresh, juicy and vivacious
Bagnol 2011 Cassis @ $25.99
from a tiny port town on the Riviera, a blend of Cinsault, Carignan and Grenache, rich and full-bodied with precise aromas of pink grapefruit, wild strawberries and musky herbs
ALSO NEW AND NOTEWORTHY:
St. Cyr VSOP French Brandy @ $15.99
great smoothness and character for the price
Stoupakis Homericon Mastika @ $27.99
new to this country, a traditional Greek liqueur made on the island of Chios, made from resin extracted from the trunks of mastic trees
Thatcher's Eldeflower Liqueur @ $20.99
alluringly floral with a delicate flavor, a new (and organic) alternative to St. Germain
Idoniko Tsipouro Grappa @ $22.99
from Drama, Greece, made from pomace which is distilled in copper pots, with distinct grape fruit notes with hints of bitter tannins that linger into a smooth finish
St. Cyr VSOP French Brandy @ $15.99
great smoothness and character for the price
Stoupakis Homericon Mastika @ $27.99
new to this country, a traditional Greek liqueur made on the island of Chios, made from resin extracted from the trunks of mastic trees
Thatcher's Eldeflower Liqueur @ $20.99
alluringly floral with a delicate flavor, a new (and organic) alternative to St. Germain
Idoniko Tsipouro Grappa @ $22.99
from Drama, Greece, made from pomace which is distilled in copper pots, with distinct grape fruit notes with hints of bitter tannins that linger into a smooth finish