For those of you who may have missed out on last week's news, Tara Mathison is no longer with us; she headed off on an art-based trip to Turkey last Saturday night and, on her return, will go to work for a major regional distributor, Martin Scott. Needless to say, we wish her all the best. Now for what's new!
NEW WHTES:
(new vintage) Bogle 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $9.99
lively, vivacious, and easy to enjoy, with aromas of lemon zest and freshly mowed grass followed by a citric mouthfeel with bracing acidity, laced with touches of richer tropical pineapple fruit
(new vintage) Uby 2011 Cotes de Gascogne @ $9.99
a very fresh blend of Colombard (75%) and Ugni Blanc (25%), with aromas of grapefruit and lemon, a rich and powerful body enhancing its aromas, and a long yet crisp finish
(new vintage) Ksara 2011 Blanc de Blancs @ $12.99
an elegant and subtle white from Lebanon, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Chardonnay aged several months in French oak
(new vintage) Le Payral 2011 Bergerac Sec @ $12.99
brisk, bright Sauvignon fruit and a nice stony-flinty-smoky edge
(new vintage) Kung Fu Girl 2011 Riesling @ $13.99
a single-vineyard (Evergreen Vineyard) Riesling from the Ancient Lakes area of Columbia Valley, aromatic, smooth, vibrant and tasty, with flavor notes of tangerine, pineapple wet stone, key lime, clove, and nectarine
(new vintage) Gai'a 2011 Notius @ $13.99
a 50/50 blend of two indigenous southern Greek grapes, Moschofilero and Roditis, medium-bodied, with aromas and flavors of bright citrus
(back) Cloudline 2009 Pinot Gris @ $13.99
fermented in stainless steel to emphasize the varietal's freshness, acidity, and floral aromatics, with citrus fruits and white flowers on both the nose and the palate
Heinz Nikolai 2011 Riesling @ $14.99
neither totally dry nor perceptibly sweet, with great fruit and solid integrity, a Riesling for everyone
(new vintage) Summerer 2011 Gruner Veltliner @ $15.99
from a talented husband and wife team who took over this vineyard in 1997, lightweight with lemon zest and racy acidity
(back) Thomas Coyne 2009 Viognier @ $17.99
from Lodi grapes, a rich, fruity, powerfully spicy wine, with aromas of fruit cocktail, butter cream and honey
(new vintage) Fefinanes 2010 Albarino @ $22.99
fermented and aged in stainless steel, crisp and vibrant, with a nose of mineral, melon, and lemon zest
(new vintage) Sebella 2010 Chardonnay @ $29.99
from Hanzell Vineyards, a Chardonnay with youthful and lively scents of honeysuckle, citrus blossom and guava complemented by pear skin and the classic Hanzell minerality
(new vintage) Bogle 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $9.99
lively, vivacious, and easy to enjoy, with aromas of lemon zest and freshly mowed grass followed by a citric mouthfeel with bracing acidity, laced with touches of richer tropical pineapple fruit
(new vintage) Uby 2011 Cotes de Gascogne @ $9.99
a very fresh blend of Colombard (75%) and Ugni Blanc (25%), with aromas of grapefruit and lemon, a rich and powerful body enhancing its aromas, and a long yet crisp finish
(new vintage) Ksara 2011 Blanc de Blancs @ $12.99
an elegant and subtle white from Lebanon, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Chardonnay aged several months in French oak
(new vintage) Le Payral 2011 Bergerac Sec @ $12.99
brisk, bright Sauvignon fruit and a nice stony-flinty-smoky edge
(new vintage) Kung Fu Girl 2011 Riesling @ $13.99
a single-vineyard (Evergreen Vineyard) Riesling from the Ancient Lakes area of Columbia Valley, aromatic, smooth, vibrant and tasty, with flavor notes of tangerine, pineapple wet stone, key lime, clove, and nectarine
(new vintage) Gai'a 2011 Notius @ $13.99
a 50/50 blend of two indigenous southern Greek grapes, Moschofilero and Roditis, medium-bodied, with aromas and flavors of bright citrus
(back) Cloudline 2009 Pinot Gris @ $13.99
fermented in stainless steel to emphasize the varietal's freshness, acidity, and floral aromatics, with citrus fruits and white flowers on both the nose and the palate
Heinz Nikolai 2011 Riesling @ $14.99
neither totally dry nor perceptibly sweet, with great fruit and solid integrity, a Riesling for everyone
(new vintage) Summerer 2011 Gruner Veltliner @ $15.99
from a talented husband and wife team who took over this vineyard in 1997, lightweight with lemon zest and racy acidity
(back) Thomas Coyne 2009 Viognier @ $17.99
from Lodi grapes, a rich, fruity, powerfully spicy wine, with aromas of fruit cocktail, butter cream and honey
(new vintage) Fefinanes 2010 Albarino @ $22.99
fermented and aged in stainless steel, crisp and vibrant, with a nose of mineral, melon, and lemon zest
(new vintage) Sebella 2010 Chardonnay @ $29.99
from Hanzell Vineyards, a Chardonnay with youthful and lively scents of honeysuckle, citrus blossom and guava complemented by pear skin and the classic Hanzell minerality
NEW REDS:
Cousino-Macul 2009 CAB Cabernet Sauvignon @ $8.99
the winery's entry-level offering, young, fruit-forward, and velvety-smooth, well structured, with an elegant finish
Ken Forrester 2010 Petit Pinotage @ $9.99
a terrific everyday red, "cheerfully unoaked," in the winemaker's words, with classic Pinotage aromas of spicy mulberries, plum pudding and cherries, supported by smoky bacon nuances, juicy and accessible with soft palate and delicious fruit concentration
(new vintage) Edgebaston 2010 The Pepper Pot @ $10.99
a South African blend of Syrah, Mourvedre and Tannat created to show the fresh, fruity and spice driven character of these Rhone varietals, with pure, clean dark red berry flavors that flow into a smooth finish
Ericina NV Tonnara Rosso @ $11.99
a Sicilian blend of Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese and Frappato from an organic coop, fermented in concrete and stainless steel, with firm, tangy blackberries and plums on the palate supported with ample tannins and acidity
(new vintage) La Croix Belle 2010 Merlot @ $11.99
soft, supple with delicious cherry and olive flavors, unbelievably good value for money
(new vintage) Hedges 2010 CMS Red @ $13.99
a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah from Washington state, medium-bodied, with well integrated tannins that linger into a long finish
(new vintage) L'Ecume 2009 Pinot Noir @ $14.99
classic Pinot Noir, overall fruit-forward, soft and round, with a delightful core of cherries and red fruits
Geografico 2010 Morellino di Scansano @ $14.99
a Morellino with great weight and darkness of flavor, rich, with a hint of bitter chocolate, mineral notes, and a long, silky-smooth finish
Cousino-Macul 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $17.99
a Cab with a marked bouquet of ripe berries and plums with herbaceous and slightly spicy notes, fresh on the palate, with good acidity and firm velvety tannins
Haut-Vigneau 2010 Pessac-Leognan @ $22.99
a 70/30 blend of Cab and Merlot, from Bordeaux's Left Bank, classic Bordeaux with aromas of dark black fruits and a serious tannic grip
Capanna 2007 Brunello @ $64.99
from a stunning Brunello vintage, a velvety and mouth-filling wine, bold and dark, with great extravagance and opulence, not overripe or overdone
Cousino-Macul 2009 CAB Cabernet Sauvignon @ $8.99
the winery's entry-level offering, young, fruit-forward, and velvety-smooth, well structured, with an elegant finish
Ken Forrester 2010 Petit Pinotage @ $9.99
a terrific everyday red, "cheerfully unoaked," in the winemaker's words, with classic Pinotage aromas of spicy mulberries, plum pudding and cherries, supported by smoky bacon nuances, juicy and accessible with soft palate and delicious fruit concentration
(new vintage) Edgebaston 2010 The Pepper Pot @ $10.99
a South African blend of Syrah, Mourvedre and Tannat created to show the fresh, fruity and spice driven character of these Rhone varietals, with pure, clean dark red berry flavors that flow into a smooth finish
Ericina NV Tonnara Rosso @ $11.99
a Sicilian blend of Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese and Frappato from an organic coop, fermented in concrete and stainless steel, with firm, tangy blackberries and plums on the palate supported with ample tannins and acidity
(new vintage) La Croix Belle 2010 Merlot @ $11.99
soft, supple with delicious cherry and olive flavors, unbelievably good value for money
(new vintage) Hedges 2010 CMS Red @ $13.99
a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah from Washington state, medium-bodied, with well integrated tannins that linger into a long finish
(new vintage) L'Ecume 2009 Pinot Noir @ $14.99
classic Pinot Noir, overall fruit-forward, soft and round, with a delightful core of cherries and red fruits
Geografico 2010 Morellino di Scansano @ $14.99
a Morellino with great weight and darkness of flavor, rich, with a hint of bitter chocolate, mineral notes, and a long, silky-smooth finish
Cousino-Macul 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $17.99
a Cab with a marked bouquet of ripe berries and plums with herbaceous and slightly spicy notes, fresh on the palate, with good acidity and firm velvety tannins
Haut-Vigneau 2010 Pessac-Leognan @ $22.99
a 70/30 blend of Cab and Merlot, from Bordeaux's Left Bank, classic Bordeaux with aromas of dark black fruits and a serious tannic grip
Capanna 2007 Brunello @ $64.99
from a stunning Brunello vintage, a velvety and mouth-filling wine, bold and dark, with great extravagance and opulence, not overripe or overdone
NEW ROSES:
Chateau Penin 2011 Clairet @ $12.99
a supple wine, fruity on the nose and the palate, more savory and with more body than most roses
Schola Sarmenti 2011 Rosato @ $15.99
100% Negroamaro from Puglia, deep, rich, and spicy
Sinskey 2011 Vin Gris @ $32.99
100% Pinot Noir from Carneros, made in the European style, with bright acidity, crisp berry fruit, and notable minerality
Chateau Penin 2011 Clairet @ $12.99
a supple wine, fruity on the nose and the palate, more savory and with more body than most roses
Schola Sarmenti 2011 Rosato @ $15.99
100% Negroamaro from Puglia, deep, rich, and spicy
Sinskey 2011 Vin Gris @ $32.99
100% Pinot Noir from Carneros, made in the European style, with bright acidity, crisp berry fruit, and notable minerality
ALSO NEW AND NOTEWORTHY:
Lillet Rose @ $16.99
the newest mark from Lillet, made from a blend of the same Grand Cru wines as the Blanc and Rouge, blended with a secret recipe of fruit liqueurs and matured in oak casks, light and dry with bright fruit notes
Lillet Rose @ $16.99
the newest mark from Lillet, made from a blend of the same Grand Cru wines as the Blanc and Rouge, blended with a secret recipe of fruit liqueurs and matured in oak casks, light and dry with bright fruit notes