Apologies for my rather lengthy absence, but through the dog days of summer and into early September there simply wasn't much to report under the rubric of "what's new." That situation is starting to change, however . . . to the extent that it will take me two separate passes this week to catch up. Herewith the listing for new items that came into the store the weeks of 10 September; items that came in last week, the week of 17 September, will follow in another e-mail in a day or two.
NEW WHITES:
Middle Sister NV Pinot Grigio @ $10.99
a Napa blend that is mostly Pinot Grigio with some Chenin Blanc and Chardonay blended in, with aromas and flavors of apples and pears an a slight touch of mineral on the finish
(new vintage) Blue Quail 2010 Chardonnay @ $13.99
from cool-climate Mendocino, a fruit-forward, stainless-steel Chardonnay with a bouquet of apple, pear and peach blossom that leads seamlessly into delicious apple, white peach and pear flavors, balanced by nice crisp acidity
Gaia NV Retsina @ $14.99
a modern interpretation of Retsina made by passing a small amount of pine resin through the wine, with a clean and refreshing zip of mint and eucalyptus
Heritance 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
from a new line by Napa pioneer Bernard Portet, a classic, well-centered Sauvignon Blanc that is round across the palate, fleshy and attractive, yet elegant with a long finish
(new vintage) La Formica 2011 Soave @ $17.99
100% Garganega, all estate-grown, rich and zingy at the same time, with generous aromas of almonds, lemon zest, honeyed peaches, and white flowers
Clos de Chaudenay 2011 Sancerre @ $19.99
a single-vineyard Sancerre from Domaine Daulny, dense and brisk with a captivating bouquet of violets and lavender
Xavier Flouret 2010 Sancerre @ $20.99
the choice of highly respected "bec fin" Xavier Flouret, a taut, fresh white with lemon zest, honeysuckle and minerals fresh and rich with mouthwatering acidity at the finish
Occhipinti 2011 SP68 Bianco @ $26.99
from the young winemaking star of Sicily, Arianna Occhipinti, a biodynamic blend of Albanello and Zibibbo, a well structured wine with great floral and aromatic complexity
Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet 2010 Bourgogne Blanc @ $29.99
a white Burgundy with great finesse and class, showing excellent balance between fruit and acidity
(new vintage) Latour 2010 Meursault @ $38.99
complex, full and mellow, very Meursault in character with a mix of both white and yellow orchard fruit aromas that merge seamlessly into soft, round and forward flavors
Middle Sister NV Pinot Grigio @ $10.99
a Napa blend that is mostly Pinot Grigio with some Chenin Blanc and Chardonay blended in, with aromas and flavors of apples and pears an a slight touch of mineral on the finish
(new vintage) Blue Quail 2010 Chardonnay @ $13.99
from cool-climate Mendocino, a fruit-forward, stainless-steel Chardonnay with a bouquet of apple, pear and peach blossom that leads seamlessly into delicious apple, white peach and pear flavors, balanced by nice crisp acidity
Gaia NV Retsina @ $14.99
a modern interpretation of Retsina made by passing a small amount of pine resin through the wine, with a clean and refreshing zip of mint and eucalyptus
Heritance 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
from a new line by Napa pioneer Bernard Portet, a classic, well-centered Sauvignon Blanc that is round across the palate, fleshy and attractive, yet elegant with a long finish
(new vintage) La Formica 2011 Soave @ $17.99
100% Garganega, all estate-grown, rich and zingy at the same time, with generous aromas of almonds, lemon zest, honeyed peaches, and white flowers
Clos de Chaudenay 2011 Sancerre @ $19.99
a single-vineyard Sancerre from Domaine Daulny, dense and brisk with a captivating bouquet of violets and lavender
Xavier Flouret 2010 Sancerre @ $20.99
the choice of highly respected "bec fin" Xavier Flouret, a taut, fresh white with lemon zest, honeysuckle and minerals fresh and rich with mouthwatering acidity at the finish
Occhipinti 2011 SP68 Bianco @ $26.99
from the young winemaking star of Sicily, Arianna Occhipinti, a biodynamic blend of Albanello and Zibibbo, a well structured wine with great floral and aromatic complexity
Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet 2010 Bourgogne Blanc @ $29.99
a white Burgundy with great finesse and class, showing excellent balance between fruit and acidity
(new vintage) Latour 2010 Meursault @ $38.99
complex, full and mellow, very Meursault in character with a mix of both white and yellow orchard fruit aromas that merge seamlessly into soft, round and forward flavors
NEW REDS:
Flying Fish 2010 Merlot @ $9.99
a rich, sumptuous Merlot from Washington State, with bright cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors, enhanced with nuances of mocha and vanillin oak, a lush, full palate, soft tannins and lingering finish
Casarena 2011 505 Essencia Red @ $10.99
a Malbec-Cabernet blend from Argentina, full and complex, with a silky texture and lengthy finish
Bois Brignon 2011 Cotes du Rhone @ $10.99
from Domaine de l'Aure, a family winery in the Rhone near the Pont du Gard, an earthy, spicy, Syrah-dominated Cotes du Rhone
Cupcake 2011 Red Velvet @ $10.99
a California blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet, and Petite Syrah, with excellent structure, depth of flavor, and a long, creamy finish
(new vintage) Edgebaston 2011 The Pepper Pot @ $11.99
from South Africa's Finlayson family, mostly Syrah and Mourvedre with a little Tannat blended in, lively and spicy with good fruit and soft tannins
Chateau Haut-Coucey 2010 Haut-Medoc @ $12.99
from a small family estate near Margaux, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, well balanced, with great purity of fruit
(new vintage) Crios 2011 Malbec @ $13.99
made by Argentina's world-class winemaker Susana Balbo, classic Malbec with a wide range of aromas and flavors
Dead Canyon 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
a value Cab from Washington's Mercer Estates, aromatic, elegant but rich and firm
Le Fraghe 2011 Bardolino @ $14.99
made by Matilde Poggi, the acknowledged "Queen of Bardolino," elegant and beautifully balanced, with remarkably soft tannins
Bellier 2011 Cheverny Rouge @ $14.99
a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay from the Loire, light-bodied, with plenty of juicy raspberry and black cherry fruit
Moulin des Chenes 2010 Lirac @ $16.99
mainly Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre from the southern Rhone, full, soft, and generous with supple tannins and primary fruit and freshness and a long, mellow finish
Guillaume 2009 Pinot Noir @ $16.99
made by the owner of one of the world's most prestigious vine nurseries, a cool-climate (Franche-Comte) Pinot with a flowery nose and an earthy red licorice palate featuring medium tannins and acidity
Gain Bay 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $17.99
Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County blended with some Mendocino Merlot and some Napa Cab Franc, with aromas of berry and raspberry with subtle vanilla oaky notes that are deftly integrated with ripe and zesty flavors of raspberry and currant
Chanrion 2010 Cote-de-Brouilly @ $17.99
Made by Nicole Chanrion, affectionately referred to as "La Patronne de la Cote," a powerful Gamay with loads of pure fruit character and floral aromas
Planeta 2010 Cerasuolo @ $19.99
from one of the mostconsistently exciting producers in Sicily, a blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato, with an herbal, floral and fruity nose, an enticing freshness, and a hint of spice on the palate
Bebame 2011 Red @ $19.99
a blend of Cab Franc and Gamay from California's El Dorado County in the Sierras, made by Steve Edmunds of Edmunds St. John, a Loire-styled red full of crunchy fruit flavors and crisp acidity
(new vintage) Aldegheri 2008 Sengia Rossa @ $24.99
a classic red blend from the Veneto made from partially dried grapes, dense and rich with delicate fruit and spice aromas
Occhipinti 2011 SP68 Rosso @ $26.99
from the young winemaking star of Sicily, Arianna Occhipinti, a biodynamic blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato where the depth and power of the Nero is tempered by the high acidity and appealing aromatics of the Frappato
(new vintage) Ridge 2010 Three Valleys @ $26.99
a blend of mostly Zinfandel with old vine Carignan and a little Syrah and Petite Sirah, with ripe juicy fruit, silky tannins and a bright acidity tempered with the bite of white pepper and spice
Chateau Haut Ballet 2008 Canon-Fronsac @ $27.99
remarkably lush and sweet for the vintage, a wine suffused with blackberry fruit with a mineral freshness beneath and a lingering finish
Heritance 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $27.99
from a new line by Napa pioneer Bernard Portet, a classic Napa Cab with some Merlot blended in, full, round, and well-anchored with a classic finish, ageworthy but perfectly enjoyable right now
Chateau Coutelin-Merville 2005 Saint-Estephe @ $34.99
a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot from an excellent vintage, rich and full-bodied with lots of fruit and a slight oaky mellowness
Occhipinti 2010 Frappato @ $38.99
from the young winemaking star of Sicily, Arianna Occhipinti, a biodynamic red from a native Sicilian grape, expressive of crushed red berries with plenty of weight but also subtly nuanced
Flying Fish 2010 Merlot @ $9.99
a rich, sumptuous Merlot from Washington State, with bright cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors, enhanced with nuances of mocha and vanillin oak, a lush, full palate, soft tannins and lingering finish
Casarena 2011 505 Essencia Red @ $10.99
a Malbec-Cabernet blend from Argentina, full and complex, with a silky texture and lengthy finish
Bois Brignon 2011 Cotes du Rhone @ $10.99
from Domaine de l'Aure, a family winery in the Rhone near the Pont du Gard, an earthy, spicy, Syrah-dominated Cotes du Rhone
Cupcake 2011 Red Velvet @ $10.99
a California blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet, and Petite Syrah, with excellent structure, depth of flavor, and a long, creamy finish
(new vintage) Edgebaston 2011 The Pepper Pot @ $11.99
from South Africa's Finlayson family, mostly Syrah and Mourvedre with a little Tannat blended in, lively and spicy with good fruit and soft tannins
Chateau Haut-Coucey 2010 Haut-Medoc @ $12.99
from a small family estate near Margaux, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, well balanced, with great purity of fruit
(new vintage) Crios 2011 Malbec @ $13.99
made by Argentina's world-class winemaker Susana Balbo, classic Malbec with a wide range of aromas and flavors
Dead Canyon 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
a value Cab from Washington's Mercer Estates, aromatic, elegant but rich and firm
Le Fraghe 2011 Bardolino @ $14.99
made by Matilde Poggi, the acknowledged "Queen of Bardolino," elegant and beautifully balanced, with remarkably soft tannins
Bellier 2011 Cheverny Rouge @ $14.99
a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay from the Loire, light-bodied, with plenty of juicy raspberry and black cherry fruit
Moulin des Chenes 2010 Lirac @ $16.99
mainly Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre from the southern Rhone, full, soft, and generous with supple tannins and primary fruit and freshness and a long, mellow finish
Guillaume 2009 Pinot Noir @ $16.99
made by the owner of one of the world's most prestigious vine nurseries, a cool-climate (Franche-Comte) Pinot with a flowery nose and an earthy red licorice palate featuring medium tannins and acidity
Gain Bay 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $17.99
Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County blended with some Mendocino Merlot and some Napa Cab Franc, with aromas of berry and raspberry with subtle vanilla oaky notes that are deftly integrated with ripe and zesty flavors of raspberry and currant
Chanrion 2010 Cote-de-Brouilly @ $17.99
Made by Nicole Chanrion, affectionately referred to as "La Patronne de la Cote," a powerful Gamay with loads of pure fruit character and floral aromas
Planeta 2010 Cerasuolo @ $19.99
from one of the mostconsistently exciting producers in Sicily, a blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato, with an herbal, floral and fruity nose, an enticing freshness, and a hint of spice on the palate
Bebame 2011 Red @ $19.99
a blend of Cab Franc and Gamay from California's El Dorado County in the Sierras, made by Steve Edmunds of Edmunds St. John, a Loire-styled red full of crunchy fruit flavors and crisp acidity
(new vintage) Aldegheri 2008 Sengia Rossa @ $24.99
a classic red blend from the Veneto made from partially dried grapes, dense and rich with delicate fruit and spice aromas
Occhipinti 2011 SP68 Rosso @ $26.99
from the young winemaking star of Sicily, Arianna Occhipinti, a biodynamic blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato where the depth and power of the Nero is tempered by the high acidity and appealing aromatics of the Frappato
(new vintage) Ridge 2010 Three Valleys @ $26.99
a blend of mostly Zinfandel with old vine Carignan and a little Syrah and Petite Sirah, with ripe juicy fruit, silky tannins and a bright acidity tempered with the bite of white pepper and spice
Chateau Haut Ballet 2008 Canon-Fronsac @ $27.99
remarkably lush and sweet for the vintage, a wine suffused with blackberry fruit with a mineral freshness beneath and a lingering finish
Heritance 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $27.99
from a new line by Napa pioneer Bernard Portet, a classic Napa Cab with some Merlot blended in, full, round, and well-anchored with a classic finish, ageworthy but perfectly enjoyable right now
Chateau Coutelin-Merville 2005 Saint-Estephe @ $34.99
a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot from an excellent vintage, rich and full-bodied with lots of fruit and a slight oaky mellowness
Occhipinti 2010 Frappato @ $38.99
from the young winemaking star of Sicily, Arianna Occhipinti, a biodynamic red from a native Sicilian grape, expressive of crushed red berries with plenty of weight but also subtly nuanced