As we head into the fall, things continue to pick up; here are the new arrivals for the week of Oct. 15!
NEW WHITES:
Edgebaston 2011 Honey Pot @ $11.99
a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier from South Africa, fermented in stainless steel, with tropical fruits on the nose and a smooth, creamy palate
Corte Gardoni 2011 Bianco di Custoza @ $12.99
primarily Garganega and Trebbiano with other local varieties of the Veneto blended in, fairly big and intense, with fresh juicy flavors and a long herbal finish
Ericina 2010 Cataratto @ $13.99
made from Sicily's most widely planted grape variety from sustainably farmed vineyards in the western part of the island, a mid-weight white with a round mouthfeel and hints of ripe pear
Casarena 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
fresh citric aromas blended with notes of fresh herbs, elegant, voluptuous, and harmonious with a refreshing finish
Sparr 2010 One @ $13.99
a blend of Muscat, Riesling and Pinot Gris, with a perfumy nose of ripe passion fruit followed by a creamy palate with good acidity and a dry, fruity finish
Spada 2011 Falanghina @ $13.99
from the far north of Campania, not too far from Rome, a full-bodied and generous dry white
Les Grands Bois 2011 Viognier @ $14.99
a sophisticated, floral wine with fantastic minerality and depth, highly concentrated and packed with character
Clos Julien 2010 Chardonnay @ $15.99
a Sonoma Chardonnay from the long growing season of 2010, rich, ripe and pure yet infused with the Clos Julien benchmark acid balance
Guidobono 2011 Favorita @ $16.99
made from an indigenous Piedmont grape related to Vermentino and Pigato but now confirmed as a distinct variety, a textbook example of the variety with intense pear notes and vibrant acidity
(new vintage) Bonny Doon 2011 Albarino @ $16.99
clean mineral flavors on the palate that give way to a plump, rich fruit in the midpalate, balanced by bright, zippy acidity
Sparr 2011 Pinot Gris @ $16.99
aromas of green apple and dried herbs, good acidity on the palate with a round mouthfeel and a crisp, dry finish
Terre di Talamo 2011 Vento Vermentino @ $16.99
from the Maremma region of Tuscany, round and medium-bodied, well balanced by the crisp and mineral notes typical of Vermentino
Aubuisieres 2011 Vouvray Cuvee de Silex @ $17.99
Chenin Blanc from some of the best vineyard sites in the region, with an amazing concentration of fruit and great acidity sufficient to balance the intensity of the fruit
(new vintage) Newton 2011 Chardonnay @ $22.99
aromas of jasmine, crisp apple and pear and toasty bread lead to fresh, rich fruit flavors on the palate with citrus, pear, apple, and green melon, bright acidity and just a hint of oak
Bouchard 2010 Pouilly Fuisse @ $24.99
a very perfumed, silky, and elegant white Burgundy, very well balanced between the fruit and floral notes, with a delicate touch of honey
Edgebaston 2011 Honey Pot @ $11.99
a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier from South Africa, fermented in stainless steel, with tropical fruits on the nose and a smooth, creamy palate
Corte Gardoni 2011 Bianco di Custoza @ $12.99
primarily Garganega and Trebbiano with other local varieties of the Veneto blended in, fairly big and intense, with fresh juicy flavors and a long herbal finish
Ericina 2010 Cataratto @ $13.99
made from Sicily's most widely planted grape variety from sustainably farmed vineyards in the western part of the island, a mid-weight white with a round mouthfeel and hints of ripe pear
Casarena 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
fresh citric aromas blended with notes of fresh herbs, elegant, voluptuous, and harmonious with a refreshing finish
Sparr 2010 One @ $13.99
a blend of Muscat, Riesling and Pinot Gris, with a perfumy nose of ripe passion fruit followed by a creamy palate with good acidity and a dry, fruity finish
Spada 2011 Falanghina @ $13.99
from the far north of Campania, not too far from Rome, a full-bodied and generous dry white
Les Grands Bois 2011 Viognier @ $14.99
a sophisticated, floral wine with fantastic minerality and depth, highly concentrated and packed with character
Clos Julien 2010 Chardonnay @ $15.99
a Sonoma Chardonnay from the long growing season of 2010, rich, ripe and pure yet infused with the Clos Julien benchmark acid balance
Guidobono 2011 Favorita @ $16.99
made from an indigenous Piedmont grape related to Vermentino and Pigato but now confirmed as a distinct variety, a textbook example of the variety with intense pear notes and vibrant acidity
(new vintage) Bonny Doon 2011 Albarino @ $16.99
clean mineral flavors on the palate that give way to a plump, rich fruit in the midpalate, balanced by bright, zippy acidity
Sparr 2011 Pinot Gris @ $16.99
aromas of green apple and dried herbs, good acidity on the palate with a round mouthfeel and a crisp, dry finish
Terre di Talamo 2011 Vento Vermentino @ $16.99
from the Maremma region of Tuscany, round and medium-bodied, well balanced by the crisp and mineral notes typical of Vermentino
Aubuisieres 2011 Vouvray Cuvee de Silex @ $17.99
Chenin Blanc from some of the best vineyard sites in the region, with an amazing concentration of fruit and great acidity sufficient to balance the intensity of the fruit
(new vintage) Newton 2011 Chardonnay @ $22.99
aromas of jasmine, crisp apple and pear and toasty bread lead to fresh, rich fruit flavors on the palate with citrus, pear, apple, and green melon, bright acidity and just a hint of oak
Bouchard 2010 Pouilly Fuisse @ $24.99
a very perfumed, silky, and elegant white Burgundy, very well balanced between the fruit and floral notes, with a delicate touch of honey
NEW REDS:
Senorio de Barriobero 2009 Crianza @ $11.99
100% tempranillo, aged in old oak barrels, soft and polished, yet ample with tannins and acidity
Tramontane 2011 Carignane @ $11.99
a negociant wine from the Roussillon region of southern France, a concentrated, colorful red full of body and taste
Montfin 2011 Corbieres @ $12.99
a blend of old-vines Carignane and Grenache, a well-balanced wine with lots of fruit and no oak
Corte Gardoni 2011 Le Fontane Bardolino @ $12.99
100% Corvina, Bardollino in a slightly richer key, ample on the palate with a fiarly long berry fruit finish
Guenoc 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $12.99
a North Coast Cab, elegant and soft on the palate, with a fruit-forward nose and balancing acidity
Black Pearl 2009 Oro @ $14.99
a blend of Shiraz and Cab from the Paarl region of South Africa, with rich ruby tones, hints of cloves and spices, and plum, dark berries and licorice flavors on the palate
CUNE 2009 Vina Real @ $15.99
from vineyards in the foothills of Sierra Cantabria, exceptionally ripe with a dark ruby/purple color, excellent texture, and outstanding concentration, length and equilibrium
Concha y Toro 2010 Malbec Gran Reserva @ $15.99
intense aromas of black fruits, concentrated on the palate with soft, sweet tannins, good structure and depth
Vissoux 2011 Beaujolais @ $16.99
medium-bodied, balanced, with sweet dark berries and strawberries on the palate, bright acidity, and a clean, fruity finish
Sebastiani 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $16.99
a Sonoma County Cab with black tea and black cherry aromas, showing all the finesse and complexity of a cooler vintage
Crivelli 2010 Grignolino d'Asti @ $17.99
light-bodied, easy drinking, with a nose of berries, wet earth and spice, giving way to a plummy palate and a chewy, lengthy finish
(new vintage) Can Blau 2010 Montsant @ $17.99
a blend of old vine Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache with a classic raspberry and black cherry bouquet, medium body, wonderful minerality and definition, and surprising freshness as well as intensity for its price
Heller 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $18.99
from mountain vineyards above California's Carmel Valley, a bold red with cassis, blackberry and vanilla notes, the alcohol nicely balanced by the fruit and tannin
Polvanera 2008 Aglianico @ $18.99
a stainless-steel Aglianico from Puglia, dense yet elegant, supported by firm tannins and a remarkable freshness, featuring a persistent finish with overtones of licorice and herbs
Casarena 2009 Malbec Reserva @ $19.99
dark ruby, ripe and friendly, with a beautiful lavender, spice, and black cherry bouquet
Camigliano 2010 Rosso di Montalcino @ $19.99
a crisp, streamlined expression of Sangiovese Grosso, intense and compact, a small step away from Brunello quality at a fraction of the price
Twenty Rows 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $22.99
an intense, deeply colored wine of concentrated aromas and flavors, full of dark cherries and black currants with notes of cedar, sandalwood and coffee
Owen Roe 2011 Abbot's Table @ $26.99
in this vintage, a blend of only five grapes (the 2009 had 11), Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Malbec, Lemberger, and Merlot, with flavors of spiced tea, sweet wild strawberry and pepper enhanced with a subtle finish of cedar and pepper and a balanced mouthfeel
Sharecropper's 2011 Pinot Noir @ $28.99
a big, rich wine from the much anticipated 2011 Oregon vintage, scented with roses and violets, full of black fruit and berries, finishing with appealing cinnamon/anise/toast flavors
Roeno 2007 Enantio @ $29.99
made from a wild grape native to the Trentino in Italy and only recently rediscovered, a red wine of power and complexity with a great tannic structure and a long finish
Ridge 2010 Paso Robles Zinfandel @ $32.99
100% Zinfandel with a bright fruit entry, an elegant mid-palate, great fruit/tannin balance, and lively acidity in a long finish
Owen Roe 2009 Yakima Red @ $36.99
a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with enticing aromas of freshly cut flowers and plums, a palate of complex spice notes, and a balanced tannin structure
Bouchard 2008 Beaune de Chateau @ $41.99
sappy and fairly intense, with sweet red fruit and spice flavors complicated by musky nuances of leather and game
Heitz 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $53.99
a rich varietal aroma that leads to delicious flavors of dark cherry with notes of spicy plum, a generous core of Cabernet fruit nicely integrated with refreshing acidity and just the right touch of oak
Senorio de Barriobero 2009 Crianza @ $11.99
100% tempranillo, aged in old oak barrels, soft and polished, yet ample with tannins and acidity
Tramontane 2011 Carignane @ $11.99
a negociant wine from the Roussillon region of southern France, a concentrated, colorful red full of body and taste
Montfin 2011 Corbieres @ $12.99
a blend of old-vines Carignane and Grenache, a well-balanced wine with lots of fruit and no oak
Corte Gardoni 2011 Le Fontane Bardolino @ $12.99
100% Corvina, Bardollino in a slightly richer key, ample on the palate with a fiarly long berry fruit finish
Guenoc 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $12.99
a North Coast Cab, elegant and soft on the palate, with a fruit-forward nose and balancing acidity
Black Pearl 2009 Oro @ $14.99
a blend of Shiraz and Cab from the Paarl region of South Africa, with rich ruby tones, hints of cloves and spices, and plum, dark berries and licorice flavors on the palate
CUNE 2009 Vina Real @ $15.99
from vineyards in the foothills of Sierra Cantabria, exceptionally ripe with a dark ruby/purple color, excellent texture, and outstanding concentration, length and equilibrium
Concha y Toro 2010 Malbec Gran Reserva @ $15.99
intense aromas of black fruits, concentrated on the palate with soft, sweet tannins, good structure and depth
Vissoux 2011 Beaujolais @ $16.99
medium-bodied, balanced, with sweet dark berries and strawberries on the palate, bright acidity, and a clean, fruity finish
Sebastiani 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $16.99
a Sonoma County Cab with black tea and black cherry aromas, showing all the finesse and complexity of a cooler vintage
Crivelli 2010 Grignolino d'Asti @ $17.99
light-bodied, easy drinking, with a nose of berries, wet earth and spice, giving way to a plummy palate and a chewy, lengthy finish
(new vintage) Can Blau 2010 Montsant @ $17.99
a blend of old vine Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache with a classic raspberry and black cherry bouquet, medium body, wonderful minerality and definition, and surprising freshness as well as intensity for its price
Heller 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $18.99
from mountain vineyards above California's Carmel Valley, a bold red with cassis, blackberry and vanilla notes, the alcohol nicely balanced by the fruit and tannin
Polvanera 2008 Aglianico @ $18.99
a stainless-steel Aglianico from Puglia, dense yet elegant, supported by firm tannins and a remarkable freshness, featuring a persistent finish with overtones of licorice and herbs
Casarena 2009 Malbec Reserva @ $19.99
dark ruby, ripe and friendly, with a beautiful lavender, spice, and black cherry bouquet
Camigliano 2010 Rosso di Montalcino @ $19.99
a crisp, streamlined expression of Sangiovese Grosso, intense and compact, a small step away from Brunello quality at a fraction of the price
Twenty Rows 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $22.99
an intense, deeply colored wine of concentrated aromas and flavors, full of dark cherries and black currants with notes of cedar, sandalwood and coffee
Owen Roe 2011 Abbot's Table @ $26.99
in this vintage, a blend of only five grapes (the 2009 had 11), Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Malbec, Lemberger, and Merlot, with flavors of spiced tea, sweet wild strawberry and pepper enhanced with a subtle finish of cedar and pepper and a balanced mouthfeel
Sharecropper's 2011 Pinot Noir @ $28.99
a big, rich wine from the much anticipated 2011 Oregon vintage, scented with roses and violets, full of black fruit and berries, finishing with appealing cinnamon/anise/toast flavors
Roeno 2007 Enantio @ $29.99
made from a wild grape native to the Trentino in Italy and only recently rediscovered, a red wine of power and complexity with a great tannic structure and a long finish
Ridge 2010 Paso Robles Zinfandel @ $32.99
100% Zinfandel with a bright fruit entry, an elegant mid-palate, great fruit/tannin balance, and lively acidity in a long finish
Owen Roe 2009 Yakima Red @ $36.99
a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with enticing aromas of freshly cut flowers and plums, a palate of complex spice notes, and a balanced tannin structure
Bouchard 2008 Beaune de Chateau @ $41.99
sappy and fairly intense, with sweet red fruit and spice flavors complicated by musky nuances of leather and game
Heitz 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $53.99
a rich varietal aroma that leads to delicious flavors of dark cherry with notes of spicy plum, a generous core of Cabernet fruit nicely integrated with refreshing acidity and just the right touch of oak