As we gear up for the holidays there is quite a bit new to report from last week, so here goes!
NEW WHTES:
Lanzur 2011 Chardonnay @ $8.99
a Chilean Chardonnay with soft, round flavors, Kosher
Man 2011 Chenin Blanc @ $9.99
from South Africa's Western Cape region, a Chenin Blanc with bold citrus flavors backed by refreshing acidity and minerality
Pilandro 2011 Lugana @ $12.99
a Trebbiano from the heart of Lugana, just a few minutes from Lake Garda, with crisp, luscious flavors of citrus, stone, and tropical fruit highlighted by a bright mineral note
Hess Select 2010 Chardonnay @ $12.99
aromas of pear and citrus, highlighting lemon and lime, followed on the palate with pineapple and tropical fruit flavors, medium bodied and refreshing, with a subtle oak toast that balances acidity
Baron Tuffier 2009 Vouvray @ $13.99
a ripe, fruity bouquet (quince, apricot) with almond and acacia flower overtones, well balanced on the palate, soft with a slightly crisp finish
Michel Torino 2011 Torrontes @ $16.99
enticing aromas that are strikingly similar to Viognier, with hints of peach pit, flowers, and orange citrus fruit, dense and beautiful structure with fruit flavors that keep you coming back for more
Three Clicks 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
a blend of grapes from three small Napa vineyards, crisp, clean and pure, full-textured, with exotic fruit flavors and abundant natural acidity
Laird 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $18.99
refreshing and bright with flavors of pink grapefruit and pineapple that lead to a long and lingering finish
Au Bon Climat 2010 Pinot Blanc/Pinot Gris @ $18.99
invigorating aromas of stone fruits and pineapple with great structure and minerality
Trapan 2011 Malvasia @ $19.99
from Istria, on the coast of Croatia, young and fresh with a rich minerality
Cheveau 2010 Macon Fuisse @ $19.99
made from forty-year-old vines, generous and rich, a fine expression of Chardonnay from southern Burgundy
Bisson 2011 U Pastine Bianchette Genovese @ $20.99
made from a very rare grape grown south of Genoa, super snappy with citrus notes and great acidity
Zind-Humbrecht 2009 Pinot Blanc @ $21.99
One third Auxerrois, with aromas of fresh lemon, orange and fennel and a creamy, lush palate
Quivira 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $22.99
notes of citrus, green apples and tropical fruits, with bright acidity and serious structure
Jelic 2011 Morava @ $22.99
from Serbia, made 100% from a native grape called Morava, aromas of litchi and white peach, medium bodied, fresh and vibrant on the palate
Dr. Loosen 2011 Riesling Erdener Treppchen @ $26.99
firm yet delicate, with ripe lemon fruit enlivened by breezy acidity and a hint of ginger spice
Deux Montilles 2009 Pernand-Vergelesse @ $42.99
fresh and round with bright fruit, tightly focused, with a classy, harmonious finish
Lanzur 2011 Chardonnay @ $8.99
a Chilean Chardonnay with soft, round flavors, Kosher
Man 2011 Chenin Blanc @ $9.99
from South Africa's Western Cape region, a Chenin Blanc with bold citrus flavors backed by refreshing acidity and minerality
Pilandro 2011 Lugana @ $12.99
a Trebbiano from the heart of Lugana, just a few minutes from Lake Garda, with crisp, luscious flavors of citrus, stone, and tropical fruit highlighted by a bright mineral note
Hess Select 2010 Chardonnay @ $12.99
aromas of pear and citrus, highlighting lemon and lime, followed on the palate with pineapple and tropical fruit flavors, medium bodied and refreshing, with a subtle oak toast that balances acidity
Baron Tuffier 2009 Vouvray @ $13.99
a ripe, fruity bouquet (quince, apricot) with almond and acacia flower overtones, well balanced on the palate, soft with a slightly crisp finish
Michel Torino 2011 Torrontes @ $16.99
enticing aromas that are strikingly similar to Viognier, with hints of peach pit, flowers, and orange citrus fruit, dense and beautiful structure with fruit flavors that keep you coming back for more
Three Clicks 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
a blend of grapes from three small Napa vineyards, crisp, clean and pure, full-textured, with exotic fruit flavors and abundant natural acidity
Laird 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $18.99
refreshing and bright with flavors of pink grapefruit and pineapple that lead to a long and lingering finish
Au Bon Climat 2010 Pinot Blanc/Pinot Gris @ $18.99
invigorating aromas of stone fruits and pineapple with great structure and minerality
Trapan 2011 Malvasia @ $19.99
from Istria, on the coast of Croatia, young and fresh with a rich minerality
Cheveau 2010 Macon Fuisse @ $19.99
made from forty-year-old vines, generous and rich, a fine expression of Chardonnay from southern Burgundy
Bisson 2011 U Pastine Bianchette Genovese @ $20.99
made from a very rare grape grown south of Genoa, super snappy with citrus notes and great acidity
Zind-Humbrecht 2009 Pinot Blanc @ $21.99
One third Auxerrois, with aromas of fresh lemon, orange and fennel and a creamy, lush palate
Quivira 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $22.99
notes of citrus, green apples and tropical fruits, with bright acidity and serious structure
Jelic 2011 Morava @ $22.99
from Serbia, made 100% from a native grape called Morava, aromas of litchi and white peach, medium bodied, fresh and vibrant on the palate
Dr. Loosen 2011 Riesling Erdener Treppchen @ $26.99
firm yet delicate, with ripe lemon fruit enlivened by breezy acidity and a hint of ginger spice
Deux Montilles 2009 Pernand-Vergelesse @ $42.99
fresh and round with bright fruit, tightly focused, with a classy, harmonious finish
NEW REDS:
Re Midas 2011 Corvina @ $9.99
one of the key grapes in Valpolicella here vinified on its own, with ripe, red fruity aromas and a juicy fruit-forward palate
El Pasodero 2010 Vinos de Madrid @ $9.99
a blend of Tempranillo and Syrah from forty-year-old vines, organically farmed, with an earthy, leathery character and polished tannins
Stobi 2011 Vranec @ $9.99
100% Vranec, a grape native to Macedonia, soft and elegant with noble tannins and a full body
Pigmentum 2011 Malbec @ $10.99
powerful aromas of red and black fruit, ripe tannins supported by full fruit flavors, soft and easy on the palate
Zemmer 2011 Schiva Gentile @ $12.99
fresh and fruity, with the bouquet of bitter almonds characteristic of the varietal
Rosa del Golfo 2007 Copertino @ $12.99
a blend of Negroamaro and Malvasis Nera from Puglia, well structured and harmonious, with a generous, persistent bouquet
Beauguerit 2009 Cotes du Bourg @ $12.99
a Cab/Merlot blend, well structured, with ripe tannins and fine balance
Kris 2010 Heart Rosso @ $12.99
an unusual blend of Merlot from Sicily, Montepulciano from the Marche, and Cabernet from the foothills of Alto Adige, robust in body yet silky smooth
Traslascuestas 2010 Ribera del Duero @ $12.99
toasty, smoky, and spicy, with lots of dark red fruit
Haut Canteloup 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux @ $13.99
Merlot-driven, with some Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, dry, medium-full bodied, with earthy, leathery notes that underlie dark fruit and vanilla
Punto Nino 2011 Carmenere @ $13.99
from the Chilean property of renowned Chablis producer Michel Laroche, an intense Carmenere with aromas of dark chocolate, spice and licorice and flavors of dusty cocoa and plum that are supported by round and subtle tannins
Agrina 2011 Portuguiser @ $13.99
our first wine from Serbia, made from a favorite grape throughout eastern Europe, a medium-bodied red that is light in color but long on flavor
Vega Tolosa 2011 11 Pinos @ $14.99
100% old vines Bobal grown in Manchuela in central Spain, a concentrated yet elegant and refreshing red of deep color
Mara 2009 Syrage @ 15.99
a blend of Syrah, Tempranillo, and Cab Franc from California, a soft red with bright cherry flavors, only 1500 cases made
Perruche 2011 Saumur-Champigny @ $16.99
concentrated, powerful and elegant, Cabernet Franc at its best
(new vintage) Couroulou 2009 Vacqueyras @ 17.99
a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre aged primarily in cement tanks, with super-ripe black fruit, dense in texture yet with a remarkable freshness on the finish
Variere 2010 Anjou Villages @ $17.99
a generous nose of ripe berries and vanilla, smooth and well balanced on the palate with good acidity
Villa Anna 2009 Chianti Colli Senesi @ $19.99
beautifully ripe plum and fig, round and inviting, with hints of dried herbs with silky smooth tannins
Fitch Mountain Cellars 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
dark fruit, spice, and lavender from the Alexander Valley
Thomas Coyne 2007 Petite Syrah @ $19.99
full-bodied, with berry and plum flavors, followed by a rich oak finish
Casina di Cornia 2010 Chianti @ $21.99
old-vine Sangiovese, organically farmed, well structured, with a bouquet of black fruit and spice and ripe fruit on the palate
Apollonio 2004 Salento Rosso @ $22.99
a blend of Negroamaro and Primitivo from Puglia, with aromas and flavors of violets, dried cherries and red currants
Neyers 2011 Sage Canyon Red @ $22.99
a Rhone-style blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, rustic and chewy, with intense dried berry, mineral, cedar and fresh earth flavors, only 799 cases made
(back) Beckmen 2010 Syrah @ $24.99
a savory, fruit-filled Syrah from the famed biodynamically-farmed Purisima Mountain vineyard, the source of some of the best Syrah fruit grown on the Central Coast
Monasterio de Corias 2008 Tinto @ $25.99
a blend of Carrasquin, Verdejo Negro and Mencia, medium bodied, bright and zippy
BV Rutherford 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $25.99
classic Rutherford Bench Cab, with notes of briary blackberry, dark plum, black cherry, chocolate and tobacco leaf
Sasa 2009 Etna Rosso @ $27.99
Nereello Mascalese from 100-year-old vines grown high up on Mount Etna, nimble yet intense, with aromas and flavors of tart wild strawberries
Obsidian 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $27.99
a high-elevation Lake County Cabernet with bold flavors of black cherries and wild blackberries and a creamy texture on the palate
Saintsbury 2009 Pinot Noir @ $28.99
aromas of black cherry, black tea and tangy plum, a rich mouthfeel and a long, lingering finish
Chateau du Glana 2006 St. Julien @ $29.99
loads of black currant and blueberry on the nose, full-bodied, with caressing tannins and a long, flavorful finish
(new vintage) Hitching Post 2010 Pinot Noir Cork Dancer @ $31.99
a nose of strawberries and other berries, and a touch of tar, on the palate lush strawberry, chocolate, coffee and fig, balanced acidity and barely tannic
(new vintage) Hitching Post 2009 Pinot Noir Highliner @ $37.99
a blend of the winery's best barrels from their best vineyards, immediate and juicy with layers of overt fruit
Priest Ranch 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $39.99
sourced from mountain-side vineyards, powerful yet generous, with dark fruit, leather, licorice and spices
Drouhin 2009 Morey St. Denis @ $39.99
ripe and succulent, with blackberry, cherry, and spice flavors and a fresh fruit-filled finish, only 375 cases imported
Bouchard 2008 Beaune du Chateau @ $41.99
black currant flavors that give great freshness and a soft, flavorful strawberry finish
Sebella 2009 Pinot Noir @ $46.99
fresh fruit with a balance of acidity and toasty sweetness that lingers, evolving layers of earth, spice and meaty flavors
San Patrignano 2007 Avi @ $42.99
100% Sangiovese di Romagna, elegant and expressive, with layers of flavor and a finish with attractive hints of wild berries and sweet spices
(new vintage) Flowers 2010 Pinot Noir @ $54.99
bold yet graceful on the palate, with supple tannins and a lingering coastal minerality on the finish
Sandrone 2008 Brunello Le Vigne @ $64.99
deep and concentrated, with intense and focused oak, chocolate and cranberry, and notes of violets, coffee and licorice
Ciacci Piccolomini 2007 Brunello @ $64.99, magnum @ $139.99
fruit forward in style, offering spicy black cherries, herbs and mushrooms on the nose and palate, elegant and highly approachable with ripe flavors and round tannins
Elio Grasso 2008 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera @ $80.99
delicate aromas of tobacco and leather provide a backdrop to fruity opulence, a hint of toasty oak, tannins that meld into the structure, allowing it to finish with length and consistency
Sandrone 2008 Barolo Cannubi Boschis @ $172.99
very concentrated and intense but with good balance and structure, all framed by layers of red and black fruits
Antinori 2009 Tignanello magnum @ $269.99
laced with black cherry, plum and spice flavors, a generous red that firms up on the finish, well balanced, with accents of tobacco and black tea that linger on the palate
Re Midas 2011 Corvina @ $9.99
one of the key grapes in Valpolicella here vinified on its own, with ripe, red fruity aromas and a juicy fruit-forward palate
El Pasodero 2010 Vinos de Madrid @ $9.99
a blend of Tempranillo and Syrah from forty-year-old vines, organically farmed, with an earthy, leathery character and polished tannins
Stobi 2011 Vranec @ $9.99
100% Vranec, a grape native to Macedonia, soft and elegant with noble tannins and a full body
Pigmentum 2011 Malbec @ $10.99
powerful aromas of red and black fruit, ripe tannins supported by full fruit flavors, soft and easy on the palate
Zemmer 2011 Schiva Gentile @ $12.99
fresh and fruity, with the bouquet of bitter almonds characteristic of the varietal
Rosa del Golfo 2007 Copertino @ $12.99
a blend of Negroamaro and Malvasis Nera from Puglia, well structured and harmonious, with a generous, persistent bouquet
Beauguerit 2009 Cotes du Bourg @ $12.99
a Cab/Merlot blend, well structured, with ripe tannins and fine balance
Kris 2010 Heart Rosso @ $12.99
an unusual blend of Merlot from Sicily, Montepulciano from the Marche, and Cabernet from the foothills of Alto Adige, robust in body yet silky smooth
Traslascuestas 2010 Ribera del Duero @ $12.99
toasty, smoky, and spicy, with lots of dark red fruit
Haut Canteloup 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux @ $13.99
Merlot-driven, with some Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, dry, medium-full bodied, with earthy, leathery notes that underlie dark fruit and vanilla
Punto Nino 2011 Carmenere @ $13.99
from the Chilean property of renowned Chablis producer Michel Laroche, an intense Carmenere with aromas of dark chocolate, spice and licorice and flavors of dusty cocoa and plum that are supported by round and subtle tannins
Agrina 2011 Portuguiser @ $13.99
our first wine from Serbia, made from a favorite grape throughout eastern Europe, a medium-bodied red that is light in color but long on flavor
Vega Tolosa 2011 11 Pinos @ $14.99
100% old vines Bobal grown in Manchuela in central Spain, a concentrated yet elegant and refreshing red of deep color
Mara 2009 Syrage @ 15.99
a blend of Syrah, Tempranillo, and Cab Franc from California, a soft red with bright cherry flavors, only 1500 cases made
Perruche 2011 Saumur-Champigny @ $16.99
concentrated, powerful and elegant, Cabernet Franc at its best
(new vintage) Couroulou 2009 Vacqueyras @ 17.99
a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre aged primarily in cement tanks, with super-ripe black fruit, dense in texture yet with a remarkable freshness on the finish
Variere 2010 Anjou Villages @ $17.99
a generous nose of ripe berries and vanilla, smooth and well balanced on the palate with good acidity
Villa Anna 2009 Chianti Colli Senesi @ $19.99
beautifully ripe plum and fig, round and inviting, with hints of dried herbs with silky smooth tannins
Fitch Mountain Cellars 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
dark fruit, spice, and lavender from the Alexander Valley
Thomas Coyne 2007 Petite Syrah @ $19.99
full-bodied, with berry and plum flavors, followed by a rich oak finish
Casina di Cornia 2010 Chianti @ $21.99
old-vine Sangiovese, organically farmed, well structured, with a bouquet of black fruit and spice and ripe fruit on the palate
Apollonio 2004 Salento Rosso @ $22.99
a blend of Negroamaro and Primitivo from Puglia, with aromas and flavors of violets, dried cherries and red currants
Neyers 2011 Sage Canyon Red @ $22.99
a Rhone-style blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, rustic and chewy, with intense dried berry, mineral, cedar and fresh earth flavors, only 799 cases made
(back) Beckmen 2010 Syrah @ $24.99
a savory, fruit-filled Syrah from the famed biodynamically-farmed Purisima Mountain vineyard, the source of some of the best Syrah fruit grown on the Central Coast
Monasterio de Corias 2008 Tinto @ $25.99
a blend of Carrasquin, Verdejo Negro and Mencia, medium bodied, bright and zippy
BV Rutherford 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $25.99
classic Rutherford Bench Cab, with notes of briary blackberry, dark plum, black cherry, chocolate and tobacco leaf
Sasa 2009 Etna Rosso @ $27.99
Nereello Mascalese from 100-year-old vines grown high up on Mount Etna, nimble yet intense, with aromas and flavors of tart wild strawberries
Obsidian 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $27.99
a high-elevation Lake County Cabernet with bold flavors of black cherries and wild blackberries and a creamy texture on the palate
Saintsbury 2009 Pinot Noir @ $28.99
aromas of black cherry, black tea and tangy plum, a rich mouthfeel and a long, lingering finish
Chateau du Glana 2006 St. Julien @ $29.99
loads of black currant and blueberry on the nose, full-bodied, with caressing tannins and a long, flavorful finish
(new vintage) Hitching Post 2010 Pinot Noir Cork Dancer @ $31.99
a nose of strawberries and other berries, and a touch of tar, on the palate lush strawberry, chocolate, coffee and fig, balanced acidity and barely tannic
(new vintage) Hitching Post 2009 Pinot Noir Highliner @ $37.99
a blend of the winery's best barrels from their best vineyards, immediate and juicy with layers of overt fruit
Priest Ranch 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $39.99
sourced from mountain-side vineyards, powerful yet generous, with dark fruit, leather, licorice and spices
Drouhin 2009 Morey St. Denis @ $39.99
ripe and succulent, with blackberry, cherry, and spice flavors and a fresh fruit-filled finish, only 375 cases imported
Bouchard 2008 Beaune du Chateau @ $41.99
black currant flavors that give great freshness and a soft, flavorful strawberry finish
Sebella 2009 Pinot Noir @ $46.99
fresh fruit with a balance of acidity and toasty sweetness that lingers, evolving layers of earth, spice and meaty flavors
San Patrignano 2007 Avi @ $42.99
100% Sangiovese di Romagna, elegant and expressive, with layers of flavor and a finish with attractive hints of wild berries and sweet spices
(new vintage) Flowers 2010 Pinot Noir @ $54.99
bold yet graceful on the palate, with supple tannins and a lingering coastal minerality on the finish
Sandrone 2008 Brunello Le Vigne @ $64.99
deep and concentrated, with intense and focused oak, chocolate and cranberry, and notes of violets, coffee and licorice
Ciacci Piccolomini 2007 Brunello @ $64.99, magnum @ $139.99
fruit forward in style, offering spicy black cherries, herbs and mushrooms on the nose and palate, elegant and highly approachable with ripe flavors and round tannins
Elio Grasso 2008 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera @ $80.99
delicate aromas of tobacco and leather provide a backdrop to fruity opulence, a hint of toasty oak, tannins that meld into the structure, allowing it to finish with length and consistency
Sandrone 2008 Barolo Cannubi Boschis @ $172.99
very concentrated and intense but with good balance and structure, all framed by layers of red and black fruits
Antinori 2009 Tignanello magnum @ $269.99
laced with black cherry, plum and spice flavors, a generous red that firms up on the finish, well balanced, with accents of tobacco and black tea that linger on the palate
ALSO NEW AND NOTEWORTHY:
Samos 2010 Muscat Vin Doux @ $14.99
rich, mouthfilling toffee and fresh peach flavors and a dry, honeyed finish
Il Gambero 2009 Alborado Bonarda @ $18.99
from the Oltrepo Pavese, a slightly sparkling red with a great streak of acidity
Villa M 2008 Moscato @ $18.99
a slightly sparkling dessert wine with hints of almond, melon and ripe stone fruits, a fruity perfume and low alcohol
Parigot NV Cremant Rouge @ $19.99
a sparkling red Burgundy with solid structure and elegant tannins
Samos 2010 Muscat Vin Doux @ $14.99
rich, mouthfilling toffee and fresh peach flavors and a dry, honeyed finish
Il Gambero 2009 Alborado Bonarda @ $18.99
from the Oltrepo Pavese, a slightly sparkling red with a great streak of acidity
Villa M 2008 Moscato @ $18.99
a slightly sparkling dessert wine with hints of almond, melon and ripe stone fruits, a fruity perfume and low alcohol
Parigot NV Cremant Rouge @ $19.99
a sparkling red Burgundy with solid structure and elegant tannins
Lingot-Martin NV Cerdon Demi-Sec @ $19.99
an off-dry sparkler with delightful fruit and crisp acidity
Demoiselle NV Brut Tete de Cuvee @ $34.99
a Chardonnay-driven Champagne with delicate bubbles, light and lively with a soft, round mouthfeel
Dartigalongue Bas Armanac XO 10 Year @ $52.99
deep, dried fruit flavors with just a touch of toffee, a great value
Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye @ $53.99
light, clean, with gentle vanilla and plenty of pure rye flavor
an off-dry sparkler with delightful fruit and crisp acidity
Demoiselle NV Brut Tete de Cuvee @ $34.99
a Chardonnay-driven Champagne with delicate bubbles, light and lively with a soft, round mouthfeel
Dartigalongue Bas Armanac XO 10 Year @ $52.99
deep, dried fruit flavors with just a touch of toffee, a great value
Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye @ $53.99
light, clean, with gentle vanilla and plenty of pure rye flavor
Scapa 16 Year Old Pure Malt @ $91.99
smooth, with heather and honey, the true taste of Orkney
Longrow 14 Year Burgundy Cask @ $115.99
a 14 year old Longrow, distilled at the Springbank distillery and aged in a refill bourbon for 11 years before a finish in Burgundy hogsheads, only 7,800 bottles produced
smooth, with heather and honey, the true taste of Orkney
Longrow 14 Year Burgundy Cask @ $115.99
a 14 year old Longrow, distilled at the Springbank distillery and aged in a refill bourbon for 11 years before a finish in Burgundy hogsheads, only 7,800 bottles produced
A. D. Rattray Bunnahabbain 20 Year @ $140.99
resinous earth, supple caramel, faint hints of brine, everything you would expect from the legendary Islay distillery at 53% cask strength
resinous earth, supple caramel, faint hints of brine, everything you would expect from the legendary Islay distillery at 53% cask strength