Sorry to have been MIA for so long, but there has been so little arriving each week that I thought it better to wait for a fair accumulation of new items. Accordingly, herewith everything new that has come in since the start of the year. Things should start to pick up a bit, although I don't expect much new of note this week as Matthew and family are away; look for me again in two weeks' time! Meanwhile, a belated Happy New Year to all! Judy
NEW WHITES:
(new vintage) Alto Tierruca 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $8.99
a simple yet attractive quaffer, fresh, juicy and balanced
Palazzone 2011 Orvieto @ $10.99
from what is unquestionably the top small estate in Orvieto, intense yet refreshingly dry, the finish a perfect balance between the perfume of the fruits and a touch of bitterness
Quinta da Raza Dom Diogo 2011 Arinto @ $12.99
fruity aromas and complex flavors with an engaging and persistent finish
(new vintage) Duret 2012 Quincy @ $12.99
very like a Sancerre, quite typical of the appellation, with notes of flowers and citrus on the nose
Teira 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
light-bodied with pretty lemon-lime floral, key lime and passion fruit flavors that are bright, ripe and extremely refreshing
Papagionnakos 2011 Retsina @ $13.99
blended from a selection of Savatiano grapes and a super quality resin wrought from the pines of Attica, rich and unique with a decidedly piney note
(new vintage) Momo 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $14.99
produced by Seresin Estates from sustainably grown grapes, light yet rich in the mouth, with flavors of guava, grapefruit and green melon that extend nicely into the mid-palate before a round, crisp finish
Trignon 2011 Cotes du Rhone Blanc @ $14.99
100% Roussanne from 50-year-old vines, with ripe, exotic fruit flavors and a silky, complex finish
(new vintage) Vallevo 2011 Pecorino @ $14.99
a delightful medium-bodied wine with citrus aromas and flavors of lime, lemon and almond
Fenocchio 2011 Roero Arneis @ $16.99
enticing floral and tropical fruit aromas, ripe and tangy fruit flavours of green apples, zesty citrus and peach
L'Unabelle 2011 Riesling @ $16.99
from Alsace, rich and aromatic with a dry finish and an aftertaste dominated by lime
(new vintage) Kim Crawford 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $16.99
a crisp yet powerful Sauvignon Blanc, well balanced, with intense aromas of gooseberry, passion fruit and citrus
Vadiaperti 2011 Greco di Tufo @ $17.99
aromatic but minerally, from Campania near the Amalfi coast
Alta Maria 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
aromas of honeydew and gooseberries, a moderately weighted wine that opens up on the palate to zesty acidity and slight minerality
Mancinelli 2011 Verdicchio @ $17.99
made by one of the top producers in the region, a white that is rich and fresh with an appealing hint of ripe apples and peaches in the bouquet and taste and a finish that is long and satisfying
Hatziyannis 2011 Assyrtiko @ $17.99
from the island of Santorini, a refined and carefully crafted, outstanding example of this native grape
San Gerassimo 2011 Robola @ $18.99
made from select high-altitude Robola grapes, a dry white wine with yellow-green highlights, fruity bouquet, and pleasant taste
Cadaretta 2010 SbS @ $19.99
a Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend from Washington's Columbia Valley, with citrus-like aromas of tangerine and lime, with layers of pineapple, pear and star fruit and a hint of white pepper
Poco a Poco 2010 Chardonnay @ $19.99
a new project from Luke Bass, winemaker and owner of Porter Bass Winery, whose goal is to produce well made wines from organic vineyards at reasonable prices, an elegant Sonoma Chardonnay with classic tropical fruit flavors complemented by bright acidity with judicious hints of neutral oak
du Thauvenay 2011 Sancerre @ $19.99
a softer-textured Sancerre with great minerality and complexity
Papaioannou 2011 Malagouzia @ $20.99
a crisp, punchy white from the native Greek grape Malagouzia, with fresh herbs, Meyer lemon peel, and white flowers on the nose, a palate with notes of green almond and lemon curd, and a pure mineral finish
Leflaive 2010 Rully @ $29.99
a delicious Chardonnay with beautiful ripe citrus fruit, nice depth of fruit flavors with lemon, peach, and spiced pear, and a long finish with minerals and subtle oak
Sonoma Cutrer 2010 Chardonnay "Les Pierres" @ $55.99
a classic Chardonnay made in a very Burgundian style, with plenty of acid to balance the ripe melon and a nice oak presence
Shafer 2010 Chardonnay @ $57.99
a rich, creamy Carneros Chardonnay with alluring, luxurious aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, apricot, melon, pineapple all held together with bright acidity, flinty structure and elegant balance
Mount Eden 2009 Chardonnay @ $60.99
old vines, low yields, making for profoundly rich fruit with exotic tropical notes of pineapple, Meyer lemon, creme brulee and honeysuckle
(new vintage) Alto Tierruca 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $8.99
a simple yet attractive quaffer, fresh, juicy and balanced
Palazzone 2011 Orvieto @ $10.99
from what is unquestionably the top small estate in Orvieto, intense yet refreshingly dry, the finish a perfect balance between the perfume of the fruits and a touch of bitterness
Quinta da Raza Dom Diogo 2011 Arinto @ $12.99
fruity aromas and complex flavors with an engaging and persistent finish
(new vintage) Duret 2012 Quincy @ $12.99
very like a Sancerre, quite typical of the appellation, with notes of flowers and citrus on the nose
Teira 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
light-bodied with pretty lemon-lime floral, key lime and passion fruit flavors that are bright, ripe and extremely refreshing
Papagionnakos 2011 Retsina @ $13.99
blended from a selection of Savatiano grapes and a super quality resin wrought from the pines of Attica, rich and unique with a decidedly piney note
(new vintage) Momo 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $14.99
produced by Seresin Estates from sustainably grown grapes, light yet rich in the mouth, with flavors of guava, grapefruit and green melon that extend nicely into the mid-palate before a round, crisp finish
Trignon 2011 Cotes du Rhone Blanc @ $14.99
100% Roussanne from 50-year-old vines, with ripe, exotic fruit flavors and a silky, complex finish
(new vintage) Vallevo 2011 Pecorino @ $14.99
a delightful medium-bodied wine with citrus aromas and flavors of lime, lemon and almond
Fenocchio 2011 Roero Arneis @ $16.99
enticing floral and tropical fruit aromas, ripe and tangy fruit flavours of green apples, zesty citrus and peach
L'Unabelle 2011 Riesling @ $16.99
from Alsace, rich and aromatic with a dry finish and an aftertaste dominated by lime
(new vintage) Kim Crawford 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $16.99
a crisp yet powerful Sauvignon Blanc, well balanced, with intense aromas of gooseberry, passion fruit and citrus
Vadiaperti 2011 Greco di Tufo @ $17.99
aromatic but minerally, from Campania near the Amalfi coast
Alta Maria 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
aromas of honeydew and gooseberries, a moderately weighted wine that opens up on the palate to zesty acidity and slight minerality
Mancinelli 2011 Verdicchio @ $17.99
made by one of the top producers in the region, a white that is rich and fresh with an appealing hint of ripe apples and peaches in the bouquet and taste and a finish that is long and satisfying
Hatziyannis 2011 Assyrtiko @ $17.99
from the island of Santorini, a refined and carefully crafted, outstanding example of this native grape
San Gerassimo 2011 Robola @ $18.99
made from select high-altitude Robola grapes, a dry white wine with yellow-green highlights, fruity bouquet, and pleasant taste
Cadaretta 2010 SbS @ $19.99
a Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend from Washington's Columbia Valley, with citrus-like aromas of tangerine and lime, with layers of pineapple, pear and star fruit and a hint of white pepper
Poco a Poco 2010 Chardonnay @ $19.99
a new project from Luke Bass, winemaker and owner of Porter Bass Winery, whose goal is to produce well made wines from organic vineyards at reasonable prices, an elegant Sonoma Chardonnay with classic tropical fruit flavors complemented by bright acidity with judicious hints of neutral oak
du Thauvenay 2011 Sancerre @ $19.99
a softer-textured Sancerre with great minerality and complexity
Papaioannou 2011 Malagouzia @ $20.99
a crisp, punchy white from the native Greek grape Malagouzia, with fresh herbs, Meyer lemon peel, and white flowers on the nose, a palate with notes of green almond and lemon curd, and a pure mineral finish
Leflaive 2010 Rully @ $29.99
a delicious Chardonnay with beautiful ripe citrus fruit, nice depth of fruit flavors with lemon, peach, and spiced pear, and a long finish with minerals and subtle oak
Sonoma Cutrer 2010 Chardonnay "Les Pierres" @ $55.99
a classic Chardonnay made in a very Burgundian style, with plenty of acid to balance the ripe melon and a nice oak presence
Shafer 2010 Chardonnay @ $57.99
a rich, creamy Carneros Chardonnay with alluring, luxurious aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, apricot, melon, pineapple all held together with bright acidity, flinty structure and elegant balance
Mount Eden 2009 Chardonnay @ $60.99
old vines, low yields, making for profoundly rich fruit with exotic tropical notes of pineapple, Meyer lemon, creme brulee and honeysuckle
NEW REDS:
Tineta 2010 Monastrell @ $8.99
a medium- to full-bodied red with black fruit and cracked pepper aromas and flavors
Nausica 2011 Nero d'Avola @ $9.99
loads of ripe berries and cherries on the nose, inviting and enticing, full-flavored and ripe
Col de Lairole 2011 Coteaux du Languedoc @ $9.99
a nose of Provencal herbs and ripe fruit, a palate that is long, full, and tantalizing
Faustino Rivera 2009 Rioja @ $10.99
delicate aromas of cherry and violet, followed by ripe currant fruit and earthy black tea character on the palate
Carro 2011 Yeclas @ $10.99
a blend of organically-grown Monastrell, Tempranillo, Syrah and Merlot from southeastern Spain, unoaked and unpretentious, juicy and easy to drink
Castle Rock 2011 Zinfandel @ $10.99
produced from Lodi grapes, a medium-bodied Zin, somewhat round and open on the palate with more than enough acidity to carry its flavors into a mid-length, fairly zesty finish
Tineta 2011 Ribera del Duero @ $11.99
full-bodied and smooth, with copious notes of creme de cassis intermixed with hints of wood smoke and charcoal
La Greffiere 2010 Macon La Roche Vineuse Rouge @ $11.99
100% Gamay from the Maconnais, soft, bright, easy to drink
The Grinder 2011 Pinotage @ $11.99
South Africa's unique signature red, with lavish mocha character, a spicy plum aroma, and sumptuous, rich berry flavors
Les Carregades 2919 Medoc @ $12.99
a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, deep red in the glass, with ripe fruit on the nose, dark ripe fruit on the palate with hints of tobacco and earthy undertones and a beautiful long finish
Alberti 154 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
produced by Bodega Elvira Calle in Mendoza, a deep, rich Cabernet showing ripe plums, chocolate, cassis, with a hint of black licorice, full in the mouth with soft tannins
Sherman and Hooker's Shebang! Fifth Cuvee North Coast Red @ $13.99
a multi-vintage, multi-varietal blend with a great concentration of fruit and some snappy spice, notes of blackberry, black cherry, herbs and cracked black pepper
Clayhouse 2010 Malbec @ $13.99
a Malbec from Paso Robles, dark and rich, with black plum, raspberry and cranberry aromas and a hint of black pepper to complement the vanilla oak
Monti Guidi del Carmine 2009 Mentepulciano d'Abruzzo @ $13.99
juicy, rich and full, with great length on the palate
L'Ecume 2009 Pinot Noir @ $14.99
fruit forward, full and round, with a core of cherries and red fruits, classic California Pinot Noir
Elena Walch 2011 Schiava @ $14.99
a plush, elegant mouthfeel that is very light on its feet, complex, with concentrated fruit, fresh acidity, and minerality accompanied by subtle and balanced oak notes
Canet Valette 2011 St. Chinian "Antonyme" @ $14.99
made by Marc Valette, the indisputable leader of the avant-garde in St. Chinian, a 50/50 blend of Mourvedre and Cinsault vinified in stainless steel, a wine of great freshness and ripe fruit
Breca 2010 Garnacha @ $14.99
100% Grenache from vines that were planted between 1925 and 1945, with concentrated flavors of dark berry, wildflowers, lavender and vanilla that merge with a lively hint of peppery spice on an impressively long finish
(new vintage) Rocca di Fabbri 2009 Montefalco Rosso @ $15.99
a blend of 65% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, and the rest other red varieties, with a rich bouquet with hints of wild berries and a firm structure, totally harmonious on the palate
Joaquin Rebolledo 2011 Mencia @ $15.99
from the Valdeorras region of western Spain, a red that is fresh, bright and fruity on the nose with darker, more deep, peppery, spiced characters on the palate
Gagliardo 2011 Dolcetto @ $16.99
loads of fresh fruit flavors, paired with good acidity and soft tannins, fresh and complex with notes of violets that offers a delicate perfume, while touches of spices and white pepper follow on the finish
Mellot 2010 Menetou-Salon Rouge @ $16.99
Pinot Noir from the Loire, a clear and brilliant red soft, with well-integrated tannins, good volume, and impressive length
Tsantali 2007 Mavroudi @ $16.99
made from a native Greek varietal, a spicy, assertive red with aromas of black cherries, red currants, and vanilla
Sean Minor 2009 Napa Red @ $17.99
a blend of six different grapes with Merlot leading the way, with flavors of blueberries and dark cherry combined with hints of oak and spices that coat the palate, soft tannins, and a long and lingering finish
Dorgali 2010 Cannonau @ $17.99
100% Cannonau, ample and intense, with spicy, vegetal, balsamic, and mineral notes
Chateau Lafont Menaut 2010 Pessac-Leognan @ $18.99
from a property under the same ownership as Chateau Carbonnieux, a weighty Bordeaux with ripe tannins and good minerality
Ca'd Carussin 2011 Lia Vi Barbera @ $19.99
named for a bird that is considered good luck by growers in the region of Monferrato, an intensely flavored and highly perfumed Barbera from a biodynamically farmed property
(new vintage) Casarena 2010 Malbec @ $19.99
a Malbec with floral aromatics, ripe black cherry fruit flavors and soft, supple texture
(new vintage) Klee 2011 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
scents of cherry,raspberry, and cedar with a note of minerality to add complexity, a delicate Pinot that takes on weight as it lingers and finishes full bodied
Belle Glos 2011 Meiomi Pinot Noir @ $19.99
a blend of multiple vineyards stretching along the California coast from Sonoma to Santa Barbara, with a broad flavor profile, a balanced Pinot Noir bursting with aromatics, mouthfeel and depth of flavor
Tsantali 2007 Nemea @ $20.99
minty, earthy fruit aromas with juicy flavors of bright fruit
Beckmen 2010 Cuvee le Bec @ $20.99
a Rhone blend from Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah in the lead in this vintage, with abundant layers of blackberry jam, strawberry-rhubarb, plum, pomegranate, cherry, mocha, garrigue, sweet licorice and leather, all with a great balance between tannins and acidity
Boedecker 2011 Pinot Noir @ $21.99
subtle notes of rose petals layered with pomegranate and hints of forest floor, a youthful wine with plenty of structure to enjoy today or cellar for several years
Ca Orologio 2010 Calaore @ $22.99
a blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Barbera from the Veneto, a medium- full bodied red with notes of fresh black plums, berries and currants on the nose, smooth with bright fruit notes
Big Vine 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $22.99
a classic Napa blend from three different sub-appellations, with dark fruit, earthy notes, and a solid structure
Jean Faux 2010 Bordeaux Superieur @ $28.99
from a rising new estate, a polished, layered blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, fresh on the palate with good grip and appealing density, nicely structured
Alta Maria 2010 Pinot Noir @ $29.99
captivating aromas of ripe cherries and strawberries, medium bodied throughout, with balance and a great fruit presence that is a classic mark of the vintage
Chateau Boutisse 2009 St. Emilion @ $32.99
a warm, intense bouquet of mocha and sweet spices, a classic palate from a great estate in Saint-Émilion, showing full body, fine yet firm tannins, and explosive black cherry fruit, all encased in the subtle toasty flavors
Occhipinti 2010 Siccagna Nero d'Avola @ $38.99
made by natural winemaker Arianna Occhipinti, a dark and velvety expression of the varietal showing remarkable ripeness and depth