Happy holidays to all!
NEW WHITES:
Guillaume 2011 Chardonnay @ $12.99
produced by the family that owns one of the largest vine nurseries in the world, an old-vines Chardonnay that is silky and round with aromas and flavors of toasted apples
(new vintage) Carrel 2012 Jongieux @ $13.99
made from the native Jacquère grape, very inviting and cleansing with a great juicy attack
(new vintage) Mara 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
a blend of grapes from four different vineyards in four different parts of Sonoma County, crisp and clean with a refreshing appeal of candied apples, pears and melon
Dalton 2012 Canaan White @ $15.99
a harmonious blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling that results in a crisp, yet fruity semi-dry wine, Kosher
Papagiannakos 2011 Savatiano @ $16.99
from a third-generation winemaker in Attica, just north of Athens, a white from an indigenous grape that has slightly nutty aromas, plump and of medium weight, with a fresh, clean finish
Beckett's Flat 2011 Five Stones White @ $16.99
a classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, showing characteristic aroma and flavor notes of gooseberry, green apple and grapefruit, with underlying herbaceous and mineral characters, Kosher
Papaioannou 2012 Assyrtiko @ $17.99
made by one of the leading lights of the "new" Greek wine industry, a full-bodied white with an intense aroma of yellow fruits and lemon blossoms and exceptional acidity
Sauterau 2012 Sancerre @ $19.99
from a tenth-generation producer in the Loire, a soft, mellow Sancerre that is fresh and elegant with aromas and flavors of citrus and white-fleshed fruit
Guillaume 2011 Chardonnay @ $12.99
produced by the family that owns one of the largest vine nurseries in the world, an old-vines Chardonnay that is silky and round with aromas and flavors of toasted apples
(new vintage) Carrel 2012 Jongieux @ $13.99
made from the native Jacquère grape, very inviting and cleansing with a great juicy attack
(new vintage) Mara 2011 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
a blend of grapes from four different vineyards in four different parts of Sonoma County, crisp and clean with a refreshing appeal of candied apples, pears and melon
Dalton 2012 Canaan White @ $15.99
a harmonious blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling that results in a crisp, yet fruity semi-dry wine, Kosher
Papagiannakos 2011 Savatiano @ $16.99
from a third-generation winemaker in Attica, just north of Athens, a white from an indigenous grape that has slightly nutty aromas, plump and of medium weight, with a fresh, clean finish
Beckett's Flat 2011 Five Stones White @ $16.99
a classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, showing characteristic aroma and flavor notes of gooseberry, green apple and grapefruit, with underlying herbaceous and mineral characters, Kosher
Papaioannou 2012 Assyrtiko @ $17.99
made by one of the leading lights of the "new" Greek wine industry, a full-bodied white with an intense aroma of yellow fruits and lemon blossoms and exceptional acidity
Sauterau 2012 Sancerre @ $19.99
from a tenth-generation producer in the Loire, a soft, mellow Sancerre that is fresh and elegant with aromas and flavors of citrus and white-fleshed fruit
NEW REDS:
(back) Alto Tierruca 2009 Pinot Noir @ $9.99
fresh and juicy, with lively cherry and earthy flavors and a clean, fresh finish
Notre Dame de Cousignac 2011 Syrah-Grenache @ $11.99
a bargain red from Provence, an unoaked blend of Grenache and Syrah that offers harmony, balance, and a strong sense of place
La Montagnette 2011 Cotes du Rhone Villages @ $12.99
produced at Les Vignerons D'Estezargues, a small southern Rhone cooperative, Grenache-driven, with mixed berry and plum notes and a dollop of spice
Teperberg 2010 Merlot Samson @ $12.99
from one of Israel's oldest wineries, a round, fruity Merlot with aromas of ripe blueberries and raspberries, medium-bodied with a smooth texture, Kosher
Fabre Montmayou 2011 Malbec @ $12.99
a modern-style Malbec, intensely aromatic, weighty on the palate but with sweet silky tannins
(new vintage) Juan Benegas 2012 Malbec @ $12.99
nicely balanced and concentrated, displaying juicy delineated berry flavors complicated by a whiff of game
La Soraia 2010 Dolcetto di Ovada @ $13.99
from its original home in Ovada, a fresh, crisp, Beaujolais-like version of the Dolcetto grape
Teperberg 2012 Red Moscato @ $13.99
a dessert wine with a fresh citrusy zing, not cloyingly sweet and low in alcohol, Kosher
Borgo Reale 2008 Primitivo @ $16.99
a big, flavorsome wine with an intense bouquet and a lingering red-fruit aftertaste, Mevushal
(new vintage) Tablas Creek 2011 Patelin Red @ $19.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Counoise from Paso Robles, bright, generous, spicy, and well structured
(new vintage) Thomas Coyne 2008 Mourvedre @ $21.99
dark berry aromas that are complemented by hints of leather and spice that persist into a nice, round finish
My Essential 2010 Red @ $25.99
made by noted winemaker Richard Betts, a Bordeaux-style blend from California, high-toned, aromatic, and very drinkable
Laderas de Inurrieta 2009 Graciano @ $31.99
100% Graciano from Navarre, with aromas and flavors of ripe plums, good acidity and balance
Saint Glinglin 2010 St. Emilion @ $41.99
Richard Betts' new project in Bordeaux, where he is working with the Thienpont family, a mineral-driven effort that is all about elegance, grace, and balance
Saslove 2010 Adom Cabernet Sauvignon @ $41.99
from the upper Galilee region, a Cabernet rich in cherry, raspberry, plum and blueberry flavors, elegant, with a texture that is soft and full, Kosher
Gvaot 2010 Gofna Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve @ $65.99
from a winery that is one of the shining stars in Israel's Shomron region, a Cab that is arguably one of the finest wines produced in Israel, rich and elegant with great length, Kosher
(back) Alto Tierruca 2009 Pinot Noir @ $9.99
fresh and juicy, with lively cherry and earthy flavors and a clean, fresh finish
Notre Dame de Cousignac 2011 Syrah-Grenache @ $11.99
a bargain red from Provence, an unoaked blend of Grenache and Syrah that offers harmony, balance, and a strong sense of place
La Montagnette 2011 Cotes du Rhone Villages @ $12.99
produced at Les Vignerons D'Estezargues, a small southern Rhone cooperative, Grenache-driven, with mixed berry and plum notes and a dollop of spice
Teperberg 2010 Merlot Samson @ $12.99
from one of Israel's oldest wineries, a round, fruity Merlot with aromas of ripe blueberries and raspberries, medium-bodied with a smooth texture, Kosher
Fabre Montmayou 2011 Malbec @ $12.99
a modern-style Malbec, intensely aromatic, weighty on the palate but with sweet silky tannins
(new vintage) Juan Benegas 2012 Malbec @ $12.99
nicely balanced and concentrated, displaying juicy delineated berry flavors complicated by a whiff of game
La Soraia 2010 Dolcetto di Ovada @ $13.99
from its original home in Ovada, a fresh, crisp, Beaujolais-like version of the Dolcetto grape
Teperberg 2012 Red Moscato @ $13.99
a dessert wine with a fresh citrusy zing, not cloyingly sweet and low in alcohol, Kosher
Borgo Reale 2008 Primitivo @ $16.99
a big, flavorsome wine with an intense bouquet and a lingering red-fruit aftertaste, Mevushal
(new vintage) Tablas Creek 2011 Patelin Red @ $19.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Counoise from Paso Robles, bright, generous, spicy, and well structured
(new vintage) Thomas Coyne 2008 Mourvedre @ $21.99
dark berry aromas that are complemented by hints of leather and spice that persist into a nice, round finish
My Essential 2010 Red @ $25.99
made by noted winemaker Richard Betts, a Bordeaux-style blend from California, high-toned, aromatic, and very drinkable
Laderas de Inurrieta 2009 Graciano @ $31.99
100% Graciano from Navarre, with aromas and flavors of ripe plums, good acidity and balance
Saint Glinglin 2010 St. Emilion @ $41.99
Richard Betts' new project in Bordeaux, where he is working with the Thienpont family, a mineral-driven effort that is all about elegance, grace, and balance
Saslove 2010 Adom Cabernet Sauvignon @ $41.99
from the upper Galilee region, a Cabernet rich in cherry, raspberry, plum and blueberry flavors, elegant, with a texture that is soft and full, Kosher
Gvaot 2010 Gofna Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve @ $65.99
from a winery that is one of the shining stars in Israel's Shomron region, a Cab that is arguably one of the finest wines produced in Israel, rich and elegant with great length, Kosher
NEW ROSE:
My Essential 2012 Rose @ $14.99
a joint effort by Richard Betts and Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault from Provence, dry and refreshing. With the floral notes of a red wine and the crisp freshness of a white
Dalton 2012 Rose @ $16.99
a semi-dry blend of Zinfandel, Barbera, and a little Cabernet, with delicate aromas and flavors of fresh strawberries and lavender and a mineral finish, Kosher
My Essential 2012 Rose @ $14.99
a joint effort by Richard Betts and Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault from Provence, dry and refreshing. With the floral notes of a red wine and the crisp freshness of a white
Dalton 2012 Rose @ $16.99
a semi-dry blend of Zinfandel, Barbera, and a little Cabernet, with delicate aromas and flavors of fresh strawberries and lavender and a mineral finish, Kosher