The dog days aren't officially upon us, but it sure feels that way to some of us! Things have slowed down a bit for us, so or now I"m on an every-other-week schedule. Here's the last two weeks' worth:
NEW WHITES:
Gazela 2011 Vinho Verde @ $6.99
simple, delicate white-fruit aromas with a hint of musky melon, light carbonation that adds a prickle to the crisp, dry flavor
Esprit de Sarrail 2011 Carcassone @ $9.99
a blend oof Sauvignon Blanc and Colombard from the south of France, quite fruit-forward without being heavy
Shenandoah Vineyards 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $9.99
crisp and fruity, with aromas of floral and spice tones, hints of tropical fruit, lush and silky on the palate
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Riesling @ $10.99
aromas of tropical fruit, lime and slate, followed by fresh, clean, bright flavors of orchard fruit
Teperberg 2011 Collage @ $13.99
a classic blend of Chardonnay and Semillon, medium-bodied, with a fruity bouquet, Kosher
Inama 2011 Soave @ $14.99
from one of the top producers in the region, a Soave with subtlety, elegance, and great balance
Kaltern 2011 Pinot Bianco @ $14.99
a refreshingly fruity and floral white wine with a delicate apple aromas and a dry, full-bodied palate
Weszeli 2012 Gruner Veltliner @ $15.99
a clean, chalky Gruner with fresh wildflowers, ripe grapefruit, and herbs on the palate, zippy and lively with a firm finish
Tsantali 2012 Kanenas @ $16.99
voluptuous flavors of melon, peach, and apple, light to medium in body, with a round, velvety texture and a pleasant finish
Birichino 2010 Malvasia Bianco @ $17.99
made by Bonny Doon's former winemaker, a white with a slightly racy character, good acidity, vibrance and perfume
Hiruzta 2012 Txakolina @ $19.99
from one of the Basque country's key producers, a bright and bubbly white that's perfect for the hottest of days
Reverdy 2012 Sancerre @ $25.99
unadulterated, classic Sancerre with loads of limestone in the nose and mouth, rich citrus fruit and green pear elements, a thick yet crisp texture, and some major body from the limestone soils
NEW REDS:
Produttori del Barbaresco 21011 Langhe Nebbiollo @ $19.99
the coop's second label made with grapes from their younger vines, a light, bright cherry color with fruity aromas to match, deliciously drinkable and not overly complex
(new vintage) Planeta 2011 Cerasuolo di Vitoria @ $19.99
a blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato, a big, plush Cerasuolo with sweet red fruit, spices and flowers
Birichino 2011 Grenache @ $25.99
made by Bonny Doon's former winemaker, old-vines dry-farmed Grenache from California's Central Coast, a vibrant, sappy wine with aromas and flavors of Morello cherries and other small red fruits
Andrew Rich 2009 Mesalliance @ $29.99
a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, Syrah and Malbec from the Columbia Valley, densely packed and fine-grained, with firm acidity and good subtle length
NEW ROSES:
Pinord NV La Nansa @ $11.99
a needle wine (slightly spritzy) from Spain, a blend of Grenache and Merlot, with aromas and flavors of fresh red fruits
Verrieres 2011 Cotes du Ventoux @ $12.99
mostly Cinsault and Grenache with a little Syrah blended in, medium in body with a definite hint of strawberries
La Coste 2012 La Grande Piece @ $14.99
Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from Provence, highly aromatic, with red fruits, minerality, and bright refreshing acidity
Bonny Doon 2012 Vin Gris @ $15.99
mostly Grenache with a few other red and white Rhone varietals blended in, elegant and complex with a natural crispness and a smooth savory texture
Tsantali 2012 Kanenas @ $16.99
a blend of Syrah and a native Greek grape called Mavroudi, full-bodied and firmly structured, with a nice balance of fruit and tannins and Nemea valley earth tones
Gobelsburg 2012 Rose @ $16.99
a blend of Zweigelt and St. Laurent from Austria, lean and structured, with fresh cherry fruit on the palate and pungent acidity
ALSO NEW AND NOTEWORTHY:
La Battagliola 2011 Lambrusco @ $14.99
winy and highly aromatic, with fine bubbles and bright acidity
Hayman's Royal Dock Navy Strength Gin @ $27.99
a bright, robust gin bottled at 57% ABV, the historical proof at which gunpowder may still be fired should it unfortunately get soaked by spilled spirit
NEW WHITES:
Gazela 2011 Vinho Verde @ $6.99
simple, delicate white-fruit aromas with a hint of musky melon, light carbonation that adds a prickle to the crisp, dry flavor
Esprit de Sarrail 2011 Carcassone @ $9.99
a blend oof Sauvignon Blanc and Colombard from the south of France, quite fruit-forward without being heavy
Shenandoah Vineyards 2012 Sauvignon Blanc @ $9.99
crisp and fruity, with aromas of floral and spice tones, hints of tropical fruit, lush and silky on the palate
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Riesling @ $10.99
aromas of tropical fruit, lime and slate, followed by fresh, clean, bright flavors of orchard fruit
Teperberg 2011 Collage @ $13.99
a classic blend of Chardonnay and Semillon, medium-bodied, with a fruity bouquet, Kosher
Inama 2011 Soave @ $14.99
from one of the top producers in the region, a Soave with subtlety, elegance, and great balance
Kaltern 2011 Pinot Bianco @ $14.99
a refreshingly fruity and floral white wine with a delicate apple aromas and a dry, full-bodied palate
Weszeli 2012 Gruner Veltliner @ $15.99
a clean, chalky Gruner with fresh wildflowers, ripe grapefruit, and herbs on the palate, zippy and lively with a firm finish
Tsantali 2012 Kanenas @ $16.99
voluptuous flavors of melon, peach, and apple, light to medium in body, with a round, velvety texture and a pleasant finish
Birichino 2010 Malvasia Bianco @ $17.99
made by Bonny Doon's former winemaker, a white with a slightly racy character, good acidity, vibrance and perfume
Hiruzta 2012 Txakolina @ $19.99
from one of the Basque country's key producers, a bright and bubbly white that's perfect for the hottest of days
Reverdy 2012 Sancerre @ $25.99
unadulterated, classic Sancerre with loads of limestone in the nose and mouth, rich citrus fruit and green pear elements, a thick yet crisp texture, and some major body from the limestone soils
NEW REDS:
Produttori del Barbaresco 21011 Langhe Nebbiollo @ $19.99
the coop's second label made with grapes from their younger vines, a light, bright cherry color with fruity aromas to match, deliciously drinkable and not overly complex
(new vintage) Planeta 2011 Cerasuolo di Vitoria @ $19.99
a blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato, a big, plush Cerasuolo with sweet red fruit, spices and flowers
Birichino 2011 Grenache @ $25.99
made by Bonny Doon's former winemaker, old-vines dry-farmed Grenache from California's Central Coast, a vibrant, sappy wine with aromas and flavors of Morello cherries and other small red fruits
Andrew Rich 2009 Mesalliance @ $29.99
a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, Syrah and Malbec from the Columbia Valley, densely packed and fine-grained, with firm acidity and good subtle length
NEW ROSES:
Pinord NV La Nansa @ $11.99
a needle wine (slightly spritzy) from Spain, a blend of Grenache and Merlot, with aromas and flavors of fresh red fruits
Verrieres 2011 Cotes du Ventoux @ $12.99
mostly Cinsault and Grenache with a little Syrah blended in, medium in body with a definite hint of strawberries
La Coste 2012 La Grande Piece @ $14.99
Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from Provence, highly aromatic, with red fruits, minerality, and bright refreshing acidity
Bonny Doon 2012 Vin Gris @ $15.99
mostly Grenache with a few other red and white Rhone varietals blended in, elegant and complex with a natural crispness and a smooth savory texture
Tsantali 2012 Kanenas @ $16.99
a blend of Syrah and a native Greek grape called Mavroudi, full-bodied and firmly structured, with a nice balance of fruit and tannins and Nemea valley earth tones
Gobelsburg 2012 Rose @ $16.99
a blend of Zweigelt and St. Laurent from Austria, lean and structured, with fresh cherry fruit on the palate and pungent acidity
ALSO NEW AND NOTEWORTHY:
La Battagliola 2011 Lambrusco @ $14.99
winy and highly aromatic, with fine bubbles and bright acidity
Hayman's Royal Dock Navy Strength Gin @ $27.99
a bright, robust gin bottled at 57% ABV, the historical proof at which gunpowder may still be fired should it unfortunately get soaked by spilled spirit
Chateau St