New Wine Releases June 2010

Liberty School
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon; $12
13/20 — This wine exhibits rich berry flavors, silky but firm tannins and a ripe finish with good length.

Liberty School
2007 Cuvée; $12
13/20 — Displaying bright red fruit on the nose with smoke and pepper accents, this fruit-forward blend is full-bodied with fine tannins.

Monterey County

Scheid Vineyards
2008 Muscat Canelli; $18
13.5/20 — Opening with aromas of rose petals, this wine exhibits flavors of Granny Smith Apples, melon and green mango.

Bianchi Winery
2008 Signature Selection Sauvignon Blanc; $16
13/20 — This wine exhibits good body and stone fruit qualities; Crisp and balanced flavors of melon and citrus linger on the palate.

Paso Robles

Eberle Winery
2009 Estate Muscat Canelli; $15
13.5/20 — Aromas and flavors of white peaches and apricots lead to a touch of wildflower and a hint of minerality on the finish.

San Luis Obispo

Rosenthal-The Malibu Estate
2008 Surfrider Edna Valley Pinot Noir; $27
13.5/20 — This silky wine offers flavors of strawberry jam and cherry cola, with hints of cinnamon on the nose.

Santa Maria Valley

Sierra Madre Vineyard
2008 "Block 216" Pinot Noir; $47
15.5/20 — This wine begins with a sweet fruit nose of blueberries and dark berry spice; It is a perfect match for roast duck or smoked pork.

Santa Ynez Valley

Beckmen Vineyards
2009 Estate Sauvignon Blanc; $16
14/20 — Made from biodynamic-certified grapes, this wine displays intense fruit flavors and crisp acidity.

Beckmen Vineyards
2009 Grenache Rosé, Purisima Mountain Vineyard; $18
13.5/20 — Bright and refreshing, this wine exhibits flavors and aromas of watermelon, cherry and spicy strawberry.


HIGH VALLEY

Brassfield Estate
2007 Serenity Proprietary White Wine; $14
14/20 — Mostly Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, with a bit of Gewürztraminer and Semillon. White peach and nectarine flavors with a creamy vanilla, slightly off-dry finish.

NAPA VALLEY

Blackbird Vineyards
2007 Illustration; $90
16.5/20 — This Merlot-dominant blend reveals a dense nose of plum, cherry and mulberry; Elegant flavors of red currant, coffee, licorice and tobacco fill the palate, with soft texture and velvety tannins.

Duckhorn Vineyards
2006 Napa Valley Merlot, Three Palms Vineyard; $85
16.5/20 —Enticing aromas of chocolate-covered cherries, earth, ginger spice and graham cracker pie crust lead into a core of red-fruit dominated flavors; This powerful Merlot has firm, robust tannins.

Frank Family Vineyards
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; $45
15/20 — Aromas of blackberry, vanilla and black cherry lead into a lively palate of loganberries, black huckleberries, fresh-baked spice cake and a hint of cinnamon.

Rocca Family Vineyards
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Collinetta Vineyard; $75
14.5/20 — This debut bottling from the vineyard exhibits ripe aromas and flavors of cranberry, currant, tart cherry and blackberry.

Blackbird Vineyards
2009 Arriviste Rosé; $24
14/20 — Exhibiting a youthful pink color, this Merlot-driven rose displays notes of strawberry, peach and pear with a rich and creamy mid-palate.

Ehlers Estate
2008 Sauvignon Blanc; $28
13.5/20 — This wine shows bright acidity and distinct varietal characteristics of melon, grapefruit, lemongrass and pears.

Mumm Napa
Brut Rosé; $24
13/20 — Coral pink in color, this sparkling rose offers a lively mousse and a range of red and black fruit tones, including strawberries, bing cherries and dark plums.


NORTH COAST

Mendocino

Navarro Vineyards
2007 Navarrouge; $14
13/20 — A blend of nine different varieties, this wine offers fruity esters and nuances of blackberry, cherry and vanilla.


SONOMA COUNTY

Bennett Valley

Matanzas Creek Winery
2006 L'Ultime Red Dessert Wine; $35 (500 ml)
14.5/20 — Notes of smoke, oak, and herbs mingle with sweet flavors of orange marmalade and cinnamon; This wine is firmly structured with an almost liqueur-like quality.

Dry Creek Valley

Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves
2007 Belle Canyon Zinfandel; $35
14.5/20 — This fruit-forward Zin is intense with ripe red berry flavors and a toasty, briary finish.

Quivira Vineyards and Winery
2008 Grenache, Wine Creek Ranch; $26
13.5/20 — Invitingly supple on the palate, this red wine offers savory and spicy notes, pairing well with Szechuan cusine and cedar-plank salmon.

Russian River Valley

Chalk Hill
2007 North Slope Pinot Gris; $40
14.5/20 — Citrus and cream precede aromas of lemon oil, white peach, white flowers, and dry hay. The palate is crisp with ripe citrus; Background essences of honey, fig and hazelnut compliment the wine's minerality.

Sonoma Coast

Fogdog
2007 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay; $35
14/20 — This Chardonnay displays rich aromas of lemon custard, peach pit and wet rocks.


MULTIPLE AVAs

CR Cellars
Fortissimo California Grape Wine; $9
13/20 — Full-bodied yet mellow, this wine is not unlike Southern Italian homemade wine; Serve with rare steaks or roast beef.

Barefoot
Pinot Noir; $6
12.5/20 — Offering ripe cherry and wild raspberry flavors with hints of vanilla and spice, this medium-bodied wine has a smooth finish and pairs well with lamb and salmon.

Tré
2007 California Merlot; $9
12.5/20 — This supple Merlot displays flavors of mixed berries with a touch of oak; A dark fruit essence on the palate is complemented by bold tannins.


MICHIGAN

LEELANAU PENINSULA

L. Mawby
Blanc de Blancs Brut; $18
14/20 — This sparkling wine offers apple and spice aromas with a zesty and crisp palate.

Black Star Farms
2008 Arcturos Pinot Gris; $13
13/20 — Exhibiting light acidity and flavors of pears, apples and melon, this wine pairs well with a wide range of foods.


WASHINGTON

Columbia Valley

Brian Carter Cellars
2006 Byzance; $30
14/20 — This southern Rhone-style blend exhibits notes of dried cherries, rose petals, bay leaf, white pepper and clove spice.

Kamiak
2007 Rock Lake Red; $15
13.5/20 — A Cabernet Sauvignon core is blended with Merlot, Malbec and Syrah, giving this layered wine juicy notes of berries.


Walla Walla Valley

Yellow Tail Reserve
2008 Pinot Grigio; $10
13.5/20 — Flavors of pear, apple, and lime characterize this light-bodied wine; A fresh palate complements spicy Asian food.

FRANCE

ALSACE

Gustave Lorentz
Cremant d'Alsace Brut; $19
12.5/20 — Made from mostly Pinot Blanc grapes, this sparkler is made using the traditional method Champennoise.

BORDEAUX

Chateau Fleur Cardinale
2009 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé; $30
16/20 —This rich and full-bodied wine displays notes of blackberries and black currants.

CHAMPAGNE

Champagne de Venoge
Blanc de Noirs; $66
14/20 — This blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier is full-bodied with clean flavor.

COTES DE PROVENCE

Chateau d'Esclans, Les Clans
2007 Rosé; $69
13/20 — Comprised of 75% Grenache and 25% Rolle, this wine is buttery and offers a mineral finish.

MEURSAULT-PERRIÈRES

Domaine Pierre Matrot
2007 Meursault-Perrieres 1er Cru; $62
15/20 — This Burgundy white wine is rich and complex; enjoy with fish or game meats such as pheasant and venison.

Emmanuel de Soos Vigneron
2006 Les Vendanges du Domaine Rougie Viognier; $20
13/20 —Exhibiting floral notes with a touch of white fruit, this wine has an open and expressive nose leading into a balanced palate.

ITALY

ASTI

Cinzano
Sparkling Asti; $12
12/20 — Aromas of delicate honey and ripe peach lead into sweet flavors of peach and melon.


CHIANTI

Selvapiana
2008 Chianti Rufina DOCG; $17
15/20 — This blend of mostly Sangiovese with a small amount of Canaiolo was vinified in stainless steel tanks, ultimately refined in French oak casks for two to three months.

Selvapiana
2004 Fornace Toscana IGT; $35
15/20 — A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine displays rich, jammy flavors of dark fruit.

MARLBOROUGH

Kim Crawford
2009 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; $16
14/20 — This exuberant wine is brimming with flavors of pineapple and stonefruit; Firm acidity lends to a fresh finish.

Nobilo
2008 Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir; $20
14/20 — Rich and mouth-filling, this wine displays balanced mixed berry fruit and subtle oak complexity; the silky tannin structure is persistent to the finish.

Kim Crawford
2008 Marlborough Pinot Noir; $19
13.5/20 — Notes of dark cherries and strawberries lead into rich fruit flavors with nuances of sweet, smoky oak and firm tannins.

Nobilo
2009 Nobilo Regional Collection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; $13
13.5/20 — A crisp and zesty backbone combines with fresh tropical fruit sweetness; Showing excellent weight, the wine lingers on the palate.

Silver Birch
2009 Sauvignon Blanc; $23
12.5/20 — Housed in Octavin Home Wine Bar's octagonal box, this wine offers fruit flavors of kiwi, pear, and green apple.

COASTAL REGION

Pinehurst
2007 Rosé Sec; $12
13/20 — A fusion of red berry fruits with undertones of rose petals; The palate is crisp with an aftertaste of watermelon.


FRANSCHHOEK

Stony Brook Vineyards
2006 Viognier; $13
15/20 — This dessert wine displays rich flavors of peach, apricot and melon; a great match for creme brulée.

Sebeka
2008 Chenin Blanc "Steen"; $8
13/20 — Bright green-gold in color, this wine displays lively grapefruit, pineapple and quince aromas.

CHILE

CENTRAL VALLEY

Terrapura
2008 Chardonnay; $9
13/20 — Fresh and round on the palate, this wine finishes with a clean acidity; Pair with salads, soft cheeses or fish.

Terrapura
2009 Sauvignon Blanc; $9
12.5/20 — Intense aromas of tropical fruit lead to a palate of citrus flavors enhanced by good acidity; This Chilean white is perfect as an aperitif.

MAIPO & COLCHAUGA VALLEY

Koyle
2007 Syrah; $16
14.5/20 — Dark violet in color, this Syrah is rich and generous with creamy notes of cassis and graphite, along with chocolate and toasty oak on the nose and palate.

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