Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.





New Wine Releases April 2010

New wine releases from around the world

NORTH AMERICA

UNITED STATES

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST


Monthaven Winery
2008 Central Coast Chardonnay; $24 (3 Liters)
13.5/20 — A full-bodied wine with a buttery mid-palate housed in a unique octagonal box.


Paso Robles

Austin Hope
2005 Hope Family Vineyard Syrah; $42
14/20A nose of blueberry and cassis leads to persistent dark berry and spice flavors, balanced by high-toned minerality.

Santa Barbara County

Bianchi
Signature Selection 2008 Pinot Grigio, Los Alamos Vineyard; $21
13/20 — Offering notes of exotic floral, litchi and kiwi, this smooth wine pairs well with grilled Asian cuisine.


Santa Lucia Highlands

Paraiso
2008 Pinot Noir; $25
14/20 — Notes of black cherry, smoke and spice are balanced by a backdrop of warm oak.


Robert Talbott Vineyards
2008 Logan Pinot Noir; $25
14/20 — This wine offers lueberry and cherry cola flavors on the palate with silky texture.


Santa Ynez County

Palmina
2008 Arneis; $22
13.5/20 — Light golden-green in color, this white wine offers a creamy citrus nose and flavors of pear, kumquat and lemongrass.


NORTH COAST

Carneros

Robert Mondavi Winery
2008 Pinot Noir; $27
13.5/20Aromas and flavors of blackberries and red cherries are brightened by a hint of cranberry and graphite; ends with a long finish.


Dry Creek Valley

Quivira
2007 Wine Creek Ranch, Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel; $34
14/20A splash of Petite Sirah adds base notes to this medium-bodied wine with dark fruit flavors.


Napa Valley

Biltmore Reserve
2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay; $19
14/20 — Aromas of pineapple, pear, butter and oak are followed by a round mouth-feel with balanced acidity.


Blackbird Vineyards
2007 Blackbird Vineyards Contrarian; $90
15.5/20A blend of mostly Cabernet Franc with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine offers a structured palate with layers of dark berries, cola, cocoa, and black truffle.


Frank Family Vineyards
2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay; $33
14.5/20This vibrant Chardonnay opens with aromas of citrus blossom, honeysuckle, white peach and apple; The palate is luscious, with stone fruit, kumquat, and apple tarte tatin flavors.

Krupp Brothers
2006 Black Bart Syrah; $60
14.5/20 — This wine opens with sweet aromas of blueberries, black raspberries, and lavender mingling with bacon fat and graphite; Berry flavors with vanilla and oak fill the mouth.


Krupp Brothers
2006 Black Bart's Bride; $50
14.5/20 — Flavors of lemon pie, pie crust and minerality lead to a creamy textural finish.


Ma(i)sonry
2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc; $32
14/20 — Exhibiting a lively nose of gooseberry, ruby grapefruit, apricot and honey, this wine displays a rich and creamy mid-palate with bright acidity.


Russian River Valley

Merriam Vineyards
2005 Dunnsden Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; $35
14.5/20Aged 24 months in 100 percent French oak, this wine offers aromas of cassis, coffee and mocha with flavors of blackberry and cherry.


Rancho Zabaco
2008 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc; $18

14/20This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of lime peel, cut grass and gooseberry, with notes of peach and tropical fruit.

Sonoma County

Dan Aykroyd
2007 Discovery Series Sonoma County Chardonnay; $18
14/20Displaying sweet vanilla notes and fruit-foward flavors, this wine has an essence of pear, apple and pineapple.


Korbel
Brut Rosé; $12
13/20This medium-dry sparkler is bright with fresh flavors of strawberry, cherry and melon.


Sonoma Valley

Signaterra
2006 Three Blocks; $50

13.5/20A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (64 percent) and Merlot (36 percent), this organic wine offers dark chocolate and cigar aromas and flavors of currant and plum.

Suisun Valley

Red Côte
2008 Rosé; $10
12.5/20Comprised of two-thirds Merlot and one-third Syrah, this wine exhibits brisk acidity with citrus and strawberry flavors.


SOUTH COAST

Malibu Newton Canyon

Rosenthal the Malibu Estate
2005 Surfrider Red Dessert Wine; $12
14/20 — A full-bodied dessert wine with a character of plum, raspberry and spice.


Rosenthal the Malibu Estate
2005 Malibu Newton Canyon Merlot, the Devon Vineyard; $26
13.5/20 — This Merlot has 12 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 5 percent Petit Verdot blended in, and offers full-bodied taste with smooth texture.


Temecula Valley

Thornton
NV Brut; $24
13.5/20Apple, pear, and tropical aromas meld with toasty yeast flavors, while the finish is long and creamy.


MICHIGAN

LEELANAU PENINSULA

L. Mawby
N.V. Cremant Classic Brut; $22
13.5/20
Made completely from Vignoles grapes, this medium-bodied sparkling wine exhibits yeasty and nutty aromas on the nose and fruit flavors in the mouth.


OREGON

WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Cooper Mountain Vineyards
2008 Reserve Chardonnay; $15
13.5/20Made from organic and biodynamic grapes, this wine offers subtle notes of mineral and apple, with hints of vanilla.


WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Gorman Winery
2006 Zachary's Ladder; $30
14/20A blend of 65 percent Merlot; 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon; and 10 percent Petit Verdot, this meritage displays good balance of fruit and oak.


HORSE HEAVEN HILLS

Alder Ridge Winery
2006 Malbec; $40
14/20A bouquet of plum, blackberries and currants leads into a pallet of plums, wet basalt and elegant tannins.

WALLA WALLA VALLEY

Nicholas Cole Cellars
2006 Dauphiné Estate Syrah; $36

14.5/20Smokey, with balanced fruit flavors, smooth tannins and a soft finish.

Seven Hills
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Seven Hills Vineyard; $32

13.5/20This elegant wine displays flavors ranging from dried herb to red and black fruits.

CANADA

ONTARIO

NIAGARA PENINSULA

Le Clos Jordanne
2006 Village Reserve Chardonnay; $30

15/20Exhibiting intense melon and pear fruit flavors in the mouth, this wine finishes on minerally stone fruit.

13th Street Winery
2008 13° Below Zero Riesling; $19 (375 ml)

14.5/20A versatile wine, this Riesling offers fruity sweetness with succulent acidity; pairs well with mild blue and sharp-aged cheeses.

Tawse Winery
2007 Wismer Vineyard Cabernet Franc; $42

14/20This wine displays a palate of cranberry, mulberry and pomegranate, with a lengthy finish.

AUSTRALIA

SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Black Swan
2009 South Eastern Australia Pinot Grigio; $8
12.5/20Pale straw in color, this wine displays citrusy and light floral aromas with pear and stone fruit flavors.


McWilliam's Hanwood Estate
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon; $12
13/20Aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry lead into flavors of cassis with vanilla oak notes.

EUROPE

FRANCE

BORDEAUX


Château Grand Corbin-Despagne
2009 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé François Despagne; $22
15/20
Displaying complex notes of red fruits, this wine, when young, pairs well with meats and game.

Château La Marzelle
2009 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé Philippe Genevey; $40
14.5/20
With a rich palate and good density, this wine displays a complex nose and fresh tannins.

BURGUNDY

Domaine Tollot-Beaut
2006 Beaune-Greves Premier Cru; $50
15/20
This full-bodied wine exhibits oily characteristics with notes of rhubarb and soil.

Domaine Pierre Matrot
2007 Puligny Montrachet Les Chalumeaux Premier Cru; $57
14.5/20
A crisp white wine with nice acidity; offers lemon and mineral on the palate.

CHAMPAGNE

Dom Pérignon
Rosé Oenothèque 1990; $1,000
18.5/20
The first Dom Pérignon Rosé of the Oenothèque family, this wine shows intensity and warmth with an exotic bouquet of papaya, crystallized orange, curry leaves and sweet spices.

Champagne Jacquart
N.V. Prestige Cuvée Brut de Nominée; $65
15.5/20
An equal blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this cuvee offers aromas of grapefruit and lime, with fresh flavors and hints of brioche on the long finish.

LOIRE VALLEY

Domaine des Baumard
Crémant de Loire Carte Corail Rosé; $19
13/20
This dry sparkler with delicate foam offers lively flavors of red currants and raspberries.

Langlois Chateau
Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé; $19
13/20
Offering fine bubbles and fruitiness, this sparkling rosé is perfect for red fruit desserts.

MOULIN-A-VENT

Georges Duboeuf
2008 Moulin-a-Vent; $15
13.5/20The most robust wine of the Beaujolais, this Gamay is full-bodied with good length.

NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES

Louis Bouillot
Perle de Nuit, Blanc de Noirs Brut; $19
13/20This Crémant de Bourgogne is comprised of 90 percent Pinot Noir and 10 percent Gamay, and is full-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel.

PROVENCE

Famille Negrel
Instant Eternel Rosé; $25
14/20
Aromas of citrus and gooseberry lead into red fruit flavors in the mouth, with elegant minerality.

SPAIN

PRIORAT

Bodegas Mas Alta
2005 Artigas; $40
14.5/20
Comprised of 65 percent Grenache and 35 percent Carignan, this wine is smooth and spicy, with notes of blueberry, lavender, and cherry.

NEW ZEALAND

MARLBOROUGH

Cupcake
2009 Sauvignon Blanc; $14
13/20
Hints of grapefruit, gooseberry and citrus are rounded by a long, creamy finish.

Wither Hills
2003 Pinot Noir; $25
14/20A richly flavored Pinot Noir showing bright cherry and spice notes.

SOUTH AFRICA

STELLENBOSCH

Waterford Estate
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; $18
14/20Ripe tannins and notes of cedar, leather and truffle lead into a refined long, dry finish.


WESTERN CAPE

Bouchard Finlayson
2008 Blanc de Mer; $24
14.5/20This white blend offers fruit flavors on the palate of kiwi, peaches, pineapple and honeysuckle; Pair with oysters or fresh fish.


New Releases Main Page


PET032310
(Updated: 05/22/13 BH)


Sip on GAYOT's picks of the best small-production craft beers.

Sip straight or mix up a margarita with GAYOT's picks of the best tequilas under $100.