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





New Wine Releases June 2010

New wine releases from around the world

NORTH AMERICA

UNITED STATES

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Liberty School
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon; $12

13/20This wine exhibits rich berry flavors, silky but firm tannins and a ripe finish with good length.

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

Monterey County


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


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


Paso Robles

Eberle Winery

2009 Estate Muscat Canelli; $15

13.5/20Aromas 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

13.5/20This 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

15.5/20This 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

14/20Made from biodynamic-certified grapes, this wine displays intense fruit flavors and crisp acidity.

Beckmen Vineyards
2009 Grenache Rosé, Purisima Mountain Vineyard; $18

13.5/20Bright and refreshing, this wine exhibits flavors and aromas of watermelon, cherry and spicy strawberry.


NORTH COAST

Bennett Valley

Matanzas Creek Winery
2006 L'Ultime Red Dessert Wine; $35 (500 ml)
14.5/20Notes 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.


High Valley

Brassfield Estate
2007 Serenity Proprietary White Wine; $14
14/20Mostly 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.

Mendocino

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

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.


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


Duckhorn Vineyards
2006 Napa Valley Merlot, Three Palms Vineyard; $85
16.5/20Enticing 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.


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


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.


Mumm Napa
Brut Rosé; $24
13/20Coral 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.


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.


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

Barefoot
Pinot Noir; $6
12.5/20Offering 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.


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


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

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


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


WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Brian Carter Cellars

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

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

WALLA WALLA VALLEY

Watermill Winery
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; $24

14/20Aromas of plums, figs, and walnuts are accented by hints of chocolate and smoke; Enjoy with beef or dark chocolate.

AUSTRALIA

SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Yellow Tail Reserve

2008 Shiraz; $12
14/20
This full-bodied wine offers flavors of ripe berries and dark cherry, with hints of chocolate and mocha.

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.

EUROPE

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 percent Pinot Noir and 20 percent Pinot Meunier is full-bodied with clean flavor.

COTES DE PROVENCE

Chateau d'Esclans, Les Clans

2007 Rosé; $69
13/20
Comprised of 75 percent Grenache and 25 percent 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.

PAYS D'OC

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

ITALY

PIEDMONT

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

TUSCANY

Selvapiana
2008 Chianti Rufina DOCG; $17
15/20This 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
15/20A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine displays rich, jammy flavors of dark fruit.

NEW ZEALAND

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.

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
2008 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.

Nobilo
2009 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.

SOUTH AFRICA

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.

WESTERN CAPE

Bouchard Finlayson

2008 Missionvale Chardonnay; $22
14.5/20
This vintage is characterized by flavors of wood tones over layers of vanilla, pear, mango and yeasty lees.

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

SOUTH AMERICA

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.

New Releases Main Page


PET042810
(Updated: 05/22/13 BH)


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