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New Wine Releases February 2014

A wine tasting couple at V. Sattui Winery in Napa Valley

New Wine Reviews - February 2014

Find tasting notes, prices and ratings for recent vintages in our selection of February 2014 new wine releases.

NORTH AMERICA

UNITED STATES

ARIZONA

SONOITA

Pillsbury Wine Company
2011 Chenin Blanc; $24
13.5/20This low alcohol (12.3 percent), dry white wine features crisp fruit flavors with a touch of lemongrass and ginger. 198 cases.


CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

La Merika
2011 Chardonnay; $12
12/20An unremarkable Chardonnay, it shows citrus and apple flavors and a creamy mouthfeel. 8,000 cases.


Liberty School
2012 Pinot Noir; $20
13/20This medium-bodied red wine offers fresh cherry and strawberry flavors with mineral and spice notes and soft tannins. 39,895 cases.


Arroyo Grande Valley

Laetitia
2009 Brut Rosé; $30
13.5/20Composed of 68 percent Chardonnay and 32 percent Pinot Noir, this crisp sparkling wine features refreshing strawberry and pomegranate flavors. 1,571 cases.


Monterey

Francis Coppola
2011 Diamond Collection Pinot Noir; $18
13/20Exhibiting fragrant aromas of plum, rose petal and clove, this smooth Pinot Noir reveals raspberry and cherry flavors in the mouth.


Paso Robles

Moonstone Cellars
2011 Vin de Tableaux; $24
13.5/20Made primarily from Merlot with some Zinfandel and Sangiovese, this fruit-forward red blend features vibrant cherry flavors and soft tannins.


San Luis Obispo County

Presqu'ile
2011 Rim Rock Vineyard Pinot Noir; $65
16/20This intense, earthy Pinot Noir boasts bright red berry flavors with baking spice notes and velvety tannins that belie its 12.7 percent alcohol content. 145 cases.


NORTH COAST

Anderson Valley

Dutton-Goldfield
2011 Angel Camp Vineyard Pinot Noir; $58
15/20This elegant Pinot Noir features candied cherry and raspberry flavors with a touch of spice, bright acidity and silky tannins. 214 cases.


Lake County

Chacewater
2012 Lake County Sauvignon Blanc; $15
13/20An organically grown, dry white wine, it offers crisp citrus flavors with mineral and herbal notes. 450 cases.


Napa Valley

Charles Krug
2010 Family Reserve Napa Valley Generations; $50
15/20Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this well-balanced red wine features rich blackberry flavors with hints of nutmeg on the finish.


Napa Cellars
2011 Napa Valley Merlot; $22
14/20Lush and fruity, this food-friendly red wine exhibits rich plum and red currant flavors and soft tannins. 5,100 cases.


Russian River Valley

Rodney Strong
2011 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir; $25
14/20This medium-bodied red wine features cherry and pomegranate flavors with a touch of vanilla and spice.


Ten Acre
2011 Cummings Vineyard Pinot Noir; $55
15.5/20Showing fragrant plum and cinnamon notes on the nose, it reveals blackberry, baking spice and vanilla in the mouth and soft, silky tannins.


Sonoma County

Cannonball
2011 Merlot; $14
13/20Full-bodied and food-friendly, it offers lush red fruit flavors and aromas and a soft, smooth finish.


MULTIPLE AVAS

HandCraft
2012 Inspiration White Wine; $25
13.5/20A blend of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Moscato and Pinot Grigio, this fragrant fruity wine features fresh, crisp and interesting flavors. 7,500 cases.


V. Sattui
2012 Muscat; $25
13.5/20This sweet dessert wine exhibits just enough alcohol (12 percent) and acidity to remain balanced, while expressing plenty of enticing fruit flavors. 3,358 cases.


OREGON

WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Brooks
2010 Ara Riesling; $25
13.5/20An aromatic white wine, this off-dry Riesling shows ripe floral, citrus and spice notes, low alcohol (11.5 percent) and high acidity. 300 cases.


VIRGINIA

MONTICELLO

Trump Winery
2007 SP Reserve; $45
14.5/20This sparkling wine made entirely from Chardonnay boasts crisp, golden apple flavors and a crisp mouthfeel. 550 cases.

AFRICA

MOROCCO

Zenata

Ouled Thaleb
2012 Moroccan Red Blend; $14
13/20Composed of 70 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 30 percent Grenache, this full-bodied red wine offers dark fruit flavors and firm tannins. 400 cases imported.


SOUTH AFRICA

Stellenbosch

Neil Ellis
2006 Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon; $30
14/20This ripe, full-bodied red wine features earthy dark fruit flavors with a touch of mint and supple tannins.


Western Cape

Klein Steenberg
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc; $11
13/20An easy-drinking red blend, it reveals earthy fruit flavors in the mouth with hints of tobacco and spice.

EUROPE

GREAT BRITAIN

Kent

Chapel Down
Vintage Reserve Brut; $31
14/20This full-bodied sparkling wine boasts crisp citrus flavors with a touch of pomegranate and fig on the finish.


FRANCE

Alsace

Helfrich
Crémant d'Alsace Brut; $20
13/20Made from Pinot Blanc, this delicate sparkling wine exhibits refreshing fruit flavors and a crisp, minerally finish.


Champagne

Champagne Devaux
Cuvée D; $66
15.5/20Composed of 60 percent Pinot Noir and 40 percent Chardonnay, this multi-vintage Champagne boasts a creamy mouthfeel and notes of orange, honey and spice.


Rhône Valley

Famille Perrin
2009 Vinsobres Les Cornuds; $22
13.5/20A blend of Grenache and Syrah, this dry red wine exhibits bold black fruit flavors with notes of licorice and pepper.


ITALY

Piedmont

Villa Rosa
Asti DOCG; $15
13.5/20This sweet sparkling Moscato displays fragrant floral aromas and fresh stone fruit flavors.


Veneto

Allegrini
2008 Amarone della Valpolicella DOC; $85
15.5/20Composed of 80 percent Corvina Veronese, 15 percent Rondinella and 5 percent Oseleta, this robut red wine boasts concentrated cherry, plum, mocha and fig flavors. 10,400 cases.


Zardetto
2012 Zeta Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superior DOCG; $23
13/20This dry sparkling wine offers fragrant floral and tropical fruit aromas and an elegant, creamy texture. 8,333 cases.


Zyme
2007 Kairos; $90
14.5/20A blend of more than a dozen noble and indigenous varietals, this complex, full-bodied wine is fairly well-balanced and shows a variety of flavors and aromas.


PORTUGAL

Alentejo

Esporão
2010 Late Harvest; $17
13.5/20This dessert wine made from Semillon features peach and orange peel flavors and enough acidity to balance the residual sugar. 277 cases.

SOUTH AMERICA

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Valentin Bianchi
2011 LEO Premium Malbec; $30
13.5/20A heavy, dry red wine, this spicy Malbec features dark fruit flavors and sturdy tannins. 10,000 cases.


Viña Alicia
2008 Brote Negro Malbec; $90
14.5/20This full-bodied Malbec boasts intense blackberry and mineral flavors with hints of licorice and violet and supple tannins. 230 cases.


CHILE

Central Valley

Concha y Toro
2009 Don Melchor; $125
14.5/20Made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon with a little Cabernet Franc, this full-bodied wine features bold black fruit flavors and firm tannins. 10,000 cases.

AUSTRALASIA

AUSTRALIA

Western Australia

Hope Estate
2010 "The Ripper" Shiraz; $20
13/20This thick, inky wine offers ripe berry flavors with earthy and spicy notes and sturdy tannins.

NEW ZEALAND

MARLBOROUGH

Astrolabe
2012 Province Sauvignon Blanc; $23
13.5/20A medium-bodied white wine, it shows crisp citrus flavors with mineral notes and a clean finish.

More New Releases

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