New Wine Releases January 2014

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Concannon Vineyard
2010 Selected Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon; $10
12.5/20 — Blended with some Merlot and Petite Sirah, this easy-drinking Cabernet Sauvignon offers soft red fruit flavors and firm tannins. 60,000 cases.

NORTH COAST

Luna Vineyards
2010 Merlot; $30
14/20 — Composed of 86 percent Merlot and 14 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, this fruity red tastes of blackberry and plum with a touch of vanilla.

Dry Creek Valley

Bradford Mountain
2011 Dry Creek Red Field Blend; $22
13/20 — This blend of Syrah, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah is a fairly big wine featuring dark fruit flavors with a touch of spice on the finish. 600 cases.

Gary Farrell
2010 Bradford Mountain Vineyard Zinfandel; $45
14.5/20 — Dry and complex, it boasts earthy black fruit flavors and smooth tannins. 318 cases.

Napa Valley

Heitz Cellar
2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; $45
15/20 — Rich and full-bodied, this classic Napa Cab displays fragrant berry aromas, intense fruit flavors and supple tannins.

Hill Family Estate
2011 Clarke Vineyard Syrah; $40
15/20 — This Rhône-style Syrah is bold and spicy, showing black cherry and fig flavors with a touch of smoke. 475 cases.

Knighton Family Vineyards
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon; $95
16/20 — Well-structured and impressive, this limited production wine boasts complex fruit flavors and big, sturdy tannins that bode well for cellaring.

Russian River Valley

Iron Horse
2008 Classic Vintage Brut; $38
14/20 — Composed of 72 percent Pinot Noir and 28 percent Chardonnay, this food-friendly sparkling wine would pair well with a variety of seafood and brunch entrées. 2,300 cases.

Sonoma Coast

Donelan
2011 Nancie Chardonnay; $45
15/20 — Featuring fragrant aromas of lemon, Mandarin orange and honeydew melon, this full-bodied white wine reveals a crisp acidity and pronounced minerality in the mouth. 825 cases.

MULTIPLE AVAS

Francis Coppola
2012 Diamond Collection Sauvignon Blanc; $16
13/20 — This easy-drinking white wine offers tangy citrus aromas and flavors.

Kendall-Jackson
2012 Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc; $13
13/20 — Made from coastal fruit, it shows fragrant floral aromas and crisp citrus and mineral flavors.

V. Sattui
2010 Cuvée Rouge; $26
13/20 — A sparkling wine made from Gamay Rouge, it comes across as fairly lightweight and slightly sweet. 1,300 cases.

IDAHO

SNAKE RIVER VALLEY

Ste Chapelle
2012 Chateau Series Riesling; $9
13/20 — This semi-sweet Riesling features melon, peach and nectarine flavors that would pair well with seafood and mild cheeses. 8,600 cases.

OREGON

DUNDEE HILLS

Hyland Estates
2010 Estate Pinot Noir; $35
14/20 — Earthy and refined, it displays red berry flavors with notes of rose petal and baking spice. 690 cases.

VIRGINIA

MONTICELLO

Trump Winery
2012 Viognier; $19
14/20 — Crisp and aromatic, this dry white wine features apricot, peach and orange blossom with a hint of vanilla. 616 cases.

ROCKY KNOB

Château Morrisette
2011 Cabernet Franc; $18
13.5/20 — This fruity red wine offers red currant, cranberry and raspberry flavors that would pair well with red meats. 1,072 cases.

WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Snoqualmie
2010 Naked Cabernet Sauvignon; $13
13/20 — Made from organic fruit grown in the Horse Heaven Hills, it is a balanced and easy-drinking table wine.

Treveri Cellars
Germanic Blend; $22
13/20 — Composed of equal parts Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau and Riesling, this non-vintage sparkling is fairly dry and light, showing crisp citrus and apple flavors with a touch of minerality.

SOUTH AFRICA

Stellenbosch

Kanonkop
2011 Kadette; $15
13/20 — An interesting blend of Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this balanced red wine offers dark berry flavors with earthy hints of mocha and herbs. 3,500 cases imported.

Swartland

Seven Sisters
2013 Odelia Sweet White Wine; $10
12.5/20 — Made from the obscure Bukettraube grape, it offers heady floral aromas and sweet honeyed fruit flavors. 10,000 cases.

GREAT BRITAIN

Cornwall

Camel Valley
2011 Bacchus; $19
14/20 — Made from Bacchus grapes, this medium-bodied, dry white wine features crisp citrus and mineral flavors and a clean finish.

FRANCE

Languedoc-Roussillon

Mas de Daumas Gassac
2011 White; $40
14/20 — Composed of equal parts Chardonnay, Viognier, Petit Manseng and Chenin Blanc, this fresh and aromatic white blend is full-bodied and intensely flavored.

Rhône Valley

Domaine La Bastide Saint Vincent
2008 Vacqueyras Pavane; $20
14/20 — A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, this dry red wine pairs well with both poultry and red meat.

GERMANY

Mosel

Dr. Pauly Bergweiler
2013 Noble House Dornfelder; $13
13/20 — This sweet red table wine offers juicy cherry and plum flavors.

ITALY

Piedmont

Prunotto
2006 Bussia Barolo DOCG; $90
15.5/20 — Earthy and full-bodied, this nicely-aged Barolo boasts concentrated berry flavors with hints of spice and well-integrated tannins. 250 cases imported.

Veneto

Giovanni Allegrini
2009 Recioto della Valpolicella DOC; $65 (375 ml)
15.5/20 — Composed of 80 percent Corvina Veronese, 15 percent Rondinella and 5 percent Oseleta, this rich dessert wine features intense flavors of plum, fig and mocha. 1,958 cases.

PORTUGAL

Alentejo

Esporão
2008 Private Selection Red; $60
15/20 — A blend of Alicante Bouschet, Aragonês and Syrah, this big-bodied red wine boasts an excellent balance of fruit, acidity and tannins.

SPAIN

La Mancha

Opera Prima
Sparkling Moscato; $8
12/20 — Made using the Charmat method, this sweet sparkling wine offers fragrant floral aromas and is low in alcohol.

Rías Baixas

Paco & Lola
2011 LOLO Albariño; $13
13/20 — Characteristically dry, this light-bodied Albariño displays crisp citrus flavors and grassy notes.

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Bodega Norton
2010 Reserva Malbec; $18
13.5/20 — This bold and spicy red wine features black fruit flavors that pair well with steak and pizza.

Salentein
2011 Reserve Chardonnay; $18
13/20 — Offering citrus and pineapple aromas, it reveals green apple and lemon flavors on the palate.

AUSTRALIA

Riverland

Paringa
2012 Sparkling Shiraz; $18
13/20 — This fruity and fairly sweet sparkling red wine is best enjoyed chilled and on its own. 10,000 cases.

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