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New Wine Releases July 2014

South Coast Winery Brut sparkling wine with dinner in Temecula, CA

New Wine Reviews - July 2014

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

NORTH AMERICA

UNITED STATES

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Edna Valley

Claiborne & Churchill
2010 Pinot Noir; $28
14/20This medium-bodied red wine features candied cherry and raspberry flavors with a touch of baking spice and silky tannins. 1,918 cases.


Santa Maria Valley

Cambria Estate Winery
2012 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay; $22
13/20Fruit-forward and fresh-flavored, it shows notes of tropical and stone fruits leading to a crisp, clean finish.


Sta Rita Hills

Koehler
2011 Pinot Noir; $55
15.5/20An elegantly crafted wine, it boasts ripe red fruit flavors with lavender and earth notes.


CENTRAL VALLEY

Lodi

Freelance Wines
2011 Coup de Grâce Red Wine; $28
13.5/20Composed of 56 percent old vine Zinfandel, 21 percent Petite Sirah, 16 percent Petit Verdot and 7 percent Cabernet Franc, this robust red blend features earthy blackberry and black currant flavors and sturdy tannins.


NORTH COAST

Alexander Valley

Seghesio
2007 Aglianico; $38
14.5/20This southern Italian varietal makes a full-bodied red wine showing rustic berry flavors and chewy tannins. 324 cases.


Carneros

Fleury Estate Winery
2010 Pinot Noir; $75
16/20Boasting fragrant aromas and concentrated fruit flavors, this well-balanced Pinot Noir reveals spicy berry flavors and velvety tannins in the mouth.


Dry Creek Valley

Truett Hurst
2011 Red Rooster Zinfandel; $31
14/20This robust Zinfandel shows ripe blackberry and boysenberry flavors with black pepper notes. 900 cases.


Lake County

Chacewater
2012 Sauvignon Blanc; $14
13/20This aromatic white wine displays bright grapefruit and gooseberry flavors and a lively acidity. 300 cases.


Napa Valley

Chateau Montelena
2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; $150
17.5/20An impressive and well-structured wine, it boasts an excellent balance of ripe fruit, mouthwatering acidity and supple tannins.


Faust
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon; $50
14.5/20This full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon features rich black fruit flavors with notes of black tea and mocha.


Herzog Special Reserve
2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; $40
13.5/20Disappointing and uneven, this usually good producer puts forth a poor showing with this ripe red wine. 1,000 cases.


Shafer
2011 Merlot; $50
14.5/20Blended with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot, this robust Merlot features jammy fruit flavors and moderate tannins.


Russian River Valley

Biltmore Estate
2009 Blanc de Blancs Méthode Champenoise Brut; $25
13.5/20This crisp sparkling Chardonnay offers apple and pear flavors with floral and yeasty notes.


Macrostie
2011 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay; $44
15/20 With long lasting citrus notes and a subtle creaminess, this well-balanced Chardonnay has a rich mineral complexity that stays on the palate. 68 cases.


Sonoma Coast

La Rochelle
2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir; $42
14.5/20This fuller bodied Pinot Noir boasts ripe cherry and raspberry flavors with hints of rose petal and blood orange. 326 cases.


Sonoma County

Cline
2012 Sonoma Zinfandel; $30
14/20Overly ripe and jammy, it displays sweet red fruit flavors and soft tannins.


Murphy-Goode
2010 Liar's Dice Zinfandel; $21
13.5/20This easy-drinking Zinfandel exhibits ripe black fruit flavors with a touch of peppery spice and supple tannins.


SIERRA FOOTHILLS

El Dorado

Cedarville
2012 Syrah; $27
13.5/20Made with 4 percent Viognier, this organic, fruit-forward Syrah features lavender and red fruit aromas balanced by supple tannins. 131 cases.


Narrow Gate Vineyards
2008 Estate Primitivo; $24
14/20This certified biodynamic red wine features earthy red fruit flavors with hints of smoke and spice.


SOUTH COAST

Cucamonga Valley

Robert Renzoni
2010 Old Vine Zinfandel; $34
14.5/20Sourced from the historic Lopez Ranch, this robust, yet surprisingly balanced Zinfandel features complex, concentrated fruit flavors.


Temecula Valley

South Coast Winery
2013 Brut; $19
13.5/20Composed of 65 percent Chardonnay and 35 percent Pinot Noir, this crisp sparkling wine offers baked apple and toasty flavors.


MULTIPLE AVAS

Barefoot Refresh
Crisp Red; $8
13/20Low in alcohol at 9.5 percent, this fizzy blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio displays juicy cherry and raspberry flavors.


Cultivate
2010 The Feast; $18
13/20This blend of mostly Merlot with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah offers dark fruit flavors and chewy tannins.


Ironstone
2011 Obsession Red; $15
12.5/20Composed of 50 percent Merlot, 40 percent Zinfandel and 10 percent Petite Sirah, it exhibits spicy black fruit flavors and a spicy finish.


Sutter Home
2011 Sweet Red; $5
12.5/20This semi-sweet wine is blended from Merlot, Zinfandel and Moscato for a fresh and fruity drink best served chilled.

More New Releases

wine.com

PBH062614
UBH062714


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