New Wine Releases March 2014

ARIZONA

SONOITA

Pillsbury Wine Company
2011 Diva; $38
13.5/20 — Composed of 72.5 percent Syrah, 17 percent Mourvedre, and 10.5 percent Petite Sirah, this proprietary red blend boasts intense red fruit flavors with a touch of spice and supple tannins. 580 cases.

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Arroyo Seco

Carmel Road
2012 "Liberated" Chardonnay; $16
13.5/20 — Fermented in stainless steel, this fresh tasting Chardonnay features apple and mineral flavors with a hint of orange blossom.

Edna Valley

True Myth
2012 Edna Valley Chardonnay; $18
13.5/20 — Crisp and fragrant, it exhibits ripe pear and pineapple flavors with hints of citrus and vanilla. 13,532 cases.

Paso Robles

Justin
2010 Justification; $48
15/20 — Composed of 64 percent Cabernet Franc and 36 percent Merlot, this well-structured red wine boasts rich red fruit flavors with earthy notes and hints of baking spice.

Santa Lucia Highlands

La Rochelle
2009 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir; $38
14/20 — This full-bodied Pinot Noir shows intense red fruit flavors with hints of violet and baking spice and well-structured tannins.

Sta Rita Hills

Rozak
2007 Estate "A" Block Pinot Noir; $30
15/20 — Medium-bodied and earthy, it features rich dark cherry and plum flavors, supple tannins and good length. 275 cases.

NORTH COAST

Carneros

Gary Farrell
2010 Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir; $50
14.5/20 — Showing raspberry and violet aromas on the nose, it reveals intense bramble and cherry flavors with earthy notes and soft tannins. 784 cases.

Stomping Girl Wines
2011 Beresini Vineyard Pinot Noir; $36
14/20 — Exhibiting earthy and spicy aromas on the nose, this silky red wine reveals raspberry and boysenberry flavors in the mouth. 150 cases.

V. Sattui
2011 Secco Riesling; $25
13.5/20 — This dry Riesling offers pear and pineapple flavors with floral and mineral notes.

Lake County

Chacewater
2012 Lake County Riesling; $16
13.5/20 — Made from organically grown grapes, it features tropical fruit flavors and a crisp acidity. 300 cases.

Napa Valley

Beaulieu Vineyard
2009 Reserve Tapestry; $60
15/20 — A mostly Cabernet Sauvignon blend of Bordeaux varietals, this well-balanced red wine boasts lush dark fruit flavors and an expansive texture.

Black Stallion
2012 Pinot Grigio; $22
13.5/20 — An aromatic and fruity wine, it offers white fruit flavors with a touch of honey and marzipan.

Long Meadow Ranch
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon; $47
14/20 — Blended with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this big-bodied wine feels much stronger than its moderate 13.5 percent would indicate. 2,728 cases.

Russian River Valley

Iron Horse
2008 Brut X; $50
14/20 — An extra dry offering, it is a crisp blend of 72 percent Pinot Noir and 28 percent Chardonnay. 500 cases.

Sonoma County

Rodney Strong
2011 Knotty Vines Zinfandel; $25
13.5/20 — This rich, full-bodied red wine features concentrated jammy fruit flavors with aromatic spice notes.

CENTRAL VALLEY

Clarksburg

LangeTwins
2011 Viognier; $16
13/20 — A fairly full-bodied and aromatic wine, it features mineral and stone fruit flavors with a touch of bitterness on the clean finish.

Lodi

Brazin
2010 Lodi Zinfandel; $17
14/20 — This thick and inky Zinfandel shows a good balance of acidity, dark fruit flavors and firm tannins. 25,000 cases.

MULTIPLE AVAS

Ballatore
Gran Spumante; $8
12/20 — A sweet sparkling wine featuring stone fruit flavors, it pairs well with desserts like panna cotta or fruit compote.

Cannonball
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon; $14
13/20 — Blended with a little Petite Sirah and Syrah, this easy-drinking red wine offers juicy berry flavors and supple tannins.

Kendall-Jackson
2012 Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay; $17
13/20 — This nicely oaked Chardonnay exhibits fresh citrus and tropical fruit flavors and a lengthy finish.

NEW YORK

FINGER LAKES

Keuka Lake Vineyards
2011 Dry Riesling; $30
14/20 — At just 11.5 percent alcohol, this food-friendly white reveals crisp tropical fruit and mineral flavors on the palate.

OREGON

WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Soléna
2011 Grand Cuvée Pinot Noir; $25
13.5/20 — This medium-bodied red wine features bright raspberry and damson plum flavors with earthy and herbal notes. 5,300 cases.

VIRGINIA

MONTICELLO

Trump Winery
2008 SP Blanc de Blanc; $45
14/20 — A crisp and refreshing sparkler, it boasts citrus and pear flavors with a hint of custard on the finish. 8,000 cases.

WASHINGTON

HORSE HEAVEN HILLS

Cor Cellars
2011 Momentum; $18
13/20 — Composed of 46 percent Malbec, 46 percent Merlot and 8 percent Petit Verdot, this full-bodied blend features black fruit flavors with plenty of spice notes. 480 cases.

MOROCCO

Zenata

Ouled Thaleb
2011 Un-oaked Chardonnay; $16
14/20 — Fermented in concrete tanks, this fresh-flavored Chardonnay offers crisp apple, pear and mineral notes.

SOUTH AFRICA

Western Cape

Klein Steenberg
2013 Sauvignon Blanc; $11
13/20 — Showing citrus and floral notes on the nose, it reveals crisp tropical fruit flavors and a clean finish.

GREAT BRITAIN

Surrey

Denbies
2009 Juniper Hill; $N/A
13.5/20 — A blend of Schönburger and Müller Thurgau grapes, this aromatic white wine offers tropical fruit flavors with a somewhat sweet finish.

FRANCE

Bordeaux

Rousset Peyraguey
2004 Sélection Sauternes; $36
14/20 — This full-bodied dessert wine boasts an excellent balance of apricot, acidity and residual sugar.

Rhône Valley

Marrenon
2012 Grande Toque Luberon; $12
13/20 — Composed of 80 percent Syrah and 20 percent Grenache, it exhibits fresh red fruit flavors with floral and herbal notes. 10,000 cases.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné
2009 Parallèle 45 Côtes du Rhône; $11
13/20 — A blend of Grenache and Syrah, this easy-drinking red wine offers juicy berry flavors and soft tannins.

South West France

Distillerie Artisanale Cazottes
Liqueur de Prunelle; $N/A (500 ml)
13.5/20 — Like a fruit wine, this sweet liqueur made from sloeberries clocks in at just 18 percent alcohol; a treat if you can find it.

Plaimont Producteurs
2008 Plénitude Madiran; $21
13.5/20 — Composed of 75 percent Tannat and 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, this rich, rustic wine features black fruit flavors with earthy and dried fruit notes.

ITALY

Chianti

Fattoria i Veroni
2010 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG; $25
14/20 — This full-bodied Sangiovese displays fragrant blackberry and red fruit aromas that continue on the palate alongside spice notes and supple tannins.

Umbria

Antonelli
2007 Sagrantino di Montefalco; $45
14.5/20 — A thick, dry wine, it boasts concentrated blackberry and plum flavors and firm, sturdy tannins.

Veneto

Da Luca
2012 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT; $13
13/20 — Crisp and fruity, this dry white wine offers stone fruit flavors and a hint of almond.

SPAIN

La Mancha

Opera Prima
Bellini; $8
12.5/20 — Aping the classic Venetian drink, this sparkling wine is made from peach nectar and Airen grapes for a sweet, refreshing aperitif.

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Bodegas Salentein
2010 Reserve Malbec; $18
13.5/20 — Rather thick and rustic, this heavy red wine features dark fruit flavors with earthy notes and firm tannins.

Valentin Bianchi
2010 Sensual Cabernet Sauvignon; $10
12.5/20 — Fruit-forward and food-friendly, it features juicy blackberry flavors with herbal notes and moderate tannins. 35,000 cases.

AUSTRALIA

North West Victoria

Deakin Estate
2011 Chardonnay; $7
13/20 — This medium-bodied Chardonnay offers ripe apple, pear and nectarine flavors and a creamy mouthfeel.

NEW ZEALAND

MARLBOROUGH

New Zealand
2013 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc; $15
13.5/20 — Crisp and aromatic, it displays citrus and tropical fruit flavors and a clean finish. 69,000 cases.

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