New Wine Releases May 2010

Hayman & Hill
2008 Reserve Selection Pinot Noir; $17
13/20 — The nose and palate show red raspberry and cranberry characters, with subtle hints of pepper and earth.

Santa Maria Valley

Laetitia
2006 Brut de Blancs; $28
13/20 — A nose of floral and citrus leads into sweet apple and peach flavors; peach and citrus notes linger on the finish.

NORTH COAST

Carneros

Gloria Ferrer
2006 Brut Rosé; $42
14/20 — Pale salmon colored, this sparkling rosé offers a nose of strawberry, lemon, pear and vanilla; A creamy entry to the palate leads to tangy raspberry and citrus flavors.

Dry Creek Valley

Dashe Cellars
2008 Late Harvest Zinfandel; $24 (375 ml)
14.5/20 — Explosive flavors of fruit including raspberry, black currant and plum are balanced with nice acidity; an ideal dessert wine.

Quivira
2009 Grenache Rosé; $15
13.5/20 — This floral and fruity wine is dry yet gentile; a perfect summer picnic companion.

Quivira
2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Fig Tree Vineyard; $18
13.5/20 — Displaying fresh citrus characteristics, this wine opens with a nose of citrus blossoms and ripe melon; Pair with shellfish or even a roast pork.

Napa Valley

Blackbird Vineyards
2007 Arise; $50
16/20 — This predominately Merlot (75 percent) red blend is inviting in its youth, offering fine-grained tannins with structure and balance; A dense palate displays flavors of red fruits, plum and smoky-savory notes.

Franciscan Estate
2006 Merlot; $22
13.5/20 — Cherry, sage and blackcurrant flavors fill the palate, finishing with sweet notes of vanilla and tobacco.

Frank Family Vineyards
2008 Pinot Noir; $35
14.5/20 — Red raspberry and cherry aromas lead into a supple, polished palate layered with strawberries, cranberries, cherry cola, rhubarb pie, cinnamon and honey.

Krupp Brothers
2007 Black Bart Marsanne, Stagecoach Vineyard; $35
14.5/20 — This white wine exhibits an intriguing minerality with aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine; The palate bursts with flavors of honey, apricots, peaches and almonds.

Ma(i)sonry
2008 Napa Valley Marsanne; $38
14/20 — A Rhone Valley-inspired varietal, this wine opens with a fragrant nose of ripe melon and iris flower; The palate offers notes of cantaloupe, butterscotch and caramel.

Robert Mondavi Winery
2008 Napa Valley Fumé Blanc; $20
14/20 — Intense aromas of lemongrass mingle with subtle lime scents; The palate displays mouthfilling flavors of yellow peach.

Robert Mondavi Winery
2006 Merlot; $23
13.5/20 — This Merlot offers fleshy blueberry and blackberry flavors with well-structured tannins and a lengthy finish.

Sonoma Coast

Pali Wine Co.
2008 Riviera Pinot Noir; $19
13.5/20 — This wine offers a rich palate of black fruits mingling with fresh raspberry, black pepper and wet stone.

Pfendler
2008 Chardonnay; $38
14.5/20 — Aromas of baked apple, lemongrass, and pear lead into notes of creme brule, lychee nut, and lime; the finish is long and silky.

Sonoma County

Blackstone
2007 Sonoma Reserve Rubric; $23
13.5/20 — Lively aromas of cherry and herbs intertwine with flavors of blackberry pie, caramel, and subtle notes of coffee.

Clos du Bois
2007 Pinot Noir, North Coast; $20
13/20 — A balanced palate exhibits flavors of cherry, toast, blackberry liqueur, and a hint of cranberry.

Dan Aykroyd
2007 Discovery Series Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon; $19
13.5/20 — Ripe aromas of blackberry and raspberry are completed by a touch of spice at the finish.

Freestone
2007 Pinot Noir; $55
14.5/20 — This wine exhibits layers of sandalwood, anise, cassis and dried tea leaves, with density lingering on the palate of plum, cherries, black tea and tobacco.

Gallo Family Vineyards
2006 Sonoma Merlot; $15
14/20 — Warm, inviting aromas of berries, baked pie and vanilla lead into a rich palate of blackberry pie, wild berries and jam.

Stags Leap District

Shafer
2007 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon; $70
14.5/20 — Elegant and silky, this wine displays soft tannins and abundant fruit; A thick mouthfeel stands in contrast to a noticeably high alcohol content.

St. Helena

Ehlers Estate
2006 Estate Merlot; $45
14/20 — Leading with aromas of black cherry, spice, brown sugar, mint and vanilla, this merlot exhibits silky texture and fine tannins.

Suisun Valley

Seven Artisans
2007 Petite Sirah; $18
13.5/20 — Well-structured with good acidity, this wine offers dark fruit flavors that pair well with full-flavored foods.

SOUTH COAST

Malibu

Rosenthal the Malibu Estate
2006 Malibu Newton Canyon Merlot, the Devon Vineyard; $26
14.5/20 — This Merlot is full yet supple, offering notes of black cherry, plum, and spice; An elegant mid-palate leads into a lingering finish.

MULTIPLE AVAs

Barefoot
Pinot Grigio; $6
12.5/20 — This medium-bodied inexpensive wine offers hints of green apple, citrus florals and white peaches.

Mirassou
2009 California Pinot Grigio; $12
13/20 — A crisp wine, this Pinot Grigio displays aromas and flavors of apple, peach, pear and citrus.

Red Rock Winery
2008 Reserve California Malbec; $10
13/20 — Ripe berry and floral aromas yield to flavors of boysenberry, currants and cherries; rounded tannins offer a silky mouthfeel.

MICHIGAN

LEELANAU PENINSULA

L. Mawby
Blanc de Noir Brut; $19
14/20 — Elegant and moderately full-bodied, this sparkler was fermented in stainless steel tanks.

OREGON

WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Cooper Mountain Vineyards
2007 Reserve Pinot Noir; $24
13.5/20 — A clean raspberry bouquet leads into a palate of cherry fruit with velvety tannins and toasty oak on the finish.

WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Cupcake Vineyards
2009 Dry Riesling; $15
13/20 — This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of grapefruit, pineapple, and nectarine; Pair with Asian cuisine or spicy chicken.

ONTARIO

NIAGARA PENINSULA

Inniskillin
2007 Vidal Icewine; $50
15/20 — Alluring fruit flavors of nectarine, papaya, lychee, tangerine and orange blossoms are combined with lively acidity, giving the wine a pleasing sweet and tart profile.

FRANCE

CHABLIS

William Fevre
2007 Chablis Champs Royaux; $25
13.5/20 — Opening with a fresh bouquet of citrus and white-flesh fruit, this wine is marked by mineral notes; Pairs well with seafood and oysters.

CHAMPAGNE

Champagne Dom Pérignon
Rosé Vintage 2000; $400
18/20 — This sparkler has unique glints of amber and copper in its color, and a palate with surprisingly brilliant and fleshy fruitiness.

Champagne Krug
Grande Cuvée Brut; $170
17/20 — Gleaming gold in color, this Champagne offers an expansive bouquet and an explosion of flavors including toast, soft spices, dried fruits and candied fruits.

Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte
1999 Cuvée 225 Brut; $115
16/20 — A vibrant palate shows warmth and complexity with green apple notes; Great finesse and a long finish.

Champagne Pommery
Springtime Brut Rosé NV; $65
15/20— This young rose is lively and fresh with excellent effervescence; A perfect match for fresh fish or garden vegetables.

CHÉNAS

Georges Duboeuf
2008 Chenas; $13
12.5/20 — Deep ruby in color, this wine displays a blending of red fruit and floral aromas, with delicate spice tones.

FLEURIE

Georges Duboeuf
2008 Fleurie Domaine des Quatre Vents; $16
12.5/20 — This Gamay offers a bouquet of violets and pairs well with grilled chicken or roasted leg of lamb.

JULIÉNAS

Georges Duboeuf
2008 Julienas, Chateau des Capitans; $17
12/20 — Deep red in color, this wine displays a fruity nose of peach and raspberry with a touch of cinnamon.

MORGON

Georges Duboeuf
2008 Morgon Jean Descombes; $16
13/20 — This red Beaujolais wine is a popular Cru with full, heady aromas and sumptuous flavors of blackcurrant, strawberry and kirsch.

ITALY

CHIANTI

Da Vinci
2006 Chianti Classico; $27
14.5/20 — Spicy aromas of cherries and violets lead into ripe flavors of plum and dark fruit; Serve slightly below room temperature.

SICILY

Ecco Domani
2008 Sicilia Pinot Noir; $15
13.5/20 — A plush palate exhibits blueberry and blackberry flavors; Pairs well with a wide range of foods.

SPAIN

RIOJA

Marques de Caceres
2007 Barrel-Fermented White; $12
13.5/20 — This dry white wine offers rich fruit flavors with discreet notes of vanilla; Marries well with fish dishes.

WESTERN CAPE

Two Oceans
2009 Sauvignon Blanc; $8
12.5/20 — Opening with a bouquet of tropical aromas and a hint of green fig, this crisp wine exhibits ripe gooseberry flavors.

ARGENTINA

SALTA

Alamos
2009 Torrontes; $13
13/20 — Floral with aromas of orange and jasmine blossoms; The palate exhibits balanced acidity and flavors of citrus and peach.

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