New Wine Releases December 2011

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Layer Cake
2010 Pinot Noir; $15
14/20 — This rich red wine offers blackberry, cherry and plum flavors, a dense mouthfeel and an earthy finish.

Arroyo Grande Valley

Laetitia
XD; $22
14/20 — Composed of 46 per cent Chardonnay, 30 per cent Pinot Noir and 24 per cent Pinot Blanc, this sparkling white wine is light and well-balanced, offering apple and melon flavors with a hint of almond.

Livermore Valley

Concannon Vineyard
2009 Conservancy Crimson & Clover; $18
13/20 — Composed of 50 per cent Petite Sirah, 25 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 per cent Syrah and 10 per cent Zinfandel, this bold red wine offers aromas of vanilla and spice on the nose and blackberry on the palate.

NORTH COAST

Schramsberg
2008 Blanc de Blancs; $36
14.5/20 — This vintage sparkling wine offers apple, lime and pineapple aromas and flavors, revealing hints of custard and brioche towards the back of the palate.

Schramsberg
2008 Brut Rosé; $40
15/20 — A fine mousse hints at this sparkling rosé wine's delicate texture, with tiny, lively bubbles that dance across the tongue.

Vampire Vineyards
2009 Vampire Cabernet Sauvignon; $10
13.5/20 — Blended with small amounts of Merlot and Syrah, this full-bodied red wine would pair well with steaks and tomato-based pasta dishes.

Alexander Valley

Ferrari-Carano
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; $30
14.5/20 — Composed of 80 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 17 per cent Syrah and 3 per cent Petit Verdot, this earthy red wine offers cherry, vanilla and mocha aromas.

Anderson Valley

Decoy
2009 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir; $22
13.5/20 — From cherry, cola and vanilla aromas on the nose to raspberry and strawberry flavors on the palate, this balanced red wine can be enjoyed well on its own.

Carneros

Waterstone
2008 Carneros Pinot Noir; $22
13.5/20 — On the nose, it offers plum and cherry aromas with a hint of cola, while a touch of vanilla is evident on the palate.

Mendocino County

Parducci
2008 Petite Sirah; $11
13.5/20 — This full-bodied red wine offers dark fruit aromas and flavors with hints of mint and chocolate on the nose.

Napa Valley

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; $56
15/20 — Plum and blackberry aromas mingle with earthier notes, while flavors of dark fruit and spice, firm tannins and a lush mouthfeel fill out the palate.

Mumm Napa
2003 DVX; $60
14.5/20 — This complex and full-bodied sparkling wine offers apple and fig flavors and a creamy mouthfeel.

Russian River Valley

Iron Horse
2006 Ocean Reserve; $40
14/20 — Made entirely from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley, this sparkling wine offers citrus flavors on the palate with toasty notes rounding out the finish.

J Vineyards
Brut Rosé; $28
14/20 — Composed of 64 per cent Pinot Noir, 34 per cent Chardonnay and 2 per cent Pinot Meunier grapes, this dry rosé is crisp and refreshing with raspberry, lemon and blood orange flavors.

J Vineyards
J Cuvée 20 Brut NV "25th Anniversary"; $24
14.5/20 — This non-vintage sparkling wine offers an aromatic bouquet of lemon and honeysuckle with yeasty notes.

Thomas George Estates
2008 Pinot Noir Baker Ridge Vineyard; $60
15/20 — Made from old vine Pinot Noir, this rich and complex red wine offers ripe dark fruit flavors with a touch of smoke on the finish.

Sonoma Coast

MacMurray Ranch
2009 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay; $20
14/20 — This smooth white wine offers an aromatic bouquet that includes hints of caramel and vanilla, as well as ripe lemon and melon flavors on the palate.

Sonoma County

Gloria Ferrer
Va de Vi; $22
14/20 — This sparkling white wine offers aromas of apple, pear and cherry on the nose and flavors of peach and lemon on the palate.

Piper Sonoma
Blanc de Blancs NV; $16
13.5/20 — Dry and crisp, this sparkling Chardonnay offers aromas of green apple, citrus and white flowers.

SOUTH COAST

Temecula Valley

Wilson Creek
Almond Champagne; $17
13/20 — A non-vintage blend of Colombard and Chardonnay grapes, with just a hint of pure almond added, this sweet sparkling wine boasts a rich aroma and flavor much like that of marzipan.

MULTIPLE AVAS

McManis Family Vineyards
2010 Zinfandel; $12
13/20 — This fruit-forward red wine offers blackberry and raspberry flavors with hints of caramel and hazelnut on the finish.

Scharffenberger
Brut Rosé NV; $23
14.5/20 — Made from estate-grown grapes in Anderson Valley and other vineyards in Mendocino County, this sparkling rosé offers refreshing red berry and pie crust aromas and flavors.

St. Supéry
2007 Moscato; $17
14/20 — This sweet white wine offers fragrant aromas and lush flavors of peach and apricot, making it an ideal aperitif.

NEW MEXICO

MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Gruet
Demi Sec NV; $13
13.5/20 — This semi-dry sparkling wine offers green apple, pear and pineapple flavors with a hint of minerality.

Gruet
2007 Grand Rosé; $28
14/20 — Composed of 90 per cent Chardonnay and 10 per cent Pinot Noir, this sparkling rosé has lush cherry, apple and marzipan aromas and flavors.

NEW YORK

FINGER LAKES

Chateau Frank
2006 Blanc de Noirs; $30
13.5/20 — Made from estate-grown Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, this full-bodied sparkling wine offers a multi-layered bouquet of lime, vanilla, caramel and toast.

WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Buty Winery
2009 65% Sémillon, 27% Sauvignon & 8% Muscadelle; $25
14/20 — This aptly-named blend of white grape varietals offers zesty lemon aromas on the nose with fragrant floral notes.

WALLA WALLA VALLEY

Buty Winery
2009 Rediviva of the Stones; $55
14.5/20 — Composed of 79 per cent Syrah and 21 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, this complex red wine offers earthy and fruity flavors and smooth, silky tannins.

FRANCE

Burgundy

JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset
No. 69; $20
13/20 — Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Burgundy region of France, this refreshing rosé is light and crisp, offering raspberry and red currant aromas.

Simonnet-Febvre
Crémant Brut Rosé; $18
13/20 — This sparkling white wine offers fresh strawberry and raspberry flavors with a hint of creamy mousse on the lingering finish.

Champagne

Ayala
Rosé Majeur; $50
14/20 — Containing 9 per cent still red wine in its blend, Ayala Rosé Majeur offers a fragrant bouquet of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry on the nose and firm tannins in the mouth.

Besserat de Bellefon
Cuvée des Moines Brut Blanc de Blancs; $65
14.5/20 — This food-friendly Champagne offers apricot and honey flavors with soft mineral notes.

Besserat de Bellefon
Cuvée des Moines Brut Rosé; $65
14.5/20 — A traditional blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varietals, this dry rosé Champagne offers red berry, almond and floral aromas.

Camille Savès
Brut Carte Blanche Premier Cru; $50
14.5/20 — Composed of 75 per cent Pinot Noir and 25 per cent Chardonnay, this dry non-vintage Champagne offers apple and spice flavors with soft yeasty notes.

Camille Savès
Brut Rosé Grand Cru; $75
15/20 — Made entirely from Grand Cru grapes grown in the village of Bouzy, this dry rosé offers bright red berry and red citrus flavors with toasty notes on the finish.

Charles Heidsieck
Rosé Réserve; $65
15.5/20 — This non-vintage pink Champagne offers grapefruit and strawberry aromas with notes of cinnamon and spice.

Collet
Brut Millésimé 2002; $75
14/20 — In the mouth, there's surprising freshness with crisp, tart apple and citrus notes.

Delamotte
Brut Blanc de Blancs NV; $65
15/20 — Made from Grand Cru Chardonnay grapes blended with 10 per cent reserve wines, this Blanc de Blancs offers citrus and floral aromas.

Diebolt-Vallois
Blanc de Blancs Prestige; $70
14.5/20 — This dry non-vintage Champagne offers crisp lemon and apple flavors with mineral notes on the long finish.

Duval-Leroy
Brut NV; $45
14.5/20 — This complex non-vintage Champagne contains a fair amount of reserve wines in its blend, resulting in rich chocolate, fig and cinnamon flavors.

Duval-Leroy
Cuvée Paris Vintage 2006; $50
15/20 — Made from Chardonnay and Pinor Noir grapes, this vintage Champagne offers an aromatic floral bouquet and nutty notes on the palate.

Lanson
Brut Black Label; $40
14/20 — This non-vintage Champagne offers a fruity and floral bouquet with hints of toast.

Laurent-Perrier
Brut NV; $30
14/20 — Ripe on entry, this Champagne exhibits aromas of citrus peel, smoke and minerals.

Laurent-Perrier
Brut Millésimé 2002; $70
15.5/20 — Made from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this exceptional vintage offers ripe fruit and honey aromas.

Laurent-Perrier
Cuvée Rosé Brut; $100
15.5/20 — This expressive rosé Champagne offers intense red fruit aromas and flavors, revealing strawberry, redcurrant, raspberry and black cherry.

Moët & Chandon
Rosé Impérial; $50
15/20 — This full-bodied rosé Champagne reveals raspberry, fig and cherry flavors in the mouth with a touch of spice.

Nicolas Feuillatte
Brut Réserve Particulière; $36
14.5/20 — This well-balanced and refreshing Champagne offers apple, pear and peach aromas with spicy and floral notes.

Nicolas Feuillatte
Cuvée Spéciale Vintage 2000; $75
15/20 — Pleasantly bubbly and dry, this vintage Champagne offers subtle red plum and berry flavors with a touch of spice.

Nicolas Feuillatte
Palmes d'Or Rosé Vintage 2003; $200
16/20 — On the nose, this prestige cuvée offers strawberry and raspberry aromas with a hint of vanilla.

Perrier-Jouët
2004 Belle Epoque Brut; $140
17/20 — Composed of 50 per cent Chardonnay, 45 per cent Pinot Noir and 5 per cent Pinot Meunier, this elegant cuvée offers pear and pineapple flavors that evolve to reveal a touch of spice.

Piper Heidsieck
Rosé Sauvage; $55
14/20 — Delivering aromas of blood orange, Morello cherry and strawberry that are revealed on the palate by a refreshing tartness, this rosé Champagne certainly lives up to its name.

Piper Heidsieck
Vintage 2004; $75
15/20 — Composed of 60 per cent Pinot Noir and 40 per cent Chardonnay, this vintage is pleasantly dry, with just a hint of coconut.

Pol Roger
Rosé Vintage 2002; $130
16/20 — Salmon pink in color and offering lush red fruit flavors, this light Champagne works best as an aperitif, but would also pair well with seafood, turkey or small game.

Ruinart
Brut Rosé NV; $80
15.5/20 — Composed of Premier Cru Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and Marne Valley, this refined Champagne offers fresh cherry and strawberry aromas with fragrant floral notes.

Salon
1997 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil; $250
18/20 — Riper and more approachable than some other recent vintages, the 1997 is elegant but vibrant with aromas of wildflowers, brioche, chalk and a faint nuttiness.

Stéphane Coquillette
NV Brut Carte d'Or Premier Cru; $65
14/20 — A blend of Grand Cru, Premier Cru, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this feminine Champagne works well as an aperitif.

Stéphane Coquillette
NV Cuvée Diane Blanc de Blancs Brut; $65
14.5/20 — Made entirely from Chardonnay grapes, it offers aromas of apple and melon with a hint of honeysuckle.

Stéphane Coquillette
NV Cuvée les Cles Blanc de Noirs Brut; $65
13.5/20 — Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes, this refreshing Champagne would pair well with foie gras, confit de canard or roast chicken.

Gaillac

Domaine du Moulin
2007 Blanc Sec; $18
12/20 — Composed primarily of old vine Sauvignon and some Loin de l'oeil grapes, this dry white wine offers an earthy minerality and a creamy mouthfeel.

ITALY

Emilia-Romagna

Donelli
Lambrusco Reggiano Amabile DOC; $18
13.5/20 — At only 9 per cent alcohol by volume, this light sparkling red wine offers sweet red berry flavors and a balanced acidity.

Piedmont

Rizzi
2005 Suran Pajoré Barbaresco DOCG; $57
14.5/20 — Offering a bouquet of raspberry, cherry and plum, this dry, full-bodied red wine would pair well with truffles, lamb or roast beef.

Veneto

Trevisiol
NV Prosecco Extra Dry; $14
13/20 — Softer, slightly sweeter and more approachable than Champagne, this sparkler would work well as a brunch wine or as an aperitif.

Trevisiol
NV Prosecco Rosé Brut; $16
13/20 — Offering raspberry and cherry flavors, bright acidicity and light effervescence, this pink Prosecco would pair well with crisp salads, seafood and white fish.

PORTUGAL

Alentejo

Defesa
2009 Red; $17
13.5/20 — This robust red wine composed of Touriga Nacional and Syrah grapes offers floral notes on the nose and silky tannins on the palate.

Monte Velho
2010 White; $10
13/20 — A blend of Antão Vaz, Roupeiro and Perrum grape varietals, this light white wine offers fragrant aromas of lemon and peach.

Madeira

Blandy's
5 Year Old Alvada Madeira; $20 (500 ml)
14.5/20 — This golden-colored fortified wine offers a bouquet of dried fruits, toffee and spice on the nose and is rich and full-bodied on the palate.

SPAIN

Freixenet
Cordon Negro Extra Dry; $12
13/20 — Composed of 40 per cent Parellada, 35 per cent Macabeo and 25 per cent Xarel-lo grapes, this dry cava offers fresh peach, melon and citrus flavors.

Tapeña
2010 Rosé; $10
13/20 — Composed of 55 per cent Monastrell (Mourvèdre), 40 per cent Garnacha and 5 per cent Shiraz, this dry rosé is crisp and acidic with bright citrus flavors balanced by mineral notes.

Penedès

Albet i Noya
Petit Albet Cava Brut; $18
13.5/20 — Crisp and light, this dry sparkling wine offers citrus aromas on the nose and nutty notes on the palate.

Codorníu
Anna de Codorníu Brut; $15
13.5/20 — The first cava to incorporate Chardonnay in its blend, Anna de Codorníu offers crisp citrus and floral aromas and a good balance of acidity and sweetness in the mouth.

Parés Baltà
Cava Brut NV; $17
12.5/20 — Aromas of pear and apple carry through on the palate of this dry cava made from organically-farmed grapes grown on their estate vineyards.

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Toso
Brut; $11
13/20 — Light and refreshing, this sparkling Chardonnay offers aromas of lemon and apple with buttery and toasty notes.

Uco Valley

DiamAndes de Uco
2007 Gran Reserva; $35
14/20 — Composed of 66 per cent Malbec, 17 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 per cent Merlot, 7 per cent Syrah and 3 per cent Petit Verdot, this complex red wine offers black fruit and mineral flavors, firm tannins and anise on the finish.

CHILE

Limarí Valley

Viña Tabalí
2009 Reserva Late Harvest Muscat; $9 (375 ml)
14/20 — This sweet white wine offers rich and complex flavors of apricot, papaya and honey and a smooth, soft finish.

AUSTRALIA

Taltarni
2008 Brut Taché; $25
14/20 — Made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes grown in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, this vintage sparkling wine offers red currant, strawberry and floral aromas.

Langhorne Creek

Bleasdale
'The Red Brute' Sparkling Shiraz NV; $20
13/20 — This sparkling red wine offers rich red berry flavors and a touch of spice.

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