New Wine Releases October 2011

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Clos LaChance
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; $18
13/20 — With raspberry, blackberry and plum aromas, soft tannins and a smooth finish, this red wine would pair well with rich, meaty dishes.

Paso Robles

Halter Ranch Vineyard
2008 Syrah; $30
13.5/20 — This potent, fruit-forward red wine is characterized by dark berry flavors and ripe tannins.

Santa Maria Valley

Vampire Vineyards
2007 Trueblood Pinot Noir; $30
13/20 — Named after the winemaker rather than the television show, this gamey red wine offers aromas of blackberry and black cherry.

Santa Cruz Mountains

Storrs
2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir; $36
14.5/20 — This bold, potent red wine offers aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla.

Santa Rita Hills

Sea Smoke
2006 Southing Pinot Noir; $50
15/20 — Offering aromas of blackberry and violet, this rich red wine is moderately acidic with firm tannins.

NORTH COAST

Atlas Peak

Cobblestone
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; $44
15/20 — This full-bodied red wine offers aromas of black fruit and minty mocha with layers of dark berry, pomegranate and vanilla on the palate.

Carneros

Ceja Vineyards
2008 Chardonnay; $34
14/20 — This crisp, tangy white wine offers citrus, green apple and honeysuckle aromas on the nose.

Wyland Cellars
2008 Napa Chardonnay; $25
13.5/20 — Fairly full-bodied and versatile, this Chardonnay offers the silky mouthfeel of malolactic fermentation and a lingering toasted oak flavor on the finish.

Dry Creek Valley

Et Cetera
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; $18
14/20 — Offering blackberry, black currant and plum aromas with a touch of toffee on the nose, this well-structured red wine represents good value.

Trattore Estate Wines
2009 Estate Zinfandel; $29
13.5/20 — With classic black cherry and vanilla on the nose along with a hint of mocha and damp earth, this is a fairly big wine with good acidity and fine-grain tannins.

Lake County

Soliste Cellars
2010 Lune et Soleil Sauvignon Blanc; $22
14/20 — This crisp, refreshing white wine offers floral and tropical fruit aromas on the nose and mineral notes on the finish.

Mendocino County

Copain
2009 Tous Ensemble Syrah; $24
14/20 — With firm tannins and a spicy aroma, this medium-bodied, versatile red wine would pair well with many different foods.

Napa Valley

Hill Family Estate
2009 Barrel Blend; $25
13/20 — Composed principally of Merlot grapes, this red blend offers dark fruit aromas with a touch of spice and firm tannins.

Louis M. Martini
2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; $25
14.5/20 — Offering rich black cherry flavors with a touch of vanilla and clove, this full-bodied wine is ready to drink now, but would benefit from aging.

The Prisoner
2009 Napa Valley Red Wine; $35
14.5/20 — A blend primarily of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this is a potent red wine offering bright acidity and firm tannins.

Russian River Valley

Thomas George Estates
2009 Estate Pinot Noir; $40
14/20 — A blend of grapes from three different estate vineyards, this well-balanced red offers silky tannins and cherry, cranberry and cola flavors.

MULTIPLE AVAs

Barefoot Bubbly
Moscato Spumante Champagne; $10
13/20 — Sweet and fragrant with hints of apricot and peach, this affordable sparkler would work well as an aperitif or paired with light salads.

ETC
2009 California Zinfandel; $10
13/20 — A blend of North and Central Coast grapes, this light red wine offers aromas of plum, cherry and spice.

Ghost Pines
2010 Winemaker's Blend Chardonnay; $20
13.5/20 — A blend of grapes sourced in Sonoma, Monterey and Napa counties, this fruit-forward white wine offers flavors of apple, pear and vanilla.

Korbel
Brut; $12
13/20 — This semi-dry sparkling wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombard and Pinot Noir varietals.

McManis Family Vineyards
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon; $12
13/20 — This full-bodied red wine offers dark berry aromas with hints of mocha and toffee.

Redwood Creek
2009 Pinot Noir; $8
12/20 — This medium-bodied red wine offers intense cherry flavors and notes of clove and brown spice.

NEW YORK

FINGER LAKES

Chateau Frank
2002 Blanc de Blancs; $29
13/20 — Light and crisp, this medium-bodied sparkling wine made in the traditional Champagne style offers complex citrus, ginger and floral notes on the nose.

Shaw Vineyard
2006 Cabernet Franc; $25
13/20 — This light and refreshing red offers ripe berry flavors and is enjoyable on its own or paired with pâté.

NORTH FORK OF LONG ISLAND

Peconic Bay Winery
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon; $28
13.5/20 — Offering aromas of black cherry and raspberry on the nose and soft tannins on the palate, this Cabernet Sauvignon is enriched by the addition of Merlot (25 per cent).

TEXAS

HIGH PLAINS

Messina Hof
2009 Bell Brothers - Merrill's Vineyard Zinfandel; $22
13/20 — A light red wine with silky tannins, this Zinfandel would pair well with lamb and game.

WASHINGTON

WALLA WALLA VALLEY

Spring Valley Vineyard
2008 Uriah Red Wine; $50
14.5/20 — Well-structured with a burst of cherry and blackberry up front, this red blend evolves toward the middle of the palate to more earthy flavors like licorice root and coffee.

EUROPE

FRANCE

Beaujolais

Joseph Drouhin
Beaujolais-Villages; $10
12.5/20 — Made entirely from Gamay grapes, this food-friendly red wine offers silky smooth tannins and lingering fruit flavors.

Cahors

Pigmentum
2009 Malbec; $10
12/20 — This robust red wine with ripe tannins offers red and black fruit aromas on the nose that carry through on the palate.

Gascony

Domaine Duffour
2010 Blanc Sec; $9
12.5/20 — A blend of 80 per cent Colombard and 20 per cent Gros-Manseng, this crisp, clean white wine is reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc.

Loire Valley

Baumard
Carte Turquoise; $19
13/20 — A blend of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, this semi-dry, non-vintage sparkling wine makes an ideal aperitif.

Madiran

Domaine Berthoumieu
2007 Cuvée Charles de Batz; $15
13/20 — Composed of 90 per cent Tannat grapes and 10 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, this spicy red wine offers ripe berry aromas and firm tannins.

ITALY

Friuli

Puiatti
2010 "Zuccole" Pinot Grigio; $13
13/20 — Winemaker Giovanni Puiatti is a former professional basketball player; his Pinot Grigio is floral on the nose with pear and apple flavors on the palate.

Piedmont

Rizzi
2009 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC; $18
14/20 — This versatile red wine joins cherry and plum on the nose with almond flavors on the finish.

Veneto

Bertani
2003 Amarone della Valpolicella; $120
15/20 — This rich and potent (15 per cent ABV) red wine offers intense cherry flavors reminiscent of a ruby Port.

PORTUGAL

Madeira

Blandy's
10 Year Old Malmsey Madeira; $40
14/20 — Made from Malmsey (Malvasia) grapes, this non-vintage fortified wine is full-bodied and sweet with rich caramel and dark fruit flavors.

SPAIN

Rioja

Muga
2010 Blanco; $18
13.5/20 — Composed of 90 per cent Viura grapes and 10 per cent Malvasia, this acidic white wine offers pear and apple flavors with a touch of honey.

SOUTH AMERICA

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Bodega Elena de Mendoza
2010 Malbec; $11
12.5/20 — Bold fruit flavors and firm tannins make this red wine a suitable match for steaks and other grilled meats.

Santa Julia
2010 Pinot Grigio; $10
13/20 — This fragrant and fruity white wine offers aromas of pear, apple and melon, including a touch of pineapple and banana.

Uco Valley

DiamAndes de Uco
2010 Viognier; $20
13.5/20 — This fresh white wine offers floral and citrus aromas on the nose with mineral notes and some acidity on the palate.

CHILE

Limarí Valley

Viña Tabalí
2009 Reserva Especial Pinot Noir; $19
13.5/20 — This complex red wine offers red fruit aromas, good acidity and silky tannins.

Viña Tabalí
2009 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon; $15
13/20 — Plum, strawberry and vanilla aromas on the nose are balanced by moderate tannins and acidity on the palate.

AUSTRALASIA

NEW ZEALAND

Hawke's Bay

Te Awa
2009 Syrah; $27
13.5/20 — This medium-bodied red wine with supple tannins offers black berry fruits and spice on the nose.

Marlborough

Manu
2009 Pinot Gris; $12
13/20 — Floral and fruity, this crisp white wine would pair well with mussels, clams or scallops.

Waipara Valley

Muddy Water
2009 Pinot Noir; $26
13/20 — This soft red wine with silky tannins offers a multi-layered nose of raspberry, cherry and strawberry.

More New Releases

PBH100311

(Updated: 03/29/12 BH)