New Wine Releases December 2013

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Livermore Valley

Steven Kent
2012 "Lola" Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon; $24
13.5/20 — Composed of 65 percent Sauvignon Blanc and 35 percent Semillon, this crisp, aromatic white wine features citrus flavors with floral and mineral notes. 260 cases.

NORTH COAST

Josh Cellars
2010 North Coast Chardonnay; $15
13.5/20 — This full-bodied Chardonnay offers apple and stone fruit flavors and a creamy mouthfeel.

Chalk Hill

Chalk Hill
2010 Estate Red; $70
15/20 — A proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Carmenere, it boasts rich plum, blueberry and black cherry flavors with hints of vanilla and supple tannins.

Napa Valley

Atalon
2012 Sauvignon Blanc; $20
13.5/20 — Lemon and lychee aromas, mineral notes and a crisp mouthfeel make this white wine an ideal accompaniment to oysters and ceviche. 10,000 cases.

Black Stallion
2012 Viognier; $35
14/20 — This spicy white wine boasts heady aromas of honeysuckle and orange blossom on the nose and tropical and stone fruit flavors in the mouth.

Seven Stones
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon; $175
16.5/20 — Boasting an excellent balance of fruit, acidity and tannin, this full-bodied red wine is enjoyable now or after a decade of cellaring.

Venge Vineyards
2011 Scout's Honor Proprietary Red; $38
14.5/20 — Composed of 66 percent Zinfandel, 16 percent Petite Sirah, 14 percent Charbono and 4 percent Syrah, this bold blend displays dark fruit flavors and supple tannins.

Russian River Valley

Dutton-Goldfield
2011 Dutton Ranch Rued Vineyard Chardonnay; $50
15.5/20 — A complex and ageworthy white wine, it features citrus and tropical fruit flavors with a touch of minerality. 571 cases.

Emeritus
2010 Hallberg Ranch Pinot Noir; $38
14/20 — This elegant Pinot Noir shows fragrant raspberry and brown sugar aromas, luscious fruit flavors and silky tannins.

Sonoma County

Stark Thirst
2011 Chardonnay; $16
13/20 — Unoaked and acidic, this Chardonnay shows bright citrus flavors and minerality. 216 cases.

MULTIPLE AVAS

Austerity
2011 Proprietary Red Wine; $17
13/20 — This full-bodied blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot lives up to its name with thick dark fruit flavors and firm tannins.

IDAHO

SNAKE RIVER VALLEY

Sawtooth
2012 Pinot Gris; $12
13/20 — Displaying lovely citrus and floral aromas on the nose, it reveals zesty citrus flavors with mineral notes in the mouth. 720 cases.

OREGON

WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Soléna
2012 Pinot Gris; $20
13.5/20 — This refreshing white wine features complex aromas of banana, peach, pear and jasmine and plenty of acidity on the palate. 3,000 cases.

TEXAS

MULTIPLE AVAS

Pedernales Cellars
2011 Texas Tempranillo Reserve; $30
13.5/20 — A small amount of Touriga Nacional is added to this Tempranillo, which shows earthy dark fruit flavors with hints of mocha and cinnamon. 415 cases.

VIRGINIA

MONTICELLO

Trump Winery
2008 New World Red; $28
13.5/20 — This full-bodied Bordeaux blend features plum and blackberry flavors with a touch of spice and sturdy tannins. 1,300 cases.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Stinson Vineyards
2011 Meritage; $26
13.5/20 — Composed of 35 percent Merlot, 25 percent Petit Verdot, 20 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 20 percent Cabernet Franc, this medium-bodied blend offers juicy berry flavors with floral notes. 260 cases.

WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Chateau Ste Michelle
2011 Ethos Chardonnay; $35
14/20 — This full-bodied Chardonnay was aged on the lees for ten months, giving the wine yeasty notes and a softer mouthfeel.

SOUTH AFRICA

WESTERN CAPE

House of Mandela
2012 Thembu Collection Pinotage; $15
13/20 — A Fair Trade certified wine, it exhibits rich plum and berry flavors, soft tannins and a touch of spice on the finish. 5,000 cases.

Stellenbosch

Raats
2011 Old Vine Chenin Blanc; $25
14/20 — This full-bodied white wine displays concentrated fruit flavors of pear, fig and citrus, complex mineral notes and a touch of ginger on the finish. 280 cases imported.

FRANCE

Bordeaux

Château Montrose
2000 La Dame de Montrose, Saint-Estèphe; $64
16/20 — A full-bodied Bordeaux blend that has improved with age, it boasts plum and blackcurrant flavors with marked mineral notes and supple tannins.

Burgundy

Château de Bellevue
2011 Morgon "Les Charmes"; $24
13/20 — This easy-drinking Gamay Noir displays rich cherry flavors and soft tannins. 4,167 cases.

Albert Bichot
2011 Domaine du Pavillon Pommard Clos des Ursulines; $47
15.5/20 — Featuring cherry, blackberry and fig aromas on the nose, this elegant Pinot Noir reveals earthy notes and velvety tannins in the mouth.

GERMANY

Mosel

Dr. H. Thanisch
2011 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett; $22
13.5/20 — This crisp, minerally Riesling offers honeyed apple flavors and a good balance of sugar and acidity.

HUNGARY

Észak-Dunántúl

Hungaria
Extra Dry Rosè; $15
12/20 — This semi-sweet sparkling rosé is made entirely from Pinot Noir and offers cranberry and strawberry flavors with floral notes.

ITALY

Veneto

Zardetto
Vino Spumante Rosé Conegliano IGT; $17
13/20 — Made from the indigenous Raboso Veronese grape, this crisp sparkler shows cherry and red currant flavors and a dry finish.

SPAIN

La Mancha

Opera Prima
Brut; $8
12/20 — This light sparkling wine made according to the Charmat method from Airén and Macabeo grapes displays crisp citrus flavors.

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

LEO
2012 Malbec; $17
13.5/20 — A bold and robust Malbec, it features spicy black fruit flavors with a touch of smoke and supple tannins. 30,000 cases.

Salentein
2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; $18
14/20 — This full-bodied red wine is fairly well-balanced, showing blackberry, black cherry and red pepper flavors and firm tannins.

AUSTRALIA

North West Victoria

Deakin Estate
2008 Merlot; $7
12/20 — A medium-bodied red wine, it displays juicy red fruit flavors and soft tannins.

Riverland

Paringa
2012 Chardonnay; $11
12.5/20 — This crisp Chardonnay features fresh green apple, pear and melon flavors with plenty of acidity and minerality. 6,000 cases.

More New Releases