New Wine Releases May 2013

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Santa Maria Valley

Gary Farrell
2010 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir; $55
15/20 — An elegant wine from one of the Central Coast's most famous vineyards, it boasts bright red fruit flavors, notes of baking spice and velvety tannins. 483 cases.

Santa Rita Hills

Transcendence
2011 Zotovich Vineyard Chardonnay; $34
13.5/20 — This aromatic white wine features crisp pear and pineapple flavors with a hint of minerality. 125 cases.

CENTRAL VALLEY

Clarksburg

LangeTwins
2010 Chardonnay; $15
13.5/20 — Rich and creamy in the mouth, it displays tropical fruit aromas and flavors and a clean finish.

NORTH COAST

Domaine Chandon
Reserve Brut; $30
14/20 — Composed of 80 percent Pinot Noir and 20 percent Chardonnay, this dry sparkling wine offers soft apple flavors with yeasty notes. 2,046 cases.

Kendric Vineyards
2009 Marin County Pinot Noir; $36
14.5/20 — This medium-bodied Pinot Noir features bright cherry and raspberry flavors with hints of cinnamon and brown sugar. 580 cases.

Carneros

Schug
2010 Carneros Pinot Noir; $30
12.5/20 — A rather unimpressive wine, it offers the usual cherry flavors with spicy notes on the finish. 7,050 cases.

Mendocino

Navarro Vineyards
2009 Shiraz; $17
14.5/20 — Made in an Australian style, this robust red wine is thick and chewy, offering bold black fruit flavors. 362 cases.

Napa Valley

Educated Guess
2010 Napa Valley Chardonnay; $17
13/20 — This aromatic white wine is not overly oaked, but displays lush tropical fruit flavors and a crisp acidity. 4,650 cases.

Lawer Family Wines
2009 Three Coins Cabernet Sauvignon; $42
14/20 — Potent and full-bodied, this richly flavored Cabernet Sauvignon features intense black fruit flavors and supple tannins. 89 cases.

Russian River Valley

EnRoute
2011 Pinot Noir; $58
16.5/20 — This elegant Pinot Noir displays cherry, raspberry and brown sugar aromas on the nose and reveals soft tannins and a mouthwatering acidity in the mouth.

Laguna
2010 Laguna Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay; $35
14.5/20 — A full-bodied Chardonnay, it boasts flavors of apple, pear and tangerine and a creamy mouthfeel. 13,000 cases.

Sonoma Coast

Jenner
2010 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay; $18
13/20 — This light white wine displays orange and pineapple flavors with toasted almond notes on the finish. 1,000 cases.

SIERRA FOOTHILLS

Fair Play

Stark Wine
2009 Cuvée Julian, Stoney Creek Vineyard; $36
15/20 — Thick and full in the mouth, this Rhône-style Syrah with a touch of Viognier features bright red fruit flavors and smooth tannins. 60 cases.

SOUTH COAST

Sierra Pelona Valley

Reyes Winery
2009 Signature Syrah; $22
12.5/20 — Offering blueberry and jasmine aromas, this dry red wine reveals peppery notes on the finish.

MULTIPLE AVAS

Mirassou
2011 California Sunset Red Blend; $12
12.5/20 — A curious of blend of Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Merlot, it is a fruit-forward wine with a soft mouthfeel. 66,500 cases.

Unruly
2011 California Red Wine; $12
12/20 — This blend of unknown composition offers dark fruit flavors and a dry mouthfeel.

CONNECTICUT

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND

Chamard
2003 Estate Reserve Chardonnay; $20
13.5/20 — Made in a Burgundian style, this crisp white wine offers plenty of acidity, minerality and a clean finish.

NEW YORK

FINGER LAKES

Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars
2011 Dry Riesling; $15
13.5/20 — Bone dry and light in alcohol, this crisp Riesling features lemon and apple flavors that would pair well with seafood.

OREGON

YAMHILL-CARLTON

Kramer Vineyards
2010 Brut; $26
13/20 — This light sparkling wine blended from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir offers crisp apple and citrus flavors with yeasty notes.

WASHINGTON

RED MOUNTAIN

Terra Blanca
2007 Signature Series Merlot; $36
15/20 — Boasting intense black cherry and plum flavors with hints of spice, this mouthfilling Merlot shows excellent balance and structure. 393 cases.

BAJA CALIFORNIA

Guadalupe Valley

Baron Balche
2009 Red Blend; $30
13/20 — Composed of 60 percent Malbec, 20 percent Cabernet Franc, 10 percent Carignan and 10 percent Grenache, this dry red wine is rather rough and tannic.

FRANCE

Charles de Fère
Tradition Chardonnay Brut; $13
12.5/20 — Offering aromas of baked apple and custard, this sparkling wine is crisp and refreshing. 10,000 cases.

Languedoc-Roussillon

Gérard Bertrand
2009 Corbières; $15
13.5/20 — A Rhône blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, this well-balanced red wine features ripe fruit flavors and a juicy mouthfeel.

GERMANY

Mosel

Dr. H. Thanisch
2010 Bernkasteler Riesling Classic; $20
14.5/20 — This drier-styled Riesling displays appled, peach and persimmon flavors with hints of spice and a long, clean finish.

GREECE

Santorini

Gaia Wines
2010 Assyrtiko Wild Ferment; $25
13/20 — An unusual white wine, it offers nutty aromas and dried fruit flavors that open up with aeration.

ITALY

Alto Adige

Kris
2010 Heart Rosso; $14
13/20 — Composed of 50 percent Merlot, 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 25 percent Montepulciano, this silky red blend displays blackberry flavors with earthy notes.

Veneto

Attems
2011 Pinot Grigio; $19
13.5/20 — This aromatic white wine boasts crisp apple and pear flavors marked by a lively acidity.

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Kaiken
2007 Mai; $85
16/20 — At 15 percent alcohol, this is a big, hearty wine boasting intense black fruit flavors and sturdy tannins. 2,000 cases.

CHILE

San Antonio Valley

Matetic Vineyards
2010 EQ Pinot Noir; $40
14/20 — Made from certified organic grapes, this medium- to full-bodied Pinot Noir features bright cherry and plum flavors with more complex herbal and spice notes.

AUSTRALIA

Jacob's Creek
NV Sparkling Moscato; $12
12.5/20 — This light sparkling wine offers sweet tropical fruit flavors and would work well as an aperitif.

NEW ZEALAND

Marlborough

Makara
2011 Sauvignon Blanc; $13
13.5/20 — Crisp and aromatic, it displays tangy citrus and sweet tropical fruit flavors followed by a clean finish.

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