New Wine Releases September 2013

CALIFORNIA

CENTRAL COAST

Arroyo Seco

Carmel Road
2011 Monterey Pinot Noir; $22
13.5/20 — This medium-bodied red wine offers bright red berry flavors with mineral notes and a touch of spice.

Livermore Valley

Steven Kent Winery
2010 Small-Lot Cabernet Franc, Ghielmetti Vineyard; $50
15/20 — This balanced and food-friendly wine boasts earthy aromas, red fruit flavors and a lengthy finish. 48 cases.

Santa Lucia Highlands

La Rochelle
2012 Pinot Noir Rosé; $24
14/20 — An elegant, dry rosé, it displays strawberry, rhubarb and cherry flavors complemented by a crisp mouthfeel. 123 cases.

CENTRAL VALLEY

Madera

Kalyra
NV Orange Muscat; $17 (375 ml)
14/20 — This fortified dessert wine boasts flavors of candied citrus, apricot and honey and a creamy mouthfeel. 224 cases.

NORTH COAST

Anderson Valley

Navarro Vineyards
2011 Riesling; $19
13.5/20 — This dry Riesling offers bright citrus and stone fruit flavors and plenty of acidity. 1,014 cases.

Carneros

V. Sattui
2010 Reserve Pinot Noir; $49
15/20 — A thick, full-bodied Pinot Noir, it offers concentrated raspberry and cherry flavors with a touch of spice. 158 cases.

Napa Valley

Beringer
2009 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; $160
16.5/20 — Displaying aromas of blackberry and lavender on the nose, it reveals intense dark fruit flavors with earthy, mineral notes and a dense mouthfeel on the palate.

Bure Family Wines
2009 Thirteen; $135
16/20 — This big, 15.3 percent alcohol Cabernet Sauvignon boasts blackberry and blueberry flavors, food-friendly acidity and supple tannins. 395 cases.

Jessup Cellars
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon; $55
15.5/20 — Composed of 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 percent Cabernet Franc and 6 percent Petit Verdot, this well-balanced red wine shows juicy black cherry flavors and a hint of vanilla.

Mira Winery
2010 Sauvignon Blanc; $22
14/20 — Made from organically farmed grapes, this crisp white wine displays peach and grapefruit flavors with a touch of minerality. 333 cases.

Russian River Valley

Dutton-Goldfield
2012 Dutton Ranch Green Valley Vineyard Gewürztraminer; $30
14.5/20 — This aromatic white wine displays slightly sweet flavors of peach and lychee that would pair well with spicy Asian dishes. 252 cases.

Francis Ford Coppola
2011 Director's Cut Chardonnay; $21
13.5/20 — A full-bodied white wine aged in French oak, it offers peach, pineapple and pear flavors and a creamy mouthfeel.

McIlroy Cellars
2001 Aquarius Ranch Merlot; $22
14/20 — This medium-bodied red wine features flavors of cherries, currants, chocolate and cloves.

Stomping Girl Wines
2011 Lauterbach Hill Pinot Noir; $38
14.5/20 — A delicate Pinot Noir, it displays violet and strawberry aromas, red fruit flavors and soft tannins. 75 cases.

Sonoma Coast

Pfendler
2011 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir; $45
15/20 — This elegant, medium-bodied Pinot Noir boasts complex layers of blackberry and pomegranate flavors with notes of cola and silky tannins. 275 cases.

Schug
2012 Sauvignon Blanc; $20
12.5/20 — This crisp white wine shows unremarkable citrus and tropical fruit flavors. 2,427 cases.

Sonoma County

Donelan
2011 Venus Roussanne; $45
14/20 — A blend mostly of Roussanne with some Viognier and Chardonnay, this fruit-forward white wine offers lemon and tropical fruit flavors with a hint of almond. 165 cases.

SIERRA FOOTHILLS

Chacewater
2010 Zinfandel; $18
13.5/20 — This robust Zinfandel make from certified organic grapes contains 15.6 percent alcohol and boasts intense black fruit flavors, 1,534 cases.

SOUTH COAST

Fallbrook Winery
2010 Thirty-Three Degrees North Cabernet Franc; $33
14/20 — This medium-bodied red wine features red fruit flavors and soft tannins. 65 cases.

Sierra Pelona Valley

Reyes Winery
2011 Signature Chardonnay; $16
13/20 — Light and easy drinking, this Chardonnay's tropical fruit flavors would pair well with fish and seafood.

OREGON

YAMHILL-CARLTON

WillaKenzie Estate
2009 Pierre Léon Pinot Noir; $42
13.5/20 — A medium- to full-bodied red wine, it features earthy red fruit flavors and supple tannins.

WASHINGTON

WALLA WALLA VALLEY

Seven Hills
2010 Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; $45
14/20 — Made from old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, this bold wine boasts ripe red berry flavors with a touch of spice. 818 cases.

YAKIMA VALLEY

Maison Bleue
2011 "Petite Joie" Boushey Vineyard Marsanne; $35
14/20 — An oily white wine, it offers luscious peach and apricot flavors with a hint of marzipan. 140 cases.

MOROCCO

Zenata

Ouled Thaleb
2012 Moroccan White Blend; $14
13/20 — Composed of 60 percent Faranah and 40 percent Clairette, this easy-drinking wine features lovely floral aromas and a crisp mouthfeel. 200 cases imported.

FRANCE

Rhône Valley

Famille Perrin
2010 Côtes du Rhône Réserve; $11
13.5/20 — Composed of 60 percent Grenache, 20 percent Syrah and 20 percent Mourvèdre, this full-bodied blend features spicy red fruit flavors and sturdy tannins.

ITALY

Calabria

Librandi
2011 Cirò Rosato; $12
13/20 — Made from the indigenous Gaglioppo grape, this refreshing rose features red berry flavors that would pair well with a variety of foods.

Sardinia

Argiolas
2011 Serralori Rosato Isola dei Nuraghi; $16
13/20 — Composed of 50 percent Cannonau, 25 percent Monica, 20 percent Carignano and 5 percent Bovale, this balanced rosé displays bright strawberry flavors.

Veneto

Tommasi
Tenuta Filodora Prosecco; $15
13/20 — This crisp sparkling wine boasts a floral nose and a dry, crisp mouthfeel.

PORTUGAL

Douro

Kopke
2011 Vinho Branco; $16
13/20 — Blended from Arinto, Gouveio and Rabigato, this dry white wine offers citrus and floral aromas that would pair well with salads and fresh fish.

SPAIN

Rioja

Martín Códax
2010 Ergo Rioja Tempranillo; $14
13.5/20 — A spicy red wine, it boasts dark berry flavors and supple tannins that would pair well with paella and tapas. 30,000 cases.

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Hand of God
2010 Malbec/Syrah; $45
14/20 — Composed of 55 percent Malbec, 35 percent Syrah and 10 percent Petit Verdot, this full-bodied red blend boasts dense dark fruit flavors and sturdy tannins. 1,093 cases.

URUGUAY

Canelones

Artesana
2011 Tannat-Merlot; $20
14/20 — This 60/40 blend of Tannat and Merlot features a robust 15.3 percent alcohol, ripe berry flavors and firm tannins. 580 cases.

NEW ZEALAND

Marlborough

Astrolabe
2010 Voyage Pinot Noir; $28
13/20 — This full-bodied Pinot Noir displays ripe flavors of dark cherry and plum supported by supple tannins.

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