Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.





New Wine Releases August 2015

Find light Moscatos, refreshing rosés and more summertime wines on GAYOT's list of August New Wine Releases

New Wine Reviews - August 2015

Find tasting notes, prices and ratings of recent vintages in our selection for August 2015 new wine releases.

NORTH AMERICA

CALIFORNIA

Francis Ford Coppola Winery
2011 Gia by Gia Coppola Pinot Noir; $17
13.5/20Here is a fun, light in color and alcohol content (11.5 percent) Pinot Noir for summer time. Think fresh-picked fruits, along the lines of strawberries and raspberries, that lead to a juice with light gentle sweetness. Great to pair with summer barbecues, salads and pastas.



Sutter Home Winery

2011 Sutter Home Red Moscato; $6
13/20How fun would it be to bring this semi-sweet red Moscato to summer parties? Fruit is sourced throughout California for this quite affordable vino. The berry-lucious Merlot used in this refreshing blend is dark pink due to 24 hours of skin contact. Pair with barbecue, north African, Carribean, Thai and other spicy foods.


Russian River Valley

La Crema
2013 La Crema Chardonnay; $30
14/20Since 1979, La Crema has strived to deliver crafty wines. This cool climate Chardonnay was 100 percent barrel-fermented in French oak and captures the regions complexity. The richness achieved through apple and pear characteristics from the Kelli Ann Estate Vineyard are complemented by citrus notes from the Barnes Road Vineyard and flower scents from two more vineyards on Guerneville Road. This blended vineyard Chardonnay could be enjoyed by itself or with a variety of fish and lobster dishes.



Lodi AVA Appellation

Toad Hollow Vineyards
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon; $18
13/20Whole clusters of Cabernet grapes from the Clement Hills sub-region of Lodi are sorted, destemmed, cold soaked and gently pressed. After being racked and aged in medium toast French oak for nine months, a small amount of merlot was added to enrich the flavor. The result is a concentration of red and black fruit tastes. As a medium-bodied wine layered with a lingering finish, you can enjoy it with a flank steak.



WASHINGTON

Columbia Valley

Maryhill Winery
2012 Aurelia; $20
14/20 Wow, good stuff: slightly high on alcohol (14.3 percent) this Rhône style wine composed of Roussanne (54 percent from McKinley Springs Vineyard) and Marsanne (46 percent from Art den Hoed Vineyard) was aged for six months in neutral French oak and only 568 cases were produced. 2012 was a great year in Washington State for Winemaker Richard Batchelor and he enjoyed hand-crafting this food-friendly white blend. You are greeted by a bright golden color, followed by hints of apricot, honey and baked pastries. Later cantaloupe, citrus and green apples take you to a clean finish. Pairing suggestions are white fish dishes, baked potatoes and salads
.

EUROPE

ITALY

Alto Adige

Cantina Terlan
2014 Pinot Grigio; $19
14/20Alto Adige is one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world. It delivers many wines that are usually light in body and alcohol content — think refreshing — which is what Pinot Grigio is all about. Expect slow and cool fermentation in steel on the lees. Straw in color, the flavors are along the lines of lychee, grapefruit and white melon. Drink it with charcuterie, light pasta dishes, grilled fish and possibly veal.


More New Releases

wine.com

PBR3115
UPY32416


Sip on GAYOT's picks of the best small-production craft beers.

Sip straight or mix up a margarita with GAYOT's picks of the best tequilas under $100.