New Wine Releases June 2015

CALIFORNIA

NORTH COAST

Carnivor
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon; $15
13/20 — Big and bold, this sophisticated wine offers velvety flavors of ripe berries, coffee and toasted oak. The inky red pour has a smooth finish and great natural acidity.

Anderson Valley

Domaine Anderson
2012 Dach Vineyard Pinot Noir; $65
14/20 — A structured, supple wine, this inaugural vintage from Domaine Anderson is a classic Pinot Noir. Black cherry and blueberry on the palate are complemented by spice and herb aromas in a rich, balanced pour.

Napa Valley

Artesa Vineyards & Winery
2010 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; $42
14/20 — This is a smooth, silky Cabernet Sauvignon with blackberry, cherry, cassis and plum aromas. Hints of toasty oak and caramel lead into juicy berry flavors. The long finish is accented by toasted coconut and coffee. 950 cases.

Cairdean Vineyards
2011 Napa Valley Sangiovese; $56
14.5/20 — A clear, medium wine with brick red edges, Cairdean's Sangiovese has aromas of cherry and cola. Developed tannins lead into a spicy finish. 192 cases.

Cuvaison Estate Wines
2013 Kite Tail Chardonnay; $44
14/20 — This limited production Chardonnay is graceful and easy to drink. Scented with honeysuckle, white lilies and orange blossom, it transforms on the palate into apricot, nectarine and citrus.

Napa Cellars
2013 Napa Valley Chardonnay; $22
14/20 — Quintessentially Napa, this Chardonnay is bold but not overwhelming. It has pineapple and citrus notes, with pear and oak on the palate. The soft, creamy acidity makes it a perfect pairing with Brie or rosemary chicken breast. 60,000 cases.

Russian River Valley  

VML - Virginia Marie Lambrix
2012 Pinot Noir; $32
14/20 — Aromas of licorice, rosewater, jasmine tea and rhubarb pie suffuse this wine. Candied strawberry, cherry cola and vanilla are balanced by bright acidity and a satisfying finish. 3,400 cases.

Livermore Valley  

Wente Vineyards
2013 Morning Fog Chardonnay; $15
14.5/20 — Five generations of the Wente family have produced wines in the Bay Area. Aptly named, their Morning Fog Chardonnay is crisp and clean, with balanced acidity, a lingering minerality and refreshing finish.

CENTRAL COAST

Monterey County

15/20 — This Pinot Noir has concentrated layers of ripe fruit and velvety tannins. Smoke and spice round out the satisfying finish of this dark red wine.

Carmel Road Winery
2013 Monterey Pinot Noir; $22

13.5/20 — A rich, savory Pinot Noir, Carmel Road's offering has distinctive complexity and superb acidity, with black cherry notes and subtle hints of oak and vanilla.

Paso Robles

Adelaida Vineyard
2010 Viking Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve; $55
15/20 — A classic Cabernet Sauvignon, the Viking Estate Vineyard Reserve offers pure, clean aromas, and flavors of black currants, mint, tobacco and chocolate. 235 cases.

Hunt Cellars
2007 Cabernet CabOvation; $75
14.5/20 — CabOvation is a reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with floral aromas and notes of cherry, clove and cassis. It is soft and smooth on the palate, with blackberry and cherry flavors, just a hint of indulgent dark chocolate and a spicy oak finish.

NEW MEXICO

MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Gruet Winery
Gruet Méthode Champenoise Brut NV; $17
13.5/20 — Bright fruit aromas and flavors complement a piquant acidity in this bubbly composed of 75 percent Chardonnay and 25 percent Pinot Noir. Crisp and full-bodied, this is a clean, complex and rich pour.

OREGON

DUNDEE HILLS

Vista Hills Vineyard & Winery
2013 Treehouse Orange Wine; $20
13/20 — Vista Hills' skin-fermented Pinot Gris is dry, tannic and vibrantly orange in color. It has definite Sherry-like notes of dried fruits, raisins and amaretto. 70 cases.

WASHINGTON

COLUMBIA VALLEY

BBQ Wine Company
2013 Oink! American Rosé Table Wine; $13
13/20 — Washington vintners created this series of wines to pair with American barbecue. The Semillon-Petit Verdot blend is salmon-colored, with aromas evocative of strawberry lemonade, cherry, cotton candy and rose hips. 150 cases.

WALLA WALLA VALLEY

Abeja
2013 Syrah; $40
14.5/20 — The altitude and cool climate of the Walla Walla Valley result in a wine similar in style to those from the northern Rhône. Complexity and balance characterize Abeja's 2013 vintage (97 percent Syrah; 3 percent Viognier). 255 cases.

SPAIN

RIBERA DEL DUERO

Berlangas de Roa

O. Fournier
2010 Urban Ribera; $17
14/20 — The Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo) varietal results in a ruby colored wine, with intense raspberry aroma and hints of wild shrubs. On the palate, it is lively, with raspberry and cranberry flavors, and crisp, firm tannins. 50,000 bottles.

Penedès

Cava Miquel Pons
2012 Arrelium Red Wine; $8
14/20 — A red blend of Ull de Llebre, Carinyena and Cabernet Sauvignon, Arrelium has a complex bouquet (think smoked foods and vanilla) and conserved red fruits on the palate. It is a flavorful Spanish wine to pair with meat, cheese, pâte and game.

ARGENTINA

MENDOZA

La Barrancas, Maipú

Mountain Door
2013 Agostino Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; $11
14/20 — Juicy plum and blackberry aromas suffuse this wine, followed by fresh ripe blueberry, balanced with gentle acidity. 8,200 cases.

AUSTRALIA

Barossa Valley

Chatêau Tanunda
2012 Grand Barossa Dry Riesling; $13
13.5/20 — Handpicked early in the morning, gently pressed and bottled immediately, this Australian Riesling is the color of pale straw, with aromas of lime blossom and citrus fruit. Elegant and intense, it is a wine with a touch of minerality.

McLaren Vale

Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard
2012 Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon; $75
15.5/20 — This silky Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend is deep crimson and smooth. Clean, velvety and sweetly earthy, it has notes of cherry skin, espresso and Kalamata olives. 461 cases.

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