New Wine Releases October 2015

CALIFORNIA

NORTH COAST

Lake County

Chacewater Wine Company
2012 Sauvignon Blanc; $14
13/20 — The crisp acidity and apricot finish of this herbal Sauvignon Blanc follow aromas of grapefruit and gooseberry.

Anderson Valley

Domain Anderson
2012 Walraven Vineyard Chardonnay; $42
15/20 — This wine is sourced from Walraven Vineyard, known for its exceptional Chardonnay grapes, which add a purity and precision of taste. Aromas of wheat and yellow apple lead to flavors of ripe fruit and mineral notes.

Alexander Valley

Stuhlmuller Vineyards
2012 Alexander Valley Estate Chardonnay; $24
14/20 — Enticing aromas of citrus and orchard fruits lead to flavors of pear, apple, yellow plum and honeysuckle.

Napa Valley

Cairdean Vineyards
2012 Napa Valley Haley Margaret White Wine; $38
14/20 — Only 558 cases of this wine were produced. Made from 43 percent Roussanne, 43 percent Pinot Gris, and 14 percent Viognier, this light white wine presents notes of peach, apricot and grapefruit on the palate.

Heritance Wines
2011 Sauvignon Blanc; $24
14/20 — This typical Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of citrus and grapefruit, leading to tropical flavors of passion fruit and guava.

Ma(i)sonry
2013 Sauvignon Blanc; $32
14.5/20 — Crafted with grapes from Ma(i)sonry's Hudson Vineyard, only 140 cases of this wine were produced. The Sauvignon Blanc offers aromas of tropical fruit with a hint of vanilla and a creamy texture with bright acidity on the palate.

Napa Cellars
2013 Napa Valley Chardonnay; $22
14/20 —Napa Cellars handpicks, harvests and crushes their Chardonnay grapes, then cold-ferments a portion of the juice in stainless steel tanks. Aromas of citrus, grapefruit and honeydew melon in the finished product lead to a palate of butterscotch and pear.

Stonegate
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon; $34
14.5/20 — Aromas of dark chocolate, vanilla and toasted oak are followed by flavors of blackberry, plum and black cherry. The 2012 vintage was one of the best thanks to that year's long growing season.

Russian River Valley

J. Vineyards and Winery
2013 Pinot Noir; $40
14.5/20 —J. Vineyards' estate-grown grapes were hand-harvested, sorted and de-stemmed before undergoing whole-berry fermentation for this wine. The 2013 Pinot Noir boasts flavors of raspberry, cherry and blackberry with hints of licorice in the finish.

Ron Rubin
2013 Russian River Valley Chardonnay; $20
14/20 —The family-owned vineyards producing this Chardonnay are located in the cool, foggy region of Sonoma County, California. The perfect climate for Chardonnay grapes gives this wine creamy notes of apple and pear with hints of toasted oak and vanilla.

Sonoma Coast

Patz & Hall
2013 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay; $38
14.5/20 —The family-owned Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards produce preeminent Burgundian varietals. This beautifully bright Chardonnay presents layers of pear, apple, melon and toasted hazelnut on the palate.

Cline Family Cellars
2014 Pinot Noir; $12
14/20 — Located in the Petaluma Gap, these vineyards are graced with cooling coastal winds through the long growing season. The wine was aged for 10 months in an oak cask, giving it a deep red color. It offers notes of cedar, vanilla and toffee on the palate with an acidic finish.

SIERRA FOOTHILLS

El Dorado

Lava Cap Vineyard
2010 Petite Sirah; $30
14/20 — Only 705 cases of the vineyard's signature wine were produced in 2010. It is handcrafted, delivering intense fruit flavors of cherry and currant with a hint of molasses. This wine is the perfect companion to your favorite hearty winter dish.

Lodi

Onesta Wines
2013 Viognier; $22
14/20 — With only 250 cases produced, this excellent white wine is light and refreshing. Notes of orange blossom, apricot and nectarine linger on the palate.

CENTRAL COAST

Monterey County

Bridlewood Estate Winery
Pinot Noir; $16
13/20 — The cool, foggy climate of Monterey County is perfect for growing Pinot Noir grapes. This Pinot Noir has floral aromas that extend to the palate and blend with creamy flavors of raspberry, dark cherry, caramel and toffee.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery
2014 Sofia Rosé; $19
13/20 — This refreshing, fruity blend perfectly complements light summer meals. Pleasing aromas of wild berries lead to a vibrant palate of juicy plum, pomegranate and raspberry.

Edna Valley

Chamisal Vineyards
2011 Califa Chardonnay; $40
14.5/20 — Made from 100 percent Chardonnay, this wine has a rich and creamy texture framed by a balanced acidity. It delivers bursts of fresh lime, pineapple, orange, vanilla and toasted oak.

Santa Barbara County

Angeline Winery
2013 Reserve Pinot Noir; $15
13.5/20 — This rich Pinot Noir boasts flavors of strawberry, raspberry and cherry cola and finishes with a creamy, caramel taste.

CALIFORNIA — MULTIPLE AVAs

Joel Gott Wines
815 Cabernet Sauvignon; $18
13.5/20 — Aged for over a year in oak, this Cabernet Sauvignon boasts impeccable tannin structure. Aromas of mocha and plum lead to a palate of rich fruits and cherry spice.

Willamette Valley

Vista Hills Vineyard & Winery
2014 Treehouse Estate Pinot Gris; $24
12.5/20 — The grapes for this Pinot Gris are grown in the nutrient-rich Jory soil of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Notes of pear, grapefruit and melon give the resulting wine a crisp, dry finish.




WASHINGTON

Columbia Valley

Columbia Winery
2014 Horse Heaven Hills Grenache Rosé; $26
13.5/20 — Columbia Winery has embraced progressive winemaking for more than 50 years. Winemaker Sean Hails advances his reputation with this Grenache Rosé. Fruit-forward aromas of pomegranate, cranberry and strawberry linger on the palate, making this wine a delightful companion to a fresh salad and cranberry vinaigrette.

ARGENTINA

Mendoza

Don Miguel Gascón
2014 Malbec; $20
13.5/20 — Made from 100 percent Malbec grown at the foot of the Andes Mountains, this wine has an intense aroma of blackberry and plum. It enlivens the palate with hints of maple entwining strong fruit flavors.

FRANCE

Alsace

Louis Sipp
2008 Nature's Pinot Gris; $24
14/20 — Louis Sipp was first established at the end of World War I and consists of 148 acres. This wine is certified organic and entirely crafted from Pinot Gris grapes. It has a beautiful yellow color with smoky flavors of tropical fruits.

Domaines Schlumberger
2009 Riesling Les Princes Abbés; $18
14/20 — Introduced in the 15th century, Riesling is one of Alsace's finest exports. This wine is light yellow in color and has aromas of green apple and white peach. It boasts flavors of lemon and ginger before resolving in a sharp citrus finish.

Bordeaux

Chateau Chevaliers d'Aux
Médoc; $24
14/20 — Made from 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 percent Merlot, 7 percent Cabernet Franc and 3 percent Petit Verdot, this wine boasts aromas of violet, currant and cedar with a full-bodied palate of cherry, cassis and well-structured tannins.

Champagne

Champagne Pierre Paillard
Brut Rosé Grand Cru; $50
14/20 — This Brut Rosé is made from 70 percent Chardonnay and 30 percent Pinot Noir grapes from the estate's vineyards in Bouzy. The Chardonnay gives it a fresh and delicate taste, while the Pinot Noir offers flavors of black raspberry.

ITALY

Lugana

Zenato
2013 Lugana di San Benedetto DOC; $16
14/20 — This wine is made from 100 percent Trebbiano di Lugana grapes harvested from the San Benedetto vineyard. Pale green in color, it offers notes of peach, citrus, banana and herbs, underscored by a crisp acidity on the palate.

Nero d'Avola Terre Siciliane

Pura Sicilia Purato
Nero d'Avola Terre Siciliane; $11
13/20 — This wine is entirely made from Sicily’s renowned indigenous grape, Nero d'Avola. It has a wonderful structure of soft tannins and is rich in red berry flavors.

PORTUGAL

Douro Valley

Symington Family Vineyards
2012 Dow's Vale do Bomfim; $20
13.5/20 — For many years, this red wine was made exclusively for the family. Today it is offered in a growing number of countries. Made from 50 percent Tinta Barroca, 10 percent Touriga Nacional, 20 percent Touriga Franca and 10 percent Tinta Roriz, this wine offers rich and full-bodied flavors of blackberry underlined by a nice acidity.

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