New Wine Releases April 2016

CALIFORNIA

NORTH COAST

Napa Valley

Azur Wines
2014 Solace Rosé; $18
14/20 —Winemaker Julien Fayard set out to create this rosé the French way by using grapes grown specifically for rosé production. This method results in a stunningly pink wine with strong fruit flavors, as seen in the 2014 Solace Rose. This wine has aromas of rose petal and white flower, along with flavors of peach, watermelon and strawberry.

J.W. Thomas Wines
2013 Hanaiali'i Chardonnay; $25
14.5/20 — Created by Grammy-nominated artist, Amy Hanaiali'i, this Chardonnay captures the essence of the aloha spirit. The Hanaiali'i Chardonnay has toasty french oak flavors complemented by vanilla and an overall creaminess.

Sonoma County

George Wines
2015 Ferae Naturae Rosé of Pinot Noir; $25
14/20 —The Ferae Naturae Rose is a blend of George Wines' four vineyards. This rosé is light-bodied with intense flavor and subtle yet complex structure. It has notes of watermelon, cherry and strawberry and is perfect for pairing with food.

MULTIPLE AVAs

Herzog Wine Cellars
2012 Variations Three Cabernet Sauvignon; $25
13.5/20 —The 2012 Variations Three Cabernet Sauvignon was named for its tri-blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Paso Robles, Napa Valley and Santa Ynez. The three variations contribute to the wine's flavor notes of strawberry and coconut with a hint of dusty minerality.

VIRGINIA

Central Virginia

Monticello

Trump Winery
2012 Rosé; $14
13/20 —Trump Winery rests at the foothill of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a few miles away from Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's homeplace. The 2012 Rosé has strawberry in its aroma, along with flavor notes of rose petal, cherry and sweet candy. The fruitiness is balanced with a refreshing acidity and a creamy finish.

SOUTH AFRICA

Stellenbosch

Mulderbosch Vineyards
2011 Sauvignon Blanc; $18
13/20 — Mulderbosch Vineyards is widely accepted as one of South Africa's best wine producers and the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc is an apt reflection of this reputation. This white wine has pronounced notes of citrus, lemon zest and green fig, with an overall note of flower. On the palate, there are strong flavors of clementine, melon and gooseberry.

ISRAEL

Galilee

Galil Mountain Winery
2011 Galil Alon; $20
14/20 — The 2011 Galil Alon is produced from the Upper Galilee Mountain range where the wine is aged for one year in French oak barrels. This full-bodied, deep-purple wine has flavors of fresh berry, plum, blackberry and strawberry balanced with notes of maple, oak and mint.

AUSTRALIA

New South Wales

Penfolds
2014 Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay; $30
14.5/20 — The Tumbarumba Chardonnay comes from the cool climate region of Tumbarumba and has been in production since the 1990's. This white wine has hints of lemon, peach and pear on the nose and has a crisp flavor blended with notes of nutty oak.

AUSTRIA

WACHAU

Wagram Donauland

Pichler-Krutzler
2012 Grüner Veltliner Klostersatz; $26
14/20 —A husband and wife duo, both from wine-making families, founded their own wine estate in Wachau in 2006. Pichler-Krutzler boasts pure, unadultered wines without any additives or juice concentration. The 2012 Grüner Veltliner Klostersatz is a silky wine with flavors of peach, grapefruit and green bean, followed by a refreshing finish.

FRANCE

BOURDEAUX

Haut-Médoc

Château Hourtin-Ducasse
2013 Les Rosés de Marie; $19
13.5/20 —Named after its owners, Hourtin and Ducasse in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Chateau Hourtin-Ducasse vineyard was bought by the Marengo family in 1976 and has been managed under their name ever since. The 2013 Les Rosés de Marie is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc region. It is heavier-bodied than the typical rosé and has flavors of red fruit and flower with a hint of spice.

RHONE

Vin de Pays

Chêne Bleu
2009 Héloise; $99
16/20 —The Rolets, who released their first wines from Chêne Bleu in 2006, transformed the winery by using biodynamic methods that place an emphasis on practicing ecological self-sufficiency and harvesting fresh, organic fruit. The 2009 Héloise is a concentrated, rich red wine that is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Viognier. It has aromas of red fruit, black pepper, cedar wood and spices with a complex structure, followed by a clean finish.

GREECE

HALKIDIKI

Slopes of Mt. Meliton

Domaine Porto Carras
2014 Malagouzia; $16
13.5/20 —The vineyards of Domaine Porto Carras were first planted in 1965 and designed by university professors who took advantage of the area's hilly terrain. Malagouzia, a rare and ancient white wine variety, was revived at these vineyards and reintroduced to consumers. This wine has strong aromas of apricot, lime and orange blossom and flavor notes of lemon and apple skin.

ITALY

VENETO

Prosecco DOC

Ruffino
2010 Prosecco; $15
13/20 —Ruffino Prosecco is made of 100 percent Glera grapes sourced from northeastern Italy. This fruity Prosecco has notes of citrus, pear and apple with hints of white flower. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif or paired with shellfish or white meat.

PORTUGAL

DURIENSE

Duoro

Quinta dos Murcas
Assobio Duoro 2012; $12
13/20 — Made from hand-harvested grapes in traditional granite wine presses, the Assobio Duoro is a deep ruby red wine that has strong aromas of red berries and spice. Hints of vanilla and cedar are blended in the bold and fruity flavor.

ALENTEJO

Duoro

Herdade do Esporao
Red Reserve 2012; $25
13.5/20 — The Red Reserve 2012 showcases the best traits of Alentejo red wines. Matured in American and French oak barrels, this red wine has layered aromas of dark berry, vanilla and spice. On the palate are rich, ripe and dense flavors of fruit.

CHILE

Casablanca Valley

Ritual
2015 Chardonnay; $19
14/20 — The 2015 Vintage is produced from hand-harvested grapes that undergo whole cluster pressing and fermentation. This process results in a wine that has an elegant complexity and silkiness. It has strong aromas of quince, apple and hazelnut, along with notes of oak and vanilla. The fruit flavors are rounded out with a soft and long finish.

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