March 29, 2011
News from Heights Chateau
Rather slim pickings again this week, but here's a distant early warning for you: Save the date, May 18, when we'll be celebrating Heights Chateau's 25th anniversary with a gala tasting at the Brooklyn Historical Society. More details soon!
NEW WHITES:
(new vintage) Joseph Drouhin 2009 Macon-Villages @ $10.99
floral and fruity on the nose, straightforward and direct on the palate, fresh and light with a very pleasant aftertaste
La Soraia 2009 Gavi di Gavi @ $14.99
from one of the oldest producers of Gavi di Gavi from estate-grown Cortese grapes, a medium bodied white with vibrant citrus aromas and flavors of fresh lemon, straw and mint
Barbanot 2009 Cotes de Ventoux @ $16.99
plump fruit supported by nice acidity into a smooth finish that ends with lingering traces of mineral
Atwater 2010 Riesling @ $17.99
an herbal, aromatic wine from Seneca Lake, with a palate driven by intense lime flavors and good length on the finish
Collovray and Terrier 2009 St. Veran @ $17.99
from two of the elite producers of the Maconnais, an elegant Chardonnay with a softly structured palate lightly perfumed with mineral and citrus notes
Santo NV Ageri @ $23.99
from a cooperative that is the biggest producer on the island of Santorini, an off-dry white with a bouquet of wild strawberries and a lingering fruity palate
Santo 2009 Nykteri Santorini @ $25.99
mostly Assyrtiko, with two other native grapes blended in, a concentrated, focused wine with flavors of baked apple, pear and citrus and a long finish
(new vintage) Joseph Drouhin 2009 Macon-Villages @ $10.99
floral and fruity on the nose, straightforward and direct on the palate, fresh and light with a very pleasant aftertaste
La Soraia 2009 Gavi di Gavi @ $14.99
from one of the oldest producers of Gavi di Gavi from estate-grown Cortese grapes, a medium bodied white with vibrant citrus aromas and flavors of fresh lemon, straw and mint
Barbanot 2009 Cotes de Ventoux @ $16.99
plump fruit supported by nice acidity into a smooth finish that ends with lingering traces of mineral
Atwater 2010 Riesling @ $17.99
an herbal, aromatic wine from Seneca Lake, with a palate driven by intense lime flavors and good length on the finish
Collovray and Terrier 2009 St. Veran @ $17.99
from two of the elite producers of the Maconnais, an elegant Chardonnay with a softly structured palate lightly perfumed with mineral and citrus notes
Santo NV Ageri @ $23.99
from a cooperative that is the biggest producer on the island of Santorini, an off-dry white with a bouquet of wild strawberries and a lingering fruity palate
Santo 2009 Nykteri Santorini @ $25.99
mostly Assyrtiko, with two other native grapes blended in, a concentrated, focused wine with flavors of baked apple, pear and citrus and a long finish
NEW REDS:
Candor NV Merlot @ $14.99
made by noted winemaker Austin Hope, a blend of fruit from several different coastal vineyards showing classic plummy fruit, spice, and a hint of smoke, complex and subtle
Sweetwater Land 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $15.99
made from sustainably grown, hand-harvested grapes, a spicy Cab with aromas and flavors of black raspberries and a lightly toasted oak finish
Oddero 2008 Barbera d'Alba @ $16.99
a bouquet of fully ripe fruit, with an excellent dash of freshness and the classic Barbera backbone
Barbanot 2009 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $17.99
80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, medium bodied, soft and juicy, with a slight peppery bite at the end
Candor NV Merlot @ $14.99
made by noted winemaker Austin Hope, a blend of fruit from several different coastal vineyards showing classic plummy fruit, spice, and a hint of smoke, complex and subtle
Sweetwater Land 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $15.99
made from sustainably grown, hand-harvested grapes, a spicy Cab with aromas and flavors of black raspberries and a lightly toasted oak finish
Oddero 2008 Barbera d'Alba @ $16.99
a bouquet of fully ripe fruit, with an excellent dash of freshness and the classic Barbera backbone
Barbanot 2009 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $17.99
80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, medium bodied, soft and juicy, with a slight peppery bite at the end
March 21, 2011
News from Heights Chateau
Fairly slim pickings this week; be sure to check the calendar on our web site, http://www.heightschateau.com/, for info about in-store tastings and other upcoming events.
NEW WHITES:
Blanc de Coupe Roses 2008 Champ du Roy @ $10.99
roughly equal parts Muscat and Viognier, with around 5% of Marsanne and 5% Grenache Blanc from the Minervois, a hugely aromatic, dry white
Guillot-Broux 2008 Macon-Villages Selection @ $16.99
from an estate in the Macon that has been farmed organically since 1954, a full-bodied, rich Chardonnay with the perfect balance of minerality and fruit
Blanc de Coupe Roses 2008 Champ du Roy @ $10.99
roughly equal parts Muscat and Viognier, with around 5% of Marsanne and 5% Grenache Blanc from the Minervois, a hugely aromatic, dry white
Guillot-Broux 2008 Macon-Villages Selection @ $16.99
from an estate in the Macon that has been farmed organically since 1954, a full-bodied, rich Chardonnay with the perfect balance of minerality and fruit
NEW REDS:
(new vintage) KWV 2008 Roodeberg @ $11.99
produced in Paarl, in the heart of the Cape winelands, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot with ripe berries on the nose and hints of cinnamon spice and green pepper
(new vintage) Grant Burge 2009 Benchmark Shiraz @ $12.99
a fruity Shiraz from the Barossa Valley with bright aromas of fresh red berries, cloves and pepper and fruit flavors that unfold with notes of anise and flowers into a lingering finish
Casnati 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
from Argentina's Uco Valley, a medium-bodied Cab with inviting aromas of raspberry jam, leather and spice and flavors of quince and dark chocolate
(new vintage) Oberto 2009 Barbera @ $14.99
a polished, elegant Barbera with lots of berry flavors and a hint of tobacco
(back) DeForville 2009 Dolcetto @ $14.99
a traditional, understated, and masterful Dolcetto, the type of wine the Piemontese themselves prefer
Ramspeck 2006 Merlot @ $16.99
made by Gerry Rowland of Rowland Cellars, a Merlot with aromas of a bright red berry medley with bittersweet chocolate and flavors of ripe currents, wild plum, blueberries and spices
Muxagat 2005 Douro @ $26.99
a distinctive blend of three indigenous Douro varietals, dominated by notes of chocolate and spice
(new vintage) KWV 2008 Roodeberg @ $11.99
produced in Paarl, in the heart of the Cape winelands, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot with ripe berries on the nose and hints of cinnamon spice and green pepper
(new vintage) Grant Burge 2009 Benchmark Shiraz @ $12.99
a fruity Shiraz from the Barossa Valley with bright aromas of fresh red berries, cloves and pepper and fruit flavors that unfold with notes of anise and flowers into a lingering finish
Casnati 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $13.99
from Argentina's Uco Valley, a medium-bodied Cab with inviting aromas of raspberry jam, leather and spice and flavors of quince and dark chocolate
(new vintage) Oberto 2009 Barbera @ $14.99
a polished, elegant Barbera with lots of berry flavors and a hint of tobacco
(back) DeForville 2009 Dolcetto @ $14.99
a traditional, understated, and masterful Dolcetto, the type of wine the Piemontese themselves prefer
Ramspeck 2006 Merlot @ $16.99
made by Gerry Rowland of Rowland Cellars, a Merlot with aromas of a bright red berry medley with bittersweet chocolate and flavors of ripe currents, wild plum, blueberries and spices
Muxagat 2005 Douro @ $26.99
a distinctive blend of three indigenous Douro varietals, dominated by notes of chocolate and spice
NEW ROSE:
(back) Diables 2009 Cotes de Provence @ $12.99
a classic light and crisp Provencal rose, a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault
(back) Diables 2009 Cotes de Provence @ $12.99
a classic light and crisp Provencal rose, a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault
March 16, 2011
News from Heights Chateau
From last week to this looks like from famine to feast! Hope you find something here to please your palate.
NEW WHITES:
(back) Lisabella 2009 Pinot Grigio @ $7.99
deliciously balanced, with good levels of fruit (not too fruity) and a nice crisp and refreshing finish
Cantarranas 2009 Rueda @ $8.99
a Verdejo/Viura blend, crisp and fresh on the palate, balanced and rounded with a long and soft aftertaste
(new vintage) Mezzacorona 2009 Pinot Grigio @ $8.99
a fuller, rounder, more satisfying Pinot Grigio with ripe aromas of peach, pear and honey and a smooth, creamy feel in the mouth
Arton 2009 Cotes de Gascogne @ $9.99
explosive on the nose with bright floral aromatics, fresh. with a palate that explodes with grapefruit and succulent white pepper flavors
(back) Jean Rosen 2009 Pinot Blanc @ $10.99
from a practicing organic estate in Alsace that traces its history back to the 17th century, a crisp, fruit-forward, and terroir-expressive white that is an unbeatable value
Santa Helena 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
from a Chilean winery that dates from the 1940s, an herbal Sauvignon Blanc with crisp apple and citrus notes
Beviam 2009 Tocai @ $10.99
produced by Bodegas Cava del 23 in Mendoza, an intensely aromatic white with tropical citrus notes and a long finish
(new vintage) Healdsburg Ranches 2009 Chardonnay @ $11.99
unoaked, from the Russian River Valley, clean and focused, a great wine at an exceptional price
Bonhoste 2010 Bordeaux Blanc @ $11.99
a Semillon/Sauvignon/Muscadelle blend with a fresh, youthful pear drop and lemon nose that leads into a punchy, full-flavored palate
Lagar da Xestosa 2009 Godello @ $13.99
light and silky with excellent harmony and acidity and an elegant finish
Mara 2009 White Grass Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
a four-vineyard, four-appellation blend, crisp and clean with bright fruit and penetrating minerality
Kendall-Jackson 2009 Chardonnay "Avant" @ $14.99
not the standard K-J Chardonnay but a new, more modern expression of the grape, with refreshing acidity and sleek mineral notes that are balanced by a rounded mid-palate with a long, pure fruit finish
Teperberg 2009 White @ $15.99
a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Chardonnay, light gold in color, with pineapple, citrus and tropical fruits on the nose and palate, Kosher
Bonny Doon 2009 Albarino @ $16.99
certified biodynamic, made by the one and only Randall Grahm, an Albarino from Monterey that is redolent of citrus rind and herbs with a crisp, briny finish
Paco & Lola 2009 Albarino @ $18.99
crisp and aromatic with floral and tropical fruit aromas, bone dry with nice minerality and a silky, refreshing finish
Frecciarossa 2008 Riesling "Gli Orti" @ $18.99
from an estate in Lombardy's Oltrepo Pavese region, a dry, elegant Riesling with spicy white pepper flavors
Freemark Abbey 2009 Chardonnay @ $19.99
a Chardonnay with concentrated ripe stone fruit aromas and flavors and an underlying subtle toasty oak complexity
Peter Schandl 2008 Pinot Blanc @ $20.99
delicate and spicy, with fully ripe fruit and chilly minerality, full bodied on the palate, balanced to a long finish
Kynsi 2008 Chardonnay @ $21.99
a full, rich Chardonnay from Edna Valley with a textured , round mouth feel, finishing clean with layers of pineapple guava, citrus and honey
Vigneti Massa 2009 Timorasso "Derthona" @ $25.99
a Piedmont white made from an obscure, indigenous varietal, Timorasso, fresh and clean, rich and complex, well balanced and lush with great acidity and a long, spicy-peppery finish
(back) Latour 2008 Meursault @ $32.99
focused and fruity with nice complexity and minerality, a subtle wine with real interest
Talbott 2008 Chardonnay "Sleepy Hollow" @ $42.99
the winery's flagship Chardonnay from the famed Sleepy Hollow vineyard, full bodied, smooth, balanced, with delicious notes of tangerine, grapefruit, white peach, and toasted almond
(back) Lisabella 2009 Pinot Grigio @ $7.99
deliciously balanced, with good levels of fruit (not too fruity) and a nice crisp and refreshing finish
Cantarranas 2009 Rueda @ $8.99
a Verdejo/Viura blend, crisp and fresh on the palate, balanced and rounded with a long and soft aftertaste
(new vintage) Mezzacorona 2009 Pinot Grigio @ $8.99
a fuller, rounder, more satisfying Pinot Grigio with ripe aromas of peach, pear and honey and a smooth, creamy feel in the mouth
Arton 2009 Cotes de Gascogne @ $9.99
explosive on the nose with bright floral aromatics, fresh. with a palate that explodes with grapefruit and succulent white pepper flavors
(back) Jean Rosen 2009 Pinot Blanc @ $10.99
from a practicing organic estate in Alsace that traces its history back to the 17th century, a crisp, fruit-forward, and terroir-expressive white that is an unbeatable value
Santa Helena 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $10.99
from a Chilean winery that dates from the 1940s, an herbal Sauvignon Blanc with crisp apple and citrus notes
Beviam 2009 Tocai @ $10.99
produced by Bodegas Cava del 23 in Mendoza, an intensely aromatic white with tropical citrus notes and a long finish
(new vintage) Healdsburg Ranches 2009 Chardonnay @ $11.99
unoaked, from the Russian River Valley, clean and focused, a great wine at an exceptional price
Bonhoste 2010 Bordeaux Blanc @ $11.99
a Semillon/Sauvignon/Muscadelle blend with a fresh, youthful pear drop and lemon nose that leads into a punchy, full-flavored palate
Lagar da Xestosa 2009 Godello @ $13.99
light and silky with excellent harmony and acidity and an elegant finish
Mara 2009 White Grass Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
a four-vineyard, four-appellation blend, crisp and clean with bright fruit and penetrating minerality
Kendall-Jackson 2009 Chardonnay "Avant" @ $14.99
not the standard K-J Chardonnay but a new, more modern expression of the grape, with refreshing acidity and sleek mineral notes that are balanced by a rounded mid-palate with a long, pure fruit finish
Teperberg 2009 White @ $15.99
a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Chardonnay, light gold in color, with pineapple, citrus and tropical fruits on the nose and palate, Kosher
Bonny Doon 2009 Albarino @ $16.99
certified biodynamic, made by the one and only Randall Grahm, an Albarino from Monterey that is redolent of citrus rind and herbs with a crisp, briny finish
Paco & Lola 2009 Albarino @ $18.99
crisp and aromatic with floral and tropical fruit aromas, bone dry with nice minerality and a silky, refreshing finish
Frecciarossa 2008 Riesling "Gli Orti" @ $18.99
from an estate in Lombardy's Oltrepo Pavese region, a dry, elegant Riesling with spicy white pepper flavors
Freemark Abbey 2009 Chardonnay @ $19.99
a Chardonnay with concentrated ripe stone fruit aromas and flavors and an underlying subtle toasty oak complexity
Peter Schandl 2008 Pinot Blanc @ $20.99
delicate and spicy, with fully ripe fruit and chilly minerality, full bodied on the palate, balanced to a long finish
Kynsi 2008 Chardonnay @ $21.99
a full, rich Chardonnay from Edna Valley with a textured , round mouth feel, finishing clean with layers of pineapple guava, citrus and honey
Vigneti Massa 2009 Timorasso "Derthona" @ $25.99
a Piedmont white made from an obscure, indigenous varietal, Timorasso, fresh and clean, rich and complex, well balanced and lush with great acidity and a long, spicy-peppery finish
(back) Latour 2008 Meursault @ $32.99
focused and fruity with nice complexity and minerality, a subtle wine with real interest
Talbott 2008 Chardonnay "Sleepy Hollow" @ $42.99
the winery's flagship Chardonnay from the famed Sleepy Hollow vineyard, full bodied, smooth, balanced, with delicious notes of tangerine, grapefruit, white peach, and toasted almond
NEW REDS:
(back) Lisabella 2008 Nero d'Avola @ $7.99
ripe, berrylike fruit aromas complemented by hints of leather and smoke, warm and plummy with a touch of raisins and a hint of almonds in the flavor and with sufficient acidity to give it structure
Calina 2009 Carmenere @ $8.99
an earthy, spicy red packed with powerful aromas and flavors of ripe black cherries, fresh berries, spice, fresh herbs, smoked bacon and a hint of vanilla
Santa Helena 2009 Merlot @ $10.99
from a Chilean winery that dates from the 1940s, a Merlot with well defined varietal aromas with plenty of plum and black currant fruit creating a medium weighted, easy drinking wine
Santa Helena 2009 Carmenere @ $10.99
from a Chilean winery that dates from the 1940s, a Carmenere with a plush palate, with lots of dark, sinewy, spice-edged black fruits, fine tannins and a lovely dry finish
(back) First Drop 2009 The Red One @ $10.99
a fruit-driven Barossa blend, mostly of Cabernet and Shiraz with splashes of Barbera, Trincadeira, Tempranillo and Nebbiolo, featuring spicy dark fruit aromas, bright acidity, structured tannins, and a big berry finish
Peachy Canyon 2008 Incredible Red Zin @ $11.99
a Paso Robles Zin with bright fruit, mild acidity, and an elegant finish
Bogle 2008 Merlot @ $11.99
a full-bodied Merlot with deep cherry fruit, soft hints of summer anise, and touches of pipe tobacco and spicy oak that lend weight to the finish, trailed by firm, assertive tannins
Tour d'Auron 2005 Bordeaux @ $11.99
pure Merlot from a small-production estate producing sought after wines with excellent aging potential, a wine with good intensity and a complex bouquet of truffles, violets and rich fruits, well balanced, elegant, complex and long
Barberani 2009 Polago @ $11.99
a blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano from Umbria, smoky, meaty, and brimming with plum fruit
Matignon 2008 Anjou Rouge @ $11.99
a stainless-steel Cabernet Franc, soft, elegant, with great acidity and lovely texture and balance
Bonny Doon 2009 Contra @ $13.99
a new field blend from Randall Grahm � Carignane, Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, and Syrah � rustic yet refined, lots of ripe Bing cherries grounded in an earthy backbone
Lagar da Xestosa 2009 Mencia @ $13.99
a clean and bright red with fresh, intense aromas of red fruits and a fresh, elegant finish
Medoro 2007 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo @ $15.99
a stunning red with intense varietal fruit and an assertive palate, a big wine at a small price
Rentas de Fincas 2005 Rioja @ $16.99
an 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 10% Graciano blend, with a nose of raisins and plums, smooth, polished tannins, and a long finish
Abbona 2008 Dolcetto "San Luigi" @ $16.99
a single-vineyard wine, ripe and rich, with plum, red fruit and pepper flavors that have a full, mouth-filling character before a persistent, tangy finish
Chionetti 2006 Dolcetto "San Luigi" @ $16.99
from a producer who makes only Dolcetto, a beautifully balanced red with soft supple tannins, elegant, and the exception to the rule that Dolcettos can't age
Teperberg 2009 Meritage @ $16.99
a Bordeaux-style blend from Israel's Judean Hills, full-bodied with some hints of cassis and dark berries, smooth and easy-drinking, Kosher
Xavier Flouret 2007 uQamata Red @ $17.99
a Bordeaux-style blend from Amani Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa, made by South Africa's first black female winemaker, a smooth, ripe red with good balance between fruit flavors, alcohol, and refreshing acidity
Doolhof 2009 Pinotage "Dark Lady of the Labyrinth" @ $17.99
a real quaffer, with hedonistic flavors of tart, fresh-crushed cherries and mocha with smooth, almost velvety tannins
Rickshaw 2009 Pinot Noir @ $17.99
a blend made from a couple of sources scattered throughout Sonoma County, with hallmark Pinot spice on the nose and juicy red and blue fruits on the palate
Santa Helena 2009 Vernus Pinot Noir @ $17.99
from a Chilean winery that dates from the 1940s, a Pinot with a complex aromatic profile and a nice silky texture
Santa Helena 2009 Vernus Cabernet Sauvignon @ $17.99
a Cabernet with great intensity, highlighting fresh, ripe fruit and well-structured tannins, with good concentration and balance
Jim Barry 2008 Shiraz @ $17.99
a single-vineyard Shiraz from Australia's Clare Valley, with abundant bramble, chocolate and menthol flavors structured on ripe tannins
Domaine de Montrieux 2008 Verre des Poetes @ $18.99
made from very old vines Pineau d'Aunis by one of the great iconoclasts of the Loire, Emile Heredia, a completely natural wine of great purity and flavor
Sardus Pater 2007 Issolus Carignano @ $19.99
from Sardus Pater, a coop on the historic island of St. Antioco on the west side of the island of Sardenga, a wine made exclusively from the indigenous Carignano and Bovace Sardo grapes with a smooth, almost full body that finishes with long, warm earthy notes, balanced by deeper fruit flavors
Matignon 2004 Anjou Villages @ $19.99
100% Cabernet Franc from older vines, fuller and more complex than this producer's basic wine, with lovely texture and structure and a long finish
Cuvelier Los Andes 2007 Red @ $19.99
from the Cuvelier family (proprietors of Chateau Leoville Poyferre in Bordeaux), a blend of 60% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot, full-bodied, smooth-textured, and plush on the palate, with layers of savory fruit, some underlying tannin, and excellent balance
Routestock Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
captures the essence of the Napa Valley with beautiful aromas of blackberry and plum enveloped in medium, approachable tannins
Pech Abuse 2005 Buzet @ $20.99
a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, of medium weight, food friendly, with striking aromas of leather and prune
Dalton 2009 Zinfandel @ $22.99
blended with 13% Petite Sirah, medium- to full-bodied (leaning to the full), deeply aromatic, with fine deep tannins parting to reveal generous black fruits, sweet tobacco and notes of spicy oak, Kosher
Le Gode 2008 Rosso di Montepulciano @ $22.99
an intensely colored red with great body and strcture, made in a slightly more modern style than their Brunello
Lyonnat 2006 Lussac-St. Emilion @ $22.99
100% Merlot, full-bodied, with plummy flavors, a chewy texture and a medium finish.
Paolo Scavino 2007 Nebbiolo @ $24.99
the poor man's Barolo, bright with soft cherry flavors, anise, and good tannic structure
Cave de Tain 2007 Crozes-Hermitages "Les Hauts de Fief" @ $24.99
from a 370-member coop at the foot of the Hermitage hillside, 100% Sryah, deep and dense, with a palate that is powerful, smooth and elegant
Penin 2008 Les Cailloux Bordeaux @ $24.99
100% Merlot, well structured, a wine of elegance, harmony and finesse
Gibourg 2009 Chorey-Les-Beaune @ $31.99
a light, supple red Burgundy, moderately tannic but rich and characterful
Icario 2004 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vitarocchia @ $31.99
Icario's flagship wine, produced in limited quantities and only in the best years, in this vintage with alluring scents of ripe cherries, Tuscan herbs, and anise, sublime dark cherry and plum tastes embellished with hints of smoke and vanilla spice
Righetti 2007 Amarone @ $34.99
a full-bodied red with a very complex nose that emphasizes dried fruit and almonds with a hint of anise, extremely rich flavors, a long, smooth finish and a lingering aftertaste
Belle Pente 2008 Pinot Noir "Murto" @ $40.99
a classic Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, complex, spicy, and earthy with red fruit flavors over polished tannins, only 528 cases made in this vintage
Belle Pente 2008 Pinot Noir "Belle Pente" @ $40.99
an expressive young Pinot with heady aromas of dark red and blue fruits accented by herbs and wood smoke, a long and focused palate, with good underlying structure and perfect acid/tannin balance, only 725 cases made in this vintage
Nada 2006 Barbaresco @ $42.99
from a small family winery in Piedmont, a Barbaresco that is neither fully modern nor completely traditional but elegant and ageworthy
(back) Lisabella 2008 Nero d'Avola @ $7.99
ripe, berrylike fruit aromas complemented by hints of leather and smoke, warm and plummy with a touch of raisins and a hint of almonds in the flavor and with sufficient acidity to give it structure
Calina 2009 Carmenere @ $8.99
an earthy, spicy red packed with powerful aromas and flavors of ripe black cherries, fresh berries, spice, fresh herbs, smoked bacon and a hint of vanilla
Santa Helena 2009 Merlot @ $10.99
from a Chilean winery that dates from the 1940s, a Merlot with well defined varietal aromas with plenty of plum and black currant fruit creating a medium weighted, easy drinking wine
Santa Helena 2009 Carmenere @ $10.99
from a Chilean winery that dates from the 1940s, a Carmenere with a plush palate, with lots of dark, sinewy, spice-edged black fruits, fine tannins and a lovely dry finish
(back) First Drop 2009 The Red One @ $10.99
a fruit-driven Barossa blend, mostly of Cabernet and Shiraz with splashes of Barbera, Trincadeira, Tempranillo and Nebbiolo, featuring spicy dark fruit aromas, bright acidity, structured tannins, and a big berry finish
Peachy Canyon 2008 Incredible Red Zin @ $11.99
a Paso Robles Zin with bright fruit, mild acidity, and an elegant finish
Bogle 2008 Merlot @ $11.99
a full-bodied Merlot with deep cherry fruit, soft hints of summer anise, and touches of pipe tobacco and spicy oak that lend weight to the finish, trailed by firm, assertive tannins
Tour d'Auron 2005 Bordeaux @ $11.99
pure Merlot from a small-production estate producing sought after wines with excellent aging potential, a wine with good intensity and a complex bouquet of truffles, violets and rich fruits, well balanced, elegant, complex and long
Barberani 2009 Polago @ $11.99
a blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano from Umbria, smoky, meaty, and brimming with plum fruit
Matignon 2008 Anjou Rouge @ $11.99
a stainless-steel Cabernet Franc, soft, elegant, with great acidity and lovely texture and balance
Bonny Doon 2009 Contra @ $13.99
a new field blend from Randall Grahm � Carignane, Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, and Syrah � rustic yet refined, lots of ripe Bing cherries grounded in an earthy backbone
Lagar da Xestosa 2009 Mencia @ $13.99
a clean and bright red with fresh, intense aromas of red fruits and a fresh, elegant finish
Medoro 2007 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo @ $15.99
a stunning red with intense varietal fruit and an assertive palate, a big wine at a small price
Rentas de Fincas 2005 Rioja @ $16.99
an 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 10% Graciano blend, with a nose of raisins and plums, smooth, polished tannins, and a long finish
Abbona 2008 Dolcetto "San Luigi" @ $16.99
a single-vineyard wine, ripe and rich, with plum, red fruit and pepper flavors that have a full, mouth-filling character before a persistent, tangy finish
Chionetti 2006 Dolcetto "San Luigi" @ $16.99
from a producer who makes only Dolcetto, a beautifully balanced red with soft supple tannins, elegant, and the exception to the rule that Dolcettos can't age
Teperberg 2009 Meritage @ $16.99
a Bordeaux-style blend from Israel's Judean Hills, full-bodied with some hints of cassis and dark berries, smooth and easy-drinking, Kosher
Xavier Flouret 2007 uQamata Red @ $17.99
a Bordeaux-style blend from Amani Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa, made by South Africa's first black female winemaker, a smooth, ripe red with good balance between fruit flavors, alcohol, and refreshing acidity
Doolhof 2009 Pinotage "Dark Lady of the Labyrinth" @ $17.99
a real quaffer, with hedonistic flavors of tart, fresh-crushed cherries and mocha with smooth, almost velvety tannins
Rickshaw 2009 Pinot Noir @ $17.99
a blend made from a couple of sources scattered throughout Sonoma County, with hallmark Pinot spice on the nose and juicy red and blue fruits on the palate
Santa Helena 2009 Vernus Pinot Noir @ $17.99
from a Chilean winery that dates from the 1940s, a Pinot with a complex aromatic profile and a nice silky texture
Santa Helena 2009 Vernus Cabernet Sauvignon @ $17.99
a Cabernet with great intensity, highlighting fresh, ripe fruit and well-structured tannins, with good concentration and balance
Jim Barry 2008 Shiraz @ $17.99
a single-vineyard Shiraz from Australia's Clare Valley, with abundant bramble, chocolate and menthol flavors structured on ripe tannins
Domaine de Montrieux 2008 Verre des Poetes @ $18.99
made from very old vines Pineau d'Aunis by one of the great iconoclasts of the Loire, Emile Heredia, a completely natural wine of great purity and flavor
Sardus Pater 2007 Issolus Carignano @ $19.99
from Sardus Pater, a coop on the historic island of St. Antioco on the west side of the island of Sardenga, a wine made exclusively from the indigenous Carignano and Bovace Sardo grapes with a smooth, almost full body that finishes with long, warm earthy notes, balanced by deeper fruit flavors
Matignon 2004 Anjou Villages @ $19.99
100% Cabernet Franc from older vines, fuller and more complex than this producer's basic wine, with lovely texture and structure and a long finish
Cuvelier Los Andes 2007 Red @ $19.99
from the Cuvelier family (proprietors of Chateau Leoville Poyferre in Bordeaux), a blend of 60% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot, full-bodied, smooth-textured, and plush on the palate, with layers of savory fruit, some underlying tannin, and excellent balance
Routestock Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
captures the essence of the Napa Valley with beautiful aromas of blackberry and plum enveloped in medium, approachable tannins
Pech Abuse 2005 Buzet @ $20.99
a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, of medium weight, food friendly, with striking aromas of leather and prune
Dalton 2009 Zinfandel @ $22.99
blended with 13% Petite Sirah, medium- to full-bodied (leaning to the full), deeply aromatic, with fine deep tannins parting to reveal generous black fruits, sweet tobacco and notes of spicy oak, Kosher
Le Gode 2008 Rosso di Montepulciano @ $22.99
an intensely colored red with great body and strcture, made in a slightly more modern style than their Brunello
Lyonnat 2006 Lussac-St. Emilion @ $22.99
100% Merlot, full-bodied, with plummy flavors, a chewy texture and a medium finish.
Paolo Scavino 2007 Nebbiolo @ $24.99
the poor man's Barolo, bright with soft cherry flavors, anise, and good tannic structure
Cave de Tain 2007 Crozes-Hermitages "Les Hauts de Fief" @ $24.99
from a 370-member coop at the foot of the Hermitage hillside, 100% Sryah, deep and dense, with a palate that is powerful, smooth and elegant
Penin 2008 Les Cailloux Bordeaux @ $24.99
100% Merlot, well structured, a wine of elegance, harmony and finesse
Gibourg 2009 Chorey-Les-Beaune @ $31.99
a light, supple red Burgundy, moderately tannic but rich and characterful
Icario 2004 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vitarocchia @ $31.99
Icario's flagship wine, produced in limited quantities and only in the best years, in this vintage with alluring scents of ripe cherries, Tuscan herbs, and anise, sublime dark cherry and plum tastes embellished with hints of smoke and vanilla spice
Righetti 2007 Amarone @ $34.99
a full-bodied red with a very complex nose that emphasizes dried fruit and almonds with a hint of anise, extremely rich flavors, a long, smooth finish and a lingering aftertaste
Belle Pente 2008 Pinot Noir "Murto" @ $40.99
a classic Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, complex, spicy, and earthy with red fruit flavors over polished tannins, only 528 cases made in this vintage
Belle Pente 2008 Pinot Noir "Belle Pente" @ $40.99
an expressive young Pinot with heady aromas of dark red and blue fruits accented by herbs and wood smoke, a long and focused palate, with good underlying structure and perfect acid/tannin balance, only 725 cases made in this vintage
Nada 2006 Barbaresco @ $42.99
from a small family winery in Piedmont, a Barbaresco that is neither fully modern nor completely traditional but elegant and ageworthy
NEW ROSES:
Anne Pichon 2009 Gris Montagne @ $10.99
a Syrah/Grenache/old-vines Carignane blend from the Ventoux, dry and crisp
Jelu 2010 Malbec @ $10.99
100% organic Malbec from Argentina's Zonda Valley, with lifted aromas of red cherries and a light, perfectly balanced palate
Ermita San Felices 2009 Rioja @ $10.99
100% Tempranillo from Rioja Alta, nervy and spicy
La Croix du Prieur 2010 Cotes de Provence @ $15.99
from Chateau Coussin, a Grenache/Syrah/Cinsault/Carignane blend, crisp and tangy with berry and citrus flavors
Raimbault 2010 Sancerre Apud Sariacum @ $22.99
from Philippe Raimbault, a ninth-generation Loire producer with a relatively small production, fragrant, elegant, floral and packed with subtle flavors of ripe summer fruits
Raimbault 2010 Sancerre @ $23.99
from Domaine Roger & Didier Raimbault, a light, delicate, and very subtle rose made from 100% Pinot Noir
Anne Pichon 2009 Gris Montagne @ $10.99
a Syrah/Grenache/old-vines Carignane blend from the Ventoux, dry and crisp
Jelu 2010 Malbec @ $10.99
100% organic Malbec from Argentina's Zonda Valley, with lifted aromas of red cherries and a light, perfectly balanced palate
Ermita San Felices 2009 Rioja @ $10.99
100% Tempranillo from Rioja Alta, nervy and spicy
La Croix du Prieur 2010 Cotes de Provence @ $15.99
from Chateau Coussin, a Grenache/Syrah/Cinsault/Carignane blend, crisp and tangy with berry and citrus flavors
Raimbault 2010 Sancerre Apud Sariacum @ $22.99
from Philippe Raimbault, a ninth-generation Loire producer with a relatively small production, fragrant, elegant, floral and packed with subtle flavors of ripe summer fruits
Raimbault 2010 Sancerre @ $23.99
from Domaine Roger & Didier Raimbault, a light, delicate, and very subtle rose made from 100% Pinot Noir
March 9, 2011
news from Heights Chateau
Having taken off last week because there was so little to report from the week before (a holiday week), I now have quite a bit to offer from the two weeks combined . . . so here goes!
NEW WHITES:
Oxford Landing 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $7.99
zesty notes of freshly cut grass and kiwifruit, with lively varietal flavors of gooseberry and hints of tropical fruit punch and passionfruit
(back) Perelada NV Blanc Pescador @ $8.99
a tremendously popular wine when we first discovered it last spring, a vino de aguja (needle wine) from Catalonia that is clean, fresh, crisp, dry, and slightly sparkling wine with a pleasant fruity aroma
Marques de Montemor 2009 White @ $9.99
from Portugal's Alentejo province, a blend of native varietals that is fresh and intense, made in a modern fruity style
Bourdiniere 2009 Muscadet @ $10.99
lively, fresh, and very dry, with a little sparkle on the tongue from natural carbon dioxide
(new vintage) Grant Burge 2008 Benchmark Chardonnay @ $11.99
a fruit-driven Chardonnay with excellent balance, a rich and generous palate with good acid balance
Lafayette-Reneau NV Seyval-Chardonnay @ $11.99
Oxford Landing 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $7.99
zesty notes of freshly cut grass and kiwifruit, with lively varietal flavors of gooseberry and hints of tropical fruit punch and passionfruit
(back) Perelada NV Blanc Pescador @ $8.99
a tremendously popular wine when we first discovered it last spring, a vino de aguja (needle wine) from Catalonia that is clean, fresh, crisp, dry, and slightly sparkling wine with a pleasant fruity aroma
Marques de Montemor 2009 White @ $9.99
from Portugal's Alentejo province, a blend of native varietals that is fresh and intense, made in a modern fruity style
Bourdiniere 2009 Muscadet @ $10.99
lively, fresh, and very dry, with a little sparkle on the tongue from natural carbon dioxide
(new vintage) Grant Burge 2008 Benchmark Chardonnay @ $11.99
a fruit-driven Chardonnay with excellent balance, a rich and generous palate with good acid balance
Lafayette-Reneau NV Seyval-Chardonnay @ $11.99
a flowery nose with subtle apple aromas, smooth and crisp with ample fruit and a lush texture
Estezargues Les Grandes Vignes 2009 Cotes du Rhone @ $12.99
from a southern Rhone cooperative, the only coop in France to make and promote "natural" wines, a sunny white blend with low acidity and muted aromatics
Del Rio 2009 Pinot Gris @ $16.99
a luscious white from Oregon's Rogue Valley, with aromas and flavors are of pear, apple, guava, apricot and fresh fig
(new vintage) Norton Ridge 2009 Chardonnay @ $17.99
lots of big, crisp fruit flavors with just a hint of creamy, buttery oak
Migration 2008 Chardonnay @ $30.99
a classic Chardonnay from Duckhorn's Anderson Valley outpost, a bright and elegantly balanced wine with enticing white flower, Meyer lemon, white fig and almond blossom aromatics, alongside a subtle oak-inspired note
Clos des Fees 2009 Blanc @ $34.99
100% old-vine Grenache Blanc, a full-bodied wine with amazing layers of apricot, peach, honey, grapefruit, cut hay and a beautiful freshness
Leroux 2008 Auxey-Duresses @ $42.99
only the second vintage under Benjamin Leroux's own label, an elegant white Burgundy with rich, round middle-weight flavors that are supple and forward, all wrapped in a tangy, dry, clean finish
Estezargues Les Grandes Vignes 2009 Cotes du Rhone @ $12.99
from a southern Rhone cooperative, the only coop in France to make and promote "natural" wines, a sunny white blend with low acidity and muted aromatics
Del Rio 2009 Pinot Gris @ $16.99
a luscious white from Oregon's Rogue Valley, with aromas and flavors are of pear, apple, guava, apricot and fresh fig
(new vintage) Norton Ridge 2009 Chardonnay @ $17.99
lots of big, crisp fruit flavors with just a hint of creamy, buttery oak
Migration 2008 Chardonnay @ $30.99
a classic Chardonnay from Duckhorn's Anderson Valley outpost, a bright and elegantly balanced wine with enticing white flower, Meyer lemon, white fig and almond blossom aromatics, alongside a subtle oak-inspired note
Clos des Fees 2009 Blanc @ $34.99
100% old-vine Grenache Blanc, a full-bodied wine with amazing layers of apricot, peach, honey, grapefruit, cut hay and a beautiful freshness
Leroux 2008 Auxey-Duresses @ $42.99
only the second vintage under Benjamin Leroux's own label, an elegant white Burgundy with rich, round middle-weight flavors that are supple and forward, all wrapped in a tangy, dry, clean finish
NEW REDS:
DeLoach 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $9.99
an easy-to-drink Cabernet, classic in style, with aromas of black currant intermingling with fresh herbs de Provence
D'Arenberg 2009 Stump Jump @ $11.99
a perennial house favorite, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, aromatic, fresh and lively with an abundance of ripe fruit
LAN 2006 Rioja @ $12.99
100% Tempranillo, fresh and balanced with a generous yet delicate texture
Estezargues 2008 Domaine Gres St. Vincent @ $13.99
from a southern Rhone cooperative, the only coop in France to make and promote "natural" wines, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan with a deep and luxurious palate expressive of ripe black and red fruit flavors
Estezargue 2009 Grandes Vignes Cotes du Rhone @ $13.99
from a southern Rhone cooperative, the only coop in France to make and promote "natural" wines, an unusual Cotes du Rhone made 100% from Cinsault, rich with ripe cherry and berry flavors and a mineral note that is followed by supple acidity and velvety tannins
(back) La Vinsobraise 2006 Vinsobre @ $14.99
from a 60-year-old coop in the Rhone that comprises 250 growers, a Grenache-Syrah blend, rich and chewy with good balance and acidity
Tabali 2008 Syrah @ $14.99
a Syrah from Chile's northern desert region, juicy, silky and smoky with a long finish
Norton Ridge 2009 Merlot @ $15.99
a California Merlot with flavors of dark berries, plum, and hints of mocha and coffee that finishes nicely with soft tannins
(back) Old Parcel 2008 Zinfandel @ $15.99
an old-vines Zinfandel from California's Central Valley with flavors of dark plum and blueberry with a touch of earthiness, and dark chocolate
(new vintage) Buscareto 2008 Lacrima di Morro d'Asti @ $15.99
100% Lacrima Nero, ruby red in color, with the nose dominated by faded rose petals and small savory bush fruit with a light spicy and woody fragrance
Domaine du Tracot 2009 Beaujolais Villages @ $15.99
made naturally and without sulfites, and from THE Beaujolais vintage of recent history, a crisp, light red bursting with fruit
Ruchel 2009 Mencia Valdeorras @ $17.99
made from the Mencia grape, native to western Spain, a richly-colored red with a concentrated fruit nose and flavors of bright red fruit and allspice
Zerbetta 2009 Barbera del Monferrato @ $17.99
a Barbera from biodynamic producers in Piedmont, rich in fruit and with medium tannins
Clos des Fees 2008 Les Sorcieres @ $17.99
from former resterauteur and journalist Herve Bizeul, now making wine in the Cotes du Roussillon, a blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah from 40-80-year-old vines, a soft, round, highly fruited wine with wide appeal
Cousin-Leduc 2009 Rouge @ $19.99
made by Loire Valley organic producer Olivier Cousin, a wine that is 100% old-vines Grolleau, gentle on the palate yet tart and edgy
Johnson Family 2009 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
a cool-climate Pinot Noir from Carneros, a finished wine that offers pure Pinot aromatics, deep red and black fruit flavors, plus plenty of acidity and tannin for structure
Bogle 2007 Phantom Red @ $19.99
a blend of Petite Syrah and Zinfandel with a little Mourvedre thrown in, with robust flavors, driven by fruit and tannins in a big, bold style
Champ des Treilles 2003 Bordeaux @ $22.99
a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, a mature wine with a garnet red color, aromas of berries, licorice and spice
Paige 23 2007 Pinot Noir @ $22.99
a distinct, delicious Pinot Noir from a relative newcomer in Santa Barbara County, with rose petal, tea leaf and raspberry and cassis tones combined with bright acidity and terrific minerality
Collemattoni 2007 Rosso di Montalcino @ $22.99
100% Sangiovese from the Brunello clone, juicy and bright on the palate, yielding red fruits and lively acidity but with an earthy undercurrent
Erbaluna 2008 Barbera @ $23.99
an organic Barbera from the Oberto brothers, super concentrated yet vivacious, with an abundance of ripe, succulent fruits
Rollan de By 2008 Medoc @ $24.99
a Bordeaux of great structure and complexity, ripe but restrained, with nicely sinewy embedded, structure carrying solid black currant, black cherry and fig fruit
Bergevin Lane 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $27.99
a Columbia Valley Cabernet made in a deep, dense style, intense yet elegant, with aromas of blackberry, smoke, and black pepper and a velvety-smooth palate
Les Vins de Viennes Terres de Viennae 2008 Sotanum @ $29.99
from the Villard/Cuilleron/Gaillard team committed to the renaissance of the ancient vineyard of Seyssuel in the northern Rhone, a 100% Syrah that is rich and supple, fruit-forward and easy drinking
Lignier 2008 Bourgogne @ $29.99
a fresh, fruity young Burgundy with good structure and balance
Les Vins de Viennes Terres de Viennae 2008 Heluicum @ $33.99
from the Villard/Cuilleron/Gaillard team committed to the renaissance of the ancient vineyard of Seyssuel in the northern Rhone, a bright, fresh Syrah with a brisk core of kirsch and blackberry fruit backed by snappy tobacco and mouthwatering mineral notes
Neyers 2008 Merlot @ $34.99
a rich, concentrated wine with textbook Merlot flavors like wild cherry, tobacco leaf, and cinnamon
Chandon de Briailles 2008 Pernand-Vergelesses @ $38.99
elegant, refined, pure and intense, great Burgundy from a consistently reliable producer
Smith Madrone 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $43.99
soft, silky, and elegant, classic Napa Cabernet with a sturdy structure and long finish on the palate
Spring Mountain 2007 Syrah @ $49.99
from an outstanding vintage for California Syrah, a balanced and well structured wine with an elegant finish
Neyers 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $56.99
ripe and robust, intense and concentrated, with a full-bodied mix of black cherry, plum, berry, mineral, anise and sage
Clos des Fees 2006 Clos des Fees @ $86.99
from former resterauteur and journalist Herve Bizeul, now making wine in the Cotes du Roussillon, a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan, a wine of great concentration and power with a touch of residual sugar and well integrated oak
DeLoach 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $9.99
an easy-to-drink Cabernet, classic in style, with aromas of black currant intermingling with fresh herbs de Provence
D'Arenberg 2009 Stump Jump @ $11.99
a perennial house favorite, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, aromatic, fresh and lively with an abundance of ripe fruit
LAN 2006 Rioja @ $12.99
100% Tempranillo, fresh and balanced with a generous yet delicate texture
Estezargues 2008 Domaine Gres St. Vincent @ $13.99
from a southern Rhone cooperative, the only coop in France to make and promote "natural" wines, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan with a deep and luxurious palate expressive of ripe black and red fruit flavors
Estezargue 2009 Grandes Vignes Cotes du Rhone @ $13.99
from a southern Rhone cooperative, the only coop in France to make and promote "natural" wines, an unusual Cotes du Rhone made 100% from Cinsault, rich with ripe cherry and berry flavors and a mineral note that is followed by supple acidity and velvety tannins
(back) La Vinsobraise 2006 Vinsobre @ $14.99
from a 60-year-old coop in the Rhone that comprises 250 growers, a Grenache-Syrah blend, rich and chewy with good balance and acidity
Tabali 2008 Syrah @ $14.99
a Syrah from Chile's northern desert region, juicy, silky and smoky with a long finish
Norton Ridge 2009 Merlot @ $15.99
a California Merlot with flavors of dark berries, plum, and hints of mocha and coffee that finishes nicely with soft tannins
(back) Old Parcel 2008 Zinfandel @ $15.99
an old-vines Zinfandel from California's Central Valley with flavors of dark plum and blueberry with a touch of earthiness, and dark chocolate
(new vintage) Buscareto 2008 Lacrima di Morro d'Asti @ $15.99
100% Lacrima Nero, ruby red in color, with the nose dominated by faded rose petals and small savory bush fruit with a light spicy and woody fragrance
Domaine du Tracot 2009 Beaujolais Villages @ $15.99
made naturally and without sulfites, and from THE Beaujolais vintage of recent history, a crisp, light red bursting with fruit
Ruchel 2009 Mencia Valdeorras @ $17.99
made from the Mencia grape, native to western Spain, a richly-colored red with a concentrated fruit nose and flavors of bright red fruit and allspice
Zerbetta 2009 Barbera del Monferrato @ $17.99
a Barbera from biodynamic producers in Piedmont, rich in fruit and with medium tannins
Clos des Fees 2008 Les Sorcieres @ $17.99
from former resterauteur and journalist Herve Bizeul, now making wine in the Cotes du Roussillon, a blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah from 40-80-year-old vines, a soft, round, highly fruited wine with wide appeal
Cousin-Leduc 2009 Rouge @ $19.99
made by Loire Valley organic producer Olivier Cousin, a wine that is 100% old-vines Grolleau, gentle on the palate yet tart and edgy
Johnson Family 2009 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
a cool-climate Pinot Noir from Carneros, a finished wine that offers pure Pinot aromatics, deep red and black fruit flavors, plus plenty of acidity and tannin for structure
Bogle 2007 Phantom Red @ $19.99
a blend of Petite Syrah and Zinfandel with a little Mourvedre thrown in, with robust flavors, driven by fruit and tannins in a big, bold style
Champ des Treilles 2003 Bordeaux @ $22.99
a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, a mature wine with a garnet red color, aromas of berries, licorice and spice
Paige 23 2007 Pinot Noir @ $22.99
a distinct, delicious Pinot Noir from a relative newcomer in Santa Barbara County, with rose petal, tea leaf and raspberry and cassis tones combined with bright acidity and terrific minerality
Collemattoni 2007 Rosso di Montalcino @ $22.99
100% Sangiovese from the Brunello clone, juicy and bright on the palate, yielding red fruits and lively acidity but with an earthy undercurrent
Erbaluna 2008 Barbera @ $23.99
an organic Barbera from the Oberto brothers, super concentrated yet vivacious, with an abundance of ripe, succulent fruits
Rollan de By 2008 Medoc @ $24.99
a Bordeaux of great structure and complexity, ripe but restrained, with nicely sinewy embedded, structure carrying solid black currant, black cherry and fig fruit
Bergevin Lane 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $27.99
a Columbia Valley Cabernet made in a deep, dense style, intense yet elegant, with aromas of blackberry, smoke, and black pepper and a velvety-smooth palate
Les Vins de Viennes Terres de Viennae 2008 Sotanum @ $29.99
from the Villard/Cuilleron/Gaillard team committed to the renaissance of the ancient vineyard of Seyssuel in the northern Rhone, a 100% Syrah that is rich and supple, fruit-forward and easy drinking
Lignier 2008 Bourgogne @ $29.99
a fresh, fruity young Burgundy with good structure and balance
Les Vins de Viennes Terres de Viennae 2008 Heluicum @ $33.99
from the Villard/Cuilleron/Gaillard team committed to the renaissance of the ancient vineyard of Seyssuel in the northern Rhone, a bright, fresh Syrah with a brisk core of kirsch and blackberry fruit backed by snappy tobacco and mouthwatering mineral notes
Neyers 2008 Merlot @ $34.99
a rich, concentrated wine with textbook Merlot flavors like wild cherry, tobacco leaf, and cinnamon
Chandon de Briailles 2008 Pernand-Vergelesses @ $38.99
elegant, refined, pure and intense, great Burgundy from a consistently reliable producer
Smith Madrone 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $43.99
soft, silky, and elegant, classic Napa Cabernet with a sturdy structure and long finish on the palate
Spring Mountain 2007 Syrah @ $49.99
from an outstanding vintage for California Syrah, a balanced and well structured wine with an elegant finish
Neyers 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $56.99
ripe and robust, intense and concentrated, with a full-bodied mix of black cherry, plum, berry, mineral, anise and sage
Clos des Fees 2006 Clos des Fees @ $86.99
from former resterauteur and journalist Herve Bizeul, now making wine in the Cotes du Roussillon, a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan, a wine of great concentration and power with a touch of residual sugar and well integrated oak
NEW ROSE:
Bonhoste 2009 Bordeaux @ $13.99
a bright, crisp blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with aromas of strawberries and rose petals and lots of ripe red fruit on the palate
Bonhoste 2009 Bordeaux @ $13.99
a bright, crisp blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with aromas of strawberries and rose petals and lots of ripe red fruit on the palate
February 21, 2011
news from Heights Chateau
Check out the new slide show on our web site, and also check the calendar for info on upcoming in-store tastings, at http://www.heightschateau.com/
NEW WHITES:
J. Drouhin 2009 Macon-Villages @ $10.99
bright, limpid, floral and fruity, very straightforward and direct on the palate
(new vintage) Oyster Bay 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $11.99
zesty and aromatic with lots of lively fruit character and a finish that is crisp, elegant and refreshing
Auvigne 2009 Macon-Solutre @ $13.99
fresh and crisp with lots of character and beautiful balance
(new vintage) Edna Valley 2009 Chardonnay @ $13.99
from San Luis Obispo county, a well structured Chardonnay with a hint of oak
Argiolas 2000 Costamolina @ $14.99
Vermentino from Sardinia with a subtle yet intense bouquet and a fresh, well-defined palate
Leitz 2009 Rudesheimer Riesling Trocken @ $35.99
broad-shouldered and full-bodied, a wine of great length with the potential to be one of the greatest dry Rieslings of the vintage
(back) Latour 2008 Puligny-Montrachet @ $38.99
straightforward and pure, with complex aromas balanced by liveliness and freshness on the palate
J. Drouhin 2009 Macon-Villages @ $10.99
bright, limpid, floral and fruity, very straightforward and direct on the palate
(new vintage) Oyster Bay 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $11.99
zesty and aromatic with lots of lively fruit character and a finish that is crisp, elegant and refreshing
Auvigne 2009 Macon-Solutre @ $13.99
fresh and crisp with lots of character and beautiful balance
(new vintage) Edna Valley 2009 Chardonnay @ $13.99
from San Luis Obispo county, a well structured Chardonnay with a hint of oak
Argiolas 2000 Costamolina @ $14.99
Vermentino from Sardinia with a subtle yet intense bouquet and a fresh, well-defined palate
Leitz 2009 Rudesheimer Riesling Trocken @ $35.99
broad-shouldered and full-bodied, a wine of great length with the potential to be one of the greatest dry Rieslings of the vintage
(back) Latour 2008 Puligny-Montrachet @ $38.99
straightforward and pure, with complex aromas balanced by liveliness and freshness on the palate
NEW REDS:
Domaine de l'Estagnol 2008 Minervois @ $8.99
a blend of Syrah and Grenache with red fruit aromas, a velvety mouth feel, and a spicy finish
Malma 2010 Pinot Noir @ $10.99
the star wine of Bodega NqN in Patagonia, Argentina, with aromas of strawberries and ripe plums, soft and elegant, touched with vanilla and spice in the finish
Chateau Riviere 2009 Minervois @ $10.99
fleshy and fruity, with blackberry and black currant aromas
Roques de Jeanlice 2007 Plaisir @ $10.99
a soft, supple, fresh Bordeaux filled with fresh herbs and ripe dark fruit
Croix du Duc 2009 Bordeaux @ $10.99
a bright, refreshing Bordeaux blend with notes of ripe blackberry, plum and a light minerality and hints of cedar and smoke on the finish
Marchigue 2008 Carmenere @ $11.99
from Errazuriz Ovalle, the second-largest pricate producer in Chile, a ripe Carmenere with deep black fruit and considerable tannic depth
The People's 2009 Zinfandel @ $11.99
lots of fruit, a decent body, with overtones of vanilla and spice, an amazingly good wine for the money
Sainte Colombe 2004 Cotes de Castillon @ $13.99
a right-bank Bordeaux showing lots of rich blackberry fruit, lean, crisp and well defined on the palate
Notre Dame d'Aubune 2009 Beaumes de Venise @ $13.99
made as the traditional Rhone mix of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% each Mourvedre and Cinsault, a wine with very ripe red fruits and hints of spice, meant to be drunk young
(new vintage) Geografico 2008 Chianti @ $14.99
Chianti Classico quality at the price of an entry-level Sangiovese-based red from Tuscany, with layer upon layers of ripe fruit, bright acidity and a slightly earthy, spicy quality
L'Ecume 2009 Pinot Noir @ $16.99
a new value-priced Pinot from Oregon, soft, round, and definitively fruit-forward
(back) Mas des Flauzieres 2009 Gigondas @ $16.99
a classic blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, with a big, dense, rich palate and sweet vanilla on the finish
(new vintage) Palagetto 2007 Chianti Colli Senesi @ $16.99
a well balanced wine with abundant flavors of cherries and raspberries, with hints of wood and tobacco a vibrant acidity, and fresh, crisp tannins
Casanova di Neri 2005 Brunello Tenuta Nuova @ $75.99
a Brunello in a polished modern style, rich, dark, and dense, with roses and spice on the finish
Domaine de l'Estagnol 2008 Minervois @ $8.99
a blend of Syrah and Grenache with red fruit aromas, a velvety mouth feel, and a spicy finish
Malma 2010 Pinot Noir @ $10.99
the star wine of Bodega NqN in Patagonia, Argentina, with aromas of strawberries and ripe plums, soft and elegant, touched with vanilla and spice in the finish
Chateau Riviere 2009 Minervois @ $10.99
fleshy and fruity, with blackberry and black currant aromas
Roques de Jeanlice 2007 Plaisir @ $10.99
a soft, supple, fresh Bordeaux filled with fresh herbs and ripe dark fruit
Croix du Duc 2009 Bordeaux @ $10.99
a bright, refreshing Bordeaux blend with notes of ripe blackberry, plum and a light minerality and hints of cedar and smoke on the finish
Marchigue 2008 Carmenere @ $11.99
from Errazuriz Ovalle, the second-largest pricate producer in Chile, a ripe Carmenere with deep black fruit and considerable tannic depth
The People's 2009 Zinfandel @ $11.99
lots of fruit, a decent body, with overtones of vanilla and spice, an amazingly good wine for the money
Sainte Colombe 2004 Cotes de Castillon @ $13.99
a right-bank Bordeaux showing lots of rich blackberry fruit, lean, crisp and well defined on the palate
Notre Dame d'Aubune 2009 Beaumes de Venise @ $13.99
made as the traditional Rhone mix of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% each Mourvedre and Cinsault, a wine with very ripe red fruits and hints of spice, meant to be drunk young
(new vintage) Geografico 2008 Chianti @ $14.99
Chianti Classico quality at the price of an entry-level Sangiovese-based red from Tuscany, with layer upon layers of ripe fruit, bright acidity and a slightly earthy, spicy quality
L'Ecume 2009 Pinot Noir @ $16.99
a new value-priced Pinot from Oregon, soft, round, and definitively fruit-forward
(back) Mas des Flauzieres 2009 Gigondas @ $16.99
a classic blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, with a big, dense, rich palate and sweet vanilla on the finish
(new vintage) Palagetto 2007 Chianti Colli Senesi @ $16.99
a well balanced wine with abundant flavors of cherries and raspberries, with hints of wood and tobacco a vibrant acidity, and fresh, crisp tannins
Casanova di Neri 2005 Brunello Tenuta Nuova @ $75.99
a Brunello in a polished modern style, rich, dark, and dense, with roses and spice on the finish
OTHER ASSORTED NEW STUFF (SPIRITS AND OTHERWISE)
Bonal Gentiane-Quina Aperitif @ $17.99
Cardamaro Vino Amaro Aperitif @ $18.99
St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram @ $20.99
Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur @ $26.99
Bardoui Pastis @ $28.99
Zucca Rabarbaro Amaro @ $28.99
Averell Damson Gin @ $31.99
Purkhart Pear William Brandy @ $34.99
Nonino Amaro Quintessentia @ $35.99
Bonal Gentiane-Quina Aperitif @ $17.99
Cardamaro Vino Amaro Aperitif @ $18.99
St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram @ $20.99
Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur @ $26.99
Bardoui Pastis @ $28.99
Zucca Rabarbaro Amaro @ $28.99
Averell Damson Gin @ $31.99
Purkhart Pear William Brandy @ $34.99
Nonino Amaro Quintessentia @ $35.99
February 15, 2011
news from Heights Chateau
Quite a bit new this week (including, yes, a few roses to help you think about the coming of spring), so without further ado . . .
NEW WHITES:
Rapitala 2009 Piano Maltese @ $9.99
a 50/50 blend of Grillo and Cataratto from Sicily, rich with melon, almond, and fresh basil
Evel 2009 Douro White @ $10.99
a blend of the Douro's native white varietals, elegant, bright and refreshing with hints of apple and citrus
(back) Otto's Constant Dream 2009 Riesling @ $10.99
a dry, crisp Riesling from Marlborough, with vibrant aromatics and pleasant minerality
Tabali 2010 Viognier @ $12.99
a dynamic new entry from Chile, with flavors of fresh herbs and ripe peaches
(new vintage) Palagetto 2009 Vernaccia @ $12.99
our benchmark for Vernaccia, soft and subtle, with fresh, clean floral aromas
(back) Laurenz und Sophie 2009 Gruner Veltliner @ $12.99
lively and vibrant, with floral aromas and flavors of white core fruit and citrus mingled with minerality and refreshing acidity
Zenato 2009 Lugana San Benedetto @ $12.99
100% Trebbiano from the Veneto, with notes of peach, citrus, banana and herbs accompanied by a crisp acidity and supple body on the palate
Ponga 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $14.99
light and juicy with just enough grapefruit flavor to let you know it's a Sauvignon Blanc without overwhelming you with citrus flavors
Urbanite 2009 Verdelho @ $15.99
from Lodi, California, a Verdelho with melon/citrus fruit character and a round mouth-filling texture
(new vintage) Hirsch 2009 Veltliner #1 @ $16.99
creamy yet light and elegant, full of sweet grain and roasted corn, a classy Gruner for everyday drinking
Lincourt 2009 Chardonnay "Steel" @ $19.99
a first for this winery, a stainless-steel Chardonnay, crisp and racy, with firm acidity and underlying minerality
La Crema 2009 Chardonnay @ $20.99
intensely flavored, with an exotic nose of honeysuckle and pear with delicate hints of hazelnut and butterscotch
Deschamps 2009 Poully-Fume @ $21.99
a Sauvignon Blanc of great structure, elegance, and balance, aromatic, with a firm texture and a long finish
Rapitala 2009 Piano Maltese @ $9.99
a 50/50 blend of Grillo and Cataratto from Sicily, rich with melon, almond, and fresh basil
Evel 2009 Douro White @ $10.99
a blend of the Douro's native white varietals, elegant, bright and refreshing with hints of apple and citrus
(back) Otto's Constant Dream 2009 Riesling @ $10.99
a dry, crisp Riesling from Marlborough, with vibrant aromatics and pleasant minerality
Tabali 2010 Viognier @ $12.99
a dynamic new entry from Chile, with flavors of fresh herbs and ripe peaches
(new vintage) Palagetto 2009 Vernaccia @ $12.99
our benchmark for Vernaccia, soft and subtle, with fresh, clean floral aromas
(back) Laurenz und Sophie 2009 Gruner Veltliner @ $12.99
lively and vibrant, with floral aromas and flavors of white core fruit and citrus mingled with minerality and refreshing acidity
Zenato 2009 Lugana San Benedetto @ $12.99
100% Trebbiano from the Veneto, with notes of peach, citrus, banana and herbs accompanied by a crisp acidity and supple body on the palate
Ponga 2010 Sauvignon Blanc @ $14.99
light and juicy with just enough grapefruit flavor to let you know it's a Sauvignon Blanc without overwhelming you with citrus flavors
Urbanite 2009 Verdelho @ $15.99
from Lodi, California, a Verdelho with melon/citrus fruit character and a round mouth-filling texture
(new vintage) Hirsch 2009 Veltliner #1 @ $16.99
creamy yet light and elegant, full of sweet grain and roasted corn, a classy Gruner for everyday drinking
Lincourt 2009 Chardonnay "Steel" @ $19.99
a first for this winery, a stainless-steel Chardonnay, crisp and racy, with firm acidity and underlying minerality
La Crema 2009 Chardonnay @ $20.99
intensely flavored, with an exotic nose of honeysuckle and pear with delicate hints of hazelnut and butterscotch
Deschamps 2009 Poully-Fume @ $21.99
a Sauvignon Blanc of great structure, elegance, and balance, aromatic, with a firm texture and a long finish
NEW REDS:
Colonia 2009 Bonarda "Las Liebres" @ $8.99
dense, dark, and ripe, an excellent example of Bonarda from Argentina, produced by Altos Las Hormigas
Loios 2009 Tinto @ $9.99
from Portugal's Alentejo region, a blend of several indigenous varietals, soft and easy-drinking with an intensely fruity aroma
Joostenberg 2009 Little J @ $9.99
from a South African winery family-owned since the 1870s, a Shiraz/Cinsault blend with a little splash of Viognier, fresh and flavorful with a soft, lush mouthfeel
Clos de Torribas 2006 Crianza @ $9.99
mostly Tempranillo with a little Cabernet blended in, light on the palate with well integrated tannins
(back) Ferreirinha 2008 Douro Esteva @ $9.99
a blend made from traditional Douro varietals, complex and well balanced with lively red fruit on the nose
Purato 2009 Nero d'Avola @ $10.99
certified organic from a family-owner winery in Sicily, sumptuous and rounded on the palate with succulent mouthfeel and modest acidity leading to a nicely dry finish
Domaine Font Sainte 2008 Corbieres @ $10.99
a blend of Carignane, Grenache, and Syrah, round and concentrated, with delicate tannins and vivid acidity
Deloach 2009 Pinot Noir @ $11.99
light in body, almost Beaujolais in style, with bright fruit flavors and a medium finish
Ventisquero 2008 Pinot Noir @ $13.99
a Pinot from Chile's Casablanca valley with a delicate body, fresh with a balanced acidity and soft tannins that deliver greater complexity to its structure
Querceto 2008 Chianti Classico @ $13.99
subtle yet bright, slightly tannic and food-friendly, easily a benchmark for young Chianti Classico Riserva
(back) Cooperativa di Cupertino 2003 Cupertino @ $13.99
95% Negroamaro and 5% Malvasia Nera, a rustic yet charming red with generous notes of black cherries, plums, spice and violets, all set against underlying earthy depth
Dupeuble 2009 Beaujolais @ $13.99
from a quality-conscious organic producer of Gamay, and from a terrific Beuajolais vintage as well, a stunning effort that is bright yet deep and attractively fruit-forward
(new vintage) Domaine La Croix Belle 2008 Grenache/Syrah @ $13.99
a wine classically expressive of its origins, brilliant ruby in color with a nose of blackberry and spices, ample and full-bodied with a complex finish
Tabali 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $14.99
a dynamic new entry from Chile, an elegant, well balanced Cab with a sturdy core of fruit and medium tannins
(back) Corvidae 2008 Rook @ $14.99
in the new line from stellar winemaker David O'Reilly, a blend of Cab, Merlot, and Syrah with lots of ripe fruit flavors, ample acidity, and chewy tannins
Cuvee du Vatican 2009 Cotes du Rhone Villages @ $15.99
the baby brother to what many consider to be the "king" of Chateauneuf-du-Papes, ripe and smooth, with juicy acidity and light tannins
Chateau Moulin de la Roquille 2006 Cotes du Franc @ $15.99
a top-grade right-bank red Bordeaux made of 70% Merlot and 15% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with aromas of berries, plums, vanilla and spice
Bonnet 2008 Graves @ $16.99
from the Andre Lurton stable, an equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet, well layered with vanilla and micha, a modern-style Bordeaux with lots of appeal
Heredad Solitierra 2006 Priorat @ $16.99
a value-priced Priorat, round and toasty with a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel
Beck 2009 Zweigelt @ $17.99
made by biodynamic producer Judith Beck, a medium to full bodied Zweigelt with ripe cherry fruit balanced with unripe plum freshness, no tannins and a hint of acidity
Rocher-Calon 2008 Montagne-St. Emilion @ $17.99
95% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, with blackberry and plum notes on the nose and classic cedar and black pepper tones with a soft lingering finish
Klee 2009 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
from Chris Berg's Racine Wine Company, a Pinot with sweet red fruit, great flavor concentration, and a red fruit, nutmeg, and clove finish
Clos des Cazaux 2007 Vacqueyras @ $19.99
a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre from 40-50-year-old vines, with a fragrant floral bouquet and an underpinning of zesty minerality
Firestone 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
a deep, rich full-flavored Cab with chewy yet supple tannins and a finish that is long, smooth and strong
Cipriani 2009 Teroldego @ $20.99
Alto Adige's esoteric red grape, made here in a ripe, plush style
Pataille 2007 Passetoutgrain @ $21.99
two-thirds Gamay and one-third Pinot Noir fermented together, a red with an easy charm overlaying a voluptuous and vibrant core of rich, mineral-drenched fruit
Noussan 2009 Cuvee de la Cote @ $22.99
a field blend from a parcel of particularly old vines, made by a garagiste in the Aosta valley, earthy and dry with floral aromas and long-lasting berry, herbal, and mineral flavors
Dominio IV 2009 Pinot Noir "Love Lies Bleeding" @$23.99
a stunning Pinot Noir from a small-production family-run Oregon winery, soft and sweetly elegant but with a firm backbone
Beckmen 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $23.99
from a family-run estate in the Santa Ynez valley, an approachable, medium-bodied Cab with a good balance of tannins and fruit
Echeverria 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $23.99
a rich, full-bodied Cabernet with intense notes of strawberry, blackberry and cherry complemented by hints of coffee and tobacco, balanced and smooth with a lingering finish
Adelsheim 2009 Pinot Noir @ $23.99
from an Oregon pioneer in its third decade, producing elegant, vibrant, understated versions of the grape
Oddero 2007 Langhe Nebbiolo @ $24.99
100% Nebbiolo from an historic estate in the Piedmont noted for producing wines that are not just technically correct but brimming with personality
Calera 2008 Pinot Noir @ $27.99
soft and luscious, classic California Pinot Noir with a medium body, mineral notes, and a long finish
Rollin 2006 Pernand-Vergelesses @ $28.99
a tight, pure Burgundy with firm acidity and subtle, delicate flavors
Anaba 2007 Pinot Noir @ $29.99
a dense, richly textured Sonoma Pinot with dark berry fruits balanced by fine tannins
Jean-Marc Morey 2004 Chassagne Rouge "Champs Gains" @ $29.99
a Burgundy with finesse, well balanced fruit aromas and flavors, and beautiful acidity
Costa de Oro 2007 Pinot Noir "Gold Coast" @ $31.99
from an estate winery in the Santa Maria valley, a blend of ten different lots of Pinot Noir, spicy, floral, and layered with a smooth finish
Cantina del Pino 2007 Barbaresco @ $38.99
a stunning expression of Nebbiolo, with aromas and flavors of red cherries, flowers, mint, and licorice, rendered in a restrained, highly polished style
Le Salette 2006 Amarone @ $46.99
a stylish Amarone with layers of dark fruit, spices, mineral, and menthol
Pride Mountain 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $75.99
a Cabernet that is all about balance, with supple ripe tannins providing a foundation for dark fruit and with nuanced acidity giving structure and lift without bite
Colonia 2009 Bonarda "Las Liebres" @ $8.99
dense, dark, and ripe, an excellent example of Bonarda from Argentina, produced by Altos Las Hormigas
Loios 2009 Tinto @ $9.99
from Portugal's Alentejo region, a blend of several indigenous varietals, soft and easy-drinking with an intensely fruity aroma
Joostenberg 2009 Little J @ $9.99
from a South African winery family-owned since the 1870s, a Shiraz/Cinsault blend with a little splash of Viognier, fresh and flavorful with a soft, lush mouthfeel
Clos de Torribas 2006 Crianza @ $9.99
mostly Tempranillo with a little Cabernet blended in, light on the palate with well integrated tannins
(back) Ferreirinha 2008 Douro Esteva @ $9.99
a blend made from traditional Douro varietals, complex and well balanced with lively red fruit on the nose
Purato 2009 Nero d'Avola @ $10.99
certified organic from a family-owner winery in Sicily, sumptuous and rounded on the palate with succulent mouthfeel and modest acidity leading to a nicely dry finish
Domaine Font Sainte 2008 Corbieres @ $10.99
a blend of Carignane, Grenache, and Syrah, round and concentrated, with delicate tannins and vivid acidity
Deloach 2009 Pinot Noir @ $11.99
light in body, almost Beaujolais in style, with bright fruit flavors and a medium finish
Ventisquero 2008 Pinot Noir @ $13.99
a Pinot from Chile's Casablanca valley with a delicate body, fresh with a balanced acidity and soft tannins that deliver greater complexity to its structure
Querceto 2008 Chianti Classico @ $13.99
subtle yet bright, slightly tannic and food-friendly, easily a benchmark for young Chianti Classico Riserva
(back) Cooperativa di Cupertino 2003 Cupertino @ $13.99
95% Negroamaro and 5% Malvasia Nera, a rustic yet charming red with generous notes of black cherries, plums, spice and violets, all set against underlying earthy depth
Dupeuble 2009 Beaujolais @ $13.99
from a quality-conscious organic producer of Gamay, and from a terrific Beuajolais vintage as well, a stunning effort that is bright yet deep and attractively fruit-forward
(new vintage) Domaine La Croix Belle 2008 Grenache/Syrah @ $13.99
a wine classically expressive of its origins, brilliant ruby in color with a nose of blackberry and spices, ample and full-bodied with a complex finish
Tabali 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $14.99
a dynamic new entry from Chile, an elegant, well balanced Cab with a sturdy core of fruit and medium tannins
(back) Corvidae 2008 Rook @ $14.99
in the new line from stellar winemaker David O'Reilly, a blend of Cab, Merlot, and Syrah with lots of ripe fruit flavors, ample acidity, and chewy tannins
Cuvee du Vatican 2009 Cotes du Rhone Villages @ $15.99
the baby brother to what many consider to be the "king" of Chateauneuf-du-Papes, ripe and smooth, with juicy acidity and light tannins
Chateau Moulin de la Roquille 2006 Cotes du Franc @ $15.99
a top-grade right-bank red Bordeaux made of 70% Merlot and 15% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with aromas of berries, plums, vanilla and spice
Bonnet 2008 Graves @ $16.99
from the Andre Lurton stable, an equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet, well layered with vanilla and micha, a modern-style Bordeaux with lots of appeal
Heredad Solitierra 2006 Priorat @ $16.99
a value-priced Priorat, round and toasty with a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel
Beck 2009 Zweigelt @ $17.99
made by biodynamic producer Judith Beck, a medium to full bodied Zweigelt with ripe cherry fruit balanced with unripe plum freshness, no tannins and a hint of acidity
Rocher-Calon 2008 Montagne-St. Emilion @ $17.99
95% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, with blackberry and plum notes on the nose and classic cedar and black pepper tones with a soft lingering finish
Klee 2009 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
from Chris Berg's Racine Wine Company, a Pinot with sweet red fruit, great flavor concentration, and a red fruit, nutmeg, and clove finish
Clos des Cazaux 2007 Vacqueyras @ $19.99
a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre from 40-50-year-old vines, with a fragrant floral bouquet and an underpinning of zesty minerality
Firestone 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
a deep, rich full-flavored Cab with chewy yet supple tannins and a finish that is long, smooth and strong
Cipriani 2009 Teroldego @ $20.99
Alto Adige's esoteric red grape, made here in a ripe, plush style
Pataille 2007 Passetoutgrain @ $21.99
two-thirds Gamay and one-third Pinot Noir fermented together, a red with an easy charm overlaying a voluptuous and vibrant core of rich, mineral-drenched fruit
Noussan 2009 Cuvee de la Cote @ $22.99
a field blend from a parcel of particularly old vines, made by a garagiste in the Aosta valley, earthy and dry with floral aromas and long-lasting berry, herbal, and mineral flavors
Dominio IV 2009 Pinot Noir "Love Lies Bleeding" @$23.99
a stunning Pinot Noir from a small-production family-run Oregon winery, soft and sweetly elegant but with a firm backbone
Beckmen 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $23.99
from a family-run estate in the Santa Ynez valley, an approachable, medium-bodied Cab with a good balance of tannins and fruit
Echeverria 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $23.99
a rich, full-bodied Cabernet with intense notes of strawberry, blackberry and cherry complemented by hints of coffee and tobacco, balanced and smooth with a lingering finish
Adelsheim 2009 Pinot Noir @ $23.99
from an Oregon pioneer in its third decade, producing elegant, vibrant, understated versions of the grape
Oddero 2007 Langhe Nebbiolo @ $24.99
100% Nebbiolo from an historic estate in the Piedmont noted for producing wines that are not just technically correct but brimming with personality
Calera 2008 Pinot Noir @ $27.99
soft and luscious, classic California Pinot Noir with a medium body, mineral notes, and a long finish
Rollin 2006 Pernand-Vergelesses @ $28.99
a tight, pure Burgundy with firm acidity and subtle, delicate flavors
Anaba 2007 Pinot Noir @ $29.99
a dense, richly textured Sonoma Pinot with dark berry fruits balanced by fine tannins
Jean-Marc Morey 2004 Chassagne Rouge "Champs Gains" @ $29.99
a Burgundy with finesse, well balanced fruit aromas and flavors, and beautiful acidity
Costa de Oro 2007 Pinot Noir "Gold Coast" @ $31.99
from an estate winery in the Santa Maria valley, a blend of ten different lots of Pinot Noir, spicy, floral, and layered with a smooth finish
Cantina del Pino 2007 Barbaresco @ $38.99
a stunning expression of Nebbiolo, with aromas and flavors of red cherries, flowers, mint, and licorice, rendered in a restrained, highly polished style
Le Salette 2006 Amarone @ $46.99
a stylish Amarone with layers of dark fruit, spices, mineral, and menthol
Pride Mountain 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $75.99
a Cabernet that is all about balance, with supple ripe tannins providing a foundation for dark fruit and with nuanced acidity giving structure and lift without bite
NEW ROSES:
Domaine des Diables 2009 Cotes de Provence @ $12.99
a Syrah-based ros� with lots of spice, steely minerals, and deep fruit
Domaine de Font Sainte 2009 Gris de Gris @ $12.99
mostly Grenache with a little Mourv�dre, Carignane, and Cinsault blended in, fresh, dense and rich with a remarkable persistence on the palate
La Source de Vignelaure 2009 Coteaux d'Aix @ $14.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet, floral and light with notes of summer fruits
Domaine des Diables 2009 Cotes de Provence @ $12.99
a Syrah-based ros� with lots of spice, steely minerals, and deep fruit
Domaine de Font Sainte 2009 Gris de Gris @ $12.99
mostly Grenache with a little Mourv�dre, Carignane, and Cinsault blended in, fresh, dense and rich with a remarkable persistence on the palate
La Source de Vignelaure 2009 Coteaux d'Aix @ $14.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet, floral and light with notes of summer fruits
February 7, 2011
news from Heights Chateau
Remember to check the calendar on our web site for listings of upcoming in-store tastings! New wines herewith:
NEW WHITES:
Oxford Landing 2009 Chardonnay @ $7.99
bright and crisp, with layers of complexity and texture
Royal 2009 Chenin Blanc @ $8.99
from the Riebeek Cellars on South Africa's western coast, fresh and lively, packed with melon fruit balanced with crisp acidity
Lagoalva 2009 Espirito @ $9.99
aromatic yet dry and citrusy, with zippy acidity and a clean and mouth-watering finish
Les Jamelles 2009 Sauvignon Blanc @ $9.99
vivid, fresh, with refreshing citrus notes and a rich and moderate finish
Jacky Renard 2008 Bourgogne Aligote @ $13.99
light and fresh, crisp and vivid, with abundant minerality
Buil & Gine 2009 Rueda "Nosis" @ $14.99
sharply etched citrus flavors enlivened by youthful spritz and white pepper
(back) Pichon 2009 Viognier @ $14.99
from two small plots in the Vaucluse, a Viognier with ripe fruit aromas and complexity balanced by acidity
Peju 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $18.99
bone dry and elegantly crisp in acidity, a clean, vibrant, food-friendly wine with just a hint of oak and rich flavors of Meyer lemons and lime
Newton 2009 Chardonnay Red Label @ $20.99
a blend of estate and bought-in fruit with rich fruit flavors, bright acidity, and just a hint of oak
Monticello 2006 Chardonnay @ $24.99
a soft Chardonnay, aged in new oak, with pears and peaches on the nose and a lingering finish
(new vintage) Neyers 2009 Chardonnay @ $27.99
fresh floral scents, with notes of apple, pear, spice and light oak that lead to a full-bodied palate
Oxford Landing 2009 Chardonnay @ $7.99
bright and crisp, with layers of complexity and texture
Royal 2009 Chenin Blanc @ $8.99
from the Riebeek Cellars on South Africa's western coast, fresh and lively, packed with melon fruit balanced with crisp acidity
Lagoalva 2009 Espirito @ $9.99
aromatic yet dry and citrusy, with zippy acidity and a clean and mouth-watering finish
Les Jamelles 2009 Sauvignon Blanc @ $9.99
vivid, fresh, with refreshing citrus notes and a rich and moderate finish
Jacky Renard 2008 Bourgogne Aligote @ $13.99
light and fresh, crisp and vivid, with abundant minerality
Buil & Gine 2009 Rueda "Nosis" @ $14.99
sharply etched citrus flavors enlivened by youthful spritz and white pepper
(back) Pichon 2009 Viognier @ $14.99
from two small plots in the Vaucluse, a Viognier with ripe fruit aromas and complexity balanced by acidity
Peju 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $18.99
bone dry and elegantly crisp in acidity, a clean, vibrant, food-friendly wine with just a hint of oak and rich flavors of Meyer lemons and lime
Newton 2009 Chardonnay Red Label @ $20.99
a blend of estate and bought-in fruit with rich fruit flavors, bright acidity, and just a hint of oak
Monticello 2006 Chardonnay @ $24.99
a soft Chardonnay, aged in new oak, with pears and peaches on the nose and a lingering finish
(new vintage) Neyers 2009 Chardonnay @ $27.99
fresh floral scents, with notes of apple, pear, spice and light oak that lead to a full-bodied palate
NEW REDS:
Oxford Landing 2009 Merlot @ $7.99
velvety tannins, generous plums and raspberries on the palate and a lingering fruit finish
Les Jamelles 2009 Syrah @ $9.99
aromas of wild berries, rich and fat on the palate with a long, silky finish
Les Jamelles 2009 Pinot Noir @ $10.99
full of deep fruity flavors, with subtle spice and a touch of anise
Rapitala 2008 Nero d'Avola @ $11.99
fruit flavors of plum and blackberry, supple tannins, medium body and enough acidity to pair with roasted meats
McManis 2009 Barbera @ $11.99
an award-winning single-vineyard limited-production Barbera from California's Central Valley, bursting with bright cherry fruit
(back) Steak House 2008 Red @ $12.99
from iconoclastic Washington producer Charles Smith, a solid, robust Cabernet with dark fruit and tangible minerality
(new vintage) St. Cosme 2009 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $14.99
from the oldest estate in the southern Rhone, 100% Syrah made in a precise, scented modern style
Danjean Berthoux 2008 Bourgogne @ $14.99
an up-and-coming Givry producer making elegant Burgundies, unfiltered and softly oaked
Jip Jip Rocks 2007 Shiraz @ $14.99
a family-run vineyard in South Australia's Limestone Coast region making a full-bodied yet supple Shiraz, with gorgeous fruit and well integrated oak tannins
Du Cedre 2009 Cahors @ $14.99
one of the leading estates in Cahor, pushing the boundaries to match the Malbecs of the New World, producing deep, dark, elegant reds of great finesse and length
(back) Sablonettes 2009 "Les Copains Aussi" @ $15.99
a buoyant and delightfully fruity expression of Loire Valley Gamay with zesty minerality and vibrant acidity
Buil & Gine 2008 Priorat @ $17.99
textbook Priorat, with black fruits, sweet flavors, mineral and spicy notes
Heitz 2009 Grignolino @ $17.99
the "little strawberry" of Italy but grown in Napa, exuberant and aromatic, versatile and zesty
Feraud-Brunel 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone-Villages @ $17.99
a joint venture between the suthern Rhone's two most celebrated vignerons, Laurence Feraud of Domaine du Pegau and Andr� Brunel of Les Cailloux, a tank-aged blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah, round and fleshy with a big core of ripe fruit
Bichot 2007 Pinot Noir "Secret de la Famille" @ $18.99
a new Bichot cuvee as of this vintage, with punchy fruit and lots of intensity
Sobreno 2007 Toro @ $19.99
one of the best new estates in Toro, producing a dense and structured wine with loads of flavor and 4-5 years of ageing potential
Station 2009 Pinot Noir @ $20.99
sourced from some of the best vineyards in the Los Carneros district, a cool-climate Pinot with ripe berry flavors
(new vintage) Pena de Lobo 2009 Ribeira Sacra @ $21.99
a Mencia-based wine from 80-year-old vines, superbly balanced, perfectly ripe red currant and pomegranate flavors with a compelling minerality reminiscent of Graves or Chinon
Clos du Val 2007 Pinot Noir @ $22.99
from an ideal growing season for Pinot Noir in Napa, a beautifully balanced red with spicy fruit flavors joined by hints of cloves and cinnamon. rich and full bodied, with soft tannins and good acidity
Lopez de Heredia 2005 Vina Cubillo Crianza @ $24.99
a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano, smooth, fresh and persistent on the palate
Bonny Doon 2006 Le Cigare Volant @ $28.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault with just a soup�on of Mourv�dre and Carignane, making for a bright and wonderfully gamey wine, very youthful with toasty notes of cherry, birch, sassafras and pomegranate
Gagnard 2008 Chassagne Rouge "L'Estimee" @ $29.99
beautiful brambly fruit with a lightning rod of minerality carrying all the way from nose to finish
(new vintage) Ponzi 2009 Pinot Noir @ $34.99
made in the trademark Ponzi style, with a full mouth of sweet black cherries balanced with high notes of blueberry and pomegranate finishing with soft and silky tannins
Lopez de Heredia 2001 Vina Tondonia Reserva @ $39.99
a polished red, fresh and lively, that delivers mature flavors of dried cherry, forest floor, tobacco and vanilla on a graceful frame
Rizzardi 2004 Amarone @ $72.99
an Amarone showing a complex nose with elegant touches of raisined grape and an intense, balanced palate with unobtrusive tannins and a long, savory finish
Oxford Landing 2009 Merlot @ $7.99
velvety tannins, generous plums and raspberries on the palate and a lingering fruit finish
Les Jamelles 2009 Syrah @ $9.99
aromas of wild berries, rich and fat on the palate with a long, silky finish
Les Jamelles 2009 Pinot Noir @ $10.99
full of deep fruity flavors, with subtle spice and a touch of anise
Rapitala 2008 Nero d'Avola @ $11.99
fruit flavors of plum and blackberry, supple tannins, medium body and enough acidity to pair with roasted meats
McManis 2009 Barbera @ $11.99
an award-winning single-vineyard limited-production Barbera from California's Central Valley, bursting with bright cherry fruit
(back) Steak House 2008 Red @ $12.99
from iconoclastic Washington producer Charles Smith, a solid, robust Cabernet with dark fruit and tangible minerality
(new vintage) St. Cosme 2009 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $14.99
from the oldest estate in the southern Rhone, 100% Syrah made in a precise, scented modern style
Danjean Berthoux 2008 Bourgogne @ $14.99
an up-and-coming Givry producer making elegant Burgundies, unfiltered and softly oaked
Jip Jip Rocks 2007 Shiraz @ $14.99
a family-run vineyard in South Australia's Limestone Coast region making a full-bodied yet supple Shiraz, with gorgeous fruit and well integrated oak tannins
Du Cedre 2009 Cahors @ $14.99
one of the leading estates in Cahor, pushing the boundaries to match the Malbecs of the New World, producing deep, dark, elegant reds of great finesse and length
(back) Sablonettes 2009 "Les Copains Aussi" @ $15.99
a buoyant and delightfully fruity expression of Loire Valley Gamay with zesty minerality and vibrant acidity
Buil & Gine 2008 Priorat @ $17.99
textbook Priorat, with black fruits, sweet flavors, mineral and spicy notes
Heitz 2009 Grignolino @ $17.99
the "little strawberry" of Italy but grown in Napa, exuberant and aromatic, versatile and zesty
Feraud-Brunel 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone-Villages @ $17.99
a joint venture between the suthern Rhone's two most celebrated vignerons, Laurence Feraud of Domaine du Pegau and Andr� Brunel of Les Cailloux, a tank-aged blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah, round and fleshy with a big core of ripe fruit
Bichot 2007 Pinot Noir "Secret de la Famille" @ $18.99
a new Bichot cuvee as of this vintage, with punchy fruit and lots of intensity
Sobreno 2007 Toro @ $19.99
one of the best new estates in Toro, producing a dense and structured wine with loads of flavor and 4-5 years of ageing potential
Station 2009 Pinot Noir @ $20.99
sourced from some of the best vineyards in the Los Carneros district, a cool-climate Pinot with ripe berry flavors
(new vintage) Pena de Lobo 2009 Ribeira Sacra @ $21.99
a Mencia-based wine from 80-year-old vines, superbly balanced, perfectly ripe red currant and pomegranate flavors with a compelling minerality reminiscent of Graves or Chinon
Clos du Val 2007 Pinot Noir @ $22.99
from an ideal growing season for Pinot Noir in Napa, a beautifully balanced red with spicy fruit flavors joined by hints of cloves and cinnamon. rich and full bodied, with soft tannins and good acidity
Lopez de Heredia 2005 Vina Cubillo Crianza @ $24.99
a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano, smooth, fresh and persistent on the palate
Bonny Doon 2006 Le Cigare Volant @ $28.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault with just a soup�on of Mourv�dre and Carignane, making for a bright and wonderfully gamey wine, very youthful with toasty notes of cherry, birch, sassafras and pomegranate
Gagnard 2008 Chassagne Rouge "L'Estimee" @ $29.99
beautiful brambly fruit with a lightning rod of minerality carrying all the way from nose to finish
(new vintage) Ponzi 2009 Pinot Noir @ $34.99
made in the trademark Ponzi style, with a full mouth of sweet black cherries balanced with high notes of blueberry and pomegranate finishing with soft and silky tannins
Lopez de Heredia 2001 Vina Tondonia Reserva @ $39.99
a polished red, fresh and lively, that delivers mature flavors of dried cherry, forest floor, tobacco and vanilla on a graceful frame
Rizzardi 2004 Amarone @ $72.99
an Amarone showing a complex nose with elegant touches of raisined grape and an intense, balanced palate with unobtrusive tannins and a long, savory finish
February 1, 2011
news from Heights Chateau
Our wine and spirits in-store tastings have resumed; please check the calendar on our web site, http://www.heightschateau.com/, and join us when you can!
NEW WHITES:
(back) Presle 2009 Touraine @ $10.99
New-World-styled Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire, with a zippy acidic structure and bright flavors
(new vintage) Babich 2009 Chardonnay @ $11.99
flavors of peach, melon, apple and citrus with a creamy, rich finish
Viore 2009 Rueda @ $11.99
100% Verdejo from 100-year-old vines, crisp, elegant, and well structured
(back) Duret 2009 Quincy @ $12.99
the "poor man's Sancerre" (from the town just across the river from Sancerre), with notes of flowers and citrus on the nose
Amethystos 2009 Drama White @ $13.99
a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Assyrtiko, with fruity aromas of peaches and exotic fruits over a flowery background
(back) Presle 2009 Touraine @ $10.99
New-World-styled Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire, with a zippy acidic structure and bright flavors
(new vintage) Babich 2009 Chardonnay @ $11.99
flavors of peach, melon, apple and citrus with a creamy, rich finish
Viore 2009 Rueda @ $11.99
100% Verdejo from 100-year-old vines, crisp, elegant, and well structured
(back) Duret 2009 Quincy @ $12.99
the "poor man's Sancerre" (from the town just across the river from Sancerre), with notes of flowers and citrus on the nose
Amethystos 2009 Drama White @ $13.99
a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Assyrtiko, with fruity aromas of peaches and exotic fruits over a flowery background
NEW REDS:
Marques de Zenete 2009 Tempranillo @ $8.99
100% Tempranillo from Valencia, youthful, with classic varietal aromas and just a hint of oak
Gnarly Head 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $9.99
in a California line meant to be easy to drink and food-friendly, a dark, bold Cab with solid tannins and lingering flavors
Valdrinal 2009 Ribera del Duero @ $11.99
from Bodegas Surco in Aranda del Duero, a Tempranillo with layers of flavor and excellent weight
(new vintage) DeForville 2009 Dolcetto d'Alba @ $14.99
the grape the Piedmontese drink at practically every meal, made in a masterful and understated fashion by a traditional producer, with ripe fruit and a soft round texture
Pago del Vicario 2006 Penta @ $16.99
a blend of mostly Tempranillo and Cabernet with a little Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, full-bodied with lots of ripe fruit
Antis 2007 Malbec @ $18.99
from a relatively new winery in Mendoza, a full-bodied Malbec with a supple tannin balance and an enduring finish
Chateau Julia 2008 Merlot @ $21.99
from stellar Greek producer Costa Lazaridi, a classic Merlot bursting with ripe berryish fruit and aromas of wild cherries and mulberries
Chateau Julia 2006 Refosco/Agiorgitiko @ $24.99
from the same producer, an unusual red blend that is full and rich with harmonious acidity and firm tannins that will allow for long ageing
Amethystos 2004 Cava Cabernet Sauvignon @ $39.99
also from the same producer, a spicy Cab with flavor notes of coffee and chocolate and strong tannins evoking a long finish
Marques de Zenete 2009 Tempranillo @ $8.99
100% Tempranillo from Valencia, youthful, with classic varietal aromas and just a hint of oak
Gnarly Head 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $9.99
in a California line meant to be easy to drink and food-friendly, a dark, bold Cab with solid tannins and lingering flavors
Valdrinal 2009 Ribera del Duero @ $11.99
from Bodegas Surco in Aranda del Duero, a Tempranillo with layers of flavor and excellent weight
(new vintage) DeForville 2009 Dolcetto d'Alba @ $14.99
the grape the Piedmontese drink at practically every meal, made in a masterful and understated fashion by a traditional producer, with ripe fruit and a soft round texture
Pago del Vicario 2006 Penta @ $16.99
a blend of mostly Tempranillo and Cabernet with a little Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, full-bodied with lots of ripe fruit
Antis 2007 Malbec @ $18.99
from a relatively new winery in Mendoza, a full-bodied Malbec with a supple tannin balance and an enduring finish
Chateau Julia 2008 Merlot @ $21.99
from stellar Greek producer Costa Lazaridi, a classic Merlot bursting with ripe berryish fruit and aromas of wild cherries and mulberries
Chateau Julia 2006 Refosco/Agiorgitiko @ $24.99
from the same producer, an unusual red blend that is full and rich with harmonious acidity and firm tannins that will allow for long ageing
Amethystos 2004 Cava Cabernet Sauvignon @ $39.99
also from the same producer, a spicy Cab with flavor notes of coffee and chocolate and strong tannins evoking a long finish
January 25, 2011
news from Heights Chateau
In-store tastings recommence again this week; check the calendar on our web site, http://www.heightschateau.com/, and join us when you can. Things are still a bit slow in terms of new product, but following is a list of what came in last week and the week before.
NEW WHITES:
(new vintage) Bauer 2009 Grun @ $11.99
a 75/25% blend of Gr�ner Veltliner and Malvasia, light and crisp with fresh minerality and a clean, dry finish
Pala 2009 Vermentino @ $13.99
a stainless-steel Vermentino from Sardinia, with floral and herbaceous aromas, good balance, and a long finish
Leitz 2009 Einz Zwei Dry Riesling @ $13.99
made by one of the three rising stars of the new generation of Rheingauers, Josef Leitz, a classic bone-dry Riesling with a savory, high-toned palate
(new vintage) Luli 2009 Chardonnay @ $22.99
a unique expression of California Chardonnay that showcases the fruit while remaining crisp and balanced through the finish
Spring Mountain 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $29.99
citrus and floral notes mixed with stony minerality, a complex marriage of varietal and specific terroir
(new vintage) Keenan 2008 Chardonnay @ $29.99
a crisp, zesty wine with underlying richness and complexity, a touch of oak on the finish, and a hint of minerality
(new vintage) Bauer 2009 Grun @ $11.99
a 75/25% blend of Gr�ner Veltliner and Malvasia, light and crisp with fresh minerality and a clean, dry finish
Pala 2009 Vermentino @ $13.99
a stainless-steel Vermentino from Sardinia, with floral and herbaceous aromas, good balance, and a long finish
Leitz 2009 Einz Zwei Dry Riesling @ $13.99
made by one of the three rising stars of the new generation of Rheingauers, Josef Leitz, a classic bone-dry Riesling with a savory, high-toned palate
(new vintage) Luli 2009 Chardonnay @ $22.99
a unique expression of California Chardonnay that showcases the fruit while remaining crisp and balanced through the finish
Spring Mountain 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $29.99
citrus and floral notes mixed with stony minerality, a complex marriage of varietal and specific terroir
(new vintage) Keenan 2008 Chardonnay @ $29.99
a crisp, zesty wine with underlying richness and complexity, a touch of oak on the finish, and a hint of minerality
NEW REDS:
(new vintage) Ja Ja de Jau 2009 Syrah @ $8.99
from the French Mediterranean coast near the Spanish border, a Syrah full of ripe, fruity blackberry, cherry, and spice notes
Cantina Sociale Cooperativa 2003 Copertino Rosso Reserva @ $13.99
a blend of 95% Negroamaro and 5% Malvasia Nera, meaty, with a tannic backbone and a spicy middle core
(new vintage) St. Francis 2007 Old Vines Zinfandel @ $15.99
(back) made from 50-100-year-old vines, an "old style" Zin with deep aromas of ripe black fruit laced with licorice
(new vintage) Girard 2007 Artistry @ $39.99
a full-bodied, concentrated Meritage-style blend that offers ample dark fruit with pronounced notes of vanilla and toast
Ruffino 2005 Riserva Ducale "Oro" @ $42.99
full-bodied, with a generous, fruity core, where the notes of cherries and small berry fruits intertwine with sensations of Mediterranean herbs and hints of oak
