New Products
2009 Can Blau Monstant $15.99
Can Blau has been making delicious wines now for several years. The best part: they are outstanding values!
Wine Spectator 91 points – “Cherry, pomegranate, mountain herb and smoke notes mingle in this expressive red. There’s a gentle texture, yet well-integrated tannins provide structure and bright acidity enlivens the floral finish. Mazuelo, Syrah and Garnacha. Drink now through 2015. 7,500 cases made.”
Wine Advocate 90 points – “The 2009 Can Blau is made up of 40% Carinena, 40% Syrah, and 20% Garnacha aged for 12 months in French oak. Wood smoke, spice box, incense, lavender, black cherry and plum aromas are followed by a mouth-filling, round, dense wine with outstanding grip and length. It over-delivers in a big way. Drink it over the next 6-8 years.”
2009 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Knight’s Valley $24.99
Beringer, along with Peter Michael, has been making great wines from the Knight’s Valley before anyone even knew what it was. This 2009 is just another testament to the fine wines coming out of this area.
Wine Spectator 91 points – “A lot of Cabernet at this price, combining ripe, plump flavors of plum, black cherry and blackberry in a rich, smooth, polished style. Full-bodied and firming nicely on the finish, where the tannins have a minerally edge. Drink now through 2021. 79,500 cases made.”
2009 Chateau de Macard Bordeaux Superior $14.99
This Bordeaux beauty is coming from the classic 2009 vintage. A steal for the price!
Wine Spectator 90 points – “Ripe and dense, but fresh, with silky-textured plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit carried by sweet spice and maduro tobacco notes. The fleshy finish shows nice drive. Should open up more with brief cellaring. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2011. 5,000 cases made.”
2009 Ramey Chardonnay Russian River Valley $32.99
Ramey makes one of the most consistently delicious Chardonnay’s in California. There single vineyard wines are to die for but their regional blends offer outstanding value. The nose on this offers aromas of smoke, apple, oak and vanilla. On the palate, it brings flavors of mineral, butter, smoke and vanilla. It ends with a long pleasant finish.
2009 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza $19.99
Bodega Catena Zapata is producing world class Malbec. Check out what the critics has to say:
Wine Spectator 91 points and #58 on the Top 100 Wines of 2011 – “A rich red, with ripe flavors of linzer torte, plum pudding and fig paste flavors by layers of mesquite, olive paste and grilled herbs. Grippy tannins add weight to the long, vibrant finish. Drink now through 2013. 75,000 cases imported.”
Wine Advocate 91 points – “The 2009 Catena Malbec was aged in 35% new French and American barriques for 14 months. Balsam wood, earthy minerals, spice box, lavender, and black cherry aromas compose the wine’s inviting bouquet. Spicy and savory in the glass, with ample black cherry and black raspberry flavors, this nicely proportioned Malbec is an outstanding value meant for drinking over the next 4-5 years.”
2009 Veramonte Pinot Noir Ritual $18.99
This is one of the more intriguing Pinot Noir’s for the money. The 2008 was on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines of 2010 and the 2009 is just as good but a different wine. Paul Hobbs consults for the winery. The 2008 had a lot of big bright fruit that could have passed for something out of California. The 2009 has some darker fruit and is more restrained, sort of like something from Oregon or Burgundy. Here’s what Wine Spectator had to say, which had a different take on it:
Wine Spectator 90 points – “A big, ripe style, with a strong toasty vanilla frame to the full-bodied core of black cherry and dark plum fruit, followed by a twinge of licorice on the finish. There’s more muscle than finesse in the end, but this is very solid. Drink now through 2012. 5,300 cases made.”
2009 Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills (H3) Cabernet Sauvignon $14.99
This just appeared on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Values of 2011. Consistently good every vintage and across all the varietals they make (Cab, Merlot, Chardonnay), Columbia Crest is a sure bet for great quality at a low price.
Wine Spectator 90 points – “Focused, refined and appealing for its open-weave texture around a generous core of plum and currant fruit, finishing with hints of coffee and dark chocolate. Drink now through 2014. 69,000 cases made. “
2007 Terrabianca Campaccio Toscana $29.99
This is a real steal for a Super Tuscan! Check out the new reviews on this!
Wine Spectator 93 Points – “Very silky and floral, this red reminds me of Burgundy with its bilberry, violet and raspberry aromas and flavors. The grainy tannins show the other side to this wine, which will require time for the two components to balance. Ends with a long, intense, fruit-filled finish. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2014 through 2027.”
Wine Advocate 92 Points – “The 2007 Campaccio is beautifully ripe and succulent in its dark, extroverted fruit. In 2007, Campaccio veers on the edge of overripeness but there is just enough acidity to keep things in check. French oak, smokiness, new leather and licorice add depth to the rich, creamy finish. I am not sure how the 2007 will age, but it should provide highly pleasurable drinking for at least another decade. Campaccio is 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.”
