With an eye to restaurant wine lists, our cellar reconnoiterer Jeffery Lindenmuth picks ideal new releases recently reviewed by Wine Spectator.
Note: Wine Spectator rates on a 100-point scale. 95—100: Classic, a great wine. 90—94: Out standing, superior style and character. 80—89: Good to very good, a wine with special qualities. Prices listed are average wholesale case prices.BEST BUYS
THE MAGNIFICENT WINE COMPANY Steak House Columbia Valley 2007
This Cabernet Sauvignon leaves little to the imagination when it comes to food pairing, its big fruit brimming with black cherry and black berry. Toasty oak and earthy aromas are followed by a smooth palate of fleshy fruit laced with ripe tannins with a medium finish.
Score: 89 Cost: $100 Cases: 5,000
CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE Pinot Gris Columbia Valley 2008
A refreshing and easy-drinking style that also offers plenty of character, with generous aromas of stone fruit, apples, and white flowers, from a touch of Viognier. Light and lacey on the palate, with zesty citrus flavors and a dash of spice on the lively finish.
Score: 88 Cost: $120 Cases: 100,000
ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS Malbec Mendoza 2008
A mélange of dark fruit-raspberry, black plum, and mulberry-engages the nose, followed by mocha and spice. On the palate, the chewy fruit is rich and dark, interspersed with hints of licorice and dark chocolate, offering good structure with ample tannins.
Score: 87 Cost: $104 Cases: 30,000 imported
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
NUMANTHIA-TERMES Toro Termes 2006
This Spanish red is powerful, yet wonderfully supple and sensuous on the palate. The aroma is richly layered with berries, kirsch, cigar box, and spice. The chewy palate displays gobs of ripe fruit, with baking chocolate, spices, and vanilla appearing on the long rounded finish. Adequate acidity and silky tannins balance the big fruit.
Score: 93 Cost: $300 Cases: 4,000 imported
CASA LAPOSTOLLE Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Cuvée Alexandre Atalayas Vineyard 2007
This single-vineyard Chilean white shows great polish, its lively citrus and ripe pear notes underscored by toast and pie crust, honeysuckle and spice. The palate offers vivid citrus and snappy apple fruit, with a slightly creamy texture that carries through the long finish, ending with crisp acidity and mineral notes.
Score: 91 Cost: $190 Cases: 11,620 imported
RAVENSWOOD Zinfandel Napa Valley Old Vine 2006
Blackberry and blueberry fruit aromas are punctuated by peppery spice and fresh herbs, including sage and mint, in this fruit-forward Zin. On the palate, the initial cherry-berry fruit is balanced with lively acidity, followed by an attack of sturdy rustic tannins, lending a finish laced with smoky earth and vanilla.
Score: 88 Cost: $120 Cases: 22,000
SPECIALS
SCHRADER Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2006
A current and future classic that flaunts its perfectly ripe fruit, a cascade of currants, black cherries, and blackberry, mingled with mocha and smoky oak. The texture is incredibly supple and plush, with wave upon wave of luscious fruit, followed by ripe firm tannins.
Score: 99 Cost: $1,500 Cases: 250
COHO HEADWATERS Napa Valley 2006
This Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot is opulent and complex from the start, with aromas of wild berry and black cherry complemented by dark coffee and sweet tobacco. The wine is rich and plush on the palate, full-bodied, and shows modest acidity with a mouthful of grippy tannins.
Score: 95 Cost: $480 Cases: 1,337
LOUIS JADOT Corton Grèves 2006
This Burgundy shows the Grand Cru's characteristic intensity to its bright fruit, an array of red raspberry, plum, and Bing cherry, with spice aromas that follow on the palate. There is also a good dose of damp earth and mineral, joined by fine tannins that impart just enough power and drive to this elegant Pinot Noir.
Score: 94 Cost: $900 Cases: 100 imported
