Below is a sampling of the exciting new wines arriving in stock at PJ’s on a regular basis. To find additional new arrivals please use our Wine Finder and Search feature on your favorite regions and producers regularly.

Argentina | Australia | Austria | Chile | France | Germany | Italy | New Zealand | Portugal | South Africa | Spain | USA

Argentina

’06 Trapiche “Broquel” Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon $12.99

Australia

’05 D’Arenberg “The Footbolt” McLaren Vale Shiraz $14.97

’06 R Wines “Boarding Pass” Barossa Valley Shiraz $17.99

Austria

’07 Huber “Hugo” Traisental Grüner Veltliner $9.99
A holy grail value in Grüner Veltliner! The nose gives up mouthwatering scents of papaya, cereal grain and creamy minerals, plus delicate hints of field flowers. On the palate the wine is quite racy, showing lemon zest, green apple and a beam of pure crushed rocks. The wine has very good density and concentration, and makes for a fantastic match with grilled vegetables, roasted chicken with olive oil, sea salt and cracked pepper or sautéed pork chops with braised fennel.

’07 Huber Obere Steigen Traisental Grüner Veltliner $14.99
This deeply floral and effusive Grüner is one of the most expressive we have had in a long time-showing a level of quality more like a wine costing twice the price.Gorgeous white flower and pear scents are joined by orange blossom tones and a hint of nutmeg. The palate is bright and intense, exploding with apple and white peach flavors that are joined by notes of chalk and white pepper. Very long and lingering. An outstanding find.

’06 Huber Traisental Zweigelt $12.99
Adventurous fans of great quality European Pinot Noir should seek out this affordable red gem. This medium-bodied Zweigelt opens with a nose of juicy crushed blackberry, which is followed by loamy notes of earth and grass-tufted soil. On the palate it has impeccable balance, featuring juicy blackberry flavors intertwined with sour cherry, leather and mineral notes. Racy acidity and structured tannins mesh perfectly with impressive fruit extract to produce a firm, beautifully proportioned drinking experience. This wine is a great match with beef carpaccio, a wild mushroom omelet, or thinly sliced duck breast.

Chile

’07 Cousiño Macul Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $7.99

’04 Viña Ventisquero “Único Luis Miguel” Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $11.99

France

L’Anglore “2007 Cuvée de la Pierre Chaude” Vin de Table Red $20.99
The L'Anglore Cuvée de la Pierre Chaude is a Rhône blend of Grenache and Clairette. On the nose it is immediately apparent that this is no ordinary Rhône. Sour orange skin and fresh crushed red cherry juice mingle with ginger and ground clove tones plus hints of damp, dark earth and brewers yeast. On the palate the wine shows great concentration and balance. Notes of cherry, blackberry and fresh squeezed orange stand toe to toe with iron, beef blood, and yeast, all of which are accented by hints of barnyard and spice.

’07 L'Anglore “Cuvée des Traverses” Côtes du Rhône Red $21.99
L'Anglore Cuvée des Traveres is an old vines blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre, and 10 % Grenache. The nose carries lovely notes of herbs de Provence, black olive tapenade, a dusting of lavender, smoked meats, saddle leather and a soft inflection of sandy soil. In true organic style, the wine is somewhat cloudy in the glass, due to the lack of added sulfites. The palate is round and gently expressive with flavors of ripe black berry fruit, smoky terroir and lavender that roll along the palate simultaneously. It will pair well with a wide array of hearty dishes like lamb stew, grilled steak or strong aged cheeses.

’05 Bertagna “Les Croix Blanches” Bourgogne Red $21.99
This single vineyard Bourgogne Rouge from the great 2005 vintage is a delight. The nose is very vibrant, with ripe red raspberry scents woven through with notes of mint, wood ash and a hint of rare beef. On the palate the wine is downright racy, delivering sappy red raspberry and red cherry flavors with great impact as they ride through to the soil and mineral laden finish. Drink this with high fat dishes like braised pork belly with Dijon mustard, pan seared duck breast or a rare and richly marbled ribeye steak.

’06 Domaine de Chardignon Côte-de-Brouilly Red $12.99

’06 Les Vignerons d'Estezargues “Domaine Grès St. Vincent” Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Red $12.99

’07 Les Vignerons d'Estezargues “Les Grandes Vignes” Côtes du Rhône Red $10.49

’07 Willaim Fevre “Champs Royaux” Chablis White $19.99

’05 Mas Foulaquier “Les Tonillières” Coteaux du languedoc-Pic Saint-Loup Red $17.99

’07 J F Lurton “Les Fumées Blanches” VdP de Comte Tolosan Sauvignon Blanc $9.99

’07 J F Lurton “Terra Sana - Organic” VdP d'Oc White $11.99

’07 Domaine Mardon “Très Vieilles Vignes” Quincy White $15.99
This impressive and modestly-priced Sauvignon Blanc-based white offers a very expressive nose, loaded with lemon blossom, apple and pear scents with hints of chalky minerality. The palate is well-structured, deep and highly elegant. Classic Loire Valley flavors of grapefruit, green apple and zesty lemon dominate the palate before they gradually give way to a vivid mineral enhanced mouth-feel carried along by ample amounts of silky acidity. The 2007 vintage combines the richness of bright ripe fruit with vibrant freshness. Serve with hearty garden salads, grilled river fish or pork loin.

’06 Clos du Mont Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape $32.99

’05 Michel Picard Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir $14.99
This is a very impressive '05 Bourgogne Rouge value, sure to make for exceptional everyday drinking. The nose shows cherry and plum scents backed by sensual hints of musk and chocolate. On the palate the wine is round and polished, with good concentration and lift. Black cherry and plum notes glide across the palate and are complemented by silky mineral tones and a touch of game. This wine is drinking very well right now—on its own or paired with a range of foods from country pâte to roast fowl, pork or veal.

’05 Michel Picard Chateau de Chassagne-Montrachet St. Aubin 1er Cru Le Charmois Rouge $27.99
This is a serious and well-priced St. Aubin Premier Cru Rouge from the great 2005 vintage. The nose is very juicy, even mouthwatering, with scents of red cherry and red berry plus violet, mineral, leather and roasted game hints. On the palate very pure plum and fleshy, crushed cherry flavors are accented by hints of earth, red licorice and chalk. This wine shows a fantastic sense of proportion combined with great fruit expression. An excellent choice to drink with charcuterie, roasted game bird, or seared lamb chops.

NV Pommery “Pop” Champagne Extra Dry Semi-Sweet Sparkling Wine .187L $8.47

’07 Remy Pannier Rosé d'Anjou Rosé $7.49

’07 Hervé Souhaut Saint Joseph Red $37.99

’07 Terres Doreès “Chardonnay Beaujolais Blanc” Beaujolais White $13.99

’99 Château Tour Pibran Pauillac $19.99
We were extremely happy to find a Pauillac drinking this well at this price! It shows great balance, classic claret elegance and the touch of age has done nothing but favors, teasing out delicate secondary nuances. On the nose notes of black currant and mixed berry are backed by pencil lead , rosemary and black earth aromas. On the palate supple currant and berry flavors expand to reveal notes of truffley earth, mint, pencil lead, black olive and a hint of smoke. Excellent balance and finesse carry the mid-palate into a silky finish of impressive length and integration. Drink this now with rare lamb chops or filet mignon.

’06 Verget “Le Clos Saint-Pierre” Mâcon-Charnay White $19.99

’05 Vieux Château Brun Pomerol Red $32.99
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find Pomerol of this high quality at at such a low price, especially from the great 2005 vintage. The nose of this beautifully calibrated Pomerol begins with scents of cassis interwoven with cedar, lavander, licorice and black cherry tones. On the palate there is great purity, concentration and balance. Rich flavors of red and black currant and crushed black cherry are accented by touches of crushed stone, graphite and tea leaf along with hints of creamy truffle and spice. The juicy mid-palate rides into a plush finish of chewy ripe tannins. Drink now or cellar for another ten years. Serve with thick cut roast pork, braised lamb with herbs or a juicy New York Strip steak.

Germany

’05 Dr. Hermann Urziger Würzgarten Mosel Riesling Spätlese $21.99
From the great '05 vintage and one of the Mosel's top vineyards comes this well-priced find from Dr. Hermann. Pale gold in color with slight greenish highlights around the rim of the glass. The nose is a delectable expression of freshly picked apricot and nectarine skin scents with hints of candied herbs. It is drinking beautifully right now, with its creamy-fresh white peach flavors and heady, cool lychee in syrup and lavender-lined cotton candy notes that are backed by supple slate-driven acidity. Enjoy by itself or with spicy Asian dishes, traditional German fare or triple cream cheeses on warm, homemade bread.

’07 Josef Leitz Rüdesheimer Drachenstein “Dragonstone” Rheingau RieslingÊ $14.99
“The latest installment of a proverbial hit, Leitz’s 2007 Rudesheimer Drachenstein Riesling Dragonstone continues (as its full name demonstrates) to come from a single vineyard, one from which by now Leitz takes a significant percentage of the crop. There has never been a better example of the electric intensity and uncanny balance Leitz is able to achieve in this site between taut, invigorating acidity and a high level of residual sugar that comes off as barely sweet. Zesty lime, peach, pink grapefruit, and red currant ally themselves to cinnamon spice, salts, and wet stones, and finish with simultaneous penetration and delicacy. Enjoy this great value anytime over the next 3-4 years.” —WA 90

’07 Josef Leitz Rüdesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Rheingau Riesling Spätlese $18.99
This Rheingau Riesling shows exceptionally balanced ripeness. The nose is highly expressive, with peach blossom and honeydew melon scents plus peach pit, lime rind and a cloud of slightly minty powdered stone. On the palate peach pit notes mingle with pear skin and citrus oil plus a crunchy, pear infused slate. The acidity is firm and integrated and the wine comes off as medium-weight and quite nimble. This is great stuff, and even with the across-the-board price hikes that European wines are realizing, still an excellent value.

’07 Mönchhof “Estate” Mosel Riesling QBA $15.99
This is an estate Riesling of exceptional quality, showing wonderful purity and harmony. On the nose citrus and peach scents are interwoven with well defined smoky slate notes. The palate is racy with impressive density and great integration. Ripe nectarine and lime tones mingle with pretty and elegant tones of wood ash to make this one of the best entry level Rieslings of the vintage.

’07 Mönchhof Ürzig Würzgarten Mosel Riesling Spätlese $26.99
This is a succulent and pure 2007 expression of the famed Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard. Smoky slate scents expand into elegant bergamot notes, interwoven with lime confit and white flowers aromas. On the palate lime and hard peach flavors are backed by white pepper and black tea tones which follow through onto the long and slate drenched finish. An outstanding 2007 Riesling.

’02 Müller-Catoir Haardter Bürgergarten Pfalz Riesling Spätlese $34.99
This is a gorgeous late release from the outstanding 2002 vintage. Blooming orange, baked pear and candied lychee scents dominate the nose. Ginger zest and lemon peel backed by a scintillating touch of quartz-driven minerality that slowly sinks into a supple and creamy kiss of fresh pineapple flavors constitute the jaw-dropping, kaleidoscopic palate. The acidity that rounds out the finish is beautifully integrated to the fruit. The duality that exists on the palate between the wine’s fruit and its mineral driven acidity is something that must be tasted to be believed. “This represents the botrytized portion of the crop from Catoir's clos in Burgergarten. Orange blossom, talcum and pear nectar in the nose. Lovely creaminess allied to delicacy and brightness on the palate. This rises to an almost extreme sense of sweetness, but then backs off in the finish, which reveals refined, persistent honey, vanilla, lime, brown spices and musk.” IWC Potential 2 stars.

’07 Dr. F. Weins-Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Mosel Riesling Kabinett $20.99
The nose of this intense Kabinett begins with scents of zesty green apple and lime peel which are backed by crunchy mineral tones. The palate shows great intensity and verve. Hard apple and pear notes are followed by hints of orange tea, lime and stone. This is a great value, offering fantastic intensity for those who are looking for a bigger and more structured Kabinett. A whole lot of Riesling for the price.

’07 Schäfer-Fröhlich Nahe Kabinett $27.99
Incredible vibrant stone is at the heart of this impressive Kabinett. On the nose strawberry and nectarine scents are interlaced with iodine hints and pierced by beams of pulverized rock. In the mouth the wine is racy and elegant, with apricot, peach and strawberry flavors spread across a palate of slate. This wine has excellent focus and elegance, and is screaming for Wiener schnitzel, corned beef or kielbasa with spicy mustard.

’07 Schäfer-Fröhlich Bockenauer Felseneck Nahe Riesling Spätlese $36.99
From a producer who almost always makes our head spin with stone-infused pleasure comes this mineral driven, single vineyard marvel. The nose is fantastic, with candied white peach, pear gelée, and crystaline sugarcane scents suspended in a cloud of wet stone and powdered rocks. It is still quite firm on the palate with delicate flavors of candied pear skin, peach pit and a dusting of white pepper wrapped around a pure mineral core and a vibrant spine of acidity. Impeccable balance and great length are just two more features of this Nahe stunner. Grab this while it lasts.

’07 Schloss Lieser “Lieser” Niederberg Helden Mosel Riesling Spätlese $30.99
>From one of the steepest vineyards in the Mosel, this wine displays a highly expressive, intoxicating perfume of nectarine, peach pit, smoky rose petal, bergamot jelly, moss and mineral. On the palate slatey peach and nectarine are joined by light smoke tones, white pepper, earth and spice. In the mouth it is both dense and elegant, with great finesse and a long and melodious finish. This is very complex, aromatic and distinctive. It is rare to find such radiant scents and flavors so elegantly delivered.

’07 Schloss Mühlenhof Rheinhessen Müller-Thurgau Trocken $10.99
This is a steal in dry German whites. The nose is super fragrant with white flower, orange, tangerine and nectarine tones. The palate is bright, crisp and packed with the same flavors as found on the nose. The finish clean and full with lingering notes of orange. An outstanding value.

’07 Schloss Saarstein “Saarstein” Mosel Riesling QbA $10.99

Italy

’06 Altesino “Rosso di Altesino” IGT Tuscany $14.99
This accessible Sangiovese blend from acclaimed Brunello producer Altesino is showing beautifully now. From what so far looks to be a great Tuscan vintage in 2006, it offers plenty of black cherry and earth scents. The palate is medium-bodied, silky and well-balanced. Flavors of black cherry and dried blackberry are accented by truffle and wild herb tones that lead into a long smooth finish. This highly drinkable red is sure to satisfy your craving for an elegant and affordable taste of Tuscany.

’05 Antinori “Peppoli” Chianti Classico $17.97
An classic and consistant Tuscan standard, showing very well in 2005.

’03 Antinori “Tenute Marchese Antinori” Chianti Classico Riserva $29.99

’05 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano $23.99

’01 La Cá Növa Barbaresco $39.99

’01 G. Camerano e Figli Cannubi San Lorenzo Barolo $66.99
This gorgeous Barolo from the great 2001 vintage is a spectacular find and a tremendous value considering its upper escheleon quality. From the San Lorenzo section of the Cannubi cru, it displays that distinctive, sun-kissed touch of fragrant ripeness and depth that only Cannubi can offer. The nose is intensely effusive offering up scents of strawberry, red plum, bing cherry, asphalt and smokey dirt. The palate is beautifully sensuous and elegant, commencing with an explosive and silky attack of juicy red berry flavors, most notably strawberry. A seamless, underlying line of damp brown earthy minerality extends across the palate and into the extremely long and smooth finish, accented by lingering dried cherry, chocolate and cinnamon nuances. Founded in 1875, Camarano is a fifth generation and highly traditional producer, little known outside the Barolo commune due to their tiny size, but well worth discovering as this beautiful Barolo resoundingly attests. It is showing singingly now and will continue to develop over the next 15 years. A revelation that will put a smile on any Barolo lover's face. This is the good stuff.

’01 Cascina Bruni Batistot Barolo Riserva $64.99

’06 C. C. Guidobono Barbera d'Alba $12.99
The 2006 Guidobono Barbera d’Alba displays a rich garnet color in the glass that leads to a terrific nose of violets and blackberry jam. On the palate this medium bodied Piedmontese has plush fruit flavors that fuse beautifully with hints of smoke, anise seed and juniper berry. Lively acidity with moderate tannins keeps this wine bright and balanced propelling it to a very satisfying finish. Earthy and delicious, the 2006 Guidobono Barbera d’Alba screams for a slice of great brick-oven pizza or pasta with Bolognese sauce. A terrific value!

’04 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbaresco $39.99

’07 Kris IGT delle Venezie Pinot Grigio $10.47

’06 Mastroberardino IGT Campania Aglianico $19.99

’07 Elio Perrone “Sourgal” Piedmont Semi-Sweet Moscato $14.99

’06 Terre Nere Guardiola Etna Rosso $39.99
“Medium ruby. Soft, sweet aromas of smoky red cherry, sexy vanilla and cream soda. Lovely juicy entry, with flavors of blueberry jam, red cherry and minerals nicely framed by fine acids and soft tannins. Finishes long and spicy, with a lovely impression of sweetness and depth. From 60-to-90-year-old vines in a north-facing vineyard 3,000 feet above sea level.” –IWC 92

New Zealand

’07 Fairhill Downs "Single Vineyard" Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc $14.99
This beautiful and expressive single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is from Fairhill Downs, a small, family owned and run estate—a relative rarity in New Zealand. They practice sustainable viticulture, harvest at night and maintain low yields and the result is very high quality Sauvignon Blanc. The nose shows a bright and pure grapefruit center mingled with scents of pineapple, fresh cut grass, oprange peel, green tomato and passion fruit. These same notes follow through with great intensity on the palate taking on additional tones of gooseberry, lime and red currant and steely mineral nuances. Racy, balanced and long, this is outstanding New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

’06 Fairhill Downs "Single Vineyard" Marlborough Pinot Noir $24.99

Portugal

’64 J.B. Blandy's Madeira Semi-Sweet Bual $224.97

’76 J.B. Blandy's Madeira Semi-Sweet Terrantez $183.97

’77 J.B. Blandy's Madeira Semi-Sweet Bual $148.97

’68 J.B. Blandy's Madeira Semi-Sweet Verdelho $168.97

’22 D'Oliveira Madeira Semi-Sweet Bual $442.99
Very Limited, Phone Orders Only
This gorgeous Bual offers a highly complex nose of caramel, jellied lime peel, iodine, ink and soft doughy vanilla tones laced with mineral undertones. The deep palate is tighly wound and requires opening in advance, after which the silky palate yields a panoply of caramel, nut, dough and citrus tones. Bright acidity is counterbalance with moderate sweetness. The finish is intense and long with lingering lime zest and mineral notes. Outstanding, complex Madeira with decades of agebility still ahead. Ponder its profundity with caramelized desserts or deservedly on its own.

’77 D'Oliveira Madeira Semi-Sweet Terrantez $125.97
From a great Madeira vintage this racy Terrantez offers great intensity and length. The nose is packed with lime pith and zest scents backed by mineral ash and mineral tones and hints of caramelized nut. The palate is rich and expansive with a strong line of buoyant acidity and an integrated touch of sweetness. The long finish is marked with chewey, grippy lime tinged tannins that linger with subtle touches of ash and grape pulp. A superb apéritif or after dinner wine.

South Africa

’07 Indaba Western Cape Chardonnay $4.99

Spain

’05 Vinos de Arganza “Flavium” Bierzo Crianza Red $8.99
The Wine Advocate tried this incredible value and rated it 90 points, although no tasting note was given. We tried it and were wow'd. The richly fragrant nose features sweet cherry and earthy blackberry scents intertwined with notes of smoked cured meat and vanilla bean, plus hints of charcoal minerality and tobacco leaf. On the palate it is every bit as impressive. Juicy blackberry, plum and cherry flavors meld with rich iron, game and sage tones that lead into the long and spicy, vanilla and berry inflected finish. The medium to full body is well supported by an integrated spine of good acidity and ripe tannins which make this a great match with food, from charcuterie to herb roasted pork loin, roast beef or braised lamb. Superb for everyday drinking!

’06 Vinos de Arganza “La Mano Roble” Bierzo Mencía $8.99
Rated 90 points by the The Wine Advocate, this value standout is modern, forward and packed with fruit that is rounded off by integrated oak and vanilla tones. On the nose and palate dark plum and berry fruit flavors are complemented by mineral and damp earth accents. The mid-palate is full and concentrated and leads into a long, juicy finish that is capped by inky berry and soft toasty vanilla flavors. A lot of wine for the price.

’07 Bodegas Borsao Campo de Borja Red $6.99

’07 Cellers Can Blau “Can Blau” Montsant $13.99
“Dark purple. Sexy aromas of blackberry, blueberry, Asian spices and smoked meat. Supple and open-knit, with sweet dark berry preserve flavors, velvety texture and good mineral bite. Manages to be both nervy and concentrated, with very good finishing clarity and cut. Leaves strong blue fruit notes behind and repeats the spicy quality.” —IWC 91

’07 Félix Lorenzo Cachazo "Mania" Rueda White $13.99
When we first put our nose in the glass of this 100% Verdejo our reaction was, “Wow, we’ve found a super New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc beater!” The nose is hugely fragrant, exploding with grapefruit, cut grass, citrus zest plus a hint of smoke. The palate is lively and vibrant as well, with lime and plump grapefruit notes interlaced with tones of chalk and cut grass. The finish is very long, echoing with citrusy minerality. For those of you who love the bold character of New Zealand, you must try this distinctive take on the Kiwi style!

’05 Bodegas Naia “Naiades” Rueda White $22.99
“The barrel-fermented 2005 Naia Des is sourced from a single parcel of 80- to 100-year-old, ungrafted, Verdejo vines located in La Seca, a village which the locals consider to be the "grand cru" of Rueda. Light gold-colored, it exhibits an attractive perfume of vanilla spice, lemon-lime and honeysuckle. This is followed by a medium-bodied wine with an intense entry, mouth-filling fruit, and excellent balance.” —WA91

’06 Bodegas Nekeas “Vega Sindoa” Navarra Cabernet Sauvignon/Tempranillo Blend $10.99

’07 Jorge Ordoñez & Co. “Botani” Sierras de Málaga Moscatel $20.99
”There is one dry wine in the portfolio, the 2007 Botani, made from 100% Moscatel. The wine was fermented in 70% stainless steel and 30% French oak. Light straw with a green tint, it has a fragrant nose of spring flowers, honey, melon, and tropical fruits. Dry, crisp, and well-balanced, notes of citrus emerge on the mid-palate.” —WA90

’07 Pazo de Senorans Rías Baixes Albariño $25.99
This elegant and minearal-lined Albariño offers pretty scents of peach, lemon verbena and a touch of honeysuckle blossoms on the delectable nose. The palate is a supple expression of creamy white fruit-from Bartlett pears to white peach flavors-that is buoyed by a silky infusion of bright acidity underlaid with flinty minerals. Serve this graceful standout with pan-seared sea scallops, chicken pasta dishes, or a hearty bouillabaisse with a spicy dollop of aioli. This new vintage just arrived and will benefit from opening one half hour before serving to unleash its penetrating inner core.

’87 La Rioja Alta “Viña Arana” Rioja Reserva $84.97
A beautiful example of classic Rioja drinking at its peak—taking on its second life. The nose offers a medley of wild strawberry, dried cherry, smoke, leather and mineral scents. The palate is silky smooth, nuanced, complex and long with all the notes found on the nose emerging in layered procession across the palate. Additional notes of damp earth, vanilla, and rose petals intermix and are lifted by bright acidity that rides into a long smooth finish. This is what matured Rioja is all about!

’07 Txomin Etxaniz Getariako Txakolina $19.99

’07 Viña Godeval Valdeorras Godello $16.99

’07 Bodegas Volver “Paso a Paso” La Mancha Verdejo $8.99

’07 Bodegas Volver "Paso a Paso" La Mancha Red $8.99
“The 2007 Paso a Paso Tinto is 100% Tempranillo sourced from vineyards averaging 40 years of age. The color is a saturated purple with fragrant aromas of mineral, scorched earth, and blackberry. The wine has a big core of fruit with enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years. This savory, lengthy effort can be enjoyed now but will be at its best from 2010 to 2014.” —WA 89+

’05 Bodegas Volver “Volver” La Mancha Red $13.99
Rated 90 points in The Wine Advocate, this rich and expressive value hales from the eastern reaches of La Mancha. The nose opens with ample scents of blackberry and cherry awash with notes of smoked meat, wild herbs and eucalyptus, followed by hints of coffee and cedar. On the palate it is full and juicy with blackberry and fresh squeezed cherry flavors that ride along with notes of venison bacon, coffee, menthol and lead pencil tones. Big, chewy tannins ride into the lingering smoke inflected finish. This is quite a lot of wine for the price.

United States of America

California

’06 Annabella "Special Selection" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $11.97
This ripe, rich and balanced find is a great value in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The fragrant nose features ripe black currant and black cherry scents plus notes of roasted coffee. The palate is juicy and succlent with plum flavors filling out the black currant and cherry notes. Touches of iron, cured ham and vanilla plus spicy oak tones overlay sweet tannins and ride into a long, dried currant laced finish. It is rare to find an entry level Napa Cab at anywhere near this level of fruit, fit and finish.

’05 Ampelos Cellars “Lambda” Santa Barbara-Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir $35.99

’06 Ayana California Pinot Noir $15.99

’05 Burch Hall “Winter’s Finding” Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon Blend $18.99

’07 Castle Rock California Pinot Noir $11.49

’06 Caymus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon $65.99

’06 Coppola “Claret - Black Diamond Label” Cabernet Sauvignon Blend $16.99
A big time crowd pleaser. Rich with black fruit, well-mannered and juicy on the palate.

’07 Edna Valley Vineyard Paragon San Luis Obispo-Edna Valley Chardonnay $10.99

’06 Girasole “Organic” California Chardonnay $14.99

’07 Joel Gott California Zinfandel $14.99

’06 Grgich Hills “Estate” Napa Valley Fumé Blanc $29.99

’06 Lockwood "Block 7" Monterey Pinot Noir $15.99
“Block 7” remains one of the best bargains in California Pinot Noir we have found in our years of searching. Winemaker Larry Gomez and his team topped themselves with an even better bottling after the beautiful ’05. The 2006 is riper and a touch more plush than the 2005, reflecting the warmer vintage. The nose offers up supple strawberry and bright red cherry scents followed by a hint of fresh flowers. In the mouth, the strawberry notes continue and are joined by fleshy red cherry flavors plus mineral, earth and spice nuances. It is very well-balanced with a supple roundness, and can be enjoyed on its own or with food—each option yielding equal pleasures. Bravo.

’06 Norton Ridge Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $15.99

’06 Pride “58% Sonoma 42% Napa” California Merlot $60.99

’04 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $67.99

’06 Vineyard 29 “Cru” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $59.97

Oregon

’06 Beaux Frères “Willamette Valley” Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $46.99
“Soft, open-textured and appealing for its plum, currant and earthy mineral aromas and flavors, which linger against a burr of tannins. Gains richness and complexity with every sip.” —WS91

Washington

’05 Canyon's Edge Winery "Estate" Aldercreek Columbia Valley Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon $13.99
This is plump Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon offers great weight, depth and balance in this price range. Black cherry and currant scents are accompanied with integrated chocolate fudge tones on the nose. The palate is chewey and ripe with black fruit flavors of cherry, plum and currant, again laced with chocolate fudge notes plus smoky mineral traces. Well-structured acidity rides into a long finish. An excellent value.

’06 Independent Producers Columbia Valley Merlot $11.99
Juicy and bright cherry scents open the nose of this great value in ripe and balanced Merlot. The cherry notes are followed by chocolate and rose petal tones and an elegant hint of potting soil. On the palate plum and cherry pit flavors are joined by coco powder and crushed stone tones. This standout has very good acidity and firm, chewy tannins that make for a very long finish. This is the most impressive Merlot we've found in this price range in quite a long time.

’05 Hedges Family Estate “Three Vineyards” Columbia Valley-Red Mountain Red $19.99
This wine is one of the best values out of Washington and the Red Mountain AVA, offering a sensual mix of plushness and structure. The nose opens with scents of freshly crushed dark cherry and cassis then expands to display chocolate, toast, pen ink, smoke and earthy nuances. On the palate the wine is very well balanced, holding creamy plum and cherry tones up to lightly smoked vanilla bean, mocha and chalk. Fine chewy tannins and well integrated acidity combine with a spine of firm minerality to make this a complete and completely pleasurable drinking experience. Have it with grilled lamb chops, pan-seared filet mignon, or a rich beef stew.

’05 Mercer Wine Estates Columbia Valley - Horse Heaven Hills Merlot $20.99
"This silky textured wine is round and polished, showing spicy, chocolaty undertones to the ripe cherry and cola flavors that linger on the refined finish." —WS 91

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