The new Wine Advocate is out

Here are a few quick highlights I noticed we have in stock from the new Issue of The Wine Advocate #201




2010 Gerard Morin Sancerre VV....$23.99
Tasted from a magnum because he thought (‘til his wife later proved otherwise) that he hadn’t saved any 750s for the family, Morin’s unfiltered, U.S.-exclusive 2010 Sancerre Vieilles Vignes originates largely in the Le Chateau vineyard at the north edge of Bue and adjacent to the winery, but this year includes a share from south of the village, in Plante des Pres, and another from near La Moussiere. There is a striking sense of delicacy as well as of transparency both to coolingly herbal, green tea, and floral infusion, and to a shimmering display of stony, stony and crystalline mineral matter. A saline, sweet, and bitter melange suggesting iodine and shrimp shell reduction sends my salivary glands into overdrive. Morin says this is one of those frequent instances – such as one would normally be less inclined to associate with the course of the delayed 2010 growing season – where “there were only two or three days possibly for picking to get the balance right, with enough freshness, with low alcohol, but not too green.” He obviously picked the right one! This sensational value ought to reward following for the better part of a decade.
Rated 93/100 The Wine Advocate




2002 Etude Cabernet Sauvingon....$42.99/ 375ml
(Wine Advocate Suggested retail is $185 for 750ml)
The blockbuster 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa came from two sources, the Morisoli Vineyard in St. Helena and the Cohn Vineyard in Rutherford (the source for the famous Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon). This fabulous, dense ruby/purple wine is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. It exhibits a deep creme de cassis nose with hints of charcoal, graphite and spring flowers. Full-bodied, rich and youthful, it appears to have at least 20 years of life left in it. This is a wine that clearly flew under the radar, and if it can still be found and the provenance is excellent, it is definitely a big-time buy.
Rated 95/100 The Wine Advocate


Rinaldi Red Dream....$13.99

("Red Moscato d'Asti") 

The non-vintage Rinaldi Red Dream, which comes from 100% Malvasia Nera, has about 7% alcohol, so it is slightly more potent than its two siblings. Gorgeously fresh and frothy, with loads of cherry, honeysuckle, spice box and spring flowers, this is an exciting party wine that is brilliantly packaged, and I doubt a person can be found who would dislike it. However, these wines are meant to be drunk in their exuberant youth, so this one as well as the following two efforts should be consumed over the next 6-12 months.
Above all, wine is meant to bring people together, encourage conversation and be fun. If there’s a quintessential “fun wine,” it is certainly the sparkling, low-alcohol Moscatos made in Northern Italy. I jokingly refer to these as breakfast wines, but they are remarkably fresh, lively wines that rarely exceed 5 to 6% alcohol. Their aromatics are stunning, and no one does a better job making these wines than Rinaldi. There are three cuvees to contemplate.
Rated 90/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate




Rinaldi Bug Juice Moscato d'Asti...$15.99
Above all, wine is meant to bring people together, encourage conversation and be fun. If there’s a quintessential “fun wine,” it is certainly the sparkling, low-alcohol Moscatos made in Northern Italy. I jokingly refer to these as breakfast wines, but they are remarkably fresh, lively wines that rarely exceed 5 to 6% alcohol. Their aromatics are stunning, and no one does a better job making these wines than Rinaldi. There are three cuvees to contemplate.
Rated 91/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate