(N0712-101) 08 ANDREW WILL COLUMBIA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $34.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Red fruits, dark berries, incense, blueberry pie. Pretty, charming, lively, and showing the elegance and class of Andrew Will./ Still some oak and oak vanillin to be absorbed. About the youngest Andrew Will I can remember tasting. Usually, they're a year or two older, and the fruit has had time to soak up all the new oak. Six to twelve months' bottle age should give the perfect meld. 91+/100.
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(N0712-102) 07 MAURITSON ESTATE DRY CREEK VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $25.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Very nice, dark, ripe, blackberry cabernet fruit. No DCV heat. Intriguing form of DCV cabernet./ Sweet black and red berries, hint of wood char, cedar, bitter chocolate. Lovely fruit quality of 07 with Napa-like class. Good price. 91+/100.
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(N0712-103) 07 CAYMUS SPECIAL SELECTION NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $119.95 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Quarterly Review of Wines 5 Stars - EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTER AND QUALITY - BEST OF SHOW: ‘Lush, pure, long, utterly voluptuous, blackberry, mocha and toasty oak vanillin flavors–dazzling stuff.'
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(N0712-104) 07 WENTE CHARLES WETMORE RESERVE LIVERMORE VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $23.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Double Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
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(N0712-105) 07 VILLA SAN JULIETTE PASO ROBLES CABERNET SAUVIGNON $14.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Good Paso warmth without going pruny. 07 fruit goodness in a dark format–almost 08 dark./ Ripe and dried fruits–Paso cabernet all the way. Full bodied. Well extracted. Rich and succulent. Very generous. 90+/100.
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(N0712-106) 07 SHAFER NAPA VALLEY MERLOT $47.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Quarterly Review of Wines 5 Stars - EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTER AND QUALITY: ‘Deep, rich, plush, elegantly focused, blackberry, mocha and toasted nut flavors.'
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(N0712-107) 07 BEARBOAT SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR $17.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Rich, sweet oak, vanilla, and evolving pinot fruit. Pinot black cherry and tea gets through the wood tones. It's developing bouquet. This is certainly more advanced than it was at the trade show last fall./ Oak, spices, vanilla. Generous. Lots of tea. Some strawberry. Certainly more open and generous than last fall. Liked by the group. 90/100..
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(N0712-108) 08 PAUL HOBBS CROSSBARN RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR $37.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 93: ‘A beautiful Pinot Noir. Plays in the major leagues, with its refined texture and complex flavors of cherries, raspberries, licorice and sandalwood, with a long, spicy finish. The most notable feature is the structure. Feels so lush and fine, so delectable, so dramatic. This is one of the best Pinots available for drinking now.'
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(N0712-109) 08 MERRYVALE CARNEROS PINOT NOIR $31.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 91: ‘This is a very rich, fruity Pinot Noir, so if you like ripeness, you'll love it. Floods the mouth with cherries, raspberries and strawberries, while 50% new French oak adds even richer notes of vanilla and buttered toast. It's flamboyant now, and should be opened in the next 3-4 years.'
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(N0712-110) 07 MONTPELLIER CALIFORNIA SYRAH $7.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Tasters Guild - DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL. Only 45 wines won double golds out of 1644 entered. This is the second straight year Montpellier's Syrah has won a TG double gold. ‘Poached black raspberry aromas, soft textured of red berries with spice box notes, long tannins that are balanced on the peppery/tart finish. Summertime red that will match all foods for outdoors.'
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(N0712-111) 01 C. G. DI ARIE ESTATE SHENANDOAH VALLEY PETITE SYRAH $24.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine & Spirits 91: ‘It has the iron-red character, green conifer edge and black mineral depth of a fine Sierra Foothills red. The fruit sparks with fresh blackberry flavor, then lasts on mouthwatering tension. For the cellar.'
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(N0712-112) 07 RIDGE LYTTON SPRINGS DRY CREEK VALLEY ZINFANDEL $35.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine & Spirits 91: ‘This starts with the sweet richness of Dry Creek zin, with plush, candied red fruit that turns savory as tannins darken the wine into the finish. It ends with lovely briskness, a fine balance between the fruit sweetness and the tannin. With age, the earthy complexities of the wine should evolve.'
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(N0712-113) 07 CEDARVILLE ESTATE EL DORADO ZINFANDEL $19.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Jorge: Rustic but giving. Raisins, blackberries, coconut, leather, and tar./ Expansive. Old Worldly but zin nonetheless. I remember liking Cedarville's zins years back. Still do. 90/100.
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(N0712-114) 09 POMELO CALIFORNIA SAUVIGNON BLANC $11.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Spectator 87 - BEST VALUE; ‘A lip-smacking, vivid style, with passion fruit, lime zest and green papaya notes that are fragrant, crisp and clear. A touch of fresh grass and herb, which give this more personality.'
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(N0712-115) 09 MAURITSON ESTATE DRY CREEK VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC $16.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wonderful. Lots of gooseberry, grass, some grapefruit. Real DCV sauvignon./ Sage, cat, citrus tartness. But plump fruit too: pear, pineapple, tropics. As nice as they come. Reasonably priced. 91/100.
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(N0712-116) 09 ST. SUPERY NAPA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC $18.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine & Spirits 90: ‘Extreme passionfruit powers this young sauvignon, a wine that's more New Zealand than Napa Valley at the moment. It's tart and tight, needing six months in bottle to ease into a more gentle balance, when the fruit intensity will work well with grilled seafood.'
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(N0712-117) 08 VILLA SAN JULIETTE PASO ROBLES SAUVIGNON BLANC $12.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Jorge: Fresh, full bodied, tingly also. Apples, crispness, some minerality. Pretty./ And also on the palate. Quite a full bodied sauvignon. Chill it good to deliver the refreshment. 90/100.
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(N0712-118) 08 BOOMTOWN COLUMBIA VALLEY CHARDONNAY $14.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 90 - BEST BUY: ‘Stainless steel fermented, this pure varietal is bursting with a tasty fruit bowl mix of apple, pineapple, and Meyer. A hint of mint sneaks in, and the acidity brings bracing minerality to the finish.'
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(N0712-119) 07 PATZ & HALL HYDE VINEYARD CARNEROS CHARDONNAY $59.95 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Tanzer 92; Wine Spectator 92; Wine Enthusiast 92: ‘A very good, delicious Chardonnay that's easy to drink, and whose richness suggests shrimp, scallops, lobster and similarly rich fare. Dry and crisp in acidity, it wows with pineapple marmalade, creme brulee, buttered toast, vanilla, honeysuckle and mineral flavors, brightened with zesty acidity.'
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(N0712-120) 08 MAGNIFICENT WINE COMPANY HOUSE WINE COLUMBIA VALLEY WHITE $11.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 88 - BEST BUY: ‘This tart and aromatic white could be labeled Chardonnay; less than a quarter is a mix of Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. It's detailed and lively, with bright citrus, pineapple, pink grapefruit and sweet spice.'
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(N0712-121) 08 MONTPELLIER CALIFORNIA VIOGNIER $7.49 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Tasters Guild Double Gold Medal winner (45 out of 1650 entries): ‘Delightful peachy aroma and mouth-filling fruit flavors. Exceptional acid/fruit balance which makes it a great wine to serve with light foods. Try it with chicken fettuccine alfredo, luncheon salads or grilled mahi-mahi.'
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(N0712-122) 09 J VINEYARDS CALIFORNIA PINOT GRIS $15.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 90 - BEST BUY: ‘With no oak or malolactic fermentation, this wine is all pure, savory fruit. Made from a combination of Clarksburg, in the Delta, and Monterey fruit, it combines warm climate ripeness with coastal acidity to produce a crisp wine with intricate lime and spice flavors.'
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(N0712-123) 08 PACIFIC RIM DRY COLUMBIA VALLEY RIESLING $9.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 90 - BEST BUY: ‘It's aromatic with a mouthwatering juiciness (though not too puckery) that invites a second (and third) glass. A perfect summer all-purpose, all-food sipping wine.'
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(N0712-124) 09 PACIFIC RIM COLUMBIA VALLEY RIESLING $10.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 92 - BEST BUY: ‘Opulent and fruity, with apricots, star anise, mint, a very nice spicy streak that lifts it up, and adds a lot of complexity. Smooth and supple, it coats the palate, captures some floral highlights, even a bit of marshmallow.'
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(N0712-125) 09 PACIFIC RIM ORGANIC COLUMBIA VALLEY RIESLING $13.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 91 - BEST BUY: ‘Well-integrated flavors of mixed fruits are augmented with a sneaky streak of caramel, and a slight buttery softness in the finish. Very appealing, with a good long finish.'
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(N0712-126) 09 PACIFIC RIM SWEET COLUMBIA VALLEY RIESLING $9.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 88 - BEST BUY: ‘This wine reaches just 8/5% alcohol, with 7% residual sugar, and plenty of backing acidity. CO2 from the fermentation is left in the wine to give a little soda pop feeling to it. Simple, balanced and pleasurable, with flavors of peach, sugar, Meyer lemon and orange candy.'
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(N0712-127) 07 PACIFIC RIM VIN DE GLACIERE COLUMBIA VALLEY RIESLING HALF BOTTLE $18.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine & Spirits 92: ‘Dark and savory, this focused wine leads with amber scents of peach and caramel. It has the palate weight of honey, and rich, lasting flavors of apricot.'
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(N0712-128) 08 POET'S LEAP COLUMBIA VALLEY RIESLING $22.99 U.S. Newly Available 07/12 Wine & Spirits 92: ‘The Long Shadows riesling project with German producer Armin Diel, it hails from multiple vineyard sources in 2008, including Wallula's biodynamic blocks. The style is plush, with citrus accents and hints of lees, and a texture that feels broad and immensely satisfying. The balance never falters, as it on guide wires; it's fine, poised for grilled char.'
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(N0712-129) 08 FABRE MONTMAYOU GRAN RESERVA MENDOZA MALBEC $17.99 ARGENTINA Newly Available 07/12 From 50 year old vines. Well, this is not 08 easy and revealing like the Reserva last week. Dense, compact. A black hole of a nose. Down deep inside, there's a concentrated core of berries and cherries./ Loaded, powerful. But still contrite, compact. Doesn't show the oak or time in oak suggested by its title. In need of more bottle age, for sure. 91++/100.
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(N0712-130) 07 BODEGA NORTON RESERVA MENDOZA MALBEC $16.99 ARGENTINA Newly Available 07/12 Wine Spectator90: ‘Very ripe and very primal still, delivering a large core of velvety-textured raspberry, fig and boysenberry fruit that is liberally laced with dark toast, pastis and roasted vanilla. Should settle in nicely with modest cellaring, as the structure is dense, but polished and integrated. Now-2011. $20.'
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(N0712-131) 09 MATUA VALLEY MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC $12.99 NEW ZEALAND Newly Available 07/12 Rather out of the ordinary for this wine. It's usually one of the brightest and briskest of the vintage. However, this 09 acts more like an 08. Heavy in grapefruit peel, cat, grass, bell pepper, and capsicum./ Yes, missing 09 lift. However, if you adjust your expectations and approach it like an 08, the body, the citrus juice and peel amplitude, and the long aftertaste make it very appealing and certainly useful in a meal-time setting. 91/100.
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(N0712-132) 09 BLACK SWAN SE AUSTRALIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $6.99 AUSTRALIA Newly Available 07/12 Tasters Guild Double Gold Medal winner (45 out of 1650 entries): ‘Modest aromas of raspberry and chocolate on the nose followed by full-bodied flavors on the palate. Like many Australian wines, there is just a hint of eucalyptus in the air. This is a joyful little wine, perfect for backyard BBQ, hamburgers and other party or picnic fare.'
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(N0712-133) 07 CHRIS RINGLAND EBENEZER DISTRICT BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ $18.99 AUSTRALIA Newly Available 07/12 Extreme power, lots of oak, cedar, blackberry, dill, tar, dark chocolate./ Rich, ripe, sweet fruit countered by ample barrel extracts. In its demonstrative style, it speaks volumes. 91/100.
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(N0712-134) 08 GLAETZER WALLACE BAROSSA SHIRAZ-GRENACHE $24.99 AUSTRALIA Newly Available 07/12 Wine Spectator 90: ‘This refreshing, exuberant style trumpets its cherry, rhubarb and raspberry fruit, but tempers it with fine tannins and deft balance of acidity, finishing with harmony. Now-2016.'
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(N0712-135) 07 D'ARENBERG CENOSILICAPHOBIC CAT MCLAREN VALE SAGRANTINO-CINSAULT $32.99 AUSTRALIA Newly Available 07/12 Jorge: Dark fruits. Burly cinsault comes first. Dark plums, spice, fake strawberry. Amazing./ Wow! Total acidity, spice. Translates well. Cinsaut, I guess, goes with everything. 92/100.
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(N0712-136) 06 NUGAN ESTATE BOTRYTIS KLN VINEYARD RIVERINA SEMILLON HALF BOTTLE $31.99 AUSTRALIA Newly Available 07/12 Luscious, golden, nutty. That botrytis dustiness. Quite spirited like Sauternes. And certainly as sweet, nectarous. Lemon, pineapple./ Apricots and honey. Tea and chamomile. Lots of botrytis. Lush and silky, smooth and cakey. Lovely. Fine stuff. 94+/100.
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(N0712-137) 09 DE BORTOLI DB SE AUSTRALIA CHARDONNAY $8.49 AUSTRALIA Newly Available 07/12 Plenty fresh.. Soft lemon creme aroma. Fat, tropical fruits and sweet oak impressions./ Ripe, playful, fruit driven, creamy. But also brisk in acid for Australia. Pleasant drink and good value. 89/100.
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(N0712-138) 06 RUSTENBERG JOHN X. MERRIMAN STELLENBOSCH RED $28.99 SOUTH AFRICA Newly Available 07/12 Wine Enthusiast 91; Wine & Spirits 91 - BEST BUY: ‘Mostly cabernet sauvignon and merlot, along with some petit verdot, franc and malbec, this grows at Rustenberg's southwest-facing vineyards on Simonsberg Mountain. It's a dark, savory red with scents of black tea, dark plums and tobacco. With air, the middle of the wine fills out, deepening to black raspberry flavors, and the finish brightens, buoyed by mineral-edged tannin. For the cellar, or decant for roast lamb.'
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(N0712-139) 08 SPICE ROUTE CHAKALAKA SWARTLAND RED $19.99 SOUTH AFRICA Newly Available 07/12 Wine Spectator 90: ‘Rich, but stylish and alluring, delivering mulled plum, currant and fig notes laced with black tea, supported by a nice graphite edge on the smoky finish.'
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(N0712-140) 07 BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF FRANSCHHOEK SEMILLON $25.99 SOUTH AFRICA Newly Available 07/12 Wine Spectator 91: ‘This is subtle now, with a lovely porcelainlike feel to the quince, dried persimmon, almond cream and honeysuckle notes, backed by hints of clementine and bitter orange. Should fill out nicely as this ages. Now-2014. $29.'
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(N0712-141) 06 CHATEAU BONNET, BORDEAUX $15.99 FRANCE BORDEAUX Newly Available 07/12 Plum, black cherry, tobacco, some potpourri. More depth than expected./ Plenty of fruit. Fairly mellow, sweet claret form now. No longer dark and sullen. A pleasant glass of claret. 90/100.
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(N0712-142) 08 CHATEAU BONNET, ENTRE DEUX MERS $14.99 FRANCE BORDEAUX Newly Available 07/12 Good richness now, with sauvignon catty edge and muscadelle exotic florals. Bright and dedicated./ Forward, plump flavors of pineapple, ripe pear, and green mango. Developing nicely. Has loosened up some from months back. Good citrusy stuff going on here. Has the desire to please with food. 90/100.
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(N0712-143) 09 CHATEAU HAUT PASQUET, BORDEAUX BLANC $12.99 FRANCE BORDEAUX Newly Available 07/12
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(N0712-144) 09 COTES DE GASCOGNE, DOMAINE DES CASSAGNOLES $8.99 FRANCE BORDEAUX Newly Available 07/12 Grass, gooseberry, lemon-lime. Sauvignon like, but not quite. Fresh, bright. / Lively piquance, floral strains, pea-pod pungency. Green pear, lemon verbena. Fresh and tangy, bright and brisk. Full and round. Good body and strength for CdG. 09 talking. Long and flavorful aftertaste. Well, these 09 dry white SW France wines have certainly proven promising harbingers of the later releases. Liked by the group. 91/100.
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(N0712-145) 07 MUSCADET DE SEVRE ET MAINE, CHATEAU DE LA PINGOSSIERE $11.99 FRANCE LOIRE Newly Available 07/12 Plenty of fruit. A creaminess of sorts now, more like mousse, apple and pear. Very stylish./ Still fresh and crisp enough. Good fruit density and pronounced lees character. Pleasant with food. 89/100.
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(N0712-146) 07 POUILLY FUME PUR SANG, DIDIER DAGUENEAU $69.95 FRANCE LOIRE Newly Available 07/12 Wine Spectator 93 - COLLECTIBLE: ‘Shows impressive range and depth, with hints of candied lemon peel and quince giving way to macadamia nut, wet straw and white peach notes that glide along a porcelainlike texture. Lengthy, with a salted butter note stretching out nicely. Now-2012.'
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(N0712-147) 07 POUILLY FUME SILEX, DIDIER DAGUENEAU $119.95 FRANCE LOIRE Newly Available 07/12 Wine Spectator 94 - COLLECTIBLE: ‘Weighty, but lithe and balanced, with gorgeous, alluring notes of honeysuckle, macadamia nut, white asparagus, lemon curd, quinine and straw all carrying through seamlessly on the long, invigorating finish. This beautiful wine transcends the vintage. Now-2012.'
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(N0712-148) 09 ALSACE PINOT BLANC, THE FURST $11.99 FRANCE ALSACE Newly Available 07/12 Rich and fruity, plump and ripe. Melon, pear, apple, white peach. 09 lift and beauty./ Great acidity, cut, and astringency. Good strength, dryness. Cool and racy for 09. Bombastic, salacious, full of joy. Acid and minerals join and extend the aftertaste. Yes! 91+/100.
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(N0712-149) 07 ALSACE PINOT GRIS, HELFRICH $11.99 FRANCE ALSACE Newly Available 07/12 Sweet and fruity 07 style. Good apple and peel, good freshness yet. Large scaled, Alsace take on pinot gris. Both power and cut./ Peach and honey. Some pinot gris pink peels astringency countered by good level of glycerol. Corn pone. Some Bas Rhin bodenton. 89+/100.
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(N0712-150) 07 ALSACE RIESLING, HELFRICH $11.99 FRANCE ALSACE Newly Available 07/12 Appley. Some elements of development, while retaining good fruit freshness. Again, the light Bas Rhin bodenton./ White peach, dried apricot. Good riesling development showing. And it's full dry. Makes a good dinner wine. 90/100.
(N0712-101) 08 ANDREW WILL COLUMBIA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $34.99
