What's New in Wine @ Great Wine Buys

Wine Olympic Gold Medal Winners

Antica Terra Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2006
$47.99/$38.40 by the case
Here's a blockbuster Pinot Noir with an established name, but a whole new story. Previous owners started the vineyard in the Eola Hills circa 1988 and made some powerful, memorable wines in the late 1990s/early 2000s before selling in 2005. The new owners are serious about making world-class Pinot and wisely brought in Maggie Harrison as the fourth partner, director and winemaker. Maggie worked with Manfred Krankl at ultra-cult California winery Sine Qua Non for 10 years as assistant winemaker and clearly learned a lot. They sold off the 2005 vintage in bulk and instead focused on expanding and refurbishing the vineyard; in 2006 they were ready to roll. This 2006 includes grapes mostly from the Estate as well as Shea vineyard (Sine Qua Non made award-winning Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir; Maggie was more than familiar with the fruit). The result showcases the intensity, complexity and power of the Antica Terra site bolstered by the rich flavor-filled Shea fruit, all marked by a balance and finesse that sings of the Sine Qua Non heritage. Spicy earthy fruit aromas rise from the glass, followed by sappy and ripe dark cherry and raspberry, orange zest, hints of cinnamon, hazelnutty toast and more. The wine is big, but never heavy, as ripe tannins and underlying acidity keep it lively, propelling you into a long finish. This is one of the best 2006 Oregon Pinots we've had to date. A must-try.

Owen Roe Abbot's Table 2007
$19.99/$15.99 by the case
The crack is back! Probably our best-selling wine each year, we even gave it a nickname worthy of its addictive effect on customers, many of whom have been calling for months and checking on the arrival date. Why the popularity? For starters, a crazily extensive blend which means more complexity. Next, a personality that changes each year with the usage and percentage of each grape variety. Always rich, soft and juicy, there's a depth and grip that adds punch to go with the elegant touch. Best of all, it's a wine that over-delivers for the reasonable price - and everyone loves a great deal. This year's blend is juicy, spicy and a touch brighter than the 2006. The Sangiovese/Merlot/Zin brings fruit and texture, Cab Franc adds swirling aromatics, while the Rhone-inspired Grenache/Syrah/Cinsault trio brings spice and exotic flavors to the party. This year's mix: 22% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 20% Zinfandel, 15% Cab Franc, 7% Grenache, 6% Syrah, 3% Cinsault, 3% Malbec, 3% Petite Sirah, 1% Pinot Noir.

Christoffel-Prum Riesling Auslese
Wehlener Sonnenuhr 1992
$23.99/$19 by the case
***ARRIVING MID-AUGUST***

The Urziger Wurzgarten 1992 sold out in May so quickly that our inside man Ewald went back to the well, bringing back this quarry with a big smile on his face. For those of you lucky enough to nab some in May, you know what a treat you're in for. For those who just missed it, here's another chance. Again insanely priced, this sixteen-year old beauty is coming straight from Kajo's cool cellars in Urzig, a stone's throw from the banks of the Mosel River, where it has been aging peacefully and exceedingly gracefully. Wehlener Sonnenuhr is one of the Mosel's top vineyards (considered the best by many, the subject of endless arguing among Riesling fans) and its pedigree is obvious. With a touch more underlying power than the Wurzgarten, this also boasts deep minerality and classic petrol aromas to complement the ripe peach and lemon curd flavors. As with the Wurzgarten, the original high levels of sugar have melted into a honeyed creaminess with hardly a whisper of actual sweetness. A rockingly cool wine for the money, a wine to get excited about.

Dusky Goose Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2006
$59.99/$47.99 by the case.
***ARRIVING MID-AUGUST***
The Goose is loose...almost anyway. If you couldn't make it to our Dundee Hills tasting to get a nip of the Goose, we've got more coming soon. A crowd favorite due to its sexy profile, polished pretty Pinot flavors and judicious use of oak, this is made by Lynn Penner-Ash from Goldschmidt vineyard and Rambouillet vineyard fruit. One of the biggest Pinot hits of the last two vintages, the 2006 keeps it rolling. Limited production=limited availability.

Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône 2006
$21.99/$17.50 by the case
Like clockwork August brings two of our best-selling reds for the year, the above-mentioned Abbot's Table and this. Legendary from 1998 to 2001, the excitement was sadly cut short by a fatal car accident involving the winemaker in 2001, yet his widow vowed to carry on. The 2005 was a thrilling return to the heyday and this newly-released 2006 shows the trend continuing. As in days of old, this offers a seductive blend of authentic Rhône flavors and New World succulence, over-delivering on quality, complexity and richness. Texturally lush and opulent and loaded with flavors of roasted wild berry fruit and kirsch, the peppery spice, grilled meat, and herbes de Provence aromatics should send you out to fire up the grill. As Parker notes, this tastes like the essence of Provence.

Easton Zinfandel Amador County 2006
$14.99/$11.99 by the case
Summer isn't complete without a casual party BBQ paired with bold zesty wines. Cliché or not, Zin marries extremely well with BBQ flavors and this Easton has been a favorite all summer. Rich sappy and toasty enough, the wild blueberry fruit and ripe boysenberry flavors don't go overboard, and there's enough of that Amador acidity and liveliness to balance it all out.

"Other" Whites You Gotta Gotta Try

Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay = a white wine rut. It's time to explore varietals that are complex, delicious and bursting with personality, yet remain under-appreciated. Here are five favorite finds under $20 that will expand your horizons.

Le "G" de Guiraud Bordeaux Blanc Sec 2007
$19.99/$15.99 by the case
This is a stunner: Rich, full of flavor, perfectly-balanced and with a finish that won't stop. Wanna know why? It's the dry wine from a top Sauternes producer, made from grapes which don't end up in $100-plus bottles of dessert wine. 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillion, it ferments in used Sauternes barrels that add creaminess. Bright fresh flavors of grapefruit, nectarine, lemon, honey and nuts dance on your tastebuds, while brisk minerality and a mouth-coating zestiness stop you in your tracks. Grilled scallops or crab, any fish, roast chicken - bingo!

Schmitges Grauschiefer Riesling Dry 2007
$17.99/$14.40 by the case
Think all German Rieslings are sweet? No, no, no! Fact: dry ones taste less sweet than most Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Andreas Schmitges was just here and blew us away with the clean flavors, intensity and balance of his wines - as were customers who snapped up all the wine on the spot . This bottling is named for gray slate, which gives the wine its flinty minerality and smooth, lively texture. Add lemon peel, pear, apple, fragrant peach and spice and you have hands-down our best dry Riesling under $20.

Biggio-Hamina Pinot Blanc 2007
$14.99/$11.99 by the case
Similar to Pinot Gris, but a bit lighter, crisper and more focused, Oregon Pinot Blanc offers a delicious alternative. Tood Hamina, formerly at Patton Valley and Maysara, crafts one of our favorites. Brimming with spicy aromas, pear and lemon with hints of white peach and honeydew, the silky medium-weight mouth-feel is lifted by bright acidity, delivering a clean, fresh and tasty impression. It'll shine with everything from apps to entrees.

Dom. De La Tailles Aux Loups Vouvray Sec
Les Caburoches 2006
$19.99/$15.99 by the case
Jacky Blot's Chenin Blancs from the heart of the Loire Valley are perfect matches for cheese, fresh summer pastas (tomatoes!) and seafood (salmon!). Les Caburoches boasts 30+ year-old vines in clay-limestone soil that deliver a dry wine with distinctive earthy minerality and classic Chenin flavors of lemon/lime, apricot, melon, fresh green herbs and a touch of anise. Complex and elegant, yet zippy and refreshing, dry Chenin Blanc is a discovery you need to make.

Granzaban Albarino 2006
$10.50/$8.40 by the case
Originally $18, a last minute switcheroo deal makes this just $10.50! We were going to write it up at $18, at this price, it can't be beat. See Case of the Month entry below for more comments.

Curious about wines we’ve covered in the past?
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