The Delivery Trucks Can't Unload

Fast enough, that is. Our loading docks have been scenes of frenetic activity for about two months, leading up to these last few days before Christmas. Check our earlier blog posts for additional gift ideas, as we're going to talk about new products now.

Aubry Brut NV Champagne is the latest true Champagne to arrive in our stores. Aubry received 92 points from WA, and 90 from IWC. Priced at only $34.99 in the Bottle Club®, it's among our lowest priced Champagnes. From the WA review: " The NV Brut Premier Cru is a gorgeous wine, and a great introduction to the house style. Lemon, white flowers, mint, crushed rocks are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass as this refined Champagne shows off its impeccable class and total pedigree. The Premier Cru is 45% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 5% Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Fromenteau. The high percentage of red grapes is felt in the wine’s breadth, while the aromas and flavors remain fresh, vibrant and beautifully nuanced throughout. This is a fabulous entry-level offering. Disgorgement date: June 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016."

Each of our stores will get a small allocation of the 2010 Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay. This received 95 points from Antonio Galloni, of Vinous. His review: "Honeysuckle, tangerine, apricot, and crème brulee literally jump from the glass. A vivid, exotic wine, that is constantly changing in the glass. Stylistically, the 2010 is a little richer than Mount Eden fans are used to, but all the elements are in the right place. Th e 2010 verges on the edge of tropical aromas and flavors that are quite rare for young Mount Eden Chardonnays. Ideally, the 2010 is best left alone for a few years to allow some of the baby fat to drop off. I imagine it will always be a bit on the exotic side."

The view at Mount Eden

We also have received the 2010 Domaine Serene Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir. Another Domaine Serene wine finished at #3 in the Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2013, so they clearly know how to make great wine. And the Yamhill Cuvee did score 91 points from Wine Spectator. Priced at $39.99 in the Bottle Club®, it's sure to be a hit at the Christmas dinner, whether it's ham, goose, turkey or vegetarian.

From the Domaine Serene tasting notes: "Consistent from vintage to vintage as the “little sister” of the Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir, the Yamhill Cuvée Pinot Noir is a blend from each of our vineyard sites that results in a vibrant, food friendly Pinot Noir.  This wine has an aroma profile that consists of red fruit, minerality, sweet and complex spice, earth and a hint of French oak.  The palate offers youthful tannins and balanced acidity which lead to a smooth and graceful finish.  The Yamhill Cuvée  is approachable in its youth while maintaining the elegance and finesse of a Domaine Serene Pinot Noir." And this is what Wine Spectator had to say: "A lively, lithe and inviting red, offering an array of red fruit, floral and spice overtones that come together on the focused and deftly balanced finish. Drink now through 2018."

New products, and new vintages or items we've previously carried, will continue to arrive in our stores. Just ask one of our associates "what's new?" the next time you're in one of our stores. Just make sure you have time to hear about all of the new products.