New for Thirsty Thursday

Re-scheduled from yesterday, we'll preview some of our newest arrivals.

Johnnie Walker Green Label is now back in stock. The only thing missing is the age statement. Tasting notes: "The nose is quite rich and full. There are notes of mocchaccino and espresso coffee,

wood smoke and a fireplace, a touch of bitter chocolate and oak. The palate is of medium-body with notes of crisp cereals, coffee beans and chocolate, a date note with a touch of walnut. The finish is quite long and spicy with honeyed sweetness and oak."

Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages is also back in stock. "Aromas of boysenberry and cassis provide a bright fruit foundation to light floral and sweet milk chocolate notes. The palate finds more fullness of flavor in ripe blackberry and dark stone fruit, interwoven with black licorice and cocoa powder. The plush, full mouthfeel finds structure in well-integrated tannins and draws out to a consistent, lengthy finish." We have a limited amount of the 2010 vintage available.

2012 Paniza Vinas Viejas de Paniza. "The 2012 Viñas Viejas de Paniza is produced with the fruit from their older Garnacha vineyards on slate soils at high altitude, around 800 meters and aged for six months in barrel. The wine is quite dark, ripe and brooding, with tantalizing aromas of wet earth, graphite and blackberries making for a quite attractive nose that's different to other wines from the region. It reminds me perhaps of a Priorat. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with fine-grained, earthy tannins and good freshness and depth. Quite impressive, and very good value." 90 points, Wine Advocate.

Le Ragnaie wines. We have three new wines from this outstanding Montalcino producer. The 2010 V. V. Brunello di Montalcino rated 100 points by James Suckling, 94+ from Wine Advocate, and 94+ from Antonio Galloni/Vinous Media. The Wine Advocate review: "The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Ragnaie V.V. shows a masculine personality next to the estate's other Brunello wines. Dried fruit and dark cherry are followed by leather, spice, tobacco and pressed rose petal. The wine is also redolent of savory tones including bresaola, smoked ham and crushed white pepper. Silky tannins segue to fresh acidity and long persistency. This Brunello shows a greater degree of evolution and will perform nicely in the medium and long term."

"Riccardo Campinoti is a rising star of the Castelnuovo dell'Abate sub-zone of the appellation. His Brunello di Montalcino Fornace is one of the most promising wines of the 2010 vintage thanks to its vibrant aromas, sharp focus and its aging potential. The Brunello V.V. is another excellent rendition, although this expression feels bigger and more evolved than the Fornace." Very limited availability.

2010 Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino rated 98 points from James Suckling, 95 from Antonio Galloni/Vinous Media, and 93 from Wine Advocate. The WA review: "The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino shows easy lines with delicate nuances of red berry, bramble, rose petal, dusty earth, crushed mineral, licorice and grilled herb. No one element outweighs the others. The wine presents a delicate patchwork of Sangiovese nuances but does so in the most elegant and understated matter. Feminine in personality, the wine glides smoothly over the palate with gentle, polished tannins. This wine should show well in a few more years."

The 2012 Rosso di Montalcino is also in stock, scoring 91 points from Antonio Galloni/Vinous Media.

Decoy Pinot Noir 2013. Building on the traditions established by our acclaimed Goldeneye and Migration wines, Decoy Pinot Noir expands our exploration of the depth and diversity of this varietal to Sonoma County winegrowing. Highlighting a distinctly plush and approachable expression of Pinot Noir, Decoy is crafted to be ready upon release.

This vibrant and enticing Pinot Noir offers lovely aromas of fresh-picked strawberry, Bing cherry and blueberry with subtle hints of mushroom, lavender, sage and white pepper. On the palate, perfectly balanced acidity and well-integrated French oak underscore the bright fruit flavors to create an elegantly structured wine.