October 31, 2009
Wine Advocate Issue 185 - just released!

SOUTHERN RHONE- The Anatomy of a Great Vintage 2007, and the First Look at 2008

DOMAINE DU CAILLOU
2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz (85% Grenache) - 'a Musigny grand cru Burgundian style of wine, with power and elegance' - 95 pts
2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve (60% Grenache) - 'irresistible…wine of substance, richness and appeal' - 97 pts
2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres (95% Grenache) - 'tremendous spice box, undeniably seductive, textured mouthfeel' - 90 pts
SAINT COSME
2008 Cote du Rhone - 'from cool areas as Vinsobres…admirably textured' - 87 pts
2008 Cote du Rhone Blanc - 'blend of Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Picpoul' - 89 pts
NV Little James Basket Press Rouge - 'created from solera system…a beauty' -88 pts
2007 Gigondas - 'overall impression of one of sublime elegance and purity' - 93 pts
2007 Gigondas Le Claux - 'stunning example of this appellation' - 97 pts (sold out)
2007 Gigondas Homides Fides - 'the finest Gigondas I have ever tasted (it is the first to merit a perfect score)..'a true elixir' - 100 pts (sold out)
2007 Gigondas Le Poste - 'a blockbuster in terms of force, richness, and potential complexity' - 96+ pts
2007 Gigondas Valbelle - 'reveals prodigious concentration, a 45+second finish' - 95 pts (sold out)
DOMAINE LA MILLIERE
2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes - 'seductive with silky tannins' - 92pts


VENETO - FOCUS ON AMARONE

TOMMASO BUSSOLA
2003 Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - 92 pts (4cs on order)

PIEDMONT - Comes of Age

GUISEPPE MASCARELLO
Mascarello 2005 Barolo 'Monprivato' - 94 pts 'mysterious, seductive Monprivato that will be fascinating to follow' (released 2009)
Mascarello 2004 Barolo 'Monprivato' - 96pts (reviewed in Issue #179) - in stock & very limited
Mascarello 2003 Barolo 'Monprivato' - 93pts (reviewed in Issue #173) - in stock & limited


OREGON - Willamette Valley's 2007 Pinot Noirs

ANTICA TERRA (New!)
2007 Pinot Noir - 'elegant wine…excellent depth and concentration, a silky texture and incipient complexity' - 92 pts
DAEDALUS
2007 Pinot Noir - 85 pts
2007 Pinot Noir Labyrinth - 88 pts
MAYSARA
2007 Pinot Noir Asha Momtazi Vineyard - 89 pts
ANDREW RICH
2007 Pinot Noir - 'attractive perfume of earth notes, spice box…well-balanced on the palate' - 88 pts
SINEANN
2007 Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard - 89 pts
2007 Pinot Noir Schindler Vineyard - 'richest, ripest wine in the collection…excellent depth and concentration' - 90 pts
2007 Pinot Noir Wyeast Vineyard - 'ripe tannin…excellent balance' - 90 pts


WASHINGTON: Consistent Quality, New Stars

BETZ FAMILY WINERY
2007 Besoleil (80% Grenache) - 92 pts
2007 La Cote Rousse Syrah - 'Hermitage-like Syrah' - 93 pts
2007 La Serenne Syrah - 'Impeccably balanced' - 93 pts
COTE BONNEVILLE
2006 Carriage House Red Dubrul Vineyard - 89 pts
2007 Chardonnay DuBrul Vineyard - 'outstanding depth, good balance and lengthy finish' - 91 pts
2007 Cote Bonneville Cabernet Sauvignon DuBrul Vineyard - 'incipiently complex' - 91 pts
K VINTNERS 'he is the ultimate terroirist'
2006 Syrah Motor City Kitty - 'price to quality ratio is off the charts…soaring bouquet…full-bodied, voluptuous, and succulent…sexy' - 95 pts
2006 Syrah Phil Lane - 'impeccably balanced wine with tons of flavor and a finish that will not quit' - 96 pts
L'ECOLE NO. 41
2008 Chenin Blanc Walla Viola- 'in the style of Vouvray'- 87 pts
2007 Semillon, Columbia Valley - 88 pts
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley - 89 pts
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley - 'excellent breadth on the palate, superb depth, and a lengthy finish' - 91 pts
2006 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard - 'the most concentrated, complex, and intense of the L'Ecole reds' - 94 pts
2006 Perigee Seven Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley (Oregon) - 'elegant and seamless' - 93 pts
2006 Syrah, Columbia Valley - 'savory' - 87 pts
2006 Syrah Estate Seven Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley (Oregon) - 'ripe, velvety textured, and succulent' - 92 pts
SEVEN HILLS VINEYARD
2008 Riesling, Columbia Valley - 'made in a just off-dry Kabinett style' - 87 pts
2006 Merlot, Seven Hills Vineyard (Oregon) - 87 pts
2006 Petit Verdot, McClellan Estate Vineyard - 'brawny and masculine…dense…packed' - 91 pts
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Red Mountain - 88 pts
TAMARACK CELLARS
2007 Chardonnay - 87 pts
2007 Firehouse Red - 87 pts
2007 Cabernet Franc, Waluke Slope - 89 pts
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - 87 pts
WALLA WALLA VINTNERS
2007 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley - 89 pts
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley - 91 pts


October 13, 2009
35 Best-performing American Wineries of the Year

Wine & Spirits Magazine listed 35 American wineries, chosen from blind tastings of 3,767 newly released American wines over the past 12 months, to feature in their 23rd annual buying guide. These wineries are great names to know when you head to the store. Cream is proud to carry five out of the 35 wineries in our portfolio. Congradulations to Andrew Rich, Dashe, Drew, L'Ecole N41 and Tamarack Cellars.

Andrew Rich is known for Pinot Noir and Rhone-inspired wines from Washington and Oregon.
Dashe is known for elegant vineyard-designated Zinfandel from Sonoma County.
Drew is known for intense Pinot Noir from the Sonoma and Mendocino coasts.
L'Ecole is known for classic Washington reds, by way of Walla Walla.
Tamarack Cellars is known for classic Washington reds from well-selected sources.