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