Vintages July 18th release - some terrific selections for under $20

A strong Aussie release punctuated by bargains from southern France and Italy. Primitivo/ Zin fandel fans should find plenty to enjoy this time around as well.
The Picks – Lots of them and finally a release where they’re all under $20!
*** MOMO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008 $18.95
*** MAN VINTNERS CHENIN BLANC 2008 $13.95
*** SCHILD ESTATE OLD BUSH VINE GMS GRENACHE/MATARO/SHIRAZ 2007 $18.95
*** PIRRAMIMMA OLD BUSH VINE GRENACHE 2004 $19.95
*** TYRRELL'S RUFUS STONE SHIRAZ $19.95

*** KUMKANI CRADLE HILL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 $19.95
*** Two Cotes du Rhones, DOMAINE COMTE DE LAUZE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2007 $13.95 DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR LES CHAMPAUVINS CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES 2007$19.95
*** GLADIATOR PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2006 $14.95
The whites
*** MOMO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008 Might be less grassy than some NZ SB - 90. (Harvey Steiman, $18.95 it’ll be interesting to compare with the Peninsula Ridge.
PENINSULA RIDGE WISMER VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007 ... The Wismer Vineyard delivers flavours that are rich, sweet and pungent.... beautifully balanced and refreshing, but the acidity in the Wismer is softer and broader ... Score - 4 1/2 Stars (out of 5). (Rod Phillips) $18.95
*** MAN VINTNERS CHENIN BLANC 2008 An underappreciated white wine that South Africa should work harder to make this their signature white wine. Intriguing scents of apple, lemon cream and vanilla, with a floral element emerging with aeration. Rich, supple and round, with nicely concentrated apple and pear nectar flavors along with an exotic note of honey. $13.95
The Reds
*** SCHILD ESTATE OLD BUSH VINE GMS GRENACHE/MATARO/SHIRAZ 2007 blend of 55% Grenache, 25% Mataro (a.k.a. Mourvèdre) and 20% Shiraz is sourced from old vines with an average age of 70 years! Should be a great wine for the price. $18.95

*** PIRRAMIMMA OLD BUSH VINE GRENACHE 2004 - Terrific producer across the board. This’ll be a new one for me but I love their Shiraz and Petit Verdot so…. $19.95
*** TYRRELL'S RUFUS STONE SHIRAZ Gold Medal winner at both the Adelaide Wine Show 2008 and the Canberra Wine Show 2007. The James Halliday Score - 95. but even if you knock off 3 or 4 points for palate differences it’s still a great buy at $19.95

*** KUMKANI CRADLE HILL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 – The review is too good to pass up…I’ll try one to see…Dark and juicy, with a nice bittersweet cocoa edge to the currant, black cherry, fig cake, tobacco and loam flavors. Score - 91. (James Molesworth), $19.95
*** Two Cotes du Rhones, the less expensive DOMAINE COMTE DE LAUZE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2007 $13.95 should be ready for immediate consumption, DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR LES CHAMPAUVINS CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES 2007 will drink well now or can sit in the dark for a few years. Both are from the wonderful 2007 vintage. $19.95
The best of the rest
KATNOOK FOUNDER'S BLOCK SHIRAZ 2005 - 92.from James Halliday, probably more like 88 or 89 but priced right $17.95
BLACKJACK SHIRAZ 2004 Campbell Mattison of the The Wine Front (Nov 27, 2006) was also enthusiastic about this wine, awarding it a score of 93 points. - 90. (Harvey Steiman, WS. $28.95
PARKER COONAWARRA ESTATE TERRA ROSSA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2003 At six years of age, this fine Coonawarra Cabernet is just entering into its prime drinking years. $29.95

RAVENSWOOD OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2006 Deep ruby. Jammy raspberry and blackberry on the nose, with notes of fresh rose and baking spices adding complexity. 90-91. (Josh Raynolds $22.95
GLADIATOR PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2006 Deliciously spicy, aromatic and robust is Primitivo (Zinfandel's Italian twin) at its best. This 2006 is true to form, with brambly black fruit, sage, tar, and meaty notes all combining on the velvety, medium-bodied, mouth-coating palate. $14.95
FEUDI DI SAN MARZANO PRIMITIVO 2007 Very modern fruit filled character. Rich, lush and very satisfying - warm, fruity damsons, lively. $13.95
LA PALAZZETTA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2003 $42.95
TERRE DA VINO ESSENZE BAROLO 2004 $44.95
TORRES GRAN CORONAS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Here's the half-bottle size of a very popular wine from our VINTAGES Essentials Collection. No way it’s a 90 POINT WINE but the CONVENIENCE of a small bottle is niec $9.95
SANTADI GROTTA ROSSA CARIGNANO 2006 - Score - 89. $16.95
The ISD’s – Big $$’s, hard to find and in limited stores only
STERLING RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 1999 Napa Valley . Score - 91. (James Laube, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2002) $65.00
VERAISON KRUPP VINEYARD MERLOT 2004 Score - 91. (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 15, 2007) $63.00
CLARENDON HILLS BLEWITT SPRINGS GRENACHE 2003 … exotic, full-throttle, high velocity, mouth-staining, unctuously textured, dense ruby/purple-hued 2003 Grenache Old Vines Blewitt Springs is classic southern Australian Grenache. Score - 95. $65.00
CLARENDON HILLS HICKINBOTHAM SYRAH 2001 Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020. Score - 95. (Robert Parker Jr.,) $75.00
PODERE BRIZIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2001 Complex aromas of prune, berry and lightly toasted oak follow through to a full-bodied palate, with very ripe underlying fruit, hints of vanilla and a long finish. Best ever from here. Best after 2008. Score - 92. (James Suckling) 64.95
MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES MC 2005 This syrupy red delivers blueberry and blackberry fruit and bitter chocolate flavors in a dense texture, with muscular tannins and notes of mineral and licorice.. Score - 90. $37.00