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Vintages Release March 29, 2008

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Red Wine

Shingleback Shingleback Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: A full-bodied red with rich aromas of black fruit, smoke and oak. Shingleback Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: steak, stew. Drink: 2008 - 2011 662957 13% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Earl Bronzo, Vign. La Bastide Blanche Bandol 2004, A.C., France: Vintages Wine Panel: Back in the 1970s, the Bronzo brothers, Michel and Louis, purchased La Bastide Blanche to craft top Bandol wines. Mourvèdre makes up the majority of the blend in these wines, which are typically rich, aromatic and profound and must be hand-harvested and aged for a minimum of 18 months in cask. The Bronzos keep yields low, plough regularly, use organic fertilization and no chemical weedkillers. Scents of cherry and tar emerge upon opening but decanting reveals minerally cassis and coffee characteristics. Taste the Mediterranean! My note: A warm, full-bodied red with notes of black fruit and smoke. La Bastide Blanche Bandol food pairings: roast beef, venison, steak. 65375 14% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quintarelli Primofiore 2004, I.G.T. Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: An exceptional blend of the Veneto trio: Corvina, Rodinella, and Molinara. Primofiore means first press, and it is packed with complex rich flavors of cherry, olives, exotic spices, and oak. Giuseppe Quintarelli designs this wine to be enjoyed much younger than most of his wines. There is a touch of Amarone added to this fresh blend for additional complexity before the wine begins its maturation in oak. My note: A full-bodied red with aromas of black fruit, spice and oak. Quintarelli Primofiore food pairings: steak, roast beef. 20867 13.5% D 750 mL $56.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Budini Malbec 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Though not certified organic, the grapes for this wine are farmed under a code of sustainable agriculture to maintain the long-term viability of agricultural lands, protect the environment, conserve the area’s natural resources and support the local farming traditions. Another terrific value, this Malbec is juicy and generous with ripe red cherry and red currant flavors and a round soft finish. My note: A good value for this simple, full-bodied sipper. Budini Malbec food pairings: grilled pork loin, juicy steak. 58396 13.5% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Emiliana Natura Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Central Valley, Special Lot, Made With Organically Grown Grapes, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Emiliana is the largest organic grower in Chile with more than 1700 acres of vineyards certified organic and biodynamic. Contains 25 mg/l of free sulphur. Fresh herbs, cassis and brooding smoke aromas lead to a dry, medium-full body with cassis, tar and herbal flavors supported by chalky tannins and leading to a medium-long finish. My note: A plush wine with dark fruit notes and a smoky finish. Emiliana Natura Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: organic lamb. 61069 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Emiliana Coyam 2005, Central Valley, Chile: A delicious red bursting with ripe plums and berries. Coyam food pairings: roast lamb. 63891 14.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. March 2008. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Opus One 2004, Napa Valley, California, United States: One of Napa's most spectacular wines that blends New World fruit and concentration with Old World finesse and elegance. Aromas of cassis, dried herbs, smoke and blackberries. A robust blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, cabernet franc and malbec grapes with a long finish. Decant 2 hours. Pair with rare filet mignon and cashing in your Google stock. Note: This wine may also be listed under the product codes: 1131,583195, and 583203. Drink: 2010 - 2021 26310 13.5% XD 750 mL $289.95 Score: 93/100. March 2008. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Catena Catena Merlot 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: This Merlot is deep purple in color with luscious red cherry, chocolate and vanilla aromas. Dry, soft and supple with jammy fruit flavors, a crowd-pleasing wine. My note: A juicy, generous red with notes of purple plums and berries. A full-bodied wine. Catena Merlot food pairings: roast lamb. 57976 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Puente Alto, Vintage 18, Chile: A delicious, honkin' big wine with robust aromas of black fruit, smoke, oak and mocha. Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: steak, stew. 315176 14.5% XD 750 mL $69.95 Score: 93/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Concha Y Toro Winemaker's Lot 152 Carmenère 2005, Peumo Vineyard, Rapel Valley, Chile: A delicious full-bodied red with black raspberries, plums and smoke. A supple and round wine. Concha Y Toro Winemaker's Lot 152 Carmenère food pairings: roast, hamburgers. 30957 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

ST. Hallett G.S.T.Grenache/Shiraz/Touriga 2006, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: St.Hallett sources old vine fruit from prestigious vineyards to capture the character of Barossa in this intriguing blend of 59% Grenache, 34% Shiraz and 7% Touriga Nacional. My note: A lovely balanced, full-bodied red with black plums and smoke. St. Hallett G.S.T.Grenache/Shiraz/Touriga food pairings: roast beef, stew. 660910 14.5% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Schild Estate Schild Estate Shiraz 2005, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: A beautifully crafted shiraz, with deep rich aromas of plum, cherry, expresso and spice. 66555 14.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: A rich, robust red with blackberries, currants and smoke. Round and supple texture. Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot food pairings: steak, venison. 725721 14% XD 750 mL $28.00 Score: 92/100. March 2008. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2003, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Shiraz from Barossa vineyards. The 2003 inky/purple colored wine with impressive levels of richness and sweet notes of charcoal, acacia flowers, blackberries, tar and pepper. Aged 22 months in American and French Barrels. My note: A rich and delicious red with black fruit and pepper aromas. Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz food pairings: steak, hamburgers. Drink: 2008 - 2018 528356 14.5% XD 750 mL $75.00 Score: 92/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

KWV Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2003, Wo Coastal Region, South Africa: My note: A consistently good producer. Notes of black cherries, cedar and smoke. 561142 14.3% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Des Sénéchaux Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2005, Ac, France: A gorgeous, beautifully structured red with powerful aromas of black cherries, cedar and smoke. Drink: 2008 - 2020 496033 14% XD 750 mL $35.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Banfi Centine 2006, I.G.T. Toscana, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Banfi’s ‘Centine’ is designed as a crowd-pleasing quaffer. This wine is a fascinating blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. You will experience hints of licorice, cherries and plums and a terrific spicy nuance. My note: A terrific value for this rich red. Full-bodied. 947440 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Perrin & Fils Les Sinards Chateauneauf (Perrin & Fils) 2004, 0, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Jean Pierre, François and Pierre Perrin created Les Sinards as an homage to their late grandfather. With some of the grapes sourced from their famous Château de Beaucastel estate, this is a classic Châteauneuf with cocoa, blackcurrant, cherry and leather aromas. It’s dry, medium- to full-bodied and packed with rich fruit flavors, as well as earth and smoke notes. My note: A deeply layered, robust red with notes of black plums, vanilla and cedar. Les Sinards Chateauneauf (Perrin & Fils) food pairings: roast beef, rack of lamb. 926626 13.5% XD 750 mL $38.95 Score: 91/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Puente Alto, Vintage 18, Chile Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: steak, stew. 315176 14.5% XD 750 mL $69.95 March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2002, Barossa, South Australia, Australia Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz food pairings: steak, hamburgers. Drink: 2008 - 2018 528356 14.5% XD 750 mL $75.00 March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Perrin & Fils Perrin Côtes Du Rhône Nature 2005, Ac, France: A consistently great producer of organic wines. Full-bodied and packed with dark cherries and spice. 948059 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Domaine Jean-Marie et Hervé Sohler J.M. Sohler Riesling Heissenberg 2005, Ac Alsace, France: A delicious, mouth-awakening riesling with vibrant aromas of pear and green apple. J.M. Sohler Riesling Heissenberg food pairings: salmon, shellfish, vegetarian dishes. 66126 12% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. March 2008. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

DR. Von Bassermann-Jordan Riesling Kabinett 2006, Qmp, Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten, Estate Bottled, Germany: A zippy white with lovely floral, pear and citrus notes. Dr. Von Bassermann-Jordan Riesling Kabinett food pairings: shellfish, chicken, pork. 988147 10% MD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Evans & Tate Evans & Tate Chardonnay 2006, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: A round, buttery chardonnay with generous notes of ripe pears. Evans & Tate Chardonnay food pairings: pork, chicken, corn dishes. 677765 13.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Shingle Peak Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A zesty and refreshing white with citrus and herbal notes. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: pork, chicken, seafood. Drink: 2009 - 2011 309591 13.1% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Spy Valley Wine Spy Valley Gewürztraminer 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A gorgeous, spicy wine with notes of lychees and white flowers. Spy Valley Gewürztraminer food pairings: Asian dishes, curries. 32870 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Morgenhof Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Wo Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: South Africa has shown outstanding results in recent years with Sauvignon Blanc. This varietal from the Cape tends to find a style that is a happy middle ground between the Loire Valley and New Zealand. This one exhibits the crisp elegance of the former and the racy, grassy, gooseberry nature of the latter. My note: A terrific value for this simple, refreshing white. Morgenhof Estate Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: grilled chicken, asparagus. 18507 13.5% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer Réserve 2005, Ac Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: A great intro to Alsatian Gewurz because the classic grapefruit, rose petal and lychee aromas are all present, but in a light, pleasing style. As a result, this is an excellent aperitif wine. My note: A luxurious, layered wine with aromas of lychees and flowers. Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer Réserve food pairings: seafood dishes. 747600 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tommasi Le Rosse Pinot Grigio 2007, I.G.T. Delle Venezie, Italy: A vibrant white with mouth-wakening notes of melon and citrus. Pinot Grigio food pairings: pan-seared sea scallops. 19953 12% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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