Dessert Wine
Willi Opitz Cuvee Beerenauslese 2005, Illmitz, Austria: A gorgeous dessert wine that's not too heavy or sweet. Filled with apricots and honey. Beerenauslese food pairings: blue-veined cheeses, pecan pie. 71274 13.5% S 375 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Favorite Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Red Wine
Terra Andina Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Stylish and innovative, Terra Andina crafts modern wines that take full advantage of the diversity of Chile’s wine regions. This wine is a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from low-yielding vineyards in Maipo Valley. Aged in both French and American oak for 12-14 months, this deep and generous wine not only delivers great value but loads of ripe black fruit flavors, lovely spice notes, fine-grained tannins, and a long finish. My note: A well-structured, balanced and full-bodied red. Notes of cassis and mocha. Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: rich pasta dishes, lamb, spicy foods. 693895 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Botalcura La Porfia Carmenere Grand Reserve 2005, Rapel Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Founding partner Philippe Debrus worked for many years as a winemaker in his native France before adopting Chile as his home in 1996. A fortunate meeting with Juan Fernando Waidele in 2001 led to a partnership and the birth of Botalcura. Debrus designed much of the gravity-fed winemaking facilities himself. A textbook Carménère, his barrel-aged Grand Reserve shows plenty of plum and blackberry fruit as well as notes of red pepper and tobacco. Well-structured with ample tannin and acidity. My note: A meaty, delicious red with savory notes of red plum and cassis. Full-bodied. Great value. Carmenere Grand Reserve food pairings: pasta in meat sauce, grilled vegetables and beef kebabs. 61887 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Panul Reserve Malbec 2006, Cocolchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Errázuriz Ovalle is owned by Francisco Errázuriz and his family. They sold their orignal winery, the now famous Viña Errázuriz, to Eduardo Chadwick years ago and have only recently returned to the wine industry. They use brand names like Panul to avoid the inevitable confusion of the two producer’s names. My note: A stunning wine for the money. Full-bodied with depths of black raspberries and dark chocolate. Malbec food pairings: barbecued spareribs, grilled steaks, gourmet burgers. 61929 13% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Terranoble Merlot Gran Reserva 2004, Maule Valley, Chile: Supple and smooth like soft jazz: not exciting but dependable and relaxing. Full-bodied. 62018 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Viña Ventisquero Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2005, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This attractive Cab shows intriguing notes of toast, earth, cassis and ripe cherry. It’s dry, well-structured
and elegant with impressive depth and a lingering finish. My note: a terrific wine at a great price. Notes of black cherries and cocoa. 61937 14.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tarapaca Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2004, Maipo Valley, Chile: A smooth, delicious wine with black plum and mocha hints. Drink: 2008 - 2012 18721 14.5% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Perez Cruz Carmenere Reserva 2006, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: A Silver Medal winner at the 5th Annual Wines of Chile Awards, the 2006 Carménère draws you in with its lovely red berry aromas and layers of cassis, mocha and spice. My note: A full-bodied, well-rounded wine with dark red fruit and mocha layers. Carmenere Reserva food pairings: lamb, veal, gruyere cheese. 670539 14.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Veranda Cabernet Carmenere 2005, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Canadian winemaker Pascal Marchand is the team leader and executive winemaker at Veranda. After establishing an illustrious career in France, Marchand assisted the Boisset family of Burgundy and Viñedos y Bodegas Córpora of Chile to establish this joint venture, Viña Veranda. This delectable blend of Cabernet and Carménère features black cherry, cassis, and plum as well as notes of tobacco, spice and mineral. My note: A supple, full-bodied red with black plums, mocha and smoke. Cabernet Carmenere food pairings: herbed roasted leg of lamb. 91272 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Coyote's Run Estate Winery Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006, V.Q.A. Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A medium-bodied red with mouth-watering notes of tart cherries and beetroot. Yum! Closed with a screwcap. Pinot Noir food pairings: salmon, chicken, paté. 79228 13% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Freemark Abbey Merlot 2002, Napa Valley, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: This pleasing Merlot, at its peak now, gained some added depth and personality with the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon (12%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Petit Verdot (3%). Its aromas of black cherry, plum and cedary oak as well as its intriguing notes of exotic herbs offer a unique and rewarding wine-tasting
experience. My note: A generous and supple merlot. To heck with Miles (from the movie Sideways)! Merlot food pairings: cajun chicken. 1602 14.4% XD 750 mL $45.25 Score: 91/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Markham Merlot 2004, Napa Valley, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Attractive medium-deep ruby/purple color leads you to aromas of raspberry, cedar, sour cherry and vanilla. Dry with a good balance between fruit, acid and oak. Full-bodied, with a long cedar finish. My note: Pleasant, smooth and seductive. Merlot food pairings: rare steak. Drink: 2008 - 2013 738740 14.2% D 750 mL $32.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Paraduxx 2005, Napa Valley, California, United States: A rich, layered red with cassis and blackberries. 919662 14.5% D 750 mL $61.95 Score: 91/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Raymond Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Napa Valley, California, United States: A delicious red with ripe red fruit, plum and raspberry notes. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: steak, stew, bison, venison, boar. Drink: 2008 - 2015 715979 14.4% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Brotherhood Pinot Noir 2005, New York, United States: A lovely, medium-bodied pinot with hints of tart cherries. Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled pork loin, cedar-planked salmon. 79939 13% D 750 mL $27.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Clos De Los Siete malbec merlot cabernet sauvignon syrah 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: The 2006 Clos de los Siete is a slightly different blend with 50% malbec, 30% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon and 20% syrah. A full-bodied red with aromas of black fruit. 622571 14.5% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Finca Flichman Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: This blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon displays lovely aromas and flavors of raspberry, sweet oak, plum and spice. Dry, full-bodied, with ripe tannins providing structure. My note: A smooth, supple wine with rich notes of dark red fruit. Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve food pairings: rare beef, lamb. Drink: 2008 - 2011 507707 14.5% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
La Puerta Bonarda Reserva 2005, Famatina Valley, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: A Bonarda with depth and style, featuring aromas and flavors of plum, black fruit and vanilla. My note: Simple, but delicious and an amazing value. A full-bodied red with black fruit notes. Bonarda Reserva food pairings: grilled steaks, tuna. gourmet hamburgers, sausages. 67801 14.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 87/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chateau Fonreaud Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2003, A.C. Listrac-Medoc, Bordeaux, France: A full-bodied red with smokey notes of dark red fruit and cassis. Balanced with a long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon Blend food pairings: steak, stew, bison, venison. Drink: 2008 - 2013 85290 13% XD 750 mL $33.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chateau Lestage Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004, A.C. Listrac-Medoc, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Though sometimes overshadowed by the unprecedented 2005 vintage, 2004 was an exceptional growing
year for Bordeaux. This excellent example shows ripe plum and berry fruit, with plenty of finesse. My note: A full-bodied red with straight-forward notes of black fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon Blend food pairings: braised beef. Drink: 2008 - 2012 86231 13% D 750 mL $27.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Gérard Bertrand Terroir Syrah Carignan 2005, A.C. Minervois, France: Vintages Wine Panel: A spectacular blend of Syrah and Carignan, the aromas suggest black cherry, garrigue, strawberry and new leather. The fruit is very well supported by a seam of acid and fine-grained tannins. My note: A black, brooding wine loaded with black fruit and smokey notes. Full-bodied. Syrah Carignan food pairings: lamb chops with rosemary and garlic. 952804 14% XD 750 mL $17.25 Score: 87/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Le Petit Rouge De Saint Roch Syrah Merlot 2007, Vin De Pays Des Cotes Catalanes, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This ready-to-drink blend of Syrah and Merlot is hand-picked from vineyards in the Agly Valley, just 20 km from the Mediterranean Sea. A Gold Medal-winner at Le Concours Général Agricole Paris 2008, this
full-bodied red is bursting with red cherry and raspberry fruit. My note: A purply, simple, delicious wine. Notes of ripe plums. Syrah Merlot food pairings: spicy barbecued sausages, lamb burgers. 80697 12% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Les Truffiers Syrah Blend 2005, A.C. Rhone Vacqueyras, France: A full-bodied, but smooth wine with ripe dark red fruit aromas. 76562 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Marziano Abbona Terlo Ravera Barolo 2003, D.O.C.G., Italy: Big, black brooding red with black fruit and smoke layers. Drink: 2008 - 2020 67918 14% XD 750 mL $54.95 Score: 91/100. August 2008. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Leone De Castris Maiana Salice Salentino Rosso 2006, D.O.C., Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This vintage of Maiana features aromas of blueberry, oak, plum and black pepper. My note: A delicious red that is terrific for the money. Ripe cherry and plum notes. Salice Salentino Rosso food pairings: gourmet pizza, sausages. 717959 13% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Il Molino Di Grace Chianti Classico 2004, D.O.C.G., Italy: Classic chianti with notes of tart cherries and earth. 85209 13% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Santa Maria Sangiovese 2006, D.O.C. Morellino Di Scansano, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Morellino di Scansano was one of the first DOCs in the Maremma coastal zone of Tuscany. They proved that grapes could thrive in this rather swampy land. Producers such as San Guido, makers of Sassacaia, followed the lead to create great wines here. Morellino di Scansano may not be comparable to that rarified
example, but the DOC’s producers are known for producing quality value-priced wines from Sangiovese
and, in this case, a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon. My note: A pleasant, balanced, medium-bodied wine with tart cherry notes. Sangiovese food pairings: grilled gourmet sausages. 75408 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Brigaldara Valpolicella 2006, Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This Valpolicella is a perfect summertime wine because it is flavorful, but still pleasingly medium-bodied. Enjoy this cherry/berry wonder lightly chilled. My note: Smooth and slippery like conversation around the barbecue should be. Dark fruit aromas. Valpolicella food pairings: grilled tuna. 917864 14.5% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Catapereiro Tinto 2005, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: A blend of Castelão (Periquita) and Alicante Bouschet, the component wines are given long fermentations in Argelian anforas (a variation on the Greek amphora) resulting in a rich, flavorful, intense final blend filled with aromas of blackberry pie, blueberry, red licorice and earth. My note: The perfect party wine: delicious and cheap. A crowd-pleaser. Full-bodied with notes of black plums. Tinto food pairings: grilled steak, baked potato, roasted garlic. 80358 13.6% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Finca Sobreno Crianza 2004, D.O. Toro, Spain: A rich, full-bodied red with a long finish. Layered with black fruit and cedar notes. Drink: 2008 - 2011 452094 15% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Montgo Monastrell Monastrell Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, D.O. Yecla, Spain: A blend of 65% monastrell, 20% shiraz and 15% cabernet sauvignon. A rich and interesting wine with cedar, mocha and black fruit aromas. Great value! 76588 14.5% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Rosés
Amancay Malbec Rosé 2007, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Finca Eugenio Bustos gave this line of wines an appropriate name when they called it Amancay. The amancay flower is called the queen of the Andean Lakes District. It is said that whomever gives an amancay flower, also gives their heart. This Malbec rosé is clearly made with a lot of heart, featuring
aromas of strawberry, plum and raspberry. My note: A mouth-watering rosé with a pleasant acidity. Layers of ripe raspberries. Medium-bodied. Serve slightly chilled. Malbec Rosé food pairings: barbecue, cucumber sandwiches. 68890 13% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 87/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Corne-Loup Tavel Rosé 2007, A.C., France: A gorgeous rosé with layers of raspberries and strawberries. No tannins. Serve slightly chilled. Rosé food pairings: chicken, paté, salmon, pork. 71209 14% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Favorite Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Sparkling Wine
Belenda San Fermo Di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Brut 2007, D.O.C. Veneto, Italy: Fantastic value! Get married cheap. Lovely toasty notes with a lime bite. Prosecco Brut food pairings: shrimp scampi. 82347 11.4% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. August 2008. Favorite Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
White Wine
Viña Casa Marin Sauvignon Blanc 2007, San Antonio Valley, Chile: A delicious white with big herbal grassy notes. Yum. Closed with a screwcap. 72678 14.9% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tabalí Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2007, Limari Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Chile’s cool-climate Limarí Valley is achieving wondrous results with Sauvignon Blanc. This elegant and refreshing example is loaded with grapefruit, lime and grassy flavors as well as a touch of minerality. Fresh and crisp, it makes a terrific summer sipper. My note: An herbal, refreshing white. Grassy goodness! Sauvignon Blanc Reserva food pairings: barbecued prawns. 662999 13.5% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. August 2008. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domane Wachau Terrassen Federspiel Riesling 2006, Wachau, Austria: A refreshing white with lime notes. Closed with a screwcap. 723908 12% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Stadlmann Zierfandler Classic 2006, Thermen Region, Austria: Vintages Wine Panel: The Zierfandler grape variety was on the verge of extinction by the 1980s until producers such as
Stadlmann began to champion it. A later ripener, it produces racy, spicy, fresh and full-bodied wines that keep their verve even when late harvested. These wines may show a faint pink hue derived from the natural color of this ‘white’ grape. They also have tremendous aging potential. My note: A zippy white with lemon aromas. Closed with a screwcap. Zierfandler Classic food pairings: spicy prawn dishes, stuffed veal tenderloin. 71696 12% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Featherstone Winery Gewurztraminer 2007, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Exotic and aromatic notes of lychee, nuts and rose petals. Closed with a screwcap. Gewurztraminer food pairings: Asian dishes. 64592 12% MD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 87/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tandem Porter Bass Vineyard Chardonnay 2004, Sonoma Coast, United States: A lovely, lovely Chardonnay! Fall into it. Ripe pear, butter and peach aromas. Chardonnay food pairings: roast chicken, pork. 684373 13.4% D 750 mL $51.95 Score: 92/100. August 2008. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Vinecol Torrontes 2007, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Torrontés has become as well-known as the white wine in Argentina as Malbec is for reds, a signature grape. Here the grape produces aromatic, floral, and fruity wines that are a touch reminiscent of Viognier or Muscat. This wine contains just 21 mg/L of free sulphur. My note: An aromatic and refreshing white with orange peel and floral notes. Torrontes food pairings: spicy Asian dishes. 32748 12.8% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
St. Hallett Semillon 2004, Barossa, Australia: A full-bodied, zippy, yet rich white with delicious smokey notes. Love it! Closed with a screwcap. 658005 11.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Ra Nui Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand: A refreshing, herbal sauvignon blanc with a crisp attack. Closed with a screwcap. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: chicken, vegetables, pork. 658542 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Schloss Schonborn Riesling 1994, Rheingau, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: As with many older Rieslings, this QbA from Schönborn is drier than it would have been in its youth. It is still a terrific value with dried lemon, peach and lanolin aromas and flavors. The acids are still quite fresh, yet perfectly in balance with the fruit. A remarkable value for a maturing Riesling. My note: A stunning wine of with aromatic notes of peach and lime. Riesling food pairings: grilled salmon. Drink: 2008 - 2012 107557 10% MD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Fontanafredda Moncucco Moscato D'asti 2006, D.O.C.G., Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Light and lively, this low-alcohol, gently sweet frizzante is filled with perfumed aromas and tropical fruit
flavors. Enjoy it chilled (or on ice as the Italians do) as an aperitif or dessert wine. My note: You haven't lived if you haven't tried Moscato D'asti! A lightly fizzy after-dinner sipper that has notes of orange blossom and peach. 673277 5% MS 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. August 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart