Red Wine
Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2004, V.Q.A. Okanagan Valley, Canada: Classic Bordeaux style with a distinctly Canadian interpretation. Notes of cassis, blackberry, smoke, oak and finesse. Buy a case! 626325 13.5% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 93/100. March 2008. Favorite Red Wine (Tied) Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Viu Manent Reserva Malbec 2006, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This Chilean version of Malbec is up to the challenge of its neighbors in Argentina and
is a terrific value as well. It has loads of blackberry, raspberry, toast and mocha aromas
and flavors. Full-bodied and concentrated. My note: Incredible balance and length. Viu Manent Reserva Malbec food pairings: smoked meats, spicy sausage. 16089 14% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Grant Burge Cameron Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: A full-bodied red with notes of black plums and cassis. Grant Burge Cameron Vale Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: steak. 937276 13.5% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
KWV Kanonkop Kadette 2005, Wo Stellenbosch, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: Kanonkop is credited by many for putting South Africa’s Pinotage grape on the map.
They were one of the first estates to recognize the variety’s potential for producing complex wines of character. Kadette, their second wine, blends 43% Pinotage with 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Very approachable, this medium full-bodied wine features ripe red-berry fruit flavors, soft tannins, and a long tangy finish. My note: A lovely, full-bodied red with black fruit flavors and oak notes. 922237 13.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Darling Cellars Onyx Shiraz 2005, Wo Darling, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: Darling Cellars celebrated their 10th anniversary in December of 2007, an impressive
milestone! Undoubtedly plenty of the Onyx Shiraz was poured during the festivities.
Bursting with aromas of blackberries, spices and coffee. My note: If you like Aussie shiraz you'll like this. A shiraz with big, black fruit notes and lip-smacking juiciness. Onyx Shiraz food pairings: grilled boar sausages, spicy lamb, goat roti. 704486 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
SCE Petrus Desbois Château St. Georges 2003, Ac St-Georges-St-Émilion, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Château St. Georges sits in the Libournais satellite of St-Georges, St-Émilion. The château itself was built in 1774 on the former site of a feudal castle and its vineyards are some of the oldest in France. Château St. Georges produces one of the most consistent reds ever to come out of Bordeaux, combining glorious fruit aromas such as cherry and plum with fine tannins and precise acid crispness. This beautifully balanced wine is a fine candidate for cellaring 2 to 5 years. My note: An ultra-ripe wine from a hot vintage. This red has gorgeous layers of black cherry and smoke. Decant for 1-2 hours. Château St. Georges food pairings: roast beef, root vegetables. Drink: 2008 - 2015 960310 12.5% XD 750 mL $35.95 Score: 93/100. March 2008. Favorite Red Wine (Tied) Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château Fougas Maldoror 2004, Ac Côtes Du Bourg, France: A full-bodied red with rich mocha, chocolate and black raspberry aromas (this is a dry wine). 663583 12.5% XD 750 mL $33.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Jacques & François Lurton Domaine De Berlande Merlot 2006, Vin De Pays D'oc, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The vineyards for this fine Lurton venture in the Midi are located near the beautiful medieval city of Carcassonne. This area is within the Corbières AC which does not allow Merlot in the appellation’s wines. Thus, the Lurtons use the more generic Vin de Pays d’Oc for this pretty, fruit-forward Merlot. Many of the Midi’s best producers have used this designation over the years to create exceptional wines that flout the rules of the Languedoc-Roussillon’s ACs. My note: A juicy, purple quaffer that's delicious and full-bodied. Domaine De Berlande Merlot food pairings: hamburger, pizza. 27979 14% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
S. Gevaert Château Le Barradis 2005, Ac Bergerac, France: A simple, pleasant sipper with plum notes. Château Le Barradis food pairings: hamburger, steak, stew. 707273 12% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Michele Satta Michele Satta Bolgheri Rosso Piastraia 2002, Tuscany, Italy: A delicious, layered, full-bodied red with notes of black cherry, mocha and berries. 709980 13% XD 750 mL $41.95 Score: 92/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Caves do Salguerial Colleja Douro Reserva Red 2004, D.O.C. Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: A vivid, exciting Portuguese wine with aromas that suggest black cherry, red table
grapes, plum and vanilla bean. It is dry, supple and very pleasing on the palate. My note: A delicious, hulking wine with notes of black plums and oak. Colleja Douro Reserva Red food pairings: braised beef. 627224 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
René Barbier Cabernet Sauvignon Selección 2001, Penedes, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: In 1880, René Barbier arrived in Spain from his native France determined to find a home for the French grape varieties he so admired. After careful research, he found the ideal place for his beloved Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay: Penedès. To this day, the winery continues to be recognized as an expert in Spain for these varieties. This Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits pronounced aromas of cassis, blackberry, toasty oak and dried fruit. My note: A classic Spanish red. Full-bodied with dark red fruit and lots of oak aromas. René Barbier Cabernet Sauvignon Selección food pairings: filet mignon, grilled lamb chops. 14639 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chateau De Pressac 2003, Grand Cru, France: A full-bodied wine with big oaky and plum notes. Drink: 2012 - 2020 13% XD 750 mL Score: 92/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Angels Gate Single Vineyard Merlot 2005, V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: A full-bodied red with rich notes of mocha, black fruit and a kiss of oak. 55129 13% XD 750 mL $22.00 Score: 91/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tawse Pinot Noir 2005, V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: A silky, smooth pinot. Tawse Pinot Noir food pairings: salmon, chicken. 54809 13% XD 750 mL $35.20 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Bonterra Merlot 2005, Mendocino, United States: A balanced wine made from organically grown grapes with notes of plums and berries. 13% XD 150 mL $9.49 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Miner Sangiovese 2004, Mendocino, United States: A wine that has terrific balance and length with notes of ripe red fruit. Absolutely delicious! Miner Sangiovese food pairings: tomato sauce pasta, lasagna. 48645 14% XD 750 mL $28.80 Score: 92/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Miguel Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, D.O. Penedès, Spain: A rich and full-bodied wine . One of my favorite reds, year after year. Miguel Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: steak, stew. 617456 13.5% XD 750 mL $44.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
d'Arenberg The Twentyeight Mourvedre (D'arenberg) 2005, Australia, Australia: Supple, round and rich wine with notes of red berries and plums. Closed with a screwcap. 677617 14.5% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
White Wine
Darting Gewürztraminer Kabinett 2005, Qmp, Dürkheimer Nonnengarten, Estate Btld., Germany: Stunning! A white wine with exotic layers of rose petals, lychee and nuts. Closed with a screwcap. 789628 12.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château des Charmes Estate Bottled Chardonnay Musqué 2006, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely essence of happiness. Notes of pear, peach, melon and sunshine. 640516 13.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
D'arenberg Wines D’arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2007, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: One of two Aussie Rieslings in this release, this fresh, floral and citrusy wine is named for d’Arenberg’s original Riesling vineyard that is located next to a dam with a history of drying up in particularly hot summers. The extra stress on the vines during these hot, dry years usually meant a very concentrated Riesling with lots of flavor and intensity. My note: Lovely! A refreshing white with notes of intense pear and minerals. D’Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling food pairings: thai, crab cakes. 942953 11.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Duvergey Tabourneau Mersauet 2005, France: A gorgeous chardonnay that is round, balanced and long. 67124 13% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Santa Rita Medalla Real Chardonnay 2005, Chile, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: To emphasize the pure, vibrant fruit character of this Chardonnay from the Casablanca Valley, Santa Rita has scaled back the oak. Expect ripe aromas of tropical fruit and peach with a luscious round texture, and a fresh, lively finish. The fresher style makes this a great and versatile food wine. My note: A round, smoky and buttery wine. Santa Rita Medalla Real Chardonnay food pairings: grilled chicken, halibut steaks. 303628 14.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 87/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2006, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: A round, balanced, full-bodied wine with buttery goodness. 708255 13% XD 750 mL $45.00 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Bern Kasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese 2002, Mosel, Germany: A terrific wine with intense notes of pears and peaches. 60301 8% MD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Pierre Sparr Schoenenbourg Riesling 1996, Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium straw color; aromas of mineral, peach and earthy elements; quite dry with very good fruit flavors and a long aftertaste. My note: Stunning concentration with notes of pears and minerals. 664995 13% XD 750 mL $42.95 Score: 91/100. March 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart