Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
www.nataliemaclean.com

Vintages Release May 1, 2010

Login to see Natalie's scores and notes

Reviewed Wines | All Wines | Group by Wine Type | Group by Country/Region

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


Dessert Wine

Warre's Port 2007, Douro, Portugal: Gorgeous concentration of blackberry liqueur flavour with rich layers of mixed berries and dark spices. Voluptuous texture. Amazing aging potential. Drink: 2010 - 2030 140251 20% S 750 mL $79.00 Score: 93/100. May 2010. Favourite Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Chateau Larose Trintaudon Cabernet Blend 2004, A.C., Médoc, Bordeaux, France Drink: 2010 - 2014 167437 13% XD 750 mL $26.95 May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Henry of Pelham Gamay 2008, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Light, carefree, simple wine with lovely notes of field strawberries. Medium-bodied and a smooth texture. Gamay food pairings: vegetarian lasagna, veal chops. Drink: 2010 - 2013 291112 12.7% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. May 2010. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Oak Vineyards & Winery Syrah 2004, Napa Valley, California, United States: A lip-smacking delicious, full-bodied red with notes of dark chocolate, black plums and smoke. Round and supple with a pleasingly warm finish. Terrific price! 161315 14.2% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Pikes Eastside Shiraz 2006, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Big, bring it on Shiraz! Bruising black fruit with lip-smacking delicious blackberry liqueur. For those who love full-on wines. 77891 14.5% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Paradyskloof Pinot Noir 2008, W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa: A savoury, meaty flavour. I don’t get pinot character but I love this wine! Supple and medium- to full-bodied red. Juicy and fleshy plums and berries. 160119 13.5% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 91/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau Larose Trintaudon Cabernet Blend 2005, A.C., Médoc, Bordeaux, France: Nicely balanced with classic Bordeaux character: blackcurrant, cassis and blackberry with a mocha-smoke weave throughout. Full-bodied and well-structured. Drink: 2010 - 2014 167437 13% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 89/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Puig-Parahy Georges Carignan Grenache Syrah 2007, A.C., Côtes De Roussillon, Midi, France: A blend of Carignan, Grenache and a little Syrah. Fantastic peppery, blackberry nose! Supple and full-bodied with a deep, dark concentration of flavour. Chewy tannins and a long, satisfying finish. I can’t believe how low the price is for this one. Drink: 2010 - 2015 171025 14.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 91/100. May 2010. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Laurus Syrah Blend 2006, A.C., Giogondas, Rhône, France: Concentrated black cherry liqueur with a heart of blackberry jam. Powerful and deep. Can’t image a better barbecue wine … you’ll be talking past midnight as the embers fade. Drink: 2010 - 2016 25880 14.5% XD 750 mL $43.00 Score: 92/100. May 2010. Favourite Red Wine (Tied) Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ferraton Père & Fils La Matinière Syrah Blend 2007, A.C., Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France: Juicy dark plums, black cherry, violets. Garrigue, dried herbs, cedar forest and some pepper. Love this style! Full-bodied, smooth and mouth-watering. Bring it on! 127712 13% XD 750 mL $28.25 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Salice Salentino Candido Riserva Negroamaro Malvasia Nera 2005, D.O.C., Lacarta, Puglia, Italy: Blockbuster great wine especially for the price! It’s got it all: ripe dark fruit, mouth-watering acidity, generous layers and food versatility. Love it! 529487 13.5% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Burgo Viejo Reserva Tempranillo Graciano Carignan 2001, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Dry, robust and savoury! Lovely aromas of maturity: it’s so nice to taste that when we usually only get the strapping young wines on the shelf. Lovely blackberry but also those more mature notes of leather, spice and cigar. Try it! Tempranillo Graciano Carignan food pairings: roast leg of lamb, roast beef. 168823 13.5% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. May 2010. Favourite Red Wine (Tied) Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Charge Tempranillo Garnacha 2006, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Robust, supple wine with black fruit highlights and a superbly dry finish. 166546 13.5% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Giordano Primitivo Di Manduria Collection Zinfandel 2007, D.O.C., Puglia, Italy: A delicious, lip-smacking tasty red with robust aromas of blackberry, mocha, coffee and smoke. Supple layers and pure fruit goodness. Zinfandel food pairings: hot-and-spicy Italian sausages. 51797 14.5% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Framingham Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Sexy silky pinot in the very best sense of seduction. Give in and fill up your glass and let go of everything. So very lovely. Fleshy cherries, some cinnamon and cushioned berry fruit. 699322 14% D 750 mL $30.75 Score: 91/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lake Chalice Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Love it! Fleshy cherries and field strawberries with racy spices. Very exciting wine … I’ll be buying this one for my own pleasure. Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled salmon steaks, beet salad. 163964 13.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Campedel Ripasso Classico Superiore Az. Agr. Gamba Valpolicella 2007, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Juicy and generous, this is a wine that keeps on giving to the last mouth-watering drop. Fantastic flavours of fleshy ripe purple plums and blackberries. Valpolicella food pairings: ribs in a zesty sauce. 160242 14.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2008, Sonoma County, California, United States: Juicy, perfect Cal Zin. This family has Zinfandel in their veins. This Zin has lovely blackberry-rich layers with dark spices. 942151 14.8% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Leaping Lizard Zinfandel Petite Sirah 2008, Sonoma County, California, United States: The is a blend of 97% Zinfandel and 3% Petite Sirah grapes. A dry, chalky, blackberry-rich red with lovely mocha nuances. A knock-it-back wine. 161497 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2008, California, United States: Classic, textbook Cal Zin in all its glory! Drop-to-your-knees ripe brambleberry, blackberry and blueberry with coffee-dark chocolate weave. Supple and full-bodied. Someone fire up the barbecue … now! Zinfandel food pairings: lamb, pork tenderloin. 719211 15% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Edmeades Zinfandel 2007, Mendocino County, California, United States: Terrific wine! Juicy purple plums and brambleberries. Lovely juiciness and supple layers. Zinfandel food pairings: grilled lamb chops, big “beefy” Portobello mushrooms. 105924 15.4% D 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Perrin & Fils Grenache Mourvèdre Cinsault Rosé 2009, A.C., Rhône, France: A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault grapes. Absolutely superb: there is nothing better than Tavel rose for rose! Bone-dry, with a lovely basket of fresh field berries. A racy finish. Grenache Mourvèdre Cinsault Rosé food pairings: grilled chicken, seafood salads, bouillabaisse, pork tenderloin, grilled lamb chops. 680801 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Favourite Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Cahuzac Tradition Négrette Cabernet Syrah Grenache Gamay Rosé 2009, A.C., Fronton, Southwest, France: Such a pretty, delicate, rose petal rose. Absolutely lovely like the sparkling Mediterranean. Aromas of strawberries and raspberries. Bone dry. Négrette Cabernet Syrah Grenache Gamay Rosé food pairings: grilled tuna. 117317 12.5% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. May 2010. Best Value Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Brut Chardonnay, Marlborough, New Zealand: Lovely mousse infused with ripe tree fruit aromas and zesty citrus notes. Mouth-watering, thirst-quenching and lip-smacking delicious! Perfect as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to many dishes, including the most challenging. Superb effort. Chardonnay food pairings: mildly spiced sea-food dishes, tempura, fried chicken. Drink: 2013 - 2015 238195 12% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2006, V.Q.A., Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada: Love it! Round, buttery with hazelnut and green apple goodness. What a gorgeous Chardonnay especially at this price.A creamy, buttery chardonnay with enticing aromas of green apples and a deep soul of limestone purity. Terrific balance; superb effort! Food matches: lightly herbed poultry or veal. Chardonnay food pairings: grilled salmon, chicken in a light cream sauce. 173203 12.7% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Favourite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mount Nelson Tenuta Campo Di Sasso Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Chives and lemongrass abound with this zesty mouth-watering white. Fantastic aperitif. 694752 13% XD 750 mL $25.00 Score: 88/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kapuka Shepherds Ridge Wine Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A juicy, lively, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc with enticing aromas of chives, lime zest and lemongrass. Fantastic aperitif. 163576 12.5% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Greywacke Vineyards is named for the type of sandstone upon which the winery grows most of its vines. A grassy great white with zesty notes of lime, kiwi, chives and lemongrass. So expressive. Give me some creamy cheese please! Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: cheese. 164228 13.5% D 750 mL $26.95 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vineland Estates Winery Chardonnay 2007, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Cuvée Awards. A zesty, mouth-watering Chardonnay with Granny Smith apple notes and lime zest. Good weight and texture but not heavy. Chardonnay food pairings: grilled herbed chicken, pork roast. 164459 12.5% D 750 mL $25.00 Score: 89/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

La Crema Chardonnay 2007, Monterey, California, United States: A gorgeously balanced and elegant Chardonnay that’s packed with delicious peach and pear flavour and butter undertones. Full-bodied and voluptuous. 158683 13.9% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

D'arenberg The Stump Jump Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Marsanne Roussanne 2008, Mclaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia: Lively and expressive with lovely white floral notes, white peach and lychee. Stunning and refreshing. Mouth-watering acidity makes it a terrific food companion. 922203 13% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. May 2010. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2008, South Australia, Australia: A fresh and lively Chardonnay with notes of green apples and lime zest. Full-bodied and balanced. Chardonnay food pairings: grilled fish, roasted red peppers. 625103 12.5% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cave De Bleblenheim Old Vines Riesling 2008, A.C., Alsace, France: Ultra-bone-dry Riesling with lovely lime and chive notes. Mouth-watering: it’s a gusher which makes it phenomenal for food. Riesling food pairings: pork chops with applesauce. Drink: 2010 - 2014 168955 12% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Geil Riesling Kabinett 2008, Qmp, Bechtheimer Rosengarten, Rheinhessen, Germany: Fleshy ripe peach and pear with other lovely tree fruit mingles in. Luscious texture. 994764 9.5% MD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. May 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


© 2024 Natalie MacLean