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Vintages Release April 28, 2007

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Red Wine

Les Fiefs De Lagrange 2001, Ac St-Julien, Second Wine Of Château Lagrange, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Made with young vines or from newly developed vineyard locations, Château Lagrange's second wine, Les Fiefs de Lagrange, is a soft, round and ripe wine with a lovely fresh berry/cherry character. My note: Elegant Old World styling from one of Bordeaux's best chateau. Smoky aromas of black fruit and good breeding. Full-bodied, balanced but not too heavy. Les Fiefs De Lagrange food pairings: lamb, filet mignon. Drink: 2007 - 2009 10504 D 750 mL $37.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Arnaud Sié Chateau De Treviac Rouge 2005, Ac Corbières, France: Vintages Wine Panel: An excellent choice for roast leg of lamb with an herb rub. This blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache has classic Midi aromas of blackberry, pepper and particularly garrigue, the unique-to-Midi aroma of thyme, rosemary, basil, sage and lemon verbena that lingers in the air. There's a very good balance between the fruit, acids and ripe tannins. My note: Peppery with ripe red fruit notes. Delicious and a terrific value! Full-bodied. Chateau De Treviac Rouge food pairings: lamb, beef tenderloin. 670505 14.5% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Yann Chave Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage 2005, Ac, France: Though not officially organic, Chave is still recognized as a true steward of the land. Among other things, they fertilize with natural compost, use only indigenous wild yeast and reduce yields to ensure the vines and soil are not overtaxed. The results are clear in the bottle as its vibrant fruit literally jumps out of the glass. My note: Lively aromas of ripe red cherries and black plums. Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage food pairings: beef, stew. Drink: 2007 - 2010 306893 14% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Waterstone Merlot 2004, Napa Valley, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Sourced primarily from vineyards in Napa's cool climate Carneros district, this wine also includes a small amount of Cabernet Franc for added complexity. Big and multi-layered, it's packed with juicy ripe cherry and plum flavors along with notes of vanilla and black licorice. My note: A classic and well-structured Napa merlot (to heck with Miles from Sideways). Great balance and length on the finish. Decant for an hour. Waterstone Merlot food pairings: grilled duck breast or steak in a peppercorn sauce. Drink: 2007 - 2013 25288 13.5% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Syrah 2004, Peumo, Chile: A rich and luxurious red at a terrific price for its quality. Full-bodied with aromas of plums and berries. Silky texture. Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Syrah food pairings: stew, lamb. 19042 14.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Tarapacá's Ex-Zavala vineyards and vinified in stainless steel. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months, the wine then spends an additional year maturing in bottles before release. This intense wine displays cassis and ripe blackberry fruit aromas and flavours as well as notes of black pepper, chocolate and spices. My note: Absolutely outstanding for the price. Aromas of black fruit and chocolate. A touch tannic so decant for an hour or two. Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled spring lamb, steak. Drink: 2007 - 2010 18721 14.5% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. April 2007. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

d'Arenberg Grenache 2004, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Round and full-bodied but not too heavy. Packed with flavor and aromas of dark red ripe fruit. An interesting change from shiraz and cabernet from an overlooked grape. Try it. Grenache food pairings: barbecued meat, hamburgers, fruit chutneys, lamb vindaloo, rich meats. Drink: 2007 - 2010 713040 14.5% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Shiraz 2005, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Since 1959, Jim Barry's superb wines have helped put Clare Valley on the map. Jim passed away in 2004, leaving his children to carry on his legacy. His sons Peter, John and Mark have assumed the roles of managing director, vineyard manager and chief winemaker, respectively. The Lodge Hill vineyards consistently produce a classic Shiraz that is supple and easy-drinking. Layers of plum, red berries, mint, violets and a measured amount of sweet vanilla oak dominate this wine. Enjoy this stylish wine over the next five years. My note: A whopper of a wine with full-bodied black fruit aromas and flavors. Shiraz food pairings: steak, bison, romano cheese, dark chocolate mousse. Drink: 2007 - 2011 998476 14% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Governors Bay Pinot Noir 2004, South Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Sourced from vineyards in both the Marlborough and Canterbury regions, this vibrant Pinot is dry and medium-bodied with lots of bright raspberry and cherry fruit flavors and hints of toasty oak. Soft and smooth, it offers excellent value. My note: Smoky notes with vibrant cherries. Not acidic like some New Zealand pinots, more round and smooth. A consistently good producer of both pinot and sauvignon blanc. Governors Bay Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled salmon or duck. 656405 D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Marc De Grazia Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini 1999, Docg, Italy: A serious big barolo with blockbuster black fruit. Full-bodied, alcoholic but packed with flavor. Decant for an hour or two. Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini food pairings: steak, stew, meat balls, sausage. Drink: 2007 - 2015 20438 14% XD 750 mL $64.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rocca Delle Macìe Rubizzo Sangiovese Di Toscana 2005, Igt Toscana, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: You just can't beat this price. An easy to like red (95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot) that delivers a bushel full of ripe berry fruits and a touch of earth and spice on the bouquet. My note: Lovely juicy red fruit and lip-smacking delicious flavor. A happy, full-bodied wine that's great for parties. Rocca Delle Macìe Rubizzo Sangiovese Di Toscana food pairings: roasted meats, ravioli, Caciotta cheese. 913780 13.4% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rocca Di Castagnoli Rocca Di Castagnoli Capraia Chianti Classico Riserva 2001, Docg, Italy: Aromas of liqueur cherry and black plums. A full-bodied wine to put hair on your chest. Intense and concentrated. Rocca Di Castagnoli Capraia Chianti Classico Riserva food pairings: steak, lamb. Drink: 2007 - 2014 23374 14.5% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 91/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sportoletti Sportoletti Assisi Rosso 2005, Doc Assisi, Italy: Gorgeous haunting aromas of black cherries and smoke. Full-bodied but not heavy. Sportoletti Assisi Rosso food pairings: steak, hamburgers. Drink: 2007 - 2009 926857 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rocca Di Montemassi Le Focaie Maremma Sangiovese 2004, Igt Toscana, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Maremma, a southwest coastal region of Tuscany, is one of the most popular Italian tourist destinations for its pristine landscapes, ancient villages, local delicacies, and, of course, prestigious wines. A charming ambassador for this region, this wine offers up a bouquet of pleasing scents of violets, cherries and wild berries. My note: Lovely medium-bodied wine with a smooth texture. Mouth-watering acidity makes it an excellent partner to many Italian dishes. Rocca Di Montemassi Le Focaie Maremma Sangiovese food pairings: Tuscan food like Stracotto (slow-braised beef), Pecorino Toscana cheese, pasta with tomato sauce, lasagne. 31005 13.5% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Pol Roger Chardonnay Brut Champagne 1998, Ac, Extra Cuvée De Réserve, France: Fantastic warmth, toastiness and yeasty folds of flavor. Ripe pears and green apple aromas. Refreshing and zesty. If you haven't tried vintage-dated champagne, now's the time. Try the shabby-chic combo of bubbly and fried chicken or fish and chips ... new vistas of pleasure await you. Pol Roger Chardonnay Brut Champagne food pairings: seafood, Asian curries, salads, vegetarian, deep fried anything. Drink: 2007 - 2012 96685 XD 750 mL $79.95 Score: 92/100. April 2007. Favorite Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Taittinger Champagne Brut, Champagne A.O.C., France: Lovely crisp aromas of green apples, citrus and toast. A lasting finish. Taittinger Champagne Brut food pairings: shellfish, seafood, fried foods or drink as an aperitif. 814723 0 750 mL $54.95 Score: 91/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Niagara College Teaching Winery Barrel Feremented Chardonnay 2005, Ontario, Canada: A lovely buttery, toasty chardonnay from one of the most exciting wineries in Niagara. Winemaker Jim Warren is a master and it shows particularly in his chardonnays. Loaded with ripe pear fruit. Warmly oaky and full-bodied. Barrel Feremented Chardonnay food pairings: corn, lobster in butter, pasta in cream sauce. 40634 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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