Dessert Wine
Fragas Cavipor Moscatel, D.O.C., Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine won a Gold Medal at the Concurso Nacional de Vinhos Engarrafados 2007. Medium amber in color, this delicious Moscatel has intense aromas of oranges, floral notes, peaches, raisins and caramel. It’s sweet and very fruity with terrific aroma replays on the soft-textured, medium body. A pretty and well-balanced dessert wine with a long, substantial finish. My note: A beguiling, hedonistic dessert wine that will take you mentally walking through an orange grove and finish on a wide field of buttercups. Rich without being heavy, it’s the perfect ending to a great meal. Moscatel food pairings: angel food cake, almond based desserts, baked apples, baked pairs, coffee cake. 94839 10% S 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. March 2009. Best Value Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Flat Rock Cellars Sweet Revenge Vidal Icewine 2007, V.Q.A., Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Winemaker Marlize Beyers hit a home run with the 2006 vintage of Sweet Revenge (her first Icewine) and now with a fabulous vintage on her side, she’s prepared to top herself with the 2007. Expect another complex, soft and lusciously sweet wine with layers of honey, apricot, pears and peaches all balanced by a trademark seam of refreshing acidity. Remember, revenge is a dish that is best served cold ... and so is the wine. My note: Lavish notes of orange marmalade, dried apricot and clementine. Viscous layers of flavor with an opulent finish. This wine will have its way with you. Vidal Icewine food pairings: almonds, baked pears and apples, angel food cake, spice cake, carrot cake. 47803 10% S 375 mL $44.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Favorite Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Pinnacle Sparkling Ice Cider 2009, Quebec, Canada: This is simply amazing! I had expected the apple notes but there's an ethereal lift from the effervescence that gifts this wine stunning complexity and flavor. Aromas of deep orchard-ripe apples, sunflowers, baking spices and toasty nutty goodness. Surprise yourself with a bottle of this tonight. Sparkling Ice Cider food pairings: suishi, mild and medium spices and curries, fried chicken, fruit cobbler. 52365 12% S 1500 mL $44.95 Score: 93/100. March 2009. Favorite Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Red Wine
Colio Estate Wines Colio Cev Merlot Barrel Aged Reserve 2002, V.Q.A., Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario, Canada: This wine won the Best Merlot at the 2005 Cuvée Wine Awards. A full-bodied beauty with saturated aromas of blackcurrant, coffee and cassis on the nose and a follow-through of violets, truffles and smoke on the palate. Good structure and nice length. Merlot Barrel Aged Reserve food pairings: roast beef with gravy, meaty stews, goose, romano cheese, french baguette, lasagna. 500447 12.7% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Lealtanza Bodegas Altanza Tempranillo 2004, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Estate Btld., Spain: This wine was made from Tempranillo grapes gown on 30-year-old vines and then matured for a year in French and American oak. It floods the senses with ripe blackberries, dark plums, cedar and hickory smoke. Full-bodied, but velvety smooth with terrific balance and a long, warm finish. Tempranillo food pairings: griled steak, hard cheese, duck, turkey, Mexican dishes. Drink: 2008 - 2014 114835 13.3% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Piping Shrike Charles Cimicky Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Opens with dark plum, black cherry, allspice and a whiff of pepper. Full-bodied and richly textured, it unfurls on the palate with terrific intensity of flavor. Shiraz food pairings: barbecued beef ribs, roast beef, parmesan cheese, chili, creamed onions. 48504 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Finca Allende Allende Tempranillo 2005, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Corpulent aromas of purple plums, blackberries, allspice and grilled meats. A full-bodied wonder that would be a dinner party hit. This wine is exclusively made from the Tempranillo, then barrel-fermented and aged for 14 months in French oak. Tempranillo food pairings: roast lamb, hard cheeses, prime rib steak, duck, cotechino, grilled eggplant. Drink: 2008 - 2014 954560 13.5% XD 750 mL $36.95 Score: 93/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
El Curato Old Vines, Canto Petirrojo Tempranillo 2006, D.O., Toro, Spain: This wine is made exclusively from Tinta de Toro grapes (aka Tempranillo). Plush, exuberant and jammy-ripe black fruit and berries on the nose, with a warm core of expressive black cherry and dark spice. Crack this one open at a potluck gathering. Tempranillo food pairings: lamb kabobs, stuffed pork tenderloin, steak, grilled portobello mushrooms, bacon. 117879 14.1% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Pintia Tempranillo 2005, D.O., Toro, Spain: Delivers enticing aromas of black raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant with a wisp of dried tobacco leaves and herbs underneath. Full-bodied with polished tannins and an exceptional structure and balance. The flagship winery of Spain, Vega Sicilia, also owns this winery that has 96 hectares in the Toro region. It’s made exclusively from Tinta de Toro grapes (aka Tempranillo) and matured for 12 months in French and American oak. Tempranillo food pairings: beef tenderloin with a mushroom sauce, lamb chops, mature cheeses, Mexican dishes, turkey. Drink: 2010 - 2027 22954 14.7% D 750 mL $64.95 Score: 96/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Conde de Valdemar Conde De Valdemar Gran Reserva Bodegas Valdemar Tempranillo Mazuelo Graciano 2001, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: Conde de Valdemar is Bodegas Valdemar’s flagship line. This wine is a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano from their oldest vineyards. Aged 26 months in a combination of French and American oak, and then another 48 months in bottle prior to release. My note: Opens with red currants, black cherry, cigar box and a back note of licorice. Full-bodied with polished tannins and good acidity. A great wine to buy for the boss Tempranillo Mazuelo Graciano food pairings: prime rib steak, beef tenderloin, duck, zucchini, grilled green peppers, grilled eggplant. Drink: 2008 - 2012 114504 13% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 91/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Carignane 2007, Contra Costa County, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Carignane (Carignan in France) is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world. When it is properly pruned and sourced from low-yielding old vines, such as this version, it results in lovely blackberry, cedar and floral-scented wines. The fruit is well-balanced by a seam of acidity and ripe tannins. My note: A bold, chunky wine with mouth-filling blackberries and plums and a thread of smoke. Warm, dark spiced finish. Carignane food pairings: roast beef with roasted potatoes, goulash, beef daube, grilled vegetables, shepherds pie. 32177 14.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 89/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Ridge Vineyards Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel Petite Sirah Carignane 2006, Sonoma County, California, Estate Btld., United States: A blend of 77% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah and 6% Carignane grapes. A big honkin’ red laced with red currants, smoky cherries, black plums and cassis. A deep core of violets and anise give this wine a black, brooding heart. Crazy good juice. Zinfandel Petite Sirah Carignane food pairings: olive tapenade, cheeseburgers, liver, pasta with artichokes and pancetta, strong blue cheese. Drink: 2008 - 2016 982413 14.8% D 750 mL $96.00 Score: 93/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Emmolo Merlot 2005, Napa Valley, California, United States: A bunny slippers by the fire kind of Merlot with dollops of fleshy ripe plums and dark berries and a nice seam of acidity. Round, supple, and immensely comforting. Merlot food pairings: beef bourguignonne, meatballs, chicken stir-fry, tacos, turducken, veal stuffed with sausage. 96024 14.9% D 750 mL $70.00 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, United States: A gutsy, honest wine with immediate fruit and a great structure to back it up. Full-bodied with smoky goodness and a lush texture. The ideal wine for an intellectual date you hope to transform into a torrid love affair. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: beef wellington, braised escarole and endive, rich pates, roast beef au jus, cheddar cheese, black pudding. Drink: 2008 - 2015 470872 14.2% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Humberto Canale Estate Caracter Merlot 2007, Rio Negro Valley, Patagonia, Estate Btld., Argentina: Expressive notes of plum, black raspberry, anise and dried fig. Lovely interplay of flavors across the palate. Full-bodied and plush. This wine is made exclusively from Merlot grown in the southern tip of Argentina. Merlot food pairings: chili dog, beef with stout, mushrooms, bean-based dishes, grilled tuna, beef tenderloin with a wine reduction sauce. 94326 14% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Botalcura La Porfia Reserve Cabernet Franc Grand Reserve 2005, Maule Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Aged for one year in French (60%) and American (40%) oak barrels (30% new), this full-bodied, well-structured Cabernet Franc displays tantalizing aromas of black cherry and cassis with notes of toast, coffee, vanilla and sun-dried fruits. My note: Opens with black plum, prune, cocoa and vanilla smoke. Full-bodied richness with a plush mouth-feel. Perfect for a casual or impromptu get-together. Cabernet Franc Grand Reserve food pairings: game meats, lasagna, Ethiopian lamb dishes, haggis, kidneys, turkey. 83717 14% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 89/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Carmenère 2005, Cachapoal Valley, Peumo Vineyard, Block 27, Unfiltered, Chile: This unfiltered wine has dense, inky aromas of black fruit and spicy oak. The longer it sits in the glass (if you can wait), the more aromas emerge, such as violets, black plums, blueberry paste and vanillin. Terrific depth, richness and concentration. Carmenère food pairings: venison, ostrich, blue cheese, shepherds pie, meat pie, grilled asparagus. 562892 14.5% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 94/100. March 2009. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2008, Victoria, Australia: Cherry-berry intensity with a velvet texture on the tongue. Medium- to full-bodied richness that offers warm red fruit aromas on the palate and finish. Love in a glass. Pinot Noir food pairings: smoked salmon sandwiches, frankfurters, sourdough bread, fried chicken, Korean food, pork with hoisin and honey sauce. 48587 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Storm Bay Pinot Noir 2005, Tasmania, Australia: Lovely ripe red cherries, currants and a touch of beetroot. Fine, silky tannins and a generous medium-bodied texture with mouth-watering juiciness. Pinot Noir food pairings: cinnamon and cumin spiced dishes, pepperoni pizza, matzo ball soup, brussel sprouts, salmon with ginger and soy marinade. 90225 14.1% D 750 mL $35.95 Score: 91/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Bremerton Rebecca Willson Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Malbec Merlot 2006, Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia: This wine is a blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Shiraz, 13% Malbec and 7% Merlot. A wine of resolute convictions: dark fleshy fruit, robust body, polished tannins and a good length. Great to serve at dry political conventions in need of some life. Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Malbec Merlot food pairings: beef en croute, cheddar crown bread, grilled cheese sandwich, romano cheese, seared tuna with a pepper crust. 108050 14.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Saltram Wine Estate Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: A full-on palate-whacker with terrific fruit extraction. Delicious dark fruit aromas wrapped in a smoky blanket. Offers a blackberry-infused finish. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: tacos, succostash, kangaroo, Thai coconut shrimp, osso buco, chocolate covered nuts. 48579 15.5% XD 750 mL $23.25 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Syrah Mourvèdre Viognier 2007, W.O., Western Cape, Estate Btld., South Africa: Begin a love affair with this wine: it’s supple, generous and assumes the best in you. Manly yes, but I like it too: Its full-bodied richness is balanced with plush tannins and good balance. A savory finish makes you come back for more. A blend of 60% Syrah, 39% Mourvèdre and 1% Viognier. Syrah Mourvèdre Viognier food pairings: perail de brebis cheese, Asian dishes with black bean sauces, rabbit, pasta with bolognese sauce, mackerel, wild mushroom dishes. 626333 14.5% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Graham Beck Shiraz 2005, W.O., Coastal Region, South Africa: I keep coming back to this producer year after year, wine after wine: consistently great wines with lip-smacking aromas and flavors of fleshy blackberries, plums and cherries. A dark spice note on the finish is like the quivering end to a transporting melody. Shiraz food pairings: lamb vindaloo, Ethiopian stewed chicken, venison, beef tenderloin with a madeira port sauce, garlic casserole. 607796 14% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Cuvée Prestige Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, A.C., Premières Côtes De Blaye, Bordeaux, Estate Btld., France: A chewy, well-balanced wine with aromas of black raspberry, blackberry, plum and cassis. Underneath a wispy layer of spicy oak and cigar box. Winemaker Christian Ray has created this wine that is primarily Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from the winery’s 28 hectares. Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: macaroni and cheese, brisket, veal marsala, turkey sandwiches, roast pork tenderloin with a savory fruit sauce. 91405 13.1% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Petit Mars Mas Du Soleilla 2006, A.C., Coteaux Du Languedoc, La Clape, Midi, Estate Btld., France: A chunky, muscular wine that will elbow up beside whatever you’re eating and feel right at home. Dense, dark aromas of black fruit, smoke, graphite and dark spices. Full-bodied with a great texture and long finish. Food pairings: prime rib steak, grilled asparagus, partidge, beet soup, beaded veal cutlets, cornish hen. 107185 14.5% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Cellier Des Dauphins Réserve Saint-Maurice Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre Cinsaut 2007, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, Rhône, Estate Btld., France: Vintages Wine Panel: From the village of Saint-Maurice, this wine is dominated by 65% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsaut making up a further 25% (the remaining 10% is listed as other). It’s deep ruby in color with youthful purple highlights, and the fresh aromas feature strawberry, cherry, plum and underbrush. Dry, medium bodied with fleshy fruit intensity balanced by soft tannins, it should be enjoyed anytime over the next 2-3 years with lamb stew or grilled game meats. My note: an excellent value for this tasty, vibrant red. Imminently quaffable, no analysis required (and any would be considered strange). Love the cedary, black cherry richness. You don’t need to pay a lot for pleasure. Let go and let it roll. Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre Cinsaut food pairings: tofurkey, pork tenderloin, mature hard cheese, pasta with a herbed tomato sauce, brisket, grilled steak. 102970 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Perrin & Fils Cairanne Peyre Blanche Syrah Blend 2006, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, Rhône, Estate Btld., France: A rich, plush wine with enticing aromas of raspberry jam, smoky cherries, cedar, pencil led and savory bacon. You need a knife and fork for this meaty wine. Full-bodied but balanced and delicious. Syrah Blend food pairings: grilled salmon, braised root vegetables, savoury biscuts, beef cooked in red wine, ostrich, lamb kebabs with vegetables. Drink: 2008 - 2010 650960 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Cuvée Du Vatican Diffonty Syrah Blend 2006, A.C., Rhône, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Estate Btld., France: Not for the timid: this wine explodes with concentrated dark fruit aromas and flavors. Notes of black cherry liqueur, blackberries, fig paste, cocoa and anise. A tightly woven wine with a towering structure and long length on the finish. This is why I love the Rhone Valley. Syrah Blend food pairings: pasta with a carbonara sauce, leg of lamb, pheasant, tourtiere, nmature hard cheeses, cranberry sauce. Drink: 2009 - 2022 719120 14% D 750 mL $38.95 Score: 92/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Berthoumieu Cuvée Haute Tradition Tannat Cabernet Sauvignon Pinenc 2005, A.C., Madiran, Southwest, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Domaine Berthoumieu is one of Madiran’s most reliable producers and this approachable cuvée, which features the native Tannat variety, is a great example of this appellation’s modern reinterpretation of its signature red grape. It’s a classic local blend of 55% Tannat, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Pinenc. My note: A corpulent wine loaded with cranberry, cherry liqueur, dried tobacco leaves and cigar box. Polished silky tannins give way to incredible length on the finish. Tannat Cabernet Sauvignon Pinenc food pairings: veal marsala, grilled eggplant, tacos, spicy sausages, corned beef and cabbage, beef daube. 102996 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Marcarini Barolo La Serra Barolo 2004, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: A beautiful expression of northern Italian terroir. Opens with alluring aromas of violets, black plums, dark spices, and black cherry. Firm structure, terrific balance and a long tar-noted finish. Full-bodied with robust tannins so be sure to decant for 1-2 hours. Barolo food pairings: comte cheese, beef cooked in red wine, coq au vin, wild boar, rack of lamb, cotechino. Drink: 2010 - 2025 7807 14% XD 750 mL $80.00 Score: 92/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Luce Vite La Vite Lucente Merlot Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, I.G.T., Toscana, Tuscany, Estate Btld., Italy: Lavish notes of black raspberry, strawberry and cranberry on the nose, with a spicy, smoky cigar box suffusion on the finish. This full-bodied wine is silky and beautifully layered. It is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: pork tenderloin, tacos, grilled salmon, veal stuffed with sausage, beet salad, rustic bread. Drink: 2010 - 2020 979062 13.5% XD 1500 mL $100.00 Score: 92/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Sportoletti Sangiovese Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, D.O.C., Umbria, Italy: A terrific price for this Italian beauty. A kiss of sun-ripened cherry fruit wrapped in a smoky, dried herb blanket. Mouth-watering acidity makes it especially food friendly. This wine will have you sitting in a sunny piazza, enjoying the afternoon calm. This wine is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sangiovese Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: hard cheeses, cold meats, roasted turkey with gravy, ostrich, roast veal, baked eggplant. Drink: 2008 - 2012 926857 13% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 91/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Luna Beberide Mencía 2006, D.O., Bierzo, Spain: A honkin’ big red that gives you a full embrace of fleshy ripe red berries and fruit. Silky tannins give it a voluptuous mouth-feel that ripples through with jammy flavors. Mencía food pairings: beef stew, meatloaf, gourmet hamburgers, fried chicken, portobello mushrooms, marinated chicken on grill. 95554 13.5% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 91/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Pardevalles Prieto Picudo 2006, D.O., Tierras De León, Spain: This wine is made exclusively from the Prieto Picudo grape and aged for 9 months in French and American oak. Seriously good juice. Black cherry aromas infused with cigar box, violets and graphite. Full-bodied but mellow. More George Clooney than Brad Pitt: a wine to relax with by the fire. Prieto Picudo food pairings: lasagna, pasta in a herbed tomato sauce, grilled steak, lamb shanks, pork tenderloin. Drink: 2008 - 2015 103556 13.9% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 91/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Rosés
Senorio De Sarria Señorio De Sarría Viñedo No. 5 Old Vines Garnacha 2007, D.O., Navarra, Spain: Spanish rosé is a thing of pure pleasure: dancing rubies in the sunlight and flavors of freshly picked field strawberries and raspberries. Deny yourself no longer! This one is bone-dry and ultimately satisfying. It’s made from the Garnacha (Grenache) grape from old vines (always the wisest). Garnacha food pairings: peanut sauces, brie cheese, spicy curries, charcuterie, shellfish, artichokes. 94821 12% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Favorite Rose Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Sparkling Wine
Tarlant Rosé Brut Champagne, A.C., Champagne, France: This wine was disgorged in September 2008. Toasty goodness on the nose with aromas of brioche, hazelnuts and white peach. Gorgeous texture and length with a zesty, refreshing effervescence. Rosé Brut Champagne food pairings: spring rolls, friend chicken, wasabi sauces, scrambled eggs, dark chocolate mousse. Drink: 2008 - 2014 664680 12% XD 750 mL $59.95 Score: 92/100. March 2009. Favorite Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
White Wine
Colio Estate Wines Musque Chardonnay 2007, V.Q.A., Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario, Canada: Chardonnay Musqué is a clonal cousin of Chardonnay, but it tends to be more redolent of honeysuckle, orange peel and apricot. This wine has that lovely bouquet plus a succulent medium-bodied richness and a honey-infused finish. Chardonnay food pairings: baked ricotta on toast, stir-fried vegetables, turkey scaloppini, kugel, raw oysters, crab cakes with a spicy tartar sauce. 116509 14% D 750 mL $15.55 Score: 89/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Nicolas Potel Nicolas Potel Meursault Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay 2005, A.C., Burgundy, France: A fresh, vigorous Chardonnay with warm, enticing aromas of toasted almonds, ripe peach and pear and smoky vanilla. A voluptuously rich mouth-feel with layers of silky flavor. Chardonnay food pairings: mild curries, seafood risotto, hollandaise sauce, poached salmon, fishcakes, creamed corn, pumpkin. Drink: 2008 - 2015 67850 13% D 750 mL $49.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château De Maligny Chardonnay 2007, A.C., Burgundy, France: A lovely, vibrant Chardonnay with zesty note of green apples, limes and lemongrass. Refreshing, balanced and medium-bodied with a lingering finish. Lots to enjoy here. Chardonnay food pairings: squash dishes, leeks, shrimp salad, lobster with mayonaise, fettucine alfredo, scallops, roast chicken. Drink: 2010 - 2015 718288 12.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 92/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Clos Du Val Chardonnay 2006, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, Estate Btld., United States: An alluring Chardonnay with just the right balance of toasty vanilla oak and ripe pears, peaches and a hint of zesty green apples. Full-bodied richness without too much weight. A superb effort from this producer. Chardonnay food pairings: duck a l'orange, turkey burgers, camembert with calvados, nut sauces, wild salmon with a hollandaise sauce, shrimp. 297499 13.5% XD 750 mL $40.75 Score: 91/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Benwarin Semillon 2006, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia: A fresh, vibrant white with exuberant notes of white melon, grapefruit, lime and green apple. Terrific mouth-watering acidity and length. A social wine that invites conversation. Semillon food pairings: goat cheese, foie gras, fish and chips, mussels, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, biscotti. 683235 10.9% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Stella Bella Chardonnay 2007, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: Ripples through with warm layers of ripe peach, pear and baked bread. A full-bodied embrace of flavor. Winner of a Gold Medal at the 2008 Margaret River Wine Show. Chardonnay food pairings: grilled salmon, lobster with a butter sauce, crab cakes, fried clams, ham, cheese pizza, ceasar salad. 102061 13% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 89/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Sticks Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: This just-released wine is already a multi-award winner, including a Silver Medal at the 2008 Yarra Valley Wine Show. The winery recommends serving this gooseberry- and asparagus-scented wine with Salt and Pepper Squid with Chilli Jam. The recipe can be found on their website, www.-sticks.com.au under the Food link. My note: A youthful charmer with fresh scents of green apple, peas, and lemongrass. One to splash open for a picnic. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: scallops in rich sauces, mussels, brussel sprouts, vegetarian pizza, passa with a vodka sauce, sushi, spring rolls. 109363 11.5% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Millton Riverpoint Vineyard Chardonnay 2007, Gisborne, North Island, Bio-Dynamically Grown Grapes, Estate Btld., New Zealand: A succulent wine with rich aromas of ripe apples, Asian pear, tangerine and almond. A get-in-the-grove-for-the-evening kind of wine. This biodynamic wine has just 23 mg/L of free sulfur. Chardonnay food pairings: creamed onions, shrimp salad, fried oysters, Thai dishes, chicken tetrazzini, challah. 92486 12.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
KWV Kwv Sauvignon Blanc 2008, W.O., Western Cape, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: South African Sauvignon Blancs have been coming on strong in recent years, giving the Kiwis a run for their money. This fresh 2008 is an excellent value that would pair well with seafood casserole or asparagus dishes. Look for aromas and flavors of fresh-cut grass, green peas, grapefruit and tropical fruit as well as a crisp backbone of acidity and a lingering finish. A great wine to buy by the case and have around in the warmer months ahead. My note: A lively, refreshing white that’s not too grassy. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: tacos, chestnuts, succotash, avocado mousse, cobb salad, gouda cheese, spicy chicken sausage. 662718 13.5% XD 750 mL $17.30 Score: 88/100. March 2009. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Hugel Riesling 2007, A.C., Alsace, France: An energy wine with lots of sass and attitude: nervy acidity overlaid with ripe peach and pear fruit with some zesty lime, grapefruit and green apple. Riesling food pairings: braised beef with olives, munster cheese, duck liver pate, foie gras, butternut squash risotto, baby greens salad with fig dressing. 287861 12% XD 750 mL $169.10 Score: 90/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Nicolas Potel Nicolas Potel Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay 2005, A.C., Burgundy, France: A beautiful expression of Chardonnay, with pure fruit aromas of white peach, apple and Asian pear. Hints of white field flowers are woven through this pleasant, medium-bodied wine. Terrific structure, balance and length. Chardonnay food pairings: beef bourguignonne, potato bread, coeur de rollet cheese, grilled chicken, scallops, raw oysters, savory fruit sauces. Drink: 2014 - 2018 110403 13% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 92/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Kleine Zalze Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2008, W.O. Western Cape, South Africa: Lavish notes of lime, peach and green apple with a nervy acidity. Mouth-filling and delicious. A wine that will take you to a wide green pasture under an open blue sky. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: turkey pot pie, ham, pesto pizza, dim sum, rich fish, smoked salmon, french fries, creamy italian salads. 96255 13.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. March 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart