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Vintages Release December 8, 2007

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Dessert Wine

Kopke Colheita Port 1990, Matured In Wood, Bottled 2007, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: If you want to surprise your guests with a real after-dinner treat then pull out this 1990 vintage Colheita Port. The maturing has been done for you here. All you have to do is open and pour, awakening aromas and flavors of pear and dried berries that have been lying patiently in wait. My note: Love the hazelnut goodness in this fortified wine. 640268 20% S 750 mL $36.95 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Stratus Cabernet Franc 2004, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Canada: Lovely, vibrant wine bursting with cherries, plums and just a kiss of oak. Full-bodied. Stratus Cabernet Franc food pairings: steak, roast. 665034 13.5% XD 750 mL $36.00 Score: 94/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Malivoire Moira Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Canada: Pleasant sour cherry notes with black raspberries. Malivoire Moira Vineyard Pinot Noir food pairings: salmon, chicken. 730754 13.5% XD 750 mL $41.80 Score: 90/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hidden Bench Winery Hidden Bench Terroir Caché Meritage 2005, V.Q.A. Beamsville Bench, Canada: A hulking wine with big notes of oak, smoke and sweet cherry fruit. 505610 13.5% XD 750 mL $35.00 Score: 90/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Remo Farina Vigna Montecorna Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2003, D.O.C., Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A stunning wine, this Ripasso uses grapes sourced exclusively from the hillside Montecorna vineyard in the Valpolicella Classico zone. It has an intense nose with aromas of black cherry, chocolate, coffee, red fruit reduction and smoke. Classy and well-structured with a plush mouthfeel, intense fruit flavours, hints of chocolate and good length, this wine bridges the gap between the Valpolicella Classico Superiore and the Amarone Classico styles. My note: Terrific value in this lovely full-bodied wine with a smooth texture. Like merlot cubed. Remo Farina Vigna Montecorna Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso food pairings: roast game, hearty stews. 56267 14% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Thirty Bench Red 2005, V.Q.A. Beamsville Bench, Canada: A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 15% cabernet franc, and 10% merlot. Offers a terrific value with juicy, mouth-watering cherries. 53389 13.2% XD 750 mL $24.00 Score: 89/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau Montelena Chateau Montelena The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Calistoga, Napa Valley, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Calistoga, Napa Valley Château Montelena made its reputation at the classic Judgement in Paris French/California taste-off in 1976. It continues to be at the forefront of winemaking in California. My note: Full-bodied, rich and complex. Pleasing aromas of plums, mocha and smoke. 709881 14.5% XD 750 mL $131.75 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

d'Arenberg D’arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2005, Mclaren Vale, Australia: A wine with huge color, flavor, tannin and attitude. Notes of cassis and blackcurrant. Closed with a screwcap. D’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz food pairings: steak. 981183 14.5% XD 750 mL $70.00 Score: 91/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz 2003, Barossa, Australia: A deeply concentrated and intense wine. Shiraz food pairings: steak. 716142 14.5% D 750 mL $74.95 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

J-L Thunevin Château Bel-Air-Ouÿ 2000, A.C. St-Émilion Grand Cru, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Maverick Bordeaux winemaker Jean-Luc Thunevin brings the same legendary artistry to this wine as he does to the perhaps better-known Château de Valandraud. My note: Juicy, full-bodied red with classic cassis, blackcurrant aromas and a kiss of oak. 46557 13% XD 750 mL $54.25 Score: 89/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gaja Sito Moresco 2005, D.O.C. Langhe, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: One of the great innovators of Italian wine, Angelo Gaja is a huge fan of Nebbiolo, describing it as more like Marcello Mastroianni than John Wayne. Nebbiolo “would never be in the center of a room. He is shy. He is a closed book. And women become beautiful beside him. This is the beauty of Nebbiolo”. With this spectacular wine, Gaja combines 35% Nebbiolo with 35% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. My note: Full-bodied with exotic black fruit and violets. Also available in 375mL format.(998575, $29.95) Gaja Sito Moresco food pairings: mature cheeses, rare meat. Drink: 2007 - 2012 998575 13.5% XD 375 mL $62.95 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tenuta Dell'ornellaia Ornellaia 2004, Doc Bolgheri Superiore, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Ornellaia and Sassicaia are the two names one associates with the revolution in Tuscany that began in the late 1970s and 1980s. These Super-Tuscans changed the world’s perception of Italian wines. My note: One of the great wines of the world. Aromas of plush black fruit, herbs, smoke and happiness. 722470 14.5% XD 750 mL $149.95 Score: 97/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Masi Mazzano Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2001, Doc, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Production for this wine is very limited and it is made only in the finest vintages. Aged for three years in oak and a further six months in bottle, this Amarone presents a bouquet of violets, vanilla, plums, candied fruit and cocoa which resound splendidly on the full-bodied palate and linger on the long finish. My note: Great depth with black cherries and black raspberries. Masi Mazzano Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico food pairings: red meats, richly-flavored foods, strong cheeses. 545129 15.5% D 750 mL $99.95 Score: 94/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses 2004, D.O.C.A Priorat, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: Superstar winemaker Alvaro Palacios and his wines were the driving force behind the elevation of Priorat to DOCa status, a status it shares with only one other region in Spain- Rioja. My note: Excellent balance with ripe raspberries. A blend of 60% carignan, 30% grenache, and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Drink: 2007 - 2012 977843 14.5% XD 750 mL $38.95 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bear Creek Winery Ironstone Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, California, United States: A smooth, simple and medium-bodied cab. 537597 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Francis Coppola officially opened the new location for his winery, the former Chateau Souverain, in Geyserville, Sonoma, in May 2007. Coppola winemaker Corey Beck, who has been with the winery for a decade, works closely with California growers to find the best fruit for each vintage. The 2005 version of this Bordeaux blend was sourced from vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, El Dorado and Paso Robles. Expect aromas of dark fruit and coffee and a mouthful of fruit dusted with spice from this star in the making. My note: Black mocha and blackcurrant notes. Tannic so decant 1-2 hours. 521021 14% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 89/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Coriole The Soloist Single Vineyard Shiraz 2004, Mclaren Vale, South Australia: A full-bodied and rich wine with a plush texture. Notes of cassis and black raspberries. 47613 14% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 90/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Grant Burge The Holy Trinity Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre 2002, Barossa Valley, Australia: This wine has terrific balance and a smooth texture. Packed with juicy cherry fruit. 726802 14% XD 750 mL $35.00 Score: 94/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peter Lehmann Wines The Futures Shiraz 2004, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Aged for 12 months in French oak, this impressively structured, classic Barossa shiraz exhibits delicious dark fruit and chocolate aromas with hints of mixed spice. The fruit’s intensity and depth is brought into balance by firm tannins and beautifully integrated oak. My note: A delicious palate-whacker with rich aromas of plums and cherries. Shiraz food pairings: braised lamb shanks, rich casseroles, rib roast with a pepper rub, mustard greens, mature hard cheeses. 606780 14.5% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 91/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kilikanoon Kilikanoon The Medley 2005, Barossa Valley/Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Full-bodied goodness with rich plums. Kilikanoon The Medley food pairings: game dishes, Provencal herb dishes. 675256 14% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Treasury Wine Estates Rosemount G.S.M. Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre 2003, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Round, full-bodied and balanced. Offers aromas of black plums and chocolate. Drink: 2008 - 2013 583146 14.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Bernadotte 2003, A.C. Haut-Médoc, France: Balanced and elegant wine with classic aromas of cassis and blackcurrant. 46722 13% XD 750 mL $39.65 Score: 90/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaines F-X Borie/Château Grand-Puy Lacoste Lacoste-Borie 2003, A.C. Pauillac, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Lacoste-Borie is the superb second wine of Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, one of the leading estates of Pauillac. Made in a classic style, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc is redolent with blackberry, cassis, vanilla oak and spice flavors and aromas. My note: Lovely, balanced, elegant and full-bodied wine. Lacoste-Borie food pairings: roast lamb, venison, steak. 43760 13% XD 750 mL $36.90 Score: 90/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Les Origines 2005, Ac, France: Incredible depth with layers of black cherry, black plums, smoke and black licorice. Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Les Origines food pairings: steak, stew. 43059 13.5% XD 750 mL $59.00 Score: 94/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2004, Ac, France: Gorgeous concentration with notes of cherry liqueur, blackberry and smoke. Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-Du-Pape food pairings: steak, roast. 41954 14.5% D 750 mL $39.00 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Il Conte Villa Prandone Marinus 2004, Doc Rosso Piceno Superiore, Italy: A purply, grapey wine that's simple and delicious. Medium- to full-bodied. 52456 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 87/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Donnadicoppe Nero D'Avola Nativo 2005, Igt Sicilia, Italy: A lovely, plump, juicy red that makes a great food companion. If you like merlot, you'll love this. Donnadicoppe Nero D'avola Nativo food pairings: pasta with tomato sauce, lasagna, moose, venison. 52324 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Antinori Guado Al Tasso 2003, Doc Bolgheri, Italy: Layers of rich dark fruit, plums, violets and mint. 986380 14% D 750 mL $82.70 Score: 91/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Monte Zovo Amarone Della Valpolicella Riserva 2000, Doc, Italy: Warm notes of black plums, coffee, and mocha. Monte Zovo Amarone Della Valpolicella Riserva food pairings: steak, sausage, hard cheeses. 651554 15.5% D 750 mL $48.95 Score: 93/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Masi Brolo Di Campofiorin 2004, I.G.T., Italy: Full-bodied and mouth-watering with pleasant bitter cherry notes. Masi Brolo Di Campofiorin food pairings: grilled meats, spiced lamb, nutty firm cheese. 976092 14% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 89/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Finca Sobreño Reserva Seleccion Especial 2000, D.O. Toro, Spain: A vibrant full-bodied wine with cassis and blackberries. A touch tannic so decant 1-2 hours. Finca Sobreño Reserva Seleccion Especial food pairings: steak. 40766 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 89/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Fielding Estate Rosé 2006, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Canada: Terrific value! Notes of raspberries, spice and rose petals. It is bone-dry and medium-bodied. Closed with a screwcap. 53421 12% D 750 mL $15.00 Score: 89/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bonny Doon Vin Gris De Cigare Rosé 2006, California, United States: Divine rosé! Balanced, delicious and medium-bodied. Lovely notes of berry and citrus. Closed with a screwcap. Bonny Doon Vin Gris De Cigare Rosé food pairings: chicken pasta, salmon. 707018 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose Champagne, A.C., France: A muscular, full-bodied bubbly. Also available in 375 mL (924670, $47.95). 724559 12% XD 750 mL $84.95 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bollinger France La Grande Année Brut Champagne 1999, Champagne, A.O.C., France: Spectacular bubbly with notes of hazelnuts and green apples. 145169 12% XD 750 mL $155.00 Score: 94/100. December 2007. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Tawse Beamsville Bench Reserve Chardonnay 2004, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Beamsville Bench, Canada: A Gold-Medal winner at the 2007 Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards. One of the finest Canadian chardonnays I've tasted. Packed with green apples, pears and peaches, with a layer of oak and smoke. 662858 14.3% XD 750 mL $42.20 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Zind-Humbrecht Herrenweg De Turckheim Gewurztraminer 2005, A.C. Alsace, France: A spectacularly concentrated gewürztraminer with notes of lychee, rose petal, white pepper and white peaches. Luxurious in texture. Zind-Humbrecht Herrenweg De Turckheim Gewurztraminer food pairings: Asian dishes, sweet and spicy curries. 993352 15% MD 750 mL $46.00 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wegeler Riesling Spätlese 2004, Qmp, Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland, Estate Btld., Germany: Move up to a Spatlese! Don't be afraid of sweetness; it can be your friend. This one has notes of citrus and apricot. 918771 11% M 750 mL $38.00 Score: 92/100. December 2007. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Stella Bella Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2006, Margaret River, Australia: A wine that contains vibrant, grassy goodness to wake up your palate. Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon food pairings: seafood, vegetarian dishes. 47621 12% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. December 2007. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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