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

Shopping List

Peter Neilson

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


Trapiche Gran Medalla Malbec 2017, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Trapiche Gran Medalla 2017 Malbec is a full-bodied, powerful and juicy Malbec with fleshy dark cherry, ripe blueberry, dark plum, cedar and savoury spice on the palate. Finishes spicy and smooth. Just outstanding. Drink: 2021-2024. 467977 14% XD 750 mL  $32.95 Score: 95/100. July 10, 2022 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2013, South Australia, Australia: Crazy high alcohol but I love it and it's balanced within the context with this towering wine. Ultra-concentrated and intense Australian red wine from Sarah & Sparky Marquis: for those who want a blockbuster experience on the palate. Black fruit, smoke and rich fruitcake aromas on the nose. Full-bodied and supple with generous layers of flavour. Blueberries and blackberries on the finish. Loaded with black fruit, the 2013 vintage of The Boxer Shiraz offers blackberry jam and dark spice on the finish. Pair with a pepper steak or with gourmet burgers and all the fixings heaped high. Drink: 2015-2019. 246595 16.50% D 750 mL  $32.95 Score: 93/100. October 24, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Henry of Pelham Winery Speck Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2010, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A luscious and layered Niagara Pinot Noir from the warm and spectacular 2010 vintage. Layers of fleshy ripe black cherry and raspberry with terrific balancing and racy acidity for so many dishes, from roast chicken and turkey to planked salmon and pork chops. Drink: 2014-2018. 657874 13.50% XD 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 92/100. October 15, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Two Sisters Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2016, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Remarkably rich and creamy for an unoaked Chardonnay, likely due to the two months this wine spent on its lees and undergoing 50% malolactic fermentation. The grapes come from the Wismer and Foxcroft vineyards in Niagara. Lots of presence and a voluptuous mouth-feel with a long finish. Drink: 2019-2022. 423129 13.50% D 750 mL  $39.00 Score: 91/100. May 13, 2019 Top Rated White Wine. Full Review
La Vieille Ferme 2017, Cotes Du Ventoux, Rhone A.O.C., France: A full-bodied, rustic, robust southern French red wine blend. Aromas of black fruit, cedar brush and spice. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2018-2022. 263640 13% D 750 mL  $13.20 Score: 89/100. January 3, 2019 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
15 Chateauneuf Du Pape (Domaine St. Prefert 2015, Rhone, France  539973 14.50% XD 750 mL  $67.95. January 1, 2018 Full Review
Domaine de Cristia 2012, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône A.C., France: Savory bacon fat and black cherry liqueur aromas on the nose and palate of this terrific southern French red wine blend from the Rhone Valley. Rich, full-bodied and voluptuously textured. Some smoky notes play in the background. Perfect for hearty meals and barbecues. Drink: 2015-2019. 67678 15% D 750 mL  $57.95 Score: 91/100. October 24, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Tedeschi Capitel Nicalò Appassimento Valpolicella Superiore 2013, Veneto D.O.C.G., Italy: A full-bodied juicy Italian red wine with lots of heft and mouth-filling flavour. Dark cherry and black plum, almost prune on the nose of this D.O.C. wine. Good value. This is one of the best producers of ripasso. Featuring aromas of coffee and black cherry. Wonderful dry finish for a wide range of dishes, especially hearty meat ones. Drink: 2014-2020. 984997 13% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. October 24, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Ca' del Bosco Cuvée Prestige Extra Brut Franciacorta, Lombardy D.O.C.G., Italy: How bizarrely great! I went in with some misconceptions as to just what this Italian bubbly would be and was pleasantly dispelled. Toasty like champagne, robust and frothy with a terrific refreshment on the finish. Green apple brightness mid-palate. Pair with potato chips. This is a vibrant blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Nero aka Pinot Noir. Drink: 2022-2025. 105353 12.50% XD 750 mL  $46.95 Score: 92/100. December 16, 2023 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
13 Brunello Di Montalcino (Caparzo) 2013, Tuscany, Italy  551291 13.50% XD 750 mL  $50.00. January 1, 2017 Full Review
Spice Route Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Darling, Swartland W.O., South Africa: Juicy with passionfruit, lime, lemon and cut grass. Crisp and clean with lots of mouth-watering action from racy acidity. Pair with clams or mussels. Drink: 2014-2017. 235895 14% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. October 24, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review
Monasterio de las Viñas Reserva 2006, Cariñena D.O., Spain: Brought to us by Grandes Vinos Y Viñedos and San José de Aguarón, this is a great wine for the price point! Juicy, full-bodied, savoury and smooth. Aromas of cedar and black cherry. Great pick for a potluck gathering or movie night. It would also be terrific with cold cuts and hard cheeses. Drink: 2012-2017. 166579 13% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. March 19, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine Full Review
Rioja Vega Reserva 2008, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain: Lots of juicy acidity and mouth-watering tart black berry fruit wrapped in smoke. Full-bodied and fairly smooth. Pair with lamb and rosemary. Drink: 2015-2019. 423517 13.50% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 91/100. October 24, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States: A juicy, robust Californian Cabernet bursting with aromas and flavours of fleshy black plum, blackberry and cassis all nicely wrapped in toasty oak. Perfect for a steak or prime rib. Drink: 2014-2018. 432211 13.50% XD 750 mL  $50.95 Score: 90/100. May 14, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Heitz Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley, California, United States: Almost Bordeaux-like in its restraint and balance. Dark fruit but not fruit forward more smoke and earth essence. Full-bodied and long. Decant 1 hour and enjoy with a rare steak. Drink: 2014-2018. 642124 14.50% XD 750 mL  $110.00 Score: 90/100. October 24, 2015 Best Beef Wine Full Review
Lone Birch Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States: A gorgeous Washington State red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in the warm region of the Yakima Valley. This winery is named after a lone birch tree that grows in the vineyard that's more than 70 years old. It was planted in the 1940s by H. Lloyd Miller, founder of the estate. The 2016 vintage features aromas of smoky black plums and berries with dried tobacco leaves and herbs. Great structure for cellar aging. Pair with a rare steak. Drink: 2018-2025. 446971 14.10% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. November 24, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir 2015, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States: From the Dundee Hills in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, Domaine Drouhin Oregon 2015 is a dry, silky red with Old World elegance. On the nose there are dried florals, violets and crushed red berry aromas. Drouhin brings their expertise in crafting aromatic elegance in Bourgogne to a region with the perfect climate for Pinot Noir. A great medium-plus-bodied Pinot Noir that with blue florals, earthy violets, ripe red cherry and raspberry flavours on the palate. Drink: 2018-2025. 961284 14.10% XD 750 mL  $60.00 Score: 94/100. November 24, 2018 Top Rated Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Airfield Estates Red 2015, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States Drink: 2018-2023. 617779 14.50% XD 750 mL  $24.95. November 24, 2018 Full Review
Powers Ava Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Rattlesnake Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States Drink: 2018-2024. 617753 14.80% XD 750 mL  $24.95. November 24, 2018 Full Review
Beringer Quantum 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States: Elegant, long and complex with dark fruit and smoke. A blend of traditional Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Great cellar candidate. Drink: 2014-2024. 27452 14.90% D 750 mL  $89.95 Score: 93/100. December 3, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review
Freemark Abbey Merlot 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States: Lots of black fruit and juicy acidity on the palate. Full-bodied and supple. Pair with grilled hamburgers. Drink: 2014-2018. 1602 14.50% D 750 mL  $45.25 Score: 90/100. October 24, 2015 Best Beef Wine Full Review
Shafer Vineyards One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, United States: Elegant and blockbuster at the same time: packed with flavour yet long and with great finesses. Aromas of black plum and blackberry with bacon and savoury notes and underbrush. Drink: 2015-2019. 45476 15.50% D 750 mL  $165.00 Score: 92/100. October 24, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review
Chardonnay Lingua Franca Bunker Hill Chardonnay - Lingua Franca Bunker Hill, United States  13%  750 mL. January 1, 2018 Full Review

© 2024 Natalie MacLean