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Matt's Holiday Wine Picks 2014

Matt Steeves

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Pascual Toso Malbec 2013, Mendoza, Argentina: A terrific, full-bodied red wine for the price! This dark-fruited Argentine wine is made from the country's classic Malbec grape, which produces luscious, round wines like this one. Aromas of blackberry jam, toasty oak, smoke and mocha. Perfect for gourmet hamburgers with all the fixins. Drink: 2013-2016. 35170 14% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. August 3, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Pascual Toso 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: This elegant, balanced and complex Argentine red wine offers layers of delicious satisfaction. Aromas of smoky blackcurrant and cassis. Long finish. Great craftsmanship. Highly recommended. Drink: 2013-2016. 162610 14% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. August 3, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Rosewood Süssreserve Riesling 2012, Beamsville Bench, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2014-2018. 258806 11.20% M 750 mL  $14.95. March 1, 2012 Full Review
The Foreign Affair Winery The Conspiracy Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario VQA, Canada: Full-bodied and smooth with dark fruit and a meaty, savoury mid-palate note. Nicely balanced. The winery concentrates the flavour of the cabernet sauvignon grapes by using the ripasso method traditionally used in Veneto, Italy: dried grapes add richness and depth to the wine. Mocha, dark chocolate and toasty oak on the finish.  A long, dry finish wraps up this package nicely. V.Q.A. Drink: 2013-2016. 149237 12.80% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 88/100. July 16, 2014 Best Beef Wine Full Review
Featherstone Winery Cabernet Franc 2012, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A rich, medium- to full-bodied red wine with enticing aromas of mocha and black fruit. There's a savoury note on the mid-palate with a satisfying long finish. Perfect for dinner parties and more casual get-togethers. This wine was matured in American oak. Decant 1 hour for maximum pleasure. Try it with grilled pork chops. Drink: 2013-2017. 64618 12.30% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. July 16, 2014 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Errázuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: Very attractive fleshy blackberry on the nose, which is fresh and enticing without any heavy oak present. Balanced and layered on the palate, with a full-bodied weight and richness, but again not ponderous. Long finish. Superb value. Drink: 2014-2017. 335174 14% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Château Pipeau Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Meritage 2010, St. Emilion, Bordeaux, A.O.C., France: Classic and complex. Needs some cellar time as well as decanting 2 hours once opened. Aromas of mocha and toast from the oak aging on the nose mingle beautifully with the dark fruit and violets. Multiple layers and satisfaction. Great dinner party wine. Drink: 2014-2018. 302018 13% XD 750 mL  $44.95 Score: 92/100. March 7, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Château Pipeau Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2011, St. Emilion, Bordeaux A.O.C., France: This grand cru Bordeaux red wine is a blend of merlot and cabernet grapes from the Right Bank of the region in St. Emilion. Although 2011 wasn't a spectacular vintage, Chateaux Pipeau performs reliably well offering a classic Bordeaux signature with good balance, depth and length. decant 1 hour and enjoy with prime rib. Drink: 2013-2018. 302018 13% XD 750 mL  $44.95 Score: 90/100. July 16, 2014 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Axia Alpha Estate Syrah Xinomavro 2010, Florina P.G.I., Greece: Smoky with black fruit a firm tannic grip. Full-throttled red wine. This equal blend of Syrah and Xinomavro grapes is best enjoyed with meat lovers' pizza. Drink: 2014-2018. 392282 13.60% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. February 1, 2015 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Marchesi de Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina 2010, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: A dry, full-bodied, mouth-watering Italian red wine from the heart of Tuscany. Aromas of tart cherry, earth and sun-dried tomatoes. Made from the iconic Sangiovese grape, this wine is a perfect pairing for pasta in tomato sauce or pizza. Drink: 2013-2018. 107276 13.50% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2015 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand: A zesty, mouth-watering New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with classic aromas of gooseberry, nettle and guava, with some herbal notes on the finish. Medium-bodied with terrific acidity for a wide range of dishes, from fresh seafood to spinach quiche. Drink: 2013-2018. 316570 11% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. February 1, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand: So bright and refreshing: like a spring day for your senses. Herbal, crisp and mouth-watering. This medium-bodied New Zealand white wine is made for shellfish. Drink: 2014-2017. 426601 12.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. February 1, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand: Toasty oak on the nose wraps around fleshy ripe black cherries. Full-bodied, mouth-watering juicy and smooth with a great finish. New Zealand Pinot Noir offers that unique combination of fleshy fruit and zingy juiciness. Oyster Bay is part of the Delegat wine portfolio and a solid producer of good value wines including this New Zealand Pinot Noir. Smoky oak and black cherry notes with some dark spice on the finish. Terrific with a wide range of dishes. Yum! Drink: 2014-2018. 590414 13.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. April 18, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Oyster Bay Cuvée Rosé Sparkling Wine, New Zealand: A lovely, toasty bubbly at an exceptionally great price! The chardonnay grapes in this blend come from Hawkes Bay region, while pinot noir grapes hail from Marlborough. Lovely persistence of flavours and bubbles. Crisp, clean finish. A solid value for a sparkling wine: crisp, clean and fresh. Try with fried fish, potato chips, roast turkey and New Year's resolutions. Stock up now for the holidays! Drink: 2014-2017. 238187 12% D 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. June 13, 2015 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Oyster Bay Chardonnay 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand: A lovely, balanced New Zealand Chardonnay with attractive aromas of green apple and smoke. Medium- to almost full-bodied with nice acidity for roast chicken or turkey. Drink: 2013-2017. 326728 13.70% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. February 1, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review
Ménage à Trois Red 2012, California, United States: Fleshy black raspberry and cherry on the nose of this terrifically tasty Californian red wine blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The name is fun, but don't let that mislead you into thinking that this isn't a seriously good wine. Pair with roast beef for three ;) Drink: 2013-2016. 308007 13.50% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. August 15, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Kitchen Sink Red Table Wine, California, United States: A smooth, full-bodied red with sweet red fruit and a smooth texture. This is a blend of small lots of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Nice price. Try it with Hawaiian pizza. Drink: 2013-2015. 292185 12.50% MD 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 84/100. October 17, 2013 Full Review
Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel 2010, Paso Robles, California, United States: Full-bodied, vibrant and smooth with fleshy ripe blackberry and plum aromas and flavours. Great wine for pizza night! Drink: 2013-2016. 31781 14.90% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. November 9, 2013 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Sterling Merlot 2011, Napa Valley, California, United States: Sterling is known for its smooth, full-bodied and superbly balanced Merlot wines. This classic frm the heart of Napa Valley is a Vintages Essential product. Sterling launched California's first-ever vintage-dated wine back in 1969. The 2011 vintage is loaded with aromas of blackberry and black plum. Superb. Drink: 2013-2018. 330241 13.10% XD 750 mL  $37.95 Score: 92/100. September 27, 2014 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

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