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

Shopping List

Barry Gambrill

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


Pascual Toso Malbec Pascual Toso Mendoza 2009, Argentine, Argentina  14%  750 mL  $17.00. March 1, 2012 Full Review
Alamos Syrah 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: Full-bodied with dark fruit and some dark spice. Smooth. This producer often creates very robust and spicy malbecs: this is the entry level wine for a range of wines from Catena that offers good value at different price points. This red wine finishes with dark fruit and some spice. Try it with a pepper steak tonight. Drink: 2014-2017. 183848 13.50% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. April 26, 2014 Best Beef Wine Full Review
Zonte's Footstep Shiraz 2012, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Fantastic for the price! Full-bodied and juicy with layers of mouth-watering flavours: blackberry pie and black plums. Smooth and terrific. Loaded with toasty oak. Dark purple hue with accented highlights of lavender around the edges. Aromas of black cherry, cassis and dried herbs on the finish. Great party wine. Decant 2 hours. Drink: 2013-2017. 212936 14.50% XD 750 mL  $23.25 Score: 90/100. June 27, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
d'Arenberg D'arry's Original Shiraz Grenache 2010, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: This robust Australian red wine is 50-50 blend of Shiraz and Grenache grapes with enticing aromas of fleshy black fruit, spice and pepper. It offers a long finish with polished tannins. Pair with grilled hamburgers. Drink: 2013-2018. 942904 13.90% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. July 25, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Zonte's Footstep Baron Von Nemesis Shiraz 2015, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Pitch black, dark, brooding and concentrated with toasty oak and chary black fruit. Full-bodied and juicy with layers of mouth-watering flavours: blackberry pie and black plums. Smooth and terrific. Loaded with toasty oak. Dark purple hue with accented highlights of lavender around the edges. Aromas of black cherry, cassis and dried herbs on the finish. Great party wine. Decant 2 hours. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2016-2020. 212936 14.50% D 750 mL  $23.25 Score: 91/100. December 30, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2014, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: A big, robust, brooding red wine with full-bodied weight and layering on the palate. Made from the iconic Australian grape Shiraz, this wine offers attractive aromas and flavours of blackcurrant, cassis and cedar. Smooth and ready when you are. Try it with meat lovers' pizza tonight. Drink: 2017-2022. 18796 14.50% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 89/100. August 19, 2017 Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Coyote's Run Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2010, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario VQA, Canada: Generous oak but good cherry fruit coming up the centre to absorb it. Medium- to full-bodied and silky-smooth. Drink: 2012-2016. 53090 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. September 29, 2012 Full Review
Viña San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Syrah 2012, Cachapoal Valley, Chile: This Chilean single vineyard Syrah is rich and full-bodied with layers of fleshy black fruit aromas and flavours. Velvet smooth on the palate with a long satisfying finish. Pair with rack of lamb. Drink: 2014-2018. 404228 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. June 27, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Casa Silva Los Lingues Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Big and fleshy with plush plums and berries that elbow each other for your attention. Loaded with flavour and pleasure. Very smooth and finishing with cedar brush and tart woodland blackberries. Pair with strip loin steak. Drink: 2013-2017. 640870 14% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 90/100. July 25, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Le Gravillas Sablet 2013, Côtes-Du-Rhône-Villages A.P., France  78790 14.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95. July 25, 2015 Full Review
Ogier Heritages Regional Blended Red 2015, Côtes du Rhône, France Drink: 2014-2018. 535849 13.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95. April 20, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Terra Vitae Cotes Du Rhone-Villages Laudun, Rhone, France  545988 14.50%  750 mL  $15.95. January 1, 2017 Full Review
Domaine Roux Pere Et Fils Les Cotilles, Pinot Noir 2018, France, France  583088 12.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95. January 1, 2018 Full Review
Chateau D'aigueville 2015, Côte Du Rhône-Villages, Rhone A.C., France Drink: 2017-2020. 544031 15% D 750 mL  $16.15. April 28, 2017 Full Review
Georges Duboeuf Belles Grives Morgon 2014, Beaujolais A.C., France: The lovely 2014 vintage of the French red wine Morgon Belles Grives from renowned wine producer Georges duBoeuf offers notes of dark cherry and berry with a lick of spice. Supple and smooth and medium-bodied. Pair with veal. Drink: 2017-2019. 487173 13.50% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. July 21, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review
Pegos Claros 2010, Palmela D.O.C., Portugal: This is incredibly delicious! Full-bodied, juicy, smooth, with black and purple plum liqueur and fleshy blueberries. Produced by winemaker Frederico Falcão, this full-bodied Portuguese red wine is made from grapes grown on the winery's estate farm in the Palmela region from the local variety Castelao. The vines grow in sandy soils and are harvested via traditional methods with a foot treading for pressing and open lager fermentation and oak maturation. The grapes grow on old vines which lends concentration and aging potential to the wine. You can't beat the price here. Great party wine when the party involves hearty meat dishes. Stock up! Drink: 2013-2018. 385252 14% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. July 25, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review
KWV Triptych Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Western Cape W.O., South Africa: This WO-designated wine is smooth, smoky and delicious with full-bodied layers of fleshy black plums. Amazingly great price for the quality. This wine is a blend that leads with cabernet sauvignon, but also includes shiraz and merlot grapes. Just enough toasty oak aging to bring this whole delicious package together. Good finish. Try it tonight with meat lovers pizza. Drink: 2013-2018. 53124 14.40% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. June 11, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Luis Canas Crianza Tempranillo 2014, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain: Lovely mature aromas of tanned leather and cigar box on the nose of this exceptionally well-priced Crianza. This robust, supple Spanish red wine is a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha (aka Grenache) grapes. The wine was aged for 12 months in 60& French oak barrels and 40% American. Enjoy with a rack of lamb. Drink: 2014-2019. 336719 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 91/100. November 25, 2017 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Balbás Reserva 2005, Ribera Del Duero D.O., Spain: This full-bodied Spanish red wine has a good grip on the palate is offers more earthy, smoky, dusty aromas and flavours than fruit-forward ones. Decant for 2 hours and pair with lamb and rosemary. Complex, elegant and mature. Drink: 2015-2018. 85183 14% D 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 91/100. June 11, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Penedès, Spain: The grapes for this lusciously ripe Spanish Cabernet Sauvignon grow on vines planted on the belvedere on the Mas la Palana estate. Aromas of blackberry jam, dark spice and some pepper. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2014-2018. 36483 14% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 10, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Delicato Family Wines Gnarly Head Pinot Noir, California, United States  358911 13.50%  750 mL  $14.80. January 1, 2014 Full Review
Stonehedge Reserve Chardonnay 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States: Toasty oak and sweet peach on the nose and palate. Creamy with layers of vanilla, spice and buttered bread. Finishes with banana split sweetness. Drink: 2013-2016. 311548 13.90% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 87/100. May 24, 2014 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Robert Mondavi Winery Private Selection Pinot Noir 2012, California, United States: A medium-bodied, smooth Californian Pinot Noir that offers solid value in the glass. Aromas of cherries and berries, but not wildly fruity. Nice finish. Pair with veal or sip as an aperitif. Drink: 2013-2016. 465435 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 88/100. August 15, 2014 Full Review
Stags' Leap Winery Merlot 2011, Napa Valley, California, United States: Love this juicy and ultra-smooth Californian Merlot: it's liquid velvet. Aromas of luscious black plums and dark berries. Long finish. This will cellar well, but why wait? Pair with lamb chops. Drink: 2012-2018. 655399 14.20% D 750 mL  $54.95 Score: 92/100. July 25, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Bonterra Chardonnay 2009, California, United States: Toasted almond and hazelnut goodness, with rich, generous layers of peach, pear and green apple. Lovely depth and length. Yes, it's organic so you can feel terrific about your hedonistic desires toward this wine. Drink: 2009-2015. 342436 13.60% D 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 89/100. June 6, 2011 Outstanding Organic Wine Full Review

© 2024 Natalie MacLean