Values Wine Picks April 12, 2012

by Natalie MacLean


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Note: I publish batches of reviews that I call Good Values Wine Picks. These are from the regular section of the liquor store rather than the Vintages section, and tend to be lower priced and the most widely available of all wines. The last four reviews I did were: March 7, January 4, December 16 and November 20.

[ Compress ] White Wine

Robert Oatley Vineyards James Oatley Tic Tok Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Pemberton, Frankland River & Mudgee, Australia: A refreshing and crisp white with come-alive herbal aromas and mouth-watering lime notes. Not too grassy. A lovely clean finish. Drink: 2012-2013.  187039  12.50%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. April 12, 2012
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Grant Burge Summers Chardonnay 2010, Barossa Valley, Australia: Love the hazelnut richness and green apple vibrancy that mingle on the nose of this wine! The palate is a rush of white peach, nectarine and nutmeg with refreshing lime acidity on the finish. I love the back story on this wine: it was named in honour of the winery's accountant of 30 years, Miles Summers. His sun will never set with this wine. Drink: 2012-2014.  269829  13.50%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 91/100. April 12, 2012
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Hungaria Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Etyek, Hungary: A crisp white with refreshing notes of green melon, lime and gooseberry. Thirst-quenching with a zippy finish. Drink: 2012-2014.  269688  12%  D  750 mL  $9.95  Score: 87/100. April 12, 2012
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Hawkes Wine & Winery Merlot 2006, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California: A robust and dark-fruited merlot with luscious layers of flavour. Smoky and richly concentrated. At wine that's at ease beside the BBQ or on the dinner party table. Drink: 2012-2015.  11111888888888888  13.80%  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. April 12, 2012
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Core Wine Company Grenache 2008, Santa Barbara County, California, California: A robust red, with fleshy black cherry liqueur aromas. Smooth and layered with a full-on palate that's supported by ripe fruit and oak. Drink: 2012-2018.  Core_Gren_2008  14.90%  XD  750 mL  $25.00  Score: 90/100. April 12, 2012
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Reif Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvginon 2010, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: A lovely nose of violets and backberries. This seductive, savoury red is perfectly balanced with dark ripe fruit flavours. It's dry and elegant with a long finish. Drink: 2012-2022.  779320001102  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 90/100. April 12, 2012
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Reif Estate Meritage 2010, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: A meaty, robust red with dark fruit and earthy aromas. Just the right amount of oak. Decant for 1-2 hours for maximum pleasure. Drink: 2012-2022.  779320001126  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 88/100. April 12, 2012
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Reif Estate Reserve Merlot 2010, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: Lovely savoury and cedar notes in this full-bodied red. Black fruit and an attractive smoky character with earthy aromas. Decant 1-2 hours before serving. Drink: 2012-2022.  779320001201  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 88/100. April 12, 2012
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Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand: Love it! Vibrant, ripe cherries dance across your palate. Lovely silky texture with medium body, yet juicy and mouth-watering for food. Doesn't get much better than this, especially at this price point. Drink: 2012-2015.  54353  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. April 12, 2012
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Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Paso Robles, California, United States: This terrific Cabernet, so well-structured and tasty, and an excellent value. Aromas of black cherries and blackberries waft from the glass with an undertone of dark spices. A robust, concentrated and richly layered wine selected in honour of all those university and college graduates who will soon be at liberty from their schools. Drink: 2011-2015.  738823  14%  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 90/100. April 12, 2012
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[ Compress ] Dessert Wine

Magnetic Hill Winery and B&B Chocolate River Spice Fruit Apple Pear 2011, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada: One of my favourite wines from this winery! Gorgeous aromas and flavours of apple and pear pie sprinkled with cinnamon and baking spices. Who needs pie when you have this? Pour me another slice please. Available from the winery or at local farmers' markets. Drink: 2012-2013.  000237  14.50%  S  375 mL  $14.99  Score: 88/100. April 12, 2012
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Magnetic Hill Winery and B&B Chocolate River Raspberry 2011, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada: Holy concentrated raspberries Batman! Surely, this is the Platonic ideal of raspberry essence in a glass? Very sweet but very, very delicious. It's like lying down on a bed of fresh and softly crushed field raspberries as the juice seeps in and around your senses. Available from the winery or at local farmers' markets. Drink: 2012-2013.  814175  14.50%  S  375 mL  $14.99  Score: 88/100. April 12, 2012
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Magnetic Hill Winery and B&B Bay of Fundy Blue Blueberry Frontenac 2011, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada: A semi-sweet red dessert wine with round, luscious blueberry flavours. Sweet but not cloying. Available from the winery or at local farmers' markets. Drink: 2012-2013.  814178  12.50%  M  750 mL  $13.99  Score: 86/100. April 12, 2012
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Magnetic Hill Winery and B&B Chocolate River Strawberry 2010, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada: I abandoned my diet long before writing this tasting note. Wow, what a lovely dessert wine. Lip-smacking flavours of strawberry jam and preserves. Will someone preserve my waistline? Available from the winery or at local farmers' markets. Drink: 2012-2012.  814206  15.50%  S  375 mL  $14.99  Score: 87/100. April 12, 2012
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Magnetic Hill Winery and B&B Chocolate River Blueberry 2011, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada: Soft and plush, a lovely dessert wine with blueberry pie and jam flavours. Available from the winery or at local farmers' markets. Drink: 2012-2013.  814316  14.50%  S  375 mL  $14.99  Score: 88/100. April 12, 2012
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[ Compress ] Other Wines/Drinks

Magnetic Hill Winery and B&B Reflections Strawberry Blueberry Rhubarb 2011, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada: A rose-style wine that's very pleasant with just enough strawberry jam aromas to make it delicious but not overly sweet. Drink: 2012-2013.  400000002385  12.50%  MD  750 mL  $13.99  Score: 86/100. April 12, 2012
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Magnetic Hill Winery and B&B Evangeline Blanc Strawberry Rhubarb 2011, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada: An off-dry and lovely berry wine that doesn't have a lot of sweetness. There are honeyed aromas and faint field strawberries with a pleasantly bitter, dry finish that's refreshing. Drink: 2012-2013.  814012  12%  M  750 mL  $13.99  Score: 86/100. April 12, 2012
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Magnetic Hill Winery and B&B Mystique Cranberry 2011, New Brunswick, Canada: For the diehard cranberry lover! This is liquid cranberry sauce to make your turkey happy. Aromas of medicinal cherries and tart cranberries. Lots of acidity, not a lot of apparent sweetness. Drink: 2012-2013.  816456  13%  MD  750 mL  $13.99  Score: 83/100. April 12, 2012
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