Vintages Wine Picks March 17, 2012

by Natalie MacLean

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[ Compress ] White Wine

Las Perdices Bodega Juan Muñoz Lopez Torrontés 2010, Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina: A profusion of white flowers, white peach and sunshine. This is simply glorious and will dance with Asian dishes, seafood and roast chicken. Drink: 2012-2015. 267823 14% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value White Wine.
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Yangarra Chardonnay 2008, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Western Australia, Australia: Generous oak yields toasty, vanilla-smoke aromas. Some ripe fleshy pear and peach comes through on the mid-palate. Full-bodied and soul-warming. Drink: 2012-2015. 269225 13.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012
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Alkoomi Riesling 2009, Frankland River, Western Australia, Australia: Lovely petrol and white peach on the nose. Terrific intensity on the palate with a satisfying long finish. Great acidity for food. Drink: 2012-2015. 269290 12.50% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value White Wine.
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Bründlmayer Kamptaler Terrassen Grüner Veltliner 2010, Kamptal, Austria: Ultra-refreshing with lime green aromas and flavours. Terrific acidity for food. Great zestiness. Drink: 2012-2014. 979708 12% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Flat Rock Twisted White 2010, V.Q.A. Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A medium- to full-bodied white with ripe tree fruit and just the right amount of oak. Drink: 2012-2015. 273292 12% D 375 mL $9.95 Score: 87/100. March 17, 2012
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Domaine Chanson Hauts Marconnets 1Er Cru Chanson Père & Fils 2009, A.C., Savigny-Lès-Beaune, Burgundy, France: Lovely hazelnut and toasty richness on this oaked chardonnay. Buttery and round with terrific balancing acidity. Drink: 2011-2015. 265033 13.50% XD 750 mL $32.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated White Wine.
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Château De Mercey Domaine Rodet 2009, A.C., Mercurey, Burgundy, France: Nutty with buttery richness on this oaked chardonnay. Pleasant green apple and white peach notes. Drink: 2012-2015. 265058 12.50% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Domaine Christophe Camu 2009, A.C., Chablis, Burgundy, France: Clean and crisp: a glorious unoaked chardonnay from northern Burgundy. This is perfect as an aperitif or pair it with a variety of dishes from lobster in butter to roast chicken. Drink: 2012-2016. 268532 12.50% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value White Wine.
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Sylvaine & Alain Normand La Roche-Vineuse 2010, A.C., Macon, Burgundy, France: Clean and crisp with mouth-watering aromas of lime and green apples. Drink: 2011-2014. 268946 13% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. March 17, 2012
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Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Herbal but too grassy with crisp, mouth-watering acidity. Clean and refreshing. Drink: 2012-2014. 214460 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value White Wine.
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The Ned Marisco Vineyards Ltd. Pinot Gris 2011, Waihopal River, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Love it! I find many pinot gris boring, but this is spectacularly interesting. Glorious notes of white peach and Asian pear, with a lovely salmon hue. Perfect aperitif or companion to seafood, salads and roast chicken. Drink: 2012-2015. 267138 13.50% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value White Wine.
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Oak Valley Prop. A.G. Rawbone-Viljoen Sauvignon Blanc 2009, W.O., Elgin, South Africa: Big grassy aromas: start your lawnmowers! Herbal and refreshing with crisp, clean lines. Drink: 2012-2014. 263947 13% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2009, Sonoma County, California, United States: Lovely balanced chardonnay at a great price. Just enough oak to balance the ripe tree fruit. Drink: 2012-2016. 226936 13.50% D 750 mL $20.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012
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Simi Chardonnay 2009, Sonoma County, California, United States: Full-bodied, generous chardonnay with the right amount of oak and lovely green apple and peach aromas. Drink: 2012-2015. 673806 13.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated White Wine.
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Pascual Toso Reserve Barrancas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Maipu, Mendoza, Argentina: Tannic and full-bodied with big, fleshy blackberry aromas. Delicious and well-priced. Drink: 2013-2016. 83337 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Campbell's Shiraz Durif 2010, Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia: Pleasant and full-bodied with restraint. Aromas of dark berries and some oak. Drink: 2012-2015. 271569 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Gorgeous richness with a juicy underlay of fleshy dark berries. Layers of pleasure with a terrific long finish. Serve it to your boss at dinner and get a raise, guaranteed. Drink: 2012-2016. 473645 13.50% D 750 mL $53.95 Score: 93/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Yalumba Shiraz Viognier 2008, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia: Toasty with attractive black fruit and a hint of hint on the nose. The dash of Viognier in the blend gives the mid-palate a lovely lift. Terrific wine for this price point. Drink: 2012-2015. 524926 14.50% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012
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St. Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2009, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Smoky, toasty oak wraps around black, brooding fruit. Full-bodied and smooth. Honkin' big! Drink: 2012-2016. 535104 14.50% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Shingleback Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Juicy and balanced with tart blackberries and cassis. Drink: 2012-2015. 662957 14% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Brokenwood Cricket Pitch 2009, South Eastern Australia, Australia: Plush and full-bodied with seductive aromas of fleshy black plums and berries. Drink: 2012-2015. 731638 13.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012
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Wakefield Shiraz 2009, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Blackberry liqueur richness with a hint of mint. Full-bodied and ultra-smooth. This is an incredible wine for the price. Drink: 2012-2015. 943787 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine.
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Aces Seven Deuce Red 2009, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: A full-bodied red with big, black fruit aromas wrapped in a toasty blanket of oak. This is a heavy-hitter. Drink: 2013-2016. 273631 13.70% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012
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Hidden Bench Estate Pinot Noir 2009, V.Q.A., Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Full-bodied pinot with lots of toasty oak. It's supported by velvet cushions of fleshy ripe cherries. Drink: 2012-2015. 274753 13% XD 750 mL $38.20 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenère 2009, Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Another remarkable wine from this winery that tastes twice as expensive as it costs. Smooth, full-bodied and well-rounded with generous layers of black plush plum. Drink: 2012-2016. 439166 14% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine.
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Foncalieu La Réserve Du Crouzau St. Gervais 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France: An incredible wine for this price point! Rich, full-bodied, offering generous layers of fleshy blackberries and dark fruit. Buy a case while it lasts. Drink: 2012-2016. 142943 14.50% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine.
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Château Le Peyrat Pl Valade, Prop. 2009, A.C., Côtes De Bordeaux, Castillon, France: Rustic and tasty with notes of cedar, wild black tart cherries and smoke. Full-bodied. Decant for 2 hours. Drink: 2012-2015. 171090 14.50% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. March 17, 2012
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Jean-Marie Arnoux Vieux Clocher, Arnoux & Fils 2009, A.C., Vacqueyras, Rhône, France: Full-bodied, rich and layered with black cherries and blackberries running through its dark heart. Decant for 2 hours. Drink: 2012-2016. 172668 13% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Domaine Saint Andéol Prestige, Domaine Beaumet Et Fils 2009, A.C., Cairanne, Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France: Blackberry liqueur aromas with a pleasantly bitter finish. Full-bodied and smooth. Decant for 2 hours. Drink: 2012-2015. 251512 14.50% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Domaine Joannet Bourgogne Michel Joannet Viticulteur 2009, A.C., Hautes-Côtes De Nuits, Burgundy, France: Delightfully fleshy ripe black cherries and raspberries on the nose, silky smooth on the tongue and a lovely, long finish. Extremely versatile with food, from roast chicken to prime rib. Drink: 2011-2015. 265009 13% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012
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Château Ségla 2008, A.C., Margaux, Bordeaux, France: A gorgeous, full-bodied, perfectly balanced bordeaux. Classic aromas of cassis and wild blackberry. Pleasantly bitter, complex and deep with a long finish. One of the better wines from the 2008 vintage I've tasted. This is the second wine of Chateau Rauzan-Ségla ... Think of it as Max Mara weekend wear versus the main Max Mara brand. Drink: 2012-2018. 265512 13.50% D 750 mL $47.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Mas D'auzierès Les Éclats 2009, A.C., Côteaux De Languedoc, Midi, France: Terrific for this price! Full-bodied with juicy ripe purple and black plums. Layers of full-bodied pleasure. Top me up! Drink: 2012-2015. 271742 13.50% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine.
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Château de Beaucastel Pierre Perrin 2009, A.C., Châteauneuf Du Pape, Rhône, France: Incredible concentration yet still elegant and balanced, not heavy. This is the flagship wine for Châteauneuf-du-Pape: consistently glorious year after year. Will keep in your cellar very well. Drink: 2013-2020. 711317 13% XD 750 mL $89.95 Score: 95/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Papale Varvaglione Vigne & Vini Primitivo Di Manduria 2008, D.O.P., Puglia, Italy: Juicy great with generous layers of mouth-watering blackberries, blueberries and purple plums. Primitivo is the Italian version of zinfandel ... Fire up the barbecue! Drink: 2012-2015. 261784 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine.
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Michele Chiarlo Le Orme Superiore Barbera D'asti 2009, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: A terrific wine for the price point, with juicy red cherry notes and some smoke. Very mouth-watering which makes it a great food companion. Drink: 2012-2014. 265413 13.50% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. March 17, 2012
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Quintarelli Classico Superiore Valpolicella 2002, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Rich black cherry liqueur and dark spices with layers of full-bodied goodness. A long, lasting finish. Drink: 2013-2020. 986117 15% D 750 mL $79.95 Score: 95/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2008, Waipara Valley, South Island, New Zealand: Lovely concentration of fleshy dark cherries and raspberries. Smooth and medium- to full-bodied. Absolutely luscious! Drink: 2011-2016. 31294 13.80% D 750 mL $47.95 Score: 93/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Vinha Do Putto Manuel Dos Santos Campolargo 2009, D.O.C., Barraida, Portugal: Rustic, robust and delicious with strong black cherry and dried tobacco leaves. A lick of black spice on the finish. Terrific! Drink: 2012-2015. 267971 14% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Spice Route Charles Back & The Spice Route Team Shiraz 2009, W.O., Swartland, South Africa: Triple yum! Juicy with blackberry liqueur richness. Complex, deep and long: just like the ideal relationship. I love this winery... That's why it's featured in my book Unquenchable. Drink: 2012-2016. 263657 15% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Cathedral Cellar Kwv Chardonnay 2010, W.O., Western Cape, South Africa: Great wine for the price! Generous oak and tree fruit, round and full-bodied. Drink: 2012-2015. 328559 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Leira Pazo Pondal Albariño 2010, D.O., Rías Baixas, Spain: Crisp and refreshing with lemon and grapefruit aromas. If you like pinot grigio, give this a try. Very food friendly. Drink: 2012-2014. 115816 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. March 17, 2012
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Atalaya Almansa 2008, D.O., Almansa, Spain: Smoky and dark with big, black fruit. Full on oak treatment. Drink: 2012-2015. 132605 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Altos De La Hoya Olivares Monastrell 2009, D.O., Jumilla, Spain: Simple, tasty and full-bodied with black and dark red fruit aromas and flavours. Drink: 2012-2014. 163154 14% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. March 17, 2012
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Opus One 2008, Napa Valley, California, United States: Just a baby: give this one cellar time. Classic, robust, complex and deep with black fruit and toasty oak. Drink: 2014-2020. 158063 14.50% XD 750 mL $364.95 Score: 95/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Cloudline Pinot Noir 2009, Oregon, United States: Satin smooth with fleshy red cherries, a little stemmy but still very tasty. Drink: 2011-2014. 159970 13.90% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. March 17, 2012
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Tin Barn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2007, Napa Valley, California, United States: Needs some cellar time. Robust, rich and tannic. Dark fruit aromas wrapped in some smoke. Drink: 2013-2016. 201202 14.70% D 750 mL $37.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012
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H3 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State, United States: Mocha, espresso and dark chocolate on the nose with blackberry fruit following. Smooth and full-bodied. Drink: 2012-2015. 210047 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012
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Villa Mt. Eden Antique Vines Grand Reserve, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Zinfandel 2007, Amador County, Napa County, California, United States: Some kind of juicy wonderful! Full-bodied and almost cabernet-like in its complexity and depth. However, this wine also delivers pure zinfandel pleasure: smooth and tasty. Drink: 2011-2015. 256719 14.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine.
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J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot 2009, Paso Robles, California, United States: Smoky, full-bodied and robust. Layers of black fruit and toasty oak. Drink: 2012-2015. 27516 13.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012
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Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: Classic California cabernet at half the usual price. Full-bodied and tannic so decant for 2 hours. Delicious flavours of black fruit and some smoke. Drink: 2012-2016. 343467 13.50% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012
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Saintsbury Pinot Noir 2008, Carneros, California, United States: Very robust pinot, yet balanced. Dark fleshy berries with some smoke on the finish. A very nice man makes this wine :) Drink: 2012-2016. 359265 13.50% D 750 mL $31.95 Score: 92/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine.
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Frog's Leap Merlot 2008, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United States: A terrific, juicy merlot with give-me-more aromas and flavours of dark plums and a little smoke. Balanced and delicious. Drink: 2012-2016. 707489 12.90% D 750 mL $49.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012
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[ Compress ] Sparkling Wine

G. Marquis Silver Line Ice Rosé Méthode Classique, V.Q.A., Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada: Toasty and full-bodied with aromas of ripe raspberries and toast. Drink: 2012-2014. 274761 13.40% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Sparkling Wine.
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Lefèvre Rémondet Crémant De Bourgogne Brut Rosé Roger Sauvestre, A.C., Burgundy, France: A steal for bubbly... Got a big party, wedding or reunion? Here's your wine. Lovely notes of field strawberries. Drink: 2012-2014. 265306 12% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Sparkling Wine.
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Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Blue Top Brut Champagne, A.C., Champagne, France: Terrific toast and crispness. Baked bread and green apple vibrancy. Drink: 2012-2015. 68288 12% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Sparkling Wine.
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Graham Beck Brut Sparkling Wine Méthode Cap Classique, W.O., Western Cape, South Africa: An absolute steal for such a terrific sparkling wine! Toasty and crisp. Buy several cases for your summer parties. Drink: 2012-2014. 593483 12% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Sparkling Wine.
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Mumm Méthode Traditionnelle Sparkling Rosé, Napa Valley, California, United States: Loving this! Terrific aromas of raspberries and toast. Perfect for parties and celebrations. Drink: 2012-2015. 205641 13% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Sparkling Wine.
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Vintages Wine Picks March 17, 2012

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