Vintages Wine Picks August 2, 2008

by Natalie MacLean

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[ Compress ] White Wine

Wolf Blass Chardonnay Premium Selection 2006, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: This elegant Chardonnay is a great value. Well-balanced and focused, it features pure fresh citrus and apple flavors as well as some spicy notes. Great for summer entertaining. My note: A robust chardonnay with full-on aromas of vanilla, butter, peach and smoke. Round and smooth. 394908 14% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Penfolds Thomas Hyland Chardonnay 2007, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Bright, fresh, fruit-driven style of Chardonnay with pretty aromas of apple, pear, melon and citrus. My note: Great value for this balanced, full-bodied white with lovely ripe pear aromas. 611228 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Chardonnay 2006, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Sourced from a single vineyard in the relatively cool Eden Valley region, this refreshing lime- and apple-scented Chardonnay is not overburdened by oak or excessive fruitiness. My note: Round and full-bodied. Not too heavy. Good value. Closed with a screwcap. 651349 D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Chardonnay 2006, South Australia, Australia: An aromatic, bone-dry, austere, mouth-watering white with delicious lime and grapefruit aromas. 75986 13% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008 Best Value White Wine.
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Schloss Reinhartshausen Riesling Kabinett 2002, Erbacher Schlossberg, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: A vibrant, modestly sweet Riesling with aromas of peach and apricot. The fruit is beautifully balanced by a seam of acidity suggesting short-term aging potential. My note: A flavor-packed white with ripe pear and peach notes. Drink: 2008-2011. 657148 MD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. August 2, 2008 Favorite White Wine.
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Moselland eG Riesling Kabinett 2004, Erdener Treppchen, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Moselland is a co-op that produces value-priced single-vineyard wines, such as this Riesling. The bouquet features peach and citrus fruit, while on the palate, the aromas replay balanced by classic Riesling acidity. My note: A light, ephemeral white with fleeting notes of white flowers and lime. 72355 8% M 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. August 2, 2008
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Batasiolo Di Gavi Granée Pinot Grigio 2007, D.O.C.G. Gavi Del Commune, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: The Cortese grape achieves its finest expression in the vineyards near the town of Gavi. This brilliant example from Batasiolo possesses a fragrant, fruity nose featuring notes of pineapple, lemon, lime and mineral. Dry, crisp and delicate. My note: If you like pinot grigio, you'll love this! Terrific refreshment with citrus and grapefruit notes. Medium-bodied. 75168 12% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. August 2, 2008
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Coopers Creek Vineyard Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, New Zealand: Pure grass! A lovely white with layers of hay and herbal notes. Closed with a screwcap. 66092 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Kim Crawford Pinot Gris 2007, Marlborough, New Zealand: An absolute delight! Refreshing notes of melon and limes. Closed with a screwcap. 680983 XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Marlborough, New Zealand: A delightful refreshment filled with aromas of grass, hay fields, and gooseberries. Closed with a screwcap. 919514 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. August 2, 2008
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Boschendal Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Coastal Region, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine won Double Gold honors at South Africa’s prestigious Veritas Awards in 2007. Like summer in a glass, this dazzling white is bursting with citrus-fruit aromas and flavors as well as Sauvignon Blanc’s typical grassiness. It’s dry, medium full-bodied with focused acidity and a long finish. My note: A solid, balanced sauvignon blanc with grassy notes of grapefruit. 82438 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. August 2, 2008
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Yering Station Pinot Noir 2005, Victoria, Australia: A juicy medium-bodied wine with lovely ripe cherries. Closed with a screwcap. 20255 XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from two different vineyards in McLaren Vale. Aged in oak for 2 years (60% new American), it’s a powerhouse with aromas of blackcurrant, dark berries and cedar. Dry and full-bodied, it has masses of ripe fruit balanced by gripping tannins, leading to a long finish. My note: A juicy, mouth-watering red with aromas of ripe blackberries. Full-bodied. Closed with a screwcap. Drink: 2008-2013. 730374 14% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Torbeck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2006, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: The 2006 Woodcutter's shiraz was sourced from six sub-regions of the Barossa. The wine was aged for 12 months in large, neutral French oak and was bottle unfined and unfiltered. My note: I love the whole line-up from this producer! Full-boded goodness with ripe black plum and smoke notes. 927533 D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. August 2, 2008
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Lailey Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006, V.Q.A. Niagara, Canada: A mouth-watering red with beetroot and tart cherries. Medium- to light-bodied. Needs food. 591404 12% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Casa Silva Los Lingues Carmenere Gran Reserva 2005, Colchagua Valley, Chile: A smooth, full-bodied wine with sweet cherry and plum fruit notes and a hint of mocha. 59477 XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. August 2, 2008
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Château De Nages Reserve 2005, Costiéres de Nimes, France: A cedary, blackberry packed red. Full-bodied. 427617 D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Domaine de La Sauveuse La Sauveuse Cabernet Syrah Grenache Mourvèdre Rouge 2007, A.C. Provence Cotes Provence, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This award-winning blend of Cabernet, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre is made with organically grown grapes. This is a complex wine with aromas of red and black berries, spice and roasted herbs. It is medium- to full-bodied with a succulent mouth-feel and a lingering finish. My note: A solid, full-bodied wine with dark red fruit and smoke notes. 43174 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Château De Sérame Du Chateau Rouge Syrah Carignan Grenache Réserve 2005, Corbiéres, France: Vintages Wine Panel: A multi-award-winning blend of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache. The wine is big, juicy, fruity and very approachable with aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, cherry and oak spice. Full-bodied with a lingering sun-warmed finish. My note: A consistently good producer year after year. A full-bodied red with dark red fruit notes. 51870 XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Domaine Pradelle Crozes Syrah 2005, A.C. Hermitage, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine comes from a small domaine (20 ha) now run by the brothers Jacques and Jean-Louis Pradelle. They produce only 8500 cases a year of beautifully crafted, deeply colored, rich Syrahs. To add layers of flavor, they mature the wines for nine months in a combination of new and seasoned French barriques. From the great 2005 vintage, this wine displays aromas of cherry, plum, leather and smoke, with a soft, well-balanced finish. My note: An aromatic red with gorgeous notes of ripe red berries, cedar and vanilla. 674192 XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Café Culture Syrah Blend 2006, Costiéres de Nimes, Rhone, France: A terrific value for a concentrated, powerful red with black fruit and smoke notes. 78766 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Le Demoiselle D'haut Peyrat Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004, Haut-Médoc, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Finely structured and complex, this is a great wine to keep on hand for impromptu gatherings and special dinners. Spicy and velvety-textured, it delivers plenty of ripe black fruit and promises to age well. My note: Lots of smoky oak but this full-bodied layered wine can handle it. Classic cassis and blackberry notes. Drink: 2008-2012. 82511 XD 750 mL $32.95 Score: 90/100. August 2, 2008
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Henri De Villamont Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2006, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: A ready-to-drink Pinot Noir that is a great value-priced intro to the charms of Burgundy. My note: A fantastic wine for the money! Perfumed with violets, cherries and moist earth. Medium-bodied. 84616 XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2003, Médoc, France: A bargain for Bordeaux from this hot vintage. Full-bodied with notes of cassis and blackberry. 85084 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. August 2, 2008
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Chateau Sainte-Eulalie La Cantiléne Syrah Grenache Carignan 2005, A.C. Minervois La Liviniére, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The winery and this wine are named for a famous 9th century poem called “La Cantilène de Sainte Eulalie,” considered to be the earliest written and published French poem. The 2005 vintage is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. Its intensity of aromas and flavors – including black cherry, plum, smoked meat and pepper – is sure to have you spouting poetic tasting notes of your own. My note: A smooth, full-bodied wine with dark red berries and cassis. 8839 XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Ripasso 2004, D.O.C. Valpolicella Superiore, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This Ripasso uses grapes sourced exclusively from the hillside Montecorna vineyard in the Valpolicella Classico zone. It has an intense nose with aromas of black cherry, chocolate, coffee, red fruit reduction and smoke. Classy and well-structured with a plush mouth-feel, intense fruit flavors, hints of chocolate and good length, this wine bridges the gap between the Valpolicella Classico Superiore and the Amarone Classico styles. My note: A smooth, full-bodied red with aromas of ripe plum. 56267 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Corte Zovo Sa' Solin Ripasso 2004, D.O.C. Veneto, Della Valpolicella, Italy: Terrific value! Full-bodied with black cherries and plum notes. 650713 D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Quercia Al Poggio Chianti Classico 2003, D.O.C.G., Italy: A solid, well-rounded, medium-bodied chianti with black cherries and a smooth finish. 83998 XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 87/100. August 2, 2008
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Valapantena Torre Del Falasco Amarone 2005, D.O.C. Della Valpolocella, Italy: A stunning wine of great depth and breath of flavor. Aromas of mocha, cherry and cedar. 922161 15% D 750 mL $54.95 Score: 94/100. August 2, 2008 Favorite Red Wine.
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Delta Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007, Marlborough, New Zealand: A big wine with mouth-watering acidity (needs food) and vibrant cherries. Closed with a screwcap. 675231 13% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Margrain River's Edge Pinot Noir 2006, Martinborough, New Zealand: A smooth, complex, delicious wine bursting with cherries and raspberries. Closed with a screwcap. 684258 13% XD 750 mL $30.95 Score: 90/100. August 2, 2008
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Sileni Estates Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2007, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: A consistently excellent producer of pinot and sauvignon blanc. This vibrant pinot has lots of mouth-watering tart cherries. Closed with a screwcap. 694901 13% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Good Hope Black Rock Red Shiraz Blend 2006, Swartland, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: Rhône-based winemaker Édouard Labeye calls South Africa his second home after working a decade’s worth of vintages there. This Rhône away from home is comprised of 66% Shiraz, 13% Carignan, 11% Mourvedre, 9% Grenache and 1% Viognier. My note: A balanced, long, full-bodied wine with black fruit, mocha and smoke. Closed with a screwcap. 68502 XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Tukulu Pinotage 2005, Darling, South Africa: A full-bodied, massive wine with black fruit and smoke notes. 68700 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Long Mountain Pinotage Reserve 2007, Western Cape, South Africa: A lovely balanced, medium-bodied wine with notes of dark chocolate, black plums and cassis. 68742 14% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. August 2, 2008
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Nederburg Manor House Shiraz 2006, Coastal Region, South Africa: A terrific value for this juicy, delicious red loaded with ripe cherries and plums. 68775 14% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. August 2, 2008
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Man Vintners Shiraz 2006, Coastal Region, South Africa: A terrific value! A smooth, full-bodied red with ripe black plum notes. 71332 14% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008 Best Value Red Wine.
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Café Culture Pinotage 2007, Western Cape, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: Café Culture is designed to emphasize the vivid coffee characteristics that can be achieved through barrel ageing. Winemaker Bertus Fourie is an expert in this style of Pinotage. The mocha flavors intertwined with the ripe berry fruit of the Pinotage grape makes this wine a truly decadent experience. A Gold Medal winner at South Africa’s prestigious Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2007. My note: Total coffee-mocha liqueur though not sweet, weird but wonderful. Drink after dinner. 72710 XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Julian Chivite Gran Feudo Rosé 2007, Navarra, Spain Reserva: Vintages Wine Panel: Bodegas Julian Chivite is the oldest continuously family-owned winery in Spain. Over 11 generations, they have developed into one of the finest producers in Navarra and Spain. This wine is bursting with ripe cherry, vanilla, cocoa and blueberry aromas and flavors. It’s dry, well structured with a lengthy finish. The easy-going, soft tannins make this wine very approachable. My note: I recommend this rosé year after year. Medium-bodied and bone-dry with lovely notes of raspberry and cherry. 479014 13% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. August 2, 2008
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Toasted Head Shiraz 2005, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The name Toasted Head refers to the barrels in which this wine is aged. Common practice is to char only the barrelwalls, but in this case the heads are toasted too which imparts a more rich, toasty character to the wine. This Shiraz offers bountiful black cherry flavors with nicely integrated notes of cocoa and cedar. My note: A solid value for this smoky, full-bodied red with dense black fruit notes. 42937 D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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Artesa Vineyards & Winery Tempranillo Reserve 2004, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine was awarded Critics Gold at the 2008 Critics Challenge Wine Competition (winereviewonline.com) This bold and complex take on Tempranillo is aged for 20 months in French oak, resulting in a very dry, silky smooth, full-bodied wine. It displays rich red-cherry flavors along with vanilla, spice and smoky notes supported by gentle tannins. My note: A balanced, full-bodied, delicious red with layers of black plums and black cherries. 67272 D 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. August 2, 2008
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Toasted Head Merlot 2005, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: This big, round, mouth-filling Merlot features exuberant black cherry and raspberry aromas plus complex hints of spice, licorice, lavender and chocolate. My note: A smooth, full-bodied merlot with lovely black plums and dark chocolate. 969816 XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. August 2, 2008
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[ Compress ] Rosés

Bieler Pére Et Fils Sabine Rosé 2007, Provence, France: A lovely perfumed rosé bursting with raspberries and cherries. Dry and medium-bodied. 71423 XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008 Favorite Rosé.
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Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa: A delicious rosé with aromas of dried herbs and raspberries. 999821 D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. August 2, 2008
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Vintages Wine Picks August 2, 2008

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