Vintages Wine Picks May 26, 2007

by Natalie MacLean


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[ Compress ] White Wine

Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling Kabinett 2003, QmP, Bernkasteler Badstube, Estate Btld., Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: Soft and slightly sweet wine like a summer breeze with enticing aromas of peach and honeydew.  33407  MD  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007 Favorite White Wine.
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Wairau River Opawa Series Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Wairau is Maori for “many waters”. Wairau River’s Opawa Series takes its name from the river that winds its way through the property. This estate Sauvignon exhibits classic Kiwi Savvy aromas of gooseberry, sweet herbs, asparagus and green peas. It is dry, richly aromatic and tightly knit together by a fine core of acidity. My note: A juicy wine with notes of kiwi, lime, asperagus and goosberries.  36012  13%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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St Clair Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A lovely, vivacious and refreshing wine. Not too grassy with aromas of gooseberry and lime.  554196  13%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007 Best Value White Wine.
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Jackson Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A wine with herbal notes and aromas of grapefruit, lime and gooseberry.  963124  13%  XD  750 mL  $20.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Chakana Reserve Malbec 2004, Mendoza, Argentina: A lovely round and balanced wine. Aromas of full, dark, ripe fruit.  18671  14%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Del Fin Del Mundo Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005, Patagonia, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: There are exciting new appellations emerging from Argentina beyond Mendoza including the cool climate Patagonia region at the southern tip of the country. Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo is literally located at the end of the world and it produces wonderfully vibrant wines like this beautifully balanced Cab. The nose is fragrant with cassis, plum and mint notes. It’s dry, medium-full bodied with bright fruit, silky tannins and a bright core of acidity. My Note: Good value for the price, oak overtones and well structured.  31179  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 87/100. May 26, 2007
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Melipal Malbec 2004, Mendoza, Argentina: Lovely, generous wine. Yields layers of rich flavor and ripe, dark red fruit aromas.  31609  14%  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Vasse Felix Adams Road Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: Rich and round with aromas of mint and black plums. Full-bodied.  24653  14%  XD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Mitchelton Shiraz 2004, Victoria, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Deep purple in color, this wine displays concentrated aromas of cocoa, ripe blackberry, cassis and toast. It’s dry, full-bodied with a good depth of ripe black fruit flavors as well as notes of cocoa, mint and spice. It has ample tannin and acidity providing structure and a very long finish. My Note: Good solid wine with round richness. Aromas of chocolate and dark fruit. Drink: 2007-2010.  25379  14%  XD  750 mL  $23.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: Deep, rich, supple and layered. Aromas of succulent black plums.  606624  15%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Olsen Charoltte's Dance Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: Lush aromas of bright red fruit, chocolate and mint. Supple, rich and full-bodied.  689927  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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D'arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Tannic wine with aromas of blackcurrants and vanilla. Drink: 2009-2015.  943399  XD  750 mL  $49.95  Score: 91/100. May 26, 2007
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Chateau Desmirail 2003, AC Margaux, Bordeaux, France: Round texture with notes of black fruit, chocolate and smoke.  28050  12%  D  750 mL  $42.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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Chateau Du Glana 2003, AC St.-Julien, Bordeaux, France: Aromas of black fruit and smoke. Old World finesse. Drink: 2007-2009.  29876  13%  XD  750 mL  $39.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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Chateau D'angludet 2001, AC Margaux, Bordeaux, France: Full-bodied with aromas of black fruit and smoky oak.  29884  13%  XD  750 mL  $64.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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Morgan Syrah 2004, Monterey, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: The fruit for this robust Syrah is sourced from the San Lucas appellation at the southern end of Monterey county. Rich and intense it has impressive peppery spice and black fruit aromas and flavors. It’s dry and full-bodied with ripe dark fruit, smoked meat and vanilla notes wrapped in fine tannins. My note: Rich, ripe black fruit with notes of chocolate. Full-bodied. Drink: 2007-2012.  673764  XD  750 mL  $28.95  Score: 92/100. May 26, 2007
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Calera Pinot Noir 2005, Central Coast, Thirtieth Anniversary Vintage, California, USA: A lovely, ethereal wine. Blanced and not too acidic.  933044  14%  D  750 mL  $32.95  Score: 92/100. May 26, 2007
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William Cole Columbine Reserve Carmenere 2004, Casablanca Valley, Estate Btld., Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: William Cole’s wines always represent terrific value. The beautiful estate is located at the heart of the Casablanca Valley and consists of 130 hectares of vineyards, including 32 hectares of Carmenère. My Note: Richly aromatic with notes of big black fruit and oak. Full-bodied.  24901  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007 Best Value Red Wine.
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De Martino Legado Reserva Syrah 2004, Choapa Valley, Chile: A touch tannic. Bursting with big black fruit and raspberry aromas.  32136  14%  D  750 mL  $14.90  Score: 88/100. May 26, 2007
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Domaine Wardy Merlot 2004, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon: A rustic but solid full-bodied and tannic red wine. Aromas of dark red fruit.  30577  13%  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 87/100. May 26, 2007
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Goldridge Premium Reserve Merlot/Cabernet 2005, Barrique Matured, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium-deep ruby color with an attractive toasty oak, cassis and blueberry pie nose. It is a dry and well-structured wine with plenty of tannin to back-up the fruit and vice versa. Medium-full-bodied with a nicely balanced, long finish. My note: A wine with good acidity and a long finish. Aromes of bright red plums and cherries. Drink: 2007-2011.  32821  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Mission Reserve Syrah 2005, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: A wine with aromas of spicy dark fruit and cedar.  32839  13%  XD  750 mL  $23.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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Te Kairanga Runholder Pinot Noir 2004, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand: A wine with aromas of sour cherries. Ethereal and light, packed with flavor.  34348  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Coopers Creek Pinot Noir 2005, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Light-bodied wine with notes of cherries and raspberries.  599969  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.00  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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Marchesi Di Barolo Dolcetto D'alba 2005, DOC, Piedmont, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A vibrant, fresh wine that shows its best in the first 3-5 years, this Dolcetto is classic for its variety with aromas and flavors of sour cherry and almond. A delicious, lighter red, it can also be chilled for 20 minutes and enjoyed as a sipper aperitif. My note: A light red with mouth-watering juiciness.  26187  13%  D  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 88/100. May 26, 2007
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Travaglini Gattinara 2001, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy: Mouth-watering with aromas of tart cherries. Full-bodied.  713354  13%  XD  750 mL  $32.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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Girelli Syrah Virtuoso 2003, IGT Sicilia, Sicily, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Girelli Syrah Virtuoso is sourced from a superior vineyard on the western shore of Sicily. The heat of the Mediterranean is countered by the cooling sea breeze leading to a near perfectly balanced Syrah. It has impressive ripe berry nose and a palate that has a good heft to it. It is deep, ripe and flavorful, nicely balanced by crisp acidity. My note: Full-bodied with puckery ripe red fruit and faint hints of chocolate aromas.  23440  14%  XD  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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Bodegas Ontanon Crianza 2003, DOC Rioja, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: An excellent value, this Crianza is comprised of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha. The nose is smoky with black licorice, blackberry, and cocoa notes as well as a hint of new leather. It’s dry, medium-bodied with the toasty oak flavours in balance with the fruit. There’s ample tannin and a touch of spice on the medium long finish. My note: A good solid full-bodied red wine for the money. Aromas of licorice, blackberry and leather. Drink: 2010-2012.  976910  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. May 26, 2007
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Abbadia Ardenga Brunello Di Montalcino 2001, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy: Tannic with aromas of leather, cassis and red plums. Drink: 2007-2011.  672337  14%  D  750 mL  $47.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Angelini Vino Nobile Montepulciano La Villa 2001, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy: Tannic with aromas of leather, cassis and red plum. Drink: 2007-2012.  963199  14%  D  750 mL  $44.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Antinori Solaia 2003, IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy: Ethereal and powerful but not heavy. Silky but still structured with a long fruity finish. Drink: 2007-2020.  987586  13%  XD  750 mL  $149.95  Score: 94/100. May 26, 2007 Favorite Red Wine.
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Tenuta Sant'antonio Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso Monti Garbi 2003, DOC, Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine is made using the popular Ripasso method where grape skins used for the production of Amarone are added back into the Valpolicella, starting a refermentation that increases the weight and body of the wine. This complex wine has forceul raspberry, cherry and toastly oak aromas. My note: A vibrant, full-bodied wine with notes of chocolate and cherries.  29850  13%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Loredan Gasparini Venegazzu Capo Di Stato 2003, IGT Colli Trevigiani, Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 5% Malbec, Capo di Stato has intense, ripe berry/cherry aromas and flavours with a fine layer of tannins for balance. My note: Rounded aromas of chocolate and black cherries. Drink: 2007-2012.  356295  13%  XD  750 mL  $37.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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[ Compress ] Rosés

Bodega Lurton Rosado 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: This thirst quenching rosé comes from the Argentine outpost of Jacques and Francois Lurton’s wine empire. A blend of Bonarda, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, this dazzling pink wine is bursting with berry fruit flavors balanced by a lively seam of acidity. It’s a superb summer sipper. My Note: Gorgeous and full-bodied with loads of berry fruits.  999839  12%  D  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Cousiño-Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2006, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This brilliant rosé is bursting with vibrant cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. Dry and juicy with a hint of melon, this lush, medium-bodied wine. My Note: Mouth-watering and yummy! Chill it and serve by the lake.  34314  14%  D  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007
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Strewn Cabernet Rosé 2006, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Using both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, winemaker Joe Will has fashioned a brightly hued rosé featuring aromas of cassis, ripe cherries and sweet herbs. It’s dry, medium-bodied and very refreshing with sweet cherry flavors and zesty acidity. My Note: Juicy strawberry and raspberry.  467753  XD  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 89/100. May 26, 2007
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Domaines Perrin Réserve Rosé 2006, AC Côtes-du-Rhône, Rhone, France: Vintages Wine Panel: From the family behind Château de Beaucastel comes this popular rosé. Sourced from the Perrin brothers’ own southern Rhône vineyards, this versatile rosé is an excellent companion to foods you’d serve at an afternoon garden party. My note: Deep aromas of raspberry.  719062  13%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. May 26, 2007
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Domaine Des Carteresses Tavel Rosé 2006, AC, Rhone, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Tavel rosés are more robust and flavorful than those of Provence, making them excellent candidates for matching. My note: Robust with loads of raspberries aromas.  739474  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 91/100. May 26, 2007 Favorite Rosé.
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[ Compress ] Sparkling Wine

Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Champagne 1999, AC, Champagne, France: Lovely! Fresh, toasty notes with hints of green apples. One of the prettiest bottle designs for bubbly.  135798  XD  750 mL  $129.95  Score: 90/100. May 26, 2007 Favorite Sparkling Wine.
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