Vintages Wine Picks June 23, 2007

by Natalie MacLean

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[ Compress ] White Wine

Alamos Chardonnay Catena Esmeralda 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Look for layers of apple and pear fruit flavours on the palate interwoven with notes of vanilla and sweet spice imparted by the light oak aging. My note: An excellent and round, full-bodied chardonnay. 925743 13% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. June 23, 2007 Best Value white wine.
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Tapestry Chardonnay 2004, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: A lovely wine that's not too oaky - mostly craftmanship. Displays aromas of green apples. 31500 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. June 23, 2007 Favorite White Wine.
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Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: An herbal, grassy and refreshing wine. There's 5% Semillon in the blend with Sauvignon Blanc. 735043 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. June 23, 2007
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Vineland ST. Urban Riesling 2005, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Estate Bottled, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: This is one terrific Riesling with aromas of mineral, petrol, lemon drops, peach and green apple. Dry with loads of fruit beneath the racy acids. Medium-bodied with a long finish. My note: This lovely summer sipper is from one of my favorite Canadian producers. A wonderfully crafted wine with enticing aromas of pears and peaches. 38117 10% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. June 23, 2007
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Stonier Pinot Noir 2004, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia: Aromas of sweet cherry fruit. Good mouth-watering acidity in this wine. 25338 13% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. June 23, 2007
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D'arenberg The Cadenzia Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2004, McLaren Vale, Australia: A rich and robust wine with cherry liqueur aromas and a long finish. 661587 14% D 750 mL $25.95 Score: 91/100. June 23, 2007
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Château D'arche 2003, AC Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. Carmenère, a grape that has recently found great success in Chile, is rarely found in Bordeaux anymore. This attractive wine has aromas of dried roses and wild berries. It is dry with pretty fruit surrounded by fine tannins. My note: A wine with lovely balance and structure. 35626 12% XD 750 mL $36.95 Score: 90/100. June 23, 2007
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Château Trimoulet 2003, AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France: A nicely balanced, full-bodied wine with aromas of cassis and blackcurrant. 35675 13% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 88/100. June 23, 2007
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Château Rousset 2003, AC Côtes de Bourg, Grande Réserve, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Here’s a way to explore the hot 2003 vintage at an exceptional price. It is said that great and humble regions throughout France prospered from the heat of 2003 vintage, producing ripe, round and robust wines. This Château Rousset from the humble Côtes de Bourg region delivers aromas recalling raspberry pie, ribena juice and vanilla bean. It is dry with lots of warm fruit and a good tannin core. My note: A delicious wine with aromas of chocolate and ripe, dark red fruit. Drink: 2007-2011. 731380 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. June 23, 2007
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Château La Tour De By 2003, Bordeaux, France: An inky, dark and robust wine. Aromas of smoky oak and blackcurrants. 903104 13% XD 750 mL $28.95 Score: 89/100. June 23, 2007
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Treana Red 2003, Paso Robles, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: Treana Red, the wineries flagship wine, is a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah with a dollop of Merlot. Barrel aged for 14 months in French oak, (40% new). Deep ruby, almost black in color. This dense wine has an intriguing nose of clove, cassis, mint, plum and blackberry. Dry and intense, this wine has superb balance supplied by fine tannins. My note: A gorgeous, rich and full-bodied wine. Aromas of ripe black fruit. 11221 14% XD 750 mL $48.95 Score: 92/100. June 23, 2007
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Tablas Creek Côtes De Tablas Rouge 2004, Paso Robles, California, USA: Lovely and balanced wine. Very Rhone Valley with notes of cedar and cherry. Drink: 2009-2012. 36624 14% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 89/100. June 23, 2007
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Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel 2005, Lodi, California, USA: Delicious and lip-smackingly great! Full-bodied with aromas of blackberries and black raspberries. 678698 14% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. June 23, 2007
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Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, 0, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: This delicious Cab teaches the meaning of value. Its nose is intense with concentrated dark fruit, particularly cherries and plums as well as possessing spicy and savory notes. It’s dry, dense and richly textured, with great balance from the ripe tannins. My note: A hearty and robust Cabernet with dark fruit aromas. Drink: 2007-2012. 738823 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. June 23, 2007
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Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir 2005, Carneros/Napa, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium ruby, holding its color right to the core. The pretty Pinot aromas of cherry, cedar, plum, earth and a hint of oak come to the fore here. Dry with bright fruit supported by ripe tannins and gentle oaking. My note: A goregous pinot from a terrific producer of bubbly. 921825 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. June 23, 2007 Favorite Red Wine.
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Santa Rita Shiraz Reserva 2005, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This is an ambitious, remarkably well-priced Shiraz that displays classic aromas of blackberry, spice, raspberry, toast, coffee and mint aromas and flavors. It is all brought together with an earth/fruity texture on the palate. My note: A lovely black-colored shiraz with bold flavors. 663070 14% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 90/100. June 23, 2007 Best Value Red Wine.
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Banear R Rossorosso Merlot 2003, DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: From the hot 2003 vintage comes this rich, plummy wine dominated by raspberry and sweet spice aromas. It is a densely flavored, well-extracted wine. My note: A round wine with notes of plums and chocolate. 33704 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. June 23, 2007
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Henry Of Pelham Pinot Noir Reserve 2005, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Henry of Pelham has shown a deft hand at the production of Pinot Noir. Viticultural Manager Matthew Speck has had great success delivering the notoriously difficult grape to skilled winemaker Ron Giesbrecht. Giesbrecht then works his magic to create a style that is definitely closer to the Burgundian model than the New World style. There is an excellent balance here between fruit, tannin and acid. My note: A balanced, elegant, medium-bodied pinot. 268391 13% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 87/100. June 23, 2007
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E. Guigal Saint-Joseph 2003, AC, Rhone, France: A juicy, full-bodied wine with aromas of red cherries and cedar. Drink: 2007-2015. 30031 XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. June 23, 2007
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E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 2004, AC, Rhone, France: A balanced and full-bodied wine with aromas of dark red fruit and berries. 704908 12% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 89/100. June 23, 2007
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Pierre Selle Château Bouissel Classic 2004, AC Fronton, Southwest, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The AC Côtes du Frontonnais recently shortened its name to AC Fronton. Located north of Toulouse, it is considered one of the most dynamic regions in Southwest France. It is distinguished by the use of Negrette as its principal red grape. Château Bouissel adds a bit of Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Malbec here, creating a uniquely fruity, gamey, intense wine. My note: A juicy and purply wine wiht ripe plum aromas. 693986 12% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 86/100. June 23, 2007
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Monte Zovo Corvina 2003, I.G.T. Veronese, Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Here’s a chance to try Corvina, the dominant grape variety in the Valpolicella and Amarone blend, as a single varietal wine. Look for its delightful raspberry and sour cherry flavors to be supported by a lively crispness. Enjoy this lightly chilled. My note: Notes of chocolate and dark fruit. Full-bodied. 23911 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. June 23, 2007
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[ Compress ] Rosés

Domaine Maby La Forcadière Tavel 2006, AC, Provence, France: Vintages Wine Panel: According to Robert Parker Jr., Domaine Maby is a winery that ‘never disappoints’. Their rosés are always anticipated because of their depth of flavour and beautiful balance of fruit and acid. My notes: Lovely aromas of strawberries. Served chilled. 701318 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. June 23, 2007 Favorite Rosé.
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Segura Viudas Viña Heredad Rosato 2006, DO Penedès, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: Segura Viudas is best-known for their superior sparkling wines. For some years they have also produced a complete line of fine still wines, such as this rosé. A blend of 45% Garnacha, 35% Tempranillo and 20% Cariñena, Herdad Rosato is elegant, soft and very fresh with the bright fruit tones balanced by crisp acidity. Enjoy it as an aperitif or with food. My note: Terrific wine with crisp acidity and strawberry notes. 680918 12% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. June 23, 2007
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Vintages Wine Picks June 23, 2007

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