Vintages Wine Picks April 17, 2010

by Natalie MacLean

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[ Compress ] White Wine

Josef Chromy Riesling 2008, Tasmania, Australia: Lovely white flowers, white peach and lime zest! Medium-bodied with just a touch of sweetness. Absolutely divine! 162966 13.50% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010
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Josef Chromy Pinot Gris 2008, Tasmania, Australia: A straight-forward, refreshing white with white, lime and lemon zest. Mouth-watering. Great aperitif. 162974 13.50% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010
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Closson Chase Chardonnay 2007, Prince Edward County, Canada: A sublimely concentrated and voluptuous white wine: This is clearly one of Canada's benchmark Chardonnays. The nose offers enticing aromas of baked apples, hazelnut, toasted almond, green apple and Asian pear. Layer after layer unfurls on the palate. Dive in and don't look back! Drink: 2010-2015. 148866 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. April 17, 2010
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Caliterra Tributo Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley, Chile: A pleasant, well-rounded Chardonnay with notes of green apples and vanilla smoke. 144709 13.50% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010
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Francis Blanchet Calcite Pouilly-Fumé 2008, A.C., Loire, France: Incredibly mouth-watering and juicy due to grapefruit-like acidity. Wonderfully refreshing; this wine does need food. Zesty notes of lime and green apples. 12013 12.50% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010
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Marcel Deiss Pinot D'alsace 2004, A.C. , Anjou, Alsace, France: Complex, layered and concentrated with alluring aromas of apricot, white peach, almond and Asian pear. Full-bodied and beautifully textured. The grapes for this wine were farmed biodynamically which is organic plus more care and attention. 165365 13% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010
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Les Coteaux Tufiers Demi-Sec Vouvray, Boutinot 2008, A.C., Loire, France: An extremely delicious white with lovely aromas of ripe peach, pear and luscious tree fruit. A touch of sweetness allows this pair with medium curries and dishes with a hint of sweetness like glazed ham. 57018 12% MD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010
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Martin Steimer Gewurztraminer 2008, A.C., Alsace, France: Very well made and a classic of its type: rose petals, lychee, baking spices, Asian pear. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering. Lovely! 709790 13.50% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010
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St. Antony 483 Dry Riesling 2008, Q.B.A., Rheinhessen, Germany: Zesty limes, chives, green apples and some flinty stone. Dry and mouth-watering. Yes! 160622 12.50% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010
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Spy Valley Wine Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Terrific grassy goodness with herbal notes and a backdrop of chives and green apples. Medium-bodied and very food friendly. Incredible price! 686675 13% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value White Wine.
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Jackson Estate Stitch Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Big acidic attack so be sure to pair this with food, especially a vegetarian dish or vegetables or seafood. Grassy green fields of flavour. 963124 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010
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Rutherford Wine Company Chardonnay 2008, Napa Valley, California, United States: Absolutely lovely! Buttery and smoky but so balanced and not over-the-top. Love it: juicy and flavourful. 136382 13.50% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010
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Franciscan Chardonnay 2007, Napa Valley, California, United States: Big, buttery, oaky Chardonnay. Good ole Chard for when you want to slip into your comfy jeans and play country music and have yourself a corn roast in the backyard. 496125 13.50% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010
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Mer Soleil Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2007, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California, United States: Love this big hulking Chardonnay with butter -rich, smoky layers. Green apples and Asian pear and a baking spices finish. Yum! 958975 14.50% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 92/100. April 17, 2010 Favourite White Wine.
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: A peppery, tarry black plum red with dark spices on the finish. Full-bodied and tasty. Perfect for pepperoni pizza. 167619 14% D 750 mL $15.00 Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010
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Navarro Correas Coleccion Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Savoury and juicy with bacon fat, blackcurrant, plum and dark berries. Supple texture with full-bodied weight. Fantastic party wine. 28910 13.80% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010
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Doña Paula Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Savoury and juicy with vibrantly plum plums and dark field berries. Full-bodied, supple and warmly satisfying. Blueberry-infused finish. 661819 14% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010
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Pirramimma Old Bush Vine Grenache 2004, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Black as night, pitch dark fruit, smoke and tar. Savoury depths. 108068 14% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010
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Gemtree Bloodstone Shiraz Viognier 2008, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Love the way this wine keep rolling across the palate with layer after layer of flavour! A basket of fresh blackberries tumbles out of the glass with every sip. 22111 14.50% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010
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Saltram Wine Estate Mamre Brook Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Big honkin’ full-bodied red with big jammy ripe plums and blackberry preserves. Supple and juicy. Pow! 32227 15.50% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010
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The Hedonist Walter Clappis Wine Co. Shiraz 2006, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: This wine is farmed and made biodynamically, meaning it adheres to organic farming plus other principles. Black, silky fruit and pepper with an ultra-dry finish. Dusty tannins. 90191 14% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010
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Tyrrell's Wines Rufus Stone Shiraz 2007, Heathcote, Australia: Towering flavours with incredible depth. Deep black plums, mocha, black raspberry jam and vanilla smoke. 91488 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. April 17, 2010
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Featherstone Winery Cabernet Franc 2008, V.Q.A., Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A savoury, balanced Cabernet Franc with attractive notes of mocha, blackberry and plum. Not a bell pepper in sight. Lovely medium-bodied texture and weight. 64618 12% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010
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Echeverria Reserva Syrah 2006, Colchagua Valley, Chile: A honkin’ big red that’s ready for whatever red meat you can throw at it. Mocha, black plum and smoke. Tasty all the way to the sofa and back. 144741 14.50% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010
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Terranoble Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Big coffee and oak aromas with black fruit underneath. A palate-wacker for sure. 46268 14% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010
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Viña Montgras Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2008, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Espresso-infused nose with lovely dark berries and supple tannins. Dark spice finish. Incredible price! 976787 14.50% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value Red Wine.
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Domaine Boudau Le Clos, Véronique Et Pierre Boudau, Vign.-Récolt. 2008, A.C.. Côtes Du Roussillon, Midi, France: This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Concours des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants. It’s a blend of 80% grenache and 20% syrah. Dark cedary and peppery black fruit with savoury goodness on the mid-palate. Satisfying, full-bodied and delicious. Good value. 149989 15% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010
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Cave Des Vignerons De Bel-Air Crépuscule Gamay 2008, A.C., Brouilly, Beaujolais, France: Lovely bright field strawberries and raspberries with a medium-bodied silky texture. Refreshing, delightful and carefree. Perfect for picnics and for sitting out on the deck on an early spring day, sipping and savouring. 159749 12.50% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010
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Le Gravillas Sablet Caves Des Vignerons À Sablet Syrah Blend 2007, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France: A black plum and cedar red with full-bodied goodness. One to drink and enjoy, not to analyze. 78790 14% XD 750 mL $15.00 Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010
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Monte Del Frá Bardolino Corvina Rondinella Barbera 2008, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: A juicy, back cherry liqueur rich red with some fun and robust dark fruit flavours. 134544 12.50% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010
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L'antico Di Burchino Vigna Casanova, Tenuta Di Burchino Chianti 2007, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy: A juicy, mouth-watering red with pleasantly sour cherries and tart cranberries. Silky, medium-bodied. The grapes for this wine were farmed biodynamically (organic plus more). 160457 12% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010
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Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2007, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy: A juicy, mouth-watering red with sun-dried tomato, pleasantly tart cherries and smoke. Medium- to full-bodied and smoky. 23325 13.50% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010
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Masi Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Classico Amarone Della Valpolicella 2004, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: A lovely tart cherries with savoury tarry notes. Full-bodied with dark spices and smoke on the finish. 462812 15.50% D 750 mL $69.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010
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Fumanelli Valpolicella 2008, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: A delicious Italian countryside red; the kind you would find poured by the pitcher-full at a small trattoria. Aromas of black and dark red berries, smoke and earth. Rustic and tasty. 687186 12.50% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010
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Fontodi Chianti Classico 2007, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy: Generous and inviting with mouth-watering flavours of ripe blackberries and black raspberries. Smoke wraps around the black heart of this wine and the finish is as long as a Tuscan sunset. 933317 14% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 91/100. April 17, 2010
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Lusitano Colheita Seleccionada Tinto 2008, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal: Juicy dark fruit with a fleshy core. A wine that keeps on giving; it makes you go back for a second and a third glass. Better buy two bottles. 165175 12% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010
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Anura Reserve Merlot 2005, W.O., Coastal Region, South Africa: Gorgeous, complex and enticing aromas of Bordeaux-like cigar box, blackcurrant, cassis, and dark spices. Blends New World energy and fruit for an intoxicating combination. Full-bodied but supple and balanced. Superb effort! 157461 14.50% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010
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Café Culture Pinotage 2009, W.O., Western Cape, South Africa: A mocha-rich red with tasty mouth-watering acidity. If you love full-bodied, well-oaked wines, this one is for you! 72710 14.50% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 86/100. April 17, 2010
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Hahn Estates Meritage 2007, Central Coast, California, United States: How delightful! Savoury, tasty, unfolding fleshy good fruit. Love it! Full-bodied and juicy. Wake-up your tastebuds. 161265 14.50% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010
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Clos Du Bois Pinot Noir 2007, North Coast, California, United States: Love it! Drop-to-your-knees black fleshy cherries and a satin texture. Let it roll over you. Medium-bodied. Wow price. How’d they do that? 161273 13.50% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. April 17, 2010
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Rodney Strong Alexander's Crown Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: Winner of a Gold Medal at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This generous wine just keeps giving in flavour, length and mouth-watering goodness. Silky and seductive with fleshy ripe black cherries, rose petals and smoke. Top me up! 329961 14.10% D 750 mL $34.95 Score: 92/100. April 17, 2010 Favourite Red Wine.
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RavensWood Vintners Blend Merlot 2007, California, United States: Savoury, dark and velvety with richly ripe black plums. Full-bodied and balanced. A walk in a summer forest at night, alive with pocketed aromas. 505065 13.50% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010
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Bonterra Syrah 2006, Menocino County, California, United States: This wine is made from organically grown grapes. It’s savoury with dark brooding berries. Smoke wraps around the core. Full-bodied and balanced. 573709 14.40% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010
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[ Compress ] Rosés

Gassier Sables D'azur Rosé 2009, Ac Côtes De Provence, France: I love this style of rose! Bone-dry and refreshing but bursting with aromas of fresh field raspberries and strawberries on a summer day. Absolutely wonderful! 33621 12.50% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value Rosé.
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[ Compress ] Sparkling Wine

Filippino Moscato D'asti 2008, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: Stunningly beautiful! I beg you to try this. Low alcohol, packed with flavour: ripe peach, orange peel and floral notes. A touch of sweetness and effervescence. Gorgeous! 729160 5.50% MS 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value Sparkling Wine.
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[ Compress ] Dessert Wine

Limnos Wines Muscat De Limnos 2008, Greece: Fantastic value for this lovely apricot-rich dessert wine! Not heavy or cloying, this lovely offers up ultra-ripe peaches and pear preserves. 61119 15% S 750 mL $11.95 Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value Dessert Wine.
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Quinta Do Noval Late Bottled Finest Reserve Port, D.O.C., Douro, Portugal: Terrific value. Gorgeous layers of dark red fruit, spice and smoke. The perfect after-dinner drink. 956656 20% S 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Favorite Dessert Wine.
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Vintages Wine Picks April 17, 2010

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