Values Wine Picks June 19, 2007

by Natalie MacLean


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Note: I publish batches of reviews that I call Good Values Wine Picks. These are from the regular section of the liquor store rather than the Vintages section, and tend to be lower priced and the most widely available of all wines. The last four reviews I did were: March 7, January 4, December 16 and November 20.

[ Compress ] White Wine

Red Rooster Gewurztraminer 2005, Naramata Bench, British Columbia, Canada: An aromatic wine with notes of rose petals, lychee, green apples and limes.  0  13%    750 mL  $14.90  Score: 89/100. June 19, 2007 Favorite White Wine.
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Calona Vineyards Artist Series Gewurztraminer 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: A lovely, lighter style Gewurztraminer.  0  13%    750 mL  $13.99  Score: 88/100. June 19, 2007
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Hillebrand Trius Riesling Dry V.Q.A. 2005, Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A wine with zesty lemon & lime notes and mouth-watering acidity.  303792  12%  750 mL  $14.15  Score: 87/100. June 19, 2007
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Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Durbanville, South Africa: A refreshing simple white with herbal notes and aromas of gooseberries and lemon. Closed with a screwcap.  22251  13%  750 mL  $13.15  Score: 87/100. June 19, 2007 Best Value White Wine.
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Drosty-Hof Chardonnay 2005, Stellenbosch, South Africa: A fantastic value for the price. Lovely, buttery and round with aromas of vanilla and ripe pears.  343202  13%  750 mL  $9.65  Score: 87/100. June 19, 2007
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Catalans Rafale Merlot 2005, Languedoc & Roussillon, France: An amazing wine for the price. Medium to full-bodied with balanced aromas of berries and plum.  526897  12%    750 mL  $8.45  Score: 88/100. June 19, 2007 Best Value Red Wine.
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Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir 2005, Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A medium-bodied, easy drinking wine with notes of strawberries and red fruits.  0  13%  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 88/100. June 19, 2007
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Hillibrand Winery Showcase Cabernet Franc "Glenlake Vineyard" 2000, Niagara, Ontario, Canada: Gorgeous aromas of dried fruit, herbs, leather and smoke. A mature wine drinking at its peak now. Available from winecountryathome.com.  1004706  12%    750 mL  $50.20  Score: 90/100. June 19, 2007
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Flat Rock Cellars Gravity Pinot Noir 2004, Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A smooth, silky and seductive medium-bodied wine. Well structured with notes of violets, earthy minerality and dark, ripe cherries.  1560  13%    750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. June 19, 2007
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Hillebrand Trius Red V.Q.A. 2005, Niagara, Ontario, Canada: Aromas of ripe plums and berries. Full-bodied and balanced.  303800  13%  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 88/100. June 19, 2007
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Durbanville Hills Shiraz 2004, Durbanville, South Africa: A generous and mouth-filling, full-bodied wine with flavors of plums and berries.  22269  13%  750 mL  $13.15  Score: 87/100. June 19, 2007
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Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, South Africa: I've liked this wine for several years now. It combines New World fruit with Old World balance and elegance. Aromas of black fruit and oak.  328567  14%    750 mL  $17.15  Score: 89/100. June 19, 2007 Favorite Red Wine.
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Drostdy-Hof Merlot 2006, Stellenbosch, South Africa: A full-bodied wine with intense berry flavors and notes of smoky oak.  345371  12%  750 mL  $10.25  Score: 87/100. June 19, 2007
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Kumala Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2006, South Africa: A simple, delicious and full-bodied red with aromas of blackberries and blackcurrants.  610915  14%    750 mL  $10.15  Score: 86/100. June 19, 2007
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Golden Kaan Merlot 2004, South Africa: A simple smooth medium-bodied wine with aromas of ripe plums.  649998  14%    750 mL  $11.15  Score: 87/100. June 19, 2007
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St. Augustine 2004, South Africa: A blend of red grapes from the Cape. A supple and balanced, medium-bodied wine.  652628  14%  750 mL  $14.15  Score: 87/100. June 19, 2007
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Long Neck Shiraz 2005, South Africa: A juicy and jammy full-bodied wine with sweet fruit. If you like Yellow Tail, try this one.  665265  14%    750 mL  $10.25  Score: 85/100. June 19, 2007
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E. & J. Gallo Winery Turning Leaf Merlot Reserve 2005, California, United States: A full-bodied wine that's simple, plummy and jammy. Terrific value  36509  13%  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 86/100. June 19, 2007
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