Vintages Wine Picks April 26, 2010

by Natalie MacLean


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[ Compress ] White Wine

Featherstone Winery & Vineyard Featherstone Gewurztraminer 2009, Niagara Escarpment, Canada: Pretty floral and rose petal notes with some lychee, pink grapefruit and light spices. Balanced, tasty and perfectly made in a classic style. Drink: 2013-2015.  003  13.80%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 93/100. April 26, 2010
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Inniskillin Wines Winemaker's Series Two Vineyards Riesling 2008, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: Incredible depth and concentration flavour yet medium-bodied and balanced. Lemon-lime brightness runs through the heart of this refreshing wine with a melon-infused finish. It's a wine that will make you thirsty for more; one to enjoy over an evening. Drink: 2010-2012.  105387  12%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 92/100. April 26, 2010
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Road 13 Vineyards Stemwinder 2009, Okanagan Valley BC VQA, Canada: Zesty aromas of green apples and green melon with a full-on use of oak but the fruit supports it. Full-bodied and voluptuous. A smoky finish. Drink: 2010-2013.  164681  14.20%  D  750 mL  $21.99  Score: 89/100. April 26, 2010
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Konzelmann Estate Winery Riesling 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Offers vibrant melon-fresh flavours and a touch of sweetness to highlight the sweet notes in dishes such as sweet potatoes, glazed ham and squash. Light-bodied and refreshing. Great aperitif.  200501  12%  MD  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Henry of Pelham Estate Winery Niagara Peninsula Riesling 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Lime purity runs through the heart of this refreshing wine. Terrific vibrancy and concentrated flavour but not heavy. Although it's off-dry, it's hard to detect any sweetness other than tree fruit ripeness. Superb effort! Drink: 2010-2013.  268375  11.50%  MD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Angels Gate Winery Gewurztraminer 2007, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A lovely light-bodied gewurztraminer with delicate notes of white field flowers, peach and a faint whiff of lychee. Not spicy. Terrific aperitif!  58594  13%  D  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Henry of Pelham Estate Winery Short Hills Bench Pinot Blanc 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Lovely melon and white peach notes with some green apple. A mildly favoured white that will appeal to those who enjoy Pinot Grigio and those who don't like big fruity flavours and oak. Makes a refreshing aperitif. Drink: 2010-2012.  618827  11.80%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Mouton Cadet Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008, Bordeaux, France: Grassy goodness and refreshment in the glass! Not a lot of oak, just lime, herbal and gooseberry notes. Perfect for a warm spring day on the deck.  2527  12%  XD  750 mL  $13.45  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Yering Station Little Yering Chardonnay 2008, Yarra Valley, Australia: Lovely buttery roundness and full-bodied weight yet very balanced. Packed with apricot and peach flavour with warm French toasty oak. A terrific bargain for lovers of classic New World Chardonnay.  145318  13%    750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Yering Station Little Yering Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2005, Yarra Valley, Australia: A big honkin' Shiraz with plump, ripe blackberries and plums. Full-bodied, supple and a touch of mint. Deeply concentrated with a nutmeg spice finish.  145326  14.50%    750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Featherstone Winery & Vineyard Featherstone Cabernet Franc 2008, Niagara Escarpment, Canada: Mocha-rich yet not heavy. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering. This wine shows that Cabernet France can be very well made in Niagara and without a trace of bell pepper. Terrific! Drink: 2010-2015.  006  12.50%  D  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Featherstone Winery & Vineyard Featherstone Red Tail Merlot 2008, Niagara Escarpment, Canada: Juicy plums tumble across your palate one after another with ripe fruit flavour. Medium- to full-bodied with a velvet smooth texture. Wake me acidity is refreshing and gives balance to the fruit richness. So very lovely. Drink: 2010-2015.  007  12.50%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. April 26, 2010
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Featherstone Winery & Vineyard Featherstone Pinot Noir 2007, Niagara Escarpment, Canada: Robust coffeed-oak and mocha on the nose is woven nicely with black cherry aromas. Full-bodied and silky smooth. A Cuban cigar finish that leaves you utterly satisfied. Drink: 2010-2015.  008  12.50%  D  750 mL  $39.95  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Road 13 Vineyards Rockpile 2008, Okanagan Valley BC VQA, Canada: Mocha-dark nose with rich layers of fleshy blackberries and blackcurrants. An espresso-infused finish. Lovely! Drink: 2010-2015.  078915  14.20%  D  750 mL  $25.99  Score: 92/100. April 26, 2010
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Konzelmann Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Silky smooth and laced with black cherries. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering. Spicy finish. Terrific value!  200584  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $12.70  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Inniskillin Wines Pinot Noir 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: This is an absolute knock-out red with mushroom dishes and salmon. The wine’s racy cherry aromas are a delicious silky cushion with a lovely medium-bodied texture. So expressive and such a great value for this price. Stock up!  261099  12%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Jackson-Triggs Meritage 2007, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A full-bodied red that muscles in beautifully with hearty meat dishes and red wine sauces. Terrific structure and balance in this modesty priced wine. Classis aromas of cassis, blackberry and blackcurrant wrapped in smoke. The belnd is 37% Cabernet Franc, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. It was aged in French and American oak. A lovely vanilla-smoke-infused finish. Terrific!  526228  13.30%  XD  750 mL  $12.45  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Trius Hillebrand Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Fleshy blackberries wrapped in mocha-coffee aromas. Full-bodied and balanced. Espresso fniish. Nice job.  587956  13.20%  XD  750 mL  $15.25  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Inniskillin Wines Winemaker's Series Three Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: Bursting with black cherries and dark spices, this lovely, velvety red gives a lot of pleasure. Medium-bodied with layers of dark berry flavour, it goes on and on, both on the palate and in memory. Drink: 2010-2015.  981332  13%  XD  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 90/100. April 26, 2010
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Arboleda Errázuriz Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Chile: Mocha-rich with ripe black plums that roll across the palate. Supple with layers of violets, tobacco, vanilla and dark spices. Aged in French and American oak. A satisfying finish. Perfect for potluck and book club gatherings. To be released in Vintages this fall.  14%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 90/100. April 26, 2010
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Arboleda Errázuriz Syrah 2007, Chile: Smoky black plums with a gorgeous mocha-rich, full-bodied texture. Not sweet fruit like shiraz, more European style. This wine received 12 months of new French oak aging. At $1000 per barrel, that’s quite an investment. This winery was the first winery in Chile to produce Syrah in 1986. To be released in Vintages June 12.  172247  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 90/100. April 26, 2010
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Vina San Pedro Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Central Valley, Chile: Big blackberries and plum preserves. Full-bodied and supple. A knock-it-back party pleaser. Terrific price.  188193  13.50%    750 mL  $8.95  Score: 86/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau Argenteyre Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Bordeaux, France: Oh what a difference a year makes! This wine comes from the spectacular 2005 vintage: what an incredible wine for the money. You just can't buy Bordeaux this good at this price anymore. Lovely aromas of mocha and a blackberry heart. This is a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot.  117655  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $24.75  Score: 90/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau De Terrefort-Quancard Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Bordeaux, France: Elegant and long with terrific balance. Full-bodied with a good grip so decant for 1-2 hours first. Fleshy blackberries and classic vanilla smoke. This is a blend of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon.  145110  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $15.75  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau Lilian Ladouys Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Bordeaux, France: A balanced wine with dark red fruit. Good depth and length with classic styling.  162578  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau Pey La Tour Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Bordeaux, France: Big juicy purple plums with mouth-watering acidity. Very fruity for Bordeaux but tasty. Definitely needs food.  264986  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau Timberlay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Bordeaux, France: Mocha richness wrapped in fleshy dark plums. Round, smooth and full-bodied. Yum! A blend of 80% Merlot, and 10% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet France.  30072  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau Puyfromage Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Bordeaux, France: Lovely classic nose here with black plums, blackberry and toasty oak. Exceptionally well-made for the money.  33605  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau De Courteillac Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Bordeaux, France: Terrific value for this rustic, robust red with blackcurrants and blackberries. A smoky-oak finish.  360552  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 86/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau Des Laurets Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Bordeaux, France: Supple and smooth, elegant and long. Black plum aromas with some cedar forest. Classic.  371401  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $19.30  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau Canada Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Bordeaux, France: This is a steal for the price! Lovely nose of dark fruit with terrific balance and a medium-body. This blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in oak for 6-10 months. This is a fantastic vintage and it shows here.  559468  13%  XD  750 mL  $14.90  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Calvet Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Bordeaux, France: Juicy and tart blackberries, good grip on the palate, full-bodied and smoky. A solid wine.  6411330  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 86/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau Pey La Tour Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Bordeaux, France: A very healthy dose of oak here but it weaves well with the robust bvlack fruit. Full-bodied and smooth with a mocha-coffee finish. This is a blend of 94% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot.  925859  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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Chateau Bonnet Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Bordeaux, France: Lovely mocha smoke aromas drift up first from the glass, followed by black plums and berries. Round, full-bodied and accessible. Very, very lovely for the money.  99044  13%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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[ Compress ] Rosés

Featherstone Winery & Vineyard Featherstone Featherstone Rose 2009, Niagara Escarpment, Canada: Bright cranberry and strawberry notes. Makes a lovely light aperitif. Sunset in a bottle. Drink: 2011-2012.  002  12.70%  MD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 86/100. April 26, 2010
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[ Compress ] Sparkling Wine

The Grange of Prince Edward Estate Winery The Grange vineyards Brut 2007, Prince Edward County, Canada: Lime zesty refreshment with mouth-watering, crisp acidity. Toasty and lovely. One of Canada's best bubblies. Drink: 2010-2015.  5  12%  D  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. April 26, 2010
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[ Compress ] Dessert Wine

Featherstone Winery Featherstone Cabernet Franc 2008, Niagara Escarpment, Canada: An intriguing savoury quality to this luscious dessert wine. Blackberry jam with some mocha, cherry smoke and dark spices. Tobacco-infused finish. Drink: 2010-2015.  009  11.50%  S  375 mL  $19.95  Score: 88/100. April 26, 2010
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Featherstone Winery & Vineyard Featherstone Gewurztraminer Icewine 2008, Niagara Escarpment, Canada: Lovely apricot jam and spiced honey notes on the nose. Terrific balance of sweetness and acidity. Wonderful after-dinner drink with many fruit desserts, biscotti and good conversation. Drink: 2010-2015.  010  11.50%  S  200 mL  $34.95  Score: 90/100. April 26, 2010
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[ Compress ] Other Wines/Drinks

Muskoka Lakes Winery Red Maple, Toronto And York Region, Canada: Intensely sweet with a terrific richness. True maple and cranberry flavours mingle nicely. Serve well-chilled. Drink: 2010-2013.  50039  15%  S  375 mL  $18.85  Score: 86/100. April 26, 2010
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Muskoka Lakes Winery Wild Blueberry 2008, Toronto And York Region, Canada: Pucker up! This is pure essence of cranberry. Terrific cranberry flavour and not cloying even though there is some sweetness to balance the acidity. If you love cranberries, you have to try this wine. It would make an especially festival addition to a holiday table when turkey is served. (Forgot the cranberry sauce!) Drink: 2010-2014.  80004  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 87/100. April 26, 2010
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