Vintages Wine Picks February 16, 2008

by Natalie MacLean


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[ Compress ] White Wine

Pierre Sparr Pinot Gris Réserve 2005, AC Alsace, Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This Pinot Gris delivers layers of peach, melon and nut aromas that replay beautifully on the palate. This full-bodied wine shows good intensity and balance. My note: A concentrated white wine with the aromas of lychee, peach and hazelnuts.  983395  14%  D  750 mL  $18.85  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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Grant Burge, Summers Chardonnay 2006, Australia: Round, buttery, full-bodied chardonnay. Closed with a screwcap.  57315  14%  XD  750 mL  $18.75  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008 Best Value White Wine.
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Prinz Salm Schloss Wallhausen Riesling Kabinett 2006, Q.M.P Nahe, Estate Btld., Nahe, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Here is an excellent opportunity to discover the Rieslings of Nahe. The first mention of this acclaimed winery was in the year 1200! It has remained in the Salm family’s hands to this day, making it the oldest, continuously family-owned estate in Germany. The estate produces vibrant Rieslings with lovely aromas of lime, tangerine and mineral tones. My note: A lovely medium-bodied sipper with thrilling ripe pear and peach aromas.  993766  9%  MD  750 mL  $21.75  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008 Favorite White Wine.
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Chapoutier Chante Alouette Bl Hermitage (Chapoutier) 2003, Rhone, France: A richly concentrated wine with floral and citrus notes.  140541  14%    750 mL  $74.75  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Eral Bravo Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Eral Bravo derives its name from the family tradition of breeding Iberic bulls. Eral is the name given to the bull when he begins displaying his essential characteristics of bravado. The winery had a bull year in 2007, taking home a number of medals at the first annual Wines of Argentina Awards including a Silver for this Cab. It’s bold, with a deep inky color, ripe blackcurrant fruit, toasty oak notes and a rich, full body. My note: This wine has aromas of sweet black fruit and oak.  58081  14%  XD  750 mL  $18.55  Score: 89/100. February 16, 2008
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Bodega Valentin Bianchi Famiglia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina: This incredibly concentrated wine has rich aromas of blackberry and plum.  677567  14%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008 Best Value Red Wine.
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Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: This Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from four separate estate vineyards which are planted at elevations ranging from 945m to 1524m above sea level. It’s full-bodied and concentrated with layers of rich blackberry and cassis flavors layered with hints of mint, espresso and mineral notes. My note: A juicy, mouth-watering wine with pleasingly ripe aromas of plums and blackberries.  985002  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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Saltram Of Barossa Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: A delicious, full-bodied red wine with notes of black plums and blackberries.  48579  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.90  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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Zilzie Shiraz 2006, South Eastern Australia, Australia: Honkin' big shiraz with aromas of cherry liqueur and plum fruit.  58016  14%  XD  750 mL  $16.75  Score: 89/100. February 16, 2008
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D’arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: This full-bodied wine has aromas of black plums and mint.  943456  14%  XD  750 mL  $20.95  Score: 89/100. February 16, 2008
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Yvon Mau et Fils Château Lalande Les Moulins 2005, AC St-Julien, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Run by two young men from a family with a long history of winemaking, Château Lalande Les Moulins is a dynamic, up-and-coming St-Julien winery. Ludovic and Julien Meffre, two scions of a Rhône-based wine family, took over the running of the estate a mere seven years ago. Following in their grandfather’s footsteps, who first purchased the property in 1964, the Meffre brothers have introduced many refinements both in the vineyard and the winery to substantially improve the quality of the fruit and thus the finished wine. Enjoy this fruit-forward, yet perfectly structured wine from the great 2005 vintage. It will also reward 4-6 years in a cellar. My note: A deep red wine with concentrated aromas of black fruit and smoke.  61036  13%  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008 Favorite Red Wine.
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Rodney Strong Alden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: The Alden Vineyard sits at 1,200 feet (365 metres) above sea level. The location’s cooler temperatures and shorter growing season means smaller berries come picking time, resulting in flavors that are highly concentrated. As a result, the wine achieves an elegant balance between pure fruit flavors, acidity and tannin. Dark fruit and spice notes typify this high altitude Cab which can be enjoyed now or aged for up to 10 years. My note: A whopping big wine with aromas of mocha and blackberries  599795  14%  XD  750 mL  $39.80  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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Dominus 2004, Napa Valley, California, USA: A rich, full-bodied wine with notes of blackcurrant, cassis and smoke.  63487  14%  XD  1500 mL  $201.95  Score: 92/100. February 16, 2008
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Ironstone Vineyards Merlot 2005, Lodi, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: A terrific value for this bright and fruity merlot is well-balanced and food-friendly. It’s dry and medium-bodied, with a soft texture with clean plum and cherry flavors along with notes of licorice and vanilla. Enjoy with roasted pork, veal chops or a medium-rare steak. My note: This red wine is rich and round with notes of black fruit and mocha. Fantastic value!  704353  13%  D  750 mL  $14.75  Score: 89/100. February 16, 2008
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Santa Rita Medalla Real Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: A consistent overachiever, the 2005 promises to impress as well with its rich and concentrated flavors of blackcurrants, smoky oak and sweet herbs. My note: A wonderful concentration of black fruit and smoke.  275594  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.90  Score: 91/100. February 16, 2008
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Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile: This red wine possesses lovely layers of black plums, cedar and dried herbs.  322586  14%  XD  750 mL  $21.80  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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Morandé Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: The fruit for this Cab comes from the Santa Laura Vineyard in the Maipo Valley. It has an attractive nose full of red fruit and berries and is rich on the palate with spice notes complementing the intense fruit flavors. My note: A full-bodied red wine with notes of black plums and cedar. Fantastic value.  57984  13%  D  750 mL  $13.85  Score: 89/100. February 16, 2008
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J. François Fayel, Prop.-Récolt. Domaine Des Cantarelles Rouge 2006, AC Costières de Nîmes, Midi, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Costières de Nîmes is located in the far eastern section of Languedoc. In fact, it is also very close to the Southern Rhône so, stylistically, the wines tend to have the ripe fruit of the Midi and the structure one typically finds in the Rhône. This wine is a blend of, principally, Syrah and Grenache. It shows ripe fruit tones with a cedary structure for ageing. My note: A dark brooding wine with notes of oak and black fruit. Pleasant bitter finish.  61275  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.75  Score: 86/100. February 16, 2008
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Vale Do Bomfim Reserva 2005, D.O.C Douro, Portugal: A full-bodied red wine with aromas of black cherries and plums. Terrific value for this wine.  66944  13%  D  750 mL  $14.85  Score: 88/100. February 16, 2008
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Soc. Agr. de Silgueiros Quinta Da Falorca Vinho Tinto 2006, DO Dão, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: A blend of Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo) and Touriga Nacional, Quinta da Falorca Vinho Tinto is the perfect personification of the Portuguese style: forward fruit backed up by a good core of acid and moderate tannins. My note: A full-bodied, lip-smacking, delicious wine of purple goodness.  67512  14%  XD  750 mL  $16.55  Score: 88/100. February 16, 2008
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Botter Carlo Primitivo Doppio Passo 2005, I.G.T Salento, Puglia, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This Primitivo (a.k.a. Zinfandel) is rich with aromas and flavors of dried fruit, blackcurrants and cherry. It is very concentrated, complex and nicely balanced by very soft tannins. The added intensity is achieved by the process called Doppio Passo, or double step. After the wine has been made, the winemakers add bunches of grapes that were left to dry to a raisin-like state on the vine. The resulting wine has increased richness and intensity. My note: This red wine is delicious, juicy and full-bodied, with aromas of ripe purple plums.  60780  14%  D  750 mL  $14.45  Score: 87/100. February 16, 2008
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Alain Boisson Domaine Cros De Romet Cairanne 2006, AC Côtes du Rhône-Village, Rhone, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Domaine Cros de Romet’s Cairanne is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. It is matured exclusively in stainless steel in order to retain its characteristic bright fruitiness. The 2006 is filled with blackberry, sour cherry and plum flavors with a hint of pepper appearing on the finish to balance it off nicely. My note: A delicious, lip-smacking, full-bodied red wine with aromas of plums and blackberries. Decant for 1-2 hours.  42986  16%  XD  750 mL  $17.85  Score: 87/100. February 16, 2008
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Rizzuto Piconello Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, I.G.T Sicilia, Sicily, Italy: A purple, lip-smacking and delicious wine.  61523  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.85  Score: 87/100. February 16, 2008
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Fairview Shiraz 2005, WO Coastal Region, South Africa: Round, smooth and full-bodied wine with black fruit notes. Closed with a screwcap. Fantastic value.  626358  14%  XD  750 mL  $16.85  Score: 89/100. February 16, 2008
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Alazard Père & Fils Domaine De La Colline Saint-Jean Vacqueyras 2004, AC, Southern Rhone, France: A rich, deep red wine with cherry liquor and cassis notes.  38661  14%  XD  750 mL  $23.45  Score: 91/100. February 16, 2008
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Château Bouscassé 2003, AC Madiran, Southwest, France: Rich and round red wine with notes of mocha and blackcurrant.  743385  14%  XD  750 mL  $18.55  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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Rosell Mir Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Subirats, D.O. Penedès, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: The Mir family have owned and operated this winery in the Penedès since the 15th century. Medium deep ruby colour with aromas of cassis, cedar, underbrush and cherry. Dry with good fruit tones to start, leading to well-integrated mid-palate tannins and a good crisp acidity. Lingering finish. My note: A full-bodied and straight-forward wine with notes of black fruit.  60970  13%  D  750 mL  $18.45  Score: 87/100. February 16, 2008
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Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico 2005, D.O.C.G, Tuscany, Italy: This full-bodied red wine has notes of spice and tart cherries.  606541  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 88/100. February 16, 2008
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Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico 2005, D.O.C.G, Tuscany, Italy: This full-bodied red wine has notes of spice and tart cherries. Also look for the full 750ml size below in these notes.  677328  13%  XD  375 mL  $12.85  Score: 88/100. February 16, 2008
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Giovannella Stianti Castello Di Volpaia Chianti Classico 2005, D.O.C.G, Tuscany, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This blend of 90% Sangioveto, 10% Merlot and Syrah is fresh and aromatic with raspberry and strawberry dominating. A delicious Chianti that is ideal for enjoyment over the next half decade. My note: A delicious red wine with notes of mocha, coffee and black plums.  953828  13%  XD  750 mL  $22.45  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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Castiglioni Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese 2006, I.G.T Toscana, Tuscany, Italy: CV: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese is a critically acclaimed consumer favorite. Its ripe, impactful nose serves up aromas of bold blackberry and toasty oak. Full-bodied, flavorful and nicely balanced by ripe tannins. My note: Juicy, mouth-watering, full-bodied red wine with aromas of cherries and oak.  974394  13%  XD  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 89/100. February 16, 2008
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Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Columbia Valley, USA: This red wine possesses aromas of mocha and black fruit.  56515  14%  750 mL  $48.85  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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[ Compress ] Dessert Wine

Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve Port, Portugal: A gorgeous port with layers of warm, ripe plums and malts. Perfect to sip by the fire.  156877  20%  S  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 90/100. February 16, 2008
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