Values Wine Picks May 14, 2010

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

TILIA The Wines Of Catena Torrontes 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Absolutely stunning! Floral with ripe peach aromas. This lovely, refreshing white blooms in the glass with melon and white roses. It's exotic but approachable and ultimately satisfying. A terrific aperitif or partner to even tough dishes such as Asian spices, curries, vegetarian dishes, seafood and shellfish.  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 89/100. May 14, 2010
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Charles Baker Stratus Vineyards Riesling 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Canada: A flinty, petrol nose that I love, but it is an acquired taste for some folks. There are also lovely apricot and lime notes in this bone-dry. Mouth-watering, refreshing white of deep minerality and length.  126433  10.80%  XD  750 mL  $35.00  Score: 90/100. May 14, 2010
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Willm Reserve Riesling 2008, Alsace, France: Lovely light Riesling with aromas of white flowers, whote peach and lime. Perfect aperitif and friendly food companion.  11452  12%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Patriarche Unoaked Chardonnay 2008, Mâcon-Villages AOC, France: Pleasant quaffer with green apple notes. No oak so it's very refreshing and clean. Drink: 2010-2013.  171322  12.50%  D  750 mL  $14.45  Score: 86/100. May 14, 2010
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Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2008, Alsace, France: Love it! Classic rose pteal, spices, lychee nut. Perfect for Asian dishes and curries.  373373  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $16.50  Score: 90/100. May 14, 2010
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Remy Pannier Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Touraine, Loire Valley, France: Zippy and refreshing with lovely lime and grapefruit notes. Great mouth-watering acidity. Simple and tasty!  68676  12%  XD  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 85/100. May 14, 2010
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Les Chablisienne Les Venerables Chardonnay 2007, Chablis, Burgundy, France: Bone-dry with mouth-watering notes of green apples and limes. Great minerality with no heavy oak.  942243  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 88/100. May 14, 2010
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Stoneleigh Chardonnay 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand: Rich and round with balanced acidity that makes this white an excellent food partner. Enticing aromas of green apples with a lick of buttery goodness on the finish.  288795  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand: Herbal, grassy good with mouth-watering notes of lime and lemon. Terrific food wine, yum!  316570  13%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 89/100. May 14, 2010
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Oyster Bay Chardonnay 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand: Lovely balanced Chardonnay with green apples and lime and some toasty oak. Nicely balanced. Medium- to full-bodied.  326728  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand: Grassy great! Love the pure herbal refreshment in this wine with a streak of zippy lime running through it. Mouth-watreing and terrific. Great house wine.  35386  13%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 88/100. May 14, 2010
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Muscat Ottonel Navip Muscatel 2008, Serbia: Orange peel and apricot with lemon drop perserves. A lovely aromatic, floral white with some sweetness.  542597  12%  MD  750 mL  $8.40  Score: 85/100. May 14, 2010
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J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2008, Monterey County, California, United States: Big smoky, buttery, oaky Chardonnay with classic green apple aromas. Full-bodied and generous.  258699  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $18.75  Score: 88/100. May 14, 2010
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Passion Malbec 2008, Argentina: Fleshy ripe berries with sweet vanilla notes. Full-bodied, supple and straight-forward enjoyment.  163188  13.50%  D  750 mL  $8.95  Score: 85/100. May 14, 2010
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Jester Mitolo Shiraz 2007, Mclaren Vale, Australia: Big black plums and mint on the nose followed by more fleshy black fruit and blackberries. Full-bodied and smooth with generous toasty oak.  659607  14.50%  XD  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 89/100. May 14, 2010
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Malivoire Red 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: Big cherry-berry fruit with mocha-dark chocolate on the nose. Absolutely scrumptious! Medium-bodied, silky supple and bursting with very ripe red fruit. An incredibly good wine for the price; buy a case for summer parties!  141523  13%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. May 14, 2010
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Mission Hill Family Estate Five Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2007, Okanagan Valley, Canada: Classically good structure with lovely aromas of blackberry, plums, cassis. Full-bodied and smooth.  145102  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.45  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Mocha and dark chocolate notes with full-bodied, supple textture. A basket of fleshy blackberries.  157883  14%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Santa Digna Reserve Miguel Torres Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Chile: Big blackberries, blueberries and black plums wrapped in smoke. Full-bodied and supple. Lip-smacking delicious!  177451  14%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. May 14, 2010
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Castillo De Molina Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Central Valley, Chile: Big black plums and blackberries with chocolate-espresso notes. Full-bodied, round and supple. Lip-smacking delicious.  339176  14%  XD  750 mL  $13.20  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Concha Y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Shiraz 2008, Chile: Wonderfully juicy purple plums and dark chocolate notes with a full-bodied weight and smooth texture. Terrific for the price.  568022  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Mont Gras Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Exceedingly pleasant for the price! Luscious ripe blackberries and black plums with mocha, smoke and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and smooth.  619205  14%  XD  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Cono Sur Shiraz 2008, Chile: Juicy purple plums and fleshy blueberries with a full-bodied weight and smooth texture.  64295  14%  XD  750 mL  $9.95  Score: 85/100. May 14, 2010
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Guigal Syrah Blend 2006, Cotes Du Rhone, France: Cedar smoke and black fruit with a tarry streak through the middle. Full-bodied, big and brooding. Needs a hearty meat dish with it.  259721  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $17.05  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Louis Latour Pinot Noir 2008, Beaune, Burgundy, France: A mouth-wtering wine with pleasantly tart cherries and redcurrants. Love the seam of acidity in this wine and it's balance. This is not fruit-forward, but it is a wine to enjoy over the course of an evening. Very versatile with food because it's not heavy or alcoholic. I often buy this one as my house wine.  69914  13%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 88/100. May 14, 2010
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Passion Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Pinot Noir 2008, Portugal: Big, bold and black with fleshy dark plums abd berries. Good acidity with savory cedar notes. A Phenominal value for this price.  146449  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $7.65  Score: 86/100. May 14, 2010
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Pedras Do Monte Cabernet Sauvignon Tinta Roriz 2008, Portugal: Cedar, black cherry and some mocha with full-bodied weight and supple texture. Straight-forward and tasty. Knock it back party wine!  565762  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $9.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Sebeka Shiraz 2009, Western Cape, South Africa: This lovely garnet wine offers juicy purple plum and berry aromas with generous layers of dark spices and smoke. Full-bodied and supple. Yum!  129635  14%    750 mL  $10.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Sebeka Cabernet Pinotage 2008, Western Cape, South Africa: Gorgeous smoky flavours with coffee, blackberry and dark plum. Full-bodied, smooth and lip-smacking delicious!  132969  14%    750 mL  $10.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Leopard's Leap Pinotage Shiraz 2007, Franschhoek, South Africa: Blackberries, ground pepper and savory meaty notes are wrapped in a velvet, full-bodied texture. Terrific concentration with a toasty, smoky finish. Great value.  148205  13%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Leopard's Leap Shiraz 2007, Franschhoek, South Africa: A full-bodied, supple red with enticing notes of dark plums, violets, mulberry and smoke. Absolutely phenominal for the money. Stock up on this one for all your summer barbecues and parties.  148213  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 89/100. May 14, 2010
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Drostdy-Hof Merlot 2009, South Africa: Big black savoury fruit with a good tannic grip. Full-bodied with blackberry notes. Straight-forward and tasty. Terrific price!  345371  14%  XD  750 mL  $9.95  Score: 85/100. May 14, 2010
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Candidato Oro Tempranillo Grenacha 2006, Spain: Simple and extraordinarily tasty for the money! Pepper, blackberries and a mouth-watering juiciness. Full-bodied and smooth.  523811  13%  XD  750 mL  $7.70  Score: 85/100. May 14, 2010
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Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Knights Valley, United States: A mocha-esperesso nose followed by ripe blackberries and blackcurrant. Full-bodied and supple. Decants for 1-2 hours first.  352583  14.30%  XD  750 mL  $39.95  Score: 90/100. May 14, 2010
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Leaping Horse Merlot 2007, California, United States: Pure juicy purple plums and lush berries. Simple and delicious. Perfect for the barbecue.  613265  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $11.55  Score: 86/100. May 14, 2010
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Deloach Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, California, United States: Blackberry jam aromas with a medium, supple body. Some cran-raspberry notes with fleshy plums and a lingering finish. Excellent value.  89250  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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Deloach Vineyards Zinfandel 2007, California, United States: Strawberry jam and black raspberry notes with lovely mouth-watering acidity. Some black pepper on the finish.  89268  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. May 14, 2010
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[ Compress ] Rosés

The Beach House Douglas Green Rosé 2009, South Africa: Simple and tasty with ripe field strawberries. Lovely aperitif. Carefree wine!  164343  13.50%  D  750 mL  $9.95  Score: 85/100. May 14, 2010
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Julian Chivite Gran Feudo Garnacha Rosado 2009, Navarra DO, Spain: Lovely and bone-dry with notes of fresh field strawberries, rspberries and cranberries. Drink: 2010-2011.  165845  13%  D  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 86/100. May 14, 2010
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[ Compress ] Sparkling Wine

Jackson-Triggs Proprietor's Grand Reserve Methode Classique Brut Sparkling Wine 2006, V.Q.A., Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Bright gold in the glass. Lively aromas of fresh flowers, vanilla, toasty hazelnut, apple and pear, with inklings of citrus, biscuit dough and cinnamon. Dry, vibrant and medium bodied, with a refreshing acidity. My note: A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in this toasty bubbly with a gorgeous mousse. Aromas of lemon zest, white flowers and happiness. Terrific aperitif or companion to friend foods, potato chips, seafood or a wide range of appetizers.  587691  12.10%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. May 14, 2010
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Pol Roger Extra Cuvée De Reserve, Champagne, France: Terrific bubbly with a gorgeous mousse and toasty goodness. Notes of green apples and Asian pear. Makes a great aperitif or companion to many dishes. Drink: 2010-2015.  51953  12%  D  750 mL  $58.55  Score: 90/100. May 14, 2010
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[ Compress ] Dessert Wine

Cave Spring Cellars Indian Summer Select Late Harvest Riesling 2006, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: So very pretty! Lovely aromas of apricot perserves, lilies, honeysuckle and clementines. Perfect after-dinner wine: not too sweet, packed with generous citrus fruit flavour.  415901  13%  MD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 92/100. May 14, 2010
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[ Compress ] Other Wines/Drinks

County Cider Ice Cider, Prince Edward County, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Ice cider is produced like Icewine, but from frozen apples instead of grapes. For this cuvée, a mixture of frozen Russet, Ida Red and Spy apples have been pressed to produce a very sweet and concentrated juice which is then fermented to produce this luscious wine. My note: Gorgeous apple goodness: your mouth waters even smelling this terrific cider. Good balance. It's better than pie in a glass. and would pair nicely with caramel desserts, apple pie or pan-fried foie gras.  4630  12.50%  S  375 mL  $29.95  Score: 89/100. May 14, 2010
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