Values Wine Picks July 6, 2011

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

La Puerta Valle De La Puerta S.A. Torrontes 2010, Argentina: You'll be absolutely blown away at how pretty and tasty this wine is for the price point. Floral with mouth-watering juiciness. Buy three cases for your summer parties: your friends will think you're brilliant rather than cheap. Drink: 2010-2013.  197970  13.50%  D  750 mL  $8.95  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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The Stump Jump Lightly Wooded D'arenberg Wines Chardonnay 2009, Mclaren Vale, Australia: I love this style of Chardonnay because it's freshing, not heavy yet delivers lots of green apple and Asian pear flavour. Full-bodied and ziipy. Fantastic price. Drink: 2009-2013.  173302  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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Peter Lehmann Wines Blonde 2009, Barossa, Australia: Lovely green refreshment! Lines, green apple and grapefruit without any heavy oak. Clean,crisp lines to pleasure. Drink: 2009-2014.  197871  11%  XD  750 mL  $13.45  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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Xanadu Next Of Kin, Yalumba Chardonnay 2009, Margaret River, Australia: Nice and crisp with green apple, peach and just a kiss of oak. Beautfilly balanced and wonderfully priced. Yum! Drink: 2009-2014.  212647  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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The Knappstein Insider White Lion Nathan Wine Group 2010, Clare Valley, Australia: Crisp, dry and refreshing with lime and herbal notes. Very clean. Drink: 2010-2013.  212746  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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Crush Barwick Wines Terravintner Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009, Australia: Refreshing, grassy and herbal with some lemon zest on the finish. Good value. Drink: 2009-2013.  215673  13.10%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 86/100. July 6, 2011
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Grooner Weingut Forstreiter Gmbtt Gruner Veltliner 2009, Austria: The Platonic ideal of refreshment. Pure lime loveliness in a galss wioth grapefruit bite on the finish that keeps you coming back for more. Drink: 2009-2014.  168625  12%  XD  750 mL  $12.90  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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Legends Estates Gewurztraminer 2007, V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada: Not type gewurz but I really like it! Baked apples with cinnamon and baking spices, though it's dry. Terrific with Asian and curries but I'm not getting the typical lychee and rose petal. Delightful! Drink: 2007-2014.  390211  13%  D  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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Domaine De Vedilhan Etablissements Paul Boutinot Viognier 2008, France: Very plesant sipper with light Viognier aromas such as white flowers, white peach and baking spices. Nice for the price. Drink: 2008-2013.  162081  13.50%  D  750 mL  $10.50  Score: 86/100. July 6, 2011
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Longue Dog Etablissements Paul Boutinot Colombard Chardonnay 2010, D.O.C., Languedoc, France: A very pleasant white that delivers the Chardonnay fruit flavours of green apple and peach with not a lot of oak. Very refreshing. Medium- to full-bodied. Terrific price. Drink: 2010-2014.  210161  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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C.H. Berres Stefan Ress Riesling Kabinett 2007, Q.M.P., Urziger Wurzgarten, Mosel, Germany: I realized that I was purring when I tasted this wine. Others were staring. I love it! White peach, petrol (that’s good) and a deep, long satisfying vein of acidity and minerality. This is a gorgeous wine that will reward you for stepping out of your usual white wine boundaries. Drink: 2008-2015.  207274  13%  MD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 90/100. July 6, 2011
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Loios J Portugal Ramos, S.A. 2009, Alentejano, Portugal: If you like Pinot Grigio, you'll like this: crisp, cool, refreshing. No heavy oak, mostly lime and green apple aroma. Very mouth-watering. Nice aperitif or food companion. Drink: 2009-2013.  92114  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $9.95  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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Evolution White Sokol Blosser Winery, Oregon, United States: A lovely profusion of white field flowers, white peach and lychee. Reminds me of Conumdrum and Irstone's Symphony. So exotic yet ultimately pleasing. Drink: 2011-2014.  206870  12.50%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. July 6, 2011
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Sonoma Vineyards Chardonnay 2009, Sonoma County, California, United States: A lovely surprise at this price point! Vibrant with ripe green apples and white peach with just the right amount of oak, vanilla and butterscortch. Classic Chardonnay, but not heavy. Drink: 2009-2014.  60624  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

The Stump Jump D'arenberg Wines Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2009, Mclaren Vale, Australia: Mouth-watering acidity with tart, wake-up-your-mouth cherries and blackberries. Full-bodied and smooth. Great price. Drink: 2009-2013.  173294  14%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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Lizard Flat Heath Wines Pty Ltd Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008, I.G.T., Veneto, Australia: A terrific price for the smooth, full-bodied red with a cool minty aroma that wraps around blackberries. Balnced acidity. Drink: 2008-2012.  195776  14.50%  D  750 mL  $9.95  Score: 84/100. July 6, 2011
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Lenswood Hills Pikes Vintners Wines Pinot Noir 2010, Adelaide Hills, Australia: Attractive sour cherry and beetroot with mouth-watering acidity. Tart and refreshing. Cries out for food: feed this wine! Drink: 2010-2014.  215095  14%  XD  750 mL  $17.35  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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White Label Barwick Estates Terravintner Pinot Noir 2009, Pemberton, Australia: Minty tart cherries with a lovely mouth-watering juiciness. Medium-bodied and satin smooth, this is an extrordinary price for a wine of this quality. Drink: 2009-2014.  215194  14%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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Weighbridge Peter Lehmann Shiraz 2008, Australia: Fantastic price for this juicy, mouth-watering, full-bocied, lip-smaking tasty red! Aromas of fleshy dark berries and plums, with a nice smoky finish. Drink: 2008-2014.  219170  14.50%  D  750 mL  $15.10  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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McWilliams Hanwood Estate Shiraz 2009, South Eastern Australia, Australia: Vibrant juicy plum aromas wrapped in smoky oak. Supple and medium- to full-bodied. Absolutely delicious and a phenomenal price! Drink: 2010-2013.  610683  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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Pasqua Villa Borghetti Passimento Fratelli Pasqua S.A.S. 2008, Italy: A robust but smooth blend of the traditional grapes Corvina and Croatina. This red is amazing for the price point: rich dar red and black berries with a pleasant kick on the finish. Balanced and mouth-watering. Very food-friendly for hearty dishes and tomato sauce. Drink: 2009-2014.  141952  14%  XD  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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[ Compress ] Rosés

Fat Cat Cat Amongst The Pigeons, Rosedale Wines Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Deep ruby in the glass with big, rich aromas of bumbleberry pie, chocolate, Indian tea and black cherry. Dry and full bodied, this blend of 55% Shiraz and 45% Cab with its opulent dark fruit and chocolate notes is certainly not shy. A good seam of acidity keeps everything in check. Cellar 2-4 years or enjoy tonight. My note: Big and fleshy with blueberries and blackberries in a jumble of hedonistic happiness. Full-bodied and smooth. Pair it with catnip.  222042  13%  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 89/100. July 6, 2011
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Flourish Rose 2010, V.Q.A., Canada: Field-ripe strawberries with a fleshy touch of sweetness. Juicy and refreshing. Perfect for the deck or dock. Drink: 2010-2012.  234872  11.70%  MD  750 mL  $10.95  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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Terres De Saint Louis Cercle Des Vignerons Provence Rosé 2010, Coteaux Varois, Provence, France: Lovely summer sunshine in a bottle with field strawberries and raspberries. Good mouth-watering action. Perfect picnic wine. Drink: 2010-2013.  234575  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $10.95  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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Villa Maria Estates Private Bin Rose 2010, East Coast, New Zealand: Fragrant strawberries and raspberries with some field flowers. Zippy, mouth-watering juiciness with terrific refreshment. Drink: 2010-2012.  234377  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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Sangre De Toro Miguel Torres S.A. Rose 2010, Catalunya, Spain: Very robust rose with aromas dark raspberries and field berries. Nicely balanced, great quaffing wine. Drink: 2010-2013.  233437  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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Marques De Caceres Union Viti-Vincola S.A. Rosé 2010, Rioja, Spain: A robust rose with lovely rich aromas of ripe raspberries. Good mouth-watering action. This wine can handle even more robust dishes like grilled salmon and chicken. Drink: 2010-2013.  622142  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 88/100. July 6, 2011
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[ Compress ] Sparkling Wine

Banrock Station Pink Constellation Wines Moscato Rosé 2010, Australia: Delightful fleshy sweet strawberries with a light effervecence. Perfect aperitif for a summer's day, or even a light after-dinner drink, with or with some fresh fruit or berries. Lovely. Drink: 2010-2012.  170134  5.50%  MD  750 mL  $10.95  Score: 87/100. July 6, 2011
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