Vintages Wine Picks March 15, 2008

by Natalie MacLean

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[ Compress ] White Wine

Pierre Sparr Schoenenbourg Riesling 1996, Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium straw color; aromas of mineral, peach and earthy elements; quite dry with very good fruit flavors and a long aftertaste. My note: Stunning concentration with notes of pears and minerals. 664995 13% D 750 mL $42.95 Score: 91/100. March 15, 2008
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Greg Norman Estates Chardonnay 2005, Victoria, Australia: Dependable, round and classic! A white wine that has pear and green apple notes. 552083 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. March 15, 2008
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Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling 2007, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: This Riesling is the wine that started Wolf Blass’ regionally focused Gold Label portfolio. Vibrant and youthful, this beauty is pure pleasure with fresh lime, apple, and grapefruit aromas bursting from the glass. It’s dry and fruity with layers of mineral notes and a core of tangy acid. Brilliant now, it should evolve nicely over the next 5 years. My note: A vibrant, lively and refreshing wine. Closed with a screwcap. 606269 11% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008 Favorite White Wine.
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Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2006, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: A round, balanced, full-bodied wine with buttery goodness. 708255 13% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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D’arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2007, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: One of two Aussie Rieslings in this release, this fresh, floral and citrusy wine is named for d’Arenberg’s original Riesling vineyard that is located next to a dam with a history of drying up in particularly hot summers. The extra stress on the vines during these hot, dry years usually meant a very concentrated Riesling with lots of flavor and intensity. My note: Lovely! A refreshing white with notes of intense pear and minerals. 942953 11% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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Duvergey Tabourneau Mersauet 2005, Burgundy, France: A gorgeous chardonnay that is round, balanced and long. 67124 13% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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Santa Rita Medalla Real Chardonnay 2005, Casablanca, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: To emphasize the pure, vibrant fruit character of this Chardonnay from the Casablanca Valley, Santa Rita has scaled back the oak. Expect ripe aromas of tropical fruit and peach with a luscious round texture, and a fresh, lively finish. The fresher style makes this a great and versatile food wine. My note: A round, smoky and buttery wine. 303628 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 87/100. March 15, 2008
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Bern Kasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese 2002, Mosel, Germany: A terrific wine with intense notes of pears and peaches. 60301 8% MD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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Château Des Charmes Chardonnay Musqué 2006, V.Q.A. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Estate Btld., Ontario, Canada: A lovely essence of happiness. Notes of pear, peach, melon and sunshine. 640516 13% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. March 15, 2008
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Lingenfelder Riesling Bird Label 2005, QbA Pfalz, Estate Btld., Pfalz, Germany: One of the best values on the shelves - consistent too! Layers of pears, peaches and melons. Closed with a screwcap. 568634 11% MD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. March 15, 2008 Best Value White Wine.
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Darting Gewürztraminer Kabinett 2005, QmP, Dürkheimer Nonnengarten, Estate Btld., Pfalz, Germany: Stunning! A white wine with exotic layers of rose petals, lychee and nuts. Closed with a screwcap. 944181 9% MD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

d'Arenberg The Twentyeight Mourvedre (D'arenberg) 2005, Australia: Supple, round and rich wine with notes of red berries and plums. Closed with a screwcap. 677617 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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Grant Burge Cameron Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: A full-bodied red with notes of black plums and cassis. 937276 13% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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Chateau De Pressac 2003, Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France: A full-bodied wine with big oaky and plum notes. Drink: 2012-2020. 0 13% XD 750 mL $0.00 Score: 92/100. March 15, 2008
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Château Fougas Maldoror 2004, AC Côtes du Bourg, Bordeaux, France: A full-bodied red with rich mocha, chocolate and black raspberry aromas (this is a dry wine). 663583 13% XD 750 mL $33.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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SCE Petrus Desbois Château St. Georges 2003, AC St-Georges-St-Émilion, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Château St. Georges sits in the Libournais satellite of St-Georges, St-Émilion. The château itself was built in 1774 on the former site of a feudal castle and its vineyards are some of the oldest in France. Château St. Georges produces one of the most consistent reds ever to come out of Bordeaux, combining glorious fruit aromas such as cherry and plum with fine tannins and precise acid crispness. This beautifully balanced wine is a fine candidate for cellaring 2 to 5 years. My note: An ultra-ripe wine from a hot vintage. This red has gorgeous layers of black cherry and smoke. Decant for 1-2 hours. Drink: 2008-2015. 960310 12% XD 750 mL $35.95 Score: 93/100. March 15, 2008 Favorite Red Wine (Tied).
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Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2004, V.Q.A. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: Classic Bordeaux style with a distinctly Canadian interpretation. Notes of cassis, blackberry, smoke, oak and finesse. Buy a case! 626325 13% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 93/100. March 15, 2008 Favorite Red Wine (Tied).
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Bonterra Merlot 2005, Mendocino, California, USA: A balanced wine made from organically grown grapes with notes of plums and berries. 0 13% XD 150 mL $9.49 Score: 89/100. March 15, 2008
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J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot 2005, Paso Robles, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: A Gold Medal winner at the California State Fair 2007, this single-vineyard wine is actually a blend of 81% Merlot, 6% Petite Sirah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% each of Cabernet Franc and Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Look for aromas and flavours of smoke, dried cherry, blueberry jam, spice and licorice. My note: Good balance. A medium to full-bodied red wine. 27516 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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Miner Sangiovese 2004, Mendocino, California, USA: A wine that has terrific balance and length with notes of ripe red fruit. Absolutely delicious! 48645 14% XD 750 mL $28.80 Score: 92/100. March 15, 2008
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Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2006, Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Montes was honored by the Chilean Wineries Association as the inaugural recipient their Winery of the Year Award in 2006 and it was also one of the International Winery of the Year winners selected by Wine & Spirits magazine in 2007. This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Carmenère is sourced from the winery’s ‘La Finca’ estate in the Apalta Valley, a sub-appellation of the Colchagua Valley. A fabulous value, this wine shows the best of both varieties with its blueberry, plum, blackberry and spice flavors. It’s dry and mouth-filling with plush fruit flavor and a lengthy finish. My note: A beautiful wine with ripe red fruit notes. Fantastic value! 16071 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008 Best Value Red Wine.
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Viu Manent Reserva Malbec 2006, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This Chilean version of Malbec is up to the challenge of its neighbors in Argentina and is a terrific value as well. It has loads of blackberry, raspberry, toast and mocha aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and concentrated. My note: Incredible balance and length. 16089 14% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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Michele Satta Bolgheri Rosso Piastraia 2002, Italy: A delicious, layered, full-bodied red with notes of black cherry, mocha and berries. 709980 13% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 92/100. March 15, 2008
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Jacques & François Lurton Domaine De Berlande Merlot 2006, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Midi, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The vineyards for this fine Lurton venture in the Midi are located near the beautiful medieval city of Carcassonne. This area is within the Corbières AC which does not allow Merlot in the appellation’s wines. Thus, the Lurtons use the more generic Vin de Pays d’Oc for this pretty, fruit-forward Merlot. Many of the Midi’s best producers have used this designation over the years to create exceptional wines that flout the rules of the Languedoc-Roussillon’s ACs. My note: A juicy, purple quaffer that's delicious and full-bodied. 27979 14% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. March 15, 2008
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Tawse Pinot Noir 2005, V.Q.A. Ontario, Niagara, Ontario, Canada: A silky, smooth pinot. 54809 14% XD 750 mL $35.20 Score: 89/100. March 15, 2008
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Angels Gate Single Vineyard Merlot 2005, V.Q.A. Ontario, Ontario, Canada: A full-bodied red with rich notes of mocha, black fruit and a kiss of oak. 55129 13% XD 750 mL $22.00 Score: 91/100. March 15, 2008
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Fingara Esporão Reserve 2005, D.O.C. Alentejo, Reguengos, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Portugal has carved out its identity in the wine world with its indigenous grapes. Even when they are blended with international varieties, like this cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragónez (a.k.a. Tempranillo) and Trincadeira, the wines always have a unique profile that cries ‘Portugal’. This is a fascinating combination of the boldness of Cabernet and the spicy intensity of the Trincadeira with the deep colour and leather/berry fruitiness of Aragónez. My note: Gorgeous complexity. An absolutely satisfying, full-bodied wine with red-black fruit flavors. 606590 14% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 92/100. March 15, 2008
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Caves do Salguerial Colleja Douro Reserva Red 2004, D.O.C. Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: A vivid, exciting Portuguese wine with aromas that suggest black cherry, red table grapes, plum and vanilla bean. It is dry, supple and very pleasing on the palate. My note: A delicious, hulking wine with notes of black plums and oak. 627224 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. March 15, 2008
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Meerlust Rubicon 2003, South Africa: A layered wine with Old World elegance and New World fruit. This red possesses aromas of black fruit and smoke. Drink: 2008-2012. 64329 13% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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Darling Cellars Onyx Shiraz 2005, WO Darling, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: Darling Cellars celebrated their 10th anniversary in December of 2007, an impressive milestone! Undoubtedly plenty of the Onyx Shiraz was poured during the festivities. Bursting with aromas of blackberries, spices and coffee. My note: If you like Aussie shiraz you'll like this. A shiraz with big, black fruit notes and lip-smacking juiciness. 704486 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 89/100. March 15, 2008
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KWV Kanonkop Kadette 2005, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: Kanonkop is credited by many for putting South Africa’s Pinotage grape on the map. They were one of the first estates to recognize the variety’s potential for producing complex wines of character. Kadette, their second wine, blends 43% Pinotage with 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Very approachable, this medium full-bodied wine features ripe red-berry fruit flavors, soft tannins, and a long tangy finish. My note: A lovely, full-bodied red with black fruit flavors and oak notes. 922237 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. March 15, 2008
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Kanonkop Kadette 2005, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: Kanonkop is credited by many for putting South Africa’s Pinotage grape on the map. They were one of the first estates to recognize the variety’s potential for producing complex wines of character. Kadette, their second wine, blends 43% Pinotage with 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Very approachable, this medium full-bodied wine features ripe red-berry fruit flavors, soft tannins, and a long tangy finish. My note: a lovely, full-bodied red with black fruit flavors and oak notes. 922237 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. March 15, 2008
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S. Gevaert Château Le Barradis 2005, AC Bergerac, Southwest, France: A simple, pleasant sipper with plum notes. 707273 12% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. March 15, 2008
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René Barbier Cabernet Sauvignon Selección 2001, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: In 1880, René Barbier arrived in Spain from his native France determined to find a home for the French grape varieties he so admired. After careful research, he found the ideal place for his beloved Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay: Penedès. To this day, the winery continues to be recognized as an expert in Spain for these varieties. This Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits pronounced aromas of cassis, blackberry, toasty oak and dried fruit. My note: A classic Spanish red. Full-bodied with dark red fruit and lots of oak aromas. 14639 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. March 15, 2008
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Miguel Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, D.O. Penedès, Spain: A rich and full-bodied wine . One of my favorite reds, year after year. 617456 14% xd 750 mL $44.95 Score: 90/100. March 15, 2008
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Vintages Wine Picks March 15, 2008

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