Vintages Wine Picks September 27, 2008

by Natalie MacLean

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[ Compress ] White Wine

Penfolds Bin 51 Riesling 2007, Eden Valley, Australia: Bone-dry and inviting. Pure essence of limes. Mouth-watering. Closed with a screwcap. Drink: 2008-2012. 558650 12% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 89/100. September 27, 2008
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Flat Rock Cellars Twisted Riesling Chardonnay 2007, Niagara V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: A blend of 60% Riesling with 20% each of Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. What a vibrant wine! Unexpected notes of lychee, rose petal and green apple. Lovely! Closed with a screwcap. 1578 D 750 mL $17.15 Score: 88/100. September 27, 2008
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Henry of Pelham Estate Winery Off-Dry Reserve Riesling 2007, Niagara V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: A pretty Riesling with attractive notes of ripe melon and pear. Closed with a screwcap. Drink: 2008-2012. 557165 12% MD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. September 27, 2008
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Lailey Vineyard Old Vines Chardonnay 2006, Niagara V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: Gorgeous richness and texture. Layers of ripe pears, oak, smoke and butter. 706242 12% XD 750 mL $30.15 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Ridgepoint Wines Medium Dry Riesling 2006, Niagara V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: A soft, light Riesling with a pleasant touch of sweetness. Ripe notes of melon. Drink: 2008-2012. 88864 12% MD 750 mL $15.00 Score: 87/100. September 27, 2008
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Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Chardonnay 2007, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Winery founder Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle launched the single vineyard range ‘Cuvée Alexandre’ in tribute to her great-grandfather Alexandre. While the Marnier Lapostolle family may be best known for their famous liqueur Grand Marnier, they also have a long history of winemaking in their native France. My note: A buttery, oaky Chardonnay with ripe pear notes. Drink: 2008-2012. 947937 14% D 750 mL $27.95 Score: 89/100. September 27, 2008
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Domaine Latour-Giraud Les Narvaux Mersault 2004, Burgundy, France: Gorgeous Chardonnay with pears, minerality and green apples. 12369 14% XD 750 mL $44.95 Score: 92/100. September 27, 2008
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Alain Geoffroy Beauroy Chablis 2006, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Established in 1850, this family run estate is committed to authentic expressions of Chablis' distinct terroir. Their Beauroy presents lovely fruit and floral aromas. Everything so appealing on the nose reasserts itself on the palate. Fresh, fruity, full and round with region's unmistakable mineral imprint. My note: A crisp pleasant Chablis with ripe lime and green apple notes. Drink: 2008-2012. 733501 13% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Château de la Crée Chassagne-Montrachet 2006, A.C. Morgeot, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Like the grands crus, the premier cru vineyards of Chassagne-Montrachet sit on a southeast-facing ridge, but at a higher elevation and on a less pronounced slope. Morgeot produces whites that are fatter and richer than many other premier crus, and with fewer mineral notes. My note: Subtle but gorgeous. Balance personalified (bottled?). A vibrant white filled with ripe pears, minerality and smoke. Drink: 2008-2012. 87163 14% XD 750 mL $79.95 Score: 94/100. September 27, 2008 Favorite White Wine.
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Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2006, Marlborough, New Zealand: A juicy vibrant Chardonnay that is also smooth and round. Full-bodied with ripe pears and light smoke. Closed with a screwcap. Drink: 2008-2012. 359513 14% D 750 mL $37.95 Score: 93/100. September 27, 2008
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Raimat Vina 27 Chardonnay 2007, D.O., Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: Raimat’s visionary founder Manuel Raventós was one of the early pioneers that brought viticulture to the rugged Costers del Segre region in the early 20th century. Today, his winery is a pillar of this now popular region. This modern unoaked Chardonnay displays ripe apple and peach fruit flavours on a round, creamy textured, medium body. My note: An aromatic white filled with pears and spices. Full-bodied. Drink: 2008-2012. 954982 14% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. September 27, 2008 Best Value White.
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Condado De Haza Crianza 2005, D.O., Spain: Rich, smooth and full-bodied. Layered with dark red fruit and dried herbs. Drink: 2008-2012. 963348 14% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Lincourt Chardonnay 2005, California, United States: Gorgeous, layered Chardonnay filled with ripe pear and toasty oak notes. 69195 14% D 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Quartage Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005, Barossa, Australia: Blend of estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon (62.2%), Malbec (12%), Petit Verdot (10.5%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Merlot (5.3%). A rich deep red with cassis and plum aromas. Drink: 2008-2012. 24091 14% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Clarence Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, McLaren Vale, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Clarence Hill Vineyard in McLaren Vale boasts the red soil known as “Terra Rossa” that is usually associated with the Coonawarra region. This iron-rich soil produces top-notch Cabernet like this rich, full-bodied version with its ripe blackberry, plum and oak spice notes. My note: Deep, dark and brooding. Full-throttle Cabernet with black fruit notes. Drink: 2008-2012. 43729 14% D 750 mL $20.95 Score: 89/100. September 27, 2008
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Wolf Blass Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Coonawarra, Australia: A rich, layered red with lovely notes of cassis, blackcurrant and plums. Closed with a screwcap. Drink: 2008-2012. 606939 14% XD 750 mL $30.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2008
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Nugan Estate McLaren Parish Vineyard Shiraz 2006, McLaren Vale, Australia: Round, inviting with ripe red fruit and mocha. Drink: 2008-2012. 72603 15% D 750 mL $26.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Dark Side of The Moon Shiraz 2005, Clare Valley, Australia: A dark, delicious Shiraz with juicy, hunger-inducing notes of black plums. Drink: 2008-2012. 72652 15% D 750 mL $31.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Rapel Valley, Chile: A full-bodied red filled with black fruit and mocha. Tannic so decant 1-2 hours. Drink: 2008-2012. 398800 15% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. September 27, 2008
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Perez Cruz Reserva Syrah 2006, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Winner of gold medals at both the Syrah du Monde and Concours Mondial de Bruxelles wine competitions in 2008, this deeply coloured and highly extracted red will enthuse you with its intense aromas and flavors of blackberry purée, black pepper and smoke. My note: Aromatic red with lifted notes of plums and blackberries. Drink: 2008-2012. 589812 14% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Château de Melin Chemin De La Justice Pinot Noir 2006, A.C. Gevrey-Chambertin, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Built in 1550, Château de Melin is located a few kilometers from Burgundy’s vinous capital, Beaune, and its lovely wines are estate bottled and vigilantly made according to traditional methods. My note: A deep, rich Pinot with notes of black cherries and slight mocha. Beautifully structured. Drink: 2008-2012. 42077 13% XD 750 mL $55.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2008
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Château de l'Engarran Grés De Montpellier Syrah Grenache Carignan Mourvèdre 2005, A.C., France: Vintages Wine Panel: Château de l’Engarran, situated roughly 10km inland from the Mediterranean, marries old-fashioned winemaking practices with new technologies to create wines true to traditional styles. This blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre offers attractive red-fruit flavours accented by toasty cocoa notes imparted by a year’s stay in oak. My note: A pleasant medium-full-bodied red with notes of blackcurrant and black plums. Drink: 2008-2012. 76299 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. September 27, 2008
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Domaine Chanson Beaune Teurons Pinot Noir 2005, A.C. Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: AC, 1er Cru Beaune’s Chanson Père et Fils has been making fine wines since 1750. Recently, the Henriot family of Champagne took over the reigns of this family firm, ensuring that its reputation as one of the region’s best négociants would be upheld for years to come. Located at the heart of Chanson Père et Fils’ holdings, this four-hectare vineyard is based on a mixture of limestone and clay. Filled with generous ripe raspberry and cherry flavours with hints of black pepper and vanilla. My note: Lifted ripe red fruit notes. Gorgeous layers with a long finish. 84426 14% XD 750 mL $52.95 Score: 92/100. September 27, 2008
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Alain Geoffroy Pinot Noir 2006, Burgundy, Bourgogne, France: A lovely clean, medium-bodied red with cherry aromas. 84475 12% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. September 27, 2008
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Antonin Rodet Santenay Pinot Noir 2005, A.C. Clos Rousseau, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Located at the southern tip of the Côte de Beaune, Santenay traditionally produces scented and supple Pinot Noir. Based on brown calcarerous soils, with an ideal southeastern-facing exposure, Clos Rousseau Premier Cru is slightly more powerful, denser and more vigorous than the village wines. My note: An intensely aromatic red with beetroot and raspberry notes. Drink: 2008-2012. 84566 13% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Raphael Dubois Pinot Noir 2006, Burgundy, Nuits-Sait-Georges, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The name Nuits-Saint-Georges is synonymous with quality and sturdiness. Even though the appellation does not boast any grands crus, it does produce exceptional premier crus and village wines that are typically quite “meaty”, powerful and slightly tannic. My note: A robust and complexly layered Pinot. A red filled with dark red fruit notes. Drink: 2008-2012. 84608 13% XD 750 mL $53.95 Score: 89/100. September 27, 2008
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Recolte Du Domaine Voarick Clos Paradis Mercurey Pinot Noir 2005, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Unusual for a négociant, Michel Picard buys fruit from several estates but vinifies and bottles the wines separately giving credit to the properties on the label, in this case Domaine Voarick. Mercurey’s vineyards lie at an altitude between 230 and 320 metres, and produce wines that are structured and dense with solid mid-term potential. Showing red-fruit jam flavours and vanilla notes. My note: A deeply flavored, juicy red with currant and raspberry notes. Drink: 2008-2012. 86603 14% XD 750 mL $28.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Paul Misset Vosne-Romanee Pinot Noir Les Barreaux 2002, A.C., France: Vintages Wine Panel: Les Barreaux is sourced from a mere two parcels of vines that range in age from 40 to 60 years. This is a classic example of Vosne-Romanée with its mellow, fleshy and opulent mouthfeel and beautiful flavours of cherry, strawberry, violet and undergrowth. This exquisite wine is drinking really well now. My note: A beautifully brooding Pinot with temperamental notes of earth, mushrooms, violet and black raspberries. Drink: 2008-2012. 87130 13% XD 750 mL $67.95 Score: 93/100. September 27, 2008 Favorite Red Wine.
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Domaine De La Madone Gamay Noir 2006, A.C. Beaujolais, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Domaine de la Madone experienced a dramatic growing season during the 2006 vintage. They literally weathered storms in the spring, but were blessed by gloriously sunny conditions in the late summer and autumn. This balanced, refined Gamay is a testament to their skill. Rich with dark berry fruit, there is a vibrant intensity to this wine that makes it an excellent partner for rich cheeses or cream sauce dishes. Truly exceptional value. My note: A simple, lip-smacking delicious red with rip red berries. Medium-bodied. 981175 13% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. September 27, 2008
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Pinino Brunello Di Montalcino Sangiovese 2003, D.O.C.G., Italy: Perfectly calibrated and balanced. Luxurious aromas of dark red fruit and light spices. Drink: 2008-2012. 32508 14% XD 750 mL $65.95 Score: 92/100. September 27, 2008
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S. Giorgio Amarone 2003, D.O.C. Valpolicella Classico, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This silky Amarone teems with ripe strawberry, cherry and prune aromas and flavours. A delightful after-dinner wine. My note: A gorgeous deep red with cherry liqueur and dried prunes. Drink: 2008-2012. 82230 16% D 750 mL $55.95 Score: 93/100. September 27, 2008
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Classico Superiore Corvina 2000, D.O.C., Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Opulent, velvety and brimming with ripe red berry fruit, this wine aptly showcases Quintarelli’s winemaking mastery. My note: Robust, rich, kirsch and black fruit notes. A splendid texture. Drink: 2008-2012. 986117 15% D 750 mL $91.95 Score: 92/100. September 27, 2008
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Omaka Springs Pinot Noir 2006, Marlborough, New Zealand: A gorgeous Pinot bursting with tart red fruit and intriguing spices. Smooth and velvet. Closed with a screwcap. Drink: 2008-2012. 61085 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2008
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Ra Nui Pinot Noir 2006, Marlborough, New Zealand: A smooth, seductive Pinot with bright strawberry notes. Medium-bodied. Closed with a screwcap. Drink: 2008-2012. 7500 14% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008
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Falcoaria Fernão Pires Reserva 2005, D.O.C., Portugal: A rich, soft texture. Full-bodied with aromas of black raisined fruit. Drink: 2008-2012. 80390 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 89/100. September 27, 2008
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Azul Portugal Touriga Nacional Tinta Roriz Reserva 2006, D.O.C. Dao, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Winemaker Anselmo Mendes believes that the enormous winemaking potential of the Dão region is only just being discovered. This wine, made from a blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, offers aromas of black tea and cocoa, and dried fruit (figs, blueberry, strawberry) flavors on the palate. My note: Full-whack wine with black fruit notes. Tannic so decant 2 hours. Drink: 2008-2012. 82198 13% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. September 27, 2008
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Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2007, W.O., South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: The grapes were sourced from a single vineyard in the Wellington district, then aged for 27 months in used French oak barrels. The result is a full-bodied, spicy and floral red. An amazing wine for the price! Rich notes of plums fill the glass. Drink: 2008-2012. 595280 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008 Best Value Red Wine.
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Hidden Valley Pinotage 2006, W.O., South Africa: A robust red with dark red fruit and smoke notes. Drink: 2008-2012. 655639 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. September 27, 2008
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Senorio De Sarria Vinedo Sotés Tempranillo 2004, D.O., Spain: A juicy, full-bodied robust red filled with black cherries. Good structure. Drink: 2008-2012. 80366 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. September 27, 2008
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14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Washington, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine was named after the wild mustangs, which typically measured ‘14 hands’ in height, that once roamed the rolling hills rising up from the Columbia River. Aged for approximately 12 months in a combination of American and French oak, this Cab features classic black-fruit aromas. Its flavors of cherries and spice are accentuated by fine, supple tannins. My note: A lovely, medium-bodied Cabernet that's balanced and subtle. Plums will burst in your mouth. Drink: 2008-2012. 70573 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. September 27, 2008
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Sanford Pinot Noir 2006, Sta. Rita Hills, California, United States: Gorgeous Pinot with dancing cherries. Drink: 2008-2012. 709618 14% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2008
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Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir 2006, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Santa Cruz Mountains is home to an annual event known as Pinot Paradise where hundreds gather to immerse themselves in all things Pinot. No wonder. This rugged appellation produces some of California’s best Pinots. Winemaker Michael Martella crafts this creamy supple version. Unfined and unfiltered, it offers plentiful ripe cherries, oak spice and earth notes. My note: A rich Pinot with black cherries and beetroot. Drink: 2008-2012. 75994 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2008
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Kenwood Vineyards Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Sonoma Valley, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The wolf head icon quite literally brands the bottles of the Jack London series of wines. The striking image is borrowed from the cover of the novel, The Call of the Wild, written by once-upon-a-time owner of this vineyard and California author, Jack London. This 2005 Cab displays appropriately feral characters with brambly black cherry, wild herbs, and toasty oak. My note: A tannic wine that needs age or decanting. Drink at your next book club meeting. Notes of cassis and blackberry. Drink: 2008-2012. 944843 14% XD 750 mL $36.95 Score: 89/100. September 27, 2008
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[ Compress ] Rosés

Domaine Sorin Terra Amata Rosé 2007, A.C. Cotes De Provence, France: A pretty rosé with lovely aromas of ripe strawberries. Bone-dry and succulent. 71191 14% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2008 Favorite Rose.
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[ Compress ] Sparkling Wine

Taittinger Champagne Brut Reserve 2006, Champagne, France: Gorgeous bubbly! Toasty goodness with green apples. Drink: 2008-2012. 814723 12% XD 750 mL $63.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2008 Favorite Sparkling Wine.
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[ Compress ] Dessert Wine

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 1995, Portugal: A rich, round and smooth port. 121749 20% S 750 mL $34.95 Score: 95/100. September 27, 2008 Favorite Dessert Wine.
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Messias 10 Year Old Tawny Port 1998, Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Tawny Ports such as this are cask aged in wood, in this instance for a decade on average, giving the wine its brick hue and imparting nutty and caramel notes. This powerful and refined Tawny boasts aromas and flavors of stewed strawberries, raspberry jam, spices, almonds, caramel, and dates. Its intense flavors remain wondrously balanced. My note: Beautiful hazelnut and caramel goodness. Rich and smooth. Perfect after-dinner drink. Drink: 2008-2012. 87205 20% MS 750 mL $23.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2008
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Vintages Wine Picks September 27, 2008

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