Values Wine Picks December 4, 2007

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

Sandhill Chardonnay V.Q.A. 2006, Okanagan, B.C., Canada: A lovely, rich and full-bodied chardonnay with classic aromas of baked pear, vanilla and apples.  0  14%  XD  750 mL  $17.99  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Calona Vineyards Artist Series Pinot Blanc 2006, Okanagan, B.C., Canada: A crisp, refreshing white wine with aromas of quince, honeydew and pear.  0  14%  XD  750 mL  $14.97  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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Calona Vineyards Artist Series Unoaked Chardonnay 2006, Okanagan, B.C. V.Q.A., Canada: I'm usually not a fan of unoaked chardonnay, but this one is excellent. It delivers the lovely fruit of the grape without the mask of oak. Who knew chardonnay could taste so good? Aromas of pear and green apples.  364323  14%  XD  750 mL  $13.99  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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Red Rooster Riesling 2006, Okanagan, B.C., Canada: What a pretty wine! This riesling underwent cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks to maximize the fruit character. Attractive aromas of white flowers, peaches, rose petal and some lychee.  498840  13%  D  750 mL  $14.90  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Henry Of Pelham Reserve Riesling V.Q.A. 2006, Niagara, Canada: Gorgeous concentration, yet not heavy on the palate. Aromas of citrus, grapefruit and zesty lemon.  557165  11%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 90/100. December 4, 2007 Favorite White Wine.
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Beringer Vineyards French Thom Chardonnay 2006, France: A simple, full-bodied and oaky, buttery chardonnay.  23895  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.15  Score: 87/100. December 4, 2007
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Pieroth Riesling 2005, Pzalz, Germany: A lovely, light, simple sipper with notes of pears and green apples.  23895  11%  XD  750 mL  $11.15  Score: 87/100. December 4, 2007
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Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand: A very grassy, herbal and full-bodied sauvignon blanc.  316570  13%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Stellenbosch, South Africa: An excellent value for this vibrant, refreshing wine. Aromas of lime, gooseberry and grapefruit.  527465  12%  D  750 mL  $9.15  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007 Best Value White Wine.
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[ Compress ] Red Wine

Bodega Jacques & Francois Lurton Malbec 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Sourced from the foothills of the Andes, Malbec is Argentina's most emblematic red grape variety. This wine is a terrific value! Rich and full-bodied with notes of blackcurrant, mulberry, black raspberries and smoky oak.  28829  13%  XD  750 mL  $11.15  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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Greg Norman Limstone Coast Shiraz 2005, Australia: A wine with excellent depth, concentration and a long finish. It has aromas of ripe, dark plum, blackberry, sweet vanillin, spice with notes of blackcurrant, mocha and cedar oak. Grown in the rich red soils that overlay the region's hard limestone rock.  0  14%  D  750 mL  $19.99  Score: 91/100. December 4, 2007
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J.J. Mcwilliams Shiraz Cabernet 2006, South Eastern Australia, Australia: A full-bodied, rich and simple wine with notes of extremely ripe plums and chocolate.  16741  13%  XD  750 mL  $10.15  Score: 87/100. December 4, 2007 Best Value Red Wine.
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Penfolds Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, South Eastern Australia, Australia: Full-bodied with classic notes of cassis and blackcurrant. Somewhat tannic so decant 1-2 hours.  45625  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.55  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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Grant Burge Wines Barossa Vines Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2005, Barossa, Australia: A lovely, robust and well balanced red with notes of blackberries, plums, liquorice and cassis.  619379  14%  XD  750 mL  $16.05  Score: 90/100. December 4, 2007 Favorite Red Wine.
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Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz 2005, South Eastern Australia, Australia: Full-bodied, rich and delicious wine with aromas of black fruit and oak.  642751  13%  D  750 mL  $16.45  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz 2004, Australia: A delicious, full-bodied red with classic shiraz aromas of black fruit, mint and oak.  665471  14%  XD  750 mL  $17.15  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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Sandhill Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2005, Okanagan, B.C., Canada: A blend of 39% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, and 29% cabernet franc. Full-bodied with aromas of blackberry, plum, and cedar. Notes of red and black berries on the palate.  0  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.99  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Calona Vineyards Artist Series Pinot Noir 2006, Okanagan, B.C., Canada: A medium-bodied wine with good acidity, tannins and a plush finish. Aromas of sweet cherries, red currants and raspberries.  0  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.99  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Creekside Estate Laura's Blend Red 2005, Niagara, Canada: A mouth-watering, well-balanced red with notes of black cherries and spice. Available at the winery.  0  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 8/100. December 4, 2007
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Henry Of Pelham Reseve Baco Noir V.Q.A. 2005, Niagara, Canada: Barrel aged in 1-2-year-old American oak for 15 months. This wine has lovely concentration. It's full-bodied with jammy and plummy fruit aromas.  461699  13%  XD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Red Rooster Pinot Noir V.Q.A. 2006, Okanagan, B.C., Canada: Lovely aromas of sweet black cherry, spice and earth. A medium-bodied wine with silky soft tannins and a long finish.  533190  12%  XD  750 mL  $19.90  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Wayne Gretzky Estate Merlot V.Q.A. 2006, Niagara, Canada: A rich, smooth, full-bodied red with notes of cherry and vanilla.  63966  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon 120 2006, Central Valley, Chile: An amazing value for this delicious wine! Aromas of dark red berries, cloves, vanilla, plums and oak.  218644  14%  XD  750 mL  $10.55  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Maipo Valley, Chile: An elegant and full-bodied wine with aromas of black fruit, plums, herbs and vanilla. Aged up to eight months in American oak barrels.  253872  14%  XD  750 mL  $13.55  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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E. Guigal Cotes Du Rhone 2003, France: An elegant and subtle wine with notes of ripe red fruit, cedar and spice. It's a medium- to full-bodied blend of 55% syrah, 35% grenache, 10% mouvedre. Mellow tannins.  259721  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.75  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Domaine De Serane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Languedoc, France: A full-bodied wine with big black fruit and smoky oak notes.  35006  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 87/100. December 4, 2007
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Dalton Safsura Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Israel: A simple but delicious, full-bodied wine with notes of berries, vanilla and oak. Grapes sourced from the Upper Galilee. Kosher for Passover.  28266  13%  XD  750 mL  $17.15  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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Ruffino Fonte Al Sole 2004, Tuscany, Italy: A medium-bodied, nicely balanced wine with notes of raspberries and blackberries.  18994  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.15  Score: 87/100. December 4, 2007
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Straccali Chianti Classico 2005, Tuscany, Italy: A medium- to full-bodied wine with notes of ripe cherry and chocolate. Good structure, with some firm tannins so decant 1-2 hours.  19695  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.45  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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Folonari Pinot Neri Della Venezie, 2005, Italy: A simple, pleasant light- to medium-bodied wine with notes of bright red cherries and raspberries.  32888  12%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. December 4, 2007
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Lapaccio Primitivo Salento 2005, I.G.T. Puglia, Italy: A round, delicious red with notes of raspberries, chocolate and oak. Aged in oak for 3-4 months.  588822  13%  XD  750 mL  $12.25  Score: 87/100. December 4, 2007
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Tommasi Valpolicella Classico 2006, 0, Italy: Full-bodied with aromas of black cherries and plums. Made from corvina veronese, rondinella and molinara grapes.  669150  12%  XD  750 mL  $14.05  Score: 86/100. December 4, 2007
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Oracle Shiraz 2005, South Africa: A simple, robust wine with delicious aromas of red berries and plums.  36772  14%  XD  750 mL  $10.95  Score: 86/100. December 4, 2007
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Obikwa Shiraz 2006, Stellenbosch, South Africa: A very oaky and robust red with aromas of black fruit.  527499  13%  D  750 mL  $10.95  Score: 85/100. December 4, 2007
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Obikwa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Stellenbosch, South Africa: A pleasant, simple and robust cabernet sauvignon with notes of cassis and black fruit.  665323  14%  D  750 mL  $9.65  Score: 85/100. December 4, 2007
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Penascal Shiraz 2004, Castilla y Leon, Spain: A pleasant, smooth, medium- to full-bodied wine with notes of plums, blackberries and cocoa. If you like merlot, you'll like this wine.  19562  13%  XD  750 mL  $10.95  Score: 87/100. December 4, 2007
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Valencia Bobal & Shiraz 2006, Hoya Valley, Spain: The winery was founded in 1885 and makes this wine from the bobal and shiraz grapes grown in Valencia on Spain's east coast. This wine is full-bodied and smooth-textured with aromas of blackberries and raspberries. Closed with a screwcap.  539320  XD  750 mL  $8.99  Score: 86/100. December 4, 2007
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Torres Merlot Atrium 2005, Penedes, Spain: Great value! A lovely rich and round red wine with luxurious layers of cherry, plum and chocolate. Full-bodied.  621755  14%  XD  750 mL  $15.15  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Greg Norman Lake County Zinfandel 2003, California, USA: This full-bodied wine spent six months in small oak barrels that were 50% new American oak and 50% seasoned French. With aromas of blackberry liqueur and ripe raspberry it is juicy, plummy and berry ripe.  0  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.99  Score: 89/100. December 4, 2007
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Barefoot Shiraz 2006, California, USA: A simple, full-bodied red with sweet plum fruit and blackberry jam aromas.  54015  13%  XD  750 mL  $9.95  Score: 86/100. December 4, 2007
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Beaulieu Vineyard Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, California, USA: A full-bodied wine with aromas of red cherries, blackberries, toasty vanilla and chocolate.  569871  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.15  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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[ Compress ] Sparkling Wine

Rose Brut Non-Vintage, Reims, France: The Lanson Rose Label is a blend of three champagne grape varieties: 32% chardonnay, 53% pinot noir, 15% pinot meunier. They are vinified in the traditional manner, small amount of quantity of pinot noir is vinified as red wine which gives the champagne its light salmon color. There are aromas of roses, raspberries on the nose.  0  12%  D  750 mL  $48.95  Score: 90/100. December 4, 2007
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[ Compress ] Dessert Wine

Pilliteri Estates Sparkling Vidal Icewine 2006, Niagara, Canada: I love this festive bubbly! Gorgeous honeyed sweetness with aromas of toasted almonds, apricots, caramel and marmalade.  18978  9%  S  375 mL  $44.90  Score: 93/100. December 4, 2007 Favorite Dessert Wine.
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Pillitteri Estates Vidal Icewine 2005, Niagara, Canada: Gorgeous concentration and rich texture with tropical mango, limes and pineapple on the nose.  370007  10%  S  375 mL  $40.00  Score: 90/100. December 4, 2007
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Pilliteri Estates Riesling Icewine 2004, Niagara, Canada: A lovely dessert option with notes of white peach, nectarine, white flowers and lemon zest. Tangerines and marmalade on the palate.  53629  10%  S  375 mL  $50.00  Score: 91/100. December 4, 2007
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Reif Estate Vidal Icewine 2005, Niagara, Canada: An elixir of apricots, honey and toffee.  554791  10%  S  200 mL  $24.95  Score: 92/100. December 4, 2007
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Nutty Solera Oloroso Sherry, Jerez, Spain: Lovely! You need to acquire a taste for sherry, but it's a lovely change from the usual. Nutty, warm aromas of roasted almonds and hazelnuts. It offers terrific balance with acidity. Try this well-priced sherry as an after dinner drink.  35204  20%  MD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 88/100. December 4, 2007
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[ Compress ] Other Wines/Drinks

Wild Africa Cream Liqueur 2006, South Africa: Gorgeous layers of caramel cream. If you like Bailey's Irish Cream, you'll love this.  52795  17%  S  750 mL  $26.95  Score: 90/100. December 4, 2007
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