Vintages Wine Picks March 1, 2008

White Wine

Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2005, V.Q.A Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Wow! Exotic pear and peaches aroma. A round, buttery and luscious wine.  33936  14%  XD  750 mL  $25.00  Score: 92/100. March 1, 2008 Favorite White Wine. Full Review


Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: This exuberant Sauvignon Blanc bursts with intense floral and passion fruit aromas that lead to flavors of gooseberry, pear and melon on the refreshing palate. This is prototypical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with loads of personality and the promise of spring in every glass. My note: Grassy goodness. A refreshing and zippy white. Closed with a screwcap.  9142  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


The Tiers Wine Co. Clarence Hill Chardonnay 2005, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: In 1990, twenty-five years after emigrating to Australia from Italy with his parents, Claudio Curtis founded the Tiers Wine Company. Clarence Hill is one of three premium wines that Tiers produces. This Chardonnay displays lovely melon, peach, vanilla and toasty oak aromas. It’s dry with bright fruit flavors and measured oak notes leading to a lingering finish. My note: A robust white with buttery and pear notes. Good acidity.  57679  14%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 87/100. March 1, 2008 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


Chateau Des Charmes Paul Bosc Estate Chardonnay 2004, Ontario, Canada: Perfectly balanced. A round white wine with buttery notes.  287268  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Tawse Robyn's Block Chardonnay 2004, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A lovely, full-bodied white with ripe pear, apple, melon, butter and smoke notes.  662841  13%  XD  750 mL  $48.00  Score: 92/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Red Wine

Moillard Bourgogne Pinot Noir Tradition 2006, AC, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This Pinot is sourced from vineyards across Burgundy including the Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits, Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Hautes Côtes de Nuits and Côte Chalonnaise. This is prototypical Bourgogne Pinot Noir: light, fresh, juicy, and crisp. Best served with simple, non-spicy food. My note: A red wine with ripe cherry and berry flavors. A fantastic value.  66399  12%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 88/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Rosenblum Appellation Series Zinfandel 2006, North Coast, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: Trained as a veterinarian, Kent Rosenblum was an amateur winemaker who followed his dream to found and build Rosenblum Cellars into one of California’s benchmark Zinfandel producers. Three decades later, he is still CEO and director of winemaking at Rosenblum. This rich, fruit-driven Zin from his appellation series has layers of blackberry, raspberry and currant fruit as well as hints of spice and vanilla. My note: Pure purple goodness. A full-bodied red with purple plum flavors.  31773  14%  D  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 89/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Earl Durand Père & Fils, Prop. Recolt. Domaine De La Vieille Ferme De L'eoune Rasteau Côtes Du Rhône-Villages 2004, AC, Southern Rhone, France: If you like California Zinfandel, try this. A delicious, full-bodied red with notes of blackberry and plums.  43141  13%  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 87/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


KWV Cathedral Cellar Merlot 2003, WO Coastal Region, South Africa: A balanced, full-bodied and oaky red with blackberry notes.  522219  14%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 89/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Louis Max Gevrey-Chambertin Les Azerottes 2005, AC, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Enjoy this deeply colored cherry, raspberry and beetroot-scented wine. My note: A gorgeous wine, with layers of black cherry, earth and spice. Possesses a lovely texture and finish.  66589  13%  XD  750 mL  $63.95  Score: 92/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Schroeder & Schyler Château Kirwan 2004, AC Margaux, Bordeaux, France: Intense aromas of black fruit, oak, smoke and dried herbs. Full-bodied, layered and complex.  664391  13%  XD  750 mL  $52.95  Score: 91/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Frédéric Magnien Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2005, AC, Burgundy, France: My favorite type of Old World pinot: elegant, balanced and long-lived. A red with notes of raspberry and earth.  66480  13%  D  750 mL  $55.95  Score: 92/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Barossa Valley Estate E & E Black Pepper Shiraz 2003, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Gorgeous, yes! Worth $99.95? no! But price is not a factor for some. A full-bodied, juicy red with black fruit notes. Closed with a screwcap.  731620  15%  XD  750 mL  $99.95  Score: 92/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Jean-Pierre Rivière, Prop. Château Moulin De Lavaud 2003, AC Lalande-de-Pomerol, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Jean-Pierre Rivière has been the owner of Château Moulin de Lavaud since 1998. His 6 hectares of vineyards, located next to the Pomerol appellation, are composed of gravel and clay that require heavy green-harvesting to reduce yields. Incidentally, Jean-Pierre intends to increase the percentage of Merlot grown in his vineyards as the grape variety has responded so well to the soil conditions. Wines from this château are renowned for their full body and well-integrated fruit. Cellar this wine for 2-5 years. My note: A terrific value for this balanced, full-bodied red with a long finish.  65607  13%  XD  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 90/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Doudet-Naudin Domaine Doudet Aloxe-Corton Les Guérets 2005, AC, 1er Cru, Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Aloxe-Corton is a tiny village at the foot of the Montagne de Corton and an appellation with a number of grand cru and premier cru vineyards, including Les Guérets near Savigny-lès-Beaune. Yves Doudet is committed to the virtues of ‘small’ winemaking: hand-picking, no chemicals, and no filtration when possible. Domaine Doudet is one of the last independent, family-owned and operated wineries in the Côte d’Or. And they’ve been at it since 1849. This wine will definitely reward cellaring of 6+ years. My note: A silky, smooth red with luxurious layers of dark berries and spice.  66530  13%  XD  750 mL  $44.95  Score: 91/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Caves Do Solar De São Domingos Colheita 2005, D.O.C. Bairrada, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: In order to preserve its fresh fruit intensity, this wine is matured exclusively in stainless steel vats. A blend of Baga, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, it features pretty aromas of blackberry, cherry, underbrush and sweet oak spice. My note: A juicy, plummy, full-bodied wine.  67082  13%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 86/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Gray Monk Pinot Noir 2006, V.Q.A. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Gray Monk is B.C.’s most northerly commercial winery, but they source their Pinot Noir grapes from growers throughout the Okanagan Valley. This is a delicate, medium-bodied, dry wine with red berry and floral aromas. My note: A lovely, red with pleasant, bitter cherry and beetroot aromas.  60491  11%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 89/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Château De La Rivière 2004, AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France: Balanced and full-bodied wine with classic aromas of cassis and blackcurrant.  663948  13%  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A zippy little red with mouth-awakening acidity. This red wine has layers of cherries and raspberries. Closed with a screwcap.  590414  13%  D  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 89/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Château Philippe-Le-Hardi Mercurey 2005, AC, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Philippe le Hardi, or Philip the Bold (1342-1404), is an important figure in the history of Burgundy wine as he ordered Pinot Noir to be planted, replacing the existing Gamay vines. The wines from the Mercurey appellation are renowned for their full body and complex aromas (e.g., raspberry, cherry and pretty earth tones). My note: A full-bodied wine with aromas of cherry liqueur.  66365  13%  XD  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 90/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Wakefield is called Taylors in Australia; they use this alternative name for the rest of the world to avoid confusion with an identically named California winery. My note: A classic Aussie Cabernet. Closed with a screwcap.  744235  14%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 90/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Plantagenet Omrah Shiraz 2004, Mount Barker, Western Australia, Australia: A full-bodied, lush wine that's bursting with black fruit.  21360  14%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 90/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Lammershoek Roulette 2004, WO Swartland, South Africa: A full-bodied red with sweet black fruit notes.  58164  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 88/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Viña La Rosa La Capitana Barrel Reserve Merlot 2006, Cachapoal Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This Merlot is blended with small amounts of Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon and is bursting with ripe red fruit, damson plum and dark chocolate aromas and flavors. It’s dry, full-bodied and very smooth and has a medium finish. Always an exceptional value. My note: A simple, hulking, but satisfying wine.  58297  14%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 86/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Sonoma County, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: Sebastiani has a reputation for creating well-priced, well-crafted wines, such as this Cabernet Sauvignon. Though the label says Cabernet Sauvignon (84.2%), it’s more like a Meritage blend using small amounts or Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah. It shows aromas of black cherry, cassis, cocoa, vanilla and toasty oak. There are plenty of dark berry flavors, but the wine is not simply fruit-driven as it is balanced by layers of ripe tannins and acids. My note: A red wine with gorgeous chocolate and black fruit aromas.  640573  13%  XD  750 mL  $20.95  Score: 89/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Can Blau Montsant 2006, DO Monsant, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: Can Blau is the joint effort of Jorge Ordóñez and Ángel Gil of Bodegas Juan Gil. This dark purple blend of Carignan, Syrah and Garnacha, first made in 2004, features aromas of dark fruit with hints of licorice and oak. Add mineral notions to the preceding for an idea of what this is like on the palate. It’s medium full-bodied, a big wine, with lots of fruit and spice on the long finish. Reviews aren’t in yet for the 2006 but this is an ever-popular and inexpensive beauty from an underrated region of Spain. My note: A full-bodied wine with delicious notes of black plums and smoke.  67397  14%  XD  750 mL  $20.95  Score: 89/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Fort Médoc 2000, AC Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France: A great value for this smoky, full-bodied red with dark red fruit notes.  65581  12%  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 89/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Viu Manent Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: A Silver Medal winner at the 2006 International Wine and Spirits competition, this wine exhibits lots of cherry, mint and fresh herb aromas with hints of licorice and dark chocolate. My note: A haunting wine with notes of blackberries and mint. A fantastic value!  59196  14%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 89/100. March 1, 2008 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review


Marqués De Vitoria Gran Reserva 1996, D.O.C.A. Rioja, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: Unlike the majority of Rioja wines, which are blends of Tempranillo and other grapes (aged in American oak), this version is made with only Tempranillo and is aged in French oak casks for 24 months plus six years in bottle before release. The result is aromas of red currants, clove and black pepper. The palate shows a medium body, smooth tannins and lingering spice-filled finish. My note: A lovely rioja, big and oaky with a solid core of black-red fruit.  902916  13%  XD  750 mL  $30.95  Score: 90/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2003, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Pure cherry liqueur and raisined goodness. Full-bodied to the max!  356220  15%  D  750 mL  $49.95  Score: 91/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Ridge Three Valleys 2005, Sonoma County, California, USA: Great price from a fantastic producer. A full-bodied wine with dark fruit notes.  652875  14%  D  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 90/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Pinot Noir 2005, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Seductively smooth - goes down slippery-fast. Cherries, cherries, cherries!  33894  13%  XD  750 mL  $25.00  Score: 90/100. March 1, 2008 Full Review


Domaine Vincent Sauvestre Corton-Maréchaudes 2005, AC, Grand Cru, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine is a great value for a Grand Cru. Vincent Sauvestre, born in 1961, is the third generation of his family to be involved in the wine business. He creates both easy-drinking, food-friendly wines and more complex, flavorful products designed for the cellar. Both styles celebrate the terroir of each individual vineyard. Try this Corton-Maréchaudes tonight with rare roast beef or place it in the cellar and anticipate something wonderful. My note: A lovely ephemeral pinot with aromas of cherries and raspberries.  66472  13%  XD  750 mL  $57.95  Score: 92/100. March 1, 2008 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review