Vintages Wine Picks March 31, 2007

White Wine

Chardonnay 2006, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: We’re told that the previous vintage of this wine blew out the winery doors and it looks like the 2006 vintage is poised to do the same. It’s bursting with youthful aromas of sweet apple, cinnamon, melon, peaches and cream as well as perfumed floral notes. Dry, medium bodied, it’s fresh and youthful with the apple and melon flavors. Delicious and refreshing. My note: Lovely orange peel aromas with exotic floral notes.  37879  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 89/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Riesling Spätlese 1999, QmP, Erbacher Marcobrunn, Estate Btld., Rheingau, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Schloss Reinhartshausen is located right on the Rhine River. In fact, portions of its ancient cellars are located directly under the river, thus giving them near perfect temperature and humidity conditions. This Spätlese is dominated by ripe apricot, citrus and peach aromas and flavors. My note: Lovely and enticing wine with aromas of tree fruit.  29033  M  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 91/100. March 31, 2007 Favorite White Wine. Full Review


Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: I recommend this wine year after year: it has a real following. Vibrant, mouth-watering aromas of lime and grapefruit. Its herbal character makes it a refreshing summer wine. It's bottled with a screwcap, which is an extra bonus.  35386  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. March 31, 2007 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


Red Wine

Albert Bichot Pinot Noir 2004, AC, Burgundy, France: An intensely aromatic wine with notes of field flowers, cherries and earth. Great balance and finesse. A superb wine ... this is why I love Burgundian pinot noir so very much.  23820  XD  750 mL  $57.95  Score: 91/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Tenuta Dell'ornellaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2004, DOC Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy: Rich and full-bodied with aromas of chocolate and dark fruit. This is a knock-out wine and incredible for the price (even though it's not cheap): it's the second label of the famous Ornellaia, one of the Super Tuscans. Think of it like Max Mara and Max Mara Weekend Wear lines. Drink: 2008-2020.  606194  XD  750 mL  $54.95  Score: 93/100. March 31, 2007 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review


Shiraz Reserve 2004, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Aramis Vineyards’ specializes in only two varieties, Shiraz and Cabernet. The Leeroy Reserve shows layered aromas of blackberry, creme de cassis, cherry, tobacco, and vanilla It’s packed with ripe dark berry and cherry flavors balanced by soft tannins and enough acidity to keep things harmonious and refreshing. My note: Stunningly rich and full-bodied.  20578  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 92/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Shiraz 2004, Western Australia, Australia: Great value for this price. Aromas of mint, blackberries and plums.  21360  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 90/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Carmenère Reserva 2005, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Located in the heart of the Colchagua Valley, Casa Silva is one of Chile’s finest estates. This family winery has received numerous awards including ‘Best Winery of the Continent’ honors in the South American Guide. With every vintage they seem to raise the bar. This ultra-ripe Carmenère is a blockbuster with loads of blackberry, prune, graphite, leather, and spice aromas. It is dry with rich fruit tones surrounded by intriguing herbal notes and fine tannins which add complexity and intrigue. My note: Stunning vale/taste for the money. Full-bodied with dark plum and mint aromas. Lovely long finish.  24679  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 89/100. March 31, 2007 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review


Pinot Noir 2004, DO Penedès, Spain: A full-bodied pinot noir that's more like those from California than Burgundy. Nicely balanced and hefty enough for a wide range of dishes. Gorgeous aromas of cherries, smoke, cedar and plums. Stunningly delicious.  673483  D  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 93/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Pinot Noir 2003, AC, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium ruby in color. Notes of floral, dark chocolate, black tea, and plum. Dry and medium-bodied. My note: Darker with more body than the Pavillon with aromas of dark red berries and plums. Drink: 2007-2010.  903492  XD  750 mL  $47.95  Score: 90/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Greg Norman Cabernet Merlot 2004, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Aromas of blackcurrants, vanilla and cedar lead to berry, berry lovely flavors and a hint of mint. Serve it with chargrilled meat and you’ve got yourself a hole in one. My note: A solid effort by former golfer known as "The Shark" and now a brand-making machine. Capitalism at its purest. Aromas of mint and dark plums. Full-bodied but balanced.  552075  XD  750 mL  $24.15  Score: 89/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Merlot 2004, Mendocino County, California, USA: Here's another wine I recommend year after year, especially for those looking for wines made from organically grown grapes. It's solidly made with good balance and pleasant aromas of red plums and berries. Full-bodied.  25247  750 mL  $20.95  Score: 88/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy: A rich, warm and full-bodied run that is as layered and textured as a Tuscan sunset. Aromas of black plums, blackberries and vanilla. Drink: 2007-2015.  25668  XD  750 mL  $62.25  Score: 92/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Grenache Mouvedre Shiraz 2003, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Round, ripe and full-bodied. A palate-whacking wine that is nonetheless balanced and delicious. Aromas of black plums.  723890  XD  750 mL  $46.95  Score: 92/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Michel Picard Gamay 2004, Beaujolais, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The Moulin-à-Vent AC has long been recognized as Beaujolais’ finest production region, creating wines that age longer, taste fuller and are more concentrated than the other village ACs. Michel Picard’s 2004 is an excellent example of this style. Try it with grilled ham or veal tenderloin. My note: A lovely light wine with aromas of bright red cherries and mouth-watering juicy red fruit.  16865  D  750 mL  $20.95  Score: 89/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Shiraz/Viognier 2004, Western Australia, Australia: If you like Wolf Blass Yellow Label or Yellow Tail, you'll love this wine. It has a lovely lift in flavor from the bit of viognier (a white grape) added to it. Balanced and juicy.  20180  750 mL  $20.95  Score: 91/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Shiraz 2003, Limestone Coast, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Rich and vibrant, with aromas of blackberry, plum, strawberry preserves, dark chocolate and a hint of spice. Sweet plum flavour and gentle tannins blend in harmony leading to a long elegant finish. A perfect match to veal roasted with fennel, shallots and carrots. My note: A terrific wine with vibrant red fruit. Full-bodied.  575092  XD  750 mL  $22.15  Score: 90/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review


Pinot Noir 2005, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Sourced from a small vineyard high up in the Andes where the altitude helps create the cool conditions that Pinot Noir adores, this is an unbelievable value. This dry Pinot has lovely cherry and earth notes. My note: Aromas of jammy-ripe fruit. Medium-bodied and easy-drinking. Terrific price!  32979  D  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 88/100. March 31, 2007 Full Review