Vintages Wine Picks April 17, 2010

White Wine

Marcel Deiss Pinot D'alsace 2004, A.C. , Anjou, Alsace, France: Complex, layered and concentrated with alluring aromas of apricot, white peach, almond and Asian pear. Full-bodied and beautifully textured. The grapes for this wine were farmed biodynamically which is organic plus more care and attention.  165365  13%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Martin Steimer Gewurztraminer 2008, A.C., Alsace, France: Very well made and a classic of its type: rose petals, lychee, baking spices, Asian pear. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering. Lovely!  709790  13.50%  D  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Spy Valley Wine Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Terrific grassy goodness with herbal notes and a backdrop of chives and green apples. Medium-bodied and very food friendly. Incredible price!  686675  13%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


Closson Chase Chardonnay 2007, Prince Edward County, Canada: A sublimely concentrated and voluptuous white wine: This is clearly one of Canada's benchmark Chardonnays. The nose offers enticing aromas of baked apples, hazelnut, toasted almond, green apple and Asian pear. Layer after layer unfurls on the palate. Dive in and don't look back! Drink: 2010-2015.  148866  14%  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 92/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Francis Blanchet Calcite Pouilly-Fumé 2008, A.C., Loire, France: Incredibly mouth-watering and juicy due to grapefruit-like acidity. Wonderfully refreshing; this wine does need food. Zesty notes of lime and green apples.  12013  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Franciscan Chardonnay 2007, Napa Valley, California, United States: Big, buttery, oaky Chardonnay. Good ole Chard for when you want to slip into your comfy jeans and play country music and have yourself a corn roast in the backyard.  496125  13.50%  D  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Rutherford Wine Company Chardonnay 2008, Napa Valley, California, United States: Absolutely lovely! Buttery and smoky but so balanced and not over-the-top. Love it: juicy and flavourful.  136382  13.50%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Josef Chromy Riesling 2008, Tasmania, Australia: Lovely white flowers, white peach and lime zest! Medium-bodied with just a touch of sweetness. Absolutely divine!  162966  13.50%  D  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Mer Soleil Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2007, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California, United States: Love this big hulking Chardonnay with butter -rich, smoky layers. Green apples and Asian pear and a baking spices finish. Yum!  958975  14.50%  D  750 mL  $39.95  Score: 92/100. April 17, 2010 Favourite White Wine. Full Review


Josef Chromy Pinot Gris 2008, Tasmania, Australia: A straight-forward, refreshing white with white, lime and lemon zest. Mouth-watering. Great aperitif.  162974  13.50%  D  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Caliterra Tributo Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley, Chile: A pleasant, well-rounded Chardonnay with notes of green apples and vanilla smoke.  144709  13.50%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Les Coteaux Tufiers Demi-Sec Vouvray, Boutinot 2008, A.C., Loire, France: An extremely delicious white with lovely aromas of ripe peach, pear and luscious tree fruit. A touch of sweetness allows this pair with medium curries and dishes with a hint of sweetness like glazed ham.  57018  12%  MD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


St. Antony 483 Dry Riesling 2008, Q.B.A., Rheinhessen, Germany: Zesty limes, chives, green apples and some flinty stone. Dry and mouth-watering. Yes!  160622  12.50%  D  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Jackson Estate Stitch Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Big acidic attack so be sure to pair this with food, especially a vegetarian dish or vegetables or seafood. Grassy green fields of flavour.  963124  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Red Wine

The Hedonist Walter Clappis Wine Co. Shiraz 2006, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: This wine is farmed and made biodynamically, meaning it adheres to organic farming plus other principles. Black, silky fruit and pepper with an ultra-dry finish. Dusty tannins.  90191  14%  D  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Masi Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Classico Amarone Della Valpolicella 2004, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: A lovely tart cherries with savoury tarry notes. Full-bodied with dark spices and smoke on the finish.  462812  15.50%  D  750 mL  $69.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Viña Montgras Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2008, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Espresso-infused nose with lovely dark berries and supple tannins. Dark spice finish. Incredible price!  976787  14.50%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review


Featherstone Winery Cabernet Franc 2008, V.Q.A., Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A savoury, balanced Cabernet Franc with attractive notes of mocha, blackberry and plum. Not a bell pepper in sight. Lovely medium-bodied texture and weight.  64618  12%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Monte Del Frá Bardolino Corvina Rondinella Barbera 2008, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: A juicy, back cherry liqueur rich red with some fun and robust dark fruit flavours.  134544  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Le Gravillas Sablet Caves Des Vignerons À Sablet Syrah Blend 2007, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France: A black plum and cedar red with full-bodied goodness. One to drink and enjoy, not to analyze.  78790  14%  XD  750 mL  $15.00  Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Navarro Correas Coleccion Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Savoury and juicy with bacon fat, blackcurrant, plum and dark berries. Supple texture with full-bodied weight. Fantastic party wine.  28910  13.80%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Doña Paula Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Savoury and juicy with vibrantly plum plums and dark field berries. Full-bodied, supple and warmly satisfying. Blueberry-infused finish.  661819  14%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Pirramimma Old Bush Vine Grenache 2004, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Black as night, pitch dark fruit, smoke and tar. Savoury depths.  108068  14%  D  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


L'antico Di Burchino Vigna Casanova, Tenuta Di Burchino Chianti 2007, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy: A juicy, mouth-watering red with pleasantly sour cherries and tart cranberries. Silky, medium-bodied. The grapes for this wine were farmed biodynamically (organic plus more).  160457  12%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Echeverria Reserva Syrah 2006, Colchagua Valley, Chile: A honkin’ big red that’s ready for whatever red meat you can throw at it. Mocha, black plum and smoke. Tasty all the way to the sofa and back.  144741  14.50%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Clos Du Bois Pinot Noir 2007, North Coast, California, United States: Love it! Drop-to-your-knees black fleshy cherries and a satin texture. Let it roll over you. Medium-bodied. Wow price. How’d they do that?  161273  13.50%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 91/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Bonterra Syrah 2006, Menocino County, California, United States: This wine is made from organically grown grapes. It’s savoury with dark brooding berries. Smoke wraps around the core. Full-bodied and balanced.  573709  14.40%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2007, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy: A juicy, mouth-watering red with sun-dried tomato, pleasantly tart cherries and smoke. Medium- to full-bodied and smoky.  23325  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Tyrrell's Wines Rufus Stone Shiraz 2007, Heathcote, Australia: Towering flavours with incredible depth. Deep black plums, mocha, black raspberry jam and vanilla smoke.  91488  14%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 92/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Cave Des Vignerons De Bel-Air Crépuscule Gamay 2008, A.C., Brouilly, Beaujolais, France: Lovely bright field strawberries and raspberries with a medium-bodied silky texture. Refreshing, delightful and carefree. Perfect for picnics and for sitting out on the deck on an early spring day, sipping and savouring.  159749  12.50%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Rodney Strong Alexander's Crown Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: Winner of a Gold Medal at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This generous wine just keeps giving in flavour, length and mouth-watering goodness. Silky and seductive with fleshy ripe black cherries, rose petals and smoke. Top me up!  329961  14.10%  D  750 mL  $34.95  Score: 92/100. April 17, 2010 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review


Fontodi Chianti Classico 2007, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy: Generous and inviting with mouth-watering flavours of ripe blackberries and black raspberries. Smoke wraps around the black heart of this wine and the finish is as long as a Tuscan sunset.  933317  14%  XD  750 mL  $27.95  Score: 91/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Terranoble Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Big coffee and oak aromas with black fruit underneath. A palate-wacker for sure.  46268  14%  D  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Lusitano Colheita Seleccionada Tinto 2008, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal: Juicy dark fruit with a fleshy core. A wine that keeps on giving; it makes you go back for a second and a third glass. Better buy two bottles.  165175  12%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


RavensWood Vintners Blend Merlot 2007, California, United States: Savoury, dark and velvety with richly ripe black plums. Full-bodied and balanced. A walk in a summer forest at night, alive with pocketed aromas.  505065  13.50%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Gemtree Bloodstone Shiraz Viognier 2008, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Love the way this wine keep rolling across the palate with layer after layer of flavour! A basket of fresh blackberries tumbles out of the glass with every sip.  22111  14.50%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Café Culture Pinotage 2009, W.O., Western Cape, South Africa: A mocha-rich red with tasty mouth-watering acidity. If you love full-bodied, well-oaked wines, this one is for you!  72710  14.50%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 86/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Anura Reserve Merlot 2005, W.O., Coastal Region, South Africa: Gorgeous, complex and enticing aromas of Bordeaux-like cigar box, blackcurrant, cassis, and dark spices. Blends New World energy and fruit for an intoxicating combination. Full-bodied but supple and balanced. Superb effort!  157461  14.50%  D  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: A peppery, tarry black plum red with dark spices on the finish. Full-bodied and tasty. Perfect for pepperoni pizza.  167619  14%  D  750 mL  $15.00  Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Fumanelli Valpolicella 2008, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: A delicious Italian countryside red; the kind you would find poured by the pitcher-full at a small trattoria. Aromas of black and dark red berries, smoke and earth. Rustic and tasty.  687186  12.50%  D  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 87/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Saltram Wine Estate Mamre Brook Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Big honkin’ full-bodied red with big jammy ripe plums and blackberry preserves. Supple and juicy. Pow!  32227  15.50%  D  750 mL  $23.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Domaine Boudau Le Clos, Véronique Et Pierre Boudau, Vign.-Récolt. 2008, A.C.. Côtes Du Roussillon, Midi, France: This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Concours des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants. It’s a blend of 80% grenache and 20% syrah. Dark cedary and peppery black fruit with savoury goodness on the mid-palate. Satisfying, full-bodied and delicious. Good value.  149989  15%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Hahn Estates Meritage 2007, Central Coast, California, United States: How delightful! Savoury, tasty, unfolding fleshy good fruit. Love it! Full-bodied and juicy. Wake-up your tastebuds.  161265  14.50%  D  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Full Review


Rosés

Gassier Sables D'azur Rosé 2009, Ac Côtes De Provence, France: I love this style of rose! Bone-dry and refreshing but bursting with aromas of fresh field raspberries and strawberries on a summer day. Absolutely wonderful!  33621  12.50%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value Rosé. Full Review


Sparkling Wine

Filippino Moscato D'asti 2008, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: Stunningly beautiful! I beg you to try this. Low alcohol, packed with flavour: ripe peach, orange peel and floral notes. A touch of sweetness and effervescence. Gorgeous!  729160  5.50%  MS  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Full Review


Dessert Wine

Limnos Wines Muscat De Limnos 2008, Greece: Fantastic value for this lovely apricot-rich dessert wine! Not heavy or cloying, this lovely offers up ultra-ripe peaches and pear preserves.  61119  15%  S  750 mL  $11.95  Score: 89/100. April 17, 2010 Best Value Dessert Wine. Full Review


Quinta Do Noval Late Bottled Finest Reserve Port, D.O.C., Douro, Portugal: Terrific value. Gorgeous layers of dark red fruit, spice and smoke. The perfect after-dinner drink.  956656  20%  S  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. April 17, 2010 Favorite Dessert Wine. Full Review