Values Wine Picks March 28, 2010

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: May 22, March 7, January 4 and December 16.

White Wine

Arniston Bay Western Cape Chenin Blanc Chardonnay 2009, South Africa: A pleasant, melon-ripe white with a crisp green-apple acidity. Nice aperitif.  129650  13.50%    750 mL  $0.00  Score: 86/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Penfolds Koonunga Hill Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2007, South Australia, Australia: A smokey, buttery Chardonnay that delivers delicious full-bodied flavor and layers of green and yellow apple aromas.  321943  13.50%    750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Hawkes Wine & Winery Home Chardonnay 2007, Sonoma County, California, USA: A delightfully balanced and tasty Chardonnay with pleasing notes of green apples, butter, toast and almonds. Drink: 2010-2014.  301209  14.10%  D  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 87/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Yvon Mau Colomb Chardonnay 2008, V.D.P., Languedoc, Roussillon, France: A light, not too oaky Chardonnay with pleasant green apple notes. Terrific value.  627265  13%    750 mL  $8.95  Score: 85/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Huff Estates Winery Riesling Off Dry 2008, Prince Edward County, Canada: I lovely peach-infused sipper with zippy and refreshing notes of lime. Says off-dry (touch of sweetness) o the label but tastes dry because of the terrific acidity balancing it. Great as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to many dishes. Drink: 2010-2012.  155606  11.50%  MD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 88/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Long Flat Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Southern, Australia: Fresh lime green notes with a grassy underlay. Zippy and refreshing with mouth-watering acidity.  183715  11.50%    750 mL  $10.95  Score: 86/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Yvon Mau Sauvignon Blanc 2008, V.D.P., Languedoc, Roussillon, France: Terrific value for this refreshing, lime- and grapefruit-infused quaffer. Perfect for sipping on the dock.  19653    750 mL  $8.95  Score: 85/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Matua Valley Paretai Marlborough Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand: Incredible depth and richness that I rarely see in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which tends to be zesty. This one is still vibrant and refreshing but it has that extra dimension of complexity infused with glorious citrus fruit: lime and lemon wrapped in lanolin. Long finish.  278556  14%    750 mL  $24.95  Score: 94/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Rosehall Run Sullyzwicker 2008, Prince Edward County, Canada: Intriguing white wine that's way more interesting than Pinot Grigio. Lovely aromas of white flowers, lime and melon. Terrific aperitif. Drink: 2010-2012.  834328002367  11.50%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 87/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Red Wine

The Grange of Prince Edward Estate Winery Trumpour's Mill Estate Bottled Pinot Noir 2007, Prince Edward County, Canada: Tart black cherries and cranberries with an underlay of mocha notes. Vibrant acidity, medium-bodied and silky. Drink: 2010-2015.  1  13%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 87/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Penfolds Koonunga Hill Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008, South Australia, Australia: A supple, plummy red with generous, full-bodied texture and layers of flavour. Fleshy blackberries round out this lovely wine.  285544  13.50%    750 mL  $16.45  Score: 89/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


San Pedro Merlot 2008, Central Valley, Chile: Terrific value! Loaded with purple plums and blackberry jam notes. Full-bodied and supple. Perfect for potluck gatherings.  272518    750 mL  $8.95  Score: 86/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


TILIA Malbec 2008, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA: Juicy generous notes of fleshy dark berries and plums. An wonderfully savoury note on the mid-palate that keeps me coming back to the glass (for a top up). Balanced, full-bodied and suplpe. Amazing price. Drink: 2010-2011.  160945  13%  D  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 88/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Yvon Mau Shiraz 2008, V.D.P., Languedoc, Roussilon, France: Tasty and bursting with ripe blackberries and plums. Perfect for movie night!  621979  13.50%    750 mL  $8.95  Score: 85/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Long Flat Shiraz 2008, Southern, Australia: Fleshy ripe blackberries and plums with a juicy, mouth-watering, full-bodied texture and weight. Smooth and supple. Amazing price.  536763  14%    750 mL  $11.90  Score: 88/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Penfolds Koonunga Hill Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, South Australia, Australia: A classically made Cabernet from a producer who is consistently good year after year. Offers enticing aromas of blackberry, cassis and blackcurrant with a judicious use of wood for a smokey finish. Supple and full-bodied. Great price.  45625  13.50%    750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Long Flat Cabernet Shiraz 2008, Southern, Australia: Bursting with black cherries and cassis. Juicy, full-bodied and well-rounded with supple texture and layers. Fantastic price. Terrific party wine.  212373  14.50%    750 mL  $10.95  Score: 87/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Arniston Bay Shiraz Merlot 2008, Western Cape, South Africa: Juicy purple plums and dark berries in the glass with a tasty, full-bodied weight. Great for barbecues.  43927  13.50%    750 mL  $9.90  Score: 86/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review


Sparkling Wine

Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Sonoma, California, USA: Lovely crisp notes of field strawberries and raspberries on the nose. Frothy, persistent and refreshing. A beautiful jeweled tone of light pink. Drink: 2010-2015.  192898  12.50%  D  750 mL  $24.00  Score: 91/100. March 28, 2010 Full Review