Wine Picks

Vintages Wine Picks August 5, 2011

White Wine

Tantalus Vineyards Single Vineyard Riesling 2010, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: A cracking great Riesling, with come-alive lime zest and lemon aromas. Spectacularly juicy and mouth-watering with a finish of Granny Smith apple. Taste and see what BC is capable of when it comes to vibrant Riesling! Drink: 2011-2018. 626990067412 12.20% M 750 mL $22.90 Score: 92/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Henry of Pelham Estate Winery Pinot Grigio 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Absolutely delightful! Lovely fresh melon and white peach notes. Medium-bodied, mouth-watering and balanced. Refreshing as an aperitif or as a companion to many dishes. Drink: 2011-2013. 779376450619 13.50% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Southbrook Vineyards Connect White Vidal 2010, Niagara Peninsula VQA, Ontario, Canada: I love it when I find a wine that's so low in alcohol yet so packed with flavour! It means you can enjoy it over an evening without falling asleep on the sofa at 7 pm. This wine is liquid refreshment: light floral notes, white peach and melon. It's slightly off-dry (a touch of sweetness) which makes it perfect for dishes with a little sweetness or spice, such as glazed ham or light to medium curries and Asian fare. The bonus is that this wine is organic. Drink: 2010-2013. 249078 9.60% MD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Vintage Ink Wines Rite of Passage Chardonnay 2010, V.Q.A. Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada: Lusciously ripe tropical fruit aromas of passion fruit and pear followed by just a kiss of oak from five month barrel aging. Nicely balanced and rich in flavour. Drink: 2011-2013. 245712 13.50% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Château des Charmes St. David's Bench Vineyard Gewurztraminer 2008, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: A spectacular gewurztraminer: one of the best I have tried from Niagara! Opulent aromas of apricot and lychee, with a luscious and voluptuous texture. Full-bodied yet not heavy. Finishes with some light spices. Drink: 2011-2015. 453472 12.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Barefoot Cellars Moscato, California, USA: A lovely moscato bursting with sweet peach, apricot and honeysuckle notes. Moscato is quickly becoming one of the most popular white wines, and this is a great examples of why. It's tasty as an aperitif, or as an accompaniment to seafood and salads. 234351 8.95% S 750 mL $9.95 Score: 86/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

TILIA Torrontes 2010, Salta, Argentina: My favourite wine from this winery! Floral, white peach notes nuzzle up from the glass. Cool refreshment follows with every zippy, mouth-watering swallow. Great as an aperitif or companion to many dishes. Drink: 2010-2013. 186403 13.50% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Red Wine

Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah 2009, Aconcagua, Chile: Juicy, generous layers of blackberry fruit mingles with some violets on the nose. This wine was aged in 65% French oak and 35% American oak, 33% of which was new. With more French oak, we get the vanilla-spice flavours rather than the creamy, cocnut, caramel aromas that come from American oak. Although it says Shiraz on the label, the winery will be changing this to Syrah, the French name for the same grape because the style of the wine is more restrained and Old World. Perfect for pizza night or any other night! Drink: 2011-2015. 614750 14% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Miguel Torres Infinite Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Penedes, Spain: This gorgeous blend of tempranillo (85%) and cabernet sauvignon (15%) grapes offers rich, ripe blackberries and plums on the nose. The wine is full-bodied, deeply flavoured and mouth-watering. It's an incredible price for this quality. Snap up a case for your next party. Drink: 2011-2015. 231795 14% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Southbrook Vineyards Triomphe Cabernet Franc 2008, Niagara-On-The-Lake VQA, Ontario, Canada: Rich, savoury and juicy with aromas of redcurrant and cranberry. This wine was aged in both French and American oak. No fining agent was used for this organic wine so it's suitable for vegans & vegetarians. Drink: 2011-2013. 312086 13.30% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Errazuriz Estate Reserva Pinot Noir 2010, Aconcagua, Chile: A fruit-driven wine with a kiss of oak that is a superb value for this price point. Lots of cherry-berry aromas and flavours. This wine was barrel-fermented for 8 months in French oak, but no new oak was used, giving is a whiff of smokiness. Drink: 2011-2015. 226696 13.50% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Burrowing Owl Vineyards Meritage 2008, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: Simply stunning! Lashings of black plums and cassis fill your senses, followed by fleshy ripe blackberry and blackcurrant. Layers of hedonistic pleasure with a smoke-infused finish. Terrific balance, structure and complexity. Needs cellar time. Drink: 2014-2020. 688229007088 14.90% D 750 mL $45.00 Score: 95/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

TILIA Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Mendoza, Argentina: Medium- to full-bodied with ripe blackberries. Smooth and tasty. Perfect for backyard barbecues and pizza night. Drink: 2011-2013. 163428 13.90% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 86/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Aconcagua, Chile: This blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc offers generous aromas of fleshy-ripe blackberry, cassis and blackcurrant. Full-bodied and supple. It was aged for 12 months in 85% French oak and 15% American oak, 30% of which was new. Splendid sweep of aromas here on a long finish that's infused with dark spices and smoke. Drink: 2011-2015. 335174 14% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Parducci Sustainalbe Red 2007, Mendocino County, California, United States: A rich, robust blend of: 34.5% Syrah, 23% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 16%, Petit Syrah 5%, Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Viognier grapes. Solid and crowd-pleasing with good balance between the fruit and structure. Aromas of blackberry and dark raspberries. Drink: 2011-2013. 229740 13.50% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: A find elegant wine with terrific balance, flavour and depth. There's a nervy energy to this wine: French elegance keeping the power and concentration of Argentine fruit in check. Full-bodied but not heavy. Finishes with dark spices and tobacco smoke. Lovely. Drink: 2011-2015. 478727 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Errazuriz Single Vineyard Carmenere 2009, Aconcagua, Chile: Fleshy black plums mingle on the nose lifted by some savoury herbal notes. Supple texture with polished satin tannins. There's both freshness and richness: a hedonist's dream combination. Think of it as every merlot would like to be, but can't. Perfect for relaxing and thinking: life's good, baby! Drink: 2011-2015. 143180 14.50% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Tawse Winery Inc. Meritage 2008, VQA, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A spectacular blend of cabernet sauvignon (48%), cabernet franc (36%) and merlot (16%) aged 18 months in French oak. Smooth, fleshy and full-bodied, this luxurious red delivers seductive aromas of dark plums and berries with a hint of smoke. Not too heavy, but deeply satisfying with a juicy, generous style. Drink: 2011-2021. 670459000663 13% XD 750 mL $57.95 Score: 93/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

TILIA Malbec 2009, Mendoza, Argentina: A stunningly great wine for the money! Juicy, rich layers of dark fruit wrapped in full-bodied goodness. Perfect for potluck gatherings and movie night. Drink: 2011-2013. 160945 13.90% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 88/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Errazuriz Vinedo Chadwick 2007, Maipo Valley, Chile: Spectacular: words fail. Gorgeous depths of black fruit, dried tobacco and herbs, violets and inexplicable happiness. Full-bodied with voluptuous layers of liquid velvet to caress and please the palate. This is a lifetime experience not to miss. Drink: 2011-2020. 123456 14% D 750 mL $165.00 Score: 98/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Rosés

Tantalus Vineyards Single Vineyard Rosé 2010, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: A deliciously robust style of rosé with peppered rose petals, tart cranberry and a finish of black raspberry. This blend of Pinot Meunier Pinot Noir grapes is refreshing and mouth-watering. Make summer last a little longer with this wine. Drink: 2011-2015. 626990067382 13.60% D 750 mL $21.90 Score: 88/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Farnese Cerasuolo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2010, Ortona, Italy: A bright and vibrant rose with terrific aromas of field-ripe strawberries on a summer's day. Great refreshment as an aperitif or companion to seafood and salads. Bring it to your next potluck gathering. You can't beat the price! Drink: 2010-2012. 233425 13% D 750 mL $8.95 Score: 87/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Southbrook Vineyards Connect Rosé Cabernet Franc 2010, Niagara Peninsula VQA, Ontario, Canada: More fun than a mouth should have! This fleshy-ripe robust rose offers aromas of raspberries and summer strawberries. It's dry and jubilantly vibrant in the glass. Hurray! Drink: 2010-2012. 168492 12.50% MD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Sparkling Wine

Barefoot Cellars Bubbly Moscato Spumante, California, USA: A delightful bubbly with aromas and flavours of ripe apricot and peach. The sweetness in this bubbly is offset by the refreshing bubbles for a delicious, zesty combination. 215061 8% S 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review

Dessert Wine

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Totally Botrytis Affected Optima 2009, Okanagan Valley, B.C., Canada: An opulent homage to after-dinner relaxation. Redolent of ripe apricot and muscat aromas, this richly layered dessert wine will make visions of sugarplums dance in your head. Extraordinary craftsmanship! Drink: 2010-2017. 390328 10% S 750 mL $0.00 Score: 92/100. August 5, 2011 Full Review