Wine Picks

Values Wine Picks October 4, 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: March 7, January 4, December 16 and November 20.

White Wine

Casillero Del Diablo Concha Y Toro Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Chile: Bring on the 2010 Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc! There are delivishly tasty notes of lime, lemon and gooseberry here that will make you want to pitchfork another helping of cheese. Drink: 2010-2013. 578641 13% XD $9.95 Score: 86/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Sonora Ranch Proprietor's Select White 2009, Okanagan, Canada: Pretty and fresh without oak. Some floral and lychee notes. Nice aperitif. Drink: 2010-2012. 776545000057 12.50% MD 750 mL $7.79 Score: 85/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Caliterra Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Chile: The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc can stand up to the robust flavours of hard cheeses such as cheddar and parmiggiano. It offers crowd-pleasing notes of green apples and limes. Yum! Drink: 2010-2013. 275909 13% XD $9.00 Score: 86/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Prospect Winery Townsend Jack Unoaked Chardonnay 2009, Okanagan, V.Q.A, Canada: Lovely notes of melon, Asian pear and light ineapple. Good body and flavour. Drink: 2010-2013. 776545400031 13% M 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Robert Oatley Vineyards James Oatley Tic Tok Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Pemberton, Frankland River, Mudgee, Australia: Crisp and clean with refreshing notes of white melon and lime. Not too herbal, just right. Great aperitif or accompaniment to many dishes. Drink: 2010-2011. 187039 12.50% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Artisian Wine Co Rigamarole Sauvignon Blanc 2009, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, B.C., Canada: Refreshing lime and herbal notes with crisp acidity. Not too grassy. Great mouth-watering action as an aperitif or companion to many dishes. Drink: 2010-2013. 776545996039 13.50% M 750 mL $14.99 Score: 86/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Henry of Pelham Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: A mild, crisp white that's not grassy. Refreshing notes of white grapefruit and gooseberry. Nice aperitif or companion to many dishes. Part of the Vintages Essentials Collection. Drink: 2011-2013. 430546 12.50% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Sonora Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Okanagan, Canada: A herbal, crisp white with refreshing notes of lime and gooseberries. Nice price. Drink: 2010-2012. 776545659347 12.50% D 750 mL $9.49 Score: 86/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Robert Oatley Vineyards James Oatley Tic Tok Chardonnay 2008, Mudgee, Pemberton, Australia: Lovely green apple and butterscotch notes yet bright and lively with mouth-watering acidity. Finishes clean. Yum! Drink: 2010-2013. 187104 12.80% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Chile: Got cheese on rye or multi-grain bread? Try the 2010 Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc with it for a delicious pairing. This citrus-infused Sauvignon has a rich mouth-filling texture. It also works well as an aperitif when you’ve had your fill of cheese. Drink: 2010-2013. 263574 13.50% XD 750 mL $11.00 Score: 88/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Red Wine

Henry of Pelham Estate Winery Reserve Baco 2007, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Loaded with purple plums and blueberries. Full-bodied and smooth. Emminently quaffable. Drink: 2010-2014. 461699 13.50% D 750 mL $24.95. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Robert Oatley Vineyards Mudgee, New South Wales Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007, Mudgee, Australia: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (51%), Merlot (49%) offers pleasant aromas of dark berries and plums. It's supple with a medium- to full-bodied weight. It was aged in French oak for 12 months. Drink: 2010-2014. 186205 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Chateau le Peyrat Chateau Le Peyrat 2006, Cotes de Castillon, France: Rustic, robust and tasty with notes of cassis and blackberry. Decant for 1-2 hours. Balanced with an Old World style; not overly fruity with some cedar notes. Smooth. Drink: 2010-2013. 171090 750 mL $13.95 Score: 86/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Vignobles Van Neipperg Signeurs De L'aiguilhe 2006, Cotes de Castillon, France: Lovely, juicy, generous and plummy-rich! Smooth and full-bodied; lip-smacking delicious. Drink: 2010-2016. 195172 13.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Robert Oatley Vineyards James Oatley Tic Tok Shiraz 2008, Frankland River, Mudgee, McLaren Vale, Australia: Juicy and tasty with fleshy-ripe plums and berries. Wonderful richness to this round, full-bodied red. Drink: 2010-2015. 187187 14% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Sonora Ranch Merlot 2009, Okanagan, Canada: Plummy-rich with dark berry aromas. Smooth and full-bodied with a mocha finish. Drink: 2010-2013. 776545000095 12.50% D 750 mL $8.49 Score: 86/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Oldfield Series Merlot 2007, Okanagan Valley, Canada: Very elegant with long lines of plummy richness and depth. There are enticing notes of tobacco, pepper and cassis in a lovely melange and lengthy finish. Drink: 2010-2018. 153213 15% D 750 mL $24.99 Score: 91/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf Du Pape Tradition Syrah blend 2007, Chateauneuf du Pape, France: Needs more time in the cellar, but if you can't wait, decant for 2-3 hours. This glorious red offer aromas huge black fruit including black cherry liqueur and peppered blackberries. Spicy and deep with a long finish. To be released in Vintages Dec 11, 2010. Drink: 2014-2025. 194993 14% XD 750 mL $36.95 Score: 90/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Oldfield Series Syrah 2007, Okanagan Valley, Canada: Lovely deep notes of black cherry and pepper with some blackberry in the background. Round, supple and full-bodied. Luscious! Drink: 2010-2018. 663138 14.60% D 750 mL $29.99 Score: 91/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Merlot 2008, Okanagan Valley, Canada: Juicy with wonderfully plush plums. Full-bodied and smooth with notes of red berry and cedar. This wine was aged for 12 months in barrel. Drink: 2010-2015. 530725 14.50% D 750 mL $17.99 Score: 90/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Argento Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Plummy and juicy with a robust weight and lots of straight-up quaffing pleasure. Drink: 86-0. 164764 13% 750 mL $12.95 Score: 86/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review

Artisian Wine Co Rigamarole Red Gamay Pinot Noir Merlot 2008, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, Canada: Juicy and tasty with dark plums and berries. Lip-smacking tasty party wine. Drink: 2010-2012. 776545996022 13% MD 750 mL $14.99 Score: 86/100. October 4, 2010 Full Review