Vintages Wine Picks April 14, 2007

White Wine

Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: This pretty Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and ripe with gorgeous lemon, gooseberry and tropical fruit aromas. It is dry, refreshing and bursting with fruit flavours that are well balanced with a seam of racy acidity. The crispness of this wine is a good match for tomato’s acidity. It also has a nice aromatic intensity to soften the spice of the dish. My note: Herbal and grassy goodness. A refreshing wine to welcome spring.  651703  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 88/100. April 14, 2007 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


Riesling Kabinett 2005, QmP, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Estate Btld., Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine’s complex spicy/peach character makes it a perfect match to the flavours of the dish. Add to that Riesling’s natural racy acidity and you have a great palate refresher too. My note: One of the most food-friendly wines on the planet. Lovely floral notes and aromas of ripe pears and citrus fruit.  970129  MD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. April 14, 2007 Favorite White Wine. Full Review


Red Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Napa Valley, California, USA: Wonderful aromas of dark fruit and chocolate. A full-bodied and complex wine that is worth its price. A touch tannic so decant for several hours or better still, cellar to maturity. Drink: 2008-2012.  708842  XD  750 mL  $50.95  Score: 91/100. April 14, 2007 Full Review


Shiraz 2004, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa: Packed with flavor and the aromas of dark ripe fruit. Shiraz is South Africa's best bet for terrific red wines. (Sauvignon blanc is great for whites from this country.)  15438  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. April 14, 2007 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review


Nebbiolo 1999, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: A stunning wine with alluring aromas of leather, dried fruit and herbs. Perfect for watching a smoky sunset or the last episode of the Sopranos. Drink: 2007-2012.  20404  XD  750 mL  $49.95  Score: 90/100. April 14, 2007 Full Review


Zinfandel Petite Sirah Carignan 2004, Dry Creek Valley, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: This proprietary red is comprised of 79% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, and 3% Carignan. My note: Not as extracted and heavy as in past years. This is the master of zinfandel: his wines are the benchmark. Lovely aromas of dark red fruit and chocolate. Full-bodied and delicious.  982413  XD  750 mL  $48.95  Score: 91/100. April 14, 2007 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review


Pinot Noir 2004, AC, 1er Cru, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Louis-Fabrice Latour and his winemaker, Jean-Pierre Thomas, created magic from a difficult vintage with their 2004 Santenay La Comme. Louis-Fabrice commented that 2004 is a “classic vintage that carries with it excellent transparency of terroir and more minerality in evidence than usual”. The wine itself is a pretty, floral/earth Pinot Noir with a lovely balance between these two elements. It offers good complexity and a long finish. My note: A great value for Burgundy. Smooth and supple texture. Medium- to full-bodied. Lovely aromas of red fruit and exotic floral notes. This is a consistently good producer. Drink: 2007-2010.  24588  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. April 14, 2007 Full Review


Minervois 2003, AC, Midi, France: A heart of darkness wine: brooding black fruit, smoky oak and a full-body wallop.  17764  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. April 14, 2007 Full Review


Cabernet Merlot Shiraz 2002, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Punters Corner’s talented Peter Bissell was named Winemaker of the Year in 2005 by Gourmet Traveler Wine magazine. This proprietary blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 14% Shiraz was awarded 90 points in the Australian Wine Companion 2006. It has generous, ripe red plum flavors and notes of anise and a finely textured mouthfeel. My note: Lovely wine that's balanced, juicy, and delicious.  29314  XD  750 mL  $23.95  Score: 90/100. April 14, 2007 Full Review


Dessert Wine

Late Harvest Vidal 2004, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine was named Best Value Sweet Wine under $30 at Toronto’s Wine and Cheese Show and won a Gold Medal at Ottawa’s Wine and Food Show in 2006. This wine features a gorgeous, complex nose of honey, peach, pear and nutmeg aromas. Deliciously sweet and elegant with layers of fruit flavours, this stunning wine is an Icewine look-a-like and an incredible value. My note: A gorgeous wine with rich, honeyed aromas.  409474  MS  375 mL  $19.95  Score: 91/100. April 14, 2007 Full Review