Vintages Wine Picks May 1, 2010

White Wine

Vineland Estates Winery Chardonnay 2007, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Cuvée Awards. A zesty, mouth-watering Chardonnay with Granny Smith apple notes and lime zest. Good weight and texture but not heavy.  164459  12.50%  D  750 mL  $25.00  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Geil Riesling Kabinett 2008, Qmp, Bechtheimer Rosengarten, Rheinhessen, Germany: Fleshy ripe peach and pear with other lovely tree fruit mingles in. Luscious texture.  994764  9%  MD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Greywacke Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Greywacke Vineyards is named for the type of sandstone upon which the winery grows most of its vines. A grassy great white with zesty notes of lime, kiwi, chives and lemongrass. So expressive. Give me some creamy cheese please!  164228  13.50%  D  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2006, V.Q.A., Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada: Love it! Round, buttery with hazelnut and green apple goodness. What a gorgeous Chardonnay especially at this price.A creamy, buttery chardonnay with enticing aromas of green apples and a deep soul of limestone purity. Terrific balance; superb effort! Food matches: lightly herbed poultry or veal.  173203  12.70%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Favourite White Wine. Full Review


d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Marsanne Roussanne 2008, Mclaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia: Lively and expressive with lovely white floral notes, white peach and lychee. Stunning and refreshing. Mouth-watering acidity makes it a terrific food companion.  922203  13%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 88/100. May 1, 2010 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


La Crema Chardonnay 2007, Monterey, California, United States: A gorgeously balanced and elegant Chardonnay that’s packed with delicious peach and pear flavour and butter undertones. Full-bodied and voluptuous.  158683  13.90%  D  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Cave De Bleblenheim Old Vines Riesling 2008, A.C., Alsace, France: Ultra-bone-dry Riesling with lovely lime and chive notes. Mouth-watering: it’s a gusher which makes it phenomenal for food. Drink: 2010-2014.  168955  12%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 88/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Mount Nelson Tenuta Campo Di Sasso Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Chives and lemongrass abound with this zesty mouth-watering white. Fantastic aperitif.  694752  13%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 88/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2008, South Australia, Australia: A fresh and lively Chardonnay with notes of green apples and lime zest. Full-bodied and balanced.  625103  12.50%  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 88/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Kapuka Shepherds Ridge Wine Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A juicy, lively, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc with enticing aromas of chives, lime zest and lemongrass. Fantastic aperitif.  163576  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Red Wine

Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2008, Sonoma County, California, United States: Juicy, perfect Cal Zin. This family has Zinfandel in their veins. This Zin has lovely blackberry-rich layers with dark spices.  942151  15.50%  D  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 92/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Bremerton Selkirk Shiraz 2007, Longhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia: Warm, fleshy and ripe with aromas of blackberry jam and black raspberry preserves. Rich, supple and full-bodied.  90266  14.50%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Cuvée Du Vatican Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre Cinsault 2007, A.C., Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: A full-bodied red, full of black-dark red fruit for those who say their prayers. Supple with dark spices and a long finish. Drink: 2010-2016.  719120  15%  D  750 mL  $36.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Edmeades Zinfandel 2007, Mendocino County, California, United States: Terrific wine! Juicy purple plums and brambleberries. Lovely juiciness and supple layers.  105924  15.20%  D  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Pikes Eastside Shiraz 2006, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Big, bring it on Shiraz! Bruising black fruit with lip-smacking delicious blackberry liqueur. For those who love full-on wines.  77891  14.50%  XD  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Framingham Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Sexy silky pinot in the very best sense of seduction. Give in and fill up your glass and let go of everything. So very lovely. Fleshy cherries, some cinnamon and cushioned berry fruit.  699322  13.50%  D  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 91/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Ferraton Père & Fils La Matinière Syrah Blend 2007, A.C., Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France: Juicy dark plums, black cherry, violets. Garrigue, dried herbs, cedar forest and some pepper. Love this style! Full-bodied, smooth and mouth-watering. Bring it on!  127712  13%  XD  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Chateau Larose Trintaudon Cabernet Blend 2005, A.C., Médoc, Bordeaux, France: Nicely balanced with classic Bordeaux character: blackcurrant, cassis and blackberry with a mocha-smoke weave throughout. Full-bodied and well-structured. Drink: 2010-2014.  167437  13%  XD  750 mL  $26.95  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Burgo Viejo Reserva Tempranillo Graciano Carignan 2001, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Dry, robust and savoury! Lovely aromas of maturity: it’s so nice to taste that when we usually only get the strapping young wines on the shelf. Lovely blackberry but also those more mature notes of leather, spice and cigar. Try it!  168823  13.50%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 92/100. May 1, 2010 Favourite Red Wine (Tied). Full Review


Zig Zag Zin Mendocino Wine Company Zinfandel 2007, Mendocino County, California, United States: Big juicy, mouth-watering Zin with classic brambleberry, blueberry aromas. Supple with black pepper notes. Perfect for barbecue.  39982  14.50%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Henry of Pelham Estate Winery Gamay 2008, V.Q.A., Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Light, carefree, simple wine with lovely notes of field strawberries. Medium-bodied and a smooth texture.  291112  13.50%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Domaine Puig-Parahy Georges Carignan Grenache Syrah 2007, A.C., Côtes De Roussillon, Midi, France: A blend of Carignan, Grenache and a little Syrah. Fantastic peppery, blackberry nose! Supple and full-bodied with a deep, dark concentration of flavour. Chewy tannins and a long, satisfying finish. I can’t believe how low the price is for this one. Drink: 2010-2015.  171025  13.50%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 91/100. May 1, 2010 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review


Leaping Lizard Zinfandel Petite Sirah 2008, Sonoma County, California, United States: The is a blend of 97% Zinfandel and 3% Petite Sirah grapes. A dry, chalky, blackberry-rich red with lovely mocha nuances. A knock-it-back wine.  161497  13%  D  750 mL  $18.95. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Paradyskloof Pinot Noir 2008, W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa: A savoury, meaty flavour. I don’t get pinot character but I love this wine! Supple and medium- to full-bodied red. Juicy and fleshy plums and berries.  160119  13.50%  D  750 mL  $23.95  Score: 91/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


The Charge Tempranillo Garnacha 2006, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Robust, supple wine with black fruit highlights and a superbly dry finish.  166546  13.50%  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 87/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2008, Lodi, California, United States: Juicy, wildly good flavours! Blackberry jam and dark spices. So very yummy. Uncork one tonight with pizza.  951889  14.50%  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


White Oak Vineyards & Winery Syrah 2004, Napa Valley, California, United States: A lip-smacking delicious, full-bodied red with notes of dark chocolate, black plums and smoke. Round and supple with a pleasingly warm finish. Terrific price!  161315  14.20%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Lake Chalice Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Love it! Fleshy cherries and field strawberries with racy spices. Very exciting wine … I’ll be buying this one for my own pleasure.  163964  13.50%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 91/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Laurus Syrah Blend 2006, A.C., Giogondas, Rhône, France: Concentrated black cherry liqueur with a heart of blackberry jam. Powerful and deep. Can’t image a better barbecue wine … you’ll be talking past midnight as the embers fade. Drink: 2010-2016.  163113  14.50%  XD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 92/100. May 1, 2010 Favourite Red Wine (Tied). Full Review


Campedel Ripasso Classico Superiore Az. Agr. Gamba Valpolicella 2007, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Juicy and generous, this is a wine that keeps on giving to the last mouth-watering drop. Fantastic flavours of fleshy ripe purple plums and blackberries.  160242  14.50%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Salice Salentino Candido Riserva Negroamaro Malvasia Nera 2005, D.O.C., Lacarta, Puglia, Italy: Blockbuster great wine especially for the price! It’s got it all: ripe dark fruit, mouth-watering acidity, generous layers and food versatility. Love it!  529487  13.50%  D  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2008, California, United States: Classic, textbook Cal Zin in all its glory! Drop-to-your-knees ripe brambleberry, blackberry and blueberry with coffee-dark chocolate weave. Supple and full-bodied. Someone fire up the barbecue … now!  719211  15%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Giordano Primitivo Di Manduria Collection Zinfandel 2007, D.O.C., Puglia, Italy: A delicious, lip-smacking tasty red with robust aromas of blackberry, mocha, coffee and smoke. Supple layers and pure fruit goodness.  51797  14.50%  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Rosés

Château Cahuzac Tradition Négrette Cabernet Syrah Grenache Gamay Rosé 2009, A.C., Fronton, Southwest, France: Such a pretty, delicate, rose petal rose. Absolutely lovely like the sparkling Mediterranean. Aromas of strawberries and raspberries. Bone dry.  117317  12.50%  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 89/100. May 1, 2010 Best Value Rosé. Full Review


Perrin Grenache Mourvèdre Cinsault Rosé 2009, A.C., Rhône, France: A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault grapes. Absolutely superb: there is nothing better than Tavel rose for rose! Bone-dry, with a lovely basket of fresh field berries. A racy finish.  680801  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Favourite Rosé. Full Review


Sparkling Wine

Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Brut Chardonnay, New Zealand: Lovely mousse infused with ripe tree fruit aromas and zesty citrus notes. Mouth-watering, thirst-quenching and lip-smacking delicious! Perfect as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to many dishes, including the most challenging. Superb effort.  163634  13%  D  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 90/100. May 1, 2010 Full Review


Dessert Wine

Warre's Vintage Port 2007, Douro, Portugal: Gorgeous concentration of blackberry liqueur flavour with rich layers of mixed berries and dark spices. Voluptuous texture. Amazing aging potential. Drink: 2010-2030.  140251  20%  S  750 mL  $79.00  Score: 93/100. May 1, 2010 Favourite Dessert Wine. Full Review