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Amanda Ali

Amanda Ali

Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz 2012

Barossa Valley, Australia
3276 days ago

Amanda scored this wine: 90/100

This wine has a deep colour with rich dark fruit aromas to match it--blackberry, dark cherries and plum. These fruits and their almost "jammy" flavours carry through on the palate along with their friends--cocoa and pepper, which give a warm and slightly spicy undertone. This medium bodied wine has medium acidity and a hint of tannins; all of which make it enjoyable on its own and with food. Delicious wine all round.

Road 13 Vineyards Honest John's Rose 2012

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada
3682 days ago

Amanda scored this wine: 81/100

Honest John’s Rosé 2012 ($16.99) has a summer-sunset orange-red colour that has gotten me super excited for summer:) Another summer reminder: the juicy black currant and strawberry flavours that greet both your nose and palate, which linger long enough for you to forget you’re not actually eating those fruits. The ever so slight bit of sweetness that teases the tip of your tongue makes it pair well with a light but flavour-packed dish, such as a Greek or watermelon/feta salad.

Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay 2012

California, United States
3714 days ago

Amanda scored this wine: 86/100

I consider myself a wine-lover, not a wine snob; yet when it comes to chardonnay, I can carry a slight wine-snob-esque aura. My chardonnay experience is hit-and-miss (I am not a fan of a wine that tastes like I am directly licking the oak barrel...but, to each their own). This chardonnay is NOT that at all. I was pleasantly surprised, especially for the price point ($15.99). The best descriptor I have for this wine is creamy and mouth-watering. It has a subtle aroma of vanilla and tropical fruit, banana and ripe mango in particular. When you drink it, this medium-bodied wine blankets your mouth like a chardonnay hug, leaving a long finish with tingle of spice, a hint of oak, and the perfect amount of acidity to make your palate long for more. The bottle notes say this chard pairs well with seafood (which I would not doubt)and it was also the perfect partner for my carrot-ginger soup with fresh bread and cheese. Win for Chardonnay!

Amanda Ali

Memorable Wine

Ravine Vineyard Reserve Picone Cab Franc 2011

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First Wine

Hillebrand Gewurztraminer 2006

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Unusual Wine Experience

tasting an icewine that was older than me (I was 20 years old)

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Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award