Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
www.nataliemaclean.com

Wine Picks October 27, 2021

Login to see Natalie's scores and notes

Reviewed Wines | All Wines | Group by Wine Type | Group by Country/Region

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


Note: This batch of wine reviews is not part of the bi-weekly Vintages Releases. Instead, it's a collection of wines outside the Vintages section in store (general list) or wines sent to me directly from wineries that may not yet be available in liquor stores. Click on the Winery or Wine Agency link to get more info.

Red Wine

Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Merlot 2016, Sonoma County And Napa County, California, United States: A full-bodied, beautifully-balanced California Cabernet with aromas of cassis and blackberry and smoke. Pair with grilled steak. Merlot food pairings: grilled meats and poultry, hearty tomato-based pastas, pork chops. Drink: 2018 - 2023 454876 14.5% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. October 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

PondView Estate Winery Bella Terra Cabernet Franc 2016, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A vibrant, savoury Cabernet Franc with aromas of dark berries and smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2019 - 2027 546739 14.5% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 90/100. October 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2019, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Oyster Bay 2019 Pinot Noir is forever lush, zesty, fresh and concentrated with red cherry, berry, dried herbs, vanilla and toasty oak spice flavours mouth-watering on the palate, silky smooth on the finish. Tannins are structured but light. Pinot Noir food pairings: roast duck, veggie mushroom burger, frittata. Drink: 2021 - 2023 590414 14% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 91/100. October 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cantina di Montalcino Brunello Di Montalcino 2015, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Cantina di Montalcino 2015 Brunello Di Montalcino is fragrant with sweet dried tobacco, black tea, earthy mushrooms, dried cherry, orange zest, cedar and baking spice flavours silky, harmonious and finishing long on the palate. Produced by C.S.M. Coop Serl Montalcino in the Tuscany wine region. Brunello Di Montalcino food pairings: grilled game sausages, cheesy pizza, roast chicken Mediterranean style. Drink: 2021 - 2025 17704 13.5% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 94/100. October 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

La Pieve Barolo 2017, Piedmont D.O.C.G., Italy: La Pieve 2017 Barolo continues to evolve. A beautiful, developing, full-bodied Barolo produced with 100% Nebbiolo with dark cherry, tar, leather, smoky and spicy flavours on the palate. Tannins are grippy. Good now but better 2022 and can easily cellar for 10-plus years. Excellent value!. Enjoy with prime rib. Barolo food pairings: beef stew, roast pheasant, prime rib. Drink: 2021 - 2032 213132 14.5% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 92/100. October 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

M by Michael Mondavi 2016, Napa Valley, California, United States: A magnificent Napa Valley Cabernet that's full-bodied, complex and layered. Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, dried herbs and cigar box. Decant 1-2 hours and enjoy with a rare steak. Drink: 2021 - 2030 21133 14.9% D 750 mL $309.00 Score: 98/100. October 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Silverado Vineyards Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Napa Valley, California, United States: A blockbuster Napa Valley Cabernet with aromas of cassis, blackberry and cigar box. Full-bodied, complex and layered. Pair with a rare steak. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled pork chops, meat kabobs, grilled chicken breast. Drink: 2021 - 2029 111880 14.6% XD 1500 mL $161.00 Score: 95/100. October 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Frank Family Zinfandel 2018, Napa Valley, California, United States: A juicy, luscious California Zinfandel with aromas of ripe berries, plums and smoke. Perfect for barbecued and grilled meats. Zinfandel food pairings: gourmet burgers, hard, aged cheeses, poultry, pork quesadillas. Drink: 2022 - 2029 278283 14.6% D 750 mL $59.00 Score: 92/100. October 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Napa Valley, California, United States: Seductive aromas of fleshy ripe blackberries, mocha and toasty oak. This Californian Cabernet is produced by the family who has been farming in Napa Valley for five generations. The winemaker is Chuck Wagner. This fleshy, full-bodied and delicious Californian red wine is a cult classic. Pair with pepper steak. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled New York strip loin, pork tenderloin, hamburger, hard cheese, grilled lamb chops. Drink: 2022 - 2027 222877 14.5% D 750 mL $175.10 Score: 93/100. October 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Delas Saint-Esprit Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2020, Côtes Du Rhône, Rhône A.C., France: Delas Saint-Esprit 2020 is a crowd-pleaser Côtes Du Rhône rosé and excellent value under $17. The wine is a bone-dry and vibrant blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault grapes produced in the saignée method of "bleeding" or siphoning off free-run juice after a short maceration on the skins. Brilliant and juicy with flavours of ripe raspberry, strawberry, fresh pear and pepper spice on the palate. Chill and enjoy on its own or pour with a simple charcuterie and cheese platter. Rosé food pairings: summer salads, grilled chicken breast, calamari, grilled white fish. Drink: 2021 - 2023 224964 13% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. October 2021. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Oyster Bay Rosé 2020, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: From Marlborough, South Island Oyster Bay 2020 100% Pinot Noir rosé is great value under $20. Fragrant with bright cherry, strawberry and fresh melon aromas on the nose with a vibrant, zesty citrus finish. Chill and pair is with a patio and a warm, sunny day. This vintage was awarded Gold at the 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2020. Rosé food pairings: grilled lamb lollipops, chicken kebabs, vegetable kebabs. Drink: 2021 - 2022 493171 13.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. October 2021. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Hester Creek Estate Winery Old Vine Pinot Blanc 2020, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada: A gorgeous, vibrant BC Pinot Blanc grown on 50-year-old vines. Aromas of melon. Medium-bodied. Pair with seafood. Drink: 2021 - 2023 467316 13% D 750 mL $16.99 Score: 91/100. October 2021. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


© 2024 Natalie MacLean