Dessert Wine
Dow Colheita Tawny Port 1986, Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: The word colheita means harvest in Portuguese, but for Port, the word takes on a different definition. The Ports used in the blend all come from a single vintage, in this case 1986, and then they are aged in old oak barrels for a minimum of 7 years. The resulting Port possesses a tawny color with aromas of nuts and dried fruit. My note: Stupendous! Guard against winter now. Rich tawny goodness. Tawny Port food pairings: stilton cheese. Drink: 2008 - 2010 572776 20% S 750 mL $58.95 Score: 95/100. October 2008. Favorite Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Coyote's Run Estate Winery Riesling Icewine 2006, Ontario, Niagara V.Q.A., Canada: Lovely, concentrated elixir of honey and apricots. Riesling Icewine food pairings: peach dessert, apricot dessert. Drink: 2008 - 2012 12658 10% S 750 mL $55.00 Score: 91/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Lillypilly Family Reserve Semillon Noble Blend 2006, Riverina, Southern Australia, New South Wales, Australia: A blend of blend of 35% Semillon, 30% Riesling, 25% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Chardonnay. pretty little dessert sipper. Ripe mangos and melon aromas. Semillon Noble Blend food pairings: fruit, custard tart. Drink: 2008 - 2012 15255 11% S 375 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. October 2008. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Red Wine
Amadio Block 2a Shiraz 2005, Adelaide Hills, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Adelaide Hills is much cooler than most wine growing regions in South Australia which allows
them to produce a more elegant style of Shiraz. Aged in French oak for 18 months, the Block 2a
Shiraz has an attractive spicy character with good depth of black fruit flavors, fine tannins and medium acidity. It’s intensely flavoured but supple with lots of finesse. My note: Saturated, concentrated red with black fruit. Full-bodied and delicious. Shiraz food pairings: braised lamb. Drink: 2008 - 2012 72843 14% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 92/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Wakefield Shiraz 2006, Clare Valley, Australia: A rich and succulent Shiraz that makes you ask for a second (and third) glass. Full-bodied with dark red fruit and oak notes. Drink: 2008 - 2012 943787 14.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2006, Coonawarra, Australia: Juicy, ripe fruit with a boatloads of body. Drink: 2008 - 2012 433060 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Kim Crawford Merlot 2007, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium ruby, the nose offers blueberry, black cherry and earthy tones. It shows ripe and rich fruit flavors, but also some spicy and earthy nuances that are well-complemented by bright acidity. My note: A gorgeous Merlot to fall into - wrap yourself in it. Full-bodied with notes of plums, berries and vanilla. Merlot food pairings: braised beef dishes, sauteed mushrooms. Drink: 2008 - 2012 680967 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Sileni Estates The Triangle Merlot 2006, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: This mellow red will surely please at your next casual gathering. The nose is
filled with sweet wild raspberry, vanilla and spicy oak character. This is medium-bodied, fruitfilled,
slightly spicy and ending with balancing acidity and silky tannins. My note: A spicy, vibrant Merlot to perk up the tastebuds. Plums galore. Merlot food pairings: veal scallopini, roasted root vegetables. Drink: 2008 - 2010 586081 13.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
KWV Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Shiraz Triptych 2006, W.O., South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: A fantastic value, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz is aged extensively in French oak barrels. Packed with blueberry, black cherry, mint and cedar aromas and flavors. My note: Gorgeous! I need to visit this winery and shake the winemaker's hand. Luxurious layers of black fruit and smoke. Full-bodied. Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Shiraz Triptych food pairings: heart beef stew. Drink: 2008 - 2012 53124 14.4% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chateau Preuillac Bordeaux Blend 2005, A.C. Bordeaux, France: Full-bodied and rustic with blackberries and black plum notes. Decant for two hours. Drink: 2008 - 2012 713925 13% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Des Graves Merlot Blend 2005, A.C. Cuvee Prestige, France: A blend of 85% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 12 months in oak cask. Terrific balance and length. Black plums and mocha fill the glass. Smooth, full-bodied and full of texture. Drink: 2008 - 2012 87692 14% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chateau Pineraie Malbec 2005, A.C. Cahors, France: A delicious New World-style red with ripe berries, plum and mocha notes. Drink: 2008 - 2012 78725 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Frascole Rufina Chianti 2005, D.O.C.G., Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This ready-to-drink Chianti is quite tasty, offering fresh black cherry and plum aromas and
flavours with a touch of oak and earthiness. Dry, with fairly crisp acidity. My note: A marvelous Chianti: the best of its kind. Mouth-watering, full-bodied and packed with cherries and dried herbs. Let's eat. Chianti food pairings: pasta in tomato sauce. Drink: 2008 - 2010 85167 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Luce Sangiovese Merlot 2005, I.G.T. Vite Luce, Italy: Extroadinary balance and length. Layers of mocha, coffee, black fruit and oak. Drink: 2008 - 2012 685263 12.5% XD 750 mL $99.95 Score: 93/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Grand'Arte Alicante Bousche Alicante 2005, Vinho, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Simply known as Alicante, this grape was created at the end of the 19th century
by crossing Petit Bouschet and Grenache. Extremely opaque in appearance, this full-flavored
and fruit-forward red shows attractive flavors of blueberry preserves, ripe plum, vanilla and
sweet spices. It possesses a supple texture and ripe tannins. My note: Terrific red for the money. Smooth and full-bodied with dark red fruit notes Alicante food pairings: lamb chops, fresh herbs. Drink: 2008 - 2012 80614 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. October 2008. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Dujac Morey Saint Denis Pinot Noir 2005, Burgundy, France: A lovely, medium-bodied red with tart red fruit, earth and mushrooms. 702696 13% XD 750 mL $120.00 Score: 92/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, South Australia, Australia: A regal, elegant wine of great depth and length. Redcurrants, cassis and min suffused in smoke. Full-bodied. 464461 13.5% D 750 mL $89.95 Score: 95/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Bertani Valpantena Amarone Della Valpolicella 2004, Valpantena, Veneto D.O.C.G., Italy: Gorgeous red with a punch! Loaded with black currants and berries. Drink: 2008 - 2016 568741 15% D 750 mL $57.95 Score: 93/100. October 2008. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Gamba Gnirega Amarone Della Le Quare Corvina Blend 2004, D.O.C. Valpolicella Classico, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Gamba Gnirega uses Corvina 50%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 10%, Molinara 5% and Croatina 5% in its blend. They hand pick all the grapes and then dry them on wooden racks for a minimum of four months prior to pressing. They do a very slow 40-50 day fermentation to extract as much flavor and colour as possible before ageing the wines 6 months in stainless steel and then two years in 15 hectolitre barrels. My note: A robust red with black currant and berry notes. Corvina Blend food pairings: mature hard cheeses. Drink: 2008 - 2012 85340 15% M 750 mL $50.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Roncolato Amarone 2005, D.O.C. Amarone Della Valpolicella, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium ruby color with aromas of dark chocolate, raisins, fig, licorice and old
leather. This dry, intense wine is round and full-bodied with a good core of acid to bring structure and balance to the wine. Full-bodied and long finishing. My note: A palate-whacking full-on red with cherry liqueur notes and big hulking black fruit. Amarone food pairings: roast venison, grilled leg of lamb. Drink: 2008 - 2012 81778 16.3% D 750 mL $43.95 Score: 91/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2004, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: A balanced, full-bodied, juicy red that doesn't taste as alcoholic as it is. Gorgeous dark red plums and berries. Drink: 2008 - 2012 413179 16% D 750 mL $52.95 Score: 94/100. October 2008. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tezza Ma Roat Ripasso 2005, D.O.C. Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Ma Roat, which means Red Moon in the local dialect, is one of Veneto’s best kept secrets. Bloggers and wine critics were, well, over the moon about the 2004 vintage. My note: A juicy, delicious red with ripe, mouth-watering cherries. Full-bodied. Decant one hour. Ripasso food pairings: wild mushroom ravioli, gnocchi, mushroom in butter sauce. Drink: 2008 - 2012 84053 13.4% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Nino Negri Sfursat Val Tellina 2004, Lombardy D.O.C.G., Italy: This is made with 100% Nebbiolo. Doesn't taste as alcoholic as it is, but it's full-bodied. Big red fruit and smoke notes. Drink: 2008 - 2010 304591 16% D 750 mL $46.25 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Elderton Shiraz 2005, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: An over-the-top delicious, full-bodied red with black cherries and toast. Drink: 2008 - 2012 713024 14.5% XD 750 mL $32.95 Score: 93/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Jackson-Triggs Proprietors Meritage Grand Reserve 2005, Ontario, Niagara V.Q.A., Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: 2005 was an outstanding vintage in Niagara for red wines, but yields were substantially lower
than usual so you’ll want to scoop this one up while you can. This fabulous Meritage is comprised
of 51% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet Franc. Barrel aged for 17 months in
a mixture of both French and American oak, it’s deep ruby in colour with aromas of blackcurrant,
black-berries, smoke, leather, cedar and vanilla. Intensely flavoured, this medium full-bodied red
is well-balanced with lively acidity and medium tannins. My note: Terrific, full-bodied red with notes of classic cassis, blackberry and smoke. Decant for 1-2 hours. Drink: 2008 - 2012 594002 12.5% XD 750 mL $32.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Thirty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2006, Ontario, Niagara V.Q.A., Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Aged in French oak, this Bordeaux-style blend is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Expect aromas of cassis, blackberry, cedar, vanilla, graphite and tobacco leaf
from this elegant and well-balanced wine. My note: A lovely, smooth, full-bodied red with black berries and oak. Cabernet Sauvignon Blend food pairings: roast beef, root vegetables. Drink: 2008 - 2012 53389 13.2% XD 750 mL $24.00 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Edward Sellers Vertigo 2005, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Part of Bonterra’s philosophy is to “honor the land by farming organically, creating rich soils
providing healthy vines an opportunity to deliver wonderfully flavored fruit.” The grapes for their
Zinfandel were sourced in Mendocino and the Sierra Foothills. This Zin possesses succulent
flavours of raspberry and blueberry with a touch of cedar and pepper. This wine contains 9
mg/L of free sulphur. My note: Amarone-cherry-liqueur aromas of concentration! Full-bodied and tasty. Vertigo food pairings: grilled meats. Drink: 2008 - 2010 77875 15.8% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Made from wines aged in a mixture of Hungarian and American oak barrels for 14 to 16 months,
this densely coloured red is packed with intense aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant, cedar,
vanilla and spices. Full-bodied and sweet-centered. My note: A plush, delicious red with notes of black plums, mocha and vanilla. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: roasted and grilled red meats. Drink: 2008 - 2010 16915 14% XD 1500 mL $49.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Kenwood Vineyards Merlot 2005, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Sourced from vineyards located in the Sonoma, Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys, this perennial favorite has a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon blended in for structure and added complexity. My note: A rich, silky Merlot with plums and mocha aromas. Full-bodied. Merlot food pairings: rare roast beef, grilled New York Steak. Drink: 2008 - 2012 717348 13.5% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Lurton Malbec Reserva 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Many years ago, the Lurton brothers of Bordeaux realized the potential for winemaking in
Argentina. Their investment and intuition have paid off handsomely in wines such as this
Reserva. Look for raspberry, blueberry, chocolate and floral notes in this fresh and juicy full-bodied Malbec. My note: Terrific value: full-bodied and lip-smackingly delicious. Black fruit and oak aromas. Malbec Reserva food pairings: roast beef, root vegetables. Drink: 2008 - 2010 903153 14.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Casa Silva Carmenere Reserva 2006, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Located in the heart of the Colchagua Valley, Casa Silva is one of Chile’s finest estates. This
family winery has received numerous awards including ‘Best Winery of the Continent’ honours in
the South American Guide: Vineyards, Wineries & Wines. This fruit-forward and approachable Carmenère is loaded with plum, blackberry, vanilla and spice aromas and flavors. This is a crowd-pleasing gem that delivers excellent value. My note: Remarkable wine for the money. Full-bodied and packed with black fruit, mocha and oak. Drink: 2008 - 2012 24679 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Haras Character Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Maipo Valley, Chile: A strong, robust red with fantastic structure. Aromas of cassis and blackberry. Drink: 2008 - 2012 54502 14.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Carmenere Gran Reserva 2006, Rapel Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This dry, full-bodied Carmenère is packed
with blackberry and black cherry fruit as well as notes of tobacco and spice. Winemaker Sven Bruchfeld blends in 12% Cabernet Sauvignon for additional structure and complexity.My note: Spectacularly solid for the money. Great party wine. Notes of black fruit and full-on oak. Carmenere Gran Reserva food pairings: meatloaf. Drink: 2008 - 2012 640888 14.5% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Santa Ema Amplus Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Cachapoal Valley, Chile: Well-crafted and balanced with New World power fruit. Full-bodied. Drink: 2008 - 2012 76307 14% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 89/100. October 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
White Wine
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling Spatlese 2006, Q.M.P., Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Pale straw yellow in colour, the nose reveals notes of peach, apple blossom,
clover honey and mineral. It shows lovely sweetness on the palate, with flavours reminiscent of
peach, apple and honey.My note: What a mouthful! Rich, opulent texture yet not heavy. Baked pears fill the glass. Riesling Spatlese food pairings: apple and creamy cheese tart, fresh fruit, cheeses. Drink: 2008 - 2012 71142 8% MS 750 mL $32.95 Score: 94/100. October 2008. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart