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Wine Picks December 22, 2020

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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.

Other Wines/Drinks

La Cidrerie du Village Autumn Joy Sparkling Cider, Montérégie, Rougemont, Quebec, Canada: This lovely sparkling cider is a blend of Mcintosh, Spartland and Empire apples. Aromas of fresh orchard apples and sunshine. Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with roast turkey. 8.5% D 750 mL $18.10 Score: 88/100. December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Château l'Argenteyre Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2010, Médoc, Bordeaux A.C., France: Coffee, smoke, pencil led and toasty oak swirl around black fruit and a pleasant bitter, tannic grip in this robust red wine. Decant 1-2 hours and serve with filet for optimum pleasure.  This AC wine finishes with vanilla smoke and cassis. Perfect with steak. A strong vintage for even Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux wines. Food pairings: grilled beef, lamb, meat-based pasta dishes. Drink: 2011 - 2022 226217 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Church and State Wines Meritage 2017, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2020 - 2025 14.5% 750 mL $36.99 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Church and State Wines Merlot 2017, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2020 - 2024 15% D 750 mL $36.79 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vanessa Vineyard Merlot 2014, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Dried herbs and black plum on the nose of this gorgeous BC Merlot. Robust and long on the finish. Perfect for prime rib. Drink: 2015 - 2024 14.9% XD 750 mL $34.99 Score: 92/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vanessa Vineyard Meritage 2013, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada: A blockbuster BC red wine blend of estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes. The wine is aged 18 months in French and American oak barrels. Aromas of dried herbs, leather, coffee and black currant. Pair with prime rib. Needs cellar time. Highly recommended. Meritage food pairings: grilled venison, rib-eye steak, flat iron steak, other full-flavoured dishes. Drink: 2018 - 2024 385401 14% D 750 mL $39.99 Score: 94/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wonderwall Shiraz 2015, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia Shiraz food pairings: game stew, bison burgers, grilled game sausages. Drink: 2017 - 2024 530113 14.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Handley Cellars Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2017, Anderson Valley, California, United States: A bright, vibrant, medium-bodied Sonoma Pinot with notes of tart cherry and forest floor. Pair with roast turkey. Drink: 2019 - 2027 775692 14% XD 750 mL $54.90 Score: 91/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rust Wine Co. Golden Mile Bench Merlot 2016, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2018 - 2022 14.2% D 750 mL $35.00 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Monasterio de las Viñas Reserva Garnacha Tempranillo Cariñena 2014, Cariñena D.O.P., Spain: Monasterio De Las Viñas San José De Aguarón Reserva is a spicy Grenache, Tempranillo and Cariñena red wine blend from the Cariñena wine region. Lovely, medium-bodied smooth red with earthy, ripe red berry, and dried herb flavours on the palate. Pair with grilled meats. Garnacha Tempranillo Cariñena food pairings: grilled lamb chops, roast of pork in wine jus. Drink: 2020 - 2026 166579 13.5% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. December 2020. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2016, Napa Valley, California, United States: So dark purple in the glass, this Petit Sirah is smoky and spicy with ripe dark berry aromas on the nose. Dry, full-bodied with a concentration of blackberry, blueberry, dried herbs, anise and a smattering of cracked black pepper flavours on the palate. Lovely soft smoky finish. Tannins are fine and this smoky Petit Sirah is well-balanced overall. Pair with full-bodied meaty game dishes. Petite Sirah food pairings: venison, barbecued steak, pork tenderloin. Drink: 2019 - 2024 590356 14.2% D 750 mL $60.95 Score: 92/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

E. & J. Gallo Winery Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert Zinfandel 2017, California, United States Drink: 2019 - 2028 13195 15.5% XD 750 mL $64.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château de Nages Vieilles Vignes Costières de Nîmes 2017, Costières De Nîmes, Rhône A.P., France: Produced from Old Vines Grenache with some Syrah and Carignan from the Costières De Nîmes, Rhône Wine Region. Produced by Michel Gassier. Juicy, mouth-watering fruit with intense and bright cherry, raspberry and dried garrigue herb flavours finishing long and silky on the palate. Food pairings: roast leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic, grilled meats, tourtière.. Drink: 2020 - 2024 40964 15% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 91/100. December 2020. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ruffino Romitorio di Santedame Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2016, Tuscany, Italy Drink: 2020 - 2028 995183 13.5% XD 750 mL $69.99 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Cordet 2008, Margaux, Bordeaux, Ac, France: Ultra-smooth and elegant with great restraint... The mannered side of Bordeaux. Aromas of blackberry and smoke, not overly fruity, more earthy. Medium- to full-bodied. Perfect for dinner parties. Food pairings: prime rib, lamb. Drink: 2012 - 2022 243949 13.2% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 91/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Durigutti Cabernet Franc 2017, Mendoza, Argentina Cabernet Franc food pairings: pork roast, veal scaloppini, grilled flat iron steak. Drink: 2021 - 2024 14916 13.8% XD 750 mL $18.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Columbia Winery Merlot 2017, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States Merlot food pairings: roast pork, Salisbury steak, roast veal breast. Drink: 2020 - 2023 14676 13.9% D 750 mL $19.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Le Clos du Breil Bergerac 2018, Bergerac, Southwest A.C., France Food pairings: roast duck, turkey, pork tenderloin. Drink: 2020 - 2023 15542 13.5% D 750 mL $15.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Handley Cellars RSM Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016, Anderson Valley, California, United States: A gorgeous, supple, smooth, medium-bodied California Pinot Noir with aromas of bright cherry and spice. Pair with veal. Drink: 2019 - 2027 775700 14.2% D 750 mL $78.65 Score: 93/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Angove Family Crest Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2018, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: A robust and plushy Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre (GSM) with rich red currant, blueberry, dark cherry and savoury spice flavours on the palate. Tannins are velvety. Pair with BBQ beef ribs. Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre food pairings: rare rib steak, roast leg of lamb, roast stuffed breast of veal. Drink: 2020 - 2024 534750 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château La Gravière Cuvée Les Terrasses 2016, Côtes De Bourg, Bordeaux A.C., France Food pairings: rare roast beef, grilled pork chops, blue cheeses. Drink: 2022 - 2026 14454 14% XD 750 mL $16.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tenute Falezza Superiore Valpolicella Ripasso 2017, Veneto D.O.C., Italy Valpolicella Ripasso food pairings: meaty lasagne, grilled lamb chops, roast chicken. Drink: 2020 - 2025 14999 14.7% D 750 mL $21.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2018, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled pork chops, coq au vin, beef bourguignon.. Drink: 2020 - 2026 657874 13% XD 750 mL $34.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Strewn Winery Distinctive Small Lot Clay Block Merlot 2017, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A supple, smooth, medium-bodied Niagara Merlot with aromas of dark plum and smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Merlot food pairings: hearty braised beef, firm cheese. Drink: 2020 - 2024 14.1% XD 750 mL $42.00 Score: 91/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Emiliana Coyam Organic Red Blend 2017, Rapel Valley, Chile: This gorgeous, full-bodied Chilean red wine blend is made from organically grown grapes. Aromas of dark spice and fleshy ripe black fruit. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2020 - 2023 63891 14.5% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 95/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Strewn Winery Merlot 2017, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2019 - 2023 12.7% XD 750 mL $28.00 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Strewn Winery Distinctive Small Lot Sandy Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: beef tenderloin, firm cheese. Drink: 2020 - 2024 14% XD 750 mL $38.00 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Montecillo Rioja Reserva Tempranillo 2013, Rioja Doc, Spain: A lovely, mature Rioja from Montecillo! Aromas of dried tobacco leaves, leather and dark fruit on the nose of this Spanish red wine from the heart of Rioja. Founded in 1874, this winery ages its wines in oak for a minimum of three years with at least 18 months in French oak barrels. Full-bodied with a long finish. Pair with lamb. Tempranillo food pairings: grilled steak, duck, Mexican dishes, eggplant parmigiana, green peppers. Drink: 2018 - 2023 621003 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.30 Score: 91/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Frei Brothers Winery Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled New York strip loin, hamburger, hard cheese, grilled lamb chops. Drink: 2020 - 2025 38075 14.2% D 750 mL $29.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

E. & J. Gallo Winery Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert Zinfandel 2018, California, United States Drink: 2020 - 2030 13195 15.5% XD 750 mL $64.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

7 Deadly Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Lodi, California, United States: A full-bodied, smooth Californian red wine made from the state's iconic Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Aromas of chocolate, mocha, coffee and fleshy ripe blackberries and plums. Pair with grilled and barbecued meats. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: roast beef, pork chops, veal chops, gourmet burgers. Drink: 2019 - 2025 20762 14% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. December 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Terres de Saint-Louis Rosé 2020, Provence Aoc, France Rosé food pairings: salads, grilled tuna or salmon, shellfish. Drink: 2020 - 2022 234575 13% XD 750 mL $14.55 December 2020. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Terres de Saint-Louis Rosé 2021, Provence Aoc, France Rosé food pairings: salads, grilled tuna or salmon, shellfish. Drink: 2020 - 2022 234575 13% XD 750 mL $14.55 December 2020. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Terres de Saint-Louis Rosé 2022, Provence Aoc, France Rosé food pairings: salads, grilled tuna or salmon, shellfish. Drink: 2020 - 2022 234575 13% XD 750 mL $14.55 December 2020. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Terres de Saint-Louis Rosé 2019, Provence Aoc, France: A gorgeous rosé at an amazing price! Refreshing and light-bodied yet packed with flavour. Aromas of small strawberries and savoury herbs with the zing of orange zest on the finish. This bone-dry wine is so mouth-watering and juicy. Enjoy as a chilled aperitif or pair with light chicken dishes, field greens and seafood. Rosé food pairings: salads, grilled tuna or salmon, shellfish. Drink: 2020 - 2022 234575 13% XD 750 mL $14.55 Score: 92/100. December 2020. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Benchmark Series Reserve Pinot Gris 2019, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Pinot Gris food pairings: sautéed Ocean Wise fresh prawns with beurre blanc. Drink: 2020 - 2023 47144 13.4% D 750 mL $26.97 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Church and State Wines Pinot Gris 2017, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2020 - 2023 13.9% D 750 mL $22.00 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Saddleback Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017, Napa Valley, California, United States: A gorgeous Napa Chardonnay with lovely aromas of fresh, ripe orchard fruit and toasted almond. Perfect for roast turkey or chicken. Drink: 2020 - 2023 727437 14.2% D 750 mL $67.90 Score: 93/100. December 2020. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Strewn Winery Terroir Pinot Blanc 2018, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Pinot Blanc food pairings: French onion tart, Escargot, pork scallopini with Hollandaise sauce, Muenster cheese. Drink: 2020 - 2023 520205 14.5% D 750 mL $16.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Strewn Winery Terroir Gewurztraminer 2017, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2020 - 2024 913756 14.2% D 750 mL $28.00 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Strewn Winery Semi-Dry Premium Riesling 2018, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Riesling food pairings: fish, seafood, salads, pork, chicken. Drink: 2020 - 2026 12% M 750 mL $18.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Chardonnay 2017, Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, California, United States: A mouth-watering, full-bodied, smooth Californian Chardonnay with seductive aromas of golden apple, Asian pear, caramel and peach. The 2017 vintage of the Ghost Pines Chardonnay is made from grapes grown in three regions, including Monterey County, Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Pair chicken or pasta in a cream sauce. Chardonnay food pairings: buttered popcorn, roast chicken, lobster in butter. Drink: 2019 - 2024 308122 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 91/100. December 2020. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Church and State Wines Coyote Bowl Series Chardonnay 2017, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: turkey dinner, pasta in an Alfredo sauce, fish tacos, pork tenderloin. Drink: 2019 - 2024 423244 13.8% XD 750 mL $32.95 December 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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