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Wine Picks October 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

Badel Hrvatska Stara Sljivovica Plum Brandy -, Croatia 460352 40% D 750 mL $34.95 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badel Hrvatska Stara Sljivovica Plum Brandy -, Croatia: What a treat! This traditional Croatian plum brandy is lovely on its own or try it as part of several cocktail recipes included on the bottle neck tag. Aromas of ripe dark plums and spices. Drink: 2020 - 2030 528075 40% D 500 mL $21.20 Score: 89/100. October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Queenston Mile Vineyard Cheesy Chalupa Estates Jalapeno Noir 2018, St. David's Bench, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely Niagara Pinot Noir at an incredible price! Aromas of cherry and berry with some spice. (Didn't mean for that to rhyme ;) This is produced by Queenston winery in Niagara for Taco Bell's Toasted Cheesy Chalupa taco. It sold out in 11 minutes but I hear more is on the way. Drink: 2020 - 2023 12.7% XD 750 mL $25.00 Score: 90/100. October 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badel Ivan Dolac Barrique 2011, South Dalmatia, Hvar Island, Croatia: A full-bodied, concentrated red wine with aromas of fleshy black, ripe plums and berries and some mocha. Pair with a rare steak. Drink: 2015 - 2025 724566 14.5% D 750 mL $41.25 Score: 90/100. October 2020. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kozlovic Teran 2018, Istria, Croatia Drink: 2020 - 2023 767996 13% D 750 mL $31.50 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badel Plavac Red 2018, Pelješac, South Dalmatia Coast, Croatia: A full-bodied, supple, smooth Croatian red wine from the middle and southern Dalmatian Coastal vineyards. Aromas of dark plums, berries and smoke. The Plavac Mali grape shares an inheritance with California's Zinfandel and pairs with many of the same hearty meat dishes and barbecue. Plavac Red food pairings: meat lovers' pizza, hamburgers. Drink: 2020 - 2023 460873 12% D 750 mL $13.55 Score: 89/100. October 2020. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

United Stars Mukuzani Dry 2015, Kakheti Pdo, Georgia: A full-bodied, smooth Georgian red wine made from Saperavi which is the country's classic grape. Aromas of dark fruit and toasty oak. Pair with grilled meats. Mukuzani Dry food pairings: traditional Georgian food including Kharcho lamb soup, goat dishes, barbequed pork, game meat, steaks, medium ripened cheeses including traditional goat cheeses and vegetable dishes. Drink: 2019 - 2022 460501 13% D 750 mL $16.15 Score: 88/100. October 2020. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badel Cuvée Benkovac 2018, Middle And South Dalmatia Coast, Croatia: A full-bodied, smooth red wine with aromas of dark plums and mocha. Pair with grilled meats. Cuvée Benkovac food pairings: barbecued rib eye steak, grilled burgers, meat pizza, lamb stew. Drink: 2020 - 2023 837047 12.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tbilvino Alazani Valley Red 2018, Alazani Valley, Kakheti, Georgia: Produced from the white Rkatsiteli and red Saperavi red wine grape, this red blend from Georgia's Kakheti Valley is vibrant with red berry, mocha and savoury herb flavours on the palate. A fresh and juicy great value red blend that pairs equally as well with dark chocolate as it would with spicy Korean ribs. Food pairings: turkey and cranberry sauce, pork with a fruit reduction, fresh fruit tarts. Drink: 2020 - 2024 142109 12% MS 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. October 2020. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lubanzi Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre Cinsault Carignan 2017, Western Cape, South Africa Drink: 2019 - 2023 16418 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mildiani Kindzmarauli Semi-Sweet Red 2016, Kakheti, Georgia: A full-bodied, semi-sweet red wine with dark red fruit notes. Perfect for spicy Indian cuisine. Kindzmarauli Semi-Sweet Red food pairings: beef curry, dark chocolate terrine, sweet and sour pork chops. Drink: 2020 - 2023 682781 12% MS 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

United Stars Mukuzani Dry 2018, Kakheti Pdo, Georgia Mukuzani Dry food pairings: traditional Georgian food including Kharcho lamb soup, goat dishes, barbequed pork, game meat, steaks, medium ripened cheeses including traditional goat cheeses and vegetable dishes. Drink: 2019 - 2022 460501 13% D 750 mL $16.15 October 2020. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badel Plavac Red 2019, Pelješac, South Dalmatia Coast, Croatia Plavac Red food pairings: meat lovers' pizza, hamburgers. Drink: 2020 - 2023 460873 12% D 750 mL $13.55 October 2020. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

United Stars Saperavi 2016, Kindzmarauli, Kakheti, Georgia Saperavi food pairings: charcuterie, cheese, grilled Portobello mushrooms, gourmet burgers. Drink: 2020 - 2024 466458 12.9% XD 750 mL $14.95 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badel Plavac Hvar 2018, South Dalmatia, Hvar Island, Croatia Drink: 2020 - 2024 724525 12.5% D 750 mL $16.20 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badel Svirce Mediterano Plavac 2016, South Dalmatia, Hvar Island, Croatia Drink: 2019 - 2025 724533 13% D 750 mL $24.05 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ramirez de la Piscina Crianza 2017, Rioja, Spain Drink: 2020 - 2023 383018 14% D 750 mL $17.95 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Masi Tupungato Passo Doble Organic Malbec Corvina 2017, Tupungato Valley, Argentina Drink: 2019 - 2022 620880 13.5% D 750 mL $16.50 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Lago Cerqueira Vinho Verde Rosé 2018, Portugal Drink: 2020 - 2022 10% D 750 mL $15.00 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Besini Tsinandali 2018, Kakheti, Georgia: A crisp, zesty white wine with lime and lemon zest notes. Perfect for seafood. Food pairings: chicken salads, chicken, turkey, smoked fish. Drink: 2020 - 2021 14188 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. October 2020. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Black Island Winery Merga Victa Posip 2018, Smokvica, Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia Posip food pairings: grilled seafood, baked shellfish in a white wine and cream sauce, fresh oysters. Drink: 2020 - 2022 770537 13% D 750 mL $26.95 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kozlovic Malvazija 2018, Istria, Croatia: A zesty, vibrant white wine with notes of white melon and lime. Pair with shellfish. Drink: 2020 - 2022 767988 13% D 750 mL $29.00 Score: 89/100. October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badel Vezak Kvalitetna Graševina 2018, Slavonia, Croatia: A zesty white wine with notes of white melon and lime citrus. Pair with seafood. Graševina food pairings: seafood dishes, chicken, avocado green curry with cilantro and lime. Drink: 2020 - 2023 809665 11.5% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. October 2020. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rapaura Springs Wairau Classic Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: chicken salad, pork tenderloin, seafood, barbeque lobster. Drink: 2022 - 2023 465880 13.4% D 750 mL $19.95 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Yalumba The Y Series Viognier 2019, South Australia, Australia Viognier food pairings: sautéed diver scallops, chicken, pork, mild curries and spices. Drink: 2021 - 2023 470062 13.5% D 750 mL $15.95 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badel Vezak Vrhunska Sauvignon 2018, Continental Croatia, Slavonia, Croatia Drink: 2020 - 2022 724558 12.5% D 750 mL $17.20 October 2020. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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