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Wine Picks January 20, 2021

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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.

Canada

Tawse Chardonnay Icewine 2013, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Gloriously apple pie beautiful: freshly baked, waiting for you to dig in. Notes of cinnamon spice and peach preserve. So lovely. Chardonnay Icewine food pairings: pecan pie, fig tarte, fruit and custard flan. Drink: 2013 - 2022 443739 10.5% S 200 mL $35.95 Score: 93/100. January 2021. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Late Harvest Botrytis Affected Optima 2018, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada: A voluptuous BC dessert wine made from botrytized grapes that have concentrated spectacular aromas of peach preserves, honey and cinnamon. Enjoy on its own or with cheese. Drink: 2019 - 2030 390328 11% S 375 mL $40.00 Score: 93/100. January 2021. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2017, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A berry-rich Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine and a perfect pairing to a dark chocolate paté or a rich dark chocolate and raspberry mousse Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine food pairings: dark chocolate, fruit cake, pate and blue cheeses. Drink: 2019 - 2027 359133 10% S 200 mL $35.95 Score: 92/100. January 2021. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Pillitteri Estates Winery Team Canada Vidal Icewine 2017, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A gorgeous Niagara Icewine with aromas of apricot and peach. Perfect on it's own or with fruit cobbler. Vidal Icewine food pairings: exotic fruit salad, crème caramel, Roquefort cheese, blue cheese, foie gras. Drink: 2019 - 2026 13418 11% S 200 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. January 2021. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Reif Estate Winery Vidal Icewine 2018, Niagara River, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A beautifully rich and concentrated Niagara icewine from Reif. Luscious aromas of peach preserves and apricot jam. Pair with fruit flans and cobblers, or enjoy on its own. Vidal Icewine food pairings: spice cake, crème brûlée, fruit-based desserts, pastries, fresh field berries in cream. Drink: 2020 - 2025 544791 10% S 200 mL $24.95 Score: 94/100. January 2021. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wayne Gretzky Estates No.99 Cabernet Franc Icewine 2017, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Aromas of fresh strawberry and raspberry wrap themselves around your senses in this dazzling icewine. A superb effort. Drink: 2020 - 2035 12% S 200 mL $64.85 Score: 92/100. January 2021. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

France

Lafage Côté Sud 2012, Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon I.G.P., France: Seductive fleshy blackberry and black on the nose and palate of this full-bodied, supple French red wine that's a blend of syrah and grenache grapes. The vines are planted on south-facing terraces at the foot of the Pyrenees, Cote Sud translates to South Side. The white sister wine of this red is called Cote Est or East Side... sounds like a Broadway musical. Eastside Story ;) Food pairings: breaded veal cutlets, duck breast with celeriac purée, pomegranate gastrique and Brussel sprout ragout, tagliatelle alla Bolognese, chicken herb-rubbed roast. Drink: 2014 - 2021 395236 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. January 2021. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ferraton Père & Fils Samorëns Côtes du Rhône 2018, Côtes Du Rhône, Rhône A.C., France: A lip-smacking, delicious medium-bodied 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah red wine blend with elevage in concrete tanks. Look for bright and ripe red and dark berry fruit with dried herbs, dark cherry, smoked meat, cedar spice and pepper spice flavours on the palate. Enjoy with a grilled pork tenderloin. Food pairings: roast beef, meat-lover's pizza, bison burgers. Drink: 2020 - 2024 168708 14.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. January 2021. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Portugal

Graham's 10-Year-Old Tawny Port, Douro D.O.P., Portugal: This tawny is lush on the nose with stewed plum, fig and baking spice aromas. Powerful and savoury with nutty, fruitcake and baking spice flavours on the palate. One for creamy blue cheeses and dark chocolate... or fruitcake. 10-Year-Old Tawny Port food pairings: creamy blue cheeses, roasted nuts, dark chocolate. Drink: 2020 - 2023 17506 20% S 200 mL $11.95 Score: 93/100. January 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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