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

Wine Picks February 14, 2022

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

Villa Annaberta Wines Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2017, Veneto Doc, Italy: An excellent value for this superb, savoury and meaty Italian red wine with fleshy black fruit and a supple texture and full-bodied weight. Highly recommended. Pair with pepperoni pizza and charcuterie. Drink: 2019 - 2023 378091 14.5% D 750 mL $18.35 Score: 90/100. February 2022. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Sonoma County, California, United States: A superb, full-bodied Californian red wine made from the classic Cabernet grape from a well-respected producer. Aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis and smoke. Pair with a rare steak. Drink: 2022 - 2025 292151 14% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 91/100. February 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Josh Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, California, United States: A full-bodied Californian red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Aromas of black fruit and toasty oak. Firm tannins. Finishes with smoke and all-spice. Pair with grilled meats. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: pork tenderloin, hodge-podge, grilled burgers. Drink: 2022 - 2026 461053 13.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. February 2022. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wente Vineyards Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Livermore Valley, California, United States: This well-made Californian red wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Petit Sirah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc grapes. Elegant, balanced and complex. Great price for classic Californian Cabernet. Cool-climate influences at play here. Pair with a rare steak. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: Beef Brisket, Roasted Pork, Tacos with the fixings, Roast beef , Steak. Drink: 2022 - 2025 301507 13.5% D 750 mL $21.00 Score: 90/100. February 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bonterra Merlot 2020, Mendocino County, California, United States: Bonterra Merlot is a rich and structured Merlot-driven red wine blend with 13% Petite Sirah added to the mix. Dry, full-bodied and concentrated with ripe blueberry, dark plum, cassis, sweet dried tobacco leaf, savoury herb and pepper spice flavours fresh on the palate. Pour with beef brisket. Merlot food pairings: eggplant parmigiana, mole poblano chicken, homemade burgers. Drink: 2022 - 2024 984724 13.5% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. February 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne, Champagne A.O.C., France: One of the best values for non-vintage Champagne on the liquor store shelves. Crisp and toasty, robust and muscular. This is a terrific party bubbly for discerning guests. Pair with fried foods or shellfish. 462432 12% XD 750 mL $59.95 Score: 91/100. February 2022. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Josh Chardonnay 2020, California, United States: An attractive, full-bodied Californian Chardonnay with aromas of butterscotch, smoke and golden apple. Pair with roast chicken. Chardonnay food pairings: garlic butter poached salmon, pork loin stuffed with brown rice and toasted walnuts, fish and chips. Drink: 2022 - 2025 561100 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. February 2022. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay 2020, Livermore Valley, California, United States: A lovely, full-bodied, rich Californian white wine made from the state's iconic Chardonnay grape. Aromas of toasted almond, green apple and freshly baked bread. Pair with roast chicken or turkey. Chardonnay food pairings: grilled maple glazed salmon, chicken picatta, seafood pasta with saffron cream sauce, roasted pork tenderloin with apple chutney. Drink: 2022 - 2026 175430 13.5% D 750 mL $21.00 Score: 90/100. February 2022. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


© 2024 Natalie MacLean