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Wine Picks November 20, 2021

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Reviewed Wines | All Wines | Group by Wine Type | Group by Country/Region

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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.

Red Wine

Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Wakefield 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is amazing value under $20. Love the ripe, dark spiced plum, savoury herbs and dark chocolate aromas on this Cab. Dry, medium-plus-bodied and well-balanced with vibrant acidity, there are layers of ripe dark fruits, blackberry, plum, mint, dark chocolate and fine dried herbs mouth-filling, supple and long on the palate. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: hearty meat dishes, hard cheese, juicy rare steak, barbecued ribs in sauce, hamburger. Drink: 2021 - 2024 744235 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. November 2021. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Andau Blaufränkisch 2018, Burgenland, Austria Drink: 2021 - 2026 13% D 750 mL $14.95 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gurjaani Old Marani Saperavi 2018, Georgia, Georgia Drink: 2020 - 2023 631167 12% 750 mL $17.10 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gurjaani Old Marani Alazani Valley Red 2018, Alazani Valley, Kakheti, Georgia Drink: 2021 - 2023 631159 11.5% D 750 mL $15.85 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Dugladze Wine Company Ranina Saperavi Dry 2018, Kakheti, Georgia Saperavi Dry food pairings: cakes, fruit and cheese boards, roasted nuts, charcuterie. Drink: 2021 - 2024 693142 12.5% D 750 mL $14.95 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Pipeau Bordeaux Saint-Emillion Grand Cru 2018, Ac Saint-Emillion, France Drink: 2021 - 2023 302018 D 750 mL $44.95 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Todoroff Teres Special Selection Mavrud 2018, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria Drink: 2020 - 2023 14.3% D 750 mL $22.30 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bodega San Roque de la Encina Monte Pinadillo Tempranillo Crianza 2018, Ribera Del Duero, D.O., Spain Drink: 2021 - 2025 360768 14.5% D 750 mL $19.95 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lealtanza Gran Reserva 2011, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain: From Bodegas Altanza, Lealtanza Gran Reserva 2011 is produced from 100% Tempranillo for the Rioja wine region. A robust Spanish red, matured 24 months in oak barrels, fragrant with ripe red plum compote, strawberry, red berry and baking spice flavours finishing long and comfy on the palate. Food pairings: bobtje, lamburgers, shepherd's pie. Drink: 2021 - 2027 453548 13.5% XD 750 mL $32.95 Score: 92/100. November 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Rutherfod, Napa Valley, California, United States: A spectacular Napa Valley red wine from an iconic producer. Aromas of dark fruit and smoke. Pair with a rare steak. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: rare roast beef, lamb. Drink: 2021 - 2026 29553 14.5% XD 750 mL $187.00 Score: 95/100. November 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Inglenook Rubicon 2017, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United States: A blockbuster California red wine with aromas of dark fruit, cigar box, violets and dried herbs. Perfect on its own or with grilled meats. Decant for 1-2 hours. Drink: 2021 - 2030 401349 14.5% XD 750 mL $465.00 Score: 98/100. November 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2020, Contra Costa County, California, United States: Cline's Zinfandel grape vines more than 100 years old. Notes of blackberry and toasty, black fruit, tar, smoke and toasty oak on this full-bodied red made for the barbeque. Big, long red berry and peppery finish. Zinfandel food pairings: hearty meat meals, pasta, aged cheddar, pulled pork. Drink: 2022 - 2026 719211 15% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. November 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Antinori Antica Napa Valley Townsend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Napa Valley, California, United States Drink: 2021 - 2028 329300 14% D 750 mL $127.95 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domain Mega Spileo Grand Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Achaia P.G.I., Greece: The robust, terrific 2012 vintage of the Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Cave was matured for more than two years in French and American oak barrels. Aromas of cassis, dark berries and smoke. Rich, layered and complex. Decant for 2 hours and pair with a rare steak. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: game stew, venison filet mignon, grilled game sausages. Drink: 2020 - 2030 390368 14.5% D 750 mL $30.95 Score: 92/100. November 2021. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rockway Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2017, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2021 - 2023 13% D 750 mL $25.00 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mommessin Beaujolais Nouveau 2021, Burgundy, France Drink: 2014 - 2014 897934 12% D 750 mL $13.95 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Time Family of Wines Chronos Rosé 2020, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2021 - 2023 12% D 750 mL $24.99 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Rosehall Run JCR Rosehall Vineyard Chardonnay 2019, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: Roast chicken with garlic and root vegetables, seafood in cream sauce. Drink: 2021 - 2026 12% XD 750 mL $36.00 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Herrenhof Lamprecht Furmint Vom Sandstein 2018, Sudsteiermark, Austria Drink: 2021 - 2024 12% XD 750 mL $22.95 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sandhill Sovereign Opal 2020, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2021 - 2023 11% M 750 mL $17.00 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Baden Cellars Gewurztraminer 2019, Baden, Germany Drink: 2021 - 2023 336735 11.5% D 750 mL $11.95 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Deinhard Winery Green Label Riesling 2018, Mosel, Koblenz, Germany Drink: 2020 - 2023 8094 10.5% M 750 mL $11.95 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Donatien Bahuaud Les Grands Mortiers Vouvray 2019, Vouvray, Loire A.P., France: Les Grands Mortiers 2019 is a great value plushy and zesty Vouvray, an off-dry Chenin Blanc with balanced acidity to match orange blossom, fresh pear, ripe stone fruit, honeyed melon, beeswax and mineral flavours vibrant and lingering on the palate. Food pairings: honey-glazed pork, mango chicken, coquilles St. Jacques. Drink: 2021 - 2023 140889 12% M 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. November 2021. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wakefield Riesling 2019, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Wakefield 2019 Riesling is great value under $17. Zesty and fresh with green apple, lemon-lime zest, flinty with mineral notes. So crisp and clean with a long and vibrant finish. A classic Clare Valley Riesling. Riesling food pairings: meat salads, grilled pork tenderloin, veal cutlets, smoked salmon. Drink: 2021 - 2025 301523 13% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 91/100. November 2021. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gray Monk Estate Winery Pinot Auxerrois 2020, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Pinot Auxerrois food pairings: spinach salad with applewood-smoked cheddar shavings and honey-mustard dressing. Drink: 2021 - 2024 96222 12.1% D 750 mL $17.99 November 2021. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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