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Wine Picks March 21, 2023

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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

Nichol Vineyard Old Vines Syrah 2020, Naramata Vineyards, British Columbia, Canada Drink: 2023 - 2032 431841 14% D 750 mL $40.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Traynor Family Vineyard Ch-Ch-Ch-Cherry Bomb Clarette, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 12.1% D 750 mL $35.60 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Stave & Steel Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, California, United States Drink: 2023 - 2025 541946 13.5% D 750 mL $21.05 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Carmenère 2020, Maipo Valley D.O., Chile: From the Maipo Valley, Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva 2020 Carmenère is a fragrant, big, bold and full-bodied red wine with layers of ripe dark fruit, anise, black pepper and grilled herb flavours on the palate. Pour with steaks from the grill. Carmenère food pairings: wine-braised beef, game, pork, turkey with gravy. Drink: 2024 - 2028 57513 14.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. March 2023. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

San Pedro 1865 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Lontué Valley, Curicó Valley D.O., Chile: San Pedro 1865 2019 is produced from Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon from some of the oldest vineyards in the Lontué zone, south of Curicó Valley. The vines are more than 70 years old and are dry-farmed. The finished wine was aged in foudres for 18 months. Look for spicy dark fruits, chocolate, savoury dried herbs generous and warm on the palate. Tannins are firm and rich. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: meats from the grill, BBQ ribs, game sausage cassoulet. Drink: 2023 - 2028 27202 14% D 750 mL $35.95 Score: 93/100. March 2023. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Black Widow Winery Hourglass Reserve 2019, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada Food pairings: Steaks from the grill, sausages, seared duck. Drink: 2023 - 2026 258822 14.3% XD 750 mL $54.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Deep Roots Winery Gamay 2021, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Gamay food pairings: grilled pork, roast chicken, blackened fish. Drink: 2023 - 2025 126811 13.1% XD 750 mL $22.53 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kendall-Jackson Estates Collection Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: From Alexander Valley, Sonoma County wine region, Kendall-Jackson Estates 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is a robust and muscular red with a mouthful of ripe black cherry, anise, cloves, menthol, dark chocolate and toasty oak spice flavours intense and concentrated and powerful. The wine was aged in French oak barrels (40% new). Feed it a prime rib roast with all the trimmings. Drink or hold. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: burgers, ribs, lamb chops. Drink: 2023 - 2028 27681 14.5% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 92/100. March 2023. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tightrope Winery Syrah 2019, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2030 895094 13.6% D 750 mL $40.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Ducla Bordeaux Supérieur 2013, Bordeaux A.C., France Food pairings: lamb, pork roast, grilled steak, gourmet sausages. Drink: 2023 - 2025 255067 12.5% D 750 mL $17.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kacaba Vineyards Proprietor's Block Syrah 2019, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Syrah food pairings: grilled pork chops, chicken, vegetarian dishes. Drink: 2023 - 2027 689076790741 13.8% XD 750 mL $35.15 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kacaba Vineyards Silver Bridge Syrah 2019, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Syrah food pairings: steak, sausages, lamb, shepherd's pie. Drink: 2023 - 2026 689076791045 14% XD 750 mL $35.15 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Allimant-Laugner Pinot Noir 2020, Alsace A.O.C., France Drink: 2023 - 2030 319939 12.5% XD 750 mL $23.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Otazu Premium Cuvée Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019, Navarra D.O., Spain Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot food pairings: grilled lamb chops, veal chops, mushroom burgers, pepper steaks. Drink: 2023 - 2025 313809 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Haywire Winery Pinot Noir 2021, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Pinot Noir food pairings: hard cheeses, salmon off the grill, barbequed sausages, spaghetti bolognese. Drink: 2023 - 2026 164426 12.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

ONES+ Pinot Noir 2021, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 626990424024 1% XD 750 mL $25.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tightrope Winery Merlot 2020, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2026 13.1% 2025 750 mL $31.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hester Creek Estate Winery Old Vine Merlot 2020, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Merlot food pairings: BBQ pork tenderloin topped with grilled Okanagan cherries. Drink: 2023 - 2026 77347 14.4% D 750 mL $29.99 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2021, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Quails' Gate 2021 Pinot Noir, is satiny smooth and elegant with balanced acidity. Fragrant with crushed raspberry, dark cherry, lavender, sage, vanilla and smoky aromas on the nose with concentrated dark cherry, fine herbs, anise, nutmeg and ginger spice flavours on the palate. Tannins are velvety. Enjoy on its own or with shepherd's pie. Pinot Noir food pairings: herb crusted chicken, roasted lamb, savoury slow cooked game. Drink: 2023 - 2028 585760 14% D 750 mL $35.95 Score: 91/100. March 2023. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ribeira Grande Dona Julieta 2021, Portugal Drink: 2023 - 2025 628075802574 14% D 750 mL $12.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Poplar Grove Winery Merlot 2018, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 392035 14.2% D 750 mL $34.70 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir 2021, Aconcagua Costa D.O., Chile Pinot Noir food pairings: veal medallions, roasted pork loin, prime rib, coq au vins. Drink: 2023 - 2027 37937 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Penedès D.O., Spain Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled tenderloin, roast rack of lamb, Porterhouse veal chops. Drink: 2023 - 2030 129676 14% XD 750 mL $75.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Coteau Rougemont Versant Rosé 2021, Montérégie, Québec, Canada Versant Rosé food pairings: shrimp tempura, grilled salmon, chicken dishes. Drink: 2023 - 2024 12644153 12% D 750 mL $17.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Fazi Ile de Beaute Rosé 2020, Corsica, France 3334861002598 12% D 750 mL $23.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Haywire Winery Gamay Rosé 2021, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 12% XD 750 mL $27.99 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Rosehall Run Indigo Sparkling 2021, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Indigo Sparkling food pairings: charcuterie, cheese board, cheese flatbread. Drink: 2023 - 2025 32373 11.5% D 750 mL $25.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Meinklang Prosa 2021, Burgenland, Austria 547009 10.5% D 750 mL $18.15 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Reif Estate Winery Riesling 2021, Niagara River, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: The 2021 Reif Riesling has aromas of wet stone and lemon sunshine and sunny apricot and lime zest flavours. This medium-dry white would be perfect with sushi, or anything with mild to medium heat or spice. Riesling food pairings: lighter fare like fish, poultry and vegetarian dishes, spicier food, Chinese or Thai. Drink: 2023 - 2026 111799 12% MD 750 mL $14.75 Score: 90/100. March 2023. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tightrope Winery Riesling 2021, Naramata Bench, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 14% D 750 mL $24.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sperling Vineyards Organic Vision Series Flint 2021, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Food pairings: shrimp, oysters, fish and chips, glazed chicken. Drink: 2023 - 2025 854944000387 10.2% XD 750 mL $32.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Haywire Winery Chardonnay 2021, Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 12.5% D 750 mL $30.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Donnafugata Sul Vulcano Etna Bianco 2020, Sicily, Italy Drink: 2023 - 2024 167493 12.5% D 750 mL $40.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tightrope Winery Riesling 2022, Naramata Bench, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 14% D 750 mL $24.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Provenance Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 13% D 750 mL $22.99 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hester Creek Estate Winery Storied Series Pinot Bianco 2022, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada Pinot Bianco food pairings: grilled veggies, pork chops, roast chicken, pesto pizza. Drink: 2023 - 2024 431729 13.2% D 750 mL $21.99 March 2023. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Nosio Mileo Bianco 2020, Sicily, Italy Bianco food pairings: veal medallions, roasted pork loin, prime rib, coq au vins. Drink: 2023 - 2024 14954201 12% MD 750 mL $15.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tightrope Winery Chardonnay 2020, British Columbia, Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 14% D 750 mL $30.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

François Lurton Piedra Negra Pinot Gris 2022, Uco Valley, Argentina Drink: 2023 - 2025 556746 12.5% XD 750 mL $15.70 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Deinhard Winery Dry Riesling 2021, Rheinhessen, Germany Riesling food pairings: pork chops, sushi, glazed ham, BBQ chicken. Drink: 2023 - 2026 60004 12% D 750 mL $15.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hare Wine Co. Dry Riesling, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Dry Riesling food pairings: seafood canapes, springs rolls, pineapple chicken. Drink: 2023 - 2025 32266 12% M 750 mL $23.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Haywire Winery Switchback Vineyard Pinot Gris 2021, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Pinot Gris food pairings: grilled chicken, crab cakes, fresh oysters. Drink: 2023 - 2025 562793 12% XD 750 mL $29.99 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs Chardonnay 2020, Sonoma Coast, California, United States Chardonnay food pairings: Masala salad, saffron potato cakes, spinach and watercress salad with raspberry dressing. Drink: 2023 - 2025 351717 14.1% XD 750 mL $50.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Provenance Series Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 13% D 750 mL $22.99 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sipp Mack Alsace Grand Cru Rosacker Riesling 2020, Alsace D.O.C., France Drink: 2023 - 2035 13% D 750 mL $35.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sipp Mack Alsace Old Vines Riesling 2019, Alsace A.O.C., France Drink: 2023 - 2029 13% D 750 mL $33.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sipp Mack Alsace Tradition Pinot Blanc 2021, Alsace A.O.C., France Drink: 2023 - 2026 13% D 750 mL $28.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sipp Mack Tradition Pinot Gris 2021, Alsace A.O.C., France Drink: 2023 - 2025 14% MD 750 mL $33.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Allimant-Laugner Alsace Grand Cru Praelatenberg Riesling 2014, Alsace A.O.C., France Drink: 2023 - 2028 5065378 13% D 750 mL $26.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Allimant-Laugner Alsace Grand Cru Praelatenberg Riesling 2019, Alsace A.O.C., France Drink: 2023 - 2029 5065378 12.5% D 750 mL $27.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Queenston Mile Vineyard Chardonnay 2020, St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: roast chicken, lobster roll, fish tacos. Drink: 2023 - 2026 10137 12.5% D 750 mL $35.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Southern Clays Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Villa Maria Southern Clays 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is produced from sustainably-grown grapes sourced from a single vineyard. Fresh with orange blossom, grapefruit zest, fine herb and briny mineral aromas and flavours on the palate. This well-crafted Marlborough SB is bone-dry, medium-bodied, wonderfully fresh and balanced with fresh acidity from beginning to its very long finish. Drink or hold. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: baked goat cheese with cranberry and cherry coulee, goat cheese green onion and smoked salmon pizza. Drink: 2023 - 2027 447474 13% D 750 mL $30.75 Score: 95/100. March 2023. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Malivoire Estate Grown Chardonnay 2021, Beamsville Bench, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: grilled salmon, chicken fillet or pork chops. Drink: 2023 - 2026 573147 13% D 750 mL $21.95 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vanessa Vineyard V Series White Blend 2021, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2023 - 2025 626990238423 12% D 750 mL $30.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kacaba Vineyards Susan's Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Susan's Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: seafood, salads, herbed chicken dishes. Drink: 2023 - 2024 19899 10.5% D 750 mL $20.15 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hester Creek Estate Winery Storied Series Pinot Bianco 2021, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Storied Series Pinot Bianco 2021 from Hester Creek Estate Winery has peach, apple and fresh herb aromas with zesty orange citrus on the palate. Drink and enjoy young. Pour with grilled chicken dishes. Pinot Bianco food pairings: grilled veggies, pork chops, roast chicken, pesto pizza. Drink: 2023 - 2024 431729 13.2% D 750 mL $21.99 Score: 90/100. March 2023. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery British Columbia Gewürztraminer 2017, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2018 - 2020 12% D 750 mL $20.70 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Winemaker’s Cut Muscat Canelli 2019, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2021 - 2024 8464 11.5% 750 mL $24.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Léon Courville Vigneron Réserve St-Pépin 2012, Quebec, Cantons De L'est, Canada 13% XD 750 mL $33.00 March 2023. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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