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Vintages Release August 4, 2007

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Australia

Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2006, Barossa Valley, Australia: A full-bodied wine with round lush nuances of dark berries and plums. Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache food pairings: hummus, kleftiko. 531228 14.5% D 750 mL $23.25 Score: 90/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Juniper Crossing Shiraz 2003, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: Juniper Crossing, Juniper Estate’s second label, offers terrific value wines made in a ready-to-drink style. This well-made Shiraz delivers ripe, round black fruit flavors with some peppery spice and vanilla oak notes. My note: A terrific, full-boded wine. Notes of dark black fruit, mint and chocolate. Juniper Crossing Shiraz food pairings: gourmet burgers, lamb, barbequed steak. 34231 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chile

Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay 2006, Casablanca Valley, Chile: The Marnier-Lapostolle family, of Grand Marnier fame, has been involved in winemaking for generations. The same uncompromising approach to quality that has made their liqueur a world-wide success is applied to this winemaking endeavour. The exotic fruit and mineral aromas lead to a palate that is crisply dry, fresh and fruity. My note: A big old, oaky chardonnay is as comfy as your favortie jeans - buttery, round and accepting. Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay food pairings: salmon steak. 396986 14% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. August 2007. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ramirana Gran Reserva Syrah 2004, Maipo Valley, Chile: Layers of plum, chocolate, spice and blackberry aromas waft out of the glass. Dry and flavorful with fine mid-palate tannins and a pretty sweet spiciness on the finish. My note: A rich, full-bodied and chocolatey wine. Ramirana Gran Reserva Syrah food pairings: roast beef, root vegetables, roast potatoes. 41715 14.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

France

Domaine Parent Ladoix La Corvee 2005, Burgundy, France: This full-bodied wine has a nose of sour cherries and beetroot. 41079 13% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 90/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Joseph Drouhin Joseph Drouhin Savigny-Les -Beaune 2005, Burgundy, France: Savigny-Lès-Beaune distinguishes itself by the spicy character of its ‘goût de terroir’.The village itself sits tucked away in a little valley between Pernand and Beaune, and the vineyards for the appellation are planted on two hills with different exposures. To the north is the Vergelesses slope, producing delicate and perfumed wines, while to the south is the beginning of the Beaune ‘Côte’. The wines from the latter tend to have that much more structure. Drouhin’s Savigny-lès-Beaune is fermented in both open wooden and stainless steel fermenters. This cherry- and plum-scented wine is elegant and flavorful with ripe tannins giving balance. My note: This is a lovely, soft, plush pinot. Medium-bodied with silky aromas of cherries and raspberries. Joseph Drouhin Savigny-Les -Beaune food pairings: rare veal chops. 986406 12.5% XD 750 mL $37.95 Score: 91/100. August 2007. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Clos Du Calvaire Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2003, Rhone, France: Full-bodied and luscious. This wine displays nuances of black plums and berries. 728139 14% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

La Foret Royale 2004, Southwest, France: La Forêt is a blend of the indigenous Négrette (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) and Syrah (25%). The wine goes through fruit-enhancing and tannin-mellowing micro-oxygenation and acid-softening malolactic fermentation. The resulting wine is full of flavors and aromas, including raspberry, blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, licorice and a hint of tar. My note: This soft wine displays aromas of blackberries and black plums. It is full-bodied yet smooth. La Foret Royale food pairings: grilled steak, ribs, gourmet sausages. 41251 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Perrin & Fils Tavel Rose 2006, Rhone, France: Tavel produces some of the richest, yet driest rosés on the market. They work beautifully as a sipper and are quite adaptable to a variety of foods. My note: I love this wine! Why don't I drink more of it? Perrin & Fils Tavel Rose food pairings: grilled chicken, sea-food salad, bouillabaisse, pork tenderloin. 680801 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. August 2007. Favorite Rose Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Germany

Schloss Schonborn Riesling Kabinett 2004, Rheingau, Germany: Gorgeous! Notes of apricot and honeydew melon. 928184 9% MD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. August 2007. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Italy

Colognole Chianti Rufina 2003, Tuscany, Italy: Mostly Sangiovese with a bit of Colorino, Colognole’s Chianti is aged for 12 months in barrel and then spends another six in bottle before release. Though Chianti Classico receives much deserved praise, Chianti Rufina is quietly gaining a solid reputation of its own. Many believe, even though these wines are generally softer than the Classico versions, they have the ability to age longer. This version is an ideal candidate for mid-term aging 3-5 years. My note: Simple, rustic and classic. This Chianti displays aromas of sour cherries and is full-bodied. Drink: 2007 - 2012 974501 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Maculan Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Veneto, Italy: This unfined and unfiltered wine is dominated by aromas and flavors such as blueberry, cherry, camomille tea and spices. My note: A simple, round and full-bodied wine with notes of chocolate and dark fruit. Maculan Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: roast beef, root vegetables. 987701 13% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. August 2007. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Spain

Julian Chivite Gran Feudo Rosado 2006, Navarra, Spain: A lovely and vibrant dry-rose with aromas of raspberries. 256149 13% XD 750 mL $10.95 Score: 89/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Celler Piñol Sacra 2005, Terra Alta, Spain: Juicy yet tannic. Loaded with plums and berries. 30717 14% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

United States

Treasury Wine Estates Beringer Third Century Pinot Noir 2005, Central Coast, United States: Beringer’s Third Century line marks the beginning of their third century in business (they were established in 1876). For this elegant Pinot Noir, they use fruit sourced from Central Coast vineyards because they feel this region replicates the cool-climate of Burgundy.This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of cherry, plum, earth and oak spice. It is fruity, but ably balanced by fine grain tannins. My note: A New World style, full-bodied wine with vibrant aromas of cherry fruit. Beringer Third Century Pinot Noir food pairings: stuffed pork tenderloin. 43786 13.9% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. August 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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