Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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Vintages Release December 20, 2025

Paid Members of my site can access all 100 wines that I've reviewed for December 20, 2025, with my scores, food matches and the stock for each wine in their closest stores.

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

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Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.

Sparkling Wine

Bailly-Lapierre Pinot Noir Brut Crémant de Bourgogne, Burgundy, France: A terrific Blanc de Noirs from Burgundy, made using the classical Champagne method and from red grapes (Pinot Noir) to produce this white sparkling wine Lots of racy acidity and aromas of Asian pear and golden apple. Pinot Noir Brut Crémant De Bourgogne food pairings: seafood, salad, gorgonzola brie. Drink: 2025 - 2027 420984 12% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. December 2025. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico 2023, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Castellare di Castellina's Chianti Classico from Tuscany is a vibrant, medium-bodied red wine blending Sangiovese and Canaiolo Nero with notes of wild strawberry, iris, crushed stone and dried oregano. This dry wine displays fine, powdery tannins and bright acidity that will integrate beautifully over the next four years. Serve it slightly below room temperature with grilled pork chops with sage as the wine's herbal character complements the aromatic seasoning, or pair it with eggplant parmigiana where the wine's acidity cuts through the melted cheese and tomato sauce. Winemaker Alessandro Cellai ages this annata in small French oak barrels to add subtle spice while preserving the fruit's purity and freshness. Castellare di Castellina has been producing exceptional Chianti Classico since 1979, and the estate is renowned for featuring a different bird species on each vintage label, celebrating the biodiversity of their organically farmed vineyards in the heart of the Chianti hills. This classic expression represents outstanding value and will continue to evolve through 2029. Chianti Classico food pairings: meat-lover's pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, vegetarian lasagne. Drink: 2025 - 2029 970095 13.1% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 89/100. December 2025. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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