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Wine Picks March 28, 2010

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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

Yvon Mau et Fils Shiraz 2008, V.D.P., Languedoc, Roussilon, France: Tasty and bursting with ripe blackberries and plums. Perfect for movie night! 621979 12.5% 750 mL $8.95 Score: 85/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Grange of Prince Edward Estate Winery Trumpour's Mill Estate Bottled Pinot Noir 2007, Prince Edward County, Canada: Tart black cherries and cranberries with an underlay of mocha notes. Vibrant acidity, medium-bodied and silky. Trumpour's Mill Estate Bottled Pinot Noir food pairings: crown roast of pork, grilled salmon with sour cherry compote, tuna nicoise, duck or lamb the cherry notes and bright finish complement the weight of these meats. Drink: 2010 - 2015 1 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008, South Australia, Australia: A supple, plummy red with generous, full-bodied texture and layers of flavour. Fleshy blackberries round out this lovely wine. Shiraz Cabernet food pairings: hamburgers, meat lovers' pizza. 285544 13.5% D 750 mL $19.45 Score: 89/100. March 2010. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, South Australia, Australia: A classically made Cabernet from a producer who is consistently good year after year. Offers enticing aromas of blackberry, cassis and blackcurrant with a judicious use of wood for a smokey finish. Supple and full-bodied. Great price. Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: rare steak, brisket. 45625 13.8% 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

TILIA Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Juicy generous notes of fleshy dark berries and plums. An wonderfully savoury note on the mid-palate that keeps me coming back to the glass (for a top up). Balanced, full-bodied and suplpe. Amazing price. Malbec food pairings: grilled steak. Drink: 2010 - 2011 160945 13.5% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 88/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

San Pedro Merlot 2008, Central Valley, Chile: Terrific value! Loaded with purple plums and blackberry jam notes. Full-bodied and supple. Perfect for potluck gatherings. Merlot food pairings: beef, lamb, pork, duck, cheeses, pizza, pastas. 272518 13% 750 mL $8.95 Score: 86/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Arniston Bay Shiraz Merlot 2008, Western Cape, South Africa: Juicy purple plums and dark berries in the glass with a tasty, full-bodied weight. Great for barbecues. Shiraz Merlot food pairings: grilled steaks, roast beef, zesty pasta dishes, hearty soups, gourmet burgers. 43927 14.7% 750 mL $9.90 Score: 86/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Long Flat Shiraz 2008, Southern, Australia: Fleshy ripe blackberries and plums with a juicy, mouth-watering, full-bodied texture and weight. Smooth and supple. Amazing price. Shiraz food pairings: red meats, cheeses and pastas with tomato based sauces. 536763 14% 750 mL $11.90 Score: 88/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Long Flat Cabernet Shiraz 2008, Southern, Australia: Bursting with black cherries and cassis. Juicy, full-bodied and well-rounded with supple texture and layers. Fantastic price. Terrific party wine. Cabernet Shiraz food pairings: grilled meats, pasta, good cheeses,. 212373 12.4% 750 mL $10.95 Score: 87/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Gloria Ferrer Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Sonoma, California, United States: Lovely crisp notes of field strawberries and raspberries on the nose. Frothy, persistent and refreshing. A beautiful jeweled tone of light pink. Pinot Noir Chardonnay food pairings: shellfish, crab, roasted chicken, sushi, seasoning affinities include lemon grass, fennel, white pepper, hard aged and triple crème cheeses with Meyer lemon compote. Drink: 2010 - 2015 192898 12.5% D 750 mL $36.35 Score: 91/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Long Flat Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Southern, Australia: Fresh lime green notes with a grassy underlay. Zippy and refreshing with mouth-watering acidity. Semillon Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: fish, white meats, light pastas. 183715 10.5% 750 mL $10.95 Score: 86/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Arniston Bay Western Cape Chenin Blanc Chardonnay 2009, South Africa, South Africa: A pleasant, melon-ripe white with a crisp green-apple acidity. Nice aperitif. Chenin Blanc Chardonnay food pairings: chicken dishes with savory sauces, ethnic dishes, spicy foods, on its own, salads and soups, vegetarian dishes. 129650 13.5% 750 mL $6.20 Score: 86/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Yvon Mau et Fils Sauvignon Blanc 2008, V.D.P., Languedoc, Roussillon, France: Terrific value for this refreshing, lime- and grapefruit-infused quaffer. Perfect for sipping on the dock. 19653 11% 750 mL $8.95 Score: 85/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Yvon Mau et Fils Chardonnay 2008, V.D.P., Languedoc, Roussillon, France: A light, not too oaky Chardonnay with pleasant green apple notes. Terrific value. 627265 11.5% 750 mL $8.95 Score: 85/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hawkes Wine & Winery Home Chardonnay 2007, Sonoma County, California, United States: A delightfully balanced and tasty Chardonnay with pleasing notes of green apples, butter, toast and almonds. Home Chardonnay food pairings: lemon-herb chicken kebobs, roast chicken, corn dishes. Drink: 2010 - 2014 301209 14.1% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 87/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Huff Estates Winery Riesling Off Dry 2008, Prince Edward County, Canada: I lovely peach-infused sipper with zippy and refreshing notes of lime. Says off-dry (touch of sweetness) o the label but tastes dry because of the terrific acidity balancing it. Great as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to many dishes. Riesling Off Dry food pairings: spicy thai dishes or curry-based recipes. Drink: 2010 - 2012 155606 11.5% MD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Matua Valley Paretai Marlborough Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand: Incredible depth and richness that I rarely see in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which tends to be zesty. This one is still vibrant and refreshing but it has that extra dimension of complexity infused with glorious citrus fruit: lime and lemon wrapped in lanolin. Long finish. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: Blue Fin Tuna steak seasoned & momentarily seared each side so that it’s still pink in the middle served with a fresh salsa made of lime juice, olive oil, avocado, red onion, capsicum & tomato.. 278556 13% 750 mL $24.95 Score: 94/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2007, South Australia, Australia: A smokey, buttery Chardonnay that delivers delicious full-bodied flavor and layers of green and yellow apple aromas. 321943 13% 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. March 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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