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Vintages Release July 21, 2007

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Argentina

Trivento Reserve Syrah 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Trivento is Concha Y Toro's operation in Argentina. This Syrah shows dark berries and notes of light spice with some light oak on the finish. My note: Fantastic value in this wine. Its big nose displays dark red fruit overtones. Full-bodied Trivento Reserve Syrah food pairings: pizza. 663112 13.5% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Australia

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz/Viognier 2005, Victoria, Australia: This wine gets a lift from the viognier and has notes of plums. 18887 13.5% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bremerton Matilda Plains Cabernet/Shiraz 2005, South Australia, Australia: This juicy blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz is soft and supple with plush dark fruit flavours and toasty vanilla oak notes. My note: This is a great value, full-bodied wine with dark red fruit overtones. 25015 14.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chile

Albamar Carmenere 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Once mistaken for Merlot, Carmenère is now causing a great deal of excitment in Chile. This version from William Cole displays the soft ripe red and dark berry fruit with undertones of fresh herbs typical of the grape. My note: A fantastic value wine! It is full-bodied with notes of chocolate and black fruit on the nose. Albamar Carmenere food pairings: grilled chicken, pesto sauce. 32763 14% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

France

Simonnet-Febvre Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2005, Burgundy, France: A lovely nose of green apples, butter and vanilla spices. Also available in the half bottle format (350 ml) for $16.95 (41152). Simonnet-Febvre Chablis 1Er Cru Vaillons food pairings: whole salmon, citrus. 41160 13.5% XD 750 mL $32.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cave Du Turckheim Gewrutztraminer Reserve 2005, Alsace, France: The full yellow-gold color leads to a classic nose of lychee, peach, spice and rose petal. It is just off-dry, full-bodied, rich and ripe. The finish is long and lush. My note: This is a stunning gewurtraminer! It has an exotic nose of spices, flowers and orange petals. Gewrutztraminer Reserve food pairings: lobster, spicy Thai. 10397 12.5% MD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Michel Gassier Les Piliers Viognier 2006, Vin De Pays D.O.C, France: Half the juice for this wine was fermented in new French oak barrels, the other half in stainless steel. The nose offers delicious aromas of apricot, tangerine and hints of vanilla. On the palate, it has a rich texture with ripe peach and candied fruits, with a long creamy finish. My note: A gorgeous viognier! Full-bodied with luscious, round and mouth-filling flavors. Viognier food pairings: grilled swordfish, mango chutney. 669531 13.5% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau Langoa Barton 2002, Saint-Julien, France: A densely concentrated, full-bodied wine with nunaces of black plum and blackcurrants. Drink: 2007 - 2012 661787 12% XD 750 mL $57.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Bréhat 2003, Medoc, France: This wine is full of the promise of the hot 2003 vintage. Loaded with aromas and flavors of ripe berry fruit, pepper, vanilla and licorice, it is full-bodied and long finishing with a superb combination of complexity and balance. A couple of years in the cellar would reward the drinker, but it is definitely drinking well tonight. My note: A good value in this robust wine. It displays aromas of oak and black fruit. Food pairings: roast leg of lamb, grilled duck breast, game birds. 35725 14% XD 750 mL $33.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Toussaint Remoissenet Premier Cru Beaune 2002, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This Premier Cru Beaune displays flavors of red berries, beetroot and hints of earth. My note: A medium/full-bodied wine with Old World restraint and a nose of sour cherries. Premier Cru Beaune food pairings: chicken, tomatoe sauce with mushroons, bacon. 36152 14% XD 750 mL $43.95 Score: 89/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Andre Brumel, Domaine De L'enclos 2004, Cotes Du Rhone, France: A balanced and full-bodied wine with notes of red berries, cedar and spice on the nose. 40972 13.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau Bournac Syrah Grenache Carignan 2003, Corbieres, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This blend of Syrah, Grenache and a touch of Carignan displays all the aromatic virtues of Midi reds: garrigue (the unique smell of herbs such as rosemary, sage, lavender and lemon verbena that lingers in the Midi air), raspberry, blackberry and pepper. It is dry, flavorful with a nice cedar/fruit finish. My note: A short finisher but very quaffable wine loaded with dark red fruit and full-bodied. Syrah Grenache Carignan food pairings: barbecue, grilled sausages. 36533 13.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Les Hauts De Lynch-Moussas Gigondas 2003, Rhone, France: Lovely and balanced with full-bodied richness. This wine has nuances of dark red fruit and garrigue. 742551 13% XD 750 mL $44.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

J.L. Chave Offerus, Saint-Joseph Syrah Shiraz 2004, Rhone, France: A plush, smooth wine with flavors of fleshy berries and plums. 937474 12.5% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cuvée Du Vatican Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Reserve Sixtine 2004, Rhone, France: A full-bodied and alcoholic wine with overtones of cherry liquor and spice. Cuvée Du Vatican Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Reserve Sixtine food pairings: hearty meat dishes. 740639 14% XD 750 mL $53.95 Score: 91/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine De Saint Paul Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2004, Rhone, France: An oaky wine, but one that is balanced with red fruit flavors and body. 41046 14% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau Les Rigalets Cuvee Prestige Malbrc 2004, Southwest, France: The grapes for Prestige, a blend of 90% Malbec (known locally as Cot) and 10% Merlot, are from the property’s superior terraced and naturally sloping vineyards. Before bottling, the wines are matured in seasoned barrels for 15 months. My note: A black-as-the-night wine. Full-bodied with aromas of black, tarry fruit. Malbrc food pairings: barbecue, grilled portobello mushrooms, beef. Drink: 2007 - 2010 993238 12.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Germany

Wegeler Riesling Kabinett 2005, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: This delivers bracing acidity and aromas of vibrant pears along with deep minerality. 650994 10% MD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. July 2007. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Italy

Cesari Di Romagna Sangiovese Riserva 2003, Emilia-Romagna, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) is added to this wine to add fruit intensity without interfering with the aromatic nature of the Sangiovese. The palate shows black fruits and violets. My note: This is a gorgeous wine with mouthwatering ripe red fruit aromas. Full-bodied with round, plush flavors. Sangiovese Riserva food pairings: roasted red meat, aged cheeses. 33399 13% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Poderi Colla Rose 2000, Piedmont, Italy: A tannic behemoth of a wine that is full-bodied with intense black fruit aromas. Drink: 2010 - 2015 596890 14.5% XD 750 mL $57.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Badia A Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2004, Tuscany, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Badia A Coltibuono's Chianti Classico has been certified organic since 2003. The wine has an intense ruby red colour with fragrances of ripe cherries and hints of dried leather.Our Quality Assurance laboratory has determined that this organic wine contains 12 mg/L of free sulphur. My note: A full- bodied organic wine with with aromas of bright red tart fruit. Chianti Classico food pairings: pasta with red sauces. 295964 12.8% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 88/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

New Zealand

Kim Crawford Cabernet Franc Merlot 2005, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: This predominantly Cab Franc blend is medium ruby in color with a purple rim. The nose features blackberry, plum and raspberry aromas with notes of coffee, vanilla and bell pepper. Its dry & medium-bodied with vibrant ripe berry flavors, earth notes and a crisp medium long finish. My note: A wine with good acidity balanced by sweet cherry fruit overtones. Bottled with a screwcap. Cabernet Franc Merlot food pairings: grilled eggplant, red peppers, pepper steak. 36947 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 89/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Koura Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, New Zealand: Terrific! A grassy and herbal nuanced wine. 742866 12% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kim Crawford Sp Tietjen Chardonnay 2006, Gisborne, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine is bold with upfront aromas of ripe peach and pear fruit and toasty oak. It’s dry, medium full-bodied with lush fruit flavors and layers of nuts and creamy oak notes. My note: A gorgeous chardonnay that is not too heavy with buttery notes. 948166 13% D 750 mL $31.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Portugal

Ramos-Pinto Duas Quintas Tinto 2004, Duoro, Portugal: They use the traditional port grapes Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional. It has an intense nose of blackberries with a hint of vanilla, and a long silky finish. My note: A full-bodied yet a touch tannic so it requires 1-2 hours of decanting. It displays aromas of black fruit. Tinto food pairings: meat dishes, garlic. 359893 13% XD 750 mL $20.90 Score: 87/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

United States

Folie À Deux Menage A Trois Zinfandel Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, California, United States Zinfandel Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled meats, grilled chicken. 665158 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Folie À Deux Menage A Trois Zinfandel Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, California, United States: Ménage à Trois red brings together three strange bedfellows: Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine offers all the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Forward, silky and soft. My note: A delicous, full-bodied wine with chocolaty and round flavors. Zinfandel Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled meats, grilled chicken. 665158 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Napa Valley, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon has generous aromas of ripe cherries and blackberries with a mild smoky/spice weaving its way through the fruit. Ripe tannins and balanced acidity keep the wine lively. My note: A terrific, balanced wine with Old World finesse and New World flair. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled steak, sauteed mushrooms. 325779 13.5% D 750 mL $48.75 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Santa Barbara Syrah 2004, Santa Ynez Valley, California, United States: This intensely flavored Syrah won a Gold Medal at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Winemaker Bruce McGuire sources Syrah from three vineyard sites in the Santa Ynez Valley, the cool-climate Lafond Vineyard, the neighboring Hill Top Ranch and the warm climate Joughin Vineyard. The resulting wine shows concentrated black fruit flavors and white pepper notes. My notes: A hefty bfll-bodied palate whacker! Syrah food pairings: BBQ ribs, rack of lamb, grilled steaks. 630616 14.2% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Columbia Crest Winery Shiraz 2002, Columbia Valley Washington, United States: This soft wine is full-bodied with aromas of plums and pleasing round flavors. Not overly extracted. 674929 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. July 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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