D’arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre 2006, Mclaren Vale, South Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Here's an excellent quaffer from D'Arenberg. What sets it apart from most Aussie wines at this price is that it is not content to be a simple affair. This wine is consistently rich, savory and brimming with plum, blackberry, and spice flavors. My note: A delicious palate whacker. Great value for this full-bodied wine with notes of blackberries. Closed with a screwcap. D’Arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre food pairings: duck, game. 606236 14% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Australia
d'Arenberg D'arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz 2004, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: In Australia, this wine is available only to restaurants or at the cellar door. Though it is mostly shiraz, winemaker Chester Osborn gets his blending groove on adding small amounts of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, grenache, petit verdot, tempranillo and pinot noir. My note: Full-bodied wine with aromas of black plums and mint. D'arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz food pairings: steak, stew. 48785 14.5% D 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Leasingham Bin 56 Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Clare Valley, Australia: An ultra-rich and concentrated wine, yet not too heavy. Aromas of black fruit, spice and mint. 39545 14% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 93/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Kilikanoon Wines Kilikanoon Killerman’s Run Shiraz/Grenache 2005, South Australia, Australia: A rich, full-bodied wine with cherry liqueur aromas. Closed with a screwcap.
9225 14.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2006, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Victoria's Yarra Valley region is vying for Pinot supremacy in Australia and Windy Peak has quickly emerged as the go-to brand for good quality, affordable Pinot Noir. My note: A juicy, lip-smacking, medium-bodied wine. Windy Peak Pinot Noir food pairings: salmon, pork, chicken. 48587 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Ingoldby Chardonnay 2006, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: This great value chardonnay has good balance and notes of pears and oak. Full-bodied. Closed with a screwcap. 47647 13% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
ST. Hallett Faith Shiraz 2005, Barossa, Australia: A lovely, juicy and full-bodied red with ripe aromas of plums and blackberries. Closed with a screwcap. 980631 14.5% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 93/100. January 2008. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Water Wheel Memsie 2006, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia: A full-bodied blend of 87% shiraz, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 6% malbec. Rich aromatic notes of blackberries and mint. 656637 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
France
André Lurton Château De Barbe Blanche 2004, Ac Lussac-St-Émilion, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Lussac-St-Émilion is a satellite appellation just northeast of Bordeaux's more famous (and expensive) St-Émilion district. Merlot is the dominant variety here, as it is in St-Émilion, and there are hidden gems to be found for the Bordeaux bargain hunter like this blend of 65% merlot, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Sourced from 25+ year old vines, this red displays lovely plum fruit, cassis and fresh herb characteristics leading to a lingering finish. My note: A warm, richly layered, full-bodied red. Aromas of cassis, smoke and oak with a smooth finish. 48066 13.2% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château La Brie 2003, Ac Bergerac, Cuvée Prestige, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Bergerac is just east of the Bordeaux region and wines here are made in a similar style as its famous neighbour but they offer great value too. Château la Brie is a classic blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and malbec. It is fruit-forward with fresh acid and gentle tannins adding structure and balance. My note: Tremendous value for the money. A straight-forward, delicious wine with aromas of black fruit and oak. Château La Brie food pairings: grilled lamb. 61994 12.5% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. January 2008. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Donnadieu Cuvée Mathieu Et Marie 2005, Ac Saint-Chinian, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Featuring mostly syrah, with grenache, mourvèdre and carignan in support, this is a classic Saint-Chinian wine with layers of dried roses, blackberry, pepper, caramel and a hint of menthol. My note: a full-bodied and smooth-textured red with pleasing black fruit aromas. Donnadieu Cuvée Mathieu Et Marie food pairings: bbq, steak, ribs. 43646 13% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Perrin & Fils Perrin & Fils Cairanne Peyre Blanche 2005, Ac Côtes-Du-Rhône Villages, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The 2005 Rhône Valley reds are starting to receive the same level of acclaim as the '05 Burgundies. Made by the legendary Perrin Brothers, this grenache-dominated Cairanne is rich and flavorful with silky tannins and impeccable balance. My note: Tremendous concentration and body. Notes of cherry liqueur and cedar. Perrin & Fils Cairanne Peyre Blanche food pairings: rare beef dishes. Drink: 2008 - 2012 650960 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Italy
S.I.V. Spadina Una Rosa Signature Nero D’avola 2002, I.G.T. Sicilia, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine was named one of the Top 100 Wines of the Year for 2005 by Wine Spectator. My note: A juicy, mouth-watering, full-bodied wine with aromas of cherries and smoke. I can't think of a more romantic label for Valentines Day (it has a rose). Spadina Una Rosa Signature Nero D’Avola food pairings: stew, steak. 10330 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Agricoltori del Geografico Torri Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva 2004, Docg, Italy: A delicious, lip-smacking, full-bodied red with aromatic notes of cherries and plums. Torri Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva food pairings: pizza, lasagna, pasta with tomato sauce. 744243 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Lamborghini Trescone 2003, I.G.T. Umbria, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Yes, it is that Lamborghini. Born into a small farming community, Ferrucio Lamborghini has gone from designing top-end, luxury cars to producing wines that are as sought-after by collectors as his automobiles. The Trescone is a blend of sangiovese, ciliegiolo and merlot. It is designed for early enjoyment. My note: A simple, juicy, delicious and full-bodied wine. Decant for 1-2 hours. Lamborghini Trescone food pairings: braised beef. 39842 12.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Cecilia Beretta Roccolo Di Mizzole Valpolicella Superiore 2005, D.O.C., Italy: A pleasant, mouth-watering red wine with notes of tart cherries. Full-bodied. Cecilia Beretta Roccolo Di Mizzole Valpolicella Superiore food pairings: lasagna, pasta with tomato sauce. 52431 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
New Zealand
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Leapin' lawnmowers Batman! This very refreshing sauvignon blanc has vibrant aromas of grass, herbs and peas. Drink: 2008 - 2009 677450 13.5% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. January 2008. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Spain
Taja Gran Reserva 1998, Do Jumilla, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: Taja is owned by the well-known Bordeaux négociant Mähler-Besse. Their wines mesh traditional Spanish and French winemaking traditions. This Gran Reserva blends 30% monastrell (mourvèdre), 20% tempranillo, 30% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot and at ten years old it's in the prime of its life. My note: Smooth-textured and full-bodied. Notes of black plums and mocha. 539148 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
United States
Glass Mountain Chardonnay 2005, Napa Valley, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: In 1873, Jean Laurent emigrated to the Napa Valley from Bordeaux. He bought property in St. Helena and quarried rock out of the base of Glass Mountain to build his wine cellar. A century later, businessman Bruce Markham purchased the property and created Markham Wines. His Glass Mountain label offers the winery's same attention to quality but with an emphasis on value. Look for delicate, tropical fruit aromas and flavors with creamy, toasty oak notes. My note: Good balance in this chardonnay with green apples and oak. Glass Mountain Chardonnay food pairings: steamed mussels, pasta primavera. 533208 13.5% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. January 2008. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Echelon Merlot 2003, Central Coast, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Echelon Vineyards is acclaimed for producing serious wines for everyday enjoyment. They were able to achieve this with a series of long-term contracts with trusted growers. Paying a premium for quality fruit has paid off handsomely because Echelon's wines always display a fruit-forward nature with ripe tannins and a good balancing acidity. This merlot has loads of ripe cherry and mocha flavors. My note: Mouth-watering, balanced and medium-bodied wine. Echelon Merlot food pairings: Irish stew, grilled steak. 54817 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. January 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart