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Wine Picks July 6, 2012

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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

Doña Paula Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina: Elegant and subtle with cassis, blackberry and blackcurrant. Full-bodied and smooth. Classic. Drink: 2012 - 2018 460162 14.5% D 750 mL $20.00 Score: 89/100. July 2012. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Doña Paula Estate Malbec 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Smooth, juicy and layered with a warm, full-bodied weight. Luxurious with aromas of flavours of fleshy dark plums and blackberries. Drink: 2012 - 2018 394783 14% XD 750 mL $19.99 Score: 90/100. July 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Doña Paula Estate Malbec Syrah 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Purple plums and fleshy field blueberries. Smooth and full-bodied with a lovely long finish. Drink: 2012 - 2016 836950000117 14% XD 750 mL $19.99 Score: 90/100. July 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Doña Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Some kind of wonderful, especially at this price! Classic cabernet with terrific structure and balance. Etnicing aromas of cassis and blackcurrant. Wow. Drink: 2013 - 2014 633636 14% D 750 mL $14.30 Score: 89/100. July 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Doña Paula Los Cardos Syrah 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Terrific for the price! Liquid satin, full-bodied weight. Round, plush plum flavours. Perfect party wine. Drink: 2012 - 2015 633644 14% D 750 mL $14.30 Score: 89/100. July 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Thirty Bench Small Lot Rose 2011, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Rhubard-cranberry with sour cherry notes. Bone-dry and refreshing. Medium-bodied. Rose food pairings: pork tenderloin in a rhubarb red wine reduction; grilled calamari; pan-seared trout with a dried cranberry couscous; seafood salads; vegetarian pastas tossed with feta cheese; gourmet pizza topped with sun-dried tomato, basil, feta cheese. Drink: 2012 - 2013 414227 12.1% D 750 mL $22.00 Score: 88/100. July 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Doña Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Zippy and refreshing with aromas of lime, grapefruit and grass. Terrific price. Makes for a wonderful aperitif or companion to many dishes. Drink: 2012 - 2013 11943 12.5% D 750 mL $14.30 Score: 89/100. July 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Doña Paula Los Cardos Chardonnay 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Rich, round and buttery but not heavy. Lovely notes of green apple and fresh peach with a nice dose of toasty oak. Drink: 2012 - 2013 93898 13.5% D 750 mL $17.00 Score: 88/100. July 2012. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Doña Paula Estate Chardonnay 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Good balance and lovely butter-green apple aromas. Full-bodied and generous with a persistent finish. Drink: 2012 - 2014 631283 14.1% D 750 mL $69.00 Score: 89/100. July 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Doña Paula Estate Torrontés 2011, Salta, Argentina: Such a pretty, floral white! This is the liquid sunshine of a fresh spring day. Aromas of apple blossom and peach. Medium-bodied and no heavy oak. Drink: 2012 - 2014 836950000353 13.5% D 750 mL $19.99 Score: 88/100. July 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Thirty Bench Riesling 2011, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Lemon freshness rides on a river of pure mountain crisp air. Mouth-watering and juicy with a clean finish. Lovely! Drink: 2012 - 2017 1081381 10.2% D 750 mL $18.75 Score: 90/100. July 2012. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Thirty Bench Small Lot Wood Post Riesling 2011, Beamsville Bench, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Subtle nose of green apple, white peach and melon. Off-dry with lots of mouth-watering vibrancy. Tangerine-dry finish. Riesling food pairings: fresh spring rolls and plum sauce; clove-studded baked ham; spring pea risotto; lemon chicken; turkey with a dried fruit stuffing; grilled salmon with citrus glaze; bouillabaisse; chicken skewers with lemon thyme walnut pesto. Drink: 2012 - 2017 1081417 10.3% D 750 mL $30.20 Score: 93/100. July 2012. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Thirty Bench Small Lot Steel Post Riesling 2011, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Incredibly intense yet laser light. Lots of minerality and layers with flavours of Asian pear and why peach. A gorgeous, mouth-watering lime finish. Riesling food pairings: creamy camembert and fresh breads; spiced shrimp skewers; sushi; grilled white fish; sautéed scallops with a cauliflower risotto; steamed mussels; lightly spiced curry dishes. Drink: 2012 - 2018 319640 11.1% D 750 mL $30.20 Score: 94/100. July 2012. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Thirty Bench Wine Makers Small Lot Triangle Riesling 2011, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: One of Niagara's best Riesling producers! Clean, crisp and vibrant with an intensity of white peach flavour and laser-like focus. Ultimately refreshing. Dry long finish. Riesling food pairings: spiced steamed mussels; moderately spiced Thai chicken dishes; spiced shrimp skewers; creamy Brie and Camembert with water crackers; turkey sandwich with mayo and cranberries; tikka masala chicken. Drink: 2012 - 2016 25031 11.3% MD 750 mL $30.00 Score: 94/100. July 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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