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Wine Picks August 3, 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.

Dessert Wine

Rossignol Winery Blackberry Mead, Pei, Canada: Delicious flavours of fleshy ripe blackberries and a honey lift through the middle. Very pleasant dessert wine. Food pairings: aged cheddar, chocolate cake. Drink: 2012 - 2014 627057194874 11% S 375 mL $19.96 Score: 87/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rossignol Winery Raspberry Festival, Pei, Canada: Lovely! pure essence of raspberry jam and summer in a glass. Richly layered flavours of raspberry preserves. Nice balancing acidity so it's not cloying. Yum! Food pairings: chocolate, fruit-based desserts. Drink: 2012 - 2014 6 27057 19479 9 11% S 375 mL $18.24 Score: 88/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Southbrook Vineyards Triomphe Cabernet Franc 2010, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Attractive savoury, dark forest aromas on the nose. Cedary and meaty with a good grip. Wild blackberries. Drink: 2012 - 2015 621605312109 13.8% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 88/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Southbrook Vineyards Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Chalky, dark berry nose. Smooth, juicy and mouth-watering the palate. Nicely balanced. Drink: 2012 - 2015 193573 14.1% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 88/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Baron Philippe De Rothschild Merlot 2010, Languedoc-Roussillon, France: Pleasantly bitter black plums that have a lusciousness and a cleansing refreshment to them. Full-bodied with a satisfying, smoky finish. Merlot food pairings: PAELLA, ROAST PORK, TENDERLOIN STEAK, GRILLED FLANK STEAK. 407544 13.5% XD 750 mL $10.95 Score: 87/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Baron Philippe De Rothschild Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Languedoc-Roussillon, France: Robust with smoky black fruit notes, though not really fruit-forward: more earthy. Nice amount of oak in the balance here. Medium- to full-bodied. This wine benefits from decanting 1-2 hours. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: CHICKEN WITH HERBS, AUBERGINES (EGGPLANT), VEAL KIDNEYS, CHARCUTERIE. 407551 13% XD 750 mL $10.95 Score: 87/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Baron Philippe De Rothschild Pinot Noir 2010, Languedoc-Roussillon, France: Bright tart cherry aromas with lots of terrific, mouth-watering acidity for food. Silky smooth and medium-bodied. This red cries out for a dinner companion. Pinot Noir food pairings: CHICKEN BIRYANI, BEEF CARPACCIO, LAMB TAGINE. 628289 12.5% XD 750 mL $11.95 Score: 87/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Southbrook Vineyards Whimsy! Cabernet Franc 2010, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: Mocha-dark chocolate on the nose with lively wild blackberries on the palate. Juicy and mouth-watering with a long finish. Not a herbal note in sight. Drink: 2012 - 2015 621605 314103 13% D 750 mL $34.95 Score: 89/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Southbrook Vineyards Whimsy! Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: Complex, savoury dark-fruited nose. Full-bodied, layered and mouth-filling without being heavy. Superbly crafted. Drink: 2012 - 2017 621605314103 13% D 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

O'Leary Wines Vineland Estates Cabernet Merlot 2010, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Smoky with mocha richness that wraps around fleshy black plums. Shows pride of place along with a jubilant P/T multiple (price: taste). Pretty darn amazing really for the price. Drink: 2012 - 2016 307744 13% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Winery Inc. Cherry Avenue Pinot Noir 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Subtle, complex and nuanced with earthy and dark cherry aromas. Satin smooth with an ultra-long finish. Pinot Noir food pairings: roast duck breast with cherry sauce, roast pork, beef stew. Drink: 2012 - 2017 670459001073 13% XD 750 mL $57.95 Score: 90/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Winery Inc. Grower's Blend Pinot Noir 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Vibrant black cherry aromas with mouth-watering juiciness on the palate. An electric-alive wine with a medium- to full-bodied weight. Pinot Noir food pairings: gourmet burgers, pizza or pasta dishes, roast chicken, baked salmon. Drink: 2012 - 2015 670459001189 13% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 91/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mouton Cadet Regional Blended Red 2010, Bordeaux, France: Taste Bordeaux at a fraction of the cost! Yes, this is the entry-level wine of the famous first-growth winery Mouton-Rothschild. It's classically structured with savoury and mouth-watering aromas and flavours of cassis and blackberry. It's full-bodied and smoky and will benefit from 1-2 hours decanting. Regional Blended Red food pairings: steak, prime rib, brisket, spring lamb. Drink: 2011 - 2014 943 13.5% XD 750 mL $14.46 Score: 87/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Hidden Bench Winery Estate Chardonnay 2010, V.Q.A. Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada: One of the best chardonnays being produced in Niagara. Gorgeous richness, yet balanced and complex. Aromas of green apple and toasted almonds. Full-bodied and satisfying. Chardonnay food pairings: fresh seafood, sauces with cream, roast chicken. Drink: 2014 - 2018 308577 13.5% XD 750 mL $32.20 Score: 91/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cooralook Yabby Lake Pinot Gris 2008, Strathbogie Ranges, Australia: Lovely salmon colour with equally seductive aromas of guava, melon, lychee and rose petal. Mouth-watering and refreshing with a brilliant ability to pair with a wide range of dishes from seafood to roast chicken. Drink: 2012 - 2015 212712 14% XD 750 mL $15.45 Score: 90/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rossignol Winery Little Sands White 2012, Prince Edward Island, P.E.I., Canada: Slight orange blossom note on this light-bodied white wine with good acidity. Pair with seafood and salads. Food pairings: mussels, oysters and steamed lobster. Drink: 2014 - 2026 627057194829 12% MD 750 mL $16.69 Score: 83/100. August 2012. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma County, California, United States: Gorgeously rich and full-bodied with layers of butterscotch and toffee. Ripe peach and pear notes on the mid-palate with a long, satisfying buttery smoke finish. Drink: 2012 - 2015 269738 13.4% 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rossignol Winery Rossignol Estate L'acadie Blanc, Prince Edward Island, P.E.I., Canada: Clean, crisp and fresh with mild aromas of lime and white peach. Light-bodied. Good aperitif. L'acadie Blanc food pairings: lobster, seafood dishes. Drink: 2012 - 2013 627057194935 13% D 750 mL $18.67 Score: 85/100. August 2012. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

O'Leary Wines Unoaked Chardonnay 2011, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Crisp, crisp and refreshing like a balanced year-end statement. What you see is what you get: lively green apple notes not masked by any oak. Whets your appetite for more. Pair with fresh seafood, salads and lively conversation. Drink: 2012 - 2015 307751 12% MD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. August 2012. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Robyn's Block Chardonnay 2010, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Deep minerality here in this full-bodied but subtle chardonnay. Lively white peach and some smoke. Chardonnay food pairings: lobster, roasted chicken, veal loin with mushroom sauce, mild creamy cheeses. Drink: 2012 - 2018 13.5% XD 750 mL $45.95 Score: 90/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Winery Inc. Estate Chardonnay 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Rich, round and full-bodied with generous layers of vibrant green apple aromas and just the right amount of toasty oak. A chardonnay lover's chardonnay. Chardonnay food pairings: pasta with seafood and creamy sauce, grilled chicken, cedar plank salmon, creamy cheeses. Drink: 2012 - 2016 670459001240 13.5% XD 750 mL $37.95 Score: 91/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mouton Cadet Blanc 2011, Bordeaux, France: Generous and yielding with plump tree fruit aromas and flavours yet still beautifully structured, especially for this price. Aromas of lemon zest and chives. Great dinner party wine. Food pairings: GRILLED FISH, SOLE MEUNIÈRE, SALMON WITH FRESH PASTA.. 2527 12.5% XD 750 mL $13.45 Score: 89/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Baron Philippe De Rothschild Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Languedoc-Roussillon, France: Crisp and clean with bright lemon-citrus aromas and flavours. Not grassy, just refreshing. Great finish. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: GRILLED KING PRAWNS, MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE, SMOKED TROUT, GOAT'S CHEESE. 407536 12.5% XD 750 mL $10.95 Score: 87/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Baron Philippe De Rothschild Viognier 2010, Languedoc-Roussillon, France: Incredible taste and quality for the price! Lovely floral and lychee aromas and some light spices on the finish. A terrific wine for spicy dishes and curries. Viognier food pairings: TARRAGON CHICKEN, SHELLFISH SALAD, SPAGHETTI AL PESTO, FRESH GOAT'S CHEESE. 619221 12.4% XD 750 mL $10.95 Score: 88/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Baron Philippe De Rothschild Réserve Mouton Cadet Blanc Semillon Sauvignon Muscadelle 2010, Graves, Bordeaux, France: Liquid lemon elegance in a glass! Smooth with terrific refreshment, and not too tart. The semillon adds lushness to the sauvignon blanc's vibrancy. Amazing taste for the price. Semillon Sauvignon Muscadelle food pairings: WHITE ASPARAGUS, VEAL BLANQUETTE, VOL-AU-VENTS, MONKFISH SKEWERS. 247080 12% XD 750 mL $12.60 Score: 89/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Southbrook Vineyards Whimsy! Lot 20 Chardonnay 2010, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: Rich caramelized butterscotch nose from the oak aging, with layers of delicious full-bodied flavour on the palate. Aromas of fleshy ripe peach. Long finish. Drink: 2012 - 2015 203661 12.2% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 91/100. August 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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