Argentina
Alamos Pinot Noir 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: This excellent introduction to pinot noir expresses the grape's pure varietal character. It's fruity with cherry and raspberry characteristics as well as a hint of oak spice from nine months in barrel. Easily one of the best values for pinot noir anywhere. My note: A turbo-charged pinot noir for those who like their reds to be macho. Alamos Pinot Noir food pairings: baked ham, grilled tuna. 507822 13% XD 750 mL $14.25 Score: 87/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Australia
Possums Willunga Shiraz 2006, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Despite the possum depicted on the label, Possums winery actually draws its name, not from the marsupial, but from owners Dr. John Possingham and Carol Summers. Matured in oak, the Willunga Vineyard Shiraz has complex hints of smoke and spice over juicy, dark fruit and it is satisfyingly soft and rounded in the mouth. A terrific value! My note: A full-on palate-whacker. Powerful aromas of black plums and cherry fruit aromas. 17517 14% XD 750 mL $18.85 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Stella Bella Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: A lovely, balanced wine with aromatic notes of herbs and citrus, not too grassy. Closed with a screwcap. 48546 13.5% XD 750 mL $18.85 Score: 90/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Henschke Julius Riesling 2005, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia: A lively riesling with aromatic notes of citrus, lime and minerals. Closed with a screwcap. Henschke Julius Riesling food pairings: seafood, pork, chicken. 945055 13% XD 750 mL $39.00 Score: 92/100. February 2008. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chile
Haras de Pirque Equus Carménère 2006, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: The impressive Haras de Pirque property features both a world-class winery and a stable for raising thoroughbred horses. It's not suprising to learn then that its modern, gravity-flow winery is in the shape of a horseshoe and that its 'Equus' range of wines takes its name from the Latin word for horse. Right out of the gate, this Carménère is fresh and juicy, with layers of black fruit, mineral, tobacco and sweet herbs, supported by fine tannins. My note: This red wine has rich notes of coffee, oak and black fruit. Incredible value! 55491 15% XD 750 mL $12.75 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Viña Ventisquero Yali Reserve Carménère 2005, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: The Yali Valley is home to Ventisquero's winery and many of their vineyards. While this wine is mostly Carménère, the winemakers blend in 15% Cabernet Sauvignon for added structure and complexity. The result is a rich and multi-faceted wine with plenty of blueberry and strawberry aromas and flavours enhanced with notes of coffee, chocolate and tobacco. My note: This red wine has notes of coffee liqueur and blackberry. Amazing value from the land of great value! Yali Reserve Carménère food pairings: cheese plate, provolone, brie, chevre. 48306 14% XD 750 mL $11.90 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
France
Domaine Madeloc Banyuls Cirera 2005, A.C., France: Vintages Wine Panel: Many consider Banyuls to be France's answer to Port. Made in a sweet, fortified style, it is rich and robust with tons of dried fruit, spice, raisin and vanilla aromas and flavors. My note: A lovely rich wine. Domaine Madeloc Banyuls Cirera food pairings: dark chocolate, milk chocolate. 48041 17% S 500 mL $25.85 Score: 90/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Allimant-Laugner Pinot Gris 2006, A.C. Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The small Domaine Allimant-Laugner property produces world-beater wines with a variety of grapes, including this fine Pinot Gris. Recognized for their intensity of flavour and superb balance, Allimant-Laugner has a reputation as a winemaker's winemaker. My note: An amazingly flavorful wine with floral and citrus aromas. Domaine Allimant-Laugner Pinot Gris food pairings: Fish, seafood dishes. 61317 12.5% D 750 mL $20.95 Score: 90/100. February 2008. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château Moulin St-Georges 2004, Ac St-Émilion, France: This wine has gorgeous layers of cassis, plums and smoke notes. Château Moulin St-Georges food pairings: steak, stew. 671875 14% XD 750 mL $56.00 Score: 93/100. February 2008. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Alain et Baptiste Grangeon, Prop.-Récolt. Domaine De Cristia Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2005, A.C., France: A full-bodied wine with notes of rosemary, dried herbs, cassis and blackberry. Domaine De Cristia Châteauneuf-Du-Pape food pairings: steak. 67678 15% D 750 mL $57.95 Score: 91/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château Jean Voisin 2001, Ac St-Émilion Grand Cru, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Château Jean Voisin's wine is known as Cuvée Amédée Chassagnoux. Chassagnoux purchased this property in 1955 with his son Pierre. This is a lesser-known Bordeaux property that has been producing quality reds consistently for years. My note: A lovely, balanced wine with classic aromas of cassis and blackberry. Château Jean Voisin food pairings: roast beef. 61804 13% XD 750 mL $31.85 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château Puy Castéra 2006, Ac Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois, France: A phenomenal wine for the price. Full-bodied with layers of black fruit. 972463 13% XD 750 mL $19.55 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Remoissenet & Fils Beaune Marconnets 2002, A.C. 1Er Cru, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Here's a lovely, maturing Burgundy that is quite true to the Beaune character with juicy, succulent fruit aromas and flavours. My note: A silky pinot with ripe aromas of tart cherries and spice. Remoissenet & Fils Beaune Marconnets food pairings: filet mignon, grilled salmon. 36244 14% D 750 mL $39.75 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Eric Louis Sancerre Rouge 2006, A.C., France: This red has vibrant aromas of raspberries and cherries - tart and refreshing. Sancerre Rouge food pairings: fish, roast chicken, chicken. 66613 12.5% XD 750 mL $22.85 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Germany
Weingut Pfeffingen Scheurebe Spatlese 2005, Q.M.P. Ungsteiner Herrenberg, Estate Btld, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Scheurebe (pronounced shoy-RAY-beh) is a cross between Silvaner and Riesling. It was created by Georg Scheu in 1916 in Rheinhessen. Wines made from this grape are still rare in our market, so they are much sought-after whenever they are released. This Scheurebe is full-bodied with pronounced acidity and a bouquet and taste reminiscent of blackcurrants. My note: A terrific concentration of flavors with zippy acidity. Weingut Pfeffingen Scheurebe Spatlese food pairings: mature cheeses. 14837 11% MD 750 mL $19.85 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Italy
Sassicaia 2004, Doc Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Italy: Yes, it's extraordinary in both taste and price. Plush layers of black fruit, spice and smoke. 27611 13.5% XD 750 mL $283.00 Score: 95/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Cons. Prod. Vini e Mosti Rossi Soc. Coop. Consorzio Produttori Vini E Mosti Rossi Primitivo Di Manduria Lirica 2004, Doc, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: In the depths of winter, most of us turn our thoughts to warmer destinations and Mediterranean cruises. Can't escape quite yet? Well, bring a touch of the Mediterranean home with this Primitivo, a.k.a. Zinfandel. Ripe, warm and plummy, this wine will transport you to a sunny terrace overlooking the coast, after just one sip. My note: A juicy, round and full-bodied wine with not much tannin. Great value! Consorzio Produttori Vini E Mosti Rossi Primitivo Di Manduria Lirica food pairings: hearty meat dishes. 669580 14% D 750 mL $15.75 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Sassicaia 2003, Doc Bolgheri-Sassicaia, Italy 27611 13.5% XD 750 mL $168.45 February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Portugal
Graham’S Six Grapes Reserve Port, Port, Portugal: A simple, purple and delicious wine. Great way to finish dinner. Graham’S Six Grapes Reserve Port food pairings: nuts, chocolate-orange cake. 208405 20% S 750 mL $22.75 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
South Africa
Vinimark Trading Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Syrah/Mourvédre/Viognier 2006, Wo Western Cape, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: This blend of 50% Syrah, 48% Mourvèdre, and 2% Viognier is named for a 250-year-old wolf trap set by early pioneers in the Franschhoek foothills who mistakenly thought wolves inhabited South Africa. This rich and flavourful wine is given an aromatic lift by the addition of a small amount of Viognier. My note: The viognier highlights the aromas of the red grapes. A great value. Closed with a screwcap. Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Syrah/Mourvédre/Viognier food pairings: grilled lamb. 626333 14.5% XD 750 mL $14.75 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Spain
Cyan 12 Meses 2003, D.O. Toro, Spain: 100% grape, aged for 12 months in French and American oak. A terrifically rich wine with cherry liqueur aromas and an oak underlay. 66936 14.5% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Emilio Lustau Del Puerto Solera Fino Sherry, El Puerto De Santa Maria, Spain: Will the "new" generation ever develop a taste for sherry? I hope so. This one has alluring aromas of hazelnuts and coffee. Matured By José Luis González Obregó. Fino Sherry food pairings: tapas, nuts. Drink: 2014 - 2020 48157 15% XD 375 mL $12.85 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Best Value Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Palacios Remondo Propiedad 2005, D.O.C.A. Rioja, Spain: A blend of 60% garnacha and 40% tempranillo. A complex, layered wine with notes of cherries, plums and spice. 597880 13% XD 750 mL $37.75 Score: 92/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Casa De La Ermita Casa Ermita Crianza 2003, D.O. Jumilla, Spain: A rich, full-bodied red wine with delicious notes of dark red fruit. 956334 13.5% D 750 mL $18.55 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
United States
The Hess Collection Hess Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Napa Valley, United States: A round, balanced and full-bodied wine that has mocha and black fruit notes. 906420 14.3% D 750 mL $30.85 Score: 90/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Byron Pinot Noir 2005, Santa Maria Valley, United States: This red wine possesses aromas of sweet cherry fruit and a wisp smoke. Byron Pinot Noir food pairings: pork, salmon, chicken. 704643 14% XD 750 mL $33.75 Score: 89/100. February 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart