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Vintages Release May 12, 2007

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Red Wine

Dao Sul Sociedad Vitivinicola Cabriz Colheita Seleccionada Vinho Tinto 2005, Doc Dão, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: This Cabriz wine uses only local grapes; what gives it an interesting twist is the use of French oak barrels. This blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, plus Alfrocheiro is matured for six months in new French oak. The result is an intense, balanced ripely fruity wine with a fine core of tannin for balance. My note: A simple, rustic wine with dark red fruit aromas. Cabriz Colheita Seleccionada Vinho Tinto food pairings: grilled leg of lamb. Drink: 2007 - 2010 949974 13% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quinta do Crasto Crasto Douro Tinto Vinho 2005, Doc Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Owned for over 100 years by the Roquette family, Quinta do Crasto has developed a worldwide reputation for producing quality red dry table wines. These wines are made with grapes one normally associates with Port, namely Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional. These full-flavored grapes create table wines of structure, impact and intensity. My note: A round, plummy wine with delicious depth and warmth. Crasto Douro Tinto Vinho food pairings: barbecued hamburgers, backribs or steaks. Drink: 2007 - 2010 998286 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Adega Coop. de Cantanhede Marques De Marialva Baga Reserva 2003, Doc Bairrada, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Baga is the most important red grape in the Bairrada region. The dark-colored berries create wines that, when fully ripe and matured in French and American oak, as in this example, show a superior balance between fruit, acid and tannin. My note: A simple and delicious full-bodied wine with aromas of dark red fruit. A touch tannic so let it breathe for an hour or so. Marques De Marialva Baga Reserva food pairings: rare roast beef or lamb. Drink: 2007 - 2011 677781 12.5% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quinta do Vallado Quinta Do Vallado Vinho Tinto 2004, Doc Douro, Portugal: A mouth-watering wine that needs food. Notes of blackberries, vanilla and smoke. Quinta Do Vallado Vinho Tinto food pairings: barbecued hamburgers, backribs or steaks. 694992 14% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sogrape Sogrape Reserva Douro Vinho Tinto 2001, Doc, Portugal: A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca. A juicy, lip-smacking red with ripe red fruit. Sogrape Reserva Douro Vinho Tinto food pairings: roast pork, barbecued meats. 335208 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Clos Du Bois Merlot 2003, Sonoma County, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Winemaker Erik Olsen blends in small amounts of Cabernet Franc (10%), Cabernet Sauvignon (3%) and Malbec (2%) to give this tasty Merlot some added structure and complexity. Made in a crowd-pleasing style, this elegant wine bursts with plush plum fruit flavors, smoky oak and vanilla notes leading to a long supple finish. My note: Alcoholic and full-bodied but tasty in a chest-hair-raising way. Dark fruit aromas. Clos Du Bois Merlot food pairings: marinated grilled pork tenderloin, brontosaurus burgers. 124883 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Treasury Wine Estates Greg Norman California Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, North Coast, United States: Round, smooth and inoffensive. Full-bodied goodness from the golfing king Down Under. Greg Norman California Estates Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: barbecued hamburgers, backribs or steaks. 8722 14.4% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Robert Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Paso Robles, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: This ripe and juicy Cabernet won a Gold Medal at the Tasters Guild International Wine Judging 2006. With its plush blackberry, plum, cocoa and coffee flavors. My note: Round and rich with notes of chocolate and plums. Robert Hall Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: barbecued steak or lamb chops. 25205 XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Errázuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile: This vibrant, full-bodied wine spent 9 months in French oak and has a creamy, smoky character as a result. Zingy, ripe cherries, purple plums and pomegranates make this wine a delicious party on the dinner table. Simple and lip-smacking good. Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled salmon, duck a l'orange, Korean dishes, meatloaf, chambertin cheese. 510396 14.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. May 2007. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

William Cole Alto Vuelo Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carménère 2005, Central Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: William Cole is an ex-pat American who made his fortune as a software developer before establishing his winery in Chile’s Casablanca Valley. An excellent value, this approachable wine’s ripe cherry and plum fruit flavors mingle with savory pepper and herb notes. It’s great with gourmet burgers or sausages. My note: Terrific taste and quality for the money! A perfect party wine. Notes of black cherries and plums. Ripe, round and full-bodied. William Cole Alto Vuelo Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carménère food pairings: barbecued meats, steak. 30817 XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Best Value Red Wine (Tied) Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Eldredge Blue Chip Shiraz 2004, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: A highly extracted wine (big, black ripe fruit, alcohol, flavor) but delicious. If you like E&E Black Pepper Shiraz, save yourself some money and buy this one. Closed with a screwcap, yay. Eldredge Blue Chip Shiraz food pairings: hearty meat dishes. 963678 XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Morton Estate Ltd Morton Estate Pinot Noir 2004, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Bright aromas of raspberry, plum, mocha chocolate and leather dominate this ripe, round ready-to-drink Pinot Noir. A versatile food wine. My note: Vibrant notes of ripe cherries. Not too acidic as some pinots from New Zealand can be. Lovely and balanced. Morton Estate Pinot Noir food pairings: veal tenderloin, grilled pheasant or quail, seafood dishes, roasted chicken. 27466 XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 91/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lurton Château Des Erles La Récaoufa 2004, Ac Corbières, France: A full-bodied, smooth wine with elegant balance. Notes of black cherry and smoke. Château Des Erles La Récaoufa food pairings: lamb, beef tenderloin, rare steak. 29009 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lurton Mas Janeil Le Tiradou 2004, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon-Villages, France: Gorgeously full-bodied, with deep robust dark fruit flavors. A long finish keeps you returning to this bottle ... you just don't want it (or the evening) to end. Mas Janeil Le Tiradou food pairings: pepper steak, beef tenderloin. 28993 13% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. May 2007. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau Pesquie Château Pesquié Les Terrasses 2004, Ac Côtes Du Ventoux, France: A blend of 70% Grenache (60 years old) and 30% Syrah (30 years old). Aged in oak. A full-bodied whack to the palate that will please lovers of big fruit. A touch tannic so decant for a hour or two, or age for a few years. Château Pesquié Les Terrasses food pairings: steak, hamburgers. Drink: 2007 - 2010 652313 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Best Value Red Wine (Tied) Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Coppi Siniscalco Primitivo 2001, Doc Gioia Del Colle, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Gioia del Colle is a large DOC that stretches from the Basilicata border to the town of Bari on the Adriatic coast. This Primitivo (a.k.a., Zinfandel) is rich, ripe and robust, as befits the nature of the grape. My note: Notes of chocolate and ripe berries on the nose. Very New World styling, almost cabernet-like. Full-bodied and delicious. Siniscalco Primitivo food pairings: barbecued hamburgers, backribs or steaks. 26674 XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Fazio Torre Dei Venti Nero D'avola 2004, Igt Sicilia, Italy: A huge, tannic wine with full-bodied richness and dark ripe fruit with some notes of chocolate. Fazio Torre Dei Venti Nero D'avola food pairings: hamburgers, steak. 962308 XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Branca Chianti Classico Riserva 2003, Docg, Italy: A lovely round chianti with great balance and ripe red cherries. Nice mouth-watering acidity makes it a terrific partner to tomato sauces and traditional Italian fare. Full-bodied. Villa Branca Chianti Classico Riserva food pairings: steak, pasta in tomato sauce. 23283 XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Farina Amarone Classico 2003, Doc, Italy: The Italian winemaking family, the Farinas, have been tending vines on their properythe land for four centuries. Remo Farina marri ed tradition and new technology in his winemaking. Today, a new generation carries out his vision, creating flavorful, lively wines. Aromas of rich cherry liqueur. Powerful. Farina Amarone Classico food pairings: hearty meat dishes. 33365 XD 375 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Zeni Vigne Alte Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2004, Doc, Italy: Elegant and balanced with a long finish. Gorgeous dark fruit aromas. Finesse. Zeni Vigne Alte Valpolicella Classico Superiore food pairings: steak, lamb. 23176 XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Clifford Bay Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Terrific and refreshing herbal aromas with some citrus notes. Not too grassy. Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: seafood, salads, vegetarian dishes. 734095 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Dr Fischer Riesling Kabinett 2005, Qmp, Ockfener Bockstein, Estate Btld., Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: The Fischer family has been involved in viticulture since the 18th century. Dr. H. H. Fischer established this Saar River valley estate near the legendary Ockfener Bockstein vineyards in 1950. The Fischer family has maintained the house style created by Dr. Fischer. A perfect balance of dry and sweet with pretty aromas of pear, apricot and lime. It is almost creamy on the palate with a nice balancing acidity. A very long finish. My note: A lovely light wine with mouth-watering zest and flavor of ripe tree fruit. Barely there sweetness softens the wine and makes it even more delicious and able to pair with a far wider range of dishes than a completely dry wine. Dr Fischer Riesling Kabinett food pairings: tuna sushi dishes, quail with grilled onions, pork roast, glazed ham. 30122 MD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gunderloch Jean-Baptiste Riesling Kabinett 2005, Qmp Rheinhessen, Estate Btld., Germany: Lovely, vibrant mouth-watering white. Zesty notes of ripe citrus fruit and rose petals. Gunderloch Jean-Baptiste Riesling Kabinett food pairings: seafood, salads, cold chicken. 480517 10.5% MD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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