Dessert Wine
Reif Estate Winery Totally Botrytis Affected First Growth Riesling 2009, Niagara River, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Incredible balance and elegance in this gorgeous dessert wine! It's not too sweet, yet satisfying so with ripe, fleshy apricot and honeysuckle notes. It's voluptuous and layered with maximum hedonistic pleasure. As the winemaker notes, "Botrytis is naturally occurring 'noble rot' that has a beautiful effect on grapes however its presence is totally dependent on weather conditions, so we can never be sure which vineyards, if any, will produce botrytis wines in a given year. In 2009 winemakers Klaus W. Reif and Roberto DiDomenico selectively harvested grapes that had been naturally affected with Botrytis and then placed them in customized kilns so that the grapes became totally botrytis affected(TBA). The grapes were harvested Nov. 20, 2009 at 20.0 °Brix and were kiln dried until Dec. 2, 2009; at pressing grapes were 35.7° Brix. Translation: a deliciously rich elixir! Riesling food pairings: blue cheese, fois gras, fruit desserts or on its own as a dessert. Drink: 2011 - 2022 360263 8% 250g/L 200 mL $50.00 Score: 92/100. September 2013. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Berthet-Bondet Vin De Paille 2007, Côtes Du Jura, France: Toasted alond goodness suffuses the senses along with a touch of an oxidized sherry nose that's attractive. It's softer and richer on the palate with tangerine and hazelnut. Long, lovely finish. Beautiful dessert wine, especially with biscotti. Drink: 2013 - 2018 324806 15% MS 375 mL $48.95 Score: 90/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Red Wine
Kim Crawford Pinot Noir 2012, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Central Otago grapes adds blacker berry fruit whereas South Island is brighter red fruit. Lusciously ripe fruit with mouth-watering juiciness. This is why I love New Zealand Pinot Noir! Lovely fruit with light oak (10% new French oak) with 60% oak total, and 40% in stainless steel oak. Oak is just for a bit of spice and to fill out the palate. Pinot Noir food pairings: pulled-pork sandwiches, roasted chicken, salmon ceviche. Drink: 2013 - 2016 626390 13.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Villa Pozzi Merlot 2011, Sicily, Italy: This full-bodied red wine is generous in its fleshy ripe purple and black plum flavours that mingle with blueberries. Smooth, almost zinfandel-like from the warm climate and long sun-ripening. Great value. Drink: 2013 - 2015 319632 13.5% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Ferrer Bobet 2006, Priorat, Spain: Perfect for drinking now! Mature aromas and flavours of leather, smoke and dried herbs andfruit. The fruit is very subtle, and the reason I'm suggesting that you try it now while it's in gorgeous balance with the rest of the wine's elements and structure. Complex with a long finish. Drink: 2013 - 2016 267914 15% XD 750 mL $59.00 Score: 93/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Clave De Tábula Tempranillo 2008, Ribera Del Duero, Spain: Mature, so drink now and within the next few years. Complex and layered with aromas of tanned leather and dried herbs, very subtle fruit. Drink: 2013 - 2017 293795 14% XD 750 mL $99.00 Score: 93/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château Branaire-Ducru Meritage 2009, Bordeaux, France: Gorgeous, complex and still tight: needs cellar time, please! Dark fruit, smoke, tar and pencil led. A model of its kind, this beautiful Bordeaux finishes with gorgeous aromas of dried tobacco leaves. Terrific structure, weight, balance and length. Leaves you wishing for the economy to recover soon so that this could become your house wine. Drink: 2016 - 2025 201525 13% XD 750 mL $114.85 Score: 97/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Cakebread Cellars Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2009, California, United States: Dark and brooding with aromas of dark chocolate and espresso-coffee from the generous oak aging. Full-bodied with fleshy black fruit. It would do well in the cellar. Decant for 2 hours when opening. Drink: 2013 - 2020 220459 14.9% XD 750 mL $271.00 Score: 93/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah 2011, Valle De Aconcagua, Chile: This full-bodied red wine is absolutely luscious! A robust red for dedicated hedonists. Aromas of plush black plums, blackberries and smoke. A long, satisfying finish. Try with lamb tonight. Drink: 2013 - 2016 614750 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Errazuriz Max Reserva Carmenere 2010, Valle De Aconcagua, Chile: An incredible wine for the price! Gorgeous layers of plush black plums with a smoky weave that takes you right along to the finish. Lovely! Drink: 2013 - 2016 273300 14.5% XD 750 mL $20.25 Score: 91/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Errázuriz Don Maximiano Red Blend 2009, Valle De Aconcagua, Chile: European elegance meets New World cncentration and power. This wine has it all: spectacular dark fruit flavour, great strcture and a finish that (almost) lasts until you open the next bottle (you hope). This is Chile's icon flagship wine: drink it to understand both where the country has been and where it's going. Superb! Drink: 2013 - 2018 501247 14% XD 750 mL $79.95 Score: 94/100. September 2013. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Errázuriz La Cumbre Shiraz 2008, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: Magnificent! What a towering example of what Chile is capable of producing in rich, concentrated and complex red wines. There's lots of fleshy black fruit here but also vibrancy and lift from the cool climate where the grapes are grown. Perfect for rare filet mignon. Shiraz food pairings: Filet mignon, beef brisket, herbed rack of lamb with grilled portobello mushrooms.. Drink: 2013 - 2018 579821 14.5% XD 750 mL $90.00 Score: 93/100. September 2013. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Errázuriz Kai Carmenere 2010, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: Staggeringly great! This full-bodied red wine has it all: complexity, depth, concentration of flavour and length on the finish. This also has the added bonus of being Chile's signature wine grape, carmenere. Drink: 2013 - 2018 55863 14.5% XD 750 mL $144.95 Score: 95/100. September 2013. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Black Hills Estate Winery Syrah 2009, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Supple, smooth and fabulous with layers of dark fruit flavour. Drink: 2013 - 2018 22633 13.1% D 750 mL $46.95 Score: 91/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Errazuriz Pinot Noir 2012, Valle De Aconcagua, Chile: Juicy with luscious aromas and flavours of fleshy red cherries and strawberries. Full-bodied, smooth and mouth-watering. Amazing price for this quality. Try it with roast chicken. Drink: 2013 - 2016 226696 13.5% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Luigi Bosca Malbec 2010, Argentina, Argentina: Malbec from Mendoza is almost guaranteed to be delicious, especially when it's made by a solid producer like this one. This full-bodied red wine offers aromas black plum, black raspberries, violets, toasty oak and mocha with a medium-long, dark spice-infused finish. Perfect for pizza night. Drink: 2013 - 2016 79293 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Errázuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: This full-bodied red wine is an amazing value for the quality! It offers rich layers of fleshy black plums and blackberries that roll across your palate. Beautifully balanced with incredible concentration of flavour. A long, satisfying finish will still leave you wanting more. Try it with a hearty steak tonight. Drink: 2013 - 2016 335174 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. September 2013. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
White Wine
Errazuriz La Escultura Estate Chardonnay 2012, Valle De Casablanca, Chile: A clean, crisp, refreshing chardonnay with attractive aromas and flavours of green apple and some tropical tree fruit. Lovely minerality. Amazingly great price for this quality. Drink: 2013 - 2015 31874 13.5% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Errázuriz Estate Series Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: This zesty white wine is a citrus-infused Sauvignon Blanc has a rich mouth-filling texture. It also works well as an aperitif when you’ve had your fill of cheese. Drink: 2013 - 2015 263574 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. September 2013. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Errazuriz Max Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Valle De Aconcagua, Chile: Grassy and herbal with refreshing acidity and mouth-watering action. Very classic sauvignon blanc at an incredibly great price. Medium-bodied and versatile with a range of dishes. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: seafood, cheeses, salads, chicken, fish. Drink: 2013 - 2015 273342 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Kew Vineyards Marsanne Viognier 2012, V.Q.A., Ontario, Canada: What a gorgeous and exotically aromatic white wine! Redolent of apricot, peach and Asian pear with a smoky weave throughout. Medium-bodied with a clentine, floral finish. Perfect for medium curries and spices. Try it. Marsanne Viognier food pairings: barbecued chicken, barbecued pork ribs. Drink: 2013 - 2016 485334 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Luna Beberid Godello 2011, Bierzo, Spain: Lemon zest and lift with mouth-watering acidity for a wide range of dishes from salads to seafood. Clean and crisp like sauvignon blanc but a bit more yellow apple than herbal. Some orchard fruit on a nice finish. Try it tonight. Drink: 2013 - 2016 344648 13.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Rolly Gassmann Riesling 2009, Alsace, France: Lovely freshness and balance in this beautifully constructed riesling! Very dry and mouth-watering with a medium body. Complex with aromas of lemon and dry honey. Long, satisfying finish. Drink: 2013 - 2017 328898 13% D 750 mL $20.95 Score: 91/100. September 2013. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart