Argentina
Zolo Reserve Malbec 2008, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Matured for 14 months in new and used French and American oak. Aromas of black fruit, smoke and spice. Tightly wound so decant 2-3 hours. Nice price. Drink: 2013 - 2015 81091 14% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. December 2012. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Pascual Toso Reserve Barracas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Classic cassis, wild tart blackberry and some mint on the nose. Full-bodied and tannic. Decant for 1-2 hours. Very satisfying. Enjoy it tonight with meat lovers' pizza and a movie. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: burgers, steak, ribs, meat sauce pastas. Drink: 2013 - 2016 83337 13.9% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 89/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Australia
Small Gully Robert's Formula Shiraz 2009, South Australia, Australia: Lots of toasty oak on the nose from generous oaking plus dark roasted black fruit. Full-bodied and smooth with great heft. This packs a punch flavour-wise. Demands hearty meat dishes. This wine was fermented on its skins for seven days, then matured 3 years in oak and another 10 months in bottle. Try it with a juicy steak tonight. Shiraz food pairings: lamb cutlets, salmon, turkey with traditional trimmings, spicy chorizo sausages, peppercorn steaks. Drink: 2012 - 2015 142935 15.9% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tait Wines The Ball Buster Red Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2011, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: This full-bodied red wine is a blend of mostly Shiraz, with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. It offers aromas of chocolate and mocha on the nose plus some fleshy black plums. Dive into it and you'll find incredibly great balance, a savoury quality and mouth-watering juiciness for a variety of dishes. Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot food pairings: beef, pork tenderloin. Drink: 2012 - 2016 269472 15.3% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart Of The Barossa Shiraz 2011, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Classic Aussie Shiraz: big black fruit aromas up front, with some dark spices on the finish. Full-bodied and supple. The grapes for this wine come from vines that are almost 100 years old, and that concentration shows in the wine that was open-fermented with wild yeast and then matured 18 months in mostly second use French barrels. The wine was not fined or filtered. Great structure and long finish. Superb craftsmanship. Shiraz food pairings: black bean soup, lamb cutlets, rich meat & game casseroles. Drink: 2012 - 2015 167189 14.5% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 94/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
The Bishop Ben Glaetzer, Glaetzer Wines Shiraz 2010, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Rich and concentrated with luscious fleshy ripe black plum and blackberry jam aromas. Full-bodied and smooth. Attractive dark spices and vanilla smoke on a long finish. Liquid lovely! Drink: 2012 - 2016 627869 15.1% D 750 mL $42.95 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Canada
Featherstone Cuvee Joy Sparkling 2009, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Toasty and robust with rich layers of freshly baked bread. Some lemon brightness through the centre. Lovely persistence of bubbles and a clean, crisp finish with some Granny Smith apple notes. Delightful, especially for the price. Try it with shellfish, fried chicken or salads. Drink: 2012 - 2014 310334 12.5% D 750 mL $34.95 Score: 92/100. December 2012. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 2012, Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada: Celebrate life! Wow this is liquid exuberance. Moscato-grape aromas with orange zest and honeysuckle swaying in the summer breeze. Low alcohol, and some sweetness make this a great aperitif or companion to any spicy dish or one with a bit of sweetness like glazed ham, sweet potatoes etc. Food pairings: salmon, lobster, seafood chowder, charcuterie and Dragon's Breath blue cheese. Drink: 2013 - 2015 256289 6.5% S 750 mL $25.95 Score: 92/100. December 2012. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
13th Street Grand Cuvee 2006, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Toasty and rich, yet still refreshing. This sparkling wine is superbly crafted for pleasure. Try it as an aperitif, or as a companion to many dishes from seafood to fried chicken. Drink: 2013 - 2018 364299 12.5% XD 750 mL $59.95 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
13th Street Grande Cuvée 2013, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2016 - 2025 364299 12.5% XD 750 mL $59.95 December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chile
Veramonte Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Merlot Carmenere 2010, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Juicy-wonderful! Just dripping with fleshy berry flavor and plums. I love it! This wine is a blend of about a third cabernet sauvignon, a third syrah, and the balance split between merlot and carmenere grapes. Superb craftsmanship; great value. Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Merlot Carmenere food pairings: brisket, beef ribs, pork chops. Drink: 2013 - 2016 712463 14.5% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
France
Laurent Gauthier Grand Cras Vieilles Vignes Morgon Gamay (Beaujolais) 2012, A.C., Beaujolais, France: A happy, bright wine with a medium-body. Tart cherries and some herbal notes but overall wonderful splashing fun. Try it with roast chicken or turkey. Drink: 2012 - 2014 279059 12.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château Vieux Cardinal Lafaurie Meritage 2009, A.C., Lalande-De-Pomerol, Bordeaux, France: A well-structured and balanced red with classic notes of cassis and black currant. This full-bodied red wine comes from the Right Bank of Bordeaux, which traditionally leads with Merlot in the blend and this wine is no exception: 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. There's a long, satisfying smoky finish. Enjoy it tonight with steak or cellar it for another 3-4 years. Meritage food pairings: roast beef. Drink: 2013 - 2017 61713 13.1% XD 750 mL $28.95 Score: 90/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Maison Albert Bichot Pinot Noir 2011, A.C., Burgundy, France: An intensely aromatic red wine with notes of field flowers, cherries and fresh earth. Great balance and finesse. A superb wine ... this is why I love Burgundian pinot noir so very much. Try it with planked salmon or simply on its own for pure hedonistic pleasure. Pinot Noir food pairings: rare roast beef, roasted chicken. Drink: 2013 - 2017 166959 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 92/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Jean-Pierre Seve Terroir Pouilly-Fuissé Chardonnay 2007, A.C., Burgundy, France: A pleasant Old World-style Chardonnay with enticing notes of green apples, peaches and oak. Medium-bodied. The Pouilly-Fuissé appellation is regarded as the most coveted and best quality in the Mâconnais region of Burgundy. The Chardonnays are more fruit-driven than oak-driven. The natural rock formation that surrounds the vineyards traps the sunlight and warmth to help ripen the grapes. Highly recommended. Chardonnay food pairings: roasted chicken, grilled fish, basil pesto, prawn bisque, cheese fondue. Drink: 2013 - 2016 681056 13.4% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Andre Blanck Et Ses Fils Clos Schwendi Pinot Gris 2012, A.C., Alsace, France: Packed with melon and white peach flavour with a fine-grained texture. This is divinely great. Off-dry so it can work with a variety of dishes with sweetness or spices and curries. Some Asian pear and smoke on a great finish. Lovely! Pinot Gris food pairings: grilled tuna, salmon, veal chops, glazed ham, spices, curries. Drink: 2013 - 2016 686311 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Pierre Sparr Altenbourg Riesling 2010, A.C., Alsace, France: A refreshing, light-bodied white wine white with attractive and subtle melon notes. Terrific as an aperitif or companion to many seafood dishes or roast turkey given its mouth-watering juiciness. Nice price. Riesling food pairings: chicken salad, risotto, apple strudel. Drink: 2013 - 2018 906016 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Maison Albert Bichot Pinot Noir 2012, A.C., Burgundy, France Pinot Noir food pairings: rare roast beef, roasted chicken. Drink: 2013 - 2017 166959 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Italy
Tabarrini Colle Grimaldesco Montefalco Sagrantino 2007, Umbria, Italy 320234 16.9% XD 750 mL $54.00 December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
La Vite Lucente 2011, I.G.T., Tuscany, Italy: Love it! Complex, full-bodied yet subtle. Gorgeous aromas of dried black cherry, cedar, smoke, fleshy blackberries. Buy this one for my birthday please. This full-bodied red wine is the second wine to Frescobaldi’s flagship label Luce. It's a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and it was aged for 1 year in French barriques. Decant for 1 hour and you're ready to go! This is the magnum sized bottle, the equivalent of two regular (750 ml) bottles. Food pairings: pepper steak. Drink: 2013 - 2019 979062 13.5% XD 1500 mL $100.00 Score: 94/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Beni di Batasiolo Langhe Rosso Dolcetto Barbera Nebbiolo 2010, Piedmont, Italy: A smooth, medium-bodied wine with attractive plum and berry notes. This red wine is a blend of Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo grapes, each of which contribute different flavours and complexity to the wine: Dolcetto offers ripe fruit, Barbera brings balancing acidity for food and Nebbiolo imparts tannin for structure. Enjoy with a prime rib. Dolcetto Barbera Nebbiolo food pairings: gourmet sausages, meat-based pasta dishes, barbecued chicken. Drink: 2013 - 2015 981019 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Rocca Delle Macìe Riserva Chianti Classico 2008, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy: Full-bodied, balanced, mouth-watering and delicious! So much going on the glass here. Aromas of succulent black fruit, earth, violets and spice. Oh yum. Drink: 2013 - 2017 930966 14.5% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Portugal
Warre's Vintage Port 1991, Douro Valley, Portugal: A lovely mature port to enjoy after dinner. Gorgeous concentration of blackberry liqueur flavour with rich layers of mixed berries and dark spices. Voluptuous texture. Terrific complexity and nuance, and now with several decades under its belt, elegance. Drink: 2014 - 2020 20891 19% S 750 mL $79.95 Score: 95/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
South Africa
Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa: A towering wine and massive structure supports fleshy ripe black fruit with great concentration: this full-bodied red wine features aromas and flavours of cassis, blackberry, blackcurrant. Classically styled, superbly crafted. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: pork tenderloin, prime rib. Drink: 2012 - 2018 425314 14% XD 750 mL $59.00 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Spain
Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva Bodegas Francos-Españolas Tempranillo 2004, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: A savoury and delicious red with gorgeously ripe black cherry and black raspberry aromas. Layered complexity on the palate with a long finish. A superbly made wine, especially for this price point. Pair with brisket or flank steak. Tempranillo food pairings: rosemary lamb. Drink: 2013 - 2018 12295 13% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 94/100. December 2012. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
United States
Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Sonoma County, California, United States: Such an elegant, yet expressive cabernet on the nose. Aromas of blackcurrant cassis mingle with dried herbs and cigar box. The palate opens to layers of dark fruit anise and smoke. Terrific balance, depth and length with a dry finish. Pair with filet mignon or lamb with rosemary. Drink: 2014 - 2018 678615 14.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 92/100. December 2012. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin Zinfandel 2010, Lodi, California, United States: Aromas of jammy purple plums and blueberries on the nose. The palate opens up luxuriously, smooth and full-bodied with more lip-smacking tasty flavours of dark fruit. An amazing wine for BBQ ribs or chicken wings. Fire up the grill! Zinfandel food pairings: BBQ ribs, chicken wings, spaghetti, pizza, lamb shanks. Drink: 2012 - 2015 678698 14.5% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. December 2012. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room Le Cigare Volant Syrah Grenache 2008, California, United States: This wine is a blend of mostly syrah and grenache grapes, with some cinsault, mourvèdre and carignane grapes. I love the Bordeaux aroma I get first followed by cassis, blackcurrant and smoke, but most of all, fresh earth. Full-bodied and complex. The name of this wine refers to French vintners In 1954 who were concerned about flying saucers and extraterrestrials Long story). So the town council passed an ordinance banning flying saucers or “Flying Cigars” (Cigare Volant) from landing on the vines and damaging them. Syrah Grenache food pairings: barbecued chicken, beef stew, pasta, lamb cutlets. Drink: 2013 - 2019 975847 14.5% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Sonoma County, California, United States Drink: 2014 - 2018 678615 14.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 December 2012. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart