Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
www.nataliemaclean.com

Vintages Release December 31, 2012

Login to see Natalie's scores and notes

Reviewed Wines | All Wines | Group by Wine Type | Group by Country/Region

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


Canada

Le Clos Jordanne Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada: This was a great vintage for Ontario pinot noir, and this wine was one of the best that year. Fleshy dark cherry and smoke on the nose. Satin smooth texture and luscious, mouth-fillnig layers of dark berries on the palate. Surely, one of Canada’s best pinots. Long, complex finish. Pinot Noir food pairings: osso buco. Drink: 2011 - 2018 33902 13.5% XD 750 mL $45.00 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery Crew Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Purple plum liqueur and blueberry pie on the nose and palate. Very rich and concentrated. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2010 - 2013 328385 14.9% XD 750 mL $25.00 Score: 88/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cave Spring Cellars Estate Bottled Chardonnay Musqué 2011, V.Q.A., Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Joyful, light and delicious! Pure green apple on a sunny spring day vibrancy. Medium-bodied and tasty. Pair with many dishes from roast chicken to seafood. Chardonnay food pairings: seafood sushi, milder shrimp pad Thai. Chardonnay Musqué food pairings: sushi, shrimp pad Thai. Drink: 2013 - 2015 246579 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 91/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Henry of Pelham Estate Pinot Noir 2009, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Liquid lovely! Plush and sexy with a satin-smooth texture. Gorgeous aromas of smoky cherries. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering. Terrific depth of flavour with black cherry and smoky aromas. Supple. The grapes for this wine from come several estate vineyards. This wine was fermented in stainless and aged in European oak. Pinot Noir food pairings: pork liver pates, tuna, grilled salmon, roasted chicken, duck and other game birds. Drink: 2012 - 2016 268391 13.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. December 2012. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Winery Inc. Quarry Road Pinot Noir 2010, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Savoury notes with wild dark cherry on the nose as well as woodland violets (not to be confused with open field violets ;) Smooth and medium- to full-bodied with a long finish. The grapes for this luscious Pinot Noir come from the Quarry Road Vineyard. It has an Old World soul with New World energy. A lovely, long finish. Pinot Noir food pairings: braised lamb with mushroom, duck comfit, grilled veal chops. Drink: 2012 - 2016 307686 13% D 750 mL $34.95 Score: 92/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Smoke & Gamble Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2011, V.Q.A., Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario, Canada: Lovely balance in this full-bodied, supple red. Lots of character but not heavy. Dark fruit, smoke with a long finish. A blend of 49.5% merlot, 37.2% cabernet sauvignon and 13.3% cabernet sauvignon. Bordeaux styling with New World power and fruit. Beautifully structured with a long finish. Cabernet Merlot food pairings: beef skewers, fajitas, steak-topped pizza, black bean soup, hodge-podge. Drink: 2013 - 2016 332825 13.6% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lailey Vineyard Merlot 2011, V.Q.A., Niagara River, Ontario, Canada: Savoury rich with expressive notes of black plum, berries and some herbal nuances. Nicely balanced and spice-infused finish. Cool climate merlot, like this one, has a pleasing edge to it. Merlot food pairings: beef, lamb shanks. Drink: 2013 - 2015 591396 13% XD 750 mL $25.00 Score: 88/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chardonnay 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Liquid gorgeous. Fall in love toasted hazelnut and almond on the nose of this full-bodied white wine. Ripe peach and pear emerge on the palate with layers of voluptuous mouth-filling richness. Lovely balance with the acidity for a wide range of dishes, from seafood in a cream sauce to roast chicken. Love it! Chardonnay food pairings: pork roast, basil pesto, prawn bisque, beef, chicken breast. Drink: 2013 - 2017 184432 11.9% XD 750 mL $35.00 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Winery Inc. Quarry Road Riesling 2012, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: This organic and biodynamic wine is superb! The vines were grown on a limestone base and the wine shows an incredible mineral depth. Joyous aromas of lime and white peach leap from the glass. Mouth-watering and endlessly delicious. There's a steely heart to this wine that belies the stony character of the soils where the vines grow. and mineral riesling of outstanding character. Lime zest on the finish. Terrific! Riesling food pairings: seafood platter, pan fried white fish, seafood salad, raw oysters, creamy cheeses. Drink: 2013 - 2017 198853 10.5% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 93/100. December 2012. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cave Spring Chardonnay 2011, V.Q.A., Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Delicious and wonderfully priced! A juicy, generous, mouth-filling chardonnay that gives and gives and gives. Mouth-watering like the first peaches of the season - and just as fresh! Perfect with roast chicken. Chardonnay food pairings: BBQ corn, chicken, basil pesto, prawn bisque, beef. Drink: 2012 - 2017 256552 13.5% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 91/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Henry of Pelham Winery Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2011, V.Q.A., Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Very balanced and well-rounded without being heavy. Lovely green apple notes with some toasted hazelnut on the finish from the barrel fermentation and aging. There's fresh baked broad sprinkled with some cinnamon notes on the finish. Lovely! Chardonnay food pairings: crab legs, corn dishes, stuffed chicken breast. Drink: 2013 - 2016 268342 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2011, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Toasted almond aromas on the nose along with green apple goodness. Perfectly balanced like Thomas himself. Lots of layered complexity, balance and structure. Classic chardonnay. Some vanilla smoke on the finish. Try it! Chardonnay food pairings: tuna steaks, swordfish, turkey dinner, beef, chicken breast. Drink: 2012 - 2016 302083 13% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cooper's Hawk Vineyards Riesling 2010, V.Q.A., Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario, Canada: A light-bodied, pretty white with white floral and peach notes. Nice acidity on the palate for seafood and shellfish. Balanced and lovely. This wine has won the Gold Medal at the All Canadian Wine Championships for previous vintages. It's steely and focused, like Mosel, Germany riesling. Excellent price. Riesling food pairings: lake fish, roast turkey breast, pork chops, Asian chicken salad. Drink: 2012 - 2016 318402 11.2% M 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vintage Ink Wines Mark Of Passion Merlot Cabernet 2011, V.Q.A., Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada Merlot Cabernet food pairings: thick T-bone steak, slow-cooked beef or pork, wild game, lamb, or aged cheese. Drink: 2012 - 2014 250209 13.4% XD 750 mL $17.95 December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2011, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada Pinot Noir food pairings: herbed roast beef, planked salmon, pizza. Drink: 2012 - 2017 208702 11.4% XD 750 mL $39.00 December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jackson-Triggs Delaine Syrah 2011, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A full-bodied, smooth red wine with black plum and dark berry aromas and flavours. Syrah food pairings: BBQ chicken, beef stew, lamb cutlets, pasta. Drink: 2013 - 2017 86553 12.5% D 750 mL $32.95 Score: 88/100. December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2012, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: stuffed chicken breast, cheese fondue, basil pesto, prawn bisque. Drink: 2013 - 2018 148866 12.8% XD 750 mL $29.95 December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Winery Inc. Quarry Road Riesling 2013, V.Q.A., Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada Riesling food pairings: seafood platter, pan fried white fish, seafood salad, raw oysters, creamy cheeses. Drink: 2013 - 2023 198853 10% D 750 mL $23.95 December 2012. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


© 2024 Natalie MacLean