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Wine Picks November 2, 2009

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Note: This batch of wine reviews is not part of the bi-weekly Vintages Releases. Instead, it's a collection of wines outside the Vintages section in store (general list) or wines sent to me directly from wineries that may not yet be available in liquor stores. Click on the Winery or Wine Agency link to get more info.

Red Wine

Malivoire Wine Company Courtney Gamay 2003, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Canada: Surprisingly terrific: This wine has opened my eyes to the potential of Gamay in Niagara. It's nothing like Beaujolais. Try it and you'll be hooked. Lovely aromas of black raspberry, blackcurrant and some pepper notes. Stunning! 13.5% D 750 mL $26.95 Score: 92/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Malivoire Wine Company Courtney Gamay 2007, Beamsville Bench, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Gamay could be Niagara's sleeper red: terrific berry-laden flavour with some pepper and cedar notes. Deliciously mouth-filling without being being and not a furry tannin in sight. Absolutely lovely! Drink: 2007 - 2011 524231 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Malivoire Wine Company Moira Pinot Noir 2007, V.Q.A. Beamsville Bench, Canada: A big smoky red that needs another two to three years of aging to show its full glory. Terrific dark berry flavours and mouth-awakening acidity. 004 14% 750 mL Score: 92/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Malivoire Wine Company Pinot Noir Estate 2008, V.Q.A. Beamsville Bench, Canada: Creamy texture with a lovely earthy essence and dark berries. Silky smooth. Yum! 005 13% D 750 mL $25.00 Score: 89/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Malivoire Wine Company Moira Pinot Noir 2004, V.Q.A. Beamsville Bench, Canada: Mouth-watering acidity makes this silky red a terrific food companion. Bursting with pit fruit, damson plum and black raspberries. 13% D 750 mL $42.00 Score: 90/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mission Hill Family Estate Oliver and Osoyoos Vineyards Quatrain 2006, Okanagan Valley, Canada: A towering, massively structured red with gorgeous depth and full-bodied aromas of blackberry, black cherry, dark spices, espresso and dried herbs. A magnificent effort to make Canada proud. Drink: 2009 - 2013 220045 13% 750 mL $45.00 Score: 92/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Altaïr Sideral 2004, Cachapoal, Chile: Gorgeous long layers of blackcurrant and blackberry flavor: fleshy, full-bodied goodness. A saucy slap of licorice on the finish. Yum! 660837 14.8% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Palazzo Alcineo Toscana 2001, I.G.T., Tuscany, Italy: A complex weave of flavor, aroma and sheer winemaking mastery! Stunning depth and length with enticing aromas of black cherry and smoke. A keeper for the cellar. Drink: 2009 - 2012 683136 14.5% 750 mL $45.00 Score: 92/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Tinhorn Creek & Diamondback Pinot Noir 2007, South Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Lovely ripe cherries and black raspberries. Terrific acidity makes it both refreshing and mouth-watering. Silky with a medium-body. Drink: 2009 - 2014 53079 13.5% D 250 mL $18.99 Score: 88/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Oldfield Series Merlot 2006, South Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Lifted black fruit flavours are both elegant and downright tasty! This is one of Canada's best Merlot producers, if not the best. Mouth-watering acidity makes this wine a fantastic food companion. The blend is 93% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Syrah. The fruit is 100% estate-grown South Okanagan fruit from the Black Sage (Diamondback) and Golden Mile Bench vineyards. The wine was aged 18 months in new French and American oak. Oh la la! Drink: 2009 - 2018 153213 14.6% D 750 mL $28.00 Score: 91/100. November 2009. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery Ravine Estate Vineyard Reserve Merlot 2007, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: A deep rich red from a fabulous vintage! Notes of black plum, blackberry and kirsch. Supple layers of flavour. Wonderful! 2911400013 12.2% D 750 mL $55.00 Score: 90/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Shiraz 2008, Niagara Peninsula V.Q.A., Canada: Plummy rich and tasty! Full-bodied goodness with lots of hearty blackberry flavors. Top me up! Shiraz food pairings: Well-spiced deep braised meat dishes, tomato-based pasta dishes and grilled veggies.. Drink: 2009 - 2011 70052 12.5% XD 750 mL $14.75 Score: 86/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge Pinot Noir 2008, Niagara Escarpment, Canada: I tasted this wine in the barrel during a recent visit, and it's already showing remarkable potential. Aromas of black cherries and a whiff of toasty oak. I look forward to further tastings of this wine as it matures. Drink: 2010 - 2014 33894 13.5% D 750 mL $30.00 Score: 91/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Barefoot Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio, California, United States: Fresh green apple aromas on the nose with some refreshing grapefruit and citrus notes. A good bubbly bubbly for large gatherings. Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio food pairings: a light dinner of seafood or chicken. 106088 13% M 750 mL $12.95 Score: 85/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Organic One Organic One Chardonnay 2007, New South Whales, Australia: Nicely balanced and not too oaky. Lovely notes of green apples and white peach. 426577 14% 750 mL $16.45 Score: 88/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Creekside Estate Winery Butler's Grant Riesling 2007, V.Q.A., Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada: Bursting with lovely apricot and peach notes,fragrant and pretty with a starfruit-infused finish. Makes a terrific aperitif as well as a companion to many dishes. Butler's Grant Riesling food pairings: garlic shrimp on the barbeque, or butternut squash soup with lime and ginger.. Drink: 2007 - 2010 80267 11.5% MD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery Non-Estate Gewurtztraminer 2007, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada: A delightful and spicy white with classic aromas of lychee, rose petal and Asian pear. 2911400004 12% MD 750 mL $22.00 Score: 88/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Closson Chase South Clos Chardonnay 2007, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A gorgeously round, supple and full-boided Chardonnay with classic aromas of green apple, cedar, toffee, hazelnut, orange zest and freshly baked bread. This wine was aged for 18 months in oak barrels, which contributes to its toasty goodness and creamy texture. Only 265 cases were produced so contact the winery to order. 215657 13% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 93/100. November 2009. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Reif Estate Winery Estate Bottled Kerner 2008, Niagara-River, Canada: A remarkable wine for the price! Vibrant, surprising and intriguing with lovely notes of rose petal and white peach. Reminds me a little of gewurztraminer. Give it a try. Kerner food pairings: White fish, baked chicken, vegetarian quiches and salads.. Drink: 2009 - 2011 12.3% MD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Reif Estate Winery Estate Bottled Chenin Blanc 2008, V.Q.A. Niagara River, Canada: Lovely floral and jasmine notes with some white melon highlights. Refreshing and pretty! Terrific aperitif and food companion. Chenin Blanc food pairings: shellfish as well as poached or grilled white fish such as sole or tilapia.. Drink: 2009 - 2012 12% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 87/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Robertson Wine Of Origin, South Africa: Fantastic value, quality and taste for the money! One of the most consistently good producers from South Africa. Terrific note of lime zest and chives, not too herbal. Mouth-watering and tasty. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: Enjoy with seafood, salmon, roast chicken and pork. This wine can stand up to a bit of heat as well.. Drink: 2009 - 2010 495507 12.5% D 750 mL $10.75 Score: 87/100. November 2009. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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