Red Wine
Calera Pinot Noir 2005, Central Coast, Thirtieth Anniversary Vintage, United States: A lovely, ethereal wine. Blanced and not too acidic. 933044 14% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 92/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Morgan Morgan Syrah 2004, Monterey, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The fruit for this robust Syrah is sourced from the San Lucas appellation at the southern end of Monterey county. Rich and intense it has impressive peppery spice and black fruit aromas and flavors. It’s dry and full-bodied with ripe dark fruit, smoked meat and vanilla notes wrapped in fine tannins. My note: Rich, ripe black fruit with notes of chocolate. Full-bodied. Morgan Syrah food pairings: beef, lamb. Drink: 2007 - 2012 673764 14% XD 750 mL $28.95 Score: 92/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Del Fin Del Mundo Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005, Patagonia, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: There are exciting new appellations emerging from Argentina beyond Mendoza including the cool climate Patagonia region at the southern tip of the country. Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo is literally located at the end of the world and it produces wonderfully vibrant wines like this beautifully balanced Cab. The nose is fragrant with cassis, plum and mint notes. It’s dry, medium-full bodied with bright fruit, silky tannins and a bright core of acidity. My Note: Good value for the price, oak overtones and well structured. 31179 13% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Melipal Malbec 2004, Mendoza, Argentina: Lovely, generous wine. Yields layers of rich flavor and ripe, dark red fruit aromas. 31609 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
De Martino Legado Reserva Syrah 2004, Choapa Valley, Chile: A touch tannic. Bursting with big black fruit and raspberry aromas. 32136 14% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
William Cole Columbine Reserve Carmenere 2004, Casablanca Valley, Estate Btld., Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: William Cole’s wines always represent terrific value. The beautiful estate is located at the heart of the Casablanca Valley and consists of 130 hectares of vineyards, including 32 hectares of Carmenère. My Note: Richly aromatic with notes of big black fruit and oak. Full-bodied. William Cole Columbine Reserve Carmenere food pairings: grilled stuffed peppers, hamburgers, steaks.. 24901 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Mitchelton Shiraz 2004, Victoria, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Deep purple in color, this wine displays concentrated aromas of cocoa, ripe blackberry, cassis and toast. It’s dry, full-bodied with a good depth of ripe black fruit flavors as well as notes of cocoa, mint and spice. It has ample tannin and acidity providing structure and a very long finish. My Note: Good solid wine with round richness. Aromas of chocolate and dark fruit. Mitchelton Shiraz food pairings: grilled lamb or beef dishes. Drink: 2007 - 2010 25379 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Olsen Charoltte's Dance Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: Lush aromas of bright red fruit, chocolate and mint. Supple, rich and full-bodied. 689927 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Vasse Felix Adams Road Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: Rich and round with aromas of mint and black plums. Full-bodied. 24653 14% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chateau D'angludet 2001, Ac Margaux, France: Full-bodied with aromas of black fruit and smoky oak. Chateau D'angludet food pairings: rosemary lamb.. 29884 13% XD 750 mL $64.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chateau Desmirail 2003, Ac Margaux, France: Round texture with notes of black fruit, chocolate and smoke. 28050 12% D 750 mL $42.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chateau Du Glana 2003, Ac St.-Julien, France: Aromas of black fruit and smoke. Old World finesse. Chateau Du Glana food pairings: steak, lamb. Drink: 2007 - 2009 29876 13% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Marchesi Di Barolo Dolcetto D'alba 2005, Doc, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A vibrant, fresh wine that shows its best in the first 3-5 years, this Dolcetto is classic for its variety with aromas and flavors of sour cherry and almond. A delicious, lighter red, it can also be chilled for 20 minutes and enjoyed as a sipper aperitif. My note: A light red with mouth-watering juiciness. Marchesi Di Barolo Dolcetto D'alba food pairings: simple fish dishes, pasta with a light red sauce. 26187 13% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 88/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Girelli Syrah Virtuoso 2003, Igt Sicilia, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Girelli Syrah Virtuoso is sourced from a superior vineyard on the western shore of Sicily. The heat of the Mediterranean is countered by the cooling sea breeze leading to a near perfectly balanced Syrah. It has impressive ripe berry nose and a palate that has a good heft to it. It is deep, ripe and flavorful, nicely balanced by crisp acidity. My note: Full-bodied with puckery ripe red fruit and faint hints of chocolate aromas. Girelli Syrah Virtuoso food pairings: gourmet burgers, sausages. 23440 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Abbadia Ardenga Abbadia Ardenga Brunello Di Montalcino 2001, Docg, Italy: Tannic with aromas of leather, cassis and red plums. Drink: 2007 - 2011 672337 14% D 750 mL $84.85 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Loredan Gasparini Venegazzu Capo Di Stato 2003, Igt Colli Trevigiani, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 5% Malbec, Capo di Stato has intense, ripe berry/cherry aromas and flavours with a fine layer of tannins for balance. My note: Rounded aromas of chocolate and black cherries. Loredan Gasparini Venegazzu Capo Di Stato food pairings: rare roast beef, lamb. Drink: 2007 - 2012 356295 13% XD 750 mL $37.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Wardy Domaine Wardy Merlot 2004, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon: A rustic but solid full-bodied and tannic red wine. Aromas of dark red fruit. Domaine Wardy Merlot food pairings: lamb. 30577 13.5% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Bodegas Ontanon Crianza 2003, Doc Rioja, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: An excellent value, this Crianza is comprised of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha. The nose is smoky with black licorice, blackberry, and cocoa notes as well as a hint of new leather. It’s dry, medium-bodied with the toasty oak flavours in balance with the fruit. There’s ample tannin and a touch of spice on the medium long finish. My note: A good solid full-bodied red wine for the money. Aromas of licorice, blackberry and leather. Drink: 2010 - 2012 976910 12.8% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Coopers Creek Pinot Noir 2005, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Light-bodied wine with notes of cherries and raspberries. 599969 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.80 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Goldridge Premium Reserve Merlot/Cabernet 2005, Barrique Matured, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium-deep ruby color with an attractive toasty oak, cassis and blueberry pie nose. It is a dry and well-structured wine with plenty of tannin to back-up the fruit and vice versa. Medium-full-bodied with a nicely balanced, long finish. My note: A wine with good acidity and a long finish. Aromes of bright red plums and cherries. Goldridge Premium Reserve Merlot/Cabernet food pairings: grilled lamb. Drink: 2007 - 2011 32821 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Mission Reserve Syrah 2005, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: A wine with aromas of spicy dark fruit and cedar. 32839 13% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Te Kairanga Runholder Pinot Noir 2004, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand: A wine with aromas of sour cherries. Ethereal and light, packed with flavor. 34348 XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Rosés
Strewn Cabernet Rosé 2006, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Using both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, winemaker Joe Will has fashioned a brightly hued rosé featuring aromas of cassis, ripe cherries and sweet herbs. It’s dry, medium-bodied and very refreshing with sweet cherry flavors and zesty acidity. My Note: Juicy strawberry and raspberry. Strewn Cabernet Rosé food pairings: roasted chicken. 467753 XD 750 mL $11.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Bodega Lurton Rosado 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: This thirst quenching rosé comes from the Argentine outpost of Jacques and Francois Lurton’s wine empire. A blend of Bonarda, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, this dazzling pink wine is bursting with berry fruit flavors balanced by a lively seam of acidity. It’s a superb summer sipper. My Note: Gorgeous and full-bodied with loads of berry fruits. 999839 12% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Cousiño-Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2006, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This brilliant rosé is bursting with vibrant cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. Dry and juicy with a hint of melon, this lush, medium-bodied wine. My Note: Mouth-watering and yummy! Chill it and serve by the lake. Cousiño-Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé food pairings: salads, grilled salmon, chicken. 34314 14% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Des Carteresses Tavel Rosé 2006, Ac, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Tavel rosés are more robust and flavorful than those of Provence, making them excellent candidates for matching. My note: Robust with loads of raspberries aromas. Domaine Des Carteresses Tavel Rosé food pairings: herbed chicken, grilled eggplant, zucchini and red peppers. 739474 XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 91/100. May 2007. Favorite Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaines Perrin Réserve Rosé 2006, Ac Côtes-Du-Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: From the family behind Château de Beaucastel comes this popular rosé. Sourced from the Perrin brothers’ own southern Rhône vineyards, this versatile rosé is an excellent companion to foods you’d serve at an afternoon garden party. My note: Deep aromas of raspberry. Domaines Perrin Réserve Rosé food pairings: cucumber sandwiches, salmon. 719062 13% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
White Wine
Wairau River Opawa Series Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Wairau is Maori for “many waters”. Wairau River’s Opawa Series takes its name from the river that winds its way through the property. This estate Sauvignon exhibits classic Kiwi Savvy aromas of gooseberry, sweet herbs, asparagus and green peas. It is dry, richly aromatic and tightly knit together by a fine core of acidity. My note: A juicy wine with notes of kiwi, lime, asperagus and goosberries. Wairau River Opawa Series Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: white fish. 36012 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Jackson Estate Jackson Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A wine with herbal notes and aromas of grapefruit, lime and gooseberry. 963124 13% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Saint Clair Family Estate St Clair Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A lovely, vivacious and refreshing wine. Not too grassy with aromas of gooseberry and lime. 554196 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling Kabinett 2003, Qmp, Bernkasteler Badstube, Estate Btld., Germany: Soft and slightly sweet wine like a summer breeze with enticing aromas of peach and honeydew. 33407 8.5% MD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. May 2007. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart