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

Vintages Release July 9, 2015

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


Red Wine

CedarCreek Estate Winery Platinum Meritage 2012, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A supple, round, luscious BC red wine blend of 54% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot for the classic Meritage. The 2012 vintage was a strong one. Aromas of dark fleshy ripe plums and some smoke. These vines are planted in stony soils that reflect the heat back to the vines at night. Pair with a rare steak. Drink: 2015 - 2020 14.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. July 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Capracia Bobal 2012, Valencia D.O. Utiel-Requena, Spain: Produced by Andres Valiente e Hijos S.L. Finca Alfaro, this robust, rustic Argentine red wine is made Bobal grapes. Black fruit and some oak. Slightly reduced on the nose. Pair with burgers. Drink: 2015 - 2016 15% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 83/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mairena Ugarteche Bonarda 2011, Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina: Produced by Familia Blanco, the vines for this robust Argentine red wine are planted in sandy soils at 3,182 feet above sea level Mendoza using an overhead trellis system to train the vines. The grapes are hand-picked in 18 kg boxes and a yield of 8,000 kilograms per hectare. Aromas of black plums, tart, wild blackberry, cassis and blackcurrant with some smoke. Very pleasant and balanced. Could benefit from one hour decanting then pair with rare meats. Bonarda food pairings: game, cheeses , pasta and spicy sauces. Drink: 2015 - 2018 430603 14.2% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau Mamin Arbanats / Chateau Mamin Graves Rouge 2009, Bordeaux, France: A terrific Bordeaux at a bargain price from an excellent vintage. Lots of mocha and toasty oak on the nose that gives way to fleshy black plums and cassis on the palate. Full-bodied, supple and ready to drink, though it will also hold for a few more years in your cellar. This is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Polished tannins. Pair with a juicy steak or hamburgers. / Chateau Mamin Graves Rouge food pairings: roast duck, roast beef. Drink: 2015 - 2019 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

2 Estacas Reserva Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: A pleasant, full-bodied, smooth Argentine red wine with attractive aromas of black fleshy plums. Just enough oak to give this a pleasant smoky character. The Malbec vines for this wine are planted at 1200 metres above sea level in the Andes. Perfect for grilled meats. Drink: 2015 - 2018 0411264 14.6% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Alchimia De Los Andes Reserve Malbec 2013, Mendoza, Argentina: This full-bodied Argentine red wine made from Malbec grapes is produced by the South Connection. Pleasant notes of black fruit and some oak. Pair with grilled hamburgers. Malbec food pairings: barbecued meats, pasta with spicy sauces, pies and sausages. Drink: 2015 - 2018 14% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 86/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Alchimia De Los Andes Alchimia de los Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Mendoza, Argentina: A rustic, full-bodied Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon with chary black fruit and some toasty oak on the nose and palate. Decant for 1 hour and pair with a rare steak. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: beef dishes, stews and hard cheeses. Drink: 2015 - 2018 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Alchimia De Los Andes Reserve Cabernet Franc 2013, Mendoza, Argentina: A juicy, mouth-watering Argentine red wine made from Cabernet Franc grapes. I didn't realize that Argentina made this wine, let alone how good it can be. Aromas and flavours of fleshy black plums and berries. Pair with grilled meats. Cabernet Franc food pairings: barbecued meats and hard cheeses. Drink: 2015 - 2019 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Casa-Dea Estates Winery Reserve Cabernet Franc 2010, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A ruby-rich, pleasantly tart Prince Edward Count red wine. This is classic cool climate Cabernet Franc with aromas of cranberry and tart cherry. Smoth and mouth-watering. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2013 - 2017 381327 13% XD 750 mL $24.75 Score: 88/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sartori Valdimezzo Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2013, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: A robust, juicy, mouth-watering Italian red wine with terrific concentration of dark fruit flavour. Perfect for pasta in a tangy tomato sauce. Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore food pairings: pizza topped with steak strips and garlic, spicy sausage , prime rib roast, hearty winter stew. Drink: 2015 - 2018 160374 13.5% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. July 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Lardiley Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Bordeaux, France: A pretty French rosé that's a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Notes of watermelon and rosewater. Mouth-watering and juicy. Pair with fresh seafood. Drink: 2015 - 2016 12% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lardiley Presitge Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014, Bordeaux, France: Produced by Vincent Lataste, vigneron, this French rosé from Bordeaux is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes from the Saint Pierre de Bat vineyard. It's light and breezy with aromas and flavours of watermelon. Pair with shellfish. Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot food pairings: fresh seafood, vegetable pies. Drink: 2015 - 2016 12% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Lardiley Prestige Sauvignon Gris 2014, Bordeaux, France: An expressive Bordeaux white wine made from Sauvignon grapes. Lots of lemon zest on the nose and palate, along with a vibrant acidity. Perfect for fresh seafood and shellfish. Sauvignon Gris food pairings: grilled fish and fresh salads, light pies. Drink: 2015 - 2017 12% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Excelsior Estate Ashton Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Robertson, South Africa: A racy, vibrant South African Sauvignon Blanc with lots of acidity and lemon zest. Medium-bodied and refreshing.The De Wet family has been making wine since 1697. The vines for this wine are planted in the calcareous soils of the Robertson region. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: delicate fish and seafood dishes. Drink: 2015 - 2017 0382085 13.5% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. July 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


© 2024 Natalie MacLean