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Vintages Release October 3, 2015

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Argentina

Alamos Syrah 2013, Mendoza, Argentina: Full-bodied Argentine red wine with dark fruit and some dark spice. Smooth. This producer often creates very robust and spicy malbecs: this is the entry level wine for a range of wines from Catena that offers good value at different price points. This red wine finishes with dark fruit and some spice. Try it with a pepper steak tonight. Syrah food pairings: pepper steaks, grilled burgers, game, BBQ sauced spareribs. Drink: 2015 - 2017 183848 13.5% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Altos Las Hormigas Terroir Malbec 2012, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: A full-bodied, rustic Argentine red wine with a firm tannic grip on the palate. Blackened fruit, almost roasted, with chary black toasty oak. Pair with a rare steak. Malbec food pairings: spicy sausage, meatloaf, lamb burgers, grilled steaks. Drink: 2014 - 2018 366005 14.5% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Australia

Wits End Luna Shiraz 2013, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Sweet chocolate notes on the nose and palate from oak aging. Full-bodied, smooth and deep with black fruit and some smoke on the nose of this Australian Shiraz. Anise and blackberry on the palate with a savoury note. Luna Shiraz is very aromatic and plush. This robust Australian red wine also has a splash of Barbera grapes in the blend to add more savoury notes to the wine. Pair with grilled meats. Shiraz food pairings: grilled meats, cheesy pizza. Drink: 2015 - 2019 311258 15% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Canada

Tawse Winery Inc. Sketches Cabernet Merlot 2011, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A full-bodied red with pleasant mocha and dark fruit notes. Pair with hearty meat dishes. Cabernet Merlot food pairings: grilled steaks with mushrooms. Drink: 2013 - 2015 130252 13% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosewood Barrel Aged Mead Royale Honey Wine 2013, Ontario, Canada: A little medicinal on the nose but pleasant. Honey notes of course with some Band-Aid fennel on the finish. Mead Royale Honey Wine food pairings: fresh fruit and cheese, lightly sweet honey cake. 437319 17% M 500 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Angels Gate Winery Mountainview Chardonnay 2010, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A full-bodied Niagara Chardonnay with butterscotch and toffee notes from oak aging. Some golden apple on the palate. Pair with roasted chicken. Chardonnay food pairings: pan seared scallops, grilled seafood, stuffed chicken roasted, beef bourguignon. Drink: 2014 - 2017 116384 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chile

Santa Alicia Gran Reserva De Los Andes Chardonnay 2013, Maipo Valley, Chile: A luscious, full-bodied Chilean white wine made from classic Chardonnay grapes. Perfect for roasted chicken or turkey. Chardonnay food pairings: pasta with tomato sauce, pork tenderloin, beef bourguignon, grilled seafood. Drink: 2014 - 2018 406991 13.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Petit Verdot 2012, Rapel Valley, Chile: An attractive red wine made from an obscure red grape that's often part of Bordeaux blends to add colour and heft. Aromas of dark fruit and a savoury mid-palate note. A good grip on the palate, so decant 1 hour. You can't beat the price for the quality. Curious about Petit Verdot as a grape and wine? No better way to understand it than to try it as a stand-alone wine like this one rather than in a blend. Try it with meat lasagna. Petit Verdot food pairings: pizza. Drink: 2013 - 2017 7484 14.5% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Arboleda Eduardo Chadwick Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: A full-bodied Chilean red wine made from the classic grape Cabernet Sauvignon in the Aconcagua Valley. This wine offers enticing aromas of blackcurrant cassis along with toasty oak. There's a grip on the palate, so decant one hour and enjoy with a rare steak. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: beef enchiladas, barbecued ribs in sauce, hamburger, hard cheese, braised pork shanks with white beans. Drink: 2015 - 2018 208859 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tabalí Reserva Syrah 2012, Limari Valley, Chile: Plummy and rich with layers of dark berry flavour. Velvet smooth with a satisfying grip on the finish. This full-bodied wine would be ideal for movie night (especially film noir) or a casual potluck dinner. Syrah food pairings: rich game dishes, roast beef, hard cheese, pizza, grilled or spice-rubbed chicken. Drink: 2015 - 2017 662692 14.5% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

France

Perrin & Fils Nature Côtes du Rhône 2013, Côtes Du Rhône, Rhône A.C., France: Gorgeous black pepper, cedar brush and wild black cherry on the nose of this terrific southern French red wine. Perrin is one of the most respected producers in the Rhone Valley, and this is all the more impressive given this wine is organic. Amazingly great price for this quality. Pair with free range beef. Drink: 2014 - 2019 948059 13.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gérard Bertrand Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 2011, Corbières, France: The robust red wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes with no Carignan, so it is a dried style than Gerard Bertrand's Minervois red wine blend. This one is layered and luscious with deep, rich, dark fruit flavours and a satisfying full-bodied weight. Drink: 2014 - 2019 394288 13.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Charles Duret Brut Crémant De Bourgogne, Burgundy A.C., France: Toasty and delicious with a mouth-filling mousse that's superbly refreshing on the finish. Pair with fish and chips or fried chicken. Crémant De Bourgogne food pairings: lamb cutlets, hamburgers, espresso and cocoa-rubbed flank steak, black bean soup, pizza. Drink: 2015 - 2018 185694 12% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Best Value Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Guiraud 2011, Sauternes, Bordeaux A.C., France: This gorgeous French dessert wine raises the category to a new apogee of flavour sensation. It rolls over your senses like fresh apricots bathed in marmalade jam then spread over your senses. Like any army of angles caressing your tongue. Pair with angel food cake. Food pairings: apple crisp, black forest cake, chocolate pudding, lemon pie. Drink: 2014 - 2022 298943 13.5% S 375 mL $39.85 Score: 98/100. October 2015. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Pierre Sparr Lieu Dit Altenbourg Riesling 2013, Alsace A.C., France: Beautiful lemon sharp intensity on the nose and palate of this superbly well-made Alsatian Riesling. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering with racy acidity perfect for seafood and fresh shellfish. Lots of minerality, intensity and balance. Well-priced. Riesling food pairings: feta cheese, grilled salmon with lemon sauce, duck liver pate, butternut squash risotto. Drink: 2014 - 2019 906016 12% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Le Caillou 2009, Pomerol, Bordeaux A.C., France: This Bordeaux Meritage offers black pepper and smoke on the nose followed by jubilantly juicy blackberries and black cherry. Pair this full-bodied Bordeaux red wine with a juicy steak. Food pairings: veal tenderloin, meat topped pizza, cheese fondue, seafood risotto, roast pork tenderloin. Drink: 2015 - 2018 45682 13.5% D 750 mL $55.75 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Gassier Sables d'Azur Rosé 2017, Côtes De Provence, Provence A.P., France: Lovely balance in this light-bodied rose that's packed with fresh field strawberry aromas. Bone-dry and refreshing. Rosé food pairings: soft cheese, grilled salmon steak, fresh fruit, veggies. Drink: 2019 - 2021 33621 13% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Top Rated Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Lagrange 2011, Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux A.C., France: This Bordeaux offers black fruit, rust and toasty oak on the nose. On the palate it has a strong grip from big tannins. This will need some years to smooth out, but even then you should decant 2 hours when you open it and pair with a juicy rare steak with lots of protein to tame the tannin. Drink: 2017 - 2020 230391 13% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vieux Château Gachet 2000, Lalande-De-Pomerol, Bordeaux A.C., France: Mature aromas of tanned leather, cigar box, dried herbs and prunes. Very attractive Bordeaux from a spectacular vintage. Ready to enjoy now, though it may last a few more years in the cellar. Well-priced. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2012 - 2017 191023 13% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Nicolas Potel Montagny 2010, Burgundy A.C., France: A racy, vibrant Burgundian Chardonnay with lots of nervy acidity for seafood or pasta in cream sauce. Just a touch of oak aging evident with a smoky nuance. Green apple and lime on the palate with a long finish. Food pairings: grilled fresh water fish, barbecued chicken. Drink: 2014 - 2019 127431 13% XD 750 mL $28.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Séguinot-Bordet Chablis 2014, Burgundy A.C., France: Lemon sunshine on the nose and palate of this vibrant northern Burgundian white wine made from Chardonnay grapes. Crisp and clean with no oak aging. Pair with fresh seafood. Drink: 2014 - 2019 289371 12.5% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Saint-Roch Chimères Domaine Lafage 2013, Côtes Du Roussillon-Villages, Midi A.P., France: Love the incredible range of styles that the Rhone region produces, like this intriguing red wine blend. Full-bodied and deeply savoury. Wow, so different: love it! Violets, black plum, deep dive black raspberry into a heart of welling darkness and satisfaction. Platonic ideal of concentration and depth with a long, sensuous finish that leaves you bathed in flavour satisfaction. Pair with hearty meat dishes and deep conversations. Produced by Domaine Lafage, this robust Rhone red wine from 2013 vintage of this Cotes du Roussillon Chimeres is a blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah grapes, with a splash of Carignan. The wine undergoes an extended cold-soak that's not in stainless steel tanks, then fermentation in 500 litre barrels. The vineyards are located close to the village of Maury in the Rhone Valley. Food pairings: hearty meat dishes, hamburger. Drink: 2015 - 2019 119354 15% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Germany

Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier Dom Riesling 2013, Mosel Qualitätswein Q.B.A., Germany: Wow this wine combines racy acidity with natural fruit sweetness in perfect balance. Lime blossom, honeydew and lemongrass. Very exciting and food friendly. The bracing acidity means that this wine doesn't really taste as sweet as it is technically in the medium sweet category. It's more off dry perceptually and therefore will pair well with less sweet desserts such as biscotti and a fruit cobbler. Riesling food pairings: fruit-based desserts, pastries, chocolate mousse, honey cake. Drink: 2014 - 2019 359596 9.5% MS 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Best Value Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Greece

Cavino Grande Reserve 2007, Nemea P.D.O., Greece: Attractive tart cherry, dry earth and dried herbs on the nose and palate of this balanced, full-bodied and supple wine. Decant 1 hour. Very nice. Food pairings: lamb stew, barbecued beef. Drink: 2013 - 2017 295618 13.5% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Italy

Cusumano Noà 2012, Sicily D.O.C., Italy: A very robust Italian red wine with black fruit and toasty oak. You can taste the warm climate in the glass here. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2014 - 2018 109512 15% XD 750 mL $33.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci Chianti Riserva 2011, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: A full-bodied Italian red wine with lots of mouth-watering acidity and black fruit flavours with toasty oak. Finishes with vanilla smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2015 - 2018 19698 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Donnachiara Montefalcione Fiano Di Avellino 2013, Campania D.O.C.G., Italy: Crisp and clean with notes of lemon, lemongrass and lots of acidity. Pair with seafood. Drink: 2014 - 2018 372482 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tommasi Poggio Al Tufo Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Maremma, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: Full-bodied with dried herbs and good balancing mouth-watering acidity for food. Aromas of anise and blackcurrant. Supple. Decant 1 hour and serve with hearty meat dishes or pasta in a tangy meat sauce. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for this wine are grown in the winery estate's Poggio al Tufo vineyard in Pitigliano in the heart of the Maremma Tuscany region. The wine is matured for 1 year in Slovenian oak barrels. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled New York strip loin, hamburger, hard cheese, barbecued pork spareribs, grilled lamb chops. Drink: 2015 - 2018 203927 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Duca Catemario Collezione Privata Pinot Grigio 2014, Collio, Friuli D.O.C., Italy: Clean and crisp Italian white wine made from Pinot Grigio grapes. Aromas of lemon and lime. Pair with shellfish and salads. Pinot Grigio food pairings: pasta with cream sauce, grilled chicken breast, summer salads, pork burgers. Drink: 2014 - 2017 120782 12.5% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Annaberta Amarone Della Valpolicella 2012, Veneto D.O.C.G., Italy: This iconic Italian red wine is loaded with toasty oak and black fruit flavours and smoke: a full-bodied blockbuster red. Decant 2 hours. Drink it with prime rib and discussions about world domination or try it with brontosaurus burgers. Amarone Della Valpolicella food pairings: prime rib, hamburger. Drink: 2015 - 2023 338921 15% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 92/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tommasi Graticcio Appassionato 2012, Veneto, Italy: Fleshy ripe sweet black cherries on the nose and palate of this full-bodied, smooth Italian red wine. Pair with lasagna or sausage. Drink: 2015 - 2019 338939 13% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Fonterutoli Marchesi Mazzei Chianti Classico 2012, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Full-bodied and juicy Chianti Classico with rich aromas and flavours of black cherry, blackberry, smoke and just enough oak. Nicely balanced with a satisfying finish. Supple and smooth, and finishing nicely with oak spice and black fruits. The Mazzei family has been producing wine since 1435. Chianti Classico food pairings: beef, hard Italian cheese. Drink: 2015 - 2018 142389 13.5% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tommasi Classico Amarone Della Valpolicella 2011, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: Black cherry, fruitcake, dark spices and brooding mystery on the nose. Full-bodied and velvet smooth. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Mouth-filling with some dark plum on a long finish. Classic Amarone. Pair with grilled meats. Amarone Della Valpolicella food pairings: meaty stews, roasts, blue cheese, hamburger, osso buco. Drink: 2015 - 2020 980128 15% D 375 mL $25.95 Score: 95/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

New Zealand

Spy Valley Wine Pinot Noir 2012, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Lots of oak and mocha on the nose of this medium-bodied New Zealand red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. Sweet cherries on the palate with some cinnamon spice. Pinot Noir food pairings: pork tenderloin, mushroom and truffle dishes, tourtière, goat cheese. Drink: 2014 - 2017 242205 13.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Seresin Chardonnay 2012, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A lovely toasted almond aroma on the nose of this New Zealand Chardonnay mingles with green apple vibrancy. Full-bodied, mouth-watering and food-friendly. Terrific dry peach notes on the finish. Pair with mild curries and spices. Chardonnay food pairings: grilled fish, spinach and pepper jack stuffed chicken, beef bourguignon, pasta with tomato sauce, Asian dishes with black bean sauces. Drink: 2015 - 2018 19190 13.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Gooseberry goodness on the nose of this zesty New Zealand wine made from the country's iconic white grape Sauvignon Blanc. This is a gusher of mouth-watering acidity on the palate: perfect for fresh seafood. Herbal and bright. Medium-bodied. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: chicken and sage skewers, fresh tomato and basil salad, Thai green curry fish, fresh oysters on the half shell, seafood salad. Drink: 2015 - 2017 224428 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. October 2015. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Portugal

Portal Red Tinto 2012, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: Full-bodied and pleasant with blackened fruit and smoky aromas on the nose of this Portuguese red wine. Tannic but will smooth out with 2 hours decanting. Pair with grilled meats. Tinto food pairings: herbed steaks, portobello mushroom, lamb chops, smoked cheese, pan-seared venison. Drink: 2015 - 2017 190769 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Herdade do Sobroso Sobro Red 2013, Alentejo, Portugal: Full-bodied red wine from one of Portugal's premium dry red-wine producing regions (it's not all about port!). This number has a firm tannic grip on the palate and big black fruit. Rustic and tasty. Finishes with cedar, spice and black plum. Needs meat! Decant 2 hours. Try it with hamburgers. Food pairings: pork tenderloin, hamburger. Drink: 2015 - 2017 306563 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

South Africa

The Bean Coffee Pinotage 2014, Western Cape, Stellenbosch W.O., South Africa: Totally coffee-espresso on the nose and palate of this pinotage, and unapologetically so. Weirdly wonderful: end your day with the alcoholic version of your morning coffee. Full-bodied and smooth red wine with some black fruit flavours as well. The coffee-style pinotage has become popular among South African winemakers. Produced by Mooiplaas Wines, this red wine is robust, rugged and full of character. Try it with gourmet hamburgers or meat lovers' pizza. Pinotage food pairings: coffee-rubbed beef, grilled peppercorn steak, meat topped pizza, quail, gourmet hamburgers. Drink: 2015 - 2017 251165 14.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

United States

Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States: A full-bodied red wine with aromas of cassis and black currant. Good acidity on the palate for tangy sauces. Pair with chili con carne. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled New York strip loin, hard cheese, braised pork shanks, veal chops. Drink: 2014 - 2018 150432 14.5% XD 750 mL $89.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Adaptation Odette Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States: A full-bodied, smooth, supple Californian red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Aromas of fleshy ripe blackberry. Great balance, elegance and depth. Pair with prime rib. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: Margherita pizza, hamburger, pepper steaks, smoky ribs, mushroom burgers. Drink: 2015 - 2019 353102 15.2% D 750 mL $61.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs Chardonnay 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: Complex and satisfying with full-bodied golden weight and a velvet texture. Generous oak yet it's integrated beautifully with the green apple and peach aromas. A chardonnay lover's chardonnay. Complex with a long finish. Chardonnay food pairings: lobster in butter sauce, beef bourguignon, breads, cheese, poultry. Drink: 2015 - 2020 119073 14.1% D 750 mL $77.25 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Acrobat King Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2013, Oregon, United States: Tart red cherry and field strawberry with some herbal notes on the finish. Medium-bodied and silky smooth. Pair with seared tuna. Pinot Noir food pairings: veal scaloppini, grilled pork chops, lamb kabobs, venison burgers. Drink: 2014 - 2018 421149 13.5% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 89/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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