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Wine Picks March 5, 2016

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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.

Argentina

Escorihuela Gascón 1884 Reservado Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina Drink: 2013 - 2015 770925 14% D 750 mL $17.00 March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Australia

Bundeena Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Australia: Crisp, clean and fresh with notes of lime, grapefruit and green apple. Pair with vegetarian dishes. Drink: 2014 - 2017 400291 13% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bundeena Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Australia, Australia Drink: 2014 - 2017 400291 13% XD 750 mL $13.95 March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Canada

Haywire Winery The Bub Sparkling Rosé 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2018 - 2021 12.6% D 750 mL $30.00 March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

20 Bees Vidal Icewine 2014, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada 149757 12% S 375 mL $30.00 March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

PondView Estate Winery Bella Terra Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2012, Four Mile Creek, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2013 - 2016 347922 14.1% XD 750 mL $24.00 March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Coyote's Run Estate Winery Black Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: If the Rare Vintage Pinot Noir is the lead violinist, even ethereal viola, the Black Paw is the richer, deeper cello for 2013. Fleshy ripe black cherry, yet balanced again with that racy acidity. Deft craftsmanship. Pair with duck comfit. Pinot Noir food pairings: lamb, roast duck, lighter cuts of beef, creamy cheeses (Brie, Camembert), Niagara Gold or Lancaster cheese. Drink: 2017 - 2022 116582 12.5% D 750 mL $32.95 Score: 90/100. March 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Coyote's Run Estate Winery Rare Vintage Pinot Noir 2013, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: An ethereal, complex Niagara Pinot Noir with a tight-rope balance between nervy acidity and quivering fleshy cherry notes. Layers of sensual pleasure, yet not heavy. A great wine from a great vintage and a great producer. Pair with quail and sensuality. Pinot Noir food pairings: lamb, roast duck, lighter cuts of beef, creamy cheeses such as Brie or Camembert. Drink: 2017 - 2025 14% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 92/100. March 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Maverick Estate Winery Syrah 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A full-bodied, smooth BC red wine with attractive aromas of fleshy black plum and smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Syrah food pairings: grilled pork chops. Drink: 2015 - 2018 13.8% D 750 mL $19.00 Score: 88/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Maverick Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Tart cherry and racy acidity with a crisp, fresh finish. Pair with seared tuna. Pinot Noir food pairings: planked salmon. Drink: 2015 - 2018 13.8% D 750 mL $19.00 Score: 88/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chile

Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Devil's Collection 2014, Rapel Valley, Chile: A smooth, medium-bodied Chilean red wine with aromas of dried fruit and a chalky dry texture and taste. Some mocha on cocoa on the finish. This wine was aged in French and American oak barrels for 10 months. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2016 - 2018 436956 14% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. March 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

France

Louis Latour Bourgogne Gamay 2013, Burgundy, France: Juicy, acidic, and medium-bodied with aromas of tart berries. Supple, smooth and velvety in texture. This French red wine is 85% Gamay grapes sourced from top Beaujolais Crus vineyards. There's also 15% Pinot Noir grapes from Burgundy. It's an acquired taste when you're tried of fruity wines from the New World. This wine bites back and needs food. Drink: 2013 - 2018 361014 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 87/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Cantenac 2011, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux A.C., France: The 2011 was a tough one and you can taste that in the higher acidity of this wine and slightly less ripening of the grapes compared to the terrific 2010 and 2012 vintages. Nonetheless, it's a well-structured wine with classic aromas of black currant and cassis. It's a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Pair with steak. Drink: 2015 - 2018 24430 14% XD 750 mL $35.95 Score: 89/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Italy

Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente Vii Chianti Classico 2011, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Dark berry and smoke on the nose of this full-bodied Italian Chianti. Wild cedar underbrush notes, not fruit forward. Pair with a rare steak. Chianti Classico food pairings: breaded veal cutlets, cobb salad, roast beef, cheesy pizza. Drink: 2014 - 2018 421388 14% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 87/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Toscolo Chianti Classico 2013, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Lots of smoke, cigar, toasty oak and warm acidity on this robust Tuscan red wine. Aromas of black cherry and chary tobacco. Pair with smoked meats. Chianti Classico food pairings: stuffed roasted turkey, steak topped pizza, pasta in tomato sauce, breaded veal cutlets. Drink: 2014 - 2018 19521 12.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Carpineto Riserva Chianti Classico 2010, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Gorgeous balance and richness in this signature Chianti Classico. Aromas of sun-dried tomato, dark, tart cherry and earth. Try it with meat dishes involving tomato sauce. Chianti Classico food pairings: pasta in tomato sauce, breaded veal cutlets, stuffed roasted turkey. Drink: 2013 - 2018 47118 13.7% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 92/100. March 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Frescobaldi Castiglioni 2021, Tuscany Docg, Italy Drink: 2015 - 2020 545319 14% XD 750 mL $14.90 March 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castiglioni Sangiovese 2015, Tuscany Docg, Italy Drink: 2015 - 2020 545319 14% XD 750 mL $14.90 March 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rocca Delle Macìe Chianti Riserva 2011, Tuscany Docg, Italy: Chianti with dark cherry fruit, some toasty oak that's nicely balanced. Tannic grip will smooth out with 1 hour decanting. Pair with a pepper steak. Food pairings: pan fried pepper steak. Drink: 2013 - 2017 111641 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. March 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gabbiano Solatio 2012, Tuscany, Italy: A full-bodied, smooth and generous Tuscan red wine with aromas of dark fruit, smoke and toasty oak. Great price for this quality. Pair with hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2015 - 2020 577377 13% MD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. March 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Castello di Gabbiano Promessa Pinot Grigio 2014, Italy: A fresh, crisp, clean Italian Pinot Grigio with lime zest and lemon notes on the nose, palate and finish. Racy acidity makes this ideal as a chilled aperitif or companion to fresh seafood, salads and shellfish. Drink: 2014 - 2017 77990 12.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. March 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castiglioni 2014, Tuscany Docg, Italy: Smooth and luscious with fleshy ripe dark berries and smoke. Pair with spicy Italian sausages. Drink: 2015 - 2020 545319 14% XD 750 mL $14.90 Score: 89/100. March 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peppoli Antinori Chianti Classico 2013, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Dark fruit and lots of spice on the nose of this full-bodied Italian red wine from the heart of the Chianti region in Tuscany. Some wild blackberry on the finish. Drink: 2015 - 2019 606541 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Castello Di Gabbiano Solatio 2011, Tuscany, Italy Drink: 2015 - 2020 577377 13% MD 750 mL $16.95 March 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Castello di Gabbiano Promessa Pinot Grigio 2006, Venezie, Italy Drink: 2014 - 2017 77990 12.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 March 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Castello di Gabbiano Promessa Pinot Grigio 2008, Venezie, Italy Drink: 2014 - 2017 77990 12.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 March 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Moldova

Purcari Negru de Purcari 2010, Moldova Drink: 2016 - 2018 790659 14% D 750 mL $45.00 March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

New Zealand

Kono Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A zesty, fresh New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with classic aromas of freshly cut grass, chives and gooseberry. Pair with vegetarian dishes. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: pan-fried freshwater fish, grilled prawns, choucroute garnie, garden salad. Drink: 2014 - 2017 441394 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Portugal

Blog Tiago Cabaço 2014, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal: Crisp and clean with mouth-watering acidity for seafood and salads. Notes of lime and grapefruit. Drink: 2014 - 2017 429316 13% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

South Africa

Excelsior Estate Chardonnay 2015, South Africa: This lightly wooded South African Chardonnay is a pleasant quaffer at a nice price. Aromas of green apple and a whiff of smoke. Pair with roast chicken. Chardonnay food pairings: poultry in a cream sauce and mild Indian dishes and curries. Drink: 2015 - 2018 339911 14% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Spain

Vina Ijalba Reserva 2011, Rioja, Spain Drink: 2016 - 2021 13.5% XD 750 mL $22.00 March 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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