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Wine Picks May 15, 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.

Red Wine

Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Fowles Wine Shiraz 2012, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia: Chary burnt fruit in this big Aussie red. The 2012 vintage doesn't perform as well as past vintages. Hope that's not a trend. Try it with wild game that you don't necessarily have to shoot yourself. Shiraz food pairings: pork, game, lamb. Drink: 2013 - 2018 243592 14% XD 750 mL $35.95 Score: 88/100. May 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Tournon Shay's Flat Vineyard M. Chapoutier Shiraz 2012, Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia: This spectacular Australian red wine features pepper, dark spice and black fruit on the nose. Gorgeous concentration here! Black and dark red fruit mingle with the pepper, dark spices and brooding mystery. What an incredible wine. It's produced by a classic and respected Rhone Valley winery Chapoutier. This wine combines the concentration and lusciousness of Australian fruit with the finesse, balance and elegance of Rhone Valley reds. Decant for 1-2 hours for maximum pleasure. Pair with roast lamb. Shiraz food pairings: filet mignon, peppery or spicy hearty meat dish, radicchio, lamb cutlets. Drink: 2014 - 2021 311480 14% XD 750 mL $37.95 Score: 94/100. May 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Grant Burge The Holy Trinity Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2011, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months before bottling. It finishes with blackcurrant and pepper. Pair this wine with a juicy steak. Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre food pairings: roasted lamb, game birds. Drink: 2014 - 2020 236257 14.5% XD 750 mL $41.95 Score: 94/100. May 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2013, Clare Valley, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Black fleshy plums on the nose with a pleasant bite of acidity mid-palate for lots of dishes from tangy meat sauces to grilled meats. More black fruit and mouth-filling roundness. A consistently good producer at good prices for the quality. Highly recommended. Shiraz food pairings: juicy, grilled rare sirloin steak, hard cheese like Cheddar or Havarti. Drink: 2015 - 2018 377036 14.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 93/100. May 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

d'Arenberg D'arry's Original Shiraz Grenache 2012, Mclaren Vale, Australia: This red wine is savoury, dark and delicious with chary, toasty oak and black fruit. Full-bodied and smooth with loads of sensory pleasure and made by one of Australia's most respected producers. Pair this wine with a pepper steak. Shiraz Grenache food pairings: gourmet hamburgers. Drink: 2015 - 2017 942904 13.9% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. May 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

d'Arenberg The Custodian Grenache 2012, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Lots of acidity on this juicy Australian red wine blend. Tarry black fruit and spices. Pair with a rare steak. Grenache food pairings: braised beef dishes, turkey, soft cheese, roasted pork. Drink: 2014 - 2018 713040 14.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. May 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Howard Park Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: Black, charred fruit and toasty oak on the nose and palate of this full-throttle Australian red wine. Pair with hearty meat dishes. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: Asian chicken salad, pork tenderloin, hodge-podge, grilled burgers. Drink: 2015 - 2019 410019 14% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 89/100. May 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peter Lehmann Wines Layers Shiraz Tempranillo Mourvèdre Grenache 2013, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Rich, luscious and full-bodied with black plums and berries. Gorgeous concentration and depth. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2014 - 2019 138883 14.5% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. May 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chapel Hill Parson's Nose Shiraz 2013, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Sweet black plums and spice on the nose and palate. A tarry Australian red wine with lots of toasty oak and smoke on the nose and palate. Full-bodied and smooth. Pair with prime rib. Shiraz food pairings: roast leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic, lamb stew, baked lamb tongue with raisin sauce. Drink: 2015 - 2019 339705 14.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. May 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Black Hills Estate Winery Carmenere 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: This is a sensational, blockbuster BC red wine made from Carmenere grapes. Black pepper on the nose and palate gives intrigue to the fleshy wild black plum aromas that emerge underneath. Unbelievably for such robust flavour the alcohol is only 12.9%. It's hard to describe this wine as it's unlike many other Carmenere wines, which usually hail from Chile. All I say is wow! Pair with roast beef. Drink: 2016 - 2023 380063 12.9% D 750 mL Score: 93/100. May 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peter Lehmann Wines Portrait Shiraz 2013, Barossa, Australia: The grapes come from an elevated region of the Barossa Valley and express that cooler vibrancy in the wine. Aromas of dark chocolate and black plum. This is a terrific wine, especially for the price. Pair with gourmet hamburgers. Shiraz food pairings: steak, barbecued quail, roast beef. Drink: 2014 - 2018 572875 14.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. May 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peter Lehmann Wines Futures Shiraz 2013, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: This truly shows the pedigree of the Barossa region. The grapes come from de-classified Stonewell parcels (the flagship wine), so this is a steal at $30. The wine is aged 30% in new French oak barrels for 14-16 months. More than 120 different parcels of grapes go into this wine. It's supple and beautifully nuanced, yet has full-bodied richness. Shiraz food pairings: smoky sausages, meat stews. Drink: 2015 - 2022 301309 14% D 750 mL $27.00 Score: 93/100. May 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peter Lehmann Wines The Mentor Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: A remarkably fragrant Cabernet with vibrant colour and a mind-blowing velvet texture on the palate. There is also small amounts of Merlot, Shiraz and Malbec grapes in the blend. Rich, supple and full-bodied with aromas of dark fruit and smoke. Pair with duck or game meats. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: roast beef, rare steak, grilled meats, game. Drink: 2015 - 2025 481903 14% XD 750 mL $40.00 Score: 94/100. May 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peter Lehmann Wines Eight Songs Shiraz 2012, Barossa Valley, Australia: A supple, rich Barossa Shiraz with a gorgeous profile of fruit flavour and colour. Velvet texture on the palate and finish. This wine was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2015 - 2022 662056 13.5% D 750 mL $40.00 Score: 93/100. May 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Howard Park Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: Black, charred fruit and toasty oak on the nose and palate of this full-throttle Australian red wine. Pair with hearty meat dishes. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled New York strip loin, hamburger, hard cheese, grilled lamb chops, Asian chicken salad. Drink: 2014 - 2017 410019 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. May 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Tournon Mathilda M. Chapoutier Shiraz 2012, Victoria, Australia: Loaded with black pepper, dark spice and intrigue on the nose of this beguiling, full-bodied red wine. This is an incredible price. Dark fruit, pepper and smoke on the finish. Pair with grilled meats and a map of Australia. Shiraz food pairings: lamb cutlets with piperade and goat cheese, hamburgers, pizza, cheese, espresso and cocoa-rubbed flank steak. Drink: 2014 - 2018 327395 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. May 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peter Lehmann Wines Stonewell Shiraz 2010, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: What a towering, blockbuster, benchmark Barossa Shiraz. Wow. Textbook fine tannins, concentrated dark fruit flavours. Notes of graphite and violets on the mid-palate. This could use serious cellar time, if you can restrain yourself to wait. Drink: 2018 - 2030 724625 14.5% XD 750 mL $80.00 Score: 97/100. May 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Clancy's Red Peter Lehmann Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 2014, Barossa, Australia: An incredibly well-priced Australian red wine from the heart of the iconic Barossa Valley. Dark fruit and toasty oak aromas. Perfect for barbecued and grilled meats. Drink: 2015 - 2018 611467 14.5% XD 750 mL $18.00 Score: 90/100. May 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Peter Lehmann Wines Layers White 2015, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia: An aromatic blend of Semillon and Muscat grapes from the cool climate of Adelaide. Fresh and crisp. Pair with fresh seafood. Drink: 2015 - 2018 22983 11% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. May 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peter Lehmann Wines Wigan Riesling 2011, Eden Valley, Australia: The vines for this stunning Australian Riesling are planted in sparse limestone soils, quite the opposite of Barrosa terroir. The result is a tightly wound, racy, exciting Riesling with a nervy edge of acidity for seafood. This wine will live on past your grandchildren. The wine is named in honour of a winemaker who had been at the helm for 34 years. Highly recommended. Drink: 2012 - 2022 303305 11.5% XD 750 mL $25.00 Score: 94/100. May 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

d'Arenberg Wines The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2014, Mclaren Vale, Australia: Winemaker Chester Osborn has a terrific reputation for his shiraz and cabernet wines, but this white blend of Viognier with about one-third Marsanne grapes is terrific! Not a lot of oak, but it combines with the fruit vibrancy to create an intriguingly rich and delicious wine. Aromas of apricot and white flowers with a dash of spice on the finish. Pair with mild curries and spices. Viognier Marsanne food pairings: spicy tuna and salmon sashimi, wild rice cranberry stuffed Cornish hens, veal cutlet with ham and masala. Drink: 2016 - 2018 662775 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

McGuigan Wines Bin 9000 Semillon 2015, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia: Zesty lemon with some candle-like lanolin. Lots of mouth-watering acidity. Pair with seafood i a cream sauce. Semillon food pairings: perch filets in Newburg sauce, pan-fried lemon herb crusted walleye (or pickerel), salmon croquettes. Drink: 2017 - 2020 444554 11% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. May 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chapoutier Tournon Mathilda 2013, Victoria, Australia: Lovely lemon zest and sunshine in this gorgeous southern French white wine blend. Just the right amount of acidity for a wide range of dishes from fresh seafood to spinach quiche. Food pairings: grilled chicken with lemongrass stalk, spicy pasta dishes, planked salmon with lemon sauce, duck liver pate, eggs benedict. Drink: 2013 - 2017 401398 14.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. May 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Summer Shack Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Australia: Juicy lemon lime brightness. Excellent for the price! Refreshing with lots of mouth-watering acidity. Finishes with zesty citrus notes. Drink: 2013 - 2015 358986 12.5% XD 750 mL $11.95 Score: 87/100. May 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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