Australia
Cabernet Merlot Shiraz 2002, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Punters Corner’s talented Peter Bissell was named Winemaker of the Year in 2005 by Gourmet Traveler Wine magazine. This proprietary blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 14% Shiraz was awarded
90 points in the Australian Wine Companion 2006. It has generous, ripe red plum flavors and notes of anise and a finely textured mouthfeel. My note: Lovely wine that's balanced, juicy, and delicious. Cabernet Merlot Shiraz food pairings: prime rib steak, meatballs, beef with stout, hard cheeses, goose. 29314 XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Canada
Late Harvest Vidal 2004, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine was named Best Value Sweet Wine under $30 at Toronto’s Wine and Cheese Show and won a Gold Medal at Ottawa’s Wine and Food Show in 2006. This wine features a gorgeous, complex nose of honey, peach, pear and nutmeg aromas. Deliciously sweet and elegant with layers of fruit flavours, this stunning wine is an Icewine look-a-like and
an incredible value. My note: A gorgeous wine with rich, honeyed aromas. Late Harvest Vidal food pairings: foie gras, pumpkin pie, almonds. 12840 10.5% M 375 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
France
Pinot Noir 2004, Ac, 1Er Cru, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Louis-Fabrice Latour and his winemaker, Jean-Pierre Thomas, created magic from a difficult vintage with their 2004 Santenay La Comme. Louis-Fabrice commented that 2004 is a
“classic vintage that carries with it excellent transparency of terroir and more minerality in evidence than usual”. The wine itself is a pretty, floral/earth Pinot Noir with a lovely balance between these two elements. It offers good complexity and a long finish. My note: A great value for Burgundy. Smooth and supple texture. Medium- to full-bodied. Lovely aromas of red fruit and exotic floral notes. This is a consistently good producer. Pinot Noir food pairings: smoked salmon, cold chicken, pork loin, pasta with carbonara sauce, venison. Drink: 2007 - 2010 24588 XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Minervois 2003, Ac, France: A heart of darkness wine: brooding black fruit, smoky oak and a full-body wallop. Minervois food pairings: hearty meat dishes, rack of lamb, roast beef, juicy steak, wild boar sausage. 17764 14.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Germany
Riesling Kabinett 2005, Qmp, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Estate Btld., Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine’s complex spicy/peach character makes it a perfect match to the flavours of the dish. Add to that Riesling’s natural racy acidity and you have a great palate refresher too. My note: One of the most food-friendly wines on the planet. Lovely floral notes and aromas of ripe pears and citrus fruit. Riesling Kabinett food pairings: light to medium curries, chicken, vegetarian. 970129 7.5% MD 750 mL $26.00 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Italy
Nebbiolo 1999, D.O.C.G., Italy: A stunning wine with alluring aromas of leather, dried fruit and herbs. Perfect for watching a smoky sunset or the last episode of the Sopranos. Nebbiolo food pairings: heart meat dishes, sausage, beef stew. Drink: 2007 - 2012 20404 XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 90/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: This pretty Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and ripe with gorgeous lemon, gooseberry and tropical fruit aromas. It is dry, refreshing and bursting with fruit flavours that are well balanced with a seam of racy acidity. The crispness of this wine is a good match for tomato’s acidity. It also has a nice aromatic intensity to soften the spice of the dish. My note: Herbal and grassy goodness. A refreshing wine to welcome spring. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: salads, seafood, shellfish, vegetarian. 651703 12.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. April 2007. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
South Africa
Shiraz 2004, Wo Stellenbosch, South Africa: Packed with flavor and the aromas of dark ripe fruit. Shiraz is South Africa's best bet for terrific red wines. (Sauvignon blanc is great for whites from this country.) Shiraz food pairings: lamb, steak, prime rib with a cherry and port reduction. 15438 XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. April 2007. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
United States
Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Napa Valley, United States: Wonderful aromas of dark fruit and chocolate. A full-bodied and complex wine that is worth its price. A touch tannic so decant for several hours or better still, cellar to maturity. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: steak, herb crusted lamb, mushrooms. Drink: 2008 - 2012 708842 14.5% XD 750 mL $69.95 Score: 91/100. April 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel Petite Sirah Carignan 2004, Dry Creek Valley, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: This proprietary red is comprised of 79% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, and 3% Carignan. My note: Not as extracted and heavy as in past years. This is the master of zinfandel: his wines are the benchmark. Lovely aromas of dark red fruit and chocolate. Full-bodied and delicious. Zinfandel Petite Sirah Carignan food pairings: beef ribs, grilled asparagus, prime rib. 982413 14.8% D 750 mL $96.00 Score: 91/100. April 2007. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart