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Wine Picks November 11, 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.

Dessert Wine

Reif Estate Winery Vidal Icewine 2011, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Vidal Icewine food pairings: fruit fondue, blue cheeses, baked pears, cheesecake. Drink: 2012 - 2026 779320000846 11% S 375 mL $40.00 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Buried Hope Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, North Coast, California, United States: A full-bodied fairly smooth Californian Cabernet. Aromas of dark fruit and toasty oak. Pair with rare steak. Drink: 2015 - 2019 356113 14.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Montecillo Crianza Tempranillo 2010, Rioja, Spain Crianza Tempranillo food pairings: meaty pasta, lamburgers, pizza. Drink: 2014 - 2017 144493 13.5% D 750 mL $16.00 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Graffigna Centenario Reserve Malbec 2018, San Juan, Argentina Malbec food pairings: lamb, grilled beef, spicy foods, poultry. Drink: 2020 - 2026 230474 14% D 750 mL $13.95 November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Estate Syrah 2011, Gimlet Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand Drink: 2016 - 2023 13% D 750 mL $129.00 November 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Estate Cellar Selection Syrah 2014, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand Drink: 2016 - 2020 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 November 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand: Sweet chocolate and mocha on the nose and palate from generous oak aging on this New Zealand Pinot Noir. Sweet cherry flavours on the palate. Medium-bodied and smooth. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2015 - 2019 54353 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

7 Deadly Old Vine Zinfandel 2014, Lodi, California, United States: Juicy, full-bodied and smoky with aromas of fleshy ripe blackberry and black plum. Smooth and supple. Perfect for grilled meats. Zinfandel food pairings: spaghetti Bolognaise, aged cheddar, grilled lamb loin, grilled duck breast, Italian sausage burgers. Drink: 2013 - 2017 59311 15% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. November 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jacob's Creek Shiraz 2015, South Eastern Australia, Australia: Sweet cherries and raspberry jam on the nose and palate of this smooth, full-bodied Australian Shiraz. Lots of plum preserves on the finish. Pair with grilled hamburgers. Drink: 2015 - 2019 548644 13.9% D 750 mL $12.45 Score: 87/100. November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, South Australia, Australia: A sweet fruited, toasty Australian red wine blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Full-bodied and smooth. Pair with hamburgers. Drink: 2014 - 2019 106377 13.9% D 750 mL $12.45 Score: 87/100. November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Graffigna Centenario Reserve Malbec 2014, San Juan, Argentina: Dark, deep and delicious with layers of fleshy black plums and smoke. Perfect for BBQs and potluck gatherings. Malbec food pairings: lamb, grilled beef, spicy foods, poultry. Drink: 2014 - 2018 230474 14% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 88/100. November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Graffigna Centenario Reserve Shiraz 2014, San Juan, Argentina: Full-bodied and smooth with aromas of ripe black plum and cassis. Attractive, balanced and well-priced. Pair with a rare steak. Shiraz food pairings: peppered red meats, grilled vegetables, pizza, beef stews. Drink: 2014 - 2018 164731 14% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 88/100. November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet 2013, California, United States: Lots of sweet berries and chocolate on the nose and palate of this lavishly oaked Californian red wine. Pair with Mexican mole. Drink: 2013 - 2017 260851 13.5% MD 750 mL $15.45 Score: 86/100. November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Big House Winery Cardinal Zin Zinfandel 2014, California, United States: A terrific wine for the money! Campfire smoke and toasty goodness on the nose wraps around fleshy black plums and berries on the palate. Smooth, supple and full-bodied. Perfect for barbecued meats. Zinfandel food pairings: hamburgers, prime rib. Drink: 2014 - 2019 272401 13.5% XD 750 mL $18.00 Score: 88/100. November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ravenswood Big River Single Vineyard Zinfandel 2012, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: Gorgeous and decadent with aromas of blackberry and spice on the nose and palate. Lovely violets and mystery on the finish. Full-bodied, juicy and supple. Very concentrated and rich. Drink with grilled meats. Drink: 2014 - 2022 327205 14% D 750 mL $46.00 Score: 93/100. November 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2014, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A more serious and concentrated Pinot Noir than the Private Bin, this Cellar Selection offers a lot of pleasure. Aromas of dark cherry, plum and spice and dried herbs. The winemaker uses about 10-20% new French oak on this wine so as not to overpower the fruit. Grannier tannin profile, yet perfumed and easy-drinking. Pair it with wild boar. Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled steak. Drink: 2014 - 2020 285361 14% D 750 mL $32.95 Score: 91/100. November 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Estate Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: A savoury, meaty red wine blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from New Zealand. Some tannic grip here will smooth out with a few more years in the cellar and then decant 1 hour when you open it. Enjoy with hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2016 - 2022 12.5% XD 750 mL $36.95 Score: 91/100. November 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Col Solare 2012, Red Mountain, Washington, United States Food pairings: rack of lamb, beef tenderloin, steak and kidney pie. Drink: 2017 - 2031 20487 14.7% XD 750 mL $89.95 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Col Solare 2009, Red Mountain, Washington, United States Food pairings: rack of lamb, beef tenderloin, steak and kidney pie. Drink: 2016 - 2028 20487 14.7% XD 750 mL $89.95 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Col Solare 2008, Red Mountain, Washington, United States Food pairings: rack of lamb, beef tenderloin, steak and kidney pie. Drink: 2016 - 2029 20487 14.7% XD 750 mL $89.95 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet 2014, California, United States Drink: 2013 - 2017 260851 13.5% MD 750 mL $15.45 November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Buried Hope Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, North Coast, California, United States Drink: 2015 - 2019 356113 14.5% D 750 mL $19.95 November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, South Australia, Australia Drink: 2014 - 2019 106377 13.9% D 750 mL $12.45 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jacob's Creek Shiraz 2017, South Eastern Australia, Australia Drink: 2015 - 2019 548644 13.9% D 750 mL $12.45 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet 2011, California, United States Drink: 2013 - 2017 260851 13.5% MD 750 mL $15.45 November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, South Australia, Australia Drink: 2014 - 2019 106377 13.9% D 750 mL $12.45 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet 2015, California, United States Drink: 2013 - 2017 260851 13.5% MD 750 mL $15.45 November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2015, Marlborough, New Zealand Drink: 2015 - 2019 54353 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jacob's Creek Shiraz 2014, South Eastern Australia, Australia Drink: 2015 - 2019 548644 13.9% D 750 mL $12.45 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Graffigna Centenario Reserve Malbec 2016, San Juan, Argentina Malbec food pairings: lamb, grilled beef, spicy foods, poultry. Drink: 2014 - 2018 230474 14% D 750 mL $12.95 November 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Rosé 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Rosé food pairings: lox and capers, grilled salmon steak, fresh fruit, veggies, pasta primavera. Drink: 2015 - 2017 275842 13% D 750 mL $15.99 November 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Huff Estates Winery Pinot Gris 2015, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A solid Prince Edward County Pinot Gris with aromas of white peach, grapefruit and fresh lime zest. Mouth-watering acidity for seafood and shellfish. Drink: 2015 - 2017 134221 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. November 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria East Coast Pinot Gris 2016, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: New Zealand's climate is similar to that of Alsace in France, so it's not surprising that this Pinot Gris has Alsatian leanings in its steely dryness and focus. This is an off-dry style yet vibrant acidity keeps it refreshing and food-friendly. Aromas of white pear and golden apple. Rich, mouth-filling texture. Pair with poultry and creamy cheeses. Drink: 2016 - 2019 925577 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. November 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Gris 2016, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand Pinot Gris food pairings: steamed prawn in garlic and lemon sauce, king crab in lemon butter, steamed mussels. Drink: 2016 - 2019 447490 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 November 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Estate Cellar Selection Albarino 2016, Gisborne, New Zealand Drink: 2015 - 2018 13% D 750 mL $18.00 November 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Estate Single Vineyard 2016, Southern Clays, Marlborough, New Zealand Drink: 2016 - 2019 13% D 750 mL $35.00 November 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Estate Cellar Selection Albarino 2015, Gisborne, New Zealand Drink: 2015 - 2018 13% D 750 mL $18.00 November 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Selection Pinot Gris 2017, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand Pinot Gris food pairings: steamed prawn in garlic and lemon sauce, king crab in lemon butter, steamed mussels. Drink: 2016 - 2019 447490 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 November 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Huff Estates Winery Pinot Gris 2016, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2015 - 2017 134221 13% D 750 mL $19.95 November 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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