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Wine Picks July 7, 2017

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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.

Canada

The Hatch Screaming Frenzy Meritage 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: A ripe, luscious, smooth and full-bodied BC red wine blend of Cabernet and Merlot grapes. Aromas of blackberries and cassis. Pair with a rare steak. Drink: 2014 - 2018 13% D 750 mL Score: 90/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hatch Ross O 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A vibrant BC red wine that reminds me of gamay noir on turbo boosters. Ruby red hue with cherry aromas on the nose and palate. Some smoke on the finish. Perfect for grilled chicken. Food pairings: fish, pasta, sunsets. Drink: 2016 - 2020 398818 14% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. July 2017. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hatch Talking Stories White 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Okay, they suggest pairing this with air -- yes oxygen. Guess this BC white wine is pretty versatile. Love the humour. Medium-bodied with spicy floral note. Perfect for seafood and breathing. Food pairings: Air. Drink: 2016 - 2019 484741 13% MD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hatch Talking Stories Red 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A rich, round, fleshy ripe BC red wine with a lick of spice on the finish. Very attractive. Full-bodied and smooth. The text on this bottle is hilarious. Pair with a good sense of humour. Food pairings: pasta, red meat, pizza, parties. Drink: 2016 - 2021 14% D 750 mL Score: 90/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hatch Screaming Frenzy Pinot Noir 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: A racy, sexy, seductive BC pinot noir with aromas of fleshy ripe cherry, dark spice and smoke. Medium- to almost full-bodied with a satin-smooth texture. Snuggle up to this bottle and seared salmon. Pinot Noir food pairings: pasta, pizza. Drink: 2016 - 2022 14.2% XD 750 mL $25.00 Score: 91/100. July 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hatch Hobo Series Cabernet Franc 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A seriously good and medium-bodied BC Cabernet Franc with none of that bell pepper nonsense. Dark red berries and smoke on the nose and palate. Racy acidity. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2016 - 2021 854323 12.8% D 750 mL Score: 90/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hatch Hobo Series Gamay 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: This BC red wine is made from Gamay grapes grown in the winery's Sunrise Vineyard. Vibrant and rich, and a whole heck of a lot more character in Gamay than I've tasted in a while. Fleshy ripe dark red berries and smoke. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2017 - 2021 32845188235401 14.1% D 750 mL $24.99 Score: 91/100. July 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hatch Hatchchild Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Juicy, full-bodied and forgiving BC Cabernet with a sense of humour ... Hatchchild is a pun on Rothschild, the coveted Bordeaux first growth wine whose symbol is the ram, thus the big shaggy goat on the label. Similar wit to the Goats do Roam winery in South Africa ... they are a breed apart ;) Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: rare meats, meat lovers pizza. Drink: 2016 - 2027 14% XD 750 mL Score: 92/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hatch Dynasty Red 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Flippin' gorgeous! This towering BC red wine comes in a very squat bottle... but let it out in your glass and it grows like a magical beanstalk of flavour to the sky. Aromas of black fruit and wonderment. Pair with rare steak and company. Decant 2 hours. Drink: 2016 - 2028 664987 14.5% D 750 mL $39.99 Score: 93/100. July 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Thirty Bench Riesling 2011, Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Lemon freshness rides on a river of pure mountain crisp air. Mouth-watering and juicy with a clean finish. Lovely! Drink: 2012 - 2019 24133 11.1% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 92/100. July 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kacaba Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2014, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Light, clean and fresh unoaked Chardonnay from Niagara. Lots of pure apple flavour here without any heavy smoky or toasted aromas. Perfect on its own as an aperitif or pair with shellfish. Chardonnay food pairings: rroasted poultry, cream sauce pasta dishes and salads. Drink: 2015 - 2018 326975 12.4% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. July 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Diabolica 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Smooth and round with aromas of purple and black plums and blueberry on the finish. Full-bodied and pleasant. Pair with meat lovers' pizza. Drink: 2014 - 2017 373001 13% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Inniskillin Sparkling Cabernet Franc Icewine 2012, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A cranberry-rich sparkling red icewine from the iconic producer Inniskillin. Made from Cabernet Franc grapes. Aromas of black cherry on the finish. Perfect for Black Forest Cake. Cabernet Franc Icewine food pairings: Black Forest Cake, chocolate drizzled strawberries, fruit shortcake, raspberry mocha cheesecake. Drink: 2016 - 2023 360727 9% D 750 mL $79.95 Score: 92/100. July 2017. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kacaba Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2015, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A fresh, crisp Niagara unoaked Chardonnay showing it's cool climate roots. Aromas of green apple and white melon. Very refreshing. The label also says Sustainable, giving the winery's farming methods. Chardonnay food pairings: roasted poultry, cream sauce pasta dishes and salads. Drink: 2016 - 2019 326975 12.4% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. July 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Trail Estate Riesling 2015, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Gorgeous wet stone and minerality with petrol in the best sense. Love this! medium-bodied with juicy, mouth-watering acidity. Pitch perfect for seafood, shellfish, vegetarian dishes and quiche. Yes please! Riesling food pairings: baby greens salad, pork tenderloin, turkey breast, foie gras. Drink: 2015 - 2021 468082 12.9% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: An august, complex BC Cabernet with a seductive nose of fleshy blackberry and cassis. This red wine draws you in head first to the glass, and all your senses quickly follow. Love the layering and complexity on the mid-palate followed by a long finish. Decant 1 hour and enjoy with a pepper steak. Drink: 2016 - 2022 553321 14.5% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. July 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mission Hill Family Estate Family Reserve Pinot Gris 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Fresh and lively with racy acidity on this medium-bodied BC white wine made from Pinot Gris grapes. Aromas of white pear and some lime. Pair this wine with feta cheese or roasted chicken. Pinot Gris food pairings: feta cheese stuffed turkey burger, roast lemon-rosemary chicken. Drink: 2015 - 2018 537076 13.5% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

France

Domaine Des Deux Roches Les Terres Noires Saint-Veran 2014, Burgundy A.P., France: An attractive Old World Burgundian Chardonnay with notes of toasted almond and hazelnut from oak aging. Some golden apple on the palate. Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2014 - 2019 429068 13% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 88/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau D'Antugnac Pouilly-Fuissé 2014, Burgundy, France: This Old World Burgundian Chardonnay is made from fruit grown on old vines, vielles vignes. Aromas of green apple and smoke. Pair with roast turkey. Food pairings: lobsters, langoustines, shellfish. Drink: 2014 - 2017 13% XD 750 mL $38.40 Score: 88/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Collovray & Térrier Saint-Véran Tradition 2014, Burgundy, France: A crisp, fresh Old World Burgundian Chardonnay with attractive aromas of green apples and melon. Pair with roast chicken. Food pairings: fish, seafood and poultrygoat cheese, blue de Bress, Comté, Beaufort, Gruyeres. Drink: 2015 - 2019 13% XD 750 mL $24.35 Score: 88/100. July 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau D'Antugnac Terres Amoureuses 2013, Languedoc Aop, France: Produced by Collovray & Terrier, this southern French white wine from the Langudoc region is a blend of Chardonnay and Limoux grapes. Some smoke and apple on the nose and palate with an oxidized sherry finish. Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2013 - 2017 13.5% D 750 mL $18.00 Score: 86/100. July 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau D'Antugnac Grands Penchants 2014, Languedoc Igp, France: Produced by Collovray & Terrier, this southern French white wine from the Languedoc region is made from Chardonnay grapes. Food pairings: shellfish, poultry, goat cheese. Drink: 2014 - 2017 13% D 750 mL $15.00 Score: 85/100. July 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau D'Antugnac Les Gravas 2013, Languedoc Aop, France: Produced by Collovray & Terrier, this southern French white wine from the Langudoc region is a blend of Chardonnay and Limoux Blanc grapes. Green apple and toasted almond notes. Pair with roast turkey. Food pairings: Excellent aperitif with toasts and foie gras. Also goes well with seafood and grilled fish, and can also be served with poultry or goat cheese.. Drink: 2013 - 2017 13.5% D 750 mL $15.00 Score: 86/100. July 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Italy

Guinzano San Gimignano Fattoria La Torre 2011, Tuscany Doc, Italy: Somewhat mute on the nose, but the palate shows well with the Band-Aid notes of oak aging and dark fruits and smoke. Pair with a striplion steak. Full-bodied. Decant 1-2 hours. Food pairings: t-bone steak, dry and seasoned cheese. Drink: 2015 - 2020 557545 14.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. July 2017. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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