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Wine Picks May 3, 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.

Dessert Wine

Girls' Night Out Mimosa, Harrow, Ontario, Canada: Peach perfect! Sweet, yes, but not cloyingly so as the light fizz makes it refreshing. Forget orange juice and bubbly: this mimosa should be your go-to for brunches and celebrations, especially on Mother's Day. Pair with bagel and lox, and a big hug for Mom. Drink: 2017 - 2018 487637 6.5% S 750 mL $8.95 Score: 87/100. May 2017. Best Value Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Te Awa Winery Left Field Pinot Noir 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand: Smooth, supple and medium-bodied New Zealand Pinot Noir. Aromas of fleshy black cherry. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2017 - 2021 942143 13% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. May 2017. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ravenswood Vintners Blend Old Vine Zinfandel 2014, California, United States: A beautifully textured and full-bodied Californian Zinfandel that's smooth and supple. Perfect for grilled meats with its dark cherry flavours. Zinfandel food pairings: spaghetti Bolognaise, aged cheddar, grilled lamb loin, grilled duck breast, Italian sausage burgers. Drink: 2015 - 2020 359257 14% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 91/100. May 2017. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States: Juicy and succulent, yet there's complex structure and texture here. This is a classic old vine Zinfandel from one of California's best producers of this wine. This listing is new in that the vines are from Napa Valley rather than Sonoma. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2014 - 2022 963405 15% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 92/100. May 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ravenswood Petite Sirah 2013, California, United States: A full-bodied red wine from a lesser known grape (petite sirah). Aromas of black fruit, tar and lots of toasty oak. Great with pizza. Petite Sirah food pairings: slow-cooked beef ragú, lamb cutlets, espresso and cocoa-rubbed flank steak, black bean soup. Drink: 2017 - 2020 161554 13.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. May 2017. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Awa Winery Left Field Malbec 2015, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: A juicy, supple, luscious New Zealand red wine made from the Malbec grape, which is usually more associated with Argentina. However, this rendition is lovely with lots of fleshy black plum flavours. Pair with roast beef. Drink: 2015 - 2019 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. May 2017. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Awa Left Field Syrah 2015, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: A velvet-textured red wine made from cool climate Syrah in the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand. Aromas of fleshy ripe plum, anise and pepper. Pair with lamb. Drink: 2017 - 2019 491398 13% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. May 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Awa Left Field Merlot 2015, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: A fresh, savoury Merlot with aromas of ripe plum and juicy blackberries. Satin smooth and voluptuous on the palate. Medium- to full-bodied. Pair with grilled pork chops. Drink: 2017 - 2019 13% D 750 mL $20.00 Score: 90/100. May 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Awa Winery Single Estate Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: A flagship wine in every sense: for the winery, for the region. The Gimblett Gravels district within Hawkes Bay is a special piece of earth producing extraordinary wines like this wine. Rich depth and concentration yet great finesse and elegance. Aromas of savoury fleshy ripe dark fruit, smoke and dark spice. Pair with a rare steak. Drink: 2015 - 2022 14% D 750 mL $35.00 Score: 95/100. May 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Chivite Gran Feudo Rosé 2016, Navarra Do, Spain: A robust, deeply flavoured Spanish Rosé with dark cherry aromas and flavours. Perfect for grilled chicken or pork chops. Drink: 2016 - 2018 165845 13.5% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 88/100. May 2017. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Awa Left Field Rosé 2016, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: Fresh, crisp and strawberry bright rosé with dry, mouth-watering juiciness. Perfect as a chilled aperitif or companion to seafood. Medium-bodied. Drink: 2016 - 2018 12.5% D 750 mL $16.00 Score: 92/100. May 2017. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Megalomaniac Pink Slip Rosé 2015, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Very aromatic: big pink flavours up front, think pink grapefruit, pinkish peach and strawberries. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering. Great for the price. Rosé food pairings: lox and capers, grilled salmon steak, shellfish. Drink: 2015 - 2017 85126 12% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. May 2017. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Girls' Night Out Rosé 2015, Harrow, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A light, pretty, soft summer rose without lot of acidity. Notes of small field strawberries. Enjoy on is own as an aperitif or as a companion to light seafood dishes. Drink: 2015 - 2017 89862 12% M 750 mL $12.95 Score: 85/100. May 2017. Best Value Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Colio Estate Wines Blush Rosé, Ontario, Canada: This is the magnum format, equivalent to two regular sized bottles, or as my Mom would say, the party size. Notes of small field strawberries. Light and refreshing. Chill well. Drink: 2017 - 2018 12.5% D 1500 mL $12.00 Score: 85/100. May 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

River Road Riesling Gewurztraminer 2016, Niagara River, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Zesty lime blossom and white florals on the nose and palate. Love it! Not sweet. Racy acidity: perfect for seafood. Drink: 2016 - 2019 468231 13% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. May 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Dragon's Tears Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Central Valley, Chile: A crisp, refreshing and medium-bodied Chilean white wine made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. More citrus lime than grassy and herbal. Pair with shellfish and seafood. This wine label is owned by Manjit Minhas, one of the judges on the television show Dragon's Den (thus the name), and her brother Ravinder. Drink: 2016 - 2018 12.3% D 750 mL $18.00 Score: 88/100. May 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Awa Left Field Albariño 2016, Gisborne, New Zealand: Fresh and crisp with lime zest and lemongrass. Racy acidity for seafood. Drink: 2016 - 2019 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. May 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Awa Left Field Pinot Gris 2016, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: Crisp, lively and fresh with notes of white melon and golden apple. Medium-bodied. Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2016 - 2019 426220 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. May 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Girls' Night Out Chardonnay 2014, Harrow, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A medium-bodied, refreshing Chardonnay with attractive notes of green apple and butterscotch. Try it with grilled chicken or fish. Great price. Drink: 2014 - 2018 89821 13% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. May 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The View Winery Gewurztraminer 2015, Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Full-bodied with luscious aromas of lychee, rosewater and baking spice. Perfect for Asian dishes. Drink: 2017 - 2019 13.6% M 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Hatch B. Yanco 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Crisp and fresh with notes of lime zest. Medium-bodied and refreshing. Pair with fresh seafood. Food pairings: shellfish, vegetarian dishes. Drink: 2016 - 2018 12.9% D 750 mL $14.99 Score: 87/100. May 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Weingut Frank Johannesbergen Gruner Veltliner 2015, Niederösterreich, Austria: Crisp, cool and refreshing Austrian white wine made from the classic Gruner Veltliner grape grown in the Johannesbergen and Herrnbaumgarten districts. Notes of lime zest. Pair with fresh seafood. Johannesbergen Gruner Veltliner food pairings: Viennese dishes and Schnitzel, white meats. Drink: 2015 - 2022 13% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. May 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Awa Winery Left Field Chardonnay 2016, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: Full-bodied but not heavy New Zealand Chardonnay with ripe, round flavours of green apple and white pear. Match with roast roast chicken. Drink: 2016 - 2021 498450 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. May 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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