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Wine Picks December 25, 2017

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Reviewed Wines | All Wines | Group by Wine Type | Group by Country/Region

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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

Traynor Family Vineyard Gamay Noir 2016, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A light-bodied Prince Edward County red wine made from Gamay Noir grapes. Aromas of tart cherry. Lots of juicy acidity for tangy dishes with citrus or tomato elements. Gamay Noir food pairings: tomato basil bruschetta, grilled salmon, portobello steaks with lemon basil aioli. Drink: 2017 - 2020 13.8% XD 750 mL $35.00 Score: 87/100. December 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau Des Charmes Estate Bottled Pinot Noir 2015, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A tart, acidic Niagara Pinot Noir with flavours of sour cherry. Medium-bodied. Drink: 2015 - 2018 454967 13% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. December 2017. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ferox Merlot / Cabernet 2015, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Mocha and chocolate on the nose from oak aging. Ripe sweet blackberries on the palate. Full-bodied and relatively smooth. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2016 - 2019 12% D 750 mL $20.00 Score: 87/100. December 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Traynor Family Vineyard Gamay Noir 2020, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Gamay Noir food pairings: tomato basil bruschetta, grilled salmon, portobello steaks with lemon basil aioli. Drink: 2022 - 2024 12.8% XD 750 mL $30.00 December 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Traynor Family Vineyard Alta Red 2018, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2019 - 2022 12.7% XD 750 mL $25.00 December 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Traynor Family Vineyard Alta Red 2014, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada: A supple, smooth, medium-bodied Prince Edward County red wine blend of Frontenac Gris and Marquette grapes. Aromas and flavours of cranberry and tart cherry. Racy acidity for tangy tomato sauce and spicy sausages. Drink: 2015 - 2018 12.7% XD 750 mL $35.00 Score: 88/100. December 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Traynor Family Vineyard Alta Red 2016, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2015 - 2019 12.7% XD 750 mL $25.00 December 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Traynor Family Vineyard Gamay Noir 2019, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Gamay Noir food pairings: tomato basil bruschetta, grilled salmon, portobello steaks with lemon basil aioli. Drink: 2020 - 2023 13.8% XD 750 mL $35.00 December 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Piper-Heidsieck Rare Le Secret Champagne, Champagne, France 223928 12% D 1500 mL $2,100.00 December 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery Estate Collection Semillon 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: Lots of juicy, racy acidity to pair well with dishes that have a citrus accent. This medium-bodied BC white wine is made from the Semillon grape. Aromas of lemon and lanolin. Semillon food pairings: smoked salmon and cream cheese, grilled ocean perch with lemon-herb sauce, summer salads topped with pan-fried scallops. Drink: 2013 - 2019 279364 13.2% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. December 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Carpineto Farnito Vin Santo Del Chianti 1992, Tuscany, Italy 34583 14% S 500 mL $56.95 December 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery Gewurztraminer 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: More than anything, it's the gorgeous texture of this wine that lasts in your mind: unctuous, voluptuous, mouth-coating. This rich and full-bodied BC white wine made from Gewurztraminer grapes offers lovely aromas of rose petals, baking spices and lychees. Pair with mild to medium curries. Drink: 2016 - 2020 14.2% XD 750 mL $15.99 Score: 91/100. December 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Arterra Wines Chardonnay 2016, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Even better than the strong 2015 vintage, the 2016 is gorgeously rich and voluptuous, yet still balanced and elegant. This Niagara Chardonnay offered aromas of buttered toast, toasted almond, green apple and white peach. Pair with roasted chicken or turkey. Drink: 2016 - 2020 577007 13.5% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. December 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Black Hills Estate Winery Alias 2016, Black Sage Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: A delightful, fragrant BC white wine blend of 30% Riesling, 28% Pinot Blanc, 19% Gewurztraminer, 9% Schoenburger, 8% Muscat and 6% Ehrenfelser grapes. Medium-bodied, smooth with juicy acidity for seafood and shellfish. So aromatic, with notes of peach blossom, lychee, rose water and honeysuckle. Drink: 2016 - 2019 11.5% D 750 mL $32.00 Score: 92/100. December 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Malivoire Wine Company Chardonnay 2016, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Toasted almond on the nose of this terrific, vibrant, fresh Niagara Chardonnay that shows its cool climate roots. Golden apple, white peach and some smoke. Perfect for roast turkey. Chardonnay food pairings: pork, poultry, white fish or shellfish.. Drink: 2016 - 2019 573147 12.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. December 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Trail Estate Winery Vintner's Weiss Riesling Chardonnay Musque 2016, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely, floral white wine blend of Riesling and Chardonnay Musque grapes form Prince Edward County. Aromas of daisies, lychee, apple blossom and fresh peach. So pretty and so balanced with racy acidity for seafood. Drink: 2016 - 2020 10.8% MD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. December 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Pewsey Vale Vineyard Riesling 2016, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia: Terrific vibrancy and juiciness on the nose and palate. Great acidity for seafood. Light- to medium-bodied with a long finish. Drink: 2016 - 2020 233196 12.5% XD 750 mL $26.65 Score: 92/100. December 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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