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Wine Picks May 20, 2018

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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

Casillero del Diablo Concha Y Toro Reserva Carmenere 2017, Chile 620666 13.5% D 750 mL $14.95 May 2018. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Esporão Reserva Red 2017, Alentejo, Portugal Drink: 2019 - 2023 606590 14% XD 750 mL $26.95 May 2018. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Fontanafredda Gavi Di Gavi 2016, Piedmont D.O.C.G., Italy: Floral and lovely with racy acidity for seafood. So aromatic and bursting with character. Dried apricot. Nice as a chilled aperitif when you're bored of beige wine. Drink: 2017 - 2020 366948 12.5% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 91/100. May 2018. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand 13901 13% 750 mL $46.03 May 2018. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Greenhough Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand: Juicy, savoury and medium-bodied with racy acidity for seafood. Aromas of chives and dried herbs and lime zest. Superb. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: grilled shrimp on the BBQ, shellfish hot pot, oyster poor boy sandwiches. Drink: 2018 - 2020 536193 13.7% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 91/100. May 2018. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Millton Riverpoint Vineyard Chardonnay 2015, Gisborne, New Zealand: This gorgeous, full-bodied, smoky New Zealand Chardonnay is a succulent wine with rich aromas of ripe apples, Asian pear, tangerine and almond. This biodynamic wine has just 23 mg/L of free sulfur. Pair with free range chickens. Drink: 2018 - 2021 92486 12.5% D 750 mL $22.00 Score: 92/100. May 2018. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Culmina Family Estate Winery Dilemma Chardonnay 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A generous, full-bodied, luscious BC Chardonnay. The fifth leaf crop from the Margaret's Bench Vineyard, which sits high up on a bench and enjoys a cool climate and slow ripening. The vine roots need time to establish themselves and show their true character, so expect more excitement in the bottle from this block in the future. Why Dilemma? Owner Don Triggs discovered a small block of 18-year-old vines in the heart of this vineyard and he refused to pull them thinking old vines produce great wines. However, several experiments proved him wrong, so he relented and the vines were replanted. There's medium toast on the barrels. Racking is done by gravity for gentle handling, and only 60% of the wine underwent a malolactic fermentation to maintain freshness and balancing acidity. Therefore, this wine is a beautiful companion to a broader set of dishes and occasions. Pair with roast chicken or turkey. Chardonnay food pairings: west coast oysters rockefeller; truffle-salted and buttered Dutch over popcorn. Drink: 2018 - 2022 568204 14% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 91/100. May 2018. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vineland Estates Winery Semi-Dry Riesling 2016, Niagara, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A terrific off-dry Niagara Riesling with peach aromas and ripe apricot aromas, and bright acidity for great balance in this medium-bodied wine. Pair with Asian dishes. Drink: 2017 - 2020 232033 10.5% M 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. May 2018. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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