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Wine Picks October 1, 2019

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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

Colaneri Estate Winery Insieme 2017, Niagara Penisula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A robust red with good structure. This wine is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot that offers aromas of dark fruit, smoke and dried figs. Pair it with red meat and dark chocolate. Drink: 2020 - 2024 882572240097 13.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 88/100. October 2019. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Joel Gott Wines Pinot Noir 2016, California, United States: Cherry-berry ripe and delicious Californian Pinot Noir. So luscious! Medium-bodied and smooth. Pair with roast chicken or turkey. Pinot Noir food pairings: roast chicken, turkey, veal scaloppini. Drink: 2018 - 2022 633701 13.9% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. October 2019. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Longshot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, California, United States: A savoury, juicy, full-bodied Californian red wine that's well priced. Aromas of dark fruit and toasty oak. Pair with hamburgers. Drink: 2018 - 2021 633347 13.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. October 2019. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Sangiovese 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A full-bodied, supple BC red wine made from the Sangiovese grape, which is also the grape used in Chianti. Lots of juicy acidity for a tangy meat or tomato sauce. Aromas of tart cherry and spice. Sangiovese food pairings: red meats. Drink: 2018 - 2024 14% D 750 mL $25.00 Score: 90/100. October 2019. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Reif Estate Winery Merlot 2017, Niagara River, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Aromas of cedar and black fruit with smoke on the nose and palate of this savoury, full-bodied Niagara red wine made from the Merlot grape. Supple. Pair with grilled pork chops. Drink: 2018 - 2022 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. October 2019. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Organic Pinot Noir 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely BC Pinot Noir with aromas of cherry, earth and smoke. Some faint herbal notes add a pleasant bite. Medium-bodied and smooth. Racy acidity for veal or roast chicken. This wine is organic. Drink: 2018 - 2021 12% D 750 mL $29.90 Score: 91/100. October 2019. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Strewn Winery Canadian Oak Meritage 2016, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A savoury, juicy, full-bodied Niagara Red wine blend of Cabernet and Merlot grapes aged in Canadian oak barrels. Aromas of dark fruit and toasty oak. Pair with a rare steak. Meritage food pairings: roasted eggplant, fajitas, seafood risotto, roast pork tenderloin.. Drink: 2018 - 2021 427518 12.9% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 88/100. October 2019. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Abacela Fiesta Tempranillo 2015, Umpqua Valley, Oregon, United States: A full-bodied Tempranillo from southern Oregon with grippy tannins and aromas of black plums. Pair with grilled lamb. Decant 2 hours. Tempranillo food pairings: roast chicken, grilled pork chops, Porchetta roast, veal Porterhouse. Drink: 2019 - 2025 629147 14.2% D 750 mL $35.95 Score: 88/100. October 2019. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rioja Vega Crianza 2015, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain: A full-bodied, mouth-watering Rioja Crianza (aged 12 months in American oak) with meaty, ripe plum, dark cherry, finishing long with smoky vanilla and cake spice flavours on the palate. Could benefit from another two years in bottle to mellow out a little more. Pair with grilled game sausage. Crianza food pairings: bison burgers, venison stew, stuffed venison flank. Drink: 2019 - 2025 471854 13.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. October 2019. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Carnivor Shiraz 2018, South Australia, Australia: A fleshy-ripe, full-bodied Australian Shiraz. Aromas of dark plums and berries with toasty campfire smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2020 - 2024 10717 14.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. October 2019. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Winemaker’s Cut Pinot Noir 2018, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: Love this stunning BC Pinot Noir! Aromas of fleshy ripe black cherry, raspberry and smoke. Medium-bodied, balanced and supple. Long finish. Wow. Pair with veal. Drink: 2019 - 2023 83103 13% D 750 mL Score: 92/100. October 2019. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Carnivor Zinfandel 2017, California, United States: Aromas of black plums and smoke. Luscious with sweet blackberry flavours on the palate. Pour with barbecued ribs. Zinfandel food pairings: Swedish meatballs, beef stir-fry, meatloaf. Drink: 2019 - 2024 569905 14.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. October 2019. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Strewn Winery Terroir Gewurztraminer 2016, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely, floral Niagara Gewurztraminer, perfect for Asian dishes and medium curries. Medium-bodied with a long finish. Great value. Drink: 2018 - 2022 913756 14.2% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 2019. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Organic Gewurztraminer 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A light-bodied, floral BC Gewurztraminer with aromas of lilies, spices, lychee and rosewater. Pair with mild curries. Drink: 2018 - 2021 12.5% MD 750 mL $20.00 Score: 90/100. October 2019. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tom Gore Sauvignon Blanc 2017, California, United States: The Sauvignon Blanc wine grapes for Tom Gore (2017) were sourced from a variety of Central and North Coast vineyards, including Bald Eagle and River Oaks. This is a crisp and bright Sauv Blanc with ripe tropical fruits, citrus, and savoury spice flavours on the palate. Pair with grilled seafood. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: pan-fried pan fish, fish cakes, bouillabaisse. Drink: 2018 - 2020 515114 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. October 2019. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Abacela Albarino 2017, Umpqua Valley, Oregon, United States: Crisp and clean southern Oregon white wine made from the Albarino grape, whose home is in Spain. Aromas of white grapefruit and lime. Pair with fresh seafood. Albarino food pairings: White Wine & Shallot Mussels, Saffron & Wine Steamed Clams, Paella, Buttermilk-Battered Calamari, Tortilla Espanola, Vietnamese Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Manchego & Membrillo,. Drink: 2018 - 2021 629477 13.2% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 88/100. October 2019. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rebel Wine Three Thieves Pinot Grigio 2017, California, United States: A lovely Californian white wine blend of mostly Pinot Grigio but also a splash of Columbard, Muscato and Riesling grapes. Floral and light-bodied with racy acidity for fresh seafood. Drink: 2018 - 2020 541979 13.5% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. October 2019. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Grizzli Winery Muscat 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: A lovely, floral, aromatic BC white wine made from the Muscat grape. Aromas of clementine, orange zest, baking spice and lime blossom. Medium-bodied with racy acidity for seafood. Drink: 2017 - 2020 9.3% M 750 mL $24.00 Score: 89/100. October 2019. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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