Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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NM_TASTING_NOV_2015

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Trapiche Extravaganza, Argentina: Floral and pretty with peach sweetness, though not cloying. Great aperitif. Pair with light seafood dishes. Drink: 2014-2016. 11.50% MS 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 87/100. December 3, 2015 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Full Review
Barossa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Barossa Valley, Australia: Classic cassis, black currant and wild blackberry on the nose of this seductive Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. Savoury dried herb and mouth-watering juiciness on the palate with tangy tomato and meat sauces. Great value! Drink: 2016-2020. 858795 14% D 750 mL  $22.30 Score: 90/100. June 5, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz 2014, Barossa Valley, Australia: Richly aromatic nose of violets, black plum and blueberry on this full-bodied Australian Shiraz. So juicy and smooth on the palate. Perfect for roast beef and big meat dishes. Drink: 2015-2019. 477801 14% D 750 mL  $23.05 Score: 91/100. June 5, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Barossa Valley Estate Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre 2014, Barossa Valley, Australia: So seductive: gorgeous deep vein of black cherry liqueur runs through the heart of this full-throttle GSM Australian blend. Perfect for brisket or roast beef, but also rack of lamb. Superb craftsmanship. Drink: 2015-2019. 477793 14% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 93/100. June 5, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia: Solid value here with a full-bodied Australian red wine made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Aromas of blackberry and dark spice. Nicely done. Pair with rare meats. Drink: 2014-2017. 429241 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 88/100. December 3, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Méthode Classique Brut 2011, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Excellent quality and taste for the price! Toasty, refreshing and classic Niagara bubbly. Serve this at New Year's or a wedding with pride. Toasty with green apple goodness and a lovely and persistent mousse. This is classic and elegant with the right finesse for any celebration. Pair this zesty sparkling wine with lobster, crab, shrimp, oysters and grilled calamari seafood platter. This Ontario sparkler uses the traditional Champagne method and grapes to make the wine. It's a blend of Pinot Noir (70%) and Chardonnay (30%) grapes. Pair with potato chips and celebrity gossip. Drink: 2013-2016. 234161 12% XD 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 91/100. May 28, 2016 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Inniskillin Niagara Estate Vidal Sparkling Icewine 2014, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Simply gorgeous dessert wine with the lift and pickup of bubbles that prevent it from being cloying sweet. Lovely aromas of baked apple pie and cinnamon dust. Sweet dreams in your glass. Pair with more of the same, and don't wake me up. Drink: 2014-2020. 560367 9.50% S 375 mL  $79.95 Score: 94/100. November 12, 2016 Top Rated Dessert Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full Review
Henry of Pelham Riesling 2014, Short Hills Bench, Niagara, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A spectacular Niagara Riesling that almost jumps from the glass to wrap itself around your taste buds. Aromas of lime zest and lemongrass. The grape yield is kept to just 2 tons per acre to concentrate the flavor. It's also press fractioned to use the best juice and whole cluster pressed. A long, satisfying finish. Pair with vegetarian dishes and roast turkey. Drink: 2015-2021. 643361 11% MD 750 mL  $47.95 Score: 93/100. December 3, 2015 Top Rated White Wine. Celebrated Chicken and Cream Sauce Wine Full Review
Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A gorgeous rose with lovely notes of field strawberries. Toasty, refreshing, crisp and dry. Ever so festive with its pale pink hue. Cheers! 217505 12% D 750 mL  $32.95 Score: 92/100. February 6, 2017 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Full Review
Grange of Prince Edward Estate Winery Estate Pinot Noir 2013, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A mouth-watering Prince Edward County Pinot Noir with aromas and flavours of tart red cherry and cranberry. Lots of acidity on the palate. Medium-bodied and smooth. Pair with planked salmon. Drink: 2015-2017. 230227 13% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 87/100. December 3, 2015 Full Review
Creekside Cabernet Merlot 2013, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Savoury with dried herbs and cedar underbrush. Wild blackberry notes with forest floor. Very dense and attractive. Pair with a juicy steak. Drink: 2014-2017. 431106 13.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. April 18, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Jackson-Triggs Methode Cuvee Close Sparkling 2014, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2014-2016. 217679 13.30% XD 750 mL  $17.95. April 20, 2016 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
Cono Sur Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé, Bio Bio Valley, Chile: Very nice bubbly for the price. Aromas of field strawberries, yet dry and toasty. Cono Sur delivers value in all of their wines. 365205 12.50% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 86/100. December 3, 2015 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Full Review
Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne, Champagne A.O.C., France: Great finesse and elegance, persistence of bubbles. This is assembled from 35 crus and 40% Chardonnay, so while not a Blanc de Blancs (all white wine grapes, that is Chardonnay), this bubbly still has the elegance of that style. Pair with shellfish, especially fresh oysters. 365312 12.50% D 750 mL  $61.85 Score: 93/100. June 10, 2022 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne, Champagne A.O.C., France: One of the best values for non-vintage Champagne on the liquor store shelves. Crisp and toasty, robust and muscular. This is a terrific party bubbly for discerning guests. Pair with fried foods or shellfish. 462432 12% XD 750 mL  $59.95 Score: 91/100. February 10, 2022 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Trésors de Loire Joseph Verdier Vouvray 2014, Loire A.C., France: Soft and floral with pleasant aromatics and some balancing acidity for the natural fruit sweetness. Lovely aperitif or companion to seafood. Drink: 2014-2017. 427427 11.50% M 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 88/100. December 3, 2015 Full Review
Marchesi de Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2012, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: This robust Italian red wine blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese grapes is a towering blockbuster. It could use some more cellar time given its concentration and power. Layers of smoky black fruit and dark spice. Decant 2 hours and pair with a juicy rare steak. Drink: 2016-2021. 145920 14% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. April 20, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Scacciadiavoli Grechetto 2014, Umbria I.G.T., Italy: Herbal, crisp and lime-fresh with green notes of zesty, racy acidity for shellfish. Light-bodied and clean. Drink: 2014-2016. 427591 12.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 87/100. December 3, 2015 Full Review
Maccari Prosecco, Treviso DOC, Italy: Crisp, fresh and clean with aromas of lime zest and lemon blossom. Racy acidity for shellfish or as an aperitif. Drink: 2015-2017. 11% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 88/100. December 3, 2015 Full Review
Urlo (Scream) 2013, Delle Venezie IGT, Italy: This full-bodied Italian red wine is a blend of Syrah 25%, Cabernet 25%, Merlot 25%, Sangiovese 15%, Alicante 5%, and Petit Verdot 5% grapes. Each varietal was fermented separately, with temperatures and maceration carefully managed to provide distinct, fruity aromas and vibrant color. After blending, the wine was aged for 6 months in small French oak barriques. The colour is a deep ruby red hue with purple tints. Aromas of black cherry, vanilla spice, blackberry and smoke. A long and persistent finish with polished tannins. Pair with a rare steak. Drink: 2014-2018. 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 88/100. December 3, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Rosé, Marlborough, New Zealand: A lovely persistence of tiny bubbles beading along the sides of the glass in this toasty New Zealand sparkling wine. Aromas of citrus spice and strawberry flan. The chardonnay grapes in this blend come from Hawkes Bay region, while pinot noir grapes hail from Marlborough. Lovely persistence of flavours and bubbles. Crisp, clean finish. A solid value for a sparkling wine: crisp, clean and fresh. Try with fried fish, potato chips, roast turkey and New Year's resolutions. Stock up now for the holidays! Drink: 2022-2024. 280172 12% D 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 91/100. November 4, 2023 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Grand Vin De Glenelly Red 2009, Stellenbosch W.O., South Africa: Love the woodsy, cedar brush, wild berry notes on the notes. Full-bodied with lots of layers and terrific complexity. Pair with rare steak. Drink: 2014-2018. 652289 14% D 750 mL  $20.95 Score: 90/100. December 3, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States: Butterscotch toffee love in this Californian classic Chardonnay! Some apple and peach wrapped lovingly in caramel form generous oak aging. Full-throttle Chardonnay for lovers of the genre. This Californian Chardonnay is a heavy-hitter: full-bodied, layered and rich. Toasty oak, smoke, vanillin, caramel and baked peach pie from generous oak aging. Pair with quail or Cornish hen. Drink: 2015-2020. 26682 14.70% XD 750 mL  $79.95 Score: 93/100. December 3, 2015 Top Rated White Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review
Tom Gore Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Sonoma County, California, United States: Beautifully balanced and well-structured Californian Cabernet. Juicy and mouth-watering wit seductive aromas of cassis and fleshy blackberry. Pair with a pepper steak. Drink: 2015-2019. 451336 13.50% MD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. June 25, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Tom Gore Vineyards Chardonnay 2014, Sonoma County, California, United States: Lovely balance, refreshment and richness in this Californian Chardonnay. Aromas of peach, green apple and vanilla spice. Beautifully balanced, rich and round. Pair with roast chicken or turkey. Drink: 2015-2019. 458810 13.50% MD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 15, 2017 Best Value White Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review
Chateau Ste. Michelle Brut Sparkling, Washington State, United States: Crisp and clean. Uses the method classique. Produced by Domaine ste michelle in Washington State. Wow, especially for this price. Drink: 2022-2024. 557637 11.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 10, 2022 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Fantastic Fried Chicken Wine Full Review
Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States: A towering, blockbuster Californian Cabernet that still needs cellar time. Classic aromas of cassis and black currant Deeply concentrated and complex with a firm tannic grip that will integrate and become smoother with cellar time then decanting of 2 hours. Pair with a rare steak. Drink: 2016-2022. 91058 14.50% XD 750 mL  $49.95 Score: 93/100. December 12, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine Full Review
Beringer Founders' Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2013, California, United States: A crisp, dry and refreshing Californian Sauvignon Blanc with notes of lime zest. Beringer makes balanced Sauvignon Blanc that is true to the grape’s essence, with a vibrant Californian signature. Finishes with lovely tropical fruit and some smoke. Pair with fresh seafood. Drink: 2013-2016. 407643 13.50% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 89/100. December 3, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Meiomi Wines Chardonnay 2014, Sonoma Monterey Santa Barbara Counties, California, United States: Butterscotch richness on the nose of this full-bodied, generous Californian Chardonnay. Aromas of peach and pear with toffee from oak aging. Pair with roasted chicken or turkey. Drink: 2014-2018. 410712 13.80% D 750 mL  $26.95 Score: 90/100. June 5, 2016 Top Rated White Wine. Full Review

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