Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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Red Wines

Brian Curio

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Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2014, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Blueberry-blackberry pie aromas on the nose of this amazing Argentine red wine, with enticing dark spices and smoke nuances. Pair with roast beef or prime rib. Great price. Highly recommended. Drink: 2017-2023. 79798 14.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 92/100. September 27, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review
Two Hands Angels' Share Shiraz 2015, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Angel's share refers to the small amount of wine that evaporates from the oak barrels during maturation while the wine is aging. Medieval winemakers assumed that the angels watched over the wines being made and took their share in recompense. This terrific Australian red wine is bursting with black fruit, tar, graphite and toasty oak. This is a whopper of a wine. Pair with roast beef Drink: 2017-2020. 9480 14.50% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. September 16, 2017 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia Bc V.Q.A., Canada: Spicy, dark and rich BC Pinot Noir with layers of rich fleshy ripe red berry flavours. Full-bodied with a long finish. Pair with game meats. Drink: 2015-2019. 556613 13% XD 750 mL  $40.95 Score: 90/100. June 25, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Montes Purple Angel 2014, Colchagua Valley, Chile: There's a reason this Chilean wine has a cult following. Purple Angel will make you feel as though you've gone to heaven aloft a cloud of sensory pleasure. The 2014 vintage is a blend of 92% Caménère and 8% Petit Verdot grapes. Caménère was re-discovered only about 12 years ago, believed to be extinct after phylloxera hit its ancestral home in Bordeaux in 1880. That's why it's also called the "Jurassic Park" grape. The vines for this wine are planted on steep slopes. If you love full-bodied, juicy, fruit-forward wines, this is your apogee as it also has all of those other great hallmarks of superb wine: complexity, balance and finish. Pair with a juicy steak. Drink: 2017-2023. 62364 14.50% XD 750 mL  $105.95 Score: 99/100. September 30, 2017 Top Rated Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Monasterio de las Viñas San José De Aguarón Reserva 2012, Cariñena D.O., Spain: Juicy and mouth-watering with aromas of tanned leather and cigar box. Supple and smooth. Ready to drink now with grilled lamb. Drink: 2017-2020. 166579 13.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 89/100. November 24, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Familia Castaño Hécula Monastrell 2013, Yecla D.O., Spain: An attractive dark wine with black fruit, licorice, dark spices and smoky oak. Full-bodied with good persistence of flavor. Drink: 2017-2020. 718999 14% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 88/100. August 19, 2017 Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015, Sonoma Coast, California, United States: Fleshy cherry and dark spice with a long, naughty finish on this California Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied and satin smooth like lingerie. A supple red wine with cherry-berry mouth-filling wonder and flavours. Just enough oak for hedonists. Layered yet not heavy. This pinot has been one of my favourites for years. Satin seduction in a glass. Pair with roasted turkey or chicken. Drink: 2018-2022. 719435 13.90% D 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 93/100. March 31, 2018 Top Rated Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
7 Deadly Old Vine Zinfandel 2014, Lodi, California, United States: Juicy, full-bodied and smoky with aromas of fleshy ripe blackberry and black plum. Smooth and supple. Perfect for grilled meats. Drink: 2013-2017. 59311 15% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. November 11, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine Full Review
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. Drink: 2015-2020. 359257 14% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. May 3, 2017 Best Value Red Wine. Delightful Duck Wine Full Review
Peachy Canyon Winery 2014 Westside Zinfandel 2007, California, United States  930644 14.80% XD 750 mL  $34.60. January 1, 2017 Full Review
Firestone Syrah 2013, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, California, United States: Deep, rich, complex and concentrated with velvet smooth layers of fleshy black plum. A lick of dark spice on the finish. Smoky and sexy. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2017-2023. 458901 14.50% XD 750 mL  $32.95 Score: 90/100. May 27, 2017 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Carnivor Zinfandel 2019, California, United States Drink: 2022-2025. 569905 14.50% D 750 mL  $18.95. May 20, 2022 Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review

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