Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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Janelle Haldenby

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Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Incredible Pinot for the money: you simply will not get a better tasting pinot at this price. Grab a case or five. Lovely fleshy ripe cherries. New World style. 32979 13.30% XD 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. January 21, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Alkoomi Riesling 2009, Frankland River, Western Australia, Australia: Lovely petrol and white peach on the nose. Terrific intensity on the palate with a satisfying long finish. Great acidity for food. Drink: 2012-2015. 269290 12.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Cave Spring Cellars Estate Bottled Cave Spring Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2010, V.Q.A., Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Perfect gewurz, especially at this price! Gorgeous aromas of lychee, rose petal and a hint of spices. Great for Asiana and spicy dishes. Exotic and fantastic. 302059 13% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. March 31, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Falernia Reserva Carmenère 2007, Elqui Valley, Chile: Blackberry and purple plum liqueur richness and concentration. Full-bodied and smooth with terrific richness. Drink: 2012-2015. 269175 15% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. March 31, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Mas D'auzierès Les Éclats 2009, A.C., Côteaux De Languedoc, Midi, France: Terrific for this price! Full-bodied with juicy ripe purple and black plums. Layers of full-bodied pleasure. Top me up! Drink: 2012-2015. 271742 13.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Taurino Riserva Salice Salentino 2008, D.O.P., Puglia, Italy: Peppery with dark spices and black fruit. Savoury, meaty and full-bodied with juicy smooth layers of pleasure. Pair with hearty meat dishes and meat lovers' pizza. Drink: 2012-2015. 177527 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. March 31, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Varvaglione Papale Vigne & Vini Primitivo Di Manduria 2008, Puglia D.O.P., Italy: Juicy great with generous layers of mouth-watering blackberries, blueberries and purple plums. Primitivo is the Italian version of zinfandel ... Fire up the barbecue! Drink: 2012-2016. 261784 14% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Zenato Lugana Di San Benedetto 2010, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Crisp, refreshing without any heavy oak. Great aperitif. If you like pinot grigio, try this one. Drink: 2012-2014. 707158 13% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 88/100. March 3, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Valpantena Valpolicella 2008, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: This wine consistently delivers well above its price. It sports aromas of plum, cherry, chocolate, leather and tobacco on the nose, and a fruit-rich palate with a ripe centre and medium body. A flavourful reminder of why Ripasso is so adored – and so appropriate for winter-seasonal sipping. Enjoy. My note: Savoury and delicious; tastes like twice the price. Blackberry, cedar, wild black raspberry. Some kind of wonderful! Drink: 2011-2015. 642421 13% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. February 19, 2011 Full Review
Rocca Delle Macìe Chianti Vernaiolo 2009, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Juicy with ripe black plums, berries and dark spices. Some pepper on the nose. Full-bodied, tasty and good value for the price point. Drink: 2011-2013. 269589 13% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 86/100. March 28, 2011 Full Review
The Ned Marisco Vineyards Ltd. Pinot Gris 2011, Waihopal River, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Love it! I find many pinot gris boring, but this is spectacularly interesting. Glorious notes of white peach and Asian pear, with a lovely salmon hue. Perfect aperitif or companion to seafood, salads and roast chicken. Drink: 2012-2015. 267138 13.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot 2007, Paso Robles, California, United States: A solid wine with a good structure and delicious fleshy plums with mocha. There’s a bit of malbec and petit Verdot in this merlot blend. Nicely balanced. Drink: 2011-2015. 27516 13.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 89/100. March 5, 2011 Full Review
J.Lohr Painter Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, California, United States: A terrific and full-bodied red... great price! Big, bold flavours of blackberry and black cherry. This wine was aged in French and American oak. Some toasted coffee aromas on the finish. Drink: 2009-2013. 219113 13% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 88/100. January 3, 2012 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
J. Lohr Carol's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Opaque ruby colour with hints of brick at the edge. Deep, rich nose of cassis, smoked meat, spice cupboard, woodsmoke and a hint of tar. Dry with very good ripe tannins and lots of warm fruit in the middle. Full bodied with a long, structured finish. Can age 2-3 years with grace, but it is drinking well right now. My note: Very balanced with good structure. Full-bodied but not heavy. Attractive aromas of dark chocolate, black plum and blackberry. Good mouth-watering action for food. Terrific for dinner parties and gifts! Drink: 2011-2016. 246918 13.50% XD 750 mL  $96.95 Score: 90/100. November 26, 2011 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot 2009, Paso Robles, California, United States: Smoky, full-bodied and robust. Layers of black fruit and toasty oak. Drink: 2012-2015. 27516 13.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Full Review

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