Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
www.nataliemaclean.com

Shopping List

Lise Lareau

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


TILIA Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Juicy, rich and full-bodied with a nice grip on the palate. Luscious dark fruit and some toasty oak. Fantastic price! Drink: 2011-2015. 163428 13.50% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 87/100. June 22, 2012 Best Beef Wine Full Review
Familia Zuccardi Organica Torrontés 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Gorgeous floral aromatics on this organic wine has just 8 mg/l of free sulphur. Medium- to almost full-bodied with mouth-watering acidity for seafood and grilled chicken. Some white peach on the finish. Lovely, especially for the price. Drink: 2012-2015. 232694 13% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 89/100. February 2, 2013 Best Value White Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Wakefield Winery Chardonnay 2013, Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia: Great value Chardonnay! Full-bodied with green apple and toasty oak aromas. Perfect for roast chicken. Lovely melon and pear notes on the finish of this Australian Chardonnay. Drink: 2013-2017. 711556 14% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. January 10, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Lindemans Pinot Noir 2012, South Eastern Australia, Australia: Pleasantly tart sour cherry aromas and flavours on this medium-bodied, smooth red. Would pair well with tomato sauce or roast chicken. Nice price. Drink: 2012-2014. 458661 13% XD 750 mL  $11.95 Score: 86/100. January 3, 2013 Full Review
Jackson-Triggs Proprietor's Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2011, VQA, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada: Gorgeous richness with ripe peach and toasted almond open the nose. Full-bodied and voluptuous. A magnificent wine for chardonnay lovers. Pair with roast chicken and corn dishes. Drink: 2012-2015. 593996 13.40% D 750 mL  $20.95 Score: 91/100. January 19, 2013 Best Value White Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Huff Estates Winery Off Dry Riesling 2011, Prince Edward County, Ontario VQA, Canada: Lovely peach fleshy goodness balanced with mouth-watering acidity. Medium-bodied and very aromatic. Perfect for spicy and hot dishes. Drink: 2012-2015. 155606 11.50% MD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. November 20, 2012 Full Review
Quails' Gate Estate Winery Rosé 2011, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: Full-bodied for rose but medium in the grand wine scheme of things. Delightfully flavourful with aromas of field raspberries and some nutmeg. The most un-boring rose I've tasted. I'm getting a case. Drink: 2012-2014. 275842 13% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. June 23, 2012 Top Rated Rosé. Full Review
Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir Rosé 2011, V.Q.A., Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Delightfully pretty! Fleeting, gossamer aromas of field strawberries. Mouth-watering and refreshing. Drink: 2012-2014. 39974 13% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. January 19, 2013 Top Rated Rosé. Full Review
Quails' Gate Estate Winery Dry Riesling 2011, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: Gorgeous! Mouth-watering and elegant yet packed with citris flavour. Medium-bodied and refreshing. Drink: 2012-2019. 308312 12.50% XD 750 mL  $17.25 Score: 90/100. June 22, 2012 Full Review
Thirty Bench Riesling 2011, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Lemon freshness rides on a river of pure mountain crisp air. Mouth-watering and juicy with a clean finish. Lovely! Drink: 2012-2017. 1081381 10.20% D 750 mL  $18.75 Score: 90/100. July 6, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Tawse Winery Inc. Sketches Of Niagara Riesling 2012, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Incredibly juicy and mouth-watering with seductive aromas and white peach and pear. Dry with a great finish. So balanced. Medium-bodied, no oak. Drink: 2013-2017. 89029 10% M 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. February 15, 2014 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2010, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: Bursting with aromas of fleshy ripe peach and pear that mingle with toasted almonds. Full-bodied with layers of tropical fruit pleasure. This wine will keep for several years in your cellar, but it can also be enjoyed now. Drink: 2012-2016. 545004 13.50% D 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. January 19, 2013 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Tawse Winery Inc. Quarry Road Pinot Noir 2015, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario VQA, Canada: A gorgeous, velvet-tongued devil of a Pinot! Rich and luxurious, with layers of satin cherry pleasure. Aromas of tobacco and savoury herbs. Medium-bodied and supple. Pair with veal. Drink: 2018-2022. 307686 13% D 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 93/100. August 29, 2018 Top Rated Red Wine. Outstanding Organic Wine Full Review
Indomita Gran Reserva Pinot Noir 2016, Casablanca Valley D.O., Chile: A lovely, juicy, luscious Chilean Pinot Noir for the cool region of the Casablanca Valley. Aromas of fleshy ripe red and black cherry, dark spice and smoke. Perfect for veal or grilled chicken. Drink: 2018-2022. 569632 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Concha y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2011, D.O., Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile: Zesty chardonnay with biting green apple and some smoke. Amazing price. Drink: 2012-2015. 287995 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. September 15, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Concha y Toro Winemaker's Lot 148 Carmenère 2010, Las Pataguas Vineyard, Rapel Valley, Chile: Terrific value and price for such a delicious wine! Full-bodied but not heavy with luscious and mouth-watering aromas and flavours of dark fruit and some dark chocolate. Drink: 2012-2015. 30957 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. November 10, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Antu Chilean Mountain Vineyard, Ninquén Syrah 2010, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Great concentration and depth of flavour. Exotic black plums and dark spices. Amazing quality for the price. Full-bodied, rich, endless. Drink: 2012-2016. 675371 14.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. December 8, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Terra Noble Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Love the nose! Aromatic, lifted black plum and wild violets blowing in a spring rain. Don't ask, just drink. Full-bodied and meaty with layers of flavour. Terrific price. Drink: 2012-2016. 46268 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. December 8, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Réserve Du Crouzau St. Gervais Foncalieu 2010, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France: Stunning for the price! Full-bodied and richly layered and smooth with lots of fleshy black fruit and some smoke on the finish. Awesome party wine. Drink: 2012-2016. 142943 15.10% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. December 8, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Pierre Sparr Réserve Pinot Gris 2011, A.C., Alsace, France: A lovely, sunlit wine with attractive aromas of ripe peach and pear. The moderate sweetness is perfectly balanced with refreshing acidity so this wine will be divine with Asian and spicy dishes as well as those with some sweetness like glazed ham. Drink: 2013-2016. 983395 13.50% M 750 mL  $20.95 Score: 90/100. January 5, 2013 Best Value White Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Château Bellevue La Forêt Rosé 2015, Fronton, Southwest A.C., France: An incredibly tasting and mouth-watering dry rose, especially for this price point. Aromas of field strawberries and tiny raspberries. Refreshing as an aperitif or pair with planked salmon. Drink: 2015-2017. 219840 12.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 90/100. September 3, 2016 Best Value Rosé Wine. Fantastic Fried Chicken Wine Full Review
Brumont Gros Manseng Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Gasgone, France: Crisp, clean and zippy with white grapefruit and lime notes. Medium-bodied. Good aperitif. Drink: 2011-2014. 297234 12% XD 750 mL  $12.70 Score: 85/100. March 7, 2013 Smart Buy Wine Full Review
Domaine Jean-Charles Girard-Madoux Chignin 2011, A.C., Savoie, Jura, France: Lime, grapefruit and tart green apple give this wine a refreshing, a acidic bite. Medium-bodied and great with seafood. Drink: 2013-2015. 323576 11.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. July 6, 2013 Smart Buy Wine Full Review
Domaine De La Madone Le Perréon Beaujolais-Villages 2013, Beaujolais A.C., France: Produced by Jean Bérerd & Fils, this jubilant almost full-bodied red spills over with bright red berry fruit and spice. Lovely! Terrific replays of fleshy raspberry on the palate and finish of this mouth-watering juicy red wine. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2014-2018. 981175 13% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 90/100. February 21, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Gérard Bertrand Saint Chinian Syrah Mourvèdre 2011, Midi A.P., France: A blockbuster red wine from the southern French winemaking region of Saint Chinian. Attractive aromas of fleshy black fruit, dark spice and smoke. This red wine blend is mostly Syrah and has a luscious velvet smooth texture. There are savoury and pepper notes on the finish. What an incredibly great wine for the price point. Pair with a rare steak or blood sausages. Drink: 2014-2018. 370247 13.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. May 14, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Pierre Sparr Brut Crémant D'alsace, Alsace A.C., France: Terrific high quality and unbelievable for the price. Toasty, creamy, crisp and refreshing. just buy multiple cases now for your celebrations. Drink: 2014-2017. 416040 12.50% D 750 mL  $20.00 Score: 91/100. April 20, 2016 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
Dr. Loosen Dr. L Sparkling Riesling, Deutscher Sekt, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: Fans of Dr. L Riesling will lap this bubbly up, literally! It's fresh and crisp with lovely white peach and toasty pear notes. And my goodness, the price: you can't beat it. Is it a typo? Stock up for your weddings and big parties now. Try with fresh steam lobster and a marriage proposal. Drink: 2012-2015. 296095 12% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 89/100. February 2, 2013 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Tini Sangiovese 2013, Emilia-Romagna DOC, Italy: A medium-bodied smooth Italian red wine with lots of acidity. Some dark red fruit. Simple and straight-forward. Pair with cheese pizza. Drink: 2013-2016. 179432 12% XD 750 mL  $8.95 Score: 83/100. September 17, 2015 Full Review
Momo Seresin Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Herbal and refreshing with lots of mouth-watering, lime zest acidity for a range of dishes from fresh seafood to spinach quiche. There's some lemon zest on the finish. Intense, vibrant and clean. Bring it! Drink: 2013-2015. 9167 13.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. January 1, 2014 Best Value White Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is worth a try, especially if you want to get out of your white wine rut. This rendition for Cooper's Creek has a terrific and refreshing lemon zest finish. Drink: 2012-2014. 957407 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. February 2, 2013 Top Rated White Wine. Full Review
Two Tracks Wither Hills Pinot Noir 2010, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Juicy fleshy ripe cherries and field berries. Medium- to full-bodied and satin smooth. So delicious! Drink: 2012-2015. 269274 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. July 21, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Jp Azeitão Bacalhoa Shiraz 2017, Portugal: A lovely, light-bodied Portuguese rose made from Syrah/Shiraz grapes. Red floral aromas with wild strawberries. Mouth-watering and juicy. Perfect as a chilled aperitif or companion to seafood. Drink: 2018-2020. 404566 13% XD 750 mL  $9.25 Score: 89/100. October 13, 2018 Best Value Rosé Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Porcupine Ridge Boekenhoutskloof Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Wo Western Cape, South Africa: Grassy, herbal refreshment with a medium-bodied weight. Stunningly great price. South Africa does so well with Sauvignon Blanc, and it shows in this wine. Pair with vegetarian dishes, seafood and grilled portabello mushroom. Drink: 2013-2015. 126797 12.50% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. January 19, 2013 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Bodega del Abad Dom Bueno Mencía 2008, Bierzo DO, Spain: Savoury, meaty and juicy with gorgeous exotic black fruit aromas and flavours. Get out of your shiraz rut with this wine. Drink: 2017-2018. 291989 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.25 Score: 89/100. April 4, 2017 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Valmiñor Albariño 2010, O'rosal, Rias Baixas, Spain  266924 12.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95. February 18, 2011 Full Review
Allende Tempranillo 2007, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain: Corpulent aromas of purple plums, blackberries, allspice and grilled meats. A full-bodied wonder that would be a dinner party hit. Drink: 2008-2017. 954560 13.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 93/100. January 11, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

© 2024 Natalie MacLean