Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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jj nov 16

Bill Wright Sommelier

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Catena Malbec 2007, Mendoza, Argentina: Great depth and complexity with full-bodied aromas of dark fruit, coffee and vanilla spice. Supple and generous texture with amazing concentration of flavors. Balanced with great length on the finish. Drink: 2009-2014. 478727 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia,, Australia: Luscious and rich with cassis, fleshy blackberry and blackcurrant. Absolutely classic with a long finish. Tremendous quality for the price. Drink: 2012-2016. 84996 14% XD 750 mL  $47.95 Score: 94/100. December 8, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
The Exception Stone Dwellers Shiraz 2009, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia: Love it! Heart of blackness with a mint lining. Fleshy black plums, blackberries and dark spices. Luscious layers of flavour and complexity. Full-bodied with a long spicy satisfying finish. Oh yum! Drink: 2013-2018. 265967 15% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. March 30, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Yellow Tail Bubbles Sparkling Wine 2010, South Eastern Australia, Australia: Tasty and toasty with off-dry notes of peach and pear. Terrific for the price point. Serve at parties as an aperitif or companion to tasty nibbles. Drink: 2011-2012. 229039 11.50%  750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. January 3, 2012 Full Review
The Hedonist Walter Clappis Wine Co. Shiraz 2009, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Savory, meaty and juicy with luscious layers of black fruit. This is a big-boned wine, yet balanced. Love the replays of fleshy blackberries and plums across the palate. Mouth-watering and perfect for ribeye steak. Bring it on. Drink: 2011-2016. 90191 14% D 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 93/100. June 22, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Schild Estate Shiraz 2010, Barossa Valley, Australia: Big fleshy blackberries and black plums roll off the nose followed by savoury goodness and mouth-watering juiciness on the palate. Layers of pleasure with a long finish. Some dark spice and smoke on the finish. Oh double yum. There's some dark spice, black fruit and deeply seated longing and desire on the finish. Give this wine the filet mignon it deserves. Drink: 2013-2018. 66555 14.50% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 94/100. October 12, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
Joseph Cattin Hatschbourg Gewurztraminer 2010, A.C., Alsace Grand Cru, France: Lychee, rose petal and baking spices on the nose. Mouth-watering acidity is terrific for Asian and spicy dishes. Very distinctive and aromatic. Full-bodied with lots of layers. Luscious with a finish that leaves you longing for more. Highly recommended. Drink: 2013-2016. 259770 13% D 750 mL  $26.95 Score: 92/100. October 26, 2013 Top Rated White Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Château Faizeau Vieilles Vignes Meritage 2009, Ac Montagne St-Émilion, Bordeaux, France: Big, black and hulking and in special need of cellar time then decanting. Smoky, tarry with an underlay of black fruit, this Bordeaux is beautifully structured. Serve at an elegant dinner party, especially one involving your boss and the side agenda of a raise or promotion. Drink: 2013-2020. 191494 13% XD 750 mL  $27.00 Score: 92/100. November 26, 2011 Full Review
Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Jérôme Quiot 2009, A.C., Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: Spicy with black fruit and cedar forest. Many layers of voluptuous, full-bodied pleasure. Smooth with a long finish. Drink: 2012-2018. 983650 14.50% XD 750 mL  $44.95 Score: 92/100. December 8, 2012 Full Review
Domaines Du Château De Riquewihr Les Murailles Dopff & Irion Riesling 2008, A.C., Alsace, France: Intensely focus, pure and refreshing with stunning aromas of white pear, green apple and lemon essence. Mouth-watering acidity for a wide range of dishes from seafood to salads. Medium-bodied and lovely. No oak. Superb craftsmanship. Drink: 2013-2016. 933069 12% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. July 6, 2013 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Cyril Mares, Prop.-Récolt. Syrah Grenache 2011, A.C., Costières De Nîmes, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: Savoury and dark with big black fruit, smoke and meaty notes. A heart of darkness runs through this rich, deep, full-bodied wine. This wine is blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes, from a region you should put on your radar. This is an incredible price. Buy by the caseload for parties and your own pleasure. This wine was fermented in stainless steel and aged in concrete tank amazing price for this quality. Drink: 2012-2016. 143099 14.10% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. August 17, 2013 Best Value Red Wine. Smart Buy Wine Full Review
Château Haut Selve Meritage 2009, A.C., Graves, Bordeaux, France: Fleshy black fruit from a warm 2009 vintage, with a full-bodied weight and smooth texture. Some smoke on the finish. Great price. Filet mignon please! Drink: 2013-2018. 738120 12.80% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. August 31, 2013 Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Clos Du Roy Meritage 2010, A.C., Fronsac, Bordeaux, France: A luscious, dark-fruited red with a plush, supple texture and full-bodied weight. Attractive aromas and flavours of wild blackberry, cassis and black licorice. Highly recommended. Drink: 2012-2016. 321307 15% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 91/100. April 27, 2013 Best Beef Wine Full Review
Perrin & Fils Les Sinards 2009, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: This robust red offers pure black cherry liqueur flavour and concentration, yet finishes dry and satisfying. It's rich, robust and layered. Full-bodied doesn’t begin to describe it for those who love a full-palate wallop, yet it's also balanced and complex. This one will age well in the cellar. This half-size bottle will mature more quickly than the 750 ml full bottle. The finish is smoky with dark spices and intrigue. Great dinner party wine, including when it's a party for one. Drink: 2012-2016. 5975 14% XD 375 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. May 11, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Domaine Seguin Pouilly Fumé 2011, A.C., Loire, France: Lemon sunshine! Mouth-watering acidity as bright as coming out of a dark room into the sun. Lovely refreshment and crispness. Cries out for food like seafood and salads. Medium-bodied and ultra-dry. Drink: 2013-2016. 637876 12.50% XD 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 92/100. June 22, 2013 Top Rated White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Cyril Mares, Prop.-Récolt. Syrah Grenache 2009, A.C., Costières De Nîmes, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: A blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Grenache, this wine is filled with aromas of tar, tea, licorice, candy and chocolate. The palate confirms the promised complexity of the nose. Dry, with beautifully integrated tannins and a fine acidity, this has great structure and balance. A tremendous value from an up-and-coming region. My note: Savoury and dark with big black fruit, smoke and meaty notes. A heart of darkness runs through this rich, deep, full-bodied wine. This is an incredible price. Buy by the caseload for parties and your own pleasure. Drink: 2011-2015. 143099 14.10% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. March 5, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2008, Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany: Stupendous! Fleshy peach and pear wrap around lime and slate notes. Perfectly balanced between fruit vibrancy and zippy acidity. Treat yourself. Drink: 2013-2022. 282343 12.50% M 750 mL  $22.25 Score: 93/100. September 28, 2013 Top Rated White Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Schmitges Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese 2011, Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany: Lusciously gorgeous aromas and flavours of apricot, peach and lime. Great acidity balances the natural sweetness perfectly: think glazed ham or spicy dishes and curries. The grapes for this wine are picked late in the season so that they accumulate extra sweetness and complex flavours. Lovely orange zest finish. Perfect! Drink: 2013-2020. 336180 8% M 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 94/100. August 17, 2013 Top Rated White Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
Tommasi Classico Amarone Della Valpolicella 2009, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Black cherry, fruitcake, dark spices and brooding mystery on the nose. Full-bodied and velvet smooth. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Mouth-filling with some dark plum on a long finish. Classic Amarone. This half bottle size is perfect for nights when you and your dining companion want just a glass and half or so. Drink: 2011-2020. 980128 15% D 375 mL  $26.95 Score: 93/100. June 22, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Enchanting Feta Cheese Wine 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
Sandeman Vau Vintage Port 2000, D.O.C., Douro, Portugal: Love it! Savoury cherry liqueur with cedar goodness. Rich layers with a long finish. Drink: 2010-2025. 251090 20% S 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 94/100. October 12, 2013 Favourite Dessert Wine. Full Review
Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2009, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The 2009 Ancient Vines Zinfandel is awash in raspberry, blackberry, white pepper and spice notes, along with complexity-building coffee and chocolate characteristics. Aged in new and seasoned American oak, imbuing this wine with a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the focused fruit notes. My note: Zinmasters! These folks know how to make zinfandel blind-folded. Classic aromas of blackberry and blueberry. Full-bodied and smooth. Drink: 2011-2016. 719211 15% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review

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