Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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NCSG_VPR_Oct23_2014

Sean O'Regan

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Montes Outer Limits Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: Grassy great!! Want lawnmower satisfaction ... cut the lawn without cutting the lawn. Love it! OTHER: The 2013 Outer Limits Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Aconcagua Valley from the coastal and northern zone of Zapallar, seven kilometers from the sea, which provides freshness. It's a powerful wine, with pungent aromas extracted from the skin for some seven months contact, with a mineral feeling, akin to a Sancerre, serious and austere, with gooseberries, tomato leaves, ending again mineral and saline. This is a superb Sauvignon Blanc. The vines were planted in 2006 and the first harvest bottled was 2011. Experiment with iodine-rich seafood, like sea urchin. Uhhhmmm! Drink now-2017. Score - 91 (Luis Gutierrez, erobertparker.com, June 2014) Drink: 2013-2016. 389643 12.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 25, 2014 Top Rated White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Caliterra Tributo Single Vineyard Carmenère 2011, Colchagua Valley, Chile: A toasty, oaky, full-bodied red wine with big black fruit and juicy mouth-filling flavours that's bound to stand out in any comparison tasting. However, on its own it's wanting for a little more nuance. Nonetheless, it's a great don't-analyze-it-just-quaff-it kind of wine. Pair with hamburgers. Drink: 2013-2016. 56630 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 87/100. November 15, 2014 Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Miguel Torres Cordillera De Los Andes Syrah 2010, Maule Valley, Chile: Chary, toasted black fruit and oak on the nose and palate. Full-bodied with a firm tannic grip. Pair with a big slab of steak. Drink: 2013-2017. 389700 14% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 88/100. October 25, 2014 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Viña Ventisquero Queulat Gran Reserva Pinot Noir 2012, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Lots of oak, violets and fresh earth on the nose of this Chilean red wine. It opens up with cherry berry notes on the palate. Medium-bodied and smooth. Try with veal. Drink: 2013-2017. 389213 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. October 25, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
Emiliana Coyam 2011, Colchagua Valley, Chile: This savoury, meaty red wine is a blend of 38% Syrah, 31% Carmenere, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Mourvèdre, and 1% Malbec. This is a Biodynamic winey certified by Demeter International. Aromas of black plum, spice, dried tobacco and rosemary. Pair with rack of lamb. Drink: 2013-2018. 63891 14.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 91/100. October 25, 2014 Top Rated Red Wine. Outstanding Organic Wine Full Review
Luce Luce Della Vite 2011, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: OMG! This is a wine spa for your tongue. Drop dead gorgeous. Proposal wine: any proposal. Seductive nose of black violets dipped in moonlight, fleshy black plum. But this is all about texture: satin wrapped in silk wrapped in clouds. Drink: 2015-2028. 685263 14.50% XD 750 mL  $99.95 Score: 98/100. October 25, 2014 Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review
Castello della Sala Bramìto Del Cervo Chardonnay 2013, Umbria I.G.T., Italy  139088 12.50% XD 750 mL  $24.95. October 9, 2014 Full Review
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino 2007, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy  287284 13.50% XD 750 mL  $74.00. October 9, 2014 Full Review
Antinori Badia A Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva 2009, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy  139104 14% XD 750 mL  $44.95. October 9, 2014 Full Review
Roggiano Morellino Di Scansano 2012, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Rustic, robust, juicy and delicious! Amazing for the price. Perfect for pizza or lasagna. Bring it (to my house). Drink: 2014-2018. 946954 13.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 89/100. October 25, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review
Modus Ruffino 2011, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: A seductive nose of violets and wild blackberries gives way to a much more robust palate of fleshy black fruit, smoke, tar, graphite and oak. This truly is a Super Tuscan blend that delivers year after year. Layered, complex and offering a long, satisfying finish. Decant 1-2 hours. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2015-2021. 912956 14% XD 750 mL  $32.95 Score: 93/100. October 31, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico 2011, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: A juicy and savoury Italian red wine from the heart of Tuscany, with full-bodied richness on the palate. Dark berries with a smoky finish. Try it with pasta in a meat sauce tonight. Drink: 2012-2015. 222810 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.25 Score: 89/100. October 11, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review
Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci Chianti Riserva 2010, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: A good grip on the palate with this robust Italian red wine from the heart of Tuscany, and dry and full-bodied layers of black fruit. Savory and chewy. Great with hearty meat dishes. This wine is made in the hills that circle the town of Vinci, where, yes, Leonardo da Vinci was born. Finishes with anise, black cherry and earthy notes. Try it with pasta in a meat sauce. Drink: 2012-2017. 19698 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 87/100. October 25, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Castello D'albola Chianti Classico Riserva 2008, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Smooth and full-bodied with sun-dried tomatoes and good acidity for food. The winery only makes this wine in the best vintages. Pair with savoury game dishes. Drink: 2013-2017. 315150 13% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 87/100. October 25, 2014 Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review

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