Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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Nov_2014_Holiday_Wine_Tasting

Sean O'Regan

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Pascual Toso Malbec 2013, Mendoza, Argentina: A terrific, full-bodied red wine for the price! This dark-fruited Argentine wine is made from the country's classic Malbec grape, which produces luscious, round wines like this one. Aromas of blackberry jam, toasty oak, smoke and mocha. Perfect for gourmet hamburgers with all the fixins. Drink: 2013-2016. 35170 14% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. August 3, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Pascual Toso 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: This elegant, balanced and complex Argentine red wine offers layers of delicious satisfaction. Aromas of smoky blackcurrant and cassis. Long finish. Great craftsmanship. Highly recommended. Drink: 2013-2016. 162610 14% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. August 3, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Trapiche Extravaganza 2013, Argentina, Argentina: Rich and full-bodied with lots of mocha, dark chocolate and vanilla spice on the nose from generous oak aging. A mouth-filling wine with layers of fleshy black fruit flavour on the palate. This is a blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah grapes that yields a velvet texture on the tongue. Try it with coffee-rubbed steak or ribs. Drink: 2014-2018. 360776 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 88/100. February 1, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Trapiche Pure Malbec 2013, Mendoza, Argentina: Love the cedar brush, savoury notes on the top of this wine followed by fleshy black fruit. Terrific balance and complexity, especially at this price. Full-bodied, smooth and a real party pleaser. Wow. Drink: 2013-2018. 370924 14% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. February 1, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Robert Oatley Vineyards Tic Tok Pocketwatch Shiraz 2011, Central Ranges, Australia: Attractive fleshy black plums and some toasty oak on the nose. Gorgeously rich, full-bodied and plush on the palate. Terrific price for this quality. Try it with grilled steak or pork chops. Drink: 2013-2016. 187187 13.50% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 90/100. September 12, 2013 Plush Pork Wine Full Review
The Foreign Affair Winery The Conspiracy Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario VQA, Canada: Full-bodied and smooth with dark fruit and a meaty, savoury mid-palate note. Nicely balanced. The winery concentrates the flavour of the cabernet sauvignon grapes by using the ripasso method traditionally used in Veneto, Italy: dried grapes add richness and depth to the wine. Mocha, dark chocolate and toasty oak on the finish.  A long, dry finish wraps up this package nicely. V.Q.A. Drink: 2013-2016. 149237 12.80% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 88/100. July 16, 2014 Best Beef Wine Full Review
Featherstone Winery Cabernet Franc 2012, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A rich, medium- to full-bodied red wine with enticing aromas of mocha and black fruit. There's a savoury note on the mid-palate with a satisfying long finish. Perfect for dinner parties and more casual get-togethers. This wine was matured in American oak. Decant 1 hour for maximum pleasure. Try it with grilled pork chops. Drink: 2013-2017. 64618 12.30% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. July 16, 2014 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Creekside Estate Winery Creekside Estate Winery Cabernet Shiraz 2012, Ontario, Canada Drink: 2014-2020. 305300 13%  750 mL  $16.95. March 1, 2012 Full Review
Errázuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: Very attractive fleshy blackberry on the nose, which is fresh and enticing without any heavy oak present. Balanced and layered on the palate, with a full-bodied weight and richness, but again not ponderous. Long finish. Superb value. Drink: 2014-2017. 335174 14% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Santa Alicia Reserva Carmenere 2013, Maipo Valley, Chile: An amazing wine for the money! Full-bodied, supple, smooth and gorgeously textured. This is an ideal party wine, and companion to many hearty meat dishes. The tannins are so smooth that you can also enjoy it with drier meat dishes like turkey. Aromas of fleshy black plum and blackberry. Drink: 2015-2017. 309302 14% XD 750 mL  $13.25 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Cheval Noir 2012, Bordeaux AOC, France: This value-priced Merlot comes from the heart of the Bordeaux region. It's savoury with aromas of tart blackcurrant and cassis. The Mahler-Besse family has been producing wines here since 1895. The name derives from a powerful black horse that worked in the vineyards in the 19th century. Firm tannic grip on the palate so decant for 1-2 hours. Pair with grilled pork chops. Drink: 2013-2016. 361006 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 87/100. September 2, 2014 Full Review
Axia Alpha Estate Syrah Xinomavro 2010, Florina P.G.I., Greece: Smoky with black fruit a firm tannic grip. Full-throttled red wine. This equal blend of Syrah and Xinomavro grapes is best enjoyed with meat lovers' pizza. Drink: 2014-2018. 392282 13.60% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. February 1, 2015 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Marchesi de Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina 2010, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: A dry, full-bodied, mouth-watering Italian red wine from the heart of Tuscany. Aromas of tart cherry, earth and sun-dried tomatoes. Made from the iconic Sangiovese grape, this wine is a perfect pairing for pasta in tomato sauce or pizza. Drink: 2013-2018. 107276 13.50% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2015 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand: Toasty oak on the nose wraps around fleshy ripe black cherries. Full-bodied, mouth-watering juicy and smooth with a great finish. Smoky and toasty. New Zealand Pinot Noir offers that unique combination of fleshy fruit and zingy juiciness. Terrific with a wide range of dishes. Yum! Long finish. Drink: 2013-2018. 590414 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. August 15, 2014 Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand: The consistency of Marlborough Pinot Noir is remarkable, and especially for Villa Maria. This winery has a signature Pinot that comes through each year yet reflect the vintage differences.Plush and voluptuous: you'll want to dive head first into this wine (or your glass) and never come out. Fleshy cherries balanced with a nervy acidity that makes it dance with many dishes. Yes please! Drink: 2013-2018. 146548 13.50% D 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 92/100. June 18, 2014 Delightful Duck Wine Full Review
Thelema Red 2011, South Africa, South Africa Drink: 2012-2014. 222570 14.50% XD 750 mL  $12.75. July 30, 2012 Full Review
Sterling Merlot 2011, Napa Valley, California, United States: Sterling is known for its smooth, full-bodied and superbly balanced Merlot wines. This classic frm the heart of Napa Valley is a Vintages Essential product. Sterling launched California's first-ever vintage-dated wine back in 1969. The 2011 vintage is loaded with aromas of blackberry and black plum. Superb. Drink: 2013-2018. 330241 13.10% XD 750 mL  $37.95 Score: 92/100. September 27, 2014 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Kitchen Sink Red Table Wine, California, United States: A smooth, full-bodied red with sweet red fruit and a smooth texture. This is a blend of small lots of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Nice price. Try it with Hawaiian pizza. Drink: 2013-2015. 292185 12.50% MD 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 84/100. October 17, 2013 Full Review
Ménage à Trois Red 2012, California, United States: Fleshy black raspberry and cherry on the nose of this terrifically tasty Californian red wine blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The name is fun, but don't let that mislead you into thinking that this isn't a seriously good wine. Pair with roast beef for three ;) Drink: 2013-2016. 308007 13.50% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. August 15, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel 2011, Paso Robles, California, United States: Full-bodied with rich dark fruit and a complex structure. Not as sweet as many zins: more concentrated and complex. This muscular Zinfandel reflects the warmth and richness of Paso Robles in southern California. Lots of bold black cherry, pepper and spice. Sourced from grapes grown in the warm foothills of the arid vineyards studded with oak trees. Drink: 2013-2016. 31781 14.90% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. December 6, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review

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