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

Wine Picks October 17, 2016

Login to see Natalie's scores and notes

Reviewed Wines | All Wines | Group by Wine Type | Group by Country/Region

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


Note: This batch of wine reviews is not part of the bi-weekly Vintages Releases. Instead, it's a collection of wines outside the Vintages section in store (general list) or wines sent to me directly from wineries that may not yet be available in liquor stores. Click on the Winery or Wine Agency link to get more info.

Dessert Wine

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Fortified Vintage Foch 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A terrific, blackberry liqueur flavoured fortified wine from BC made with Marechal Foch grapes. Perfect as dessert on it's own or with chocolate cake. Foch food pairings: salted caramel ice cream or a cheese platter with artisanal crackers. Drink: 2014 - 2021 638148 18% S 500 mL $25.40 Score: 90/100. October 2016. Best Value Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Henry of Pelham Winery Vidal Icewine 2015, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A luscious vidal icewine from a master producer. This Niagara dessert wine will tickle your senses and taste buds. Aromas of apricot, peach jam and spice. Vidal Icewine food pairings: fresh fruit or fruit-based desserts and strong cheeses. Drink: 2015 - 2022 897470 9.4% S 200 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. October 2016. Top Rated Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Other Wines/Drinks

Monte Creek Ranch Winery Blueberry Wine 2015, Monte Creek, British Columbia, Canada: Not as sweet as I anticipated, but rather a lovely blueberry escape to sensual pleasure. Would pair not only with dessert, but also roast turkey and chicken. Blueberry Wine food pairings: serve chilled and pair with fowl, salty feta, or Thai, roast turkey. Drink: 2015 - 2017 12% S 750 mL $15.99 Score: 87/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Negrar Le Roselle Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2013, Veneto, Italy: A savoury, rich, full-bodied Italian red wine with seductive aromas of fleshy black cherry, smoke and spice. Perfect for grilled meats. Drink: 2014 - 2018 620831 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. October 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2013, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: A blockbuster blend of Cabernet and Merlot grapes with a splash of Sangiovese from northern Italy. The 2013 vintage is very fresh, more so than the 2012 vintage (which was a strong one). A lot of elegance in the glass here. Pair with braised beef. Drink: 2016 - 2021 145920 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 92/100. October 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Frescobaldi Castel Giocondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2011, Tuscany Docg, Italy: Simply gorgeous! Aromas of black truffle, wild violets and dark, smoky berries. This savoury and juicy Italian red wine with a racy acidity on the palate that's perfect for pasta in tomato sauce, spicy sausages, pizza and lasagna. Aromas of tart black cherry, spices and everything good in a Tuscan kitchen when it's cookin'.The Frescobaldi name is one of the best known in the Tuscany region, and this wine delivers on the promise. Great structure, balance and length. It's produced from severe selection, low yield Sangiovese grapes grown on the winery's estate vineyard in the heart of Tuscany. The wine is aged for three years in large oak casks and then another 6 months in bottle before being released from the winery. The Frescobaldi family have been winegrowers since 1300. Brunello Di Montalcino food pairings: grilled steak, roast leg of lamb, hard cheese, veal piccata. Drink: 2017 - 2022 650432 15% XD 750 mL $54.95 Score: 94/100. October 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Pago ayles 2016, Spain: A full-bodied Spanish red wine blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Aromas of black fruit, mocha and smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2016 - 2019 13.5% D 750 mL $25.00 Score: 88/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Nederburg The Winemaster's Reserve Shiraz 2013, South Africa, South Africa: Luscious and full-bodied South African Shiraz with aromas of black plum and spice. pair with grilled meats. Shiraz food pairings: lamb. Drink: 2013 - 2018 56457 14.5% D 750 mL $12.99 Score: 89/100. October 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Riserva Chianti Rufina 2012, Tuscany Doc, Italy: This robust northern Italian wine is made mostly from Sangiovese grapes. It has great elegance, finesse and length on the finish. It's not as acidic as typical Sangiovese and therefore is soft and easy to drink, though still packed with dark red fruit flavour and spice. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2014 - 2020 107276 13% XD 750 mL $21.75 Score: 91/100. October 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Montesodi 2012, Tuscany Docg, Italy: Rich and savoury Italian red wine that has been aged in large oak casks so as not to impart a heavy oaky flavour, but merely a hint and more texture. This is an elegant wine that has a long cellar life ahead of it. Aromas of wild truffle, violets and spice. Pair with duck and game dishes. Food pairings: ravioli, basil pesto, beef stew, pizza, pork chops. Drink: 2016 - 2025 304501 13.5% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 96/100. October 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

JP Chenet Reserve Merlot Cabernet 2014, Languedoc, France: Savoury with cedar brush and tart cherry. Pair with barbecued meats. Merlot Cabernet food pairings: burgers and grilled meats. Drink: 2014 - 2017 621995 12.5% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 85/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tini Sangiovese 2014, 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: 2014 - 2017 179432 12% XD 750 mL $8.95 Score: 84/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Lots of cedar brush, hickory smoky and oak o the nose from oak aging. Rich flavours of cassis on the palate. Full-bodied and smooth with mouth-watering juiciness. Great for hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2014 - 2017 91751 13.8% D 750 mL $17.45 Score: 87/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz 2013, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: A rich, full-bodied Barossa Shiraz with fleshy blackberry aromas and blackberry liqueur. Voluptuous flavours of cassis on the palate. Full-bodied and smooth with mouth-watering juiciness. Great for hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2014 - 2018 665471 14.1% D 750 mL $17.45 Score: 89/100. October 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz 2014, South Eastern Australia, Australia: A rich, berry-ripe Shiraz with black cherries, vanilla and a little spice. Full-bodied and smooth. Closed with a screwcap. Pair with grilled meats. Shiraz food pairings: hamburgers, roast meats, pizza, cheddar cheese, hamburgers. Drink: 2014 - 2018 189415 14.2% D 750 mL $17.05 Score: 88/100. October 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The View Winery Voulez View Rouge 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A full-bodied, fairly smooth BC red wine that's a blend of Pinotage and Merlot grapes. Aromas of dark fruit and smoke. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2014 - 2017 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 86/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sartori Valpolicella Classico 2014, Veneto, Italy: Pleasantly bitter black fruit on the palate and finish of this full-bodied, juicy, mouth-watering Italian red wine. Great price. Needs food like a tangy tomato meat sauce. Drink: 2015 - 2018 378109 12.5% XD 750 mL $14.05 Score: 88/100. October 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cumulus Wnes Pty Ltd Rolling Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2015, New South Wales, Australia: A gorgeous, full-bodied Australian blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mouvedre grapes. Aromas of fleshy black plum and smoke. Perfect for grilled meats. Drink: 2015 - 2019 400309 13% D 750 mL $15.75 Score: 91/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chant Perdrix 2013, Beaujolais, France: A tart medium-bodied, smooth red wine from the Beaujolais region where Gamay is the grape. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2013 - 2016 13% D 750 mL $16.00 Score: 86/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Zinck Cremant D'alace, Alsace, France: A gorgeous, top-shelf French sparkling wine. This Cremant d'Alsace is a fraction of the cost of Champagne yet it delivers all the flavour, toastiness and refreshment. Pair with soft cheeses. Drink: 2016 - 2020 12.5% D 750 mL $20.00 Score: 92/100. October 2016. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Malivoire Wine Company Chardonnay 2014, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A medium-bodied, balanced Niagara Chardonnay with attractive aromas of golden apple and toasty oak. Pair with roast chicken. Chardonnay food pairings: pork, poultry, white fish or shellfish.. Drink: 2014 - 2018 573147 12.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Malivoire Wine Company Chardonnay 2015, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely, vibrant, fresh Niagara Chardonnay that shows its cool climate roots. Golden apple, white peach and some smoke. Perfect for roast turkey. Chardonnay food pairings: pork, poultry, white fish or shellfish.. Drink: 2015 - 2019 573147 12.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely crisp, off-dry BC white wine blend of Chasselas, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris grapes. White floral aromatics with some white peach on the finish. Medium-bodied with terrific balance. Pair with fresh seafood and mild curries. Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris food pairings: fish tacos with avocado and buttermilk dressing; baked onion tart with creme fraiche. Drink: 2017 - 2018 14% XD 750 mL $19.99 Score: 90/100. October 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Naramata Estate Pinot Gris 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A fresh, vibrant BC Pinot Gris with notes of white peach. Mouth-watering acidity for seafood. Pinot Gris food pairings: soft cheeses, lemon chicken or milder Asian dishes. Drink: 2014 - 2018 482539 13.3% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mcmichael Collection Group of Seven Chardonnay 2014, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A crisp Niagara Chardonnay with acidity suited to fresh seafood. Medium-bodied. Named after the gallery in northern Ontario that houses many works of Canada's most famous artists, The Group of Seven. Drink: 2014 - 2017 456582 12.5% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 86/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quidni Estate Winery Viognier 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Lovely floral aromatics on this BC Viognier. Wow! Medium-bodied and bursting with flavour. Perfect for curries and Asian fare. Drink: 2015 - 2019 582924 13.4% D 750 mL $21.85 Score: 92/100. October 2016. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The View Winery Silver Lining White 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: A lovely, aromatic BC white wine blend of Gewurztraminer, Ehrenfelser and Riesling grapes. White florals, apple blossom and peach aromas. Pair with mild to medium curries. Drink: 2015 - 2018 796417 13.5% MD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. October 2016. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


© 2024 Natalie MacLean