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

Vintages Release May 14, 2011

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


Red Wine

Inniskillin Niagara Estate Winemaker's Series Select Vineyards Shiraz Cabernet 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: The limited edition Winemaker’s Series wines are sourced from several premium vineyards, and are a testament to winemaker Bruce Nicholson’s skill and desire to produce wines of character that are true reflections of the terroir. This blend of 75% Shiraz and 25% Cabernet Franc is a mouth-watering offering. Delightfully deep aromas of spice, vanilla and dark fruit abound. The palate is dry with well-integrated tannins. Exceptionally structured. My note: So smooth and juicy: dare I compare it to smooth jazz? I happen to still love smooth jazz, whatever the trend. This wine has lovely plush plums and mocha. Glides down quickly. Shiraz Cabernet food pairings: grilled steak, leg of lamb. Drink: 2011 - 2014 225482 13% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 89/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Freeman Pinot Noir 2007, Sonoma Coast, California, United States: Bright vibrant cherries with big, mouth-watering acidity. Cries out for food: do not drink on its own. Plush and lovely: get ready for a big wake-up call for your mouth and senses. Drink: 2011 - 2015 215434 14.1% XD 750 mL $44.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Mourvèdre 2009, Contra Costa County, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: This Mourvèdre is sourced from some of Cline’s, in their words, “oldest, most historic and shyest-bearing vineyard blocks.” These natural low-yielders help create wine with more fruit concentration. The naturally low yields, and the cooling breezes off the Sacramento River, give the wine a wonderful balance between fruit and acid. The wine is filled with aromas of dark plum, cocoa powder, raspberry and earth. The dry and flavourful wine is given structure by the velvety tannins. Enjoy tonight. It will also reward 2-3 years in a cellar. My note: A beautifully textured, full-bodied red with brambleberry, garrigue, dried herbs and blackberry preserves. Lovely long finish. The ultimate barbecue wine. Mourvèdre food pairings: grilled steaks and onions. Drink: 2011 - 2015 66084 15% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Erath Winery Pinot Noir 2008, Oregon, United States: Tart cherries and fresh earth with elegant balance and length. Some dark spices on the finish. Medium-bodied and silky smooth. Oregon offers such pleasure: try it. Drink: 2011 - 2016 394718 13.5% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Elementos Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Argentina, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Winner of a Silver Medal at the Argentina Wine Awards in 2010, this has a lovely opaque purple colour in the glass. Rich aromas of cassis, raspberry, sun-baked earth and chocolate abound. The palate is dry, medium-full bodied with huge ripe fruit and a curtain of ripe, youthful tannins drawn in the background. Cellar for 2-4 years, or enjoy it tonight. My note: Rustic and robust with tasty black fruit and oak. Great barbecue wine. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled herbed rare steak, gourmet burgers. Drink: 2011 - 2013 218974 14% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 86/100. May 2011. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Santa Carolina Dry Farming Carignan 2008, Cauquenes Valley, Chile: Dry farming is a technique that relies solely on natural rainfall for irrigation. Beautiful! Stunning concentration and depth but there’s also real elegance and finesse here. Your guests will think you paid double for this wine so get a case or two. Savory dark fruit with subtle hints of happiness. Drink: 2011 - 2015 213520 14.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. May 2011. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mayu Gran Reserva Carmenère 2007, Elqui Valley, Coquimbo, Chile: Cherry liqueur and blackberry jam: intensely concentrated and sweet fruit on the nose even though this is a dry wine. Full-bodied and smooth. Very big. Drink: 2011 - 2014 90035 15% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 87/100. May 2011. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chapel Hill Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Savory and gorgeously delicious. Give your tastebuds a real treat with this wine. Full-bodied with fleshy dark berries and plums. Perfect for movie night. Drink: 2011 - 2015 743989 14.5% XD 750 mL $23.25 Score: 92/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Two Hands Wines Gnarly Dudes Shiraz 2009, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Superb craftsmanship that weaves together seductive black fruit, smoke and dark spices. Love the incredible depth and concentration of flavour. Celebrate cashing out your Google stock, then buy some in Facebook when you can. Drink: 2011 - 2015 660043 14.5% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 93/100. May 2011. Favourite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2008, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Who’s laughing now? You, if you bought this wine while you could. Minty-blackberry goodness oozes from the glass. Full-bodied and rich with a lift from the Viognier in the mid-palate. Terrific work. Drink: 2011 - 2015 936971 14.5% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: A solid and delicious full-bodied red with meaty notes and dark fruit. The flavours persist on your palate and I like how they’ve woven in the oak subtly. This wine won a Gold Medal and the Trophy for Best Shiraz at the 2010 Perth Royal Wine Show. Drink: 2011 - 2015 987453 15% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 89/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart Of The Barossa Shiraz 2008, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Classic Aussie Shiraz: big black fruit, meaty with some dark spices on the finish. Full-bodied and supple. Knock it back! Drink: 2011 - 2015 167189 14.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2007, South Australia, Australia: Superb balance with mint, blackberries, espresso. From a master of blending New World energy and fruit concentration and Old World balance and finesse. Truly one of Australia’s iconic wineries: taste and see why. Drink: 2011 - 2018 309625 14% XD 750 mL $100.00 Score: 92/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Palliser Estate Wines Pencarrow Pinot Noir 2009, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand: Stunning! Savory dark cherries and blackberries o the nose. Incredibly juicy and mouth-watering with a gorgeous medium- to full-bodied weight. Nice long finish. Drink: 2011 - 2016 692301 14.5% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. May 2011. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine De La Pierre Mireille Et Jean Reynaud, Prop. Syrah 2009, A.C., Châteauneuf Du Pape, Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This Gold Medal winner (at the prestigious Rhône competition Concours des Vins Orange 2010) is classic Châteauneuf, featuring blackberry, dark chocolate and spice aromas. Dry with very good fruit replays. It is impeccably balanced by firm tannins and fresh acidity. Cellar it for up to 5+ years, or enjoy it tonight. My note: Blackberry and black cherry liqueur-like concentration. Full-bodied and smooth with incredible depth. Wonderful for barbecues and meaty dishes. Syrah food pairings: rare leg of lamb. Drink: 2012 - 2016 235036 14.8% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine De L'arnesque Laurent Biscarat Et Ses Enfants Grenache 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This Grenache blend opens with lovely aromas of plums and licorice. The palate shows nice complexity with a light spice note layering neatly over the raspberry and sweet fruit core. Dry with mild tannins, this will reward 3+ years in the cellar, or pair it tonight. My note: Opens with bright red cherries and field berries. Love the mouth-watering juiciness of this red. Full-bodied red and a terrific finish. A steal at this price. Grenache food pairings: roast leg of lamb, game bird. Drink: 2011 - 2015 223487 14% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. May 2011. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

La Bastide Saint Dominique M.C. Bonnet, Vign. Grenache 2009, A.C., Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: Yum! Big, brooding blackberries looking for a fight (if you disagree that this is a terrific wine). Supple and generous with an endless finish. Loaded with pleasure for hedonists. You’ll need a big slab of meat with this wine. Grenache food pairings: hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2012 - 2020 231233 15% D 750 mL $42.95 Score: 93/100. May 2011. Favourite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

La Coterie Séguret 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France: Robust, rustic, cedary and tasty. Delivers big blackberries and brambly flavours. Perfect for barbecues. Drink: 2011 - 2014 219428 13.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Alain Jaume Grande Garrigue Vacqueyras 2009, A.C., Rhône, France: Cedary with black forest cherries on the nose. Full-bodied and generous though it needs 1-2 hours decanting for maximum pleasure. Dried herbs and some smoke on the finish. Drink: 2011 - 2015 233916 14.4% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Martin Cairanne Unfiltered Grenache Syrah 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Winner of a Gold Medal at the 2010 Concours des Grands Vins de France de Mâcon. Deeply coloured Grenache/Syrah (65/ 35) with aromas of ripe black cherry, freshly crushed raspberry, dark chocolate and black pepper. Dry with exceptional aroma replays on the palate. The light tannins perfectly support the sweet fruit core. Medium full-bodied with a fairly long finish. Cellar it 2-4 years, or enjoy tonight. My note: A juicy black-fruited number with some pleasant bitterness on the finish. Deep, rich and concentrated. Good value for the money. Grenache Syrah food pairings: roast leg of lamb. Drink: 2011 - 2015 223461 14% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vignerons De Caractère Seigneur De Fontimple Vacqueyras 2009, A.C., Rhône, France: Fleshy ripe cherries on the nose: lovely! A river of velvet red fruit on the tongue. Caress your senses and tastebuds with this full-bodied, delicious red. Terrific price. Drink: 2011 - 2013 234013 14.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Luca Ferraris Bric D'bianc Ruchè Di Castagnole Monferrato 2009, D.O.C., Piedmont, Italy: So pretty! Rose petals and highly aromatic violets swaying under a summer sun. Medium- to slightly full-bodied but so packed with flavour. Get out of your red wine rut with this wine. Great companion to many dishes. Food pairings: grilled meats, stews, oriental dishes. Drink: 2011 - 2014 214536 13.6% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Marchesi Torrigiani Torre Di Ciardo Sangiovese Blend 2006, .I.G.T., Tuscany, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Cellar it 2-4 years or match it tonight with a refined Tuscan-influenced meal. My note: big hulking oak and smoke like Bordeaux with blackberry and cassis. Well-structured and towering. Needs steak. Sangiovese Blend food pairings: steak. Drink: 2012 - 2015 212084 13.3% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Brunello Di Montalcino 2004, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy: Old leather and band-aids: that’s a compliment believe it or not. Gorgeous and exotic and other worldly. Full-bodied with a tannic grip, but nothing that 2 hours’ decanting can’t handle. Could use more cellar time, if you can stand to wait. Drink: 2011 - 2016 660746 14.5% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 93/100. May 2011. Favourite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vega Moragona Viñas Viejas La Magdalena Sociedad Cooperativa De Castilla-La Mancha Tempranillo 2007, D.O., Ribera Del Júcar, Spain: Rustic and robust with straight-forward pleasure. Cedary blackberries. Decant 1-2 hours. Drink: 2011 - 2013 211037 14.5% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Malivoire Ladybug Cabernet Franc Gamay Rosé 2010, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: One of Canada’s best producers of Rose, if not the best. This lovely wine has it all: alluring field berry aromas, ephemeral lightness and a certain something that makes you come back to the glass again and again. Some kind of wonderful. Cabernet Franc Gamay Rosé food pairings: grilled-chicken salad. Drink: 2011 - 2013 559088 13% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Favourite Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Finca Alcayata Bodega François Lurton Malbec Rosado 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: The Lurton brothers began working in Argentina with Catena in 1992 before establishing their own bodega there in 1996. This wine has a beautiful pale rose-petal-red colour. The nose is complex, offering suggestions of ripe red apple, earth, wild raspberry and sweet herbs. Dry and medium bodied, this is quite a robust rosé with great depth of fruit on the palate, and a fresh, tangy finish. My note: Spicy, juicy, full-bodied rose, almost Tavel-like. Love it! Fresh and fleshy ripe raspberries. Bring it on. Malbec Rosado food pairings: lightly smoked herbed salmon, chicken fajitas, spiced pork kebabs. Drink: 2011 - 2013 229708 13% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gassier Sables D'azur Rosé 2010, Ac Côtes De Provence, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Pretty, pale salmon-peach colour with charming aromas of strawberry, lavender, fresh apricot, rosehips and tangerine. Dry, light bodied, fresh, elegant and zesty, showing sunny fruit edged with fresh herbal notes. This rosé has impressive poise. Perfect as a sipper. My note: Pure loveliness in a glass! Summer sunshine glinting off the Mediterranean. Let this wine take you there. Ripe field strawberries and raspberries. Don’t run out. Rosé food pairings: cucumber sandwiches, lighter seafood, salads. Drink: 2011 - 2013 33621 12.5% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Best Value Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château d'Aquéria Tavel Rosé 2010, Rhône A.C. Tavel, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Tavel, an AC located across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, uniquely makes rosé wines its exclusive focus. This version offers up fresh strawberry, sweet cherry, rosehips, and spring flowers in abundance. Dry, light bodied, fresh and tangy on the palate with waves of vivacious acidity. The lingering finish sports a strawberry-rhubarb character embroidered by herbal and floral notes. My note: Such a perfect rosé. Don’t be a snob with the price: this is a seriously great wine. I could drink rose almost all year: it’s packed with flavour yet not heavy tannin or oak or alcohol so it goes with almost any dish except a big juicy steak. Join us! Rosé food pairings: steak, salmon-and-cream-cheese appetizers, turkey breast with paprika. Drink: 2011 - 2013 319368 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. May 2011. Favourite Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château D'aquéria Jean Olivier, Prod. Rosé 2010, A.C., Tavel, Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Tavel, an AC located across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, uniquely makes rosé wines its exclusive focus. This version offers up fresh strawberry, sweet cherry, rosehips, and spring flowers in abundance. Dry, light bodied, fresh and tangy on the palate with waves of vivacious acidity. The lingering finish sports a strawberry-rhubarb character embroidered by herbal and floral notes. My note: Such a perfect rosé. Don’t be a snob with the price: this is a seriously great wine. I could drink rose almost all year: it’s packed with flavour yet not heavy tannin or oak or alcohol so it goes with almost any dish except a big juicy steak. Join us! Rosé food pairings: steak, salmon-and-cream-cheese appetizers, turkey breast with paprika. Drink: 2011 - 2013 712000 14% XD 375 mL $9.95 Score: 91/100. May 2011. Favourite Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Rosé 2010, A.C., Costières De Nîmes, Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium fluorescent-pink colour, with notes of red apple, ripe raspberry, cherry pie and a floral quality on the nose. The palate is dry with a rush of racy acidity that keeps it tart and tangy. This is a very flavourful, balanced and well-made rosé that really sings. My note: Bring it on! Delightful berries dance across your senses as you close your eyes in the warm summer sun. medium-bodied and perfect. Who needs conversation? Rosé food pairings: herbed barbecued chicken. Drink: 2011 - 2013 950576 13.5% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Best Value Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Perrin & Fils Réserve Rosé 2010, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: From the famed Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel comes this very popular rosé. Bright pink-red in colour. Pretty aromas of red cherry, raspberry, marjoram, and floral. Dry, medium bodied, with fresh, tangy fruit and mouth-watering acidity. There’s a nice touch of brambly wild raspberry on the finish. A delightful sipper. My note: Thank-you Perrin brothers for producing this lovely wine. Raspberries and strawberries in a fresh linen basket. Medium-bodied and delightful. Rosé food pairings: grilled fish, seafood. Drink: 2011 - 2013 719062 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Zenato Bardolino Chiaretto Corvina Molinara Rondinella 2010, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This delightful candy-apple-coloured wine is made from the same grape varieties as Valpolicella – Corvina, Molinara, and Rondinella. Lively aromas of cherry, strawberry and blood orange greet the nose, along with a nice minerality and a lifted floral note. Dry, medium bodied with plenty of zippy acidity, it offers tart and tangy fruit to start, but sweeter notes emerge mid-palate and throughout the medium-long, crisp finish. My note: Big acidity so this wine needs food! Big strawberry and raspberry notes. Party in your mouth. Corvina Molinara Rondinella food pairings: crab cakes, portobello mushroom sandwiches with provolone cheese. Drink: 2011 - 2013 45203 12% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 87/100. May 2011. Best Value Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Muga Garnacha Viura 2010, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: A blend of 60% Garnacha (Grenache), 30% the white Viura grape, and 10% Tempranillo. Red-pink colour with a salmon-pink hue. Intensely expressive nose of red cherry, pink grapefruit, strawberry, melon and mineral. Dry, medium bodied, and tangy with vibrant acidity. Flavour-packed and finely balanced. Long, tangy finish. A great food wine. My note: Pale and subtle with lovely notes of rose petals, and strawberries. A field of tiny flowers swaying the breeze, or maybe it’s just me who’s swaying and they’re perfectly still. Doesn’t matter; the pleasure is the same. Garnacha Viura food pairings: seafood tapas, grilled fish. Drink: 2011 - 2013 603795 13.5% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 88/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Masottina Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Prosecco, D.O.C.G., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Masottina has been producing wines since 1946. Aromas of apples, peach, and floral. The palate is very dry, with a racy acidity and fantastic fruit throughout. Very well structured and expertly made. This lively and delicious bubbly is the ideal aperitif for casual or formal affairs. My note: Love the generous fruit with peach and pear. Incredible price. 216317 10.7% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. May 2011. Best Value Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Fielding Estate Winery White Conception 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Lovely blended white wine with aromas of pear, lime, mineral and lees. Fielding playfully invites you to try and “guess what’s in the blend.” Dry to slightly off-dry, with youthful acidity and very pleasing fruit replays. It has a fairly long, crisp, pear-fruit finish. A fine back-patio sipper. My note: Fresh and lively yet it also have deepness and richness. Aromas of green apple and toasted almond with a terrific long length. Superbly crafted. Food pairings: pan-fried freshwater fish. Drink: 2011 - 2014 203737 12.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosehall Run Chardonnay Musqué 2009, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Juicy and mouth-watering with lovely tree fruit notes. I love this style of Chardonnay: not heavy or oaky, just pure fruit essence and refreshment. Drink: 2011 - 2014 225532 12% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. May 2011. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Konzelmann Estate Winery Winemaster's Collection Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Beautifully concentrated apricot elixir with lychee and rose petal. Got Asian spice or heat or something sweet? This is your wine. Gewürztraminer food pairings: spicy Asian dishes. Drink: 2011 - 2016 392357 13% MD 750 mL $17.20 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

La Crema Chardonnay 2009, Monterey, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Monterey, cooled by direct ocean breezes, is renowned for exquisitely balanced Chardonnays. This is a superb example. Bright gold in the glass with rich aromas of buttered toast, pineapple, poached pear and cinnamon. The palate is dry and medium-full bodied, with a ribbon of refreshing acidity and a rich creamy core of toasty fruit. Long, toasty and citrus-infused finish. My note: Solid and full-bodied with green apple, vanilla and butter aromas. Very typical. Chardonnay food pairings: crab legs, lobster. Drink: 2011 - 2014 158683 13.9% D 750 mL $27.95 Score: 89/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Truchard Chardonnay 2008, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States: I like it! Not only is it rich, it’s also vibrant and refreshing because it’s mouth-watering. Lovely peach, pear and green apple notes. Full-bodied, oh yes! Chardonnay food pairings: chicken cordon bleu. Drink: 2011 - 2015 60459 14.1% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mer Soleil Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2008, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, United States: I love this wine! Yes, I have a soft spot for the fact it helped mitigate the screaming children at a Disney restaurant the first time I tasted it, but it’s more than that. Lovely ripe peach and pear aromas with nicely tapped butterscotch and vanilla spoke. So yum. But give that kid a soother please. Drink: 2011 - 2017 958975 14.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 92/100. May 2011. Favourite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kenwood Vineyards Chardonnay 2009, Sonoma County, California, United States: Good ol' oaky, buttery Chard: classic richness and comfort in a glass. Full-bodied goodness. Drink: 2011 - 2014 158790 13.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room Le Cigare Blanc Roussanne Grenache Blanc 2008, Arroyo Seco, Central Coast, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Winemaker/iconoclast Randall Grahm continues his exploration of the Rhône varieties in a California context, with this white blend of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. The vineyard surely is appropriately named (Beeswax) because this wine features aromas of honeycomb, nectarine, mango and sweetgrass. Just bordering on off-dry, the wine is richly fruity, fresh and lively. Drink it as an aperitif throughout this summer and into the next one. Beeswax Vineyard is certified biodynamic by Demeter. My note: Lemon and tree fruit: lovely not buttery. Asian pear and quince wrapped in a whiff of smoke. Thanks Randall. Roussanne Grenache Blanc food pairings: mildly spiced seafoods. Drink: 2011 - 2015 95331 14.3% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. May 2011. Favourite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Coonawarra Estate Chardonnay 2009, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Nice restraint and balance in this lovely Chardonnay. Green apple, peach and pear highlights. Nice vanilla smoke on the finish. Top me up! Drink: 2011 - 2015 468728 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Craggy Range Te Muna Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand: Grassy great with crisp refreshing herbal, lime and lemon zest notes. Mouth-watering and medium-bodied. Extremely food-friendly. Drink: 2011 - 2015 466011 13.5% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vincent Girardin Les Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé 2008, A.C., Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: A pretty, fresh Chardonnay with aromas of green apple, pear, light toast and a Pouilly-Fuissé minerality. Dry and crisp with fruit all around it. This medium-bodied wine is a ready to drink tonight. It will also reward 1-2 years in a cellar. My note: Lovely with white peach and a dry finish. Perfect calibrated with medium- to full-bodied weight. No heavy oak. Like it lots! Pouilly-Fuissé food pairings: lobster, crab dishes. Drink: 2011 - 2014 207894 13% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 90/100. May 2011. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling Spätlese 2008, Q.M.P., Bernkasteler Badstube, Mosel, Germany: Love it! The sweetness is pure fruit ripeness not cloying. Pear and pear notes with perfect acidity. Drink: 2011 - 2014 727370 8% M 750 mL $25.75 Score: 92/100. May 2011. Favourite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


© 2024 Natalie MacLean