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Wine Picks November 27, 2019

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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.

Red Wine

Barefoot Merlot, California, United States: An excellent Californian Merlot for the price point. Smooth and supple with flavours of black plum and toasty mocha and dark chocolate from the oak aging. Great party wine. Pair with grilled pork chops. Drink: 2022 - 2024 53991 13% D 750 mL $12.95 Score: 87/100. November 2019. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosehall Run JCR Pinot Noir 2016, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: This is a stunnnigly great Prince Edward County Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied and liquid silk on the tongue. Aromas of fleshy ripe cherries, cranberries and spice. Perfect for veal or grilled chicken. Drink: 2018 - 2024 326504 12.5% XD 750 mL $39.00 Score: 92/100. November 2019. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Orbelia Winery Via Aristotelis Merlot 2016, Struma Valley, Bulgaria: A lovely, full-bodied supple Bulagrian Merlot with aromas of ripe black plum and dark berries and a hint of smoke from oak aging. Pair with grilled meats. Merlot food pairings: duck, turkey, barbecue, hard cheeses. Drink: 2019 - 2023 14.5% M 750 mL $23.85 Score: 90/100. November 2019. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Böen Pinot Noir 2017, Santa Barbara County, Sonoma County, California, United States: A robust, richly flavoured and deeply concentrated Sonoma Pinot Noir. Aromas of fleshy ripe black cherries, spice and smoke. Pair with grilled chicken. Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled rack of lamb, meat-lover`s pizza, roast turkey. Drink: 2019 - 2024 10471 14.9% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 89/100. November 2019. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Georges Duboeuf Château des Capitans Juliénas 2017, Juliénas, Beaujolais A.C., France: Sweet ripe cherry aromas and flavours in this medium-bodied, smooth French wine made from the Gamay grape. Pair with veal. Food pairings: roast chicken, grilled veggie burgers, pepper steak. Drink: 2019 - 2024 11359 13% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. November 2019. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

District 7 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United States: A full-bodied California Cabernet with aromas of chocolate, coffee and mocha from oak aging. Pair with grilled meats. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: BBQ ribs, chicken wings, burgers from the grill. Drink: 2019 - 2025 10473 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. November 2019. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Fuisse Juliénas 2016, Juliénas, Beaujolais A.C., France: A vibrant, mouth-watering cru Beaujolais made from the Gamay grape. Aromas of tart cherry and field berries. Pair with veal. Food pairings: grilled lamb chops, roast chicken, pork rib roast. Drink: 2019 - 2023 287994 13% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 89/100. November 2019. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Familia Zuccardi Santa Julia Organica Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina: Dark berries and smoke aromas on the nose and palate of this full-bodied, supple Argentine red wine. Vines are planted at elevations of 954 to 1402 metres above sea level in the Uco Valley. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2019 - 2022 429761 13.5% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. November 2019. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Sonoma County, California, United States: A full-bodied, well-made Californian red wine made from the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon grape from a well-respected producer. Aromas of cassis and blackcurrant and toast. Pair with steak. Drink: 2019 - 2024 292151 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. November 2019. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Trail Estate Winery Vintage Three Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2018, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A stunning Prince Edward County Pinot Noir just bursting with ripe cherry aromas and fresh earth. Low in alcohol at just 11.6%. Wow. Smooth and medium-bodied. Pair with roast chicken or turkey. Drink: 2019 - 2025 11.6% XD 750 mL $45.00 Score: 93/100. November 2019. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Zuccardi Q Malbec 2017, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Robust, supple, smooth, juicy Malbec produced from grapes mostly sourced from the Altamira but some from Chacayes as well. Ripe blackberry, earthy florals, blueberry and plum flavours, savoury on the palate. Great value and taste for the money. Pair with grilled meats. Malbec food pairings: turkey, tomato sauces, meaty casseroles, hamburgers, steak and kidney pie. Drink: 2019 - 2023 723478 14.5% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 92/100. November 2019. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Lightfoot & Wolfville Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut 2013, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada: A spectacular sparkling wine from NOva Scotia, made from Chardonnay grapes. Aromas of freshly baked bread and green apple. Pair with shellfish. Drink: 2016 - 2024 12% XD 750 mL $60.00 Score: 94/100. November 2019. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Kitsch Chardonnay 2017, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A fresh, crisp BC Chardonnay with aromas of green apple and white peach. Lots of racy acidity for shellfish. Chardonnay food pairings: pan-seared halibut on a spring pea risotto. Drink: 2018 - 2025 13.2% D 750 mL $26.00 Score: 88/100. November 2019. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Strewn Winery Terroir Fume Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Niagara, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A crisp, fresh yet savoury Fume Blanc made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. You'd never guess the alcohol is on the high side at 14.5% -- it's so refreshing. Winemaker Marc Bradshaw has produced a lovely white wine with a satisfying finish. Pair with game birds and grilled chicken. Fume Blanc Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: linguini with olive oil and fresh basil, oysters, mussels au jus, grilled white fish and dishes with blue cheese. Drink: 2018 - 2022 14.5% D 750 mL $25.00 Score: 90/100. November 2019. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sacred Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Marlborough, New Zealand: A terrific, zesty New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with zesyu notes of lemongrass, lime and chives. Racy acidity for shellfish. Medium-bodied with no oak. Pair with fresh seafood or shellfish. Drink: 2019 - 2022 489112 13% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 91/100. November 2019. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards Terroir Series Riesling 2016, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada: A lovely, medium-sweet Riesling from Nova Sotia's latest wine rockstar, Lightfoot and Wolfville. The vines grow in glacial till and sandy loam of Annapolis Valley. Aromas of apricot, pear, peach and lime blossom. Pair with seafood. Drink: 2017 - 2021 11% D 750 mL Score: 91/100. November 2019. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Strewn Winery Pinot Grigio 2018, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A medium-bodied Niagara Pinot Grigio with aromas of white peach and Asian pear. Racy acidity for shellfish. Pinot Grigio food pairings: Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Scallops or Caramelized Onion Tart with a Rich Pastry Crust. Drink: 2019 - 2022 12.5% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. November 2019. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

La Crema Chardonnay 2017, Sonoma Coast, California, United States: A terrific Californian Chardonnay with aromas of smoke, oak and green apple on the nose. Full-bodied, and generously layered. Generous flavours of pear and peach on the palate with a long, dry finish and a hint of wild white flowers. Sonoma Coast vineyards enjoy a long, cool growing season due to the moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean, and its fogs and winds that blow inland. This is perfect for slowly ripening grapes to develop complex flavours and nuances without lots of sugar that translates to heavy alcohol. Perfect for veal, roast chicken or mild curries. Chardonnay food pairings: pasta, hodge podge, lobster with mayonnaise, roasted chicken. Drink: 2019 - 2022 962886 13.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 91/100. November 2019. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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