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

Vintages Release October 30, 2015

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

Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2014, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States: A racy, exciting Oregonian Pinot Noir with vibrant acidity on the palate for a variety of dishes. Aromas of fresh, ripe cherry and spicy woodland berries. Medium-bodied, silky texture and long finish. The grapes were fermented from whole cluster (uncrushed) grapes for maximum freshness and flavour. Love it! Pair this with grilled fish, suishi and spicy dishes. Pinot Noir food pairings: rich, bold flavors such as sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions. Also good with bold cheeses.. Drink: 2014 - 2019 12.8% D 750 mL $28.00 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand: A savoury, meaty red wine blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from New Zealand. Some tannic grip here will smooth out with a few more years in the cellar and then decant 1 hour when you open it. Enjoy with hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2013 - 2018 310300 12.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A savoury, full-bodied BC red wine made from Cabernet Franc grapes. Not a trace of bell pepper. Instead, fleshy black plums, dried herbs and dark spices. Perfect for grilled lamb. Cabernet Franc food pairings: yomato braised meat dishes including Osso Bucco or braised lamb shanks with a black olive wine sauce. Drink: 2015 - 2022 349019 14.5% XD 750 mL $47.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Backsberg Merlot 2014, Paarl, South Africa: This certified Kosher Mevushal Merlot offers attractive black plums aromas on the nose and palate. Finishes with dark spice and black raspberry. Polished tannins and medium-bodied. Backsberg has been making wine for more than 90 years and owner Simon Back is the fourth generation of the family to own this winery that is certified carbon neutral. Pair with brisket. Drink: 2015 - 2018 14% D 750 mL $20.20 Score: 88/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Backsberg Klein Babylons Toren Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013, Paarl, South Africa: A complex, savoury South African red wine blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Aromas of cassis, dried herbs and wild blackberry. Richly concentrated flavour with a long finish. Ripe tannins and good structure. Backsberg has been making wine for more than 90 years and owner Simon Back is the fourth generation of the family to own this winery that is certified carbon neutral. Pair with rare steak. Drink: 2015 - 2019 14% D 750 mL $23.15 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Antucura Vista Flores Intuition Malbec 2013, Mendoza, Argentina: A full-bodied Argentine red wine with flavours of toasty oak, smoke and roasted black fruit. Smooth. Pair with a rare steak. Intuition Malbec food pairings: smokey cured beef, charcuterie, spaghetti and meatballs, fajitas, beef burritos, medium hot lamb curries, barbecued steaks.. Drink: 2015 - 2017 14.2% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A more serious and concentrated Pinot Noir than the Private Bin, this Cellar Selection offers a lot of pleasure. Aromas of dark cherry, plum and spice and dried herbs. The winemaker uses about 10-20% new French oak on this wine so as not to overpower the fruit. Grannier tannin profile, yet perfumed and easy-drinking. Pair it with wild boar. Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled steak. Drink: 2014 - 2018 285361 14% D 750 mL $32.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Estate Southern Clay’s Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand: This is a heart-stopper -- what a spectacular Pinot Noir on all dimensions: aroma, flavour, depth, length and complexity. Spicy forest floor notes on the nose, almost feral and exciting. Earthiness comes through on the palate with mouth-filling richness. The wine was aged in 30% new French oak for 8 months. The vines grow in heavy clay soils that release heat slowly at night compared to stones. Clay also retains more moisture so the vines struggle. There's a rising crescendo of pleasure on the finish -- and of longing (for more). Drink: 2014 - 2019 13% XD 750 mL $59.95 Score: 95/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sandbanks Estate Winery Shoreline Red 2013, Prince Edward County, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A Prince Edward County red wine blend of Cabernet and Merlot grapes. Smooth and almost full-bodied. Flavours of purple plums and blueberry jam. Pair with a pepper steak. Food pairings: tomato sauces, red meats, stews. Drink: 2014 - 2016 159962 12.5% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 84/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ruffino Greppone Mazzi Brunello Di Montalcino 2006, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: This robust and long-lived Italian red wine is made from 100% Brunello grapes also called Sangiovese Grosso grapes planted at high altitudes of 200-460 metres. The care and attention to this wine shows in the glass. Lots of complexity and depth of flavour with violets, earth and dried herbs. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2014 - 2020 926402 13.5% XD 750 mL $52.75 Score: 92/100. October 2015. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2013, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States: This is the winery's estate Pinot Noir and is very elegant and refined. It's less cherry-berry than their whole cluster Pinot, but nonetheless still offers fine red berry notes along with earth and violets. Good racy acidity on the palate for salmon. Drink: 2014 - 2018 943217 13% XD 750 mL $38.95 Score: 90/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Di Profio Hard Fought Pinot Noir 2012, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Sour cherry and cranberry notes on the nose and palate of this medium-bodied Niagara red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes that grow on low yield vines. Hughes Vineyards also have native grasses and other plants to control insects. This wine was fermented in Italian oak barrels than aged in French wood for 20 months and another 6 in bottle before release. Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2014 - 2018 12.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. October 2015. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Ferrari Perlé Rosé 2008, Alto Adige Trentino D.O.C., Italy: A vintage Italian sparkling rosé made from the Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) vineyards owned by the Lunelli family. This is benchmark Italian sparkling wine offering such elegance, finesse and sensual glory. Aromas of wild berries and some toast. Pair with seared tuna. Drink: 2014 - 2019 773218 12.5% D 750 mL $54.95 Score: 94/100. October 2015. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ferrari Rosé, Alto Adige Trentino D.O.C., Italy: This Italian sparkling rosé is made using the Classic Method and a premium blend of 60% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) and 40% Chardonnay grapes, vinified as a rosé. The vines are planted at 1000 metres above sea level and develop great complexity of flavour from field strawberry to rose petal. Perfect for planked salmon. Drink: 2014 - 2019 12.5% D 750 mL $34.95 Score: 93/100. October 2015. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ferrari Perlé 2007, Alto Adige Trentino D.O.C., Italy: This vibrant Italian sparkling wine is a vintage Blanc de Blancs made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes from the Lunelli family’s own vineyards. After a long period of maturation in the bottle it comes together in both freshness and complexity. Pair with oysters and caviar. Drink: 2014 - 2020 773150 12.5% D 750 mL $36.95 Score: 94/100. October 2015. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002, Alto Adige Trentino D.O.C., Italy: This exceptional Italian sparkling wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes planted at 500-600 metres above sea level and hand-picked in several rounds for maximum ripeness and complexity. This Cru bubbly from the Maso Pianizza vineyard is a wine of great length and complexity that also ages well. The 2002 Founder's Reserve vintage was disgorged in 2014. Benchmark Italian sparkling wine from the much-respected Lunelli family of Trento, Italy. Drink: 2014 - 2020 773234 12.5% D 750 mL $119.95 Score: 96/100. October 2015. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Villa Maria Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Gorgeous tropical fruit and wild thyme on the nose of this flinty, mineral-rich Sauvignon Blanc. The juice and skins for this wine sit together in the press before pressing so that the wine picks up the flavour precursors and becomes more complex. Dry ice covers the juice to prevent oxidation during this phase. Terrific flavour extracvtion without heaviness. Aromas of grapefruit, smoke and lime. Pair with smoked salmon. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: salmon, roasted turkey, vegetarian dishes. Drink: 2014 - 2017 388405 13% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. October 2015. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria East Coast Pinot Gris 2015, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: New Zealand's climate is similar to that of Alsace in France, so it's not surprising that this Pinot Gris has Alsatian leanings in its steely dryness and focus. This is an off-dry style yet vibrant acidity keeps it refreshing and food-friendly. Aromas of white pear and golden apple. Rich, mouth-filling texture. Pair with poultry and creamy cheeses. Drink: 2015 - 2018 925577 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. October 2015. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


© 2024 Natalie MacLean