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Wine Picks October 4, 2010

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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

Vignobles Van Neipperg Signeurs De L'aiguilhe Meritage 2006, Cotes De Castillon, France: Lovely, juicy, generous and plummy-rich! Smooth and full-bodied; lip-smacking delicious. Drink: 2010 - 2016 195172 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf Du Pape Tradition Syrah blend 2007, Chateauneuf Du Pape, France: Needs more time in the cellar, but if you can't wait, decant for 2-3 hours. This glorious red offer aromas huge black fruit including black cherry liqueur and peppered blackberries. Spicy and deep with a long finish. To be released in Vintages Dec 11, 2010. Drink: 2014 - 2025 194993 14% D 750 mL $42.25 Score: 90/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Merlot 2008, Okanagan Valley, Canada: Juicy with wonderfully plush plums. Full-bodied and smooth with notes of red berry and cedar. This wine was aged for 12 months in barrel. Merlot food pairings: grilled lamb chops, pasta with carbonara sauce, beef bourguignonne, borscht. Drink: 2010 - 2015 530725 14.5% D 750 mL $17.99 Score: 90/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Oldfield Series Merlot 2007, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Very elegant with long lines of plummy richness and depth. There are enticing notes of tobacco, pepper and cassis in a lovely melange and lengthy finish. Merlot food pairings: pasta with bolognese sauce, veal stuffed sausage, buffalo burgers, bean dishes. Drink: 2010 - 2018 153213 15% D 750 mL $24.99 Score: 91/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Oldfield Series Syrah 2007, Okanagan Valley, Canada: Lovely deep notes of black cherry and pepper with some blackberry in the background. Round, supple and full-bodied. Luscious! Syrah food pairings: lamb korma, prime rib, dishes wth black bean sauce, BBQ fish. Drink: 2010 - 2018 663138 14.6% D 750 mL $29.99 Score: 91/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sonora Ranch Merlot 2009, Okanagan, Canada: Plummy-rich with dark berry aromas. Smooth and full-bodied with a mocha finish. Drink: 2010 - 2013 776545000095 12.5% D 750 mL $8.49 Score: 86/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Robert Oatley Vineyards James Oatley Tic Tok Shiraz 2008, Frankland River, Mudgee, Mclaren Vale, Australia: Juicy and tasty with fleshy-ripe plums and berries. Wonderful richness to this round, full-bodied red. Shiraz food pairings: steak, stew, spicy BBQ dishes. Drink: 2010 - 2015 187187 13.5% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 87/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Argento Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Plummy and juicy with a robust weight and lots of straight-up quaffing pleasure. Drink: 86 164764 13.5% 750 mL $12.95 Score: 86/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Artisian Wine Co Rigamarole Red Gamay Pinot Noir Merlot 2008, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, Canada: Juicy and tasty with dark plums and berries. Lip-smacking tasty party wine. Drink: 2010 - 2012 776545996022 13% MD 750 mL $14.99 Score: 86/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Robert Oatley Vineyards Mudgee, New South Wales Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007, Mudgee, Australia: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (51%), Merlot (49%) offers pleasant aromas of dark berries and plums. It's supple with a medium- to full-bodied weight. It was aged in French oak for 12 months. Drink: 2010 - 2014 186205 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 87/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Casillero del Diablo Concha Y Toro Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Chile: Bring on the 2010 Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc! There are delivishly tasty notes of lime, lemon and gooseberry here that will make you want to pitchfork another helping of cheese. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: grilled trout, antipasti, vegetarian appetizers. Drink: 2010 - 2013 578641 12.5% XD 750 mL $9.95 Score: 86/100. October 2010. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Caliterra Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Chile, Chile: The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc can stand up to the robust flavours of hard cheeses such as cheddar and parmiggiano. It offers crowd-pleasing notes of green apples and limes. Yum! Drink: 2010 - 2013 275909 13% XD 750 mL $9.00 Score: 86/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Artisian Wine Co Rigamarole Sauvignon Blanc 2009, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, B.C., Canada: Refreshing lime and herbal notes with crisp acidity. Not too grassy. Great mouth-watering action as an aperitif or companion to many dishes. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: grilled seafood, fragrant Greek or Garden salads. Drink: 2010 - 2013 776545996039 13.5% M 750 mL $14.99 Score: 86/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sonora Ranch Proprietor's Select White 2009, Okanagan, Canada: Pretty and fresh without oak. Some floral and lychee notes. Nice aperitif. Food pairings: appetizers, dips, pork, veal. Drink: 2010 - 2012 776545000057 12.5% MD 750 mL $7.79 Score: 85/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sonora Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Okanagan, Canada: A herbal, crisp white with refreshing notes of lime and gooseberries. Nice price. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: aperitif, seafood, herbed chicken, mild cheeses. Drink: 2010 - 2012 776545659347 12.5% D 750 mL $9.49 Score: 86/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Prospect Winery Townsend Jack Unoaked Chardonnay 2009, Okanagan, V.Q.A, Canada: Lovely notes of melon, Asian pear and light ineapple. Good body and flavour. Chardonnay food pairings: cream-based dishes, fresh seafood, summer salads. Drink: 2010 - 2013 776545400031 13% M 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Robert Oatley Vineyards James Oatley Tic Tok Chardonnay 2008, Mudgee, Pemberton, Australia: Lovely green apple and butterscotch notes yet bright and lively with mouth-watering acidity. Finishes clean. Yum! Chardonnay food pairings: fish, shellfish, chicken, lighter meats. Drink: 2010 - 2013 187104 13% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. October 2010. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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