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Vintages Release September 13, 2008

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Dessert Wine

Symington Family Estates Dow's 20-Year-Old Aged Tawny Port 1988, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: See how this spicy, aromatic, nutty-flavored Tawny compares and contrasts to the late bottled vintage (613927) and the Bomfim vintage port 1996 (487850). My note: A gorgeous layered port with layers of almonds and toffee. 20-Year-Old Aged Tawny Port food pairings: dried fruits, nuts. 980391 20% S 750 mL $55.95 Score: 91/100. September 2008. Favorite Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Grant Burge 10 Year Old Muscat 1998, Barossa, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: The Burge Family has been making wine in the Barossa since 1855 and have been an integral part of the region's history and fortified wines have a long tradition here. Wonderfully aromatic it shows complex fruit flavors as well as notes of caramel, dried fruits, spices and nuts. My note: Excellent dessert wine with orange peel appeal. 10 Year Old Muscat food pairings: warm chocolate tart, salty blue cheese. 58370 17% M 750 mL $24.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Clos Du Val Pinot Noir 2005, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Located at the extreme south of the converging Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, Carneros enjoys the cooling effects of San Francisco and San Plablo Bay's fogs and high wines. Cool climate varieties, such as Pinot Noir, produce wines with elegance and finesse. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, this smooth and full-bodied Pinot displays intriguing aromas of black cherry and spice. My note: A smooth, full-bodied red with lovely ripe, vibrant layers of cherry. Pinot Noir food pairings: beef bourguigon, root vegetables. 3384 13% D 750 mL $32.95 Score: 91/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Oak Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Napa Valley, California, United States: A well-structured and balanced Cabernet with classic signature of cassis and blackcurrant. Drink: 2008 - 2012 684233 14.5% D 750 mL $35.95 Score: 90/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

L.A. Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Valle De Guadalupe, Mexico: Vintages Wine Panel: The oldest wine region in the Western hemisphere has been experiencing a renaissance lately with quality producers like L.A. Cetto earning respect and awards internationally. An incredible value. My note: A simple, one-note wine but so very tasty and you can't beat the price. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: steak fajitas. 405597 13% XD 750 mL $10.95 Score: 85/100. September 2008. Best Value White Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Casas Patronales Reserva Carmenére 2005, Maule Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: With 35 hectares vineyards in the idyllic Maule Valley devoted to Carmenére, Casas Patronales is able to craft this textbook offering vintage after vintage. Aged in new French oak, this full-bodied red displays plenty of ripe plum fruit, spice and toast. My note: Delicious, mouth-watering and rich. Full-bodied with notes of black fruit and mocha. Carmenére food pairings: smoked or grilled sausages, barbecued ribs. 65383 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Intriga Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Maipo Valley, Chile: Full-bodied and nicely balanced with layers of black fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: rare top sirloin steaks. Drink: 2008 - 2012 57901 14.6% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Merlot 2006, Rapel Valley, Chile: A simple, but tasty Merlot with black fruit and cocoa notes. Full-bodied Merlot food pairings: rich pasta dishes, red meats. Drink: 2008 - 2012 27276 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2005, Limari Valley, Chile: A simple, straight-forward, toasty, full-bodied wine. Black fruit notes. Great value. Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah food pairings: pepper steaks. 62497 14% D 750 mL $15.25 Score: 87/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ebenezer Shiraz 2003, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: A juicy, full-bodied red with a smooth texture. Tasty and supple with notes of black plums. Drink: 2008 - 2012 971705 14.5% D 750 mL $39.95 Score: 90/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Grant Burge 150th Anniversary Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Barossa, Australia: Fifth-generation winemaker Grant Burge's roots in Barossa go deep, tracing back to 150 years ago when his family settled and planted grapes in this now-celebrated region. The Anniversary Release line celebrates Burge's heritage, and the passion and vision that continues to inspire his winemaking today. This Cabernet is elegant and complex, with black-fruit flavors balanced by chocolate and smoky notes. My note: Beautifully structured Cabernet with layers of cedar and cassis. Full-bodied. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: charcoal grilled rib-eye steak. Drink: 2008 - 2012 67884 13% D 750 mL $30.95 Score: 90/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Grant Burge 150th Anniversary Release Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2003, Barossa, Australia: Grant Burge has a straightforward philosophy on winemaking: create outstanding expressions of Barossa, using the best fruit to make the best wines. This GSM, a blend of hand-picked grapes from select old vines, is an unqualified success. Full-flavored and intense, it offers ripe blackberry and herbal notes highlighted by a spectrum of spices. My note: A generous, rich Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre blend with mouth-watering notes of black fruit. Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre food pairings: savory marinated beef dishes, pasta arrabiatta. Drink: 2008 - 2012 67900 14% D 750 mL $30.95 Score: 91/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2004, Kalimna, Australia: A delicious, provocative, mouth-watering number with terrific black fruit and smoke notes. Drink: 2008 - 2012 422782 14% D 750 mL $49.00 Score: 90/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Guardian Peak Syrah Mourvedre Grenache 2005, Western Cape, South Africa: A blend of 63% Shiraz with 29% Mourvedre. A tasty, round, robust red with notes of black plums. Drink: 2008 - 2012 83972 14% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Chateau Laroche Joubert 2005, Cotes De Bourg, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon received a gold medal at the 2007 Concours de Paris. From 60 hectares of vines cultivated at the Chateau, 15 have been selected for this cuvee. My note: Classic Cabernet; cassis and blackcurrant. Tannic so decant 2 hours. Joubert food pairings: veal stew, mushroom tart. Drink: 2008 - 2012 87064 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château de la Perrière Brouilly 2006, A.C., France: A simple, light-bodied wine bursting with cherries jubilee. Brouilly food pairings: roasted cornish hen. 74260 12% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 87/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château Lastours Cuvee Simone Descamps 2005, A.C. Midi, France: A full-bodied red with delicious black fruit, pepper and garrigue. 79012 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Des Homs Minervois 2006, A.C. Midi, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Minervois' Mediterranean climate tends to produce intense and fruity red wines. For this 80% Syrah and 20% Carignan blend, Domaine des Homs did not mature the wines in oak barrels but in stainless steel vats. The resulting red wine bursts with varietal characteristics such as black fruit and peppery spices. My note: Delicious, mouth-watering and full-bodied red with notes of black fruit. Minervois food pairings: grilled sausages. 778662 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Du Vieux Lazaret Cuvee Exceptionnelle Syrah Blend 2005, A.C. Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhone, France: A gorgeous, robust wine with black cherry liqueur and garrigue notes. Syrah Blend food pairings: roast beef. Drink: 2008 - 2020 957274 14.5% XD 750 mL $54.95 Score: 93/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Domaine Lucien Barrot Et Fils Syrah Blend 2005, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhone A.C., France: A stunning wine of great complexity, depth and finish. Robust with cedar, spices and black fruit. Drink: 2008 - 2025 76364 14% D 750 mL $46.95 Score: 95/100. September 2008. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Le Theron Cahors 2001, A.C., France: Vintages Wine Panel: Malbec's ancestral home is the appellation of Chahors. This wine bursts with aromas of spices, cherries and blueberries and sports a palate that is robustly structured with harmonious sweet oak notes. Great for short-term cellaring. My note: A rich, deep, full-bodied red with layers of black fruit and pepper. Cahors food pairings: beef bourguigon, spicy dishes. 76406 13% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 88/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tsantali Maronia Vineyard Mavroudi 2004, -, Evros, Greece: Vintages Wine Panel: Made from the Mavroudi variety, this red wine was aged for 9 months in small French oak casks. My note: Hearty, rustic and tasty. Redolent of filled with dark red fruit. Mavroudi food pairings: hearty lamb stew, stuffed veal tenderloin. 73874 14% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Michele Castellani Campo Casalin Amarone 2004, D.O.C. Della Valpolicella Classico, Italy: Voluptuous rich red with dried cherries and currants. Drink: 2008 - 2012 946558 15.5% XD 750 mL $50.95 Score: 90/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Fattoria La Ripa Chianti Classico Riserva 2003, D.O.C.G., Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A winner of both a gold medal and the "best of class" award at the 2007 Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition, this intensely flavored, well-structured Chianti Classico presents a lovely bouquet of cherries, wild berries, licorice and spice. My note: Prototypical Chianti: zesty with ripe red fruit and depth of richness. Chianti Classico Riserva food pairings: tomato sauces, lasagna. Drink: 2008 - 2012 984401 13.5% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 91/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Arrocal Tempranillo 2004, D.O. Seleccion, Spain: An aromatic wine with enticing notes of blackcurrant spice and black raspberries. Drink: 2008 - 2012 79764 14.4% D 750 mL $32.95 Score: 90/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Tempranillo Reserva 2001, D.O.C.G. Rioja, Spain: A gorgeous, mouth-watering mature red with dried herbs, red fruit and leather aromas. Drink: 2008 - 2012 529586 13% XD 750 mL $53.95 Score: 91/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Raimat Vina 43 Tempranillo 2004, D.O., Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: Raimat, the largest wine producer in the region, covers about a third of Costers del Segre's vineyards. This reliable producer consistently fashions satisfying and well-priced wines from indigenous and international varieties. Deeply colored, this Tempranillo suggests aromas of sultana, spices, cedar and smoke. Round, fruity and spicy on the palate. My note: A lovely smooth red. Try it if you like Merlot. Tempranillo food pairings: cured cheese, red meats, venison. 372177 14% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Pelee Island Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Pelee Island, V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: A lovely, rich, full-bodied red with notes of black plums and mocha. Drink: 2008 - 2012 530576 13% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Giordano Vespero Rosso Sangiovese 2005, Toscana I.G.T., Italy: A solid, full-bodied red with black fruit aromas. Sangiovese food pairings: rare steak, meat lasagna. Drink: 2008 - 2012 72421 13.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Apollonio Valle Cupa Negroamaro Primitivo 2001, Salento Rosso I.G.T., Italy: A blend of 50% Negroamaro and 50% Primitivo. A rich, layered, full-bodied red bursting with black fruit. Drink: 2008 - 2012 84046 14.5% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine Tavel Rosé 2007, A.C., France: Tavel rules when it comes to rosé! Bone-dry rich notes of raspberries. Mouth-watering and delicious. 950709 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. September 2008. Favorite Rosé Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Dr. Loosen Bros. Dr. L Riesling 2007, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: Staggeringly great value. A zippy Riesling filled with ripe peach. You won't be disappointed. Closed with a screwcap. Riesling food pairings: pork, chicken, light curries. 599274 8.5% MD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Studert-Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2006, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Germany: One of my favorites year after year. Delicious layers of ripe peach and pear. Drink: 2008 - 2012 912659 8% M 750 mL $25.95 Score: 91/100. September 2008. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hupfeld Riesling Kabinett 2006, Rheingau, Germany: A simple, but tasty white with ripe melons and a pleasant sweetness. 79699 9% MS 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jackson Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Marlborough, New Zealand: Grassy good! Refreshing and zesty. Closed with a screwcap. Drink: 2008 - 2012 963124 13% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mike Weir Winery Pinot Grigio 2007, Niagara Peninisula V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: From Canada's golf superstar Mike Weir. Dry and racy, it features citrus, peach and apricot flavors along with floral notes and a slight spiciness. My note: A light wine with hints of melon. Pinot Grigio food pairings: pasta with cream sauce. 43364 12% D 750 mL $15.15 Score: 87/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Thirty Bench Riesling 2007, Niagara Peninisula V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: A generous, mouth-watering white with lime and melon notes. Closed with a screwcap. Drink: 2008 - 2012 24133 11.1% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

St. David's Bench Vineyard Chardonnay 2005, Niagara Peninisula V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: A robust Chardonnay with ripe pear and toasty oak notes. Chardonnay food pairings: stuffed pork tenderloin, planked salmon. Drink: 2008 - 2012 430991 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jackson-Triggs Delaine Vineyard Chardonnay 2006, Niagara Peninisula V.Q.A. Ontario, Canada: A lovely balanced and rich Chardonnay filled with ripe melons and pears. Chardonnay food pairings: chicken kiev. Drink: 2008 - 2012 623454 13.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. September 2008. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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