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Wine Picks April 28, 2022

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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.

Dessert Wine

Gonzalez Byass Nutty Solera Medium Oloroso Sherry, Jerez, Spain: Lovely! You need to acquire a taste for sherry, but it's a lovely change from the usual. Nutty, warm aromas of roasted almonds and hazelnuts. It offers terrific balance with acidity. Try this well-priced sherry as an after dinner drink. Sherry food pairings: cheeses, nuts, tapas. 35204 20% MD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. April 2022. Best Value Dessert Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, California, United States: This superb, full-bodied Californian Cabernet sources fruit from three regions: Paso Robles, Lodi and Monterey. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and is then matured in American oak barrels for nine months. Aromas of fleshy ripe blackberries and plums wrapped in smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2019 - 2025 15760 13.5% D 750 mL $19.00 Score: 92/100. April 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Merlot 2017, Napa, Sonoma, California, United States: A robust, complex, balanced California Cabernet with aromas of cassis and blackberry and smoke. Fruit is coursed from Napa and Sonoma. Pair with grilled meats. Merlot food pairings: grilled meats and poultry, hearty tomato-based pastas, pork chops. Drink: 2022 - 2024 454876 14.5% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. April 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

La Crema Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: From Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, La Crema 2017 Pinot Noir is produced from 11 vineyards across the county. Dry, medium-bodied, intricate and complex with layers of fresh ripe black cherry, blue and pink florals, sous-bois, savoury and citrus peel flavours silky and long on the palate. Tannins are pleasantly grippy. The final blend was aged 10 months in French oak barrels (35% new). Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled radicchio, zucchini frittata, barbecued duck, veggie mushroom burger. Drink: 2021 - 2023 906404 14.5% D 750 mL $54.95 Score: 93/100. April 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lapis Luna Pinot Noir 2018, California, United States Drink: 2022 - 2025 21968 14.1% D 750 mL $17.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bread & Butter Pinot Noir 2020, Napa, California, United States Drink: 2022 - 2025 13686 13.5% D 750 mL $19.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Maxwell Ellen Street Shiraz 2019, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: A beautiful, smooth, full-bodied Australian Shiraz from the cool climate of the McLaren Vale. Aromas of fleshy ripe dark berries, plum, spice and savoury herbs. Pair with hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2022 - 2026 14.5% D 750 mL $42.00 Score: 92/100. April 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ego Bodegas El Gorú Monastrell Syrah Petit Verdot 2020, Jumilla D.O.P., Spain: A lush and full-bodied red blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Petit Verdot from the Jumilla wine region. Fragrant with ripe dark plum and blackberry aromas on the nose. More ripe dark berry, cherry, plum and mocha flavours lingering on the palate. Pair with a roast of pork Monastrell Syrah Petit Verdot food pairings: beef burgers, stuffed flank steak, grilled flat iron steak, wine-braised beef, turkey with gravy, grilled game sausages. Drink: 2022 - 2026 443945 14% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. April 2022. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mission Hill Compendium 2010, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A, Canada Drink: 2020 - 2026 520097 14% MD 750 mL $55.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Meritage 2018, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Meritage food pairings: grilled red meats, gourmet sausages, meat lover's pizza. Drink: 2022 - 2028 594002 12.5% XD 750 mL $32.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Napa, California, United States Drink: 2022 - 2025 647644 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Boneline Amphitheatre Cabernet Franc 2018, Waipara, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2025 14.2% D 750 mL $55.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rapaura Springs Bull Paddock Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Dillons Point, Marlborough, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 593714 13% D 750 mL $29.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Greystone Vineyard Ferment Pinot Noir 2017, Waipara, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 23799 13.5% D 750 mL $75.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Black Estate Netherwood Pinot Noir 2017, Waipara, North Canterbury, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2026 12% D 750 mL $65.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Elder Pinot Noir 2016, Martinborough, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 13% D 750 mL $52.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Paddy Borthwick Left Hand Pinot Noir 2018, Waipara, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 22119 13.5% XD 750 mL $66.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir 2020, Central Otago, New Zealand Pinot Noir food pairings: coq au vin. Drink: 2022 - 2026 55228 13.5% D 750 mL $24.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Leaning Post Gamay 2019, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Ontario Drink: 2022 - 2024 12% D 750 mL $25.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Louis Bernard Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages 2018, Cotes Du Rhone Villages A.O.C., France Food pairings: bison burgers, roast chicken, pork chops. Drink: 2020 - 2023 391458 13% XD 750 mL $14.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Susana Balbo Crios Rosé of Malbec 2019, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina Drink: 2021 - 2023 32026 14.5% D 750 mL $18.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

M. Chapoutier Marius Rosé 2020, Languedoc-Roussillon, France Drink: 2022 - 2024 14678568 12% D 750 mL $13.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Remy Pannier Rosé d'Anjou 2020, Loire Valley, France Rosé D'anjou food pairings: pate, salads, cold chiken, grilled chicken or shrimp, seafood soup/stew. Drink: 2022 - 2023 12641 10.5% M 750 mL $15.50 Score: 87/100. April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Château de Corcelles Rosé D'une Nuit 2019, Beaujolais A.O.P., France Drink: 2022 - 2023 13% D 750 mL $26.56 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gray Monk Estate Winery Rosé 2020, Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely, refreshing BC rosé with notes of small field berries and strawberries. Racy acidity makes this a terrific companion for seafood and salads. Drink: 2021 - 2023 12.6% D 750 mL $17.99 Score: 92/100. April 2022. Top Rated Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionnelle Brut 2013, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand Drink: 2019 - 2024 12.5% XD 750 mL $80.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Kim Crawford Pinot Gris 2019, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A fresh and fragrant Pinot Gris with ripe stone fruit, pear and light tropical fruit flavours on the palate. Balanced and elegant. Chill and enjoy on its own or with green salads topped with fresh-steamed shrimp. Pinot Gris food pairings: grilled lobster tail in butter, stir-fried shrimp, grilled salmon. Drink: 2022 - 2024 369850 13.5% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 89/100. April 2022. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Joie Farm Unoaked Chardonnay 2017, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2018 - 2023 511261 13% XD 750 mL $25.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Boutari Moschofilero 2018, Mantinia, Greece: A lovely, aromatic Greek white wine made from the country's classic Moschofilero grape. Great value. A profusion of aromas of grapefruit and white florals. Pair with fresh seafood and shellfish. Drink: 2020 - 2023 172387 11.5% D 750 mL $16.05 Score: 89/100. April 2022. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Creekside Backyard Block Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A bone-dry, single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from Creek Shores wine region with fresh cut grass, lemongrass, lemon and lime zest aromas on the nose. Dry, zesty with more lemongrass, gooseberry, fresh apple and citrus flavours on the palate with a lingering flinty mineral finish. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: chicken and sage skewers, fresh tomato and basil salad, oysters on the half shell, pan-fried freshwater fish. Drink: 2020 - 2021 341792 12.5% XD 750 mL $22.00 Score: 88/100. April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Paddy Borthwick Pinot Gris 2019, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand Pinot Gris food pairings: grilled pork chops, vichyssoise, salads, seafood bites. Drink: 2022 - 2024 555516 13.9% XD 750 mL $21.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Provenance Series Chardonnay 2019, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: cedar plank grilled wild B.C. salmon, fish and chips, cheese board. Drink: 2022 - 2025 726521 13% D 750 mL $22.97 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vineland Estates Winery Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 2019, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Riesling food pairings: salad, mild curries, Thai coconut shrimp. Drink: 2022 - 2024 38117 8.5% M 750 mL $19.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

M. Chapoutier Domaine Tournon Mathilda Viognier Marsanne 2015, Victoria, Australia Viognier Marsanne food pairings: grilled chicken with lemongrass stalk, spicy pasta dishes, planked salmon with lemon sauce, duck liver pate, eggs Benedict. Drink: 2022 - 2024 401398 13% D 750 mL $19.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Matawhero Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2020, Gisborne, North Island, New Zealand Chardonnay food pairings: seafood salad, spring green salad with pomegranate and dried sweet cranberries. Drink: 2022 - 2025 447383 14.2% D 750 mL $19.95 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2021, Hawke’S Bay, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2025 13% D 750 mL $20.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Seifried Nelson Grüner Veltliner 2021, Nelson, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 581347 13% XD 750 mL $20.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Kano Central Otago Blanc De Noir 2020, Central Otago, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 14% D 750 mL $30.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Te Kano Bannockburn Fumé Blanc De Noir 2020, Central Otago, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 14% D 750 mL $42.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Millton Te Arai Gisborne Chenin Blanc 2020, Gisborne, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 13% D 750 mL $42.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Mt. Beautiful North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2018, North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 15% D 750 mL $30.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Soljans Estate Winery Kumeu Pinot Gris 2021, Aukland, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 14% D 750 mL $20.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Matawhero Single Vineyard Gisborne Pinot Gris 2020, Gisborne, New Zealand Drink: 2022 - 2024 13% D 750 mL $20.00 April 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Boutari Moschofilero 2022, Mantinia, Greece Drink: 2020 - 2023 172387 11.5% D 750 mL $16.05 April 2022. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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