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Wine Picks March 21, 2023

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Reviewed Wines | All Wines | Group by Wine Type | Group by Country/Region

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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

Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Carmenère 2020, Maipo Valley D.O., Chile: From the Maipo Valley, Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva 2020 Carmenère is a fragrant, big, bold and full-bodied red wine with layers of ripe dark fruit, anise, black pepper and grilled herb flavours on the palate. Pour with steaks from the grill. Carmenère food pairings: wine-braised beef, game, pork, turkey with gravy. Drink: 2024 - 2028 57513 14.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. March 2023. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

San Pedro 1865 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Lontué Valley, Curicó Valley D.O., Chile: San Pedro 1865 2019 is produced from Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon from some of the oldest vineyards in the Lontué zone, south of Curicó Valley. The vines are more than 70 years old and are dry-farmed. The finished wine was aged in foudres for 18 months. Look for spicy dark fruits, chocolate, savoury dried herbs generous and warm on the palate. Tannins are firm and rich. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: meats from the grill, BBQ ribs, game sausage cassoulet. Drink: 2023 - 2028 27202 14% D 750 mL $35.95 Score: 93/100. March 2023. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Kendall-Jackson Estates Collection Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: From Alexander Valley, Sonoma County wine region, Kendall-Jackson Estates 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is a robust and muscular red with a mouthful of ripe black cherry, anise, cloves, menthol, dark chocolate and toasty oak spice flavours intense and concentrated and powerful. The wine was aged in French oak barrels (40% new). Feed it a prime rib roast with all the trimmings. Drink or hold. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: burgers, ribs, lamb chops. Drink: 2023 - 2028 27681 14.5% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 92/100. March 2023. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2021, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Quails' Gate 2021 Pinot Noir, is satiny smooth and elegant with balanced acidity. Fragrant with crushed raspberry, dark cherry, lavender, sage, vanilla and smoky aromas on the nose with concentrated dark cherry, fine herbs, anise, nutmeg and ginger spice flavours on the palate. Tannins are velvety. Enjoy on its own or with shepherd's pie. Pinot Noir food pairings: herb crusted chicken, roasted lamb, savoury slow cooked game. Drink: 2023 - 2028 585760 14% D 750 mL $35.95 Score: 91/100. March 2023. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Reif Estate Winery Riesling 2021, Niagara River, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: The 2021 Reif Riesling has aromas of wet stone and lemon sunshine and sunny apricot and lime zest flavours. This medium-dry white would be perfect with sushi, or anything with mild to medium heat or spice. Riesling food pairings: lighter fare like fish, poultry and vegetarian dishes, spicier food, Chinese or Thai. Drink: 2023 - 2026 111799 12% MD 750 mL $14.75 Score: 90/100. March 2023. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Villa Maria Southern Clays Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Villa Maria Southern Clays 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is produced from sustainably-grown grapes sourced from a single vineyard. Fresh with orange blossom, grapefruit zest, fine herb and briny mineral aromas and flavours on the palate. This well-crafted Marlborough SB is bone-dry, medium-bodied, wonderfully fresh and balanced with fresh acidity from beginning to its very long finish. Drink or hold. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: baked goat cheese with cranberry and cherry coulee, goat cheese green onion and smoked salmon pizza. Drink: 2023 - 2027 447474 13% D 750 mL $30.75 Score: 95/100. March 2023. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hester Creek Estate Winery Storied Series Pinot Bianco 2021, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Storied Series Pinot Bianco 2021 from Hester Creek Estate Winery has peach, apple and fresh herb aromas with zesty orange citrus on the palate. Drink and enjoy young. Pour with grilled chicken dishes. Pinot Bianco food pairings: grilled veggies, pork chops, roast chicken, pesto pizza. Drink: 2023 - 2024 431729 13.2% D 750 mL $21.99 Score: 90/100. March 2023. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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