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Wine Picks March 4, 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.

Australia

Maxwell Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2020, Adelaide Hills, New South Wales, Australia Chardonnay food pairings: chicken brochettes, oyster pot pie, pan-fried freshwater fish. Drink: 2022 - 2024 12.5% XD 750 mL $32.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Maxwell Four Roads Grenache 2019, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia Drink: 2022 - 2025 57000 14% D 750 mL $32.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Maxwell Little Demon Cabernet Merlot 2019, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia Drink: 2022 - 2025 14% D 750 mL $22.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Maxwell Honey Mead, Australia 12.5% D 750 mL $20.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Canada

Monte Creek Ranch and Winery Living Land Sparkling Rosé 2020, Thompson Valley, Okanagan, British Columbia, Bc, Canada Drink: 2022 - 2024 13% MD 750 mL March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Pelee Island Winery Baco Noir 2019, Ontario, V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2020 - 2022 485128 13% D 750 mL $14.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Liquidity Wines Dividend Red 2019, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia Bc, Canada Drink: 2022 - 2026 13.5% XD 750 mL $40.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Trius Showcase Clark Farm Pinot Noir 2020, Four Mile Creek, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Pinot Noir food pairings: frankfurters, beef stew, goulash, chambertin cheese, pizza, pork with a hoisin and honey sauce. Drink: 2021 - 2026 13% XD 750 mL $36.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Backyard Vineyards Simply Social Bacchus 2020, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2024 12% D 750 mL $23.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Queenston Mile Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé 2017, St. David's Bench, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A gorgeous Niagara rose with aromas of field strawberries and citrus notes. Medium-bodied with mouth-watering, juicy acidity that's perfect for seafood. Pinot Noir Rosé food pairings: margherita pizza, shrimp tacos, soft cheese. Drink: 2022 - 2023 13% D 750 mL $30.00 Score: 91/100. March 2022. Top Rated Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Queenston Mile Vineyard Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2017, St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A delicious medium-plus-bodied Chardonnay with ripe pear, apple pie, butterscotch, dried pineapple, lemon cream and toasty oak spice flavours silky smooth on the palate. Great acidity for food. Pair with roast chicken. Chardonnay food pairings: roast chicken, lobster roll, fish tacos. Drink: 2022 - 2024 10137 13% D 750 mL $35.00 Score: 90/100. March 2022. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

The Foreign Affair Dream 2017, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A juicy, succulent, medium-plus-bodied Niagara red wine blend of mostly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grapes. About 15% of the grapes were dried for four months in appassimento style and the fermented wine spent 16 months in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels. Lush layers of dried fruit, ripe dark cherries, blackberry, cake spice and dried tobacco leaf fill the palate balanced with vibrant acidity for food. Tannins are firm. Cellar for three years or decant and pour with a dark chocolate mousse or chicken mole. Food pairings: smoky game burgers, beef steak, rack of lamb, smoked cheeses. Drink: 2020 - 2025 364380 14% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. March 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Peller Estates Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A zesty, refreshing Niagara Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of chives, lime zest and lemongrass. Perfect for seafood, shellfish and vegetarian dishes. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: goat cheese or chevre. Drink: 2020 - 2023 405043 13% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 91/100. March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

13th Street Wine Club Gewurztraminer 2019, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Gewurztraminer food pairings: Pork tenderloin, seafood, quiche, poached salmon. Drink: 2022 - 2026 12.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lacey Estates Winery Inox Chardonnay 2017, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: mixed green avocado salad, herbed chicken. Drink: 2018 - 2022 18236 12.5% D 750 mL $22.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hester Creek Estate Winery Selected Barrels Merlot 2020, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Selected Barrels Merlot food pairings: Grilled pork tenderloin and charred Okanagan cherries.. Drink: 2022 - 2025 677195 13.8% D 750 mL $18.99 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sperling Vineyards Family Rosé 2019, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2024 10% D 750 mL $22.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Merlot 2019, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia B.C. V.Q.A., Canada Merlot food pairings: roast pork, pulled pork sandwiches, veal scaloppini. Drink: 2022 - 2025 639633 14% XD 750 mL $30.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Pillitteri Estates Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2012, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine food pairings: Black Forest cake, mocha cheesecake, caramel corn. 465203 10% S 200 mL $39.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Stag's Hollow Winery & Vineyard Renaissance Merlot 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2018 - 2024 14% D 750 mL $42.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Queenston Mile Vineyard Mile High Sparkling 2018, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2024 12006 12.5% D 750 mL $35.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Liquidity Wines Viognier 2020, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2024 13% D 750 mL $29.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Winemaker’s Cut Fidelia Sparkling Brut 2020, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2023 11% D 750 mL $26.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bask Sauvignon Blanc, Ontario, Canada Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: fish and chips, chicken wings, salmon burgers. 16777 12% XD 750 mL $13.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Wayne Gretzky Estates Estate Series Shiraz Cabernet 2019, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Shiraz Cabernet food pairings: pasta in rich sauce, shepherd's pie, rack of lamb. Drink: 2022 - 2025 162180 12.5% XD 750 mL $29.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Queenston Mile Vineyard Mile Red 2018, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Food pairings: hamburgers, grilled portobello mushrooms, barbecued ribs. Drink: 2021 - 2025 11986 13% D 750 mL $25.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

France

Clos des Lunes Cuvée Lune d'Argent 2017, Bordeaux, France Drink: 2022 - 2023 13% D 750 mL $32.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Germany

Moselland Winery Bernkasteler Kurfurstlay Riesling 2020, Mosel, Germany: A light, refreshing German Riesling with notes of lime and lemon. Perfect patio sipper or companion to vegetarian dishes. Riesling food pairings: pork dumplings, glazed salmon, charcuterie, shrimp tempura. Drink: 2022 - 2025 15875 10% M 750 mL $12.00 Score: 87/100. March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Clean Slate Riesling Mosel 2020, Mosel, Germany: Clean Slate Riesling Mosel 2019 has aromas of honey, minerals and fresh herbs with citrus and white florals shining through on the palate of this off-dry nicely balanced Mosel Riesling. Plus, a great value coming in at less than $15. Pour with Indian curry dishes. Riesling Mosel food pairings: Asian dishes, spicy foods, sushi, fish, poultry and pork. Drink: 2022 - 2025 286237 11% M 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. March 2022. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Deinhard Winery Dry Riesling 2020, Rheinhessen, Germany: A superb value for this spritely, vibrant, dry German Riesling. Enticing aromas of lemon and lime. Pair with seafood and salads. Riesling food pairings: pork chops, sushi, glazed ham, BBQ chicken. Drink: 2022 - 2025 60004 12% D 750 mL $15.00 Score: 88/100. March 2022. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Deinhard Winery Green Label Riesling 2020, Mosel, Koblenz, Germany: A vivacious, medium-dry German Riesling with notes of chives and citrus. Perfect on it's own as an aperitif or as a companion to light poultry and seafood dishes. Riesling food pairings: grilled chicken, fish and chips, avocado toast. Drink: 2022 - 2025 8094 10% M 750 mL $14.00 Score: 87/100. March 2022. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Deinhard Winery Dry Riesling 2019, Rheinhessen, Germany: A superb value for this spritely, vibrant, dry German Riesling. Enticing aromas of lemon and lime. Pair with seafood and salads. Riesling food pairings: pork chops, sushi, glazed ham, BBQ chicken. Drink: 2022 - 2025 60004 12% D 750 mL $13.10 Score: 88/100. March 2022. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hungary

Tokaj-Pajzos Ladiva Tokaji Furmint 2019, Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary Drink: 2022 - 2027 12.5% XD 750 mL $20.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Italy

Cecchi Chianti 2019, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy Drink: 2022 - 2025 490144 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Castello di Gabbiano Chianti 2021, Tuscany Docg, Italy Chianti food pairings: pastas with mushroom sauce, aromatized white meat, roast lamb, or half-mature cheese.. Drink: 2022 - 2025 78006 13% D 750 mL $16.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Remo Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2019, Veneto D.O.C.G., Italy Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico food pairings: leg of lamb, cheese, venison stew, hearty lasagne. Drink: 2022 - 2029 995910 14.5% D 750 mL $39.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Fantini Calalenta Rosè 2020, Abruzzo, Italy Drink: 2022 - 2024 12% D 750 mL $19.99 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2018, Tuscany D.O.C., Italy Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano food pairings: lamb Bolognese, grilled New York strip loin, hard cheese, braised pork shanks, veal chops. Drink: 2022 - 2030 477620 13.5% XD 750 mL $39.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Dei Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2018, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano food pairings: braised pork shoulder in Chianti sauce, slow-roasted lamb shank, hearty beef dishes. Drink: 2022 - 2026 285510 13.5% D 750 mL $36.40 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Fattoria del Cerro Silineo Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2018, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy Drink: 2022 - 2030 13.5% D 750 mL $25.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2018, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano food pairings: spicy sausage casserole, meaty lasagne, leg of lamb. Drink: 2022 - 2026 566216 13.5% XD 750 mL $29.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Salcheto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2018, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano food pairings: grilled steaks, fricassee rabbit, roast duck. Drink: 2022 - 2027 685180 15% XD 750 mL $33.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Trerose Santa Caterina Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2018, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy Drink: 2022 - 2028 515510 14.5% D 750 mL $25.25 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Valdipiatta Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2018, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano food pairings: meaty stews, meat-lover's pizza, grilled game sausages. Drink: 2022 - 2027 163782 13.5% XD 750 mL $29.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2017, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano Riserva food pairings: meaty stews, grilled sirloin steak, tourtière. Drink: 2023 - 2040 368910 13% XD 750 mL $32.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cantina Goccia 3Q Umbria Rosso IGT, Umbria, Italy 22878 13.5% D 750 mL $16.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Remo Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018, Veneto D.O.C.G., Italy Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico food pairings: leg of lamb, cheese, venison stew, hearty lasagne. Drink: 2022 - 2029 995910 14.5% D 750 mL $39.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 2020, Alto Adige Trentino D.O.C., Italy: Beautifully balanced and refreshing Italian Pinot Grigio from one of the country's best-known producers of this wine. Santa Margherita was, in fact, the first to make Pinot Grigio back in 1961, and has led the way ever since. Crisp and lively with racy acidity for seafood and shellfish. Also works on its own as a chilled aperitif. Pinot Grigio food pairings: pasta with cream sauce, grilled chicken breast, summer salads, pork burgers, oysters on the half-shell. Drink: 2021 - 2023 106450 12.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. March 2022. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cecchi Chianti 2022, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy Drink: 2022 - 2025 490144 13% XD 750 mL $15.95 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Leone de Castris Five Roses Salento Negroamaro Rosato 2021, Salento I.G.T., Italy 12% D 750 mL $30.42 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Val d’Oca Valdobbiadene Prosecco Millesimato, Veneto, Italy 340570 11% D 750 mL $20.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Portugal

Niepoort Douro Branco Dialogo 2020, Portugal Drink: 2022 - 2024 147008 13% D 750 mL $19.40 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Spain

Villa Conchi Brut Selección Cava, Cava D.O., Spain: A crisp, refreshing sparkling wine from Spain that's a fraction of the price of Champagne. Toasty and vibrant. 577148 11.5% MD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 88/100. March 2022. Best Value Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

United States

Longshot Chardonnay 2019, California, United States Drink: 2021 - 2023 13.5% D 750 mL $15.00 March 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Daou Vineyards Rosé 2020, Paso Robles, California, United States: From Paso Robles wine region, Daou 2020 Rosé is produced by proprietors, Georges and Daniel Daou. The Grenache Noir (95%) and Sauvignon Blanc (5%) are sourced from steep, clay-and-limestone mountain slopes rising over the Coastal Range. Produced in the Provence rosé wine style, this is a dry, fragrant and juicy rosé with fresh strawberry, stone fruit, pear, rose petal, tropical fruit notes finishing with a lemon meringue minerality. Chill and sip with grilled calamari. Rosé food pairings: salads, fresh steamed shrimp, creamy cheeses. Drink: 2022 - 2023 19527 13.7% XD 750 mL $23.25 Score: 90/100. March 2022. Top Rated Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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