Australia
Two Hands Wines Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: The gnarly dudes in question are the rather fierce and twisted-looking old vines that give us this wine’s concentrated fruit. Winemaker Matt Wenk has a well-deserved reputation for creating a tightly focused Shiraz that emphasizes the dark cherry fruit while perfectly integrating the oak and tannins. This dude is ready to be enjoyed anytime over the next five years. My note: Full-bodied with aromas of dark fruit. 660043 14.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Kilikanoon Wines Kilikanoon The Lackey Shiraz 2005, South Australia, Australia: A simple and delicious, full-bodied wine. 5199 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Treasury Wine Estates Rosemount Hill Of Gold Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia: A robust red full of Aussie sunshine and ripeness. Aromatic notes of blackberries. 614800 14% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 92/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Elderton Elderton Shiraz 2004, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: A big, palate-whacking shiraz. When you measure "bang for your buck," look to this wine. Elderton Shiraz food pairings: Emu. 713024 14.5% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Treasury Wine Estates Rosemount Hill Of Gold Shiraz 2004, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia: A full-bodied wine with lovely balance. 614784 13% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Canada
Tawse Riesling 2006, V.Q.A. Twenty Mile Bench, Canada: A light, happy wine with citrus notes. 55103 10.5% MD 750 mL $20.20 Score: 88/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tawse Échos Bistro White 2004, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: This is a fresh, crisp, well-balanced white with nicely integrated oak and lovely tropical and white fruit flavors. My note: A lovely and balanced chardonnay. Tawse Échos Bistro White food pairings: lobster, salmon, sweetbreads. 55087 13% XD 750 mL $22.20 Score: 89/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tawse Échos Bistro Red 2005, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Canada: Gorgeous concentration in this wine with notes of plums and chocolate. Full-bodied. A blend of 70% cabernet franc and 30% merlot. 55095 12.5% XD 750 mL $25.20 Score: 91/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tawse Cabernet Franc 2004, V.Q.A. Lincoln Lakeshore, Canada: Full-bodied with notes of blackberry and cassis. 55079 13% XD 750 mL $38.20 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
France
Maison Champy Bourgogne Signature Chardonnay 2005, Ac, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The grapes that make up the Signature Chardonnay come from vineyards in Puligny, Meursault, Chassagne, Auxey-Duresses, Saint-Romain and Mâcon. This wine serves up a modern approach to Chardonnay, with an abundance of fruit up front, a round, rich palate, and lots of style. My note: A lovely chardonnay with vibrant notes of green apples and a kiss of oak. Maison Champy Bourgogne Signature Chardonnay food pairings: pork, roast chicken, warm chicken salad. 43455 13% XD 750 mL $24.00 Score: 89/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Maison Champy Pernand-Vergelesses 2005, Ac, France: A gorgeous, round chardonnay with notes of ripe pear, green apples, smoke and vanilla. Maison Champy Pernand-Vergelesses food pairings: salmon, pork, roast chicken. 8151 13% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Genevrières 2005, Ac, 1Er Cru, France: A shimmering, rich and layered chardonnay. A vanilla warmth blankets your palate while spritely green apples dance along the sidelines. Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Genevrières food pairings: roast chicken, pork. 705970 13% XD 750 mL $89.95 Score: 94/100. November 2007. Favorite White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Maison Louis Jadot Louis Jadot Beaune Boucherottes 2005, Ac, 1Er Cru, France: An elegant, medium-bodied red burgundy with a long finish. Notes of cherries and cedar. 47837 14% XD 750 mL $47.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Bouchard Pere & Fils Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Du Château 2005, Ac, 1Er Cru, France: A rich, full-bodied pinot. Packed with notes of cherries, plums, and smoke. 901199 13.1% XD 750 mL $41.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Maison Champy Bourgogne Signature Pinot Noir 2005, Ac, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Maison Champy is one of a group of small, quality conscious négociants (merchants who buy wines or grapes from winemakers/growers and create their own wines) who are currently releasing a wonderful collection of wines, including this raspberry-, cherry drop- and beetroot-scented example. My note: A staggering value for this lovely, medium-bodied pinot. Maison Champy Bourgogne Signature Pinot Noir food pairings: barbecued salmon. 1149 13.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
J. Labet & N. Déchelette Château De La Tour Clos-Vougeot 2005, Ac, Grand Cru, France: The 2005 is rich and round with sweet cherry fruit. Drink: 2010 - 2020 43265 13.1% XD 750 mL $219.00 Score: 94/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Bouchard Pere & Fils Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Cailles 2005, Ac, 1Er Cru, France: Gorgeous, sweet cherry fruit aromas and a silky, sexy, smooth texture. 974014 13% XD 750 mL $104.95 Score: 95/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Château Le Carillon 2005, Ac Pomerol, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This Bordeaux epitomizes great value from what many consider a perfect vintage. A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, this luscious red presents aromas and flavors of ripe plum and cherry fruit and strikes a fine balance between its fruit, tannins and oak. My note: Beautifully balanced and elegant with a long finish. Full-bodied. Château Le Carillon food pairings: herb-encrusted leg of lamb. Drink: 2008 - 2012 51417 13% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
S.C. du Chateau D'Issan Château De Candale 2000, Ac Haut-Médoc, France: Great value for this full-bodied, well-structured bordeaux. Notes of cassis and blackcurrant. Château De Candale food pairings: steak, lamb. 43679 12% XD 750 mL $35.95 Score: 91/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Perrin & Fils Château De Beaucastel Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2005, Ac, France: Rich, expansive and layered with aromas of red currants, black plums, cedar, spice and smoke. Full-bodied. 711317 14.5% XD 750 mL $91.95 Score: 96/100. November 2007. Favorite Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Hugel Gewurztraminer Vendange Tardive 2001, Ac Alsace, France: A low-acidity wine with rich layers of sweet pears, lychee and spice. Hugel Gewurztraminer Vendange Tardive food pairings: pork, glazed ham with cloves. 949495 13% MS 750 mL $69.95 Score: 91/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Boutinot Les Coteaux Des Tufiers Vouvray Demi-Sec 2005, Ac, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This is a delicious, gentle, medium-dry Chenin Blanc from the superb 2005 vintage. Look for delightful honeyed aromas, a lush palate packed with apple and citrus fruit as well as nutty notes leading to a long, rich finish. My note: Lovely, aromatic wine with a rich, round texture. Les Coteaux Des Tufiers Vouvray Demi-Sec food pairings: spicy Asian dishes. 57018 12% MD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
J. Labet & N. Déchelette Château De La Tour Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru 2001 2001, Ac, Grand Cru, France: It doesn't get much better than this for Old World benchmark pinot noir. Exotic aromas of earth, lovely sour cherries, beets (it's a good thing) and a certain je ne sais quois pas. Château De La Tour Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru 2001 food pairings: roast duck, wild mushroom risotto, salmon, chicken, pork or better yet, nothing. Drink: 2008 - 2015 970061 13% D 750 mL $129.95 Score: 95/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Georgia
Telavi Napareuli 2004, Aoc Napareuli, Kakheti Region, Georgia: Vintages Wine Panel: A Silver-Medal winner at the prestigious Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in 2007. Discover why Telavi Wine Cellars’ estate-grown, medal-winning wines were so popular in Russia. This red offers lovely aromas of cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant and its palate is silky with nicely integrated oak. My note: I love finding great values in unexpected regions. Rich and full-bodied. Telavi Napareuli food pairings: hearty stews, mature cheeses. 48116 13.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Germany
Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Riesling Kabinett 2005, Qmp, Ockfener Bockstein, Estate Btld., Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: The Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt estates originated with the purchase of the family’s first vineyard in 1349. Over the centuries, the estate has acquired prized vineyard sites throughout the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region,
including a section of the well-known Ockfener Bockstein vineyard along the Saar River. The 2005 vintage of this fresh and focused Kabinett is so outstanding, it won a Gold Medal at the 2007 International Wine
Challenge. My note: Lovely, light wine with pretty floral notes. 606202 12.5% MD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Italy
Castello Di Ama Rosato 2006, Igt Toscana, Italy: A vibrant wine with notes of raspberries. Great way to perk up any over-cooked salmon. 39800 13% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. November 2007. Favorite Rose Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Montezovo Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2004, Doc, Italy: A wonderfully rich red with notes of chocolate and plums. Montezovo Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso food pairings: rich beef, lamb dishes. 23523 14.5% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Portugal
Real Companhia Velha Porca De Murça Reserva Tinto 2003, Doc Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: The prime grape in this blend is Tinta Roriz, the Douro name for Spanish Tempranillo. The Port grapes Touriga Nacional and Francesa bring a juicy vibrancy to this cedary, delicious wine. It is richly fruited with
lively tannins providing structure. My note: A medium-to full-bodied wine that's a delight to drink. Porca De Murça Reserva Tinto food pairings: rare roast beef. 684753 13.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Spain
Felix Solis Viña Albali Gran Reserva 1999, Do Valdepeñas, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: This Gran Reserva won a Silver Medal at the 2006 Mundus Vini international wine competition. The nose is intense, with dark fruit, spice, and vanilla aromas. The palate is powerful and rich culminating in a long finish of ripe fruit and polished tannins. With all the work of cellaring done for you already, this is an outstanding value at this price. My note: A surprisingly good wine with mouth-coating flavors of plums and chocolate. 9621 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
United States
Joseph Phelps Vineyards Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Napa Valley, United States: A lovely example of cabernet sauvignon. Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: roast beef, lamb. 36939 13.5% D 375 mL $45.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Ironstone Vineyards Obsession Symphony 2006, Sierra Foothills, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Originally created at UC Davis, Symphony is an aromatic grape that’s a cross between Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris. The latest vintage of Ironstone’s popular Obsession is as fragrant as always, soft and round with a touch of sweetness. My note: I love this wine with its floral notes. Ironstone Vineyards Obsession Symphony food pairings: Asian curry. 355784 12% MD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. November 2007. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Calera Chardonnay 2005, Central Coast, 30Th Anniversary Vintage, United States: Rich, round and luscious with notes of ripe pears and buttery oak. 713313 14.4% D 750 mL $34.95 Score: 92/100. November 2007. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart