Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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Wynns Coonawarra Estate Chardonnay 2012, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Full-bodied and balanced with lovely aromas of green apple, smoke and butter. Lovely stonefruit on the finish along with some toasty oak. Knock your socks off with this lovely chardonnay! Drink: 2013-2016. 468728 13% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. April 15, 2015 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart Of The Barossa Shiraz 2012, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: This full-bodied red wine has lip-smacking delicious aromas and flavours of black and purple fruit. Smooth and supple. Love the fact that this big shiraz is not filtered, giving us the full-on flavour experience. The grapes for this robust red wine come from vines 100 years old. The wine is open-fermented with wild yeast, then aged 18 months in French oak barrels, and is not fined nor filtered. Try is with lamb and rosemary. Drink: 2013-2017. 167189 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. April 15, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Wolf Blass Gold Label Sparkling, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia: The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes for this Australian sparkling wine were sourced from the cool climate of the Adelaide Hills. Aromas of green apple, lemon zest and stonefruit on the nose and palate. Pair with fried chicken. 606285 12.50% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2015 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Fantastic Fried Chicken Wine Full Review
Peter Lehmann Wines Portrait Shiraz 2012, Barossa, Australia: This robust Australian red wine made from the country's classic Shiraz grapes hails from the famous Barossa Valley. Aromas of black fruit and mocha. This wine was aged for 12 months in oak hogshead barrels to richness and toastiness. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2014-2018. 572875 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. April 15, 2015 Full Review
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Semi-Dry Riesling 2013, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Absolutely lovely! Floral and flinty with apricot blossom and baking spices. Yes it's off-dry but the acidity balances the sweetness beautifully. Great price. Drink: 2013-2016. 387043 11% MD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. April 15, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 2013, Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada: This lovely honeysuckle, apple blossom pleasure is never cloyingly sweet. It's also just slightly effervescent, enough spritz to make it refreshing and give a zip to your palate. It's a lovely pairing for the Canadian Feta Apetina, which can be crumbled by hand and is divine with virgin olive oil and some herbs. Benjamin Bridge finishes with pretty floral notes and white peaches basking in Annapolis Valley sunshine. Perfect as an after-dinner drink on its own when you don't want anything heavy, or pair it with a fruit-based dessert like fresh peaches and cream. Drink: 2014-2017. 256289 6.50% S 750 mL  $25.95 Score: 92/100. August 22, 2015 Top Rated Dessert Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full Review
Bricklayer's Reward Block 7 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Purple plums and blueberry jam on the nose, with a firm tannic grip on the palate. This wine has potential for future vintages as the winemaker refines his craft. Pair with roast beef or grilled burgers. Drink: 2015-2017. 406124 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 86/100. April 15, 2015 Full Review
Vineland Estates Winery Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 2012, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Lovely expression of Niagara Riesling with seductive replays of flavour across the palate: think fresh peach, pear and some mouth-watering lime zest. Drink: 2013-2019. 38117 9% M 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. April 15, 2015 Top Rated White Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Abbotts & Delaunay 2013, Cotes du Rousillon AOC, France: A full-bodied, savoury red wine from southern France. Aromas and flavours of black cherry liqueur (although this wine is dry), dried herbs and some dark spice. Perfect for grilled burgers. Drink: 2014-2018. 3760011571438 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. April 15, 2015 Full Review
Abbotts & Delaunay Zephyr Chardonnay 2012, Limoux AC, France: Creamy, rich and round French Chardonnay with layers of butterscotch and toffeed goodness from generous oak aging. Full-bodied with a voluptuous texture and mouth-feel. Pair with roasted chicken. Drink: 2013-2018. 3760011571537 13% XD 750 mL  $26.95 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2015 Full Review
Abbotts & Delaunay Alto Stratus Carignan 2012, France: A distinguished Carignon with great flair, finesse and individuality. Incredible depth and layering of dark red fruit flavour mingling with spice. This leads to a hedonistically long finish. Wow. Pair with a pepper steak. Drink: 2013-2018. 3760011571551 14% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 93/100. April 15, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Abbotts & Delaunay 2013, Corbieres AOC, France: Mouth-brightening acidity and vibrancy in this energetic southern French red wine. Aromas of tart red and black cherry with a lick of spice around every corner. How about prime rib? Drink: 2014-2018. 3760011571421 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. April 15, 2015 Full Review
Abbotts & Delaunay 2013, Minervois AOC, France: Cedar-lovely with fresh aromas of pristine forest floor, wild dark red berries and spring earth coming to life again. Full-bodied, bright, supple and smooth. Bring on the prime rib please. Drink: 2014-2018. 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. April 15, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Abbots & Delaunay Boreas 2012, Faugeres AC, France: Smoky and toasty with lip-smacking flavours of fleshy black fruit. This generous, full-bodied, supple French red wine finishes with lust-worthy dark spice and smoke. Yes please. Drink: 2014-2018. 3760011571575 13.50% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2015 Full Review
Les Vignes Bila-Haut Chapoutier 2013, Côtes Du Roussillon Villages, Midi A.C., France: Staggeringly great value in this full-bodied French red wine from the Rhone Valley that's a blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah grapes. This AC-designated wine features brooding black fruit, dark spices and intrigue. What a great price for such quality, especially from such an iconic winemaker as Chapoutier. Try it tonight with pepperoni pizza or meat lasagna. Drink: 2014-2018. 168716 14% D 750 mL  $15.45 Score: 91/100. April 15, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Chateau Bellevue La Forêt 2011, Fronton, Southwest, France: This robust, well-priced French red wine comes to us via Philip Grant, Propriétaire. The wine is mostly made from the Negrette grape and offers lip-smacking delicious flavours of dark fruit and cedar brush. Decant 1 hours and try it with a juicy steak tonight. Drink: 2014-2018. 354134 14.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 88/100. March 19, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Kim Crawford Pansy! Rosé 2014, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: A vibrant, almost robust (for rose) wine with terrific refreshment. Aromas of field strawberries and cranberry. Lots of great acidity for food, such as cold chicken sandwiches and cheeses. Drink: 2014-2016. 650325 13% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. June 27, 2015 Best Value Rosé Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Barefoot Moscato, California, United States: A lovely moscato bursting with sweet peach, apricot and honeysuckle notes. Moscato is quickly becoming one of the most popular white wines, and this is a great examples of why. It's tasty as an aperitif, or as an accompaniment to seafood and salads. Drink: 2024-2026. 234351 9% MS 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 86/100. October 10, 2024 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
McManis Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, California, United States: Vibrant purple plums and blueberries on the nose and palate of this full-bodied Californian Cabernet. Generous and juicy and supple. Pair with roast beef. Drink: 2014-2018. 212126 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 88/100. April 15, 2015 Best Beef Wine Full Review
Seghesio Zinfandel 2013, Sonoma County, California, United States: The Seghesio Zinfandel is one of Californian's best Zins. It packed with jammy black fruit. This wine has been produced since 1895 and today the vines are ancient at about 30 years old. Serious zin for fun barbecues. The grapes for this Zinfandel grow in vineyards planted in the Alexander Valley and Dry Creek in Sonoma. Pair with gourmet hamburgers. Drink: 2013-2019. 942151 14.80% D 750 mL  $31.95 Score: 93/100. April 15, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States: Intensely concentrated black fruit and smoke in this terrific Californian red wine with full-bodied weight and a supple texture. Lovely dried herbs and tobacco on the finish of this Napa Valley classic. This Cabernet Sauvignon was aged 21 months in oak barrels. This one will go for a while in your cellar, but why wait? decant 1-2 hours. Pair with filet mignon. Drink: 2014-2019. 212951 14.50% XD 750 mL  $65.00 Score: 93/100. May 14, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Merlot 2012, Napa, Sonoma, California, United States: Mocha, dark chocolate and espresso on the nose from the enticing oak aging on this Californian red wine. Full-bodied and smooth with lots of layers of fleshy black plums. Try it tonight with grilled pork chops. The Merlot grapes are gently delivered whole-berry to the fermenter, avoiding bitterness while brining out fresh fruit flavours. Drink: 2013-2018. 454876 14.50% XD 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 91/100. April 15, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Ménage à Trois Moscato 2013, California, United States: Lemon drops and zest come together in a happy embrace in this lovely in this off-dry Californian Moscato. Did you know that Moscato is the fastest growing white wine category in the liquor store, growing at 25% a year? Serve well chilled while you find a well warmed sunny spot on the deck. Drink: 2014-2016. 420067 11% MS 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 87/100. September 15, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Robert Mondavi Winery Merlot 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States: Mocha and espresso on the nose from oak aging along with attractive blackberry and black plums aromas and flavours. Full-bodied and smooth. Perfect for grilled pork chops. This wine will be released in Vintages June 13, 2015. Drink: 2014-2019. 953562 14.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 88/100. April 15, 2015 Full Review

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