Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
www.nataliemaclean.com

Shopping List

Jean Francois

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


Callejón Del Crimen Gran Reserva Malbec 2008, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina  357467 13.90% D 750 mL  $23.95. November 28, 2015 Full Review
Teusner The Riebke Shiraz 2013, South Australia, Australia: Full-bodied Australian red wine made from the country's classic Shiraz grape. This blockbuster offers tart black fruit and toasty oak on the nose with a good grip on the palate. Barossa is Australia's heartland for Shiraz. This one offers great complexity and a long finish. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2015-2018. 48470 14.60% XD 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 92/100. December 12, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Pirramimma Shiraz 2013, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: A vibrant, peppery Australian red wine with a black plum mantle and warming shawl of mouth-filling flavour. The superb 2013 vintage was ideal for ripening Shiraz. The grapes were selected from vineyards such as War Horse, Johnson Prolific, Bellevue and Bullrush. Finishes with vanilla bean and black pepper. Try with a rack of lamb. Drink: 2015-2018. 987784 14% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 93/100. November 14, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2012, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Savoury black fruit with a satisfying meaty note on the mid-palate. Cassis and blackberry tickle the senses and lead into a long smoky finish. Such great finesse and elegance in a wine known for being all upfront with fruit. Sample and see that winemaker Sue Hodder has a special kind of genius when it comes to cool-climate Australian red wines. Drink: 2013-2017. 433060 14% D 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 92/100. November 28, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
San Pedro 1865 Carmenere 2013, Maule Valley, Chile: Wow, this single vineyard Carmenere rocks! Carmenere is arguably the flagship red wine of Chile. It has it all: concentrated, rich black fruit flavours and depth, yet it's supple and smooth with a long finish. Velvet on the palate, lingering in the mind. The wines from San Pedro's 1865 line come from its own vineyard planted with a specific variety. The Carmenere comes from the winery's property in the Maule Valley, with rolling hillside vineyards averaging 20 years of age and planted in alluvial soil with angular stones to control plant vigour. This robust red wine finishes with notes of cassis and dried tobacco. Great balance and depth. Try it with a rack of lamb tonight. Highly recommended. Drink: 2015-2018. 249201 14.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. November 14, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Château Croze De Pys Prestige Malbec 2010, Cahors, Midi Southwest A.C., France: A rich, full-bodied southern French red with black fruit and smoke aromas. This wine is a blend of Malbec and Merlot grapes, from a family who has been growing vines since 1773 in this region. This red displays that history with lots of heft, concentration and depth. It finishes with some pepper and smoke. I'd drink it with brisket or prime rib. Produced by Domaines Roche, and located in the heart of the Cahors region of southern France. Pair with meaty ravioli or a thick minestrone soup. Drink: 2015-2018. 681668 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. November 14, 2015 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac 2008, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux A.C., France: Lots of blackberry, cassis and smoke on the nose and palate of this seductive Bordeaux red wine blend. Great structure, depth, complexity and length on the finish. cellar it for a few more years for maximum pleasure then decant 1 hour. This Grand Cru French red wine is produced by Vignobles Dourthe. Pair with rare steak. Drink: 2015-2020. 425546 13% XD 750 mL  $42.00 Score: 93/100. October 31, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Vieilles Vignes 2012, Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, Rhône A.C., France: A spectacular, full-bodied southern French red wine from the heart of the Rhone Valley. Aromas of black fruit, wild brush and smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2015-2020. 144832 14.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 92/100. December 12, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Domaine Des Versauds Morgon 2011, Beaujolais A.C., France: A lovely, smooth, medium-bodied French red wine from the southern Burgundian region of Beuajolais that is pack with flavour. Aromas of black cherry, pepper and spice. Pair with grilled chicken or pork shops. Drink: 2014-2018. 424879 13.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. November 28, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Château Clarke 2009, Listrac-Médoc, Bordeaux A.C., France: A spectacular red wine blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that's a third the price of comparable quality Bordeaux. Complex, rich and deep. The 2009 vintage was overshadowed by 2010, but when you find a gem like this one, snatch it up by the case. Great cellar candidate. Pair with fine cuts of beef. Drink: 2015-2022. 503904 14% XD 750 mL  $54.95 Score: 94/100. April 16, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Chateau Bertinerie 06 Bertinerie Cru Reserve Ct. De Blaye (Bantegnies 2006, Bordeaux, France  244640 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95. January 1, 2011 Full Review
Château Teyssier 2010, Montagne Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux A.C., France: A classic Bordeaux that superbly balanced and elegant. The 2010 vintage was a spectacular one for Bordeaux, so this is bargain-priced for that quality. Snap it up! Aromas of blackcurrant, cassis and smoke. Great cellar candidate though it's drinking well now. Nice finish. Great with steak. Drink: 2014-2020. 226035 14% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 92/100. November 14, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Perrin & Fils Peyre Blanche Cairanne 2013, Côtes Du Rhône-Villages A.C., France: An amazing wine for the money! This robust French red offers fleshy black cherry, anise, smoke and dark spices. Pair it with roast beef. Drink: 2015-2019. 650960 14% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. September 19, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Château Saint-Roch Chimères Domaine Lafage 2013, Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Midi A.P., France: Love the incredible range of styles that the Rhone region produces, like this intriguing red wine blend. Full-bodied and deeply savoury. Wow, so different: love it! Violets, black plum, deep dive black raspberry into a heart of welling darkness and satisfaction. Platonic ideal of concentration and depth with a long, sensuous finish that leaves you bathed in flavour satisfaction. Pair with hearty meat dishes and deep conversations. Produced by Domaine Lafage, this robust Rhone red wine from 2013 vintage of this Cotes du Roussillon Chimeres is a blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah grapes, with a splash of Carignan. The wine undergoes an extended cold-soak that's not in stainless steel tanks, then fermentation in 500 litre barrels. The vineyards are located close to the village of Maury in the Rhone Valley. Drink: 2015-2019. 119354 15% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. October 3, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Château de Nages Vieilles Vignes Costières De Nîmes 2012, Rhône A.C., France: This spicy blend of mostly Grenache, along with Syrah and some Mourvèdre grapes is produced by Michel Gassier. It's juicy, smooth and layered. The grapes were de-stemmed and both the Syrah and Mourvèdre components were matured for 1 year on the lees in French oak barrels. The Grenache portion is kept in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness. This AC wine was bottled without filtration. This is a fantastic wine from winemaking consultant, Philippe Cambie, especially for this price. Aromas of wild dark fruit, dried herbs, spice, and cedar underbrush. It's a classic Rhone blend with fragrant spices, black cherry and licorice for grilled meats. Pair with lamb and rosemary. Highly recommended. Drink: 2015-2019. 40964 15% D 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 91/100. October 29, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Giordano Primitivo Di Manduria 2013, Puglia D.O.C., Italy: Aromas of big juicy purple plums and blueberries and mocha on this Italian blockbuster, and very Zinfandel-like, which makes sense given the grape's connection to Primitivo. A supple and full-bodied red wine with a good-natured heart of hedonism. Perfect for casual dinner parties with people you like. The vines are trained for low yields to ensure concentrated flavour. Intensely packed with dark fruit flavour and dark chocolate. Pair with wild and grilled meats and spicy cheeses. Drink: 2015-2018. 51797 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. November 14, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Castelgiocondo Marchesi De' Frescobaldi Brunello Di Montalcino 2010, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Great concentration and depth of flavour on the palate. This blockbuster is in serious need of cellar time. This full-bodied red wine features aromas of blackberry, black plums, smoky oak and tar. It's fairly smooth, though this will improve with aging. Decant for 1-2 hours when you open it. A powerful and classic Italian red wine. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2014-2019. 35295 14% XD 375 mL  $29.95 Score: 93/100. December 12, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review
Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2012, Tuscany D.O.C.G, Italy: Full-bodied with racy acidity on the palate that demands tomato sauce with some meat balls please. Firm tannins so this could do well in the cellar for several more years then decant 1-2 hours. Drink: 2017-2022. 174473 14% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 92/100. October 10, 2016 Top Rated Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review
Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2013, Campo De Borja D.O., Spain: This winery is located south of Rioja and is comprised of 100% Garnacha grapes. The Garnacha grapes for this wine grow on old vines, which provides additional concentration and flavour. Great structure. This full-bodied Spanish red wine was fermented in stainless steel; half of the wine was matured in small French oak barrels, of which about 40% new, and the remaining half in stainless steel tank. Lots of mocha and dark chocolate aromas on the nose that are then flooded with lusciously ripe black fruit on the palate. Full-bodied and smooth. A rich darkly hued colour in the glass. A long, satisfying finish. Pair with grilled meats. The 2013 vintage of the Tres Picos offers solid value. Drink: 2015-2020. 273748 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. December 12, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
Alto Moncayo Veraton 2012, Campo De Borja D.O., Spain: A savoury, juicy, lip-smacking delicious Spanish red wine with incredible depths of concentrated dark fruit flavour. Think fleshy black plum and blackberries with some cedar smoke and savoury bacon notes. So, so tasty. Pair with roast beef. Drink: 2014-2019. 173211 15.50% D 750 mL  $36.95 Score: 93/100. November 28, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review
Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos Mencia 2008, Spain, Spain  446484 15% D 750 mL  $21.95. September 18, 2008 Full Review
Folie à Deux Zinfandel 2012, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: Big aromas and flavours of boysenberry, blueberry and blackberry on this classic Californian red wine made from the flagship Zinfandel grape. Vibrant, round and full-bodied. Bursting with flavour and vibrancy. Finishes with dark spices. Perfect for BBQ meats. Drink: 2013-2017. 147231 14.50% D 750 mL  $36.95 Score: 92/100. October 31, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review

© 2024 Natalie MacLean