Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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David Trueman

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Trapiche Reserve Malbec 2016, Mendoza, Argentina: An amazing wine for the price! Wow. This luscious, full-bodied Argentine red wine is made from the country's classic Malbec grape. Aromas of fleshy ripe blackberry and black plum with some smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2018-2021. 614651 14% D 750 mL  $14.20 Score: 89/100. May 22, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Reif Estate Winery Riesling 2016, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario VQA, Canada: A lovely, savoury, mouth-watering Niagara Riesling with aromas of fresh lime and lemongrass. Perfect for seafood. Drink: 2017-2021. 111799  12% D 750 mL  $13.75 Score: 91/100. July 7, 2018 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Sibling Rivalry Red 2016, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A juicy, smooth, full-bodied red wine blend made by the three Speck brothers. Great value. Pair with meat lovers pizza. Drink: 2018-2021. 126151 13.50% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 89/100. August 28, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Henry of Pelham Rosé 2014, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Another incredible rose from Henry of Pelham! Savoury, dried herbs, wild field strawberries, summer wind blowing through your hair, warm grass on your feet. Yes, that's this wine. Pair with fresh seafood. Drink: 2014-2016. 613471 11.50% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 89/100. April 15, 2015 Best Value Rosé Wine. Full Review
Reif Estate Winery Riesling 2015, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario VQA, Canada: A superb Niagara white wine made from the classic grape Riesling. Aromas of lime zest, lemongrass and chives. Ever so slight hint of natural fruit sweetness gives this wine an incredible range of flavours and versatility with food, from roast chicken to fresh seafood. It also makes for a lovely chilled aperitif by the deck or dock. Sip summer in a glass! Drink: 2017-2021. 111799  12% D 750 mL  $13.75 Score: 93/100. July 8, 2017 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Reif Estate Winery Riesling 2017, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: An aromatic, light-bodied, mouth-watering Niagara Riesling with aromas of lemongrass, lime and white peach. Perfect for shellfish. Drink: 2018-2024. 111799  12% D 750 mL  $13.75 Score: 90/100. August 28, 2018 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Torres Las Mulas Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Central Valley, Chile: This crisp, fresh Chilean white wine hails from the Central Valley, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountain range. This organically certified, zesty Sauvignon Blanc features aromas of green apple, lemongrass and chives. Great on its own as an aperitif or pair it with fresh seafood. Serve chilled. Drink: 2019-2021. 272609 13% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. December 7, 2018 Best Value White Wine. Venerated Vegetarian Wine Full Review
Las Mulas Reserva Organic Merlot 2017, Central Valley, Chile: The respected Spanish winemaker Miquel Torres also makes great wines in Chile's Central Valley. This organic red is a terrific value. Aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant and toasty oak. Pair with hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2018-2021. 454868 14% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. November 13, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Outstanding Organic Wine Full Review
Las Mulas Reserva Organic Merlot 2015, Central Valley, Chile: Deep, deep black plum, fleshy, rich and enveloping. Fold up and have a nap inside this wine, wake up satisfied sensorily. Pair with grilled pork chops. Drink: 2015-2019. 454868 14% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. October 10, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Outstanding Organic Wine Full Review
Miguel Torres Las Mulas Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Central Valley, Chile: A truly amazing wine for the money! Classic and balanced cabernet with rich, deep layers of flavour: black plum, wild blackberry and cedar. Some spice on the finish. The bonus is that this is an organic wine. Pair with free-range beef. Drink: 2015-2018. 407494 14% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 90/100. October 10, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Outstanding Organic Wine Full Review
Cono Sur Bicicleta Reserva Viognier 2011, Chile, Chile: Freakin' amazing wine for the price. Gorgeously aromatic with notes of rose petals, lychee, apricot and Asian pears. Drink: 2013-2015. 64287 13.50% XD 750 mL  $14.00 Score: 89/100. December 4, 2008 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Santa Carolina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Chile: Full-bodied Chilean Cabernet, with a medium tannins on the palate. Decant 1 hour. Aromas of blackened fruit and toasty oak and smoke. The grapes for this wine grow on old vines in the winery's Miraflores Estate vineyard. Finishes with cedar and cigar box. Pair with a bolognese sauce. Drink: 2018-2022. 275925 13.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. July 5, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Cigar Box Pinot Noir 2017, Chile: This is a stunningly great price for this Chilean red wine made from old vine hand-picked Pinot Grapes. Aromas of sweet cherry and berry with some smoke. Pair with veal and roast chicken. Drink: 2020-2022. 545707 13.50% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. October 13, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Errázuriz Estate Series Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: Grassy fresh and lemon bright, especially for this price. Clean and mouth-watering. Finishes with a juicy gooseberry note. Perfect for field greens and other salads. Drink: 2015-2017. 263574 13% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. April 15, 2015 Best Value White Wine. Enchanting Feta Cheese Wine Full Review
La Vieille Ferme 2016, Cotes Du Ventoux, Rhone A.O.C., France: A full-bodied, rustic, robust southern French red wine blend. Aromas of black fruit, cedar brush and spice. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2018-2022. 263640 13% D 750 mL  $13.85 Score: 89/100. July 5, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Ferraton Père & Fils La Tournee 2016, Rhone Valley IGP, France: An amazing wine for the money! Full-bodied, layered and savoury. Aromas of black cherry and black raspberry on the nose and palate. Supple and smooth. Perfect for grilled meats, from steak to chicken. Ideal for parties given the price quality ratio. Drink: 2018-2022. 561282 13.50% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 90/100. October 3, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Perrin & Fils La Vieille Ferme Cotes Du Ventoux 2005, Rhone, France: Grapes are grown on the slopes of Mount Ventoux by the Perrin family, famous for their line of wines including Chateau Beaucastel. This is a gorgeous wine for the money, with ripe red cherry and plum notes, cedar and spice. Full-bodied and balanced. 263640 13.50%  750 mL  $13.85 Score: 89/100. May 22, 2007 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Château Montaiguillon Meritage 2010, Montagne St-Emilion, Bordeaux A.C., France: A wild, feral, full-bodied red wine with growling notes of cedar underbrush, black wild tart raspberry and menace. Layered and complex. Most excellent for the price. Decant 1-2 hours. Drink: 2015-2020. 374405 14.50% XD 750 mL  $26.95 Score: 90/100. May 24, 2014 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
M. Chapoutier Marius Grenache Syrah 2017, Pays d'Oc IGP, France: A staggeringly great value. Savoury and juicy with dark fruit and toasty oak on the nose and palate. Dried herbs and cigar box aromas. Decant 1 hour and enjoy with a rare steak. Drink: 2018-2022. 470096 13.50% XD 750 mL  $11.95 Score: 90/100. October 13, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Extra Dry Rosé Prosecco 2020, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: From the Veneto wine region, Pasqua, Romeo & Juliet 2020 rosé Prosecco is a light and bright fizz with a cherry, berry nose. Bright on the palate with pink florals, raspberries, nectarine and citrusy flavours, this is a pretty pink Prosecco to chill and enjoy. Drink: 2021-2022. 21296 11% M 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. September 30, 2021 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
L.A. Cetto Winery Petite Sirah 2004, Guadalupe Valley, Baja California, Mexico: Vintages Wine Panel: Widely produced in California and usually blended with Zinfandel to add structure, Petite Sirah is making a name for itself as a stand-alone variety in Mexico; L.A. Cetto, in particular, has been extremely successful with the variety. Dense purple in color, it offers black pepper and tea notes leading to an impressive, well-rounded finish. My note: You can’t beat the value of this wine: you simply won’t find a better wine for the money. Juicy, round and ripe with aromas of black plums, black raspberry and vanilla smoke. 983742 14% XD 750 mL  $10.95 Score: 89/100. June 6, 2009 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Boschendal The Pavillion Chenin Blanc Viognier 2017, Western Cape, South Africa: I love South African Chenin Blanc, and this is no exception! Aromas of lemon, lanolin, beeswax and chives. Medium-bodied with rich mouth-feel. Perfect for roast chicken. Drink: 2018-2021. 281311 12.50% XD 750 mL  $11.35 Score: 89/100. October 13, 2018 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Borsao Garnacha 2017, Borja, Spain: This robust Spanish red wine offers terrific value and taste for the price. Aromas of purple plums and spice with fleshy sweet blackberries. This is a savoury, full-bodied blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Pair with roast beef. Drink: 2018-2021. 386961 14.50% XD 750 mL  $11.95 Score: 89/100. January 4, 2019 Best Value Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Torres Sangre De Toro Garnacha 2015, Catalonia, Spain: A beautiful, juicy, delicious wine, especially for this price point! Aromas of fleshy ripe dark plums and spice. Perfect for grilled lamb. Drink: 2015-2019. 6585 13.50% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. June 16, 2017 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Torres Sangre de Toro Garnacha 2016, Catalonia, Spain: A beautiful, juicy, delicious wine, especially for this price point! Aromas of fleshy ripe dark plums and spice. Perfect for grilled lamb. Drink: 2018-2022. 6585 13.50% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 90/100. July 5, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Torres Altos Ibéricos Crianza Tempranillo 2014, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain: A superb Spanish red wine, especially at this price point! Full-bodied, rich and layered with aromas of black fruit, dark spice, earth and toast. This robust Spanish red wine is made from 100% Tempranillo grapes, the country's flagship red wine varietal. The wine was matured for 12 months in oak barrels followed by prolonged bottle aging before being released from the winery. Pair with game meats. Serve at 17-18 degrees Celsius. Drink: 2016-2019. 18767 14% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 90/100. July 5, 2018 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

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