Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Incredible Pinot for the money: you simply will not get a better tasting pinot at this price. Grab a case or five. Lovely fleshy ripe cherries. New World style. 32979 13.30% XD 750 mL $12.95 Score: 89/100. January 21, 2012
Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Yabby Lake Pinot Noir 2007, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia: Gorgeous concentration of black cherry flavour yet still retains its elegance and finesse. Terrific blance with a juicy mouth-watering acidity that makes it a superb partner for many dishes. Excellent craftsmanship. 262402 14% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 94/100. January 21, 2012
Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Pinot Noir 2009, Niagara, Twenty Mile Bench, Canada: This is my favourite wine from this winery, year after year. Its exuberant energy and power come from a complex weave of nuances: truffles, black cherry, violets, cedar box and dark spices. Brooding and temperamental: love it! Drink: 2011-2019. 33951 13.50% D 750 mL $35.00 Score: 94/100. December 10, 2011
Full Review
Trius Winery at Hillebrand Trius Sauvignon Blanc 2009, V.Q.A, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada: Terrific mouth-watering flavours of ripe green melon and grapefruit. Ultra-refreshing and perfect for salads, seafood and sparkling conversation. Drink: 2010-2012. 1070681 13% D 750 mL $14.05 Score: 87/100. December 10, 2011
Splendid Salad Wine Full Review
Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways and sips. Gorgeously textured with a seductive satin mouth-feel. Fleshy black cherry flavours dissolve in your mouth and release that sigh you’ve been holding in. The acidity is there but so woven into the luscious layers that you barely notice it except to appreciate that you don’t tire of this wine easily … or ever. Drink: 2011-2018. 34553 13.50% XD 750 mL $75.00 Score: 95/100. November 26, 2011
Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Errázuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2010, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Sweetly ripe cherry-berry bold flavours and mouth-watering action. Medium to full-bodied. Terrific and vibrant! Drink: 2012-2017. 510396 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. November 26, 2011
Best Value Red Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Château de Beaucastel 2009, A.C., Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: Huge concentration in this black-hearted wine that’s a blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise and other permitted grapes. Full-bodied and fairly smooth; it will benefit from cellar time. Drink: 2013-2022. 711317 14.50% XD 750 mL $89.95 Score: 95/100. November 26, 2011
Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Louis Jadot Pinot Noir 2007, Bourgogne, France: Vibrant acidity with ripe, bright cherries and field raspberries. Medium-bodied and silky. Wonderful and versatile food wine. 162073 12.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. November 6, 2010
Full Review
Domaine De Nizas Rosé 2010, A.C., Coteaux Du Languedoc, Midi, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Dry, fresh and fruit-filled blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre with cranberry and ripe strawberry notes prominent. Good structure and a lovely, long and fruity finish. A fine sipper that will also pair well with the cranberry sauce for your Thanksgiving dinner, and offer a tangy contrast to the more savoury elements of the meal. My note: terrific! Dry and robust with rose petal and raspberries and dried herbs. Fantastic refreshment served chilled. Drink: 2011-2013. 654988 13.50% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. October 1, 2011
Top Rated Rosé Wine. Full Review
Château La Croix De Queynac Supérieur Meritage 2009, A.C., Bordeaux, France: This wine is filled with ripe cassis, berry and earth aromas and flavours. It repeats the aromas to a T in the mouth. Dry and flavourful, with decent tannins for short-term cellaring (1-3 years), but why wait? A tarry, cedar-dark red with blackberries. Robust and ready when you are, this is a knock-it-back party wine. Great value. 387514 13% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. January 7, 2012
Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Perrin & Fils Peyre Blanche Cairanne 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France: Spectacularly dense and flavourful without being heavy. Lovely balance in this full-bodied, juicy wonder. Packed with aromas black plums, berries and black cherry liqueur. Fantastic price! 650960 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 92/100. January 7, 2012
Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Perrin & Fils Les Sinards 2009, A.C., Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: Pure black cherry liqueur in concentration and flavour. Rich, robust and layered. Full-bodied doesn’t begin to describe it for those who love a full-palate wallop. This one will age well in the cellar. This half-size bottle will mature faster than the 750 mL bottle that he’s referring to – 6-8 years is probably more accurate. It’s part of the Vintages Essentials Collection. 5975 14% XD 375 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. January 7, 2012
Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Bougrier Vouvray Chenin Blanc 2010, Loire Valley, France: This is an example of Chenin Blanc at its best, featuring aromas of peach, citrus, lanolin and pear. Chenin Blanc is known for its refreshing acidity, making it a fine candidate for cellar maturation. Some Vouvray have been known to last for 50 years or more. You can try them earlier than that – give this one a more conservative 2-4 years due to more approachable styling. You will also get great pleasure with this highly versatile wine. An absolutely delightful and pretty Vouvray! Lovely floral aromas with ripe peach and pear. Try this wine if you feel you’re in a white wine rut and want something different. Very versatile with food. No heavy oak or alcohol. Amazing price. Drink: 2012-2014. 253229 11.50% MD 750 mL $18.20 Score: 89/100. January 21, 2012
Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand: Stunning with gorgeous depth of satin cherry flavour. Not heavy but packed with flavour. Gorgeous note of ripe cherries, fresh-turned earth, cinnamon and black raspberries. Velvet texture with deep layers of flavor. A fairly robust Pinot but not heavy. Superb effort. A hedonist’s dream. Drink: 2010-2018. 598813 13% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 93/100. January 3, 2012
Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Kim Crawford Pinot Noir 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Pinot Noir is the second-most cultivated variety in Marlborough. Kim Crawford has crafted a complex and delicious wine in the 2008 vintage. It is filled with aromas of sour cherry, underbrush, raspberry, mushroom and coffee bean. The fruit is front and centre with moderate tannins adding balance. Cellar it 2-4 years, or serve it tonight. My note: Lovely cherry fruit with some cinnamon spice on the finish. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering. Has that zippy New Zealand character. Juicy, mouth-watering pinot with ripe fleshy cherries and field berries. Medium-bodied and smooth. Drink: 2010-2016. 626390 13.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. January 3, 2012
Full Review
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand: Grassy great! Love the pure herbal refreshment in this wine with a streak of zippy lime running through it. Mouth-watreing and terrific. Great house wine. 35386 13.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. May 14, 2010
Full Review
Mt. Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Cheviot Hills, North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand: Loving this! How did Sauvignon Blanc end up so luscious and round? It’s still got the vibrant acidity but wow, love the layers. Lime, green apple and white peach. Yum. Drink: 2011-2014. 250514 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. December 10, 2011
Top Rated White Wine. Full Review
Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay 2010, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Leave it to Kim Crawford to make unoaked Chardonnay interesting. Pure fruit flavour without the toast, oak and vanilla. White peach and green apple. Refreshing. 991950 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. January 7, 2012
Best Value White Wine. Enchanting Feta Cheese Wine Full Review
Freixenet Cordon Rosado Cava, Penedes, Spain: How festive is this pink bubbly? Aromas of ripe field raspberries tickle your note. Float a raspberry on top for an extra festive touch. Drink: 2014-2016. 217059 11.50% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. August 15, 2014
Favorite Sparkling Wine. Enchanting Feta Cheese Wine Full Review
Sterling Vineyards Vintner's Pinot Noir, CALIFORNIA, United States 226571 13.50% D 750 mL $15.95. January 1, 2011
Full Review