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Natalie MacLean

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Crios Domino Del Plata Torrontés 2011, Argentina, Argentina: A profusion of white flowers and happiness. Just the right amount of acidity for almost all dishes, except maybe steak. Lively and pretty. Life is beautiful. Drink: 2012-2015. 1834 13.50% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. April 14, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Wakefield Shiraz 2009, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Big honkin plums, spice and mint. Bring it on and don’t stop. Big and ripe with juicy goodness. Drink: 2011-2015. 943787 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 88/100. July 23, 2011 Full Review
Wakefield Winery Chardonnay 2008, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: A ripe, luscious, peach-, nectarine- and citrus-scented wine with well-integrated creamy oak tones. This is a clean, balanced, and fruity wine. My note: Robust Chardonnay with big aromas of butterscotch, vanilla smoke and fleshy peach. Full oak treatment in this full-bodied white. 711556 14% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 87/100. June 12, 2010 Full Review
Cookoothama Cabernet Merlot 2007, New South Wales, Australia: Terrific balance in this full-bodied, tasty red with rich, fleshy notes of plums and black raspberries. Great mouth-watering acidity for food. Aged in French and American oak, it offers notes of dark spices, smoke and mocha. 91660 14% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 88/100. July 11, 2009 Full Review
Vineland Estates Winery Chenin Blanc 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Enjoy this less chilled than most white wines so the aromatics really shine: think no more than an hour to an hour and a half in the fridge. My note: this is an extremely rich and unctuous white with layers of pleasurable fleshy peach, dry apricot and pear. Love it. Never knew that Niagara could do Chenin like this. Neat! Drink: 2009-2015. 227033 11.70% D 750 mL  $17.00 Score: 92/100. June 11, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review
Stoney Ridge Estate Winery Dim Vineyard Riesling 2008, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A crisp, refreshing Riesling with attractive notes of lime and lemongrass. Good aperitif. Excellent value. 161208 12.50% MD 750 mL  $14.00 Score: 87/100. January 9, 2010 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Errázuriz Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: This is a blockbuster wine that will benefit from a few years in the cellar. Big, fleshy black fruit, toasty oak and ripe tannins. Decant for 2 hours. Drink: 2013-2017. 203364 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 3, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This rich, flavourful, harmonious Chilean Chardonnay is a good bet. Two thirds of the wine is aged in French oak for up to ten months, adding a smooth caramel note. Ripe apricot, guava and passion fruit emerge on the nose and on the round, medium-full-bodied palate. The wine’s soft and creamy texture comes from its 8-12 months spent on the lees. This solid value can also be cellared for 2-3 years. My note: Consummate chardonnay for those who want loads of flavour for a budget price. This wine tastes at least twice as expensive as it costs. Gorgeous layers of green apple, smoke, butter and white peach. 928580 14% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 88/100. July 10, 2010 Best Value White Wine (Tied). Full Review
Emiliana Limited Selection Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley, Chile: This organic Chardonnay is balanced, full-bodied and tasty. Aromas of green apple, smoke, butterscotch and almond. Full-bodied and delicious. 4515 14% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 88/100. August 7, 2010 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Alain Geoffroy Beauroy Chablis, 1Er Cru Chardonnay 2007, A.C., Burgundy, France: A zippy, pear-ripe white with a zesty acidity and purity of line. No oak. Crisp and refreshing. Drink: 2010-2014. 733501 13% XD 750 mL  $45.95 Score: 90/100. October 30, 2010 Full Review
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico 2013, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Another strong vintage for Tuscany, and even better for Ruffino in 2013. Full-bodied and savoury with juicy, mouth-watering aromas and flavours of dark red berries and spice. Pair with tangy tomato sauce. Drink: 2016-2023. 45195 13.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 91/100. June 16, 2017 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2007, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A toweringly beautiful Chardonnay with rich aromas of ripe peach, pear, hazelnut, butterscotch and vanilla smoke. Balanced, deep and long. Ultimately satisfying. A Chardonnay lover’s Chardonnay. 359513 14% D 750 mL  $40.95 Score: 93/100. December 5, 2009 Favourite White Wine. Full Review
Delaforce Real Companhia Velha Touriga Nacional 2012, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: A full-bodied, generous Portuguese red wine with mocha and toasty oak on the nose. Black plum and raspberry with dark spices on the mid-palate and finish. Long finish on this D.O.C. wine. There's been a revolution in dry red wines from Portugal: try this one and you'll know what I'm talking about. This particular wine hails from a well-known producer of port, the fortified dessert wine. Drink: 2014-2018. 324517 14% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 92/100. February 21, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Jardin Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2009, W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa: Vintages Wine Panel: Owned and operated by American ex-pats, Gary and Kathy Jordan, the winery is known as Jordan in South Africa; due to another winery in California with that name, they go by Jardin internationally. Lovely oaked Chardonnay that does the style proud. Lots of tropical fruit, coconut oil, hazelnut and vanilla. Dry with both fruit and oak working off each other brilliantly. Flavour-packed long finish that is perfectly freshened up by a seam of bright acidity. My note: Love it! Big, generous Chardonnay with mouth-watering zip! Gorgeous aromas of green apple, butter and hazelnut yet there’s also a zingy lime finish to clean up after the richness. Make your tongue happy Drink: 2009-2014. 663336 14% XD 750 mL  $25.80 Score: 89/100. June 11, 2011 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, California, United States: This superb, full-bodied Californian Cabernet sources fruit from three regions: Paso Robles, Lodi and Monterey. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and is then matured in American oak barrels for nine months. Aromas of fleshy ripe blackberries and plums wrapped in smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2019-2025. 15760 13.50% D 750 mL  $19.00 Score: 92/100. April 28, 2022 Top Rated Red Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

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