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

Shopping List

Karen Mitchell

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


Sur de los Andes Reserva Cabernet Franc 2017, Mendoza, Argentina: Sur de los Andes Reserva 2017 Cabernet Franc is a dry, full-bodied and juicy Argentinean red from the Mendoza wine region. Rich on the nose with ripe dark plum, blackberry and toasty oak spice aromas, the wine is fleshy on the palate with plum compote, blackberry, dried herbs, pepper and toasty oak spice. Tannins are velvety. Pour with veal chops from the grill. Drink: 2022-2023. 21992 13.90% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. February 18, 2022 Best Value Red Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review
La Posta Estela Armando Bonarda 2021, Mendoza, Argentina: From Laura Cantena, La Posta Estela Armando 2021 Bonarda is excellent value at $17. The wine is dry, medium-bodied, vibrant and silky with blackberry, plum, savoury mushroom, fine herbs, toasty spices and finishing on a cola note. Tasty and complex without being complicated. Produced from sustainably grown grapes sourced from a 50-year-old vineyard in the Guaymallén zone. Drink: 2022-2024. 261586 13% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. June 24, 2023 Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
Reif Estate Winery Vidal Icewine 2017, Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A richly concentrated Niagara icewine from Reif. Luscious aromas of peach cobbler and apricot jam. Pair with fruit flans and cobblers. Drink: 2019-2024. 544791 10% S 200 mL  $24.95 Score: 92/100. December 3, 2020 Top Rated Dessert Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full Review
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Okanagan Reserve Chardonnay 2017, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC VQA, Canada: Rich and robust with layers of ripe golden apple, peach, butterscotch and toasty oak. Perfect for veal, grilled or roast chicken. Drink: 2018-2022. 34579 13.70% D 750 mL  $24.99 Score: 90/100. March 16, 2019 Top Rated White Wine. Full Review
Mayu Appassimento Gran Reserva Carmenère 2017, Elquí Valley, Chile: Great value on this rich appassimento, Gran Reserva Chilean Carmenère. Mayu 2017 is intense on the nose with ripe blackberry compote and mocha aromas, fresh herbs, intense ripe berry, dark plum, fig, white pepper, sweet dried tobacco leaf and spicy flavours smooth and long on the palate. The 2017 vintages was a warm and riper vintage, although the acidity remains fresh as wine grapes are sourced from vines at 600 meters in altitude. Grapes are left to hang an extra two months on the vine and lose about 35% of their moisture, become concentrated as in the Amarone process, but on the vine. The wine is matured in American oak barrels up to 10 months. Tannins are dusty. Drink: 2021-2023. 90035 15% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 91/100. February 1, 2021 Best Value Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
Feudo Antico Organic Pecorino 2021, Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo I.G.P., Italy: Feudo Antico 2021 Pecorino is produced from organically-grown grapes sourced from the Abruzzo wine region. Dry, medium-bodied, this is a vegan-friendly white wine zesty with lime-lemon zest, juicy melon, pear and apple flavours fresh on the palate. Chill and enjoy with a shrimp and veggie stir fry. Drink: 2022-2023. 644930 13.40% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 88/100. October 8, 2022 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough , New Zealand: Juicy and mouth-watering with aromas of citrus and nettle. Pair with seafood. Great price. Drink: 2019-2021. 620054 13% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 14, 2019 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Graham's 10-Year-Old Tawny Port, Douro D.O.P., Portugal: This tawny is lush on the nose with stewed plum, fig and baking spice aromas. Powerful and savoury with nutty, fruitcake and baking spice flavours on the palate. One for creamy blue cheeses and dark chocolate... or fruitcake. Drink: 2020-2023. 17506 20% S 200 mL  $11.95 Score: 93/100. January 20, 2021 Divine Dessert Wine Full Review
Paco & Lola Albariño 2018, Rías Baixas D.O., Spain: This Albariño is fresh, crisp and zesty with lemongrass, ripe pear, white grapefruit and while floral flavours the palate with a vibrant clean mineral finish. Pair with grilled sardines and pan-fried panfish. Drink: 2019-2021. 350041 13% XD 750 mL  $25.95 Score: 89/100. September 18, 2019 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, California, United States: Full-bodied, smoky with good acidity and a firm tannic grip. Decant 1-2 hours. Pair with a pepper steak. Drink: 2022-2026. 521021 14% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. May 11, 2022 Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, California, United States: Produced by winemaker John Killebrew. Z. Alexander Brown's Uncaged is a full-bodied California Cabernet Sauvignon, silky smooth on the palate with black cherry, dark plum, blackberry and savoury spicy herb flavors with fine-grained Tannins. Good now, but give it some time in cellar to mellow. Try in 2023-2024. Drink: 2023-2026. 478628 14% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. June 29, 2022 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Conundrum Red 2020, California, United States: A terrific, full-bodied, smooth red wine with aromas of fleshy ripe dark berries, spice and mocha. Pair with hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2022-2026. 294298 14% MD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 92/100. May 20, 2022 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Stags' Leap Viognier 2018, Napa Valley, California, United States: Love this creamy, lush and layered Viognier from Stags' Leap Winery. Established in 1893, this Viognier is a testament to the winery and how it handles Rhone varietals like Viognier. Richly-textured with ripe apple, rich stone-fruit and lime citrus flavours elegant and long the palate. Nicely done! Drink: 2020-2023. 597369 14% D 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 92/100. November 3, 2020 Top Rated White Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review

© 2024 Natalie MacLean