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

Buy Again

Karen Mitchell

Increase Font Size | Decrease Font Size


Sister's Run Epiphany Shiraz 2017, Epiphany Vineyard, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Sister's Run Epiphany 2017 is a great value, medium-bodied Shiraz under $20. Immensely drinkable with juicy blackberry, dark chocolate, savoury herbs and toast oak all delivered on a velvety palate. with ripe blackberry, red berry jam, plum, cocoa, savoury herbs and toasted nut flavours on the palate. Shiraz does well in the cool-climate of the McLaren Vale and is the wine region's most popular wine grape. Pair this beauty with a striploin beef steak. Drink: 2019-2025. 269464 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. July 16, 2020 Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Peller Estates Private Reserve Pinot Gris 2020, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2011-2014. 225417 13% MD 750 mL  $18.95. April 30, 2011 Full Review
Thirty Bench Small Lot Pinot Noir 2019, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A gorgeous Niagara Pinot from the Beamsville Bench! Liquid silk, medium-bodied with aromas of fleshy ripe berries. Beautiful balance and length. Pair with veal or roast chicken. Drink: 2022-2026. 461566 12.50% D 750 mL  $36.95 Score: 94/100. May 20, 2022 Top Rated Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Espiritu de Chile Intrepido Reserva Merlot 2019, Curicó Valley, Chile: Espiritu De Chile Intrepido Reserva 2019 Merlot is a great value Chilean Merlot produced from sustainably-grown grapes. Look for ripe, fresh plum, olive, spices and smoky vanilla flavours on this medium-plus-bodied red with pleasantly chewy tannins. Pour with a roast of pork. Drink: 2021-2024. 19241 13% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. June 12, 2021 Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork 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
Chateau Puyfromage Regional Blended Red 2018, Bordeaux A.O.C., France Drink: 2014-2018. 33605 13% XD 750 mL  $14.85. September 4, 2017 Full Review
Ktima Gerovassiliou Malagousia 2022, Epanomi, Macedonia P.G.I., Greece Drink: 2023-2027. 32379 13.50% D 750 mL  $37.95. June 10, 2023 Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Doppio Passo Primitivo 2021, Puglia I.G.T., Italy Drink: 2022-2024. 23760 13% D 750 mL  $10.95. May 11, 2022 Full Review
Velenosi Villa Angela Pecorino 2020, Offida, Marche D.O.C.G., Italy: From the Marche wine region, Velenosi Villa Angela 2020 is a great value Pecorino under $17. Dry, medium-bodied, vibrant and rounded with ripe peach, dried summer florals, almond nut, citrus zest, tropical fruit notes and a hint of smoke. Nicely done! Chill and enjoy with seafood canapes. Drink: 2022-2024. 173252 13% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 88/100. August 13, 2022 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Mon Frère Pinot Noir 2020, California, United States Drink: 2023-2026. 30819 14% D 750 mL  $22.95. March 4, 2023 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Robert Mondavi Winery Private Selection Rum Barrels Merlot 2018, Monterey County, California, United States: A rich, full-bodied Californian Merlot aged in rum barrels, which gives it an enticing toffeed finish. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2020-2024. 13734 14.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 8, 2021 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

© 2024 Natalie MacLean