Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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Alamos The Wines Of Catena Chardonnay 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: You can’t beat this price for a solid Chardonnay with classic green apple, smoke and butterscotch aromas. Medium- to full-bodied with great balance. Drink: 2011-2014. 801571 13.50% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. June 25, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Urban Uco Bodegas Y Viñedos O. Fournier Malbec Tempranillo 2010, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Lovely! I like how Tempranillo fleshes out the malbec here. It makes for a lip-smacking delicious combination of dark fleshy fruit. Terrific price. 166397 14% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 90/100. January 7, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review
Sur de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2007, Mendoza, Argentina: Rich and full-bodied with an incredible price point. Layers of fleshy dark fruit cry out for a meaty dish companion. 208322 14.40% XD 750 mL  $17.25 Score: 90/100. January 7, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Hickinbotham Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Clarendon, South Australia, Australia: Deep and rich with purple plums and some mint. Classic juiciness with full-bodied richness. Ultra-smooth texture. Fantastico on the price! Drink: 2011-2016. 159632 14% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. October 1, 2011 Full Review
Hungerford Hill Fishcage Shiraz 2009, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia: Love the savoury note that balances the fruit plushness here! Black fruit with a mouth-watering core juiciness. Amazing for the price. Drink: 2011-2014. 77958 14.50% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 90/100. October 29, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Heartland Stickleback Red Ben Glaetzer 2010, South Australia, Australia: Incredible price for this quality. Loaded with big black fruit and lots of mouth-watering acidity. Great wine for big meals, especially those involving Winemaker Ben Glaetzer also makes the Mitolo wines in McLaren Vale and the Heartland wines in the Langhorne Creek region. Stickleback is the Heartland winery’s entry-level red wine. It’s mostly made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz gapes with a dash of Dolcetto and Lagrein grapes. Drink: 2013-2016. 116574 14.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. February 1, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Pirramimma Katunga Gts 2012, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Juicy and vibrant with black and purple liqueur aromas and flavours. Full-bodied and ultra-smooth. Deeply concentrated and rich with layered complexity through the palate. Lots of toasty, smoky oak that's in balance with the luscious fruit. This wine cries out for hearty meat dishes, and for you to top up your glass. Stunning complexity, depth and finish in this towering Australian red wine. Drink: 2013-2018. 203174 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. November 15, 2014 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Tawse Winery Inc. Chardonnay 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Complex almond and baking spice nose followed by a sunburst of green apple and white peach. Superb! Drink: 2011-2016. 253518 13% XD 375 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. November 12, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Aromo Private Reserve Carménère 2009, D.O., Maule Valley, Chile: Astounding for the money! Purple and black plums roll across your tongue with pleasure. Full-bodied and ultra-smooth. Here’s your party wine. Great for a late season barbecue featuring gourmet sausages and lamb burgers. Drink: 2011-2014. 243535 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. October 29, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Valdivieso Reserva Chardonnay 2010, Leyda Valley, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This Chardonnay is packed full of layered aromas and flavours with juicy pear, nectarine, banana and peach in particular showing through on both the nose and the palate. Vibrant and well-balanced, this will offer you an interesting and delicious counterpoint to chicken in cream-based sauces. My note: Nice balance with good mix of pear, green, butter and oak. Full-bodied but not heavy. Great price. Drink: 2011-2014. 981621 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. October 1, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Cave Des Vignerons De Bel Air Gamay (Beaujolais) 2009, Beaujolais-Villages, France: Tart and zippy with pleasantly acidic cherry notes. Perfect served slightly chilled and knocked back without care. Medium-bodied and smooth. Drink: 2011-2013. 208058 12.50% D 750 mL  $11.95 Score: 87/100. October 1, 2011 Full Review
Château Fongaban Meritage 2006, A.C., Côtes De Castillon, France: Incredible for the price! Full-bodied and juicy with black fruit and smoke. Lip-smacking delicious layers of fleshy ripe blackberries. Top me up! Drink: 2011-2015. 138735 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 90/100. November 12, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Château Canteloup Raoul Fabre & Fils, Prop. Meritage 2004, A.C., Médoc, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Aromas of leather, earth, smoke, plum and raspberry are prominent. The palate is dry and fruity with very good raspberry and smoky replays. It’s all held together with well-balanced tannins and fresh acidity. Expertly crafted, this wine is ageing well and is an excellent choice for experiencing maturing Bordeaux at a very approachable price. My note: Simple, rustic and ready to drink when you are. You can’t beat the price for Bordeaux. Not complex but very pleasant and full-bodied. Drink: 2011-2014. 243923 13% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 87/100. November 26, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Château Rochecolombe 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône, France: Tremendous quality and taste for the money. Black raspberries and cherries with smoky cedar notes. Full-bodied and smooth. Gold Medal at the 2010 Concours Général Agricole in Paris. Decant for 1-2 hours. Drink: 2011-2015. 255034 14.70% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. December 10, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Perrin & Fils Syrah Grenache 2009, A.C., Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine has plenty of enjoyment to offer tonight with gourmet hamburgers and all the trimmings. My note: This price has to be a typo: buy a case before they discover the mistake! Juicy, savoury, chewy and satisfying, this full-bodied red has ripe cherries and meaty notes. Smooth and full-bodied. This 50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes is the Ultimate Barbecue Wine. Drink: 2011-2015. 241604 14% D 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 90/100. June 25, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Alsace Willm Gewürztraminer Reserve 2012, Alscae, France: Rich and viscous with apricot preserves and honeysuckle loveliness. Drink: 2013-2016. 269852 12.50% MD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. October 16, 2014 Best Value White Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Joseph Cattin Riesling 2013, Alsace A.C., France: Crisp, fresh and clean. This medium-bodied white offers lovely aromas of white melon and lime lift. Terrific clean finish which makes it a great aperitif or companion to many dishes. Drink: 2013-2016. 259788 12.40% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2014 Best Value White Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review
Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Blanc Cyril Marès, Vign. 2012, Costières De Nîmes, Rhone, France: Dry, crisp and clean and excellently priced! If you like pinot grigio, give this white a try. Some terrific floral notes on the finish. In the early twentieth-century, the Marès family started making wine in Algeria, but later moved to Bordeaux to start Château Puy Castéra and then on to the Rhone in the Costières de Nîmes region for this coveted winery. This wine is a zesty blend of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne grapes. Try is with fresh seafood. Drink: 2013-2015. 701094 13.50% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. January 18, 2014 Best Value White Wine. Smart Buy Wine Full Review
Domaine De Vieille Fontaine Vidal-Fleury 2012, Côtes Du Rhône Villages A.C., France: Terrific value for the price! Peppery and robust with layers of forest blackberries and black raspberry. Great party wine for those on any budget. Pair with hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2014-2018. 393215 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. November 8, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Ramitello Di Majo Norante 2011, Biferno Rosso, Molise, Italy: Big and rich Italian red wine with generous layers of dark plums and smoke notes and mocha. Terrific price! Good aging potential but also ready to enjoy tonight with pizza. This medium-bodied blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Aglianico grapes offers lots of depth of flavour in the glass. Mouth-watering and perfect for ribeye steak. VERY nice! Drink: 2013-2017. 973214 13.50% XD 750 mL  $21.75 Score: 90/100. November 8, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castiglioni 2011, Tuscany, Italy: A modestly price Italian red wine from a very respected producer. The 2011 vintage for this chianti shows well with aromas of dark red fruit and smoke. Pair with pasta in tomato sauce. Drink: 2013-2017. 545319 13% XD 750 mL  $14.90 Score: 87/100. September 27, 2014 Full Review
Roggiano Morellino Di Scansano 2012, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Rustic, robust, juicy and delicious! Amazing for the price. Perfect for pizza or lasagna. Bring it (to my house). Drink: 2014-2018. 946954 13.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 89/100. October 25, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review
Corte Guala Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2011, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: Love the black pepper and dark spice on the nose of this big Italian red wine. Amazing price for such quality. Black fleshy berry aromas and flavours. Smooth and delicious. Where's my hamburger please? Drink: 2013-2019. 354431 14% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review
Assolati Montecucco Sangiovese 2008, Tuscany D.O.C., Italy: Blackberry pie aromas yet dry on the palate and mouth-watering. Savoury, juicy and full-bodied. Love it! Brought to us by Loriano Giannetti & Sani Daniela. Drink: 2015-2019. 369405 14.50% XD 750 mL  $26.95 Score: 93/100. March 29, 2014 Top Rated Red Wine. Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine Full Review
Valpantena Torre Del Falasco Ripasso Valpolicella 2012, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: Soft and supple with medium-bodied, sweet blackberries and mocha from oak aging. Pair with pasta in tomato sauce. Drink: 2014-2018. 642421 13.50% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 88/100. November 8, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review
Pinot Grigio 2012, Valdadige, Alto Adige, Trentino, Italy: One of the best values for pinot grigio in the liquor store! Fresh, clean and crisp with sunshine bright aromas of lemon zest, lime blossom and white peach. Amazingly great price for this half bottle size. Perfect for nights when you put on comfy jeans and your favourite TV show. Drink: 2013-2015. 687558 12.50% XD 375 mL  $10.45 Score: 89/100. January 18, 2014 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Santa Margherita Chianti Classico 2007, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Terrific richness and mouth-watering juiciness! Fleshy, plush plums roll across your senses followed by a tumble of ripe dark field berries wrapped in a hint of mocha. Close your eyes and take another sip of this full-bodied wonder. Drink: 2011-2014. 91694 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. June 25, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Gris 2008, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: Light, clean, crisp and refreshing with white melon and grapefruit. Wonderful! Drink: 2011-2013. 925577 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 88/100. October 1, 2011 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
Offley 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: Lovely tawny port! Of course one can't resist saying that it's offley good ;) Aromas of toffee, caramel, butterscotch, baking spices and treacle. Finishes with toasted almond. Perfect for after dinner on its own or with biscotti. Drink: 2013-2019. 297788 20% S 750 mL  $25.95 Score: 89/100. September 13, 2014 Best Value Dessert Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full Review
Torres Viña Esmeralda 2011, D.O., Catalunya, Spain: Simply divine even at triple the price it is. Stunningly lovely white floral notes along with some lychee and white melon. So, so pretty as an aperitif or with fresh seafood. Highly recommended. Drink: 2013-2015. 113696 11.50% MD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 90/100. January 5, 2013 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Clos Du Bois Rouge 2012, California, United States: An incredibly great Californian red wine for the price point! Smooth, supple and full-bodied, this sunshine state wine is a blend of red grapes. It offers seductive aromas and flavours of fleshy dark red fruit, a lick of spice and some toasty oak. Pair with a romantic dinner date and a no-mercy red dress (or tie). Drink: 2013-2016. 394809 13.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. November 15, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Paso Creek Zinfandel 2012, Paso Robles, California, United States: Dark and brooding with Cab leanings in his plush Zinfandel. Black plums and dark berries. Smooth and supple, and delicious. Drink: 2013-2017. 279810 14.60% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. November 8, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

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