Tonel 46 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Tonel 46 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is a well-priced and enticing Cab with fine herb, dark berry and oak spice flavours on the palate. Expressive and nicely balanced. Tannins are velvety. The wine matured in oak barrels for one year and 50,000 bottles were produced. Enjoy with burgers and ribs from the grill. Drink: 2021-2022. 17445 13.50% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 91/100. August 6, 2021
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Corryton Burge Shiraz 2018, South Australia, Australia: Corryton Burge 2018 Shiraz is dry, medium-bodied and fragrant with dark cherry, coffee, chocolate, mint, anise and well-integrated toasty oak spice, fresh, juicy and textured on the palate. An excellent value Barossa red at $18. Pour with lamb kebabs from the grill. Drink: 2023-2025. 24606 15% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. June 24, 2023
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Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Chardonnay 2018, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A stunningly gorgeous BC Chardonnay from one of the top producers in the country. Toasted almond, golden apple and Asian pear with some spice. Yes please! Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2022-2025. 350108 13% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 93/100. April 1, 2022
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Quails' Gate Estate Winery Chardonnay 2020, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: From Quails Gate Winery in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, this is a gorgeous, full-bodied and elegant BC Chardonnay with ripe golden apple, freshly baked bread with melting butter and smoke. Well-priced and well done. Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2022-2025. 377770 14% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 92/100. May 20, 2022
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Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2019, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: From Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment wine region, Le Clos Jordanne, Le Grand Clos 2019 Chardonnay is fresh and floral on the nose, with ripe honeyed pear, apple, lemon zest, toasted almond, brioche, subtle oak spice with flinty mineral undertones all balanced with pin point acidity, finishing long and creamy on the palate. Produced under the direction of Thomas Bachelder, a very expressive and impressive "Grand Cru" Chard with grapes sourced from the western side of the Le Clos Jordanne vineyard on the Jordan Bench. Drink: 2022-2025. 184549 13% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 94/100. November 19, 2022
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On Seven The Pursuit Chardonnay 2018, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: On Seven, The Pursuit 2018, is a Southbrook Chardonnay from a difficult vintage. Summer drought was an issue in the young vineyard and cluster thinning to one bunch per shoot did reduce the crop and also lessen the burden on the young vines. The estate fruit was hand-harvested and whole cluster pressed. After settling, the wine juice was transferred to French oak barrels (20% new) for fermentation with up to 18 months aging in barrel. Dry, medium-plus-bodied and zesty on the palate with ripe pear, apple, white-fleshed stone fruit, vanilla, nutty and toasty oak spice flavours on this elegant Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region Chardonnay. Drink or hold. Drink: 2022-2025. 25856 13.90% D 750 mL $45.00 Score: 95/100. April 29, 2022
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Cave Spring Estate Grown Chardonnay 2019, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: From the Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment wine region, Cave Spring Estate 2019 Chardonnay is great value at $20. Lush and creamy with ripe orchard fruit, citrus zest, anise, nutmeg, vanilla, briny mineral notes fresh and rounded on the palate. Drink: 2023-2025. 256552 13.50% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 93/100. November 18, 2023
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Famille Perrin Nature Côtes du Rhône 2016, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône A.C., France: Perrin Nature 2016 is a full-bodied and smooth Grenache and Syrah red wine blend with ripe dark fruit, berries, smoky and savoury garrigue herb flavours on the palate. The winery is certified organic by Ecocert and was already into organic farming 40 years ago. Drink: 2018-2022. 948059 13.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. October 3, 2018
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Domaine Autrand 2019, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône A.C., France: Domaine Autrand 2019 is a full-bodied red blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah generous and plushy on the palate with ripe dark cherry, blackberry, cedar spice and garrigue herb flavours. This is a beautifully-crafted Côtes du Rhône Villages and excellent value under $17. Pour with a roast chicken dinner. Drink or hold. Drink: 2021-2025. 200030 14.20% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. January 7, 2022
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Domaine Fond Croze Confidence Côtes du Rhône 2019, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône A.C., France: Domaine Fond Croze Confidence 2019 is a juicy 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah red wine blend from the Cotes du Rhone wine region and amazing value under $13. Rich and supple on the palate with ripe dark cherry, crushed raspberry, dark chocolate with a mouth-watering, savoury finish. Drink or hold. Drink: 2022-2025. 20951 14.50% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. January 21, 2022
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Tedeschi Capitel Nicalò Valpolicella Superiore 2019, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: Tedeschi Capitel Nicalò 2019 Valpolicella Superiore is excellent value at $18. Produced from 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 10% of other local grapes from vines over 20 years of age. Grapes were dried for one month, destemmed, pressed and fermented on their skins for 14 days and the blended wine was matured in oak barrel for 12 months. Look for tart cherry, wild herb, sous bois and spicy and smooth on its medium-bodied frame. Love the lengthy dark cherry and chocolate finish on this well-crafted Valpolicella. Drink: 2021-2025. 984997 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. October 8, 2022
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Thornbury Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Thornbury 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is vibrant with fresh gooseberry, tropical fruits, citrus zest and fresh-cut grass and fine herb flavours lifted, tangy and finishing long on the palate. A classic Marlborough SB and crowd pleaser. Drink: 2023-2024. 734798 13.50% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. December 2, 2023
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