Tahbilk Marsanne 2009, Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia: Lemon-yellow essence with some dry honey and white peach. Wonderful white that will get you out of that chardonnay rut you’ve been in. Drink: 2011-2016. 117945 12.50% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. April 30, 2011
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Kurtz Family Boundary Row Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2010, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Savoury and juicy, with robust aromas and flavours of blackberries and black cherries. This is a blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Shiraz, and 25% Mataro grapes, which was matured in French and American oak barrels. Pair with a hearty meat casserole tonight. Drink: 2012-2018. 223263 15% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. January 24, 2015
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Weingut Müller Neubergen Riesling 2009, D.A.C., Kremstal, Austria: Big dry Riesling with searing, mouth-watering acidity for food. Lime, chives and green apples. Bright, vibrant wine that will cut through creamy cheeses and cream sauces like a knife. Drink: 2011-2017. 211060 13% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. April 16, 2011
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Featherstone Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: So beautiful! This riesling has it all: juicy, peach and lime aromas, balance, complexity, length and lambs. (That was a baaaaah-d joke, I know.) Medium-bodied and packed with flavour. These folks are Riesling Masters: Ka-pow! Drink: 2011-2016. 80234 10% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011
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Huff Estates Winery Reserve Riesling 2008, V.Q.A., Ontario, Canada: I adore the petrol, mineral aroma/texture here! This is simply amazing Riesling. Some ripe tree fruit but the something extra really is in the forefront. Call it complexity, zip, length. Buy a case. Drink: 2011-2018. 223982 12.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011
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Fielding Estate Winery Unoaked Chardonnay 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: A fresh, lively, mouth-watering white with mercifully no oak. What you get is pure fruit essence and refreshment. Lovely notes of green apple and white peach. This wine was a Double Gold winner at the 2010 All-Canadian Wine Awards. Incredible price. Drink: 2011-2015. 164491 12.50% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. March 31, 2012
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Malivoire Wine Company Gewürztraminer 2009, V.Q.A., Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Tones of lotus flower, lychee, rose petal and exotic spices on the nose. The palate is off-dry, medium bodied and delivers great acidity and classic Gewürz bitterness. This closes out with a spicy edge to the medium-length, fresh and fruity finish. A great pairing for salmon in a light cream sauce. My note: Love this style of gewurz! Enticing aromas of lychee, rose petal, baking spices and happiness. Medium- to almost full-bodied. A spectacular wine. Oh my, oh my. Drink: 2011-2016. 542522 13% MD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011
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Château de Beaucastel Coudoulet De Beaucastel Blanc 2010, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine blends classic white Rhône varieties Marsanne and Viognier, along with lesser-known grapes Bourboulenc and Clairette. The Coudoulet de Beaucastel vineyard (30 ha) lies just outside the edges of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and shares a similar soil composition as its neighbour. Brimming with nectarine, orange and tropical fruit and balanced by a refreshing seam of acidity, this is an elegant, medium-full-bodied wine. My note: Full-bodied layers of orange zest and Asian pear with a lovely weave of oak warmth. Tangy and different. Try it! Drink: 2011-2016. 48892 14% XD 750 mL $33.95 Score: 90/100. October 29, 2011
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Pierre Sparr Réserve Gewurztraminer 2008, A.C., Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: With its nose of lychee, ripe citrus, rose petal, and spice, this wine is an excellent introduction to Alsatian Gewurz. The palate echoes these wonderfully characteristic Gewurz qualities. Dry with a balanced and zesty acidity and a good length. This is would make an excellent aperitif wine. My note: Made by a master! Lovely concentration of lychee, rose petal aromas Drink: 2011-2017. 747600 13.50% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 93/100. April 16, 2011
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Domaine Cordaillat Reuilly Sauvignon Blanc 2009, A.C., Loire, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Pale platinum-yellow colour leads to an expressive nose of Asian pear, melon, mineral, asparagus and artichoke. Dry, fresh, fruity and vibrant. Stylistically it embraces both the Loire and New Zealand schools. Zippy acids really bring zest to this fairly long-finishing wine. A great palate-refresher. My note : Mouth-watering lemon and lime notes with some herbs but not too grassy. Fresh and clean without much oak. Medium-bodied and food friendly. Drink: 2011-2015. 202432 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. April 16, 2011
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La Fleur De Boüard 2010, Lalande-De-Pomerol, Bordeaux A.C., France: This robust Bordeaux red wine for the 2010 vintage of the La Fleur du Bouard is a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Aromas and flavours of black plum, blackcurrant and tar and smoke. Pleasantly bitter with a tannic grip. Decant 2 hours, and cellar beforehand for several years at least. Pair with rare steak. Drink: 2015-2020. 257774 14.50% D 750 mL $52.85 Score: 92/100. January 24, 2015
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Marchesi de Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2011, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: A smoky Italian red wine with attractive aromas of sun-dried tomato, dried herbs and black cherry. Layered and complex. Great wine for hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2014-2019. 145920 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. March 21, 2015
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Dal Cero Pinot Grigio 2009, I.G.T., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A nuttier style of Pinot Grigio with delicate aromas of apple, pear and citrus along with hazelnut and almond. Buttery and pleasant, it is dry, with nice fruit and a good length. An excellent value wine that can be enjoyed with a variety of foods. My note: Refreshing, clean and crisp with no heavy oak and buttery notes. Great aperitif. Drink: 2011-2014. 672401 12.50% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. April 16, 2011
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Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Herbal and wonderful with grassy refreshment. Great mouth-watering action. So food friendly. Drink: 2011-2015. 225557 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011
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Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: White grapefruit, lime and grass with mouth-watering acidity. Great refreshment as an aperitif or companion to many dishes. Drink: 2011-2014. 735043 13.50% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. April 16, 2011
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Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Fantastic! Love the lifted citrus-lime style of New Zealand sauvignon blanc rather than the grassier versions. This is lovely, with mouth-watering acidity and ultra-refreshment. Drink: 2011-2014. 224428 13.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. April 16, 2011
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Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2009, The Brothers Land, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A come-alive nose with fresh notes of lime, grass and chives. Wake-up your senses. Good mouth-watering acidity. Drink: 2011-2014. 223180 12.50% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. April 16, 2011
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Pecan Stream Waterford Estate Chenin Blanc 2012, W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa: Aromatic and robust white wine with mouthwatering acidity. Great with mild to medium spicy dishes and curries. Drink: 2013-2015. 34512 13% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. December 7, 2013
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Altanza Reserva Bodegas Altanza 2005, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Toasty oak with savoury flavours and black fruit on the palate. Smooth and pleasurable. Drink: 2012-2015. 276097 13.50% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 89/100. May 26, 2012
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Charles & Charles Chardonnay 2012, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States: A medium- to full-bodied white wine with notes of green apple and oak. Straight forward. Drink: 2013-2015. 394734 13.30% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 85/100. March 15, 2014
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Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States: A balanced, elegant Californian Cabernet at a reasonable price. Classic aromas of blackcurrant and cassis. Pair with hamburgers or steak. Mocha and savoury, meaty note with blackcurrant and cassis. Very dry, deep and long. Drink: 2014-2018. 135145 14% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 90/100. August 8, 2015
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Grgich Hills Estate Fumé Blanc 2009, Napa Valley, California, United States: Extremely well-made sauvignon blanc form biodynamically farmed grapes. Lovely lemon and lime aromas with terrific balance and length. One of California’s best sauvignon blancs. Drink: 2011-2017. 346296 14.30% D 750 mL $42.95 Score: 91/100. April 16, 2011
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Blackstone Winery Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay 2007, Sonoma County, California, United States: Such a beautiful Chardonnay: this is what I love in Californian Chardonnay when I find it. Buttery with ripe peaches and pears yet balanced with great length. This is a blend of grapes from Carneros, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast. Drink: 2011-2015. 128926 14.50% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011
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