Natalie MacLean - delicious wine picks and pairings
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Errázuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2016, Aconcagua Costa, Chile: A gorgeous, generously flavoured and textured Chilean red wine made from the classic Pinot Noir grape. Errazuriz produces wines of stunning complexity and value. This is no exception. Aromas of black cherry and spice. Pair with veal or lamb. Drink: 2017-2020. 541151 13.50% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 95/100. January 20, 2018 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Domaine De Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem M. Chapoutier 2011, Côtes De Roussillon-Villages Latour De France, Midi A.C., France: Complex, mysterious and spectacular! Full-bodied, juicy, layered and smooth. Endless finish. I love the Braille label, plus the name includes a nice dose of Latin: perfect teacher's pet gift for end of the year (or perhaps now to lock in those 90s). Aromas of baked black fruit yet dry. So very delicious. Wish I knew the Latin phrase for that ... ultimum delici vinum! Drink: 2014-2020. 643239 14% XD 750 mL  $25.95 Score: 95/100. May 24, 2014 Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review
Château La Garde 2010, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux A.C., France: A spectacular Bordeaux in every sense: top-drawer complexity, layering, balance, depth and length on the finish. This is the flagship wine of this house, and it declassifies 50% of production to maintain incredibly high standards vintage after vintage. The vines are planted in all the proto-typical Bordeaux soils: gravel, clay and limestone. The current owners purchased this chateau in 1990. On top of all this, the 2010 vintage was a terrific one so this is a great wine for your cellar still, and decant 1-2 hours when you open it. Dark fruit and smoke but not overwhelmed with oak -- no cover-ups here just pure mastery. Pair with a rare steak. Absolutely superb, especially for the price. Wow. Drink: 2016-2022. 682617 12.50% XD 750 mL  $51.95 Score: 97/100. November 11, 2017 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Miraval Rosé 2015, Côtes De Provence, Provence A.P., France: The 2015 vintage is even better than 2014, and I loved that one. This wine doesn't need to ride on the back of Brad and Angelina's celebrity: it stands alone as a terrific, refreshing rose with aromas of small field strawberries, orange zest and light spices. Should I add though that there's a hint of drama on the nose, with a surprise twist finish? Sure to be a box office hit at your liquor store. Bottled Hollywood style in a lovely, shapely vessel. Lovely ballet slipper pink hue. Finishes floral and elegant. Pair with oysters and movie night. Drink: 2015-2017. 342584 13% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 93/100. January 8, 2017 Top Rated Rosé Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Château d'Aquéria Tavel Rosé 2011, Rhône A.C. Tavel, France: The rose I drink for personal pleasure and stock up every year. Bone-dry, complex with field berry notes and a long, dry finish. Drink: 2012-2014. 319368 13.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 93/100. May 12, 2012 Top Rated Rosé. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Luce Della Vite Luce 2010, I.G.T., Tuscany, Italy: Magnificent! Towering, complex, structured, rich and deep. The perfect Italian boyfriend substitute. There's so much cellaring potential here though it'll be hard to resist. Perfect for launching your new Ferrari. Drink: 2015-2022. 685263 12.50% XD 750 mL  $99.95 Score: 98/100. October 26, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review
Gaja Sito Moresco Nebbiolo 2011, D.O.C., Langhe, Piedmont, Italy: Superbly made. Elegant, balanced with exotic layers of flavour. Everything comes together without any one element dominating. Long finish. This robust red is a blend of Nebbiolo, Cabernet and Merlot grapes. his Piedmontese DOC region, Langhe, allows the most grape varieties in the blend as well as various winemaking techniques, which allows true stars like this producer to take their artistry to a new level. Drink: 2013-2018. 976043 14% XD 750 mL  $94.95 Score: 93/100. November 23, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Gorgeous aromas of lime blossom, gooseberry, pink grapefruit and a delicate hint and finesse of white flowers. Lovely citrus lift throughout: this is not a grassy sauvignon blanc. Lots of elegance and refinement yet also beautifully refreshing. Try it with seafood, salads, spinach quiche and vegetarian dishes. Also a min-blowing aperitif. Drink: 2013-2015. 324228 13.50% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 94/100. May 24, 2014 Top Rated White Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review

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