Terrazas De Los Andes Reserve Malbec 2014, Argentina: A rich, luscious, full-bodied Argentine Malbec with classic aromas of fleshy ripe black plum and mulberry. A meaty, savoury mid-palate with a strong core of minerality. This Argentine red wine is made from Malbec grapes grown at the ideal altitude of 1,067 metres above sea level for the ripening and complex evolution of Malbec. Round, full-bodied and redolent of black fruit and toast. Some dark spice on the finish which is long and satisfying. Pair with a rare filet mignon. Drink: 2017-2022. 29280 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. April 28, 2017
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Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Franc 2014, Mendoza, Argentina Drink: 2017-2019. 492736 13.50% XD 750 mL $21.95. May 15, 2017
Full Review
Peter Lehmann Wines Portrait Shiraz 2014, Barossa, Australia: Juicy black and purple plums aromas and flavours. Very rich and concentrated. The grapes come from an elevated region of the Barossa Valley and express that cooler vibrancy in the wine. Aromas of dark chocolate and black plum. This is a terrific wine, especially for the price. Pair with gourmet hamburgers. Drink: 2015-2022. 572875 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. December 7, 2017
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Peter Lehmann Wines The Mentor Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: A gorgeously aromatic Cabernet with deep colour and a mind-blowing velvet texture on the palate. There is also small amounts of Merlot, Shiraz and Malbec grapes in the blend. Rich, supple and full-bodied with aromas of dark fruit and smoke. Pair with duck or game meats. Drink: 2015-2025. 481903 14% XD 750 mL $40.00 Score: 94/100. December 8, 2017
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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Clare Valley, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Minty coolness on the nose of this gorgeous Australian red wine is flooded by fleshy blackberry richness on the palate. A hedonist's wine to fill the senses. Full-bodied and smooth Cabernet Sauvignon. Finishes with dried herbs, tobacco leaves and cedar brush. Very satisfying, especially at this price. Pair with ribeye steak. Drink: 2017-2022. 142398 14.50% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 93/100. March 3, 2018
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Peter Lehmann Wines Wigan Riesling 2011, Eden Valley, Australia: The vines for this stunning Australian Riesling are planted in sparse limestone soils, quite the opposite of Barrosa terroir. The result is a tightly wound, racy, exciting Riesling with a nervy edge of acidity for seafood. This wine will live on past your grandchildren. The wine is named in honour of a winemaker who had been at the helm for 34 years. Highly recommended. Drink: 2012-2022. 303305 11.50% XD 750 mL $25.00 Score: 94/100. May 15, 2016
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Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Riesling 2016, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Laser focused pure fruit zings across the senses and palate with this vibrant Australian Riesling. Come-alive cool-climate Riesling with crisp, silver lines of refreshment from start to finish. Love it! Petrol, lemon blossom, lime zest, mineral depth. Mouth-watering and dry. Supreme! Try it with creamy cheeses. Lots of acidity and minerality in this crisp white wine. Pair with spinach quiche and vegetarian dishes. Drink: 2017-2019. 262469 12% XD 750 mL $25.00 Score: 93/100. February 9, 2017
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Perseus Winery Sparkling Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC VQA, Canada: Crisp, fresh and robust BC sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. Toasty with freshly baked bread aromas. Perfect for shellfish. Drink: 2017-2020. 12.50% MD 750 mL $24.99 Score: 92/100. February 18, 2017
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Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 Sparkling 2014, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada: This is such a gorgeous wine! Every time I taste it, it's like coming back to an old friend whose intelligence and wit I admire, but more importantly, just feels so comfortable. Honeysuckle, honey dew and melon yet not cloyingly sweet. This lovely wine is actually refreshing with its slight effervescence. I'm selfishly not wanting to this with anything and just drink it on it's own before or after a meal (or instead of one). But if you insist: berry cobbler or a fruit flan. Happy? I am. Drink: 2016-2018. 256289 6.50% MS 750 mL $25.95 Score: 93/100. December 30, 2016
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Tawse Winery Inc. Grower's Blend Cabernet Franc 2013, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario VQA, Canada: Smooth, plush and supple cool-climate Niagara Cabernet Franc. Aromas of mocha, fleshy ripe plum and berries. Perfect for grilled pork chops. Drink: 2015-2021. 284570 13% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 92/100. November 9, 2016
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13th Street June's Vineyard Riesling 2013, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Fresh, crisp and clean Niagara Riesling with lemon and lime zest and just hint of that wet stone petrol I adore. Perfect for vegetarian dishes and shellfish. Drink: 2013-2019. 147512 12.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. May 28, 2016
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Tawse Winery Inc. Growers Blend Pinot Noir 2011, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Medium-bodied, silky Niagara red wine, with mocha and spice aromas on the nose of this Pinot Noir. Fleshy ripe cherry aromas and flavours on the palate of this medium-bodied, mouth-watering Pinot Noir from Niagara. Very respected winemaker. Pair with salmon or tuna. Lovely craftsmanship. The 2011 vintage of the Tawse Grower’s Blend Pinot Noir has done well, despite a challenging vintage. Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2013-2017. 130989 13% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. December 30, 2016
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Two Sisters Vineyards Icewine Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Splendid Niagara icewine in all dimensions, and most importantly, pure hedonistic pleasure. Aromas of red berries and spice. Smooth tannins. Pair with dark chocolate. Yum. Drink: 2016-2022. 13% D 750 mL $48.00 Score: 93/100. January 9, 2017
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Burrowing Owl Merlot 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC VQA, Canada: A Merlot Master from BC: Burrowing Owl does it again! Supple, rich, full-bodied yet elegant. Long on the finish. Aromas of fleshy dark plum. Pair with grilled pork chops or lamb. Drink: 2016-2023. 351675 14% XD 750 mL $40.95 Score: 92/100. March 4, 2017
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Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 Sparkling 2016, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada: So pretty, floral, strawberry blossom exotic. Like a good dream from which you don't want to awaken. Perfect summer day in the middle of your winter world. Drink: 2016-2020. 256289 6.50% MS 750 mL $25.95 Score: 94/100. July 3, 2018
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Malivoire Moira Rose 2016, Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: This vibrant and impressive Niagara rose is made from Pinot Noir grapes. Fresh and invigorating with notes of wild strawberries. Named for owner Martin Malivoire's wife Moira. Pair with planked salmon. Drink: 2017-2019. 767133 13% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. April 26, 2017
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Tawse Winery Inc. Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2014, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Gorgeous notes of field raspberries and strawberries with baking spices. Perfect for Black Forest Cake. Drink: 2017-2022. 359133 10% S 200 mL $34.95 Score: 92/100. April 28, 2017
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Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Maipo Valley, Chile: A superb, rich, complex Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon made from vines grown in the Maipo Valley that are cropped for low yields at 3.6 tons per acre. This results in rich, deep flavour. After a 5-day maceration, the wine was put into a mixture of new and second-used French oak barrels for 14 months. Aromas of dark fruit, pencil led, cassis and smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2017-2020. 353086 14.50% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 91/100. April 25, 2017
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La Chablisienne Grande Cuvée Chablis 2014, Burgundy A.C., France: So pretty! Juicy and mouth-watering with gorgeous lime-fresh acidity for shellfish and seafood. Green apple on the finish. Medium-bodied. Drink: 2017-2022. 685222 13% XD 750 mL $54.95 Score: 92/100. February 9, 2017
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Daniel Chotard Sancerre 2011, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France Drink: 2013-2016. 14% D 750 mL $32.00. March 1, 2012
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Domaine Le Grand Retour Plan De Dieu 2014, Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, Rhône A.C., France: This southern French red wine from the Rhone is brought to us by Plan De Dieu Aubert Frères. Tasty, full-bodied and delicious! Superb value: staggeringly great for the price. Aromas of cedar, black fruit, smoke and juicy black cherry. This wine is a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah grapes. This, my friends, is your party wine. It'll dance with anything on the grill. Drink: 2017-2020. 224592 14.50% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 18, 2017
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Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé 2016, Languedoc, Midi A.P., France: This is the magnum size format of this delightful rose, equivalent to two regular 750 ml bottles. Freshness is everything in this wine. Grenache is ideal for rosé because it matures easily and quickly, has vibrant aromatics, yet keeps its zesty acidity for food. This lovely southern French rosé is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah grapes. It's elegant, yet full-bodied for rosé and very satisfying. This grape has a short vegetative cycle and yields enough for production while keeping the fresh character. The bottle for this rosé was created in a competition for students at design schools in Paris. There is actually a rose shape cut into the glass on the bottom, as well as an elegant glass stopper on the top. Pair with planked salmon or seared tuna. Drink: 2017-2019. 490912 13% D 1500 mL $34.95 Score: 92/100. May 27, 2017
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Reinhold Haart Riesling Kabinett 2014, Mosel Q.M.P., Germany: Gorgeously delicious and tasty yet ultra-low in alcohol: a hedonist's dream wine. Aromas of ripe peach and pear. Pair with glazed ham and chutney. Drink: 2015-2019. 727461 9% MS 750 mL $20.25 Score: 92/100. March 4, 2017
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Borgo Maragliano La Caliera Moscato D'asti 2013, Piedmont D.O.C.G., Italy: This medium sweet, lightly sparkling Italian bubbly is a wonderful treat before or after dinner. Drink: 2013-2016. 401034 5.50% MS 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. February 7, 2015
Best Value Dessert Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full Review
Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2013, Tuscany D.O.C.G, Italy: A vibrant, racy, smooth, full-bodied Chianti Reserva with great typicity of the region and terroir. Aromas of earth, smoke and dried black fruit. Mouth-watering and juicy. Pair with tomato-based meat sauces. Drink: 2017-2023. 216309 14% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. August 4, 2018
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Ruffino Modus 2013, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: The 2013 vintage of this rich, full-bodied Italian red wine is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot grapes. The vines are planted primarily in the vineyards of Ruffino's estates of Poggio Casciano and Santedame, which is hilly clay rich in fossil fragments. The wine undergoes a malolactic fermentation and a post-fermentative maceration on the skins for 2 weeks to add richness and depth. It's then aged for 12 months in first, second and third use American and French 225 litre oak barrels. This Super Tuscan is worthy of your attention, from its ruby-violet gem glints in the glass to its finish as long as a Tuscan country road. It delivers an intense bouquet of black cherry, plum, graphite, dried tobacco leaves and dark spice. This robust red wine has remarkably polished tannins that yield to a supple, smooth texture. Incredible concentration and flavour at such a reasonable level of alcohol. Pair with truffle-inflected dishes and grilled meats. Drink: 2015-2023. 912956 13.50% XD 750 mL $32.95 Score: 94/100. April 25, 2017
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Kim Crawford Small Parcels Rise and Shine Pinot Noir 2014, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand: Fleshy ripe dark berries with a velvet texture on the tongue. This New Zealand Pinot Noir is pure decadence. Pair with guinea fowl. Drink: 2014-2021. 35337 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. November 9, 2018
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Kim Crawford Wild Grace Small Parcels Chardonnay 2015, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand: Full-bodied, voluptuous and layered with butterscotch goodness and pineapple aromas. Yet not cloying or heavy, just mouth-filling and soul satisfying. Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2015-2020. 378604 13% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 93/100. April 24, 2017
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Kim Crawford Small Parcels Fizz Sparkling Wine 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand: A terrific, full-bodied toasty sparkling wine ie fizz from New Zealand. Lovely green apple notes and smoke. 381236 12% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. July 7, 2018
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Summerhouse Pinot Noir 2014, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand Drink: 2017-2022. 492728 14.50% XD 750 mL $32.95. May 15, 2017
Full Review
Squealing Pig Pinot Noir 2014, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand: Lovely bright cherry notes on this medium-bodied, smooth New Zealand Pinot Noir. Racy acidity for planked salmon. Drink: 2017-2022. 427211 14% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. April 24, 2017
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Amisfield Pinot Noir 2011, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand: Ripe, fleshy cherries and raspberries wrapped in toasty oak on this New Zealand red wine. Medium- to full-bodied, plush and smooth. This is liquid satin for the senses. Don't wait for a special occasion though, drink it with dinner tonight and it will become a special occasion. Pair this New Zealand Pinot Noir with salmon or tuna. Drink: 2012-2019. 179754 14% XD 750 mL $41.95 Score: 93/100. March 21, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2014, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Toasted almond and hazelnut on the nose, with green apple vibrancy, gorgeous balance. I thought I loved this winery's Sauvignon Blanc best but now it's a toss up. Try this with pork tenderloin. Drink: 2016-2020. 359513 14% XD 750 mL $40.95 Score: 93/100. November 11, 2017
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Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Knight's Valley, Napa Valley, California, United States: An extraordinary Californian Cabernet with terrific balance and depth of flavour. The vines are planted in volcanic rock just 17 miles north of the winery in St Helena. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, black currant and smoke. The finish lasts so long. Pair with rare filet mignon. Drink: 2016-2025. 352583 13% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 93/100. April 25, 2017
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Duckhorn Decoy Pinot Noir 2015, Sonoma County, California, United States: The Decoy range of wines, now being made for more than two decades have come into their own, offering fleshy cherry-berry aromas on the nose. The much-respected Californian winery Duckhorn Vineyards produces this second label Pinot Noir that that is excellent quality for the money. Full-bodied, round and rollicking with good natured ripe fruit, spices and cedarwood smoke. Mouth-watering yet it finishes long and elegant. Try it with seared tuna or roast turkey. Drink: 2017-2020. 191833 13.90% D 750 mL $37.95 Score: 91/100. March 4, 2017
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Seven Falls Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States: This is a terrific Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon, especially for the price point! Mocha and dark chocolate aromas with black fruit. Chalky dry and full-bodied. Some black plum and berries on the finish. Great balance, with a deep red-garnet colour. Finishes with vanilla smoke. Drink: 2017-2020. 360222 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 90/100. April 4, 2017
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States: A blockbuster Washington Merlot from a strong vintage. Aromas of black cherry, spice and smoke. A splash of Syrah in this mostly Merlot wine adds a depth of black raspberry flavour and supple texture. Washington didn't suffer from the pylloxera root louse devastation so the vines are still planted on 100% vinifera rootstook and convey that typicity beautifully. Pair with grilled pork chops. Drink: 2014-2021. 486936 13.50% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 93/100. September 5, 2017
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Beringer Chardonnay 2015, Napa Valley, California, United States: A luscious, full-bodied Chardonnay with lovely aromas of peach, pear and butterscotch. Layers of pleasure, yet it's not heavy at all. Pair with lobster in melted butter. Drink: 2015-2021. 84988 14.10% D 750 mL $32.95 Score: 91/100. April 25, 2017
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Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States: Love that incoming tide of pleasure that envelops the senses as you breath in to smell this wine. Signalling pleasure awaits. Relax and let go. Elegant, distinguished and full-bodied Californian Cabernet. Classic red wine aromas of blackcurrant and cassis. Very dry and long on the finish. Perfect dinner party wine. Some attractive blackcurrant and cedar brush on the finish. Highly recommended. Drink: 2017-2022. 60020 14.20% D 750 mL $85.95 Score: 92/100. April 28, 2017
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Joel Gott Pinot Noir 2015, Santa Barbara, California, United States: Rich, layered and luxurious Californian Pinot Noir with a satin smooth texture. Aromas of ripe cherry and strawberry. Pair with game birds. Drink: 2015-2022. 13.90% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 91/100. April 25, 2017
Top Rated Red Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review