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RED Wine Three Winds Syrah 2008, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France Price $14.00 UPC 3760143270353 Score 89/100 Remarks Spicy savoury smoked meat nose with bits of tar, violets black pepper and earth.
RED
Wine Three Winds Syrah 2008, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
Price $14.00
UPC 3760143270353
Score 89/100
Remarks Spicy savoury smoked meat nose with bits of tar, violets black pepper and earth. Tightly wound firm mid-palate with peppery, meaty, spicy, juicy black cherry, plum and licorice root flavours. A delicious syrah at a great price; it is the essence of the competition. Serve with lamb chops or grilled beef.
Wine M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Syrah - Grenache - Carignan 2009, Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, South of France, France
Price $15.00
UPC 03391181390439
Score 88/100
Remarks Spicy, peppery, black licorice, leather, black plum and smoke aromas with a floral note. Dry, slightly tannic, full palate but a bit austere with good acidity from the carignan. Black plum, dark chocolate, meaty, peppery, earthy, spicy flavours. Good youthful, tight style for drinking with rabbit or lamb or keep a year or two. Excellent value here.
Wine Caliterra Bio Sur Carmenère 2009, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Price $15.00
UPC
Score 87/100
Remarks Classic carmenère with a richly spiced nose of cinnamon and cloves with bright red fruit. The entry is dry and fruity with black cherry fruit and medium structured tannins. It was a fabulous vintage to boot. Bio-Sur is made using organic grapes. Good value.
Wine Emiliana Adobe Carmenère Reserva Orgánico 2009, Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Price $15.00
UPC 007804320150604
Score 87/100
Remarks Very spicy, meaty, peppery nose with plum, menthol and sappy cassis notes. Ripe, round, supple entry, if slightly flat on the palate, with dried herb, menthol, peppery, cassis, minty, bay leaf, tobacco leaf and prune flavours. Solid styling for a T-bone or rib-eye steak.
Wine Errazuriz Estate Merlot 2008, Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Price $15.00
UPC 00089046900994
Score 87/100
Remarks The '08 is 85/15 blend of merlot /carmenère grown in the Curicó Valley. The nose is fresh and fruity with strong brambleberry, pepper and cedar notes. On the palate bay leaf, pepper and minty cassis flavours shape the mouth with equally fresh acidity and light round tannins. Serve with grilled meats, stews and chicken for best results.
Wine La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rouge Grenache - Shiraz - Mourvèdre - Cinsault 2008, Côtes-du-Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France
Price $14.00
UPC 631470000018
Score 87/100
Remarks Peppery, leather, spicy, rooty, black cherry, liquorice, meaty aromas. Soft, round, velvety palate with earthy, black raspberry, peppery, liquorice root, spicy, orange peel and mineral flavours. Warm, clean and fresh but good solid fruit and style for current drinking. The Perrin Cotes du Ventoux is mostly grenache with small percentages of syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault. Love the value here.
Wine Pascual Toso Syrah 2008, Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Price $13.60
UPC 718742000249
Score 87/100
Remarks Smoky animal meaty nose with bits of liquorice and blackberry. The entry is spicy with more smoky glossy, vanilla and red fruit. Totally fun for the price and ready to drink. Back up the truck and start the barbecue.
Wine Pavillon Arnaud Minervois Syrah - Grenache 2008, Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
Price $14.00
UPC 003045710019253
Score 87/100
Remarks Nice spicy, liquorice nose with black cherry, floral, rooty, clove and cardamom aromas. Ripe, round, full, fresh palate with ripe tannins. Big black raspberry, plum, spicy, peppery, licorice, orange peel flavours with a touch of olive. Great fruit intensity if a bit too fresh. Will go well with pork or turkey dishes. Solid value here.
Wine Santa Julia Organica Malbec Cabernet Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Mendoza, Argentina
Price $15.00
UPC 77917280118141
Score 87/100
Remarks Adding cabernet to the malbec mix freshens up the mix. Spicy, mocha, black cherry notes with more floral undercurrents and the rich soft underbelly of the malbec is stiffened by the cabernet. Rich savoury tasty barbecue red with a soft jammy liquorice finish. Another fine effort that punches well above its price range again.
Wine Arrogant Frog Ribet Red Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot 2009, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
Price $14.00
UPC 03760040424941
Score 86/100
Remarks The not so arrogant frog is going organic mixing 55 per cent cabernet sauvignon with 45 per cent merlot grown between the Mediterranean Sea and the Hérault Valley from vines 10 to 31 year old. Look for soft dense black jammy fruit with bits of chocolate and black berries and a warm glossy vanilla finish. A modern New World style red from the south of France.
Wine Casillero del Diablo Carmenère 2008, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Price $14.00
UPC 7804320087016
Score 86/100
Remarks Very peppery, cedar bark, menthol, dried herbs, chocolate aromas. Dry, round, fresh palate with very light tannins. Cedar, chocolate, vanilla cube, herbal, rooty, spicy, eucalyptus flavours. Simple, easy style on the herbal side.
Wine Errazuriz Estate Carmenère 2008, Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Price $15.00
UPC 00608057106036
Score 86/100
Remarks The estate carmenère offers up classic intense carmenère nose of crushed pepper, crushed dried leaves with bits of soya and coffee and chocolate. The fruit is red with a kiss of cran-cherry and chocolate on the palate. Soft sleek and just a hint glossy this one is ready to drink.
Wine Montresor Nero del Nago Corvina - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Veneto, Italy
Price $15.00
UPC 8003503000227
Score 86/100
Remarks Look for a lifted, floral, spicy, cedar/cherry nose in what is an everyday-style Italian spaghetti red. The entry is round with a fairly fresh palate and more earthy, mushroom tobacco, cherry, cedar, flavours. Simple, rustic style red best tamed by grilled meats or poultry.
Wine Columbia Crest Two Vines Unoaked Chardonnay 2008, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Price $15.00
UPC 00088586003059
Score 86/100
Remarks Pear, green apple skin, light butter, citrus, floral nose. Round, warm, fresh, slightly sweet entry with light tropical, baked apple, citrus and pear skin flavours. Simple and fresh with a tart, juicy finish. Finally under screwcap and it is working.
Wine Las Moras Tannat 2007, Valle del Tulum, San Juan, Argentina
Price $14.00
UPC 007791540090387
Score 86/100
Remarks Peppery, meaty, gamy, black berry, spicy, rooty, chocolate aromas. Ripe, round, dry, slightly tannic palate with some warmth. Smoky, liquorice, savoury, chocolate cherry, meaty, blackberry, resin, sappy flavours. Warm and slightly tart on the finish. Should be perfect with lamb or meat stews.
Wine Llama Malbec Old Vine 2008, Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Price $15.00
UPC 00091771062083
Score 86/100
Remarks Big spicy, savoury nose with bits of vanilla, tobacco, olive, roasted pepper and dark cherry aromas. Round, soft, easy, somewhat flat entry with peppery, tobacco, plum, earthy, savoury, cherry chocolate flavours. An attractive easy drinking style red wine for assorted meat dishes.
Wine Vina Maipo Carmenère 2008, Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Price $13.00
UPC 007804320130118
Score 86/100
Remarks Fine dark colour previews a leafy spicy nose with bits of chocolate and cran-cherry. The palate follows suit with a smooth but peppery red fruit flavour. Pretty good carmenère character for not a lot of money. Think hamburgers, grilled flank steak ribs even meaty pasta dishes. Great for parties. Decant for 30 minutes to get the best out of this bottle.
Wine Mirassou California Pinot Noir 2008, California, United States
Price $15.00
UPC 085000012277
Score 86/100
Remarks Spicy, cherry jam, barnyard, compost, chocolate, cola, orange peel aromas. Soft, warm, slightly fat palate with cola, vanilla, compost, cherry jam, carrot, chocolate, tobacco leaf flavours. Simple, full, fatter style.
Wine Mouton Cadet Rouge Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc 2007, Bordeaux, France
Price $15.00
UPC 0839601444014
Score 86/100
Remarks The '07 seems more approachable than previous offerings. Expect a nice mix of soft red and black fruit with smooth tannins. The blend is merlot dominated with about 35 per cent cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc picked across several Bordeaux appellations. It is ready to drink now. Try it with grilled flank steak.
Wine Pasqua Villa Borghetti Passimento Rosso Corvina - Croatina - Merlot 2007, Veneto, Italy
Price $15.00
UPC 08007880548808
Score 86/100
Remarks Meaty, tobacco leaf, chocolate, prune, menthol, peppery, cedar, floral, cherry nose. Round, dry, supple palate with earthy, rooty, cherry, smoky, prune and tobacco flavours with an herbaceous side. Well balanced and ready to drink now. Try this with grilled meat.
Wine Timbuktu Offshore Shiraz Grenache Shiraz - Grenache 2008, South Australia, Australia
Price $14.50
UPC 009326215002686
Score 86/100
Remarks Very spicy, raspberry confiture, cherry, floral, liquorice, meaty, savoury nose. Very ripe, warm, round, somewhat sweet entry with fresh acidity. Big raspberry jam, black cherry, peppery, spicy, orange peel, mocha flavours. Finish is very warm and tart with some sweetness but there is plenty of fruit that will appeal to the most drinkers.
Wine Zonin Primo Amore Sangiovese Merlot Sangiovese - Merlot 2007, Sicily, Italy
Price $13.00
UPC 8002235000574
Score 86/100
Remarks Spicy, cherry jam, meaty, tobacco, floral nose. Soft, round, supple, easy palate with rooty, floral, tobacco, peppery olive and herb flavours. Simple, easy, forward style at a good price. Much like the previous edition.
ROSÉ
Wine Masi Modello Rosato delle Venezie Corvina - Molinara - Rondinella - Dindarello 2009, Verona, Veneto, Italy
Price $13.00
UPC 8002062001706
Score 86/100
Remarks Floral, strawberry, light cherry, marzipan, citrus aromas. Clean, light, zippy palate with green apple, leafy, dried herb, citrus, rhubarb flavours. An easy, fresh style for summer.
Wine Pascual Toso Malbec Rosé 2009, Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Price $14.00
UPC 00718742003097
Score 86/100
Remarks Spicy, mineral, citrus, cherry, apple, currant aromas. Round, off dry, fresh palate with an earthy, spicy, cherry, tobacco, spicy, currant palate. Good intensity with some extract to offer pairings with food.
WHITE
Wine Francois Lurton Les Fumées Blanches 2008, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
Price $13.00
UPC 00635335961957
Score 88/100
Remarks Is there a better wine at this price in British Columbia? The nose alone, a smoky mineral citrus affair is better than most wines at twice the price. So too is the palate. Enjoy the fresh bits of green melon/gooseberry and grapefruit all with a dash of grass. Clean, balanced and crazy value and all under screwcap which means every bottle is likely the same.
Wine Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2008, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Price $15.00
UPC 088586621840
Score 88/100
Remarks Off dry and fresh with surprising balance and elegance propelled this wine to a major win at the IVWA. Expect a floral peachy nose with ripe red apple flavours and of course refreshing acidity. Washington State has the largest riesling plantings outside of Germany which explains the moderate price. Think spicy Pan Asian foods as the match.
Wine Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay 2009, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Price $14.50
UPC 7804320242699
Score 89/100
Remarks New, organic un-oaked chardonnay under screwcap that is ridiculously tasty for the price. Look for gooseberry, and spicy aromas. The entry is fresh, crisp and just off-dry with nettle, lemon, grapefruit, gooseberry, passion fruit flavours and a touch of grass. Love the juicy mineral, green guava finish. Buy this one buy the truckload.
Wine Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest 2007, Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Price $15.00
UPC 00608057000037
Score 89/100
Remarks I'm thinking it is the 15 per cent gewürztraminer in the blend that pulls this late harvest sauvignon out of the realm of the ordinary. Expect a fairly crisp wine with aromatic floral/citrus notes and ripe apricot honey, egg yolk and mineral flavours and a refreshing finish. Light and elegant you can serve this solo or with fresh fruit. Interestingly some of the grapes are dehydrated, others frozen while a portion is fermented in used French barrels; another part is kept sur-lie in tank. Good value and it won the LH category at the 2010 IVWA.
Wine Errazuriz Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Aconcagua Costa, Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Price $14.00
UPC 0089046777329
Score 88/100
Remarks The new cool, coastal Aconcagua Costa vineyard is home to this delicious, fresh, cutting edge sauvignon blanc that is a cross between the Loire and Marlborough at about have the price. Expect a healthy citrus/gooseberry nose and palate with bits of melon, lime rind and jalapeno. Mussels, clams, chickens you decide they all work. Terrific value.
Wine McWilliam's Hanwood Pinot Grigio 2009, South Eastern Australia, Australia
Price $14.00
UPC 085000017029
Score 87/100
Remarks Another fine value Oz pinot grigio from McWilliams now under screwcap that is brimming with freshness and delicacy with bright grapefruit and orange aromas and flavours throughout. Bright stone fruit nuances. Food-friendly and affordable.
Wine Big House White Malvasia Bianco - Muscat Canelli - Viognier - Grüner Veltliner - Pinot Grigio 2008, California, United States
Price $13.00
UPC 769434207200
Score 86/100
Remarks Everything but the kitchen sink so to speak is in Big House White. Malvasia bianca, muscat canelli, viognier, grüner veltliner and pinot grigio suggests a fresh fruity aromatic style. The nose is all that and more. On the palate this wine is awash in tropical fruit, honeysuckle, apricot notes. A sort of inexpensive Conundrum with a slightly bitter finish. A warmer richer version of the Okanagan fruit salad blend. good value.
Wine Devil's Rock Pfalz Riesling 2009, Pfalz, Germany
Price $12.00
UPC 4002301436720
Score 86/100
Remarks Floral, almond, citrus, baked green apple, matchstick aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with green apple, lime, slate, orange flavours. Good fruit and intensity if a bit rindy and just off-dry. Great value.
Wine Emiliana Adobe Chardonnay Reserva Orgánico 2010, Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Price $15.00
UPC 7804320150628
Score 86/100
Remarks Somewhat sauvignon-like on the nose with floral grapefruit, green apple skin notes. The entry is thin and crisp with bits of butter, peach skin, green apple, grassy, melon flavours. A simple style best with creamy seafood and pasta dishes. Made from organic fruit.
Wine Flat Roof Manor Pinot Grigio 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South Africa
Price $13.00
UPC 006001108015457
Score 86/100
Remarks What do you do when you like the wine but it doesn't really taste like pinot gris. If anything, this thin lemony crisp white is more grigio than gris but if you tasted it blind it is more sauvignon blanc than pinot gris. Try this with shellfish and enjoy the flavours for what they are.
Wine Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Five Vineyards 2009, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $14.00
UPC 00776545995278
Score 86/100
Remarks Floral, grapefruit, green apple nose with grassy, lemon nettle aromas. Round, slightly sweet, flat palate with cooked green apple, grapefruit, herbal, nettle, lemon flavours. Solid, simple style sauvignon you can serve with a variety of seafood and pasta.
Wine Montresor Bianco del Nago 2008, Veneto, Italy
Price $14.00
UPC 8003503000210
Score 86/100
Remarks Tangerine, apricot, pear, red apple, spicy, grapefruit aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, somewhat sweet entry. Grapefruit, honey, apricot, tangerine skin, red apple and grassy flavours. Good intensity, fun for Thai food if a bit sweet. Good value.
Wine Nederburg Riesling The Winemaster Reserve 2009, Western Cape, South Africa
Price $13.00
UPC 06001452318891
Score 86/100
Remarks Petrol, marzipan, mineral, buttery, baked pear, earthy, slate aromas. Fresh, crisp, moderately dry palate in a leaner style. Lemon, slate, petrol, slightly smoky, green apple skin flavours. A lean style that will go with food. Uses a Diem cork but might be better with screwcap.
Wine Piesporter Treppchen Riesling QbA 2008, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
Price $14.00
UPC 085697757598
Score 86/100
Remarks Spicy, floral, baked apple, minty, citrus and sawdust aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, elegant palate with slate, big spice granny smith apple, petrol, citrus flavours. Good intensity and sugar-acid balance but suffers a bit from a cork closure. Solid value.
Wine Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Coastal Region, South Africa
Price $15.00
UPC 00746925000939
Score 86/100
Remarks Refreshing clean well made style with notes of gooseberry, citrus and mild grassy notes. On the palate look for more tropical fruit notes with a grassy, zesty, finish. A simple but well made sauvignon that is perfect for most shellfish dishes.
Wine Santa Rita Chardonnay 120 2009, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Price $12.00
UPC 0089419007183
Score 86/100
Remarks Pretty much oak free there is a small amount of barrel fermented juice added for texture and mouth feel. Expect a fresh mineral, crunchy green apple fruit nose with similar flavours and bits of peach in the finish. Good value as always. Think chicken dishes.
Wine St. Hallett Poacher's Semillon Sauvignon Sémillon - Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Price $14.00
UPC 9316920000329
Score 86/100
Remarks Grapefruit, gooseberry, grassy, asparagus, floral, green apple nose. Tart, dry, elegant palate with grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit, lime, honey, floral, jalapeno flavours. A leaner style but has a touch of oiliness for palate viscosity. The leanest version yet; think oysters.
Wine Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
Price $15.00
UPC 009421003813205
Score 87/100
Remarks It's hard to find any New Zealand wine at this price point so it is a delight to sip sauvignon blanc at $15. Expect a mix of tropical notes and gooseberry fruit flavours all in a fresh package. Lemon herbal buy no asparagus notes makes this a winner at this price point. Drink it with mussels and clams for a home run.
Wine The Bishop of Riesling 2008, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
Price $12.00
UPC 4006542053654
Score 86/100
Remarks As it is most years, The Bishop offers an off-dry entry followed by fresh acidity and fruit. Expect a mix of baked green apples and citrus with just a hint of sweetness in the finish. A well made inexpensive wine you can pair with a wide array of foods or serve solo on the patio. Fair value.
