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Wine Picks February 3, 2022

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Note: This batch of wine reviews is not part of the bi-weekly Vintages Releases. Instead, it's a collection of wines outside the Vintages section in store (general list) or wines sent to me directly from wineries that may not yet be available in liquor stores. Click on the Winery or Wine Agency link to get more info.

Dessert Wine

Joseph's Estate Wines Vidal Icewine 2008, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2020 - 2026 587592 10% S 375 mL $48.05 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Sandhill Single Vineyard Small Lots Sangiovese 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada: A stunning wine of great complexity! Reminds me of the best of Bordeaux and Rioja, but with a purely Okanagan signature. Aromas of tanned leather, earth and dark fruit. Full-bodied, smooth and layered with a finish that doesn't end. Pair with lamb. Drink: 2020 - 2026 143818 13.9% XD 750 mL $39.00 Score: 94/100. February 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Stags' Leap Winery Merlot 2018, Napa Valley, California, United States: Still loving this lush and full-bodied Merlot from Stags' Leap Winery. The 2018 vintage reminds me of chocolate covered cherries with rich dark berry, spiced plum and nutty flavours on the palate with bright acidity to match. Tannins are fine and rounded. Merlot food pairings: Brazilian-style flank steak with chimichurri sauce, rack of BBQ ribs, veal Porterhouse, grilled lamb, Tandoori-flavored dishes. Drink: 2022 - 2025 655399 14.1% D 750 mL $54.95 Score: 94/100. February 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Benziger Tribute Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Sonoma, California, United States Drink: 2021 - 2025 20807 14% D 750 mL $19.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Bodega San Roque de la Encina Cerro Pinel Tempranillo 2018, Ribera Del Duero, Spain Drink: 2021 - 2025 14% 750 mL $25.30 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Monte Pinadillo Roble Tempranillo 2020, Ribera Del Duero, Spain Drink: 2021 - 2023 14.5% D 750 mL $18.99 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, California, United States Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: lamb Bolognese, grilled New York strip loin, hard cheese, braised pork shanks, veal chops. Drink: 2014 - 2022 521021 14% D 750 mL $24.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

M. Chapoutier Sicamor Crozes-Hermitage 2018, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône A.P., France: M. Chapoutier Sicamor 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Syrah is rich with dark cherry, red berry, blackberry, smoked meat, savoury herbs, well-integrated oak spice, lovely and lush with balanced acidity and velvety tannins. Sicamor is a new offering from Chapoutier, from a blend of Syrahs from different terroirs across Hermitage. The wine is unfiltered and unfined. Food pairings: rack of lamb, roast breast of veal stuffed with dried apricots, roast duck. Drink: 2021 - 2024 20416 14.5% XD 750 mL $46.95 Score: 94/100. February 2022. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Fort Berens Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2019, Lillooet, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2028 36301 13% D 750 mL $28.99 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rust Wine Co. Lazy River Vineyards Syrah 2019, Similkameen Valley, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2027 14.1% D 750 mL $44.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rust Wine Co. Ferreira Vineyard Syrah 2019, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2021 - 2027 14.2% D 750 mL $44.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rust Wine Co. South Rock Vineyards Syrah 2019, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2027 13.9% XD 750 mL $44.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rust Wine Co. Lost Horn Vineyard Syrah 2019, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2027 14.2% D 750 mL $44.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Plumpjack Winery Merlot 2018, Napa Valley, California, United States Drink: 2021 - 2031 296491 14% D 750 mL $120.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Balfour Hush Heath Estate The Winemakers Collection The Suitcase Pinot Noir 2018, Kent, England, United Kingdom Drink: 2022 - 2028 12.6% D 750 mL $59.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Ventisquero Reserva País Moscatel 2017, Maipo Valley, Chile Drink: 2022 - 2026 12.5% D 750 mL $16.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Rooster Winery Merlot 2017, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2025 14.6% XD 750 mL $18.99 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Clos Du Val Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Napa Valley, California, United States Drink: 2022 - 2029 12544 14.7% XD 750 mL $93.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Clos de Luz Massal 1945 Carmenère 2017, Almahue, Rapel Valley D.O., Chile Carmenère food pairings: lamburgers, slow-braised blade roast, brisket. Drink: 2021 - 2025 11861 14% XD 750 mL $24.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Checkmate Artisanal Winery Opening Gambit Merlot 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada 20333 14.8% XD 750 mL $95.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Julian Chivite Gran Feudo Reserva Tempranillo 2016, Navarra, Spain Drink: 2022 - 2026 479014 14% D 750 mL $19.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hester Creek Estate Winery Selected Barrels Cabernet Merlot 2019, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada Selected Barrels Cabernet Merlot food pairings: Grilled pork tenderloin and charred Okanagan cherries.. Drink: 2021 - 2024 626037003021 13.8% D 750 mL $19.99 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Castello di Gabbiano Cavaliere D'Oro Chianti Classico 2019, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy Chianti Classico food pairings: pizza, sausages, lasagna. Drink: 2022 - 2028 219808 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Rust Wine Co. Rosé 2021, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2023 13.5% D 750 mL $25.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sparkling Wine

Benjamin Bridge Brut Rosé 2017, Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada Brut Rosé food pairings: pork tenderloin, duck, and lobster, Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Drink: 2022 - 2025 1015073 11% MD 750 mL $45.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Westcott Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2021, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: creamy pasta, poached salmon with cream sauce, pork tenderloin. Drink: 2023 - 2025 13.5% D 750 mL $50.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Between The Lines Winery Riesling 2020, Four Mile Creek, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Drink: 2022 - 2025 13% D 750 mL $19.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lacey Estates Winery Inox Chardonnay 2019, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: mixed green avocado salad, herbed chicken. Drink: 2021 - 2023 18236 12.5% D 750 mL $22.00 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gray Monk Estate Winery Pinot Auxerrois 2019, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Pinot Auxerrois food pairings: spinach salad with applewood-smoked cheddar shavings and honey-mustard dressing. Drink: 2022 - 2024 96222 12% D 750 mL $16.99 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Gray Monk Estate Winery Unwooded Chardonnay 2020, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada Chardonnay food pairings: crab legs, steamed mussels, grilled freshwater fish. Drink: 2022 - 2024 303743 12.9% D 750 mL $19.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lightfoot & Wolfville Ancienne Wild Fermented Chardonnay 2018, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada Chardonnay food pairings: seafood Shepherd's pie, butter-sautéed scallops, roast chicken. Drink: 2021 - 2026 462093 11% XD 750 mL $56.95 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Sacred Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand Drink: 2019 - 2022 489112 13% D 750 mL $16.65 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Vieil Armand Happy Riesling Pinot Gris 2020, Alsace, France Drink: 2021 - 2024 13% D 750 mL $16.99 February 2022. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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