WINE PICKS OF THE WEEK
Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay 2013, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Price $14.50 | Score 87/100
UPC: 7804320242699
Light butter, honey, canned grapefruit and peach aromas with underlying tropical notes. Fresh, juicy, creamy palate with green apple, grapefruit, grassy, nectarine and pear flavours that finish with a touch of citrus, lees and butter. A dependable label at a very fair price.
Selbach Riesling (Fish Label) 2013, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
Price $18 | Score 88/100
UPC: 00717215001707
Light honey, green apple, grassy, floral aromas. Crispy, juicy, delicate palate with fine sugar-acid balance that leaves it on the less sweet side. Honey, floral, guava, orange, green apple and lime flavours. Fine elegance and fruit in an easy-sipping, food-friendly style. Thai anyone?
Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
Price $17 | Score 88/100
UPC: 089819158027
This regional Sauvignon Blanc always delivers classic passion fruit, floral and dried herbs in the aromas and the palate. Crisp, elegant and mouth-watering — expect a whack of tropical fruit led by pineapple with nectarine and jalapeno notes. Fresh and juicy and ready to drink. Good value.
Matchbook Dunnigan Hills Syrah 2011, Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California
Price $18 | Score 86/100
UPC: 859551001017
Not many changes here. Expect a fragrant blueberry chocolate nose with bits of spice. The palate is similar in style. A commercial effort best with ribs or burgers. A solid mid-week red.
Schloss Reinhartshausen Spaetburgunder Dry 2012, Rheingau, Germany
Price $24 | Score 88/100
UPC: 4005055732445
Fresh, dry, delicate and juicy palate with strawberry, dried cherry, celery salt, peppery, tobacco, leather and Worcestershire flavours. Good finesse and delicacy with some very light tannins to dissipate. Drink now or over the next three years.
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Sonoma County, California
Price $25 | Score 89/100
UPC: 087512912359
Not much change here, either. Solid styling mixing cedar, chocolate, cassis and blackberry aromas with earth and olives. Attractive style for many in that soft, round Californian way. Grilled beef kebabs would be a fine match.