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Natalie MacLean's Wines of the Week for August 31, 2015

nataliemaclean.com Published Monday, August 31, 2015 12:57PM EDT

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Irony Small Lot Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Napa, North Coast, California, United States

A solid Californian Cabernet that's full-bodied with classic blackberry and cassis aromas, and just enough toasty oak. Polished tannins, good balance. Finishes with attractive wood smoke and black fruit. Pair it with a pepper steak.

Alcohol: 14.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Drink :2015-2018

Best Beef Wine

Price: $21.95

Score: 90/100

LCBO: 25106

Gabbiano Bellezza Chianti Classico 2011

Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy

Full-bodied and supple with incredible concentration, depth and complexity. Elegantly balanced with a long finish. Notes of sun-dried tomatoes, dark tart cherry and earth. Just enough acidity to handle dishes with tomato sauce.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Drink: 2013-2019

Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine

Price: $44.95

Score: 92/100

LCBO: 652438

Squealing Pig Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

Grassy green and fresh herbal aromas in classic Marlborough cool climate Sauvignon Blanc. Love the redacted text on the back label. Very refreshing. Pair with pork chops (of course).

Alcohol: 13.5%

Sweetness :Extra Dry

Drink: 2014-2016

Splendid Salad Wine

Price: $21.95

Score:91/100

LCBO: 414789

Domaine Roger Luquet Crémant De Bourgogne Blanc De Blancs

Burgundy A.C., France

Supremely toasty with lovely notes of fresh green apple. This is a steal that you should buy by the case if you’ve got a wedding, reunion or some other big party coming up. Crémant de Bourgogne can be made from the white wine grape Aligoté, however, winemaker Roger Luquet’s Blanc de Blancs is made only from Chardonnay grapes that grow St. Véran appellation vineyards. Finishes with notes of freshly baked bread and lime citrus. Pair with fried chicken for an extra treat tonight.

Alcohol: 12.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Drink: 2015-2018

Fantastic Fried Chicken

Price: $23.95

Score: 90/100

LCBO: 957894

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Reserve Pinot Gris 2012

Okanagan Valley, Bristish Columbia BC VQA, Canada

Crisp and clean with aromas and flavours of white and green melon and lime zest on this BC white wine made from Pinot Gris grapes. This is the winery's reserve label. Pair with shellfish.

Alcohol: 13%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Drink: 2012-2017