OTTAWA

Natalie MacLean's Wines of the Week for November 09, 2015

nataliemaclean.com

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St. Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2012

Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

A full-bodied, richly concentrated Australian red wine with luscious aromas and flavours of fleshy black plum, blackberries and dark spice. Finishes with cracked black pepper. Pair with grilled steak.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Sweetness: Dry
Drink: 2014-2018

Best Beef Wine

Price: $39.95
Score: 90/100
LCBO: 535104

Trivento Amado Sur Malbec Bonarda Syrah 2012

Mendoza, Argentina

This Argentine wine was matured for a year in oak. Bursting with aromas of black fruit, smoke and tar. This wine needs cellar time and decanting of 2 hours. Pencil led and black fruit on the finish. Try it with hearty meat dishes.

Alcohol: 14%
Sweetness: Extra Dry
Drink: 2015-2018

Heavenly Hamburger Wine

Price: $16.95
Score: 89/100
LCBO: 37036

Stoney Ridge Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, V.Q.A., Canada

Crisp, clean with subtle notes of white grapefruit and white melon. Good aperitif.

Alcohol: 11.6%
Sweetness: Extra Dry
Drink: 2013-2015

Splendid Salad Wine

Price: $16.95
Score: 87/100
LCBO: 513705

Castello Monsanto Riserva Chianti Classico 2011

Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy

Stunningly tasty with a wonderfully balanced medium- to full-bodied weight. Attractive aromas of violets, black cherries, dark spices and cigar box. Elegant and refined, yet expressive too. A terrific chianti to try if you're not familiar with this style of wine. Pair with hearty meat sauces.

Alcohol: 14%
Sweetness: Extra Dry:
Drink: 2015-2020

Best Beef Wine

Price: $34.95
Score: 93/100
LCBO: 719864

Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

California, United States

Broad strokes of black cherry flavour here in this big Californian Cabernet. Full-bodied and loaded with fleshy black fruit aromas plus some herbal notes. Finishes pleasantly with mocha and oak. This Californian Cabernet would be perfect with strong farmhouse cheeses.