Spain – DOCa Rioja
$12.95 (211029)
Description: 100% Tempranillo and dark, ruby red in colour
Nose: Spice box, leather tobacco and blackberry
Palate: Ripe fruit with outstanding balance
Ageing: Drink now or hold to 2018
Food Pairing: Stuffed pork tenderloin with grilled root vegetables.
Score: 90 out of 100, Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Apr 2010
Definite Buy: My #2 Pick
Spain – DOCa Rioja
$12.95 (211029)
Description: 100% Tempranillo and dark, ruby red in colour
Nose: Spice box, leather tobacco and blackberry
Palate: Ripe fruit with outstanding balance
Ageing: Drink now or hold to 2018
Food Pairing: Stuffed pork tenderloin with grilled root vegetables.
Score: 90 out of 100, Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Apr 2010
Definite Buy: My #2 Pick
Spain – DOCa Rioja
$17.95 (208223)
Description: Highly structured, dense, layered and complex
Nose: Smoke Asian spices, lavender and blackberry
Palate: Gobs of spicy black fruits, notes of mineral and spice.
Ageing: Drink from 2013 to 2024.
Food Pairing: Serve with bbq steak.
Score: 92+ out of 100, Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Jun 2010
Definite Buy: My #1 Pick
Portugal – DOC Douro
$14.95 (218289)
Description: A blend of Viosinho, Malvasia Fina and Fernao Pires. Straw coloured
Nose: Citrus and floral notes
Palate: Citrus, apple and a woodsy spice on the palate
Food Pairing: Chicken pot pie or an asparagus quiche.
Silver: 2010 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
USA – California
$14.95 (355784)
Description: Aromatic and off-dry
Nose: Peach jam
Palate: Fresh peach and wildflower flavours
Food Pairing: Serve bone chilled with spicy finger food.
Buy, Buy and Buy: I am obsessed, a perennial favourite of mine.
Portugal – DOC, Sub-Regiao Moncao e Melgaco
$13.95 (966663)
Description: A blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura.
Palate: Crisp green fruit
Food Pairing: Steamed mussels or clams
Score: 92 out of 100, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Aug 2010
South Africa – WO Elgin
$13.95 (203877)
A rather delicious wine with its fresh bouquet. Mineral palate with a long and dry finish.
Score: 4 out of 5, Cathy van Zyl, John Platter South African Wines, 2009
Chile – Limari Valley
$19.95 (162040)
Aromatic complexity, deep intensity, blistering gobs of ripe fruit and minerally accented.
Score: 92 out of 100, Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct 2008
Definite Buy: My #3 Pick
Chile – Limari Valley
$14.95 (058446)
Layered and concentrated fruit. Absolutely lovely Cab. Serve with grilled red meat.
Score: 4 ½ out of 5, Rod Phillips, www.rodphillipsonwine.com, Dec 2010