Margaret Swaine’s Wine Picks: Flavours that define their regions

Among the releases in Vintages last week, this trio has flavours that really define their region and varietal. Find these picks via WineAlign.com/MargaretsPicks.

Norman Hardie County Pinot Noir 2010
$35.00 (91 Points)
From Prince Edward County, Hardie’s wines have oodles of personality and intensity without losing poise and structure. This unfiltered red has a lovely, earthy burgundian bouquet. Medium bodied and elegant with savoury, barnyard notes, good fruit and silky refined tannins, it drinks well now but could be cellared for several years.

Burgáns Albariño 2010
$17.95 (89 Points)
A great value from the winery Bodegas Martin Códax, which helped put Galicia’s Rias Baixas, in Spain’s northwest, on the route to fame for its albariño varietal whites. The bouquet is aromatic and fruity and the taste has juicy, tangy flavours of stone fruits and minerals. Medium-bodied, textured and supple on the palate, it has a refreshing acidity. Lovely for fish, molluscs and scallops.

Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
$37.95 (90 Points)
Founded in 1972, this family-owned winery on the western slopes of Howell Mountain delivers a plush and ripe Napa Valley cabernet. Deep garnet in colour, it has hints of herbs and menthol on the ripe berry bouquet. Rounded, medium-full bodied, its red berry flavours are enhanced with notes of cocoa and cedar. A good red meat wine.