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Tastings: October 2014
30 October 2014
89PTS
Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2011
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceLes Cornuds is some 40km north of Châteauneuf du Pape at the village of Vinsobres. The stony terraces here are particularly suited to syrah which dominates the blend. A long Indian summer save the 2011s and this juicy red is proof. Look for some floral notes, juicy blackberries, chocolate and a riff of garrigue. The syrah is fermented in wood the grenache in stainless steel. A bit of syrah is in wood for one year. Try this with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.15 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 2012
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesIt is not easy to drink this wine because the nose is so inviting you hate to drink it. Oatmeal and brioche waft from the glass previewing its tropical, pineapple, honey flavours that speak to this super vineyard site that sits high among the upper reaches of the Santa Maria Bench. Burgundy on steroids might be the best description given its bright fruit and well-managed oak and lees. Stylish, food-friendly delicious. Too bad this chardonnay is not listed in government stores where cupcakes and layer cakes reign.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kendall-Jackson Avant Chardonnay 2013
California, United StatesThe Avant fruit comes off of relatively cool Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino County sites but still maintains its ripe California KJ styling. Look for a tropical lime cordial nose with floral (rose) notes. The attack is similar with more tropical fruit, lime rind and just enough acidity to keep it interesting. The wines sees no oak. Perfect for west coast seafood.Prices:| BC | $19.29 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kendall-Jackson Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands Chardonnay 2012
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesA selection of premium blocks from hillsides high up on the Santa Maria Bench are at the center of this impressive California chardonnay. Daily fog prolongs the growing season pushing the fruit to ripen slowly and intensely. Tropical fruit melons mark the nose with flecks of lees, oatmeal and pineapple. Richness with restraint and finesse comes from careful barrel fermentations and just over 50 percent new French oak for aging. On the palate the wine is a creamy mix of butter, mineral, hazel nuts and apricots. Delicious, drinkable but this will hold for three to five years. Super effort in and a real crowd pleaser.Prices:| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Byron Chardonnay 2013
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesAnother dry year has led to fine concentration of flavors reminiscent of stone fruit, brown spice, honey and a delicious wet stone minerality. Fresh crisp and balanced this chardonnay slides down like a silk scarf on a bannister. Some 30 percent is aged in French oak, of which only seven percent is new, while the lees is stirred weekly for six months. Fruit, texture, style and length. Super value here.Prices:| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
The Show Chardonnay 2012
California, United StatesThe Show is a mix of cool fruit from Sonoma and Monterey appellations. The nose is fresh with peachy honey citrus aromas. The attack is similarly fresh with pear and ripe apple fruit flavours. Impressively dry and with some French oak to add texture and weight. A perfect wine for grilled scallops or lightly prepared calamari. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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29 October 2014
90PTS
Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Napa Valley, California, United StatesA difficult year in Napa has yielded a well-constructed New World cabernet that is better than a lot of the competition. The fruit is a mix of floor and top mountain fruit and it has been well chosen. French barrels, one half new and aged for fourteen months has complemented the structure rather than dominate. The attack is fresh with cedar/cassis notes and plums, licorice, chocolate, tobacco and a hint of sweetness. There is a dash of petit verdot in the mix for added aromatics. Steak anyone?Prices:| bc | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $49.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Wild Goose Mystic River Pinot Blanc 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWild Goose has a great handle on this variety taking it down the lean, floral, mineral path reminiscent of Germany before adding a touch of barrel fermented fruit to bolster the mid-palate. Expect an electric attack with big juicy citrus fruit balancing the butter and ripe fruit on the mid-palate. The stony, minerality and a perfect touch of orange mark the finish. Shellfish, halibut, sablefish it works with them all.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau de Caraguilhes 2012
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThere is something delicious about this certified organically grown Corbières that grabs you from the start. The mix is 40/25/20/15 syrah/grenache/mourvèdre and carignan and it hits your palate with soft textures and juicy black cherries, blackberries with a savoury licorice undercurrent. Like its predecessors this is an Impressive organic red with a fine future if you can to cellar it. Cassoulets, roasted meats, duck, grilled chicken will work here. Well done.Prices:| BC | $19.49 | 750ml |
| YK | $21.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Pinotage 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI'm not a big fan of pinotage, especially the commercial stuff we see from South Africa but this cinsault/pinot noir cross seems to be digging in in BC. The '12 is one of the best yet offering pretty cherry mocha aromas and similar fruit with savoury black cherry fruit and some vanilla bleeding off the American oak barrels. Soft tannins and food-friendly, try this with grilled chicken to best effect.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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27 October 2014
90PTS
Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2010
Santa Rosa, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe best yet from Zuccardi this 100 percent tempranillo grown at 620 metres opens with an impressive cherry/spiced plum nose. The wine is matured in French and American oak for twelve months and bottled aged one year before release. The entry is juicy and round with the more temperate tannins you expect from tempranillo. The palate is awash in savoury, peppery, liquorice and red fruit flavours with a warm spicy finish. Impressive now but will age easily for five years. Try this now with grilled lamb chops. Super value.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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26 October 2014
89PTS
Michel Gassier Nostre Païs Costières de Nîmes Blanc 2012
Costières de Nîmes, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThe Nostre Pais Blanc is a fresh and racy mix of grenache, roussanne, viognier and bourboulenc (53/38/6/3) made with old vines grown over stony red clay soils. The wine goes through partial malolactic fermentation and spends six months on its lees. The nose is a mix of floral, citrus notes with a stone minerality undercurrent. The palate is surprisingly weighty with length and texture. The finish is mouth-filling with fine acidity yellow fruits/grapefruit and citrus flavours with more flinty mineral notes. Delicious now but no rush to drink. Would be excellent with shellfish or halibut.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| US | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Michel Gassier Nostre Païs Costières de Nîmes Rouge 2011
Costières de Nîmes, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceAccording to Gassier, Nostre Pais is a noble search for "elegance, purity and mineral/terroir expression." Nothing is pushed to the limit but rather perhaps limited to what it is. The site is rolled pebbles and red clay. The blend is 35/25/20/15/5 grenache noir/carignan/mourvèdre/cinsault/syrah all old vines. The wine aged in French oak for six months. The colour is deep, the nose a mix of earth and cherries bits of stony minerality flitting about. There is fine density. A touch of raisin character and wild garrigue notes waft from the mourvèdre while its power and length is built by the carignan. An impressive red wine that will only get better in the bottle. Meats roasted braised or grilled are the pairing ticket.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| US | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Red Rooster Gewürztraminer 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNot your average fruit salad/litchi affair but much drier with an emphasis on pears and almonds on the nose. The attack is fresh with more grapefruit, pear and citrus flavours all with a touch of Alsace oil. A clean, fresh, food-friendly style you can try with most creamy seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Masi Masianco 2013
Verona, Veneto, ItalyThe attack is dry and aromatic with pear/quince aromas. The flavours a mix of pear, apple and citrus with a touch of almond. The finish is dry. Try this with steamed shellfish in a tomato, onion, garlic broth. The blend is approximately three quarters grigio and one quarter verduzzo.Prices:| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sula Dindori Reserve Viognier 2013
Maharashra, IndiaAwkward sweet nose of baked nectarine and quince and grapefruit that lingers on the palate. Round, soft and sweet on the entry with honey, canned peach and candied ginger flavours. Some viognier character but a bit too sweet to really know where it is headed. The Dindori estate is in the Maharashtra state. Butter chicken anyone.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Roodeberg Red 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaAustralian winemaker Richard Rowe has evolved the style over the past half-decade to make it friendlier; the blend a mix of a cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot and petit verdot and other grapes. The attack is sweet with smoked leather undertones and some fresh acidity poking through the back end. A simple hamburger red at best.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Matchbook Dunnigan Hills Syrah 2011
Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California, United StatesNot many changes here. Expect a fragrant, blueberry chocolate nose with bits of spice. The palate is similarly style with smoky, meaty, sweet black fruit and a dash of acidity and leather. A commercial effort best with ribs or burgers. The syrah is mixed with 10 per cent cabernet sauvignon and aged 26 months in an assortment of European and American oak (22 percent new). A solid mid-week red.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Posta Tinto Red Blend 2013
Perdriel District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPleasant, soft round mocha cherry aromas and flavours. Not a lot of structure or style but plenty of soft blueberry chocolate flavours and just enough savoury notes to keep it on an even keel. A fun easy-sipping-style, red you can served with meaty, party appetizers. It is a blend of malbec, bonarda and syrah. Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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19 October 2014
92PTS
Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel Jesse's Vineyard 2012
Contra Costa, Central Coast, California, United StatesJessie's Vineyard is one hundred percent Contra Costa County zinfandel at a hefty 16.1 percent alcohol. The wine comes off Duarte Vineyard but is named after the Jesse the 93 year old who still farms the 124 year old Zinfandel vines. Apparently Jesse asked the Rosenblum family not to put his name on the label unless 'it's the good stuff' - well it's pretty good. Four truckloads, 43 lots crushed separately and fermented in quarters with four different yeasts. The wine spends 21 months in 70 neutral oak French and American with 30 percent new 20/10 French and American oak. The wine is a delight to sip. The textures super rich and silky, yes warm but with plenty of spicy blueberry/brambleberry, pipe tobacco flavours. Zinfandel from another time. Try this with paella, or roast lamb. Good value too.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Weingut Robert Weil Kiedricher Trocken Riesling 2012
Rheinhessen, GermanyThe 'trocken' 'Ortswein' is nothing if not bright. Refreshing acidity sets the stage for its perfectly balanced stone fruit, citrus, stony, mineral flavours, Precision bone dry flavours that cry out for food. Salmon sashimi would be a great choice. The VDP's 2012 classification defines the quality of a wine according to its origin (terroir) dividing it into four tiers: from "Gutswein" (proprietary, regional wines) and "Ortswein" (village wines) to "Erste Lage" (wines from first-class classified sites) and "Grosse Lage" (wines from the very best classified sites). There are is no Prädikats designation for trocken wines. They remain reserved for wines with natural sweetness.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Stag's Hollow Syrah 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother fine effort from Stag's Hollow despite the vintage. Like the previous edition it opens with an attractive white pepper nose spiked with meat, floral (viognier) black cherry notes. The attack is fresh with enough nervous acidity to balance off the vanilla, chocolate, poultry spice and black fruit flavours. A little more polished than the 2010 with more silky tannins in the back end. Solid.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Stag's Hollow Grenache 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2012, a personal favourite, grabbed a solid silver at the WineAlign Nationals but in year two this rare grenache offering, with a pinch of syrah, is making a case for more vines in the south Okanagan. You will love the ripe cherry fruit aromas laced with pepper and the almost sweet spicy strawberry flavours that carry the mid-palate and the silky finish. Savoury delicious almost umami-like red with ripe red fruit all over. Go Dwight. Paella anyone? The blend is 92 percent grenache from Kiln House Vineyard, West Bench, Penticton and Hearle Vineyard, East Bench, Osoyoos with 8 percent syrah also from Hearle Vineyard, East Bench, Osoyoos.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Robertson Winery Shiraz 2013
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaClassic burnt rubber, leather nose with hints of cherry syrup. The attack is acidic and astringent with some sweet black cherry fruit trying to balance the picture. Simple, commercial red wine best served with grilled meats...hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.60 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Flagstone Longitude Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec 2012
Western Cape, South AfricaEarthy, rubbery, plum and black cherry nose. The attack is soft with a sweet and sour entry and a spicy slightly herbaceous back end. Red round and simple with a slightly acidic, dry finish. No real character or depth in what is a hamburger red at best.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cassini Cellars Syrah Grand Reserve 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Cassini style is big. The nose is mix of spice and oak with meaty, floral black fruit flavours. The attack is smooth and round with no shortage of glycerol and soft tannins. The palate is warm with smoky, vanilla, meaty, savoury black fruit. Rich and oaky this needs time in the bottle to settle in say three to five years. If you want to drink it now serve it with grilled or roasted lamb. The wine was aged for 14 months in new and 2 year old barrels 80/20 French/American.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Maby La Fermade Rouge Lirac 2012
Lirac, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Lirac vineyard is 15.5 hectare plateau covered in river rock, planted to 56/30/14 grenache, mourvèdre, syrah approximately 35 years old. There's no oak here the wine is left in stainless steel until the following year when it is bottled. The grenache is fruity and brings liveliness, the syrah is for colour and sweetness as well as elegance and the stony character. The mourvèdre is all about complexity and chocolate. You think this delicious spicy silky red is oaked but it's not. Solid from start to finish and very food-friendly.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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18 October 2014
89PTS
Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Rouge Réserve 2012
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceIs there better value red wine in Canada at the moment than Cotes du Rhone? The Perrin bears a 'Reserve' moniker but it doesn't really need the meaningless moniker on its label. The nose is fresh and inviting with plenty of red fruit aromas laced with white pepper, licorice and garrigue notes. The palate is juicy with plummy, ripe raspberry fruit flavours more spice and dried herbs. Well balanced and capable of ageing for another five years. Perfect for grilled pork or lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ravenswood Besieged 2013
Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis limited release has arrived to BC just in time for Halloween, but we wish it would stick around for longer. Layered blend of mostly Sonoma County, with petite sirah, carignane, zinfandel, syrah, barbera, alicante bouschet and mourvèdre all playing a part in this deep, savoury blend. Dried and ripe fruit teem together here - cherries, cassis, black plum and blackberry with scented violets, dried spice, subtle leather and suede tannins. Enjoy now with veal or pork loin, or lay down for 1-2 years.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Clos du Soleil Célestiale 2012
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is the best Celestiale we have seen but it won't be for everyone. The blend is 31/26/25/13/5/ merlot/cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc/malbec/petit verdot from the home vineyard in the Similkameen Valley. A slightly warmer riper nose appeals with floral violet black cherry fruit aromas. On the palate the attack is silky but fresh with solid red fruit flavours and integrated toasted oak notes. Very young will need time in the bottle but you could cheat and serve it now with a steak. Much improved.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tommasi Merlot Le Prunée 2012
Garda, Verona, Veneto, ItalyQuiet Euro nose with bits of pepper and earth. The attack is super fresh with plenty of acidity washing over a red fruit base drying out the back end. A simple style merlot with a lean, resiny earthy dry finish. Best with mushrooms or grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sibling Rivalry Red 2012
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaCleaner and far less reductive than the 2o11 you detect a young fresh, red fruit, nose with some herbaceous/meaty notes. The attack is astringent with spicy, red berry flavours and dry, grippy tannins in the back end. Simple hamburger red that really needs the grilled meat to level the flavour field.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| 17 | $0.00 | 750ml |
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17 October 2014
90PTS
Stag's Hollow Grenache 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCanada's first commercial grenache should pave the way for many more. Now in its second vintage, and even better than the inaugural 2012. Expressive pepper at first whiff, warm cedar spice, ripe red cherry, cranberry, strawberry jam and a huge whack of savoury and cracked pepper spice on the bright finish. Exciting and impressive.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Terravista Fandango Albariño Verdejo 2013
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThat's right. Albariño and Verdejo. From Naramata Bench. That right there is worthy of a fandango. This is the third vintage of this blend, singular in Canada, and it keeps getting better. Orange blossom, lime, greengage entice into a full and rich palate of herbal-kissed fruit: ripe white peach, peach fuzz, clementine, pear, honeydew and spice. This is a big, expansive wine (14% alcohol) with fervent intensity, but the juicy white grapefruit pith acidity keeps it lively and balanced. Full and complex enough to take on proteins - think sablefish or scallops or poultry. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe Nobilo Icon sauvignon is a big jump up in style and quality. The grapes are sourced out of the Awatere Valley, the Upper Wairau Valley, and Rapaura sub regions of Marlborough. There is a clear flinty/minerality throughout was is an intensely fruity white reminiscent of citrus and passion fruit. Multiple yeasts were used in the ferments to create complexity and depth of texture a perfect foundation for its jalapeño, and persistent tropical fruit flavours. Grilled halibut with a fruit salsa and fresh grilled asparagus would be a great match. Prices:| NF | $18.26 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
La Posta Malbec Cocina Tinto 2013
Perdriel District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaDeep, ripe blueberry, blackberry jam. Sweet, dense fruit is lifted with some juicy raspberry jam, dark chocolate covered cherries. Full and generous in the mouth, with ripe, smoothed tannins. Well done, generous and easy to enjoy. The average vineyard elevation is 3000 feet; the average age of the vines is 29 years old. Blend of malbec, bonarda and syrah - partner with roasted beef.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nobilo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Regional Collection 2014
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe regional collection grapes come off a mix of sites in the Awatere and Wairau vineyards in Marlborough all picked at night to preserve freshness of flavours. There's minimal skin contact before a long slow fermentation and all the blocks are kept separate to better create winemaker Dave Edmonds' signature style. Expect a fresh herbaceous, grassy lemon asparagus aromas and bright passion fruit and pineapple flavours all with a touch of stony minerality. Perfect for mussels or any variation of the grilled chicken salad.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.40 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Perseus Select Lots Cabernet Franc 2012
British Columbia, CanadaBlind Creek in the Similkameen Valley is home to this aromatic cabernet franc with fragrant red fruit aromas and rocky, mineral undercurrents. The attack is dry with some grippy tannins yet to be shed and more spicy, black cherry fruit. A little rustic in the finish but it should settle down with time in bottle. If you serve it now make sure it is with some grilled beef or richer winter casserole dishes.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cassini Cellars The Godfather 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Godfather is a lean-ish mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc with some syrah to flush it out. There's some elegance here which is appreciated although its a cool, reserved demeanour is likely a result of the cold growing season. The wine was aged for 24 months in 100 percent new French oak a bold move in a year like 2010. I like the wine but we will need to wait five years to see the final outcome. Roast lamb is the match for now.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Apalta Vineyard 2012
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky peppery, crushed dried leaf nose with bits of blackcurrant and chocolate. The attack is dry with spicy menthol, blueberry, dried herbs and more chocolate notes. The finish is soft and supple with a fair of alcohol and chocolate notes. A hamburger red at steak prices at least in BC.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.61 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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16 October 2014
88PTS
Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Oldfield Series Red 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom the Diamondback Vineyard on Black Sage Bench, this blend opens with dark floral, black plum, black licorice and blackberry. The fresh palate carries the same, along with ripe cherry jam, bitter cherry, thorn, tobacco and grained, lightly spiced tannins. Subtle vanillin perfumes close out the peppery finish; serve with herbed lamb or mushroom/beef stews. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Doña Margarita Vineyard Mas Cavalls 2008
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesExpressive violets and blackberry blossoms on the nose, dried cassis, thorn, tobacco aromas. The maturing palate shows supple leather, dusky thornbush, cassis, anise, dried raspberry and a black cherry compote. Tannins are fine grained and a bit sticky, but cradle the medium bodied palate well. The ripe fruit has now mellowed with time into a supple, spicy sipper. Drink now, with black fruited pork medallions or cherried duck. Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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15 October 2014
83PTS
Sula Dindori Reserve Viognier 2013
Maharashra, IndiaEver tried a wine from India before? Didn't think so. This is from the red soils of the Dindori estate, in Maharashtra state. The mid-sweet wine is a juxtaposition of salt and carnations alongside with canned peach juice, matchstick and bitter spice before a warm finish. Disjointed overall, but another country to check off on your tasting map. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Stag's Hollow Viognier Hearle Vineyard 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpressive orange blossom, cold cream, almost-oily nose. Concentrated mandarin, lanolin, papaya, perfumed peach, ripe apricot and cold cream fill the creamy, full-bodied palate. Beauty spicy ginger, jasmine closes out the finish. Big wine that can handle big flavours. Try with Thai green curry or lemongrass seafood.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Calliope Figure 8 White 2013
British Columbia, CanadaBright nose of lemon, grapefruit and melon. The juicy, mouth-watering palate shows bitter melon, white grapefruit, granny smith apple, lemon pith and zesty, pithy spice. The finish is a bit heavy - I recommend partnering with mandarin orange chicken or lemongrass prawns. Blend of sauvignon blanc, viognier, pinot gris and riesling.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Bodega Noemia A Lisa 2012
Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaThis pristine malbec is accompanied by ten percent merlot and one percent petit verdot, resulting in an elegant, poised red with perfumed, black cherry, dried strawberry, lilies and fleshy plum jam notes. Acids are tight and shining, and the juicy finish is spiced and lengthy, with a lingering salty orange rind note. From the far ends of the wine growing realm, in Patagonia.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $38.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lomas del Valle Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileGrapefruit, light gooseberry, nettle, grassy aromas. Fresh, round, dry but juicy palate but on the light side for extract. Grassy, light asparagus, grapefruit, passion fruit and nettle flavours. Solid if a bit short in fruit on the finish.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lomas del Valle Malbec 2012
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBriar, cedar, boysenberry, peppery, licorice, floral, bay and leather aromas. Fresh, round, supple, juicy palate with black cherry, smoky, licorice, savoury, mint and black olive flavours. Good fruit and balance for current drinking. Try this with grilled meats. Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Perseus Select Lots Chardonnay 2012
Penticton Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimple nose of green apple skin with hints of butter and baked apple. The attack is very dry with cool, green apple skin flavours mixed with pineapple butter and oak. A bit too unknit for us. Try this with pasta and clams for best results.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cassini Cellars Reserve Chardonnay 2012
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Cassini style is rich. Butter, honey, peach and pineapple dominate the nose and the palate. The attack is warm with just enough sweetness to fuel the weight and length of the wine. This wine will have its admirers and frankly its trimmed down a bit since earlier vintages but it remains a bit old style. Try this with rich seafood or chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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14 October 2014
88PTS
Porca De Murça Reserva Tinto 2011
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThe freshness in this sun-soaked Douro red might surprise you, but north facing vineyards and early picking dates have yielded a medium bodied, juicy, fresh red. Earth, crimson, aged wood, slight leather, aromatic florals, black cherry and punchy spice spread across lightly grippy tannins. Nice value in a fresh, authentic red. Blend of touriga nacional, touriga franca, and tinta roriz. I enjoyed with roasted chicken and fresh olive/tomato salad. Prices:| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Campolargo Baga Bairrada 2010
Bairrada, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis 100% baga is lighter and fresher and more modern than most on our market, and worth a try if you're new to baga (or if you've been scared off before). Earthy, raspberry, herbs, black cherry and dried strawberry fruit before a spice-laden finish. Tannins are fine grained and a bit grippy, but in great balance with the fruit. Try with grilled pork or roasted poultry. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Carolina Specialties Oceanside Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThis specialties range wine is not made every year, but we're pleased when it is. Fresh sea breezes bright the San Antonio fruit, yielding fresh, sweet asparagus and citrus on the assertive nose. Lime, lemon blossoms, lemongrass, cream, meadow and a light salty kiss on the juicy, spicy palate. Freshness and acidity easily swallows the 14 percent alcohol. Pair with citrus cured hamachi or scallops. Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.50 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Santa Carolina Herencia 2009
Puemo, Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe flagship wine of Viña Santa Carolina, Herencia translates as heritage. Mostly carmenère, 3 percent cabernet sauvignon and 1 percent malbec flushes out this age-worthy wine. Leather, dried cassis, herbal blackberry leaf, cedar spice, currants, alluring violet florals. A fresh spike of acidity permeates a menthol/camphor note which lingers on the spicy finish. Tannins present, but worn, and will support this wine though the next 7-10 years. Decant if enjoying now, preferably with beef or pork tenderloin.Prices:| BC | $180.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva de Familia 2012
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileViña Santa Carolina has been producing this wine for more than 100 years, hence the special Reserva de Familia designation. Worn leather, subtle dried cassis, fine spice. The deep, firmer palate shows dark chocolate, figs, cassis, black cherries and spiced graphite. Fine tannins are sueded on the palate - downy and tactile. Drinking well now (especially with lamb) but will hold and knit well over the next 7 years.Prices:| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Santa Carolina Specialties Wild Spirit Mourvèdre 2011
Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileA quiet nose at first but with time and air in the glass it builds into subtle shoe polish, leather, anise, perfumed black flower. Fine grained tannins carry big spices - cinnamon, pepper, and saffron - across this medium-bodied wine. Notes of black cherry and gentle dusty earth, thorns, cassis and violet. Good length. Open, decant, and pour with sauced steak.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandCrimson, floral, bright on the nose, followed with expressive raspberry, herbal tinged and perfumed, with earthy, dried tobacco, forest floor, cherry, and a finish akin to worchestershire spices. Fine grained, slightly stemmy and chewy tannins frame in this fresh pinot. Prices:| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $46.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Greywacke Pinot Gris 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandComplex, rich Alsatian-style pinot gris. Complexities and heft come from the fruit being picked quite ripe - between 24-26 brix, and with hints of botrytis. Some 75 percent is wild yeast; 100 percent whole bunch pressed and then into barrel for 5 months on the lees. Beauty cream richness, honey, apricot, herbal wild meadow blossoms, wild roses, full and perfumed with textured stone fruit and lingering bitter-kissed spices on the long finish. Expressive, impressive. Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Santa Carolina Specialties Oceanside Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe latest 'Oceanside' is equally intriguing with its cool seawater, citrus, mineral and oyster liqueur aromas. The attack is clean and crisp with salty/briny citrus fruit with fine underlying minerality. A real jump up in style and quality for Chilean sauvignon. agving well into is third year.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.50 | 750ml |
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13 October 2014
89PTS
Greywacke Riesling 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandLight baby powder, lime blossom, talc, lanolin aromatics - bright and floral. Off dry. Ripe, perfumed fruit, with heady papaya, delicate roses and a succulent, tropical-inspired palate. Whole bunch press, 50 percent wild ferment in barrel. From certified organic, 18 year old vines at Ashmore Vineyard, adjacent to the mouth of the Brancott Valley.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Greywacke Chardonnay 2010
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandSerious Burgundy meets serious New Zealand. Well-handled lees appreciated immediately. Slight sweet vegetative note, cream, ripe pear, fine spice. Herbal and savoury notes dominate, thanks to 100 percent wild ferment and partial whole bunch press. Worn wood, smoky flint spice, creamy, expressive and fresh on the lengthy finish. Stately. Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Greywacke 'Wild Sauvignon' 2012
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandLanolin, flint, light white flowers, heady herbal/hay and earthy lees. Alluring nose. Spring asperagus and sweet fresh peas on the creamy palate, with layers of anise, spice, mineral and herbs. Textured stony spice through the lengthy finish. 100% wild ferment, racked into lightly toasted, mostly old French barriques. Transcends grape variety.Prices:| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandOne of the first wines I've tasted from the 2014 vintage, this is pure vibrance. Big, bright and expressive stone, herb, and passionfruit. Youthful and exuberant with zesty lime, lemon, gooseberry, ample floral and sweet meadow. 10 percent wild ferment. Will retry again in a year when the wine has a chance to settle a bit. *Not yet released in Canada.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandBalancing at that perfect point bridging primary and secondary, with the vibrant, spicy fruit melding into stone, dried herbs and mild honey. Mellow lemon curd, cantaloupe rind, light cream, gooseberry, lees and spring hedge, ripe and full on the palate, though pointedly crisp. Ten percent of the fruit was wild fermented.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Colby Red 2011
California, United StatesThis is a red wine that has mass appeal - a round and lush and sweetiesh blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah, petite sirah, zinfandel and merlot, sourced in California. Smooth, toasty, vanilla, earthy branch and raspberry jam - simple and purposefully built to please crowds. Daryl Groom, former head red winemaker at Penfolds and Geyser Peak, came up with this wine for his son Colby, who had two open heart surgeries to treat his congenital heart disease before the age of ten. Proceeds of this wine are dedicated to raising funds for cardiac research around the world. Red wine can be good for your heart!Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Liquidity Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSome of the complexities in this pinot noir come from a variety of clones (5) in the vineyard and coopers (3) in the barrels. Add in partial wild yeast, 20 year old vines and low grade intervention and the result? A characterful pinot noir that is certainly headed down the right path, and a producer to watch on the pinot hunt. Scented wild strawberries and berry jam on the nose. Bright black cherry, earthy tobacco and perfumed raspberry rest on gentle tannins, dusted with dark cocoa. Duck is a natural pairing here.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pazo das Bruxas Albarino 2013
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainEnticing bright nose with fresh white peach and citrus aromas riddled with stony, mineral notes. A crisp style with muted lime, apple, tangy fruit flavours mixed with more mineral, stony, almond notes. Goat cheese salads or grilled seafood would be great pairing suggestions. Delicious bottle of white demonstrating that less is more.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Perseus Select Lots Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, dusty, lifted black current nose with savoury sage undercurrents. The attack is dry and somewhat astringent with medicinal cherry, black fruit flavours all with an acidic undercurrent. Big and rustic but this needs roasted meat to tame the edges. You should hold this for a year or two but caution there is not a lot of fruit. Pricey for what you get.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cassini Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSix out of 27 barrels were selected for the 2011 Limited Release from Milestone Vineyard. Expect a rich fresh nose with plenty of mocha and plum fruit nuances with a touch of lifted cassis. The attack is full and rich with plenty of soft dense tannins with fresh blackberry, black olive, plums and spice. Somewhat rambunctious but will likely improve with time in the bottle. For now it needs a grilled steak to show its best form.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château de Brigue Rose 2013
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceLight floral, black cherry, spicy, pepper, and earthy licorice aromas. The attack is fresh and juicy with just faint hint of sweetness. Black cherry, earthy, peppery, tobacco, spicy, apple and citrus flavours. Good finesse and fruit in a drier, food driven style. Well balanced for immediate consumption.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Happy Camper Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
California, United StatesPredictably sweet and soft with a hint of campfire. The palate is candied with rooty, candied cherry berry fruit flavours with some added acidity poking through the back end. Not much to recommend here.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Serres Mazard Cuvée Henri Serres 2011
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceDomaine Serres Mazard is a 55-hectare vineyard that sits over chalk and clay soils facing south in the heart of the garrigue land. The blend is syrah and carignan and the nose a savoury/floral mix of thyme and rosemary with a black olive, citrus, mineral, blackcurrant and eucalyptus notes. Dry firm and powerful it can easily tame big lamb or venison dishes. Cellar this for three to five years for best results.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas 1998
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThe 1998 Vargellas is a super buy on many levels. It's ready to drink, you could still add it to your cellar for depth in the port collection or it could be bought to mark an upcoming 20th anniversary in 2018. Not a perfect year in Oporto hence its single quinta designation but the trick is to select the best lots in this case from the single quinta (vineyard) planted to a majority of old vines. The nose is a mix of earthy, black licorice, tea, black cherry jam, molasses and nutty, dried fig, savory herb aromas. The attack is mature and round with dry black cherry, prune plum flavours flecked with walnuts, cedar and coffee flavours. Good finesse with fine tannin structure. Drink with a great piece of cheese or hold if you have the patience.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port 2008
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThe number one selling LBV in Quebec is made from both Taylor estate vineyards as well as sites in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior. The style is 'ready-to-sip' with that Taylor structure. A cooler year left the fruit to hang longer giving it less prune/raisiny notes and more red plums and black raspberries and liquorice with plenty of pipe tobacco and chocolate notes. Best with chocolate and or nut-based desserts as well as cheese and fruit plates.Prices:| QC | $21.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NL | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 375ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 375ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas 2008
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis is a 'single quinta' port that is made exactly as Taylor's 'vintage' but in this case the fruit is restricted to the individual Vargellas property. Its foot trodden on the estate and the result is delicious. Expect an enchanting pipe smoke, spicy, liquorice, black cherry jam nose with dried fig, tea and waxy, tobacco aromas. The attack is round and soft with plenty of smooth tannins back up by a fine structure of acidity and intense sweet black cherry fruit. The finish is long and flecked with coffee, figs and walnut flavours. Slowly maturing but there is no rush to open this bottle. Drink or hold well into the 2020s.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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12 October 2014
89PTS
Ortas La Domeliére Rasteau 2010
Rasteau, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceI look forward to trying this consistent wine each vintage - a well-priced quality GSM blend from one of the oldest wineries in the Rhone Valley. The thin patina on 2010 is wearing well, showing light floral thorn and stone on the nose before heading into a wild edged palate of violets, cherries, plum and a hint of lurking anise. Gummy/fuzzy tannins linger into faint floral black cherry. Pair with pork tenderloin and enjoy now.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mt. Boucherie Summit Reserve Blaufränkisch 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThough firmly rooted on West Kelowna's Mt. Boucherie, the blaufränkisch grapes come from the winery's Cawston vineyard down south in Similkameen Valley. Also known as lemburger, this wine shows a generous nose of fresh cracked pepper and wintergreen, fresh, tart cassis and thorny blackberry. The round, ripe palate carries black cherry, herbal cassis and blue plums across a bed of herbal tobacco leaf. Tannins are dusty, and carry through to the peppery finish. Try this rustic red with grilled sausages or chorizo spiced rice. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Real Gran Reserva 2010
Buin, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileTypically open floral menthol bay leaf and cassis nose. The attack is smooth and balanced with dense, fine grained tannins to support the oak and spice and black fruit and licorice flavours. The fruit comes off a single estate in the Alto Jahuel district of the Maipo Valley and there a dash of cabernet franc in the mix. Smoky, spicy, herbal, cassis, minty, bay, black cherry, peppery, licorice flavours. More Euro than Napa but this need another year or two at least in bottle. Good value.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.29 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.60 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.60 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
California, United StatesThe Ivory Label cab is an amalgam of fruit from up and down the California coast. The result is a simple sweet and sour like red that reminds one a bit of the commercial Oz-style. Look for soft, sweet fruit flavours up front with an oaky mid-palate and a somewhat acidic finish. Average quality for the price with no electricity. Best with burgers and beef tacos. B-roll.Prices:| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaUnsworth walks the fine line between delicate and fresh but with the substance and mouth-filling textures we crave in our pinot noir. Strawberries, watermelon and raspberries tangle with a cool savoury, mushroom underside to keep it real. Naturally vibrant and silky finish. Pair with fresh salmon. Well donePrices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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11 October 2014
87PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesRipe plum, lightly smoked branch, twine. Big cedar wood, dusky cassis, ripe, plump plum, black cherry, light pencil lead. Tannins are smoothed, finely grained with just a light gummy stickiness. Juicy finish, easy to drink. Serve with thick cut pork loin chops. Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2013
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesRipe, whistle-clean fruit. Muted eraser, white blossom and lemon aromas. The off-dry, round palate is spritzy, with juicy lime pulp, stone spice and cold cream. A bit clunky as a sipping white, I'd rather enjoy this white with my take out noodles and prawns. Wide distribution.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.25 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz The Signature Jane Ferrari 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Yalumba 'Signature' a cabernet shiraz blend is the best red wine made by the Hill Smith family each year and it is dedicated to one who has made significant contributions to the company. In 2010 that would be the 'Storyteller" Jane Ferrari who travels the globe speaking to all the wines of Yalumba. The blend is a 52/48 mix of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz that is aged 20 months in 35% new French oak (hogsheads and barriques) the remainder of the wood is a mix of two, three and four year old French, American and Hungarian oak, none of which ever interferes on the palate. It is hard to describe the juicy black fruit of the cabernet or the broader, richer more syrah that plumps out the palate all in perfect balance. I suspect this wine will age a decade before it begins to offer any of its deepest secrets. Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $65.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Painted Wolf The Den Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Coastal Region, South AfricaMore traditional style SA cabernet with meaty, smoke earth aromas flecked with savoury tobacco and crush leaf aromas. The palate is soft and acidic with light tannins and more smoked meat, menthol, tobacco and leafy minty notes. Best bet is to fight smoke with smoke and pair with barbecued meats.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Graham Beck The Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaSimilar to last year it opens with smoky, resiny black pepper, earthy, aromas with a wisp of leather and cassis. The attack is dry and firm with warm somewhat acidic black fruit flavours mixed with more resin, tobacco, black olive and smoke. This wine needs a rustic menu dish like a cheese burger or a beef dip sandwich. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileAromatic as usual with minty, bay leaf, licorice and cool cassis aromas. The attack is similar with a strong crush leaf, menthol, chocolate, black olive palate with bits of leather and vanilla in the finish. Simple rustic almost regional-style cabernet best with grilled meats or fowl.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
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10 October 2014
87PTS
Viña Apaltagua Reserva Carmenère 2013
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileRoasted berry, stem and light herbal smoke. Leafy, earthy tannins play with bright cranberry and light raspberry fruit. Black pepper on the juicy finish. Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kim Crawford East Coast Chardonnay Unoaked 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandRipe fruit - apple and pear - perfumed cream, tropical melon, tangerine, pear skin and stone with a bitter citrus rind kiss on the finish. Mussels and or shellfish work here.Prices:| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hester Creek Block 2 Reserve Merlot 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaQuieter nose, with plum, cola, steak sauce, black cherry on the nose. By contrast, the first sip is intense wood - toasted cedar plank - followed by smoked bacon bits, dark flowers and assertive spice. Very juicy palate, hewed by ragged, rough tannins before finishing a touch hot and with a return to the sweet steak sauce. Pair with grilled sausage.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2012
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesLove the maturity and evolution of this wine. Now a couple of decades down the pinot noir road has become a delicious, silky, understated pinot noir. The nose is floral with smoky, savoury red and black fruit notes. The attack is soft and silky with stony mineral black cherry fruit with a twist of earth and toasted oak. Stylish food-friendly pinot that sets a standard for elegance. A perfect wine for fresh sockeye salmon.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| US | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Happy Camper Vineyards Chardonnay 2012
California, United StatesFreshly bruised apple nose with bits of butter and orange. The attack is soft and sweet with more buttery, sweep honey and apple fruit. Very commercial, simple, party style chardonnay that delivers for the price.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hand Craft Chardonnay Artisan Collection 2012
California, United StatesBright, fresh, tropical style nose with honey, caramel, ripe red apple notes. The palate is almost identical with a healthy whack of sugar that will have a certain appeal to that segment of the market that likes a bit of sugar and butter in their chardonnay Well-made but unless you need something to cool down spicy food we suggest you look for something drier.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kris Pinot Grigio 2013
Veneto, ItalySlightly muddled nose combining grassy, almond floral undercurrents. The attack is fresh and clean with pronounced green apple skin flavours, pear, citrus and almonds. Fresh and dry it demands seafood starters such calamari or oysters.Prices:| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bench 1775 Pinot Gris 2013
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaInteresting style of pinot gris with made with multiple fruit picks and lengthy yeast contact building flavours and texture. Bright pear and quince flavours lead the charge followed by rich tropical fruit notes. Round soft and ripe appearing sweeter on the palate than it is. A perfect wine for pork between bites.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Pirouette Red Blend 2011
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesPhilippe Melka and Agustin Huneeus Sr. are the architects of this ultra-elegant Washington red blend. A perfect growing season has given this wine a sense of balance from birth. The nose is typically North West with a savoury, mineral streak cutting through the liquorice, red fruits and cedar. The palate is dry and firm with more stony, plummy, mineral, red fruit flavours with bits of olive, dried herbs, mocha and toasted oak. Dense but balanced this will age effortless through 2020. One of the best Pirouette's yet. Try this with roast beef.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $77.00 | 750ml |
| US | $55.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $62.00 | 750ml |
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08 October 2014
88PTS
Rock Wall Wine Co. Obsideana 2012
Lake County, California, United StatesObsideana is a 50/50 mix of zinfandel and petite sirah the later giving it quite the kick in the finish. The Red Hills vineyard of Lake County sits at Black Rock Ranch 2,300 feet above sea level. The black refers to the large deposits of shiny obsidian rock that pop through the volcanic soils first planted by legendary Napa winemaker Nils Venge in 1995. The grapes were layered and crushed together in the fermentation tanks and barreled one third American versus two thirds French oak. The result is rich, heady wine with delicious. Smoky cola peppery blueberry and red fruit flecked flavours with chocolate and cherry vanilla and dense small grained tannins that stiffen up the back end. You can enjoy this now with smoky barbecue ribs or beef tacos. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Krāzē Legz Skaha Vineyards Rogue 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRogue is amazing fortified wine made from 100 percent merlot, a single vintage 'Colheita-style' that pleases from front to back. After fortification it was aged one year in new oak and one year in a four-year old French Oak barrel. Production was limited to 384 500ml bottles. The residual sugar sits at 115g/L and the alcohol tops out at 19.6 percent. The colour is a correct orange/amber, the nose an intoxicating mix of cherries and butterscotch. The textures are silky smooth, with a bit of spice in the finish but no overbearing heat. Competent, tasty and well worth the money. Will keep for decades. The first edition makes a fine collectors gift.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 500ml |
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91PTS
Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard 2012
Sonoma County, California, United StatesFrom the legendary Monte Rosso Vineyard in the Sonoma Valley AVA, now owned by Gallo, The Rosenblum's are granted two favourite blocks based on their reputation and history of making this wine and celebrating the vineyard. From the southwest side of the Mayacamas range, near the town of Agua Caliente Monte Rosso sits between 700 to 1,240 feet. The red, iron/clay soil is home to the two Rock Wall 'blocks' that are 108 years-old and sit at 1600 feet above Sonoma Valley. A year in barrel and bottle allow this wine to settle into its size showing a balance beyond its alcohol. Dense, ripe and sweet in a good way, with juicy, red fruits, milk chocolate and fresh blueberry pie. The finish is long and warm with a savoury, spicy, mineral, black fruit undercurrent. Just a baby but you can drink now with a steak or wait five to seven years for it to fully blossom. Real Zinfandel. Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Skaha Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaKudos to Kaleden-based Kraze Legz Estate Winery for this wine. I have suggested the unoaked moniker doesn't do this it any justice given it is far more complex and texturally sophisticated than your typical Wineshop 'unoaked' category. It is a delicious-drinking chardonnay with a bright, fruit nose, the perfect whiff of lees and scent of honeysuckle. The palate is fresh but with just enough weight, stone fruits, pear and minerality to pull it all off. A perfect wine for scallops, clams or shrimp.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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07 October 2014
90PTS
Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAs we have said before, no wine in the region is handled more gently before it is aged, in this case 14 months in French barriques followed by another two years in bottle. The mix is 51 percent merlot, 26 percent cabernet sauvignon and 23 percent cabernet franc. Oculus has the elegant demeanour and rich, fine grained tannins you expect at this point and frankly not a lot of green notes in a very green vintage. Look for a mix of dark red cherry and plum fruit with bits of coffee, liquorice and savoury black sage notes. Power with finesse is the goal and in a tough year they have accomplished it. Try this with a favourite steak preparation. One of the dangers of holding your wine back for extra ageing is there is no escaping the tough vintages like 2010 in BC. Oculus is the pinnacle red at Mission Hill so there is little room for mistakes even in tough vintages. The 2010 Oculus, about to be released, makes a statement about the care and work that went into this difficult vintage the price is now where the winery wants it at a shiny $100 a bottle. Not a lot of bottles were made after a strict selection, and it will no doubt sell through quickly via the winery's very busy wine shop.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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06 October 2014
86PTS
Clos du Soleil Grower's Series Baessler Merlot 2012
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMenthol, cassis, earthy, peppery, black cherry, prune, celery salt, resin and riparian aromas. Dry, full, warm, juicy palate with some young tannins. Balsamic, peppery, prune, cedar, coffee, roasted pepper, earthy, meaty flavours. Big and bold but also very rustic. Leave this in the bottle for another two to four years.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Merlot Block C1 Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, chocolate, coffee, caraway seed, cedar, prune plum aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy but slightly lean with poultry spice, coffee, caraway, mocha, cedar, tobacco, resin, stewed rhubarb flavours. Very oaky and astringent on the finish. Needs more time in bottle to settle down.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Poplar Grove Merlot 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPrune, jammy, coffee, meaty, light barnyard, saddle leather, black olive, tomato puree aromas. Full, round, dry, slightly tannic palate with coffee, prune, earthy, caraway, roast meat, leather, cocoa, cedar and vanilla flavours. Very chunky, warm style that given the vintage is turn out well. Drink now with rich dishes or hold a year or two in bottle.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Gris 2013
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaSuper cool lean style with intense citrus, pear and nettle notes. The attack is similar with fresh if tart fruit and almonds pushing through the underbelly calling for food. Like last year it is a shade extreme but we will take that over sweet. Try this with creamy pasta dish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Chardonnay 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight yeasty apple nose with similar simple flavour styling. The palate is a mix of butter and light pear fruit with more bready/yeasty notes in the finish. A simple, ready-to-drink chardonnay at a fair price. Try this with butter clams.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Layer Cake Garnacha 2011
California, United StatesPeppery, savoury, black raspberry, rooty, gamey, coffee, poultry spice aromas. Fresh, juicy, easy, somewhat sweet palate with black cherry, orange, five spice, peppery, licorice and chocolate flavours. Still some tannins to shed but there is fine fruit here. Pair this with lamb chops.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Layer Cake Primitivo a.k.a. Zinfandel 2011
Puglia, ItalyChocolate, prune plum, blackberry, peppery, resin, savoury, tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, rich, chunky palate with a bit of sweetness and some young tannins. Coffee, blackberry, stewed plum, tobacco, black olive, peppery, rosemary flavours. Somewhat sweet and astringent finish. Try all winter with meat or chicken casseroles.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Layer Cake Chardonnay One Hundred Percent Pure 2012
Central Coast, California, United StatesOne Hundred Acres winemaker Jayson Woodbridge makes this little ditty that is an exuberant style tropical chardonnay that expresses the cool fruit of the Central Coast. Fresh creamy buttery lemon pineapple flavours dominate the palate and the finish. Much cleaner and fresher than earlier versions suggest it is much more food friendly. Crab cakes would be a fine match as would the classic west coast California sushi roll.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Layer Cake Malbec 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaSomewhat reductive nose with tobacco leaf, cherry, roast meat, prune, resin and barnyard aromas. Soft, round, easy palate but with some mid-palate acidity poking through. More tobacco leaf, peppery, herbal, prune, coffee and meaty cedar flavours. Not a lot of value here.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Layer Cake Shiraz 2012
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, poultry spice, mocha, prune, black cherry, tobacco, rooty, meaty aromas. Full, round, juicy, smooth palate with a slight sweet and sour note. Black pepper, meaty, tobacco leaf, tomato puree, coffee, blueberry, coffee flavours. A bit warm and tart, a theme with Layer Cake, but with enough fruit to balance the overall wine. Pair with hamburgers, beef tacos and or meat pies.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Monkey Bay Pinot Gris 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe Monkey Bay style is not surprisingly soft and insipid. Light yellow fruits and quite a bit of weedy/grassy notes dominate the nose and the palate. Light tropical fruit holds your interest in what is a very simple pinot gris. Perfect for a grilled cheese luncheon.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Torres Sangre de Toro 2012
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainVery peppery, roast meat, light barnyard, smoky herb, black cherry, curry aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly chunky palate with orange peel, cherry, tobacco leaf, meaty, resin, licorice and celery salt flavours. A bit tart on the finish but lots of flavour for grilled meats and chicken.Prices:| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Moon Curser Carmenere 2012
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpect an attractive chocolate, white pepper, savoury, poultry spice nose with bits of sage, vanilla, tobacco leaf and meat aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly lean palate with soft tannins. Mocha, poultry spice, roast tomato, tobacco, earthy, peppery, cranberry, buttery vanilla flavours. Easy-sipping style for current drinking with varietal character. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Moon Curser Border Vines 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen bean, black olive, tobacco, riparian, savoury, cassis, black pepper and menthol aromas. Dry, tight, somewhat lean but juicy palate with roast green pepper, coffee, peppery, celery salt, resin, smoky, cranberry and cedar bark flavours. A bit too acidic and lacking in fruit.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon Rouge 2012
Chinon, Touraine, Loire, FranceCedar bark, tobacco leaf, peppery, smoky, resin, roasted tomato aromas. Dry, lean, elegant but tart palate with some light tannins. Cranberry, smoky, resin, celery salt, tobacco leaf, tomato and carrot top flavours. A very herbaceous, leafy style of cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wolf Blass Gold Label Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaSmoky, resin, black olive, tobacco notes with leather, espresso, cassis and savoury herb aromas. Round, smooth, fresh and juicy palate with light tannins. Gamey, vanilla, coffee, black olive, smoky, licorice root, cassis and tobacco leaf flavours. Classic Oz with a touch of oak and alcohol in the finish. Should integrate better over the next year or two.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NFL | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $23.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay 2012
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaThis wine just keeps getting better proving Oz chardonnay is on its way back to respectability among serious chardonnay drinkers. So fresh and bright with smoky green apple, peachy fruit and laced with citrus notes from front to back. Creamy but hardly filling it walks the fine line between rich and lean with just a trace of stuck match and French oak for complexity. This will age gracefully under screwcap through 2016 and beyond. Killer value.Prices:| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $26.50 | 750ml |
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05 October 2014
86PTS
Moon Curser Tempranillo 2012
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA nice improvement on the previous edition but this grape still resides in the rustic spectrum of south Okanagan reds. Its appeal is likely because it is different thanks to the tempranillo but beyond its mid-weight structure and light red berry fruits aromas it remains a bit astringent. The palate offers herbaceous, red fruit flavours with a hint of chocolate. Best with grilled chicken.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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04 October 2014
88PTS
Perseus Merlot 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh round, lifted fruit nose with candied cherry fruit aromas. The fruit is soft and round with impressive jammy red fruit flavours and just enough acidity to keep it lively and vibrant. A merlot you can tame with age in the bottle or grilled chicken dishes. Solid. Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Laforge 2011
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceTwo hectares purchased in 1998 on five different parcels of soil blending 92/8 merlot/cabernet franc. Look for floral, black cherry, smoky, savoury aromas with notes of pepper, meat, orange peel and tobacco aromas. Dry, round, full, elegant and slightly tannic palate. Warm orange, cherry, coffee, vanilla, peppery, cedar, toasty flavours. Good intensity and finesse, needs 2-4 years but drinkable now.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Monster Vineyards Merlot 2012
British Columbia, CanadaMonster makes fun wines and they are made to be drunk almost as soon as its bottle. Expect fresh, floral, cherry fruit aromas with a savoury notes. The attack is soft and round with cherry, coffee, cedar notes. Best with simple grilled fare off the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen fresh black olive, earthy savoury, peppery, cherry nose. The attack is warm and the textures soft and dense, a la merlot with some herbal, coffee, dill notes mixed with black cherries. You can drink this now but there are still some tannins to shed.it has some tannin to yet shed. Try this with hamburgers or grilled chicken.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Liquidity Merlot 2012
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClassic northwest styling featuring soft edges, aromatic savoury aromas, black fruits, dried spice and chocolate. The attack is soft and round and minty with a pleasant earthy mushroom note. Fine use of about 20 percent French oak to round out the body and strength of the wine. Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Robert Bateman Artist's Series Grasslands Organic Merlot 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThirty one months in oak is the story here as the French and American combo tends to dominate the wine drying out the fruit. Look for a woodsy, dusty, spicy red fruit flavours with plenty dry resiny tannins. A difficult year best served with grill meat to smooth out the edges. We like the Robert Bateman designed labels and the charity aspect of funds going to the Bateman Foundation's initiatives.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Upper Bench Merlot 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA bit of a blockbuster style the 2012 is bold and spicy with rich resiny black fruit aromas and flavours. The textures are soft and the acidity prominent at this point but it should settle down with some time in bottle say two to three years. The wine spent 18 months in 40 percent new French Oak which should be trimmed backed to release a bit of fruit.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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03 October 2014
85PTS
Blue Grouse Quill Red 2012
British Columbia, CanadaA rustic blend of Vancouver Island and Okanagan grapes, Quill is dominated by cabernet foch, and joined by marechal foch, merlot and cabernet libre. Wet moss, tight cherry and raspberry seed dominate the nose, with cranberry tartness, spice and a puff of campfire smoke on the back end. Oak evident. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Robert Bateman Artist's Series Grasslands Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPart of a special trio of Robert Bateman designed labels, with partial proceeds funding the Bateman Foundation's initiatives. This organic wine opens with fragrant blackberries, black wine gums, and dusty wood. Full bodied and oak framed, the palate shows good concentration of wild blackberry, ripe black cherry, tobacco and fine grained spice. Tannins are firm, but downy. 70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% syrah are aged 16 months in French and American oak. Unfined and unfiltered - decanting recommended.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Robert Bateman Artist's Series Grasslands Organic Merlot 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaQuiet nose, offering up some dampered black plum, cherry and dust. The palate wakes up with juicy blackberry, ripe plum, fine cinnamon spice and slightly gummy, downy clad tannins. Big wood spice and extract on the hot finish. Grapes come from organic farms in Kaleden and Okanagan Falls, two vineyards facing each other across Skaha Lake. Aged in French and American oak for 31 months. Unfined and unfiltered - decanting recommended. Part of a trio of Robert Bateman designed labels, with partial proceeds funding the Bateman Foundation's initiatives.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Robert Bateman Artist's Series Grasslands Organic Cabernet Franc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpens subtlely with black peppercorns, light leaf and pressed cassis before a downy, quiet palate of bitter cherry, earth and worn cedar notes. A spike of blackcurrant acid works to pull the wood hewn, fading black cherry fruit to the finish. Grown at Knollvine Farm in Okanagan Falls, aged in French and American oak for 32 months. Unfined and unfiltered - decanting is recommended. Part of a trio of Robert Bateman designed labels, with partial proceeds funding the Bateman Foundation's initiatives.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Calliope Rosé 2013
British Columbia, CanadaA 60/40 mix of syrah/viognier come together in this juicy fruit, deep-hued blend. Off-dry, with cherry gummies, raspberry leaf, watermelon and spice. Rustic and bold, unlike the delicate and dainty hummingbird on the label. Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Calliope Viognier 2013
British Columbia, CanadaRipe pear, musk melon, tangerine blossoms and citric tablet nose. Full bodied and round palate of peach fuzz spice, butter, baked pear and peach cobbler. Off dry, finishing with a bitter herbal orange twist and a lash of heat. Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jaffelin Bourgogne Aligoté 2012
Burgundy, FranceMuted nose with some green apple, stone and bitter melon. Crisp and lean, with lemon, steel, Granny Smith apple and bitter melon rind. Decent concentration and lingering pithy spiciness. Only 12 percetn alcohol but finishes feeling a touch warm. Partner with lemon dressed shellfish for best results. Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.10 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.60 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.10 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.60 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pezat Rouge 2012
Bordeaux, FrancePeppery, spicy, resin, olive, licorice, cedar, green bean, coffee aromas. Dry, round, elegant, soft palate with light tannins. Spicy, cedar, briar, tobacco, smoky, earthy, black olive flavours. Balanced, forward style for current drinking. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pezat White 2013
Bordeaux, FranceGrapefruit rind, passion fruit, nettle, pea shoot and gooseberry aromas. Full, round, fresh, slightly lean palate with passion fruit, gooseberry, grapefruit, green apple and floral flavours. Solid intensity if a bit lean on the finish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Le Dome 2011
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceFresh inviting tobacco, spicy, peppery nose with red fruits, cranberries and orange, meaty, vanilla and cedar aromas. Dry, round, full, succulent but slightly astringent tannins. Coffee, vanilla, chocolate, pepper, orange, cranberry, savoury, black cherry flavours. Good concentration, elegance and structure, very young and needs 5-10 years.Prices:| BC | $285.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Les Asteries 2011
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceLocated 150 metres from Le Carre its 90-year old vines sit over thin clay with hard limestone (calcares asteries). Earthy, spicy, peppery, barnyard, tobacco, black cherry, plum jam, orange peel, floral, smoky aromas. Dry, full, round, elegant and juicy with some young tannins. Orange peel, cherry jam, toasty, vanilla, iron, juicy licorice, chocolate and cedar flavours. Ripe, long, elegant finish, very tasty and a fine effort. Will need 2-10 years. Very fine wine.Prices:| BC | $250.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Le Carre 2011
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, black olive, peppery, smoky, floral, cherry, cedar and light barnyard aromas. Round, fuller, soft but juicy palate with some young tannins. Chocolate, coffee, peppery, orange, cherry jam, five spice, beefy, licorice flavours. Good concentration and finesse, still oaky and needs time to integrate but has intensity and fruit. Soil is limestone and clay on a parcel bought from Canon, replanted in 1956.Prices:| BC | $185.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Vieux Chateau Mazerat 2011
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceFrom a five-hectare site near Canon, Angelus and Beauséjour with clay over limestone soil. Peppery, cedar, spicy, cherry, orange peel, floral, light barnyard, leather and vanilla aromas, good aromatics. Ripe, round, full, juicy and slightly tannic and grippy palate. Orange peel, chocolate, peppery, cherry jam, coffee, herb, red currant and vanilla flavours. A bit warm but with fine concentration and ripeness, needs 3-10 years. Prices:| BC | $165.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Teyssier 2011
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceSmoky, light barnyard, leather, vanilla, peppery, black cherry, cedar, roast beef aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant and juicy palate with black cherry, peppery, smoky, cedar, tobacco, chocolate and olive flavours. Forward but balanced and elegant with some fruit on the finish.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Poujeaux 2011
Moulis, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceFresh tobacco, cassis, meaty, cedar nose with bits of earthy barnyard, black olive aromas. Dry, fresh, round palate with light tannins. Licorice, earthy, cedar, olive, meaty, cassis and herb flavours. Solid effort and balance for the money.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Rahoul 2011
Graves, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, meaty, peppery, cedar, resin, black olive, rooty, cassis aromas. Round, fresh, juicy palate with savoury, smoky, olive, cassis, black cherry and coffee flavours. Simple but easy, fresh, forward style and a bargain for early drinking Bordeaux.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Chateau Suduiraut 2011
Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceNectarine, orange marmalade, spicy, light honey, waxy, vanilla, grapefruit aromas, fresh and aromatic with a bit of eggy botrytis. Fresh, creamy, light and elegant palate that finishes juicy. Grapefruit, honey, vanilla, baked peach, spicy, creamsicle and passion fruit flavours. Very elegant and forward, drink now -5 years.Prices:| AB | $90.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $50.00 | 375ml |
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92PTS
Chateau Troplong Mondot 2011
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceBig spicy, peppery, black cherry jam, coffee, cedar, smoked meat, black olive, gamey, menthol aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly astringent palate. Cassis, black cherry, coffee, balsamic, roast meat, tobacco, hot prune, black olive, toasty herb and oak flavours. Finish has some slightly green tannins and oak but better intensity and ripeness here. Good success for the vintage.Prices:| BC | $180.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Chateau Canon La Gaffelière 2011
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceSmoky, coffee, peppery, vanilla, meaty, black cherry, leather, barnyard aromas. Riper, rounder palate and juicy with suave tannins. Black cherry, coffee, smoky, briar, olive, five spice, peppery, tobacco flavours with a meaty, barnyard streak. Good intensity and balance if a bit oaky and bitter at this point. More modern style but needs 3-5 years to integrate. Good value in the Bordeaux spectrum.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Haut Bailly 2011
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FrancePeppery, licorice root, resin, cassis, black olive, black cherry, smoky leather, iron and barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but astringent palate. Coffee, vanilla, cassis, earthy, chocolate, olive, peppery, meaty, cedar flavours. Solid concentration and intensity with some ability to age out the somewhat green, slightly bitter tannins. Half the price of 2010?Prices:| BC | $150.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine de Chevalier 2011
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, vanilla, coffee, black berry, licorice, meaty, rooty, black olive, tobacco aromas with a floral and leather note. Dry, tight, fresh but elegant palate with some astringency. Coffee, iron, earthy, black cherry, briar, cedar, olive, smoky oak and vanilla flavours with a bit of meat and tobacco on the fin ish. Good finesse and length with solid balance. Should be good for 3-7 years and a fine effort at the price.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Château Palmer 2011
Margaux, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSmoky, spicy, peppery, vanilla, black olive, briar, weedy, tobacco, light barnyard aromas. Dry, tight, somewhat astringent palate but good finesse and intensity. Cassis, cedar, tobacco leaf, peppery, rooty, animal, resin, briar flavours. Finish is warm with coffee and vanilla with some tannins that need to round out. Good finesse if a bit green but a success for the vintage, as it should be, for the price. Prices:| BC | $399.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Lascombes 2011
Margaux, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceCoffee, vanilla, smoky, savoury, meaty, black cherry, olive, resin, rooty, barnyard and saddle leather aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, juicy but slightly astringent. Cedar, chocolate, espresso, vanilla, black cherry, cedar, peppery, cassis flavours. Lots of oak makes it appear a bit hollow but delicate in a managed, modern Margaux style.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Château Branaire-Ducru 2011
St. Julien, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, cassis, floral, black olive, tobacco, olive, light barnyard, leather and smoky licorice aromas with a bit of blackberry jam. Dry, light, thin, somewhat astringent and tart palate. Cassis, spicy, floral, coffee, smoky vanilla, weedy flavours. Solid effort with some good delicacy and finesse. Drink in 2-5 years. Good value in the scheme of Bordeaux pricing.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste 2011
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, peppery, resin, black live, light coffee, tobacco, licorice, green bean aromas. Dry, light, elegant but lean with some green tannins. Black olive, smoky, cedar, weedy, cassis, coffee, vanilla and briar flavours. Oaky and a bit green and lacking in mid-palate, this has some finesse and juiciness. Reminiscent of 1983 but made for earlier drinking, 2-4 years. We like the price.Prices:| BC | $98.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Montrose 2011
St. Estèphe, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceToasty oak, floral, inky, coffee, spicy, peppery, cedar, cassis, black olive and resin aromas. Light, soft, dry, somewhat tannic but hollow palate. Cassis, coffee, licorice, meaty, peppery, olive, vanilla flavours. Light, lean, easy style that is disappointing for this estate. Half the price of last year and it should be.Prices:| BC | $225.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Latour 2011
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceDark colour, Very spicy, waxy, vanilla, smoky, cedar, briar, peppery, light black berry and cassis aromas, very Latour. Dry, lean, tight somewhat astringent and green tannins. Coffee, smoky, cedar, waxy, cassis, green olive, tobacco, resin, herb and earth flavours. Finish is somewhat hollow and light with a tart, green, oaky edge. Will improve but this is not up to normal 1st Growth quality.Prices:| BC | $1500.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Belgrave 2011
Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, cedar bark, tobacco leaf, earthy, olive, briar aromas with some cassis and weedy notes. Dry, fresh, elegant and slightly lean palate with light tannins. Cassis, tobacco leaf, olive, peppery, chocolate, cedar flavours. A bit weedy and oaky and tart but has decent finesse and balance for aging 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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02 October 2014
88PTS
Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi 2012
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesThis warm, rich, ripe zinfandel with 20 percent petite sirah in the mix is an easy-sipping smoky, black plum jam affair that you can drink tonight. The palate is dense with rich, soft tannins flecked with chocolate and juicy blueberry fruit. Would be fine with ribs or a meaty pizza.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ravenswood Besieged 2013
Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis is a delicious blend of petite sirah, carignane, zinfandel, syrah, barbera, alicante bouschet and mourvèdre grown across Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Knights Valley and Sonoma Mountain. The attack is rich and warm with lovely rounded flavours. Rich, and robust its round fruit flavors are a mix of black fruits with a strong, savoury dried herbs and spice undercurrent. Drinking well already thanks to its balance but you can expect this to improve in bottle over the next five to seven years and beyond. Well done. Try this with a favourite ribs recipe.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tormaresca Trentangeli Castel del Monte 2010
ItalyTormaresca is the Antinori project in Puglia where the family ancient varieties are revered. The wine is organic and the mix is 65/25/10 aglianico, cabernet sauvignon and syrah all estate grown. We love the spice and intensity of this red blend that strangely mixes minerality with super ripe, raisin-like, cherry flavours. The palate is rich and dense with soft, warm, spicy fruit spilling on to the finish. Perfect for lamb osso buco. Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Il Nespoli Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Riserva 2010
Emilia-Romagna, ItalyFragrant peppery, earthy, black cherry nose with bits of tobacco and licorice. The attack is Italian dry with some youthful gritty tannins but with plenty of black cherry, bitter almond, licorice root, peppery, balsamic meaty flavours. Splash decant and serve with grilled chicken or a piece of Parmigiano-Reggiano.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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01 October 2014
89PTS
Wolf Blass Gold Label Langhorne Creek Malbec 2012
Langhorne Creek, South Australia, AustraliaThis is a confident, stately malbec, assured in its exotic nutmeg aromas and black cherry jam, tobacco, thorn and fresh herb infused palate. Round and ripe, this finishes with sandy grained tannins and peppery spice. Vineyards are located on the alluvial plains of South Australia's Langhorne Creek region. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NFL | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Viña Chocalán Grand Reserva Malbec 2011
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis ripe malbec is big from the first, expressive sniff; smoked branch, bramble, resin and dense cassis notes. The full palate spikes with wild blackberry acidity, and rests comfortably on a frame of thorn-edged tannins. This is a generously stuffed wine, one to pair to roasted beef or venison. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
River Stone Malbec Rosé 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTed and Lorraine Kane's vineyard and winery is located south of the mighty McIntyre Bluff and just north of Oliver on deep rock and glacier-laid gravel soils - prime grape growing territory. Deeply hued, there is ample currant, violet, tart rhubarb jam, cranberry, raspberry and leafy notes here, with hints of blueberry blossoms on the nose and finish. Bright acidity, fuller body and slight tannins mean this will stand up to chicken burgers, grilled tuna or salmon steaks just fine. Bold if not unique.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau Labrande Cahors 2010
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FranceLove the pure, fragrant cassis, blue plum and black cherry in this savoury, stony, leathery Cahors. Dark cocoa and vibrant acidity liven the full palate, and the tannins finish with a light raspy grip. Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Attems Pinot Grigio 2012
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyThe Attems PG delivers most every years as evidenced by 2013 and the winemaking uses three terroirs, sand, clay and compressed sand to allow the fruit to express itself in different ways from an area between Collio and Isonzo. It is fermented and matured in stainless steel as well as new and used barriques yielding an electric mix of minerality, pear and spice with citrus and a dash of almonds. Salads, seafood, pastas, veal and or rabbit all work here.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ben Marco Expresivo 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe blend is 45 percent malbec with 25 percent cabernet sauvignon, 15 percent tannat15 percent syrah and 5 percent bonarda. The nose is big and rich with meaty/earthy, peppery, floral, savoury black fruit aromas. The attack is elegant but with plenty of power and weight and more savoury black fruit flecked with licorice and vanilla. This wine needs three to five years bottle ageing or serve now with grilled meat.Prices:| ON | $42.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $42.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $44.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Crios Malbec by Susana Balbo Dominio de Plata 2013
Mendoza, ArgentinaCrios spends 9 months in a 50/50 mix of French and American oak giving the 95/5 mix of malbec and bonarda from Luján de Cuyo, Tunuyán and San Carlos (all above 1100 metres) a smooth, glossy attack. You will love its aromatic floral/violet, black fruit notes on the nose. The palate is a sweet and savoury mix of black fruit, spice in balanced measured way. Grilled beef and or chicken all work here.Prices:| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ben Marco Torrontes 2013
Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAll hail Altamira and this amazing torrontés and the confidence of Susana Balbo's team to barrel ferment this variety. A fifth of the wine spends three months in new French oak adding an interesting element of weight and texture to torrontés which helps to balance off the obvious aromatic/floral notes, fresh peachy apricot fruit and citrus mix. Food friendly to say the least. Terrific styling and perfect match with curry.Prices:| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.25 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc Hidden Terrace Vineyard 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLast year was good but the 2013 Hidden Terrace sauvignon is excellent. Love the dry, taut, mineral, tropical fruit aromas and flavours with bits of lime and gooseberry. The attack is juicy, but linear with nectarine/limes and pears persisting to the back end. Spot prawns, steamed clams, pasta all work. Well done.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cono Sur Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileAn organic mix of passion fruit, lime, light jalapeno and gooseberry aromas that lead to a juicy, high acid mid-palate intense, mouth puckering citrus and passion fruit flavours. A crazy cool version of this wine that will appeal to the sommelier set and experienced sippers. Balance this with a creamy pasta dish for best results.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Blasted Church Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSweaty grapefruit, floral, jalapeno aromas with a whiff of struck match. The attack is fresh but on the sweet and sour side with grassy, nettle, passion fruit flavours with a bitter rind finish. A simple, soft round easy-sipping sauvignon best suited to spicy appetizer dishes or creamy pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $19.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Howling Bluff SQ Sémillon Summa Quies 2013
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI really like the HB sémillon in the blend and this standalone bottling. It appears to be well suited to the site and climate in Naramata yielding a delicious juicy, floral, grassy, nettle figgy sémillon that is so much fun to drink young. Love the tropical fruit, the baked apples and honey and with just enough gras sand citrus to keep it focused. Well done. Stock up. Availability is likely winery only.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Howling Bluff SQ Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Summa Quies 2013
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe mix is roughly 85/15 sauvignon blanc/sémillon and the style is attractive. It tastes a bit riper (sweeter) this year compared to the 2012 with lots of baked apple and honey throughout. The attack is fresh with light herbaceous undertones, definite mid-palate sweetness balanced by tangy, citrus, tropical fruit character that persists into the finish. C hill this wine down and serve it with any spicy curry or pan Asian dishes, if there is any wine left before the food arrives. The winery is sold out of this label but it is widely available in BC Signature stores for a change.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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November 2014