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WHITE 88 Domaine du Clos du Bourg Chenin Blanc Demi-Sec 2008 Touraine, Loire, France BC $15.00 specialty listing Citrus, pear, read apple, chalky, floral mineral, honey aromas.
WHITE
88 Domaine du Clos du Bourg Chenin Blanc Demi-Sec 2008
Touraine, Loire, France
BC $15.00 specialty listing
Citrus, pear, read apple, chalky, floral mineral, honey aromas. Ripe, rich, fresh, succulent but somewhat sweet with good acidity. Honey, red apple, baked pear, lemon, green apple skin flavours with a leesy, bready finish. Good flavours and balance for spicy Chinese food or to accompany fruit. Good value. (AG-ST)
89 Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay 2009
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
BC $14.50 retail
New, organic un-oaked chardonnay under screwcap that is ridiculously tasty for the price. Look for gooseberry, and spicy aromas. The entry is fresh, crisp and just off-dry with nettle, lemon, grapefruit, gooseberry, passion fruit flavours and a touch of grass. Love the juicy mineral, green guava finish. Buy this one buy the truckload. (ST)
89 Cono Sur Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
BC $14.00 speculative - Authentic Wine and Spirits
Once in a while you find something truly exciting at a killer price and this is it. Very aromatic nose with grapefruit, melon, peach, canned jalapeno, lime, floral, green apple aromas. Ripe, round, juicy and vibrant palate with sweet ripe fruit of melon with lime, grapefruit, smoky jalapeno, passion fruit and orange flavours. Good concentration, finesse and viscosity for sauvignon blanc at a killer price from cool, coastal vineyards. A blend of three pickings and three Sancerre clones. Green never tasted so good. (AG-ST)
89 Paul Mas Viognier 2008
L'Hérault, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
BC $14.00 specialty listing
Jean Claude Mas blends viognier fruit from cool and warm sites using young and old vines and relatively low yields at 52hl/ha. Look for a fresh aromatic floral nose that mixes nectarines and dried fruits. On the palate, peach and honey mix effortlessly with a creamy lees character. Very serious value here small percentage is barrel fermented in new oak but the bulk is aged only in stainless steel tanks to retain maximum freshness and finesse. (AG)
87 Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
BC $12.45 specialty listing, QC $11.75
Classic nettle, passion fruit, lime rind and with a dash of ripe red apple. The entry is round with a touch of sweetness followed by citrus, passion fruit, nettle, honey grassy flavours. The finish is crisp and juicy with a touch of dryness in the end. Think light seafood dishes or shellfish. Fine value in what is essentially a single appellation label from Chile. Take that all you commercial blends. (AG-ST)
87 Canti Estate Gavi 2009
Piedmont, Italy
BC $15.00 specialty listing
Fresh almond, citrus, floral, pear, nectarine skin with a touch of honey. Fresh, crisp, round, off dry entry with lemon, honey, grapefruit, nutty, mineral, quince and pear flavours. Good freshness and balance for current drinking. Good value here. One can only imagine how it would perform under Stelvin because making us pull a piece of tree bark out of the neck of this bottle seems incredibly old school. (AG-ST)
87 Doña Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Tupungato, Central Region, Mendoza, Argentina
BC $15.00 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands, AB $14.00 private wine shops, NF $15.00, NS $15.00
Marlborough or Mendoza? It is priced like Mendoza but tastes like New Zealand. Bright yellow grapefruit, intense gooseberry and light mineral, bell pepper aromas. Fresh juicy entry with nettle, grassy gooseberry fruit and just a squeeze of citrus and asparagus. Grilled chicken anyone. White wine for wine drinkers. (AG-ST)
87 La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Luberon Blanc 2009 Grenache Blanc - Bourboulenc - Ugni Blanc - Roussanne
Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, South of France, France
BC $14.00 specialty listing, AB $13.00, NS $11.66, ON $11.30, QC $13.30
Rose petal, spicy, lemon grass, grapefruit, pear, quince and ginger aromas. Round, soft, fresh, delicate palate with a hint of sweetness. Floral, pear, honey, lemon, butter, nutty, grapefruit flavours. Good intensity for the money, an all-round white for summer. (AG-ST)
87 Morandé Pionero Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
BC $14.00 speculative listing - Stile Wines
A bright mix of sweet tropical fruit with green fruit streaks and a dash of pepper on the nose. The palate is similar with aromatic fruit flavours of citrus and lime with gooseberry and a pinch of dried herbs. Typical fresh, Casablanca, cool fruit style perfect for grilled scallops or lemon chicken. (AG-ST)
87 Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde 2008 Loureiro - Trajadura - Arinto - Azal
Vinhos Verde, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $14.00 specialty listing, NF $12.00, NS $12.00, ON $10.00
Pear, chalky, melon rind, citrus, nutty aromas. Fresh, crisp, light palate with juicy acidity. Green melon, pear, quince, lemon, green apple, zesty flavours. Not big but very elegant with flavours matched to summer seafood. Solid value. (AG-ST)
87 Spier Chenin Blanc 2009
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South Africa
BC $14.00 specialty listing, AB $17.00 private order
The Spier chenin blanc from Stellenbosch has a fresh green apple nose with bits of honey, mineral, grapefruit and floral notes. The palate is fresh with slightly sweet grapefruit, grassy, nettle, honey, green apple and anise flavours. A crisp, juicy style made for most seafood. Good value. (AG-ST)
86 Arrogant Frog Ribet White Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
BC $14.00 specialty listing, ON $13.00 consignment - The Yorkville Wine Company, QC $14.00
A lean dry crisp, grassy citrus nose previews a similar palate of passion fruit, citrus, lime rind and mineral. Super crisp and dry it would be perfect with most shellfish, particularly oysters. Finished under screwcap. A solid backyard white for the summer. (AG-ST)
86 Viña Chocalán Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Casablanca - Curicó, Chile
BC $13.00 speculative listing - Saverio Schiralli
Grassy, jalapeno, grapefruit, gooseberry, smoky nettle aromas. Fresh, crisp, delicate palate with a touch of austerity but juicy acidity. Gooseberry, grapefruit, canned jalapeno, light artichoke flavours with a bit of lemon grass on the finish. Very solid, fresh style for clams and squid. Good value. (AG-ST)
86 Deinhard Green Label Riesling 2008
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
BC $15.00 Specialty, AB $13.00 specialty listing, ON $12.00
The perfect introductory riesling for those wanting to move from the sweet version to off-dry and drier version. Expect the Mosel characters, freshness and fruit to dominate the palate along with citrus and lime with just a touch of mouth-watering sourness. Easy simple drinkable and fun all with lovey low alcohol. Try it with grilled asparagus and halibut. Great value in Ontario. (AG-ST)
86 Inycon Estate Fiano 2009
Sicily, Italy
BC $14.00
Orange, floral, spicy, honey, pear and quince aromas, very attractive fresh fruit aromas. Ripe, round, rich, slightly sweet entry with honey, orange, mineral, butter, citrus rind, baked pear flavours. Good intensity and ripeness if a sweet and heavy. The synthetic cork has to go. (AG-ST)
86 Intrigue Nine (9) 2009 Riesling - Gewurztraminer - Semillon
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $15.00 winery direct, VQA stores, private wine shops
Nine named after the vintage "'2009," Nine is a blend of riesling, gewürztraminer and a touch of sémillon. Expect a high toned floral aroma with floral litchi, citrus fruit with a pinch of tropical fruit in the finish. Bright summery fresh and ready to drink. Try this with pork kebabs. (AG-ST)
86 Pascual Toso Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
BC $14.00 specialty listing, AB $13.00 exclusive to Liquor Depot, ON $13.00 LCBO, QC $14.00
Fresh kiwi, melon, and grassy mineral nose that is equally fresh and clean on the palate. Fresh, soft and round on entry with more melon, grapefruit, mineral and grassy flavours and a dry finish. Simple well-made affordable sauvignon blanc. (AG-ST)
86 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2007
South Eastern Australia, Australia
BC $15.00 specialty listing, AB $15.00 private wine shops, NB $15.30, NF $15.50, NS $14.00, ON $15.00, QC $16.00, SK $16.00
Buttery, spicy, baked green apple, floral, citrus aromas with a bit of roast garlic lees. Round, fresh, elegant palate with buttery, pear, citrus rind, mineral, salty garlic and vanilla flavours. Solid all round white. (AG-ST)
86 Santa Julia Viognier 2009
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $12.00 specialty listing, AB $13.00 private wine stores
A drier version of this grape than the market leader from Chilean producer Cono Sur but it isn't without its charm. More apricot and honey are in play here with a flatter, perhaps oilier mouth. A perfect mid-week white for chicken or creamy pastas dishes. Fine value. (AG-ST)
86 Si Soave Italia 2008 Garganega - Trebbiano
Soave, Verona, Veneto, Italy
BC $15.00 speculative listing - Renaissance Wine Merchant, AB $15.00 private wine shops
Lemon, chalky, mineral, nutty, spicy, pear skin aromas. Fresh, round, off dry palate with nutty, grassy, lemon, earthy, spicy, baked pear flavours. Simple and fresh for summer seafood. (AG-ST)
86 Trio Barrel Aged Chardonnay - Verdejo - Airen 2009 Chardonnay - Verdejo - Airen
Castilla-Leon, Spain
BC $12.00 speculative listing - The Seacove Group
Melon, floral, nutty, rose petal, lemon oil, honey and peach skin nose with a buttery note. Dry, fresh, elegant but somewhat austere style. Lemon oil, pear, nectarine skin, melon, rose and passion fruit flavours. Good solid dry white for any type of seafood. Good value. (AG-ST)
86 Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Western Cape, South Africa
BC $10.50 specialty listing
I've said it before and I will say it again South Africa has a flair for sauvignon and you can see it even in the bargain bottles. Two Oceans over delivers from its blend of vineyards and fruits across the Cape. Fresh, bright green fruit nose with bits of honey and an undercurrent of grass. Love the balance and fruit not to sweet not to bitter and the light passion fruit finish. Delicious easy drinking introductory sauvignon that over delivers for the price. (AG-ST)
86 Xanadu Next of Kin Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009 Sauvignon Blanc - Sémillon
Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
BC $15.00 speculative listing - Select Wine Merchants
Nutty, grassy, hay, grapefruit rind, sweaty, herbal, jalapeno, nettle aromas. Crisp, tart entry with just a hint of sweetness. Lemon, lime, grassy, nettle, jalapeno, mineral, leafy, passion fruit flavours. On the cool, tart, austere side but has some good intensity. (AG-ST)
ROSÉ
88 Chat-en-Oeuf Dry Rosé 2009 Cinsault - Grenache - Syrah
Côtes-du-Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France
BC $14.00 specialty listing
Another hit from its appealing, eye of the partridge colour to the floral fruity nose. The entry is dry with fine acidity and citrus strawberry fruits all with a crisp clean finish. Try this with your favourite summer meal out-of-doors or fresh, cracked Dungeness crab. Delightful. (AG-ST)
88 La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rosé 2009 Grenache - Shiraz - Mourvèdre - Cinsault
Côtes-du-Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France
BC $14.00 specialty listing, AB $13.00, NB $13.50, ON $13.00 general listing, QC $13.90
Again and again, Perrin over delivers with this perfect summer rosé. The nose is bright and fresh, the palate medium dry with citrus/mineral and red fruit notes. The palate is sweet and covered in mineral, raspberry, floral fruit and a clean finish. All under screwcap. Summer in a bottle. Great value. (AG-ST)
87 Emiliana Adobe Syrah Rosé Reserva Orgánico 2009
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $14.00 specialty listing
Rosé made from organically grown grapes works if the wine is fresh and clean and with Adobe you get both. Look for a dry entry with an off-dry, citrus red fruit palate of strawberry/cranberry fruit. Balanced and fresh. Well done. (AG-ST)
87 Torres De Casta Rosé 2009 Garnacha - Cariñena
Catalunya, Spain
BC $13.00 specialty listing, US $10.00 retail
Torres rosé is a garnacha/cariñena blend that is a testament to the ups and downs of the rosé fad - De Casta has seen many as it prepares to celebrate its 70th birthday in 2011. The nose is fresh and crisp packed with earthy, black cherry and fresh raspberry fruit nuances. On the palate it is remains equally fresh and round with sweet fruit flavours supported by an underlying note of floral/minerality. Think salade Niçoise, corn on the cob, or a summer style charcuterie lunch. (AG-ST)
RED
88 Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap 2009 Syrah - Mourvèdre - Viognier
Western Cape, South Africa
BC $15.00 specialty listing, AB $16.00 private wine shops, MB $15.00, NF $14.00, NS $14.00, ON $14.00, QC $16.00
Peppery, spicy, meaty, black cherry, floral, orange, chocolate, liquorice aromas. Round, supple, fresh, elegant palate with smoky, spicy, black cherry, plum, coffee, liquorice, chocolate flavours with a touch of sweetness and grilled meat on the finish. Good solid style for meats and tomato sauces or mole. (AG-ST)
88 Trivento Cabernet Malbec Reserve 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $13.00 specialty listing, AB $12.00 private wine shops, MB $12.00, NF $14.00
This wine seems to always over deliver beginning with its white pepper nose and fresh black berry jam aromas. Soft fat savoury fruit with bits of mocha, liquorice and black cherry jam and a dry peppery finish. Bring on the ribs and the hamburgers. Crazy value. (AG-ST)
87 Barahonda Monastrell 2005
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, Spain
BC $15.00 speculative listing - Christopher Stewart Selections
Soft black round, juicy plummy/pruny fruit made from 100 per cent monastrell grown in the Yecla region. The finish is dry and similarly soft with bits of mineral and red berry fruit flavours. Simple affordable, easy-sipping red that is fully ready to drink now. (AG-ST)
87 Viña Chocalán Syrah Selección 2008
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $13.00 speculative listing - Saverio Schiralli
Spicy, peppery, blackberry, plum, meaty, earthy, smoky aromas. Round, dry, supple with light tannins and good acidity. More peppery, spicy, bay leaf, garrigue, blackberry, smoky, rooty, plum flavours. Good fruit and spice in a forward style. (AG-ST)
87 Montalto Nero d'Avola Organic 2008
Sicily, Italy
BC $15.00 specialty listing
It is no surprise Montalto is a family-run winery. Located in the west of Sicily most of what they produce hits the mark for quality and value. This néro is made with organically grown grapes sitting on average 300 meters above sea level. Hand harvest the wine has a wholesome quality with ripe almost sweet red fruit flavours a whack of liquorice and a smooth glossy textured finish. A versatile summer barbecue wine or winter fireplace red. (AG-ST)
87 Trivento Reserve Syrah 2008
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $13.00 specialty listing, NF $15.95
Another home run for Trivento. Rich almost dense meaty peppery, fruit with a full twist of liquorice and spice. Warm rustic, round and affordable this will tame most steaks and almost anything else grilled on the barbecue. (AG)
86 Chook Shed Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
BC $15.00
All Barossa fruit is the attraction here along with its dark, inky colour code. Expect a ripe raspberry, black cherry nose with blueberries underneath and plenty of liquorice and spice. The finish is warm and oaky with more spicy, jammy fruit. Try this with pulled pork or other barbecued meats. (AG-ST)
86 Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon - Carmenère 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Carmenère
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $15.00 specialty listing, AB $14.00 private wine stores, ON $14.00, QC $15.00
This red is a blend of organically grown grapes from the Colchagua Valley. The cassis flavoured cabernet sauvignon appears to blend effortlessly into the carmenère with its dried herbs, black cherry and chocolate fruit flavours. Soft and sappy it is ready to drink and is best served with grilled meats or chicken. (AG-ST)
86 Graham Beck Shiraz Viognier 2007 Syrah - Viognier
Coastal Region, South Africa
BC $15.00 specialty listing, AB $14.00 private wine shops
Spicy, meaty, floral, peppery, liquorice, leather, ginger, rooty aromas. Round, supple, somewhat sweet palate with fresh acidity. Very smoky, leather, black cherry jam, meaty, peppery, rooty, tobacco flavours with bits of rubber. Good fruit if a bit sweet and sour, not quite as fine as the previous edition. (AG-ST)
86 LoTengo Malbec 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
BC $14.00 specialty listing
Typical Lo Tengo: medium bodied, fresh, savoury smoky red with a touch of sweet, spicy, red fruit underneath. The textures are soft, the style approachable if predictable. Try this with beef or lamb sausages grilled on the barbecue. (AG-ST)
86 Mapu Reserva Carmenère 2008
Chile
BC $12.00 specialty listing
The Mouton machine is at work here trying to enhance Chile's signature grape. Look for the signature leafy nose mixed with black fruit and cherry aromas and mostly similar flavours spiked with mocha notes on the palate. Medium bodied and ready to drink it needs grilled meat to smooth out the edges. Decant for best results. (AG)
