Best Value Wines In The Market

WHITES

 

86/100 Anakena Chardonnay 2002

Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile

A very agreeable inviting mineral melon fruit with a light toasting of lees. Lean and soft on the palate with citrus rind and mineral flavours with a dry lees apple skin finish. Chablis with fruit is good descriptor. Typical cool Casablanca appellation styling.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-02 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $14.50 Speculative - Vinterra Wine Merchants

UPC: 7809539100068

Produced By: A.F. Arco Iris S.A.

Distributed By: Vinterra Wine Merchants

 

86/100 R. H. Phillips Chardonnay 2001

Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California, United States

There's a twinge of spice in this fruity style chardonnay with good mouthfeel. More tropical in the mouth with melon and baked apple fruit flavours. Solid everyday California chardonnay at a fair price.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-19 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $14.99 Specialty

CSPC: 594440;   UPC: 87110300572

Produced By: R. H. Phillips

Distributed By: Atlas Wine Merchants

 

85/100 McWilliam's Hanwood Chardonnay 2001

South Eastern Australia, Australia

Big fat Aussie chardonnay with bags of melon and orange scented fruit. Simple round soft and fruity with more orange and vanilla flavours and just a touch of lees in the finish. An uncomplicated summer sipper that is best well chilled.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-19 by AG

Prices: AB $14.99; BC $14.99; MB $14.99; ON $11.95; SK $14.99

CSPC: 557934;   UPC: 085000010075

Produced By: McWilliam's Hanwood

Distributed By: E. &J. Gallo Winery Canada, Ltd.

 

85/100 Miguel Torres Sauvignon Blanc Santa Digna 2001

Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Quite an expressive cool-climate artichoke, grapefruit rind and bell pepper nose. Intense gooseberry sweaty mineral rind and a touch of artichoke. More of a Marlborough-style sauvignon with good balance but its herbal. Perhaps best served with a bowl of mussels.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-02 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $13.95 Specialty

CSPC: 520031;   UPC: 8410113005213

Produced By: Miguel Torres Chile

Distributed By: Pacific Wines & Spirits 95 Ltd.

 

REDS

 

87/100 Caliterra Syrah 2000

Region del Valle Central, Chile

Open sweaty stinky gamey nose with blackberry and garrigue notes. Soft and round on entry with good fruit on the palate before the dry gamey finish kicks in. A gutsy little red for grill meats at a fair price. The fruit for the 2000 Caliterra Syrah comes both from Caliterra vineyards and long-term contract vineyards in Colchagua and Rapel. About 60 per cent of this is aged in French and American oak for eight months. Decant for air and have fun.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $13.95 Specialty

Produced By: Vina Caliterra

Distributed By: Maxxium Canada

 

87/100 Casillero Del Diablo Merlot 2000

Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Very appealing, great value merlot captures fine, pure black currant, eucalyptus aromatic character typical of Chile. Also some sweet berries in cream oak vanillin. Medium weight, with good depth, smoothness and length. Spicy green bell pepper and sausage aromas with a touch of cassis jam and smoked leather. Intense spicy minty fruit with gamy undertones and smoked leather in the finish. Soft merlot textures make it easy to drink. Think barbecued ribs for a perfect match.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG

Prices: BC $12.95 Specialty

Produced By: Vina Concha y Toro S.A.

Distributed By: Select Wine Merchants

 

87/100 Casillero del Diablo Syrah 2000

Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Earthy, bell pepper and cassis aromas mark the nose with a touch of smoked leather underneath. Round, ripe, plush fruit textures on entry with lots of black plum and black berry fruit and plenty of pepper and licorice highlights. Great value here.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $12.95 Specialty

Produced By: Vina Concha y Toro S.A.

Distributed By: Select Wine Merchants

 

87/100 Trio Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Valle de Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Minty ripe cassis nose with mocha smoky shoe leather and earthy aromas. On the palate you can taste spicy cassis and mocha flavours with an underlying lifted berry fruit (volatile) flavour. A bright, well-rounded, easy-drinking cabernet with good textures and a smooth vanilla finish.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-06 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $14.95 Specialty

CSPC: 433912;   UPC: 780432520001

Produced By: Vina Concha y Toro S.A.

Distributed By: Select Wine Merchants

 

87/100 Trio Merlot 2001

Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Big smoky aromatic oaky nose with a peppery, spicy, sausage character. Similar flavours in a smooth warm round style with more smoky, spicy plum flavours in the aftertaste. Just a touch of acidity lifts the fruit and seems to reveal a touch of orange. Excellent value.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-02 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $14.95 Specialty

CSPC: 433920;   UPC: 780432560007

Produced By: Vina Concha y Toro S.A.

Distributed By: Select Wine Merchants

 

87/100 Valdivieso Merlot 2000

Region del Valle Central, Chile

Minty herbal garrigue spiced nose with sour cherry highlights. Lovely merlot textures with some plush and black cherry fruit flavours. Fine quality for the price and a lovely spicy earthy finish. Should hold well over the next year or two.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $13.00 Specialty

Produced By: Viña Valdivieso

Distributed By: Marfful Consultants Limited

 

87/100 Yellow Tail Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

South Eastern Australia, Australia

Spicy sausage berry jam nose with some floral notes. Lots of super ripe, black cherry licorice and fruit flavours that are sure to entice consumers looking for soft ripe, fruity red wine. Decent grip and intensity for the price.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-14 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $12.95 Speculative - Vinterra Wine Merchants

UPC: 031259009544

Produced By: Casella Wines

Distributed By: Vinterra Wine Merchants

 

86/100 Anakena Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Intense young cabernet nose of pepper and cassis. It has a similar attack on the palate with a young minty, sappy, character and some dryness in the finish. Needs another six months to settle down and soften up.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-06 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $14.50 Speculative - Vinterra Wine Merchants

UPC: 7809539100051

Produced By: A.F. Arco Iris S.A.

Distributed By: Vinterra Wine Merchants

 

86/100 Anakena Merlot 2001

Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Big cherry black plum nose with mint and orange rind. Very aromatic. Tight and dry on the palate but with a whack of black fruit. Quite intense and flavourful but dry and warm in the finish. Nine per cent cabernet and 5 per cent carmenère. Good solid food wine.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-02 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $14.50 Speculative - Vinterra Wine Merchants

UPC: 7809539100075

Produced By: A.F. Arco Iris S.A.

Distributed By: Vinterra Wine Merchants

 

86/100 Batasiolo Barbera d'Alba 2000

Piedmont, Italy

Made from the barbera grape this red opens with black licorice and earthy spicy aromas. It splashes across the palate with good acidity and a sense of vibrancy but generally it's a soft sipper. Less fruit and an earthier, spicy flavour mark the 2000 edition.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $14.95 Specialty

Produced By: Beni di Batasiolo

Distributed By: Liquid Art Fine Wines

 

86/100 Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2001

Valle de Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Sappy dill cassis character on the nose with hints of spicy herb and resin in the background. Smooth spicy chocolate mint with plum fruit flavours. Well made and tasting better in 2001 than it smells. Good value.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-02 by AG-ST

Prices: AB $12.25; BC $12.95 Specialty; MB $10.45; NB $12.49; NF $11.57; NS $12.95; ON $10.35; SK $12.95

CSPC: 427088;   UPC: 7804320985633

Produced By: Vina Concha y Toro S.A.

Distributed By: Select Wine Merchants

 

86/100 Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, Chile

The regular 2000 Cabernet is on the weedy cassis side and warm vegetal characters. It has a surprising richness in the mouth given the cool nose with mostly round, supple fruit. Expect an intriguing mix of leather, herbs, chocolate, earth and dried prunes. Grill meats will tame the youthful edges.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $13.95 General

Produced By: Vina Errazuriz

Distributed By: Maxxium Canada

 

86/100 McWilliam's Hanwood Shiraz 2001

South Eastern Australia, Australia

The nose is a distinctive mix of pepper smoky coffee aromas with saddle leather undertones. It's soft and round on entry with more smooth commercial undertones and pruny cherry fruit flavours. The finish is soft too with more coffee vanilla and oak flavouring.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-14 by AG

Prices: AB $14.99; BC $14.99 Specialty; MB $14.99; ON $11.95 Consignment E & J Gallo Canada; SK $14.99

UPC: 085000010068

Produced By: McWilliam's Hanwood

Distributed By: E. &J. Gallo Winery Canada, Ltd.

 

86/100 Tarapaca Cabernet Sauvignon / Syrah La Cuesta Vineyard 2001

Valle de Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Peppery crushed herb nose with cassis and shoe leather. Reasonably soft on entry with quite an earthy coffee flavoured finish. Smooth and round and easy to sip. Fine balance. A solid buy. Use liberally around the barbecue.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-02 by AG

Prices: BC $12.95 Specialty

CSPC: 571349;   UPC: 633567905053

Produced By: Viña Tarapaca Ex Zavala

Distributed By: Corby Distilleries Limited

 

86/100 Tarapaca Carmenère 2000

Valle de Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Open leafy crushed berry nose. Very soft on entry showing peppery cassis sour cherry flavours. The finish is soft round and plush with just a touch of alcohol. Quite an appealing texture.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG

Prices: BC $10.95 Specialty

Produced By: Viña Tarapaca Ex Zavala

Distributed By: Corby Distilleries Limited

 

88/100 Tarapaca Carmenère Reserva 2000

Valle de Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Much better intensity here. Smoke pepper spice and ripe cassis/cherry fruit mark the nose and palate. Round and rich with good structure and length. Lovely smoky plum leather character and just a whiff of tannin for the future. Good red wine.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG

Prices: BC $15.00 Specialty

Produced By: Viña Tarapaca Ex Zavala

Distributed By: Corby Distilleries Limited

 

86/100 Valdivieso Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

Region del Valle Central, Chile

Clean fruit aromas of cassis and dark berries with mint and barnyard. Good balance of fruit and tannins and well rounded. Cassis tobacco and spice flavours mark the finish. Good quality and a fair price.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $12.95 Specialty

Produced By: Viña Valdivieso

Distributed By: Marfful Consultants Limited

 

86/100 Valdivieso Merlot 2001

Region del Valle Central, Chile

Open peppery, resiny, black cherry nose with crushed leaf aromas. Young and ripe on the palate with smooth tobacco cherry cassis flavours. A touch leafy in the finish but we like this and think it will further improve in the bottle over the next six to eight months.

Last Tasted: 2004-03-01 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $13.00 Specialty

Produced By: Viña Valdivieso

Distributed By: Marfful Consultants Limited

 

85/100 Black River Merlot - Pinot Noir (Humberto Canale) 2001

Alto Valle del Río Negro, Patagonia, Argentina

Stewed prune fruit nose with pepper resin and saddle leather in the background of what is an odd mix of pinot noir and merlot. Its smooth warm, chunky textures finish quite dry with more stewed fruit and pepper flavours. Almost port-like in taste and smell.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-09 by AG

Prices: BC $13.50 Speculative - Vinterra Wine Merchants

UPC: 7790805120265

Produced By: Establecimiento Humberto Canale

Distributed By: Vinterra Wine Merchants

 

85/100 Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Region del Valle Central, Chile

Minty leafy sappy cassis character on the nose with a bit of earth and smoke underneath. Identical flavours on the palate with an earthy resiny finish and more smoke. Firm dry and ready to drink. Serve around the barbecue for best results.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-02 by AG-ST

Prices: AB $11.95; BC $12.95 General; MB $10.45; NB $12.25; NF $11.57; NS $12.95; ON $10.90; PE $14.90; QC $11.95; SK $12.95

CSPC: 278416;   UPC: 7804320303178

Produced By: Vina Concha y Toro S.A.

Distributed By: Select Wine Merchants

 

85/100 McWilliam's Hanwood Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

South Eastern Australia, Australia

They say 2001 was a difficult year in South Australia and this mostly Coonawarra-based cabernet reflects the situation. Look for a green bean and roasted coffee herbal nose with a touch of compost in the finish. The flavours are cassis fruit mixed with coffee toffee and a touch of earth. It's dry soft, smooth and easy sipping but without much character. A basic cabernet at a basic price. Drink now.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-14 by AG

Prices: AB $14.99; BC $14.99; MB $14.99; ON $12.45; SK $14.99

CSPC: 214577;   UPC: 9311769282004

Produced By: McWilliam's Hanwood

Distributed By: E. &J. Gallo Winery Canada, Ltd.

 

85/100 Sunrise Carmenère 2001

Region del Valle Central, Chile

Quite a busy nose of cool peppery tobacco leaf flavours with earthy aromas streaked with coffee and prunes. Smooth oaky entrance, round textures and more earthy peppery coffee pruny flavours with a dusting of cedar sawdust. Solid but dry best buy.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-02 by AG-ST

Prices: AB $9.60; BC $10.99 Specialty; NS $10.95; SK $10.17

CSPC: 636803;   UPC: 7804320053745

Produced By: Vina Concha y Toro S.A.

Distributed By: Select Wine Merchants

 

85/100 Tarapaca Shiraz Reserva 2001

Valle de Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Smoky coffee sausage with caraway (rye bread) and roasted bell pepper aromas. Dense smooth entry with a peppery sausage aftertaste. The finish is slightly acidic and dry. Not quite up to the same standards as the previous edition.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-12 by AG

Prices: BC $14.95 Specialty

CSPC: 602383;   UPC: 633567902175

Produced By: Viña Tarapaca Ex Zavala

Distributed By: Corby Distilleries Limited

 

85/100 Terra da Lobos 2001

Ribatejo, Central and Southern Portugal, Portugal

Spicy cherry jam with a touch of herbal gamy notes. Soft and round on entry this red has fine mid-palate cherry berry fruit with touch of elevated acidity to lift the finish. Fun red well -priced drink all summer around the barbeque.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-13 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $11.95 Specialty

CSPC: 425348;   UPC: 5602424000045

Produced By: Quinta do Casal Branco

Distributed By: Reichel-Waldorf Wine Imports Inc.

 

85/100 Valdivieso Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Region del Valle Central, Chile

Light berry nose with cassis and menthol highlights. Good mouthfeel with ripe dark berry fruit flavours and plenty of alcohol. Youthful cabernet with some dryish tannin in the finish. Fair value for the money.

Last Tasted: 2004-03-01 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $12.95 Specialty

Produced By: Viña Valdivieso

Distributed By: Marfful Consultants Limited

 

85/100 Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

South Eastern Australia, Australia

This smooth slick, fruity little 'quaffer' has an attractive spicy berry fruit nose and flavour. Perfect for the beach or around the barbecue. Simple uncomplicated and affordable.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-14 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $12.95 Specialty

UPC: 9322214007806

Produced By: Casella Wines

Distributed By: Vinterra Wine Merchants

 

 

85/100 Valdivieso Malbec 2000

Region del Valle Central, Chile

Open leafy cassis aromas with mushrooms and sausage - quite busy. Tastes like it smells but the textures are soft and round and it's easy to drink. Fun wine but the price is out of whack.

Last Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG-ST

Prices: BC $14.95 Specialty

Produced By: Viña Valdivieso

Distributed By: Marfful Consultants Limited