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RED 87 Antano Rioja Crianza 2007 Tempranillo - Garnacha - Graciano - Mazuelo Rioja, Spain BC $13.00 specialty listing This wine is a pleasant surprise for the price with its spicy, sausage meat, leather nose and floral, black cherry, barnyard aromas.
RED
87 Antano Rioja Crianza 2007 Tempranillo - Garnacha - Graciano - Mazuelo
Rioja, Spain
BC $13.00 specialty listing
This wine is a pleasant surprise for the price with its spicy, sausage meat, leather nose and floral, black cherry, barnyard aromas. The entry is supple and fresh on the palate with mineral, liquorice, black cherry, coffee, meaty, earthy, cardamom flavours. A good introduction to Rioja and good value. Try with grilled meat. (AG-ST)
87 Glimmer of Hope Shiraz 2008
South Australia, Australia
BC $15.00 specialty listing
This all McLaren Vale red is rich and dense looking with deep colour and a powerful nose of chocolate and red fruit. The palate is awash in blueberries, spice and chocolates with a pinch of acidity poking through. It does deliver the goods for the price and should be a hit with Oz shiraz fans. (AG-ST)
87 Little Yering Pinot Noir 2008
Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
BC $15.00 specialty listing, ON $18.95 Vintages
Strawberry, liquorice, smoky, black pepper, tobacco, celery root nose with a touch of barnyard. Soft, round, easy palate with juicy strawberry, spicy, licorice, orange, dried herb flavours. Solid, forward style with fruit for immediate appeal. A value proposition here. (AG-ST)
87 Melini Chianti 2007
Tuscany, Italy
BC $14.00 general listing, AB $12.25 private wine shop, ON $13.00 LCBO, QC $14.00
Peppery, spicy, black cherry, tobacco, rooty, meaty nose with a floral note. Round, dry, supple, full, fresh palate with plum, black cherry, licorice, tobacco, peppery, meaty, coffee flavours. Good fruit intensity, fine value in basic Chianti for meat or pasta. (AG)
87 Melini Chianti Pian del Masso 2008
Tuscany, Italy
BC $14.00 general listing, AB $12.25 private wine shop, ON $13.00 LCBO, QC $15.00
What a pleasant surprise this bottle is. The entry is round the fruit is sweet and ripe with bits of vanilla and milk chocolate mixed into the black cherry, floral fruit. The finish is long and warm with more plums, black cherry and soft liquorice fruit. Fine intensity and terrific value in basic Chianti. A much needed addition to neighbourhood restaurant lists where Italian wines are served. (AG)
87 Milton Park Shiraz 2008
South Australia, Australia
BC $15.00 specialty listing
Deep intense, aromatic, blueberry fruit nose in full bloom already. Soft plummy blueberry fruit entry and a long sweet spicy finish. Sweet ripe black fruit flavours persist in the finish. Serve now with grilled lamb chops. (AG-ST)
87 Poggio Morino Maremma Toscana Rosso 2007 Sangiovese - Syrah
Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
BC $15.00
A new listing and right from the start it gets a delicious rating. The mostly sangiovese blend bolstered by a lashing of syrah shows some of that savoury, salty chocolate/black fruit flavour you get from this side of the Italian coast. Look for a reasonably complex wine (for the price) with bits of dried herbs and cherries in the finish - all with fine balance and weight. A perfect, inexpensive restaurant wine list selection or a red you can serve liberally at home. Well done. (AG-ST)
87 Reserve Pampas Cabernet Malbec 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $14.00 specialty listing, AB $11.25, MB $10.95, NF $14.68
A mostly equal blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec from the Tupungato region of Mendoza. Look for a dark fruit nose with plenty of vanilla. The palate is dense lush and soft with 'sweet' plummy fruit and pepper fused with more vanilla notes from the oak. Youthful dry tannins in the finish call for grilled meats. Attractive red wine for the price. (AG-ST)
87 Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2008
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $15.00 specialty listing, AB $14.00 private wine stores, ON $14.00, QC $15.00
Spicy, mocha, black cherry, tobacco, plum, peppery, floral, slightly jammy aromas. Round, supple, fresh, slightly chewy entry with peppery, savoury, orange, cherry jam, meaty, licorice, tobacco and olive flavours. A fine effort that punches well above its price range in value. (AG-ST)
86 Castillo de Monséran Old Vine Garnacha 2006
Cariñena, Aragon, Spain
BC $14.00 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands, AB $14.00 private wine stores
Open peppery, liquorice, black cherry, orange, cedar, floral, slightly meat nose. Dry, fresh, slightly tight entry with cedar, tobacco, cherry, raspberry, liquorice, clove, vanilla, earthy, floral flavours. Good fruit but could use a bit more extract to balance the acidity. Still good value. (AG-ST)
86 Castillo de Monséran Viura 2007
Cariñena, Aragon, Spain
BC $10.00 specialty listing, ON $9.00
Earthy, menthol, grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit, lime aromas. Fresh, crisp, clean palate but a bit lean. Lime, grapefruit, gooseberry, passion fruit, nutty flavours. Finish is very floral with passion fruit and a crisp finish. Offers good intensity and length for the money but is a food wine, try with grilled squid, clams or anchovies. Excellent value for the student of wine. (AG-ST)
86 Castaño Monastrell 2007
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, Spain
BC $12.00 specialty listing
Slightly reduced nose under screwcap that cleaned up with a few minutes air. Drier than last year (yeah) it's a mix of earth, black cherry raspberry fruit with bits of liquorice and mocha. Soft easy sipping with a pinch of acidity in the finish. A solid barbecue red that I would highly recommend but nowhere near a 90 point experience some are claiming. (AG-ST)
86 Castaño La Casona Monastrell 2007
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, Spain
BC $9.50 specialty listing
Okay here you go super cheap and tasty. Look for black cherry, pepper, floral, chocolate notes with savoury aromas. The entry is soft and supple with a pinch of rustic tannins but with good body. Chocolate, peppery, dried herbs, black cherry, fig and liquorice root flavours impress for the price. Good fruit and intensity makes this a great value and under screw cap means it every bottle will likely be as sound as this one. Believe it or not the wine is dry-farmed, (no irrigation and that keeps yields naturally low) and the vines are 40 to 60 years old. All for $9.50. Back up the truck and load up. (AG-ST)
86 Doña Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
BC $14.00 specialty listing, AB $13.00 private wine shops, MB $14.00
Grown at 3300 feet the Cardos cabernet is mix of mint and cassis with a fairly pronounced tobacco character on the nose. Cranberry, raspberry fruit dominates the palate and it finishes with a touch of gripp-y tannins. Grilled burgers or ribs would be a perfect for this useful. Good, affordable, simple red wine. (AG-ST)
86 Doña Paula Los Cardos Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
BC $15.00 specialty listing, AB $14.00 private wine shops, ON $13.00, SK $14.00
The '08 Los Cardos is an attractive mix of red and black fruit flavours that despite its low price boast fruit from key production regions in Ugarteche, Lujan de Cuyo, and smaller amounts from the high-altitude Uco Valley. The vineyards are a missal selection of the French "Cot" clone developed over decades in Mendoza. Soft fresh, spicy, black fruit flavours with a dash of dried herbs simply get the job done for the price. (AG)
86 Estampa Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $14.00 specialty listing, ON $15.00 consignment - Hobbs and Co.
Somewhat reduced, rubbery, meaty, leesy, coffee, gamey, black pepper aromas. Round, dry, slightly tannic palate but well balanced. Good plum, black cherry, meaty, gamey, licorice, menthol, tobacco flavours with a vanilla, cassis finish. Good palate and flavours but the nose is a bit too dirty. Try airing this first as the fruit is there. (AG-ST)
86 Fetzer Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Oaks 2007
California, United States
BC $15.00 general listing, AB $16.00 private wine stores, MB $15.00, ON $15.00, QC $16.00
This is simple, straight up cabernet with the emphasis on simple. Look for cedar, some sour black cherry fruit a touch of spice and a soft finish. Think hamburgers or spaghetti Bolognese. A light version of the venerable grape. (AG)
86 Gabbiano Chianti 2008
Tuscany, Italy
BC $15.00, AB $14.00, MB $14.00, NB $15.00, NF $15.00, NS $15.00 private wine shops, ON $14.00, PEI $20.00, QC $14.60, SK $15.00
Youthful colour and nose with some gamey, peppery, earthy notes. The entry is tight and lean with bright, dry floral fruit aromas and flavours with typical Tuscan dryness and some bitter almond notes in the back end. The message is drink me with food and see how good I can be. Fair value by today's prices for Chianti. (AG-ST)
86 Gabbiano Chianti 2008
Tuscany, Italy
BC $15.00, AB $14.00, MB $14.00, NB $15.00, NF $15.00, NS $15.00 private wine shops, ON $14.00, PEI $20.00, QC $14.60, SK $15.00
Youthful colour and nose with some gamey, peppery, earthy notes. The entry is tight and lean with bright, dry floral fruit aromas and flavours with typical Tuscan dryness and some bitter almond notes in the back end. The message is drink me with food and see how good I can be. Fair value by today's prices for Chianti. (AG-ST)
86 LoTengo Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
BC $12.49 specialty listing
Over the years LoTengo has always been good value if a little rustic and but at $12.50 a bottle you have to consider it well worth buying. Look for dark spicy red fruit with smoky undertones. The flavours are a mix of cedar, resin and cherries with good acidity and fine overall balance. It finishes dry and soft. Think barbecue ribs. (AG-ST)
86 Man Vintners Shiraz 2007
Coastal Region, South Africa
BC $12.00 specialty listing, AB $11.00 private wine shop
Spicy, meaty, smoky, menthol, liquorice root, floral, black plum jam with a hint of tobacco and leather. Round, fresh, slightly warm and tart palate with blueberry, black berry jam, coffee, smoky, savoury, meaty, liquorice, vanilla cream flavours. Much more Oz in ripeness and styling and has solid fruit offering good value in the category. (AG-ST)
86 Marquis Phillips Holly's Blend 2007 Verdelho - Chardonnay - Semillon
South Eastern Australia, Australia
BC $12.00 speculative listing - David Herman & Son
Round, light, slightly sweet and rind-y palate with canned grapefruit, gooseberry, melon, grassy, lime and butter flavours. A forward, easy style with a blend of tropical and cool, grassy fruit characters. Good value. (AG-ST)
86 Palo Alto Reserva 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Carmenère - Syrah
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $15.00, AB $14.00 private wine stores, MB $14.00, NS $13.00
The blend is a 55/30/15 mix of cabernet sauvignon/carmenère/syrah from Maule and it has a typically dried herb bay leaf nose with black cherry aromas. The plate is soft and round with herby, dried cherry fruit flavours bits of cedar, coffee and smoky oak. Solid effort. (AG-ST)
86 Portada 2006 Touriga Nacional - Tinta Roriz - Castelão - Alicante Bouschet - Caladoc
Portugal
BC $13.00 speculative listing - David Herman & Son
Rustic meaty, tobacco, rooty nose with flecks of blackberry, light barnyard, chocolate, mineral aromas. Round, ripe, supple, velvety palate with soft acidity and more chocolate, blackberry jam, fig and spicy, peppery flavours. Good fruit and acidity on the palate with a black cherry finish. Solid value in that Euro-style for casual meals. (AG-ST)
86 Southern Most Red 2009 Merlot - Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon
San Patricio del Chañar, Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina
BC $12.00 specialty listing, AB $12.00 private wine stores
Referred to as the 'end of the earth' winery this simple tasting red blend is a bit of a mystery. It hails from Neuquén, Patagonia and is made by Bodega Del Fin de Mundo. After that there is little information available on the blend. The palate is warm and sweet with plenty of cedar-y black fruit and pepper and a soft smoky chocolate finish. Your basic hamburger red at a great price. (AG-ST)
86 The Elegant Ocker Shiraz Cabernet 2008 Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon
McLaren Vale, South Australia
BC $15.00 specialty listing
The Elegant Ocker is a joint venture between Kangarilla Road and Vancouver-based Whitefish Group. The blend is 75/25 shiraz cabernet, a reversal of the traditional cabernet sauvignon/shiraz blend all aged in French and American oak barriques. Big soft oaky dense fruit coats your palate with a sheen of acidity. Classic New Wave Oz with that sweet and sour tone throughout. Best with smoky barbecued beef. (AG-ST)
85 Canti Estate Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2006
Piedmont, Italy
BC $15.00 specialty listing
Big celery salt, spicy, smoky nose with bits of cherry and saddle leather. On the palate it is fresh and supple with smoky, meaty, leather, tobacco and dried herb flavours. Dry and balanced it will work with variety of light meat dishes. Simple. (AG-ST)
85 Castillo de Monséran Garnacha 2008
Cariñena, Aragon, Spain
BC $11.00 specialty listing, AB $11.00, MB $11.00, QC $9.05
Very floral, cherry jam, raspberry, peppery, spicy nose, very pure and clean. Fresh, round, dry, supple palate with peppery, liquorice, orange, raspberry and mint flavours. Finish is a bit tart but has great fruit for current consumption. Continued good value. (AG-ST)
85 De Bortoli dB Petite Sirah 2007
South Eastern Australia, Australia
BC $12.00 specialty listing, AB $12.00 private wine shops, MB $12.00
Peppery, boysenberry, black cherry, rooty, licorice, leafy, floral nose. Round, fresh palate with light, grainy tannins. Tobacco, boysenberry jam, black cherry, iodine, liquorice, coffee, earthy flavours. A bit sweet and sour on the finish but has good fruit and balance. Ready to drink. (AG-ST)
85 Diego Murillo Merlot 2008
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina
BC $10.00 Vinterra Wines
Spicy, coffee, cherry jam, tobacco, plastic, meaty aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly tight palate with cedar, cherry, orange, tobacco leaf, mineral, coffee, leather flavours. Finish is a bit tart and rustic but solid value here to have with the barbecue season. (AG)
85 Farnese Sangiovese Daunia 2008
Moro River Valley, Abruzzo, Italy
BC $9.00 general listing
Farnese has always found a way of getting fairly decent juice into a bottle at a very fair price as is the case with this '08 sangiovese from Abruzzi. The warmer climes add a little heft to the sangiovese. The rest is simply a bit of roasted earth, a touch of plums and hint of spice. The good news is the palate refreshes as the wine slide downs. As good as it gets for $9. (AG-ST)
85 J. Bouchon Carmenère Syrah Reserva 2008 Carmenère - Cabernet Sauvignon
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $12.95 speculative listing - AnaRona Wines
Very spicy, sappy cassis, menthol, tobacco, meaty, roasted pepper, green olive nose. Round, full, supple palate with cassis, black cherry, cedar, menthol, tobacco leaf, green olive flavours. Finish is warm and a bit sweet and sour but balanced. The carmenère dominates at this point. Solid consumer wine. (AG-ST)
85 Osborne Solaz Merlot Tempranillo 2007 Merlot - Tempranillo
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
AB $12.00 private wine stores, MB $12.45, NF $12.70, ON $11.00
Floral, spicy, meaty, candied cherry, tobacco, dried herb aromas. Round, soft, fresh, slightly sweet entry with cherry, orange, tobacco, peppery, earthy flavours. Finish is fresh and fruity. (AG-ST)
85 Reserve Pampas del sur Malbec 2008
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $13.00 specialty listing, AB $11.25, MB $10.95, NF $14.68
Spicy, savoury, vanilla, coconut, tobacco leaf, black cherry jam, rooty, resin aromas. Fresh, slightly tannic but rich and slightly rustic entry with cedar, tobacco leaf, vanilla, and chocolate, peppery rooty, black cherry flavours. Finish is somewhat sweet and sour with a vanilla extract and marmalade note. Solid but a bit weird. (AG-ST)
85 Rigal The Original Malbec 2008
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, France
BC $15.00 speculative listing - Select Wine Merchants
Very dark colour. Big leafy, cedar, peppery, meaty, lees, minty, cherry aromas. Round, dry, supple palate with cedar bark, peppery, earthy, resin, rooty, cherry and olive flavours. Good texture but somewhat on the leafy green side with some acidity on the finish. (AG-ST)
85 Sonovino Primitivo Negroamaro 2007 Primitivo - Negroamaro
Sicily, Italy
BC $15.00 specialty listing
A mix of primitivo and negroamaro makes up this simple red wine blend from Puglia in southern Italy. Expect a soft, spicy blend with black cherry fruit, resin and liquorice and a bit of Oz-like acidity creeping in at the end. Simple barbecue red at best. (AG-ST)
85 Terroso Kosher Red Merlot 2007
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, Spain
BC $13.00 specialty listing
Simple country wine with notes of tobacco, meat, leather, cherry and dried herbs on the nose. Round, dry, supple, fresh palate with cherry, chocolate, garrigue, herbal, tobacco flavours. Simple, easy style suited to grilled meats. In the scheme of affordable Kosher reds this is one of them. (AG-ST)
85 Timbuktu Offshore Shiraz Grenache 2008 Shiraz - Grenache
South Australia, Australia
BC $14.00 specialty listing
Very spicy, raspberry confiture, cherry, floral, liquorice, meaty, savoury nose. Very ripe, warm, round, somewhat sweet entry with fresh acidity. Big raspberry jam, black cherry, peppery, spicy, orange peel, mocha flavours. Finish is very warm and tart with some sweetness but there is plenty of fruit that will appeal to the most drinkers. (AG-ST)
ROSÉ
86 JeanJean Syrah Rose 2008
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
BC $12.00 specialty listing
Expect a bright pink pleasing colour. A fresh red fruit scented nose with medium spice and plenty of mid-palate dryness to keep you coming back for another sip. Very food friendly and big enough if I can use that word to work with chicken and meaty fish dishes. Super value. (AG-ST)
86 Pink Elephant Rosé 2008 Alfrocheiro - Touriga Nacional - Castelão - Cabernet Sauvignon
Portugal
BC $13.00 speculative listing - David Herman & Son
Light orange ruby colour. Spicy, licorice, floral, cherry, peppery, citrus aromas. Fresh, crisp, tart palate with pomegranate, rhubarb, raspberry, mineral, spicy flavours. Very crisp, simple style that will handle most foods. Solid value. (AG-ST)
WHITE
88 Quintay Clava Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
BC $13.00 specialty listing, AB $15.00 private wine stores
As the quality goes up the price goes down; a very rare occurrence in the wine world. Fresh and delicious this sauvignon packed full of grapefruit, dried herbs, passion fruit sitting over a peppery undercurrent is impossible to beat for the price. Drink all summer by the case. Incredible value at this price. (AG-ST)
88 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Riesling 2008
Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia
BC $15.00 specialty listing, AB $17.00 private wine shops, MB $15.00, NB $19.00, ON $17.00
Big petrol, slate, lime rind, green apple skin, mineral aromas. Fresh, crisp, dry, slightly austere style with a touch of spritz. Juicy green apple, petrol, lime, slate, spicy, nectarine skin flavours. Very fresh, austere style but good flavours. Best with smoked salmon or mussels. (AG-ST)
87 Borges Meia Encosta Dão Vinho Branco 2008 Encruzado - Assario - Borrado-das-Moscas (Bical)
Dão, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $11.00 specialty listing
Floral, spicy, honey, slate, nectarine, butter, quince and candied lemon aromas. Fresh, crisp, round, juicy palate and dry with good texture. Similar flavours with a touch of ginger and nectarine. Great value seafood white on the more austere side. Even better if it was in Stelvin closure. (AG-ST)
87 Bodega Lurton Pinot Gris 2009
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, Argentina
BC $12.50 specialty listing
Pear skin, mineral, earthy, floral, nectarine skin, smoky aromas. Fresh, round, juicy style with good acidity and a bit of sweetness. Citrus, slate, nectarine, pear, chalky flavours. Good solid styling with a clean, somewhat austere finish. (AG-ST)
87 Cono Sur Viognier 2009
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $11.00 specialty listing, AB $12.00 private wine stores, MB $12.00, NS $12.00, ON $11.00
If consistency is something you value the Cono Sur Viognier must be high on your list. A replica of the '08 it is fresh and clean with nectarine, honey, grapefruit, ginger, orange aromas and flavours. Light refreshing New World style with myriad food possibilities. Crazy value. (AG-ST)
87 Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc 120 2009
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $10.00 general listing, AB $10.75 private wine shops, NF $13.00, ON $10.00, QC $11.95
Consistently well made this easy-sipping sauvignon designed for food and fun hits all the right notes again on 2009. Maule and Casablanca are home to the stainless steel fermented fruit that offers up a wealth of grassy, herbal, citrus tones with bits of green fruit in the finish. Sushi, oysters, salads - all would work with is true best value. (AG)
87 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
BC $14.00 specialty listing, AB $15.00 private wine shops, ON $13.95, QC $14.25
The latest Veramonte blanc is a Kiwi Marlborough look-a-like with its herby, floral, gooseberry nose. On the palate the entry is clean, with tart, juicy gooseberry fruit flecked with dried herbs and bits of bitter citrus rind. A little less fruit forward this year but still solid. (AG)
86 Armonia Verdejo-Viura 2009
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, Spain
BC $14.00
Floral, melon, butter, apple, grassy, lemon aromas. Round, fresh, light, elegant style with some sweetness on entry. Bright melon, nectarine, grapefruit, lemon flavours streaked with floral, honey flavours. A bit sweet on the finish but has good fruit intensity for the money. Drink all summer. Good value. (AG-ST)
86 Aveleda Casal Garcia Vinho Verde N/V Loureiro - Trajadura - Arinto - Azal
Vinhos Verde, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $11.50 specialty listing, MB $12.00, NF $11.50, NS $12.00, ON $10.00, PEI $13.50, QC $11.00, QC $20.00 (1500 ml), SK $12.00
Floral, lemon, slate, mineral and green apple aromas. Fresh, round, crisp and slightly sweet entry with a light spritz on the palate. Nectarine, lime, slate and quince flavours. Simple, fresh, easy sipper for summer and seafood. (AG-ST)
86 Deinhard Riesling Classic 2008
Rheinhessen, Germany
BC $14.00 specialty listing, NS $11.00, QC $13.00
Not quite as terrific as the '07 for the price but still well made, serviceable. Fairly tight limey citrus rind flavours with bits of red apple and citrus. Good value for a mid-week sipper. (AG-ST)
86 Johnny Q Shiraz Viognier 2008 Shiraz - Viognier
South Eastern Australia, Australia
BC $15.00
Liquorice, floral, meaty, rooty, blackberry, tobacco, mocha aromas with a light jammy note. Round, full, soft, supple palate with a hint of sweetness. Big raspberry jam, tobacco leaf, bitter chocolate, licorice, rooty flavours. Finish is a bit warm and soupy but many will find this style attractive. (AG-ST)
86 Lindemans Bin 95 Sauvignon Blanc 2009
South Eastern Australia, Australia
BC $12.00 specialty listing, AB $12.00 private wine shops, MB $11.50, NB $13.00, NF $13.00, NS $13.00, ON $11.00, SK $12.00
This bin has impressed for several vintages now for the price. Always consistently fresh this dry, grassy nettle-scented white flecked with bits of citrus, green apple and lemons. Made for the patio and summer sipping but it is similarly at home with oysters. (AG-ST)
86 Montalto Catarratto Organic 2008
Sicily, Italy
BC $14.00 speculative listing - Select Wine Merchants
Grapefruit, nettle, gooseberry, slate, earthy aromas. Round, dry, fresh, delicate, juicy palate but a bit austere. Petrol, slate, gooseberry, grapefruit, mineral, lemon flavours. A tasty seafood white for summer. (AG-ST)
86 Mount Fishtail Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
BC $15.00 specialty listing
Bright gooseberry, nettle and light jalapeno nose with flecks of passion fruit. Round, fresh and elegant on entry with a slightly sweet palate of green apple and passion fruit flavours with interesting flecks of grass, asparagus, nettle and a lime rind finish. Solid fruit core but the finish is a bit sweet and sour. Try this with Thai food. (AG)
86 Santa Julia Viognier 2009
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $12.00 specialty listing, AB $12.00 private wine stores
A drier version of this grape than the market leader from Chilean producer Con 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 Trivento Tribu Viognier 2009
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $10.00 speculative listing - Select Wine Merchants
Orange, ginger, leesy, floral, spicy sausage aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, dry palate with orange creamsicle, ginger, melon rind, lees and nectarine flavours. Crisp, fresh, fruity without being heavy, offers great value for summer or seafood. (AG)
85 Fuzion Chenin-Torrontés 2009 Chenin Blanc - Torrontés
Argentina
BC $9.00 specialty listing, MB $8.49
Spicy, floral, orange, nectarine, mango, ginger aromas. Crisp, fresh, just off dry palate but juicy with lime, ginger, green apple, lemon, sausage and floral flavours. A simple, delicate, fresh style for any seafood or summer occasion. Fun and great value - and under screwcap to boot. (AG-ST)
85 Gabbiano Pinot Grigio 2008
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
BC $11.00, AB $13.00, MB $14.00, NB $14.00, NF $14.00, NS $12.20, ON $13.00, PEI $15.00, QC $12.00, SK $14.00
Floral, apple, quince, citrus, earthy aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with nutty, citrus, nectarine skin, spicy flavours with a touch of butter but short finish. Simple, food style at a fair price. This delicate nature of this wine would blossom under screwcap. (AG-ST)
85 Stone Cellars Chardonnay 2008
California, United States
BC $14.00 specialty listing, AB $13.00 private wine shops, NF $15.00, ON $14.00, PEI $14.00
Stone Cellars continues to evolve down the leaner, less oak road. The nose is fruity with bits of apple, spice and brown sugar. Creamy lees marks the mid-palate textures with more apple fruit and a bit of oak and vanilla in the back end. There is a touch of bitterness in an otherwise pleasant finish. (AG-ST)
SPARKLING
86 Deinhard Sparkling Diamant N/V
Germany
BC $4.75 (200 ml) specialty listing
Easily the coolest new product I've seen in wine in quite a while. At the equivalent of $19 a bottle this 200mL brushed aluminum bottle with a crown cap is ultra-cool looking and feels equally stylish in your hand. Best of all this "aerated semi-sparkling wine obtained by adding carbon dioxide: it says so on the side of the tin can, is bright and fresh on the nose with peachy/strawberry fruit and citrus. Try it with spicy Asian fare with a flute or with a straw. (AG-ST)
86 Mont Tauch Fitou Growers Reserve 2008 Carignan - Grenache - Syrah
Fitou, Languedoc, South of France, France
BC $15.00 specialty listing
Meaty, peppery, warm prune plum, resin, savoury, spicy, leather and cherry aromas. Dry, warm, slightly tannic palate with cherry, spicy, licorice, meaty, leather, tobacco, orange and five spice flavours. Fresh finish with some tannin to go with your barbecue. (AG)
86 Wolf Blass Yellow Label Sparkling Brut 2005 Chardonnay - Pinot Noir
South Australia, Australia
ON $20.00 LCBO
Tasted several times I must say at this point five years down the road this sparkler is beginning to lose its edge. The nose is nutty and somewhat oxidative slightly but once on the palate the fruit is lively cran-cherry orange flavours with just a bit of the oxidative notes in the back end. The texture is fine with creamy bread dough notes. The blend is 70/30 pinot noir and chardonnay. Drink up. (AG-ST)
