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Tastings: March 2026
06 March 2026
90PTS
Loimer Niederösterreich Pinot Noir 2023
Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaFrom vineyards in Gumpoldskirchen and Langenlois, this biodynamic pinot was native fermented over 3 weeks, entirely whole bunch, before resting 1 year in 300L oak casks, plus 6 months in large oak, and then 4 months in stainless tank before bottling, without fining or filtration, and with minimal SO2. Wild herbs, damp forest, and moss lead this medium bodied red, with a juicy core of raspberry and cherry wrapped with finely sticky tannins, hugging the sides to a stony, saline, medicinal cherry finish. A lovely pure look at cool climate pinot.Prices:| ON | $41.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Storm Pinot Noir Ridge 2023
Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, Hermanus, Walker Bay, Overberg, South AfricaHannes and Nathalia Storm are a husband and wife team that handcrafts cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde, and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. This Ridge bottling comes from low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soils at Babylon vineyard, at 330m. With a small amount of whole bunch, this was native fermented and rested for 1 year in 228L French barrels (25% new). Fragrant wild raspberries, wild strawberries, is coupled with an alluring wildflower perfume. Long fine tannins pins in the sides, with a mountainous acidity to loft this somewhat fleshy red through a white pepper finish. Super graceful, drinking now very smartly.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Armand Heitz Bourgogne Rouge 2021
Burgundy, FranceArmand Heitz obtained his oenologist diploma after his studies at the Changins Engineering School in Switzerland, and returned to Bourgogne in 2011 to take over the reins of the family Domaine, founded in 1857. The winery had just finished a 25 year contract lease with Drouhin, who had farmed the vines organically. Armand continued along that path, using some biodynamic practices, and has since moved to permaculture and animals to close the loop. From vines in silty clays over marl, neighbouring Meursault and Pommard, and dating back to 1967, this saw 50% whole cluster before native ferment and 8 months rest. Perfumed wild strawberries, raspberries is kissed with wax, and wrapped with fine light tannins that finish with a whisper of crushed stones and light smoke. A lovely juicy core ups the prettiness factor of this Bourgogne, drinking very smartly now.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Undurraga Sibaris Pinot Noir Gran Reserva 2024
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe label has improved over time, and while it is grown in the Leyda Valley, well regarded for its cool climate sauvignon blanc, this version of pinot noir is perfectly ripe. The nose offers a blend of damp earth and forest floor, complemented by fresh, ripe raspberries. The palate begins with fresh, ripe raspberry, has a smooth texture, and frankly gives you all it can for the price. Duck pizza could be a fine match.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.10 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.60 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Laberinto Cenizas Pinot Noir 2024
Colbún, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe Laberinto Pinot comes from the Maule region of Chile. It has a pale red-orange colour but offers a rich, full flavoured forest floor profile. The fruit is red and savoury, with a cool climate, stony, mineral undercurrent. It's a complex wine with a silky texture and a unique terroir that sets it apart from many other New World pinots. The fruit originates from a three hectare block of volcanic soils on the edge of the Andes foothills. Winemaker Rafael Tirado planted the single vineyard in 1998 at an elevation of 1,800 feet, and it is farmed organically and biodynamically. The fermentation is wild, and the wine spends 12 months in used 400L French oak barrels. It's a little Euro, a little Oregon, but mostly Chilean.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir 2023
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesLa Crema Monterey is known for its freshness and precision. It's never overly complex, but it’s well crafted and an excellent example of the region's ability to harness cool Pacific Ocean breezes to produce tasty pinot noir. The aroma is a blend of red berries with a light touch of smoke and spice. On the palate, it’s smooth and round, with earthy cherry and a mellow, medium-weight texture that lingers to the finish. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $35.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.44 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hartford Court Pinot Noir 2021
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe 2021 Hartford Russian River Valley Pinot was aged for 10 months in 27% new French oak barrels. As the months pass, this wine remains a vibrant, dark fruited, silky, ripe Russian River version that will attract a certain sector of pinot noir drinkers drawn to the New World style. Expect a juicy black cherry, wild raspberry pinot with an undercurrent of wild herbs, a hint of minerality, and round and soft tannins. I like the lush, sweet fruit along with the balance of both fruit and acidity, keeping it fresh and delicious. Fully ready to drink now.Prices:| BC | $76.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Viña Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2022
Aconcagua Costa, Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Aconcagua Costa Vineyard is located just 12 kilometres from the cold Pacific Ocean. The soils consist of a mix of metamorphic volcanic rock (slate), which imparts an attractive minerality to the wine. I visited the site when it was first planted in 2005 with Eduardo Chadwick, and have returned a few times to observe its development. The aim was to achieve greater complexity and elegance in a cooler climate than at the warmer Panquehue estate. 2022 was one of the driest years on record, but the harvest was described as fresh and vibrant. The results are impressive. The wine is produced through wild fermentation, with 80% aged for 11 months in French oak barrels (10% new) and the rest in larger foudres. The wine has a New World character, featuring a medium-dark colour and a bouquet full of black cherries, violets, and delicate sweet spices. The fresh fruit displays a balanced red and black hue, with just enough earthiness to complement its ripeness. One of the best yet. It has been challenging to get this wine in West Coast retailers, which is both their loss and ours.Prices:| QC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Los Cerros de San Juan Familie La Husen Single Vineyard 2023
Southern Riverside, UruguayAnother interesting wine from Bodega Los Cerros de San Juan, this time from the finicky pinot noir grape. This wine has been fermented and aged in Italian clay ánforas. The style reflects its delicate, pale pink colour, elegant and understated, with quiet, dry, wild berries, and a pureness and freshness reflecting its cool Atlantic Ocean influence. The winery is not a newcomer; it opened in 1854 and is Uruguay's oldest winery. Pinot Noir has long been part of the estate's portfolio, and while it's new to the BC market via the Wine festival, its drink-now style will make it an easy favourite with buyers.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Gérard Bertrand Domaine de l'Aigle Pinot Noir 2023
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThe Domaine de l’Aigle is situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees near Roquetaillade and Limoux. The 31 hectare estate is strategically planted from 250 to 500 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest vineyard sites in the Languedoc. Gerard Bertrand notes that the regional conditions for Pinot Noir are similar to those in Burgundy: “an oceanic climate with continental influences, frequent rainfall, and a wide temperature range.” The 2023 vintage opens with spicy notes of forest floor and wild countryside underbrush, with a hint of red fruit. The attack is juicy, with more cool climate plums and cherries with a dusting of white pepper. The texture leans more towards a medium weight, with silky tannins. It’s a bit of a cross between Pommard and Oregon. This label is a work in progress, and I believe it is progressing well. It spends nine months in French oak barrels before bottling.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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02 March 2026
87PTS
Vasanti Cabernet Franc Renewal Series 2023
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom a neighbouring vineyard, this cabernet franc was harvested ripe before a stainless ferment, and 18 months rest in 50% new American and European oak. Dark earth and ripe dark blackberry is woven with earthy forest floor and tart acidity, framed with ample sticky / powdery tannins that close out the warming finish. An overworked style that is best suited to rustic stews.Prices:| BC | $37.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Cabernet Franc Reserve 2022
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaThe Reserve Cab Franc is off both the Lillooet estate Dry Creek and Red Rock vineyards, and includes 12% cabernet sauvignon in the mix. Post ferment, this spent an additional 8 days on skins for more colour and tannin before a 15 month rest in French barrels (61% new). Smoked stones, roasted earth, and charred barrels scent the plumped cassis and blackberry on the tart palate. Tannins are on the rustic side at this point, requiring a hearty fall / winter stew to tame.Prices:| BC | $43.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Fort Berens Cabernet Franc 2022
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaThe classic FB Cab Franc is sourced from their Lillooet estate Red Rock vineyard, and tips 12% cabernet sauvignon into the mix. Post ferment, this remained on skins for 9 days further for additional colour and tannin extraction before heading to French barrels (10% new) for 15 months. Earthy black cherry, blackberry, and grilled herbs are met with a tart cassis acidity, and wrapped with powdery cocoa dusted tannins that tuck this neatly into a smoked stone finish. Showing best at present with grilled root veg.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Rigour & Whimsy a Love we All Dream of Reserve 2022
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA Love we all Dream of 2022 was initially released with in 2023 with 4 months' aging in older puncheons and barriques. This newly launched Reserve edition saw 16 months of aging in the same vessels. The core is the exact same: cabernet franc off Osoyoos' organic Sekhon Family Vineyards was whole cluster fermented in macrobins over 4 months prior to heading to wood and aging. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Fragrant plum, wild blackberry, ink is scented with violets and iris, and seasoned with a light dusting of white peppercorn. Tannins are now absorbed into the fruit, leaving a suede texture to the stony finish. Lovely to see this with more time and development. Drinking very smartly now and a lovely lens for BC Cab Franc.Prices:Read Full Note
91PTS
Maison Smith Montpetit Reserve Cabernet Franc 2023
British Columbia, CanadaThe Reserve Cabernet Franc is a shining example of winemaker Erich Smith-Peter's style, and an intriguing bottle of wine. Texturally outstanding, with silky, dense tannins that melt away in the finish. The nose is a classic mix of capsicum, cedar, and red fruits that draw you into the glass. Dark red plums, spice and licorice round out the palate while the south Okanagan desert scrub adds a savoury component that lingers with the fruit. It is so well-balanced that you can drink it now or hold it through 2030 with no issues.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Los Cerros de San Juan Cuna Piedra Cabernet Franc Single Vineyard 2023
Southern Riverside, UruguayThis single vineyard Franc opens with aromatic, medicinal, floral, bay leaf, and red currants. The palate is a spicy, cool red fruit experience that leans toward the Loire style, complete with a fresh acidity that runs through the wine. The finish is well-balanced, and the tannins are relatively light, leaving a smooth, textured finish. An interesting look at what can be done in Uruguay, even in the early days. The style suggests pork and mushroom dishes, or a favourite grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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