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Tastings: September 2001
23 September 2001
86PTS
Freixenet Brut Barocco Reserva NV
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSlightly heavier (Baroque) style although the wine has been considerably toned down since its original launch in the 80s???. Quite a rich wine but slightly clumsy for a cava. The flavours are more nutty than fruity. The blend is 30/30/40 macabeo / xarello / parallada. Aged 3 years. Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Freixenet Reserva Real Brut NV
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThe Reserva Real is a non-vintage blend made from equal parts macabeo, xarello, parallada. The key to its rich flavours is addition of up to five year old reserve wine. The colour has a rich, straw yellow tinge while the nose has an open appealing yeasty bread dough scent to it. Citrus and almonds dominate the palate and finish of this classy Spanish Cava.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Freixenet Cuvée "DS" 1996 Brut 1996
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThe Cuvée "DS" stands for Dolores Sala a legendary taster and enthusiastic ambassador of for Cava. The D.S. isn't produced every year and always in small quantities (less than 3000 cases), which explains why it is so scarce in North America. The style is very Euro and extremely elegant. Fresh and lean it is the Cava for sophisticates. The blend is 40/40/20 macabeo / xarello / parallada.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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11 September 2001
94PTS
Valdivieso Caballo Loco No. 4 NV
Region del Valle Central, ChileAnother magical blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, cabernet franc, pinot noir and merlot. Fifty percent of No 4 comes from Caballo Loco Number 3, which contains 50 percent of Caballo Loco Number 2. The colour is both deep and dark. The nose is less fruity now showing more shades of coffee and mocha aromas. Look for its trademark clove, pepper, orange spice aromas, rich flavours and a fine balance of oak and fruit. Very stylish. A fine Bordeaux-style red that has consistently top our tastings. We love the price too.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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01 September 2001
86PTS
De Wetshof Chardonnay D'Honneur 2000
Western Cape, South AfricaD'Honnuer gets 100 per cent new French barrels for 13 months and it goes through the full malolactic fermentation. This is old fashion chardonnay with a lot of oak and in fact a lot of everything. The fruit is grown on deep gravel soils on the mountain. Slightly underripe style with leafy tomato minty nose with a hard woody edge. Very old style.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
J. Moreau & Fils Sauvignon de Saint-Bris 2000
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFresh mineral wet wool aromas with lots of green apple and gooseberries. Similar flavours and styling on the palate. It's round on entry but sparse in structure. A perfect oyster or mussel wine.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
J. Moreau & Fils Petit Chablis 2000
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceMineral stoney, slate-y nose with a wisp of toast and apple skin. Quite intense mineral slate citrus rind flavours that can pucker up your mouth. Dry and soft and definitely needs food to smooth out the lean finish.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
J. Moreau & Fils Chablis 2000
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFresh slate-y baked apple and citrus aromas. Similar flavour profile with a soft entry and nutty mid-palate before it finishes dry and with some acidity. Solid everyday Chablis at a reasonable price.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
J. Moreau & Fils Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume 2000
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceMore toasted baked apple scents here with hint of green peach, marmalade and ginger. Soft and round and ready to drink. Similar citrus fruit flavours and a touch of orange peel. Fine balance and a mineral apple skin finish. Lovely seafood 9calamari, scallops) wine.Prices:| BC | $35.55 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Riesling 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh lively tart style riesling, which is well suited to food. Good balance and length make it a fine summer sipper. Good value too.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wild Goose Pinot Gris 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaJust a hint of colour welcomes you to a fresh, lively eminently drinkable white with a delightful floral character and a touch of Alsace. It's soft round and easy to sip.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Gewürztraminer 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh clean, spicy gewürztraminer nose. Spicy dried litchi flavours with a bit of floral mineral character. More delicate than you might expect on the palate. Adequate fruit but more spicy and mineral.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Gewürztraminer 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLook for an open spicy nectarine and litchi fruit nose with similar flavours and clean, crisp, citrus rind finish. There is fine intensity which means it will pair well with spicy, East Indian dishes.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Ehrenfelser 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen floral, grapefruit nose with ripe apple and mineral aromas. Like the '99 it is moderately sweet and soft, and the ripe, peachy fruit finish will appeal to the masses. A fine patio sipper.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wente Vineyards Chardonnay 2000
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesClean fruit nose with green apple/honey floral notes. Soft entry, round warm mid-palate with green apple citrus fruit showing through on the finish. Good balance but slightly diluted. Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Talus Pinot Grigio 2000
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesThe Pinot Grigio has an attractive nutty / almond / yoghurt aroma that spills out of the glass. The entry is rich before the flavours turn mostly mineral with green apple and lemon zest in the aftertaste. This is a solid, everyday white that will show well out-of-doors all spring and summer.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Talus Chardonnay 2000
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesThe Chardonnay has always been the best of the whites and the 2000 is no different. Look for a very appealing peach, honey and butterscotch aromas with just a touch of lees. Its soft spicy, baked apple flavours with warm buttery undertones make this hard to pass up. It has excellent balance, not too fat and not too lean, and it's ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Signorello Chardonnay 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesClove, sweaty lees, vanilla, honey aromas with some smoky, floral, citrus tones. Rich, round and quite intense with more fatness, has ripe mango, melon, honey, smoky lees and vanilla flavours with a somewhat oily texture. Big ripe style with lots of lees and oak, just a tad hot and bitter but good ripe fruit overall.Prices:| BC | $68.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Canyon Road Sauvignon Blanc 2000
California, United StatesOpen gooseberry, melon grassy nose. Not too big on the palate with round textures and rind fruit finish. Simple, pleasant-drinking white at a decent price.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Canyon Road Chardonnay 2000
California, United StatesFresh citrus aromas with floral/apple/mineral notes. Similar flavours with good balance and a round smooth finish. A solid workhorse chardonnay at a reasonable price.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gordon Brothers Chardonnay 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesYellow colour. Intense melon apple fruit. Rich full slightly oily on the mid-palate but good length and concentration.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileThe 2000 sauvignon blends grapes from Rapel, Curicó, Maipo and Casablanca valleys that after fermentation remained on the lees in tank for a month. Expect a gorgeous grapefruit, grassy kiwi melon nose. Drier in the mouth than previous years but with plenty of grapefruit/melon character and fine balance. An absolute winner for the price and wine tailor-made for B.C. seafood.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Carmen Chardonnay 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileThe '00 chardonnay is fresh and light. Less extract and wood make this a fun simple summer sipper style with apple fruit, mineral aromas and a touch of lees. Simple seafood will work or used as an aperitif on the patio.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Carmen Reserve Chardonnay 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen inviting toasted vanilla, honey/butter/melon nose. Rich toasted lees flavours with more butter honey and lees. More citrus than usual, which we like, and good melon fruit in the finish. Fresh clean and very drinkable. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Torres Vina Sol 2000
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainOpen nutty, butter lemon nose. Light juicy fruit mid-palate with refreshing crisp flavours and decent body. Clean but dry in the finish. Fine tapas wine designed to cut through oil and fat.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stone Cellars Chardonnay 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBeringer's new fighting' chardonnay has fresh, peachy fruit aromas on the nose with a dusting of pear and butter. Similar fruit flavours mark the taste with a buttery oily finish. Fine weight and balance and just enough residual to give it wide appeal. Definitely Beringer and definitely California.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Domaine la Bastide Viognier 2000
Vin de Pays d'Hauterive, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceViognier is a lesser known grape used in the Rhone to make Condrieu but one that is catching on as a 'varietal' in California, Chile, Australia and now the south of France. The Bastide version sees no wood but does spend six months ageing on its lees in stainless steel tanks. The result is a surprisingly plump wine with grassy, floral, mineral notes that strikes the right balance between being too lean and too fat. I think you'll like this one.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Beringer Chenin Blanc 2000
California, United StatesSlightly dank nose with mineral, peach pit and slate aromas. Fresh entry with a fruity sweet and sour flavour profile. Simple soft and slightly sweet a step above the white zinfandel. Try with spicy Asian dishes.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Beringer Founders' Estate Chardonnay 2000
California, United StatesCitrus blossom creamy vanilla aromas mark a somewhat subdued nose - quite different from the '99. Rounder fairly viscous textures in the mouth feature lemon marmalade flavours and lees. Atypical Beringer in our opinion with less opulence and more acidity.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Beringer Founders' Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2000
California, United StatesSweaty lees and bell pepper aromas. There's 15 per cent sémillon in the blend and five per cent chardonnay giving the wine a sweet, round, soft entry with baked apple butter flavours. Not much to do with crisp, clean sauvignon. Seemingly designed for beginners. Pricey.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Bassermann-Jordan Forster Jesuitengarten Riesling Kabinett 1999
Pfalz, GermanyOpen ripe apple, peach, citrus and floral nose with some mineral and petrol in the background. Very ripe and rich on the palate, almost hot. Intense ripe peach, apple, citrus and floral flavours. Softer structure but fresh. This is almost spätlese level quality.Prices:| BC | $25.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bassermann-Jordan Deidesheimer Leinhöhle Riesling Kabinett 1999
Pfalz, GermanyA touch of SO2, with strong mineral, nectarine, floral and apple aromas with just a wisp of petrol in the background. Crisp but round with mineral, smoky, apple, nutty flavours. Elegant, more delicate style.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
St. Francis Chardonnay 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBright floral citrus apple aromas mark the nose with a touch of smoke and vanilla in the background. Softer rounder entry but the fruit is light and delicate and the styling is still Sonoma. Butter and vanilla predominate on the warm finish. Attractive smooth style consumers will like.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe Stoneleigh sauvignon is about to arrive and despite a small crop that has hurt production, the warm summer has produced a concentrated, juicy wine with plenty of in-your-face, Marlborough aromatics. Look for an enticing mix of melon and stone fruit aromas that give way to more passion fruit and grass in the mouth. Like so many new Marlborough sauvignons, it is rounder and smoother than previous editions, and much less aggressive around the edges. Pork, chicken or light, spicy Asian dishes would make a fine match. Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rondel Seco La Fiesta 2000
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainBig fruity nose bright fresh delicious style sparkler. Ripe apple pear with a touch of peach. Round, fun to drink light and clean. This is a bargain party bubble.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Robert's Rock Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay 2000
Western Cape, South AfricaThe chardonnay is barrel fermented before it is blended with the tank fermented chenin blanc. The nose is clean and fresh the acidity plentiful. The flavours are fruity and soft with some residual sugar in the finish.Prices:| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Hawthorne Mountain Gewürztraminer 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen sweaty floral/nectarine skin character with a touch of sausage. Meaty mineral spice flavours with unripe green apples. Disappointing dry finish.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
HMV Mountain Reserve Chardonnay 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen buttery vanilla nose. Intense buttery oaky flavours on the palate with round oily textures with pronounced oak in the citrus finish. Everyday almost old-style Oz chardonnay although we'd be hard pressed to say it was chardonnay. Pleasant drinking.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hawthorne Mountain Chardonnay Gold Label Series 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig smoky buttered popcorn knows with citrus melon spiced fruit. On the palate there's plenty of smoky buttered and popcorn flight and a preponderance of oak. The finish citrus an a touch of bitter green apple. Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hawthorne Mountain Riesling 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple floral and cardboard character nose. Simple sweet soft entry with apple skin, floral, candied fruit finish. Simple, easy-to-sip and a good candidate for spicy dishes. Basic riesling a basic price.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
HMV Mountain Reserve White 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen apple mineral floral citrus nose. Similar sweetish flavours but with good fruit and just enough acidity to carry the wine. Simple summer sipper that is good value.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Forrest Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandClassically ripe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc made from a blend of five vineyards. It's mechanically picked two and three times offer the gamut of flavours running from tropical fruits - passion fruit, mango and pineapple to more traditional capsicum, redcurrant and herbal aromas. There's a small proportion of barrel-fermented Semillon in the blend to add weight and complexity. A lovely wine.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Chardonnay 2000
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaLight toasty lees, vanilla, peach aromas with a touch of creamy apple and citrus rind. Round and elegant with creamy vanilla, apple, mineral and citrus flavours. Look for a more restrained style with a dry, slightly oily finish and crisp green apple, lime rind notes. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bodega Lurton Pinot Gris 2000
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPinot gris and Argentina sound like an odd mix but any white wine the Lurton brothers make is usually worth tasting. Expect a peachy, nectarine aroma and similar flavours on the palate. It's clean and fresh with a streak of mineral flavouring in the dry finish. Another wine that will be better with clams or sushi than as a standalone sipper.Prices:| BC | $9.45 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Finca Flichman Chardonnay 2000
Mendoza, ArgentinaBig open butter melon pineapple nose. More butter on the mid-palate with a dry salty mineral finish. Fine everyday chardonnay that will appeal to consumers who like "buttered popcorn" style.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Finca Flichman Reserva Chardonnay 2000
Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen peach, floral, melon nose, similar to the regular chardonnay. Sweet fruit entry with a butter honey melon mid-palate. Good mouthfeel but the finish has that characteristic mineral earth and peppery finish. Solid effort.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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78PTS
Villa Teresa Pinot Grigio (Organic) 2000
Veneto, ItalySweaty, lemon peel nutty nose. Stark lean citrus flavoured white with little body or balance but it is organic. Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gehringer Brothers Pinot Blanc Private Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother clean fresh fruity nose that many other B.C producers would do well to copy. Look for a melon peach aromas and flavours with floral citrus highlights. Lovely mouth feel with a light buttery finish. A fine everyday white wine at a bargain price.Prices:| BC | $11.25 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Dry Rock Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLovely melon citrus aromas. Light yet oily textures with grapefruit and grass and green melon flavours with a round, warm finish. Good effort at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Dry Rock Vineyards Chardonnay 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy baked apple and pear fruit here and again a very clean opening. It gets a dusting of French oak which adds a touch of vanilla but mostly this is fruit driven and very likeable. Understated like the winery and well worth trying at this price. Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gehringer Brothers Pinot Noir Private Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFine dusty, black cherry earthy character that reminds us of gamay. Dry earthy fruit with raspberry cherry highlights, some roundness and just touch of pinot sweetness. Solid, recognisable everyday pinot at an affordable price.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gehringer Brothers Optimum Pinot Gris 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMore intense character than the PR with more floral and spice highlights. Rich honeyed fruit marks the mid-palate but the finish comes with a touch of bitterness. Good effort but not worth the extra $6. Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Riesling Private Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPleasant open green apple and peach character with a touch of citrus rind. Fresh light citrus style riesling with a clean Granny Smith green apple grape fruit finish. Fine summer sipper at a great price. Try it with sushi.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gehringer Brothers Pinot Gris Private Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPear, mineral baked apple aromas with a touch of dusty cardboard. Soft round well balanced and good viscosity. A touch warm or alcoholic but otherwise good value for a classic B.C. pinot gris.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Peter Lehmann Weighbridge Shiraz 2000
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSurprisingly light in colour for a shiraz with leafy, weedy coffee aromas. Just a touch of pepper in the finish. Smooth and round in the mouth. Soft simple and easy to drink but lacks the usual richness and weight. Will be best around the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Peter Lehmann Chardonnay 2000
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLook for typical big Oz aromas, mixing apple, citrus and peach fruit. On the palate peach, butter and vanilla coat the tongue with butter oak toast and citrus flavours in the finish. An attractive, medium bodied, fruit-driven white without the frills.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Peter Lehmann Clancy's Legendary Red 2000
South Australia, AustraliaA blend of Barossa-grown shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot, spiced with the American oak which is so much part of the Peter Lehmann style. Spicy coffee aromas with black pepper and cassis with light sweaty, vegetable notes. Similar flavours with more cassis and chocolate on the palate. Very solid ripe red wine with good weight distribution across the palate. Barbecued lamb would be the perfect pairing.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Woodbridge Chardonnay 2000
California, United StatesPear fruit nose with a leesy/mineral/butter aromas. Less fruit in the mouth but it's round and buttery with enough pear in the finish to pass muster. Dry firm version.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Frescobaldi Danzante Sangiovese delle Marche 2000
Marche, ItalyCherry jam, prune, chocolate, earth and orange rind aromas with hints of compost and spice. Round and dry with light tannins, quite elegant but finish is somewhat dry and lean with gritty tannins. Earthy, spicy sour cherry flavours predominate with some compost notes. OK with food but lacks fruit in the finish.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Coastal Region, South AfricaClose your eyes and think New Zealand. Intense bell pepper and gooseberry aromas. The flavours are similar with a dry, mineral, vegetative finish. Crisp citrus sauvignon but not overly appealing.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2000
Mosel, GermanySuper delicate style riesling with a flowery/fruit nose. Delicate flavours of green apple and citrus rind but not a lot of intensity. Elegant refined and delicate. Pleasant summer sipping style. Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Deakin Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Victoria, AustraliaFine sauvignon character with kiwi and grapefruit rind and some bell pepper and asparagus. Quite round on entry but dry mixing grass and grapefruit rind in the aftertaste and crisp. Good value here, bring on the clams and drink all summer.Prices:| BC | $12.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Vieille Ferme Blancs 2000
Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, Sud de France, FranceLook for a big fruity nose that mixes pear melon and lemon lime aromas and flavours. Soft and round and fresh with a candied, citrus finish. This is a very pleasant surprise for the price. Ready-to-drink. A fine candidate for wine-by-the-glass lists. Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Firesteed Pinot Gris 2000
Oregon, United StatesLight floral leesy ripe apple. Stinky lees nose and it permeates the flavours on the palate. Simple and disappointing for the price.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hugel Riesling 2000
Alsace, FranceEarthy candle wax with some mineral streaks, lime rind and citrus. Dry entry with plenty of citrus. Lively style tart mid-palate and finish with mineral highlights. Fairly austere and lean.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Hugel Riesling Jubilee 2000
Alsace, FranceBlockbuster fruit here of peach skin nectarine and apricot. Wonderful weight and power styling and great length. Will need plenty of time to mature in bottle but will only improve in bottle.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hugel Sylvaner 2000
Alsace, FranceA dry light agreeable wine from a quality producer showing the fresh regional character of Alsace for drinking currently. Pale bright green colour. Forward aromas of Granny Smith apples and fragrant flowers. Refreshing lively fruit makes it easy to drink when served well chilled either as an aperitif or with sushi.Prices:| BC | $14.45 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hugel Pinot Blanc "Blanc de Blancs" 2000
Alsace, FranceMineral bruised apple and baby lactic milk or classic Alsace pinot blanc. Texture is rich and full with lovely length. It's young and will definitely improve with age in the bottle. Scallops in a cream sauce is the match here.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hugel Pinot Gris Tradition 2000
Alsace, FranceSlightly petrol style. Full rich earthy flavours and fat fruit in the mouth. Good concentration and weight but will need more time to develop the nose. Look for a bit of honey diesel petrol.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hugel Muscat Tradition 2000
Alsace, FranceClean fruity style here with lots of lemon lime and citrus characters with spicy mineral and anise and licorice. Fine structure allows this to be brought to the dinner table and not just served as aperitif. Big fruit driven white for the summer. Sushi might be the route to go here.Prices:| BC | $21.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hugel Gentil 2000
Alsace, FranceOpen floral earthy spice nose - reflecting the clever mix of gewürztraminer pinot gris, riesling, muscat and sylvaner. Fine mouth watering flavours with a touch of yin and yang in the flavours. Perfection in sipping wine. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hugel Gewürztraminer 2000
Alsace, FranceOpen rose petal character here with lots of fruit and weight and spice and weight. Lovely flavours with lychee nut fruit and mandarin orange flavours. More concentrated and flavourful than the riesling.Prices:| BC | $24.85 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVegetative, metallic green aromas with mint and jalapeño. Cooked apple-skin flavours and élan dry finish. Not particularly inspiring but affordable. Bring on the shellfish.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Carolina Merlot 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileAttractive open cherry, herbal, cassis aromas with some mint. Medium weight red with cherry, mint, dry earth and touch of stems. Fairly warm and alcoholic in the finish. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Santa Carolina Chardonnay Barrica Selection 2000
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileGreat nose of nectarine and ripe apples with inviting floral and citrus overtones. Reminds us of Sonoma's Russian River. Good fruit intensity and more nectarine flavours on the palate but the finish is slightly dry with a smoky butter aftertaste. Excellent food wine and worth considering for the wine list.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Santa Carolina Chardonnay 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileLight smoky lees with cool mineral green apple aromas. Similar cool fruit flavours with some residual notes mid-palate and a dry finish. Simple run of the mill white that lacks intensity.Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Baden Cellars Classic Rivaner 2000
Baden, GermanyGood value, fun, summer sipper style white with floral, pear, mineral and baked apple aromas. Round, very fresh apple, pear, mineral, floral smoky mineral flavours. Dry but well balanced and fruity. Good acidity. Try by the glass.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Baden Cellars Gewürztraminer QBA Classic 2000
Baden, GermanyVery spicy, mineral, apple, smoky notes with lychee in the background, clean, fresh and varietal. Round, fresh, and well balanced with smoky, mineral, spicy lychee, apple flavours. Slightly soft and sweet in the finish, this will make a great summer patio wine and a match for Asian foods anytime. Worth trying.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Badischer Winzerkeller Leiselheimer Vulkanfelsen Rulander Kabinett 2000
Baden, GermanySpicy, earthy, smoky aromas with nutty, peach and pear fruit. Moderately rich and round with some sweetness, has good nutty, mineral, peach and baked apple flavours. A touch soft on the acidity but a well balanced, flavourful wine.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hillside Auxerrois 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen fruity floral nose. Soft round grapefruit flavours and a healthy dose of residual. It's surprisingly well balanced and fun to drink. Another patio performer with mass appeal.Prices:| BC | $10.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hillside Kerner 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive sweet fruit flavours in the mouth that are soft and fun to drink. Has some weight and length but lots of residual sugar. Will appeal to many and it should be perfect with Thai food wine.Prices:| BC | $10.50 | 750ml |
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78PTS
Hillside Riesling 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStinky nose. Sweet and sour perfumed floral fruit flavours. Poor wine with no redeeming qualities.Prices:| BC | $9.50 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Hillside Ehrenfelser 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen lemon juice. Tart wine with mostly cool citrus flavours that finish sour. Not our cup of tea.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Hillside Muscat Ottonel 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOdd nose of perfume and green fruit. Sour lemony fruit flavours on the palate. Crisp citrus fruit finish but no real depth or weight. Simple wine.Prices:| BC | $10.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Geyser Peak Chardonnay 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesCitrus smoky, vanilla, aromas with a hint of nectarine. The same descriptors follow through on the palate. It's dry in spots but bright acidity and a flavourful finish makes us think of scallops or squid. Another lean, chardonnay that is fun to drink and to serve with food.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Geyser Peak Viognier Block Collection Sonoma Moment Vineyard 2000
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesLovely perfumed floral citrus blossom nose with honey mineral waxy character. Not to big not fat just the right balance with great flavours. Long and persistent and well balanced. Very fine effort. No need to wait for this one.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Geyser Peak Chardonnay Reserve 2000
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesHuge ripe, red apple, spicy baked nose with orange marmalade. More viscosity than the Sonoma or Russian River with more pronounced fruit intensity and texture. Clean apple citrus nutty flavours that go on and on and spiced lees in the finish.Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesFine intensity with a zesty gooseberry mineral aroma. The fruit is quiet on the palate with mineral and citrus zest dominating. Well balanced very clean with melon peach characters in the finish. One hundred per cent stainless steel fermented.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Catena Chardonnay Agrelo Vineyards 2000
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 2000 Catena Chardonnay is fresher and much livelier in the mouth. Expect a mix of lemon, melon and orange flavours on the palate. The finish is lean and nutty with some lingering apricot, toasted butterscotch and anise flavours. Solid but not particularly good value in B.C.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaCanned asparagus and jalapeno peppers dominate the nose. On the palate, its lean green and dry with some mineral highlights. Puréed vegetable sums it up. At least it's cheap. Prices:| BC | $8.45 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Robertson Winery Shiraz 2000
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaFruity peppery blackberry aromas. Lean flat mid-palate with peppery blackberry earth and sour cherry finish. Light easy drinking chicken wing red. Decent value.Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Jackson-Triggs Riesling Icewine Proprietors' Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen mineral, green apple, and peach aromas with touch of Vaseline/plastic pail and slate highlights. Big intense peach green apple and citrus flavours. Intense with very high acid and sugar. We like the balance but it's a blockbuster. Excellent icewine.Prices:| BC | $52.99 | 375ml |
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84PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Pinot Blanc 2000
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen peach mineral with herbal butter notes. Honey, peach pit and apple flavours on entry with mineral streaks. The finish is slightly sour with an acidic edge.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Chardonnay 2000
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight buttery honey peach aromas with a touch of mineral. Almost identical flavours with a soft warm finish. Good solid effort for the first wine. Reminds us a lot of the Hawthorne chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Penfolds Old Vines Semillon 1998
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThis is a foursquare edition of sémillon made from Barossa fruit that on average is 30 to 35 years of age. The nose is classic with lots of intense honey and butter characters. The fruit is round, soft and slightly oily in the finish with additional flavours of pear and honey.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Penfolds Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 1998
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaWhile hardly pale its medium yellow green colour is the lightest yet for Yattarna whose grapes are handpicked and gently whole-cluster pressed. The juice is immediately run off into oak barrels (83 percent of which are new) to be barrel fermented and left on its lees for nine months. Battonage is performed regularly although as time passes the barrel is stirred less and less. There is zero filtration. There's nothing about Yattarna that suggests this is traditional Oz chardonnay but rather something much more elegant and yet forceful. Creamy, toasty lees, vanilla, and honey aromas predominate on the nose. Yattarna has the propensity to age and you sense it when you taste its citrus flavours with melon, mango honeyed -apple tones and you feel its Burgundian weight, roundness and fresh acidity. Yattarna like Grange is made only from the finest ingredients. The '98 blends fruit from Tumbarumba NSW, Drumborg, Victoria and Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale. Only 1200 cases made.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Penfolds Riesling Reserve 2000
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThis is an incredibly clean, pure, fruit-driven wine with honey, lime and rose petals on the nose with a touch of mineral and diesel. The flavours are crisp, clean and packed with fresh citrus, green apple notes and a long apple, lime rind finish. A wine that is capable of ageing three decades is possible. Penfolds winemaker Peter Gago says, "it will evolve into the older toasted honeyed style white and not head down the "petrol/diesel" riesling road. It's taste is so appealing Australian consumers are making this a sell-out upon release.Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Robert's Rock Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay 2000
Western Cape, South AfricaThe chardonnay is barrel fermented before it is blended with the tank fermented chenin blanc. The nose is clean and fresh the acidity plentiful. The flavours are fruity and soft with some residual sugar in the finish.Prices:| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
KWV Chardonnay 2000
Western Cape, South AfricaA bargain style chardonnay that's has some barrel fermented juice to round out the mouth feel. Ripe green apple fruit with some melon and just the right level of acidity. Delicious, everyday white.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
KWV Chenin Blanc 2000
Western Cape, South AfricaBright straw colour. Fruity aromas of green melon fruit, grapefruit and citrus. Finishes slightly off dry. Fun summer sipper for the patio. Bargain price.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
KWV Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Western Cape, South AfricaPale colour, crisp fresh grapefruit nose. Very clean and stylish on entry. Slightly sweeter mid-palate and finish which gives it some weight and mouth feel. Similar in style to the chenin blanc.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mission Hill Pinot Blanc 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive grapefruit skin earth and spice and fruit cocktail. Similar flavours with an emphasis on lime rind and grapefruit. Tight at this point and showy more mineral apple highlights. Serve with a seafood salad now or wait another six months for this wine loosen up.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIntense JS signature here - canned grapefruit with hints of melon. Dry lean style in the mouth with grapefruit grass and bell pepper. Clean and refreshing with good balance. Excellent food wine.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Dr. Pauly - Bergweiler Riesling Bernkastler Badstube Spätlese 2000
Mosel, GermanyLook for a tight, firm nose of mineral and lime rind. It has a bright fruity entry with fine intensity and plenty of ripe apple fruit. Delicious well-balanced fruit that is simply fun to drink. Excellent, high-quality riesling.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Dr. Pauly - Bergweiler Riesling Bernkastler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Spätlese 2000
Mosel, GermanyRich nectarine, peach pit, green apple and smoke make for a very aromatic and enticing nose. Lovely bright acidity and fruit with intense nectarine and green apple fruit flavours. Delicious and we expect it will only improve over the next 3 to 5 years.Prices:| BC | $35.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Dr. Pauly Noble House Riesling 2000
Mosel, GermanySlate mineral and wet cement aromas mix with apple and smoky/diesel aromas on the nose. Look for a light mid-palate of mineral, tart Granny Smith apple fruit with a bitter lime rind finish.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau St. Jean Fumé Blanc 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen mineral bell pepper and grapefruit rind aromas. Big citrus fruit orange blossom flavours with fine round mouthfeel and good length. Very stylish wine with a touch of vanilla and sweetness in the finish. Well-balance and more delicate than you might expect.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandWinemaker Clive Jones likes his sauvignon fresh so as soon as the new vintage is out he switches. A typical Marlborough sauvignon with its spicy, sweaty, gooseberry and capsicum aromas and fresh fruit flavours. Lovely weight and mix of fruit sources. Elegant.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc Premier Selection 2000
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandAn outstanding first release which is essentially a best tank selection. Slightly more intense style here that is a blend of two Marlborough sites one the first to be harvested the other the last. A delicious mix of tropical zingy nettle flavoured fruit.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Castello Banfi Chardonnay & Sauvignon Fumaio 2000
Tuscany, ItalyFresh floral nose of with more sauvignon showing now than chardonnay. A pleasant fruity style of melon/grapefruit flavours. Not a lot of extract and quite simple finish. Another simple summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $15.45 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Castello Banfi Pinot Gris San Angelo 2000
Tuscany, ItalyOpen muscat, floral nose with some earth and terroir notes in the background. Nice texture and weight and finely balanced. A solid pinot gris that's a bit on the pricey side especially when compared to locally available gris.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Banfi Le Rime Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio 2000
Tuscany, ItalyThe 2000 is a 30/70 blend of pinot grigio and chardonnay. Quite a soft friendly style that reflects the ripe vintage. Pleasant grapefruit rind and tropical fruit flavours. Drink all summer.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPapery, mineral, spicy character with flecks of sausage meat in the aromas. Good richness on the palate with floral, spiced apple and a hint of litchi fruit. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sumac Ridge Meritage Blanc 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSumac's White Meritage mixes sauvignon blanc and sémillon. Obvious toasted oak and butter nose up front with mineral/melon fruit and a touch of figs in the background. Big buttery vanilla grapefruit flavours in the finish. Well made tasty and good value.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sumac Ridge Sauvignon Blanc Private Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaToasted oak and vanilla nose with bell pepper and asparagus. Lemon vanilla grapefruit and passion fruit all come together nicely with the toasted oak and just a whiff of sweetness in the finish. Round and easy to sip. Try with lightly sauced fish.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sumac Ridge Prestige Cuvée Brut Méthode Classique 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh, citrus, creamy, toasty nose with some green apples and very stylish. Similar, soft, creamy lemon flavours that are easy to drink but again it finishes dry and lemony. Elegant light style.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2000
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, creamy lees, citrus and mineral aromas with a touch of sweaty oak toast. Dry, round and slightly oily, has good acidity and a slightly more austere styling. Green apple, spicy lees, vanilla and pear flavours with a citrus note in the finish. Elegant and balanced, needs a year more to fully round out the acidity and balance.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Burrowing Owl Merlot 2000
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen smoky, compost and tobacco aromas with spicy prune and plum fruit. Good rich cassis fruit entry with creamy vanilla and cola/cherry flavours. There's no shortage of dry Northern tannins in this elegant Okanagan red but they should fade with time.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir 2000
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky bacon fat and pepper highlights with some vegetal notes in the background. Smoky earth flavours with a touch of dried cherry fruit, but not a great deal. It's rich and round (alcoholic).Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Riesling Eroica 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesGorgeous ripe, apple/peach/mineral aromas. Incredibly delicate on the palate with apple citrus fruit flavours and just the right amount of dryness. There is a round, soft, mid-palate character but it finishes crisp and clean with a delicious nectarine aftertaste. Wonderful apéritif-style wine. Perfect for Asian-style hors d'oeuvres.Prices:| BC | $41.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesLook for a medium light, refreshing style of riesling that weighs in at 12 per cent alcohol. The fruit is a mix of white peach and green apple that penetrates the front palate but fades in the finish. Solid everyday riesling, suitable for early drinking and Asian food.Prices:| BC | $13.80 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewürztraminer 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesClassic lychee fruit nose with a wisp of petrol. Like the riesling, it remains lightweight in the mouth with only a modicum of citrus fruit, spice and middle palate intensity. But we do like its almost dry and slightly earthy finish. Try it with sushi.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Selbach-Oster Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese 1997
Mosel, GermanyAccording to locals this single vineyard produces wines with slate-y flavors, strong minerality, lime, apple, butter-vanilla, almost chewy earthiness and great depth. In short, full-bodied wines. This is Selbach-Oster's top vineyard and some parcels are prized as the best sites in the entire Bernkastel-Zeltingen ramp - DOKTOR notwithstanding. Look for crisp apple acidity, the essence of springtime green colours, fresh flowers and much more. This one will live a long life.Prices:| BC | $21.75 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Selbach Riesling Bereich Bernkastel 2000
Mosel, GermanyClassic mineral slate and green apple lime rind. Fresh clean entry light and lively with green apple fruit. The finish is crisp and tastes of Granny Smith apples with just a trace of bitter lime rind. Fresh straight-forward riesling style that would work well with Asian food.Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Selbach-Oster Riesling Zeltinger Schlossberg Kabinett 2000
Mosel, GermanyYou'll love the fresh, bright, zippy nose with spicy mineral peach fruit and baked apples. Similar mineral citrus slate and lemony flavours hop off the palate. Deliciously light and fruity.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Family Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe cherry strawberry streaked with smoky oak flavours. Big cherry hit followed by a dry, smoky, vanilla veneer that carries through the finish. It's young and astringent for the moment and will need some time to pull together. Not cheap.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Limited Release 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDamp earth mixed with light strawberry and raspberry fruit and attractive, smoky, spicy clove aromas with cherry menthol and mint flavours. Perfect with duck confit. Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Black Hills Sequentia 2000
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig honeyed, floral, plasticene aromas with a dose of volatile acidity. Soft round flabby and sweet with a caramel honey butterscotch. Impressive sweetness and flavour but lacks structure, refinement and elegance. Drink soon or pour over fruit salad.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay Canoe Ridge Estate 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesBig smoky overblown oak nose that can have appeal. Rich vanilla sandwich some harder wood edges and fruit on the mid-palate. Will need some time.Prices:| BC | $46.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesIntense mineral passion fruit with grassy vanilla highlights. In the mouth you pick up much more grapefruit and citrus rind flavours and a drier than normal finish. It's well balanced and structured to pair with food and we think oysters and mussels would do the trick.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Horse Heaven Vineyard 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesFull, ripe aromas of grapefruit and passion fruit with a touch of smoky oak. It's clean and crisp on the palate with dry mineral vanilla grapefruit and gooseberry flavours. Finish is fine with creamy lees vanilla notes. It's quite young and should benefit from another 12 to 18 months in bottle. Well-balanced sophisticated Loire style wine.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Columbia Crest Chardonnay Grand Estates 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesVanilla, spicy, toasty creamy lees aromas with green apple and floral notes. Rich, round, creamy, buttery, spicy oak flavours and textures with honey and mango in the finish. Somewhat soft and a tad oaky but lovely balance and weight with a persistent finish. Fine quality for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Columbia Crest Gewürztraminer 1999
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesLight floral, candied peach aromas with a touch of spice and apple. Moderately sweet style with a touch of spritz. Flavours are peach, apple and slightly soapy pear and lychee. Not really strong on varietal character but the sweet style may lend itself to Asian foods or well chilled for the summer deck.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Painter Bridge Chardonnay 2000
California, United StatesBright fresh, floral, peach fuzz and McIntosh apple. Light and lean on entry with buttery, spicy, apple fruit and a touch of honey. Quite warm in the finish. Simple everyday chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Calona Vineyards Sovereign Opal Artist Series 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSovereign Opal was developed at the Summerland Research station in the Okanagan but as far as I know the only producer is Calona. The 2000 has a green/floral character with a strong citrus backbone. A clean skinny refreshing white that could be a match for oysters.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc Charlotte's Home 2000
Northern Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, United StatesA bit old fashioned with its soft, easy-sipping, tropical fruit flavours and aromas but there's no denying drinking this is fun. The fruit is mostly from the Alexander Valley that explains the rich tropical character. Twenty per cent Russian River valley adds a grassy spice lime element that makes you want to drink another glass.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBright green apple pear and honey with some spicy lees. Very fresh and very attractive. Big honey flavours with spicy baked apple fruit. Very ripe and sweet on the palate. Consumers will love this. Good value; stock up.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay 2000
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaRipe melon/butter nose with a hint of spiced apple and similar fruit flavours on the palate. Soft and round with citrus/apple flavours in a slightly sweet finish. A classic patio wine. Good value.Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hardys Crest Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc 2000
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaAn unusual, difficult blend done well. Intense, nicely balanced intriguing white that nicely combines lime, guava, mineral, petrol aromas. Mid-weight, with great acid-lime zest on the palate, with a hint of sweetness then a dry, mouth-watering acid-alcohol finish. A bit sour. Excellent length.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.15 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Fetzer Chardonnay - Viognier 2000
California, United StatesA 60/40 blend of chardonnay and viognier made for the Canadian dollar market. Fine fresh pear citrus orange blossom nose with some mineral floral highlights. Mineral streaked pear flavours that finishes short and dry with just a whiff of orange blossom. Simple, solid, affordable. Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fetzer Fumé Blanc Echo Ridge 2000
California, United States100 percent tank fermented no wood used. Open smoky mineral grapefruit aromas. Skinny textures with bell pepper and canned grapefruit - a sweet and sour effect much better textures. Mix of machine and man picked all 22 brix settle two days cold ferment three weeks slow keeps fruit. No lees contact looking for fruit driven wine. 70,000 cases Mendocino Yolo Lodi Monterey Lake County Paso Robles. Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fetzer Chardonnay Sundial 2000
California, United StatesFetzer's Sundial chardonnay named after the family's first vineyard. Sundial is 100 per cent chardonnay made with 50 to 55 per cent coastal fruit form Monterey County, Mendocino and Santa Barbara. The wine is 50 per cent oak fermented, 25 percent of which is done in new oak barrels (the same barrels are used for Bonterra and Barrel Select. Fifteen per cent of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation and 15 percent go through "banana tanks" where they let the temperature run up to 70 degrees. The '00 Sundial is an elegant chardonnay with citrus flavours built into its underlying theme of honey and ripe apple flavours. The finish is soft and creamy. Spicy Cajun chicken would help offset the ripe fruit. Production runs form 800,000 to 1,000,000. Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Fetzer Gewürztraminer Echo Ridge 2000
California, United StatesLook for a bright, floral, candied nose with peachy pineapple fruit and just the slightest hint of ginger. It's sweeter and lighter than its richer, earthier Alsace examples. The sweet fruit flavours suggest it's best served well chilled with spicy dishes or white meats. It also works well on the patio on a warm summer's day. It should appeal to fans of white zinfandel and other light fruity whites.Prices:| BC | $14.94 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Collage Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz 2000
California, United StatesVery spicy, blackberry jam, peppery aromas with hints of green bean, barnyard and earth. Soft and forward on the palate with spicy, earthy, green bean, weedy cassis flavours. Somewhat dry finish with blackberry and oak vanilla flavours. Simple, easy style but improved from prior vintage. Still pricey. Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Tolten Chardonnay T Series 2000
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileOpen green melon honey apple aroma. Similar flavours although its rounder and softer than the nose would intimate with more vanilla and butter in the finish. Just a touch on the flabby side. Still a good effort at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Tolten Sauvignon Blanc T Series 2000
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSoft grapefruit rind and almond aromas with a pinch of lees and bell pepper. Light round lemongrass flavours with a touch of gooseberry. Fresh and dry in the finish with lots of lime rind.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tolten Merlot T Series 2000
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy dill and weedy cassis mark the nose here with a touch of sweaty saddle. Quite rich round plush texture with spicy minty flavours. Soft and dry with a chocolate/mocha sweaty earth finish. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tolten Chardonnay Colección Privada Los Hualpes Estate 2000
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileOpen leesy, toasty, citrus and peach fruit aromas with some butter and mineral notes. Cooler fruit palate with nice buttery, apple citrus and lees flavours. Slightly oily texture with a very buttery, apply, peach finish and a touch of sweetness. Good balance and fresh.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Blanc 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaInviting open, honey, peach/vanilla lees nose. DiBello likes to make his pinot blanc in the richer chardonnay style and the 2000 hits the mark. A portion of barrel fermented fruit and malolactic fermentation gives this blanc a rich mouth feel with butter and honey highlights. Stylish and polished, it should be on every wine list in the province. Great price. 2000 cases.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
CedarCreek Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2000 CedarCreek is 100 per cent sauvignon made with mostly Black Hills (Black Sage bench - South Okanagan) grapes with just a touch of fruit from the Naramata area. Look for a light gooseberry grapefruit aromas. The entry is drier with grassy overtones and grapefruit rind flavours in the finish. Winemaker DiBello plans to make a richer wine in 2001 by adding sémillon to the blend.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2000
British Columbia, CanadaYou don't see many premium B.C. wines using Similkameen fruit but winemaker DiBello likes its influence on his gris. Fresh citrus fruit flavours. Good fruit and intensity. Touch of wood and malo. Full flavoured but well balanced. Fresh tasty.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Chardonnay Estate Select 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Estate Select Chardonnay sees about 45 per cent new oak while the rest is barrelled in one year-old French wood but you can still expect a fruity entry with lees, honey, citrus and green peach aromas and flavours. Smoky lees and buttery popcorn mark the flavour but there is lively fruit here and it's well balanced. Half bottles sell for $13.95.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
CedarCreek Gewürztraminer 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBubblegum spice and sausage. Citrus green apple entry with tart mid-palate and finish. Long warm (alcoholic) dry finish.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
CedarCreek Dry Riesling 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWhole cluster pressed - all stainless steel. Leave a lot of lees in because its clean. Twp percent solids sur lee aged. Creamier texture better mouthfeel. Big, cool-climate, super citrus edition. Mineral and lemons with a dry finish. Good but the acidity will scare off those looking for the soft, medium-sweet style. Oysters could work here and/or spicy Thai dishes. 1000 cases.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
CedarCreek Chardonnay Platinum Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright fresh mineral, citrus, lemon lime flavours is the story of the Platinum Chardonnay. It's a blend of fruit from four vineyards: Mounz (Osoyoos), Black Hills (Oliver), Greata (Peachland) and CedarCreek (Kelowna). Look for creamy, fruity nectarine fruit with toasted oak and nothing is out-of-synch. Round soft melon apple fruit flavours mark the finish. Fine quality.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Greata Ranch Pinot Blanc Estate Select 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe best of blocks at Greta Ranch go into the Estate Select and you can taste it immediately. The entry is round and rich with a definite lees component followed by a core of sweet melon fruit. Top drawer pinot blanc that is perhaps the blueprint for where this variety is headed in B.C. Available at Marquis Wine Cellars and VQA wine stores.300 cases.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino Benefizio Chardonnay 2000
Tuscany, ItalyThe Pomino Benefizio chardonnay is blended with small amounts of pinot grigio and pinot bianco. It's barrel fermented for 12 months and handled in a classic way. Look for a grassy /honey resiny spicy nose with vanilla and citrus flavours. The oak should settle out with time. A reserved version of chardonnay as winemaker Lamberto Frescobaldi says you don't need to shout say something intelligent.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sunrise Chardonnay 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen mature peach and melon fruit nose. Light fresh lime peel flavours with a touch of bitterness and rind in the background. Simple straight-up chardonnay that needs drinking. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Frontera Chardonnay 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileLight floral herbal green apple aromas with green apple and peach fruit flavours. Soft and simple with a clean finish. Fine introductory white at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe 2000 Sauvignon Blanc is clearly Casablanca fruit. Look for cool green apple and grapefruit aromas that waft from the glass. On the palate a cool mix of guava/passion fruit, mineral and grass flavours excite with a touch grapefruit rind in the finish. Clean fresh and easy to drink. The perfect shellfish white.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Errazuriz Chardonnay Domaine Estate 2000
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe La Escultura Estate chardonnay is all Casablanca fruit. Partial barrel fermentation adds depth without killing the ripe guava, apple, vanilla and citrus rind aromas. It's round and moderately dry with delicious creamy textures in the finish. Guava, spiced apple, pear and grapefruit flavours dominate this delicate, well balanced and fruity chardonnay. Great value.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen spicy, peach, lychee, floral aromas. Round and soft with ripe peach, apple, lychee flavours. Slightly sweet style, good all round summer wine that goes well with Asian and Indian food. Drink while young and fresh.Prices:| BC | $12.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Benziger Fumé Blanc 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen creamy vanilla melon grapefruit aromas. Rich and round styling carries the wine on the mid-palate but it has good acidity. Similar creamy lees textures with grape fruit and passion fruit mark the finish.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Benziger Chardonnay 2000
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen pear, vanilla, honey nose with a strong mineral sweaty lees undercurrent. Leesy cream with mineral/apple/citrus flavours. Crisp and bright in the mouth with fine elegance. A solid, if somewhat unexciting chardonnay that cost $5 more than the previous edition.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSoft, roundish, lemon lime flavours with just a wisp of vanilla in the background. Quite warm and showing some alcohol in the finish. Rich ripe style with some bitter citrus in the finish. Again less dynamic fresh international style but rich easy drinking.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tarapaca Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileFragrant nose of pear, melon and canned grapefruit with a mineral streak. Drier on the palate with grapefruit rind flavours and an herbal smoky finish. Solid everyday sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Castello di Gabbiano Pinot Grigio Campanile 2000
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyThe fruit for Gabbiano Pinot Grigio is sourced from Italy's premier white wine region called Tre Venezie. Look for nutty almond aromas mix well with melon and lemon rind. Less fruit in the taste with more mineral, citrus rind and bitter almonds. Rich and round but may be a bit too bitter for the North American palate.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Windy Peak Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Victoria, AustraliaThis is a wonderful fresh limey fruit driven style that jumps out of the glass. Perfect summer sipper and tailor-made for simple seafood starters and shellfish dishes. Nothing but fun, fine value.Prices:| Winery | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tarapaca Chardonnay Piritas Vineyard 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky lees, ripe apple and melons. Big intense flavours of apples and citrus on the mid-palate before the smoky lees dry finish kicks in. If they could make this kind of chardonnay (at this price) in Canada we would all be very happy.Prices:| BC | $14.60 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tarapaca Sauvignon Blanc La Isla 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSlightly riper fruit with more pear and melon and a softer rounder texture in the mouth. On the palate, it has a creamier grapefruit, melon and mineral flavours and a persistent creamy butter character in the finish. A kinder, gentler version of sauvignon. Impressive value here.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pierre Sparr Gewürztraminer Reserve 2000
Alsace, FranceOpen mineral citrus rind with dried lychee fruit and floral aromas. Round oily heavy textures but not too fat. Good intensity and length with creamy peach fruit flavours and spice in the finish. Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Riesling Icewine Dark Horse Vineyard 1999
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYoung fresh nose of apple and nectarine and a floral honey character. Slightly skinnier than the Lang riesling but there's a wonderful mix of nectarine skin, apricot and mineral flavours. Very good acid/sugar balance. Its long persistent finish is a touch alcoholic.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 375ml |
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85PTS
Valdivieso Chardonnay 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileLovely appealing nose of melon peach mango and a little hint of butter. Less weight in the mouth and more apple mineral fruit this year than we have seen. The finish is citrus green apple and mineral. Not as easy-drinking as previous versions but will work well with seafood.Prices:| BC | $12.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Valdivieso Chardonnay Barrel Selection Reserve 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileLight candied apple and peach aromas mixed with light butter and floral notes. Quite light in the mouth with lees, mineral and dry citrus flavours. Surprisingly light and restrained for Valdivieso and frankly disappointing for a 17 reserve wine. The broad appellation is a mystery too.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2000
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileLook for a pleasant vanilla juicy fruit nose. On the palate the flavours are a mix of peach and green apples and citrus rind with a soft round but slightly bitter finish. Solid everyday chardonnay at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChilePleasant floral apple melon and bubblegum on the nose. Fresh lean, tight style with dry grapefruit flavours. Very clean and very fresh but the dryness means it has to be served with food. Prawns on the BBQ would be a fine match. Reminds of an Entre-Deux-Mers-like. Good value.Prices:| BC | $12.45 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Crema Chardonnay 2000
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBlended from 40 different vineyard parcels. Butter, citrus, melon, apple and mineral aromas with light spicy, creamy lees tones. Round and elegant with good acidity, has butterscotch, baked apple, spicy honeyed melon flavours. Fresh intensity with good acidity balance, very nicely done.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Yangarra Park Chardonnay 2000
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaMelon, mango, citrus rind aromas with buttery vanilla notes. Round and moderately rich with buttery, melon, mineral and mango flavours. Fruit forward, round style with a slightly hot, citrus finish. (WA) Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pepi Pinot Grigio Willamette Valley 2000
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesFermented only in stainless steel with lees contact. Nutty, mineral, slightly buttery aromas with light grapefruit and pear tones. Round, forward style with a creamy palate texture. Pear, mineral, grapefruit and earthy citrus flavours with a strong citrus apple finish. Tad hot but stylish and well balanced.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Marqués de Riscal Rueda Blanco 2000
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainFrom a DO of Spain well known for crisp dry whites, this shows fresh sweaty passion fruit with citrus rind aromas. Quite soft and round upon entry with big grapefruit and passion fruit flavours in the finish. The perfect wine for lightly sauced, white fish.Prices:| BC | $12.75 | 750ml |
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October 2001