Tastings: March 2002

08 March 2002

Tarapaca Pinot Noir El Rosal Vineyardtext

85PTS

Tarapaca Pinot Noir El Rosal Vineyard 2000

Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileMedium light colour. Stinky barnyard toasty pruny fruit aromas. Soft peppery fruit on the palate with a warm, spicy, peppery finish. Simple pinot noir at an affordable price.Prices:

$14.60

750ml

Producer: Viña San Pedro

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91PTS

Byron Chardonnay Nielsen Vineyard 1999

Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesDarker colour. More intense honey citrus aromas mix with mango and lees. More richness and round textures with lots of lemon and spicy lees. Fairly restrained and stylish but still lots of honey citrus and vanilla in the finish. Fresh and elegant. Lovely style here some original 1964 vines still contribute to the Nielson or original "Byron" vineyard chardonnay.Prices:

BC	$44.95	750ml
AB	$31.00	750ml
QC	$46.00	750ml

Producer: Stonehedge Cellars

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84PTS

Stonehedge Syrah 1999

California, United StatesPeppery resin, green leaf nose. Under ripe? Round, fruity, soft entry with fairly high acid and a dry finish. Out of balance with an oak sawdust finish. Not much here to discuss.Prices:

$22.95

750ml

Producer: Stonehedge Cellars

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82PTS

Wild Goose Merlot 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBordelais aromas with a cool herbal leafy dill character. Old Bordeaux style here with lots of dry earthy resiny fruit flavours. Needs food.Prices:

$13.95

750ml

Producer: Wyse Family Vineyards

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84PTS

Mateus Signature Douro Red 1999

Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalLight spicy, berry, gamey, licorice aromas with a touch of smokiness. Dry, somewhat lean palate with earthy, spicy flavours and a touch of gamey prune in the finish. Simple, everyday red for food.Prices:

$9.95

750ml

Producer: Sogrape Vinhos de Portugal, SA

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86PTS

Vinha do Monte 1999

Alentejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalVery spicy, resiny, gamey, earthy aromas with a touch of cherry jam and vanilla. Dry but quite round and velvety. Nice spicy, peppery, plum flavours with game and licorice in the aftertaste. It's a touch dry in the finish but has decent intensity.Prices:

$13.95

750ml

Producer: Sogrape Vinhos de Portugal, SA

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85PTS

Casa Ferreirinha Esteva Vinho Tinto 1999

Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, cherry, plum aromas with hints of cedar and earth. Soft, round, forward wine with earthy, cherry cedar flavours. Elegant, easy drinking style with a round finish.Prices:

$11.95

750ml

Producer: Sogrape Vinhos de Portugal, SA

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88PTS

Jim Barry Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery vanilla, blackberry nose with cassis and mocha in the background. Lean fruity entry with similar flavours that quickly dries out the palate. Wonderful fruit flavours but the dry tannins in the finish are not much fun to drink. Hold another year or two.Prices:

$28.00

750ml

Producer: Jim Barry

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95PTS

Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 1999

Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlack colour, black pepper with ripe black cherry and vanilla cherry cola with a roasted bell pepper character. Super intense, warm rich and powerful. Baby Grange-like style. Ripe blackberry black cherry licorice and vanilla flavours with a hot, earthy, smoky, leather finish. A blockbuster style red with a decade of life ahead. Full measure for shiraz with very attractive flavours. Prices:

$130.00

750ml

Producer: Jim Barry

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87PTS

Jim Barry Chardonnay 1999

Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaAttractive, honeyed apple spicy nose with just a whiff of sweaty lees. Similar apple honey flavours with a citrus rind finish. Not a big wine and more delicate than you might expect out of Australia, but solid and ready to drink.Prices:

$27.00

750ml

Producer: Jim Barry

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91PTS

Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 1999

Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaIntense black cherry white pepper and spice aromas with an attractive touch of sweaty leather, earthy straw and raspberry fruit. Smooth entry with similar intense flavours with additional licorice and spice. Round and unctuous textures with a touch of young tannins in the finish. Excellent wine.Prices:

$46.00

750ml

Producer: Jim Barry

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86PTS

Vila Regia Tinta 1999

Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThere's a plummy, licorice, earth tone to the fruit that reminds one of port but the finish is well balanced offering peppery, dry, leathery fruit. This is a well-made, fun-to-drink, sturdy red that is an outstanding bargain.Prices:

$8.95

750ml

Producer: Sogrape Vinhos de Portugal, SA

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83PTS

Western Cape, South AfricaSweaty leather tobacco and pruny aromas. Very light bodied in the mouth with lean dry fruit and little intensity of flavour. Unbalanced and far too simple to capture the imagination of today's consumer.Prices:

$12.95

750ml

Producer: KWV International

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85PTS

KWV Merlot 1999

Western Cape, South AfricaThis is a quite ripe, dried berry fruit, mineral and slightly leathery merlot, with a leafy nuance. Very good density for the price with sweet fruit, some heat and dryness. A bit meaty with a red earth Cape finish. Very good length.Prices:

$11.95

750ml

Producer: KWV International

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90PTS

Greg Norman Estates Shiraz 1999

Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaIt's been a while since Australian golfer Greg Norman has won a big golf tournament but he appears to be having little or no problem releasing winning wines. The Greg Norman Estates 1999 Shiraz from the Limestone Coast has the expected deep dark colour and a nose stuffed full of black-fruit aromas flecked with pepper. It's not near as plush on the palate as its more northerly situated cousins at McLaren Vale or Barossa Valley all of which lends it a restrained style that's more French than Australian. Expect a savoury black cherry fruit flavour with undertones of mocha/coffee/chocolate. It finishes firm and dry making it particularly well-suited to food. Prices:

$26.95

750ml

Producer: Greg Norman Estates

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Ruffino Fonte Al Sole Sangiovese di Toscanatext

84PTS

Ruffino Fonte Al Sole Sangiovese di Toscana 1999

Tuscany, ItalyBarnyard leather and earth jump out of the glass. Soft entry with spice and fruit but it turns sour in the finish. Simple spaghetti red that needs food to smooth out the edges.Prices:

$13.95

750ml

Producer: Tenimenti Ruffino

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88PTS

Chateau Maris Minervois 1999

Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMade from 50 percent carignan, 30 percent syrah and 20 percent grenache. Very good cherry purple colour. Earthy, raspberry jam, spicy, mushroom, pepper and green bean aromas. Moderately weighty palate with very earthy, spicy, peppery, hot, licorice and raspberry jam flavours. A touch of carbonic character picks up the fruit. Light tannins in the finish indicate drink now or hold for 1-2 years.Prices:

$14.95

750ml

Producer: Comte Cathare

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86PTS

Markham Merlot 1999

Napa Valley, California, United StatesOpen vanilla, volatile plum jam nose with rich minty cassis tones. Tart leafy cassis fruit flavours in the mouth with a fairly woody finish. It's young so you would expect some dry tannins but the structure is lean and lacks intensity. Not to our taste.Prices:

$38.00

750ml

Producer: Markham Vineyards

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86PTS

Le Bombarde Cannonau di Sardegna 1999

Sardinia, ItalyCannonau is the grape, Cantine di Santa Maria La Palma is the winery, the label is Le Bombarde and it comes from Sardegna. Ten years ago I wouldn't look twice at this wine but today, modern winemaking practices have paid off handsomely. Plums and spicy cherries mark the nose. The fruit is warm to the palate with an intriguing licorice/tea streak running through the finish. Another round, soft, easy-to-drink red that would pair well with grilled lamb chops. Prices:

$13.25

750ml

Producer: Cantine di Santa Maria La Palma

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87PTS

St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Sonoma County, California, United StatesBrawny cabernet smoky oak nose with chocolate mocha and spicy peppery blackberry jam aromas. Intense cassis/bell pepper/chocolate flavours with firm tannins but with good balance until the dry finish. Not as friendly as previous editions. Drink now with food or hold for three to five years until it mellows. Prices:

$34.95

750ml

Producer: St. Francis Vineyards and Winery

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St. Francis Zinfandel Reserve Pagani Ranchtext

93PTS

St. Francis Zinfandel Reserve Pagani Ranch 1999

Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesPlum blackberry jam and earthy spice mark the nose of this brooding smoky zin. Chewy fruit mixed with vanilla leather and oak with a touch of mocha. Rich blackberry fruit carries the day in what is a big smooth red. Will improve over the next 2 to 3 years as the wood tannins drop away. Prices:

$89.00

750ml

Producer: St. Francis Vineyards and Winery

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91PTS

Sicily, ItalyLeafy dill, varietal merlot nose with a bit of cherry and cassis. Supple on entry and mid-palate with spicy, medium-weight earthy red currant fruit. The finish is dry and earthy, like many Argentine reds, with a bit of the leafy compost character. Grilled meats would be perfect here. Prices:

$16.95

750ml

Producer: Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

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87PTS

Durbanville Hills Shiraz 1999

$18.95

750ml

Producer: Durbanville Hills Winery

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87PTS

Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 1999 Catena Cabernet has a juicy, mouth-watering entry thanks to some lively acidity and firm tannins. There is very little oak influence her leaving what fruit there is to tantalise the taste buds. The structure is dry and firm with typical earthy meaty flavours leading the way.Prices:

BC	$24.95	750ml
AB	$19.95	750ml

Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata

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Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Zapata Vineyardtext

89PTS

Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon Zapata Vineyard 1999

Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe grapes for Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon come from a select block of the Zapata Vineyard, Catena's premier Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard situated at more than 940 metres above sea level. The Alta cab spends 18 months in 100% new French oak which is fairly evident in the mouth. Smoky blackberry and cassis fruit dominate the aromas with streaks of toasted oak and vanilla underneath. Ripe fruit and fine concentration is marred slightly by the warm alcoholic finish. Only made in exceptional years.Prices:

$65.95

750ml

Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata

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Catena Alta Malbec Angelica Vineyardtext

92PTS

Catena Alta Malbec Angelica Vineyard 1999

Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 1999 Catena Alta Malbec contains 10 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and all the grapes come off a select block of Catena's more than 60 year old Angélica vineyard. The vines destined for the Alta Malbec undergo detailed thinning aimed at leaving only select, isolated clusters. The new wine is aged for 13 months in 100% new French oak and you pick up the toasted oak notes as soon as you put your nose in the glass. Expect a mass of ripe blackberry fruit with sweet vanilla notes in the background. Its soft, round, melt in your mouth tannins will have wide appeal. There was no Catena Alta Malbec made in 1998 due to poor vintage conditions but the '99 more than makes up for the loss.Prices:

$74.95

750ml

Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata

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90PTS

Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe '99 cab is a blend of fruit (72 per cent Pepper Bridge Vineyard and 28 per cent Seven Hills Vineyard). Younger vines contribute to a harder shell that appears to be hiding some of the fruit for the moment. The structure and elements are all present and accounted for. More time is needed to tame this red and release even more cassis and black cherry fruit flavours. Another Bordelais-like cab.Prices:

$101.00

750ml

Producer: Pepper Bridge Winery

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92PTS

Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 1999

South Australia, Australia707 is a blend of Coonawarra, Padthaway and Kalimna fruit, aged in 100% American oak. Spicy, pencil lead, green bean, olive and vanilla aromas with cassis and menthol in the background. Dry and moderately tannic with more minty, spicy, peppery, sandalwood flavours and a mocha, prune, cassis, earth finish. Big yet somewhat lean and less ripe than the massive 1998. Still, this needs 4-5 years to fatten up and drop some of the lean mean cabernet character. Prices:

$100.00

750ml

Producer: Penfolds

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93PTS

Penfolds RWT Shiraz 1999

Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaRWT is everything the St. Henri isn't - although in '99 only 75 percent of the wine is aged in new French oak. Fifty-four per cent of the fruit is sourced form Kalimna vineyard while the remainder is purchased from long time growers. Penfolds does a vineyard hand sort to stop any rot from getting not he blend and no sprays are used. Look for a spicy, clove, pepper, vanilla, black cherry, blackberry nose with smoky licorice, mocha and leather. Rich and concentrated flavours offer up spice, clove, vanilla, blackberry jam, black cherry and smoky pepper hints. The finish is elegant, silky and long. It a touch more forward than 1998 but with heaps of stuffing and fruit. If you need any more incentive to buy this wine there will be no RWT made in 2000. Prices:

$100.00

750ml

Producer: Penfolds

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Jackson-Triggs Merlot Proprietors' Reservetext

85PTS

Jackson-Triggs Merlot Proprietors' Reserve 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery dark colour. Tight earthy leathery nose with just a wisp of oak. Leafy olive flavours mixed with dried cherry fruit. Big and youthful at this point with lots of dry tannins in the finish. Needs time to open up. Average for the price. Prices:

$19.99

750ml

Producer: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate

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91PTS

Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz Bin 389 1999

South Australia, AustraliaPenfolds is still trying to raise the cabernet portion of this wine to the 60 to 65 percent range but the '99 is only 51 percent cab taken from Padthaway, Barossa and Coonawarra. Big spicy, peppery, garrigue, sweaty barnyard, blackberry and game aromas. It's still dry and tight with some rough tannins to drop. Look for spicy, earthy, vanilla, blackberry leather and game flavours. Big and structured but a bit unripe in the tannins and showing more cabernet than shiraz. Will need time to fatten up smooth out. Try again in 2-4 years. Prices:

$35.00

750ml

Producer: Penfolds

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87PTS

Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407 1999

South Australia, AustraliaThe fruit taken from Coonawarra, Padthaway, Bordertown and a touch from Kalimna is meant to varietal-ly expressive. Look for a distinctly herbal cabernet nose with bell pepper, spicy, mint cassis aromas mixed with leather and barnyard. Dry and tight on the palate with somewhat lean, green tannins in the finish. More minty, weedy, green bean, pepper and cassis flavours. This will need time but it's not the best 407 we've tasted. Prices:

$34.00

750ml

Producer: Penfolds

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89PTS

Penfolds Shiraz Kalimna Bin 28 1999

South Australia, AustraliaOpen rich, vanilla, spicy, earthy, saddle leather aromas with some blackberry and chocolate in the background. Round and ripe with soft tannins, has a spicy, peppery, blackberry jam flavours with some floral notes. Balanced and elegant with a big vanilla, chocolate prune finish. It lacks the grip of the Bin 128 but it's delicious.Prices:

$34.00

750ml

Producer: Penfolds

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Penfolds Shiraz - Mourvèdre - Grenache Old Vine Bin 138text

90PTS

Penfolds Shiraz - Mourvèdre - Grenache Old Vine Bin 138 1999

Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaBin 138 is a 36/34/30 shiraz/mourvèdre/grenache blend that gets no new oak. Sensational fruit here with prune, raspberry, blackberry aromas mixed with pepper, spice, sweaty leather and chocolate. Lovely drinking wine (the alcohol is under control) with ripe blackberry, prune, chocolate flavours and a long spicy, mushroom earth finish. There's still a touch of tannin in the long and intense finish. Fun to sip now but it will improve with another 3 to 5 years of bottle age.Prices:

$30.00

750ml

Producer: Penfolds

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Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernettext

87PTS

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 1999

South Australia, AustraliaThe '99 blend is 74 percent shiraz and 26 percent cabernet sauvignon grown at Barossa, McLaren Vale, Padthaway and Coonawarra. Look for the typical intense white pepper, dark berry, spicy aromas and flavours with coffee and earth. Supple, juicy and soft, the palate also exhibits some smoky, prune flavours in the finish. It's lighter than previous years but still well made and ready-to-drink.Prices:

$17.95

750ml

Producer: Penfolds

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Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignontext

86PTS

Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy roasted bell pepper nose with a touch of brine. Softer than you might expect in the mouth with lots of smoky, mocha/vanilla oak. Easy to drink and quite an accomplishment given the rather ordinary vintage. The finish is dry with black pepper and olives. Needs food.Prices:

$22.95

750ml

Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate

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Mission Hill Maréchal Foch Private Reserve Organically Growntext

86PTS

Mission Hill Maréchal Foch Private Reserve Organically Grown 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig ripe sweet fruit nose with spice and cassis overtones that will appeal to many. Round supple structure, easy to drink with cassis and mocha flavours in the aftertaste. Acidic as usual.Prices:

$13.95

750ml

Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate

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87PTS

KWV Pinotage 1999

Paarl, Coastal Region, South AfricaDeep colour with typical polished mahogany aromas and hint of wild game. The flavours border on leather, acetone and chocolate. Still soft enough to quaff or enjoy with a pepper steak. Fair value.Prices:

$12.95

750ml

Producer: KWV International

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87PTS

Mission Hill Merlot 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLovely dark colour with forest floor, barnyard and stunning black cherry aromas. Similar flavours with some leather and Bordeaux-like acidity in the background. Young and still needs time to blow off the dry tannins. Good potential.Prices:

$17.95

750ml

Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate

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89PTS

Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack colour. Open barnyard and earth with some cherry fruit. Quite round with leanish fruit yet soft textures. Young and dry at this point and lacking the oomph of the 1998 fruit which was so ripe and sweet.Prices:

$19.95

750ml

Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate

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88PTS

Chateau Carignan 1999

Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceFine attractive smoky-oak, vanilla nose with black cherry jam, cassis and a touch of licorice and orange rind. Moderately rich and round, with smoky toasty oak, plum and blackberry flavours with a peppery, vanilla finish. It's showing a lot of oak at this stage suggesting it requires an additional two to four years of aging to round out the tannins and integrate the oak. AB $36.95 (ST)Prices:

$38.95

750ml

Producer: Château Carignan

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89PTS

Chateau St. Jean Merlot 1999

Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen spicy rich black cherry and menthol with a touch of sweaty leather. Rich and round but has the firm acidity and tannins of Sonoma to keep it balanced in the mouth. Long warm spicy clove pepper flavours and tight tannins to loose yet. Will improve and round out with time.Prices:

$46.95

750ml

Producer: Château Saint Jean

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88PTS

Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir 1999

Sonoma County, California, United StatesTypical California dark cherry jam (slightly cooked) and licorice fruit aromas with a touch of earth. Soft and smooth entry with rounded edges and easy to sip. The flavours are similar to the nose with a smoky cola cherry jam flavour finish.Prices:

$30.95

750ml

Producer: Château Saint Jean

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Castello Banfi Col-di-Sasso Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignontext

85PTS

Castello Banfi Col-di-Sasso Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Tuscany, ItalyRustic, earthy, black cherry and eucalyptus aromas. There is a touch of green weed in the flavours with dry, earthy flavours and an acidic finish. Spaghetti red.Prices:

$14.95

750ml

Producer: Castello Banfi

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Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio all'Orotext

92PTS

Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio all'Oro 1997

Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyOpen spicy, waxy, sweaty game and ripe black cherry aromas with hints of vanilla and pepper. Quite complex with medium weight and ripe black cherry, plum and garrigue flavours with a toasted oak finish. Very ripe fruit and moderately tannic. Still somewhat closed but elegantly made. Best yet to date for Banfi.Prices:

$100.00

750ml

Producer: Castello Banfi

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Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcinotext

88PTS

Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 1997

Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, smoky, licorice berry jam aromas with a touch of game. It has medium concentration with slightly lean tannins and black cherry, earthy, licorice flavours. Dry, somewhat lean finish now compared to a year ago. It is closing down somewhat and will need 3-5 years before it begins to re-open. Fine potential.Prices:

$54.95

750ml

Producer: Castello Banfi

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Sumac Ridge Meritage Black Sage Vineyardtext

87PTS

Sumac Ridge Meritage Black Sage Vineyard 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc offers up a spicy, peppery clove nose with leathery blackberry aromas and more of that south Okanagan minty, sagebrush, garrigue aroma. Soft and reasonably elegant on the mid-palate. Not a great deal of fruit but enough to hold your interest and a fine peppery finish. Best with food. Winery, beer and wine stores, restaurants, and VQA stores.Prices:

$25.00

750ml

Producer: Sumac Ridge Estate Winery

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88PTS

Kenwood Pinot Noir 1999

Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, black cherry, earth and floral aromas with a touch of sweat and orange rind. Soft, elegant style with sweet cherry and raspberry jam flavours and a nice earthy, spicy finish. Good value. Drink young.Prices:

$28.95

750ml

Producer: Kenwood Vineyards

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89PTS

Chateau Ste. Michelle Syrah Reserve 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesBright fruity nose. White pepper sausage nose. Round soft ripe fruit. Attractive style and will be well like. Easy to drink and sip. Neither Rhone nor Oz. Ripe sweet fruit with pepper and sausage.Prices:

$54.95

750ml

Producer: Château Ste. Michelle

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Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyardtext

91PTS

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesGood ripeness of fruit with characteristic smoky vanilla overtones. As fruity as it tastes, the wine is slightly backward at this point. Good definition and another cabernet that reflects the more restrained and elegant Bordeaux style. Very supple in the finish. Will be a good one.Prices:

$53.95

750ml

Producer: Château Ste. Michelle

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89PTS

Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesOpen vanilla, ripe plum and cherry fruit with smoky, waxy green bean notes. A leaner style with drier tannins showing earthier, cedar, tobacco and mocha flavours with only a dusting of smoky black cherry in the finish. Its moderately high tannins and flavours are on the earthy side. Will need three to five years to come around.Prices:

$30.95

750ml

Producer: Château Ste. Michelle

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86PTS

Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesCool vintage Light textures bell pepper, spicy clove notes. Fairly light and soft cherry cranberry fruit spicy, oak notes. Simple somewhat light merlot for Columbia Crest. A cool vintage has produced an elegant, easy-to-drink red.Prices:

$23.95

750ml

Producer: Columbia Crest Winery

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91PTS

Columbia Crest Merlot Reserve 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesBig spicy, black cherry fruit nose with pepper, barnyard, orange peel and spice. Rich, round, soft, elegant and stylish. Delicious layered flavours of spicy cassis, black cherry and coffee vanilla. Slightly tannic with an excellent finish. Fine potential.Prices:

$52.95

750ml

Producer: Columbia Crest Winery

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Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvingon Reserve Red Winetext

89PTS

Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvingon Reserve Red Wine 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesInspired by traditional Bordeaux winemaking the Reserve program shows elegant styling. See blend notes. Spicy peppery fruit with some coffee and a fair amount of tannin. 23 - 25 months of oak ageing. Prices:

$52.95

750ml

Producer: Columbia Crest Winery

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Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Estatestext

91PTS

Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Estates 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesEverybody likes the Bordelaise styling here. Lean polished fruit with smoky overtones and supple tannins point to a substantial wine. Smoky, earthy aromas and black currant flavours permeate the wine at several levels. Excellent value.Prices:

$23.95

750ml

Producer: Columbia Crest Winery

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J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Oakstext

88PTS

J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Oaks 1999

Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBig deep colour with a smoky, roasted, bell pepper character. Intense fruity entry of black berries with a peppery smoky leather character and a dusting of tannins in the finish. Good flavour intensity but lacks a bit of polish. Needs another year in bottle to fully integrate.Prices:

$25.95

750ml

Producer: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

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87PTS

Painter Bridge Zinfandel Shiraz 1999

Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBig fruity jammy crushed berries and spice on the nose and all the same flavours on the palate including briary licorice and earth. Soft round and easy to sip now. Good value.Prices:

$15.95

750ml

Producer: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

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86PTS

Tinhorn Creek Merlot 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive open cherry vanilla spice and dill. Medium weight style that is quite soft and forward with dill and tobacco and American oak showing. Will be ready to drink sooner than later.Prices:

$16.95

750ml

Producer: Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

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83PTS

Diamond Back Rouge 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA blend of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. Earthy, spicy, vanilla and fresh berry aromas. Dry and moderately acidic on the palate with earthy, spicy, berry flavours. Fresh style but somewhat too tart and lean to be enjoyable. Prices:

$11.50

750ml

Producer: Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

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88PTS

Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesOtis, Sagemoor and Red Willow, 21 per cent merlot. grapes Leaner drier style Bordelais firm well constructed and coming along nicely. Tatsed twice and this second bottling a year later is showing nicely. Fine effort consumer style.Prices:

$0.00

750ml

Producer: Columbia Winery

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88PTS

Columbia Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesLeaner drier style - firm and well constructed but not too friendly at this point. Definitely lower in the fruit a touch leafier than most examples. Another big young raw red that will improve with time.Prices:

$25.00

750ml

Producer: Columbia Winery

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89PTS

Columbia Winery Merlot 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesLook for a smoky vanilla resiny nose with black plum jam. Round, concentrated and somewhat alcoholic. Lots of port-like black cherry, resiny, licorice, vanilla and pepper flavours. Soft and round and not quite as tannic as the group. Classic Washington merlot that will drink sooner.Prices:

$15.00

750ml

Producer: Columbia Winery

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87PTS

Columbia Winery Syrah 1999

Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesMuch drier style here drier earthy cigar ash. Earthy rootsy finish. Needs more fruit bit to rustic.Prices:

$0.00

750ml

Producer: Columbia Winery

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85PTS

Banrock Station Chardonnay 1999

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaRipe melon, peach, vanilla, apple and spice aromas. Very spicy lees, apple, melon and vanilla flavours with a touch of grassiness in the background. Soft and round, easy drinking style, solid value.Prices:

$10.95

750ml

Producer: Banrock Station Wines

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87PTS

Banrock Station Shiraz 1999

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSpicy, blackberry jam, roasted, minty, resiny aromas. Soft and round with fresh blackberry, spicy, peppery mint flavours. Light dry tannins in the finish with earth and black cherry flavours. Good, solid, fruity red for everyday consumption and the barbecue.Prices:

$12.95

750ml

Producer: Banrock Station Wines

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85PTS

Banrock Station Shiraz Mataro 1999

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaVery spicy, peppery, earthy, cedar bark aromas with cherry berry background. Soft and round, medium light bodied with spicy, peppery, black cherry jam flavours. Somewhat acidic in the finish but good barbecue red for meats with sauces or patio and Tapas sipping. The mataro seems to add a lot of earth and spice to the blend.Prices:

$9.95

750ml

Producer: Banrock Station Wines

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84PTS

Hardys Shiraz Nottage Hill 1999

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaMedium reddish colour. Charming herbal spicy earthy berry aromas. Soft yet skinny on the mid-palate with quite a dry lean finish. Not much heft here. Simple barbecue red.Prices:

$13.45

750ml

Producer: Hardys Wine Company

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92PTS

Hogue Vineyards Syrah Genesis 1999

Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesExtremely dark colour. Great expression of Syrah with enticing vanilla oak aftertaste. A beautiful blend of blackberry and black cherry fruit with almost Hermitage La Chapelle-like balance and Grange-like ripeness. Excellent fruit intensity and potential. A super red that sells in the US for $30.Prices:

$0.00

750ml

Producer: Hogue Cellars

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84PTS

Toasted Head Merlot 1999

Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California, United StatesA wide ranging blend of merlot (77 per cent) with 17/4/2 split of cabernet sauvignon/petit verdot/malbec. Enticing smoky, vanilla, coffee/chocolate nose mixed with plum jam fruit. Lean thin mid-palate with sour cherry fruit and a smoky oak finish. Out of balance with a hint of port-like alcohol in the finish. Doesn't taste anything like it smells. Disappointing for the price. Prices:

$24.95

750ml

Producer: R. H. Phillips

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88PTS

Estancia Pinot Noir Pinnacles 1999

Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesRiper flavours here with much more pinot character. Strawberry rotting leaf twiggy carrot aromas almost French village-like nose. Smooth light and round fun to drink but simple with little complexity.Prices:

$24.95

750ml

Producer: Estancia Estates

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Calona Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Seriestext

83PTS

Calona Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCrushed leaf nose mixed with bell pepper mint and dill. Tastes like it smells. Soft simple leafy minty wine. Drink now.Prices:

$12.95

750ml

Producer: Calona Vineyards

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Calona Vineyards Merlot Artist Seriestext

82PTS

Calona Vineyards Merlot Artist Series 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStinky barnyard wet earth nose. Soft entry but the fruit is not very bright. Mousy dry gamey peppery style here with dry tannins in the background. Not the best merlot we had from Howard Soon.Prices:

$12.95

750ml

Producer: Calona Vineyards

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Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir Estate Vineyardtext

86PTS

Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard 1999

Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky sour cherry bacon aromas with a whiff of rubber. The flavours are smoke and coffee with some dried black cherry cola and compost. Toasted American oak flavours dry out the finish. Solid.Prices:

$29.95

750ml

Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards

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86PTS

Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Reserve 1999

Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesStrong smoky vanilla oak aromas with resiny carrot-top aromas and a wisp of cherry jam. Hot dry and bitter on the mid-palate with a smoky, meaty chewy peppery resiny aftertaste. Needs time but the fruit is in a life and death battle at this point. Not cheap.Prices:

$55.95

750ml

Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards

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86PTS

Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky oak, black cherry, currant aromas with oaky vanilla pepper scents. Quite similar on the palate. Tight dry, oaky cedary, red with a oaky vanilla finish. Young and tight but is it worth ageing.Prices:

$28.95

750ml

Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards

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88PTS

Rodney Strong Merlot 1999

Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky dill and cherry flavours with just a hint of compost. Soft round textures with vanilla and cherry fruit flavours upfront and some dryness in the finish. Better fruit intensity and well-managed oak help this wine make it through. Hold a year or serve now with ripe cheeses.Prices:

BC	$43.99	750ml
AB	$36.00	750ml
ON	$37.95	750ml

Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards

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85PTS

Hardys Nottage Hill Merlot 1999

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaAttractive cherry jam and mocha smoky vanilla nose with peppery resiny overtones. Supple entry with cherry earth flavours and Euro style dry tannins in the finish. It will be fine with grilled meats.Prices:

$13.45

750ml

Producer: Hardys Wine Company

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Hardys Nottage Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraztext

86PTS

Hardys Nottage Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 1999

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSmoky, saddle leather resin and vanilla aromas. Smooth entry with lots of smoky black cherry and peppery leather flavours. Soft, approachable, peppery fruit that is ready to drink. Good effort. At a fair price.Prices:

$13.95

750ml

Producer: Hardys Wine Company

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84PTS

Fetzer Merlot Eagle Peak 1999

California, United StatesSmoky prune candied cherry aromas with forest floor and barnyard. Dry tart flavours make the mouth pucker before you get to the smoked cherry flavours. Still fairly dry flavours. Fruit source North Coast Paso Lodi and Shasta etc. Simple straight-ahead red. Hollow at best with that mediocre "California" taste that seems to afflict the category. Prices:

$16.95

750ml

Producer: Fetzer Vineyards

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87PTS

Fetzer Valley Oaks Zinfandel 1999

Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThe Fetzer flagship varietal is zinfandel (first commercial release 1968). One third Paso Robles for body, Mendocino for fruit and Amador for spice. The wine spends 11 months in new and used (mostly) American oak and the winery with some petite sirah to bolster the wine's colour and structure. Fresh fruit style. Similar flavours with a dash of tobacco. Pair with barbecued ribs.Prices:

$15.95

750ml

Producer: Fetzer Vineyards

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86PTS

Collage Zinfandel - Shiraz 1999

California, United StatesGreen bean, spicy, peppery, earth, minty, gamey sausage aromas, a bit funky. Very round and soft with very light tannins on entry to the palate. Cassis, briar, green bean and mint flavours. Light tannin in the finish with peppery, coffee black berry notes. Good potential but a bit too vegetal and reduced. Perhaps better in a year or with some aeration. Prices:

$19.95

750ml

Producer: Kendall-Jackson (Jackson Family Wines)

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84PTS

Collage Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz 1999

California, United StatesA 60/40 blend of cabernet/shiraz again patterned after the successful Oz blend. Spicy, black pepper aromas preview a slightly drier red with green beans, pepper, and earth flavours. A simple red that is overpriced for the quality.Prices:

$19.95

750ml

Producer: Kendall-Jackson (Jackson Family Wines)

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CedarCreek Cabernet Sauvignon Platinum Reservetext

88PTS

CedarCreek Cabernet Sauvignon Platinum Reserve 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy leafy black and bell pepper fruit flavours spring from the Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon. Spicy cedar clove and smoke flavours preview quite a big cabernet. They like this wine at CedarCreek and so do I, but it might have been wiser to released it as top-notch estate selection and take some of the expectations the Platinum signature carries.Prices:

$27.95

750ml

Producer: CedarCreek Estate Winery

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86PTS

CedarCreek Pinot Noir Estate Select 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Estate pinot is a blend made from grapes grown at Greata and CedarCreek giving this pinot a spicy, earthy character on the nose with hints of Worchester sauce and black cherry fruit. Earthy tobacco, dried cherry fruit flavours mix with soya in the aftertaste. Drink now.Prices:

$24.95

750ml

Producer: CedarCreek Estate Winery

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CedarCreek Pinot Noir Platinum Reservetext

88PTS

CedarCreek Pinot Noir Platinum Reserve 1999

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Platinum Pinot Noir is made with block 4 pinot grown at the winery high above the Okanagan Lake. DiBello uses all new French oak, the best fruit and further down the line the best lots. Look for a spicy, cherry jam nose that is similarly jammy on the palate with a round, soft, smoky vanilla in the finish. A dry mid-palate and finish detracts from an otherwise fine effort.Prices:

$34.95

750ml

Producer: CedarCreek Estate Winery

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86PTS

Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe Montes Cabernet with its Colchagua appellation is reason enough to pick up this wine. Throw in the highly regarded 1999 vintage and a price of $13.95 and you have yourself a winner. Of course it doesn't hurt to know it tastes god too. Look for plenty of ripe blackcurrant fruit that fades into a smoky earthy finish. As good as it gets for the price.Prices:

$13.95

750ml

Producer: Viña Montes

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92PTS

Montes Alpha M "La Finca Estate" 1999

Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileMontes Alpha M is a blend of mostly cabernet sauvignon (80%) with equal parts merlot (10%) and cabernet franc (10%). Sourced from 100 year old vines and is aged for 12 months in French Allier fine grained oak. Intense ruby cherry in colour with red fruit aromas of blackcurrant, chocolate and cigar box, in balance with well-integrated oak vanilla. Great complexity in the mouth, the mid palate is full bodied and balanced with a lasting persistence and a remarkable finish.Prices:

$75.00

750ml

Producer: Viña Montes

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87PTS

Casillero del Diablo Syrah 1999

Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileMeaty sausage aromas off the top with blackberry jam and coffee grounds. Ripe round chocolate and plum flavours with a smoky gamy finish. It's warm (alcoholic) but this is a great summer barbecue red. Inexpensive and perfect for spare ribs slathered with your favourite sauce. Great value.Prices:

$12.95

750ml

Producer: Viña Concha y Toro S.A.

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89PTS

Concha y Toro Trio Merlot 1999

Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe fruit and vineyards are similar to the Casillero range but there is more emphasis on the use of French oak and winemaking techniques giving Trio the added complexity on the nose and palate. The merlot is deeply coloured with amazing lifted blackberry and mint flavours with a leathery-gamy finish. Rich smooth and slightly weedy this is textbook merlot. Another terrific value from a standout vintage.Prices:

$14.95

750ml

Producer: Viña Concha y Toro S.A.

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Concha y Toro Trio Cabernet Sauvignontext

88PTS

Concha y Toro Trio Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileMinty leafy cassis character that is always controversial but its cabernet and its Maipo and its good. Fabulous balance here. Smooth round and voluptuous. No aggressive tannins and real winner. Consumers will love this. Good concentration.Prices:

$14.95

750ml

Producer: Viña Concha y Toro S.A.

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Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah (Shiraz)text

90PTS

Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah (Shiraz) 1999

Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileMade from three clones all of which are fermented separately and aged in one-third new oak barrels (50/50 French and American). Look for a big spicy, ripe nose with characteristic sausage, blackberry and plum fruit. The finish is an enticing mix of leather, dried fruits, vanilla toast which add further complexity. Well balanced and better than you might ever guess. There's 8 per cent cabernet sauvignon in the blend.Prices:

$24.95

750ml

Producer: Viña Errazuriz

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87PTS

Errazuriz Merlot 1999

Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileDark cherry purple color. Just bottled but there's an intense cherry fruit spice, pepper and mint aromas. Round entry with spicy, peppery, dill, cherry flavours. Good but young and still dry in the finish. Good value.Prices:

$12.95

750ml

Producer: Viña Errazuriz

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88PTS

Errazuriz Merlot Reserva 1999

Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileQuite a rich smoky, sweet vanilla and fresh sappy cassis fruit - typical of the Don Maximiano Estate. Perfect round textures scream merlot. The flavours are typical smoke and leather with tobacco and then dried cherries and plum in the finish. Good balance. Fine vintage. Prices:

$24.95

750ml

Producer: Viña Errazuriz

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Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Don Maximiano Estatetext

88PTS

Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Don Maximiano Estate 1999

Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileValle Aconcagua, Chile Big spicy cassis jam nose with some sweaty leather and cassis. Quite chunky on the palate with lots of earthy, peppery flavours. Typical Don Max leafy chocolate flavours with big intensity. It is all cassis and black cherries in the long intense finish with some dry tannins yet to disperse. Hold through 2004.Prices:

$19.95

750ml

Producer: Viña Errazuriz

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Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reservetext

89PTS

Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 1999

Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileEarthy tobacco, rootsy aromas with more of that smoky sappy cassis fruit. Firm entry medium weight tannins with green bean/olive and cassis fruit flavours. The finish is persistent and slightly warm but with an herbaceous edge to it. Good but you must like the smoky slightly herbal Euro-style.Prices:

$38.50

750ml

Producer: Viña Errazuriz

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Kendall-Jackson Merlot Vintner's Reservetext

88PTS

Kendall-Jackson Merlot Vintner's Reserve 1999

California, United StatesMinty, peppery, cherry tobacco aromas with some dusty cassis and earth notes. Round and moderately forward with some light, dry tannins in the finish. Peppery, tobacco, cherry cola flavours with cassis and mint in the finish. Good effort with a bit of hotness in the finish. Needs another year to settle down. Prices:

$0.00

750ml

Producer: Kendall-Jackson (Jackson Family Wines)

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Kendall-Jackson Zinfandel Vintner's Reservetext

86PTS

Kendall-Jackson Zinfandel Vintner's Reserve 1999

California, United StatesQuite open leather, barnyard, blackberry, briar nose with some spicy coffee notes. Dry and somewhat lean and tight, has big vanilla, coffee, blackberry and briar flavours. Quite dry and hot in the finish, needs food or some time in bottle.Prices:

$25.95

750ml

Producer: Kendall-Jackson (Jackson Family Wines)

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Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Vintner's Reservetext

87PTS

Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Vintner's Reserve 1999

California, United StatesStrawberry jam, tea leaf, barnyard aromas with a touch of barnyard, tobacco and oak toast. Round and moderately soft with just a hint of dry tannins. Similar tea leaf, compost, strawberry jam and vanilla collar flavours. Consumer friendly but a tad on the oaky side for the fruit structure.Prices:

$24.95

750ml

Producer: Kendall-Jackson (Jackson Family Wines)

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89PTS

Batasiolo Barbera d'Alba Sovrana 1999

Piedmont, ItalyA single vineyard barbera aged in oak barriques for approximately 12 months. Plum jam, cherry kirsch, earthy, tarry aromas with some caramel and spice. Very round, soft and forward with roasted plum, cherry, earth and tar flavours. Very smooth and balanced with low acidity. Good value for Italy and Piedmont. A quality barbera.Prices:

$19.95

750ml

Producer: Beni di Batasiolo

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Casa Lapostolle Merlot Cuvée Alexandretext

91PTS

Casa Lapostolle Merlot Cuvée Alexandre 1999

Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileOne of the class acts of Chilean reds rises to the top again in this fine vintage. It combines French reserve, elegance and wonderful Chilean lushness. Look for fine blackberry set in sweet vanilla, tea, and licorice and leather complexity. Full, deep and rich but suave and compact at the same time, with a warm finish. Very good length. Prices:

BC	$35.65	750ml
ON	$30.00	750ml

Producer: Casa Lapostolle

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89PTS

Benziger Merlot 1999

Sonoma County, California, United StatesLeafy tobacco and sweaty herbaceous tones mark the nose. Rich round entry with big black cherry fruit and more leafy smoky vanilla highlights. Quite dry in the finish and will need a year or two to settle down.Prices:

$42.50

750ml

Producer: Benziger Family Winery (The Wine Group)

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85PTS

Windy Peak Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot 1999

Victoria, AustraliaA 55/30/15 blend of cabernet/shiraz/merlot that is mostly aged in American oak. Quite a soft easy drinking red with some leather, no aggressive tannins and light fruit. A solid light-bodied simple red. Good value.Prices:

$12.00

750ml

Producer: De Bortoli Wines

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86PTS

De Bortoli Pinot Noir Windy Peak 1999

Victoria, AustraliaPinot noir is a relatively new variety for the Windy Peak series. Using old French barrels to protect the varietal character the nose is typically pinot in character. Barnyard strawberry cherry fruit aromas and flavours make this quite a pretty pinot and one that could surprise the sceptics who say cheap pinot doesn't exist. Some stemmy flavours and a bit of dryness but still quite good for the price. Prices:

$12.00

750ml

Producer: De Bortoli Wines

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86PTS

Windy Peak Pinot Noir 1999

Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaPinot noir is a relatively new variety for the Windy Peak series. Using old French barrels to protect the varietal character the nose is typically pinot in character. Barnyard strawberry cherry fruit aromas and flavours make this quite a pretty pinot and one that could surprise the sceptics who say cheap pinot doesn't exist. Some stemmy flavours and a bit of dryness but still quite good for the price. Prices:

$35.95

750ml

Producer: De Bortoli Wines

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Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Santenay Grand Clos Rousseau 1er Crutext

86PTS

Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Santenay Grand Clos Rousseau 1er Cru 1999

Burgundy, FranceSimple dry earth tones with spicy earth and pepper. Moderately ripe and round with vanilla, oak toast, earth and spicy cherry jam flavours. Soft, round feminine structure with medium grip. Dry finish.Prices:

$36.95

750ml

Producer: Bouchard Père & Fils

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Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus 1er Crutext

90PTS

Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus 1er Cru 1999

Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceOwned entirely by Bouchard Père & Fils and one of the House's flagship wines. A small (12 acre) and legendary vineyard, which was once the property of Carmelite nuns, who likened the silky elegance of the wine to the velvet trousers of the Baby Jesus. Look for spicy, peppery, herb, ripe cherry and plum fruit with strong barnyard, vanilla toasty waxy aromas. Quite ripe and rich with noticeable tannins, a lot of grip. Toasty oak vanilla, spicy pepper, dark plum and licorice flavours. Moderately elegant with good structure but needs five years to round out the tannins and subdue the oak.Prices:

$68.80

750ml

Producer: Bouchard Père & Fils

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Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Pommard les Chanlinstext

87PTS

Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Pommard les Chanlins 1999

Pommard, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceTight nose. Vineyard is near the top of the hill near Rugiens. Full bodied and fleshy with dry earthy tones. Good weight and mouthfeel but low fruit factor. Requires food to really show its stuff. The price is nuts.Prices:

$65.00

750ml

Producer: Bouchard Père & Fils

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89PTS

Tarapaca Syrah Reserva Privada 1999

Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky sausage aromas with some floral overtones dare we say like a young Cote Rôtie. Ripe plum blackberry fruit with a smoky peppery mid-palate and a long slightly dry finish. Very impressive and well worth buying.Prices:

$21.95

750ml

Producer: Viña San Pedro

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87PTS

Tarapaca Merlot Reserva 1999

Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileCassis jam and cherry fruit jump out of the glass along with some saddle leather. Round soft supple textures with some plummy cherry fruit in the finish. Will be just fine with some grilled chicken or beef to round out the dry tannins in the finish.Prices:

$15.00

750ml

Producer: Viña San Pedro

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Tarapaca Last Edition Reserva Privadatext

87PTS

Tarapaca Last Edition Reserva Privada 1999

Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileEarthy barnyard opening with resiny cherry fruit. Rich and ripe entry but the flavours are dry earth and leather with minimal berry fruit. Round and rich but a bit too dry in the finish. Disappointing at this stage.Prices:

$21.95

750ml

Producer: Viña San Pedro

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86PTS

Tommasi Merlot Le Prunée 1999

Garda, Verona, Veneto, ItalyOpen cherry almond/barnyard nose that definitely grabs your attention. Silky soft and smooth entry with nice smoky/cherry prune fruit flavours. Fairly short and dry in the finish. Could be just the ticket for grilled sausages.Prices:

$17.95

750ml

Producer: Tommasi Family Estates

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Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superioretext

86PTS

Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore 1999

Veneto, ItalyVeneto, Italy Earthy, spicy, cherry prune nose with a pepper, sweaty saddle background. Soft and velvety in the mouth with spicy, tobacco, prune and toasty earth flavours. Somewhat acidic in the finish keeps the fruit lively. Simple everyday red. BC $15.95 (ST) Prices:

$15.95

750ml

Producer: Tommasi Family Estates

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Tommasi Pinot Grigio Vigneto Le Rossetext

87PTS

Tommasi Pinot Grigio Vigneto Le Rosse 1999

Valdadige, Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyLight buttery, floral, apple and nectarine aromas with spicy cinnamon notes in the background, very pleasant. Pear, mineral, spicy nectarine and apple flavours. Dry and very well balanced with a green apple finish. Will be a good light seafood accompaniment.Prices:

$16.95

750ml

Producer: Tommasi Family Estates

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Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Papetext

91PTS

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1999

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery gamy, smoky, earthy, sweaty leather with garrigue and black cherry jam. Elegant, round and somewhat tannic has black cherry, game, peppery, spicy, meaty flavours. Strong tannic finish, very good potential for vintage, needs minimum of five years, probably eight.Prices:

$59.95

750ml

Producer: Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

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La Crau de Ma Mère Châteauneuf du Papetext

91PTS

La Crau de Ma Mère Châteauneuf du Pape 1999

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceReductive aromas of garlic, game and wet earth. It tastes much better than it smells at this point. Elegant style on the palate with spicy lychee meaty (syrah-like) fruit. Full flavoured and well balanced with a fine smoked-earth finish. It's young and should be even better in five years. The nose should clean up too.Prices:

$39.95

750ml

Producer: Domaine du Père Pape

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Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Titolatotext

87PTS

Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Titolato 1999

Tuscany, ItalyA good notch up in quality with ripe, cherry jam flavours and some vanilla and cedar from the wood. Smooth slick entry with spicy, pepper tarry cherry flavours. The finish is round and a touch hot but this is good value and should improve.Prices:

$19.95

750ml

Producer: Castello di Gabbiano

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86PTS

Castello di Gabbiano Chianti 1999

Tuscany, ItalyNice open nose of dried cherries and licorice with some smoke and game. Soft round, entry with lots dry tarry fruit on the palate. Polished but on the dry side. It's young though and should improve over the next year or two.Prices:

$14.95

750ml

Producer: Castello di Gabbiano

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93PTS

Les Cailloux Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1999

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery spicy, peppery, gamy, sweaty, prune, plum ad roasted pepper aromas with a touch of letter and chocolate, very good complexity. Rich, round and unctuous with very supple, fine tannins. Big intense ripe black cherry and plum fruit flavours mixed with licorice, earth and peppery orange spice. Ripe, somewhat tannic finish with good acidity. Delicious flavours now but needs five to seven years to fully round out and may keep ten years.Prices:

$42.95

750ml

Producer: Domaine Andre Brunel

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Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf du Papetext

90PTS

Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf du Pape 1999

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSpicy, peppery, intense licorice, game, black cherry jam with a hint of barnyard and sweat. Rich and round but has some tannins. Very spicy, white pepper, raspberry plum fruit on the palate with a touch of earth, prune and leather in the finish. Needs two to five years to round out but well balanced.Prices:

$39.95

750ml

Producer: Château de la Gardine

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M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardinetext

90PTS

M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 1999

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FrancePrune, peppery, barnyard, licorice, sweaty game aromas with cherry jam underneath. Ripe and round with light tannins that add some grip. Gamey, licorice, cherry kirsch, plum flavours with an earthy, sweaty, pepper finish. Very elegant but a bit beefier in style. A mid-term wine for drinking now and over the next five to seven years.Prices:

$44.95

750ml

Producer: M. Chapoutier

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Saint-Benoit Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Gardetext

90PTS

Saint-Benoit Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Garde 1999

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceOpen earthy, smoky, mushroom aromas with gamy berry jam fruit notes. Quite smoky, pruny flavours with a soft, round, mid-palate. The aftertaste is long and smooth with some dryness at the end. Well-balanced and showing signs of maturity. Drink through 2006.Prices:

$39.95

750ml

Producer: Domaine Saint-Benoit

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Domaine La Roquette Châteauneuf-du-Papetext

89PTS

Domaine La Roquette Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1999

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceOpen cherry kirsch, gamy, smoky, black berry aromas with a bit of earth and pepper. Softer, rounder and more forward with light tannins. Nice cherry, spicy, anise and smoke flavours. Very feminine, balanced style with a spicy finish. Drink now or over the next two to five years.Prices:

$39.00

750ml

Producer: Domaine La Roquette

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Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Papetext

90PTS

Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1999

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBlack berry, plum, gamey, smoky, vanilla aromas. Somewhat tight and tannic on the palate, has good cherry, spicy, earthy, smoky pepper flavours. Slightly leaner style but maintains the elegance and structure. Needs three to five years at a minimum. Definitely a 1999 with the tighter tannins.Prices:

$0.00

750ml

Producer: Château la Nerthe

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89PTS

Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesNice cherry, spice, raspberry aromas with a touch of sausage and barnyard. Very round and supple with spicy, strawberry jam and cherry flavours. Elegant and balanced with a peppery, leafy, vanilla finish.Prices:

$32.95

750ml

Producer: La Crema (Jackson Family Wines)

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92PTS

La Crema Pinot Noir 1999

Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen black cherry, spicy, cola, earth and pepper aromas with a touch of barnyard and strawberry jam in the background. Round and moderately rich with supple mouthfeel, smoky vanilla, toasted oak flavours and a black cherry, spice and licorice finish. Finish is soft and balanced with earth and strawberry. Very good quality for current and near term consumption.Prices:

$32.95

750ml

Producer: La Crema (Jackson Family Wines)

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86PTS

Yangarra Park Shiraz 2000

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSpicy, leather, smoky, plum coffee bacon aromas. Moderately rich and round with spicy, plum jam, bacon and blackberry flavours. Good flavour profile with some slightly lean tannins in the finish. Will need a year more in bottle to fully round out but well made. From Eden, McLaren, Barossa and Murray fruit.Prices:

$18.95

750ml

Producer: Yangarra Estate Vineyards

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86PTS

Yangarra Park Merlot 2000

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaCherry, tobacco, spicy peppery aromas with some briny, minty, resiny notes. Round, soft and forward with earthy, cherry, smoky, briny mint flavours. A bit green for general consumers and has some bitterness in the finish.Prices:

$18.95

750ml

Producer: Yangarra Estate Vineyards

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85PTS

Yangarra Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaVery peppery, spicy, resiny, cassis and garrigue aromas. Round but somewhat tannic with some bitterness. Cherry, cassis, resiny, pepper flavours. Slightly thin and hot in the finish. Not up to the quality of the shiraz and chardonnay.Prices:

$18.95

750ml

Producer: Yangarra Estate Vineyards

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87PTS

Pepi Teroldego 2000

San Benito, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesMade from an obscure variety from the Trentino region in Italy. Intense purple cherry colour. Ripe cherry, cassis, peppery, gamey, red licorice aromas. Rich, round and ripe with soft tannins. Unusual mix of blueberry, cassis, and cherry fruit with a peppery, spicy finish. Very fruity, ripe style with a warm finish that would be a great barbeque, ribs or pizza wine. Hope to see more of this young wine.Prices:

$15.00

750ml

Producer: Pepi Winery

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April 2002 February 2002