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Tastings: November 2002
30 November 2002
89PTS
Cécile Chassagne Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret 1999
Séguret, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe blend is 60/20/20 grenache/mourvèdre/syrah aged for one year in older oak. We love the dark black fruit brooding nose with pepper and game highlights and a bit of chocolate in the background. Smooth entry but more substantial on the palate with bigger tannins and alcohol. Should hold well for a couple of years and then really open up. It has great black raspberry and anise finish. Pairs well with duck and poultry in hunter and mushroom sauces and cheeses. Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Delas Côtes-du-Ventoux 2000
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThere's an attractive, open, floral raspberry nose here with spicy highlights. Good density and ripe fruit make it "weighty on the palate. It's brimming with black raspberry and licorice flavours. A very attractive French wine at an affordable price. Turkey or pork would be the ticket here. Stock up.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sélection Delas Syrah Vins de Pays des Coteaux de l'Ardèche 2000
FranceLook for a bright spicy gamy/meaty nose with juicy blackberry fruit. This is a soft, light, medium-weight red with raw, spicy, black cherry and raspberry fruit flavours albeit with a slightly acidic finish. Best served with duck or maybe a tomato based dish like chicken cacciatore or pizza.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Delas Gigondas Les Reinages 1999
Gigondas, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceI like this wine but it has an old style nose with more gamy, sweaty/leather aromas and earth versus the fruity style. It needs about 30 minutes of air to really open up in the glass. Round, soft and definitely available for current drinking. The more we taste Delas the more we have come to enjoy it round elegant style.Prices:| BC | $37.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Jérôme Quiot Côtes du Rhône Villages St Gervais 2000
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceAt Saint Gervais the vineyards are a classic mix of 35 year old grenache noir (60%), syrah (20%) and carignan (20%).Look for a an intense, peppery, spicy meaty nose with black cherry fruit in the background. A foursquare spicy peppery affair with anise and raspberry flavours. Drinkable now but should hold well for another year. A perfect partner to terrines, dishes with well-flavoured sauces, red meats and cheese. Great value here.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Côtes du Rhône 2000
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceLovely open black raspberry gamey style nose with pepper licorice undertones. This is a warmer, richer hotter style CdR that's already showing some maturity. Love the spicy black raspberry and cherry jam flavours. A wonderful wine from a very fine vintage.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Antonin Rodet Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2001
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceOpen sweaty/leather nose with gamy earthy compost aromas underneath. Plenty of black fruit and raspberry flavours permeate its soft textures. The finish is round and soft with slightly cooked fruit flavours streaked with liquorice. A solid, ready-to-drink red offering very good value.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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26 November 2002
87PTS
Jackson-Triggs Meritage Proprietors' Reserve 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDeep almost opaque colour tank sample. Raw cabernet coffee fruit. Open volatile pepper and barnyard nose with strong blackcurrant/cassis aromas. Rich entry but the wine immediately leans out on the mid-palate with resiny coffee pepper aromas and not much fruit. Very hot and showing wood tannins in the finish.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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25 November 2002
89PTS
Valdivieso Pinot Noir Barrel Selection 2001
Region del Valle Central, ChileBarnyard and sweaty saddle with a smoky rhubarb and cherry fruit aroma. Nice textures here smooth round and ripe with more cherry and rhubarb fruit. Lovely round stylish and full.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Coopers Creek Unoaked Pinot Noir 2001
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandLightish, red colour. Spicy peppery black cherry fruit nose with a touch of compost. Fresh spicy raspberry and licorice fruit flavours permeate the warm jammy textures. Good extract and intensity. Fun pinot for the price.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Antonin Rodet Montagny 1999
Montagny, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceProminent toasted oak nose with lean, lemony, mineral flavours on the mid-palate and more toasted vanilla and lees in the finish. Quite round and rich in the mouth but finishes with quite a whack of acidity.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Antonin Rodet Chablis 1999
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceAttractive floral/musk perfumed nose with a fresh mineral slate character underneath. Clean soft and elegant on entry with an oily mid-palate. The aftertaste mixes bruised apple, lees and more mineral flavours. A simple, forward style that is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Vintner's Reserve 2000
California, United StatesSmoky spice tea and compost aromas with streaks of black cherry. Sweet pinot entry with very round and velvety textures. Raspberry tea and soya and tobacco aftertaste give it some extra added complexity and style. Well done.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.75 | 750ml |
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24 November 2002
85PTS
Coopers Creek Unoaked Chardonnay 2001
Gisborne - Poverty Bay, North Island, New ZealandFree from oak the fruit flavours of peach, nectarine and grapefruit sing out. The texture is slippery. Look for burnt butter, citrus, cantaloupe and nectarine flavours followed by a soft, buttery aftertaste. Simple but effective for the price.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Coastal Vineyards Chardonnay 2000
North Coast Region, California, United StatesObvious smoky oaky nutty toasted lees but not much fruit. Surprisingly fresh in the mouth -- almost lean. Nutty lees and citrus green apple flavours appeal throughout the finish. Toasty nutty finish. A showy chardonnay saved by a crisp overall demeanour.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
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23 November 2002
85PTS
Annie's Lane Chardonnay 2002
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSmells like a sauvignon with grassy grapefruit aromas mixed with a fine yeasty/lees character. It tastes like it smells with a little extra butter and melon. Shows the cool fruit Clare Valley style. Still it's good wine if you like your chardonnay in the sauvignon stylePrices:Read Full Note
85PTS
Rustica 2001
Sicily, ItalyA work-horse, weekday, pizza red with sausage cherry and licorice aromas. Look for firm dry earthy/cherry flavours with more licorice in the aftertaste. A well made simple red wine for those who prefer drier more Euro style reds.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Yellow Tail Chardonnay 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaYellow Tail has an expressive open, peach / butter / melon fruit nose so typical of inexpensive oz chardonnay. It's soft and "sweet" on the palate with more buttery melon fruit in the flavour. Serve as an aperitif sipping-style white and party on. Good value.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Les Lauzeraies Lirac 2000
Lirac, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceAnother winner from the 2000 vintage this delightful Lirac has a spicy, earthy, gamy, black raspberry aroma with some licorice flecks. The texture is soft; the flavour savoury and spicy with a peppery, raspberry/cherry finish.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaA 52/48 blend of shiraz/cabernet with a sweaty cassis green bean nose. Nicely balanced on the palate with an earthy, peppery, black raspberry flavour and a touch of licorice. Solid and easy drinking and well worth the money.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jamiesons Run Chardonnay 2001
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaPeachy butter aromas streak with lees, citrus with butter and vanilla. Drier and crisper on the palate than you might expect with dry, lees, citrus and apple flavours. Solid wine, crisp style, fair price.Prices:| BC Estimated | $18.99 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Greg Norman Estates Chardonnay 2001
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaCorkedPrices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.75 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Wolf Blass Chardonnay Premium Selection 2001
South Australia, AustraliaSpicy oak and vanilla dominate the nose with streaks of creamy baked apple fruit and citrus skin. Quite a dry style for Blass (and much welcomed) with creamy nutty yeasty lees flavours with a touch of smoke salty and vanilla. A more sophisticated style and a path we hope Blass continues to head down.Prices:| BC | $22.45 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tatachilla Breakneck Creek Shiraz 2001
South Australia, AustraliaOpen spicy, sappy, sweet fruit aromas reminiscent of raspberry and cassis. It slips down easy with sweet, smoky raspberry fruit flavours and a peppery finish. Intense but lean the Tatachilla lacks the plush character many associate with Oz shiraz but we like it anyways food.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Eaglehawk Chardonnay 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaClassic peachy melon butter Oz chardonnay aromas preview a round and easy sipping style. The flavours mix citrus and melon with just a touch of rind in the finish. There's fine acidity and balance here and good value too.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Sonoma County Chardonnay 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesWe like the restrained nose of citrus, green apple and nectarine aromas and the soft round entry. It's a bit on the skinny side for California chardonnay (and Gallo for that matter) but we are not complaining. Tasty flavours of citrus apple and just a touch of yeasty dried lees in the finish. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.99 | 750ml |
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22 November 2002
88PTS
Kaesler Stonehorse Chardonnay 2001
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaRich nectarine/peach aromas with spicy floral overtones. Rich marmalade and citrus rind flavours in quite an overblown style. Big, full-blown finish (almost in a cheaper chardonnay style) that detracts from an otherwise solid effort.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
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21 November 2002
90PTS
IO 1999
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSpicy, earthy, licorice and bacon aromas with lots of black cherry and game notes. Rich, round and elegant with soft tannins, has intense vanilla, toasty oak, licorice, black cherry and spicy flavours with a long, peppery, raspberry finish. Needs a few years to fully round out but another quality Rhone style wine from Santa Barbara.Prices:| BC | $86.95 | 750ml |
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20 November 2002
87PTS
Miguel Torres Maquehua Chardonnay 2001
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe Maquehua is a multi-clone blend of chardonnay with rich aromas of peach, honeysuckle and apple butter fruit. It's rich and round on entry with the perfect streak of cool-climate elegance. The texture is soft and somewhat flat on the mid-palate showing flavours of butterscotch, vanilla and baked apple. A touch mineral in the finish reveals its cool climate origins. It's bargain in Ontario.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.85 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Quinta do Crasto Vintage Port 2000
Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig white pepper nose with licorice and intense black berry fruit. Tastes like it smells pepper spice licorice and fresh blackberry pie fruit. Excellent acidity and well balanced alcohol. The acidity signals great life ahead. Good value.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Meursault Clos de Mazeray 1999
Burgundy, FranceVery open strawberry jam, compost and sweet roasted root vegetable licorice aromas with a touch of vanilla and spice. Round and dry with soft tannins, good density and acidity. Nice spicy, toasty oak, cherry strawberry and beet flavours. Long supple finish with elegance. Good wine for drinking over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $56.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Max Ferdinand Richter Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Spätlese 2001
Mosel, GermanyFragrant aromas of green apple skin, mineral, nectarine and smoky slate. Very similar in the mouth with additional lemon and peach pit flavours. Elegant, long and round with very good acidity. Delicate style that should age gracefully for the next 20 years. Lovely wine.Prices:| BC | $32.50 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 1999
Burgundy, FranceFabulous nose with very open cherry jam, figgy, waxy, earthy, spicy, licorice nose with hints of violet, barnyard and compost. Round, elegant and stylish with intense raspberry, spicy, floral black cherry flavours and a long sweet vanilla, Bing cherry aftertaste. Big sweet round style with balanced acidity and supple tannins on the finish. Try again in 5 years but will keep ten.Prices:| BC | $125.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $120.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Corton Grand Cru 1999
Burgundy, FranceBig barnyard, black cherry, spicy, peppery, coffee, earth and violet aromas, very complex. Rich, sweet round with good acidity. Spicy sweet black raspberry, pepper, vanilla, licorice flavours. Supple tannins with sleek intense fruit, this is Pinot on another level. Vibrant and complex, this sophisticated style of pinot will require at least 5 years of aging. Big style with length and fruit.Prices:| BC | $125.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $120.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Beaune Champs Pimont Blanc 1er Cru 1999
Burgundy, FranceNutty, wet wool, marzipan nose with mineral and citrus notes. Fairly good density and flavours with leesy, vanilla, mineral, citrus skin flavours. And finish. Quite an elegant, round style with a warm mid-palate and a tad alcoholic in the finish.Prices:| BC | $62.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Beaune Clos de Feguine 1er Cru 1999
Burgundy, FranceBright black cherry, spicy vanilla beet and barnyard aromas. Great entry and mid-palate with very rootsy, black cherry and licorice flavours and a touch of toasty oak. Firm dry finish with slightly elevated acidity, needs 1-3 years. Prices:| BC | $63.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Beaune Champs Pimont 1er Cru 1999
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceBig black cherry, raspberry, spicy, gamy barnyard nose with hints of licorice and sweat, very Burgundy and great intensity. Round, elegant and supple with some dry tannins in the finish. Good acidity with some toasted oak, vanilla, licorice and black cherry flavours. A giant Gublin wine with length and balance.Prices:| BC | $56.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
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19 November 2002
88PTS
Valdivieso Syrah Barrel Selection Reserve 2001
Region del Valle Central, ChileSappy smoky resin with blackberry garrigue and leather aromas. Round juicy fruit entry with plush textures and a warm finish. The flavours are a mix of pepper, smoke and blackberries with a touch of earth. Well made restrained structure and moderately priced. Will need more time to blossom in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Volnay-Champans 1er Cru 1999
Burgundy, FranceSpicy peppery, black cherry, toasty oak with earthy, barnyard notes and roasted beets. A bit dryer, leaner and more tannic wine than Santenots with a touch more acidity. Earthy, spicy, vanilla, peppery dark berry fruit flavours. A bigger, chewier somewhat New World style that definitely needs 3-5 years to round out. Prices:| BC | $76.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $72.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Volnay Santenots 1999
Burgundy, FranceSuper ripe strawberry jam, cherry barnyard aromas with spicy, coffee vanilla notes. Rich and round entry with vibrant strawberry, raspberry, licorice and smoky vanilla flavours. Good intensity and acidity. Fabulous Volnay - silky, supple and stylish, very impressive. Prices:| BC | $76.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $72.00 | 750ml |
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18 November 2002
91PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Puligny-Montrachet Combettes 1er Cru 1999
Burgundy, FranceLovely nose with creamy vanilla, pear, lemon citrus aromas with a touch of floral and nutty components. Round and elegant with rich mineral, butterscotch, pear, and citrus flavours. Gorgeous refinement in the mouth with a long, sophisticated and stylish finish. Prices:| BC | $94.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $90.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sandhill Chardonnay Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClean fresh attractive buttery melon peach aromas with a floral character. It's a bit flabby on entry with soft woody, oak juice flavours. Simple sippable Sandhill. Definitely Howard Soon style but we would like to see a bit more sophistication. Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Konrad and Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandIntense leafy lemon zest and asparagus aromas with a touch of sweat and lime rind. Rich and ripe in the mouth with more mineral passion fruit and canned grapefruit in the aftertaste. Fine mouthfeel here with more roundness (if not residual sugar) that should appeal to many palates.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Valdivieso Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Region del Valle Central, ChileLight attractive, open, grassy, bell pepper, grapefruit and passion fruit aromas. The textures are soft but there is good acidity and mid-palate zip and the finish is clean. Butter, lees and grapefruit dot the finish. Good value. Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Valdivieso Chardonnay Reserve 2001
Region del Valle Central, ChileExpect a slightly subdued nose with hints of toasted butter and lees. The flavours are a mix of melon mineral and peach. The weight and acidity is fine and the nectarine and buttered toast flavours attractive. It appears be drier and leaner than previous versions which is a plus for those of us who prefer a more reserved style of Chilean chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandTight passion fruit and kiwi with a bit of citrus rind on the nose. Lemon citrus, passion fruit flavours streaked with kiwi and lots of mineral. Lean and dry but otherwise very well balanced. Pricey for what you get.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Henri Bourgeois Sauvignon Petit Bourgeois 2001
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePetit Bourgeois is made from vines as old as forty years grown on chalky-clay soils. Look for clean mineral passion fruit aromas with melon and asparagus in the background. It has dry, lemon, citrus, mineral flavours. Elegantly styled with a crisp finish and a mineral lees aftertaste. The winery suggests serving this wine with a halibut steak in lemon butter.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2001
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceHuge peach marmalade nose that's fruity and very intense. Quite round and smooth in the mouth almost viognier like with a honey citrus floral mineral character. Soft and ready to drink now. Nicely balanced despite its, soft, fat bastard entry. Drink now. Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc Santa Isabel Estate 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThere's more intensity in the Santa Isabel (reserve) bottling which boasts passion fruit and mineral aromas with a sweaty citrus rind character. Very pure sauvignon. Canned jalapeno flavours with touch of asparagus and lime rind. Similar in style to the high acid regular label with a very clean finish. A solid effort that will work with oysters or mussel marinière.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileLovely fresh nose with mineral and citrus streaks. Rich entry but very tart on the mid-palate with crisp lemon-lime fruit flavours in the aftertaste. Sharp and fresh but easily tamed by the likes of sole meuniere or buttered clams.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pepi Sauvignon Blanc Two-Heart Canopy 2000
California, United StatesThe scent of vanilla and melon mark this California style sauvignon with citrus rind aromas. Look for sweet buttery, vanilla flavours in the mouth with a toasted wood finish. It's round soft and sippable with a candied, melon finish. It's sauvignon made like a chardonnay that will have its fan. We have tasted the 2001 out of tank and it represents a major style shift to a fresher, more Kiwi style.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Viñas del Vero Chardonnay 2001
Somontano, Aragon, SpainThe grapes are cold macerated before tank fermentation with an additional touch of barrel fermented juice in the final blend. Smoky mineral lees nectarine and citrus flavours with a touch of canned fruit cocktail. If Spain's going to make cheap chardonnay this might be it. Serve with most light seafood dishes. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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17 November 2002
0PTS
Carmen Reserve Chardonnay 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileCorkedPrices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Prosperity Chardonnay NV
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSweaty lees pear and mineral nose with almost identical flavours on the palate. Dry citrus lemon aftertaste. A non-vintage California chardonnay that's cheap and cheerful but not much else. Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen sweaty leather and blackberry scented nose with sandalwood and pepper in the background. Soft pruny tobacco fruit with a lean, dry, tight finish. Typically big for Bosca and slightly old style for Argentina.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFirm dry peppery spicy coffee aromas with resiny sweaty/bell pepper undertones. Lots of upfront vanilla and black cherry fruit on the nose with coffee, bell pepper and olives. Young exuberant and clunky but a rib-eye steak would go along way to help this red settle down.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Firestone Chardonnay 2000
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBaked apple and spice aromas with touch of sweaty lees. Elegant styling with subdued nectarine apple and spicy lees flavours. Quite round and easy to sip. Good acidity which should keep it fresh and allow it to work well with a lot of menu items.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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16 November 2002
87PTS
Yalumba Riesling Hand-Picked 2001
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaYou can't miss the screwcap here. The nose is unsurprisingly clean and fresh with floral peach and petrol tones. Tight fresh citrus lime flavours with more floral mineral, green apple skin flavours in the finish. We know it will keep sound under screwcap so we suggest you lay this wine down for 2 to 5 more years.Prices:| BC | $28.40 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaButter melon and a touch of lees mark the nose of this simple commercial style chardonnay. Typically soft and round on entry with peachy, melon and spice flavours. Soft and sweet with an acidic finish. This is British supermarket chardonnay at its bland pinnacle.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Alden Vineyards 1998
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesAlden Vineyards is located on the eastern edge of the Alexander Valley, above the fog line, backed by the Mayacamas mountain range. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc thrive in the lean, stony, fast draining mountain soil. Alden has been bottled as a single vineyard since 1997. Look for ripe, sweet, spicy, peppery, smoky aromas with ripe blackberry jam and spicy licorice fruit. Dense with good acidity and extract and lots of dry '98 tannins to yet dissipate. Buy and hold through 2005.Prices:| BC | $51.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander's Crown 1999
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesWe like this edition of the Alexander's Crown with its big dark colour and enticing nose of black fruits toasted oak and spicy mocha aromas. It has the firmness of cabernet sauvignon yet the blackberry fruit and cassis has the generosity and elegance of the Alexander Valley terroir. Quite complex.Prices:| BC | $45.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Barossa Valley Estate Chardonnay 2001
South Australia, AustraliaLook for a toasted oak nose with citrus and melon notes that jump out of the glass. The entry is rich smooth and oily with buttery, sweet melon and toasted oak flavours. Not particularly fashionable but attractive to those who prefer the overblown style.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Calina Chardonnay Reserve 2000
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe Calina Chardonnay has a "reserve" designation although it means nothing in Chile. The fruit is blend of two relatively cool climate appellations: Casablanca and Limari. On the nose look for citrus and mineral notes while on the palate nutty/buttery, apple/pear fruit dominates. The finish is soft and creamy. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Calina Merlot Reserve 2001
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe Calina merlot boasts plenty of minty, herbal notes on the nose but in the mouth the fruit is riper and richer. The flavours are a mix of plums and cherries with a dash of spice and mocha. Soft tannins and round textures will make this a favourite for home entertaining.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Calina Carmenère Reserve 2001
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileRipe carmenère, and we emphasize ripe, continues to attract red wine drinkers in droves. The Calina carmenère has a touch of herbal minty and spice on the nose with some bell peppers and olives but its round spicy coffee and mocha flavoured fruit is a winner on the palate. The finish is suitably long with vanilla and cherry highlights.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Napa Valley, California, United StatesMedium intensity with leather blackberry and prune aromas. Soft round and elegant on entry with a slightly drier fruit profile and a lean and somewhat tannic finish with blackberry and toasted oak. Will need a year or two to settle down but should be fine for early to mid-term drinking.Prices:| BC | $41.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.55 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Northern Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, United StatesExcellent dark colour with gobs of spicy, smoky, aromas streaked with resin, blackberry and cassis. Quite aromatic and full-flavoured. This is a dense red wine with big extract, big peppery, licorice fruit and the characteristic warm (alcoholic) Gallo finish. A very good wine that could be even better if they managed to get the balance right and reduce some of the coarseness that accompanies the high alcohol.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $85.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Cabernet Sauvignon Frei Ranch Vineyard 1997
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe 97 Frei is all cabernet sauvignon and all Dry Creek. It's a monster red with a warm alcoholic sheen. Look for fairly big tannins dense structure and smoky, spicy, peppery fruit. The finish is still relatively youthful flecked with dry, vanilla and oak toast flavours. A good if somewhat coarse wine.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Cabernet Sauvignon Barrelli Creek Vineyard 1996
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesMature nose of peppery, blackberry and licorice aromas with streaks of smoky oak. On the palate similar flavours with dried cassis fruit and some fairly hefty tannin yet to dissipate. Will benefit from another three to four years in the bottle if the fruit holds out...Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.99 | 750ml |
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15 November 2002
91PTS
Seña 1999
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileMore merlot and carmenère changes the mix in the '99 blend of 75/17/8 cabernet sauvignon /merlot/ carmenère). Look for an open barnyard and cassis nose with more spice and cherry menthol coming through. Similar flavours with just a brush of stalky, green tannins. Elegant styling with a drier Euro-tannin finish. Good and getting better. This is more like a super premium red.Prices:| BC | $67.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $58.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $66.56 | 750ml |
| ON | $79.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe '99 Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon is what the Arboleda wines are all about - appellation. In this case the cabernet made in the picture perfect '99 vintage comes off the Los Morros Estate in Maipo. Look for gobs of attractive, rich, blackberry and cassis jam aromas and fruits with smoky sweaty leather overtones. Similar flavours mark this medium-weight, chewy red with earthy tobacco streaks in the finish. Delicious now but should easily hold another five years.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileLeafy earthy menthol aromas dominate the nose. Similar flavours on the palate with a soft simple structure. Not the best cabernet we have tasted from Caliterra and no doubt one affected by the cool damp 2000 vintage.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Region del Valle Central, ChileThe sauvignon opens with a fresh floral nose of grapefruit and lemon rind. On the palate, the creamy texture (a result from the wine remaining on its lees in tank until one month before bottling) gives way to light but lively melon/grapefruit flavours and a dry finish. Bring on the seafood.Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Caliterra Chardonnay 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileA nice mix of butter, pear and green apple notes with a touch of vanilla and floral notes. Dry, round and light with pear, mineral, apple and light lees flavours. Well made, well balanced and highly affordable. The perfect, inexpensive chardonnay made with care.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.75 | 750ml |
| MB | $9.90 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.45 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Arboleda Syrah 2000
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe 2000 Arboleda syrah is only the second syrah crop picked at La Arboleda. It makes up 85 per cent of the blend with an additional 15 per cent Maipo cabernet for weight. Look for intense spicy peppery notes of black cherry and cassis with lots of smoky vanilla and oak. The flavours are similarly intense with quite a whack of oak and black cherries showing at present. That said it tends to be more Euro in style with beautiful rich dark berry fruit characters. It should fly off the shelves in April.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Saint Morillon Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileYoung cabernet nose mixing cassis and barnyard with peppery earth. It fairly dry on the mid-palate and tight in the finish - perhaps showing it youth. Definitely more in the dry French-style with less fruit and flavour and more structure. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $11.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tarapaca Shiraz Reserva 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileChile's Maipo Valley is home to Tarapaca's Shyraz Reserva. Here the big, spicy, sausage and smoke aromas come with a hint of leather. Similar flavours mark the palate along with earthy, smoky gamy hints. The texture is soft and generous and carries through to the end. A solid red that's ready to go.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kendall-Jackson Syrah Vintner's Reserve 1999
California, United StatesOpen gamy sausage character with compost and cherry fruit flavours. Soft and round on entry with a sweet fruit cooked strawberry jam flavour and a bit of earthy licorice root in the finish. Rounder and longer on the palate but it's not really recognisable as syrah.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Cabernet Sauvignon Stefani Vineyard 1996
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesGallo is the Rioja of California labels in Canada but it's not about taste - it's about the older vintages. Like well aged reservas most Gallo labels are older then their peers. Whether that's smart marketing or slow sales doesn't seem to matter to consumers who can enjoy some impressive bottle aged wine -- like the '96 Stefani. This is one big red with licorice spice and cassis fruit aromas and flavours. The finish is long and warm with more earthy, spicy, licorice and plum flavours. Impressive for the price.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.99 | 750ml |
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12 November 2002
88PTS
Gould Campbell Vintage Port 2000
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalVery peppery, spicy, blackberry jam aromas with light spirity, chocolate notes. Elegant, ripe and round with nice acidity. Moderately sweet with good licorice, earthy, cherry jam flavours. Lighter, more feminine style but attractive for somewhat earlier aging potential.Prices:| BC | $61.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Langmeil Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSweet vanilla cassis and cherry fruit aromas with a touch of pepper and earth. The flavours are similar with a dusting of orange rind and coffee grounds. Round and sweet on the mid-palate with a dry, green olive finish.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Casablanca Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Isabel Estate 2000
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileClassic Casablanca aromas of herbal/cassis, mint, pepper and sappy vanilla. Pepper spice and mint flavours with a green herbal medicine chest finish. If you like the minty herbal style this will please.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Calina Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
ChileOpen spicy peppery nose with excellent dark coloured fruit. Floral spicy peppery fruit with a dry earthy finish. Serve with grilled meats to temper the tannins.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Calina Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2000
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileRootsy earthy peppery. Rounder softer entry less concentration than the 99 but more pleasant drinking. Round supple soft finish with a fruity blackberry character. Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kaesler Stonehorse Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLovely, ripe, minty coffee pepper and sweet fruit aromas jump out of the glass. It goes in soft and has big appeal on the mid-palate but he finish is slightly acidic and dry. Will need another year or two to come around. Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Renaissance Cabernet Sauvignon 1996
North Yuba, Sierra Foothills, California, United StatesLeafy cherry compost aromas with peppery earthy undertones. Similar fruit on entry and then you get whacked by the dry, spicy, astringent finish. Too much tannin not enough fruit. Drying out.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Frei Brothers Redwood Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
California, United StatesSmoky resiny leather blackberries with stewed pepper undertones. Chunky entry with herbal fruit and a jammy peppery aftertaste. Solid, simple and ready to drink. Decent value here.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Coastal Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
North Coast Region, California, United StatesSweet vanilla smoky blackberry prune character. Very dry on entry and it gets thinner and more acidic through the finish. Big dry peppery weedy vegetal finish. Nice nose but that's about it. Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Foppiano Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesGamy violet smoky black raspberry aromas that is not particularly reminiscent of cabernet. Similar fruit flavours on entry but firm and dry in finish. Hold for a year or two for best results. The blend is 78 cabernet sauvignon, 18 per cent cabernet franc and four per cent merlot.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.43 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSweet vanilla black fruits and pepper on the nose with a tarry resiny aftertaste. Medium weight on entry and somewhat lean on the palate ('98-like) with elevated acidity too. The balance is there and it should be fine when served with chicken or pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Burrowing Owl Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen meaty gamy spicy nose with smoke and green olives in the finish. Elegant on the palate with plenty of flavour and extract but it's not particularly ripe and finish at least for the moment is dry and tannic. Needs time for sure but it won't be the wine the '98 and 99.Prices:| BC | $21.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Undurraga Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 1999
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileMedium colour. Soft sweet spicy pruny nose with hints of mint and leather. Firm dry fruit on the palate with a weedy prune cassis flavour. Soft, simple and drinkable but not terribly "reserva-like."Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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10 November 2002
88PTS
Hardys Vintage Port 1983
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaCherry brick color. Spicy pepper, sweaty, Soya and marmite nose. Made entirely from Shiraz grapes grown in McLaren Vale. Surprisingly, it was bottled in November 1983, meaning almost no time in wood. Spirity hot alcoholic flavours of tea, jam, leather and marmite. Beet in the mouth than on the nose. Good acidity and balance and still some tannin. A curiosity.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.05 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Graham's Vintage Port 2000
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalRipe plum, blackberry jam, floral, peppery, spicy chocolate aromas with some spirity, fresh cherry notes. Ripe, ripe, and concentrated with moderately tannic structure and good acidity. Sweet, ripe, plum jam, blackberry and pepper flavours. Good structure, somewhat hot with some elegance and ripe fruit aromatics.Prices:| BC | $87.95 | 750ml |
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08 November 2002
92PTS
Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas 1987
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis is a 'single quinta' wine, made in exactly the same way as Taylor's Vintage Port, but using only the grapes from this individual property, trodden on the estate. Only small quantities are made, and only in very good years. Remarkably dark and youthful in the glass. Violet character Very firm structure. Port-like.Prices:| BC | $70.50 | 750ml |
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06 November 2002
87PTS
Casillero del Diablo Syrah 2001
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe 2001 is from Chilean giant Concha y Toro and it has big shoes to fill given the success of its predecessors from both 1999 and 2000. The current edition is slightly more herbal on the nose with the streaks of meaty/sausage, blackberry jam, coffee grounds and vanilla. Chocolate and plum flavours with good acidity and spice make this a barbecue winner especially with pork ribs.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Yangarra Park Chardonnay 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaMineral, pear, apple, melon with restrained buttery notes. Round, soft and elegant with buttery, melon, peach and lees flavours with a touch of baked apple and citrus in the finish. Nice flavours in a forward, softer style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.45 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Yangarra Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPencil lead, sweaty leather, cassis, green olive, pepper and spice aromas. Dry, somewhat tight structure with cassis, green olive, pepper and spice flavours. A bit tart and slightly tannic at this stage, try with grilled meats or age a year in bottle. Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Yangarra Park Shiraz 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaGood varietal character with pepper, spicy, sweaty leather, prunes plum and sausage aromas. Soft, round and juicy with cherry, plum jam, spicy vanilla flavours and a cola, peppery finish. Good all-round wine by the glass for restaurants. Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.95 | 750ml |
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03 November 2002
90PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial NV
Champagne, FranceThe Nectar Impérial is building a following thanks to its spicy, baked apple, honey and nut aromas with hints of apricot and candied citrus peel. The flavours are off-dry but balanced with streaks of citrus, mineral, spicy, apricot and ginger. Use as apéritif wine with foie gras or serve with blue cheese or even peach based desserts, dried fruits and mixed nuts. Chef Dance has chosen a selection of French cheeses accompanied with nut Bread and a Calvados gelee.Prices:| BC | $75.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $76.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $76.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Mini NV
Champagne, FranceThe Brut Impérial served with a straw is the "mini" format. It's both fun and serious. It has a light, consistent, fine mousse that reflects its smooth blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. Considered a fruity style sparkler by Moet it mixes bread dough and green-apple/lime aromas with quite a soft, creamy, fruity finish. It's well-balanced and can be readily drunk as an aperitif through dessert. The recipe suggestion of chef Bernard Dance (Château de Saran) is braised lobster with cabbage.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 200ml |
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01 November 2002
88PTS
Forrest Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandA perennial favourite the '01 has less of those jump-out-of-the-glass aromas showing slightly subdued passion fruit, mineral lees and chalky aromas. The style is drier and leaner with more herbal hints and quite a bit of minerality in the finish. Think oysters and a sunny patio or deck.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wolf Blass Red Label Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
South Australia, AustraliaDelicious, young, vibrant Aussie red that captures bright black raspberry, mint, pepper and nutmeg, oaky character on the nose; then delivers the same flavours in a mid-weight, slightly creamy yet taut texture. Nicely crafted, if not great length. Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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December 2002