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Tastings: December 2002
30 December 2002
86PTS
Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, pear, baked apple mineral aromas with a touch of peach. Crisp, round, balanced style with good acidity and just a bit of residual sweetness. Nice pear, mineral, green apple flavours with a touch of green cantaloupe in the finish. Solid sipper that has improved over the last six months in bottle. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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28 December 2002
88PTS
Torii Mor Pinot Noir 2000
Oregon, United StatesVery spicy, black cherry, resiny, wet leaf aromas with a touch of barnyard. Elegant, soft and round with black raspberry, cherry flavours and a spicy, leafy, licorice finish. A touch dry and acidic in the aftertaste but elegant and ready to drink. Not cheap.Prices:| BC | $42.90 | 750ml |
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26 December 2002
89PTS
J. Bookwalter Merlot 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesIntense black licorice, vanilla, spicy, resiny shoe leather aromas with a big streak of black cherry and plum jam. Rich, round and intense with vanilla, peppery, spicy, cherry licorice flavours with a smoky, black cherry finish. A bit alcoholic but well balanced with ripe, soft tannins. Lay down another two to five years or drink with a grilled veal chop. This has improved with a year in bottle.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Benziger Merlot 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesRipe black cherry, cedar, peppery, spicy black olive nose with light oak toast in the background. Rich and round with slightly dry tannins, this has good vanilla, smoky cola, black cherry, olive and leather flavours. Nice textures on the palate and ready to drink but will benefit from a year or two in bottle.Prices:| BC | $42.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gray Monk Odyssey Merlot 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery spicy, peppery, resiny, leafy tobacco aromas with smoky, minty notes. Moderately elegant with light, dry tannins with cherry, spicy, cedar, vanilla flavours and streaks of green olive. Needs a few years to fully round out, a good effort that could use some more ripe fruit characters.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pepi Sangiovese Two-Heart Canopy 1998
California, United StatesSpicy, gamey, cherry, clove and vanilla aromas with a touch of saddle leather. Soft, round, smooth textures with very spicy, peppery, cherry, licorice flavours with a cedar, tobacco aftertaste. A bit alcoholic with some dry tannin in the finish - very akin to a lighter Rosso di Montalcino.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gray Monk Odyssey Pinot Auxerrois 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStrong slate/mineral, pear and citrus rind nose with nutty, buttery notes. Very dry, clean and crisp with spicy, nutty, pear and slate flavours and an earthy, citrus finish. Nicely balanced but a bit on the austere side. Will be fine with lighter seafood.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine de la Condamine Fitou 2000
Fitou, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLook for a spicy, gamey, menthol nose with smoky black cherry aromas and brewed tea notes. Soft, round and forward with good spicy, peppery, cherry, licorice menthol flavours. There's plenty of young fruit and character in what is a fun wine with just a bit of youthful acidity and dry tannins in the finish. Good value. Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Arbor Crest Merlot 1999
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesPorty, slightly volatile nose with overripe prune plum, spicy, resiny aromas streaked with cherry and floral components. Alcoholic, rich and very ripe with pruny, cherry flavours and a large whack of spicy, peppery vanilla. Quite dry with lean tannins and a hard edge. A bit over the top and blocky. Lacks balance but time may help here. Drink again g in three to four years.Prices:| BC | $36.25 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Grand Archer Merlot 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesCool smoky, peppery, resiny, black cherry aromas with light licorice, vanilla and olive streaks. The structure is round and elegant with light, dry, cedar tannins but it finishes somewhat dry with lean peppery, spicy, orange rind and herbal flavours. Definitely Euro style and will require food to best compliment the structure. There is a small amount of syrah, cabernet sauvignon and tannat in the blend.Prices:| BC | $37.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Conde de Valdemar Crianza 1999
Rioja, SpainLook for smoky, shoe leather and spiced plum aromas with a touch of vanilla and tobacco leaf. Sour cherry, resiny, leather, smoky flavours mark this soft, round and elegant red with just a touch of dryness and acidity in the finish. Old style Spain but fine for early consumption.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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25 December 2002
90PTS
Peregrine Pinot Noir 2001
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandExcellent ruby colour. Ripe black cherry, plum, spicy, beetroot, gamey, smoky aromas with a touch of compost in the background. Rich, round and soft with very spicy, black cherry, strawberry jam fruit and a smoky, licorice, gamy finish. Supple and long, there's plenty of fruit, fine balance and intensity. Ready to drink but it will hold for another two to three years and improve.Prices:| BC | $51.95 | 750ml |
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24 December 2002
92PTS
Robert Mondavi Chardonnay 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig citrus apple pear honey with a big battonage spicy lees mineral apple skin character. Quite a mineral apple skin (French) character on the palate with a juicy apple fresh citrus character with more creamy spicy lees in the finish. Be forewarned this is a much more elegant restrained style than traditional Napa Valley chardonnay. Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $31.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $31.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.25 | 750ml |
| NB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $41.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $33.15 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Byron Pinot Noir Nielson Vineyard 1999
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesDespite quite light colour the Nielson Vineyard has rich spicy, barnyard strawberry/black cherry aromas. It enters with a sweet pinot flavour the structure is delicate and soft. Finely tuned and round in the mouth with a stylish delicate warm finish. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $69.95 | 750ml |
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23 December 2002
0PTS
Cruzan Orange Rum NV
Intense Mandarin/tangerine orange crush nose that overwhelms the rum. Soft round and sweet with lots of spicy Mandarin fruit in the finish. Think coffee or a pineapple juice drink or you could place a drop in your sparkling wine glass.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Cruzan Estate Diamond Rum 5-Year Old NV
Light toffee/molasses and orange peel notes in the nose with nutty undertones. Smooth entry with a warm dry finish and no shortage of spirity notes. The flavours are nutty with mineral/toffee streaks. Well made but definitely in the dry style. Rum for scotch drinkers.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
St. Hallett Gamekeeper's Reserve 2001
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaWarm spicy earthy tea aromas with bits of black fruit and raspberry. The entry is warm and soft with pronounced acidity throughout. The flavours combine blueberries, licorice root and smoky, lifted black raspberry notes. Simple straight ahead red wine. Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jamiesons Run Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 1999
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaDeep dark colour. Spicy, green olive smoky coffee nose. The textures are round and smooth with plenty more smoky/coffee, oak flavours and a dusting of green beans and olives. Cool climate Coonawarra shiraz cab that is lighter than what you may be expecting and completely ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Telmo Rodriguez g Dehesa Gago 2001
Toro, Castilla-Leon, SpainIdentified by the "g" imprinted on the label, it comes from the old name for a wild and rugged region of Toro, long famous as a source of strong wines and fierce bulls (Gago). Garlic mushroom cherry fruit nose with lots of barnyard notes. Super soft and supple on the palate with more spicy peppery and cherry flavours. The finish is a bit old style dry.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kaesler Avignon Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2001
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaA medium dark colour previews an intense cherry jam licorice pepper nose with a touch of sweaty game and a pinch of vanilla cola. It's smooth rich and ripe with flavours that match the aromas. A big ready-to-drink red that will continue to improve through 2004.Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kaesler Stonehorse Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2001
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaImpressive black fruit aromas streaked with pepper licorice and mushrooms greet you from the glass. So smooth so creamy... with vanilla and smoky licorice flavours. Aussie wine fans will love this style not to mention the ripe cherry plum jam in the finish. Ready to drink now.Prices:| BC | $28.58 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.45 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Langmeil Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre Three Gardens 2000
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaExpect a spicy gamey smoky sausage meat nose streaked with cherry cola aromas. Wow is this supple. The entry is super smooth with plenty of smoky cherry cola and licorice fruit flavours. This a delicious drop as the Aussies would say with just enough acidity in the underbelly to lift the wine on the palate. A good wine from an average vintage.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine des Creisses Les Brunes 1999
Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThe estate's top cuvée, Les Brunes is harvested from the ripest parcels of fruit. The blend is cabernet sauvignon, mourvèdre and syrah and it's all aged in 50% new oak. The nose is an exotic mix of ripe cassis with sweaty leather tarry/spicy notes with firm dry peppery tarry tannic flavours. New style Mas de Daumas Gassac. Eclectic style with high price tag.Prices:| BC | $64.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kenwood Old Vines Zinfandel 1999
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesKenwood and zinfandel usually spell comfort. Look for a warm peppery jammy black cherry and spicy high-toned fruit nose. Typically soft and round (Kenwood style) with a peppery resin current and some bramble berry fruit underneath. Should be just fine with grilled entrees and the price doesn't hurt it either.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kendall-Jackson Zinfandel Vintner's Reserve 2000
California, United StatesCedar sandalwood and smoky dusty notes mark the newly opened zin but with time more blackberry and cherry fruit aromas come to the fore. It's very soft on palate (K-J style) with plenty more blackberry and spicy fruit flavours. The finish is slightly dry and acidic but it will be fine with food. Good weight and length.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.15 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gallo Sonoma Zinfandel 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesGallo's regular Sonoma zin has a deep dark colour and a spicy meaty sausage nose that's streaked with licorice and blackberry. It's extremely suave with smoky black cherry fruit, coffee and vanilla. It's a touch flat on the mid-palate but that won't bother most consumers. Good solid entry style zin.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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22 December 2002
87PTS
Blossom Raspberry Late Harvest 2001
British Columbia, CanadaIntense raspberry juice streaked with bitter raspberry jam undertones. Authentic fruit wine with a fresh spicy finish. Soft round and intense in the mouth. If you love raspberry, you'll love this. Well-balanced and well-made.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Blossom Blueberry Late Harvest 2001
British Columbia, CanadaDeep dark colour. Fresh blueberry pie nose with spicy undertones. Another intense fruity wine that is well made, soft, round and quite smooth on the palate. Sip or serve well chilled on your fruit salad.Prices:| BC | $19.75 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Blossom Select Late Harvest Riesling 2001
British Columbia, CanadaMineral bruised apple nose with some flecks of nectarine skin. Light frizzante style riesling flavour that taste much like it smells. Simple and pricey.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
The Bishop of Riesling 2001
GermanyBaked apple with streaks of slate and mineral. Soft, sweet and round with simple styling and an apple/peach skin flavoured finish. Fun summer sipper or apéritif-style party wine. Not quite as serious as the mid-90s edition.Prices:| BC | $8.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Eaglehawk Merlot 2000
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaResiny compost smoky nose. Medium dry on entry with dried plum and earthy flavours. Lightweight and acidic in the finish. Another no big deal Australian merlot.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Cruzan Coconut Rum NV
Am I in Maui? Big coconut butter nose. It smells like a crowded beach on a hot day and the taste is all coconut. Colas and or pineapple juice are your best bet here but on the rocks could work too.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Cruzan Single Barrel Estate Rum 12- Year Old NV
The special blends of old and older rums married and rested again for added maturity in new, heavily charred American oak casks, produce fuller-bodied rums reminiscent of fine Cognacs in character and style. Look for a slightly darker golden amber hue than you find in the 5-year old. It has a similar nutty/toffee nose with smoky/vanilla undertones. A smooth, round, viscous, stylish rum that is somewhat akin to cognac. Excellent quality here for the price.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
KWV Chardonnay 2002
Western Cape, South AfricaNice lees nutty buttery green apple nose with peachy floral undertones. Quite impressive for the price. Love the sophisticated palate here with spicy citrus flavours and just a touch of vanilla and melon in the finish. Wonderful flavour profile for the price. Just when you want to give up on the Cape they make a wine to turn heads. Buy this one by the case.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Lurton Mendoza Pinot Gris 2001
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaDirty lees nose. Sweaty cheesy very un-Lurton-like. We hope this is a bad bottle. We'll repost another review as soon as we can re-taste the wine.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Diego Murillo Merlot 1999
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaLeafy barnyard medicinal nose with a high strung raspberry cranberry fruit aromas running throughout. Dry entry with similar herbal leafy flavours and more dryness in the finish. No joy here.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Yellow Tail Merlot 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaBright cherry colour. Intense spicy clove plum jam nose. Soft and quite sweet on entry. Soft round commercial flavours that will have appeal to a segment of red wine drinkers just starting out. Well made.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Badischer Winzerkeller Leiselheimer Vulkanfelsen Rulander 2001
Baden, GermanyHeavy floral perfumed nose with nutty, baked apple overtones. Tastes exactly as it smells with round soft textures with a surprisingly sweet finish for a" kabinett" wine. Soft simple commercial style best served chilled in the summer.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Torres Vina Esmeralda 2001
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSpicy lemon rind and intense mineral nose. Very aromatic; very Esmeralda. Despite the sweet nose it's bone dry on the palate with lots of spicy mineral floral citrus oil taste. Unique, well made and should be the wine you choose for Indian cuisine.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Max Ferdinand Richter Graacher Dompropst Riesling Spätlese Halbtrocken 2001
Mosel, GermanyFresh slate nectarine skin with just a whiff of smoke mark the nose. Full green apple nectarine flavours with honey and more mineral flavouring in the finish. Bone dry but extremely impressive balance and weight. According to Dr. Richter, the 2001 vintage in the middle Mosel, where his family has owned vines for over 300 years, is outstanding --- to be put on a par with the fabulous 1959. We agree. Buy and hold for as long as you like. Prices:| BC | $33.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Annie's Lane Riesling 2001
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Annie's Lane Riesling has a prominent floral slate and lime rind nose that will surprise you by its persistence. Expect intense dry flavours in the mouth with more citrus and lime rind flavouring throughout. Elegant but with severe dry citrus flavours. Not for everyone but aficionados of the Clare should love it. We do.Prices:Read Full Note
92PTS
Konrad and Co. Sigrun Noble Riesling 2001
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandHuge intense botrytised nose that smells almost like Sauternes complete with eggy, buttery, mineral, peachy undertones. Super rich entry here with more sweet intense honey, and dried, apricot flavours with marmalade streaks. Well made and super sweet. Pricey.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ramos Pinto 10 Anos Quinta da Ervamoira NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalLook for a slightly amber red brick colour and a rich nutty walnut spicy nose with just a hint of herbaceous leaf in the finish. Fairly dry entry with a nutty rancio character that penetrates its dried cherry spicy raisin finish. Elegant style but certainly ready to drink now.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ramos Pinto Late Bottled Vintage Port 1995
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalDeep colour. Spicy savoury peppery licorice nose. The aromas are black plum and licorice. On the palate, it is soft and velvety with peppery tea and more black plum and anise. Excellent drinking now. This is classic LBV port at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Hardys Nottage Hill Merlot 2000
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaLook for prune fruit and saddle leather on the nose with warm alcoholic coffee and vanilla hints in the finish. It's difficult to get excited by Australian merlot and this is no exception. This is pretty standard fare. Look to Chile for better value when it comes to merlot.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Hardys Nottage Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2000
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaLots of smoky resin sweaty leather notes mark the nose and flavours. There some blackberry and vanilla fruit underneath but not much else. Commercial at best and not up to Hardys usual standard at this price point. Maybe it's the year.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wolf Blass Reserve Tawny Port Oak Matured NV
AustraliaRancio walnut and earth aromas waft form the glass. It slides down so smooth you almost don't know it's on your palate until you taste the nutty walnut caramel toffee flavours. Easy to sip and fun to drink. This bottle will disappear quick.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Barramundi Shiraz - Merlot NV
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaLight leafy strawberry cedar and resin on the nose previews a similar flavours and a thin, tart, sharp finish. Not much here and nothing to do with what consumers want today. Poor quality at any price.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett 2001
Mosel, GermanyWet slate and apple skin and floral tones mark the nose of this racy Mosel. Fresh vibrant red apple fruit with excellent ripeness fills the mouth while the aftertaste delivers more peach fruit and another dollop of slate. Tart Mosel-like delicacy is all over the finish. Lovely wine for connoisseurs.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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21 December 2002
80PTS
Charamba 1999
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalCorked.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Georges Duboeuf Merlot 2001
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceDank wet leaf and garlic nose with a hint of rubber. Much better on the palate with a dry earthy plum finish. Definitely Euro-style but all in all not bad for the price.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Cockburn's Vintage Port 2000
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalGrapes from Cockburn's vineyards in the Villariça Valley and from Cockburn's Quinta dos Canais Estate provided the nucleus of the vintage port blend. In 2000 look for high-toned prune fruit aromas and heaps of alcoholic esters. Peppery plum fruit and more prune fruit flavours in the aftertaste. This is one hot, peppery spicy red with big intensity and whack of tannin yet to be digested. Not as approachable as some other 2000s but will no doubt blossom in another 10 to 15 years. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Corte Federico Salento Rosso 1998
Puglia, ItalyTypical sweaty gamy nose with earth and licorice undercurrents. Round entry with gamy spicy peppery sausage meat flavours. Soft, dry, old style finish. Best with rustic meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Di Majo Norante Sangiovese del Molise 2001
Molise, ItalyImprovements in the wines of Molise can be seen in this sangiovese with its tight spicy cherry fruit nose with just a whiff of gamy meat in the background. It's fairly rich on the palate with a smooth warm long finish. Good value at this price and should improve in the bottle over the next year.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Diego Murillo Malbec 1999
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaAcetic nose. Dry earthy off flavours. Not very drinkable. We need to re-taste to see if this is a bottle problem or a wine problem.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Dom Freitas 2000
Palmela, Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalA prolonged maceration has resulted in an intense dark red colour and gobs of black raspberry fruit on the nose. This is a rich red with swimming in black raspberry jam fruit and a spicy licorice finish. A New- wave Portuguese red we like a lot. The finish is dry and tannic but it should soften up over the next year in bottle.Prices:| BC | $15.45 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Robert's Rock Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2001
Western Cape, South AfricaA bright red colour previews its spicy, jammy, peppery prune nose with some high-toned fruit in the background. Soft and round on entry with dark berry fruit flavours and earth and just a hint of tobacco and acidity in the finish. A solid everyday red that represents good value.Prices:| BC | $9.49 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Torres Sangre de Toro 2000
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainUnpleasant dank, wet tobacco and spicy sausage meat nose. Round and soft on entry with a metallic mid-palate and an acidic finish. Commercial at best and not up to Torres standards.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ramos Pinto Vintage Port 1997
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalVintage port is always with the finest wines of the Quintas. At Ramos Pinto that means Bom Retiro and Ervamoira. At Ramos the grapes produces a particular style of port without the hard tones of under ripe tannins Rootsy licorice black cherry pepper notes. Delicious mid-palate with intense flavours of rose and black cherry with subtle but light tannins. Very drinkable at the moment Good acidity and balance should keep well through 2010.Prices:| BC | $59.80 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Terra Andina Cabernet - Merlot 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileLeafy sappy cassis and tobacco aromas. In the mouth it shines with rich chunky red fruit with hints of cedar and tobacco. Round supple and fun to sip. Great effort for the price especially if you don't mind the herbaceous style.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Los Primos Malbec 2000
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFinca Los Primos has a typical Argentine peppery leather earthy nose. Clean smoky savoury flavours streaked with spicy peppery notes. A warm red with a long smooth finish that begs for grilled meat or poultry to smooth out the rustic touches. Good value party red.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Castaño Monastrell 2000
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainAttractive spicy, peppery, black cherry fruit nose with a hint of spice. The fruit has a high-toned carbonic edge to it but it enters the palate warm and rich with plenty of silky soft tannins in the finish. Delicious and completely ready to drink. Beaujolais with guts. Great value.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tarapaca Merlot 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileWarm enticing cherry fruit bomb on the nose with flecks of pepper and spice. Smooth, suave, supple and packed full of fruit on the mid-palate with a minty cherry spicy earthy finish. A great value wine at $11 and one with a lot of intensity and ripe fruit in the finish. Buy by the case but drink soon.Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Segura Viudas Vina Heredad Tinto 2000
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainDried tobacco and prune flavours mark what a dull nose is. You mostly notice the dryness on the mid-palate and finish but it remains soft and round enough to sip. Lean and low on fruit and not up to the standard of its highly regarded cousins under Segura's sparkling wine banner.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Penascal Premium Tinto 2000
Castilla-Leon, SpainLook for a medium red colour that previews an open nose flecked with leather, vanilla, cherry and tobacco highlights. Soft and round with a mix of old American oak, sweaty leather, cherry prune fruit and a smooth gamy finish. Goof effort for the price. Tapas are the ticket here.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Candidato Tinto Oro 1998
SpainOld style Spanish red with sweaty/leather aromas mixed with the smell of cooked ripe prunes. The entry is round and soft but the jammy earthy flavours finish hot and dry. As much as I would prefer to drink wine with a bit of bottle age this one is past its prime.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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14 December 2002
85PTS
Quails' Gate Maréchal Foch Limited Release Fortified Vintage 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPruny raisin fruit nose with undertones of tomato leaf. Sweet and acidic in entry with more pruny fruit, raisins and stewed tomato. Not our cup of tea.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Black Hills Sequentia 2001
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is 100 per cent sauvignon blanc. Big honeyed, floral, sweaty plasticene aromas. Soft, flabby and alcoholic with mineral floral, marzipan and apricot. Lacks concentration of flavour. Warm alcoholic finish dominates.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 375ml |
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91PTS
Le Cupole di Tenuta di Trinoro 2000
Tuscany, ItalyTenuta di Trinoro sits in viticultural isolation in a valley just west of the Florence-Rome autostrada near Sarteano where Tuscany meets Umbria and Lazio. Excellent dark cherry colour with a spicy, barnyard, earth and toasted vanilla oak nose. Blackberry, cassis and pencil lead scents threaded with green olive and green bean. Dry, rich and round with slightly tight but balanced tannins on the finish. Cassis, pepper, green bean and prune flavours with a touch of acidity and heat in the finish. We like the balance this young red shows. It should be something in another five years for those who can wait. Quite a mix of Tuscany Bordeaux and the New World.Prices:| BC | $92.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 1998
Veneto, ItalyRipe cherry plum jam and almond aromas with streaks of sausage, spice, tobacco and sweaty game. Very soft, supple and round with very light, dry tannins in the finish. Nice cherry, strawberry jam fruit flavours with spicy, tobacco prune nuances. Ready now but will improve over the next few years. Good but pricey.Prices:| BC | $47.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tedeschi La Fabriseria Rosso 2000
Veneto, ItalyLook for spicy, gamey, peppery, red plum, tobacco and cassis aromas on the nose with hints of green olive. Soft, round, and supple with light tannins, the palate is very flavourful, with vanilla, spicy, cherry, olive, earth flavours, licorice, cigar, and toasty oak at the finish. It is a big time Valpolicella with class and intensity. Would benefit from another two to four years of further aging.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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12 December 2002
88PTS
Leone de Castris Salice Salentino Riserva 1999
Puglia, ItalyPeppery, sweaty game, spicy, black cherry aromas with some licorice, ginger and almond streaks. Rich, round and concentrated with quite ripe but noticeable tannins. Good intensity with spicy, licorice, black cherry, nutty, smoky prune flavours. Hearty, somewhat rustic style with lots of flavour. A good match for grilled steak or pasta with mushrooms, ham and cream.Prices:| BC | $19.40 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Morgante Nero d'Avola 2001
Sicily, ItalySpicy, black cherry jam, licorice and game aromas with a touch of vanilla. Dry, round and soft with good elegance. Bright plum/cherry fruit with almond and earth flavours. Very slight supple dry tannins in the finish but polished and stylish.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Planeta La Segreta Rosso 2001
Sicily, ItalyOpen cherry, almond, licorice and coffee aromas with streaks of tobacco and prune. Soft, round, elegant style with just a touch of dry tannins in the finish. Spicy, licorice root, sour cherry flavours and a touch of almond. Slightly acidic finish but very polished, will be a good match for grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Luna E I Falo Barbera d'Asti 1999
Piedmont, ItalyPeppery, prune, spicy cherry aromas with a slight floral tobacco note. Dry round and soft with moderately high acidity but very supple. Cherry, cranberry, spicy earth flavours. Elegant and typical for Barbera. The finish is a bit acidic indicating a need for hearty winter meats and stews to balance it out.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
De Angelis Anghelos Marche Rosso 1999
Marche, ItalyPrune, coffee, plum jam, tobacco and earth aromas with a touch of truffle, very attractive. Rich, round and dry with moderately supple tannins. Elegant with plum, vanilla, earthy, spicy tobacco and walnut flavours. A New World-style Italian red with a touch of acidity in the finish. Could use another two to three years bottle age.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.95 | 750ml |
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11 December 2002
92PTS
Morgante Nero d'Avola Don Antonia 2000
Sicily, ItalyQuite perfume on the nose with black cherry, spicy, licorice and streaks of earthy, leafy aromas. A bit hot but rich and round with concentrated super ripe cherry jam, sweet vanilla, spicy clove flavours and an intense sweet oak and cherry finish. Very unctuous but balanced with good acidity. A fun wine to drink now and over the next five years although it may be a bit much for most foods. Good intensity.Prices:| BC | $47.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.95 | 750ml |
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10 December 2002
86PTS
Illuminati Riparosso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2001
Abruzzo, ItalyGood cherry color. Very spicy, earthy, light licorice, garrigue aromas with cherry jam and game notes. Rich, round with some dry tannins and a touch of acidity in the finish. Black cherry, smoky, earthy, spicy rootsy flavours. A bit rustic and young but good intensity. Needs food like ribs, grilled pork or pasta. Solid wine, good value.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2000
Veneto, ItalySlightly smoky, tobacco, prune plum earth and truffle aromas. Soft, round, and elegant with spicy, earthy, compost and smoky prune flavours. Simple and ready to drink. A reliable casual red for lighter dishes.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
MezzaCorona Merlot 2000
Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalySpicy, peppery, plum and cherry fruit aromas with a touch of saddle leather. Soft, round and forward style with earth, cherry, spicy cranberry flavours. Ripe and ready with moderate acidity. Well amde and typical northern Italian merlot. Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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09 December 2002
85PTS
Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaHuge bell pepper notes mixed with jalapeno and grass. Intense round flavours and fine crispness but the aftertaste is very vegetal which makes it difficult to love to the finsh. Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.25 | 750ml |
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07 December 2002
90PTS
Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay 2000
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThere something about Carneros chardonnay that leaves me wanting more. Look for enticing hazelnuts and spice with pear aromas everywhere. There's lots of citrus notes up front with green apple fruit in behind. You'll love the delicious creamy textures and nutty finish. This is as good as it gets for the money from California especially at $35. If it was Puligny Montrachet you would be lucky to buy similar quality at $75. Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Viñas del Vero Caberent Sauvignon 2000
Somontano, Aragon, SpainSiolid everyday red . Firm black fruit nose and a lean mid-palate. The finish is fairly short and dry.Prices:Read Full Note
86PTS
Viñas del Vero Merlot 2000
Somontano, Aragon, SpainEight months in French oak help to soften the edges here. Look for cherry fruit, savoury flavours and round supple textures. Fresh soft and well crafted for food.Prices:| BC Estimated | $13.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Viñas del Vero Clarion 2001
Somontano, Aragon, SpainAn unusual mix of chardonnay, riesling and macabeo are pulled from the winery's best estates. Citrus mineral diesel aromas run through similar flavours. Fine structure but a cool and touch herbal for a big white.Prices:Read Full Note
85PTS
Viñas del Vero Gewurztraminer 2001
Somontano, Aragon, SpainThis is a light easy-drinking style with a typically aromatic nose and fairly sweet spicy flavours. Lychee melon and grapefruit flavours finish up. Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
Viñas del Vero Chardonnay Fermentado en Barrica 2001
Somontano, Aragon, SpainFresh citrus entry with a touch of lees and cream. Muted oak adds to the wines style and flavour. Cool crisp impressive style made with grapes grown at 500 metres.Prices:Read Full Note
87PTS
Leone de Castris Primitivo di Manduria "Santera" 2000
Puglia, ItalyRipe blackberry, cedar, earth, spicy game and prune nose with some leafy notes. Dry, somewhat rustic tannins but rich bodied with cedar, black cherry, black berry and pepper flavours. Good fruit and weight but somewhat too dry and tannic - needs a year or so to soften. Try with grilled kebabs. Prices:| BC | $17.45 | 750ml |
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05 December 2002
87PTS
Mission Hill Chardonnay Estate 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrassy, green-apple, canned peach aromas with vanilla. Soft and slippery entry onto the palate with citrus, mineral, green apple tones. The finish is youthful and streaked with refreshing acidity. Well made and fine weight but definitely John Simes with that signature citrus rind finish.Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Monmousseau Cuvee J.M. Blanc de Blancs Brut 1998
Touraine, Loire, FranceProduced as if it was champagne, the Cuvee J.M is made from 100 percent chenin blanc. The nose has a mature dusty, green apple mineral scent which alludes to its lean Euro-style. The textures are creamy; the flavours a mix of mineral grapefruit, green apple and citrus. Sophisticated dry and lean it will shine best with finger food before dinner.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Carmen Reserve Chardonnay 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileLight sweaty lees mineral aromas but quite subdued. Soft leesy entry with oily citrus rind fruit flavours. The finish is warm but light. Okay but not particularly impressive.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Arrowood Chardonnay Cuvée Michel Berthoud 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesMade from select vineyards and all barrel fermented fruit this top-of-the-line chardonnay has a honey/floral/citrus nose with spicy toasted lees in the background. The flavours span buttery fruit with more apple and nectarine flecks in the finish. Toasted oak flavours mark the elegant but short finish. New-Age California burgundy but don't tell EU officialsPrices:| BC | $37.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pepi Chardonnay Two Hearts 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesUnusual nose with touches of herbal bell pepper peach and creamy apple. Elegant entry with some creamy butter lees and peach and citrus rind in the finish. Fresh elegant unoaked style that will have wide appeal in restaurants.Prices:| US | $12.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gray Monk Odyssey Méthode Classique 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is only the second sparkling wine produced by Gray Monk and only 200 cases were released. The blend is riesling and chardonnay and the nose is green apple citrus rind and touch of lees. Green apple mineral and under ripe nectarine flavours pervade its creamy texture. Use as an apéritif or summer picnic bubble.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Chardonnay Laguna Ranch Vineyard 1998
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesAdvanced nose showing signs of over maturation. Lees and garlic mark the nose with a creamy nutty citrus component underneath. Lots of citrus nutty lees and a firm streak of acidity throughout. It goes in round and creamy and finishes with a spicy lees, bruised apple and acid finish. Drink in the next six months.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Estate Chardonnay 1998
Northern Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, United StatesGallo's "estate" chardonnay has been good from the beginning and remains so. Look for a big ripe, tropical fruit, mango/citrus and nutty lees nose that jump out of the glass. Intense flavours of pineapple and citrus peel with complex mineral notes underneath and a hazelnut finish. Impressive styling, excellent crisp style and a broader palate. Wonderful wine.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $61.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $69.95 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Chardonnay Stefani Vineyard 1998
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesCorkedPrices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Chardonnay Two Rock Vineyard 2000
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesFloral citrus aromas with garlic SO2 and lees. Lean lemony. Green apple citrus fruit flavours cling to a fairly skinny body. The finish is similarly lean and crisp with little extract. More Macon-like than Sonoma. The skinny nature of this wine will surprise the buyer looking for classic California chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay 2000
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThere something about Carneros chardonnay that leaves me wanting more. Look for enticing hazelnuts and spice with pear aromas everywhere. There's lots of citrus notes up front with green apple fruit in behind. You'll love the delicious creamy textures and nutty finish. This is as good as it gets for the money from California especially at $35. If it was Puligny Montrachet you would be lucky to buy similar quality at $75.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
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04 December 2002
87PTS
Annie's Lane Shiraz 2000
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLovely coffee, smoke and oak here with sweaty leather and lifted black cherry plum jam aromas. Big lifted berry jam flavours laced with smoky oak and coffee. Well put together with mouth-watering, savoury fruit in a dry but elegant style. The only drawback is its fairly acidic finish. Needs food.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz 2000
South Australia, AustraliaCompost coffee and prune with a touch of sweaty leather is the nose. Soft and round with a flat mid-palate. Plum prunes and coffee mix with leather for flavouring but the textures are a bit lean and acidic. Simple straight-ahead Oz shiraz.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.35 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Escudo Rojo 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileCigar, green beans and bell pepper mark this smoky sweaty leather nose. Very Chile, very Maipo. Lovely elegant style in the mouth, soft and round with cherry tobacco and sweaty leather and smoke and just a touch of tannin in the finish. A well made dinner wine with fine intensity. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $24.85 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kaesler Stonehorse Shiraz 2001
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaClosed nose with spicy cardamom hints but not much else at the moment. Nicely balanced (despite the high alcohol) with ripe blackberry jam, white pepper and licorice. Good fruit and a big warm leathery finish. Drier style will appeal to those who prefer wines with less obvious fruit.Prices:| BC | $35.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hardys Tintara Shiraz 1999
South Australia, AustraliaThe Tintara has a dark colour and a super intense smoky leather nose complete with blackberry jam and anise notes. Smoky oak pervades its blackberry fruit and vanilla flavours. The finish is short and lean and not quite up to the rest of the wine.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hardys Nottage Hill Shiraz 2000
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaAttractive black berry, black cherry aromas with white pepper, coffee and lifted fruit aromas. Soft and smooth with a flat mid-palate and a spicy floral berry finish. Simple easy-drinking at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Wolf Blass Green Label Shiraz 2001
South Australia, AustraliaRoasted bell pepper earth and coffee aromas mixed with the scent of plums. The entry is richer than you might expect with coffee mocha flavouring but the finish is a bit thin and acidic. It's the oak that carries this wine but it needs more.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.90 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Annie's Lane Copper Trail Shiraz 1998
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe 1998 Copper Trail shiraz has a lovely open nose of blackberry licorice and chocolate. The fruit is dense and juicy with sour cherry and leather flavours vanilla and spice. Well balanced too. This is classic oz shiraz that shouldn't be missed.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $39.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Langmeil Shiraz Valley Floor 2000
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaGreat colour here and an equally intense nose of peppery, ripe black berry and cherry fruit with smoky bacon undertones. Very smooth and very round in the mouth with more black cherry and smoky toasted vanilla. An elegant Barossa style showing some acidity in the finish. Fine quality.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Terra da Lobos 2000
Tejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalCherry, prune, gamey smoke aromas with less intense characters than previous vintages. Very soft and round, this is a forward sipper with peppery, slightly stemmy, cherry flavours. Perfect for rustic meat dishes or around the barbecue. Fair pricing.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Canyon Road Shiraz 2000
California, United StatesIntense sweaty/gamy nose with a stinky rubber and dank drainpipe aroma. Compost and coffee grounds lead a mix of flavours rounded out by cherry and earth. A lean dry, simple style which is really a good case of: you get what you pay for.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Renwood Sierra Series Syrah 2000
California, United StatesLook for an upfront whack of pepper, licorice, black cherry and roasted bell pepper wafting out of this intense nose. It's a California style Cote du Rhone Villages with elegance and fruit but lots of acidity to keep it lively. Smooth round fresh and ready to drink. A fun-style red for sipping but would be great with food too.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Delicato Family Vineyards Shiraz 2000
California, United StatesCompost and cooked strawberry jam give this inexpensive American shiraz an unusual nose. Soft sweet, round, and very commercial with a flat sugary finish. Dull and disappointing.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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02 December 2002
88PTS
The Rothbury Estate Brokenback Shiraz 1999
Rothbury, Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaSweet vanilla and cherry cola scents mark the Brokenback nose with a dusting of Hunter sweaty saddle. On the palate the fruit is rich and ripe mixing sweet berry, chocolate and spicy oak. It finishes warm and soft and flecked with roasted red pepper, leather and spicy fruit. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
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01 December 2002
84PTS
Seaview Brut Sparkling Wine 1999
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThe Seaview nose is a mix of floral, peach and apple scents with nutty, mineral. Its nutty, bruised apple/peach fruit flavour sags a bit on the mid-palate and the mousse is a bit foamy. A solid workman-like picnic bubble that lacks verve in the glass. Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Champagne Dom Pérignon 1993
Champagne, FranceSay what you like about Dom but don't say it isn't one of the best champagnes in the world. Sophisticated rich elegant creamy the descriptors flow as easily as the bubble itself. The perfect mix of toast and hazelnut on a leanish French frame. Where's the party.Prices:| BC | $160.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial NV
Champagne, FranceBrut Impérial Rosé is a blend of 50 to 60 percent pinot noir and 15 to 20 percent chardonnay; the balance is meunier. Pale salmon is the colour with dried cherries and bush fruit aromas, all streaked with spicy baked apples and almonds. It is a little lean but elegant with raspberry, cherry, and apple flavours and some citrus peel in the finish. The dinner match is crepinette of rabbit Loin and sweetbreads with asparagus gratinees and potato pave in orange blossom honey and mustard jus.Prices:| BC | $93.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $99.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $104.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $99.65 | 750ml |
| QC | $95.50 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut NV
Champagne, FranceCreamy, sweet toasty biscuit nose with floral, peach, baked apple notes. Crisp, round, elegant with fine mousse. Peach, creamy, nutty, red apple and citrus flavours with fine toasty apple length on the finish. An improvement in style over the last few years. Good intensity.Prices:| BC | $77.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $71.10 | 750ml |
| SK | $85.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $87.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $80.55 | 750ml |
| QC | $77.15 | 750ml |
| NS | $77.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $79.99 | 750ml |
| NL | $78.99 | 750ml |
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January 2003