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Tastings: February 2003
28 February 2003
88PTS
La Crema Syrah 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesLa Crema's syrah has a peppery resin and smoke edge to its nose with just a touch of sausage. The entry is soft and round with big black berry black cherry fruit flavours with a touch of spice underneath. A soft creamy vanilla and cola finish leaves you wanting more. An excellent effort for early days California syrah.Prices:Read Full Note
90PTS
La Crema Pinot Noir 2000
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesExpressive black cherry licorice cola compost aromas waft out of the glass. Definitely cherry plum and vanilla flavours with creamy smoke and just a dusting of tannin. Quite a spicy aftertaste. Despite an open top fermentation regime with punch-downs four times a day and nine months barrel ageing in 44 per cent new French oak barrels this unfiltered and unfined pinot is extremely elegant.Prices:| BC | $45.95 | 750ml |
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75PTS
M. Chapoutier Chateau des Estubier Rosé 1999
Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceOxidised bottle. Undrinkable.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Dona Paula Rosé 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileVegetal strawberry nose. Soft round and slightly sweet. Like drinking a stewed plum with vegetative notes. Maybe it was better when it was young.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.35 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.80 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.80 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mionetto Marzemino Legatura Dolce Frizzante NV
Veneto, ItalyObtained from a small quantity of moderately dried marzemino grapes from Marca Trevigiana in the Veneto region. Sweaty earthy black fruit nose. Fairly dry and elegant for a dolce with more earthy black berry flavours. Serve alone as an aperitif or after-dinner drink with dried fruits, nuts and cheeses, or pastries.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mionetto Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Frizzante NV
Veneto, ItalyUncanny golden delicious apple scents with mineral streaks. This is the Prosecco for which the Veneto region is famous, and represents the best of the Valdobbiadene winemaking traditions, including the string-tied cork. Look for a firm dry mi-palate with similar mineral apple flavours. Well-made serious sparkler. Expect half the bubbles of a full sparkling wine. Perfect for summer garden parties.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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78PTS
Rivercrest White Zinfandel 2001
California, United StatesCandied raspberry with dusty herbal notes almost like a fruit-scented aftershave lotion. Sweet green herbal berry flavours. This kind of insipid sweet rosé can kill the entire market.Prices:| BC | $7.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $8.49 | 750ml |
| SK | $7.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $7.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $6.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $8.99 | 750ml |
| PE | $9.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Ambassador Frutilla Ponche (Strawberry) NV
ChileSpicy strawberry jam and licorice nose. Soft round light almost crisp strawberry earth flavours. Fun summer sipper in the sparkling fruit punch style.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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75PTS
Ambassador Pina Ponche (Pineapple) NV
ChileTinned cooked pineapple fruit aromas and flavours nose. Not near as lively as the peach or strawberry versions. Tinny mineral flavours finish short. Not up to Valdivieso's normal standards.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Ambassador Duranzo Ponche (Peach) NV
ChileNectarine peach skin and green apple aromas jump from the glass. It's firm, almost dry mid-palate has good acidity and a smooth finish and there's just enough sweetness to remind you its summer.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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25 February 2003
89PTS
Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay Cuvée Alexandre 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileCreamy vanilla, green apple citrus nose with a touch of mineral underneath. A soft round entry hails a very elegant style chardonnay with mineral/green apple vanilla flavours and a butterscotch baked apple nutty finish. Cool calm and sophisticated it reminds one of the Sonoma Coast chardonnay style.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bonterra Vineyards Chardonnay 2001
Mendocino County, California, United StatesThis historic 378-acre Bonterra vineyard, located in the Russian River benchlands of Mendocino County, is certified organic. Farming practices include composting, cover crops, and natural cycles to create a soil that is rich and vital. Soil, plants and animals together create a web of natural balance where all the elements thrive. Look for bright citrus lemon oil and apple skin. Very soft and buttery in the mouth with plenty of green apple skin and lime rind flavours. Buttery lees flavours mark a long soft delicate finish.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Vintner's Reserve 1997
California, United StatesStrawberry jam and rotting compost mark the nose of as fading pinot noir. Big soft and round on entry with spicy dried black cherry fruit and a rootsy finish. The fresh fruit which is a K-J trademark is fading.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Delicato Family Vineyards Shiraz 2001
California, United StatesGood colour here. Smoky licorice blackberry aromas and stewed prune. Quite an improvement over the previous bottling. Look for a meaty spicy peppery mid-palate fruit with some dryness in the finish. A well priced everyday red.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir Private Selection 2001
Central Coast, California, United StatesPrivate Selection is the replacement label for the Coastal series which at least in the eyes of the Mondavi team had lost its appeal with so many other wineries using the coastal term. If you ask us Private Selection has to rank among the lamest wine monikers in the business rivalling the likes of Proprietor's Reserve and Vintner's Reserve. As for the latest edition look for a spicy barnyard nose with a sweet cherry smoky mint leaf nose. Its round and soft on entry but the fruit is dry and slightly astringent in the aftertaste. Smokey black cherry flavours and that pinot rootsy character mark the aftertaste. A solid pinot that will shine with the likes of duck cassoulet.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Estancia Chardonnay Pinnacles 2000
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesToasted lees nose with plenty of baked apple and citrus with just a touch of rubber. Rich entry with more baked apple fruit but the finish is drying out and beginning to show its age. Drink up.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileOpen mineral/lime rind and green apple nose that is quite appealing. Similar lime rind and green apple flavours with just a touch of lees in the finish. Slightly alcoholic but a solid introductory chardonnay in the cooler elegant style.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $11.85 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.57 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Willowglen Chardonnay 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaTypical inexpensive Oz chardonnay nose offering citrus, peach and butter aromas. A soft sipping style chsardonnay with more peach and butter flavours, an oily texture and mineral paper in the finish. Simple everyday white.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Willowglen Shiraz Cabernet 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaCandied cherry spicy nose with menthol cough drop undertones. Similar flavours with more cherry spicy fruit and some elevated acid. Simple straight-ahead oz red.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig smoky, resin, leafy, mint, peppery nose streaked with brambleberry aromas and a touch of barnyard. It's rich, round and intense on the palate with smoky, spicy, coffee and peppery, blackberry, sweaty leather flavours. The tannins are a bit rustic and intense with some more vanilla/coffee flavours and a touch of acidity on the finish.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.27 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.40 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cline Syrah 2000
California, United StatesLook for a huge, fruit-driven (signature Cline) nose of black plum and cherries with a gamy/sausage meat aroma in the background. Big chunky flavours of earthy roasted tobacco and smoky bacon. Fine intensity, half-Rhone, half-California and touch rustic but all value.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Carmen Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileTypical spicy, smoky leather, green olive "Maipo" nose streaked with gamey, minty cassis aromas. Round, soft and supple with peppery, earthy resiny black cherry flavours and a mocha, smoky coffee vanilla finish. Firm style if a touch chunky.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.80 | 750ml |
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21 February 2003
85PTS
Sandhill Cabernet Merlot Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky ripe black cherry spicy nose. Soft entry and supple but very peppery and hot on the palate with a small amount of bitter cherry fruit. Peppery earthy highlights mark the finish but not much else. Simple red.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Gamay Noir 2001
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPleasing smoky peppery earthy nose. The entry is soft but the rest is lean and slightly acidic on the middle palate. The finish is a mix of dried earth and sour cherry flavours.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Marechal Foch 2001
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPleasant smoky/oaky cherry nose with hints of menthol. Very soft and round in the mouth with spicy tobacco vanilla flavours. An okay foch that that is a touch on the watery side.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Mt. Boucherie Summit Reserve 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis 60 per cent cabernet franc, 30 per cent merlot and 10 per cent cabernet sauvignon has a cherry leafy, minty tobacco nose with a whiff of volatility. The entry is smooth and round but the mid-palate is super dry and tannic. There's a bit of leafy, cherry tobacco flavours but mostly the wine is dry and hard. A good example of why growing cabernet franc is such a risky business in B.C.Prices:| BC | $16.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 1999
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFragrant spicy ripe cherries with a background of black olives and sweaty leather. Big entry and finally some flavour extract but the finish is dry and tannic. It will need a big steak to tame its peppery tobacco cherry flavours.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Poplar Grove Merlot - Cab Franc 1999
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaResiny rubbery tarry aromas with a touch of shoe leather mark the nose. It has a soft supple entry and better balance than most but another B.C. red with a dry, low fruit finish.Prices:| BC | $27.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program One Phantom Creek Vineyard 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAn equal blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot that smells a bit leafy and a bit earthy with only a touch of cherry fruit. Soft, round and supple in the mouth but the fruit factor is too low. Steak would help this ready-to-go red look a little less dry.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sandhill Cabernet Franc Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother smoky leathery, tobacco leaf red from B.C. It's incredibly dry on entry and even drier on the mid-palate with more resiny peppery smoky leafy leather flavours in the aftertaste. There's a bit of stuffing here but where's the fruit?Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hawthorne Mountain Lemberger Gold Label Series 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDeep dark colour. Expressive vanilla tobacco and tomato leaf nose. Smoky oak and spicy leafy flavours with elevated acidity. Elegant, soft and easy to sip but there's too much oak and acid and not enough fruit. Not cheap.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Shiraz 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA couple of inconsistent notes suggest perhaps this wine is drying out early or that for the moment the tannins have taken over. In any event the fruit is less than prominent on the smoky/sweaty black cherry berry resiny nose. It is soft on entry but dry on the mid-palate with a solid dose of acidity. Hard, dry and young and mostly closed in at this point.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Limited Release 1999
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky tobacco and coffee vanilla mark the nose of a wine that enjoys quite a following in B.C. It's soft and round and pleasant enough on entry but dry and acidic in the finish with no flavour intensity. No charm here.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2000
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDespite being harvested at a respectable 23 brix the nose is a mix of vegetal smoky notes with a touch of rubber boot, cranberry and black cherry. There's nice elegance and styling here with big smoky vanilla and cranberry fruit in the finish. Better than most other syrah but still too dry in the finish for our liking. 750 cases made and bottled March 2002.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Two Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMinty herbal smoky nose streaked with pepper. Look for quite mean green streak down the centre with peppery dry tannins and a green olive finish. Big but not much else and nothing like the usual friendly Howard Soon style. A disappointing blend of cabernet sauvignon (65%), merlot (27%) and cabernet franc (8%). 248 cases produced. Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Lang Vineyards Limited Edition Maréchal Foch 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSurprisingly light colour. Pungent candied cherry aromas with a whiff of tomato. Super acidic on the palate with a mostly lean and acidic aftertaste of tomato and sour cherries. Tough slogging here and frankly this is a grape we could live without in B.C. It has such a negative international image that it only reinforces the stereo-type that Canadian wine is less than serious.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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18 February 2003
94PTS
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Great Estates Santa Barbara County 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesRipe mango, pineapple, citrus, mineral aromas with fine toasty, spicy lees, vanilla and honey notes. Rich, ripe and round but elegant with oily, creamy, mango, pineapple spicy vanilla flavours and a long toasty, honey, mineral finish. Good acidity and length, extremely fine and tasty.Prices:| BC Estimated | $70.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Camelot Bench 2001
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesRipe apple, spicy, buttery, mango aromas with honey and toasted lees notes. Round entry with elegant styling and fine acidity. Similar big apple, spicy lees, vanilla and honey flavours with a touch of mango on the finish. Love the structure and finesse. Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Kendall-Jackson Stature Chardonnay 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBig mango, pineapple, toasted, smoky lees aromas with honey, marmalade and citrus scents. Very rich, round and oily yet well balanced on the palate. Expect intense baked apple, spicy lees, creamy mango, citrus and honey flavours. Very long with good acidity, a top quality chardonnay for those who like intensity and we do. Sensational bottle of wine.Prices:Read Full Note
92PTS
Calina Bravura 1999
ChileA blend of 71 percent cabernet sauvignon and 29 percent merlot, the 1999 vintage Bravura is sourced from the Itata, Maule and Colchagua Valleys and , blended in a style that Winemaker Andres Sanchez Westhoft likens to "bringing three brothers born in different places together again as a family." Look for a spicy peppery, saddle leather, prune scented nose with resiny, cassis jam and minty aromas. Rich, round and balanced with soft, supple tannins. Very spicy, peppery, blackberry jam, earth flavours. Smooth black cherry, smoky vanilla coffee aftertaste with some herbal minty notes. Very polished but finishes somewhat alcoholic. The wood is 100 per cent French and between 30 and 35 per cent new each year. Drink now through 2006. 250 cases made.Prices:| AB | $49.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $56.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Great Estates Alexander Valley 1999
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesAn all Sonoma affair (87/13) from Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley and almost exclusively aged in French oak. Expect an attractive spicy, sweaty saddle leather, peppery nose flecked with tar, black berry jam, licorice, earth and tobacco aromas. Fine complexity on the palate along with excellent concentration and balance. The taste is of cassis and blackberry jam flavours with a vanilla, coffee, clove, leather aftertaste. Young tannins with some hardness and acidity to dissipate; three to five years should do it. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $79.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $66.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Great Estates Napa Valley 1999
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPeppery, blackberry jam aromas with dark earth, leather, vanilla, coffee, and mulberry scents. Ripe and big with round balanced tannins. Again, big peppery, blackberry jam, spicy, clove, vanilla leather and earth flavours and a long creamy vanilla/coffee finish. Big and young and will need at least 3-5 years to approach maturity. Excellent wine. All Napa (and mostly Rutherford) fruit in 91 per cent French oak.Prices:| BC | $85.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $74.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 1999
California, United StatesAn unusual mix of 70 per cent Napa fruit (21 per cent coming out of Rutherford) and 30 per cent Sonoma County (17 per cent Dry Creek Valley and 13 per cent Alexander Valley) all of which spends 20 months in small mostly French oak which is about one third new. Look for a big, spicy, tarry, vanilla and berry jam nose. It's moderately rich and ripe with round but dry tannins, spicy, cassis jam, tarry, blackberry flavours and a peppery, vanilla finish. Good fruit and balance with quite young tannins. It needs another two plus years before optimal drinking.Prices:| BC | $66.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $51.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $54.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Kendall-Jackson Zinfandel Great Estates Mendocino County 2000
Mendocino County, California, United StatesBlackberry, spicy, black cherry jam aromas mixed with pepper, licorice, vanilla and roasted pepper. Intense blackberry, black cherry jam, pepper, spicy flavours. Elegant styling and tannins considering its 15.5% alcohol level and plenty of intense fruit and pepper in the finish. Well made with 91/4/2/1.5 zinfandel/petite sirah/grenache/carignane/other varieties primarily out of the Redwood Valley and Highlands of Mendocino.Prices:| BC | $52.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $47.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Kendall-Jackson Merlot Great Estates 1999
Sonoma County, California, United StatesVibrant spicy olive and cherry aromas flecked with game and vanilla. It is ripe, rich and moderately tannic on the palate with more spice, green olive, pepper, black cherry and orange peel flavours. Quite long and warm with a resiny, herbal finish. Fine structure here but again another two to three years is required to soften up the tannins. Excellent potential for collectors.Prices:| BC | $75.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Great Estates Monterey 2000
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThis wine comes out of Clark Vineyard in Monterey. Look for cherry jam, spice, vanilla and forest floor aromas with just a touch of barnyard compost. Soft, round and supple the plum, licorice, spicy vanilla flavours are well balanced with a touch of acidity. A simple but well made pinot.Prices:| BC | $62.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $46.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Great Estates Sonoma Coast 2000
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesPrimarily Sonoma Carneros, Sonoma Valley and Russian River Valley fruit gives this stylish chardonnay a citrus/baked apple, melon, peach and spicy vanilla lees nose. Similar ripe flavours with more baked apple, spicy, creamy vanilla and lees flavours with a peach, mineral, citrus finish. Quite a creamy, oily texture with better balance, less apparent alcohol and better acidity balance than the Grand Reserve. Another fine effort from winemaker Randy Ullom's team.Prices:| BC | $54.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $46.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Great Estates Arroyo Seco 2000
Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThe heart of this wine is the Dijon and Rued Chardonnay clones that spend 10 months in 100 per cent French oak of which 34 per cent is new. Floral, citrus, honey, baked apple, vanilla cream and mineral aromas waft out of the glass. Ripe and round with big spicy, citrus, floral, mango, peaches and cream flavours and a creamy, vanilla orange finish. Elegant, crisp and long with a spicy, lees aftertaste. Very stylish.Prices:| BC | $69.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $61.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kendall-Jackson Merlot Grand Reserve 1999
California, United StatesThe "California" is a blend of fruit form Anderson Valley 31; Alexander Valley 28; Napa Valley 25; Russian River Valley 8; Monterey 5; and Sonoma 3. Look for tobacco, earthy, peppery, leafy aromas with light resiny, cherry notes. It's somewhat lean and dry with angular tannins at this stage. It's spicy peppery, herbal, cherry vanilla flavours finish with a touch of clove. It's a bit too hard for current drinking; we suggest another year or two of bottle ageing to soften up the tannins.Prices:| BC | $66.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Yangarra Park Merlot Appellation Series 2001
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaThis is quite a fine effort from an Oz grape that rarely shines. Coffee, herbal, mint and tobacco aromas are flecked with some cherry and pepper. The palate is round and supple with spicy, vanilla, peppery cherry flavours and a leafy, minty finish. It's a bit dry and acidic on the finish and there's still quite a bit of oak showing. Another three years should help this wine gather itself for prime time.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Yangarra Park Shiraz Appellation Series 2001
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaRipe cherry, blackberry jam with smoky, bacon aromas and a peppery undercurrent. Rich, round and supple textures with spicy, vanilla, clove and blackberry jam flavours and a peppery, creamy cola finish. Quite unctuous, warm and balanced with a touch of acidity and freshness. Attractive style for near term consumption.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Grand Reserve 2001
California, United StatesLovely open ripe peach, melon, butter vanilla aromas streaked with citrus and mango. Ripe but elegant with a bit skinnier, crisper palate. Creamy vanilla lees, buttery peach, melon and mango flavours melt into its delicious spicy finish. Crisp, clean and creamy with just a touch of heat in the aftertaste. Fruit sources are a who's who of California wine regions: 40 Monterey County, 35 Santa Maria Valley, 8 Santa Barbara County, 8 Sonoma-Carneros and 4 Russian River Valley.Prices:| BC | $45.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Edmeades Zinfandel 1999
Mendocino County, California, United StatesBig spicy, peppery, blackberry jam aromas streaked with earth and bramble and showing a fair bit of alcohol. Ripe and moderately soft tannins but the finish is dry and alcoholic. Very peppery, earthy, spicy, vanilla oak flavours with some berry jam. Disjointed and somewhat disappointing, perhaps not the best of bottles. There is 14 per cent petite sirah in the blend.Prices:| BC | $36.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Edmeades Chardonnay 2000
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesThe Edmeades chardonnay is fermented with native, "wild" yeast in 81 per cent French oak. Peach, citrus, green apple, vanilla and buttery lees aromas mark the nose. It is ripe, round and fresh with balanced acidity and elegance. Spicy lees, butter, melon, baked apple and mango flavours. Good intensity and balance, very spicy and not too fat. Well done, good value.Prices:| BC | $32.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Villa Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva 1999
Tuscany, ItalyCherry jam, spicy, barnyard, earthy game aromas mark the nose of this 85/15 cabernet/merlot blend. Elegant, soft and light with fresh earthy, licorice and spicy cherry flavours. Decent quality but quite up to where a riserva should be.Prices:| BC | $43.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Villa Arceno Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Tuscany, ItalyCassis jam and leather with earthy, spicy peppery aromas. Ripe and round with some elegance but it is slightly hollow and acidic on the mid-palate. Chalky, mineral, coffee, cassis flavours mark its peppery, spicy finish. A lighter style cab with dry tannins on the finish. needs more time in the bottle and maybe some sangiovese.Prices:| BC | $43.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Villa Arceno Syrah Il Boschetto 2000
Tuscany, ItalyIl Boschetto is a single vineyard syrah with an open spicy, peppery, blackberry jam and roasted game nose. Rich, round and quite supple with peppery, spicy, jammy, mocha vanilla flavours. Fresh and elegant, nicely integrated. Once again syrah seems to adapt perfectly to the terroir.Prices:| BC | $43.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Villa Arceno Merlot 1999
Tuscany, ItalyPleasant plum and cherry jam aromas mixed with vanilla, spicy, peppery earth notes. Round, soft, elegant and balanced it has fine cherry and plum jam flavours streak with pepper and licorice. Still has some tight tannins on the finish but the fruit is ample. Needs another year or two in bottle. It's 100 per cent merlot.Prices:| BC | $43.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Villa Arceno Arguzzio 1999
Tuscany, ItalyRipe cherry jam, waxy, gamey, spicy, coffee aromas with that south of France garrigue and sweat in the background. Rich, ripe and round with fine cherry, cassis jam flavours streaked with orange, spicy flavours and a mineral, chalky vanilla finish. Elegant and well balanced. Arguzzio is a blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese and merlot that spends 20 months in Frenc Nevers and Allier oak.Prices:| ON | $49.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pepi Pinot Grigio Willamette Valley 2001
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesPear, apple, mineral, wool aromas dominate on the nose. The structure is soft, round, elegant and fresh. Big mineral, apple, somewhat rind-y flavours preview a slightly oily, buttery flavours that finish simple and slightly herbal. Drink all summer.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pepi Colline di Sassi 1999
California, United StatesEarthy, gamey, cherry, barnyard aromas with peppery, spicy notes. Moderately tannic and alcoholic with peppery, earthy, licorice flavours and a spicy vanilla, cherry finish. Lean and somewhat acidic but not unlike many Italian versions. Another year in bottle will help this wine settle down and reach its peak. The blend is 59/41 sangiovese/cabernet.Prices:| BC | $37.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pepi Chardonnay 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesFine mineral, green apple, peach aromas flecked with nutty lees notes. Dry, round and fresh with green apple, citrus, lemon, mineral flavours and light, buttery finish. Its clean, fresh, balanced style makes it easy to pair with food.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.49 | 750ml |
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17 February 2003
91PTS
Geyser Peak Chardonnay Russian River 2002
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesA complete departure for Geyser Peak the Russian River chardonnay is barrel fermented, lees stirred monthly and aged in French and US barrels but only 50 per cent of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. Rich honey pear fruit flavours persist in what is a well crafted chardonnay elegant chardonnay that is a pleasure to drink.Prices:| US | $16.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Geyser Peak Russian River Sauvignon Block 2002
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis label is created more to meet a style than a taste, namely the herbaceous, zingy gooseberry fruit of Marlborough. Wow what a super job. This is an extra notch up the quality ladder. There's a touch of barrel-fermented juice that adds flesh but this is a delicious California sauvignon that will turn heads.Prices:| US | $17.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cambria Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard 2001
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesAt harvest, 2001 Katherine's Chardonnay grapes were gently whole-cluster pressed to capture the fresh flavours while avoiding any harsh tannin. Primary and secondary fermentation took place in French oak barrels of which 32 per cent are new. The wine is aged sur lies for a period of eight months. Look for a bright mineral, pear, buttery, floral, citrus and honey aromas. The structure is dry and lean with mineral, citrus, creamy butter, vanilla and apple skin flavours. Still tight and needs a bit of time to develop. Very similar to a Puligny. Fine potential to age for the next 3 to 5 years.Prices:| BC | $41.50 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Matanzas Creek Syrah 2000
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, peppery, sweaty saddle nose with blackberry, smoky cassis aromas streaked with game, tobacco and smoked pepper scents in the background. Rich, round and supple on entry with earthy, black pepper, black cherry flavours and a spicy, meaty, minty finish. Round and elegant, will be best in a year or two.Prices:| BC | $56.50 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Matanzas Creek Journey Red Meritage 1999
Sonoma County, California, United StatesOrange rind, mint, cherry jam, weedy, smoky vanilla aromas with a touch of barnyard, cassis and pepper in the background. Rich, round and flavourful with some very defined dry, tight tannins. Smoky, tobacco, cherry, mint, orange peel, leather and pepper flavours. Elegant olive, earthy finish. A tight but elegant style that will need a minimum of 2-5 years to fully round out.Prices:| CA | $155.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $250.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Matanzas Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig black pepper, spicy, barnyard, cassis, blackberry aromas with a touch of wax and prune. Rich and somewhat tannic, has big ripe cassis jam, blackberry, vanilla, spicy pepper flavours. Quite elegant and round and balanced but lacks a bit in the mid-palate. Will improve over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $66.50 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Matanzas Creek Merlot Reserve Selection 1999
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe '99 is the inaugural release of the reserve merlot fruit from the Bennett Valley blended with Alexander and Knights Valley. The nose is open showing peppery, spicy, barnyard, cherry jam aromas showing black olive, mint and smoky notes. Richer, riper and bigger than the regular bottling with a firm structure. Spicy, weedy, orange, smoky, cherry, mint flavours with some olive and vanilla on the finish. A bit tight and hard at this point, needs 3-5 years.Prices:| AB | $84.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Matanzas Creek Merlot 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe blend is 85/8/4/3 merlot, cabernet, syrah and cabernet franc most of which is Bennett Valley and Carneros sourced with touches of Alexander, Knights and Russian River valleys. Look for spicy, minty, green olive, orange and pepper aromas flecked with vanilla and cherry. The round and moderately rich flavours taste of pepper, olive and leafy tobacco with some weedy, cherry, vanilla on the finish. Good but not particularly fruity. Will need a few years to fill out.Prices:| BC | $49.50 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Matanzas Creek Chardonnay 2001
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky, toasty oak vanilla nose with ripe peach, apple skin and floral notes all streaked citrus rind and mineral notes. Round, elegant and oily on the palate the '01 is a bit leaner than the 2000 but we love the mineral chalky, green apple/peach, and buttery spicy smoky lees flavours. Very fine mineral and citrus style that has the ability to age and improve.Prices:| BC | $56.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Matanzas Creek Chardonnay 2000
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesPredominately cool, micro-climate fruit is used here from Sonoma Valley and small amount of Russian River. Look for a bright honey, butter, mineral and citrus nose. It's round, dry and crisp with a slightly oily texture. Fine buttery, spicy lees, mineral, citrus baked apple flavours fade into a soft, elegant flavourful finish. Simple but very enjoyable style.Prices:| BC | $49.50 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Cardinale 2000
California, United StatesThis very young '00 Cardinale is a 63/37 blend of Napa and Sonoma fruit and like the '99 a 75/25 split of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Look for a spicy, peppery, black olive and cassis nose streaked with licorice aromas and notes of blackberry, earth and tobacco. Rich, ripe and concentrated with fairly big tannins. More pepper, earth, clove, vanilla and cassis jam flavours with black cherry and licorice root on the finish. Excellent potential here but you will have to wait another 3 to 7 years for this 'mountain' of wine to reach maturity.Prices:| BC | $210.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain 1999
Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe '99 is a 79/21 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot all from Reverie Vineyard on Diamond Mountain. Expect intense ripe blackberry jam aromas mingled with pepper, licorice, clove, dried poblano, vanilla and floral aromas. Very aromatic. It's rich, ripe and concentrated on the palate with fine tannins. More blackberry jam, cooked cassis and tobacco flavours with an earthy, spicy, clove finish. Balanced with potential to age for the next 7 to 12 years. Very fine effort.Prices:| BC | $210.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Napa Valley, California, United States The colour is dark. The nose very spicy with smoky, cassis jam, black berry and vanilla aromas and just a touch of cloves and leather in the background. It's rich, and concentrated with big yet supple, round tannins and intense spicy, clove, vanilla, black berry and orange peel flavours. Pepper and olives dust a long and balanced finished. Fine potential here for ageing although it's much more integrated at this stage than the 1999. Excellent effort.Prices:| BC | $66.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Napa Valley, California, United StatesEighty per cent of this 98 per cent cabernet sauvignon comes of the Beckstoffer Vineyard in the Oakville District (once the source of fruit for BV's Georges de Latour). Expect a dark cherry colour with intense peppery, earthy, liquorice, black berry jam, spicy cassis nose with a hint of tobacco and barnyard. Rich, ripe and concentrated the flavours are a mix of spicy coffee, olive and blackberry fruit spiked pepper and spice. A bit skinny in the middle palate with some hard, dry tannins yet to disperse. Needs timePrices:| BC | $66.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Atalon Merlot 1999
Napa Valley, California, United StatesLovely sweet nose with spicy clove, pepper, black cherry jam, mint and orange peel aromas. Substantial but smooth, round tannins preview a wealth of rich, warm, mocha, cherry, clove, pepper earth flavours. It's quite intense with big structure and will need a few years to develop. A big, fat style. Very Napa. Should have wide appeal.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Atalon Merlot Mountain Estates 1998
Napa Valley, California, United StatesEnticing ripe blackberry, saddle leather nose spiced with black olive, pepper and plum aromas - almost more cabernet-like than merlot. Hot, ripe and round with slightly lean, hard tannins but not without some elegance. Spicy, olive, mint, cherry jam, peppery, clove vanilla flavours. Good for 1998 if not a bit alcoholic.Prices:| BC | $75.95 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Vérité Le Désir 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesA kind of Sonoma Cheval Blanc, Vérité Le Désir is a 33/51/16 blend of cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon all from Sonoma Mountain vineyards. The nose is a mix of tobacco, black pepper, spice, licorice, earth, black cherry, prune and vanilla aromas. It's very rich, round, concentrated with ripe tannins but again with super balance. Beautiful licorice, black cherry, cassis, vanilla, coffee spicy orange rind flavours. Very complex, long and classy -- a first for California. Should improve for many years.Prices:| BC | $175.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Vérité La Muse 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesVérité La Muse (Vérité in the 1998 vintage) was inspired by the ideal of marrying the classic approach of the French vigneron to the exquisite potential of Sonoma and Napa County fruit. Look for an open vanilla, peppery nose streaked with cherry jam and spicy, and licorice aromas. It's rich with big concentration yet smooth and round tannins balance of the acidity perfectly. Coffee, vanilla, spicy, orange rind, peppery, plum jam flavours finish with smooth textures and a distinctive cardamom clove finish. Suave and drinkable at a young age but will improve over the next 3 to 7 years. A blend of 87/9/2/2 merlot/cabernet franc/cabernet sauvignon/malbec all from Sonoma Mountain. Sensational wine.Prices:| BC | $175.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Archipel 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesExcellent deep cherry purple color. Huge peppery, vanilla, sweet cassis nose with blackberry, licorice root and spicy threads. Big and young on the palate with definite tannins; balanced and ripe. Tasty flavours of vanilla, coffee, earth, licorice, blackberry jam, pepper and even orange. Bigger and more structured than the 2000, this will need four to seven years to reach full maturity. Classy and worth the investment.Prices:| BC | $74.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cambria Syrah Tepusquet 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThe first bottle we tasted was suffering from cork taint the second was better but the style is definitely on the stinky/compost side. There is a big spicy, clove, vanilla, resiny, garrigue nose with meaty, blackberry jam notes. Dry, round and moderately elegant with some light, dry tannins. Quite spicy and peppery with resiny, black cherry and gamy flavours. The smoky finish is a bit too lean and tight - where's the fruit.Prices:| BC | $41.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Cambria Chardonnay Bench Break Vineyard 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesVery attractive creamy vanilla, smoky lees, mineral/slate, citrus rind, and apple aromas. Dry, somewhat tight palate with more mineral, buttery lees, citrus and baked apple flavours. Round and a touch oily with a dry mango, smoky finish. Long lean and very sophisticated. This will need a year or two more to be fully developed.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Cambria Pinot Noir Bench Break Vineyard 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBig resiny, smoky, black cherry jam, mineral, compost and liquorice root nose with a hint of tobacco and compost. Ripe, round and elegant with soft, supple tannins. Very flavourful with black cherry, raspberry, smoky, mineral vanilla and liquorice root flavours. Long, balanced and intense. Delicious.Prices:| BC | $54.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Cambria Pinot Noir Bench Break Vineyard 1999
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesTar, barnyard, smoky, spicy, liquorice root aromas with lots of cherry jam. Round, elegant and fresh with nice balance and integration. Strawberry jam, smoky, mineral, raspberry flavours with a touch of spicy liquorice on the finish. Delicate with slightly tight tannins. Drink now and over the next year or so.Prices:| BC | $54.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2001
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesTea, spicy, peppery, barnyard nose with toasted, smoky, vanilla cherry and strawberry aromas. Dry, somewhat tight tannins with high acidity (Santa Barbara) preview smoky, vanilla, pepper, cherry and compost flavours. A bit reserved and tight at this stage but should improve in a year or two.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesIndividual lots of 2000 Julia's Pinot Noir were hand-harvested into small, open-top fermentors. Look for a spicy, peppery, barnyard, cherry jam, plum and licorice root aromas. Round and elegant with light tannins. Good cherry, strawberry, spicy, licorice and compost flavours. Nicely balanced and elegant and will improve as it round out over the next year.Prices:| BC | $41.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $38.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cambria Pinot Noir 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesA fine mix of tea, strawberry jam, spicy, barnyard and leather aromas. Dry and somewhat lean on the palate with raspberry, strawberry, spicy, licorice flavours and more tea and pepper on the finish. A bit warm in the finish and perhaps not a plush as it could be but solid none the less and we like the price.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cambria Chardonnay 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesKatherine's Chardonnay grapes are whole-cluster pressed and its primary and secondary fermentation take place in French oak barrels where the wine is aged sur lies for a period of eight months. Look for a spicy, toasted lees, butter, pear and mango aromas with a touch of orange and honey. Dry, soft and elegant with mineral, pear, buttery lees flavours and dry citrus, butter finish. Well balanced and priced.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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16 February 2003
89PTS
Hartford Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2001
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesHartford's Sonoma Coast chardonnay is comprised of individual lots that don't make the final cut for its top wines and that's good news for chardonnay bargain hunters. The '01 Sonoma Coast mixes single vineyard Russian River and Green Valley fruit that of a handful of growers along the Russian River and the southern edges of Sonoma Coast. Look for a fresh mineral / Burgundian nose. The flavours are a mix of peach, pear and citrus fruit. Fine quality here from reasonable production of 5554 cases.Prices:| BC | $41.50 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Hartford Court Chardonnay Laura's Vineyard 2000
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesLaura's Vineyard is a multi-vineyard blend of heritage clone chardonnays from the Sonoma Ridges and Green Valley on the Sonoma Coast. Some provide floral components; other texture. Look for an open buttery rich chardonnay with wonderful balance. There are nutty, mineral aspects mixed with pear and vanilla that makes this a delicious drop of white wine. Solid rich, long and persistent.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Hartford Court Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard 1999
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesFog seldom leaves this coastal vineyard that is one of the coolest and further west in California. Some of the fruit was picked as late as November 16. The colour is a dark "grand cru" yellow with lots of smoky Burgundian fruit. The flavours are a mix of nutty, citrus, orange and pear fruit with a personality Don Hartford describes as extreme yet subtle. We agree. What a fabulous bottle of chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Hartford Court Chardonnay Stone Côte Vineyard 2000
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesExpect a medium yellow colour and a big flinty nectarine skin nose. Stone Cote is a small block that lies within the famous Durrell Vineyard and sits on what amounts to a hanging river bed on the side of Sonoma Mountain. (On a clear day you can see the Transamerica tower in downtown San Francisco). This is a cool site and it's reflected by the mineral peachy kiwi fruit flavours. Fine quality but the 2000 vintage needs drinking.Prices:| BC | $58.50 | 750ml |
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12 February 2003
91PTS
Conundrum 2001
California, United StatesCaymus Vineyards makes this proprietary blend - sauvignon blanc, sémillon, chardonnay, viognier and muscat canelli - from vineyard locations around the state that are best suited for each varietal. Look for an intense floral, honey, spicy, lychee fruit nose streaked with mineral aromas, honey, orange, melon and papaya notes. Rich, round and warm with slightly oily textures and a touch of sweetness. Ripe peach, honey, vanilla, melon, spicy ginger flavours that are intense and delicious. An unusual wine that demonstrates the benefits of skilful blending.Prices:| BC | $38.99 | 750ml |
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11 February 2003
91PTS
Hartford Court Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard 2000
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe vineyard lies just south of the winery and is 27 years old. The average yield is only about one ton to the acre. Quite a unique nose of grilled herbs, oregano, licorice with black raspberry/cassis and smoked fruit flavours. It's soft and fairly rich for pinot and what is such a cool site. There is still some tannin to shed.Prices:| BC | $118.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Hartford Court Pinot Noir Sevens Bench Vineyard 2000
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSevens Bench Vineyard is a small vineyard block on Duhig Road in Napa/Carneros. The name Sevens Bench is derived from the two predominate clones, Dijon 667 and Dijon 777, planted at the vineyard. Huge cedar drawer nose with smoky almonds and mocha highlights. Very sophisticated for Carneros with blackberry cherry fruit flavours in the finish. Ripe round and delicious.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Hartford Court Pinot Noir Marin 2000
Marin County, California, United StatesMarin County was classified as a region '0' back in the '60s with little though of any one ever growing pinot noir there. Hartford's 1.6 acre site is a small, single vineyard that is planted to the Mt. Eden clone of pinot and situated on a very cold hilltop west of the town of Nicasio. The nose translates into a coffee toffee black cherry aromas. Sweet warm pinot fruit persists on the mid-palate and finishes with more coffee plum and mocha flavours. Tasty.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Hartford Court Pinot Noir Velvet Sisters Vineyard 2000
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe story of the Velvet Sisters is as good as the wine. Legend has it they travelled to British Columbia and picked up a pair of velvet dresses. Upon their return to Mendocino they partied... a lot. This is a pretty pinot with black berry raspberry and brown sugar notes on the nose and in the flavours. A silky smooth, serious California pinot that shouldn't be missed.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hartford Court Chardonnay Stone Côte Vineyard 2001
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesStone Cote is a small block that lies within the famous Durrell Vineyard that sits on what amounts to a hanging river bed on the side of Sonoma Mountain. The wine has a wet stone, mineral nose with nutty exotic flavours and streaks of orange in the finish. The textures are sleek the finish is smooth. Impressive chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $58.50 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Hartford Zinfandel Fannuchi Vineyard 2001
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe 98-year old, seven-acre, Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard is located in the Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County. It is dry-farmed and has been hand-tended by the Fanucchi family for the last 29 years. Dried cherries and floral scents jump out of the glass. The flavours show sweet fruit and smoked meat with a dusting of tannins. Big bold warm zin.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hartford Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard 2001
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe vineyard trellising is now 50/50 high wire versus head prune. This Hartford zin is very spicy with more traditional styling. Don Hartford describes the flavours as "pyrotechnic" with spicy clove aftertaste and still some tannin to shed. Big spicy and warm.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Hartford Zinfandel Hartford Vineyard 2001
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesDon Hartford tends this 90-year old vineyard located on approximately seven acres in the Russian River appellation of Sonoma County. The vineyard is head-pruned and produces low annual yields of roughly 1.5 tons an acre. The wine is magnificent. Anise and aromatic scents mark the nose with chocolate, mocha, dark fruit spice. Opulent and probably the way zin fans really like their wine.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hartford Zinfandel 2001
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesRussian River and Sonoma fruit make up this four vineyards blend -- all of which average 90 years of age. Anise brown sugar and rich round fruit assault the palate. There is nothing rustic about his powerful huge delicious zin. All French oak and open-top, punched-down winemaking methods makes this a serious red.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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08 February 2003
85PTS
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2001
South Australia, AustraliaThe 2001 edition mixes 84 per cent cabernet and 14 percent merlot. Look for earthy, spicy, peppery, barnyard aromas with some plum jam and licorice. Round but somewhat dry with dusty, earthy, menthol, green bean and garrigue flavours. The fruit is somewhat raw and lean at the moment. Decent balance but could use a bit more primary fruit intensity for the price.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
La Crema Pinot Noir 2000
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, tea leaf, raspberry jam and pepper aromas with hints of herbal licorice notes. Soft and round with very light tannins, has good spicy, raspberry, herbal, pepper flavours with some vanilla and tea leaf in the finish. Forward, easy drinking-style for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $45.95 | 750ml |
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07 February 2003
88PTS
M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers Rouge 2000
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceGamey, peppery, licorice root, garrigue nose with black raspberry jam. Very round, soft, elegant style with spicy, clove, peppery black cherry earthy mineral flavours. A touch dry but well balanced for current consumption or hold for 1-3 years. Try with your turkey this season or slow cooked meats.Prices:| BC | $27.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Poderi Marcarini Barbera d'Alba Ciabot Camerano 1999
Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyCiabot Camerano literally "the tool shed in the vineyard" is an oak-aged Barbara and nine months in wood agrees with this grape. Excellent dark colour with an expressive nose of black raspberry and plum fruits. There's fine weight and acceptable acidity here in what is a rich, fruity, full blown red that could change the way you think about barbera. The price is more than fair.Prices:| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Marcarini Barolo La Serra 1999
La Morra, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyWow! This could change your mind about Barolo. So soft and sleek with bags of plummy mineral fruit, fine acidity and fine-grained tannins. Elegance is not a common descriptor of Barolo but this vintage and this wine hit the mark. Buy and cellar for five to seven years and then watch out. Rich and round California-like Barolo.Prices:| AB | $83.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Marcarini Barolo Brunate 1999
La Morra, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyAs Empson so rightly puts it the Marcarini Brunate is famous in the Barolo region for constantly expressing the elegance of La Morra. At 27,000 bottles there isn't much for the world but this '99 is worth tracking down. The fruit and flavours are powerful; the tannins big and round. Not as rich as the La Serra but more intense and more Euro. Gorgeous bottle with along life ahead.Prices:| AB | $83.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cascina Bongiovanni Dolcetto d'Alba 1999
Castiglione Falletto, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyThis is a stylish, soft, round red with firm juicy fruit and plenty of mouthfeel. Licorice root, black cherry fruit and mocha flavours mark the palate with reasonably soft tannins in the finish. Reduce yields and a touch of micro oxygenation makes this a big package at a small price.Prices:| AB | $23.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cascina Bongiovanni Rosso delle Langhe Faletto 1999
Castiglione Falletto, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyThe blend is 50 per cent barbera and equal splits of nebbiolo and cabernet sauvignon. Cedar tobacco aromas preview typically firm acidity all of which underlies a chunky black currant flavoured wine. The finish is polished with subtle vanilla scents. Only 330 cases made.Prices:| AB | $56.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Cascina Bongiovanni Barolo 1999
Castiglione Falletto, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyThe '99 regular Barolo is considered the best made at the property since 1989 and 1996. At 3.2 tons to the acre the concentration and weight is substantial but there is an elegance and fruit character that gives it very modern appeal. Solid and should improve over the next five to seven years.Prices:| AB | $72.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Cascina Bongiovanni Barolo Pernanno 1999
Castiglione Falletto, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyWow what a great bottle of Barolo. Forget the big dry wines of the past. Pernanno is made from select Nebbiolo fruit from one particular plot within the estate's finest vineyard. Fabulous 35 year-old ripe fruit flavours dominate the palate of a wine only made in exceptional years. The style is neither old nor new -- perfect comes to mind. Buy and hold for five to seven years.Prices:| AB | $89.00 | 750ml |
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06 February 2003
92PTS
Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1993
Tuscany, ItalyLovely old Brunello that's just coming into its own. Classic Tuscan restrained fruit aromas with sweaty leather and licorice streaks. Spicy earthy tones fade into an elegant old red. Quite elegant with dry tannins but well made and well balanced.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Goats do Roam (Red) 2002
South AfricaExpect a rich fruity, gamy, meaty, licorice plum jam nose with a dash of briny tobacco. The entry is smooth soft and fleshy with additional spicy black cherry/licorice flavours. The finish is long with just a dusting of tannins in the background. Good value here when compared to its French Côte du Rhone counterparts.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.78 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Coli Chianti 2001
Tuscany, ItalyLook for a slightly riper fruit nose here with a mix of cherry prune and a touch of barnyard. Very soft on entry with good mouthfeel. Simple cherry fruit and more dry notes in the finish. Decent value for Chianti, but you will need food to set this off.Prices:| BC | $11.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Barone Ricasoli San Ripolo Chianti 2001
Tuscany, ItalyExpect more of an open spicy cherry jam nose streaked with peppery. It is soft round on entry with a mix of barnyard cherry and earthy fruit flavours but the finish is quite dry. Chicken or spicy tomato sauce should smooth out the edges.Prices:| BC | $15.45 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Renzo Masi Chianti Rufina 2001
Tuscany, ItalyYou'll like the classic sangiovese nose of cherry almond and meaty licorice here. Much like its cousins on the palate there is plenty of lively acidity and fairly dry tannins in the finish. Food is the ticket to set this wine free. Mushroom and chicken tetrazzini should do the trick.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Fossi Chianti 2001
Tuscany, ItalyCorkedPrices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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05 February 2003
83PTS
Valdivieso Malbec Cabernet Organics 2001
Region del Valle Central, ChileNo synthetic fertilisers weed killers or insecticides are use in the vineyard. Spicy resiny smoke and bright cherry jam. Lightweight dry and acidic on the palate. It lacks the weight and flavour profile of most Valdivieso reds. Simple dry finish.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Cecchi Chianti 2001
Tuscany, ItalyThe Cecchi Chianti has quite a dusty earthy cherry nose and flavours. There is an additional sour cherries and cedar bark flavour that runs through the mid-palate before it finishes dry and light. Order the pizza before you pull the cork.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rocca delle Macie Vernaiolo Chianti 2001
Tuscany, ItalyGamy meaty spicy prune with a touch of leather mark the nose of this Chianti. There is definitely better weight and roundness on entry but the '01 acidity shows through in the finish. It's well made and the fruit is ample but the acidity cries out for some form of spicy pork dish.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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04 February 2003
87PTS
Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 1999
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIntense black cherry, black pepper nose with streaks of coffee. Firm lean texture with good acid and leafy, cranberry/toffee, oak flavours. The finish is dry and tannic at this point but it will soften up. The balance is there. Re-tasted in 2015 and there isn't much left. Dry and hard with bell pepper resonating and plenty of acid showing through. The highest percentage ever of cabernet sauvignon but it appears to have been too much for the blend. Drink up. The blend is 22/58/20 merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc; 12 months in 57 percent new French oak: 61 percent Osoyoos 30 percent Oliver fruit.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Frescobaldi Castiglioni Chianti 2001
Tuscany, ItalyA 10 per cent addition of merlot to the wine adds to its mouth feel and warms up its earthy gamy nose streaked with cherry jam. This is solid everyday Chianti with fine fruit on the mid-palate before the Tuscan tannins show through in the finish.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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03 February 2003
86PTS
Poplar Grove Pinot Gris Reserve 2001
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBruised apple, mineral and citrus rind nose. Round warm alcoholic entry with more bruised apple/honey and earthy fruit. Simple, soft and ready-to-drink.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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02 February 2003
92PTS
Ca'Marcanda Promis 1999
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyFrom Angelo Gaja's new Tuscan estate in Bolgheri, this is a merlot, cab, sangiovese blend sporting deep colour. Lovely rich blackcherry fruit on the nose with very fine oak, coffee, leather and a funky note. Could easily be identified as Bordeaux on the nose, although sangiovese almond notes come through on the finish. Very well balanced, excellent length. Has some finesse and vibrancy. Best 2003 to 2006.Prices:| BC | $33.45 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château Gaudrelle 2000
Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, FranceGaudrelle is an ancient vineyard owned by Alexander Monmousseau and located in Vouvray. It was first mentioned in the District Archives of Tours in the 1500s. The vineyards face south and are composed of argilleous (clay) and chalky soil. Here the chenin produces off-dry to sweet wines depending on the vintage. Look for a mineral/slate, dry lees and apple skin nose with just a whiff of toastiness. Round fruity and stylish in the mouth it has a fair amount of ripe apple fruit with a toasted nut finish. Fine quality.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Fontalloro 1997
Tuscany, ItalyGenerous ripe open nose with gamy spicy notes mixed with smoke prunes and coffee. Big and rich on entry with a firm acidity spike and dry tannins everywhere. Spiced smoke, tar and cherry mark the flavours and finish. Will need several years to settle down and shed some tannins. Patience is required.Prices:| BC | $74.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $67.50 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Brancaia Rosso di Toscana 2000
Tuscany, ItalyCoffee vanilla spicy game and smoky cherry mark the nose of this serious Chianti. Rich and round at entry it offers plenty of mid-palate acidity and tannins - it's very sangiovese. The finish is appealing with smoky coffee flavours and tannins to yet dissipate. This is excellent wine and no doubt will be popular with the small sector of buyers who routinely pay $50 plus for Chianti Reserve.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Tenuta Belguardo Maremma Toscana 2000
Tuscany, ItalyOpaque colour. Huge black cherry jam nose that jumps out of the glass. Spicy peppery fruit that tastes of coffee, vanilla and bags of black cherry fruit. The tannin kicks in near the finish but its fairly ripe and the wine is well balanced. Lay this wine away for a minimum five year but it may take a decade to reach full maturity.Prices:| AB | $94.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Kruger-Rumpf Münsterer Kapellenberg Riesling Kabinett 2001
Nahe, GermanyThis is a winner. Ripe riesling apple/peach and creamy flavours fruit jump out of the glass. Peach apple and super citrus orange fruit flavours are perfectly balanced by the acidity. Crisp ripe and impressive - you won't stop at one glass when opening this bottle. At only 9 per cent alcohol it's tailor made for lunch.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Doña Paula Malbec Selección de Bodega 1999
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack colour. Spicy coffee vanilla and black plum jam aromas streaked with smoke. Smooth and sleek on entry with warm round rich smoky dried cherry fruit and coffee. Quite an impressive weight and an even better peppery mushroom cherry finish. Very well made and a treat to drink. Surely one of the best malbec in the country.Prices:| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Doña Paula Malbec 1999
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaDamp earth mulberry nose with cooked mushroom and smoked, tobacco leaf. Very smooth entry with appealing smoky chocolate and dried herb and plum fruit flavours. This is classic malbec and about as good as it gets for the price but will the North American consumer embrace this style?Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Canale Black River Reserve Malbec 2000
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaTypical malbec with smoky dried herbs and saddle leather on the nose. Slightly richer and rounder on the palate with smoky, coffee oak and minty herbal characters. Well made but the mushroom herbal cassis finish will appeal more to the connoisseur than the beginner. Euro-styling.Prices:| BC | $32.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Luigi Bosca Malbec 2000
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaExpect a big smoky toasty leather nose streaked with cassis and black plum fruit. Super intense and clean there is sweet vanilla black cherry fruit flecked with coffee, cola, tobacco and leather. The finish is rich smooth smoky and resiny. A nice jump above the older style Argentine dried-earth. Maybe the best Bosca we have tasted yet. Grilled steak is a natural here.Prices:| BC | $20.95 | 750ml |
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01 February 2003
85PTS
Rawson's Retreat Shiraz - Cabernet 2001
South Australia, AustraliaDeep colour. Open spicy, blackberry, pepper and cassis aromas with a touch of barnyard and mint. The entry is soft and round with blackberry, spicy, plum jam flavours and a touch of earth and bell pepper. Good mouth-feel with some acidity in the finish. Oz style, easy to sip, and laced with light peppery fruit.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Equus Chardonnay 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileRich open, butter peachy/nectarine aromas and fruit. Good intensity and length but with an in-your-face chardonnay style. Simple styling but well balanced and showing some richness of flavour in the big apple finish. PriceyPrices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2000
Pirque, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy lees and honey cream mark the nose of this French-styled chardonnay from Concha y Toro. The entry is round and full fruit flavoured with buttery lees and apple skin in the finish. Quite dry, well balanced and showing complexity of flavour in the toasted smoke aftertaste. Well made.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.27 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Sunrise Chardonnay 2002
Region del Valle Central, ChileMineral apple skin and peppery fruit aromas with similar fruit flavours and some bitter citrus rind flavours in the back end. Simple straight-ahead chardonnay at a bargain price.Prices:| BC | $9.45 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.17 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.80 | 750ml |
| NB | $9.99 | 750ml |
| PE | $12.20 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.45 | 750ml |
| NF | $10.02 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Toscolo Chianti 2001
Tuscany, ItalyAnother impressive Neil Empson selection with a big spicy meaty gamy nose mixed with roasted cherry scents - classic Chianti at last. Spicy gamy black cherry fruit with licorice, pepper and a dusting of dry, Italian tannins. A solid restaurant wine or take it home and serve liberally around the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Doña Paula Chardonnay 1999
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaLooked for a somewhat muddle nose of cooked pineapple fruit and garlic lees. Round oily and warm with a dry lees mineral character and a fruit cocktail apple skin flavours. Some toasted vanilla flavours in the finish. Old style chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Alto de Terra Andina Chardonnay Reserva 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBright apple/nectarine fruit but much leaner than the regular addition with lees and floral notes on the finish. Lots of grapefruit rind and apple skin throughout which starts out fine but finishes slightly bitter.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Terra Andina Chardonnay 2001
Region del Valle Central, ChilePleasant open nectarine spicy lees nose with a touch of nuttiness in the background. The entry is slightly fat and oily showing some heat with more baked apple and spicy nut lees in the finish. Consumers will like the mouthfeel but more fruit in the flavour would be better next time out.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Chardonnay Medalla Real 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileExpect a stylish creamy honey nose with peach and marmalade undertones. Very appealing on entry with mouth filling fruit flavours, peachy fruit and fine intensity. The finish is crisp and citrus streaked and the intensity lifted to support the price. Nicely done.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.91 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.39 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Valiano Poggio Teo Chianti Classico 1998
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyAppealing spicy fruity cherry jam nose with toasted, smoky fruit and sour cherry fruit flavours. Elegant styling for a '98 and definitely benefiting from some extra time in the bottle. A fine 98 and will be perfect with food.Prices:| BC | $30.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fassati Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Pasiteo 1999
Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThis is approachable Vino Nobile with an open plum jam and cherry fruit nose with plenty of roasted resiny cherry flavour fruit streaked with spice. Peppery dry tannins mark a finish that will need another three to five years to soften up. Quite a brute.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Barbera Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLovely deep colour with smoky game, cherry jam and crab apple streaks. Quite a warm round entry with typical, elevated barbera acidity and cranberry fruit. Needs food but should been fine by the end of the year or early 2004. Look for this in restaurants only.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Sangiovese Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe wine opens with a shoe leather, smoky resin nose mixed with a minty, dried herb character. The entry is warm and savoury followed by sour cherries and resin flavours. Smooth and balanced but a little more extract and a little less dry fruit would make this even better next time out.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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March 2003