quicksearch
Tastings: May 2003
28 May 2003
91PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Cabernet Sauvignon Barrelli Creek Vineyard 1999
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe Barrelli Creek cab is consistently rich and inviting on the palate and the '99 edition does not disappoint. Look for a ripe nose of cassis fruit and mocha so characteristic of Alexander Valley mixed with cedar and spice. More blackberry and cedar fruit fills out the wine plenty of sweet vanilla fruit in the finish. A fine '99 Bistro Ralph suggests you serve with duck breast and huckleberry sauce.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Zinfandel Barelli Creek 1999
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBarnyard and meaty gamy undertones mark the nose of this spicy zin. The flavours are similarly briary with gamey black cherry fruit and pepper in the background. Baby back ribs are the food match courtesy of the Bear Republic Brewing Company located in downtown Healdsburg.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Cabernet Sauvignon Frei Ranch Vineyard 1998
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis is classic California cabernet with an enticing cherry cola and vanilla nose. Gobs of ripe, jammy, black raspberry fruit flavours dominate the palate. The textures are round, the tannins are firm and the finish is long and flecked with spice and smoke. Lamb shank is the suggested pairing and we agree.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, United StatesWow what a rich inviting nose. Dense rich valley fruit combines with the leaner, tighter mountain fruit to make an extremely drinkable red and given the appellation an affordable Napa cabernet. Typical Oakville elegance makes this a pleasure to drink along with a whack of mocha, black currant fruit. The acidity is finely tuned and helps to lift the finish and keep everything in balance.Prices:| BC | $61.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSome five to seven per cent, cold-soaked, pinot noir is blended into the Blanc de Noirs base wine adding a touch of colour and a fine creamy texture. You'll love the strawberry, dark fruit nuances and the firm underlying structure of what is a consistently classy sparkler suitable for any occasion. The blend is 92/8 pinot noir/chardonnay.Prices:| AB | $28.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.30 | 750ml |
| US | $14.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
27 May 2003
93PTS
Arrowood Chardonnay Cuvée Michel Berthoud 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe first Berthoud label was made in 1992 and today remains a selection of fruit from Arrowood's major growers in Carneros and the Russian River. This sophisticated chardonnay shows some match head with heightened barrel and fruit aromas. Floral, honey, lees and river rock notes make up its serious flavours. As we said last time this is delicious New-Age California Burgundy but don't tell EU officials? It's designed to age 5 to 6 year before reaching its peak.Prices:| BC | $37.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Arrowood Pinot Blanc Saralees's Vineyard 2000
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesUS pinot blanc is sometimes confused with the grape known as melon de Bourgogne but at Saralees's Vineyard in the Russian River Valley the pinot blanc is a certified true clone. The `01 marks the end of a decade of pinot blanc production at Arrowood and it's hard not to like the delicious preserved peach fruit-driven wine, with tropical fruit aromas and flavours. The finish is smooth and streaked with vanilla and floral notes.Prices:| US | $3.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Grand Archer Chardonnay 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesPale colour. Big pear apple buttery lees nose with citrus floral undertones. Sophisticated styling here with a round soft entry and creamy textures. Lovely buttery citrus fruit with fried apple flavours and some honey in the background. Elegant styling. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $37.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
22 May 2003
92PTS
Shardana 1998
Santadi, Cagliari, Sardinia, ItalyMade from rare 100-year old pre-phylloxera stock Shardana is a power-packed carignano-based red raised on Latino or bush trained vines in southern Sardinia. When the Empsons began the Shardana project in 1996, they chose the Santadi team and famous friend / consultant Giacomo Tachis as their ideal partners. The initial release is as rich as the land it comes from packed with black cherries and gamy meaty fruit. Smooth and well structured it finishes long with a spicy, leathery black cherry aftertaste. Delicious.Prices:| BC | $40.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Suavia Soave Classico Superiore Monte Carbonare 2001
Monte Carbonare, Verona, Veneto, ItalyRespected Italian exporter Neil Empson has been unearthing wine gems from his Milano-base for nearly three decades and his latest listing in Canada, Suavia Soave is a wine he places on a similar level to Soave superstar Pieropan. Unlike most Soave that contains a considerable percentage of trebbiano the Suavia is made from 100 per cent garganega. A portion is matured in oak barrels the rest in stainless steel. The nose and flavour is one of ripe, honeyed sweet fruit flecked with mineral butter. This is classic Soave built for the long run and a decade of ageing will only enhance this remarkable, unique, and totally Italian wine. Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Mission Hill Pinot Blanc 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWe like the consistency here. Like the 01 there is a fair bit of peachy/tangerine fruit aromas and flavours. The entry is soft and round with creamy textures and a soft, lime/butter finish. It's ready to drink as a standalone aperitif or with food. A warm seafood salad could be the perfect match.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Mission Hill Pinot Grigio 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMission Hill's ode to the Italian pinot grigio is the most exciting $14 white wine made in B.C. and could easily hold its own against most any imported white selling at the same price. Look for a fresh citrus pear and tropical fruit nose with a medium dry piecrust flavoured finish. All it needs is a screwcap to take on the world.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYou would think sauvignon might have a higher profile at Mission Hill given winemaker John Simes New Zealand background and his earlier work with Marlborough sauvignon but it doesn't seem to get any extra attention. The '02 sauvignon should have wide appeal with its ripe melon and canned grapefruit. It's much rounder than previous additions with less grass and pepper and more ripe fruit. Clean, fresh B.C. white made for summer sipping and West Coast oysters.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
21 May 2003
93PTS
Sassicaia 2000
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyOpen peppery, spicy, gamey, cassis jam, mineral, smoky blackberry aromas. Rich, round and moderately unctuous with good acidity and elegance. Blueberry, cassis, peppery, spicy vanilla flavours with slightly dry, austere tannins and some chunkiness. Good wood integration and quite a Bordelais-Tuscan styling. Needs about five years to fully come aroundPrices:| QC | $175.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $140.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Masseto 2000
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, creme brulee, clove, vanilla, plum jam and coffee aromas mixed with saddle leather, tobacco and gamey notes. Rich, unctuous and elegant with very peppery, spicy, clove, coffee, tobacco and black cherry jam flavours and a licorice, plum, minty, vanilla finish. A bit hot and oaky at this stage, needs several years to integrate fully. Ripe stuff. Prices are for the 1999 vintage.Prices:| AB | $269.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $299.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Ornellaia 2000
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyVery spicy, clove, cassis jam, green bean aromas with a mix of tobacco, licorice and black olive. Rich, round, concentrated and elegant with soft, dry tannins. Good chalky, mineral, cassis jam, dusty game, peppery clove flavours with licorice and vanilla on the finish. Long, polished and drinkable but will imporve over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $131.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
20 May 2003
95PTS
Nicolás Catena Zapata 1999
Mendoza, ArgentinaZapata, Catena's super-Argentine red, takes its name from Nicolas Catena's mother and also lends its moniker to the company's newest and most advanced Mendoza winery. Although Alamos, Catena and Catena Alta are made on-site the flagship red is Zapata. It's a limited bottling of less than 1000 cases made from a rigourous fruit selection from two vineyards - Uxmal in the district of Agrelo in Lujan de Cuyo and Nicasia in the district La Consulta in San Carlos. The 99 follows the initial 1997 (there was no 1998) and the blend is 82 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 18 per cent malbec. Look for spice laden back fruit flavours with a smooth sleek texture that makes it drinkable now but it should hold well through 2009 and beyond. Availability is extremely limited.Prices:| BC | $125.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Catena Malbec Lunlunta Vineyards 2000
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaWell made malbec from 70-year old vines is something to shout about and this Catena red is just that. Smoky meaty fruit flavours which are so much a part of the Argentine red wine landscape are present here along with sweet vanilla fruit and spice. It's hard to ignore the quality and styling here for the price.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Catena Cabernet Sauvignon Agrelo Vineyards 2000
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 2000 Catena cabernet doesn't have a great, deep colour but its savoury fruit flavours and smooth sleek finish more than make up for any deficiencies. Its whole berry fermentation and unfined and unfiltered bottling leaves the wine with more than enough fruit to balance off the 45 per cent new oak used in the ageing process. Lively acidity and more savoury fruit mark the finish. Well made and affordable for the quality.Prices:| BC | $28.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Catena Chardonnay Agrelo Vineyards 2001
Mendoza, ArgentinaThis is a delicious chardonnay that is 100 per cent barrel fermented with wild yeast. The long 50 day fermentation and sur lie ageing and stirring gives it a wonderful creamy mouthfeel. Pear and toasted oak dominate the flavours but it's all in balance. Sonoma-like chardonnay from Mendoza at a very affordable price.Prices:| BC | $27.40 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
19 May 2003
84PTS
Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Riesling 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral lime sweet fruit nose with similar flavours. Soft and round on the palate but less crisp than you might expect. Chill well and use as an aperitif on the patio.Prices:| BC | $12.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Domaine Joel Delaunay Touraine 2002
Touraine, Loire, FranceThis Touraine blanc is 100 per cent sauvignon with bags of clean crisp ripe fruit. After fermentation the sauvignon left on its fine lees to further enhance flavour and texture development. The flavours are a mix of peach and citrus with some floral notes in the finish. Impressive, fruity clean white that is tailor-made for West Coast food. Drink all summer.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Quails' Gate Dry Riesling Limited Release 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh open mineral aromas streaked with lime rind. The flavours are similar but like many 2002s the fruit is riper and marginally sweeter in the mouth. Fine weight and mouthfeel and will be a huge hit on the patio. This is a well made $15 wine; it would be an outstanding $12 B.C. wine.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Sandhill Pinot Gris King Family Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Sandhill pinot gris fruit comes of the King Family vineyard in Naramata. Similar to last year there is a floral peach aroma and flavour. The entry is fresh showing some lime rind flavours and hints of grapefruit. Not as concentrated or as intense as you might expect from such an excellent vintage. More of an everyday pinot gris which isn't all that bad.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaQuiet grassy citrus nose with a whiff of gooseberry. Dry, light and easy sipping. It does not exhibit a great deal of intensity but certainly wouldn't be out of place at picnics or for use at mid-day sipping on the patio. Good enough for the price.Prices:| BC | $8.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Domaine de Sancet 2002
Sud-Ouest, FranceFresh mineral, green apple skin nose. Tart lime and lemon flavours with a very crisp finish. The polar opposite of the now defunct heavily-oaked, white wine and a welcomed addition to the mix. Serves as aperitif with creamy goat cheese or with alongside fresh shucked oysters. If you are ready to move up to the clean fresh zippy whites of summer this is it. great value.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Deinhard Riesling Pinot Blanc Avantgarde 2001
Rhein - Mosel, GermanyWinemaker Manfred Vöpel has close to 50 years of experience in German wine and used that to mix Prädikats-wein from reduced yield for the assemblage of Avantgarde. Vöpel blended riesling and pinot blanc to create Avantgarde -- the first German white wine of its kind. Look for lemony mineral scented nose with apricot, mineral, litchi flavours with an undercurrent figs and vanilla. Mango fruit streaks through the finish.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Deinhard Riesling 2001
Rheinhessen, GermanySoft round simple style riesling with round oily buttery textures. The flavours are a mix of spicy, floral notes and green apple skins that are fresh but flat and soft in the finish. A picnic white -- no more, no less.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.25 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Deinhard Riesling Piesporter 2000
Mosel, GermanyElegant Mosel styling on entry with light, fresh, lemony, green apple and mineral citrus fruit. Similar flavours with that typical sweet and sour finish. Well suited to lightly seasoned dishes. Serve chilled.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Selbach Riesling Detzemer Maximiner Klosterlay Spätlese 2001
Mosel, GermanyLovely fresh mineral citrus fruit nose with lime green citrus fruit flavours throughout. Light refreshing elegant Mosel riesling that is perfect for summer sipper. Chill and serve all afternoon and into the evening on the patio.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
18 May 2003
92PTS
Turnbull Merlot Estate Grown 1999
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, United StatesWinemaker Jon Engelskirger says, the ''99 vintage merlot is the most exciting he's made to date," and we agree. The 100 per cent merlot (grown mostly at Fortuna Vineyard in Oakville) has a meaty/menthol aroma with an undercurrent of truffle. Still youthful in colour and retaining significant tannins the flavours run the gamut of earth, mushroom black olives, bay leaf, cedar and tobacco. Firm and rich it's a merlot that's a bit more cabernet and a little less California, which should please both sides of the fence.Prices:| BC | $45.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
13 May 2003
93PTS
Domaine des Perdrix Echezaux Grand Cru 2000
Echezeaux, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceOpen perfumy, ripe raspberry, cherry jam, compost and vanilla aromas. Ripe, round and elegant with fresh cherry, strawberry jam, spicy, vanilla flavours and some spicy, licorice notes on the finish. Great finesse, silky and approachable but should be able to age for five years.Prices:| BC | $173.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $149.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Domaine Jacques Prieur Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2001
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceToasty, spicy lees, vanilla, buttery mineral, aromas mixed with pear and ripe red apple. Dry, rich and round with elegance and finesse. Flavour packed palate with red apple, nutty lees, mineral, citrus flavours and a quince, lime butterscotch finish. Tight and dry, needs 3 to 5 years to fully mature.Prices:| BC | $170.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
08 May 2003
89PTS
Hardys Whiskers Blake Classic Tawny Port NV
AustraliaWhiskers was named after a "roguish" man whose job it was to scare the birds from the vineyard with a 8 gauge shot gone at the turn of the 20th century. Expect a lightish mahogany colour, a crème brûlée nose with caramel, rancio, nutty flavours. Soft, creamy and slightly sweet it is an elegant sipping tawny that is easily enjoyed year round.Prices:| BC | $22.59 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Hardys Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
South Australia, AustraliaThe Tintara brand as Bill Hardy says reeks of McLaren Vale although in this case there's some cooler Adelaide Hills and Coonawarra fruit to that helps to define this cabernet. The entry is sleek with spicy fruit aromas, soft textures and minty blackcurrant, plum flavours. The mid-palate is a touch hollow but the finish is elegant and very claret-like with vanilla highlights. Perhaps a dollop of shiraz would put it over the top.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
06 May 2003
89PTS
Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesClassic Sonoma aromas of ripe McIntosh apple with a touch of peach and pear. Clean mineral/apple/lees flavours complement its lean structure and styling. A refined, cool style chardonnay that's fun to drink. Lovely balance, great price.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot 2000
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaThe 2000 vintage of cabernet merlot was the first off the new vineyard in Margaret River -- the Heytesbury Vineyard. Crops were kept at around 3 tonne per hectare, Look for mocha coffee, compost and a weedy, green olive nose. Smooth sleek entry and fine elegance with similar flavours and some coffee mint in the finish. A trace of elevated acidity marks the smooth textures in the finish. Expect a bit of dry fine grain tannins in the finish. The final blend is 58% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 7% cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Palandri Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2001
AustraliaCassis and crushed leaf nose with minty jam undercurrents. Firm fresh entry with some elevated acid. Minty black cherry and cassis flavours on the mid-palate. Fine fruit and flavours but the acidity tends to dominate throughout.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Ballast Stone Merlot 2001
Currency Creek, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, AustraliaSpicy blackberry jam nose with coffee vanilla and spicy mint undertones. It's big and sweet on entry with more jammy fruit, cedar bark and some tannin in the background. The finish is warm with chewy black cherry fruit and a spicy peppery aftertaste. The fruit is grown at Poplar Vineyard at Currency Creek and matured in 75 per cent French oak and 25 per cent American for 15 months.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
05 May 2003
85PTS
Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Western Cape, South AfricaSimple ripe, cabernet nose with soft entry, medium-weight jammy fruit and the usual decent acidity. Fun simple, straight-ahead red but lacks depth and big cabernet taste. Barbecue/pizza red.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.45 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Pirramimma Merlot Reserve 2000
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaRipe smoky vanilla and cherry cola nose. Good intensity here with black fruit flavours and bags of smoky vanilla flavours in the finish. Young and dense fruit needs some time to mesh with tannin and acid but a very fine effort.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
04 May 2003
89PTS
Kim Crawford Merlot Te Awanga Vineyard 2000
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandSmoky compost pit with bags of cassis /cherry fruit nose. Sweet fruit and cassis entry with soft supple textures and more tobacco fruit flavours in the finish. Lots of flavour here and warm in the finish. Fair value for the price and certainly among the best merlot in the market at this price range.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Kim Crawford Chardonnay Tietjen - Briant 2002
Gisborne - Poverty Bay, North Island, New ZealandThe Tietjen - Briant chardonnay 100 per cent barrel fermented in 50 per cent new American oak. Big toasted butter and popcorn nose. Crisp clean entry but more baked apple and toasted buttery fruit. It's not flat or flabby nor is it sweet but it is oaky so it's a matter of style. In any event it's well made and worth trying.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Kim Crawford Pinot Gris 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandBig bright red apple and mineral nose. Very clean and fresh. Almost identical taste. Elegant round and warm in the aftertaste with flecks of citrus butter. Very impressive pinot gris. Well balanced and fun to drink. Perfect for summer. The grapes are harvested from the Boyszone Vineyard that has a small layer of silt over a stony base. It's machine harvested at night, a portion of the grapes get skin contacted, 7 per cent is barrel fermented in older American oak and that portion goes through malolactic fermentation. A small volume of gewürztraminer is added to the wine just before bottling to add fullness and a hint of sugar.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Kim Crawford Chardonnay Unoaked 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandAttractive peach/mineral/citrus nose. More ripe apple/peach fruit with mineral and butter in the finish. A very refreshing style, that's delicate, easy-drinking and uncomplicated. Fabulous zingy flavours in the finish. This is the style B.C. wineries should be emulating. Stock up for the summer this one's a winner.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Kim Crawford Dry Riesling 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandTwo Marlborough vineyards that are cooler and later ripening and that have two differing flavour profiles are used to make this wine. Look for a big floral baked apple and apricot notes on the nose flecked with slate and mineral. Fatter textures on the palate although the flavours are slightly less intense. Soft and round apple fruit but without a lot of zip.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Craggy Range Merlot 2001
Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandAfter pressing the malolactic fermentation was completed in barrel, of which 65% was new and all was French. Look for ripe, black cherry and plum fruit on the nose and styling reminiscent of Bordeaux's 'Right Bank'. Big sweet fruit flavours and spicy, smoky, black plum fruit with spicy vanilla. Warm but well-balanced with fine textures and very ripe for New Zealand merlot. Hurrah for the Gravels! Drink now but should improve through 2007.Prices:| BC | $51.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Craggy Range Sophia 2001
Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandRich Damson plum aromas with creamy vanilla clove and pepper and sweaty leather flecks in the finish. Even richer Christmas pudding fruit flavours -- a monster in the mouth. Rich, warm, peppery and long on the mid-palate with creamy, vanilla cola finish. There are dense round tannins in the finish that will require more time to dissipate. An outstanding effort. The wine is made from two specially selected parcels of merlot (61%) one parcel each of cabernet franc (23%) malbec (14%) and cabernet sauvignon (2%). Total maceration time was 28 days. After pressing malolactic fermentation was completed in barrel, of which 70% was new and all was French.Prices:| BC | $75.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $67.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandThe 2002 vintage was the first vintage from these vines planted in 2000. There are eleven different parcels of vines that are managed individually to create quite distinct and special characters. Expect an intense passion fruit mineral nose with just a fleck of gooseberry fruit in the background. The entry is full of round sweet fruit with chalky textures and mineral flavours. More passion fruit and kiwi mark the mid-palate before a dry and slightly austere finish. Intense sophisticated Kiwi style sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Craggy Range Les Beaux Caillou 2001
Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand Les Beaux Cailloux is a special planting of Chardonnay vines near native Kanuka trees in the Gimblett Gravels Vineyard. LBC is made from whole bunch pressed grapes, fermented in French oak barriques, using only indigenous vineyard and cellar yeasts. After full malolactic fermentation, and more that 12 months on lees in barrique, the best barrels are selected, blended, and in most vintages, bottles without filtration. Look for an expressive spicy sweaty lees nose with vanilla cream and hazelnut. The fruit is nectarine and apple skin but not overpowering. The flavours are a mix of buttery spicy lees and mineral with pears and apple. Perfect balance and quite a stylish creamy nutty lees finish. Very Burgundian and impressive for such young vines.Prices:| BC | $75.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $67.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Craggy Range Syrah Le Sol 2001
Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandBig peppery, tarry, plum jam nose with streaks of smoky vanilla. Delicious textures and round, sweet, plum jam flavours with vanilla, spice and flecks of creamy cola. Warm but not out of synch. Impressive effort with plenty of extract and still some tannin to disperse. Dense plummy fruit finish. A cross between northern Rhone and Australian style. Perfect style for restaurants.Prices:| AB | $45.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $51.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Matariki Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandBig passion fruit leafy character mixed with big time herbal/bell pepper and mint. Intense citrus rind and bell pepper flavours with asparagus and a pleasing, limey, crisp finish. Balance is fine but you have to be a fan of the herbal side. Mussels in Marinara sauce might be the ticket here.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Matariki Syrah Reserve 2000
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandBig resiny peppery nose streaked with cola and sweaty game undercurrents. The entry is rich and round with firm, dry, smoky, peppery fruit with resiny black cherry flavours and streaks of vanilla cola in the finish. Quite elegant in its demeanour but it lacks the extract that would justify its price in this market.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Matariki Quintology 2000
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandA blend of 33/26/24/10/7 cabernet sauvignon / merlot / cabernet franc / syrah/ malbec. Expect an open, plummy, blackberry fruit nose with some vanilla. Lively red fruit flavours on entry with elevated acidity and taut structure. The flavours are smoke and tobacco with just a touch of orange rind. It's elegant on the palate but slightly dry in the finish.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Matariki Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2000
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandSpicy green bean and smoky blackberry fruit nose with touch of barnyard. Smooth round entry with delicious black fruit and minty spicy fruit flavours with smoky olive, cassis and elevated acid in the aftertaste. A well balanced solid effort that should improve for another two to four years.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandKim Crawford sauvignon now sports the familiar screwcap closure ensuring consumers pure untainted flavours inside. Look for rich open canned jalapeno aromas with a touch of canned asparagus all streaked with chalk and mineral. Quite a citrus flavoured on the palate with excellent mid-palate balance and power. Green apple, green pepper and grapefruit flavours mark the long finish. Break out the mussels.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
02 May 2003
88PTS
Alto de Terra Andina Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig varietal cabernet nose showing meaty, blackberry, spicy aromas and plenty of leafy mint. Classic Maipo mint spice and herbs with some smoky resiny character. Cassis and pepper with a touch of coffee wrap up a well-made cabernet.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
01 May 2003
85PTS
Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPale colour for shiraz but the nose shows typical tarry-smoky, tree bark, clove and peppery notes. Mid-weight, sweetish and youthfully grapy, but has very good spice and varietal character at the price. Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Château de Nages Réserve du Château Blanc 2000
Costières de Nîmes, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceA 60/40 blend of white grenache and roussanne. Slate, mineral, quince, spicy lees and tropical nose with a hint of floral and apple skin notes. Round, elegant and flavourful with grapefruit, mineral, pear and honey flavours. Very fresh, crisp floral lime finish with slightly oily textures. A nice alternative to chardonnay and sauvignon blanc that would pair well with seafood like grilled halibut and asparagus.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
June 2003