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Tastings: July 2003
30 July 2003
87PTS
Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2002
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen inviting mineral/grapefruit rind, pear and honey nose with a touch of lees in the background. Big citrus green apple/mineral flavours with more citrus and rind. Very round and viscous on the palate with a sweet fruit mid-palate and a high acid warm (alcoholic) finish. Consumers will love its sweet mid-palate.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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28 July 2003
87PTS
Palandri Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaThis western Oz sauvignon has a fresh, light, citrus nose streaked with grassy grapefruit rind. On the palate it's slightly oily with a crisp lemon and lime rind finish. A light fruity, crowd pleaser that would be the perfect foil local mussels and or grilled calamari. Screw capped finish.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Saint-Benoit Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grand Garde 2000
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSpicy clove gamey smoky notes mix with a weedy/prune undercurrent. On the palate it's medium-bodied with more dry, weedy, tobacco flavours and some prominent acidity. It's a bit lean and skinny for a Châteauneuf-du-Pape.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau Les Argiles Bleues 2001
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceIntense savoury/garrigue nose with wild fruit and gamy undercurrents - very Châteauneuf-du-Pape like. More spice and savoury streak the roasted pepper, raspberry jam and vanilla coffee flavours of this big and chunky red. There are still plenty of tannins to drop but the structure and fruit will are big enough to carry this youthful red to the finish. A high quality red that will need three to five years further bottle ageing to reach its peak. This is really Châteauneuf-du-Pape on a Cotes du Rhone budget.Prices:| BC | $46.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2001
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBright fragrant blueberry fruit nose with licorice, leather and plenty of underlying sweet roasted pepper, spicy clove and cardamom. On the palate there's a whack of ground white pepper, and delicious, super ripe black raspberry and blueberry fruit all with a smoky licorice Chinese five-spice finish. Super quality. The blend is 70% grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mourvèdre, 10% cinsault.Prices:| BC | $50.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Côtes du Rhône 2001
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceOpen attractive red berry fruit nose with hints of licorice and game. It expands across the palate offering rich, warm, red fruit flavours flecked with a peppery ripe spicy licorice and black cherry through the finish. A surprisingly stylish, full flavoured red for such a simple appellation. A delicious, affordable introduction to the Rhone.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.95 | 750ml |
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96PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2001
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe ultimate power Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Look for a super intense, black raspberry jam and blueberry nose with an intense spicy garrigue character underneath. Smoke and crushed spice flavours on the palate with ripe intense rich fruit flavours and a smoky licorice fruit aftertaste. A must buy even it needs five to eight years to really star, still it's incredibly appealing now for those who can't wait. Prices:| BC | $87.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $79.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau 2001
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceLook for intense wild savoury herbs and super ripe raspberry jam with leathery/game undertones. On the palate the flavours are similar with added licorice root and black raspberry jam. This is a big, warm, alcoholic bruiser with some chunky tannins yet to shed. If you are willing to wait three to five years this should turn out to be an impressive big-time Rhone red.Prices:| BC | $31.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Palandri Merlot 2001
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaRipe red, round, sweet vanilla nose with cherries leather and barnyard undercurrents. Smooth fine-grained tannins and a gritty full-bodied flavour of cherry and mint. Quite dry in the finish and will need some time to come around. Solid effort.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Palandri Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaCassis and mocha aromas waft out of the glass from this very varietal cabernet. The entry is soft with more cassis fruit flavours and mocha but showing that characteristic elevated acidity in the finish. An attractive restaurant style red from Western Australia.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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27 July 2003
82PTS
Riunite Peach Chardonnay NV
ItalyStrong ripe peach nose. Candied fruit flavours. Soft alcoholic fruit juice that makes for a simple sweet sipper. Serve cold.Prices:| BC | $6.98 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Riunite Blackberry Merlot NV
Sweet blackberry fruit nose. On the palate similar there is more sweet black fruit with a slightly sour finish. Sweet slightly fizzy grape drink with a sweet and sour cassis finish.Prices:| BC | $6.98 | 750ml |
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24 July 2003
87PTS
Château Pesquié Ventoux Terrasses Rouge 2000
Sud de France, FranceLook for a peppery, spicy cardamom character upfront, super smooth textures on the mid-palate, and a somewhat rustic finish. Big chunky black cherry gamy flavours spiked with pepper. This is a young, robust red that still has some lean, dry tannins to shed before it shines.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Laurent Charles Brotte Côtes du Rhone Les Brottiers 2001
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceQuiet nose with a dusting of spicy cream and dark berry fruit. Light peppery easy sipping red that finishes dry warm and lean. Simple everyday red.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Rouge Réserve 2000
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceCreamy raspberry jam aromas with a spicy, meaty, licorice nose. Smooth round rich entry with some peppery highlights with more sour raspberry/cherry flavours. Quite warm in the finish and dry. Not as ripe as we hoped.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Banfi Le Rime Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio 2001
Tuscany, ItalyLow key mineral kiwi grapefruit rind nose. Decent weight and bodied with mineral, green apple. pear and almond flavours with a touch of passion fruit and citrus rind in the finish. Simple and at this stage getting dull look for the '02.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Baron Philippe Sauvignon Blanc 2001
FranceSpicy floral, green apple skin with mineral and floral highlights throughout. Very elegant entry with a slightly oily texture and a drier overall demeanour than most New World examples. Big mineral, apple skin, juicy, honey lees finish with just a touch of salt. Fine effort and good value.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Valdivieso Caballo Loco No. 6 "V" NV
Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, cedar, sandalwood nose streaked with vanilla, cassis jam, coffee and blackberry notes. Very round, silky, sleek and balanced with a touch of alcohol on the finish. The flavours are ripe and jammy with more coffee, cassis, vanilla and a touch of licorice on the finish. It's still slightly tannic but this will dissipate as the wine improves over the next five years. Very consistent quality.Prices:| BC | $41.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gran Bosque Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve 2000
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileCool cabernet nose with smoky leather, coffee, cassis, leafy, peppery aromas. The structure is rich, round elegant structure with sweet vanilla, smoky oak, leather, cassis and green olive flavours. Slightly dry, tannic finish with some green characters showing through. Needs some time to soften but it's definitely on the cool side reflecting the vintage.Prices:| BC | $41.95 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Hillside Cabernet Merlot 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFine dark colour with the now characteristic herbal, veggie dill notes on the nose mixed with green beans and earth. Smooth entry followed by a dry acidic, smoky, bell pepper and cranberry fruit flavoured finish. Simple.Prices:| BC | $16.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 1999
Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, minty, intense cassis fruit with a touch of cedar, chocolate and pepper. Rich, ripe, intensely flavoured with cassis jam, chocolate, vanilla, peppery, spicy flavours. Quite high acid and lots of smoky oak with some roasted pepper, green bean notes on the finish. A bit lean and tannic and quite alcoholic, needs three to five years to soften.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Saint-Benoit Côtes du Ventoux Lou Magnan 2001
Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceRich gamy, leather, resiny, licorice aromas with black raspberry jam. Lots of peppery, smoky, licorice black raspberry jam flavours that are quite typical of grenache with a some dry, tight tannins in the background that have yet to disperse. Grilled meats and/or time will help this wine settle down. It's made from 70% grenache, 22% carignan and 8% mourvèdre.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2000
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBig sappy, cassis jam nose streaked with pepper, mint and spicy, green bean aromas with plenty of alcohol. Rich, ripe, smooth entry with more intense cassis jam, mint, orange rind and sweet, smoky, vanilla/green bean flavours. It's nicely balanced with good acidity. The tannins are a bit dry and lean with some heat on the finish but overall it's well made in the cool style.Prices:| BC | $75.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Seña 2000
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSelected fruit for the 2000 Seña comes off the best cabernet sauvignon vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley. Look for a cool cabernet nose with smoky saddle leather, green bean, wet cedar boughs, and earth, cassis and vanilla aromas. On the palate it's big and hot with more peppery, smoky, vanilla, cherry cola flavours and some green olive and resin notes. The finish is dry and tannic with substantial astringency at this point. The 2000 vintage has put its "average" stamp on the '02 Seña.Prices:| BC | $74.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $72.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $78.00 | 750ml |
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23 July 2003
86PTS
Casa La Luna 2001
Castilla-Leon, SpainCasa La Luna a delightful little red wine from North Central Spain. Here, 200 kilometres from Madrid, the Duero river supports an impressive patch of old-ish vines that average 25 years or older in age. Severe temperatures in summer and winter, along with sparse soil, conspire to keep the yields impressively low for a wine at this price. La Luna Red (there is also a white) is made at Bodegas Fuentespina in the noted Ribera del Duero appellation and it is done so in the same manner as the reds bearing the Ribera's premier moniker. It's soft and round with both ripe fruit and acidity and a very pleasing dark fruit aftertaste. It simply doesn't get any better for $9.Prices:| BC | $8.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Martin Codax Albariño Rias Baixas 2002
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainLook for a typical pale, straw colour but what an inviting, aromatic nose of honey, apricots, apples and almonds. The taste is fresh and racy with bright acidity and a tart lemon/green apple buttery finish. Shellfish are a natural here or a seafood ceviche. It's well worth the money for the adventurous and keep in mind the Spanish consider Albariño to be the premier white wine variety in the country.Prices:| BC | $22.25 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Osborne Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainValdepeñas is a well-known region producing large amounts of cost-effective wines such as Navarro López Pergolas Old Vines Tempranillo 1999. Tempranillo is a specialty of the bodega and it shows in this American oaked version. Its old-style label doesn't compare with snappy graphics of La Luna but be sure to give this earthy, round, delicious sipping red a spot at any barbecue. It is tasty, inexpensive and made for food.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Gotin Bru 2000
Costers del Segre, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainGotim Bru 2000 is made by Castell del Remei some 120 kilometres north and west of Barcelona in the Costers Del Segre appellation. The wine is perhaps best described as "New World," Spanish blend of 55 per cent tempranillo, 25 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 20 per cent merlot. It has great colour and presence in the glass with very enticing rich aromas of black fruits, cedar, anise and vanilla. American oak ageing has furthered softened its edge allowing one to savour the blackberries, black currants and plummy fruit flavours throughout. A perfect foil to lamb, paella or Manchego cheese.Prices:| BC | $23.65 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Dr. L Riesling 2001
Mosel, GermanyVery floral, perfumy, mineral, peach, candied apple nose. Elegant, delicate, dryer style with ripe apple, citrus, mineral, juicy nectarine flavours. Very balanced and true riesling at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $15.92 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Spires Shiraz 2002
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaRipe blackberry, leather, pepper aromas with a touch of jasmine. Soft, round, elegant style with jasmine, licorice, blackberry and coffee flavours. Very solid little shiraz with a bit of Rhone Valley character.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Spires Chardonnay 2002
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaA very attractive light lees, mineral nose streaked with pear, apple aromas and a touch of melon and butter. The flavour is ripe, round and juicy with more mineral, ripe apple, peach, and melon flavours with lime and orange butter on the finish. Well balanced with good acidity. Impressive styling and value for an inexpensive chardonnay and made better than many of its U.S. counterparts.Prices:| BC | $13.94 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lingenfelder Riesling Bird Series 2001
Pfalz, GermanyDelicious open slate scented, mineral nose with apple skin, peach, floral and Vaseline aromas. Ripe, round juicy apple, citrus flavours with lots of mineral, slate flavours in a clean refreshing finish. A fun summer sipper designed to please a wide variety of palates. Getting pricey.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileIntense spicy, clove, cardamom, black pepper, sappy cassis nose. Big, rich, ripe palate with substantial tannins. Blackberry jam, vanilla, smoky, peppery, cassis, clove flavours with a leather, vanilla, coffee finish. A gutsy wine with lots of intensity but needs three to five years to show its best.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.20 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.85 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Navarro López Pergolas Old Vines Tempranillo 1999
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainValdepeñas is a well-known region producing large amounts of cost-effective wines such as Navarro López Pergolas Old Vines Tempranillo 1999. Tempranillo is a specialty of the bodega and it shows in this American oak version. Its old-style label doesn't compare with La Luna's snappy graphics but be sure to give this earthy, round, delicious sipping red a spot at any barbecue. Tasty and inexpensive is always welcomed.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileVery reductive, murky aromas with black pepper, spicy, cassis notes. Rich, ripe cassis jam, peppery, spicy, licorice flavours with a touch of vanilla and leather on the finish. A touch dry and young but very good flavour intensity. The wine especially the bouquet will benefit from decanting.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Pierre Sparr Pinot Gris Reserve 2001
Alsace, FranceVery aromatic with buttery, baked apple, quince/mineral floral notes. Quite rich and fat on the palate with ripe apple, slate, citrus and nutty butter flavours with good acidity on the finish but so ripe it is almost sweet. Full bodied style quite the opposite of what you might expect form a B.C. pinot gris.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Colina Negra Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
San Rafael, Valle del Claro, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig cassis, sappy, green bean, peppery, earthy coffee nose. Ripe, rich, round but warm palate with grainy, dry tannins. Very intense cassis jam, coffee, vanilla, spicy pepper. A real Chile-Bordeaux combination with some elegance and finesse but very intense young cabernet fruit. Needs about three years to round out. Grown at San Rafael 250 kilometres south of Santiago.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Las Lomas Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileMade form certified organic grapes. Lots of herbal, cassis, spicy black pepper aromas. Round, slightly weedy, cassis, chocolate, peppery flavours but some dry, chewy tannins and earthy leathery flavours on the finish. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mural Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChilePleasant mocha, leather and cassis aromas with a hint of bell pepper and chocolate. Soft, round, silky palate but quite rich and chunky (given the price) with cedar, vanilla, cassis, earthy leather flavours and spicy, soft tannin finish. Good balance for a young and drinkable wine. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fetzer Valley Oaks Zinfandel 2000
California, United StatesSometimes the old tried and true brands are overlooked in the rush to taste something new but don't overlook the Fetzer zin. It has a spicy, peppery, bramble berry nose with a briary component. The entry is round and ripe with warm jammy, peppery, spicy fruit flavours. A bit dry and acidic on the finish but a solid, straight ahead zinfandel that has barbecued chicken written all over it.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.45 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Castillo de Maluenda Garnacha Vinas Viejas 1999
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainCastillo de Maluenda 100 per cent garnacha (grenache) made from the properties oldest-yielding vines situated at heights of between 860 and 1004 metres above sea level. The grapes are hand-picked, parcel by parcel and the results are stunning. Look for gobs of black cherry fruit spiced with licorice and vanilla. It's supple, round, fleshy and fun to drink. There isn't much of this around; it definitely needs to be reordered in sensible quantities. Good hunting. Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Casa Viva Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen raw cassis/berry fruit with lots of smoky leather and earthy aromas. Soft, simple palate with very similar flavours and a bit of acidity on the finish. Solid but not big on fruit.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Vina Casas del Bosque Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBasic cool cabernet nose of coffee, herbs, bell pepper and cassis aromas with some burnt leather notes. Very dry entry with stemmy, briary, spicy, cassis leather flavours. No real polish and somewhat rustic tannins.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Torreón de Paredes Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2000
Rengo, Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis wine is always dark and the nose usually a leafy mix of bell pepper, cassis and pepper aromas. Dry and somewhat acidic on the palate with cassis, coffee, herbal smoky leather flavours. Lean and dry on the finish - a very old style. Best served with grilled meats to help combat the tannins.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Alexandre 1999
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileCuvée Alexandre has a warm, spicy, peppery nose laced with cassis, blackberry fruit, coffee and vanilla. The entry is ripe rich and smooth with more smoky, coffee, cigar, licorice flavours and even more blackberry cassis clove notes on the finish. The tannins are still somewhat grainy but this is a well-balanced, rich wine. It will improve over the next three years and in many ways this is a much better bet than many Australian cabernets in the same price range.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
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17 July 2003
83PTS
Gallo Sierra Series Chardonnay 2001
California, United StatesLight earthy, green apple, skin mineral aromas masked by slightly elevated sulphur levels. Watery apple/butter and citrus rind flavours and aftertaste. Simple entry level chardonnay that could use a flavour boost.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $9.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $9.59 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $11.45 | 750ml |
| NB | $9.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $9.98 | 750ml |
| PE! | $11.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $10.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Veramonte Chardonnay 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileConsistently fresh and juicy fruit aromas with flecks of citrus rind apple mineral lees. Cool fresh tasty green peach and pear fruit in the mouth with a lively finish. Soft and elegant in the finish with just a dash of ripe fruit sweetness in the finish that further enhances this delicious wine.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Valentin Bianchi Chardonnay 2002
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaExpect a rich barrel fermented nose - with spiced butter and honey aromas jumping out of the glass. The entry is a surprisingly high-acid mixed with butterscotch and smoky vanilla caramel flavours and a citrus finish. Too oily and too warm to be considered great, but good nonetheless.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rio Azul Chardonnay 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe partnership is Michel Laroche (Chablis) and Jorge Cordech (Valdivieso). Look for an exciting creamy, vanilla nose streaked with citrus and mineral lees. Quite a tight lemon citrus entry with more butter and creamy lees and a long citrus finish. Tight French styling that revolves on the Casablanca theme that is also almost Russian River-like. Well done and exceptional for such a young venture; if there's work to be done more flavour intensity would be welcomed.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fetzer Chardonnay Sundial 2001
California, United StatesLook for an attractive bright buttery peach/caramel nose with just a hint of matchstick. It has a mineral citrus honey almost viognier-like character on the palate. Drier and fresher than you might expect. A solid effort with fine flavour intensity.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.45 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Casa Viva Chardonnay 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileClean fresh, ripe, melon/mineral/butter nose with flecks of citrus rind. A bit soft on entry but with fine apple melon fruit and mineral highlights too. A well made fresh Casablanca style with a bit of complexity that should find a home in B.C. wine shops. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Foley Chardonnay Barrel Select 2000
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesToasted oak and tropical fruit nose with pineapple, honey and butter highlights. Quite a fat, rich, oily style chardonnay with more toasted lees vanilla and honey flavours on the palate. This finish turns around with citrus butter adding some style and elegance. A big intense chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $68.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $62.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Foley Chardonnay 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesHuge ripe mango/creamsicle nose with streaks of honeyed lees. Wow, big rich sweet fruit entry with more creamy pear/apple fruit all with fine acidity and elegance. Less fat than you might think based on the nose and loaded with creamy lees and mango flavours. Where's the lobster.Prices:| BC | $55.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $49.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Robert Mondavi Chardonnay Carneros District 2001
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig toasted garlic lees nose with a whack of creamy vanilla mark the nose of this mostly Huichica Hill Carneros chardonnay. Big open lemon, citrus, green apple and toasted vanilla flavours with an intense creamy citrus rind aftertaste. The Burgundian undertones make this seem perhaps atypical for Carneros but not for Mondavi. Give this a bit more bottle age and serve with food for maximum enjoyment.Prices:| AB | $32.15 | 750ml |
| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $39.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $41.25 | 750ml |
| NF | $42.90 | 750ml |
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15 July 2003
87PTS
St. Hallet Semillon - Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe 02 version is much like the '01 with big fresh grassy, mineral, grapefruit aromas. On the palate it has a sweet melon fruit entry and a tart grapefruit finish. The texture reveals fine richness with wonderful mid-palate sweetness before the acidity kicks in -- almost yin and yang like. Fresh, fun and easy sipping.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling 2002
South Australia, AustraliaThe Blass Gold Label Riesling is a 65/35 blend of fruit from the cool Clare and Eden Valleys. Expect quite a big petrol lime/passion fruit nose fruit that almost jumps out of the glass. It's very crisp in the mouth with more mineral/lime/grapefruit flavours and plenty of that Vaseline/mineral riesling character in the aftertaste. Should be perfect with fresh Dungeness crab meat or even lobster. Serious fresh and stylish and the yellow screwcap screams fun.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Benziger Merlot Reserve 1999
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky black olive and dill nose with the characteristic Benziger saddle leather and cherry jam. Big black cherry olive green bean tobacco flavours in the mouth with smoky cherry cola or as ripe as a '99 can be. A solid red but not particularly Californian. Still a bit dry and tannic but elegant nonetheless.Prices:| AB | $69.43 | 750ml |
| BC | $71.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Matakana Estate Chardonnay 2000
Matakana, Auckland, North Island, New ZealandBig buttery oak, vanilla, honey, spicy lees nose but not much fruit. Very round and fat with huge buttery, vanilla, honey/toffee/vanilla flavours with some crisp citrus notes on the finish. Clearly an oaky style and at this point fully mature. This would be a better bet upon release. Let's hope they cut back on the oak next time and let the fruit do the talking.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Nederburg Chardonnay 2002
Western Cape, South AfricaLots of ripe melon, buttery oak toast, honey peach aromas. A slight spritz on the palate keeps this fresh with very ripe peach, melon, honey butter flavours. Lots of ripeness and intensity in a slightly fat, warm style but has good acidity. Good value and a great deal in Alberta.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Joseph Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Chardonnay 2001
Burgundy, FranceMineral, baked apple, anise and citrus aromas. Dry, round, fairly elegant and warm with pear, baked apple flavours and a light buttery, lees, citrus rind finish. Good solid chardonnay that will match most seafood and grilled vegetables.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Calvet Aetos 2000
Cotes de Castillon, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceAetos is a blend of 94 per cent merlot, four per cent cabernet franc and two per cent malbec. The opening is typical Cotes de Castillon with green sawdust shavings on the nose and some leafy blackcurrant fruit. It is elegant and round in the mouth and well balanced with black spicy, clove, and black cherry in the finish but it's hard to get by the upfront dry, green cedar aromas that tend to disappoint on the nose.Prices:| BC | $58.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Framingham Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandLook for a clean intense, leafy, herbal, gooseberry and mineral scented white. It enters round but finishes with a blast of lime juice. Quite a tart aftertaste streaked with gooseberry and bell pepper flavours. This screwcap sauvignon would be the perfect match for rich seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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14 July 2003
85PTS
Turning Leaf Chardonnay 2000
California, United StatesToasted lees nose and lots of honey butter. Very similar flavour profile with a texture that is soft and round and oily. Straight up everyday California chardonnay at an affordable price. Look for a younger vintage.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Wild Horse Chardonnay 2001
Central Coast, California, United StatesEnticing creamy, vanilla lees, floral, pear fruit aromas mark the nose. Similar flavouring greets the front of the palate with more citrus, mineral, apple skin flavours on what is fairly dry finish. This is a solid elegant, style chardonnay for those who prefer their California chardonnay on the restrained style.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaOpen peachy, ripe apple nose with a swatch of butter and honey. Sweet oily entry with more green peach cantaloupe, and apple fruit flavours on the mid-palate and throughout the crisp finish. Well made and affordable.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesLovely enticing pear apple citrus fruit nose with just a dusting of lees. Buttery lees and nectarine fruit very fresh and mouth-watering and a nice touch of mineral and baked apple in the finish. The '01 is back up to standard and it's delicious. A terrific wine, and finally, at a fabulous price. The Sonoma County Chardonnay is drawn from select vineyards throughout the county with a large percentage sourced out of the highly acclaimed Russian River Valley.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Comte Cathare Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSpicy, gamey, peppery, blackberry aromas with some saddle leather and leafy resin notes. Rich, round and moderately intense with peppery, resiny, liquorice, cassis flavours and some tobacco leaf on the finish. Relatively dry, light tannins in a newer, more balanced Euro style. May benefit from a few more years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $35.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Comte Cathare Syrah DGS 2000
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSmoky, garrigue, black cherry jam aromas with some anise and vanilla notes. Rich, ripe and round with lots of peppery, spicy, garrigue flavours streaked with some spicy sausage, blackberry, kirsch, leafy characters. A bit dry and lean on the finish but quite well balanced overall. Needs a few years to soften.Prices:| BC | $35.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Errazuriz Max Reserva Merlot 2000
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe nose offers a mix of tobacco, barnyard and cherry cola aromas. It is quite soft and round on entry with spicy vanilla undercurrents and smoky, resiny, black cherry cola flavours with an under theme of tobacco leaf in the finish. A solid merlot but it lacks the plush-ness and finish of the 99s.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah (Shiraz) 2000
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Errazuriz syrah continues to improve with the '02 looking like the best yet. Expect an open, smoky peppery blackberry fruit nose with a bit of that gamy garrigue scent for complexity. There's plenty of ripe "sweet," stylish, boysenberry jam fruit here that is riper and rounder than either cabernet or merlot in the same range. Smoky jasmine tea flavours mark the tasty finish. Like a baby Côte Rôtie.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Triennes Les Auréliens Blanc (Chardonnay) 1999
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceLight apple/butter nose with dry, mineral, honey lees characters. Similar taste on the palate but without a lot of flavour intensity. Simple and clean if unspectacular.Prices:| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
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13 July 2003
84PTS
Baden Cellars Pinot Blanc QBA Classic 2002
GermanyApple, green peach, light floral aromas with a touch of mineral and fresh bubble gum. Moderately dry and round with good mineral, apple and pear flavours. It has a crisp, clean, baked apple citrus finish and it's easy to drink.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Franciscan Oakville Estate Magnificat 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesRich open coffee, vanilla, plum jam, floral, cedar nose with hints of anise and leather. Very rich and concentrated with super supple tannins. Great flavour intensity with plum and cherry jam, prune, coffee and vanilla that flows into a peppery, spicy, anise and orange rind finish. Super round and elegant if just a touch hot. Drink now or will improve for at least five years. Fabulous effort here.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $49.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Mount Veeder Winery Meritage Reserve 1999
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBoysenberry jam, leather, black pepper and vanilla aromas jump out of the glass streaked with sandalwood and cassis notes -- very ripe and aromatic. Rich and concentrated fruit with supple but grainy mountain tannins. Intense blackberry jam, cassis, chocolate, spicy, black pepper flavours and a dense plummy, cedar finish. Somewhat alcoholic but with fine ripeness and elegance. Needs three to five years to shine but juicy jam lovers could drink it now.Prices:| BC | $125.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $105.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Smith and Hooper Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2000
Wrattonbully, Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaSmith & Hooper wines are sourced entirely from two Wrattonbully estate vineyards - adjacent vineyard blocks previously owned by the Smith and Hooper families. Look for a huge sappy cassis jam nose spiked with leather, earthy cranberry fruit and a touch of eucalyptus. Ripe and very supple palate with big coffee, cassis, black olive, smoky tobacco flavours and some vanilla. Good fruit but somewhat acidic on the finish.Prices:| BC | $25.90 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Hillside Pinot Blanc 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaApple, mineral, light citrus aromas with some earthy notes. Warm apple, mineral flavours with a citrus finish. Round but a bit thin on the palate, has an odd sugar-acid with some residual gas.Prices:| BC | $11.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Evans and Tate Cabernet Merlot Barrique 61 2000
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaWestern Australia has new star winery Evans & Tate. The Barrique 61 Cabernet Merlot 2000 offers up enticing peppery, spicy, cassis jam aromas with a touch of smoky garrigue and vanilla. The styling is soft, round and supple cassis, and spicy minty flavours streaked with a leafy coffee sappy chocolate finish. Rich fleshy easy drinking red.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Lang Vineyards Pinot Auxerrois 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaApple, light peach, citrus floral aromas with some papery notes matchstick notes. Sweet, round, warm, soft palate with apple, peach, honey flavours and a papery-mineral finish. Way too sweet and warm for most uses but perhaps its for those that really like sweeter style table wines.Prices:| BC | $11.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Carignan Prima 2000
Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceLook for a ripe, plum, cherry jam and anise nose with lots of coffee vanilla, leather and barnyard notes. Supple structure with richness and ripe tannins. Big coffee, vanilla, smoky oak anise, cherry jam and tobacco flavours. A bit warm but quite elegant and long. Very modern, ripe Bordelais style with some balance for early consumption but it should easily improve in bottle for another five years. The blend is 75/25 merlot/cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $47.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Deinhard Pinot Blanc Classic 2001
Pfalz, GermanyFresh floral, apple, candied mineral nose. Sweet, round, light structure with floral, soapy apple mineral flavours. OK summer sipper that has some citrus apple freshness on the finish but definitely a bit on the sweet side.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mazzei Serrata di Belguardo 2001
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyLook for ripe plum jam, gamey, spicy, slightly smoky vanilla aromas mixed with anise, mint and cherry notes. The 40/40/20 cabernet sauvignon/sangiovese/merlot blend is rich, round with a slightly "warm" coffee, vanilla, black cherry jam, spicy, peppery flavours with earthy, licorice, cola finish. Light, grainy tannins with a touch of acidity. Good concentration and elegance for near term drinking.Prices:| BC | $36.90 | 750ml |
| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mazzei Tenuta Belguardo Poggio Bronzone 2001
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, peppery, black berry jam, cherry, and vanilla oak toast aromas with a background of gamy, leather, licorice and coffee notes. Lovely rich, round, dry structure but with good ripeness. The flavours are mix of cherry, cassis jam, coffee and vanilla flavours with anise and black raspberry in the finish. Lots of fruit and intensity but it will need two to five years to fully round out and drop some of the dry tannins.Prices:| BC | $49.90 | 750ml |
| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Blanc 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVanilla, apple and mineral aromas mark the nose with a touch of butter and fruit cocktail. Round, soft, forward style blanc with more buttery popcorn, apple, peach and canned citrus flavours. A touch of dry mineral lees on the finish makes it perfect for light summer seafood meals. Sourced exclusively from Greata Ranch Vineyard.Prices:| BC | $13.09 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Castello di Monastero Infinito 2000
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyBlack cherry jam, anise and a resiny, peppery spicy aromas mix with mint, cassis and vanilla coffee streaks. The blend of cabernet sauvignon and sangiovese is rich and concentrated with ripe, supple tannins. This is a rich, unctuous, somewhat alcoholic wine with black cherry, blackberry jam, liquorice and coffee flavours. Drinkable now but will improve for 2-5 years.Prices:| BC | $69.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Montresor Rústego Vendemmia Tardiva 1999
Verona, Veneto, ItalyRústego is a bit of an unusual blend of merlot, cabernet and corvina. Look for an earthy, minty, tobacco, leafy, black cherry jam aromas with a touch of violet. Ripe, round, dry and moderately soft with spicy, cardamom, peppery, cherry jam flavours with a minty, cassis, caraway aftertaste. A bit dry in the finish but very elegant and drinkable now. Good value.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso 1999
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyBig peppery, gamey, black cherry jam aromas with strong black licorice and vanilla tones. Rich and ripe with soft, grainy tannins and "warm" peppery, black licorice, cherry jam and coffee flavours. There is plenty of intensity here, and while it is mostly balanced it finishes a touch hot or alcoholic. It is drinkable now, but will benefit from one to three more years in bottle. The blend is 80 per cent sangiovese with the rest a mix of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and syrah.Prices:| BC | $61.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $49.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Calvet Bordeaux Reserve Red 2000
Bordeaux, FranceBig coffee oak, dill, green olive, tobacco earthy aromas with some cherry spice and leafy notes. More cedar and spicy, peppery, green olive, cherry flavours with some prune and coffee notes. It's ripe, round and quite supple with a touch of dry tannin on the finish. A rounder, suppler new-style Bordeaux at an affordable price that still reflects some terroir. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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12 July 2003
85PTS
Painter Bridge Chardonnay 2001
California, United StatesBig fresh, fruit salad nose with orange blossom and citrus streaks. Soft, sweet fruit entry and more lemon, mineral and orange peel flavours. Solid everyday commercial sipper that finishes warm and just a bit fat in the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hardys Crest Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaOpen melon fresh grapefruit and honey aromas. Less flavour on the palate with more mineral and citrus skin than anything else. Fairly lean and dry in the finish. Simple refreshing white with not a great deal of intensity.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Little Boomey Chardonnay 2001
Orange, New South Wales, AustraliaOpen fresh floral lees citrus peel nose. Warm and round entry but the apple/leesy fruit helps to give it a reasonably crisp finish. There is not a lot of intensity and a bit too much alcohol for the structure. Simple at best.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tarapaca Gran Reserva Carmenère 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileLeafy vegetable smoky carmenère nose with a spicy resiny undercurrent. Soft and round on the palate with more smoke and cigar aromas and a sweet pruny fruit finish. An old-style Chilean red that is well balanced if a bit low on fruit.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Tarapaca Carmenère Reserva 2002
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileMint and sausage with a good dose of sweaty leather mark the nose of this distinctive carmenère that is streaked with cardamom for good measure. Minty smoky, leather, leafy, fruit flavours dissolve into a lean dry finish. The finish is quite smoky and leathery but where's the fruit?Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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08 July 2003
86PTS
Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2002
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileA perennial best buy the 2002 doesn't disappoint. The aromas and flavours are a mix spicy, licorice root and black cherries streaked with a touch of earth and compost. A soft, affordable, sipping red.Prices:| BC | $8.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Louis Jadot Bourgogne 1999
Burgundy, FranceFirm dusty cedar and dried black cherry nose. All French in the mouth with plenty of acidity and just enough softness to counteract the slightly bitter tannins in the finish. Duck confit or cheese pair well with the wine which begs to be served with food.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Estancia Pinot Noir Pinnacles 2001
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThe 2001 Pinot Noir is produced primarily from Estancia's Pinnacles vineyard on the western flanks of Monterey County's Gavilan Mountains. The vineyard is home to eleven different clones including the original Mistral selection, first planted at Pinnacles in the early 1960s. It reflects winemaker Ken Shyver's old-world winemaking techniques including whole-berry fermentation, gentle punch downs and pressing and native yeasts fermentations that tend to increase aromatics and minimize aggressive tannins. In short you have a soft black cherry fruit flavoured pinot with those cedary/briary "Monterey" notes in the finish. Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Estancia Pinot Noir Reserve Pinnacles 1999
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesCorkedPrices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Piedra Feliz Pinot Noir 2001
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThis elegant, fruity pinot Noir was harvested by hand only 20 km from the Pacific Ocean. Look for a spicy rootsy minty bramble celery nose with black cherry flecks in the background. The entry is smooth with smoky licorice black cherry fruit flavours on the mid-palate and throughout the finish. Quite rich with lots of texture on the palate and a creamy finish. A big blockbuster style pinot with fine palate weight and elegance in essence revealing the hand of both partners.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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06 July 2003
85PTS
Evans and Tate Gnangara Chardonnay Unwooded 2002
Western Australia, AustraliaThis is a multi-regional blend of Western Australia fruit mixing mostly chardonnay with some chenin blanc and verdelho. Look for a big fresh fruit cocktail lime rind and mineral nose. Quite similar flavours on the palate. The finish is a bit flat and flabby. Clean commercial chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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03 July 2003
86PTS
Toasted Head Meritage 1999
Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California, United StatesVanilla, toasted oak, peppery, spicy leather aromas with black cherry and black berry fruit. Round, somewhat dry style with lean oak tannins on the palate. Spicy, peppery, licorice, vanilla flavours dominate with a very warm, oak toast cassis finish. The blend is an unusual 4/42/42/12 merlot/malbec/petite verdot/cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
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02 July 2003
89PTS
Pierre Sparr Gewürztraminer Reserve 2001
Alsace, FranceOpen spicy, sausage, honey, mineral aromas with a bit of lychee. Very intense and round with a big buttery palate. Lots of mineral, honey, butter, sausage and dried lychee flavours. Quite warm and soft on the finish but great drinking now and over the next year.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gazela Vinho Verde NV
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalCrisp fresh green apple skin aromas flecked with peach and mineral. Light refreshing citrus mid-palate with a short green apple fruit finish. Just a touch of fizz keeps it lively on the palate. Solid Vinho Verde.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Konrad and Co. Sigrun Noble Riesling 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandVery floral, perfumed soapy, apple skin and dried peach aromas, almost a bit cloying. Elegant, round and fresh with mineral, dried apricot, floral, marmalade flavours and a nice bit of botrytis and baked apple on the finish. Drink while young and fresh as the acidity is not that high for aging. (375 mL.)Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Ehrenfelser 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig honey apple floral nose. Similar attack on the palate with lots of green apple and orange rind with more honey apple fruit in the citrus rind finish. Good vivacity. Striking summer sipper for the patio or serve with spicy orange chicken. Well done.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Calona Vineyards Sovereign Opal Artist Series Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral green apple floral nose with hints of vegetation. The flavour is a mix of green fruit bitter citrus rind with minty undertones. Not as ripe as we had hoped for.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Concha y Toro Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest 2000
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileMineral, botrytis, egg yolk with apricot skin aromas. Ripe and round with eggy, sawdust, mineral, pear and apricot flavours and some cedar notes in the background. Soft and warm on the finish; reminds us of simple appellation Sauternes. (375mL)Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Mission Hill Gewurztraminer 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAromatic, grapefruit citrus rind nose. Soft, dry and light with big mineral, grapefruit flavours and very crisp acidity on the finish. Low on varietal character, big on grapefruit.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Jackson-Triggs Gewürztraminer Proprietors' Reserve 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCandied, floral, mineral aromas with a touch of baked apple and soap. Crisp and warm entry with honey, mineral, apple flavours and a hint of sausage. It finishes soft and flat.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Alasia Dry Muscat 2001
Piedmont, ItalyBig intense green apple smoky mineral orange scented tour de force. Fresh floral apple skin mineral flavours with a touch of butter in the finish. Sophisticated Piemontesi styling here and we suggest you serve it with pan-fried prawns in butter and Pernod.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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80PTS
St. Hubertus Chasselas 2001
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCandied bruised apple nose with floral undertones. Warm soft and slightly sweet with a bruised apple aftertaste. Simple sweet but not much else.Prices:| BC | $11.90 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2001
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaButtery, honey, matchstick, mineral aromas. Dry, warm, soapy mineral, apple skin flavours with a taste of sulphur on the finish. Not recommended.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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01 July 2003
88PTS
Calatrasi "Terrale" Primitivo 2001
Puglia, ItalyVery deep, dark colour. Look for an open, inviting black raspberry cherry jam and smoky licorice aromas and flavours. There's perfect ripeness here along with fine mid-palate weight and a long, smooth finish. Well made and fair value.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Dunavár Merlot 2000
Leaf compost and cherry jam nose with hints of dill cedar - typical inexpensive merlot. Smooth and dry with firm acidty in the finish. Earthy sour cherry finish. Simple inexpensive red.Prices:| BC | $8.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $8.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $7.70 | 750ml |
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86PTS
CedarCreek Dry Riesling 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh nose, fruity style with peach skin, citrus and mineral aromas. Similar flavours on the palate finish light and breezy. Fun simple easy sipping patio style wine you can serve with aperitifs or lightly spiced entrées.Prices:| BC | $14.09 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hillside Muscat Ottonel 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLifted floral, muscat nose with a mix of matchstick (sulphur) and sausage meat. It's quite ripe with touches of red apple and citrus underneath but its sweet mid-palate will appeal to those who prefer their wine off-dry. Perfect summer patio white or try with spicy Asian cuisine.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Terra da Lobos 2002
Tejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalCorkedPrices:| BC | $14.45 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Robert's Rock Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2002
Western Cape, South AfricaSpicy blackberry jam nose flecked with hints of earth and compost. The entry is sweet and it's round on the mid-palate with some characteristic SA acid levels in the peppery, licorice, berry fruit finish. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $9.49 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Citra Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2001
ItalyFunky earth, compost and sausage meat nose with smoky, gamy, root vegetable undertones. On the palate it has that typical mouth-watering acidity and a lean dry finish. A cheap spaghetti red at best.Prices:| BC | $7.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lamborghini Trescone 2000
Umbria, ItalyDeep dark red colour with a soft, enticing, supple entry. Firm black fruit flavours and licorice root mark the palate with flecks of pepper and earth. Rich and round and more supple tannins with a spicy earthy dry finish. Classic Italian styling from a well made Umbrian red.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Lamborghini Campoleone 2000
Umbria, ItalyRich enticing, vanilla, spiced-coffee nose with a big whack of cedar and blackberry fruit. Very rich in the mouth and intensely flavoured with more coffee/mocha, cedar flavours. It's not overly tannic but it's dry and tight at this stage. Another year or two would help immensely. The finish is more of the same coffee and vanilla. Modern red wine from Ancient Italy.Prices:| BC | $59.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $51.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Chamiza Torrontés 2001
Mendoza, ArgentinaIntense floral nose with a strong perfume character. Dry light, citrus, floral fruit flavours with an apple skin aftertaste. Good acidity and not too dry. Think gewürztraminer with more perfume and less lychee. We think prawns and Pernod would be a fine match and the price is a steal.Prices:| BC | $6.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $8.18 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Ehrenfelser Late Harvest 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaQuite a "muddy" nose with geranium-like characters mixed with honey/botrytis aromas. There is a peach and floral "ehrenfelser" character but too much bitter apple skin and sulphur mars the finish. Too messed up for our tasted.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Gewürztraminer 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaQuiet gewürztraminer nose with a touch of apple skin and mineral streaked with a floral peach character and still some So2. It is round and elegant in the mouth with a touch of residual sugar and more mineral/apple skin flavours in the aftertaste. If the sulphur was less prevalent this could be a good wine. Air it out before drinking.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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August 2003