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Tastings: September 2003
28 September 2003
91PTS
Il Quadrifoglio Muro Pecoraro 2001
Lazio, ItalySmoky vanilla, blackberry jam, black cherry, floral spicy pepper aromas. Rich, ripe, round and smooth with intense peppery, smoky, licorice, black cherry, blackberry jam flavours and smoky vanilla on the finish. Delicious wine with a bit of tannin on the finish. Worth trying.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Borgo Selene Rosso 2002
Sicily, ItalyOpen spicy, licorice, peppery, gamey cherry jam. Ripe. Soft, round, savoury cherry, spicy, smoky peppery flavours. A rustic red with a touch of acid but a good food match around the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $11.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Corbello Nero D'Avola Oak Matured 2002
Sicily, ItalyOpen smoky, toasted oak, peppery, clove and garrigue aromas with black plum and almond notes in the background. Rich, ripe and round but with a bit of dry tannins and acidity. Smoky vanilla, plum jam, spicy licorice flavours. A bit nervy and young. Will need a year or so to round out.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Corbello Nero D'Avola 2002
Sicily, ItalySmoky, spicy, licorice nose streaked with gamey, ripe black cherry jam. Soft, easy sipping with ripe, smooth black cherry, peppery licorice flavours and cedar garrigue notes. Good flavour intensity and balance and well priced.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tenuta Casabianca Rosso 1999
Siena, Tuscany, ItalyBig peppery, pruny, mocha, stewed tea, blackberry jam and vanilla aromas. Rich, round and intense with coffee mocha, cooked plum, resiny, smoky peppery cassis flavours. Great intensity and flavours with some tannins yet to shed but is a bit hot and pruny. A big rustic red that will appeal to some and not others. It's really a matter of style.Prices:| BC | $59.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Poggio Cenni Chianti Riserva Colli Senesi 2000
Siena, Tuscany, ItalyIntense smoky, leather, gamey, peppery, prune and black cherry aromas. Rich, ripe and concentrated with chewy but ripe tannins. Very ripe black plum, licorice, spicy, smoky vanilla pepper flavours. Long and balanced but quite young. Will need a few years to round out.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Poggio Cenni Chianti Colli Senesi 2001
Siena, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, gamey, black cherry, earthy tobacco aromas. Rich and somewhat dry with more chewy tannins on the mid-palate. Lots of peppery, spicy, black cherry fruit flavours finish up with some smoky notes. Quite young and tight. Will need a few years to come around but good intensity for a 2001.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Villa Petriolo Golpaja 2000
Florence, Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, resiny, licorice, black cherry and game aromas. Rich, ripe and round with smooth tannins and elegance. Very ripe black cherry, peppery, licorice, orange peel and smoky vanilla flavours. Quite a suave, balanced wine for current consumption or hold a few years.Prices:| BC | $36.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Villa Petriolo Chianti 2002
Florence, Tuscany, ItalyIntense gamey, black cherry, smoky licorice aromas with some rosemary notes. Ripe, round and elegant with soft textures. Spicy, peppery, gamey, earthy black cherry flavours and a touch of dry tannins on the finish. Very flavourful and elegant and that is no mean feat given the 2002 rains in Tuscany.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Chamiza Chardonnay 2002
Mendoza, ArgentinaMineral, pear, green apple skin with some honey lees notes. Fresh, tart, crisp structure with honey, green apple, melon and grapefruit flavours. Flavourful and crisp. An excellent little white wine value.Prices:| BC | $6.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Trivento Cabernet Malbec Reserve 2001
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, peppery, cassis jam, coffee and smoky game aromas. Lovely ripe smooth textures with slightly dry, chunky tannins and a touch of sweetness. Very peppery, spicy, mocha, cassis, plum jam flavours with smoky game notes on the finish. A bit warm but very good intensity and sturdy. Solid.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
La Chamiza Cabernet Merlot 2002
Mendoza, ArgentinaSappy cassis, black pepper and smoky notes mark the nose of this 50/50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. On the palate it is dry, ripe and rich with some tannin yet to shed but we like the spicy, minty cassis fruit and plummy, peppery flavours. Good value and better than most any wine in this price range.Prices:| BC | $6.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Chamiza Shiraz Malbec 2002
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, meaty sausage and sweet black cherry jam aromas. Soft, round, slightly chewy style with lots of ripe cherry, plum fruit and spicy, meaty smoky flavours. Great balance and intensity for the price. Excellent value. Order this one by the case and party on all fall and winter.Prices:| BC | $13.98 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino Pomino Bianco 2001
Tuscany, ItalyRipe pear, apple, mineral aromas with a touch of butter and green melon. Dry, round and balanced with baked pear, nutty, lees and butter citrus flavours. Elegant with some oily textures in the finish. Best with sole meunière or scallops. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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26 September 2003
87PTS
Il Quadrifoglio Pezze di Ninfa Chardonnay 2002
Lazio, ItalyToasted butter, lees, mineral, honey and peach aromas with some citrus notes. Rich, round and elegant with a slightly dry, oily texture. Vanilla, lees, toasty oak, honey and peach flavours fill out with a mineral, slate apple finish. A bit more of an austere style but attractive.Prices:| BC | $20.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Borgo Selene Bianco 2002
Sicily, ItalyAlmond, pear, citrus oil aromas with a touch of melon. Round, dry and soft with baked pear, marzipan, citrus and mineral flavours. Pleasant, easy drinking white for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $11.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Corbello Inzolia 2002
Sicily, ItalyGreen apple skin, pear, mineral, green melon and almond aromas. Fresh, dry and elegant on the palate with mineral, pear, buttery almond flavours and some baked apple and citrus on the finish. Flavourful and balanced. Perfect for lightly grilled fish or seafood pasta.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
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25 September 2003
88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Shiraz 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLike most shiraz the fruit is exuberant on the nose offering a spicy clove black fruit scent mixed with toasted oak. On the palate the wine is more syrah-like than shiraz with its dry, earthy, meaty flavours and elevated Euro-acidity. The winery recommends grilled sausages or Provencal cheese - both should help the wine fill out. A solid effort. At Mission Hill they make both a syrah and "shiraz." The latter is aged exclusively in American oak.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe '01 Reserve merlot opens with a minty bell pepper nose streaked with black cherry/currant fruit aromas. The entry is supple, round and warm with more peppery, black fruit flavours. Young and tight it will need another 18 to 24 months in bottle to round out and shed some tannins.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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22 September 2003
89PTS
Cline Viognier 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBrilliant honeysuckle nose with orange, honey, buttery brioche notes. It has a rich, round entry with mineral, honey, buttery, spicy sausage flavours and some citrus rind and melon notes. Very well made and certainly a grape to watch in Sonoma.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Foppiano Petite Sirah Bacigalupi Vineyard 2001
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesRipe cassis jam, boysenberry, vanilla black pepper and licorice root mark the nose of this single vineyard petit sirah. We love the round and supple entry and the abundance of licorice, black pepper, bacon vanilla flavours mixed with lots of blackberry and roasted pepper notes. Suave and flavourful and a big step up from the normal bottling. Quality at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $33.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc Charlotte's Home 2002
Sonoma County, California, United StatesLook for an enticing lemon rind, kiwi, melon fruit nose streaked with butter and a touch of lees. On the palate it is soft and round with delicate kiwi, grapefruit, flavours with a honeydew, buttery mineral underbelly. Fine viscosity and richness in the mouth with a touch of touch of bell pepper. Fresh, succulent and enjoyable.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.90 | 750ml |
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17 September 2003
85PTS
Woodbridge Zinfandel 2001
California, United StatesSpicy blackberry jam, prune plum and peppery aromas. Juicy, clean and fruity with black cherry, peppery, cedar flavours but comes up a touch lean and dry with a bit of hotness. Sound, easy drinking style.Prices:| BC | $13.38 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Heritage Vines Zinfandel 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesVery peppery, briary, licorice, nose with some rubbery oak notes and light blackberry jam. A bit of acidity keeps this juicy and fresh with boysenberry jam, spice and briar flavours. Lighter style with some dry tannins. Not quite as tasty as last vintage.Prices:| BC | $27.61 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sebastiani Zinfandel 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen briary/spicy nose with hints of blackberry and raspberry aromas with some floral hints. Rich, ripe, smooth entry but it is quite warm (alcoholic). Ripe berry jam, pruny, resiny, cherry cola pepper flavours. Drink now or hold for a year to round out a bit of dry tannin on the finish. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Franciscan Oakville Estate Zinfandel 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesIntense black pepper, blackberry jam, vanilla cola nose with some licorice and cedar. Much more voluptuous, ripe style zin with weight and fruit intensity. We love the big briary, black berry, spicy, clove and vanilla flavours and its smooth, round textures. The finish is long and somewhat warm. Save this for a rainy fall evening with your duck or goose dinner.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ravenswood Vintners Blend Old Vine Zinfandel 2001
California, United StatesBright spicy, black cherry jam and resiny licorice aromas. Full bodied, round and soft with more licorice, brambleberry, peppery flavours. Soft and easy to sip with a warm alcoholic finish.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fetzer Zinfandel Barrel Select 1999
Mendocino County, California, United StatesPeppery, spicy, pruny, gamey nose with jammy overtones. Ripe, round and rich with some dry chunky tannins. Tasty juicy red berry jam, peppery, spicy, resiny licorice flavours. A solid zin with a warm dry finish.Prices:| BC | $20.49 | 750ml |
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16 September 2003
87PTS
Finca Flichman Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Mendoza, ArgentinaIt's been a while since I've tasted the Flichman entry level cabernet and I had forgotten how good this wine can be. You'll love the spicy clove cardamom nose with its dark smoky berry fruit undertones. On the palate the fruit is ripe if not a touch sweet with soft smooth textures throughout. Well balanced and well priced this is an absolute steal. Bring on the meat.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
San Pedro Castillo de Molina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileMany will like the sappy black cherry and mint aromas that mark the nose with streaks of currant and chocolate in the background. Rich herbal minty cassis fruit with coffee mocha flavours mark the aftertaste. It has a warm full flavoured but dry finish. Solid.Prices:| BC | $17.55 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Apalta Vineyard 2001
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe '01 is a 70/30 cabernet/carmenère blend that opens with an intense smoky cassis and green bean nose streaked with minty herbal carmenère aromas. This is riper and richer than the previous edition with coffee, cassis and gobs of black-cherry fruit. It is soft and sippable with a surprising touch of finesse at the end. Drinkable now with grilled meats but will improve further in bottle for two to three yearsPrices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.17 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Selection 2001
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileLapostolle and its French owners have always practice the version français in Chile and the 01 cabernet is no exception. Look for a minty, black currant, licorice root nose with pepper and herbal undertones. It's big and chewy on the mid-palate with fairly firm tannins and an intense coffee cassis and earthy finish. You can enjoy this now but another two years in bottle will add even more pleasure. Good value.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2002
Region del Valle Central, ChileEntry level cabernet with typical herbal/minty and cassis aromas. Simple soft and round with flavours of coffee/compost, tobacco flavours and a touch of sugar. Ready to drink and available in 1.5 litre bottles for 14.94.Prices:| BC | $8.47 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy oak dill and green bean nose black berry cherry aromas with a touch of mocha in the background. There is plenty of lively acidity in what is a lean-ish Bordelais style with a smoky oak, vanilla and a peppery finish. Needs time and or a piece of venison to flush out the body. Should continue to improve in bottle over the next 18 months.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $24.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Norton Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Mendoza, ArgentinaArgentina's financial problems haven't had an impact on Norton's pricing but you can't quibble with the quality. This is well made cabernet with earthy fruit and cassis flavours and just a touch of that earthy gamy Argentine character in the finish. Mature soft and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Elsa Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 370-acre Doña Elsa Vineyard located in San Rafael is now 17 years old and the fruit coming off the site is impressive. The Elsa wines as this cabernet demonstrates represent a new generation of wines from Valentin Bianchi that have benefited form some California winemaking prowess led by Robert Pepi Jr. Rich peppery fruit with soft-ish supple edges and fine length make this a very tasty red wine.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.45 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Enzo Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Cru 2000
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaLovely elegant nose redolent in coffee vanilla and orange spice with Christmas cherries and vanilla cream. Similar flavours and big intensity followed by dry tannic finish. Smoky peppery cherry cola vanilla finish.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Valentin Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaEarthy smoky leather barnyard pruny nose. Soft sand round on entry but with a dry chewy mid-palate. The tannins are soft and fruit is ripe with a smoky coffee tobacco aftertaste. Dry and full flavoured it does a god job of reflecting its origin.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Viña Paraíso Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Mendoza, ArgentinaThis is straight-up Argentine cabernet with soft textures and juicy black fruit flavours. Sandalwood and cedar aromas mark the flavours. There is fine intensity here for the price and a firm meaty touch of game in the aftertaste. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vina Casas del Bosque Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2001
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy sausage peppery minty nose with smoky leather undertones. Juicy sweet entry with smoky oak leather flavours and cedar aftertaste. Solid red with good intensity but the style is older Euro with that dry, leathery finish.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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15 September 2003
87PTS
Bremerton Langhorne Creek Tamblyn 2000
Langhorne Creek, South Australia, AustraliaTamblyn is an interesting 51/38/7/4 blend of cabernet sauvignon / shiraz / malbec and merlot. Look for a chocolate, earthy, cassis, leather and black berry aromas. Dry, round soft textures with spicy, black berry, mocha, cassis flavours and some cherry notes. A touch of acidity on the finish keeps the fruit flavours fresh and the suppleness makes it enjoyable for current consumption. A worthwhile restaurant addition.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Robert Mondavi Zinfandel 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSpicy, briar, peppery, blackberry jam nose streaked with vanilla and black raspberry. Very fruity yet round and soft with elegance. Lots of spicy, earthy, peppery, black raspberry jam and chocolate flavours mixed with a slightly rootsy note. Fine balance here with an attractive style for both current consumption, or for holding over the next few years. A fine example of zinfandel and the 15% alcohol is not really noticeable at all. Fine value, especially in Alberta.Prices:| AB | $26.40 | 750ml |
| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.75 | 750ml |
| MB | $34.30 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sandalford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaDark, ripe cassis, blackberry, vanilla mocha nose with some tobacco and peppery, spicy notes. Rich and round with soft, dry tannins. Nicely balanced with more peppery, spicy, blackberry and cassis jam flavours. The finish is a bit warm with some tannins but it's drinkable now. It should improve over the next few years. Worth trying especially for the price.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Renwood Zinfandel Fiddletown 2000
Fiddletown, Amador County, Sierra Foothills, California, United StatesLook for a huge nose of fresh black pepper, orange peel and black berry jam aromas with a touch of earth, licorice and raspberry. Rich, ripe and round with some dry, astringent tannins. Elegant but quite warm and chewy with very spicy, peppery, liquorice root flavours and a black cherry black berry fruit finish. Definitely needs 2-4 years to come around and shed the tannins but it has excellent zinfandel character.Prices:| BC | $48.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Leasingham Cabernet Sauvignon Classic Clare 1998
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaVery warm nose with huge cassis jam, sappy/resiny, peppery notes mixed with vanilla and chocolate aromas. Ripe round and peppery with earthy, liquorice, cassis jam flavours and a rootsy, black cherry finish. A bit chewy and dry, it will need a few years more to fully round out and develop complexity.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Barefoot Zinfandel Reserve 1998
Sonoma County, California, United StatesIntense peppery, spicy, resiny nose with black berry and briary notes. Ripe, round and quite dry with very warm black cherry jam, peppery, liquorice flavours and a touch of spicy soy on the finish. Somewhat alcoholic but lots of flavour to go with a hearty, fall meal.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
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11 September 2003
88PTS
Prunotto Barbaresco 1999
Piedmont, ItalyPrunotto's Barbaresco comes from vineyards in the areas of Barbaresco, Treiso and Neive. It has a peppery, spicy, mocha, chocolate nose with licorice and plum fruit. High acidity with very elegant but dry, chewy tannins especially on the finish. Lots of peppery, licorice, smoky mocha flavours and some tobacco and plum on a warm (alcoholic) finish. Serve today with a porterhouse steak or give it a good five years in the bottle to settle down.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.99 | 750ml |
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10 September 2003
87PTS
Calliope Semillon - Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe '01 is a 65/35 blend of Semillon- Sauvignon that is made in the traditional Bordelais style. The wine spends a year in wood adding texture and weight to a smooth flavoured white streaked with citrus lime and pear flavours. Well made and reasonably priced given the quality. Only 175 cases produced.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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08 September 2003
89PTS
Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 1998
Tuscany, ItalyAt 151 hectares the Castelgiocondo estate is the largest grower in Montalcino of sangiovese grapes for the production of Brunello. Expect an intense spicy, peppery, meaty nose with licorice and blackberry jam aromas. It's rich and round on entry yet elegant. We like the peppery, mocha, boysenberry, vanilla, gamey spicy flavours with light tannins and acidity on the finish. Very well balanced, attractive style for earlier consumption.Prices:| BC | $50.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 1998
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyItalian vintner Piero Antinori bought close to 70 acres of prime vineyards in Tuscany's Brunello di Montalcino production zone in the early 1990s from the Castello di Camigliano. The wine Pian delle Vigne or "the plain of the vineyards," is named after an old railroad station that strands near the property. Its has an intense open nose of boysenberry, black cherry jam with gamey, spicy, smoky, licorice aromas and some orange rind. Round, rich and intense with some fine grained, but dry, supple tannins. Feminine style but good structure. Warm with ripe mulberry, black cherry, peppery, spicy, Christmas cake and some smoky, meaty notes. Will need 3 to 7 years to shine but a very attractive style and an excellent wine for the vintage.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Antinori Solaia 2000
Tuscany, ItalyComing from the vineyard of the same name which is situated next to the Tignanello vineyard. Solaia is a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Cabernet Franc (5%), and Sangiovese (20%). The colour is inky dark. The nose intense with black pepper, spicy clove, smoky licorice, green bean, cassis and violet. The flavours mix smoky cassis jam, blackberry, orange spice, cherry flavours with a coffee, vanilla, and cassis in the finish. Rich round and concentrated with big ripe tannins and very good acidity balance. It is warm, unctuous and big but nicely textured and will definitely improve with five years of cellaring.Prices:| BC | $150.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $130.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Frescobaldi Danzante Merlot della Sicilia 2000
Sicily, ItalyDanzante merlot comes from selected hillside vineyards in Sicily near the Mediterranean where the soils are rich in clay and sand. Look for a spicy nose with plummy fruit and a piquant mid-palate and finish. The 2000 vintage was a good one in Sicily and this merlot is a solid ready-to-drink example.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Frescobaldi Santa Maria Morellino di Scansano 2002
Morellino di Scansano, Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyThe fruit is predominately sangiovese with a touch of cabernet. Look for a ripe black cherry, licorice, damp earth nose with peppery/game aromas. Round and elegant with good weight and length but quite warm and dry. Very spicy, peppery, sour cherry, smoky earth flavours with some dry tannins and acidity on the finish. Needs some time.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.90 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Frescobaldi Giramonte 2000
Tuscany, ItalyGiramonte is a new label from Frescobaldi that is an 80/20 blend of merlot and sangiovese. The first release is the '99 this '00 is the second. It has a wonderful deep inky/black cherry colour. New vanilla, spicy oak, cherry jam, red licorice mark a nose flecked with pepper, leather and tobacco notes. Super rich ripe and round with supple tannins there is no doubt this is the 2000 vintage. Big spicy, vanilla, smoky, peppery, black cherry jam and licorice flavours with hints of cardamom and Christmas pudding. It is a touch warm (alcoholic) but there is lots of finesse. Drinkable now but will improve over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $82.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Frescobaldi Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva 2000
Tuscany, ItalyGreat dark cherry colour. Ripe cherry plum jam, almond tobacco aromas with spicy/vanilla/licorice notes. Rich and round but dry with some defined tannins which will require 3 years to soften. Good acidity with big spicy, peppery, black cherry, sour boysenberry smoky game flavours. The best yet we've tasted from Nipozzano. Elegant and good value.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.35 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.53 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Frescobaldi Mormoreto Castello di Nipozzano 2000
Tuscany, ItalySmoky, gamey, black pepper, spicy, tobacco and leather aromas with some blackberry and cassis. Rich, ripe and concentrated with ripe but dry tannins. Very balanced and warm with big spicy, smoky, vanilla, cassis jam and blackberry flavours with some orange spice and meaty notes on the finish. Very well made and intense. Will benefit with several years aging.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $59.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $53.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 1998
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyLook for a meaty, gamey, resiny nose streaked with black cherry aromas and spicy clove and pepper notes. It is slightly lean and skinny with tight tannins but decent finesse. Similar flavours of cherry, sour plum, smoky pepper and game. This is solid workman-like Brunello.Prices:| BC | $54.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $58.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Prunotto Barolo Bussia 1998
Piedmont, ItalyVery smoky, tarry, vanilla, peppery, licorice, black plum jam with five-spice but a touch alcoholic. Rich and intense but lots of chewy tannins. Very flavourful with peppery, smoky, resiny, plum and sour cherry jam flavours. Big tobacco, mocha spice finish with some warmth and acidity. Big and balanced but again needs years to come around but excellent potential.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $68.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Prunotto Barolo 1998
Piedmont, ItalyThis Barolo hails from vineyards in the areas of Monforte, Serralunga and Castiglione Falletto. Expect a tarry, resiny, peppery, sandalwood nose with some floral, plum aromas. Built for aging with dry, chewy tannins and some acidity. Good cherry, smoky, peppery, tarry, mocha flavours. Needs five years to round out but it is not without finesse. Prunotto definitely has a tighter, structured style with good fruit.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $49.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Prunotto Barbaresco Bric Turot 1999
Piedmont, ItalyThis wine comes from the Bric Turot vineyard in Barbaresco whose origins go back to the Tortonian - Messinian era. The soils are rich in calcareous clay, magnesium, manganese and zinc. Look for big cedary, peppery, smoky leather, plum and cherry aromas with mocha and licorice. Rich and flavourful but quite high acidity with dry, refined tannins. Very good structure overall but more elegant style. Mocha, black cherry, peppery, licorice, almond and vanilla flavours. Needs time soften or ossu buco.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $64.99 | 750ml |
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06 September 2003
86PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2002
British Columbia, CanadaTight green apple skin, mineral, slightly nutty almond aromas. Dry, elegant, round structure with juicy acidity. Nice spicy, green apple, green peach and mineral flavours with a citrus peel finish. Fresh, dry and well balanced. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Estate Select Pinot Gris 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, mineral, ripe apple, buttery peach aromas with some nutty, vanilla, leesy notes. Round, dry, slightly hot palate with slight sweetness. Big mineral, spicy lees, nutty oak vanilla, baked apple flavours with some quince and butter on the finish. Has improved in the bottle over the last few months although still a touch austere..Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Villa Teresa Merlot 2001
Veneto, ItalyLight herbal leafy nose with a touch of barnyard. Light acidic entry with more mid-palate acidity and a lean dry finish. A good example of a wine with an organic certification but there isn't much else to recommend.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Villa Teresa Pinot Grigio 2001
Veneto, ItalyLabel states certified organic grapes. Look for an open marzipan/peach nose with apple aromas. Fresh and light bodied with crisp acidity. Simple green apple, citrus rind flavours but quite lean and dry on the finish.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Calliope Pinot Gris 2002
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIntense green apple skin, lemon rind and mineral aromas with some leesy notes. Ripe, round and sweet with ripe, red apple flavours streaked with mineral and honey. A bit warm (alcoholic) and sweet but otherwise there is fine flavour intensity. An attractive style for most consumers.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Pinot Grigio 2002
California, United StatesEarthy, leesy, mineral, pear and apple aromas. Moderately dry and round with some weight and texture. Buttery, nutty, mineral, citrus flavours that finishes with length and elegance. Well done.Prices:| AB | $12.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.75 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.32 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Firesteed Pinot Gris 2001
Oregon, United StatesLeesy, baked pear, nutty, mineral nose. Dry, lean, somewhat acidic palate with citrus rind, cheesy, nutty, mineral flavours. A bit too severe for most palates.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Dunavár Pinot Gris 2002
Corked.Prices:| BC | $8.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $8.25 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris 2002
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, earthy, mineral, marzipan, and citrus peel aromas. Dry, round, elegant styling with mineral, green apple, spicy, pear and grapefruit rind flavours. Crisp acidity but nicely balanced, will improve over the next year. Fine style and very representative of what the best B.C. pinot gris is all about.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ferruccio Schioppettino 2000
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyCherry, almond, licorice, spicy aromas. Soft, round, elegant styling with supple textures. Ripe cherry, raspberry, almond spicy licorice flavours with a touch of acidity but otherwise well balanced and attractive. Good value for current drinking. An elegant mix of fruit for the oenophile.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lang Vineyards Pinot Gris 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDelicate green apple, floral, mineral aromas flecked with a hint of nectarine skin. Rich but quite soft and sweet with minty, mineral, peach, apple flavours. A rich warm, oily finish. Fine flavours in what is well made summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $15.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Deinhard Pinot Gris Classic 2000
Baden, GermanyBaked and bruised apple nose with some nutty notes. Soft, round, simple apple, pear flavours with a mineral nutty streak. Crisp with an oily finish. A bit heavy handed and showing a bit of age.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.25 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Painter Bridge Zinfandel Shiraz 2001
California, United StatesSpicy, minty, cherry jam nose with some volatile notes. Soft, warm and dry with light tannins and some elevated acidity. Cherry, black berry, minty spice flavours and a touch of meaty gaminess. Dry and warm but should be a good match for ribs or mole.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Villa Girardi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 1997
Veneto, ItalyCorked.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Vine Cliff Merlot 1999
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBoysenberry jam, menthol, smoky licorice, leafy, vanilla coffee aromas, very Napa with a whiff of St. Émilion. Ripe, round and supple with light tannins. Spicy, peppery, menthol, cherry jam and coffee flavours with some cedary, tobacco boysenberry notes on the finish and a touch of acidity. Elegant and stylish.Prices:| BC | $64.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaCoffee, cedar bough, peppery, cassis jam aromas with a touch of barnyard and leather. Elegant, soft and round with elevated acidity but finesse. Earthy, spicy, coffee, cassis flavours with some licorice notes. Grilled lamb or ossu buco would be a natural fit.Prices:| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Barefoot Merlot Reserve 2000
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen emticing minty, smoky, rubbery, cherry jam aromas with some coffee and tobacco. Ripe and round with vanilla, smoky, cherry jam, cedar and clove flavours. Nice intensity but is somewhat acidic on the finish. Drink now, this is ready to go.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Barefoot on the Beach Red NV
California, United StatesSpicy, gamey, meaty smoky cherry aromas. Soft, round, warm palate with spicy, cherry jam, resiny, smoky flavours and a bit of the barbera acidity. Decent balance and good value.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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04 September 2003
92PTS
Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1996
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLehman's famed Stonewall shiraz results from low-yielding old vines located in the Stonewell, Ebenezer and Moppa sub-districts of the Barossa Valley. The fermentation is finished in 85 per cent new American oak and 15 per cent French oak before the wine is aged two more years in wood and a further three years in before release. Look for a big sweet vanilla, coffee, leather, roasted prune, blackberry jam aromas. Smooth, warm and rich with light dry tannins. Massive boysenberry jam, black raspberry, vanilla, spicy coffee mocha flavours. Good structure, long and warm with some elegance.Prices:| BC | $78.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Peter Lehmann Mentor 1999
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe fruit is sourced from old, dry farmed vines in the Barossa. The blend is 57/20/14/9 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, shiraz and malbec. Look for a spicy, peppery, toasty vanilla, coffee aromas with nice waxy, black cherry, smoky leather notes. Rich, ripe and round with good concentration and some ripe tannins. Sweet cassis, plum, coffee, vanilla peppery spicy flavours. Good intensity, a touch warm but with fine aging potential.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Peter Lehmann Mentor 1998
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe '98 Mentor is a 70/15/15 blend of cabernet sauvignon / malbec / shiraz, with a leafy, cigar, peppery, cassis aromas and smoky prune plum notes. Rich, ripe and round with moderately high acidity. Big cassis, coffee, smoky earth flavours with a peppery, plum vanilla finish. Good balance although a touch warm and leafy.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaQuite a spicy earthy, pencil lead nose with cassis, coffee and mocha notes. Ripe, round soft style with coffee, mocha, vanilla flavours and cassis jam and black pepper finish. Very creamy, easy-drinking style with just a touch of acidity in the background.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2001
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaOpen peppery, spicy, saddle leather, and blackberry jam with bacon aromas. Ripe, round and soft with big Christmas pudding, black berry jam, licorice flavours and a very peppery, spicy smoky finish. Very forward and fruity. Perfect to drink now.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Peter Lehmann Clancy's Legendary Red 2001
South Australia, AustraliaClancy's is a 53/33/10/4 blend of shiraz / cabernet / merlot / cabernet franc. Look for a generous spicy, peppery, black raspberry, licorice nose with some hints of cigar, game and cassis. Rich, ripe and round with black cherry, black raspberry jam fruit and gamey, licorice, coffee flavours. Soft and fresh with elegance and styling. Attractive for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Peter Lehmann Weighbridge Chardonnay 2002
South Australia, AustraliaAn unwooded style with peach, pear, melon aromas and a touch of mineral and buttery lees. Dry, round and elegant with fresh melon, pear, orange citrus flavours and an oily, buttery finish. Good balance and acidity. Made from 45% Barossa fruit. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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03 September 2003
90PTS
Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir 2000
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesFriendly open barnyard, licorice root nose with an earthy beet, vanilla, spicy black cherry aromas. Ripe, round, very supple and elegant with excellent plum jam, spicy orange peel flavours streaked with vanilla, mocha sour cherry flavours. Fresh acidity but excellent balance, almost mouth watering. Try now and over the next year or two.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Carneros Estate Pinot Noir Famous Gate 2000
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesMocha, barnyard, spicy vanilla, carrot top, cherry jam aromas. Rich, ripe, unctuous and velvety with slightly dry tannins. Lots of coffee, black cherry jam, orange peel, clove, vanilla flavours with a spicy, licorice root finish. Lots of finesse and character, just a bit warm, dry and woody on the finish. This one needs a few years to fully round out.Prices:| BC | $74.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Concannon Pinot Noir 2001
Central Coast, California, United StatesSpicy, black cherry, stewed tea, prune aromas. Dry, alcoholic, entry with some oily, plush textures but has big sour cherry, cranberry, gamey, plum flavours with a tart, warm, round finish. Nice intensity but it's just a bit off balance.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Woodbridge Johannisberg Riesling 2002
California, United StatesFloral, perfumed, candied apple, mineral nose. Sweet, round, oily entry with Vaseline, mineral, candied green apple flavours and a touch of citrus. Very commercial entry level sipper.Prices:| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gallo Sonoma Pinot Noir 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig spicy, prune, barnyard, licorice, beet root aromas. Rich, round, ripe, warm palate with supple textures. Lots of plum jam, cherry, smoky vanilla, licorice flavours. Slightly dry with fresh acidity on the finish but overall this is solid New World pinot that will have wide appeal. Should do well in restaurants.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sebastiani Pinot Noir 2001
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen spicy, clove, smoky vanilla, black cherry aromas with some port-like notes. Dry, cedary tannins with big vanilla, black cherry, peppery clove flavours and more oaky, coffee vanilla flavours in the finish. Good solid New World pinot but less oak would be the ultimate answer here.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
St. Hubertus Riesling 2001
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, matchstick, green apple citrus rind aromas. Soft, round, canned grapefruit, leesy, green peach with some acidity showing on the finish. Lacks some fruit and concentration, Simple sipper.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
St. Hubertus Chasselas 2002
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, apple skin, nutty almond aromas. Dry, round, slightly soft textures with green apple, citrus mineral flavours. Simple, straight ahead white.Prices:| BC | $11.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Elsa Chardonnay Semillon 2002
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis 60/40 blend of chardonnay and sémillon has a floral, soapy, mineral, green peach nose with slightly buttery aromas. Round, soft, green apple, grassy, buttery flavours with a dry, herbal finish. A simple everyday sipper.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Baden Kraichtaler Mannaberg Riesling Trocken 2001
GermanyBig citrus rind, peach aromas with a hint of hay and petrol. Dry, fresh entry with lots of lime rind, granny smith, mineral flavours. Tasty but the finish is lean an acidic and will not appeal to all.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Baden Cellars Gewürztraminer QBA Classic 2002
Baden, GermanyFloral, meaty sausage, mineral, spicy peach aromas. Round, smooth, oily soft entry with spicy, ripe peach, citrus sausage flavours. Decent balance, simple and easy to drink with reasonable sugar acid balance.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sandhill Semillon Small Lots Program 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrassy, hay, apple, mineral aromas with a buttery nut note. Dry, round, slightly oily texture with mineral, apple skin, buttery, grassy citrus flavours. Quite dry but lots of texture and reasonable acidity. It just needs a bit more fruit.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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81PTS
J. Lohr Valdiguié Wildflower (Gamay) 2002
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesOdd cooked cabbage, tomato leaf, spicy, mineral nose with raspberry aromas. The entry is round, soft and sweet with candied raspberry, tomato leaf, earthy flavours and a dry, candy cane/minty finish.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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01 September 2003
87PTS
Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2002
New ZealandCanned jalapeno peppers jump out of the grassy mineral aromas over a touch of melon. Big intensity with elegance and blance and more of the big green jalapeno pepper and mineral. Aggressive flavours on the palate but well balanced and elegant in the mouth.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Shingle Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandBig sweaty mineral nose with passion fruit undertones. Piercing acidity on entry with lemon citrus grapefruit rind styling and a dry crisp finish. Needs food to fully appreciated. A lean specimen. Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Riesling 2002
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaA twist of the bright yellow cap reveals a lovely floral, ripe apple fruit nose with streaks of tangy apricot in the Wynns Riesling Coonawarra Estate 2002. Similar stylish fruit in the mouth reveals mineral, lime, apple and nectarine fruit flavours. Just a touch of residual sugar rounds out the finish making this a very attractive wine in the mouth. A super wine to buy by the case and drink all summer. Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rosemount Traminer Riesling 2002
Australia'm recommending the Rosemount Estate 2002 Traminer Riesling for those whom prefer a little residual sugar in their wine. It will work well as an aperitif or with the turkey and will stand up to any spicy dishes. Mineral citrus and petrol aromas preview a soft, sweet, round easy-sipping white that will have wide appeal to casual or ceremonial wine drinkers.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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October 2003