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Tastings: April 2004
23 April 2004
90PTS
Greg Norman Estates Chardonnay Reserve 2002
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaThe fruit comes of Old Block and D block two specific sites that make up a 20-acre vineyard in Murrindindi Valley. The wine is 100 per cent barrel fermented by winemaker Matt Steele in 40 per cent new wood (the rest is a mix of one, two and three year old wood.) Steele begins with 60 to 70 barrels and selects out the wine until he has the best 20 barrels to make the reserve. Ripe mango, honey, butter, mineral and floral aromas with some citrus rind. Good flavour intensity but not fat or skinny, nicely balanced with balanced acidity. Spicy lees, vanilla, ripe pear, mango flavours with a buttery, mineral honey finish. The styling is great and the wine is delicious thanks to its Stelvin (screwcap) finish.Prices:Read Full Note
22 April 2004
95PTS
Benziger Tribute 2001
Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, United StatesVancouver is the first market to get its hands on the inaugural release of Benziger Tribute, a 100 percent biodynamic, Sonoma Mountain wine produced at the Benziger single vineyard property just out of Glen Ellen. The fruit, a mix of blocks 21 and 29 wine, was fermented on 100 per cent natural yeast for 21 days before it was drained warm into barrique where it was racked twice a year. Tribute has been many years in the making but it would appear the wait was well worth it. As fine as the reserve cabernet is, this 80/12/6/2 blend of cabernet sauvignon/ cabernet franc/petit verdot/merlot is even better. The nose is aromatic with black berry jam, cassis, pepper, vanilla, coffee and black olive aromas mixed with a background of tobacco, barnyard, licorice and gamey notes. Rich, concentrated, round the tannins are super supple and ripe. Intense vanilla, coffee, tobacco, licorice and pepper flavours mix with mint, olive and black berry jam notes. The finish is slightly, dry and firm at this point with more cassis, violet and coffee. Long, balanced and surprisingly drinkable now it will keep for three to seven years comfortably. Certainly one of the best ever for Benziger and true "tribute" to biodynamic production. Fabulous collector's wine.Prices:| BC | $99.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quails' Gate Gewürztraminer Limited Release 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCitrus rind, floral, sausage meat nose with a touch of perfume and peach. Round, very soft, slightly sweet style with good mineral, peach, pear, floral, spice flavours. Nice balance if a bit too warm on the finish. Quite soft and definitely '03. Drink while young and fresh this summer and fall.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Dry Riesling Limited Release 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe peach, green apple, lime rind and floral mineral nose. Soft, round and fresh with buttered apple, mineral, lime and green peach flavours with a touch of alcohol showing through. Still fine flavour length and intensity. More Alsatian in style but lacks a bit of acidity. An attractive style for restaurants or passing the time on a summer afternoon.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Quails' Gate Late Harvest Botrytis Affected Optima 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIntense ripe nose with dried apricot, butter, mineral and marmalade aromas with a hint of egg yolk. Rich, round, soft palate but elegant and balanced. Dried apricot, cement, spicy, baked apple and nectarine flavours. Not big but stylish. Should be drunk over the next year while the fruit is front and centre and before the acid expires.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 375ml |
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84PTS
Rheinberg Kirchheimer Schwarzerde Kabinett 2001
Pfalz, GermanyMarzipan, dry cement, apple skin nose with a smoky, candied, peach nose. Very soft and round and forward with a touch of sweetness. Baked apple, butter, mineral, almond flavours. A sweeter, commercial style. Drink up, very low acidity.Prices:| BC | $9.40 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.40 | 1500ml |
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84PTS
Rheinberg Wöllsteiner Rheingrafenstein Spätlese 2001
Rheinhessen, GermanyLemon oil, wet cement, quince, floral nose. Soft, round, moderately sweet style with a bit of acidity to balance. Flinty, baked pear, mineral flavours. A light commercial style riesling that should be drunk now. Try on the patio or deck. The price is right.Prices:| BC | $9.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Quails' Gate Chasselas - Pinot Blanc Limited Release 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaApple, lime, mineral, flinty aromas. Soft, round, off dry entry with spicy, mineral, buttered citrus and apple skin flavours. Summer sipping is the deal here and fresh oysters or clams would be perfect on the afternoon deck.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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20 April 2004
86PTS
Brancott Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2001
New ZealandSmoked jalapeno, spicy, resiny, licorice aromas with some hints of cassis and pepper. It has the expected cool-climate demeanour with a dry, tight, slightly acidic structure and very smoky, bell pepper, olive, spicy resiny flavours. The finish is dry with a smoky, vanilla aftertaste.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.85 | 750ml |
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19 April 2004
86PTS
Brancott Vineyards Chardonnay 2002
Gisborne - Poverty Bay, North Island, New ZealandRipe honey, peach, buttery, pineapple and some vanilla notes. Dry, round, elegant styling with lots of buttery vanilla, lemon rind, honey and spicy lees flavours. The finish is soft and dry with hints of butterscotch. A solid everyday chardonnay for the price. Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.99 | 750ml |
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18 April 2004
91PTS
Rosemount Balmoral Syrah 2000
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaThe Balmoral McLaren Vale Syrah take sits name from the Oatley family homestead, built in 1852. The wine was first produced in 1989 initially under the Show Reserve banner but in 1992 it was renamed Balmoral and has become Rosemount's top red wine. After fermentation it is racked off its skins and aged for two years, in a 60/40 blend of new French and American oak. Its inky purple colour is almost impenetrable. An initial hit of pepper and spice gives way to a rich cassis and licorice aroma well integrated with creamy American oak, black plum, licorice, smoke, gamey bacon and vanilla nose. Round, rich and slightly tannic with a bit of acidity. Lots of sweet vanilla, coffee, smoky bacon, black cherry and plum flavours with a warm, supple finish. Nice finesse if a bit short in the aftertaste. One of the better Balmoral syrahs we have tasted.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kirralaa Indelible Reserve Shiraz 2001
Victoria, AustraliaIndelible is one hundred per cent shiraz equally sourced from Bendigo and Great Western. We love the dark cherry colour and the rich spicy, tobacco, saddle leather nose streaked with plum jam, mint, vanilla, sage, cardamom and coffee. The entry is warm, round and supple with some tannin. The flavours intense white pepper, vanilla, creamy, black cherry and plum with a coffee, leather earthy finish. Fine fruit and finesse if a touch hot and acidic. Hold for 2 to 3 years minimum.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $65.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Talomas Basket Press Reserve Syrah 2001
Central Coast, California, United StatesThe inaugural, limited-production release of Talomas Basket Press highlights low-yielding fruit out of Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and Napa Valley. The blend is 87/9/2/2 syrah (Estrella Clone)/ old-vine cabernet sauvignon/grenache and mourvèdre. Look for a huge spicy, turkey sage stuffing and white pepper nose with leather, vanilla and black cherry highlights. It is extremely rich, round and jammy on entry with sweet vanilla, pepper, leather, black cherry, coffee, cardamom and nutmeg flavours. Very fine fruit intensity and a definite alcoholic jolt in the finish. Unlike many this is a reserve in flavour not just name.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
LoTengo Malbec 2003
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, plum jam, smoky, bacon and savoury aromas. The flavours are similar with more coffee, cedar, vanilla and bacon notes all over top of black cherry. Balanced and ready to go this will be a barbecue best bet for the summer. We don't normally rate labels but the nifty holograph is a plus. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Viñas del Vero Merlot 2001
Somontano, Aragon, SpainPeppery, spicy, tobacco leaf, smoky cedar nose. Dry, round entry with light, cedar-y tannins and a touch of sweetness. Warm cherry, minty, tobacco, mocha flavours with fresh acidity but decent balance. Simple, varietal, ready to drink style that will be best with meat tapas.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2000
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaRWT is a single-region (Barossa Valley) shiraz whose initials stand for 'Red Winemaking Trial. It was the working name affixed to the developmental wines as early as 1995 when former chief winemaker John Duval began work on the initial bottlings. The 2000 RWT, a Penfolds shiraz aged exclusively in French oak (60 per cent new and 40 per cent one-year old) is the third release ( there was no 1998) turns three with the 2000 vintage a powerful, masculine, perfumed red that reeks of blueberry and blackberry fruit. The tannins are opulent yet well manicured leaving a wonderfully rich red that has a big future. Well done and clearly a Penfolds label to be reckoned with.Prices:| BC | $109.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $91.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $110.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $111.75 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz 1999
South Australia, AustraliaSt. Henri is an elegant, multi-district shiraz that is based on Barossa fruit. Since its original 1957 release St Henri has lived in the shadows of the bigger Penfolds red but throughout the last decade it has begun to regain respect for its purity of fruit and style - there is no new oak used here. Open savoury/spicy/peppery, rootsy, black cherry nose with a touch of eucalyptus. Rich round, fine grained tannins with big menthol, black raspberry fruit and sausage meat, tobacco flavours. There's 10 per cent cabernet in the mix for stability and lends some grip. Has improved in the last year in bottle.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $46.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $47.75 | 750ml |
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17 April 2004
85PTS
Yvon Mau Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
l'Aude, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceCedar, tobacco, gamey, spicy cassis nose with nice peppery notes. Soft, dry, round entry with peppery, tobacco, earthy cassis flavours and a light cedar-y, licorice finish. Simple cab that delivers for the price.Prices:| BC | $10.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Triacca Sforzato San Domenico 2000
Lombardy, ItalyAt Triacca they take advantage of the Valtellina's warm, windy days and cool nights throughout October by partially cutting the stems that connect the bunches to the stalk and allowing the wines to dry on the vine. Look for a big spicy saddle leather nose with cherry jam, barnyard, tobacco and a bit of volatility. Moderately rich and dry with some round tannins with a typical port-y note in the background. Its earthy, tobacco, cherry jam, soy, flavours finish with fresh acidity. Needs 2-4 years of age but not for everyone. Made in an Amarone like style.Prices:| AB | $49.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tasca d'Almerita Camastra Nero d'Avola Merlot 2000
Sicily, ItalyAn enticing blend of 75% nero d'Avola and 25% merlot grapes made from 15-year old vines. The nose is intense mixing black cherry jam, mint, and tobacco with pepper, streaks of coffee and smoke. The palate is supple with plum, black cherry, gamey notes mixed with coffee, licorice peppery flavours and a smoky, vanilla, tobacco finish. Lots of intensity here but it will continue to improve in the coming three years.Prices:| BC | $33.12 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Spinelli Quartana Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2002
Abruzzo, ItalyThe Montepulciano grape is spread about central Italy, but is dominant in Abruzzo. The late ripening dark grape is responsible for Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno in Marche and more Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. After a few months in large Slavonian oak or 'botti', Quartana is aged in the bottle for at least three months. Look for a gamey, earthy, cherry, almond aromas and a smooth round texture throughout. Fresh plum, cherry fruit and spicy, licorice, peppery flavours mark its lively palate. Roasted meats and tomato-based dishes will help tame the acidity. Terrific value.Prices:| BC | $7.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Louis Bernard Côtes du Lubéron Rouge 2001
Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, Sud de France, FranceBright spicy, raspberry kirsch aromas with mineral, pepper, strawberry and licorice highlights. The palate is dry soft and round with more strawberry, mineral, spicy, gamey licorice flavours. A soft, lighter style with a fresh finish. Drink now with any light meat dish or fowl.Prices:| BC | $11.65 | 750ml |
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15 April 2004
92PTS
Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, dill, smoky, vanilla, cassis, black plum, and cardamom aromas mixed with tobacco, saddle leather and orange rind. Round, slightly tannic entry with dill, orange, cherry, cassis, mocha, leather and tobacco flavours. Nice intensity and balance although a touch on the green side.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Pine Ridge Andrus Reserve 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesVery spicy, blackberry jam, orange rind, cherry, leather, coffee and tobacco aromas with some dill, tar and vanilla - very aromatic. Rich, smooth, ripe and round with vanilla, cherry, blackberry, tobacco, roasted earth and soy with spicy, pepper notes. Long, balanced, smooth and refined, will improve for 3-7 years.Prices:| BC | $280.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Signorello Padrone 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPeppery, cardamom, tarry, barnyard, coffee, olive, dill, saddle leather aromas with smoky, blackberry cassis fruit core. Rich, round, concentrated and long with supple tannins. Intense black pepper, tarry, smoky, vanilla, black olive, dill, spicy blackberry jam flavours. A bit tannic on the finish but ripe, long and balanced. Big and an excellent 2000 - should improve for the next 5-7 years. The 2001 will be even better but at a slightly higher price ($150).Prices:| BC | $126.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kendall-Jackson Stature Pinot Noir 2001
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesRhubarb, carrot and wild cherry mix with smoky vanilla and compost aromas. The entry I s creamy, round and supple but dry with good acidity. Spicy, vanilla, creamy, rhubarb and more black cherry flavours carry the mid-palate with a smoky, compost finish. Very smooth and refined for a California pinot.Prices:| BC | $124.99 | 750ml |
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14 April 2004
86PTS
Moillard Viognier Huges le Juste 2001
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceTypical spicy, floral, meaty nose with honey, peach aromas and a touch of toast. Soft, round, slightly oily texture with toasted butter and citrus/honey/peach flavours. A bit warm on the finish but simple, fruity and likeable. Good value for an introductory European viognier.Prices:| BC | $11.75 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Esser Cellars Chardonnay 2002
California, United StatesCalifornia-style buttery, vanilla, creamy aromas with a bit of peach and lees. Soft, round, slightly oily on entry with strong vanilla, butterscotch and baked apple flavours with honey and lees on the finish. Good in intensity if somewhat old style.Prices:| BC | $15.89 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casa La Luna Verdejo-Viura 2002
Castilla-Leon, SpainCitrus rind, sweaty lees, mineral, marzipan nose with a hint of lemon oil. Very dry, elegant, refreshing style with lemon, marzipan, quince flavours and some fresh floral, green apple nuances. A leaner style but very flavourful. Great for the summer and great value.Prices:| BC | $9.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Yellow Tail Chardonnay 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaFloral, warm butter, peach, melon aromas with some apple notes. Round, soft, slightly sweet entry with baked spiced apple, melon, citrus flavours. Good balance and fresh acidity and good value.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2003
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe Casillero merlot comes out of Rapel with a minty, peppery, savoury, sausage meat nose and some hints of cherry. It's soft, smooth and round on entry with light tannins. Cherry, cassis and spice preview its minty, herbal, peppery flavours and dry finish. Good balance but a bit young, needs a year or so to round out. Good value.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.90 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.49 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.64 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2003
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileIs this the most affordable quality chardonnay in the market? We think so. Look for melon, pear, apple aromas with a touch of honey and lees. The entry is fresh and round with good acidity. On the palate you will find plenty of green apple, citrus, honey, baked pear flavours with a touch of vanilla, butter and pineapple on the finish. Great fruit and balance and a great price. Drink all summer with any seafood.Prices:| AB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.57 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Casillero del Diablo Syrah 2003
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe '03 syrah has a smoky, vanilla, meaty nose with black plum jam aromas and a touch of roasted pepper. The entry is smooth and round with underlying grainy tannins. Ripe plum, blackberry fruit dominates the palate with chocolate, gamey, spicy, licorice flavours. Big and full and totally undervalued. A fine effort at an excellent price.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.29 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChilePepper, tobacco, mint, stewed tomato and bell pepper mark the nose of this Santa Carolina cabernet. Dry, full, somewhat tannic entry with minty, cassis, dusty earth, bell pepper flavours and a meaty finish. Very dry finish; a bit old style considering the fine vintage.Prices:| BC | $11.51 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sunrise Carmenère 2003
Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, meaty, minty, herbal nose. Dry, round, slightly tannic entry with some sweetness. Ripe berry fruit with leafy, peppery, cedar sawdust flavours and a touch of cherry on the finish. Light commercial tones but fine for the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $10.40 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.60 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.17 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cono Sur Viognier 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Cono Sur viognier continues to impress for the price. Spicy, mineral, floral, citrus blossom and honey mark its open aromatic nose. Fresh, crisp and round on entry with dry honey, mineral, and citrus rind and baked pear flavours with a strong mineral, citrus, green apple undercurrent. Plenty of intensity for your money. This is a steal.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Region del Valle Central, ChileThere's a touch of merlot in the blend but this remains quite chunky full bodied cabernet that mixes coffee, mint, savoury and leafy cassis aromas. On the palate the savoury, cedar, cassis fruit finishes dry and slightly tannic. Will need some piquant barbecued ribs to tame the tannins and smooth out the edges or another six months in bottle.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.90 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.05 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.40 | 750ml |
| PE | $14.90 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.64 | 750ml |
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13 April 2004
88PTS
Osoyoos Larose 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe premier edition of Osoyoos Larose has an impressive dark cherry colour. The nose is a mix of chocolate, green olive, bell pepper scents with smoke, vanilla, pepper and black cherry aromas. The entry is smooth with dry, chalky, grainy tannins throughout. Cedar smoke, pepper, black olive, cassis and vanilla flavours mark the palate of this Bordelais style red. A tight, lean, somewhat tannic finish indicates it will need several more years to open up. The blend is 66/25/9 merlot/cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc all grown on the rolling west banks of Osoyoos Lake. A fine effort from a fairly miserable vintage. Try with braised short ribs. It improves with some 30 to 60 minutes of decanting. The first release will only be available in selected restaurants across the country. The name Osoyoos (pronounced "O-sue-use"), chosen by Vincor side of the joint venture, is an Indian word meaning narrows of the lake; while Larose reflects the interest of their French partner Group Taillan in Château Gruaud-Larose.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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08 April 2004
84PTS
Golden Kaan Merlot 2003
Western Cape, South AfricaSmoky, resiny, leather, earthy, tobacco and cherry aromas. Soft, round style with some dry tannins and sweetness. Very leafy, spicy, ripe cherry, smoky leather and resin flavours. Dry finish with some candied notes. Not for everyone.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Golden Kaan Shiraz 2003
Western Cape, South AfricaThe Golden Kaan Shiraz wine is a straight-up South African shiraz with a slightly drier edge than its Oz counterparts. Look for spicy peppery fruit and a smooth slightly acidic finish. Golden Kaan was launched as a lifestyle brand and a Euro/SA joint venture between Racke out of Germany and KWV in SA.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $11.95 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Kendall-Jackson Stature Chardonnay 2001
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesMade entirely from a single block on the Santa Maria Bench. Look for a huge floral, pineapple, mango/citrus nose with honey and peach aromas and a spicy, creamy vanilla note. Rich, round and oily like most big chardonnays yet it is still elegant thanks to a mineral / citrus baked apple undercurrent. The flavours are peach, mango, honey, creamy spicy lees with a floral, creamsicle undercurrent. Long, intense and balanced with good acidity and a creamy, citrus apple finish. Great stuff.Prices:| BC | $99.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Legacy Red Wine 1999
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesWeedy, cherry, tobacco, cedar, leather nose with cool dill aromas and a touch of cardamom. Dry and somewhat lean on the palate with herbal, green olive/cassis fruit and streaks of cedar, tobacco, leather flavours. Solid but a bit too dry and green for our taste. Perhaps another year or two in bottle will help it open up.Prices:| BC | $129.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2001
Napa - Sonoma - Mendocino, California, United StatesWe applaud the helpful Napa - Sonoma - Mendocino moniker on the label and the black berry, sandalwood, spicy, cassis jam nose streaked with vanilla, earthy tobacco and garrigue. Ripe, round, rich and elegant it has slightly grainy tannins that give it a grippy texture in the mouth. Coffee, blackberry, vanilla, peppery spicy flavours dominate with more cassis, olive and mocha on the finish. Good finesse and length.Prices:| BC | $62.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $51.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $54.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kendall-Jackson Merlot Grand Reserve 2001
California, United StatesSpicy, black cherry, tobacco, olive, cedar aromas with dill and vanilla. Round, supple, elegant style with peppery, spicy, vanilla, olive and cherry flavours but in 01 with more of an earthy, tobacco finish. It has fine balance and intensity and can be drunk now or held for another two to three years. Not as ripe as you might expect from a 2001.Prices:| BC | $62.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kendall-Jackson Merlot Vintner's Reserve 2001
California, United StatesSpicy, coffee, saddle leather mixed with green olive, pepper dill aromas and a hint of cherry. Soft, round, supple style with a touch of acidity underlying cardamom, coffee, vanilla, cherry and tobacco flavours with some dill, green olive and cedar notes. Good balance but fairly herbaceous for a 2001.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve 2002
California, United StatesThe KJ VR as it is known throughout the US is made from 100 percent chardonnay and an amazing 65 per cent of that is estate fruit. The purchased fruit is soured primarily from Sangiacomo, Beckstoffer, Strong and Franscioni vineyards in Carneros, Mendocino, Russian River and Monterey. The fruit is 100 percent coastal (32 Monterey, 32 Santa Barbara and 36 North Coast. There's little doubt VR is changing with the times beginning with less residual sugar (nearly half the original level). In short the style is leaner, fresher with more mineral content. Even the oak is changing: only 17 percent is new, and more and more of that, is French. Look for a mix of citrus butter, orange and honey aromas streaked mineral and citrus rind. On the palate the flavours are ripe and nutty with some tropical notes and a warm generous honeyed finished but again it's leaner and more food friendly than its ever been. Amazing quality for 110,000 barrels and 2.25 to 3 million cases a year! Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cambria Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard 2002
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesMineral, nectarine, pear, spicy lees aromas with buttery honey and vanilla. Elegant and round with citrus, honey, green apple, nectarine flavours and a creamy buttery/vanilla, pineapple finish. Classy, long and balanced. Good now or over the next two years.Prices:| AB | $29.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Matanzas Creek Merlot 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesWe love the sophisticated toasted, smoky oak vanilla aromas streaked with pepper, chocolate and black plum jam. The 01 Matanzas merlot is intense to say the least. It is packed full of toasted oak, coffee, chocolate, plum jam and orange peel flavours all mixed with sweet vanilla, cherry jam and a touch of black olive in the finish. Smooth and polished, perhaps the best yet from Matanzas. Top quality here and drinkable but you could easily cellar this red for three to five more years.Prices:| BC | $49.50 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain 2000
Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesVery exotic spicy nose with cumin, cardamom, cedar, pepper, saddle leather, cassis and blackberry aromas with vanilla, briny olive and mint notes underneath. Suave, round and balanced on entry and light, dry tannins. More spicy, cumin, peppery, cassis, vanilla, smoky tobacco and chocolate flavours with olive, minty, licorice flavours on the finish. Reminds one of great Indian spices ground fresh in the restaurant. Very complex yet in a lighter style for a mountain wine and certainly it is drinkable now. It should improve over the next 3-4 years.Prices:| BC | $210.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Kendall-Jackson Stature Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Napa Valley, California, United StatesAccording to winemaker Randy Ullom, Stature represents the pinnacle of Kendall-Jackson winemaking excellence and we agree. A rigourous selection process begins in the vineyard before moving to the barrel room. Stature is essentially handmade and it tastes like it. The '97 Stature cab is made mostly from Mt. Veeder and Howell Mountain fruit with a touch Rutherford and Oakville benchland grapes added to flesh out the wine. Intense black pepper, blackberry jam, cassis, chocolate, and smoky licorice mark the nose along with barnyard and tobacco tones. A huge wine with brighter berry fruit flavours on initial entry and lots of cassis jam, mint, smoky tobacco, and blackberry jam flavours in mid-palate. The finish is long and stylish with vanilla, cherry and pepper flavours. A wonderful wine with a big future.Prices:| BC | $235.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cardinale 1999
California, United StatesCardinale is a mountain wine made from fruit grown at select vineyards along the Mayacamas Range. Each is densely planted and low yielding including: Keyes (Howell Mountain) and Veeder Peak (Mt. Veeder). The '99 is a 75/25 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot and it's a 56/42 blend of Napa County and Sonoma County fruit. Look for a peppery, spicy, clove/ cassis nose with strong black cherry and earth aromas and some tobacco leaf in the background. Rich, round and elegant with some slightly bitter tannins but nicely balanced. Nice peppery, earthy, vanilla, cherry and cassis jam flavours with a mineral, leather earth finish. A refined, elegant style slightly marred by a modicum of bitter tannins in the finish.Prices:| BC | $210.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Vérité La Joie 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesA complex blend of 72/19/9 cabernet sauvignon / merlot and cabernet franc all grown at Sonoma Mountain vineyards. Look for a spicy, blackberry jam, clove, and cassis aromas with some aromatic plum and vanilla notes. Rich, round and concentrated, it has excellent intensity, ripe fine-grained tannins and plenty of grip. The flavours are a spicy mix of cloves, cassis jam and coffee flavours with a big waxy, plum and earth finish. Very California but a touch ripe Pauillac. Should develop well over the next 5 to 10 years.Prices:| BC | $175.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Archipel 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesAn intricate blend of Sonoma (83) and Napa (17) fruit mixing 69/23/8 of cabernet sauvignon/merlot and cabernet franc. Spicy clove, peppery, blackberry jam, with mineral, sweaty leather and tobacco aromas. Rich round and supple with a big cassis jam flavours mixed with licorice vanilla, peppery tobacco a touch of blackberry jam. Smooth and balanced with fine intensity. Should improve for several years.Prices:| BC | $74.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hartford Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2001
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis blend of fruit from Dutton Ranch, Russian River and Green Valley has a huge sweet cedar nose. The mid-palate is sweet and succulent with sensational streaks of cinnamon and an all-spice character in the finish. Duck is the answer here. Outstanding quality for the money and a fine New World pinot.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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06 April 2004
89PTS
Ruffino Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2000
Tuscany, ItalyLodola Nuova is a 90/10 blend of sangiovese and canaiolo. Tasted twice the second bottle was better showing firm peppery, cherry jam fruit with vanilla and licorice. It's dry as Italian reds can be but the balance and structure is fine. More peppery, licorice flavours streaked with gamey, black cherry flavours with some dry, chunky tannins on the finish. Generally quite round and forward.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $26.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.42 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.55 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.80 | 750ml |
| NS | $31.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ruffino La Solatia Chardonnay 2001
Tuscany, ItalyLa Solatia is 100 per cent chardonnay aged in French oak for six months and another six months in bottle. It has a green apple, mineral nose streaked with butter peach and citrus highlights. The texture is slightly oily but fresh with buttery, nutty, mineral, apple skin flavours. The finish is a mix of pear/quince and Tuscan austerity.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $36.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $40.42 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ruffino Lumina del Borgo Pinot Grigio 2003
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyLumina del Borgo takes its name from Ruffino's Borgo Conventi estate presumably as it is "illuminated by the moon." Peach skin, mineral, green apple and pear aromas mark the nose of what is a round, soft and very fresh, and crisp white wine. We like the mineral, pear, baked apple flavours and the spicy, nutty finish. A well made white from the north.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.42 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
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05 April 2004
92PTS
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2003
Waipara Valley, South Island, New ZealandRipe apple, lime, floral, honey, gooseberry aromas with a slightly grassy, mineral streak but very ripe. On the palate there is full ripeness. It is round and somewhat sweet but otherwise elegant. Super juicy red apple, lime, mineral, honey, orange flavours with a floral note on the finish. Very much along the vein of 2003 Mosel rieslings with great acidity and is most likely a Spätlese level with the residual sugar and ripeness. Real finesse, balance and quality here.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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03 April 2004
87PTS
Francis Ford Coppola Presents Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot 2001
California, United StatesRipe cherry, resiny, stewed tomato, gamey garrigue nose. Rich, ripe, round entry with cedary tannins. Spicy, smoky, vanilla, cherry, resiny flavours with a slightly vegetal, very dry, warm finish. Not all that impressive for the price.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Undurraga Merlot 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileAttractive saddle leather, gamey, cherry nose streaked with vanilla and peppery. The entry is soft round and supple with smooth textures. Fine smoky vanilla, cherry, minty, chocolate flavours with fresh acidity on the finish. Well balanced red from front to back. Perfect for grilled flank steak or chicken.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Walnut Crest Merlot 2002
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileGreen olive, green bean, leafy, sweaty, resiny nose, very vegetal. Soft, round, smooth palate with very earthy, minty, leafy, bitter green olive flavours but a very dry, lean finish. Not much to like here.Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Caliterra Merlot 2001
Region del Valle Central, ChileHuge spicy, peppery, sappy cassis nose with a touch of bell pepper and carmenère like notes. Soft, round, supple style with very smoky, spicy, cherry, minty cassis flavours. Simple, commercial style but full bodied. Solid barbecue red.Prices:| MB | $9.90 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.60 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.35 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.37 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.45 | 750ml |
| QB | $11.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesResiny, smoky, mocha, saddle leather nose with some roasted bell pepper, green bean notes. Soft, round, dry entry with light tannins. Cedar-y, vanilla, smoky, resiny, green olive flavours with some mocha on the finish. Sound and ready to drink if a touch green.Prices:| BC | $24.73 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.25 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Syrah 2000
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesGamey, sausage, peppery, licorice root aromas with white pepper and blackberry vanilla highlights. Soft, round, dry but supple style. Good spicy, peppery, blackberry jam, liquorice, gamey, roasted peppery flavours. Well balanced, more elegant, earthy style without excessive sweetness. Classy Washington effort for grilled lamb or duck sausage. Good value.Prices:| BC | $24.73 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.25 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Yvon Mau Merlot 2002
l'Aude, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceCorkedPrices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Gran Reserva 1996
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainOpen coffee, cigar, leather, tea, spicy, cherry nose with some cardamom and earth. Dry, rich, elegant entry with some slightly hard tannins. Big spicy, peppery, leather, coffee, cherry drop flavours with a long mocha, soy, warm finish. You need to appreciate the style and if you do there lots here to like...it will need at least 5 more years to reach its peak.Prices:| BC | $59.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $43.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva 1999
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainCherry jam, tobacco, barnyard, saddle leather, gamey. Dry, slightly tannic, rich entry. Spicy vanilla, cigar, meaty, cherry, leather flavours with a soy, peppery, finish. Quite warm but intense, needs 2-5 years to smooth out the tannins. Definitely a bit old style but has the stuffing.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Deen De Bortoli Vat 4 Petit Verdot 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaVery smoky, spicy, resin aromas lots of black cherry and blackberry streaks. Dry, round, supple structure with huge black raspberry, black cherry, resiny, spicy, flavours and a smoky olive finish. A bit like grenache from Oz - ripe, fruity and fun.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Banrock Station Sparkling Chardonnay NV
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPleasant nose with floral peach, baked apple and pear nose. The flavours are fresh ripe with orange, green apple skin and pear fruit but with a creamy smooth finish and one that's drier than you might expect. Clean, fun, simple sparkler for lunch or add some crème de cassis to make a kir royale.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz NV
AustraliaDark black cherry colour. Huge spicy, ripe blackberry jam, cherry nose with a bit of herbal bubble gum. Rich, strong, sweet red sparkler with foamy mousse. Intense ripe blackberry jam, pepper, coffee flavours. Like shiraz jam with bubbles, a wine that might go with blueberry duck but not for the faint of heart.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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02 April 2004
90PTS
Pierre Sparr Pinot Gris Reserve 2002
Alsace, FranceOpen enticing slate, honey, pear aromas with some citrus and apple notes. Rich, ripe, round and fat with nice acidity. Big flinty mineral, orange, baked pear flavours with butter honey and flavours. Long, intense and ripe but crisp on the finish. Try with scallops or prawns in a butter, anise citrus sauce. Very good.Prices:| BC | $25.62 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Pierre Sparr Pinot Blanc Reserve 2002
Alsace, FranceImpressive mineral, chalky, citrus, quince aromas with some floral notes. Moderately rich and round yet quite elegant with plenty of baked pear, quince, mineral and citrus flavours. Good acidity, dry and fresh with a long apple finish. Well done. Will match all type of fish or just to sip. Excellent effort.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hogue Pinot Grigio 2003
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesFresh citrus, pear, bubble gum, mineral aromas. Soft, round, somewhat sweet entry with grapefruit rind, pear and melon flavours with some mineral on the finish. Lots of flavour if a bit sweet in style. Use liberally on the patio all summer.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hogue Cabernet Merlot 2001
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesSpicy, dill, cherry, minty, tobacco nose with earthy undercurrents. Soft, dry, round entry with smoky tomato, peppery, earthy, cherry flavours and a touch of buttery vanilla. The finish is fresh if a bit herbal. The blend is 51 cabernet sauvignon, 45 merlot and 4 cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Castaño Hecula 2002
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainIntense white pepper, gamey, black cherry licorice nose with a touch of smoke and saddle leather. Rich, round entry with slightly grainy, dry tannins. Big black cherry black raspberry jam, gamey, meaty, smoky earth flavours. A touch acidic and young but has great fruit and intensity. Will benefit from a nicely grilled lamb chop or steak with grilled parmesan tomatoes. Strong value here. Not arriving in Canada until the fall but should be a winter favourite in the West.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.45 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Benevento Pinot Grigio 2002
Campania, ItalyLight pear, earthy, floral aromas. Soft, round and relatively dry. Fresh mineral, pear quince flavours with a touch of citrus. Crisp, simple, easy going wine for the summer picnic or parties. Very reasonable price.Prices:| BC | $6.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
J. Bookwalter Lot 16 Red Wine NV
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThis non vintage table wine is a blend of vintages: 2002 (76%), 2001 (15%) and 2000 (9%). Its black cherry colour is almost opaque. The nose has an attractive vanilla, smoky, Christmas cake note mixed with roasted bell pepper and cherries. Rich, round, supple with ripe tannins. Sweet vanilla, spicy, smoky oak, cherry jam flavours with some licorice and orange peel. A bit warm and dry on the finish but good intensity, lots here for your dollar. (The lot number indicates how many table wines Bookwalter has issued since they opened in 1983. Lot 16 is 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Malbec.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
J. Bookwalter Chenin Blanc 2002
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesRipe grapefruit, grassy nose with a honey floral, tropical undertone. Round, fat, sweet entry with pear, grapefruit, mineral and bubble gum flavours all saved by some fresh acidity on the finish. Fresh sweet and fruity for summer consumption.Prices:| BC | $22.50 | 750ml |
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90PTS
J. Bookwalter Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesOpen peppery, spicy, vanilla, roasted pepper nose with smoky, cassis jam, tobacco and licorice streaks. Rich and concentrated on the palate with supple, grainy tannins. It's a bit sweet with ripe blackberry jam, vanilla and pepper mixing with smoky cardamom coffee flavours. The finish is long, hot and peppery finish - almost over the top but if you like ripe, warm and intense cabernet this is for you.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hardys VR Chardonnay 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaFresh simple nose with peach, melon and citrus aromas. Very crisp, fresh, easy palate with citrus rind, buttery, green apple flavours with a touch of bitterness. Simple everyday chardonnay at fair price.Prices:| BC | $8.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chivite Colección 125 Reserva Tinto 1998
Navarra and Basque Country, SpainGreen bean, olive, smoky, tea nose with tobacco leaf, vanilla and saddle leather. The entry is soft and round with smoky olive, leather, tobacco and green cassis flavours. Vanilla bell pepper and prune fruit marks the finish of this dry Euro style red with definite Bordelaise influence. Drink now or over the next year.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Chivite Colección 125 Reserva Tinto 1999
Navarra and Basque Country, SpainColección 125 Reserva is the best tempranillo (80%), merlot and cabernet sauvignon from the Arínzano estate. Look for smoky, mineral, peppery, sweaty saddle, cassis nose with some green olive and green bean notes. Dry, lean, tannic entry with high acidity. Green sawdust, smoky, vanilla, prune, cassis flavours with olive and bell pepper. Needs a few years. This has some cork taint.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $42.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Columbia Crest Chardonnay 2001
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesButtery, leesy, honey, melon apple fruit with some mineral notes. Mostly Yakima fruit. Soft round buttery oily style with ripe peach, melon fruit flavours and some sweet honey on the finish. Good value, fully ready. Prices:| BC | $17.74 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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May 2004