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Tastings: June 2004
30 June 2004
88PTS
Weingut Lorch (White Label) Riesling Hochgewachs Bergzaberner Altenberg 2002
Pfalz, GermanyNectarine, green apple, baked pear, honey aromas with some slate. Fresh, juicy, intense flavours of nectarine, honey, buttery peach, mineral, apple and slate flavours. Fine acidity and balance with some richness. A fine aperitif or dinner wine.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Morandé Vitisterra Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky leather, minty, spicy, leaf cassis nose. Quite dry but soft tannins with spicy, peppery, cassis, chocolate, tobacco flavours and an oaky vanilla mocha finish. Good balance but lacks the fruit that could add an extra dimension.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Calliope Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, smoky, bell pepper, leafy, green olive aromas. Soft, round and smooth on entry with big mocha, coffee, cassis, spicy, peppery flavours and a cassis, bell pepper, herbaceous finish. Definitely cool-climate cabernet which puts it on the minty herbal side.Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Riesling Classic 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe nose with floral, honey, ripe apple peach aromas. Elegant, round, soft sweet palate with plenty of green apple, mineral, peach and honey flavours. Well made, fresh but in the sweeter style with fresh acidity at the end. Think spicy food.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gehringer Brothers Riesling Dry Classic 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig floral, honey, clover, ripe apple peach aromas, very ripe. Elegant, round, fresh palate and fairly dry but balanced. Green apple skin, mineral, peach pit flavours. Well made and Germanic in style.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gehringer Brothers Riesling Private Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, green apple skin, light peach, honeyed mineral aromas. Juicy, mouth watering, crisp style with good green apple, green peach, mineral and honey flavours. Great acidity and balance, a very good effort that remind us a bit of a kabinett-class Rheingau.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Schönburger Gewürztraminer Classic 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, perfumed, floral, light sausage nose with green apple and apricot. Light, elegant, delicate style but fresh and round. Ripe apple, peach, floral, mineral, spicy flavours. Good intensity and acidity but a lighter bodied wine. A fine summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jackson-Triggs Gewürztraminer Proprietors' Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive spicy, clover, honey and baked apple aromas. Soft, round, somewhat sweeter style with sweet grapefruit, green apple, mineral, peach pit and honey flavours. A bit more Germanic and perfumed and less varietal than its local peers. Fresh, fruity, somewhat more commercial style but will be a great patio wine.Prices:| BC | $12.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Red Rooster Gewürztraminer 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBruised apple, mineral, bready, baked pear aromas. Moderately juicy with good acidity and green apple, peach, mineral, rose petal flavours. The balance is fine despite some obvious alcohol but it doesn't quite sing out.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Wild Goose Gewurztraminer 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRose petal, mineral, soapy, lychee spicy aromas. Very light, elegant, summer sipper style. Fresh mineral, green apple skin, perfumed, sausage flavours. Light bodied with a dry finish. A sound effort but it lacks the intensity of fruit one normally associates with Wild Goose.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Riesling 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, clover, spicy, soapy floral aromas with some green apple. Very citrus, mineral, green apple skin flavours with a bit of honey and spice. Fresh and lively with a dry elegant finish. Well done.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Wild Goose Autumn Gold 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAutumn Gold is mostly a blend of riesling, pinot blanc and gewürztraminer. Look for ripe apple, baked pear, and spicy, floral aromas. Soft, fresh, round style with moderate sweetness. Mineral, green apple skin, spicy, baked pear flavours with a touch of citrus. Simple, easy sipping wine for summer or a picnic. Good fun.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileTypical 'Maximiano vineyard' cassis, leafy, black cherry, leather, tobacco and pepper aromas. On the palate the wine is as rich and as round as we can remember with smooth, supple tannins. More cassis, black cherry jam, mocha, vanilla and peppery coffee flavours mark the taste with some tobacco on the finish. Very fresh with fine acidity and fine flavour intensity. One of the best yet.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
St. Hallett Faith Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBig open minty, cassis, cherry vanilla, saddle leather aromas with a touch of green bean and volatility. Rich, ripe, smooth palate with bright black cherry, cassis, smoky vanilla, sweet cola flavours. Good fruit and intensity but quite acidic on the finish.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
California, United StatesThe majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that make up the 2001 vintage are grown in Paso Robles along California's Central Coast. Look for mocha, leather, peppery, cassis jam aromas with a touch of green bean and olive. It's fairly soft, round, smooth on the palate with fresh cherry, cassis, spicy, vanilla, coffee flavours. Quite dry and acidic in the finish with a big whack of black currant.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Valdivieso Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2000
Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen cassis fruit, cigar, vanilla, smoky leather and a touch of green bean and olive on the nose. Somewhat tangy, dry, tannic entry with smoky vanilla, coffee, cassis and green bean flavours with a very smoky, licorice finish. Has improved and smoothed out in the last year. Prices:| BC | $21.50 | 750ml |
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29 June 2004
94PTS
Penfolds Bin 60A 1962
South Australia, AustraliaNow tasted twice once in March 2000 and again in June 2004. Unchanged if not better after four more years especially on th enose. Bin 60A is a 65/35 blend of Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and Kalimna shiraz, 35%. The colour remains dark with some brick red edgeing. The nose is open with sweet nuances of cherries, tobacco, and stewed prunes with earthy, truffle tones allof which evolve into a toasted marmalade and leather character. It is extremely round and supple on the palate with impeccable balance with just a hiint of dryness in the finish. Long and persistent flavours of cherry, truffle, cedar, soya and tobacco throughout. A fine example of the potential Penfolds and Australia have to produced outstanding wine that can go the distance in the bottle. Not for commercial sale.Prices:| AU | $800.00 | 750ml |
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27 June 2004
87PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesCassis, blackberry, earthy, smoky, resiny vanilla aromas with a big streak of saddle leather and game. Dry, round, slightly tight with some lean tannins. Good cassis, spicy, peppery, licorice, smoky coffee flavours. Finish is dry and a bit hot. Sound but lacks the kind of ripe fruit most 2000 reds do.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.49 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.69 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Corbett Canyon White Zinfandel 2003
California, United StatesVery pale pink colour. Cherry, raspberry aromas with some leafy, mineral, pepper notes. Soft, round, fresh and sweet. There is good acidity with raspberry, sour cherry, mineral, spicy flavours. A simple, fresh, easy summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $7.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $7.45 | 750ml |
| ON | $7.45 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hester Creek Trebbiano 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight peach, earthy, mineral apple nose. Soft, round simple wine with some earthy, green apple, lime flavours and a rind-y, somewhat sweet finish.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gehringer Brothers Pinot Blanc Private Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, creamy, light butter aromas with a hint of peach and green apple. Soft, round, elegant palate with very buttery, baked apple, peach skin, earthy flavours. A bit dry on the finish but fine for seafood.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Pinot Blanc 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, mineral, sausage, floral, green apple aromas; it tastes as if there is a bit of gewürztraminer added. Round, zippy and elegant with spicy, mineral, dry lees, citrus flavours. A good food wine if a bit light and dry but has persistence.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA fresh mix of mineral, green apple skin and floral notes with a hint of garlic lees. Very lively on the palate with citrus, peach, mineral, buttery green apple flavours. Overall the texture is oily and soft with a warm finish.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, smoky vanilla, peppery, bell pepper, green olive, blackberry aromas. Soft, round, smooth palate with big smoky oak, vanilla, cinnamon, peppery, cassis, coffee flavours and some bell pepper and olive. A bit chunky and tannic on the finish needs a year or two to round out.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $24.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Five Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaButtery, canned peach, grapefruit rind nose with some mineral notes. Dry, round, fresh palate with mineral, earthy, buttery, peach skin and grapefruit rind flavours. Crisper, drier style.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mateus Blanc NV
PortugalMelon, buttery, mineral pear nose, very fresh. Fresh, light, elegant, slightly spritzy style with green apple, mineral, buttery pear flavours with a touch of nutty lees. Great little summer picnic wine.Prices:| SK | $10.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $6.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Blouberg Rosé NV
South AfricaBlouberg, which takes its name from the blue-tinged mountains of the Cape, is meant to be an easy-drinking quaffer fashioned in the Vinho Verde style. Quite deep pink raspberry colour. Mineral, cherry, spicy, apple, slightly vegetal nose. Round and soft style with cherry, mineral, citrus, bell pepper flavours. Fresh and balanced but fairly sweet on entry and finish.Prices:| BC | $7.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $8.90 | 750ml |
| ON | $7.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Blasted Church Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy, herbaceous, peppery, cedar bark and earth aromas. Dry, smooth, round style with some dry, cedar-y tannins. Big coffee, resiny, smoky oak, peppery favours with a cool-climate green bean aftertaste. Very dry and oaky in the finish.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Cakebread Cellars Merlot 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe 01 merlot contains 13 per cent cabernet sauvignon all aged 20 months in French oak barrels -- 45 per cent of which are new. Look for a smoky, coffee, saddle leather, black cherry, vanilla nose with hints of black olive and herbs. Rich, round and velvety with big coffee, cherry, peppery, vanilla flavours and a smoky, celery salt finish. A bit herbaceous and alcoholic hot on the finish yet it remains attractive. Needs a few years to fully round out.Prices:| BC | $99.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $84.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Campo Viejo Crianza 2001
Rioja, SpainGamey, smoky leather, savoury, cherry jam nose. Dry, light, slightly lean palate. Smoky, peppery, spicy, sour cherry flavours. Simple and fresh but pretty dry. It requires food and preferably meat.Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
Brancott Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandSmoky roasted bell pepper, gooseberry, canned asparagus aromas. Round, rich, soft palate with good acidity. Lots of honey, grapefruit rind, smoky bell pepper, asparagus, gooseberry flavours with some baked apple and vanilla on the finish. Crisp, full blown Marlborough style.Prices:| AB | $20.50 | 750ml |
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26 June 2004
90PTS
Ernest & Julio Gallo Chardonnay Laguna Ranch Vineyard Single Vineyard 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe fog that lingers at Laguna makes it one of Gallo's coolest sites in Sonoma County. Look for a spicy, creamy lees nose laced with honey, mineral, baked apple aromas with some citrus and mango notes. It is dry, round and elegant on the palate with creamy vanilla, toasted lees, green apple skin and mineral flavours. A touch leaner than prior editions which is fine with us. Well balanced with a very leesy, nutty finish (Burgundian). Often underrated given the quality.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cliff Lede Chardonnay 2002
Napa Valley, California, United StatesRipe peach, honey, pear, mineral, creamy lees and vanilla aromas with a touch of garlic. Rich and round with a somewhat oily texture and toasted lees, vanilla, baked apple, spicy, honey flavours with a mineral, pineapple, apple skin finish. The finish is dry, long and a bit alcoholic. Best with prawns or halibut.Prices:| BC | $38.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Corbett Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
California, United StatesEasy open screwcap. Leafy, tobacco, saddle leather and peppery cassis mark the nose of this dry, round, soft red. Look for cedar-y, peppery, tobacco and prune flavours. A bit of alcohol and dryness on the finish with more cedar-y tannins. A simple, affordable, hamburger red.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $8.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.45 | 750ml |
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85PTS
The Little Penguin Chardonnay 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThe little Penguin Chardonnay is probably the best varietal of the four grape set. Look for a buttery, peach, cantaloupe nose mix with honey. Soft, round, somewhat sweet style and lighter bodied. Honey, buttery, melon flavours. Simple, straight-ahead commercial chardonnay at an affordable price.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.98 | 750ml |
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84PTS
The Little Penguin Merlot 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaI'm not sure what the rational is for selling Australian merlot in the over-crowded North American merlot market but it is one of four chosen varieties for The Little Penguin line-up. This initial release has a spicy, leafy, herbal, peppery cassis tone on the nose. The entry is merlot soft, silky and sweet with more peppery, spicy, cherry, leafy, tobacco flavours and some light tannin on the finish. Warm and sweet like most everything out of Oz at this price point.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.59 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.98 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.12 | 750ml |
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83PTS
The Little Penguin Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSpicy, cedar-y, minty, leafy, mineral nose, not much fruit. Sweet, smooth, round entry with minty, cassis, peppery, candied berry flavours but a strange dry, slightly acidic and tannic finish. Extremely commercial, no real value here.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
The Little Penguin Shiraz 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaFine peppery, spicy, blackberry, blueberry aromas with a touch of leather. Round, warm, slightly tannic entry with some sweetness. Peppery, spicy, licorice, blueberry chocolate flavours. A bit hard and acidic on the finish but easily the best of the commercial reds.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Region del Valle Central, ChileLeafy cassis, minty, resiny, rubbery aromas. Soft, round and sweet with spicy, minty, earthy cassis flavours. Pretty short finish and warm, pretty commercial style.Prices:| BC | $12.40 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.15 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.90 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.25 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Heggies Vineyard Chardonnay 2002
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBright cantaloupe, peach, green apple, spicy lees aromas with a strong citrus rind undercurrent. Round, dry and elegant on the palate with spicy lees, honey, baked pear and citrus flavours. The finish is slightly sweet with nuances of orange and mango. Fine acidity and finesse; fruity and great for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Flichman Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, smoky, gamey, blackberry nose. Soft, round, rich and smooth. A bit chunky with chocolate, cherry, meaty, smoky tobacco flavours. Definitely Argentina, well balanced and flavourful. Consistently fine value.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Undurraga Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, leafy, minty cassis nose with some tobacco notes. Soft, round, smooth but dry palate with light tannins. Earthy, cedar, chocolate cassis flavours with a touch of bitterness and very dry tannins on the finish. Perhaps a bit young right now.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Undurraga Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, minty, cassis, chocolate cedar nose with some saddle leather. Dry, round, fairly elegant style with chocolate, minty, cassis, peppery cedar flavours. A bit hot with some light tannins but good intensity and balance. Very Maipo. A nice prime rib or grilled rib eye fits the bill.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Jaime Ségu Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered 2001
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileDark cherry colour. Very minty, cassis, chocolate mocha notes on the nose mixed with cedar, vanilla and spicy cinnamon. It is very rich, round and concentrated with smooth, ripe tannins. Big chocolate, spicy, peppery, minty, cassis and blackberry flavours with vanilla and clove on the finish. It's a bit hot (alcoholic) but has great intensity and will improve over the next one to three years. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ségu Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Unfiltered 2001
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileAnother pleasant surprise from Ségu. Look for a spicy, coriander, peppery, cassis, saddle leather aromas with some earthy notes. Rich, warm, round palate with some slightly chunky tannins. Vanilla, peppery, spicy, blackberry, licorice flavours with some minty cassis on the finish. Somewhat chunky and hot but has good concentration with some aging potential over the next year or two.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Morandé Terrarum Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe fruit of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape comes from the Santa Laura vineyard in the Maipo Valley. Minty, spicy, sappy red fruit/cassis herbal nose with a touch of saddle leather. Dry and a bit chunky in the mouth with chocolate, leafy, cassis, cedar, vanilla, peppery flavours. Lots of intensity but needs a bit more time in the bottle to smooth out. Try with grilled lamb sausage.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fetzer Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Oaks 2000
California, United StatesLeafy, herbal, prune, aromas with spicy cherry, vanilla, saddle leather and cassis notes. Soft, round, somewhat hot (alcoholic) entry with light tannins. Spicy, peppery, prune flavours with an earthy, minty finish. Sound but ordinary.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Esser Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
California, United StatesOddball peppermint, spicy, leafy, candied nose. The style is hot (alcoholic) and dry with a lean entry and more minty, leafy, peppery, vegetal candied flavours. Something's out of synch here.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesThe '01 vintage gets 13 months of ageing in American and French oak barrels. Look for a cherry, cassis, peppery, earthy aromas with a bit of chocolate. It's a soft, round, supple style with chocolate, peppery, blackberry, prune flavours. Good finesse and balance with a touch of tannin on the finish.Prices:| BC | $17.75 | 750ml |
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25 June 2004
86PTS
Wolf Blass Riesling 2003
South Australia, AustraliaLime, smoky petrol, mineral, green peach aromas. Fresh, round, elegant style with ripe apple, mineral, smoky slate and green apricot flavours. Fairly dry with nice acidity and elegance. An in between style not super ripe and delicate but not clumsy and heavy; should be fine with a variety of foods.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky mineral, floral, sweet lychee aromas with a touch of spice and apple. Soft, round, elegant style with some sweetness. Lots of red apple, spicy, honey, clover flavours with floral, lychee fruit on the end. A bit soft but very good flavours intensity - more elegant than Alsace. Fun sipper and also a fine food wine.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser Classic 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, clover, spicy, smoky mineral aromas with some green apple and citrus notes. Fresh, round, ripe palate with some sweetness. Juicy baked apple, slate-y, orange, mineral floral flavours. Solid if similar to the 'dry' version with a bit less intensity.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser Dry Classic 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, honey, clover, spicy, mineral nose, very fresh and attractive. Ripe, round and rich with a touch of sweetness. Refreshing floral, mineral, buttery, slate green peach flavours. Well balanced. A fine summer sipper and a great value.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Saturna Island Riesling Zeller's Vineyard 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeesy, mineral, buttery, almond nose. Soft, round, elegant palate with buttery, mineral, marzipan flavours and a slightly bitter, rancio finish. Simple without much identifiable varietal character.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lake Breeze Ehrenfelser 2003
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmells like a 2003 from the Pfalz but very floral, honey, spicy, peach orange peel nose. Rich, ripe and round with some sweetness but lively with mineral, peach, spicy, earthy honey flavours and nice acidity on the finish. Bravo a fine summer sipper or serve with sushi or Indian food.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lake Breeze Gewurztraminer 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeach, lychee, mineral nose with a touch of mineral. Soft, fresh, elegant style with nice acidity and a touch of sweetness. Clean mineral, peach, floral, green apple flavours with a touch of spice and good crispness on the finish. Very good effort, sip or have with Indian food.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Petaluma Riesling Hanlin Hill 2003
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBright floral, green apple, mineral notes with buttery lime aromas and some underlying white peach. Delicate and round with a bit of sweetness and a slightly oily texture. Lime rind, green apple skin and mineral flavours all finished with a dry, smoky slate nuance. Stylish and well balanced if a bit soft and dry.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mesh Eden Valley Riesling 2003
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThree Eden Valley vineyards were carefully selected for the Mesh project with the aim to make a wine with a strong citrus flavour and slight mineral profile that is typical of the Eden Valley. Look for lime rind, green peach, slate and Vaseline nose with a hint of green apple skin. Round, slightly oily palate with lots of green apple skin, lime and smoky slate flavours. Quite crisp and dry on the finish with some bitter lime rind notes.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blasted Church Gewurztraminer 2003
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig floral, mineral, clover nose with a touch of spice and apple. Fresh, dry entry but quite elegant with green apple skin, nectarine, spicy, mineral flavours. A crisper, leaner, fresh style will lend this to pairing with food. Very solid effort.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Blasted Church Ehrenfelser 2003
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, nectarine, flowery, grapefruit rind aromas. Very soft and very sweet with baked apple, mineral, floral peach flavours. Simple and fruity but quite a sweet, commercial style. Good patio sipper.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse 2003
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, green apple, herbal, spicy, perfumed aromas - an unusual nose. Round, fairly juicy palate with lots of green apple, lime rind, floral, mineral flavours. A bit hot (alcoholic) on the finish but fresh.Prices:| BC | $12.90 | 750ml |
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91PTS
McWilliam's of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaIf you know the old Brand's Laira Vineyard Cabernet sauvignon you'll know the McWilliam's of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon because it is one in the same wine. This is elegant stylish Coonawarra cabernet at its best. Well-balanced and savoury it mixes blackcurrant and plummy fruit streaked with a line of cranberry and mint. Delicious complex terroir-based red.Prices:| BC | $38.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $39.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pfaff Gewurztraminer 2002
Alsace, FranceOpen opulent honey, spicy, mineral, floral, lychee fruit nose. Very ripe on the palate with round sift textures and plenty of sweetness. Lots of honey, spicy, mineral, dried lychee and peach flavours make for a rich powerful, fat, white wine that still finishes with dry mineral streaks.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Garry Oaks Gewurztraminer 2003
Burgoyne Valley, Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaSomewhat closed on the nose when compared with other similar wines showing just a hint of green apple, mineral and lees aromas. Soft, round and fresh on the palate with good acidity and more green apple, mineral, citrus rind flavours. Brisk and fresh but not particularly gerwurz-like in character.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer Private Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh floral, green apple nose with a touch of lychee and dash of citrus with a pinch of spice. It's lighter than you might expect making it more of a sipper with some residual sugar but who's complaining. Fresh and delicate, drink all summer.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Bumble Bee Stinger White Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBumble Bee is a new brand from B.C. put together by a small group of wine lovers. The VQA approved wine has a fresh fig, grassy bell pepper nose with hints of melon and green apple aromas. Round and elegant with fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness. Ripe apple, asparagus, green melon and peach flavours with a touch of mineral, citrus peel and bell pepper on the finish.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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24 June 2004
93PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Bougros Côte Bouguerots Grand Cru 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceAnother fabulous effort from Fèvre in 2002. This wine has such purity it is a poster child for serious Chablis. Minerals, chalky crushed seashells mix with floral fruit a bit of spice and just a hint of wood. More white Burgundy then Chablis except for the piecing clean finish. Will improve for several years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $94.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
William Fèvre Les Preuses Chablis Grand Cru 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSpeaking at the Lake Louise Wine Summit Luc Bouchard described Les Preuses as a 'delicate Grand Cru that often is capable of earlier drinking.' Maybe so but look for a more powerful version in 2002 with an intense mineral nose and underlying floral and citrus notes. The flavours are rich and juicy with more mineral and chalk all elegantly packaged. A real delight to drink. Fèvre is obviously back on track under the ownership of Henriot.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2001
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandStoneleigh pinot is made with open-top fermenters and hand plunging of the cap to help soften tannins. Look for a smoky, rootsy, vanilla, black cherry aromas with some savoury notes. Dry, round palate but finishes quite lean. Rootsy, smoky, cola, rhubarb flavours. Simple, ready to go but lacks fruit overall.Prices:| AB | $18.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
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23 June 2004
78PTS
Victoria Estate Pinot Gris 2002
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaBread dough, acetic, mineral, brown sugar nose - definitely somewhat spoilt. Very buttery, soft, round, oily palate with some sweetness and an acetic, bread dough finish. Not much to recommend here.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Gehringer Brothers Pinot Gris Private Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple skin, mineral, light floral aromas with a hint of green peach. Oily, fairly dry palate with a slightly acidic, alcoholic finish. Buttery, mineral, dried apple flavours. Seems to lack the usual fruitiness and verve perhaps due to super warm conditions in 2003.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Pinot Gris 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, earthy, mineral, quince aromas with a touch of burnt almond. Round, fresh, dry entry with spicy, floral, soapy, citrus flavours and mineral, green apple skin finish. Not a juicy style, but heavier, almost Alsace-like without the oiliness. Solid but needs drinking this year.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lake Breeze Pinot Gris 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, marzipan, baked apple aromas with some green apple and spice. Spicy, mineral, soapy floral flavours. A delicate, dryer style with a spicy, green apple finish.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Five Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada"Five Vineyards" pinot grigio is made with fruit from five Okanagan regions. It opens with a bright nose of mineral, spicy, citrus rind and juicy floral aromas. The entry is round and dry with more mineral, lime rind and soapy, floral flavours and just a touch of heat (alcohol) on the finish. Well made and fresh.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sogrape Reserva Douro White 2002
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalOpen spicy, clove, honey, nutty, floral vanilla aromas with a touch of white peach, quite intense and unusual. Rich, round and dry but a touch soft with buttery vanilla, spicy, nutty, honey peach flavours. Weighty full-flavoured white that reminds one of the northern Rhone style.Prices:| QC | $18.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gazela Vinho Verde NV
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalA new package and a super fresh light demeanour make the Gazela Vinho Verde the ultimate summer sipper. Look for apple, green melon, mineral, nutty aromas. Quite spritzy with very zesty acidity and fresh nutty, mineral, green apple skin flavours. Delicate and lively and a great picnic or afternoon wine for white fish. An excellent example of Vinho Verde and it's great value too. All it needs now is a screwcap.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mateus Signature Douro White 2002
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalWho'd thunk it - white Douro with nutty, citrus rind, fresh Granny Smith aromas. Round, soft, dry and elegant with mineral, nutty, juicy apple flavours with a honey and buttery finish similar to viognier. Good seafood wine that possess both finesse and value for the adventurous.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.45 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.45 | 750ml |
| ON | $7.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $10.52 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Blouberg White NV
South AfricaMineral, cotton, green apple and bell pepper aromas. Dry, fresh, crisp palate with citrus, herbal, mineral flavours. Simple, fresh, fun summer quaffer at a very good price.Prices:| BC | $7.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $8.90 | 750ml |
| ON | $7.30 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Selbach Riesling Kabinett (Green Fish Label) 2003
Mosel, GermanyThe delicious '02 peachy, green apple and floral scented Selbach Kabinett are back this time supercharged by the warmer '03 growing season. Wet slate mineral candied citrus peel notes mix effortlessly with red apples honey and fresh citrus fruit. Delicious balanced fruity killer riesling that would works at Montri's (Thai), Vij's (Indian) and Memphis Blues (Barbecue).Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Selbach Riesling Bereich Bernkastel 2003
Mosel, GermanyWow! How good is this simple everyday riesling. It has all the expected green apple, mineral, slate and citrus flavours ripened to perfection in 2003. Round fresh, elegant and finished with clover honey undertones that mark the 2003 crop. Ridiculous good and ridiculously affordable. Try with simply prepared fish and a fresh fruit salsa.Prices:| BC | $12.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sushiwine NV
Loire, FranceThe outcome of two years of studies and tests, Sushiwine produced in the Loire Valley is the passion of Bernard Germain owner of Vignobles Germain & Associés. Germain designed the wine with the "blessing" of major Japanese chefs. We like the mineral, lees, grassy, green apple skin aromas and flavours with sweet peachy undertones. It fresh round and rich on entry with obvious sweetness and good acidity. Although it is design for sushi our West Coast Asian palates think its sweet fruit flavours might be better suited to spicy Indian and Chinese food.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Helderberg Winery Semillon Chardonnay 2002
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaGrassy, nutty, cheesy, hay aromas. Soft, sweet palate with very grassy, bell pepper, cheesy butter flavours. Odd style and flavour combination with a sour finish.Prices:| AB | $10.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gabriel Meffre Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2003
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceSpicy, floral, honey, mineral, white peach nose with a touch of butter. Very dry, round, elegant palate with lots of floral, mineral, spicy, citrus rind flavours and a honey, nutty rose petal finish. Good food wine for scallops or sole and solid value.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Willowglen Semillon Chardonnay 2003
AustraliaNutty, fig, grassy, citrus aromas. Soft, round, slightly sweet style with canned citrus, grassy, apple flavours. Simple, fresh, clean, commercial style.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pfaff Tokay Pinot Gris Steinert 2001
Alsace, FranceSouth of the town of Pfaffenheim and facing east is the slope of Steinert covering almost 39 hectares all on limestone. Mineral, spicy, green apple skin, honey with a touch of baked peach. Rich, round, intense palate with lots of peach, mineral, spicy, honey, buttery, and earth flavours. Good acidity and balance although a touch warm. Very good overall intensity, definitely a late harvest but has finesse.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.80 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pfaff Tokay Pinot Gris 2001
Alsace, FranceHoney, marzipan, lime rind, spicy peach aromas. Rich, round, slightly oily palate with green taffy apple, mineral, citrus rind, and bitter almond flavours. Full bodied, weighty style with a touch of residual but good acidity. Big rich and powerful it's a gris for connoisseurs.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Garry Oaks Pinot Gris 2002
Burgoyne Valley, Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, green apple, red currant and rhubarb nose. Super fresh, elegant palate with lots of rhubarb and citrus flavours. Quite a different style than what comes out of the Okanagan but well worth trying.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lang Vineyards Pinot Gris 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh green apple, mineral, spicy, floral nose with a touch of clover honey. Rich round entry in a somewhat sweeter style but well balanced. Good spicy, mineral, baked apple, floral peach flavours. A bit warm on the finish but fine effort - drink while fresh this summer and fall.Prices:| BC | $16.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Antis Malbec 2003
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig savoury, smoky, spicy, earthy aromas with a peppery, black cherry streak. Round, rich, dry entry with a big black cherry jam, cassis, spicy, smoky flavours and a floral, peppery finish. Very smooth and dry, well balanced and ready to go - try with lamb shanks. Excellent effort and well priced.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Antis Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, peppery, cassis, pencil lead, smoky leather aromas. Ripe, round, soft palate with some young, dry tannins. Very peppery, spicy, earthy, cassis and saddle leather flavours. A bit too smoky and dry on the finish but very sound. It's young and will improve over the next six to 24 months.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, savoury, peppery, cassis and wet earth aromas. Soft, smooth palate with jammy cassis, peppery, earthy peppery flavours. Nice ripe fruit, good acidity and balance. A bit chunky but pretty good intensity. Try with ribs or pizza. Good value.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pascual Toso Malbec 2002
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery peppery, leather, prune, ash and licorice root nose. Soft, round, supple style with spicy, peppery, black cherry and smoky leather flavours. A touch dry on the finish but a fine match for barbecued meat.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Abrazo Crianza Tempranillo Garnacha 1999
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainPeppery, spicy, savoury, black cherry aromas with a hint of leather and chocolate. Dry, round and elegant with spicy, floral, black raspberry, peppery, straw flavours and a fresh berry, chocolate finish. Quite high acidity and a touch tannic but super fruit and well balanced. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Abrazo Tinto Garnacha Cariñena 2002
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainSavoury, earthy, peppery, raspberry cherry aromas with a hint of rubber. Silky smooth and round on entry with ripe cherry jam, peppery, spicy savoury flavours. The finish is clean and fresh with some acidity and dryness to disperse. Barbecue anything would do the trick here.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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22 June 2004
90PTS
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese 2002
Mosel, GermanyLook for a touch more petrol/Vaseline character on the nose and in the flavours mixed with black currant mineral and wet slate. It has a refined sweet flavour and weight yet with all the delicate, fresh fruit of the Mosel. Should be a delight to sip for several years.Prices:| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
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17 June 2004
0PTS
William Fèvre Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FrancePower and minerality is the story of Les Clos and in 2002 this wine has it in spades. Fèvre owns about 16 per cent of all the Les Clos made and they are certainly protecting its reputation. Look for a generous, ripe red apple, floral, citrus nose with hints of hazelnuts in the background. This is very rich and long with fine underlying minerality. Chablis at is best and will hold for the next five to seven years.Prices:| BC | $72.61 | 750ml |
| AB | $86.00 | 750ml |
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16 June 2004
93PTS
Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Sant' Urbano 2000
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyIt starts off like Valpolicella, but select bunches of Corvina grapes are dried on racks after the harvest, achieving greater concentration. After 120 days of drying the results are a huge black cherry, tobacco nose streaked with chocolate and spicy, jammy aromas. The 2000 is rich, intense and slightly sweet on entry with cherry jam, almond, chocolate, spicy vanilla flavours and a peppery, Christmas pudding finish. Long, intense and smooth it carries the normal 15 per cent alcohol. Should improve over the next 5-12 years.Prices:| BC | $79.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Speri Valpolicella Classico Superiore La Roverina 2002
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyLa Roverina is a single-vineyard selection made from the same corvina, rondinella and molinara grapes used in Recioto, minus the dying process. It has a very peppery, smoky, tobacco, rootsy black cherry nose. It's dry round and elegant with fairly high acidity and smoky, licorice, pepper cherry and leather flavours. A fine effort for the vintage.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Conterno Fantino Rosso delle Langhe Monpra 2002
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyThe blend is 50/40/10 nebbiolo/barbera/cabernet sauvignon. The nose: licorice, smoky, black cherry, cassis and black pepper with gamy, vanilla streaks. The texture are rich the flavour concentrated with smooth grainy tannins. Sweet vanilla, black pepper, tar, black cherry and coffee flavours. Long, intense and dry but well balanced. A new age style.Prices:| BC | $79.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Conterno Fantino Barbera d'Alba Vignota 2002
Castiglione Falletto, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyThe Fantino Barbera d'Alba is all grown at 280 meters at a density of 1,500 vines per acre. It has an inviting black raspberry, black pepper, spicy, tar nose. The entry is round, soft, rich and fresh with black cherry, coffee, pepper and spicy flavours. The finish is smooth and elegant with good acidity. A delicious if pricey barbera.Prices:| BC | $38.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Luigi Einaudi Dolcetto di Dogliani 2002
Dogliani, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyBright cherry, spicy, licorice root and tea aromas on the nose. Dry and round with light tannins. Peppery, spicy, compost, tea and cherry flavours. Elegant, easy-drinking style red for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi 2000
Dogliani, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyAn unbelievably good Barolo from the superstar cru of Cannubi. Grown at an altitude of some 220 meters at 2.2 tons/acre Cannubi is complex and luscious. Look for an open tea and saddle leather nose spiced with pepper, toasted vanilla and cherry/tar aromas. Rich concentrated and moderately tannic it remains elegant from front to back. Peppery, spicy, leather, tar, black cherry flavours with a long resiny, vanilla, smoky finish. Good acidity, excellent balance, fine stuff. Expensive but a top Barolo worth aging for 7-10 years.Prices:| BC | $111.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lanciola Terricci Antiche Terre de' Ricci 1998
Impruneta, Florence, Tuscany, ItalyTerricci is 80/15/5 blend of sangiovese/cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc all aged for 24 months in 90 per cent new French barriques. The wine is micro-oxygenated to help plump out the textures and smooth out the tannin. The nose is a mix of prune, sweaty game, plum, vanilla aromas with some raisin-y notes. It is big, rich, tannic and concentrated on the palate with more with meaty, cherry, prune, pepper and licorice flavours and a hot-coffee finish. A bit alcoholic and extracted so it will need some time to settle down. Wait 4 to 7 years.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Lanciola Chianti Classico Le Masse di Greve 2001
Impruneta, Florence, Tuscany, ItalyFormerly divided into regular and riserva, the 2000 vintage inaugurated an entirely new, unified version of this single-vineyard blend of 95 per cent sangiovese and five per cent merlot that is micro-oxygenated and barrique-aged. Look for an aromatic peppery, gamey, chocolate, vanilla, black cherry and licorice aromas. On the palate it is rich, round and quite smooth with spicy, cherry jam, mocha, licorice and pepper flavours. Very good balanced and intensity. A particularly good 2001.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lanciola Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2001
Impruneta, Florence, Tuscany, ItalyDuring the Renaissance, the estate belonged to the historic Ricci family - hence the hedgehogs appearing on some of the labels, for "ricci" is Italian for "hedgehogs." Today, it is property of Carla and Giovanni Guarnieri, flanked by son Giancarlo with his wife Elisa. The normale is 95 sangiovese with a touch of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The nose is a mix of gamey, weedy cassis with cherry and smoky chocolate. Round, soft and dry but elegant with cherry jam, gamey, chocolate, licorice flavours. Nice balance, forward open style. For current drinking.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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13 June 2004
88PTS
Pepperwood Grove Syrah 2002
California, United StatesPepperwood Grove continues to carve up the competition with its fun forward thinking wines. Made like a 'négociant' wine free from the constraints of terroir, it offers soft, silky smooth and peppery fruit that slides down effortlessly and finishes warm and soft. Simple affordable, hip, tasty and wrapped in a seriously good looking package.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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12 June 2004
92PTS
Devil's Lair Chardonnay 2002
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaRipe apple, citrus, melon, mineral, vanilla nose with toasty lees and pineapple. Very rich and round with great concentration and fine acidity. Zesty citrus, green apple, lime, peach and spicy lees flavours with fine buttery vanilla notes on the finish. Warm (alcoholic) but with it has fine length and a crisp, fresh finish. Well done.Prices:| ON | $39.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Riesling 2003
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaGood mineral, citrus rind, green apple and mango aromas with some floral, honey notes. Dry, fresh, style with mineral, spicy green apple, lime flavours and a smoky slate, grapefruit rind finish. Very elegant and delicate, good value.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.29 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.74 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Little Boomey Shiraz 2002
New South Wales, AustraliaPeppery, sappy, black raspberry fruit with earthy barnyard notes. Soft, smooth, easy-sipping style with coffee, earth and black cherry flavours. A bit dry with some light tannins but otherwise sound.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Little Boomey Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
New South Wales, AustraliaCoffee, leafy cassis and peppery aromas mark the nose of this easy-sipping red. Soft and round with a bit of mid-palate sweetness. Earthy, spicy, cassis, cedar licorice flavours mark this commercial but sound dry wine.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2001
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaBright cassis cherry colour. Spicy, peppery, coffee, cedar, minty nose with a touch of leather, cassis and clove. It enters smooth with ripe, grainy tannins and coffee, cedar, peppery, spicy vanilla flavours. The well balanced, intense finish mixes cassis, licorice and coffee finish. Stylish but needs 2-4 years to soften up and integrate.Prices:| BC | $52.25 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jindalee Shiraz 2002
Murray River Valley, Victoria, AustraliaLook for a fruity spicy, black pepper, blackberry jam and red licorice nose. Soft, round, smooth textures and the all important touch of residual sugar in the finish. Peppery vanilla, black cherry and licorice flavours precede a sound if acidic finish. Simple fruity, soft, and affordable.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Deakin Estate Shiraz 2002
Victoria, AustraliaLook for a peppery, over ripe blackberry, minty, roasted pepper nose. Expect a soft, round, easy-drinking red with juicy black berry jam, spicy, licorice, meaty flavours. The finish is dry but there is fine fruit intensity. Grilled spiced chicken or beef ribs are the ticket here. Enjoy.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.25 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Willowglen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2002
AustraliaEarthy, coffee, cassis rubbery spice nose. Soft, round, mocha coffee, earthy cassis flavours that finishes both alcoholic and acidic. Simple everyday red.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf du Pape 2001
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSausage, meaty, peppery, spicy, cigar, black raspberry jam nose. Soft, round, rich but slightly tannic. Sweet jammy cherry, strawberry, peppery, meaty, smoky peppery flavours with a cocoa truffle finish. A bit young and alcoholic but lots of intensity. Needs 3-4 years.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2001
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBeaucastel boasts a large percentage of mourvèdre and grenache, about 30% each with 10 per cent syrah and another five per cent of muscardin, vaccarese and cinsault. The remainder is made up of small quantities of the seven other varieties permitted in Châteauneuf du Pape. Somewhat surprising nose of raspberry kirsch and spicy, pruny cooked fruit laced with chocolate, pepper and gamey notes. Quite peppery, spicy on the palate with black raspberry jam, cocoa, kirsch and prune flavours. Good intensity but quite alcoholic and somewhat over ripe. A big year and a big over the top red. Could be a faulty cork behind the cooked flavours.Prices:| BC | $88.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Madfish Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc 2001
Western Australia, AustraliaOpen peppery, licorice, blackberry nose with an undercurrent of earth and a touch of bell pepper. Savoury, spicy, black cherry, cassis flavours mark the palate with dry, coffee, cedar notes in the finish. Light tannins, a touch of green herbs and good acidity signal a cool maritime climate. A sound and easy drinking red designed for food.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaMinty, chocolate, earthy, clove aromas with a touch of black cherry. Smooth, round, forward palate with light tannins and definite sweetness. Lots of coffee, mocha, vanilla and sweet cassis flavours with a dash of pepper. Soft sweet commercial, sipping-style.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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10 June 2004
87PTS
Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest 2000
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileEggy botrytis, sautéed pear and orange spice aromas. Sweet and soft on the palate with nectarine skin, canned pear, mineral and botrytis flavours. A nice tipple and affordable but a bit too flabby for our taste. (375 mL)Prices:| BC | $14.40 | 750ml |
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08 June 2004
90PTS
William Fèvre Vaillons 1er Cru Chablis 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceWet mineral, butter, lees, citrus, green apple skin aromas with a light floral note. Dry, round, ripe palate with juicy apple, buttery, lime, melon, smoky steel flavours. Super elegant, good intensity and ripe. Well done.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
William Fèvre Montmains 1er Cru Chablis 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSteely, flinty, lees, citrus, green apple, butter nose with a touch of anise. Rich, round, ripe and dry but concentrated. Lots of ripe apple, buttered pear, citrus and peach flavours. Excellent fruit and balance, almost Grand cru quality.Prices:| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceNice citrus, melon, mineral, green apple aromas with a smoky note. Soft, round, dry palate with buttery, leesy mineral, citrus, juicy apple flavours. Well balanced, elegant and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.75 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.40 | 375ml |
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90PTS
Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz 2001
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaIntense white pepper, floral, black cherry jam, smoky vanilla game aromas, very attractive nose. Rich, round, smooth entry with big blueberry jam, floral, jasmine, white pepper, spicy, black raspberry jam flavours. Light tannins on the finish with good freshness. Excellent shiraz.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Deakin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Victoria, AustraliaAttractive earthy, licorice, compost, coriander, cassis nose signals cool fruit. Soft, round, slightly sweet entry with coffee, earthy, spicy, cassis flavours. A bit warm and dry on the finish but with fine intensity and decent structure.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.25 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Baldivis Estate Shiraz 2002
Western Australia, AustraliaSpicy, meaty, gamey, black raspberry jam with a touch of vanilla. Ripe, round, slightly sweet palate with some light, dry tannins. Big ripe blackberry jam, vanilla, peppery, gamey licorice flavours with a slightly sweet finish. Good ripe fruit and balance - very appealing consumer style.Prices:| B C | $18.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Palandri Shiraz Estate 2001
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaPeppery, smoky, spicy, black pepper, meaty, blackberry aromas. Soft, round, rich, warm palate with big black pepper, blackberry jam, spicy, smoky vanilla flavours. Good intensity, smooth finish, well made WA red.Prices:| MB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Palandri Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2002
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaTypical coffee, spicy, pepper fruit nose with a savoury, compost/cassis undercurrent. Dry, round and slightly tight on the palate with cassis, green bean and peppery, vanilla, earthy flavours. A touch acidic but good intensity all in a cooler climate style.Prices:| MB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Palandri Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2000
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaMocha, coffee, peppery, cassis jam with spicy clove vanilla streaks and a touch of volatility. Rich, round, concentrated palate with noticeable tannins. Very warm (alcoholic) on the palate with more coffee, vanilla, cassis and spicy white pepper flavours. Will require three to five years more time in bottle to really fill out. Big style WA red.Prices:| BC | $46.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $45.25 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Palandri Shiraz 2002
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaBig crushed black pepper nose tinged with barnyard, licorice root, clove and black berry fruit. Soft, round and smooth on entry with a hint of sweetness. Ripe black berry jam, peppery, spicy, coffee flavours and a slightly warm, acidic finish but it remains fresh and well balanced. There are still some light tannins to shed but should be fine with duck breast.Prices:| California | $15.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.14 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Palandri Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaCoffee, cedar, spicy, leafy compost, earth aromas with a touch of leather. Lean and dry with cedar-y tannins. Peppery, spicy, coffee, green been, cassis clove and vanilla flavours. Cooler climate style. Needs a bit more roundness and ripeness to shine but will improve in the bottle. Coming to B.C. in September.Prices:| California | $15.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.14 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lindemans Bin 75 Riesling 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPeachy floral petrol/mineral nose with streaks of green apple skin mark the nose. On the palate the flavours are a mix of lime, baked green apple, peach and mineral with medium weight and length. The finish is slightly sweet and rounder but fresh and crisp making this an appealing wine for sipping on the patio. Very good value.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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07 June 2004
88PTS
Plozner Chardonnay 2003
Spilimbergo, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyClean pure green apple, lime, honey and peach aromas. Quite round and dry on entry with a slightly oily texture. Its flavours mix ripe peach, mineral and melon with a lime butter finish. Very fresh and tasty un-oaked style with some intensity.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Plozner Pinot Grigio 2003
Spilimbergo, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyOpen pear, slate, ripe apple aromas with a touch of honey. Ripe and round with more honey, apple, green melon and citrus flavours. Fresh, fruity and zippy, a very appealing style for any consumer. Well made, serious pinot grigio.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Plozner Tocai 2003
Spilimbergo, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyCitrus, pear, mineral aromas waft out of the glass on a floral note. Fresh, round and moderately dry with sweet red apple, pear and mineral flavours with a touch of honey and melon on the finish. A fine well-balanced white.Prices:| BC | $21.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Plozner Sauvignon 2003
Spilimbergo, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyGreen bell pepper, jalapeno, mineral, citrus and wool aromas mark this Northern Italian sauvignon. On the palate it's dry and tight showing more bell pepper, green apple and mineral flavours. Elegant style but just a bit too vegetal for most sauvignon fans.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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06 June 2004
87PTS
Mionetto Il Prosecco Frizzante NV
Veneto, ItalyPerfumed, rose petal/peach, mineral and apple skin nose. Dry, fresh, round and elegant with apple, mineral, floral, green peach and cashew flavours. Well balanced, lighter style that is a great apéritif wine with or without food and a good value. Check out the hip packaging and the crown cap closure.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mionetto Il Moscato NV
Veneto, ItalyLovely floral, spicy, peach, muscat nose but not heavy. Fresh, round, somewhat sweet but balanced with ripe peach, flora, spicy, apple mineral flavours. A big step up from Spumante, quite classy and not too foamy. Great package complete with an easy to pop crown cap. This is fun stuff. Drink all summer long with spicy Thai, Indian or even fruit salad.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Joseph Drouhin Chablis 1er Cru 2001
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLight yellow colour with delicate lime rind, mineral, soap and herbal aromas. The palate is dry and quite closed with some but not a lot of chalky, citrus rind, green apple skin flavours. Lean, flinty, high acid finish. Low extract and medium ripe fruit. Prices:| BC | $41.90 | 750ml |
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05 June 2004
87PTS
Morandé Vitisterra Syrah Grand Reserve 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileIntense minty, jasmine, gamey, cherry jam aromas with some meaty, cassis leafy notes. Soft, rich, round and supple style. Lots of creamy vanilla, spicy, minty, cherry, peppery flavours to entertain the palate with a meaty, peppery cassis finish. A bit warm and a touch of acidity at the end but this is a solid, fruity-style syrah.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gabriel Meffre Laurus Côtes du Rhône 2000
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceComplex nose of ripe cherries, spicy/cloves, poultry spice, licorice and raspberry jam. Round, soft, elegant and rich on the palate with earthy licorice, black cherry jam and spicy, gamy meat flavours. Long, dry and slightly tannic finish that is perfectly balanced and brimming with ripe fruit. Fine job.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLight citrus, nutty lees aromas with streaks of anise, wet slate and apple skin. Soft, round, elegant styling leads you into its buttery, mineral, citrus slate flavours with a dry, nutty lees finish. Fine finesse but definitely a leaner, classic style. Should improve over the next year.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Austin Hope Roussanne 2002
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesMore yellow than straw in colour with an intense honey, cream, marmalade nose streaked with anise and mineral. Rich, round, dry and warm yet suave and oily with a touch of sweetness. Huge honey, marmalade, slate and nectarine skin flavours with an oily, spicy lees vanilla finish. Intense, fat style but with fine acidity. The grapes come off the well-known Mer Soleil vineyard located in the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. The vines are an old clone that can be traced directly to France. The yields are very low and the grapes are picked late, usually mid to late November. Drink while young and fresh but not for everybody - a Parker style wine in many ways.Prices:| BC | $71.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $64.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLes Clos is consistently among the best Chablis Grand Cru we taste and the Moreau is no different. The winemaking is all done in stainless steel before the wine is aged for four months in barrels (90 per cent in 1, 2 and 3 years old barrels, 10 per cent in new and 1 year old barrels). Look for a nutty, dry slate, citrus, green apple skin nose with some buttery, honey streaks. The palate is rich, round, ripe and dry. Big honey, butter, citrus, chalky, melon and green apple flavours invite you into the glass. Long and balanced in the finish with fine finesse. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $66.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceJust over half of Valmur is aged in stainless vats. Forty five per cent is done in barrels (90% in 1, 2 and 3 years old barrels, 10% in new and 1 year old barrels) for a period of six months. Look for a spicy, creamy cashew, citrus, green melon, mineral aromas with a floral hint. Ripe, round, elegant but quite rich and dry. Honey, nutty, spicy lees, green apple and lime flavours. Crisp, vibrant finish but quite dry. Needs a year or so to round out and let the oak settle down. Fine intensity and a big future.Prices:| BC | $66.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon Cuvée Guy Moreau 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceCuvée Guy Moreau take sits name from a 70 year old block planted by Guy Moreau in 1934. It is 60/40 stainless steel/ barrel fermented blend with only 10 percent new wood used -- the rest is a mix of one, two and three year old barrels. Classic fresh lime, slate, floral, baked pear aromas. Round, rich, dry palate with more weight than the regular cuvée. Fine slate, green apple skin, butter, citrus and green melon flavours. Good vibrancy and acidity on the finish - nicely balanced.Prices:| BC | $43.29 | 750ml |
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87PTS
VF Lasira 2002
Costières de Nîmes, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThe label says 75 per cent syrah, 25 per cent grenache and 0 per cent cork referring to its new black screwcap closure and this baby is a winner. The nose has a clean intense spicy, white pepper, black raspberry jam aroma with gamy/licorice notes. The entry is soft, dry and round with fresh black raspberry, licorice, plum jam, peppery pudding flavours. Fresh, dry Euro-style but great flavour and fine acidity. Great flank steak or lamb sausage match. Good value here and a real example of how a screwcap can lift the level of an ordinary red.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB` | $12.00 | 750ml |
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04 June 2004
86PTS
Robson Street Hefeweizen NV
British Columbia, CanadaRobson Street Hefeweizen is unfiltered wheat ale with a very pale gold colour with a light, creamy head. The nose is a mix of earthy, spicy, citrus and pear notes with some malty grain touches in the background. It is dry, fresh and crisp on the palate, light in style with spicy, clove, mint, earthy pear flavours and a touch of bitterness on the finish. Fairly high carbonation but light, simple and refreshing. Made for a hot summer's day. Serve with a lemon slice.Prices:| BC | $10.35 |
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90PTS
Trinchero Chardonnay Mario's Reserve 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesGrapes for this wine come from several vineyards in southern Napa Valley including the Carneros region. Expect an open buttery, citrus, floral, baked apple nose with some mango and honey. Dry, round, elegant and crisp with a butter/vanilla/nutty lees profile mixed with citrus and pineapple flavours. Long medium weight chardonnay with a citrus butter finish.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaFresh peach, honey, floral aromas with a mineral, citrus streak. Round, smooth and soft with a touch of sweetness. Fat, warm mineral, apple, citrus honey flavours that finis a touch short. A simple wine that fits the pocket book for summer drinking. Note the 1 litre size.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 1000ml |
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87PTS
Two Tone Farm Chardonnay 2002
Napa Valley, California, United StatesLeesy, nutty, buttery, cheesy nose with mineral, a touch of apple and some volatility. Fat, round, dry entry but with a bit of sweetness at the back end. More vanilla, butter, lee and spicy honey flavours with some ripe pineapple on the finish. Quite suave and Napa fat with good acidity. Bravo for the screwcap.Prices:| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Morandé Vitisterra Chardonnay Grande Reserve 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSpicy, honey, baked apple, peach aromas mix with vanilla and hazelnut. The entry is both fresh, zippy and a touch fat. The palate sports ripe peach, honey, spicy nutty notes mixed with vanilla and pineapple flavours. A bit warm but great balance and acidity for the intense flavour concentration. Well done.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaLeesy, floral, green apple aromas with some honey butter. Dry, slightly oily texture with buttery, nutty lees, mineral and citrus peel flavours. Quite warm (alcoholic) in the finish and lacking the fresh zippy tones of previous editions.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.45 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.18 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.49 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.16 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Palandri Chardonnay 2002
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaMost of the fruit is sourced from five growers within the Margaret River region while some 12 per cent is drawn from Palandri's Frankland River vineyard located in the Great Southern region. Look for spicy, lees, mineral, lemon oil and honey aromas with a touch of melon. Rich, round, oily and fairly dry on the palate with toasted oak vanilla, butter, baked apple and citrus flavours. The finish is warm with smoky butter... old style baby.Prices:| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Morandé Terrarum Reserve Chardonnay 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileNectarine, lees, spicy mineral, baked apple nose. Rich, round, full-bodied with fresh apple, nutty lees, creamy, honey/nectarine flavours. Fine, dry honey lees finish. This is well made wine... we suggest it will pair well with grilled prawns.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Sebastiani Chardonnay 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, garlic lees, orange, creamy vanilla aromas with some citrus and honey. Rich, round, elegant and creamy with vanilla, butter, honey, citrus, baked apple flavours and a spicy, butterscotch finish. A bit warm and soft on the finish but great intensity and consistent quality. Good value.Prices:| BC | $22.85 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Smoking Loon Viognier 2002
California, United StatesSmoking Loon is pure fun from its name and label to its enticing open honey, mineral, orange, cream and spicy mango nose and flavours. It's fat, round and fresh with good elegance and acidity. Ripe mango, honey/orange fruit mixes with baked quince and butter flavours in the finish. Fine effort, delicious drinking and great value.Prices:| BC | $17.75 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill Reserve 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSuper Sonoma styling with a nutty lees, toasted garlic, honey, vanilla, citrus nose streaked with pineapple. Dry and round it enters with an oily texture and leesy, nutty, creamy vanilla, butter flavours. The finish is flavoured with honey, baked apple and citrus finish. Altogether elegant and long with butterscotch in the medium length finish.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $45.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wild Pig Chardonnay 2003
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceCreamy, apple, chalky, peach skin nose with some floral notes. Rich, round, soft, dry entry with some oiliness. Fat style with mineral, creamy butter, honey, peach flavours. Somewhat warm and short finish but solid. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Planeta Chardonnay 2002
Sicily, ItalyThis IGT Chardonnay (Indicazione Geografica Tipica Sicilia) was first produced in 1994 and production now tops 130,000 bottles. The fermentation is carried out in French oak barrels where the wine is kept on its yeast lees for 10 months. The colour is medium yellow. Guava, honey, spicy lees, crème brûlée, citrus nose. Rich, round, warm and fat but good acidity. Big baked apple, honey, vanilla, lemon oil, nutty lees flint flavours. Pretty high toned butterscotch and citrus aftertaste but good richness and balance. Pairing ideas form the winery include mushrooms and truffles, legumes soups, rich flavoured fish or mixed boiled meat.Prices:| BC | $50.65 | 750ml |
| BC | $110.00 | 1500ml |
| AB | $39.25 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fetzer Chardonnay Sundial 2002
California, United StatesTasty honey, butter, orange blossom aromas mix with quince and mineral notes. Similar flavours mark its soft, round and fresh demeanour. Fine flavour and richness if a bit flat and warm on the finish. A solid, good-value, California chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2002
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceTasty leesy, honey, spicy, orange peel and peach aromas. Dry, tight palate but rich and a bit oily with honey, butter, spicy, citrus, orange flavours. Dry, nutty lees finish. A fine match for chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wente Vineyards Chardonnay 2002
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesLight spicy, honey, floral, baked apple aromas. The entry is a touch sweet with baked apple, honey, citrus and buttery mineral flavours but the finish is bright and fresh. Round, easy-drinking summer-sipper style.Prices:| BC | $17.75 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stoneleigh Chardonnay 2001
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandHoney, spice, garlic, artichoke and butter aromas. Soft, round, rich but elegant style. Lots of butter, spice lees and honey flavours streaked with mineral. Fine intensity and richness but should be drunk this summer.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.85 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kirralaa Chardonnay 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThis mostly Upper Hunter chardonnay with some fruit from Adelaide Hills and Strathbogie has a leesy, baked apple, pear, spicy honey aroma with an undercurrent of mango. Rich, round, elegant but certainly not fat. We like the spicy, citrus, honey, creamy vanilla lees flavours and the fine baked apple, nutty finish. Flavour for your money with style.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Schug Chardonnay Carneros 2002
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesWe can't say enough good about '02 Schug Carneros. Walter Schug and Michael Cox use four clones of chardonnay all grown at the cool-climate Carneros Estate vineyard and barrel fermented and sur-lie age the lot to add complexity. Vanilla, honey, cream aromas with citrus, nectarine and a touch of nutty lees. Rich, round, fresh palate but elegant with honey, mango, citrus, baked apple and butterscotch flavours. Long, balanced and quite intense on the finish. Drink now or over the next two years. Outstanding.Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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03 June 2004
87PTS
Rosemount Cabernet Sauvignon Show Reserve 2000
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaCoffee, barnyard, saddle leather, blackberry and earthy olive notes sing Coonawarra. Rich, round, warm on entry but with an acidic edge. Similar flavours with some added tobacco and blueberry and some cool vegetal notes. Solid if unspectacular for the price.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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02 June 2004
90PTS
Burrowing Owl Meritage 2001
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe BOV Meritage is a 40/40/20 blend of cabernet franc/merlot and cabernet sauvignon. The colour is a deep cherry red. The nose: peppery, black olive, smoky, earthy, licorice with a streak of green bean, cassis and cherry. In the mouth the wine is rich and concentrated with a touch of acidity and heat. Cassis, black cherry, vanilla, orange peel and smoky resiny flavours all combine to seduce the palate as does a Christmas pudding, green olive and cassis aftertaste. This is well done considering the so-so vintage and it will improve over the next two to four years.Prices:| BC | $34.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Burrowing Owl Merlot 2002
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGood dark cherry colour. Still a baby the '02 merlot shows fine promise from its peppery, spicy, Christmas pudding and plum/iodine nose with black raspberry, earthy, tobacco leaf undercurrent to its ripe plum jam, cherry, chocolate, vanilla, peppery orange rind flavours. Rich round and quite concentrated with ripe, supple tannins. A bit fat and alcoholic for B.C. but it will have wide appeal. Should improve over the next two to four years. Dare we say St. Emilion...Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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01 June 2004
95PTS
Penfolds Grandfather Fine Old Liqueur Tawny Port NV
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Grandfather Fine Old Liqueur Port tradition dates back to the 1940s, when a blend of the company's best ports, going back to 1915, was put together for the exclusive use of the Penfolds family. Today Grandfather Fine Old Liqueur Tawny a blend of shiraz and mataro is stored Solera style in French and American hogsheads. As wine is drawn off from the bottom row of barrels, they are topped with wine from the barrels immediately above, and so on up the stack. The uppermost barrels are topped with selected aged wine. The system protects the quality and style of 'Grandfather' ensuring that the average age of the wine in the bottom barrels is as old as possible. The colour is a mix of walnut brown with green edges. Open citrus rind, buttery, rancio, spicy, caramel, vanilla, raisin notes mark the nose. It has a rich, sweet, supple style with good acidity and intense sweet orange peel flavours spiked with marmalade, spice, vanilla, crème brûlée and nutty walnut overtones. Huge toffee, coffee, mineral, nutty finish. Well balanced, excellent quality for a sweet style.Prices:| BC | $84.99 | 750ml |
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July 2004