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Tastings: July 2004
31 July 2004
87PTS
Castaño Monastrell Rosé 2003
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainNice cherry, berry, spicy, mineral aromas with a touch of game and earth. Ripe, round and dry with nice richness and acidity balance. Fresh black cherry, licorice, spicy, mineral and citrus flavours with a touch of raspberry. Fresh, crisp and clean with good fruit. Great value, try on your picnic party with a cold salmon and potato salad.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine 2003
Tavel, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceCitrus rind, candied cherry, mineral, pine, floral, taffy apple aromas. Dry, round and quite rich with nice cherry, mineral, buttery, ripe apple, citrus flavours with a hint of sweetness and almonds. Good balance and lots of flavour.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Silex Éloge Rosé 2003
Costières de Nîmes, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSpicy, cherry, strawberry, citrus, mineral aromas with a nutty, clove streak. Ripe, round, fresh palate with lots of citrus, strawberry, mineral, straw and berry jam flavours. Nice acidity and freshness with a just a bit of sweetness. Very solid, juicy rose for the summer. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Attems Pinot Grigio 2002
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyVery ripe apple, marzipan, perfumy floral, mineral, nectarine nose with a touch of citrus rind. Ripe, rich and very elegant with mineral, spicy, marzipan, buttery pear flavours with dry steely, citrus green melon finish. Quite a floral style but well balanced and integrated.Prices:| US Only | $17.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
La Famiglia di Robert Mondavi Pinot Grigio 2002
California, United StatesMarzipan, mineral, citrus, leesy aromas with some red apple. Ripe, rich and round with fresh citrus, mineral, slate, green apple and butter flavours. Crisp nutty, citrus lees finish. A touch warm but lots of flavour with fresh acidity. Very solid but not much value here.Prices:| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.35 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Woodbridge Pinot Grigio 2003
California, United StatesLight lees, mineral, citrus rind aromas with some spicy pear notes. Round, smooth and a touch oily with some balanced sweetness. Spicy, sausage, melon, buttery citrus flavours are matched by a soft, fruity finish. A great deal in Alberta and Ontario.Prices:| AB | $11.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.95 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Woodbridge White Zinfandel 2003
California, United Statescorked.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Salt Spring Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2003
Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaAfter a disappointing bottle a second example offered a big bruised apple, mineral, citrus rind aromas with a touch of yeast. Soft, round, fresh green apple, citrus, mineral flavours with some yeasty notes and a crisp bitter apple finish.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Grigio Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright lime rind, smoky, peach, mineral, green apple aromas with a spicy floral streak. Rich, ripe and round with intense mineral, spicy, baked pear, green apple skin, lime and apricot flavours followed by a smoky, butter finish. Good acidity, intensity and balance, a real winner. Buy by the case.Prices:| BC | $14.20 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sandhill Pinot Blanc Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaToasted oak, vanilla, butter, green apple, mineral aromas with a touch of buttermilk. Round, smooth and fairly dry with butter, vanilla, spicy lees, pear and green apple skin flavours. A bit disjointed at this point, should improve over the next year or so and integrate the oak.Prices:| BC | $15.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gray Monk Pinot Blanc 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, clover, mineral, baked pear and butter aromas. Very ripe, round and somewhat sweet on the palate with lots of buttery pear, citrus, oily, mineral, melon flavours and a fresh but warm finish. A sweeter, general consumer style but with good fruit.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Morandé Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileRetasted - second bottle notes: Garlic lees, wet wool, mineral, bell pepper nose. Dry, round and elegant with a touch of sweetness. Ripe green apple, grapefruit, passionfruit flavours with a touch of bell pepper and grass on the finish. Good acidity and elegance. A much better bottle and good value. More restrained style.Prices:| BC | $12.49 | 750ml |
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30 July 2004
87PTS
Las Lomas Organic Pais 2001
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis organic certified pais has a deep purple colour and the normal gamy/wild herb nose. The textures are round and smooth with more spicy earthy cherry fruit flavours. Best with rustic meat dishes grilled on the barbecue or serve with strong cheeses.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 1983
South Australia, AustraliaThe '83 is suspiciously Pauillac like on the nose with a pronounced cedar/cigar box bouquet. Definitely aged but with firm power, weight and still some tannin to shed. Showing well now but the fruit is fading. It's best drunk now or before 2010.Prices:Read Full Note
93PTS
Penfolds Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2001
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaThe 01 Yattarna spent 8 months on its lees where it sees no sulphur, some but not a lot of early battonage, and no stirring later on. Eighty-five percent of the grapes come from outside South Australia (Tumbarumba and Snowy Mountains in 2001 due to the super warm weather. Fifteen percent comes out f the Adelaide Hills. Yattarna continues to impress from its green tints and lemon/lime mouth-watering flavours to its creamy leesy flinty complex finish. Serious Oz chardonnay that is getting better with each vintage. Needs time to really develop in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $72.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $89.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $89.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Vina Casas del Bosque Syrah Reserve 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe cool-ish Casablanca Valley gives this syrah its minty herbaceous green olive nose streaked with cherries and black pepper. This is simple easy sipping syrah with smooth textures and a cedar cigar leaf, coriander white pepper finish. Try with grilled beef ribs.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Valdivieso Viognier Reserve 2003
Region del Valle Central, ChileCasablanca appears to have some viognier potential as evidenced by this well-balanced elegant effort from Valdivieso. Look for fine fruit and acidity with the necessary honey and nectarine/apricot flavour in the mouth. Long and reasonably rich in the finish. Only the second release and showing fine promise.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Valdivieso Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Region del Valle Central, ChileWhat's not to like here. Attractive, tropical fruit salad with grassy fig and grapefruit notes. Citrus notes streak the mid-palate and finish crisp. Thai salads, shellfish and prawns all work with this and the price is a giveaway.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Valdivieso Cabernet Franc Single Vineyard Reserve 2001
Region del Valle Central, ChileIts huge dark, opaque colour previews an intense cabernet franc. Tea leaves and black cherry fruit litter the front end of the nose while cedar-y tannins bring up the rear. Rich and fiery spicy cassis fruit come through at the end. Powerful youthful and will need time in the bottle to really unwind. Fine potential.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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28 July 2004
88PTS
J. Lohr Cypress Shiraz 2002
California, United StatesCoffee, licorice root, roasted leather, blackberry jam, prune aromas. Rich, warm and ripe with peppery, licorice root, smoky, blackberry and black cherry flavours. The finish is a touch dry and warm but there is no lack of fruit flavour. Very solid everyday red.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Forrest Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandAll Marlborough tinned asparagus (gooseberry), jalapeno, smoky mineral, green apple and grapefruit rind nose. Ripe, round and elegant with asparagus, melon, kiwi and grapefruit rind flavours and big chalky, citrus finish. Clean and fresh with finesse. Unique... think mussels.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jackson-Triggs Meritage Blanc Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit, mineral, passion fruit, smoky vanilla and fig aromas with a touch of canned fruit cocktail. Soft, round and fresh with a fair bit of sweetness. Buttery, vanilla, mineral, ripe grapefruit, kiwi flavours. Ripe and fresh with a good finish but just a bit too sweet. If they dial down the residual sugar this wine has legs.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
J. Lohr Cypress White Zinfandel 2002
California, United StatesHuge fresh raspberry, strawberry, mineral fruity nose with streaks of peach. Round, elegant and somewhat sweet with a light spritz in the finish. Lots of strawberry peach, mineral, citrus flavours. A fun, fruity, refreshing summer picnic wine... almost cooler-like.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
J. Lohr Cypress Merlot 2002
California, United StatesOpen peppery, black cherry, tobacco, spicy cedar aromas. Very soft, dry, elegant style with light cedar-y tannins and a touch of acidity. Spicy, cedar-y, tobacco, earthy cherry flavours with a dry, warm, coffee finish. Simple, more Euro style palate with fruit.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
J. Lohr Cypress Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
California, United StatesBig cassis jam, pepper and spicy, licorice root aromas with a floral, candied cherry note. Ripe, round and soft with light, cedar-y tannins. More cassis, black cherry, pepper, spicy black olive and licorice root flavours. Good intensity and flavour concentration with some tannins on the finish. Try with grilled veal or chicken.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Two Tone Farm Merlot 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesAttractive ripe cherry, coffee, plum, dill, smoky leather aromas. Soft, round and dry with a touch of tannin. Coffee, peppery, spicy, cardamom flavours with fine ripe black cherry, plum pudding finish. Euro-dry on the finish but very attractive flavours and balance.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.95 | 750ml |
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27 July 2004
91PTS
Black Hills Alibi 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWe hear that winemaker Senka Tennant spent some time hanging out with famed Loire Valley winemaker Didier Dagueneau, alternately known as the wild man of Pouilly and the best producer in the appellation. Clearly she is an excellent student because Alibi 2003 is among the best ever three white wines we have tasted in British Columbia and one of the best we have had this year from anywhere in the world. The 85/15 blend of sauvignon blanc and sémillon blend jumps out of the glass offering super clean, grassy, citrus, honey, vanilla, green apple fruit aromas with an underlying mineral and clover quality. It's ripe, round and rich with good acidity and elegance. Fresh green apple, honey, flinty, chalky, grapefruit flavours with a touch of fig and vanilla finish slightly austere. A super effort for this winery and a great seafood wine. Drink now or should improve over the next 1-2 years.Prices:| BC | $23.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Vaucoupin 1er Cru 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSmoky slate, mineral, green apple skin and citrus aromas with a touch of green melon. Dry, elegant and round with green apple, flinty, light lees, and orange flavours. Nice intensity but just a bit dry.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 375ml |
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94PTS
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceRipe apple, butter, floral, mineral, passion fruit aromas with some citrus and melon. Rich, round, elegant and juicy with citrus, green apple, smoky flint, honey flavours and a spicy, minty finish. Great acidity with roundness with finesse. Fabulous bottle of wine.Prices:| BC | $71.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLight leesy, toasty, green apple, citrus rind aromas with a touch of wool and smoke. Ripe, round and juicy but dry and elegant. Nice mineral, ripe apple, citrus, smoky lees flavours with a buttery, pear finish. Good intensity and balance, very attractive to drink now but will improve over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $70.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ottone Barbera Piemonte 2002
Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalySpicy, gamey, celery seed, cherry, almond aromas. Elegant, lighter bodied style with a smooth, dry palate. Earthy, peppery, smoky, red currant, tobacco flavours with a strong sour cherry finish. Well balanced with good flavour intensity with some barbera acidity showing. Will be good with meat or tomato based dishes.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Aleramico Barbera d'Asti 2002
Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyPeppery, resiny, smoky, leafy, cherry aromas with a touch of barnyard and rubber. Dry, round, fairly smooth with earthy, tobacco, peppery, smoky, sour cherry flavours. Quite dry and warm on the finish with a touch of acidity but a decent effort for a barbera in a difficult vintage.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jackson-Triggs Merlot Proprietors' Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky oak, spicy vanilla, peppery, cherry jam nose with some clove and dill. Soft, round and dry with light tannins. Big smoky oak, vanilla, clove, spicy, caraway, mocha coffee flavours with some dryness on the finish. Well made, mocha/oaky/coffee style that will appeal to many.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Il Feuduccio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2000
Abruzzo, ItalyThe entire estate, now totalling 129 acres - including superb olive groves - is 100% organically cultivated, producing a maximum 1.8 kilos per vine. Look for a spicy, peppery, vanilla, mocha, resiny, black cherry, gamey, licorice aromas. Rich, round, ripe and intense with grainy tannins. Huge peppery, cherry jam, spicy, mocha, cassis, licorice flavours. A bit hot and rustic but very intense and young with potential to age 2-4 years. A bit step up for Montepulciano.Prices:| BC | $37.58 | 750ml |
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87PTS
J. Moreau & Fils Chablis Vaillon 1er Cru 2000
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLeesy, green apple skin, buttery, citrus nose but a bit tired. Very leesy, buttery, bruised apple, mineral flavours. A bit long of tooth although still sound with good acidity.Prices:| BC | $35.61 | 750ml |
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88PTS
J. Moreau & Fils Petit Chablis 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceDelicious ripe green apple, mineral, light lees and citrus aromas. Dry, round and elegant with smoky, citrus, mineral and chalky green apple flavours and a touch of nectarine and green melon. Flavourful and easy to drink. The perfect seafood dinner wine.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
J. Moreau & Fils Chablis 2001
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLeesy, garlic/green apple skin and slate nose. Dry, round and elegant but all in a tight style. Leesy, mineral, green apple and citrus rind flavours. A bit short on the finish with some dryness but fully ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cliff Lede Merlot 2001
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, United StatesSpicy, minty, cherry nose with red currant, jam and earthy, saddle leather aromas complete with a touch of cardamom and clove. Rich, ripe and smooth but quite elegant with light, cedar-y tannins. More spicy, clove, black cherry, earthy, tobacco flavours with a light vanilla, cardamom, coffee finish. A suave style with a tight Stags Leap structure. Will improve further over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $59.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Proprietors' Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2002 vintage has been kind to B.C. grapes like this JT shiraz. Look for spicy, smoky, vanilla, peppery aromas with some blackberry jam and saddle leather streaks and a bit of chocolate. Soft, round and smooth with nice chocolate, sweet vanilla, plum pudding, peppery flavours. A bit hot on the finish and dry but very attractive consumer style that should improve over the next year.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy vanilla, clove, mocha (JT style) with blackberry jam, chocolate pudding aromas and some smoky leather. Ripe, round, smooth and balanced with dry, silky tannins. Lots of sweet vanilla, spicy, peppery, blackberry jam, chocolate flavours and a nice plum, spicy clove finish. Well balanced, ripe and attractive. Bravo B.C.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Jackson-Triggs Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEnticing smoky, oaky, cassis and blackberry nose with peppery, clove and vanilla and saddle leather notes...quite Oz like. Ripe, round and smooth with light, dry, grainy tannins. Lots of spicy, peppery, black berry, cherry, vanilla flavours with a smoky, green bean, roasted pepper finish. Well balanced, attractive style that will improve over the next 1-2 years but drinkable now. The warm year and 40 per cent shiraz appears to be the perfect tonic for the impossible to ripen B.C. cabernet.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Vandari Barbera/Barbetta 2001
Campania, ItalyVery spicy, gamey, savoury, floral, leafy aromas with black cherry and cinnamon. Rich, ripe, round and soft with very savoury, gamey, spicy, black cherry, earthy, saddle leather flavours with a tobacco leaf finish. Quite intense and a bit hot on the finish but very unique but definitely not a Piedmont barbera.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Colle Secco Rubino Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2000
Abruzzo, ItalyIntense gamey, saddle leather, savoury, cigar, and plum aromas. Quite soft and round with mocha, savoury, smoky, prune, licorice and jasmine flavours. Rustic style yet has some elegance and balance. A good food wine that will improve with 30 minutes of air time after decanting.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Conti Zecca Negroamaro Donna Marzia 2001
Puglia, ItalyGamey, licorice, resiny, leafy, cherry aromas. Soft, round, and warm with spicy, smoky, licorice, cherry almond flavours. A bit dry but has good acidity and balance with nice flavour intensity. Newer style Italy and a good value for the barbeque or pasta.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Di Majo Norante Sangiovese del Molise 2002
Molise, ItalySpicy, gamey, smoky, dried cherry aromas with a touch of barnyard. Soft, round, smooth palate but dry with peppery, dried cherry, spicy, gamey smoky earthy flavours. A bit hot on the finish and rustic but lots of good ripe fruit intensity.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli 1999
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyIntense ripe cherry, plum, kirsch nose mixed with black pepper, licorice root, smoky game and orange peel with a bit of vanilla and celery salt. Rich, ripe and round with substantial grainy tannins. Big mocha, peppery, licorice root, orange peel, cherry kirsch, gamey flavours with a Christmas pudding finish and very good acidity. Big stuff, somewhat backward, this will reward 7-12 years of cellaring.Prices:| BC | $149.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 1999
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyHuge gamey, ripe black cherry, plum, licorice nose with orange rind, floral, smoky aromas -- very ripe. Rich, ripe and quite intense on the palate with ripe but dry, grainy tannins. Intense licorice, smoky, cherry, plum pudding and mocha, peppery flavours with more orange peel and clove on the finish. Very young, needs 7-10 years but certainly ripe and worth putting away. Serve now with lamb and several hours of time in a decanter.Prices:| BC | $87.99 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Batasiolo Barbera d'Alba 2002
Piedmont, ItalyRetasted July 27, 2004. Second bottle very similar to first. Odd stinky garlic, mercaptan, rubbery, spicy nose. Very dry, light, acidic palate with low concentration. Rubbery, garlic, leesy, green leafy cherry flavours. Very disappointing, a poor effort. Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
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26 July 2004
87PTS
Valdivieso Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Region del Valle Central, ChileBig sweet ripe fruit nose of cassis, strawberry and pepper. Soft fruity and round on the palate with some youthful cabernet tannins but nothing to worry about. Fine spicy everyday red to serve with big meat dishes. Another improvement. Well done. Great price.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Valdivieso Merlot Single Vineyard Reserve 2001
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileAs it was in 2000 the single vineyard merlot comes with a spicy, smoky nose with black olive, minty and vanilla. Soft sweet ripe blackcurrant fruit - very Sonoma - with cherry, plum and a smoky mocha vanilla, licorice aftertaste. Super ripe. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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25 July 2004
87PTS
Morandé Carmenère 2002
Region del Valle Central, ChileWhat pleasant discovery. I'm not usually keen on the herbaceous carmenère style but this wine is totally ripe. The fruit is juicy ripe and streaked with earthy peppery flavours. The finish is silky smooth. This is big time value well under $13. Pity it's not distributed province wide.Prices:| BC | $12.49 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Valdivieso Syrah Reserva 2003
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileDeep black colour with an attractive spicy cherry vanilla nose with some sausage meat undertones. Quite elegant styling with black fruit, saddle leather and vanilla flavours with a good amount of acid. Youngish but a fine effort and certainly will be a wine to look for in the future. New World styling.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tamaya Carmenère 2002
Like most carmenère the Tamaya presents a persistent cool, crushed leaf and spiced earth aroma on the nose. The flavours are a similar mix of juicy peppery black currant fruit all wrapped up in a smooth silky jacket. Fun fresh simple hamburger/chicken wing red. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ségu Carmenere Reserve Unfiltered 2002
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileYoung vine carmenère with fifteen per cent cabernet sauvignon aged in all new American oak gives this reserva an inviting smoky vanilla nose laced with spice and chocolate. Look for toasted earth and vanilla/chocolate flavours all in a super ripe, smooth, savoury silky style. Well balanced and fairly priced.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Morandé Terrarum Carmenère Reserve 2002
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileMore classic carmenère style with an herbaceous peppery spicy nose with plenty of dried crushed herbs for highlights. Similar earthy tobacco, savoury, dried berry fruit flavours with a soft smoky finish. Fine acidity, unique style. Serve with barbecued meats.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rosemount Jigsaw Shiraz Mataro Grenache 2003
AustraliaRaw fruit nose with smoky plummy leafy fruit undertones and a touch of prune. Fairly smooth sipping with some mid-plate acidity and a peppery, strawberry fruit finish. A simple everyday hamburger red at very affordable price.Prices:| BC | $10.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.34 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lang Vineyards Limited Edition Maréchal Foch 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA very warm growing season appears to what the doctor order for B.C. maréchal foch. It has a smoky, gamy stewed berry nose with bits of cigar leaf. The entry is soft and round and almost sweet with gamy mineral berry jam flavours. A rich soft round gamy red perhaps best served with rustic stews and oven baked casseroles.Prices:| BC | $12.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Terra Andina Cabernet Merlot Selección 2002
Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, earthy, chocolate, smoky jalapeno aromas. Dry, round, elegant style with smoky, spicy, cherry jam and cassis flavours with some resiny, licorice notes on the finish. Simple, sound, everyday wine, good value but more Euro-style...perfect for the cue.Prices:| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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23 July 2004
90PTS
Tenuta Luce La Vite Lucente 2001
Tuscany, ItalyImpressive deep Bing cherry colour. The nose is a mix of tobacco, vanilla, cedar, saddle leather and game aromas with dried cherry and prune fruit. Dry, round, elegant structure with light, fine tannins but a touch rustic. Peppery, spicy, dusty earth, vanilla, tobacco, black cherry flavours with some dark chocolate and leather. Still young, it should integrate and improve over the next few years. The blend is 45/45/10 sangiovese/merlot/cabernet.Prices:| BC | $37.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $39.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $37.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hardys Stamp of Australia Riesling Gewurztraminer 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThis Stamp Series is big on ripe floral fruit with plenty of residual sugar and spice in the finish. Classic tropical fruit cocktail flavours with just a wisp of litchi nut fruit in the finish. Soft sweet lime-y fruit flavours mark this summer sipper style that should be served well chilled.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Selbach Riesling Dry (Red Fish Label) 2003
Mosel, GermanyLook for the classic Mosel honey and peach and mineral front end with lime rind notes. On the palate like its predecessors it is fresh, clean and juicy with green apple, white peach and spicy mineral flavours. A delicate, easy-drinking riesling that will works with a variety of foods. Still a bit young and tight with some S02 on the nose but this blows off in the glass.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gray Monk Odyssey Pinot Auxerrois 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAs you might expect the Odyssey is a big step up in intensity and price. Quite sweet and ripe on entry with grapefruit and lime rind aromas and flavours. There's a touch of dryness in the finish otherwise this is perfect drinking now. Grilled chicken, spicy Asian everything works. Unique to B.C.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gray Monk Pinot Auxerrois 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen lime and green apple notes mixed with melon and peach aromas. Round, fresh and crisp on with sweet-ish baked apple and citrus rind flavours streaked with grapefruit and melon. Fresh fun summer sipper for the patio.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Banrock Station White Shiraz 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaGive up those tired, cloying white zinfandels for something light and fun but still with a little zip. The colour is pale raspberry, the nose spicy fruity cherry-like with hints of almond and peach. Look for a light, sweet-ish, fresh style with cherry, mineral, green apple flavours. A fun fruity summer picnic wine for the deck or the beach.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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19 July 2004
87PTS
Valdivieso Malbec 2003
Region del Valle Central, ChileYoung purple juicy nose of blackberry/blueberry and blackcurrant fruit aromas. This is a soft round, easy-sipping, fruity red with hints of compost and licorice. An affordable barbecue red you can drink now. Try with grilled meats or poultry. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hardys Nottage Hill Shiraz 2001
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSavoury, spicy aromas streaked with a mix of blackberry and blueberry fruit. Soft, smooth and round on entry with creamy blueberry, cedar-y roasted pepper notes. Simple, sound, fruity and affordable.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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17 July 2004
88PTS
Chateau Canet 2001
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSpicy, smoky, licorice root, black raspberry jam aromas with some gamey, tobacco streaks. Very warm and dry but smooth and rich on entry. Lots of cedar-y, rootsy, peppery, black raspberry jams flavours with some licorice notes. Good intensity and enjoyable despite some dryness and heat on the finish. A very good vintage and pretty good value here.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Serre Longue 2002
Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceVery dark cherry colour. Super spicy, garrigue, black berry jam, black raspberry, vanilla peppery nose with smoky, gamey, licorice notes. Rich, ripe and round with light, dry tannins that are a bit youthful. Quite hot (at 16 per cent alcohol!) on the palate but great spicy, cedar-y, vanilla, smoky garrigue flavours fused with big black raspberry, blackberry jam and licorice. Young and hot but well balanced. This has the potential to improve over the next 2-3 years. A real fall or winter rich food wine.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Planeta Nero d'Avola Santa Cecilia 2002
Sicily, ItalyVery dark colour. Ripe cherry, plum fruit nose with coffee, pepper, game, licorice root aromas and a touch of juniper and spice. Very rich, round and smooth but quite dry with good acidity, a Planeta hallmark. Intense plum, cherry jam fruit flavours mixed with pepper, licorice, tobacco and coffee. The finish is dry with some young tannin but has good intensity and balance. Will improve over the next 1-3 years or try decanting and serving with a robust lamb dish. Very good quality nero d'Avola.Prices:| BC | $52.65 | 750ml |
| BC | $246.00 | 3000ml |
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15 July 2004
86PTS
Calona Vineyards Artist Series Chardonnay Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeach, melon, baked apple nose with some slate and butter streaks. Warm but ripe and round on the palate with buttery melon, baked peach, mineral, green apple skin flavours. Somewhat Oz in style with some added mineral, citrus rind on the finish. Fun fresh and easy drinking...should appeal to most consumers.Prices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Diego Murillo Merlot 2001
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaSpicy, black cherry jam, orange rind, tobacco, leafy, game aromas. Dry, round fairly soft style wit light tannins. Chewy, smoky, gamey, black cherry, black olive flavours with a spicy, leafy finish. A bit rustic but very solid and good value.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Pig Merlot 2003
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePeppery, spicy, leafy, black olive aromas with a smoky, black cherry streak. Soft, round, supple style with youthful cherry, spicy, tobacco leaf, dill and cassis flavours. Attractive, forward fruity style for current drinking. Very solid value.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella 2001
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyBig smoky, spicy, tobacco, mocha, floral, black cherry nose with hints of cedar and dried plum. Rich, round, ripe and smooth with supple tannins. Massive ripe black cherry, plum jam fruit with peppery, spicy, cigar, mocha, and tar flavours. Clean and fruity with very good acidity and balance. The finish is somewhat alcoholic but not unusual for Amarone.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $42.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.95 | 375ml |
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0PTS
Planeta Merlot 2001
Sicily, ItalycorkedPrices:| BC | $54.65 | 750ml |
| BC | $120.00 | 1500ml |
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87PTS
Fetzer Merlot Eagle Peak 2002
California, United StatesPleasant cedar, cherry jam, spicy, tobacco nose with leather and smoky barnyard nose. The palate is soft, dry supple and velvety. Ripe cherry, spicy, clove, vanilla cedar flavours with a touch of cigar leaf will appeal to most. A touch acidic on the finish but very food friendly and ready-to-drink.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Westside Red Garnet 2001
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSyrah grenache mourvèdre and viognier 38/42/20 give Red Garnet its rootsy, smoky, peppery, black raspberry jam nose streaked with black cherry, saddle leather aromas and bits of game and bacon bits. Rich, ripe and smooth with a bit of hotness. Juicy black cherry, blackberry, peppery, licorice, vanilla flavours with a garrigue, tobacco leaf finish. Very good fruit and mouth feel, ready to go.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Westside Red Claret 2001
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThe blend is 45/5/50 cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and merlot. Look for a spicy, cedar, tobacco, and black olive, black cherry aromas with some barnyard, pepper and earth notes. Rich, round, smooth textures but elegant. Juicy cassis, black cherry fruit with coffee, vanilla, spicy, peppery flavours.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sunset Road Merlot 2002
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesPeppery, cardamom, black cherry, Christmas pudding, tarry cedar aromas. Rich, round and ripe but quite warm. Big spicy, licorice, smoky, black cherry, peppery orange rind flavours wit a slightly tannic finish. Fine concentration but needs another one to two years to fully soften.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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14 July 2004
88PTS
Longview Black Crow Nebbiolo 2002
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaBlack pepper, tar, spicy, black cherry, tobacco leaf nose with a strong herbal, gamey, coffee streak. Smooth, round and a touch tannic with big peppery, licorice root, artichoke, tarry, cigar butt flavours with some black cherry at the end. Smooth and varietal but the finish is just a bit too alcoholic and vegetal to sing.Prices:| BC | $35.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Longview Devil's Elbow Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaVery spicy, tobacco, black olive, green bean, smoky clove aromas with a leafy cassis note. Very soft, round and supple - excellent mouth feel. Big smoky, spicy clove, peppery, tobacco, vanilla flavours with cassis and black olive on the finish. Long with a smooth palate and flavours but a bit too herbaceous on the nose.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Longview Yakka Shiraz Viognier 2002
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaBig gamey, meaty, smoky, saddle leather, spicy clove aromas mixed with black raspberry jam, vanilla and floral, licorice tones. Ripe, round and dry but elegant. Very savoury, spicy, peppery, licorice root, blackberry, smoky flavours with a bit of tobacco and roasted bell pepper. Has the ripeness of Oz but some cooler Rhone notes also to add complexity.Prices:| BC | $35.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Longview Beau Sea Viognier 2003
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaVery floral, honey, spicy, butter orange aromas with some mineral and quince streaks. Dry, round and elegant with a touch of oily viscosity. Lots of mineral, floral, citrus, buttery, honey lees flavours followed by a big ginger and orange rind finish. Very appealing style and very fresh. Spends 3 months in new French oak, mostly free run juice.Prices:| BC | $34.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Longview Blue Cow Chardonnay 2003
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaMineral, chalky, citrus rind, green apple aromas with a touch of white peach. Round, soft, elegant style with chalky, pear, apple skin, buttery citrus flavours with a nutty, peach finish. A touch alcoholic but has good acidity and balance.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Longview Whippet Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaGrassy, melon, grapefruit and fig aromas. Ripe, round and fresh with a slightly oily texture. Clean grapefruit rind, grassy, passion fruit and mineral (Adelaide Hills) flavours. A clean, balanced forward style. Try with grilled scallops.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
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11 July 2004
80PTS
Gray Monk Pinot Noir 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaUnattractive Rhubarb, rubbery, garlic, leafy aromas. Very dry, light bodied, crisp palate with rhubarb, garlic, skunky, vegetal flavours. No fruit and no joy.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Gray Monk Rotberger 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNice light raspberry colour. Floral, peach, tomato, mineral, olive and cherry aromas. Soft, round, fresh palate but fairly dry. Ripe cherry, mineral, leafy, earthy, chalky flavours. Simple, fresh summer deck wine.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Main Divide Pinot Noir 2002
Waipara, Canterbury, South Island, New ZealandBlack cherry, rootsy licorice, smoky vanilla aromas with light barnyard and compost notes. Soft, silky, elegant palate with ripe strawberry, rootsy, sour cherry, slightly smoky flavours. Easy drinking, elegant and fresh pinot style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $38.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Voss Estate Pinot Noir 2002
Waipara, Canterbury, South Island, New ZealandAttractive black cherry jam, vanilla, spicy, licorice root and black tea aromas. Very soft, silky smooth palate with black cherry cola, vanilla, licorice, smoky, minty flavours. Nice acidity and intensity with a slightly hot finish but well made.Prices:| BC | $54.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Arrowleaf Red Feather 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRed Feather is a refreshing blend of pinot noir, merlot and auxerrois with a pale salmon colour. The aroma is a mix of mint and strawberry with a hint of minerality. Quite fresh and round with just enough sugar and acidity to keep your interest. A perfect summer patio wine picnic wine or on the patio before dinner. Well done.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Arrowleaf Pinot Noir 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSour cherry, rhubarb, leesy garlic, spicy shoe leather aromas. Dry, light and round with rhubarb, cedar-y, Worcestershire, green fruit flavours. Quite dry and somewhat sour on the finish. Lacks balance and the ripe fruit you expect with pinot.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Semillon 2002
Waipara Valley, South Island, New ZealandIntense canned asparagus, artichoke, pea pod, mineral, grassy aromas with a touch of lees. Very elegant, smooth palate with honey, grassy, canned asparagus, gooseberry and grapefruit rind flavours with a lightly toasted, mineral, honey vanilla aftertaste. Great acidity, finesse, and flavour intensity but on the herbaceous side. Drink now. Hopefully the next vintage will be in screw cap. Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Peregrine Pinot Noir 2002
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandSmoky, spicy, celery, carrot top aromas with a strong streak of black cherry and rhubarb. Soft, velvety, elegant palate with ripe black cherry, smoky, rootsy, rhubarb, vanilla and mint flavours. Good acidity balance, super smooth and ripe, very good drinking now.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Chateau de Chamilly Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise 1999
Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceBarnyard, leafy compost, celery, sour cherry aromas with a dank pepper note. Super dry, slightly tannic and very lean structure. Dried rhubarb, leafy, compost, resiny, shoe leather flavours. Lacks any ripe pinot fruit.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Las Lomas Pinot Noir 2002
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileSoy, green olive, minty, compost, sour cherry aromas, very strange pinot. Very dry, tannic and warm with leathery, soy, cooked cherry, rhubarb and compost flavours. Lacks balance and pinot fruit.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Valdivieso Pinot Noir Reserve 2002
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileLeafy, compost, strawberry jam, mint smoky aromas. Dry, round, somewhat tight palate with some cedar-y tannins. Smoky, rhubarb, sour cherry, spicy, vanilla flavours with some acidity showing on the finish. Not as ripe as prior vintages.Prices:| BC | $22.50 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Thornhaven Pinot Noir Barrel Reserve 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, sour cherry jam, carrot top, rhubarb, leafy aromas. Very dry, slightly acidic palate with sour cherry, cooked rhubarb, Worcestershire sauce and celery flavours. Dry, tight finish. Very standard, slightly green style cool-climate pinot that lacks intensity.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hester Creek Pinot Noir Billy's Selected Barrels 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStrange dried lychee, floral, spicy, leafy, carrot top compost aromas with some oaky vanilla. Dry, round, fairly soft with oaky resiny, peppery, leafy compost, carrot, lychee flavours and some acidity on the finish. A bit alcoholic to boot.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gehringer Brothers Pinot Noir Private Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, clove, sour cherry, Worcestershire sauce aromas, quite ripe. Soft, round, easy style with black cherry, spicy, smoky, cedar-y flavours and a light jammy, smoky oak finish. Simple, straight ahead pinot for early consumption.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Saturna Island Pinot Noir Rebecca's Vineyard 2001
Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, CanadaVolatile nose of cooked Worcestershire sauce, rhubarb, celery and oak. Dry, lean, green palate with celery root, earthy, oaky, green cedar flavours. Avoid this one.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Saturna Island Gamay 2001
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaResiny, peppery, oaky, pruny, slightly volatile nose with a bit of oxidation. Dry, round, soft palate with very oaky, cedar-y, resiny, dried prune oxidative flavours and a dry, somewhat acidic finish. Drink up soon.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Little Straw Vineyards Pinot Noir 2000
British Columbia, CanadaCedar-bark, shoe leather and dried cherries on the nose with a slightly volatile character. Light-bodied and lean on the palate with dry cedar-y tannins. Big shoe leather, oaky, spicy, sour cherry, rhubarb flavours mark the aftertaste. Getting long in the tooth.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2002
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSpicy, carrot, gamey, black cherry, orange rind and rhubarb nose. Dry, soft, supple palate with light tannins. Juicy, spicy, smoky, rhubarb, cherry, vanilla flavours with some gamey, orange peel, compost notes on the finish. Good intensity and balance. A darker, slightly more earthy, taut style.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir 2002
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, spicy clove, black cherry jam, reduced barnyard aromas and a touch hot. Restrained and slightly dry with light tannins and fine balance. Ripe black cherry, smoky, spicy, licorice flavours with buttery vanilla bitter almond aftertaste. Slightly volatile but definitely pinot. Drink now or over the next year or so.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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09 July 2004
86PTS
Hillside Merlot Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLook for a busy sausage, peppery, stewed-tomato nose with pruny, vanilla, Christmas pudding aromas -- with a rootsy almost volatile undercurrent. Much better on the palate showing rich, warm, smooth styling with huge vanilla, peppery, spicy clove, stewed cherry, pruny coffee flavours. The finish is alcoholic and oaky with some prickly acidity but packed with flavour. A real Parker-style red with some cool-climate herbaceous tones.Prices:| BC | $27.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Golden Mile Merlot Luckhurst Family Vineyards 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy, dill, resiny, compost smoky aromas mixed with some stewed black cherry and Christmas pudding but a touch prickly. Rich, ripe, round and smooth with ripe tannins. Lots of coffee, smoky oak, peppery, black cherry, olive and vanilla flavours with a big mocha, cedar, resin and clove aftertaste. Should improve over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Frescobaldi Danzante Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2003
Veneto, ItalyDanzante's pinot grigio has consistently been the best varietal in the group and the '03 is the pest grigio we have seen. The nose is an inviting mix of ripe apples minerals and pear/peach fruit. Well made and suited to a wide variety of food.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.15 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSmoky canned jalapeno aromas with strong mineral, wool notes. Soft, round, somewhat sweet with sour components. Canned jalapeno, grapefruit rind, mineral flavours with an oily, sour finish. Simple but lacks balance.Prices:| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.25 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sandhill Merlot Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig smoky, black olive, meaty, garrigue and somewhat resiny aromas. Dry, fairly smooth palate with light tannins. Smoky vanilla, peppery, warm black olive, gamey tomato leaf flavours. A bit stewed and alcoholic on the finish, it was a warm year, but this is solid cool climate merlot that will need a few years to round out.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBaked green apple skin, leesy, marzipan and mineral notes. Soft, round, somewhat sweet entry with mineral, marzipan, leesy, cheesy flavours and a baked green apple and citrus finish. Perhaps a bit too ripe as the fruit is subdued.Prices:| BC | $15.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
J. Lohr Cypress Sauvignon Blanc 2003
California, United StatesNutty, honeydew, cooked apple, apricot skin grassy aromas. Warm, round, fat style with cooked apricot, nutty, honey, straw and gooseberry flavours. Quite rich but definitely not cool climate style.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Main Divide Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Waipara, Canterbury, South Island, New ZealandHoney, herbal, canned asparagus, grassy hay aromas with a touch of lees and passion fruit. Rich, round, soft palate with grassy, honey, canned asparagus, baked apple flavours and a long, dried fig, citrus finish. Although quite herbaceous, this has great balance and finesse and will appeal to many.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.80 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Calliope Merlot Oak Knoll Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery pruny, stewed fruit, black olive, spicy, coffee, shoe leather prickly aromas. Ripe, round and quite smooth but dry with cedar, tobacco, coffee, spicy, vanilla black olive flavours and a bit of cherry Christmas pudding on the finish. Very spicy oak aftertaste. This has good extract and ripeness and would really appeal save for the stewed fruit aromas on the nose.Prices:| BC | $22.90 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Rancho Zabaco Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2003
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesFresh melon, green apple, mineral, honey lime rind aromas with a touch of smoky jalapeno, very attractive. Fresh, rich, round and a touch sweet but has nice acidity and flavour intensity. Great grassy, honeydew, lime rind, floral, light bell pepper flavours with a crisp, long lime and honeyed apple finish. Outstanding Russian river fruit, try a bottle.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Dancing Bull Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig canned asparagus, mineral, green kiwi, mint leaf aromas, quite herbaceous. Soft, round, slightly oily palate with mineral, green apple skin, canned asparagus and kiwi flavours. Crisp grapefruit rind finish with a touch of sweetness but well balanced. Will have wide appeal.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Napa Valley, California, United StatesClean passion fruit, mineral, honey, green melon aromas with a touch of lees and pea shoot. Rich, round, somewhat fat style but quite elegant. Lots of mineral, honey, smoky, grassy, bell pepper, passion fruit flavours. Good intensity, acidity and balance for Napa.Prices:| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 2003
Western Cape, South AfricaVery grassy, straw, canned jalapeno, mineral, green apple skin aromas. Rich, round and fresh but elegant with grassy, grapefruit rind, mineral, jalapeno flavours. Good acidity on the finish keeps it fresh but definitely a more herbaceous style and dry at the end.Prices:| BC | $21.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.85 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hester Creek Merlot Select Barrels 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy, green olive, green bean, spicy, saddle leather nose -- quite an herbal pinot. Big, rich palate with some dry tannins. Lots of smoky oak, vanilla and spicy, clove and dill flavours with some olive brine on the finish. Reasonable balance but very oaky, warm and bit green, reflective of the '01 vintage. May improve over the next two years.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Dry Rock Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWet wool, mineral, garlic lees, cooked bell pepper aromas. Round, elegant, fairly rich textures on the palate followed by more garlic lees, mineral, bell pepper, apple skin flavours. Balance is fine but there's too much lees on the nose and palate and not enough fruit which is surprising for the normally very clean Gehringer wines.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Jackson-Triggs Merlot Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHuge spicy, coffee, mocha (JT style) with ripe black cherry cola, resiny, vanilla Christmas pudding nose - no lack of oak here. Dry, rich, fat and round with grainy tannins but quite warm (alcoholic). Again, big sweet vanilla, coffee, peppery, spicy, black cherry and plum flavours with a big cedar, toasted oak, roasted coffee bean finish. Rich ripe structure overall and quite alcoholic but a fine 2001, especially for oak lovers.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jackson-Triggs Sauvignon Blanc Proprietors' Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCitrus rind, mineral, light lees, green peach aromas with a bit of kiwi fruit. Soft, round, slightly sweet style with fresh kiwi, canned grapefruit, mineral, green apple flavours. Fresh, easy-drinking style with good acidity and a sweet finish that will appeal to many general consumers. Drink young and well chilled.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Region del Valle Central, ChileLight bell pepper, canned asparagus, and green apple skin aromas. Soft, round, commercial style with bell pepper, grapefruit rind, mineral flavours. Simple style with somewhat high acidity on the finish.Prices:| BC | $11.40 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Merlot Five Vineyards 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, peppery, spicy, green olive, vanilla aromas. Soft, smooth, round and dry with ripe cherry, sweet smoky vanilla, big coffee, fruit cake, toasted clove and stewed tomato flavours with a cedar undercurrent. Nice textures, easy-drinking flavourful everyday B.C. red.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Five Vineyards 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, fruit cocktail, mineral, grapefruit rind aromas. Round, elegant, dry entry with floral, soapy, grapefruit rind, mineral, grassy flavours with a touch of gooseberry. Very dry, crisp finish. Try with shrimp salad or scallops.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Undurraga Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileSlate, green apple skin, wet wool aromas with a touch of gooseberry. Clean, crisp, dryer style with a light oily texture. Green apple, citrus rind, mineral flavours with a touch of bell pepper. Very crisp finish, simple style for seafood. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $10.25 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Blasted Church Merlot 2002
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy, floral black raspberry, smoky, tobacco leaf, olive aromas. Smooth, round entry but with slightly dry tannins. Cedar-y, smoky vanilla, peppery, black cherry, black olive flavours with a slight stewed prune and tomato streak with some coffee notes. Needs 2-3 years to round out and tone the herbal notes.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Rodney Strong Symmetry Red Table Wine 1999
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesRe-tasted a week later from a new bottle. Lovely spicy, clove, peppery, vanilla, dill, black olive aromas with strong black cherry, cedar, plum and tobacco notes. Rich, round, dry and intense with some grainy tannins. Quite elegant with big coffee, vanilla, peppery, spicy, vanilla, blackberry flavours with some black olive, cassis and cedar in the aftertaste. The blend is 61/29/10 cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $88.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $69.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $72.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Garry Oaks Fetish 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFetish is made from 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Vista Ridge vineyard in the South Okanagan. It has a big spicy, clove, cherry cola, vanilla, plum jam, earthy black olive aromas but a touch reduced with some rootsy, rubber notes that blow off. Ripe, rich, round and supple with good black cherry, cassis, peppery, spicy, coffee, vanilla flavours with a slightly hot, oaky finish. Fine good acidity with ripe, sweet fruit. Should benefit from 2-4 years of bottle aging. Excellent effort.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lang Vineyards Merlot 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLang continues to impress us with its well made wines. The merlot has a cedar bark, black cherry, mineral, spicy nose streaked with olive aromas with a touch of barnyard and raspberry. Very soft, round and smooth on the palate with spicy, olive, peppery, black cherry, vanilla, Christmas pudding flavours and cedar/herbal notes on the finish. Good acidity and balance. Well made clean style that should improve over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $19.40 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Vina Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileFresh gooseberry, grapefruit rind, mineral, canned asparagus aromas with a touch of passion fruit. Dry, elegant entry with mineral, grapefruit rind, lemon oil, and green gooseberry flavours. A slightly austere style but well balanced with good intensity and length. Will definitely be a good match for seafood.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Western Cape, South AfricaMineral, canned jalapeno, artichoke, citrus rind nose. On the palate it is a bit sweet and round with a fresh, crisp profile and lots of mineral, grapefruit rind and canned jalapeno flavours. It is an herbaceous style but with decent balance with crisp acidity on the finish. Try with oysters.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.45 | 750ml |
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07 July 2004
87PTS
Nekeas Rosé 2002
Navarra and Basque Country, SpainPale raspberry colour. Intense cherry, raspberry jam nose with some almond and spicy, earthy notes -- very fresh. It is rich, round and fresh on the palate with just the right amount of sweetness. Lots of strawberry jam and peppery maraschino fruit flavours in the aftertaste. Good acidity keeps it fresh. A rockin' rose that is perfect for lunch or summer picnics.Prices:| BC | $12.65 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Sot Lefriec 2000
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainAmazing deep black cherry colour. Leafy, tobacco, coffee, peppery, savoury notes on the nose with streaks of earth and dill. Rich, fat, round and dry with some young tannins. Very spicy, black cherry, black plum flavours with some enticing tobacco, chocolate notes and a bit of an olive, cassis streak on the finish. Well balanced and rich if a touch herbaceous on the nose. Could use a few years yet to round out but otherwise first rate. The vineyard is bio-dynamically farmed.Prices:| BC | $79.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Conde de Siruela 2002
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainDeep cherry colour. Peppery, spicy, straw, slightly smoky garrigue nose with some cherry licorice notes. Soft, smooth, velvety textures with earthy, peppery, cherry, smoky, savoury flavours. Very suave, very modern style with good extract. Fine for grilled meats. Excellent value for Ribera del Duero.Prices:| BC | $18.75 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Masia Hill Tempranillo de Penedes 2002
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainBig black pepper and saddle leather nose with black cherry hints in the background. On the palate the wine is soft, dry and round with earthy, peppery, spicy, cherry flavours; the finish is a touch of dry with some heat on the finish. Light-bodied, easy-drinking Euro red.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Onix 2000
Priorato, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainExpect and appealing cherry cola vanilla, saddle leather, peppery, smoky, blackberry jam aromas with a roasted game, pruny note. Rich, round, fat style but fairly extracted with some tannins. Big coffee, peppery, licorice, black cherry, pruny vanilla flavours. A bit hot and dry but no lack of intensity here.Prices:| BC | $29.75 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Baltasar Gracián Expresión 2001
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainCherry, weedy, peppery, cardamom, coffee, black olive aromas with a streak of saddle leather and game. Ripe, round, smooth style but dry and suave. Very peppery, spicy, mocha, licorice, black berry, black cherry flavours with a savoury, spicy, coffee finish. Good acidity and intensity will be a great food wine for grilled Angus steak or osso buco.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Baltasar Gracián Varietales 2002
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainDeep black cherry colour. Big reductive nose but improves with air. Lots of coffee, pepper, blackberry, garrigue, plum and roasted meat aromas. Very firm but smooth, rich and dry. Intense licorice, black cherry, spicy, peppery, gamey vanilla coffee flavours. Needs a year or two to round out and develop but drinkable now with a steak or leg of lamb. The artificial cork keeps the nose fresher and slightly reduced so decant before drinking to improve. Good value, worth trying.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Baltasar Gracián Reserva 2000
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainPeppery, olive, cassis, cherry, spicy, vanilla coffee nose with some floral, mineral notes. Rich, smooth, round style with some nice fatness. Very spicy, peppery, coffee, licorice, tobacco, black cherry jam flavours with a savoury, slightly tannic finish. Drinkable now with grilled lamb sausage or will improve over the next year or two.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Baltasar Gracián Crianza 2001
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainImpressive peppery, savoury, espresso, meaty nose streaked with black cherry jam, spice. Ripe, round, smooth, elegant structure in the mouth with fine acidity and light tannins. Its intense flavours mix coffee, black cherry, spice, pepper, plum and earth savoury flavours. Well balanced, rich and sumptuous with some finesse.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Baltasar Gracián Garnacha Viñas Viejas 2001
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainCorkedPrices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Baltasar Gracián Garnacha Select Harvest 2002
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainAttractive smoky leather, soy, peppery, earthy, savoury nose with some cherry, prune aromas. Smooth, round, balanced and velvety with good acidity. More black cherry, peppery, spicy, savoury, licorice flavours that are both intense and persistent. Euro-dry but with excellent fruit flavours.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Batasiolo Barbera d'Alba Sovrana 2002
Piedmont, ItalySpicy, peppery, earthy, cherry aromas with a light barnyard lees note. Dry, soft, round palate with spicy, earthy, tobacco, peppery, cherry flavours. A bit dry with some tannin and acidity but an improvement over the regular. No longer the bargain it was thanks to a rising Euro and the latest hike in the monopoly tax.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Batasiolo Barolo 1999
Piedmont, ItalySpicy, peppery, resiny, smoky tobacco and black cherry aromas mixed with some earthy, grilled mushroom notes. Round, relatively rich palate but dry with defined tannins. Very earthy, tobacco, peppery, resiny, smoky, cherry tar flavours. A dry style of Barolo with lean-ish tannins on the finish. Will need 2-5 years to smooth out.Prices:| BC | $43.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
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06 July 2004
88PTS
Frescobaldi Danzante Primitivo 2002
Puglia, ItalyDanzante primitivo strikes the flavour weight and styling we've been waiting to see form this joint venture. The grapes are sourced from the hills of the Province of Taranto, moderated by nearby sea winds. The nose is warm spicy and inviting mixing red berries and spice. Similar flavours with the aforementioned richness make this a delicious drop. Well done. Should be a big hit in restaurants.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Frescobaldi Danzante Sangiovese delle Marche 2001
Marche, ItalyOpen spicy, peppery sausage nose with an undercurrent of cedar and cherry. Dry, lean thin Euro style with meaty peppery, sour cherry flavours. Easy sipping mid-week red for grilled meat and or cream sauce pasta dishes. Solid but expensive for what you get.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.15 | 750ml |
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04 July 2004
88PTS
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 2003
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandAlways a delicious drop the Villa Marlborough sauvignon has a clean lifted fruit nose of guava, lemons and lime with peppery, grass and anise undertones. Softer than most making it a fine introductory style. A screwcap closure makes opening this prime summer sipper a snap.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Dyer Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe release of the 2000 Dyer Vineyard cab by Dyer Straits Wine Company (owned by Bill and Dawnine Dyer) is the fifth vintage from the Napa Valley winemaking duo that are responsible for myriad wines under the Domaine Chandon label (Dawnine), Miramar Torres, Burrowing Owl, Frog's Leap and before all that Sterling Vineyards (Bill). As in previous vintages, the 2000 is co-fermented with all four varieties rather than blending them later. The blend is 78% cabernet sauvignon, 12% cabernet franc, and 5% each merlot and petit verdot. Only seven barrels were produced, yielding 175 cases. The wine opens with a peppery, spicy, licorice root and blackberry fruit nose mixed with cinnamon and saddle leather notes. Rich, round, intense and dry it has big mountain blackberry, peppery, spicy, licorice, black olive flavours with a cardamom, vanilla, chocolate finish. Warm full and well balanced it will improve even more with two to four more years in bottle.Prices:| US | $70.00 | 750ml |
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03 July 2004
87PTS
Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaSmoky, mineral, resiny, coffee, dusty cassis aromas with some peppery, black olive notes. Very dry, somewhat tannic with elevated acidity. Peppery, earthy, coffee, dusty olive, cassis flavours and a very cedar-y, oaky vanilla finish. Very young - needs 2-4 years or a big fat T-bone steak. Pretty dry stuff at the moment.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Goats do Roam (White) 2003
South AfricaFour separate grape cultivars make up the blend: crouchen blanc, clairette blanc, grenache blanc and muscat frontignac. Look for leesy, mineral, slate, honey, floral aromas with a touch of butter and quince. Dry, round palate with buttery, leesy, mineral, spicy, green apple skin and floral flavours. A bit hot and flabby with a slightly sour finish. Serve well chilled and serve as apéritif. Prices:| BC | $15.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.75 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.16 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Selbach-Oster Riesling Kabinett 2003
Mosel, GermanyMineral, slate, green apple skin aromas with light floral and honey notes. Fresh, crisp, elegant and round with nice ripe apple, peach pit, citrus, mineral flavours and a honey finish. Well balanced for current consumption or hold a few years. Delicious.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, United StatesRipe cassis jam, blackberry, violet, peppery, licorice, vanilla nose with saddle leather and christmas pudding streaks. Rich, round, intense and smooth with ripe tannins. Big blackberry, vanilla, chocolate, peppery, spicy, cassis, licorice root flavours and a long cedar, vanilla, cassis finish. A bit alcoholic but fine balance and intensity. Will improve over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $165.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPeppery, spicy, violet, licorice, vanilla, cassis and black berry aromas with some leather and plum. Rich, round and dry with some grainy tannins. Ripe cassis, blackberry, black olive, vanilla, cedar, peppery flavours with some christmas pudding on the finish. Refined but pretty chunky and rich, needs 3-5 years to round out but lots of flavour and aroma.Prices:| BC | $79.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBlackberry, garrigue, peppery, cedar, vanilla aromas with some chocolate and leather. Rich, round, smooth and dry with light tannins. Very spicy, peppery, chocolate, blackberry, cassis, cedar-y vanilla flavours. Firm and dense if a bit alcoholic but lots of flavour and elegance. Needs 2-4 years to fully round out but very well made. Impressive and stylish Sonoma.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Beringer Viognier Appellation Collection 2003
Napa Valley, California, United StatesFloral, quince, honey, citrus rind aromas with some green apple and peach. Ripe, rich round style but quite dry with honey, mineral, spicy, green apple skin with some orange and floral notes on the finish. Very solid but just a bit lean on the finish. Will be good with scallops or bass.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tamaya Viognier - Chardonnay Reserve 2002
The Tamaya viognier/chardonnay blend is oddly a bit on the oaky side. Super ripe buttery, peach, honey, pineapple flavours mix with cinnamon and mineral to give it an exotic front end. Dry, mineral, oily palate with butter, dry lees, vanilla and honey flavours. The finish is crisp but the fruit seems overpowered by the oak and it's not necessary. Good but less oak and more fruit would make it stunning.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tamaya Viognier - Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Attractive open honey, floral, grassy, buttery, nectarine nose showing its viognier base. The textures are dry round and crisp on the palate with juicy pear, mineral, honey, citrus, grassy flavours and a touch of butter. A well-balanced, dry style white suited to any seafood. Excellent value from emerging Limari Valley. Stay tuned for many more.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Auxerrois Classic 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe nectarine, green apple, earthy aromas with a floral note. Ripe, soft, round body with buttery, mineral, green apple skin and peach flavours. Just a bit short and bitter on the finish but solid summer wine.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lake Breeze Semillon 2003
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother well crafted wine from Lake Breeze. The nose mixes gooseberry, melon, grassy and citrus aromas - nice and fresh. The palate is fresh, crisp and round with vanilla, butter, spicy, grassy, gooseberry flavours. Dryer style but well balanced and ripe. Great fish wine or shellfish.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Trinchero Cabernet Sauvignon Mario's Reserve 1999
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSmoky, peppery, chocolate, leafy, cassis aromas with a touch of leather and licorice. Round, ripe and fairly rich but quite dry with slightly lean tannins. Very spicy, peppery, cassis, oaky vanilla, cedar and olive flavours. Like some '99s not as generous as Napa could be. It finishes warm and oaky with a dry, lean demeanour.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Little Straw Vineyards Old Vines Auxerrois 2002
British Columbia, CanadaFresh cut fir, pine sol, buttery, shoe polish. Dry, somewhat lean entry with buttery, dry lees, lemon, herbal straw flavours. Not the best example.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Paarl, Coastal Region, South AfricaEarthy, licorice, blackberry, cedar-y, smoky pepper nose. Dry, smooth, round palate with slightly lean tannins. Blackberry, cassis, peppery, minty, smoky flavours. Lots of fruit and intensity but finish is quite dry with some acidity and tannins showing. May improve over then next year or two.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $31.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon Private Bin 2001
South AfricaSmoky leather, green olive, green bean, earthy aromas. Dry, lean, smooth tannin entry with slightly elevated acidity. Big cedar-y, smoky, earth, blackberry, leather flavours. Short, very dry, slightly tannic finish. Tends to fruit and intensity for the price.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Morandé Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileVery peppery, spicy, sappy, currant/cassis aromas with some saddle leather notes. Smooth, round, dry entry with a touch of acidity and light tannins. Big spicy, cassis, minty, peppery, vanilla, chocolate and earth flavours with a smoky, leather finish. Nice elegance but a bit young. Should improve over the next few years. Well done.Prices:| BC | $45.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $72.05 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jim Barry Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLeafy, compost, resiny, smoky, volatile aromas with a dusting of cassis jam and tobacco with roasted bell pepper. Elegant entry then fruit quickly dries out and finishes with lean acidic tannins. There's big flavour - cherries and tobacco - but the dryness means you must have food with it. Something off here.Prices:| BC | $103.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve King's Ridge 1999
Sonoma County, California, United StatesAged for 30 months in barrel and 14 months in bottle before release. Black cherry, cassis aromas with minty, spicy, peppery, sandalwood, vanilla, licorice streaks - very aromatic. Rich, fat, intense but slightly dry and tannic. Big cassis jam, sandalwood, peppery, minty, black cherry, mocha, cedar flavours. Very spicy, vanilla, cinnamon sandalwood aftertaste. A bit tighter, leaner style with a bit more acidity but fine balance and elegance. Needs 2-4 years more to round out.Prices:| BC | $129.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $109.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyards 1999
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe always distinctive Sycamore blend of 76/14/10/ cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc has spicy, leather, tobacco, barnyard nose streaked with peppery, minty aromas and a touch of cassis and mocha. Rich, round, smooth and dry but elegant with big cassis, tobacco, spicy, cedar-y, black olive, waxy plum flavours and some warm earth notes. Somewhat Pauillac in style with a slightly herbal note with nice finesse. Ready to drink but will improve for 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $87.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $79.95 | 750ml |
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August 2004