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Tastings: October 2004
31 October 2004
85PTS
Carmen Chardonnay 2004
Region del Valle Central, ChileMineral, grapefruit rind, granny smith, matchstick aromas. Round, oily, dry, fresh style with green apple, grassy, mineral, citrus peel flavours. Quite a zippy finish with a lot of citrus rind.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Allegrini Valpolicella Classico 2003
Verona, Veneto, ItalySpicy, chocolate, black cherry, tobacco, floral, black olive aromas. Dry, round, elegant and soft with spicy, tobacco, chocolate, and black cherry flavours. Suave, ripe, ready to drink style although you could say it's expensive for what it is.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.95 | 375ml |
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30 October 2004
89PTS
Montes Alpha M "La Finca Estate" 1998
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe 1998 growing season was a difficult one in Chile -a big crop with plenty of rain. That said the Alpha M has come through in fine style with rich black fruit flavours showing fine acidity and plenty of smooth oak vanillin. The fruit is elegant with a sweet raspberry flavour and now gentle tannins. Saignée or bleeding the tanks has helped to concentrate the all mountain fruit that at this point is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Montes Alpha M "La Finca Estate" 2000
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileMontes Alpha M is a blend of mostly cabernet sauvignon (80%) with merlot (10%) and equal parts (5%) cabernet franc and petite verdot sourced from old 100 year-old vines. It is all aged for 12 months in French Allier fine grained oak. Look for spicy, peppery, green bean, cedar, saddle leather and vanilla nose streaked with cassis and sandalwood. On the palate it is rich and concentrated with lots of smoky vanilla, cassis jam and spicy flavours with a milk chocolate, cedar finish. Very warm but balanced with drier, firm tannins. Bordelais styling but with fine intensity.Prices:| AB | $69.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $87.80 | 750ml |
| ON | $87.90 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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29 October 2004
93PTS
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Riesling Icewine Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe PGR shows more yellow colour than the PR. The nose is an intense mix of mineral, plasticene, baked apple and quince aromas with a touch of citrus peel and apricot. Again it is richer and a bit riper (versus the PR) with lots of acidity and still balanced. More mineral, citrus rind, green apple skin, peach and baked pear flavours marked the palate with a slightly bitter rind and butter finish. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 375ml |
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27 October 2004
87PTS
Segura Viudas Metodo Tradicional Reserva Cava NV
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThis consistently good cava has a nutty, lemon, pear mineral, toasty biscuit nose with a floral note in the background. It's fresh, clean, round and dry with baked pear, citrus, apple, nutty honey almond flavours. Good drier brut style with lots of flavour. A solid sparkler for the money and one to drink any old time.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.79 | 750ml |
| PEI | $18.39 | 750ml |
| NFL | $18.99 | 750ml |
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25 October 2004
94PTS
Allegrini Amarone Classico 2000
Verona, Veneto, ItalyCall it new wave, or modern Italian; any way you put it the 2000 Allegrini Amarone is an Amarone unlike most others. Clean and fragrant it has a big chocolate pudding, vanilla, and white pepper nose with streaks of cigar, cassis jam, black cherry and coffee aromas. Rich, ripe, and warm, it carries its young grainy tannins well underneath a full flavoured mix of black cherry jam, pepper, chocolate, licorice, cedar, vanilla and plum pudding. It's a bit alcoholic but with fine intensity and structure for aging. You can drink it now with strong game or fowl dishes. The blend is a 75/20/5 mix of corvina Veronese, rondinella and molinara.Prices:| BC | $99.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Allegrini La Poja 2000
Verona, Veneto, ItalyA single vineyard special selection made from 100% corvina Veronese. Open mineral, cedar, black cherry jam, tobacco, lanolin, chocolate, leather, smoky barnyard aromas. Rich, round, warm, smooth textures with intense coffee, black cherry, Christmas pudding, cedar, licorice and smoky vanilla flavours. Very ripe, New World styles with great fruit and finesse despite a somewhat high level of alcohol. Should improve over the next 3-6 years.Prices:| BC | $110.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Allegrini La Grola 2001
Verona, Veneto, ItalyStrong gamey, coffee, black cherry, roasted pepper nose with ground white pepper and rootsy aromas. Rich, round, elegant style with slightly dry tannins on entry. Lots of licorice, peppery, spicy, tobacco, smoky coffee flavours with black cherry on the finish. Bigger and drier than the prior vintage but with similar intensity. It needs another 12 to 36 months to smooth out.Prices:| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2001
Verona, Veneto, ItalyThe Palazzo della Torre with its 70/25/5 blend of corvina Veronese/rondinella/sangiovese is as smooth as it gets thanks to the use of an innovative use of ripasso. Some 70% of the grapes are vinified immediately while the remaining 30% are left to dry until the end of December when they are vinified and re-fermented with the wine from the fresh grapes. The result is a rounder style with lower acidity and more extraction than the regular Valpolicella Classico. The latest version is similar to the 2000 with its spicy mineral, black cherry jam, licorice root aromas. On the palate it's rich, dry and slightly tannic with more peppery, rootsy, black cherry jam, tobacco flavours. Give it another year in bottle to really come around.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.95 | 750ml |
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23 October 2004
85PTS
Hardys Stamp of Australia Chardonnay Semillon 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaGrassy, fig, oily, spicy, buttery, lemon oil aromas. Round, fresh, soft style with an oily texture with lemon, orange, melon mineral flavours. Simple, easy style with some fruit and texture with just a bit of sweetness.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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22 October 2004
85PTS
Kenwood Yulupa Cuvée Brut NV
California, United StatesKenwood Yulupa Cuvée Brut is a medium-dry sparkling wine made in the traditional méthode champenoise style. Reasonably tight mousse with green apple skin, floral, perfumed/canned grapefruit and peach skin aromas. The entry is sweet with more canned peach, mineral, quince, grapefruit flavours. Quite crisp and round on the finish but with too much citrus rind. Somewhat disjointed flavour combinations.Prices:| Estimated BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sumac Ridge Steller's Jay Brut Méthode Classique 2001
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLots of mousse but a bit foamy for the normally refined Steller's Jay. The nose is open with floral, mineral, bruised green apple notes streaked with citrus aromas with a hint of toast. Round, elegant, dryer style with bruised apple, mineral, floral, peach pit flavours. There's a hint of oxidation so we will try another bottle soon. Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.99 | 375ml |
| AB | $22.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Marquis de la Tour Vin Mousseaux NV
Loire, FranceLight, continuous mousse. Floral, citrus, peach aromas with a touch of lees and wet wool. Round, elegant and balanced with lemon, green apple, mineral, quince flavours. Somewhat dry and alcoholic with citrus on the finish. Simple style, drink as is or as a kir royale.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.25 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.65 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Wilson Creek Almond Flavored Champagne NV
United StatesIntense maraschino cherry, marzipan nose. Fresh, round, slightly foamy, somewhat sweet style with peach, maraschino, marzipan, apple skin flavours. No doubt about the almond flavours here but a fun drink for those who like the style.Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Monmousseau Cuvee J.M. Blanc de Blancs Brut 2000
Touraine, Loire, FranceImpressive small continuous mousse. Peach, mineral, green apple, anise and slate aromas. Round, fresh entry with nutty, anise, mineral, green apple skin, creamy citrus flavours. Not full champagne bubble style but very smooth and drinkable. A touch dry but will be fine with tapas and light seafood menus items.Prices:| BC | $19.45 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Famiglia di Robert Mondavi Moscato Bianco 2001
California, United StatesFloral, mineral, spicy, sausage, peach, citrus nose. Light, round, fresh, sweet and elegant with baked peach, mineral, spicy, slate lychee flavours. A bit sweet but nice for a fruit dessert.Prices:| US Only | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Ehrenfelser 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, orange, mineral, canned grapefruit aromas. Fresh, clean, round, fairly dry entry with lots of mineral, grapefruit rind, spicy, peach, clover flavours and a green apple skin citrus rind finish. Attractive sipper or with spicy food. Kudos to winemaker Tom DiBello for rescuing this much maligned variety and revealing its depth ands promise.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig grapefruit rind, bell pepper, mineral, green apple aromas with a floral note. Fresh, soft, round entry with some sweetness. Lots of mineral, grapefruit rind, grassy, apple flavours. Somewhat light weight but a good fresh summer style wine.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tamaya Muscat of Alexandria 2003
Valle del Limari, ChileTypical floral, mineral, dried lychee, vinyl curtain, sausage aromas. Fairly rich, round, sweet and somewhat fat with mineral, orange rind, lychee, perfumed floral vinyl flavours. Fairly intense with a slightly bitter orange rind and soapy finish.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 375ml |
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85PTS
Gray Monk Latitude 50 - White 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen floral, perfumed nose streaked with peach, mineral and orange cream aromas. It has a soft, round, easy-drinking style all wrapped up in a sweeter mode with mineral, peach, floral, citrus flavours. Fine for the patio and summer.Prices:| BC | $12.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gray Monk Siegerrebe 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA cross of gewürztraminer and madeleine angevine. Floral, spicy, meaty, lemon rind, mineral aromas. Soft, sweet, round entry and quite elegant with citrus, peach skin, green apple, spicy sausage floral flavours. Pretty little sipper that finishes a bit flat.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Gray Monk Ehrenfelser Late Harvest 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLemon drop, bruised apple, mineral, slightly oxidized nose. Soft, round, sweet and sour on entry with a low concentration of fruit. More lemon rind, mineral, petrol, floral flavours with an acidic, lemon finish. A bit too acidic and sour to be a real late harvest style wine.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gray Monk Kerner Late Harvest 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAn interesting mix of mineral, petrol Vaseline and green apple skin mark the nose. Very soft, round, fairly sweet but elegant entry with petrol, smoky mineral, green apple skin, floral citrus flavours. Reasonable acidity on the finish with a touch of oiliness. Fully mature now if not a bit on the decline. Drink up.Prices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Morandé Edición Limitada 48 Barricas Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest 2000
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBig vanilla, toasted oak spice, orange rind, crème brûlée aromas with some grassy, canned grapefruit streaks. Very rich, round, fat and sweet with huge spiced vanilla, toffee, baked peach, citrus, baked apple flavours. Good acidity on the finish but with a smooth creamy undercurrent. Fully mature, vanilla custard style dessert wine.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
The Fort Wine Co. Iced Apple NV
Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive spicy cardamom cinnamon baked apple pear nose with honey -- like a dessert fresh out of the oven. Soft textures and spicy, honey, baked pear and apple flavours. It reminds us of baked apple in phyllo pastry with vanilla/cardamom ice cream. Not for everyone but if like your dessert in the bottle this is it. Very well made and holding well with good acidity.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 375ml |
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20 October 2004
91PTS
Quinta dos Carvalhais Reserva 2000
Dão, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig white pepper, licorice, sweaty saddle, cedar, vanilla, black cherry, gamey pudding aromas. Rich, round, fairly supple entry with ripe tannins and very full bodied. Intense smoky licorice, black cherry, chocolate pudding, cassis, mineral, gamey resin flavours. Dry finish but fine length and intensity, should be able to age well for the next 2-5 years. Very attractive style for meat and grilled foods this fall and winter.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Casa Ferreirinha Vinha Grande 2001
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig smoky vanilla, cola, spicy, peppery, blackberry, barnyard, gamey aromas. Soft, silky and dry with fine tannins. Slick smoky, resiny, vanilla, peppery flavours streaked with black cherry and licorice root flavours. Very New World style with a sweet oak vanilla veneer that will be attractive to many.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Casa Ferreirinha Quinta da Leda 2000
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBlackberry jam, chocolate pudding, smoky licorice, spicy aromas with a touch of earthy barnyard. Dry, firm, round and elegant with very smoky, resiny, chocolate, spicy, black cherry, savoury, vanilla flavours. Warm, long and full but slightly dry and tannic on the finish. Euro but has ripeness and class.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quinta dos Carvalhais 2000
Dão, Northern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, gamey, cranberry, cherry nose with licorice, tobacco leaf and barnyard aromas. Ripe, round, smooth and dry but well balanced with light tannins. Smoky, cherry, licorice, peppery, cassis and vanilla flavours with a touch of cigar and cedar. Drinkable now with food but should improve over the next 2-3 years and smooth out. Quite unique and enjoyable.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quinta da Portela da Vilariça Touriga Nacional 2000
Alto Douro, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, peppery, cardamom, cherry, licorice root, jasmine tea leaf aromas. Rich, round, supple entry but quite dry. Big resiny, smoky, spicy vanilla, black cherry, licorice, plum pudding and tea flavours with slight acidity on the finish. A dryer, somewhat tighter style that needs a few more years to round out or with some grilled fowl.Prices:| BC | $41.40 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Ribereño Crianza 1999
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainOpen chocolate pudding, vanilla, saddle leather, smoky pepper cigar aromas. Very dry, round and smooth but quite warm with smoky, resiny, vanilla, tobacco, cola and black cherry flavours. More smoke and resin with an oaky cherry finish. Needs food to tame the dry woody finish.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sandhill Chardonnay Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, spicy lees, butter, melon, vanilla, green apple skin aromas. Ripe, round, soft, slightly oily palate with buttery, spicy lees, melon, baked apple and honey flavours. Very ripe style with a fair bit of oak but has good fruit. Quite a warm finish with a touch of sweetness but very attractive consumer style.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Promessa Negroamaro 2003
Puglia, ItalyBig ripe gamey, black raspberry jam, black licorice, tobacco, spicy pepper nose. Rich, ripe, round, full and warm with smooth tannins. Huge black cherry, pudding, raspberry, smoky licorice spicy flavours throughout the long, full fruity finish. A bit chunky and rustic but has great fruit and intensity. Overall, good value and consistent.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.25 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Arrowleaf Bacchus 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen floral, green apple, white peach aromas mix with spicy clover in a fresh, clean and attractive white wine. Round, fresh and slightly off-dry on entry with mineral, honey, green apple, floral, spicy pear flavours. Simple, clean, fresh sipper for the summer time. Good value too.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $6.95 | 375ml |
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86PTS
one.6 2003
California, United StatesCool mineral, green apple skin, pear, melon, slightly buttery lees aromas. Soft, round, smooth entry with green apple, mineral, lees, chalky, quince flavours with a citrus peel, buttery vanilla finish. A cooler climate, dryer style white that will work well with food.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
one.9 2002
California, United StatesSpicy, cedar, minty, leafy, smoky cherry aromas mark the nose of this "low carb red. It's soft, round, dry, and smooth on entry with smoky, spicy, cedar, minty, dill and olive flavours with a cherry, licorice undercurrent. The finish is dry and smoky. Ready to drink with low carbohydrate steak.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Crowsnest Stahltank Chardonnay 2003
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery fresh mineral, slate, melon, green apple, citrus aromas. Sweet, smooth entry with good acidity and lots of green apple, citrus, mineral, honey, spicy butter flavours. Nice fruit and very fresh. A touch to sweet to be 'seriously' good but this has wide commercial appeal and we love its clean fresh character. Well done.Prices:| BC | $13.33 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quinta do Crasto Douro Vinho Tinto 2001
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalAttractive black plum, earthy, licorice aromas with notes of tea, bitter chocolate and casiss. Round, dry, and rich with supple tannins but it's not without finesse. Similar peppery, licorice, earthy, black plum fruit,chocolate pudding flavours with a touch of cherry. It's a bit warm (alcoholic) but it has fine intensity and very ripe fruit. From a top vintage in the Douro this needs 2 to 3 years to round out but is drinkable now.Prices:| BC | $20.60 | 750ml |
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19 October 2004
86PTS
Mouton Cadet Rouge 2002
Bordeaux, FranceAgain, the new package and new blend with more merlot now to soften and add fruit. Peppery, spicy, dill, coffee, cherry, cedar aromas with some olive notes. Soft, round, elegant style but somewhat dry. Savoury, spicy, cherry, cedar, olive, peppery dill flavours. A bit hot and a touch high in acidity on the finish but very sound. Needs a year or so to soften.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $7.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mouton Cadet Blanc 2003
Bordeaux, FranceThe new Mouton Cadet release sports an updated package and a blend that has been altered to freshen up the mix. Nice mineral, lanolin, grassy, grapefruit, lemon, kiwi aromas. Dry, round, rich and fresh with slightly oily entry. Good grassy, grapefruit, mineral, fig, melon flavours with some mineral, kiwi on the finish. There is fine intensity and brighter fruit for the price; certainly improved and it offers fine value too.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rudolf Muller Riesling Classic 2002
Pfalz, GermanyMineral, slate, citrus, nutty quince aromas with a floral, peach note. Firm, round, elegant style with good acidity and some sweetness in balance. Off dry entry with citrus, green apple skin, mineral, toasty honey flavours with a crisp citrus apple finish. Good match for Chinese style seafood and good value.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett 2002
Mosel, GermanyFloral, green apple skin, slate, lime rind aromas with a touch of peach and clover. Very elegant, crisp, delicate entry with mineral, citrus, granny smith, peach flavours and a slightly smoky slate citrus rind finish. Quite juicy, drink now or can age 2-5 years. Refreshing apéritif, food or summer wine. Good value for kabinett. The 2003 should be even better.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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96PTS
Fonseca Vintage Port 2000
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThe 2000 Fonseca is a monster with huge black cherry black plum jam aromas mixed with licorice and spice and streaks of blueberry with black pepper. Very rich, ripe, round stylish port with amazingly soft but substantial tannins and grip. Bags of blackberry and dark plum jam fruit with big licorice, pepper, spicy tea notes. Drinkable with strong cheese now but we say wait 10 to 15 years. Very Fonseca - opulent, aromatic, structured and engaging throughout the ageing process.Prices:| AB | $130.00 | 750ml |
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18 October 2004
89PTS
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett 2003
Mosel, GermanyPeach, clover, slate, green apple and lime aromas with floral notes. Crisp, round, elegant entry with good acidity and balance but definitely on the sweet side of kabinett. Nice citrus, ripe red apple, slate, mineral, green peach and honey flavours with a lime, quince smoky finish. A fine kabinett that is a lower spätlese that should age well for up to 10 years.Prices:| BC | $29.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
The Bishop of Riesling 2003
GermanySlate, smoky, apple skin, clover, green peach aromas. Soft, round, elegant and quite full with green apple, mineral, citrus, cement and peach pit flavours. Solid, consistent wine in a somewhat classic style at a more than fair price.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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15 October 2004
93PTS
Seghesio Omaggio 2001
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States"Omaggio" is Italian for homage and is a tribute to Eduardo and Angela Seghesio who purchased the family's first vineyard in America in 1895. The first vintage of this small lot wine was from the Centennial harvest in 1995. A blend of 60-40 cabernet sauvignon-sangiovese, it has very spicy, ripe blackberry, peppery, saddle leather, mocha, compost and cassis aromas with some earthy, game notes. A love ripe and concentrated red with some grip and grainy tannins. Plum jam, peppery, orange rind, cassis and savoury, vanilla flavours fill out the palate. Well made, long and just a touch hot and rustic, this will age well for 5-10 years and is better than most of the super-Tuscans at a lower cost.Prices:| BC | $63.00 | 750ml |
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14 October 2004
91PTS
Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer Icewine 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis has a gorgeous spicy 'gewurz' nose with litchi fruit and mango undertones. The entry is rich and smooth with plenty of residual sugar throughout its bright, honey and pineapple/tropical fruit flavours with distinct floral notes. Fine balance, weight and length extended throughout its long spicy finish.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 200ml |
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86PTS
Beaujolais Notre Dame de Croix-Rouge 2001
Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceBertrand Brac de la Perrière's vineyard is situated in the proximity of the Grand Cru Brouilly. Strawberry jam, cooked rhubarb and spicy compost mark the nose of this soft, light, round elegant red. Look for spicy, strawberry jam and candied cherry earthy flavours. Good fruit and freshness considering the old vintage.Prices:| BC | $18.88 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sommariva Prosecco di Conegliano Vino Spumante NV
Veneto, ItalySommariva is produced in the Conegliano region using the prosecco Balbi varietal. Good continuous mousse. Citrus, nutty, pear, floral aromas with some cream and melon. Dry, fresh, round and zippy with melon, pear, citrus, honey apple flavours with some sweetness on the finish. A fruity, floral, off-dry style with good intensity and balance for anytime or occasion.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Yalumba Grenache Barossa Bush Vine 2002
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBright red licorice, black raspberry, roasted bell pepper, earthy, cardamom nose with some white pepper notes. Elegant style with big black raspberry jam, peppery, licorice, clove flavours and a spicy, vanilla, tobacco finish. A bit hot but very good fruit and textures. Great with turkey.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Oxford Landing Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2001
South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, earthy, blackberry, cassis aromas with some cedar and pepper notes. Soft, round, fresh style with cassis, chocolate, blueberry earthy tobacco flavours. A bit acidic on the finish but solid.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sandhill Cabernet Merlot Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRich spicy, dill/caraway, coffee, smoky, peppery aromas with some tobacco mint and cherry notes. Fine dry, elegant, structure with some grainy tannins. On the palate more pepper, spicy, coffee, cedar, tobacco and cherry vanilla flavours mix with some gamey/resin notes on the finish. A touch warm (alcoholic) but has good ripeness and structure a la nouveau Bordeaux. Well done.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sandhill Cabernet Franc Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFinally a ripe cabernet franc. Look for spicy tobacco leaf, leather, cherry jam, smoky, cedar and cranberry aromas mixed with compost and some toasty vanilla. Medium bodied, round, ripe and fairly supple style with very smoky, spicy, cherry, raspberry, cedar, vanilla flavours and typical strong cigar, rootsy vanilla finish. A bit young but well balanced and well made. It even has some St. Émilion similarities. Try now or over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Little Straw Vineyards Auxerrois Icewine 2001
British Columbia, CanadaApricot, mineral, floral, plastic pail aromas with some dried pear notes. Round, soft, elegant style with reasonable acidity and sweetness. Honey, mineral, earthy, apricot skin flavours with some butterscotch and plastic. Sound, attractive, early drinking style but could use a bit more acidity.Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 200ml |
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83PTS
Le Pedneault Iced Apples Mistelle NV
CanadaMineral, honey, plasticene, baked apple nose with some alcohol. Soft, round, somewhat sweet entry with noticeable alcohol. Very mineral, earthy, plastic pail (black mould?) flavours. Lacks freshness and verve.Prices:| QC | $22.55 | 375ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Pinnacle Ice Cider Signature Special Reserve 2002
Quebec, CanadaSpicy, mineral, apple skin, baked apple, honey aromas, quite fresh and very apple-y. Very crisp, fresh, sweet but balanced entry with creamy butter, baked apple, mineral, honey flavours with a touch of butterscotch. Quite intense apple finish with high acidity but a nice semi-dessert style or rich food wine.Prices:| QC | $35.25 | 375ml |
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12 October 2004
84PTS
Big Red Shiraz 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSmoky, resiny, bell pepper, shoe leather, blackberry aromas. Soft, round, smooth, slightly sweet entry with spicy, roasted bell pepper, smoky, leather flavours with a bit of cassis. Simple, sound, easy quaffer.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
De Bortoli Shiraz Cabernet dB Selection 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPeppery, shoe leather, barnyard, tarry, blueberry aromas. Soft, round, somewhat dry entry with fairly high acidity. Chocolate, peppery, spicy, cassis, olive and dill flavours. Sound but pretty dry and acid on the finish.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
De Bortoli dB Riverina Shiraz 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaFresh spicy, white pepper, blackberry blueberry resin aromas permeate this smooth, soft, round red. The flavours mix smoky, licorice and black plum jam with a resiny, cedar-y slightly acidic finish. An easy-drinking style for the barbeque.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaCoffee, saddle leather, peppery, black olive, vanilla and cedar aromas with a hint of cassis. Rich, round, dry entry with quite grainy tannins. Lots of coffee, cherry jam, cassis, peppery, vanilla, smoky cedar flavours with a cardamom, tarry finish with fairly high acidity. Quite intense and firm but has some good finesse. Needs 2-5 years to soften and integrate, serve now with juicy T-bone steak.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Riddoch Cabernet Shiraz 2001
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, blackberry, blueberry aromas with tobacco, smoke and olive. Very soft, round, supple entry with tarry, spicy, blackberry cassis flavours and some smoky, vanilla notes. A bit acidic but well balanced for current consumption with some good intensity. We like the new lower price too.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Wolf Blass Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaOur sample had a natural cork but the series is now all finished in screwcap. Big coffee, tobacco, peppery, black olive, leafy, minty nose with some smoky cassis notes. Very smooth, dry, elegant entry with light grainy tannins. Lots of vanilla, coffee, peppery, smoky, licorice, mint, cassis, cigar flavours. A touch acidic on the finish but fine intensity and richness for Coonawarra. Needs 2-4 years to round out.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Simon Gilbert Cabernet Merlot Card Series 2001
New South Wales, AustraliaCanned cherry, vanilla, barnyard, tobacco, gamey, cassis aromas. Soft, round, fairly dry entry with mineral, cassis, chocolate, spicy, tobacco flavours. A simple acidic red with some dry cedar-y notes in the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.75 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Simon Gilbert Card Series Shiraz 2002
New South Wales, AustraliaSimple peppery, blackberry, licorice aromas with some saddle leather. Rich, round, soft entry with acidity and light tannins in the backend. Dusty, olive, blackberry, tarry, spicy, tobacco flavours. Sound but somewhat alcoholic with high acidity in the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.75 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hardys Stamp of Australia Cabernet Merlot 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaStraight-up simple red blend with tobacco, spicy, peppery, compost, cassis aromas. Soft, round, supple style with chocolate, tobacco, peppery, cassis and mint flavours. Well balanced with a touch of acidity and dry tannins on the finish. One of the better (less sweet and sour) reds at this price range out of Oz.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
MontGras Reserva Quatro 2002
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBright peppery, cigar tobacco, cedar-y, vanilla, clove, cassis and cranberry aromas with some saddle leather streaks. Soft, round textures on entry but rich and ripe with smooth, grainy tannins. Lots of peppery, smoky, vanilla, cherry jam, cassis, mint and tobacco flavours with a sweet Christmas pudding, olive and orange finish. A rich, balanced wine with some aging ability. Well made and worth the money. The blend is 45/30/15/10 cabernet sauvignon / malbec / merlot / carmenère.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
MontGras Merlot Reserva 2002
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, peppery, cherry, cigar, cardamom, cedar aromas with some plum notes. Dry, round, soft and balanced with light grainy tannins. Lots of coffee, peppery, smoky vanilla, black cherry jam, cardamom and olive flavours. Quite intense and rich with the ability to age 2-4 years. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2002
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileCassis, spicy, gamey, tobacco, cardamom aromas with some violet and blackberry with olive highlights. Dry, round, full bodied with grainy tannins. Lots of cassis, olive, mint, peppery, blackberry cedar-y vanilla flavours. This is good cabernet but it lacks a bit of weight and plush-ness on the mid-palate. Try in a year or so.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserva 2002
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileWe like this 50/50 blend of cabernet and syrah. Savoury, gamey, peppery, smoky, spicy, blackberry aromas preview a rich, round, chewy style with some dry tannins. Intense coffee, tobacco, peppery, blackberry, smoky, cassis and leather flavours. No lack of intensity here and a bit dry on the finish but should improve over the next few years.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label 2001
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaAlways solid the Wynns cabernet opens with tobacco, leather, mint, cassis and pepper on the nose with some black olive and coriander. Rich round and concentrated with smooth, grainy tannins. More spice, vanilla, blackberry jam, and cassis flavours mark the palate with minty, tobacco, leather finish. Fine intensity and balance and excellent value in Ontario and Alberta.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.55 | 750ml |
| SK | $21.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.79 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Willowglen Shiraz Cabernet 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaA 75/25 blend of shiraz/cabernet. Cassis, cherry, olive, leafy spice aromas and flavours. Very soft, round, slightly sweet entry with some acidity, pepper and heat on the finish. Simple everyday red.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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06 October 2004
89PTS
Devil's Lair Fifth Leg 2004
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaA delicious blend of sauvignon blanc, sémillon and chardonnay all matured in stainless steel and finished under screwcap. Bright fresh citrus notes with lime rind characters mark the nose and flavours of this zippy white. The perfect seafood wine and the wave of the future from Oz.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Devil's Lair Fifth Leg 2003
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaCabernet merlot and syrah combine to make this screwcap red bright and clean and brimming with red fruit aromas. Spicy plum/cherry fruit mixes effortlessly with a soft spicy oak undercoating and a long smooth finish with a dusting of Margaret River tannins. Drink now or hold for three to five years.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.99 | 750ml |
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05 October 2004
89PTS
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon Y Series 2002
South Australia, AustraliaAnother winner from the Y series - surely the strongest single series of branded wine to come out of Australia. Look for great colour with plenty of fruit with just a touch of tobacco leaf. The finish is long and smooth with more dark fruit flavours and firm acidity. You can't buy much better cabernet for the price. Pick up a bottle and a T-bone steak and dinner is done.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.45 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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02 October 2004
89PTS
Clearview Chardonnay Reserve Hawke's Bay 2002
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandCreamy lees, vanilla, honey, baked apple, lanolin aromas with some toasty, mango notes. Elegant, round, slightly sweet entry with good acidity. Lots of citrus, pineapple, creamy vanilla, toasty lees flavours with some grassy, green apple notes on the finish. Quite crisp and flavourful, just a bit high on acidity and alcohol.Prices:| BC | $61.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hunter's Marlborough Chardonnay 2001
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandButtery, lees, spicy honey, citrus aromas with some melon and baked green apple. Round, elegant, fairly dry structure with good vibrant acidity. Green apple, buttery, honey, citrus rind, mineral flavours with some passion fruit notes. Crisp, fruity and fresh - drink now while it's in perfect form.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2002
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandSmoky, mineral, creamy vanilla, grapefruit, wet wool aromas with some honey and peach notes. Rich, round, slightly viscous entry with good acidity. Mineral, dry lees, vanilla, smoky, baked apple flavours with a toasty citrus streak. Very crisp yet full and elegant, very much like ripe Chablis.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Foxes Island Chardonnay 2001
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandFloral, honey, melon, smoky mineral aromas with vanilla cream, citrus and a touch of canned pineapple. Elegant and fairly dry with good acidity and creamy, vanilla, spicy lees, citrus flavours and a smoky vanilla, honey/melon finish. Fine texture and balance for near term consumption.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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November 2004