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Tastings: April 2005
30 April 2005
92PTS
Matua Valley Paretai Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandParetai means riverbank in Maori but you can smell ocean seaweed on the nose mixed with smoky bell pepper, canned asparagus, grapefruit, green apple aromas with a touch of passion leaf. Rich, round, succulent and juicy entry with spicy, smoky, canned asparagus, grapefruit juice, mineral and passion fruit flavours with a gooseberry, guava finish. Top quality here.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Shingle Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandFresh aromatic bell pepper, green apple, canned asparagus, jalapeno, gooseberry aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and juicy with green melon, mineral, green apple, grapefruit, kiwi and asparagus flavours. Well balanced sauvignon that finishes long.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Madfish Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon 2004
Western Australia, AustraliaBig mineral, grapefruit rind, green apple skin, gooseberry, floral nose. Dry, round, elegant style with chalky, grapefruit rind, kiwi, gooseberry, green melon flavours. Crisp and balanced with nice finesse ― a great seafood wine.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pascal Jolivet Attitude Sauvignon 2003
Loire, FranceSancerre without the legal definition. Look for strong ocean seaweed, chalky, grassy, grapefruit aromas with smoky bell pepper notes. Crisp, round, balanced entry with mineral, smoky slate, grassy, bell pepper, grapefruit flavours and a dry, slightly buttery lees finish. Nice finesse with a bit of succulence. Try with grilled sole or halibut.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Region del Valle Central, ChileFloral, melon, mineral, leesy slate aromas. Soft, fresh, round textures with mineral, buttery melon, grapefruit, bell pepper flavours. Simple, easy going style that will match a wide variety of foods.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.05 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château Magneau 2003
Graves, Bordeaux, FranceFloral, grapefruit, melon skin, chalky, gooseberry aromas with a touch of sweaty lees. Dry, round, elegant palate with mineral, grassy, grapefruit, chalky flavours with crisp but balanced acidity. Very solid, attractive Bordeaux white that blends 45/45/10 sauvignon blanc sémillon and muscadelle.Prices:| BC | $21.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Five Vineyards 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClean, fresh nose with pear, tropical fruit, kiwi, gooseberry aromas. Soft, elegant, round palate with gooseberry, grapefruit, spicy, mineral, green apple flavours. Nice balance and would be a fine match for scallops ceviche.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.98 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit rind, buttery, grassy nose but low intensity. Soft, dry, round entry with mineral, grassy, grapefruit rind flavours with a touch of fatness and bitterness on the finish. Lacks varietal definition.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2004
California, United StatesGrassy, minty, gooseberry, floral, chalky aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and crisp with gooseberry, grapefruit rind, light bell pepper and green apple flavours. A friendly crowd pleaser style at an attractive price.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2004
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandSmoky, canned jalapeno, asparagus, melon, guava and passion leaf aromas. Rich, ripe, round and succulent but very elegant with passion fruit, mineral, smoky canned asparagus, green apple, orange rind and grass. Balanced, fresh and juicy if a bit herbaceous (Marlborough). Only three per cent is barrel fermented in French oak.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandBig canned jalapeno, asparagus, grapefruit rind and smoky bell pepper nose. Crisp, dry, round but elegant with lots of grassy, green apple, mineral, smoky jalapeno, canned asparagus flavours. Although herbaceous, it' very well balanced and flavourful. Those who like the austere zesty sauvignon style will love this. The perfect oyster wine.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandHuge canned asparagus, smoky jalapeno, mineral, grapefruit nose. Round, elegant, fresh palate with jalapeno, asparagus, grassy gooseberry flavours and a touch of sweet and sour on the finish. A bit commercial for the price.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Morandé Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileLight lees, mineral, grapefruit rind, grassy, gooseberry nose. Dry, crisp, zippy entry with strong chalky, mineral, lees, gooseberry, grapefruit flavours and a grassy, smoky finish. Fine introductory sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stonestreet Upper Barn Chardonnay Alexander Mountain Estate 2001
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesButtery, lees, ripe fig, hay, melon, vanilla, honey aromas. Rich, round, dry style with mineral, spicy lees, roasted bell pepper, grassy, buttery fig flavours. Fairly dry, mineral, buttery finish. Somewhat bordelais in style.Prices:| US | $46.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Montes Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileTypical cool Curicó fruit with grapefruit, asparagus, mineral, gooseberry aromas. Fresh, crisp, dry entry with strong mineral, asparagus, grapefruit rind flavours and a slightly warm, austere finish. Fine for oysters and mussels.Prices:| AB | $11.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Babich Winemakers Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandOpen aromatic canned asparagus, canned jalapeno, chalky, grassy, vanilla and butter aromas. Crisp, round, full and juicy with mineral, gooseberry, green apple skin, asparagus and smoky bell pepper flavours. Dry but suave, succulent and very well balanced. Perfect for mussels although the winery suggest you partner it with crumbed chicken breasts dabbed with mustard-cream sauce, or with baked salmon, smeared with salsa verde. Prices:| NZ | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rosemount Sauvignon Blanc 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaButtery, tropical fruit nose with some fig. Clean, fresh, round style with a slightly sweet entry. Ripe gooseberry, buttery, kiwi, melon flavours. Solid if unexciting.Prices:| BC | $15.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.79 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.45 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.29 | 750ml |
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29 April 2005
88PTS
Shingle Peak Pinot Noir 2004
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe majority of this pinot noir blend has been processed from Burgundian clones 667 and 777. A small crop aided the ripening process and the result is another fine effort form Shingle Peak. Only 20 per cent new oak let's the fruit shine. Look for a smoky strawberry/cherry spicy nose with a rootsy, barnyard undercurrent. The entry is silky, there is plenty of acidity and the tannins are slippery. Fun berry-laden pinot that is well worth drinking. The winery suggests it is "a superb match with grilled lamb chops, mint chutney and garlic mash."Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Luiano Chianti Classico 2002
Tuscany, ItalySmoky, spicy, fragrant black cherry, plum, licorice aromas with a bit of saddle leather. Dry, round, elegant structure with meaty, smoky, dried cherry, plum and rootsy licorice flavours. A touch dry on the finish but very well balanced and an excellent effort given the problems of the '02 vintage.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ochoa Rosado de Lágrima 2004
Navarra and Basque Country, SpainBig spicy, white pepper, black raspberry (grenache) nose with smoky, licorice and garrigue. Elegant and smooth with fine peppery, cardamom, gamey, minty black raspberry fruit flavours. A bit hot on the finish but great fruit and ready to roll. Well made and fresh.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Planeta La Segreta Rosso 2003
Sicily, ItalyFresh cassis, black cherry, smoky licorice aromas with a coffee, peppery, cedar-y streak. Soft, round and smooth but quite dry with light tannins and good acidity. Cherry, cassis, tobacco, smoky garrigue flavours fill out the package. A bit dry and tight at this stage but it should improve over the next year or two or try now with grilled game.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Planeta La Segreta Bianco 2003
Sicily, ItalySpicy, honey, citrus, pear aromas with nutty, floral streaks. Dry, oily entry with nutty, citrus rind, honey, spicy, quince flavours with a flinty buttery, orange finish. Nice acidity and balance, long aftertaste and tasty. Perfect for shellfish.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2002
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaIt's hard not to be attracted to Mitolo's spicy, vanilla, bacon crisp, blackberry jam nose streaked with peppery and leather. It is smooth, rich and round on entry with blackberry jam and more spicy cedar vanilla, pepper and pencil lead flavours. Lots of flavour intensity but has a warm, slightly acidic finish. Attractive consumer style. Best of all it comes in screwcap.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Casa de la Ermita Jumilla (Grey Capsule) 2001
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainLook for licorice, garrigue, leather and blackberry jam aromas streaked with pepper, olive and vanilla notes. On the palate it is dry and slightly tannic but there is big spicy, black cherry/plum flavours with a gamey, licorice finish. It has fine fruit intensity but needs another one to two years in bottle to settle down.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
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28 April 2005
86PTS
Blasted Church Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA definite improvement over the previous edition. Milk chocolate and coffee seem to dominate the nose and palate with streaks of olive mint and roasted peppers. A solid everyday style red with smooth edges. Ready to drink. Perhaps not as complex as the price but solid.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Blasted Church Merlot 2003
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA super dark opaque colour previews a rich spicy nose of black raspberry and smoky, tobacco leaf. The entry is smooth (there is plenty of alcohol) and supple (light tannins) with cedar-y, coffee, smoky, black cherry, vanilla fruit. A warm year has ripen the fruit and spiked the alcohol but this will be enjoyed by many.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blasted Church Chardonnay Musque 2004
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCreamy lees, bread dough/mineral, buttery citrus nose with streaks of white peach. Aromatic style chardonnay made in stainless steel with a fresh tropical fruit (mango pineapple) flavour with a nutty honey undercurrent. Well done. Only 440 cases made. Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blasted Church Pinot Blanc 2004
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe '04 has fresh pale straw look and the nose confirms the eye offering red apple/pear notes with an exotic streak of orange rind. Winemaker Marcus Ansems prefers the austere steely style hence the stainless steel only ferment and extended lees contact with some stirring. Very likeable citrus finish. Food friendly.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blasted Church Pinot Gris 2004
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAvoiding the bouts of botrytis was the key to surviving the '04 harvest in B.C. and fortunately at Blasted Church the pinot gris came through unscathed. Only 10 per cent of the wine sees wood (yeah) as evidenced by its earthy mineral nose and flavours. Not overly intense but there is enough peachy nectarine fruit and citrus to carry the finish. Solid but not cheap.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.50 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Blasted Church Rosé 2004
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe bright fuchsia colour of this rose is a bit magnetic and yes it could either attract or repulse you. The nose is ripe and sweet with candied banana strawberry scents that follow through on the palate. A fun, simple, summer sipper best served well chilled and out-of-doors.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ogier Côtes du Rhône Heritages Rouge 2003
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceGamey, peppery, spicy, licorice aromas with black cherry and orange. Dry, tight palate but rich with some grainy tannins. Dried orange peel, mineral, peppery, black cherry, kirsch flavours. Quite young and somewhat tannic, needs food like grilled lamb chops to tame the beast. Good fruit flavours.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Le Petit Jaboulet NV
FranceBig spicy, black raspberry jam, mineral, floral nose. Soft, juicy, round style with black raspberry, licorice, peppery smoke flavours. Warm finish, good barbeque red with fruit and affordable.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf du Pape 2001
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSpicy, peppery, floral, black cherry, licorice root, dark chocolate pudding with some garrigue. Rich, ripe, round and chewy with some grainy tannins. Lots of black cherry, chocolate, licorice, peppery, clove, spicy, resiny, mineral game flavours. Quite warm and intense, needs 2-4 years or decant and have with game. Nicely balanced.Prices:| BC | $49.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $36.70 | 750ml |
| MB | $41.14 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ogier Côtes du Rhône Heritages Rouge 2002
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FrancePeppery, cherry, licorice, spicy mineral nose. Soft, round, supple and dry with nice cherry, raspberry, orange peel, floral, smoky mineral flavours. Dry, slightly austere finish but great intensity of fruit flavours.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Ogier Crozes-Hermitage Les Brunnelles Rouge 2001
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, Franceoxidized, somewhat corked, try another bottle.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Langmeil Grenache The Fifth Wave 2002
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaIntense peppery, spicy, clove, vanilla, raspberry kirsch, chocolate, gamey, cherry jam aromas. Rich, round, smooth, supple and fat with very warm alcohol. Great orange spice, raspberry, plum, peppery, cardamom, vanilla pudding flavours with licorice. Try with game or goose. No lack of intensity or alcohol here. Only 600 cases made from 75-year old vines.Prices:| BC | $55.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Saint Germain 2003
Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSmoky, resiny, floral, licorice, black cherry aromas. Ripe, round, soft and dry with very smoky, leather, licorice, black cherry, resiny spice flavours. Warm finish with somewhat dry, chewy tannins. Best with food and a touch of decanting. Classified organic the blend is 75/20/5 syrah/grenache/mourvèdre.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau La Courançonne Les Dames Chartreusines 2003
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceBig gamey, spicy, black raspberry jam, Christmas pudding, floral nose. Rich, ripe, dry and smooth with light tannins. Smoky, peppery, black raspberry, cherry, orange rind and gamey licorice flavours. Good intensity; it should pair well with duck and turkey. The blend is 70/30 grenache/syrah.Prices:| BC | $21.25 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cruz de Piedra Garnacha 2002
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainCruz de Piedra is made by Bodegas Virgen de la Sierra in Calatayud south-east of Rioja and just west of Cariñena. Cruz de Piedra translates as 'Stone Cross' to symbolize the company aim cross the bridge between old vineyards and modern winemaking. It's made with old bush vine garnacha which explains its rich meaty, raspberry licorice, peppery, black cherry aromas and dry, round, textures. It's on the warm side but most will be attracted to its black raspberry, smoky licorice flavours. Normally dry on the finish with some rustic tannins it would be great with duck al'orange. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Esperanza Rueda Verdejo 2003
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainHoney, guava, mango, citrus, creamy aromas, very fresh. Soft, rich, round, juicy and crisp with orange, creamy anise, honey, mineral, spicy ginger, guava flavours. Great fruit flavours and concentration. Would be even better in screw cap. Well done, worth trying.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau de Valcombe Costières de Nimes 2002
Costières de Nîmes, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceRoasted, smoky, peppery nose with gamey, cardamom black cherry notes. Hot, round and dry on entry with a supple mid-palate and a bit of acidity showing. The flavours are licorice, black cherry, smoky vanilla and peppery tobacco flavours. Ripe tannins on the rustic warm finish. Needs a year or two or serve now with slow roasted lamb.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Alain Jaume Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2001
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceRich spicy, white pepper nose flecked with cardamom, floral, licorice, black raspberry and gamey aromas. Ripe, round, warm and smooth with big black raspberry kirsch, plum, mineral, orange spice, peppery, cherry flavours. Nice flavours and great nose but very hot (alcoholic) on the finish. Lots of stuffing here. Best served on a cool or cold damp day. Good value.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
The Holy Trinity Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2001
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBright fresh black raspberry, cherry, vanilla nose with cardamom, marmalade and licorice notes. Rich, round, fresh and chewy with fairly high alcohol and acidity. More big raspberry fruit with flecks of orange, pepper and spicy, cherry licorice and some dry, light tannins on the finish. No lack of intensity but warm and fresh acidity.Prices:| BC | $47.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
M. Chapoutier Gigondas 2000
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceWild gamey, mineral nose with licorice, black raspberry, chocolate and pepper aromas. Quite rich and round with light, grainy tannins. Big black raspberry kirsch, licorice, dark chocolate, peppery, spicy resin flavours with plum jam and orange rind on the finish. Well balanced with a few chewy tannins on the finish. Drink now or hold over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
M. Chapoutier La Ciboise Rouge 2003
Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FrancePleasant open spicy, peppery nose streaked with floral, raspberry and licorice aromas and a bit of dried cherry. Soft, round, dry and supple in the mouth with some elegance. Peppery, earthy, licorice, black raspberry flavours mix with a touch of chocolate on the finish. Fine now with grilled meats or put away for up to a year. The blend is 60/30/10 grenache/syrah/carignan-mourvèdrePrices:| BC | $15.30 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Francis Ford Coppola Presents Presents Bianco 2003
California, United StatesThe '03 Bianco is the freshest Coppola wine we have encountered with plenty of citrus, green apple skin and spicy pear flavours. It's fairly light and smooth with just a touch of bitter rind and dryness in the finish. Should be fine with most shellfish.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Caves des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Closiers 2000
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSpicy, white pepper, raspberry aromas with licorice,earth prune and a touch of game. Round and soft, an elegant, forward style with very light tannins. Very ripe raspberry plum fruit with gamy licorice, white pepper and earth flavours. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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26 April 2005
86PTS
Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse 2004
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClean fresh fruity nose spiked with mineral, green apple, floral spicy, aromas. Fresh juicy attack but fairly light and refreshing with more green apple, lime rind, floral, mineral flavours. A bright fresh off-dry white that you can served well chilled as an aperitif or alongside medium spicy Thai, Indian or Chinese cuisine.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.50 | 750ml |
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25 April 2005
86PTS
Dubonnet NV
FranceA 150-year old grape based sweet wine infused with other natural fruit and spice components. There's no doubt about the composition here with the black raspberry, orange, licorice, spicy, coffee, dried lychee aromas and flavours. Somewhat sweet, it has good fruit and balance when served over ice or with soda. Apertif diluted or on the rocks after dinner. Very inexpensive considering a little bit goes a long way.Prices:| BC | $12.30 | 750ml |
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22 April 2005
89PTS
Ridge Three Valleys 2002
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThree Valleys is mostly zinfandel (76 per cent) mixed with 13/8/3/ carignane/ petite sirah /mourvèdre and grown in three Sonoma appellations: Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River Valleys. Soft slippery tannins allow this delicious Sonoma zin to simply entertain you from the top of the glass to the bottom. Plums cherries cedar and black pepper cry out for something off the grill. This is fun.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $31.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Burrowing Owl Meritage 2002
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaJust released the 02 is a blend of 40/40/20 cabernet franc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Mocha, minty, black cherry, tea, black berry jam aromas mixed with tobacco, leather, cranberry and peppery orange peel notes. Rich, round, warm and dry with supple, ripe tannins. Big spicy, mocha, peppery, minty, tobacco, clove, smoky black olive flavours with a cassis, coffee vanilla pudding finish. Quite suave with good intensity, should age well over the next 4-6 years. Impressive ― 1000 cases made in a new Pomerol-like style. Reminiscent of Vieux Chateau Certan but hotter.Prices:| BC | $34.90 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Allegrini Villa Giona 2001
Verona, Veneto, ItalyMade from ultra high density plantings (9,000 vines per hectare) planted in 1996 Villa Giona blends 50/40/10 cabernet sauvignon / merlot / syrah in new French oak for 18 months. It opens a bit Pauillac-like with its spicy, cassis, cigar, and cedar aromas and then fades into licorice, coffee, caraway and black cherry with just a hint of barnyard. Rich smooth, round and slightly tannic, it has a peppery, black olive, black cherry, cassis flavour with a touch of green bean, coffee and vanilla on the finish. A bit nervy, it's Ita;lian afterall, but with fine fruit superb balance and best of all elegance. Needs another 2-4 years in bottle or decant now for up to an hour to reveal the depth. Well done.Prices:| BC | $110.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Alto de Terra Andina Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2002
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileDill, sappy cassis notes mix with smoky leather, pepper and coffee aromas. Rich and dry on entry with ripe, grainy tannin in the back. The flavours are cassis, smoky vanilla, coffee, leather and prunes. Rustic, young style with some dry tannins and quite a smoky leather cassis finish. Needs a grilled flank steak or stew to tame the beast.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
McManis Family Vineyards Syrah 2003
California, United StatesSpicy, vanilla, cherry jam, dried orange peel, peppery, smoky saddle aromas. Smooth, round, juicy palate with smoky vanilla, black cherry, cola, peppery, minty flavours with some light dry tannins and fresh acidity on the finish. Good juicy fruit with smoky cola vanilla for the general consumer.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
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20 April 2005
93PTS
Nicolas Feuillatte Cuvee Palmes D'Or Rosé 1999
Champagne, FranceMade from 2 Grand Crus - Bouzy and Lericay with 60 hours of skin contact to give the intense raspberry colour. Big spicy, candied cherry, earthy, floral, marzipan, tobacco aromas. Rich, fairly dry style with big spicy, cherry, earthy, licorice flavours and a mineral, baked apple finish. Very pinot noir, this is young stuff and will improve over the next 5 years.Prices:| BC | $194.99 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Nicolas Feuillatte Cuvee Palmes D'Or 1996
Champagne, FranceToasty, nutty, cement, creamy, red apple, pear, earthy, cherry and citrus peel aromas. Rich, round, powerful but elegant with great acidity. Very nutty, toasty, creamy, spicy, honey, cherry and peach flavours with a long crisp finish. Drinkable now but built for aging. Price is a different issue.Prices:| BC | $149.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Nicolas Feuillatte Cuvee Speciale Brut Premier Cru 1995
Champagne, FranceLemon, citrus, spicy, creamy, baked apple aromas with a nutty, chalky, peach streak. Good concentration and rich but tart with toasty, citrus, pear, baked apple, cream and chalk flavours. Well integrated, ready now or over the next 3-5 years. Great value.Prices:| BC | $55.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Nicolas Feuillatte Cramant Blanc de Blancs 1996
Champagne, FranceCreamy, mineral, biscuit, floral, baked apple aromas mixed with honey and nuts. Dry, slightly lean structure but again rich with high acidity. Big nutty, toasty, creamy, mineral, citrus flavours with some honey and quince. Excellent balance and concentration, needs time. Fine cellar potential.Prices:| BC | $78.99 | 750ml |
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17 April 2005
87PTS
Black Hills Nota Bene 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest Nota Bene a 46/34/20/ cabernet sauvignon / merlot / cabernet franc is much cleaner than past versions on the nose and palate but the flavour profile remains smoky, roasted bell pepper with earthy, tobacco, olive, coffee/resin notes. It is dry round and smooth on entry with supple tannins (yeah) followed by spicy, vanilla, resiny, peppery, black olive flavours laced with tobacco leaf, mineral and licorice flavours. The finish is warm. It needs another 2-4 years to fully develop and hopefully reveal more fruit tones.Prices:| BC | $31.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesNice peppery, clove, spicy vanilla, mocha, cigar, black cherry and smoky leather aromas. Dry, elegant, somewhat tight palate with light tannins. Cassis, black olive, cherry, cedar, tobacco and smoky vanilla flavours with a peppery, meaty finish. Somewhat dry, acidic and tannic on the finish although elegant, needs 2-4 years to soften up.Prices:| BC | $65.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $49.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $59.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Jack London Vineyard 2001
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesGreen olive, saddle leather, cassis, clove and spice aromas. Soft, round, elegant style with olive, leather, spicy, briny cassis flavours. Dry finish with not a lot of ripe fruit considering the vintage. Disappointing for the price.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $43.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $42.75 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesVery peppery, black olive, tobacco leaf, licorice, leafy cassis and brine aromas. Dry, elegant, somewhat lean structure with spicy, smoky, tobacco, peppery, coffee, vanilla, black olive flavours. Warm, somewhat lean finish with an herbal, smoky vanilla finish. Lacks ripeness and is a bit like old style Bordeaux. Needs 2-5 years but lacks the fruit to go.Prices:| BC | $79.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $92.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Viu Manent Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky, sappy, cassis, cherry aromas with a strong saddle leather background. Soft, round, supple style with cassis, black cherry, smoky vanilla, peppery cedar flavours. Very silky with a slightly tannic finish, will go well with lamb or beef.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Finca Los Primos Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, spicy, peppery, clove, meaty cassis aromas. Soft, round, supple style with spicy, peppery, vanilla, savoury game, blackberry flavours. Simple, attractive style with a warm finish.Prices:| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Jacob's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaChocolate, dill, olive, cassis, peppery tobacco nose, a bit green. Soft, round, supple and elegant with a bit of acidity showing. Dill, peppery, green olive, earthy tobacco flavours. Easy going but a bit too green.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Camelot Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
California, United StatesTobacco, spicy, black olive, leather and chocolate. Soft, round, dry and supple with smoky, peppery, tobacco, olive and vanilla flavours. Solid, slightly chunky vanilla finish.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky saddle leather, vanilla, coffee, peppery, black olive aromas with some cassis and dill notes. Dry, rich, slightly tannic and tight entry, a bit lean. Black olive, smoky vanilla, peppery, herbal, spicy coffee flavours. Very dry cedar-y, tannin finish. Out-of-synch.Prices:| AB | $39.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Montes Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Aged 2003
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky, peppery, minty, vanilla, cassis nose with some grilled meat notes. Soft entry with smooth, light dry tannins. Spicy, black olive, vanilla, coffee, peppery cedar flavours. Ready to go, try with grilled flank steak.Prices:| AB | $12.45 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.45 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.74 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileCassis, spicy, peppery, toasty vanilla clove aromas with some cigar and saddle leather notes. Rich, round, supple palate with light grainy tannins. Big coffee, smoky bacon, vanilla, cassis jam, black licorice flavours. Good intensity and balance.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.90 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig spicy, vanilla, coffee, cherry cola, blackberry, tobacco nose. Rich, ripe, round and suave with spicy vanilla, coffee, peppery, blackberry, licorice and smoky tobacco flavours. Good balance and lots of flavour for current drinking or hold a year.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.50 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Collage Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz 2001
California, United StatesSmoky, resiny, cola, briar, cooked prune aromas. Soft, sweet, acidic texture on entry with cedar-y, spicy, cooked prune, chocolate flavours and a lean finish. No real joy here.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rouge 2003
Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceWhite pepper, resiny, peppery, meaty, black cherry jam nose with some strong barnyard notes. Dry, somewhat elegant entry with tight tannins. Black cherry, peppery, resiny, licorice, mineral, meaty flavours. Very dry, lean Euro finish. Needs food to tame the dryness and get you to the ripe fruit.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2002
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesAttractive ripe cassis jam, blackberry, smoky licorice, peppery, cedar notes spiked with clove and lifted floral aromas. Rich, ripe, and concentrated with some grainy tannins. Big blackberry jam, spicy, sweet vanilla cola, peppery, cedar, chocolate flavours with a dry, slightly warm and tannic finish. Young stuff, needs 2-3 years to soften out.Prices:| US | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Lindemans Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2002
South Australia, AustraliaLeafy, mint, sappy cassis nose with resiny, black cherry jam and a streak of cedar. Dry and slightly tannic but with suave styling and cassis jam, sappy, minty, peppery mint flavours. Drying out on the finish, drink up.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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14 April 2005
87PTS
Alamos Chardonnay 2004
Mendoza, ArgentinaCreamy, leesy, butter, baked apple honey nose with floral, mineral aromas. Round, slightly sweet entry with canned pineapple, citrus, buttery, lees flavours. Easy-sipping style chardonnay for any occasion.Prices:| AB | $15.75 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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13 April 2005
90PTS
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Grand Reserve 2002
Monterey - Santa Barbara - Sonoma, California, United StatesSignature K-J - with maximum treble and base the Tri-county blend represents only three per cent of all K-J chardonnay. The nose is a mix of honey, orange, floral, mango notes mixed with green apple skin and melon aromas. Round, elegant, supple style with a light oily texture. Rich orange, pineapple, buttery, vanilla, spicy lees flavours. A bit soft and warm but flavourful with citrus, lees, apple finish. A plush but still elegant style of chardonnay with plenty of texture.Prices:| BC | $46.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
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12 April 2005
92PTS
Highland Estate Napa Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSpice coffee, mocha, and vanilla, peppery aromas mix with smoky, blackberry jam, cassis and licorice nose. Ripe, round, rich and elegant with some young, taut tannins. Mocha, spicy, peppery, blackberry, cassis, cardamom, flavours and a tobacco, licorice finish. Very good finesse and flavour concentration but tannins are firm and tight or Mountain-like. Needs another two to five years. The mix is 80/20 cabernet merlot; 80 percent comes of Mt. Veeder; 20 per cent from Keyes Howell Mountain Vineyard - average elevation 1800 feet. Prices:| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Highland Estate Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesPeppery, black cherry, green olive, tobacco, chocolate, licorice and cassis aromas with an earthy streak. Dry, round, rich and somewhat tannic. Big earthy tobacco, smoky vanilla, cherry, cassis, peppery licorice flavours. Good length but tight and a bit more austere. Reflects the mountain fruit with tighter tannins. Give it 3-4 years.Prices:| BC | $78.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Highland Estate Trace Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesPeppery, earthy, saddle leather nose with cardamom, blackberry and cassis with smoky, coffee, vanilla streaks. Rich, supple and concentrated palate with spicy, peppery, coffee, cassis jam flavours and lively sweet blackberry fruit flecked with cedar and tobacco. Fine- grained tight tannins on the long finish. Will need 3-5 years to really develop. Super bottle, only 348 cases. Serious.Prices:| BC | $78.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $49.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Highland Estate Grizz Ridge Merlot 2002
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesCherry, chocolate, coffee, spicy, dill, cedar, tobacco aromas with a note of game and leather. Dry, round, somewhat tight palate. Cherry, coffee, spicy, gamy, tobacco flavours with some vanilla and earth on the finish. Needs a few years to loosen up but has finesse in a somewhat St. Émilion-like style.Prices:| US | $35.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Highland Estate Taylor Peak Merlot 2002
Bennett Valley, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesEarthy, licorice root, black cherry, smoky tobacco, orange rind, barnyard leather aromas. Ripe, round, supple and concentrated Pomerol-like attributes. Spicy, mocha, black cherry, peppery, cardamom, chocolate pudding, and tobacco flavours with a cedar, mineral, orange peel finish. Good finesse with a touch of higher acidity. Needs 3-5 years to fully round out.Prices:| BC | $59.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $49.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kendall-Jackson Stature Merlot 2000
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, pudding, black cherry, mineral, licorice, black olive, clove, vanilla aromas with some coffee, herbal notes. Rich, round, supple and concentrated but a bit tight and green at this point. Black cherry, peppery, smoky, plum, clove, vanilla, cedar flavours with some licorice and olive on the finish. Fine effort that needs another 3-4 years to fully round out.Prices:| BC | $235.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Highland Estates Seco Highlands Pinot Noir 2003
Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesRootsy, spicy, carrot top, smoky, vanilla, black cherry, rhubarb aromas with a touch of barnyard. Dry, round, soft and elegant with spicy, mocha, black cherry, plum, licorice root and rhubarb flavours. Great texture and finesse, and well managed, with only 50 per cent new French oak in oak used. Very promising.Prices:| BC | $54.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.95 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Kendall-Jackson Stature Red 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe KJ Stature experiments are complete and the final product beginning in 2001 will be a blended wine as opposed to the single cabernet sauvignon varietal of the past. Look for an intense peppery, chocolate pudding nose streaked with clove, licorice, blackberry jam and black cherry aroma. It's rich, round and concentrated on the palate with smooth, grainy tannins and more chocolate pudding, vanilla, cassis, black cherry, orange rind and peppery, licorice flavours. Good intensity, long, and still quite youthful. Needs another 5-7 years to fully mature.Prices:| BC | $175.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kendall-Jackson Stature Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPeppery, cigar tobacco, spicy, blackberry, cardamom, cassis and saddle leather aromas. Ripe, round, rich and dry with good grainy tannins. More pepper and spice mixed with pencil lead, chocolate, licorice and blackberry flavours with a cassis, vanilla finish. Good balance if a touch warm and alcoholic in the finish. Big California cab.Prices:| BC | $235.95 | 750ml |
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09 April 2005
86PTS
Masi Masianco 2003
Verona, Veneto, ItalyThe 2003 is the first release of Masianco intended as a mate for the popular Campofiorin ― its white grapes also lightly dried in racks, like the reds. Lemon oil, mineral, floral, buttery, grassy notes mark the nose. It is quite soft and supple on the palate with buttery, honey, citrus lemon oil and chalky mineral flavours. Ripe but dry with some intensity. Drink this summer with seafood.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Esser Cellars Pinot Noir 2002
California, United StatesThe Esser pinot is a blend of fruit from Monterey and Mendocino counties. The nose is warm and inviting with a definite rootsy, tea leaf undertone. The entry is a mix of sweet fruit spice ands resin with more rootsy resiny flavours in the back end. A simple, fun style pinot for immediate consumption. Serve with duck confit, lamb chops or grilled salmon.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Valdivieso Viognier Reserve 2003
Region del Valle Central, ChileBig buttery, vanilla, honey, mango, ginger spice nose. Round, warm, soft palate with leesy, mineral, buttery vanilla, bitter citrus rind and spicy cedar flavours. A strange combination of oak and viognier mineral with the oak dominating the fruit and sitting holding the fruit back.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Trivento Cabernet Malbec Reserve 2002
Mendoza, ArgentinaVery spicy, peppery, cassis jam, cherry, smoky shoe leather aromas. Soft, round, supple palate with sweet black fruit, smoky vanilla, licorice, coffee, peppery flavours. Warm but well balanced and ready to drink. Terrific value.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.28 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.68 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Fazi Battaglia Titulus Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2003
Marche, ItalyPear, quince, mineral, lemon oil aromas with an almond and earth note. Dry, round, elegant palate with mineral, lemon, almond, chalky butter flavours. Ripe and soft but quite dry. Will go well with mussels or clams.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Julia Viognier 2004
Mendoza, ArgentinaBig spicy, buttery, mineral, honey, orange rind aromas. Rich, ripe, round and fresh with good acidity. Lighter body with a slight oiliness followed by buttery, orange, mango, mineral, perfumed flavours. Fairly well balanced and certainly good value for a versatile food wine.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Tenuta del Portale Starsa 2002
Basilicata, ItalyGamy, meaty, smoky, barnyard, black cherry, rootsy aromas. Dry, round, slightly tannic with mineral, rootsy, smoky ash, peppery, black cherry, gamey flavours. Rustic style, try with grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Montresor Capitel della Crosara Valpolicella Ripasso 2002
Veneto, ItalySmoky, leafy compost, licorice, black cherry aromas with some sweaty horse notes. Ripe, round, elegant and soft with smoky, licorice, black cherry, peppery, tobacco flavours and a bit of shoe leather. Nice balance but the nose is just too wild.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau La Calisse Patricia Ortelli (Organic) 2003
Coteaux Varois, Provence, Sud de France, FrancePatricia Ortelli acquired Chateau La Calisse in 1991 and has completely restored the vines with a new North/South orientation ― all grown organically. The initial nose is slightly reduced with rubbery syrah notes mixed with gamey, leafy, cassis, black raspberry and mineral aromas. Round, ripe, elegant and soft with spicy, cassis, black cherry, chocolate, floral, smoky vanilla flavours. Good intensity, very well balanced palate. Best to decant this red for 45 to hour to blow o0ff the reductive characters at least while it s young.Prices:| BC | $30.50 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Gigi Rosso Rocca Giovino Dolcetto d'Alba 2003
Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalySaddle leather, barnyard, licorice, meaty, cherry aromas. Dry, thin, mineral, bitter cherry, rootsy, smoky, gamey flavours. Lacks concentration with a thin, dry finish. Simple red wine.Prices:| BC | $21.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gigi Rosso Rocca Giovino Nebbiolo d'Alba 2001
Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyCherry, spicy, almond, smoky aromas with some barnyard notes. Dry, round, elegant structure with spicy, smoky, licorice, sour cherry flavours but quite dry and acidic on the finish. Definitely a food wine, try with tomato based dishes or meat.Prices:| BC | $27.85 | 750ml |
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08 April 2005
85PTS
Golden Kaan Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Western Cape, South AfricaCedar-y, smoky, resiny, peppery with some chocolate, typical SA. Soft, round, simple palate with chocolate, leather, smoky prune, cassis flavours with some acidity on the finish. For the bbq.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.99 | 750ml |
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07 April 2005
89PTS
Neudorf Chardonnay 2003
Moutere Hills, Nelson, South Island, New ZealandFresh mineral, green apple, leesy, creamy vanilla, gooseberry aromas with a touch of garlic. Round, dry, elegant palate with some fine oily texture. Ripe grapefruit, creamy vanilla, buttery, grassy, green apple and garlic flavours. Fine texture and length but more austere style.Prices:| NZ | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kumeu River Chardonnay 2003
East Coast, New ZealandMineral, leesy, garlic, mineral, toasty, green apple skin nose. Dry, round, oily texture with lean green apple skin, buttery, leesy, vanilla, spicy, mineral flavours with some citrus rind. Chablis like with butter. Needs food or a few years in bottle.Prices:| NZ | $36.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2003
Sonoma County, California, United StatesLight garlic lees, vanilla, green apple, spicy nose spiked with bright pear and citrus rind aromas. Ripe, round, rich but elegant with butterscotch, spicy lees, garlic, ripe apple, green peach, mineral flavours. Long and crisp, well balanced but just a touch warm on the finish. Well done and consistent from year to year.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.45 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hartford Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2002
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis is chardonnay for serious wine drinkers. Look for butterscotch, floral, mineral, citrus rind and spicy lees with bits of peach and pear. Ripe, rich, round, oily but fresh and crisp with big butterscotch, baked green apple, pear, mineral, creamy lees, vanilla and citrus flavours. Fine finesse and intensity yet perfectly balanced. Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Stonestreet Chardonnay 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig Burgundian garlic lees, toasted spice nose with hints of vanilla and floral green apples mark this mix of Sonoma Valley, Carneros, Russian River and Alexander Mountain Estate fruit. Fermentation in 100% French oak, sur lie ageing and monthly stirring makes for rich, round, fat, slightly soft chardonnay with an oily texture but well balanced. Lots of smoky, buttery, spicy vanilla, green apple, garlic, mineral flavours. Big and bold but not without some finesse.Prices:| BC | $42.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Delicato California Chardonnay 2003
California, United StatesMineral, slight lees, butter, citrus nose. Soft, round, slightly oily texture with buttery, creamy lees, citrus, baked apple flavours. Fresh, easy going party wine with just a touch of sweetness. Available bottle and in selected markets in an attractive 3-litre bag-in-the-box format Delicato's new Bota Box design along with its state of the art FlexTap technology makes it possible to keep premium wine fresh for more than a month after opening with no exposure to wine's enemies - light and air.Prices:| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| Canada | $42.50 | 3000ml |
| SK | $13.75 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
King Fish California Chardonnay 2003
California, United StatesEarthy, green apple skin, citrus rind, mineral nose. Round, soft, somewhat oily texture with mineral, lime rind, green apple skin and a slightly sweet finish. Conventional California chardonnay in an good looking unconventional 3-litre Bota bag-in-the-box you can leave in the refrigerator for weeks.Prices:| BC | $10.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $9.95 | 750ml |
| Canada | $36.00 | 3000ml |
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0PTS
Las Lomas Chardonnay (Organic) 2004
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileCorkedPrices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stonehedge Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2002
California, United StatesButtery, garlic, melon, mineral, leesy, green apple aromas. Soft, round, oily entry with buttery, leesy, garlic, butterscotch, mineral, green apple flavours. Consistently solid and workmanlike with a slightly oily finish.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Montes Alpha Chardonnay Special Cuvée 2003
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSmoky, mineral, green apple, tinned asparagus, floral, green peach aromas with some vanilla and butter. Round, elegant, fresh and juicy with buttery, green apple, asparagus, pear, vanilla, leesy creamy flavours. Fine creamy texture with nice acidity balance. Cool fruit style with finesse. Easily among the top Chilean chardonnays in the market.Prices:| BC | $27.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $27.28 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2003
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceFloral, spicy, mineral, citrus, pear aromas. Ripe, round, elegant palate with ripe pear, mineral, citrus, floral, buttery nut flavours. Fresh, clean and well balanced, good summer seafood or picnic wine. Good value too.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Collage Semillon-Chardonnay 2002
California, United StatesGooseberry, grassy, melon, citrus nose with some wax. Dry, somewhat lean and tight palate with grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit, buttery mineral flavours. Quite skinny on the finish with some mineral notes. Seems a bit tired.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Luberon Blanc 2003
Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, Sud de France, FranceNutty, buttery, lemon oil, mineral, dried floral aromas. Dry, round, elegant entry with fresh acidity but a bit austere. Mineral, lemon rind, nutty, quince flavours. Bit too dry and lean for most consumers but solid.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Blanc Réserve 2003
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceUnusual lemon oil, canned grapefruit, marzipan, old perfume, peach skin nose. Dry, round but lean entry with good acidity. Spicy, mineral, quince, lemon, green apple skin flavours and buttery lees on the finish. Unique character but the balance is just a bit too lean for the modern palate. Try with spicy cuisine.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lindemans Chardonnay Reserve 2003
South Australia, AustraliaMost of the fruit, some 80 per cent is sourced from Padthaway with bits and pieces from Robe, Limestone Coast and Coonawarra. The nose is a mix of cashews green apple, citrus notes with mineral, vanilla and lees aromas streaked with melon and garlic. Soft, dry, mineral, grapefruit flavours mark its buttery, oily, salty, apple skin finish. Solid everyday Oz chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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05 April 2005
92PTS
Rodney Strong Symmetry Red Table Wine 2000
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesTasted twice this spring it is showing a tight cedar, peppery, vanilla/clove nose with black cherry, cedar, plum and tobacco notes. Slightly firmer than previous editions the intensity is fine with more coffee, vanilla, peppery, spicy, vanilla, blackberry fruit flavours. There is some youthful oak upfront but it is beginning to dissipate. Hold for two to five years to catch it at its best.Prices:| BC | $88.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $74.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $68.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio 2003
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPortfolio 2003 is a 1st vintage for Laughing Stock Vineyard. The Naramata blend is 64/33/3 merlot/cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc aged 18 months in 40 per cent new French oak. Look for a deep black cherry color. It has a huge cherry jam, spicy, cardamom nose with earthy, tobacco leaf, gamey, black olive aromas. On the palate it is rich, round, fat and hot with peppery, spicy, chocolate pudding, cooked cherry, tobacco leaf and cranberry juice flavours. Lots of intensity and alcoholic in the finish. Needs 2-4 years to settle down. A promising first release we hope will add finesse as the vines age.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Spiller Estate Pear Wine NV
Penticton Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMade from a blend of Anjou and Bartlett pears. Big spicy, mineral, baked pear nose mixes with warm, round, fat and fairly sweet baked pear, apple, mineral, and spicy ginger flavours. Just a touch bitter and chalky in the finish. A simple but appealing fruit wine.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Mistral Pinot Blanc 2004
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple skin, bruised peach, mineral, earthy nose with some citrus. Ripe, round, fat with bitter green apple skin, mineral, lime rind, grapefruit flavours. Quite warm on the finish with some acidity. Seems unfinished and suffering from bottle shock.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Kettle Valley King Merlot 2002
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig hot alcoholic nose with oxidized stewed cherry, pepper, spicy, shoe leather, horse-y aromas. Dry, round, fairly rich palate with vanilla, bitter almond, smoky, leather, stewed cherry and old chocolate flavours. Very oaky finish but with oxidized notes and high alcohol. It's unfortunate given the ripe fruit that is here.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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79PTS
Hillside Merlot 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy, dank, barnyard, volatile, horse-y, diacetyl nose. Round, dry, tight and hot with some acidity and leanness. Mineral, bitter chocolate, earthy, stewed tomato flavours. Very alcoholic finish, fairly unclean.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nichol Vineyard Syrah 2001
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTypical meaty, spicy, peppery nose with roasted bell pepper notes with licorice and tobacco leaf. Dry, round, slightly tannic palate with tobacco, peppery, meaty, licorice, black cherry flavours. Dry, slightly higher acidity finish but very well balanced. Will benefit from 2-3 years aging or decant before drinking. Similar structure to a Northern Rhone in an average year.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Red Rooster Merlot Grand Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDeep cherry colour. Big cooked cherry, vanilla, earthy, plum jam, barnyard, smoky leather nose. Dry, rich, somewhat tannic entry with stewed plum, chocolate, vanilla, peppery, earthy flavours. Very warm with a somewhat tannic, alcoholic finish. Will improve in the bottle but lacks clean fruit characters to age with style.Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Township 7 Chardonnay 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLots of butterscotch, vanilla, honey, pineapple, baked pear aromas with some citrus peel. Rich, fat, round and warm with lots of buttery, vanilla, mineral, honey, peach and crab-apple flavours with some bitter citrus rind on the finish. A bit warm and acidic overall with lots of oak in the finish. Lacks ripe fruit flavours and mid-palate intensity but there is plenty of oak.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Beyerskloof Synergy Cape Blend 2002
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaOpen smoky, saddle leather, iron, cherry kirsch, cigar, meaty, roasted pepper aromas. Ripe, rich, round and smooth with some grainy tannins. Big sour cherry, coffee, smoky leather, vanilla, peppery, resiny, iron earth flavours with a bitter chocolate cherry pit finish. Warm and a bit rustic, will go well with roast leg of lamb.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
JoieFarm Year One - Pinot Noir Rosé 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRhubarb, sour cherry, spicy, floral, tomato leaf, grapefruit rind aromas. Fresh, round, soft and somewhat sweet on entry with mineral, leafy, floral, cherry, raspberry leaf flavours with a bit of rhubarb and grapefruit rind on the finish. Simple, forward summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
St. Hubertus Rosé Gamay Noir 2004
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, cherry, grapefruit, mineral aromas. Soft, round, elegant style with fresh cherry, citrus, spicy, mineral flavours. Simple and easy to drink on a warm summer's day. Serve well chilled.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sebastiani Barbera 2003
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSweet vanilla, spicy clove, cherry jam nose with licorice, gamey, peppery notes. Rich, ripe, round and full bodied with big spicy clove, vanilla, black cherry jam, smoky game, peppery, kirsch and cedar flavours. Warm and supple with great fruit, very attractive style for current drinking or age a few years. Fun stuff well worth buying. The exact blend is 77.1% barbera, 11.9% zinfandel, 11% petite sirah.Prices:| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Château la Tour d'Aigues Côtes du Luberon 2001
Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, Sud de France, FranceBig gamey, meaty, sweaty horse saddle nose with roasted pepper and black cherry aromas. Soft, round, slightly dry but elegant with black cherry, peppery, licorice root, spicy, burnt earth and resin flavours. Well balanced but the nose needs a bit cleaner edge.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Panarroz Jumilla Red 2003
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainAnother slice of the New Spain with licorice root, mineral, earthy aromas underpinned with gamey, barnyard, black fruit notes. Soft, rustic style with meaty, inky, earthy, warm round black fruit jam flavours with a touch of iron and acidity. A very solid if chunky barbeque red.Prices:| BC | $15.90 | 750ml |
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03 April 2005
84PTS
Kettle Valley Rock Oven Red 2002
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, resiny, pruny, cooked fruit nose with a bit of oxidation and compost. Dry, round, hot and rich with spicy, smoky oak, tobacco, peppery, cooked plum and prune flavours and some acidity on the finish. Lacks freshness.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Senga 2002
Paarl, Coastal Region, South AfricaCorked.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Burrowing Owl Syrah 2003
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery dark cherry colour. Big smoky, dried lychee, sausage meat aromas with peppery, licorice root, blackberry jam notes. Rich, round, fat and ripe with blackberry jam, smoky, peppery, vanilla, dried lychee, mineral, gamey flavours with a long, minty, smoky meat finish. Hot (alcoholic) but still a fine effort with a Northern focus. This young brute needs 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
CedarCreek Cabernet Sauvignon Platinum Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDark cherry colour. Lots of spicy, peppery, cedar, tobacco leaf mixed with resiny, smoky vanilla aromas cassis and olive. Lovely round, ripe supple textures with fine grained tannins. Fresh cassis, coriander and pepper entry with spicy, cherry, smoky oak and vanilla flavours. Long and warm but well balanced with good finesse. Young, showing some oak, will improve over the next 3-5 years. Newer Bordelais style ― this is very fine, well crafted cabernet sauvignon. Bravo B.C.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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82PTS
La Chamiza Merlot Malbec 2004
Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, meaty sausage aromas with rubber boot. Soft, smooth and round with meaty, smoky, spicy, cherry flavours and some burnt rubber. A bit sweet and sour on the finish. Simple at best.Prices:| BC | $7.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Cherry Point Merlot 2003
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky earthy saddle leather notes with barnyard, vanilla and a nose with a touch of rubber. Soft, round, dry and balanced with smoky, minty, vanilla, chocolate, cherry flavours and a dry slightly tannic finish.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Meritage 2003
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCigar, crushed leaf and saddle leather with peppery, caraway notes. It's soft, round, dry and fairly supple with spicy, smoky, resiny, dill and a huge chocolate espresso and tobacco flavours. Lots of oak and tobacco but balanced. Definitely cool fruit but warm oak.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jacob's Creek Merlot 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPeppery, spicy, tobacco, chocolate nose with some cherry notes. Soft, round, off-dry palate with minty, spicy, cherry, chocolate flavours. Warm with crisp acidity on the finish. Sound everyday red.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaTobacco leaf, spicy, shoe leather, smoky, resiny blackberry aromas. Soft, round, supple, slightly sweet entry with blackberry, smoky, resiny, licorice, jammy flavours with lots of cedar and pepper on the aftertaste. Warm with a bit of acidity showing.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Valdivieso Cabernet Franc Single Vineyard Reserve 2000
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, smoky, raspberry, cranberry, caraway nose with some black olive. Ripe, round, elegant and fleshy with smoky, vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, cherry and cedar flavours. Well balanced and ready to go, try with pork.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Delicato California Merlot 2003
California, United StatesTobacco, earthy, gamey, black cherry nose with smoky leather notes. Soft, round, smooth entry with cedar-y/minty, licorice, black cherry fruit and chocolate flavours. Good all-round for use around the barbecue. Comes in 3-litre Bota bag-the-box and 750 mL bottle.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $42.50 | 3000ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.75 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.55 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, tobacco leaf, mocha, minty, dill aromas. The style elegant with more leafy, spicy, smoky, tobacco flavours with a bit of black cherry and dill. Strong smoky vanilla oak finish. Good but a touch under ripe in the finish.Prices:| BC | $18.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, cardamom, smoky nose with leafy, caraway, green olive, resiny aromas. Soft, round, dry, elegant entry with green olive, smoky, resiny, tobacco, vanilla and cedar flavours. Well-balanced but lacks some generosity and fruit.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky ok and vanilla mixed with mocha, tomato leaf, saddle leather, prune and olive aromas. Dry, round, rich and slightly tannic with big smoky vanilla, cedar, licorice, roasted tomato and spicy blackberry, resin flavours. Lots of flavour intensity but very oaky and alcoholic and there are still some tannins to shed.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program One Phantom Creek Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe '02 Small Lots One is a 95/5/3 blend of cabernet sauvignon/petite verdot and malbec grown at Phantom Creek Vineyard just off Black Sage Road south of Oliver. Look for a huge spicy, smoky nose with coffee pudding, tobacco, caraway and peppery blackberry fruit aromas. Rich, hot and fat it has a supple mid-palate with big coffee, cedar, tobacco, mocha, black cherry, cedar and stewed plum flavours. A monster, alcoholic red that will appeal to hose who love big rich powerful reds.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Two Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky espresso, black cherry, licorice, crushed leaf, tobacco, minty, spicy nose but a bit hot. Rich, ripe, round and slightly tannic. Big smoky oak, coffee, cranberry, resiny, licorice, tobacco, roasted tomato flavours with a bit of cooked prune. Good intensity if somewhat alcoholic. Needs 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rosemount Merlot 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSmoky, cherry coke with hints of poultry spice and bits of tobacco leaf. Very soft, supple, easy sipping style with earthy, chocolate mocha, cherry, minty, spice flavours. Well balanced.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.99 | 750ml |
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75PTS
Hester Creek Cabernet Merlot 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, leafy, resin notes with oxidized and cooked aromas and flavours.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 3000ml |
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86PTS
Phoque Rouge 2003
Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceFresh spicy, peppery, black raspberry, licorice aromas. Soft, supple, easy-drinking style with earthy, spicy, licorice and black cherry flavours. A warm fresh, solid, spaghetti red.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Viu Manent Merlot 2003
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileMinty, smoky, saddle leather, tobacco, peppery aromas. Ripe, round, supple and soft with spicy, minty, smoky, tobacco, cherry flavours. Warm with a slightly tangy cherry finish. Solid flavours and value.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Coyote's Run Cabernet Merlot 2003
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaSmoky oak, coffee, black olive, barnyard, earthy aromas. Dry, round, elegant style with cranberry, olive, smoky oak, roasted tomato, resiny flavours with a slightly tart finish and lots of coffee. More terroir than fruit but otherwise solid.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Coyote's Run Cabernet Franc 2003
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaCorked.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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02 April 2005
86PTS
JoieFarm Chardonnay Year One 2004
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, lime rind, red apple, slightly floral nose. Round, soft, slightly oily entry with noticeable sweetness. Ripe apple, lime rind, floral, grapefruit, mineral, spicy flavours. Solid but with some heavy rind-y notes on the finish.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
JoieFarm A Noble Blend - Year One 2004
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, sausage, floral, mineral, peach pit, grapefruit rind aromas with green apple skin. Soft, oily, round, fat texture with some sweetness. Grapefruit rind, mineral, green apple skin, peach pit, spicy meat flavours. Simple summer sipper for the deck.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sandhill Gewurztraminer Seven Mountain Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, spicy sausage rose petal nose streaked with marzipan and peach pit aromas. Very dry, round, warm entry with good acidity but somewhat austere style. Big mineral, perfumed, spicy, red apple, citrus rind flavours and a dried lychee finish. Alsace style without quite the weight but better acidity. Solid food wine style.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Red Rooster Pinot Blanc 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLime rind, mineral, earthy, pear aromas. Soft, round, oily texture with some sweetness and then a crisp finish. Green apple skin, mineral, earthy, pear, citrus flavours with a crisp, bitter grapefruit rind finish.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Red Rooster Pinot Gris 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, lime rind, dry lees, bruised apple skin aromas. Round, fat, slightly oily texture with some residual sugar and warmth. Green apple skin, grapefruit rind, mineral, light buttery flavours. Warm, rind-y finish with some acidity at the back.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Red Rooster Gewürztraminer 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, citrus, floral, spicy sausage nose but marred by rubbery notes. Sweet, round, fat style with some acidity. Soapy, mineral, floral, citrus, sausage flavours. Lacks some balance and cleanliness.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Ehrenfelser 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, orange blossom, mineral, red apple nose with some perfumed, apricot notes. Soft, round, elegant and fresh with mineral, grapefruit, green apple, nectarine and rose petal flavours. A touch sweet and warm but has good acidity and balance and very true to type. Try as a sipper, with duck or with Indian food.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2003
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig buttered popcorn, vanilla, honey, diacetyl nose with some earthy, mineral, peach notes. Rich round, slightly fat and dry with some warmth. Smoky charred vanilla oak, buttery, mineral, honey, melon flavours. Well balanced if a very oaky, smoky style. For drinking now.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Cowichan Blueberry Port 2003
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaBig ripe blackberry jam, mineral, earthy, cooked nose but a bit oxidative. Rich, round, fat and sweet with high acidity. Massive cooked blackberry, spicy, mineral, minty, hot flavours. Fine blackberry flavours but lacks finesse.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 375ml |
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83PTS
Cherry Point Pinot Gris 2003
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaVery leesy, bread dough, floral, earthy aromas with some lime rind notes. Round, fresh and crisp but slightly oily with bitter lime rind, mineral, bruised apple flavours and an acidic, green finish. A bit off the mark this time.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Northern Gewürztraminer 2004
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh floral, peach, mineral, spicy nose with a touch of lychee. Round, elegant style with some sweetness but balanced acidity. Spicy, mineral, perfumy, peach, melon flavours. Not big and fat, has some finesse and length despite some obvious residual sugar. Well done, good value. Love the screw cap.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
St. Hubertus Pinot Blanc 2004
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight butter, mineral, peach pit, citrus and green apple aromas. Soft, round, fresh with some sweetness and balanced acidity. Clean peach, floral, mineral, pear flavours with a touch of bitter grapefruit rind on the finish. Solid sipper or with food. Good value.Prices:| BC | $11.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
St. Hubertus Chasselas 2004
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, white peach aromas with a touch of bubble bum. Round, fresh, crisp palate with a grassy, citrus, floral, bubble gum flavours with a touch of grapefruit rind on the finish. Crisp and simple but should be perfect with spicy Asian food.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
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78PTS
Little Straw Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2003
British Columbia, CanadaDisappointing oxidized nose of floral/bruised apple aromas with light burnt matchstick notes in the background. Round, sweet, mineral, bruised apple flavours with an acidic finish.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Gewürztraminer Limited Release 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, floral, orange blossom, mineral aromas with a bit of almond and peach. Soft, round, sweeter style with mineral, citrus peel, spicy sausage, and baked apple flavours. The finish has decent acidity but this is more of an off-dry sipper for the patio than a main stream dinner wine.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Quails' Gate Chasselas - Pinot Blanc Limited Release 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, grassy, floral, green apple skin aromas. Very crisp but oily with some sweetness. Lots of grapefruit rind, mineral, grassy, green apple flavours mix with a floral, bitter rind finish with high acidity. Not cheap.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, grapefruit rind, green apple skin and floral notes. The entry is round and elegant with zesty, grassy, grapefruit rind, mineral and green peach pit flavours. Oily texture with some sweetness and an acidic, bitter rind finish.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Herder Gewurztraminer Bellamy Vineyards 2003
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHeady perfumed nose of rose petals, orange rind, meaty sausage, spicy notes with a touch of So2. Ripe, round, fresh palate with mineral, green apple skin and spicy sausage flavours mixed with grapefruit. A solid effort that finishes a touch warm. Let's hope the sulphur will subsides over time.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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75PTS
Hester Creek Pinot Blanc 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHester Creek has embraced the bag-in-the-the box concept offering 3-litre boxes of VQA pinot blanc and cabernet merlot but they may not have got the juice into the box in time. We found the pinot blanc had a perfumed but oxidized apple/mineral aromas. Similar poor flavours with rancid butter undertones. Not recommended.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 3000ml |
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0PTS
Villa Teresa Pinot Grigio (Organic) 2004
Veneto, ItalyCorked, retastePrices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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May 2005