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Tastings: November 2005
30 November 2005
86PTS
Mumm Napa Cuvee M NV
Champagne, FranceFloral, perfumed, strawberry nose with baked apple, nutty notes. Fresh, round, full bodied sweet brut style with lots of cherry, peach, mineral, nutty flavours. Straight ahead stuff.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $43.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $54.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $54.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $55.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $49.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $53.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $57.69 | 750ml |
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89PTS
G. H. Mumm & Cie Joyesse Demi-Sec NV
Champagne, FranceFine mousse with floral, mineral, green apple skin, pear aromas with a nutty, toasty note. Sweet but fresh and crisp with floral, lemon, cherry, mineral, peach skin flavours with a quinine, candied orange peel finish. Nice liveliness. At disgorgement, a special liqueur d' expedition of aged wines was infused in the demi-sec to add to its smoothness.Prices:| AB | $34.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Foley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBig peppery, spicy, savoury, cardamom nose with smoky leather, cherry, cedar, lifted aromas and a touch of roasted bell pepper and olive. Soft, round entry but has a lean, tight, fresh mid palate. Very peppery, oaky vanilla, bell pepper, green olive, cherry, cedar-y flavours. Dry, warm, slightly tannic and somewhat acidic finish ― almost Oz like. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
California, United StatesCassis, black berry, coffee, earthy, leather, cedar, barnyard aromas. Soft, round, supple style with cedar, vanilla, cassis, black berry, tobacco, saddle leather, gamey flavours. Warm, slightly sweet, coffee finish. Solid consumer style wine.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Valdo Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore Marca Oro Extra Dry NV
Treviso, Verona, Veneto, ItalyVery white, fine foamy mousse. Floral, peach, mineral, marzipan aromas. Round, fresh, foamy palate with peach, apple, anise, nutty flavours. A touch sweet on the finish in a fruity, elegant, subtle style. A fine apéritif style bubble to match a variety of tapas style foods.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Willowglen Petite Sirah 2004
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaInviting black berry jam, plum compote, licorice, spicy, coffee aromas. Soft, round, fresh and slightly sweet with spicy, licorice, vanilla, black cherry jam, plum, spicy, mocha flavours. Fresh, round, generous consumer style and good value.Prices:| BC | $12.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
G. H. Mumm & Cie Carte Classique Extra Dry NV
Champagne, FranceNot a new wine but one of few new dessert style sparklers hoping to find a home in North America. It doesn't appear to be a demi-sec in dosage but there's enough sugar to make it sweeter than brute. Baked apple, candied citrus, toasty aromas. Round and fresh with lots of mousse. Sweet peach, baked pear, strawberry fruit flavors. Try as an aperitif or with lightly spiced Asian food.Prices:| BC | $53.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 375ml |
| SK | $37.45 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.95 | 375ml |
| SK | $74.83 | 1500ml |
| MB | $44.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.99 | 375ml |
| MB | $87.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $48.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Mumm de Cramant Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
Champagne, FranceMumm de Cramant is a Blanc de Blancs made from 100 per cent chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. Look for a pale yellow color. Light, lively mousse, persistent. Delicate fresh aromas of green apples, pear, citrus and toasty brioche. Very fresh, crisp, elegant palate. Toasty, baked apple, light citrus, pear, nutty, green peach flavors with a dry, elegant, long finish. Very fine, lighter mousse. Very delicate style that goes down quickly.Prices:| US | $78.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
G. H. Mumm & Cie Cordon Rouge NV
Champagne, FrancePale yellow color. Persistent mousse. Open nose with floral, perfumy, cream, green apple, citrus aromas and a toasty, mineral background. Rich, round, well balanced with good acidity and mouth feel. Riper peach, apple, toasty, nutty, citrus, caramel flavours and a slightly sweet, cherry, marzipan finish. Nice elegance if a touch short.Prices:| BC | $52.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $31.99 | 375ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $43.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $54.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $54.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $55.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $49.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $53.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $57.69 | 750ml |
| AB | $450.00 | 6000ml |
| AB | $650.00 | 9000ml |
| QC | $1040.00 | 9000ml |
| QC | $111.00 | 1500ml |
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29 November 2005
88PTS
Mumm Napa Brut Prestige NV
Napa Valley, California, United StatesFresh green apple, peach pit aromas with floral rose, citrus aromas and a touch of honey and nut. Very clean. Crisp, full, round palate that is quite dry. Big green apple, floral, citrus, nutty, honey flavours. Lots of mousse in the mouth and very toasty at the end but somewhat lean on the finish.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $28.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $28.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $34.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
G. H. Mumm & Cie Brut Grand Cru NV
Champagne, FranceOf the 302 cru vineyards in AOC Champagne 43 are rated Premier Cru, but only 17 are classified Grand Cru ― the finest cuvées. Of the 17, Mumm has selected the best five that have always been the basis of its blends. Mumm Grand Cru is a blend of five major 100 per cent Grands Crus mixing 58% Pinot Noir from Bouzy, Verzenay and Ay and 42% Chardonnay from Avize and Cramant. Tiny, continuous mousse. Very toasty, brioche, nutty, creamy, citrus aromas with a hint of mineral, anise and green apple skin. Rich, round, dry and crisp with very nutty, creamy, mineral, baked apple, pear and raspberry flavours with a honey, green apple skin finish. Long, elegant and structured but with delicacy and verve. Should improve further in the bottle over the next few years.Prices:| US | $60.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Cuvee Brut NV
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesFine mousse with floral, toasty, anise, green apple and peach aromas. Off dry, crisp, elegant and fresh with honey, toasty baked apple, creamy, peach pit and anise flavours. Fine lighter, introductory style sparkler for any occasion.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Brut 1999 NV
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesL'Ermitage is Roederer Estate's tête de cuvée. We love the refined mousse and the honey, floral, toasted nut nose streaked with green apple skin and earthy, cherry, anise notes. Rich, round, full-bodied style with great finesse and creamy mousse. A touch sweet but crisp with broad flavours of lemon zest, toasty, creamy, nutty, cherry with a fine undercurrent of earthy, anise and honey notes. Great style and length for California. Delicious. L'Ermitage is made in exceptional years, of pre-selected grapes that come from only the very best lots.Prices:| BC | $61.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $62.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut NV
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesLove the fine, continuous mousse. Look for fresh lemon zest, green apple, mineral and creamy, toasty aromas. Dry, somewhat austere entry with bright lemon, toasted, nut and baked green apple flavours. Fine elegance with creamy mousse textures but all in a much leaner style that is best served with food like oysters or razor clams.Prices:| BC | $42.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Marquis de la Tour Vin Mousseaux NV
Loire, FranceIntense, floral, green apple skin aromas with slate-y, peach skin notes. Crisp, round, elegant style with lots of light foamy bubbles. Green apple, peach, citrus and baked quince flavours. Easy drinking style for kir or straight. Good value, 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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87PTS
Osoyoos Larose 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTasted twice within the week. The nose is quiet mix of smoky/vanilla, saddle leather and tobacco leaf with spicy coriander notes and just a hint of violet, cherry and dried plum aromas. The entry is rich an intense but very dry with chewy, austere tannins. Peppery, smoky, resiny, licorice root flavours with light streaks of black cherry, vanilla and cedar bark. The finish is warm dry and austere with elevated acidity. This will need years to soften. Re-taste in 2010.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Granite Creek Marechal Foch 2003
British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, peppery, smoky, black cherry aromas with a gamey, stewed tomato streak. Dry, smooth entry with very smoky, bacon, saddle leather, stewed tomato flavours and a touch acidic on the finish. Solid if you are a fan of the gamy/meaty foch style.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2004
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSpicy, smoky, cassis, blueberry, peppery aromas with a streak of green bean and roasted pepper. Round and rich with light, smooth tannins with chunky chocolatey, blackberry, cassis, peppery flavours and a smoky, vanilla finish. Very solid, ready to drink style with some balance.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.40 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.90 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.10 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chandon California Brut Classic NV
California, United StatesLots of fine mousse. Fresh floral, pear, green apple, creamy citrus fruit aromas jump out of the glass. Elegant but rich and light with baked apple, pear and citrus spice with dry, creamy, toasty, peach finish with good acidity. Classy, clean and well balanced.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chandon Carneros Blanc de Noirs NV
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesLovely pale salmon roe colour with clean raspberry, strawberry fruit mixed with floral, toasty, spicy cream aromas. Rich, round, full bodied style with toasty, mineral, earthy, cherry, nutty cream flavours but quite dry. The red grapes give it slightly more richness in the mouth and more versatility with food but a bit rustic.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.45 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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27 November 2005
88PTS
Cornish Point Vineyard Pinot Noir Bannockburn Vineyard 2004
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandCornish Point vineyard is "planned as a Pinot Noir "laboratory". It has been divided into 25 blocks, each sized to supply a single 3 tonne fermenting tank." All but one block is planted to pinot noir in wide variety of clone types and rootstocks: 16 different combinations in all, with rootstocks matched to changing soil structure. Look for a super spicy carrot top nose streaked with ripe pinot fruit and savoury notes. The fruit is black cherries spiked with savoury poultry spice. Sappy earthy New World pinot you can drink now.Prices:| BC | $54.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Felton Road Dry Riesling 2004
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandLook for a big citrus fruit, orange zest and mineral nose that will grab your attention long before you sip it. Fresh and lively on the palate with a pure green apple and Bartlett pear flavours with a stony, mineral aftertaste. Fresh clean and perfectly suited to a variety of seafood appetizers. This harbours a great deal of promise for the Kiwi riesling.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Felton Road Riesling 2004
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandThis is mouth-watering stuff with lovely weight and balance and a fragrant floral/honey nose. Delicate well constructed brimming with crunchy apple acidity a delicious streak of mineral ands citrus zest. It tastes like long hang time and must surely be one of the finest examples of riesling made in the country.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 5 2004
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandBlock Five pinot reviews are a treat for reviewers but unless you are on the mailing list getting to taste this wine anywhere else is next to impossible. Expect a great deal of intensity from this Pommard clone pinot. Wow, it is super sleek in the mouth with plenty of black fruit carrot spice and cloves. This is multi-layered New World pinot with fabulous weight and structure.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $77.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Giannina Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2003
Tuscany, ItalyMuch like the previous edition the nose is a fresh mix of slate, almond, citrus and green apple skin notes. Very elegant round white with nutty, mineral, citrus rind and butter notes. A fragrant stylish northern-Euro white.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Long Flat White Semillon Sauvignon 2004
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaLong Flat is anything but in this edition that packed full of lime rind and citrus aromas and flavours with a tight lemon mineral finish. Crisp sharp flavours in the aftertaste suggest you could use this to cut through a buttery prawn dish. A bit to acidic to enjoy solo as a sipper.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.45 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pellegrino Marsala Fine I.P. NV
Light amber colour. Maderised nutty, toffee flavours. Quite dry and fresh on entry with a spicy warm finish. Definitely best suited to cooking but you could chill it down and serve it with toasted almonds, Sherry-like, by the fireplace.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pellegrino Marsala Garibaldi Dolce NV
Sicily, ItalyNo doubt, the Garibaldi Dolce ends up as an ingredient in a lot cookbook dishes but it is just as much fun to drink, as it is to cook with. Warm spicy rich and sweet it has an almost Oloroso taste with a nutty, caramel dried fruit aftertaste. Serve slightly chilled to reveal its full potential and freshness.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 375ml |
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85PTS
Sella & Mosca Vermentino di Sardegna 2003
Sardinia, ItalyVermentino is intensely cultivated in almost all Mediterranean coastal districts from Spain to Liguria as well as the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Look for a fresh, light floral, mineral nose. The flavours are similar with a dry almond mineral flavoured finish. Clean and fresh, it finishes a touch dry. Serve with simply prepared shellfish dishes or warm seafood salads.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.50 | 750ml |
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26 November 2005
86PTS
Lujuria 2003
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainRemember this label - North Vancouver artist Melanie St. George had her art spotted at an Esplanade Starbucks and before long, it is on the label of Lujuria, an inexpensive Spanish red imported by local distributor Next Beverage. The 70/30 blend of monastrell (mourvèdre) / merlot returns in 2003 spicier and richer than ever. There is plenty of alcohol here to be sure but it is the dark chocolate plummy red fruit that will have you rushing back to get another bottle. It is dry and Spanish with earthy, peppery, earthy, smoky black cherry. Party on with this fine value red.Prices:| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Periquita 2001
Vinho Regional Terras do Sado, Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalThe new Periquita has put on a modest bit of weight and mouthfeel and shed some of the gamy notes that can impair fruit flavours. The entry is dry and smooth with fine black cherry fruit flavours streaked with licorice. Dry round and smooth with fresh acidity this is a terrific grilled meat wine. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $10.90 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Lambrusco di Modena Dolce NV
Modena, Emilia-Romagna, ItalyFizzy with gamey, cherry, licorice, cola nose. Soft, round, somewhat sweet palate with cherry, mineral, meaty, spicy chocolate flavours. Good acidity and light mousse with some tannins on the finish but a strange wine style for most North Americans.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaCola, licorice, blackberry, spicy, rootsy, leather aromas. Soft, round, warm, slightly acidic palate but smooth and dry with spicy, peppery, blueberry, resiny, plum flavours and some cedar-y, licorice notes on the finish. Sound but bland.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 2002
Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSappy, cassis, minty, cedar, chocolate, saddle leather and tobacco aromas. Warm, rich palate with grainy, dry tannins. Big peppery, smoky, cassis, black olive, resiny, minty, vanilla and roasted bell pepper flavours. Very dry, chewy finish. Needs 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $54.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, cassis, herbaceous, smoky, black olive aromas. Warm, slightly chunky palate with round, cedar-y tannins. Peppery, olive, cassis, minty, and black cherry flavours with an earthy, cedar-y finish.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.90 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.05 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.40 | 750ml |
| PE | $14.90 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.64 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Woodhaven Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
California, United StatesFloral, resiny, cedar-y, spicy, candied black cherry aromas. Warm, dry, somewhat acidic palate with dry cedar bark, earthy, tobacco leaf, resiny flavours. Not much fruit here. Commercial.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
El Torito Tempranillo Garnacha 2002
Castilla-La Mancha, SpainBright juicy simple red wine with raspberry aromas and similar spicy fruity flavours. Soft round easy sipping and certainly good for the money. Think of this as the perfect luncheon wine for turkey or pork sandwiches of serve with tapas-like appetizers.Prices:| BC | $7.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Granite Creek Ehrenfelser Special Select Late Harvest 2003
British Columbia, CanadaGinger, orange rind, honey and cooked pear aromas with some sulphur at the back. Very soft, round, light bodied style with baked apple, mineral, ginger, candied citrus peel, floral flavours. Light dessert style wine.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 375ml |
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86PTS
Terre Palladiane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2003
Abruzzo, ItalyFine colour and an even more interesting savoury earthy nose make this Montepulciano worth a second look. Soft and smooth up front, it has a decent amount of black fruit and a mellow spicy earthy finish. Good value hamburger or spaghetti red.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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24 November 2005
89PTS
Mission Hill S.L.C. Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen spicy, grapefruit juice, green apple, green melon, clover, floral nose with some smoky, vanilla streaks. Ripe, round, dry and elegant with kiwi, grapefruit rind, green melon, smoky, spicy gooseberry flavours with a touch of lees and vanilla. Well balanced, crisper style with very good fruit characters. Should improve over the next year or two.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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23 November 2005
88PTS
Chateau Carignan 2003
Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, licorice, peppery, black cherry, orange rind, smoky barnyard aromas. Soft, round, ripe and supple on the palate with chocolate, black cherry, smoky, licorice, prune and vanilla flavours. Forward style with elegance. Drink now - 3 years. Solid, affordable and drinkable Bordeaux.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Chateau de Courteillac 2004
Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, FranceCherry, cedar, tobacco, rootsy aromas. Dry, lean, somewhat lean palate with cedar, mineral, tobacco leaf, peppery herbal flavours. Quite dry and acid on the finish. Simple but inexpensive Bordeaux.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Herder Josephine 2004
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, toasted oak and vanilla with green olive, pepper, tobacco leaf and minty notes streaked with black cherry and a touch of rubber. Very warm entry with ripe, supple tannins. Vanilla, smoky resin, peppery, black cherry, cola, pudding flavours with some green tobacco and olive on the finish. A bit too hot but it's youthful with seductive supple textures. Drink or hold three to five years. Needs 1-3 years. The blend is 60/33/7 merlot / cabernet sauvignon / cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $28.90 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Meãndro do Vale Meão Douro Red 2003
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSweet vanilla, black pepper, black licorice, plum jam, cherry compote, violet, cardamom aromas with a waxy, lanolin note but big fruit. Rich, ripe, round, warm and supple with light, slightly rustic tannins. Huge black cherry jam, chocolate, peppery, blackberry, orange peel, vanilla, spicy garrigue flavours. Long, warm, sexy style with great fruit. Great effort for the Douro.Prices:| BC | $47.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port 2003
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalDeep black cherry colour. Big spicy, black pepper, black licorice, black raspberry jam and kirsch aromas with some tobacco, orange compote and black tea streaks. Rich, fat, intense and sweet with great acidity and big ripe tannins. Explosive black cherry jam, plum, black berry and chocolate flavours with a peppery, floral, bright candied orange peel finish. Very warm and intense fruit but very long and elegant for a port. Fine finesse and balance for the long haul. Cellar 15 to 30 years.Prices:| BC | $99.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $62.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Region del Valle Central, ChileGreen apple skin, dry lees, grapefruit rind, gooseberry aromas. Dry, round, fresh palate with grapefruit, mineral, jalapeno, dry lees flavours with a crisp, grassy melon note on the finish. Finally, it's under screwcap. Try with shellfish.Prices:| BC | $12.30 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.30 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.42 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Mouton Cadet Rouge 2003
Bordeaux, FranceBlack cherry, saddle leather, licorice, spicy, cedar-y, resin nose. Dry, round, cedar bark, resiny, spicy, tobacco leaf flavours. A bit lean given the bounty and ripeness of the vintage.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $7.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fairview Cellars Merlot Cabernet 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVanilla, black cherry jam, floral, buttery, barnyard, tobacco aromas. Dry, round, supple tannins with smoky, resiny, peppery, vanilla pudding, black cherry flavours with a very hot, black olive, cigar finish and some tannins to lose. Needs a few years to round out.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fairview Cellars The Bear's Meritage 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, spicy, sweaty saddle, smoky, cigar butt, cranberry, buttery vanilla, blackberry aromas. Dry, round, slightly tannic entry with some dryness at the end. Smoky, peppery, leafy, cigar, cranberry, cherry, vanilla, resiny flavours. Very warm (alcoholic) with some lean tannins, should improve over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Penmara 5 Reserve MCP 2002
Orange, New South Wales, AustraliaBlueberry, soy, olive brine nose with barnyard, tobacco, root beer and cola notes. Dry, leaner style on entry with dry tannins in the back end. Olive, herbaceous, cherry, cola, peppery flavours with some tobacco and cedar on the finish. Pretty dry and lean, needs a few years and very herbaceous.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
MontGras Reserva Quatro 2004
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSimilar to last vintage with very smoky, sappy cassis, tobacco leaf, meaty, roasted olive nose but with some reduced rubbery (mercaptan) and vegetative notes underneath. Rich, warm, tannic entry with smoky, minty, resiny, gamey, cigar butt, peppery, black cherry flavours. Finish is dry and rustic with tannins to lose. Needs 2-4 years to soften up.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Four Emus Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2003
Western Australia, AustraliaSpicy, blueberry, smoky, resiny, licorice root and herbal aromas. Soft, round, slightly tannic entry with blueberry, rootsy, mineral, peppery flavours. Dry, unappealing, acidic finish.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Long Flat Red Cabernet Shiraz Malbec 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaHorse sweat, saddle leather, cedar bark, blueberry, rootsy resin aromas. Dry, lean, acidic entry with blueberry, licorice root, resin, cedar bark flavours. Correct but not much more.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.45 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc Curico 2004
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileClean green melon, grapefruit, mineral, apple skin, gooseberry aromas. Ripe, round, fresh palate with roasted bell pepper, grassy, grapefruit rind, mineral flavours. Very crisp, dry finish with some citrus rind.Prices:| BC | $14.40 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Graham Beck Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Western Cape, South AfricaVery smoky, roasted bell pepper, mineral, grassy grapefruit rind aromas. Dry, round, crisp palate with bell pepper, asparagus, mineral, grapefruit rind flavours with a smoky, crisp finish. More austere style.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Region del Valle Central, ChileGrapefruit rind, mineral, grassy, green gooseberry aromas. Dry, elegant style with crisp acidity. Bell pepper, canned asparagus, dry lees, bitter grapefruit rind flavours. Solid slightly austere style.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.30 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.42 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Marley Farm Winery Kiwi NV
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaDefinitely gold in colour with burnt pear, honey, kiwi skin aromas. Sweet, round, slightly bitter palate with buttery, oxidized honey, mineral flavours. Not near fresh enough.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Marley Farm Winery Kiwi Gold NV
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaVery amber in colour with canned kiwi, buttery diacetyl, resin aromas. Sweet, round, slightly tannic palate with plasticene, oxidized butter and mineral flavours.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 375ml |
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86PTS
Marley Farm Winery Raspberry NV
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaVery fruity, intense fresh and canned raspberry aromas with a minty, mineral note. Fairly dry and crisp with minty, raspberry, cinnamon, spicy flavours. Well balanced with a bit of acidity. Fine clean fresh pure fruit character. Try with the turkey.Prices:| BC | $8.00 | 375ml |
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85PTS
Marley Farm Winery Blackberry NV
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, spicy, fresh blackberry aromas with some jammy, floral notes. Round, slightly sweeter style with some acidity. Again, spicy savoury/sage, meaty flavours with blackberry and mint. Crisp finish and spicy.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 375ml |
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0PTS
Marley Farm Winery Elderflower Bubbly NV
Intense skunky, dill pickle brine aromas with big mousse. Not our cup of tea.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 375ml |
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0PTS
Marley Farm Winery Pinot Grigio 2002
British Columbia, CanadaOxidized. Past its prime.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2003
AustraliaNoble One seems to go from strength to strength. Big dried apricot, egg yolk nose with marmalade, spice and smoky honey notes. Rich, round, fresh and fat but lively with good finesse. Lots of dried apricot, peach skin, orange, creamy, spicy, vanilla, honey flavours. Very crisp, warm, marmalade finish. Very agreeable with great fruit.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Terre Palladiane Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2004
Veneto, ItalyMineral, green apple skin, pear aromas with a touch of sulphur and almond. Round, soft, dry entry with nice baked pear, nutty, lemon, green apple flavours. Light fresh and creamy on the finish. Very solid.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Capel Pisco Sour NV
ChileThis is a pre-mixed pisco drink with lemon and sugar and sports 20% alcohol for the home drink market or at the bar. Sweeter drink with lots of lemon peel, mineral, citrus flavours and somewhat of a punch. Try chilled over the rocks with a fresh squeeze of lime or lemon juice and a touch of soda. Pisco is a grape brandy made in Chile and Peru.Prices:| BC | $20.90 | 750ml |
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21 November 2005
95PTS
Quinta do Vale Meão Douro Red 2003
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalWow! What a fabulous bottle of wine. It's not very often you come across a wine like this and the fact that it comes from the Douro justifies all the work and energy of a handful of Douro producers who have put the upper Douro's dry red wine on the map. Look for savoury mouth-watering black fruit with hints of chocolate and impeccable balance. Now tasted twice in the last six months this is the real deal. Floral, peppery, black raspberry jam, black tea, cassis, dry stones, garrigue, licorice, aromas with a creamy vanilla note. Rich, ripe, round and suave with supple tannins and some warmth. Intense black cherry jam, kirsch, licorice, vanilla, peppery, cardamom and orange peel flavours with a floral, black plum, chocolate finish. Long, dry and intense with great balance. Will improve for 3-7 years. A joy to drink or keep.Prices:| BC | $109.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $69.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Fonseca Vintage Port 2003
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalAnother outstanding year. Super ripe black cherry, fruitcake, licorice, citrus peel, peppery, spicy, savoury nose with a hint of chili and chocolate. Rich fat and concentrated with moderate tannin levels but hot and fiery, very young. Big peppery, spicy, licorice root, black cherry jam, orange compote, tobacco, mineral, chocolate flavours. Tight, warm, big finish. Definitely one for the cellar for the next 15 plus years. Similar to '94 and '97 but not quite as fat and more classic.Prices:| BC | $131.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $130.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $125.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $132.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Sette Ponti Poggio al Lupo 2003
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, meaty, peppery, black olive, vanilla, cassis jam aromas with a floral, licorice note. Rich, ripe, round and fat with fine grainy tannins. Big but balanced with very earthy, resiny, peppery, cassis jam, plum and tobacco flavours with a violet, chocolate finish. Long and full with good fruit and just a hint of earthy/dry Tuscany. Fine effort, needs 3-7 years.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Sette Ponti Oreno 2003
Tuscany, ItalyThe 50/50 blend of sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon opens with a meaty, black licorice, vanilla nose streaked with black cherry, cigar, cassis, orange peel and smoky saddle leather. Dry, round and elegant on the palate with some lean tannins. Very spicy with smoky tobacco, vanilla, licorice root and cassis flavours. A bit alcoholic and lean but should smooth out over the next three to five years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $81.90 | 750ml |
| BC | $170.00 | 1500ml |
| AB | $62.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Sette Ponti Crognolo 2003
Tuscany, ItalyBlack cherry, spicy, peppery, vanilla, gamey aromas with some plum and chocolate. Ripe, round, dry but supple with some grainy tannins. Chocolate, peppery, spicy, black cherry and root flavours. Young and well balanced with some elegance. Needs 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $54.90 | 750ml |
| BC | $245.00 | 3000ml |
| AB | $42.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sette Ponti Vigna di Pallino 2003
Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, black cherry, licorice, smoky, gamey, floral aromas. Dry, tight, fresh palate with some tannins. Cherry jam, peppery, earthy, cigar, rootsy flavours. Good fruit upfront but quite dry with some thin acidity on the finish. The wine is fermented in cement and sees no oak.Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Torbreck The Factor 2003
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe most Barossa like of all Torbreck shiraz 'The Factor is openly peppery with minty, garrigue, and blackberry jam aromas spiked with licorice, mineral, leather, mocha, lead pencil and barnyard notes. Rich, ripe, round, supple palate that is warm but fresh. Juicy blackberry, plum, garrigue, leather, licorice, peppery, minty, blueberry flavours with a savoury, rootsy, mineral finish. Viscous, rich style with finesse. Needs three to years more in bottle.Prices:| BC | $145.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $159.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $153.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Torbreck The Struie 2003
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Struie is made with high-altitude Eden Valley fruit lending it a peppery, smoky, licorice root nose with resiny, garrigue, spicy, barnyard plum aromas flecked with vanilla cola, cherry and curry notes. An excellent complex nose it has a dry, warm, rich concentration with supple tannins. More peppery, resiny, garrigue, mocha, licorice fruit with black cherry and blackberry flavours and a savoury, anise finish. A bit dry on the finish but with fine roundness and finesse. Not shy of alcohol.Prices:| BC | $74.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $55.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Torbreck Descendant 2003
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBig spicy, floral, thyme, rosemary nose with plum, cocoa, licorice root and tarry, black cherry aromas with a whiff of leather. A bit more lifted and spicy than The Factor, perhaps due to the viognier. Rich, ripe, round and dry but supple with higher acidity. Rich plum jam, blueberry, spicy, peppery, cream cola, minty, leather, tobacco flavours with a sweet vanilla, orange peel, finish. Good intensity, complex long and full. The elevated alcohol and acidity will bother some consumers but not most. Needs another three to seven years in bottle to round out. The name and technique is perhaps best explained by the winery: "The vineyard was planted with cuttings from one of the old RunRig vineyards. The shiraz is crushed on top of the viognier from the same vineyard, which has been lightly pressed for blending with the RunRig. The blend of fruit is then co-fermented and later the wine matured for 18 months in 2½ year-old French barrels that had been previously used for RunRig."Prices:| BC | $145.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $143.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $149.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Torbreck RunRig 2002
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe flagship Torbreck wine is a blockbuster Barossa red. Look for a roasted, prune/plum, peppery, barnyard nose with saddle leather, black berry jam, orange compote, cream cola, anise and a touch of Christmas fruitcake. Super rich and ripe with round, supple elegant tannins. Big cream cola, vanilla, black berry jam, spicy, mint, garrigue, cassis, violet candy flavours with a orange, cherry, cardamom and licorice finish. Fat, fresh, round and flavourful but hot. Like an elegant Grange, this time made with old dry-farmed shiraz blended with viognier.Prices:| BC | $244.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $265.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $280.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Torbreck The Bothie 2003
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaTobreck's ode to Muscat de Beaume de Venise is The Bothie: a fortified sweet Muscat blanc a petits grains. Expect an enticing apricot, peach, minty, buttery, floral nose. On the palate it's round with soft, fresh buttery, muskmelon fruit spiked with minty, cooked peach, floral, orange flavours. We love the clean fresh non-cloying finish. Elegant.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 375ml |
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89PTS
Torbreck Juveniles 2002
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaJuveniles is an un-oaked blend of grenache, mourvèdre and shiraz made from old vines. The nose is spicy with orange peel, creamy raspberry jam, rootsy, gamey aromas and pruny, five spice notes. Round, supple, dry and fresh with black raspberry jam, cola, earthy, plum jam and orange spice flavours. Warm, fresh, well balanced and fruity. Ready to drink but will hold through 2010Prices:| BC | $38.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Torbreck The Steading 2002
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Steading blends 60% grenache, 20% mataro and 20% shiraz and is Powell's "ode to the great old vines, planted at the turn of the last century that survived the vine-pull scheme of the 1980's." Look for a pronounced spicy, pencil lead nose with orange peel, licorice root, olive, smoky, cherry jam aromas. A bit drier than Juveniles but supple and round. Spicy, gamey, olive, black cherry, orange, spicy, savoury, mocha, tobacco flavours. A bit hot with a touch of dryer acidity on the finish but elegant. Oz style Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $48.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz 2003
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaWoodcutters commemorates winemaker David Powell's lumberjack days in the Scottish Highland. The wine has peppery, savoury, licorice root nose with smoky, black cherry and plum jam flavours flecked with sausage. Round, supple and warm on the palate with a touch of roasted pepper and tobacco on the finish. Normally flavours you would associate with cooler syrah characters. Well balanced and well expressed. It is fermented and aged for 12 months in large format seasoned barrels and foudres to further add to its inviting appeal.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Torbreck Woodcutters Semillon 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLook for floral, citrus, quince, nutty, mineral, melon aromas. Round, slightly oily texture but fresh with good acidity. Buttery, melon, quince, green apple flavours with a nutty, cashew, toasty finish. A bit warm but with fine intensity and balance. A delicious combination of (old barrel) fermented fruit and fresh stainless steel juice of which only 50 per cent goes through an acid softening, texture-adding malolactic fermentation. Fun sipping quality white wine.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Fonseca 10 Year Old Aged Tawny Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig spicy, tea, peppery, walnut nose with a touch of rancio butter. Rich, honeyed, rancio entry with nutty walnut, tobacco, black cherry and buttery, tea flavours. Intense and warm but elegant with a dryer finish, good value here. Best served with caramelised desserts such as crème brûlée.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $34.75 | 750ml |
| PEI | $40.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $39.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
| NFL | $40.00 | 750ml |
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20 November 2005
97PTS
Penfolds Bin 60A 2004
South Australia, AustraliaThe latest reincarnation of Bin60A began with select parcels of Coonawarra cabernet mixed with Koonunga Hill and Magill shiraz. The finished wine holds 56 per cent Block 20 Coonawarra cabernet and 44 per cent shiraz from Kalimna Blocks 4 and 14 and 44 and Koonunga Hill Block 53G all hand-picked and fermented in stainless steel and open top vessels before finishing the process in 300 litre new French oak barriques for 15 months. The nose is young and powerful showing predominately dark fruit (plums) and raisins with black pepper, macchiato and nutty leather nuances. Fabulous structure and weight and no doubt destined for greatness. Winemaker Peter Gago and his team are counting on the longer hang tine and flavours to place the classic Bin 60A label back onto the tasting circuit for decades to come. One to watch. Both the 2004 Bin 60A and Block 42 will be priced just above Grange. In Ontario, the pre-release price was $330. In fact, it was a steal when compared to the recent Christie's auction price in New York City where a six-pack of 2004 Bin 60A sold for US $4935.00, or US $822 per bottle. That converts to AUS $1084.54 per bottle that according to Langton's auction house in Australia, set a new record for highest ever price for a new release 750ml bottle of Australian wine.Prices:| BC | $330.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $330.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $330.00 | 750ml |
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98PTS
Penfolds Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlock 42 is hallowed vineyard ground. First planted in 1886 vines it is the oldest cabernet sauvignon vineyard in all Oz and is said by Penfolds to contain vines of 'ancient genetic disposition.' For over 110 years the vines planted on their own rootstock have given some of the most flavourful mineral rich fruit seen anywhere in the world. In 2004 Block 42 sings again - black fruits, chocolate power, grip and gobs of weight and length. This is a blockbuster cabernet in the sense of Latour, Montebello and or Cullen with a long life ahead of it.Both the 2004 Bin 60A and Block 42 will be priced just above Grange. In Ontario, the pre-release price was $330. In fact, it was a steal when compared to the recent Christie's auction price in New York City where a six-pack of 2004 Bin 60A sold for US $4935.00, or US $822 per bottle. That converts to AUS $1084.54 per bottle that according to Langton's auction house in Australia, set a new record for highest ever price for a new release 750ml bottle of Australian wine.Prices:| BC | $330.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $330.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $330.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz 2002
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaRich, spicy, black cherry sparkler with meaty, floral black pepper aromas. Creamy, round, black cherry, black pepper, coffee, licorice flavours. Some sweetness and alcohol on the finish but well balanced. Definitely ripe shiraz. Great colour too. Turkey or tapas are your best match.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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19 November 2005
86PTS
Calona Vineyards Artist Series Chardonnay Reserve 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, buttery, citrus, melon, candied apple aromas with a slight yeasty note. Round, soft, forward style with buttery, peach, honey, resin flavours. Slightly warm, fat finish but solid, easy drinker.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.29 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Chardonnay Reserve 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVanilla, honey, buttery, tropical fruit aromas. Very round, soft, fat style and warm with vanilla pudding, honey, pineapple, buttery flavours. Fatter, older style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sumac Ridge Chardonnay Black Sage Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, garlic lees, nutty, honey, butterscotch aromas with a citrus note. Dry, round, somewhat oily texture with buttery, honey, creamy lees, vanilla pudding flavours with a fair bit of oak on the finish. Needs a bit more acidity and less oak.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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86PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Chardonnay 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLots of toasty oak vanilla, buttery, honey, spicy, citrus aromas. Dry, round, warm, slightly oily palate with buttery vanilla, honey, pineapple, nutty lees flavours. Fairly elegant but a bit fat and heavy with oak on the finish without the vibrancy.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Thornhaven Chardonnay 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig garlic-y, leek, toasty lees, vanilla, nutty, sweaty, honey aromas. Dry, round, slightly lean with mineral, nutty, garlic lees, toasty, roap-y flavours. Showing potential but just a bit too much reduced lees character to be considered excellent.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bommarito Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Napa Valley, California, United StatesNot quite as charming as the previous vintage at this early stage but the screwcap closure has captured more blackberry, spicy, licorice, black olive and plum aromas streaked with pepper and cardamom. Soft, round, dry and chunky with peppery, black berry, licorice, tobacco, peppery vanilla flavours. Somewhat tannic, rustic finish with a meaty note. Start with a grilled steak. Will improve through 2010 in this format. Still fine value.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Golden Mile Road Chardonnay Black Arts Luckhurst Family Vineyards 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple skin, toasty lees, light garlic, creamy, floral, vanilla aromas. Rich, round, dry palate with a dry mineral quality. Lime rind, vanilla, green apple, spicy lees, grapefruit flavours with a nutty, buttery vanilla citrus finish. A bit tight and warm, needs about 6 months or so in bottle to smooth out. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $34.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Chardonnay 2004
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCitrus rind, spicy lees, nutty, vanilla, buttery, waxy aromas mark the somewhat Burgundian nose streaked with garlic and green apple skin. This is an elegant, fresh style with some oily textures and spicy lees, vanilla, creamy, baked pear, mineral, grapefruit rind flavours. The finish mixes butter and bitter apple skin. Well balanced overall. A nice touch of pinot gris is added for zip. 270 cases made.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesTainted and or corked.Prices:| US | $42.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Halo 2000
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California, United StatesHalo is the best of the best cabernet vinified in small oak barrels. Look for cedar, tobacco, peppery, waxy, black berry, smoky, aromas with a touch of chocolate mint and leather. Rich, ripe, round with grainy, tannins on entry a bit of youthful dryness. Big spicy, cedar, peppery, earthy, blackberry, tobacco, flavours with a resiny, soy finish. The tannins are a bit cedary and lean but fine effort for the vintage. Needs 2-4 years.Prices:| US | $150.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Malgra M' Barbera 2003
Piedmont, ItalySpicy, floral, cherry, tobacco leaf and marzipan aromas. Very dry, elegant, slightly chewy palate with plum, cherry, gamey, tobacco leaf flavours. A touch acidic and tannic on the finish. Needs food.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Casal Thaulero Sangiovese Tere di Chieti 2004
Abruzzo, ItalyRubbery, spicy, peppery, gamey, meaty aromas. Soft, round, dry palate with meaty, peppery, spicy, licorice saddle leather flavours with some soy, tobacco leaf on the finish. Somewhat unclean.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $6.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $10.10 | 750ml |
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87PTS
St. Hallett Gamekeeper's Reserve 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlack cherry, spicy, gamey, raspberry, black licorice, tea, floral aromas with a touch of leather. Soft, round, supple entry but sweet with lots of licorice root, black raspberry jam, smoky, spicy, blueberry, gamey flavours. Warm with some acidity and sweetness on the finish. Yellowtail on steroids with good fruit.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
St. Hallett Poacher's Blend 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaFloral, fig, citrus, nutty, melon, grapefruit, kiwi aromas. Ripe, round, slightly sweet entry with lots of honey, grapefruit juice, kiwi, fig, mineral, lime flavours. Fresh, crisp finish with a touch of sweetness but good balance. Good value.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.10 | 750ml |
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85PTS
J. Lohr Cypress Sauvignon Blanc 2004
California, United StatesCanned asparagus, bell pepper, grapefruit rind, passion fruit leaf aromas. Fresh, round palate with bell pepper, canned asparagus, grapefruit juice flavours. Well balanced if a touch sweet and vegetal.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz Bin 389 2002
South Australia, AustraliaDeep black cherry color. Big cassis, menthol, chocolate, green bean, vanilla, black pepper, licorice aromas with some black berry and game. Rich, ripe and round with supple tannins. Chocolate, tobacco, smoky oak, vanilla, peppery, cassis, black olive, licorice flavours with a tight mocha, resiny finish. Big and full with fruit, a very fine 389.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $33.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $35.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $39.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $38.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Monte Antico Toscano 2001
Santa Lucia, Pisa, Tuscany, ItalyPruny, peppery, smoky, spicy, meaty, sweaty saddle aromas. Dry, tight, somewhat lean palate with chocolate, tobacco, peppery, savory, gamey flavours. Needs meat.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bottle Tree Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaFun screwcap red from New South Wales with tobacco, black cherry, blueberry aromas mixed with savoury, saddle leather, gamey notes. Soft, round, easy style but dry with light tannins. Peppery, tobacco, black cherry, chocolate, meaty flavours. Solid, somewhat rustic style for the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cliff Lede Napa Valley Claret 2002
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig smoky, meaty, rootsy, black berry, black olive nose mixed with chocolate, saddle leather, cardamom and cassis with a pruny edge. Rich, ripe, round and warm with grainy tannins. Good vanilla, chocolate, peppery, black berry jam, cigar, meaty, cassis flavours with an orange compote and pudding finish. A bit warm but lots of fruit intensity and concentration. Needs 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $48.99 | 750ml |
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18 November 2005
88PTS
Heartland Stickleback Red 2004
South Australia, AustraliaJust as there are a number of reasons why you might want to drink Stickleback White they all apply to Stickle Back Red. There's the screwcap, the passion of winemaker Ben Glaetzer who is simply not interested in making ordinary, commercial plonk and finally the wine itself. The red has that fresh savoury edge without the saddle leather and acidity that plagues so much inexpensive Oz red. Black fruit flavours smooth mid-plate peppery finish. Drink this one by the case.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Heartland Stickleback White 2004
South Australia, AustraliaThere are a slew of reason why you might want to drink Stickleback White. It begins with its screwcap closure ― a must for any white wine in this price category. Add to that a passionate winemaker ― Ben Glaetzer who is simply not interested in making ordinary commercial plonk and finally the wine itself. Look for fresh citrus peach fruit aromas and flavours set off by a crisp clean finish with fine acidity. Both the sémillon and the chardonnay are left on their lees in tank to add depth and richness. A seriously made inexpensive white not to be missed.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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17 November 2005
88PTS
Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz Grenache 2003
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Glaetzer Wallace is a lively 70/30 shiraz/grenache blend. The Barossa grenache clone tends to be lighter-coloured and bodied, according to winemaker Ben Glaetzer and so works better when bolstered by a fatter shiraz. The '03 vintage was a challenge but the peppery, fruity earthy characters of the wine still shine through. Best of all you can drink it now while you wait for the '04 Barossa red to come around.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Bishop is made from young vines at least in the Barossa vernacular because young means 30 to 60 years old. I can only imagine the envy of re-planted post-phylloxera Napa with that statement. Again, like most Glaetzer wines, there is plenty of jump in the glass. Soft ripe plum /raisin flavours fruit just melts in your mouth. Love the balance in a wine in which the acid and the alcohol are both in check. Good value here and it will be fun to age this a decade or more.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $39.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $38.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Glaetzer Shiraz 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaWinemaker Ben Glaetzer says 2004 was a magic vintage and his Barossa shiraz confirms that. I love the cool savoury threads that punctuate this sleek, rich flavourful red that has all the hallmarks of low yield vines (less than two tons to the acre shiraz). It almost tastes food friendly. Look for sweet black fruit and mocha licorice notes throughout. Big rich dense and powerful, as you might expect form Barossa, but with structure and harmony. Impressive newcomer in these parts that really moves the mark up.Prices:| BC | $74.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $62.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $65.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $75.00 | 750ml |
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16 November 2005
93PTS
Glaetzer Godolphin 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaGodolphin is a 70/30 shiraz/cabernet blend made from vines that span 60 to 115 years that are all dry-farmed in Barossa's Ebenezer district. I don't remember tasting better version of this blend. It's rich round supple and sleek as it enters the palate and it's packed with spicy powerful blackcurrant fruit whose size and intensity reflects the low yields that winemaker Ben Glaetzer. There's a leafy mocha undercurrent in the finish of what Glaetzer claims is his junior wine although it's anything but. Fine value here.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $59.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
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15 November 2005
97PTS
Glaetzer Amon Ra Shiraz 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaAmon-Ra, the King of all Gods is Ben Glaetzer's moniker for his best shiraz. After a difficult '03 vintage, where a single day's rain wiped out most of the crop, the '04 Amon-Ra is all it can be and more. Glaetzer is all about the purity of the fruit and with overnight temperatures in the 18 to 25 degree range, he appears to have a handle on the acidity question as well. The 105 to 115 year-old vines are situated in the Northern Ebenezer region of Barossa. The oak is a 40/60 mix of American/French, and it's all new. Spicy nutmeg black fruit scented flavours melt across the palate. Dense rich and powerful this is a considerable jump in quality and quantity over the '03. Love the savoury undertones and the supple fine-grained tannins. Very hedonistic without going over the top. There are only 12,000 bottles for the world. Definitely, a bargain among top end Barossa shiraz.Prices:| BC | $84.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $72.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $76.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $100.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Viognier 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWet stone, ginger, citrus, light honey aromas. Fresh, soft, round, warm palate with honey, citrus, baked pear, ginger, orange flavours. A bit alcoholic but has good intensity and balance for current consumption. Impressive first release.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jackson-Triggs Viognier Proprietors' Reserve 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, ginger, creamy citrus, apple skin and mineral aromas. Soft, round, full and ripe with toasty, spicy, citrus, honey, apricot flavours and a bit of bitter ginger zing on the finish. Well balanced overall and should be a perfect fit with spicy Thai dishes.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tall Poppy Viognier 2001
Murray - Darling, AustraliaSpicy, mineral, dried ginger, creamy, burnt sugar aromas. Soft, round, slightly sweet entry and warm with brown sugar, honey, mineral, toasty lees flavours. A bit cloying and hot, could use more verve. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $15.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Monte Seis Reis Boa Memoria 2003
Alentejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalWhite pepper, black cherry, meaty, floral, smoky, garrigue aromas with a barnyard, leather note. Dry, round, fresh palate with light tannins. Peppery, black raspberry jam, chocolate, meaty, smoky garrigue flavours. A touch dry and rustic but lots of aromatics and intensity.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Semillon 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrassy, grapefruit rind, leesy, tangerine aromas. Ripe and round and fresh with a slighlty oily, sweet and sour entry. Grassy, jalapeno, grapefruit rind, tangerine, mineral flavours. Well made, forward style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $22.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Castaño Solanera Vinas Viejas 2002
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainVery peppery, savoury, chocolate, smoky tobacco, black cherry, gamey cassis aromas. Ripe, round, dry and slightly tannic and tight. Big peppery, spicy, chocolate, saddle leather, cigar, smoky vanilla, garrigue flavours with a warm, dry finish. The blend is 65/35 monastrell / cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Viu Manent Secreto Viognier 2004
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileButter, mineral, lees, honey, ginger, citrus aromas. Round, soft, dry entry with ginger, slate, honey, lemony flavours with a warm, citric finish. A bit warm with a sweet and sour character but this is solid viognier at a fair price. Well done.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Corte Giara Pinot Grigio 2004
Veneto, ItalyNutty almond, floral, creamy, baked pear aromas. Medium intensity and fresh but lighter body with pear, citrus, mineral, nutty flavours. Good acidity and balance for summer seafood. Fun wine.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
The Cork Grove Castelao Touriga Nacional 2003
Tejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalGamey, smoky, spicy, white pepper, saddle leather aromas with a resiny, dank note. Dry, round, supple palate with black cherry, tobacco, leafy, smoky, spicy, savoury herb flavours. Simple but solid every day red.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Reserve Riesling Icewine 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig floral nectarine, apricot nose with splashes of orange and plasticene. Super rich and ripe with a fat, viscous palate and baked orange, cooked peach, buttery, apple, honey flavours. Big hedonistic icewine with lots of flavour intensity. Drink while young and fruity.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Pinot Blanc Organic 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, ripe pear, leesy, apple skin aromas. Soft, round, ripe palate with slate, baked apple, lees, and citrus flavours. Full with green apple and honey on the finish. Ready to drink now. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cabernet Franc 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCranberry, spicy, smoky, chocolate, cigar aromas. Dry, round, supple style with smoky, resiny, peppery, cranberry, tobacco, ash and vanilla flavours. Very solid effort if a bit oaky.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Baco Noir 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTypical smoky, tobacco/leaf nose mixed with compost, tomato leaf, and rhubarb aromas. Soft, supple, round palate with gamey, tomato leaf, peppery, spicy, vanilla, tobacco flavours. A good example of baco noir.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.96 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sumac Ridge Pinot Blanc Private Reserve 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig toasty oak, vanilla, buttery, peach aromas. Soft, round, buttery vanilla, mineral, baked pear flavours with buttered popcorn and citrus notes in the finish. Lacks verve and has too much oak.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
La Fortuna Carmenère 2004
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileMinty, resiny, peppery, rubbery, dank leaf aromas. Round, dry, soft entry with peppery, resiny, leafy, herbaceous, rubbery, cassis flavours. Good textures but a bit too reduced and herbal.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gallo of Sonoma Semillon Winemaker's Signature 2002
Sonoma County, California, United StatesToasty, egg yolk, dried apricot, lees and cement aromas. Soft, fat, round style with low acidity. Caramel, dried apricot, egg yolk, buttery baked peach flavours. Okay but lacks acidity and freshness. Drink up.Prices:| US | $20.00 | 375ml |
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14 November 2005
95PTS
Katnook Estate Coonawarra Prodigy Shiraz 2002
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaFabulous spicy, rootsy, minty, licorice nose with coffee, anise, black cherry jam and floral notes with a gamey, vanilla, pepper streak underneath. Rich, ripe and supple with great concentration and very ripe tannins. Huge coffee, vanilla, sweet blackberry jam, plum compote, spicy, licorice, meaty, mulberry flavours. Massive flavour intensity but with finesse and balance and silky tannins. Long jammy cigar and chocolate finish. Not for the faint of heart but enjoy. It spends 30 months in new French and American oak and should keep another five to 15 years in bottle. Well done.Prices:| BC | $87.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $70.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $65.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $70.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Katnook Estate Coonawarra Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaOdyssey spends 36 to 40 months in French oak all of which leaves it with a spicy, clove, vanilla, coffee nose streaked with saddle leather and tarry, cassis, black berry savoury notes. Rich, ripe, round and slightly tannic with a touch of acidity showing. Fine balance with cassis, plum, vanilla, toffee, black olive, minty, gamey flavours. Nice finesse with some slightly green tannin notes on the finish. Needs 3-5 years to round out. Impressive mature red.Prices:| BC | $87.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $70.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $70.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $70.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $69.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $65.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $70.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $70.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $68.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Katnook Estate Coonawarra Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaGooseberry, grapefruit, mineral, lime, floral aromas. Elegant, round, fresh style with grapefruit, kiwi, jalapeno, mineral, chalky flavours with a slightly smoky, oyster shell note on the finish. Good finesse and balance.Prices:| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Katnook Estate Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, coffee, gamey, olive, green bean Coonawarra nose with flecks of cassis jam, black cherry and vanilla. Ripe, round, good concentration with fine grained, elegant tannins. Savoury, black olive, black cherry, cassis, smoky tobacco, meaty flavours. Fine fruit and balance, best yet from Katnook. Needs 5-7 years.Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $34.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $36.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria 2004
Sicily, ItalyZibbibo, also known as Muscat of Alexander, is used to make the dessert wine Moscato di Pantelleria. Look for a rich honey, floral, dried peach nose with raisin, melon and spicy quince aromas. Very fresh. Ripe, fat, rich but elegant. Lots of dried apricot, guava, spicy, nectarine, baked pear flavours. Good intensity but fresh in a sweeter style (19.2% residual sugar). Lovely wine.Prices:| BC | $38.99 | 375ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 375ml |
| ON | $38.95 | 375ml |
| QC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Donnafugata Mille e una Notte 2002
Sicily, ItalyRipe black cherry jam, smoky, spicy, licorice root, almond, chocolate plum and jasmine aromas. Fat, rich, intense and balanced with ripe grainy tannins. Penetrating bitter chocolate, tobacco, cherry jam, cassis, peppery, vanilla, licorice flavours. Long finish with lots of extract, needs 2-5 years. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $74.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $67.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Donnafugata Tancredi 2002
Sicily, ItalyPeppery, chocolate, cassis jam nose streaked with licorice, black cherry and smoky tobacco vanilla aromas. Rich, ripe, round palate (supported by the cabernet sauvignon) with supple tannins and good acidity. Plenty of cassis, chocolate, peppery, licorice, olive and tobacco flavours with a black cherry and clove finish. Plenty of intensity and length here. Needs another 2-3 years in bottle. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $38.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Donnafugata Angheli Merlot e Nero d'Avola 2003
Sicily, ItalyBig peppery, spicy, black cherry nose with blackberry, olive, dill and orange notes flecked with chocolate. Ripe, round, rich and slightly tannic with more peppery, spicy, dill, tobacco and earthy cherry flavours. Round, dry, tannic finish with merlot dominating now. Will need more time settle down.Prices:| BC | $33.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Donnafugata Sedara 2003
Sicily, ItalySpicy, tobacco, peppery, rootsy, black cherry and cassis nose. Dry, round, supple, slightly tight palate with smoky, peppery, black cherry, red currant and rootsy flavours. Fresh, easy style. Fun to drink.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Donnafugata Vigna di Gabri 2004
Sicily, ItalyInzolia is also known as ansonica. Spicy, lime rind, anise, pear, green apple and melon aromas with a floral note. Ripe, round, fresh and slightly oily with buttery, melon, lime, peach and quince flavours with a chalky note. Crisp, round finish, nicely done.Prices:| BC | $28.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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96PTS
Artadi Viña El Pison Rioja 1996
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainA single, 208-hectare vineyard that appears under the Viña El Pisón label only in exceptional years. Resin, garrigue, saddle leather, gamey, meaty, white pepper notes with cigar and black cherry flecks. Fat, rich, and dry on entry showing some heat, but well balanced too. Big smoky, resin, peppery, cigar, licorice root, black cherry, compote, orange, bitter chocolate flavours. Long, rich, intense and still very young. Needs 3-7 years. Very fine.Prices:| BC | $350.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $265.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Artadi Grandes Añadas Rioja 2001
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainA perfect vintage. Fabulous nose of waxy, floral, black cherry jam, vanilla and black olive scents with smoky, garrigue undercurrents. Dry, rich, moderately tannic palate with good acidity but tight. Lovely weighty spicy, peppery, black cherry flavours with streaks of mocha, chocolate, garrigue, tobacco and creamy, licorice finish. Far too tight and young now but it will improve with time in the bottle. Impressive Rioja with great fruit. It was very good US $125.00 wine before Robert Parker mused that the 2000 may be the single greatest wine made in the appellation.Prices:| BC | $330.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $225.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Turning Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
California, United StatesSaddle leather, peppery, earthy, prune and cassis nose. Dry, round, soft entry with spicy clove, oak sawdust, cedar bark, sweet cherry pudding flavours and a very warm, cherry cola finish.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Donnafugata Anthìlia 2004
Sicily, ItalyA 50/50 blend of ansonica and catarratto yields a surprisingly fresh white wine with a green apple, pear, and floral, chalky, citrus nose. It is elegant and fresh with green melon, apple, and spicy, buttery, lime flavours. Good fruit and acidity with some concentration and a clean dry modern finish. Bravo and good value.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $11.49 | 375ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Artadi Pagos Viejos Rioja 1998
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainSpicy, black peppery, cherry licorice, leather, clove, garrigue and chocolate aromas with some cigar, resin and barnyard notes. Rich, ripe, moderately grainy, tannic entry. Big chocolate, prune, peppery, gamey, garrigue, licorice flavours with a tobacco, orange peel finish. Surprisingly youthful and tannic even at this point and will probably need another three to five years of bottle age.Prices:| BC | $165.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $120.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Artadi Pagos Viejos Rioja 2003
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainBig spicy, sage, garrigue, mint, vanilla, floral, black cherry jam aromas with some smoky tobacco and coriander underneath. Highly expressive Rioja with grainy but elegant tannins. More vanilla, clove, cinnamon, pepper and raspberry jam flavours with hints of tobacco, chocolate, orange compote finish. Fine balance, fresh, fruity and young. Will improve for 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $58.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Artadi Viñas de Gain Rioja 2003
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainFresh black raspberry fruit nose with waxy, resiny, spicy, licorice and smoky vanilla notes flecked with cinnamon and white pepper. Ripe, round and supple on entry with grainy, tannins. Look for massive black cherry, black raspberry, orange, pepper, tobacco flavours and a creamy, cola finish. Young and attractive and it should improve over the next one to four years.Prices:| BC | $38.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Santa Cruz de Artazu Garnacha 2003
Navarra and Basque Country, SpainLovely spicy, cedar, vanilla nose laced with mocha, chocolate, black raspberry jam and beeswax aromas and flavours. Dry, fresh and a bit tight on the palate with light tannins. Quite youthful, and it will improve over the next two to four years. Made from 80 to 125-year-old vines.Prices:| BC | $51.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Artazuri Garnacha 2004
Navarra and Basque Country, SpainNavarra north and east of Rioja is home to the Artadi Artazuri Garnacha 2004. This all garnacha (grenache) red jumps out of the glass with floral, gamey, raspberry chocolate aromas. It's dry, round and supple in the mouth and bursting with raspberry, plum jam, spicy, mineral, peppery flavours. Serving Artadi is a must if you consider yourself near the edge of wine. It's good value too.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
El Sequé Monastrell 2003
Alicante, Valencia and Murcia, SpainEl Sequé is made from 40-year and older monastrell vines. Look for spicy, tobacco, meaty, black olive notes with strawberry jam, vanilla and leafy black cherry aromas. Dry, slightly tannic palate but we love its fresh demeanour. Tobacco, meaty, peppery, bitter chocolate, olive and licorice root flavours. It's a bit lean on the finish but there is good fruit and elegance. Needs 2-3 years or served with roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Laderas de El Sequé Alicante 2004
Alicante, Valencia and Murcia, SpainA blend of young vines with clean spicy, peppery, strawberry notes mixed with black cherry, meaty clove tones. The palate is fresh and round with green olive, cassis, meaty, black cherry, strawberry and clove flavours. Love the fruit and the balance.Prices:| BC | $17.75 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
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13 November 2005
91PTS
Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 1997
Florence, Tuscany, ItalyCigar, gamey, peppery, mineral, floral, cherry jam aromas with some savoury prune notes. Dry, round, elegant and warm. Cigar, licorice root, black cherry, orange compote, resiny, smoky flavours. A touch tight with a warm, dry finish. Needs a few years yet but has fine balance.Prices:| BC | $54.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Nieto Senetiner Las Marius Malbec 2004
Mendoza, ArgentinaFresh simple red that delivers for the price. Look for an earthy peppery dried plum flaovurs with a dash acid. Rustic straight-up mid-week red that coul dbe ocnsidered good value at leass than $10.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 2001
Florence, Tuscany, ItalyFine spicy, floral, gamey, saddle leather, plum nose flecked with cherry cigar, sage and chocolate notes. Dry, with fine concentration and supple tannins. Lots of bitter chocolate, pepper, licorice root, cherry, orange peel and cassis flavours with a meaty, savoury, mineral finish. Good intensity and finesse with fine balance. Needs 2-4 years but drinkable now. An outstanding vintage, better than 1999 or 1997.Prices:| BC | $54.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $43.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 2000
Tuscany, ItalyMocha, cassis, black cherry, smoky cigar, licorice, gamey, savoury nose with a touch of cardamom and pudding. Ripe, round, good acid balance and supple. Lots of cherry, orange compote, chocolate, licorice, peppery, savoury meat flavours. A bit warm but has good finesse, drink now and over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Clos des Myglands 1er Cru 2002
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceAlways fresh and spicy Clos des Myglands is a Faiveley monopole with a spicy, raspberry, floral strawberry nose with streaks of tobacco. Fresh, round, elegant and dry with rootsy, raspberry, spicy, licorice and carrot flavours. Nice finesse and elegance drink over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $47.95 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Domaine Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Bezes Unfiltered 2002
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceRipe cherry, spicy, waxy, licorice, orange peel, floral nose with a rootsy, forest floor and pepper streak. The entry is ripe and slightly tannic but supple and concentrated. Very spicy, black cherry, orange, rootsy, smoky vanilla flavours with a peppery, cherry compote finish. Fresh with good acidity, finesse and intensity. Put this away for at least 10 years. Excellent pinot and a fine effort.Prices:| BC | $229.95 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Domaine Faiveley Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2002
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePerhaps the best Corton Charlemagne ever from Faiveley. Butterscotch, spicy lees, waxy, citrus, vanilla and floral aromas soar form the glass with flecks of quince and anise. Dry, round and elegant on entry but with fine concentration and finesse. Loads of spicy, clove butter, mineral, vanilla flavours mixed with baked pear, citrus and lees flavours. Long, dry and full with plenty of acidity to age. Very fine.Prices:| BC | $259.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Faiveley Latricières Chambertin Grand Cru Unfiltered 2002
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCinnamon, spice, black cherry and strawberry jam make for an inviting nose with orange peel, five spice, and licorice and vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, dry and slightly tannic it offers waxy, peppery, cherry jam, rootsy, vanilla, smoky flavours. Very good concentration and elegance all with fine fruit throughout. Should improve in the bottle even more over the next 7-10 years.Prices:| BC | $163.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley Grand Cru (Monopole) 2002
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceIntense smoky, meaty, carrot top nose with black cherry, peppery, beeswax aromas and some tobacco compost notes. Dry, slightly fat style with fine, slightly chunky tannins. On the palate there's more spice compost, black raspberry, citrus peel and gamey, smoky tobacco flavours. Long meaty, rootsy finish. Needs a decade to reach its peak. Terrific bottle.Prices:| BC | $149.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407 2002
South Australia, AustraliaBlackberry, licorice root, peppery, minty, mocha, black olive aromas with a spicy, cardamom note. Soft, round, supple palate. Lots of cassis, blueberry, mocha, peppery, spicy vanilla flavours with a touch of coconut and tobacco leaf. Warm, dry, slightly acid finish but well balanced. Should improve over the next year or two.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $31.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $32.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $34.25 | 750ml |
| NB | $39.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $37.91 | 750ml |
| NF | $33.98 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Inés Escobar Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileHerbal, peppery, cassis, cedar, minty olive aromas. Soft, round, dry palate with light tannins. Peppery, cassis, spicy, minty, sappy flavours with a dry, warm, tobacco finish.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Alta Cima Cabernet Sauvignon AC 6,330 2002
Valle del Lontue, Valle del Maule, ChilePeppery, meaty, spicy, floral, cassis aromas with a touch of saddle leather, tobacco and blackberry. Soft, round, supple style but dry and elegant. Black olive, cassis, orange peel, resin, and cedar bark flavours. A bit cool and lean on the finish but with some finesse. Drink now through 2009.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Los Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Selection 1999
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig peppery, meaty nose streaked with coffee tobacco, saddle leather, orange peel and cassis aromas. Ripe, round, smooth and velvety on the palate with smoky, spicy, cassis, peppery, minty flavours. Warm with some tannins to shed on the finish, will improve over the next few years. Solid cabernet.Prices:| BC | $49.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Los Robles Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileVery spicy, peppery, cedar, cassis, minty nose with a touch of violet and green tobacco. Dry, round, slightly tannic palate. Fresh cassis, peppery, cardamom, minty cedar flavours with a bit of tobacco on the finish. On the cool side of the cabernet spectrum but solid. Serve with grilled meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Gran Bosque Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve 2002
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileChocolate, peppery, meaty, cassis, saddle leather nose with licorice, tobacco and blackberry notes. Rich, round, dry entry but somewhat tannic with cedar bark, cassis jam, spicy vanilla, and tobacco, smoky mushroom flavours. Rich dry, cooler style to drink over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $62.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vina Casas del Bosque Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileCedar, mint, sappy cassis, cherry, smoky meat and black olive aromas. Soft, round, supple entry with light tannins. Cool tobacco, peppery, cassis, earthy licorice flavours. Solid styling but this is cool fruit cabernet with all its mint and cassis characters.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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07 November 2005
91PTS
Fonseca Quinta do Panascal 1991
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalChocolate, black cherry licorice, earthy, peppery, spicy aromas. Rich, ripe, hot and somewhat tannic with good concentration and sweetness. Similar flavours with chocolate, black berry jam, resin, licorice, tobacco and black pepper. Good intensity but a bit rustic, needs another 5 years plus in bottle to reach its peak.Prices:| BC | $69.90 | 750ml |
| QC | $76.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $65.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port 2001
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalVery peppery, spicy, licorice, black cherry, garrigue, chocolate and Christmas cake nose. Ripe, round, elegant style with good concentration, tannins and acidity balance. A bit fiery with big chocolate, licorice, peppery, spicy, black tea flavours. Fine effort, needs 5-10 years to fully mature.Prices:| BC | $79.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Fonseca Guimaraens 1987 1987
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalIn years when Fonseca does not 'declare' a classic vintage, it selects a small quantity of its best grapes from its own vineyards and produces a vintage wine exactly as a declared Fonseca Vintage. Guimaraens Vintage Port as is the case with this 1987 is slightly lighter and earlier-maturing than its full-blown vintage declared cousin. Look for a peppery, spicy, tea leaf nose streaked with smoky, blackberry mash, licorice root and a touch of fiery alcohol. Rich, round, elegant and somewhat sweet but with balance and dry, light tannins. More pepper and stewed black tea flavours with licorice root and earthy, plum jam flavours. Quite intense and warm on the palate, nearly ready but can certainly age a few more years.Prices:| BC | $63.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage Port 1999
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig spicy, black cherry jam, licorice, blackberry, cardamom, black pepper, cherry tea aromas. Rich, round, soft, smooth palate with some tannins. Lots of peppery, spicy, creamy, black cherry jam, black licorice, tea flavours. Warm, round, finish. Fine quality and fruit here and good value.Prices:| BC | $16.30 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Fonseca Ruby Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalLovely upbeat fruit ,spice, licorice, savory cherry aromas with good initial balance. Very plummy, black cherry, peppery flavours. Stylish, soft easy sipping fireside warmer.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fonseca Tawny Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalPale red brown color. Very nutty/walnut, spicy, tea, cooked cherry and tobacco aromas. Round, elegant, slightly sweet styel wtih tea, rancio, nutty, licorice root flavours and a soft, warm, plum finish. Easy style for any time.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fonseca Bin No 27 Reserve Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBin 27 was first launched in 1972. This is really a reserve-style super premium ruby. Very peppery, spicy, licorice, black plum, cherry aromas with some black tea. It's fresh in the mouth with a fine sense of elegance. Soft, round style with black cherry jam, licorice root and smoky flavours with a slightly fiery, spiced tea finish. Polished finish that melts in your mouth. Try with light desserts, nuts, and light cheeses.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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06 November 2005
91PTS
Felton Road Pinot Noir 2004
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandBig dark dense looking pinot. The fruit is juicy, the flavours ripe and sweet with strong black fruit and spicy, peppery undertones. Clean and opulent there is no barnyard, no Brettanomyces, no jammy flavours. Just pure spicy, carrot-top fruit. Big young and brash for a pinot but the future is bright.Prices:| BC | $66.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $57.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Felton Road Chardonnay 2004
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandEnticing creamy lees nose streaked with lemon. Very sleek and tight on the palate with plenty of texture from the handpicked grapes, high solid, wild yeast ferment. Only 10 15 per cent sees new wood. . Firm tight clean nutty flavours with more citrus and mineral in the back end. Impressive young wine that should improve further in the bottle. Drink 2008 - 2010.Prices:| BC | $52.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $46.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $43.95 | 750ml |
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96PTS
Jim Barry La Florita Riesling 2004
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSometimes a wine just knocks you off your feet and that is what happened when I tasted the 04 'The Florita.' The vineyard is in Watervale, Clare Valley and was made famous, at least to those in the know in Oz, by the folks at Leo Buring. Peter Barry tells me they checked the rights to the vineyard name for years and somewhere in the Southcorp / Rosemount / Foster's transition, someone forgot to renew the moniker and the historic La Florita name has re-surfaced under the Jim Barry line-up. A stunningly clean, fresh, mineral nose with citrus throughout. Balanced, long and simply perfect this is exceptional, bone dry riesling. The screw cap assures this wine will live for half a century or more. Fabulous.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Jim Barry The Cover Drive Coonwarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaJim Barry purchased the old Penola cricket grounds in 1996 and planted a 30-acre cabernet sauvignon that provides the majority of fruit for The Cover Drive. It's cool-climate cabernet as evidence by the minty herbal cedar/cigar box notes on the nose. On the palate, it is smooth and fragrant with floral eucalyptus scented fruit and a spicy briary finish. A touch of Clare fruit flushes out the back palate. Fine quality for the price and should improve over the next three years.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.95 | 750ml |
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05 November 2005
89PTS
Jackson-Triggs Merlot Sun Rock Vineyard 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig lifted, mocha, vanilla coffee, spicy, savoury, sage, oregano aromas with some black cherry. Soft, round, ripe, fat, warm style with some tannins. Lots of vanilla, smoky coffee, peppery, black cherry, plum flavours with a savoury pudding finish. Warm, youthful tannin finish. Needs 2-4 years to soften.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Leaping Horse Vineyards Merlot 2002
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesOdd plastic tub aromas with spicy, cool cassis, candied cherry, olive notes. Soft, round, sweet palate with candied plum, resiny, cedar, spicy, tobacco flavours. A sweet finish in what is a commercial 'yellow tail'-style.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sumac Ridge Merlot Black Sage Vineyard 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLots of spicy, peppery, savoury, vanilla, coffee, black cherry jam nose with some tobacco and chocolate. Rich, round, fat, supple entry with ripe tannins. Big smoky, espresso, vanilla, peppery, olive, black cherry, minty, plum flavours. A bit alcoholic but has lots of fruit intensity. Needs 2-4 years. Generous well made northwest merlot.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
CedarCreek Merlot Platinum Reserve 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, spicy, prune plum, vanilla, black cherry, oregano, floral, black olive aromas ― Northwest merlot. Rich, round, supple style with light tannins. Nice minty, black cherry, chocolate pudding, vanilla, orange compote with more mineral, resiny, peppery undercurrents. A bit dry on the finish but good finesse and intensity. One of the best we have tasted from B.C.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Terra Noble Vineyards Merlot Reserva 2002
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileLots of minty, sappy, cassis, spicy, tobacco leaf aromas with some cherry and vanilla. Round, dry, supple entry with spicy, minty, vanilla, black cherry, rootsy, tobacco flavours. A bit chunky and cool but good intensity. Carmenère here? Solid effort.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Viu Manent Merlot 2004
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileVery leafy, herbal (carmenere?), green olive, cedar, resiny aromas. Dry, round, supple palate with light tannins. Cedar-y, cassis, smoky resin, olive, savoury tobacco flavours. Warm, slightly acidic finish.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Viu Manent Merlot Reserve Oaked Aged 2003
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileCorked, try anotherPrices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Soaring Eagle Merlot Limited Edition 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, cherry, spicy, savoury, vanilla, coffee aromas. Dry, warm, fresh acidity with some tight tannins. Peppery, spicy, floral, perfume, candied cherry, vanilla, rootsy flavours. Warm, tannic finish, very unusual fruit.Prices:| BC | $19.40 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Nga Waka Chardonnay 2001
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandToasted, garlic lees, mineral, flora, green apple, nectarine, honey, nutty vanilla nose, very Burgundian but fresh. Ripe, round, fresh and dry with honey, green apple, spicy, nutty lees, vanilla, baked peach, citrus flavours with a perfume-y note. Very succulent, crisp but round finish. Nicely donePrices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Bouchard Aîné & Fils Merlot 2004
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSavoury, spicy, tobacco leaf, cherry, resiny aromas. Dry, soft, round, fresh palate with light cedar-y tannins. Cherry, plum, spicy, tobacco leaf, and olive flavours. Solid.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Serame Merlot 2004
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSmoky, spicy, black cherry, saddle leather, olive and cassis nose. Dry, soft, round palate with cedar bark, cherry, earthy, spicy, licorice flavours. Simple, elegant style with a slight herbal note.Prices:| BC | $12.40 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Errazuriz Merlot Curico 2004
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, cassis, sappy, cherry, minty, savoury, vanilla aromas. Soft, round, supple entry with bright cherry, plum, sappy, spicy, olive, peppery mint flavours. A bit tannic on the finish but good ripeness and concentration. Solid value for merlot.Prices:| BC | $15.20 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.41 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.65 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Round Hill Merlot 2002
California, United StatesResiny, earthy, tobacco leaf, black olive, black cherry aromas. Dry, round, slightly tannic entry with smoky vanilla, cherry flavours flecked with earth, tobacco and black olive flavours. Simple California merlot.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.95 | 750ml |
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79PTS
Lineage Merlot 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig rubbery, mercaptan, dank herbal aromas. Dry, acidic, lean, tannic entry with similar flavours. No joy here.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fat Bastard Merlot 2003
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBig black cherry jam, juniper, spicy, barnyard aromas. Round, dry, slightly chunky entry with some tannins. Peppery, spicy, resiny, vanilla, tobacco leaf, black cherry and orange rind flavours. It's dryer style that requires a rustic meat dish to disperse the tannins.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2004
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileMinty, spicy, tobacco leaf, cedar bark, cherry, cassis aromas. Rich, ripe, round, slightly tannic entry with dry cedar bark, smoky, herbal, olive, cassis, cherry resin flavours. Easy-drinking style made for food.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.90 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.49 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.64 | 750ml |
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79PTS
Granite Creek Merlot Fortified Dessert 2003
British Columbia, CanadaBig volatile, saddle leather, resiny, shoe polish nose and hot. Sweet, alcoholic, volatile palate with chocolate, bitter cooked prune, leather flavours and tannic. Disappointing effort bordering on the defective.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Merlot Five Vineyards 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWe like the development of this truly B.C. merlot over the past few years with its smoky, resiny vanilla, black olive nose streaked with cherry, spice and saddle leather aromas. Soft, round, slightly tannic entry with cedar, chocolate, prune plum, vanilla, spicy flavours. A bit dry and tannic on the finish but there's enough fruit and it remains youthful. Solid effort and affordably priced.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.75 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.29 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Trefethen Merlot 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesChocolate, black plum, spicy, savoury, licorice, vanilla, tobacco aromas. Ripe, rich, round, supple style with light tannins. Intense coffee, chocolate, peppery, spicy, black cherry jam, orange rind, savoury pudding flavours. A bit warm on the finish but good ripeness and length.Prices:| US | $30.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Trefethen Harmony Chardonnay 2002
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California, United StatesMade with small cluster Dijon clone chardonnay Harmony has an appealing spicy, creamy lees and vanilla nose streaked with mineral, apple skin, honey, floral and tropical fruit tones. Rich, ripe, round, creamy palate with very spicy, nutty lees, creamy vanilla, butterscotch, baked apple, and mango flavours. Very suave, toasty nutty finish. Attractive consumer style.Prices:| US | $36.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Trefethen Chardonnay 2003
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California, United StatesRipe mango, citrus, melon, honey, vanilla, lees aromas result from nine months of barrel ferment in French oak. Warm, fat, round, ripe style with citrus, mango, vanilla, honey, leesy, baked peach flavours. A touch heavy and warm but has lots of ripe fruit intensity with just enough acidity to balance the finish.Prices:| US | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Golden Mile Merlot Luckhurst Family Vineyards 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig smoky vanilla, spicy, sage, oregano nose with saddle leather, black cherry streaks. Fat, round and dry, with a fair amount of alcohol, followed by big sweet vanilla fruit laced with mocha, pepper, black cherry, olive and sage flavours. There are plenty of youthful tannins but it should smooth put over time. Well done.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sebastiani Merlot 2003
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesVery spicy, savoury, espresso, black cherry, black olive, plum pudding aromas but warm and lifted. Fat, ripe, round, soft entry with coffee, licorice, smoky vanilla, resiny, peppery, black cherry jam flavours. Warm, smoky oak, cherry cola finish. Fine red with lots of intensity.Prices:| US | $17.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Los Robles Reserva Privada Merlot 2002
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileCorked, try another.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Turning Leaf Merlot 2003
California, United StatesAnother solid effort offering technically soft and round merlot. Spicy black cherry fruit marks the palate, as does some high alcohol that gives the wine along warm spicy finish with hints of cedar bark. Good value.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Merlot 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen lifted, vanilla, smoky, espresso nose with tobacco leaf and minty olive aromas. Dry, round, slightly tannic entry with smoky vanilla, black cherry, peppery, black olive, cedar bark and mocha flavours. A bit dry and warm with chunky tannins at the end.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sumac Ridge Merlot Private Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen peppery, pruny, spicy, cherry aromas with leafy, rubbery notes in the background. Soft, round, supple entry with tobacco, smoky vanilla, cherry jam, resiny, plum, chocolate rootsy flavours. Solid effort for drinking this fall and winter. Be sure to decant for 15 minutes.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vina Casas del Bosque Merlot 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileVery spicy, sappy cassis, minty, barnyard, tobacco, cedar bark aromas. Soft, round, dry with fresh acidity. Tobacco compost, spicy, sour cherry, minty, prune flavours. Dry, tight, fresh finish, needs time and meat.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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01 November 2005
85PTS
Barone Ricasoli Toscana 2003
Tuscany, ItalyBlack cherry, floral, peppery, spicy, meaty, licorice aromas. Dry, round, supple style on the lighter side with a touch of tannin. Peppery, earthy, spicy, cherry, and tart plum flavours. Has good acidity and fruit to match with simple food.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2003
Tuscany, ItalyFine spicy, savoury, plum, black cherry, gamey nose with some floral, barnyard notes. Dry, ripe, round and slightly tannic on the palate but well balanced. Ripe black cherry, earthy, tobacco, compote, spicy pepper flavours with a cream cola finish. Very sangiovese with some acidity and light tannins but very good ripe fruit intensity. Will improve over the next 1-2 years.Prices:| BC | $27.90 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.90 | 375ml |
| QC | $23.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.80 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Feudo Maccari Saia 2003
Sicily, ItalyRich meaty, spicy, floral nose with red licorice, chocolate, white pepper and savoury black cherry jam note. Dry, round, supple, grainy tannins. Warm entry with peppery, bitter chocolate, black cherry, mocha, spicy sausage and plum flavours. A bit lean and young at this point but it should fatten up over time. Fine complex bouquet.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Feudo Maccari ReNoto 2004
Sicily, ItalySpicy, white pepper, meaty, cardamom, garrigue nose with some cherry jam and strawberry. Soft, round, supple and dry with fresh cherry, plum, licorice, resiny, almond flavours and just a hint of chocolate. A bit tannic on the finish but with fine fruit and acidity balance. SolidPrices:| BC | $27.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Viñedo Chadwick 2002
Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileTypical minty chocolate, olive, pepper, cassis jam nose with streaks of barnyard, leather, cedar and tobacco. Rich, ripe, round and dry with elegant, grainy tannins. Cassis, mocha, leather, tobacco, cedar, black pepper, spicy vanilla flavours with a mineral, chocolate finish. Young and somewhat tight it will require 3-5 years for this somewhat chewy, Bordelais style. A very fine effort.Prices:| BC | $79.90 | 750ml |
| QC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Errazuriz Shiraz La Cumbre 2003
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileA selection of the best lots from several of owner Eduardo Chadwick's syrah vineyards. Black cherry jam, spicy, sausage, peppery, cassis, floral, sappy nose with a smoky, cocoa, tobacco streak. Hot, fresh, soft, supple palate. Big blueberry, black cherry, orange, herb al, smoky garrigue and vanilla flavours. Elegant if alcoholic with a long, spicy, smoky, vanilla finish. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $54.90 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Seña 2001
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSpicy, green olive, minty, cassis, pepper, barnyard, saddle leather, blackberry aromas with smoky, iodine, vanilla streak. Dry, round, rich and supple with some gritty tannins. Fine intensity of flavour with spicy, orange peel, cassis jam, blackberry, vanilla, leather and tobacco flavours. Long finish with good finesse but a touch hot and has the cool herbal notes. Needs 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $74.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $72.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $75.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $79.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Errazuriz The Blend 2003
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Blend is a mix of 65 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 20 per cent shiraz, 10 per cent sangiovese and 5 per cent carmenere. Look for cassis, mint, garrigue, black olive, chocolate, tobacco nose with pepper, tobacco and orange rind. Fine complexity. Rich, ripe, round and quite warm. Lots of spicy, sausage meat, roasted pepper, tobacco, vanilla, cocoa flavours with a cassis, black cherry finish. Very smooth and supple, good effort and very good value.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2003
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileTypical leafy, cassis, minty, saddle leather, peppery, tobacco nose with some dill, olive and orange peel notes. Ripe, round, soft, supple palate with good concentration. Very spicy, peppery, cassis, blackberry, minty, tobacco flavours with an olive, vanilla finish. Elegant, warm, dry finish in a slightly cooler style. Drink now and over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $71.90 | 750ml |
| QC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Errazuriz Chardonnay Wild Ferment 2002
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileMineral, floral, peach pit, citrus aromas with light lees and baked apple notes. Dry, round, elegant restrained style with earthy, mineral, butterscotch, green apple skin and citrus rind flavours. A cooler, leaner style that is well-made and definitely on track to be a leading edge new millennium chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $21.40 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.15 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune du Chateau 2003
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceWhite floral nose with peach, mineral, ripe apple, honey lees aromas. Soft, ripe, round style with buttery, baked apple, mineral, light citrus and vanilla flavours. Dry, warm, slightly succulent finish, ready now.Prices:| BC | $52.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
William Fèvre Valmur Chablis Grand Cru 2003
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSlightly leesy, garlic, toasty nose followed by citrus, chalky mineral, pear, floral, nutty, baked quince aromas. Dry, round, fresh and succulent with good acidity. Elegant and slightly oily texture with good mineral, lime, green apple, toasty lees, buttery lemon flavours. Good length and finesse, drink now or hold up to 5 years. Quality Chablis.Prices:| BC | $92.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
William Fèvre Mont de Milieu 1er Cru Chablis 2003
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, honey, ripe peach nose with citrus, light garlic lees aromas vanilla and cement tones. Soft, ripe, round, slightly fat entry with mineral, apple skin, citrus, buttery slate flavours. A touch warm and dry on the finish but has good finesse. Drink over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
William Fèvre Fourchaume 1er Cru Chablis Vignoble de Vaulorent 2003
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceMineral, lime rind, floral, green apple, buttery, baked pear aromas with a touch of quince. Ripe, round, succulent palate with moderate acidity. Light buttery, mineral, chalky, lime, green apple and pear flavours. A touch linear and warm but with fine brightness and finesse. Drink over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $48.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Santenay 2003
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceRipe black raspberry, licorice, smoky, orange peel, plum, floral aromas. Dry, slightly tannic and warm. Orange spice, compote, licorioce, celery salt, rootsy vanilla flavours. A bit chunky and tight but has good fruit intenstiy. Needs 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune du Chateau Rouge 2003
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceGamey, black raspberry, barnyard, vanilla, rootsy, cedar aromas. Dry, round elegant style with light tannins. Spicy, carrot top, orange, cherry compote, mineral flavours with a vanilla, licorice root finish. A bit dry and tannic but solid.Prices:| BC | $52.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Charmes 1er Cru 2003
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceGreen apple, citrus peel, tropical, honey, vanilla aromas. Round, elegant, soft and smooth with buttery, mineral, red apple skin, slate and baked pear flavours with a bit of vanilla spice. Good concentration and ripe but ready now or over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $96.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot 2003
Volnay, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceToasty, smoky oak, vanilla, waxy, black cherry, barnyard and raspberry compote aromas. Ripe, rich, round and elegant with supple tannins. Good smoky vanilla, spicy, orange compote, black cherry flavours. Good length but warm and chewy. Try in 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $87.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2003
Puligny Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceRipe apple, creamy vanilla, lees, orange, lime rind, honey aromas with a floral, mango notes. Rich, ripe, round and warm but fine balance with moderate acidity. Buttery, vanilla, citrus, baked pear, read apple, honey flavours with an elegant, creamy lees finish. Impressive long, rich, fat style with finish but early maturing.Prices:| BC | $285.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus 1er Cru 2003
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSmoky, tobacco, coffee, black cherry, rootsy, barnyard aromas with a waxy, vanilla, floral note. Rich, ripe, dry and round with some tannins. Warm, fat entry with black cherry, orange peel, sweet vanilla, licorice, celery root and compote flavours. Good balance with lots of stuffing if somewhat warm. Needs 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sumac Ridge Meritage Black Sage Vineyard 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEspresso, vanilla, resiny pudding, black cherry, green bean, black olive and caraway aromas. Dry, round, warm palate with some dry, grainy tannins. Cedar, pepper, espresso, bitter chocolate, spicy, green bean and olive flavours. Fairly elegant but has very dry tannins. Needs 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Ping 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCedar bark, cranberry, smoky vanilla, chocolate, resiny, peppery aromas. Very dry, tight palate with lean tannins. Very peppery, smoky, resiny, vanilla, spicy, tomato leaf, cherry flavours. Finish is a bit tart and very dry and oaky. Needs time and beef. Not nearly as promising as the previous edition.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Merlot 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, cardamon, cherry, saddle leather, spicy aromas. Dry, eleant style but quite tight with some cedary tannins. Smoky, resiny, black cherry, herbal, coffee flavours with some vanilla. Slightly tart and lean on the finish. Needs a few years to round out.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Angove's Red Belly Black Shiraz 2003
South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, spicy, licorice, black cherry nose with vanilla, clove, gamey/ blueberry notes. Dry, round, smooth and warm with a bit of acidity showing. Gamey, black cherry, licorice, tobacco and cranberry flavours. Elegant, ready-to-drink with the usual heat and acidity.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Angove's Vineyard Select Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Clare, Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaGood cassis, mint, chocolate, spicy, mint, black pepper and olive aromas. Elegant, round, supple palate with similar flavours. Good balance and suppleness for current drinking and reflects Coonawarra.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Angove's Nine Vines Rosé 2005
South Australia, AustraliaFun floral, earthy, raspberry/strawberry aromas with a spicy, mineral note. Round, fresh, soft and relatively dry with citrus, earthy, strawberry, cherry flavours with a touch of red currant on the finish. Good acidity balance and freshness. This is fun.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Angove's Vineyard Select Clare Riesling 2004
Clare, Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaFloral, mineral, peach pit, lime, green apple skin and slate aromas. Elegant, fresh palate with slate, lime, quince, green apple skin flavours. Well balanced, ready to drink style for consumers.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
CedarCreek Chardonnay Platinum Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCreamy lees, vanilla, green apple, floral, light citrus aromas with a touch of mango. Dry, fresh, round and elegant with green apple skin, mineral, spicy lees, vanilla, citrus rind flavours. Nice elegance and freshness, should improve over the next 1-3 years.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Granite Creek Meritage 2003
British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, saddle leather, barnyard, sweaty resin aromas. Light, thin, tart palate with sour cherry, earthy, tobacco flavours. Not enough fruit or weight to counterbalance the acidity.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBig spicy, sappy cassis, chocolate, leather, tobacco nose. Rich, round, fairly dense palate with chocolate, cassis, vanilla, smoky tobacco, peppery, black cherry flavours with some orange licorice on the finish. Lots of intensity if a bit warm. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $20.20 | 750ml |
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December 2005