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Tastings: March 2006
31 March 2006
89PTS
Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2000
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyLicorice, meaty, spicy, vanilla, black cherry, leather, black olive and cigar ash nose. Ripe, round, dry and elegant with light, dry tannins. Very peppery, smoky, meaty, black cherry, licorice root, cedar and orange peel flavours. More modern style brunello with some finesse. Will improve over the next 1-3 years.Prices:| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Feudi di San Gregorio Primitivo di Manduria Ognissole 2004
Puglia, ItalyPeppery, chocolate, black berry, briar, spicy, rootsy, gamey aromas. Ripe, rich, round and fat with excellent acidity. Vanilla cola, chocolate pudding, black cherry, plum and clove flavours. Forward, soft palate with good fruit for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Feudi di San Gregorio Piano di Montevergine Taurasi Riserva 1999
Campania, ItalyBig eucalyptus, garrigue, espresso, saddle leather, black cherry jam aromas. Rich, dry, hot and round with some rustic tannins. Intense coffee, vanilla, menthol, black cherry jam, cigar, saddle leather flavours with some gamey, licorice root, ash notes on the finish. Very good intensity but showing some strong oak at this point. Needs 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $84.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Feudi di San Gregorio Patrimo 2002
Campania, ItalyVery dark colour. Menthol, minty, peppery, cherry, black plum, resiny, saddle leather, cigar nose with some rosemary, garrigue underneath. Round, intense, rich and fat with smooth tannins. Big mocha, peppery, minty, spicy, meaty, cherry, plum and tobacco flavours with a long garrigue, licorice finish. Dry, somewhat rustic tannic finish with some warmth that should dissipate over the next 3-7 years but a fine effort.Prices:| BC | $194.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $149.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Feudi di San Gregorio Privilegio 2002
Campania, ItalyThis late harvest wine made from the fiano grape shows beautiful honey, passion fruit, vanilla, butter, baked pear and nectarine aromas. Rich, round, concentrated and fat but with fine acidity and balance. Honey, creamsicle, orange peel, marmalade, mineral and cooked peach flavours with a buttery, vanilla finish. Long and well balanced a sauternes style wine from Campania that shows potential.Prices:| BC | $79.90 | 500ml |
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86PTS
Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina del Sannio 2004
Campania, ItalyOpen pear, honey, floral, mineral nose. Dry, round, soft and elegant with mineral, pear, green apple skin and floral flavours with some citrus on the finish. A bit dry and light but easy drinking.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino 2004
Campania, ItalyFloral, peach, guava, mineral, citrus, quince aromas with a touch of anise and herbs. Dry, round, elegant, fresh palate and crisp. Good apple, mineral, lime, peach skin, nectarine flavours with a floral finish. A bit like pinot gris and riesling together.Prices:| AB | $27.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Feudi di San Gregorio Greco di Tufo 2004
Campania, ItalyVery floral, chalky, pear, buttery, quince nose. Dry, somewhat tight, lean palate but elegant. Crisp with mineral, floral, pear skin, buttery, passion fruit flavours. A bit leaner than the fiano but balanced.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Beato Bartolomeo Breganze San Giorgio Rosso Breganze 2003
Veneto, ItalyPeppery, pruny, earthy, smoky, tobacco, resiny, saddle leather nose. Dry, but soft and round with supple tannins. Cherry, spicy, tobacco, cedar, smoky, cassis flavours. Much fresher on the palate than the nose suggests. The finish is well balanced with some iron, earth and saddle leather. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Abadia Retuerta Cuvée El Palomar 2000
Sardon del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainBlack cherry jam, chocolate, prune, peppery, baked earth, cigar, floral, spicy cardamom nose. Rich, ripe, round palate with supple tannins. Good extract with smoky, peppery, prune, black cherry, coriander, vanilla and black licorice flavours. Full and warm but well balanced with a cassis, garrigue, gamey finish. Will improve over the next 1-3 years. A big jump up form the normal cuvées. UnfilteredPrices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Abadia Retuerta Rivola 2003
Sardon del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainSpicy, black cherry, plum, smoky saddle leather, cigar, cassis aromas. Soft, ripe, round and supple but with fresh acidity. Earthy, tobacco, cherry, cassis, black olive, smoky resin flavours with a slightly rootsy licorice finish. Fresh, well balanced, designed for food. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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25 March 2006
88PTS
Abadia Retuerta Seleccion Especial 2001
Sardon del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainSmoky, spicy, vanilla, turmeric, coriander nose with cassis, tobacco and saddle leather aromas with a streak of black cherry and game. Rich, round, dry, slightly tannic palate with some acidity showing. Chewy entry with black cherry, smoky, cassis, peppery, vanilla, cola, tobacco leaf and black olive flavours with gamey note. Young with ample tannins needs 1-3 years to fully round out. Bottled unfiltered.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
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23 March 2006
88PTS
Tantalus Old Vines Riesling 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, floral, green apple skin, light Vaseline, peach pit aromas. Very dry, round, crisp and fresh with mineral, lime rind, granny smith, green peach and mint flavours. Very high acid, crisp finish that is a touch too austere at this point but shows very good aging potential.Prices:| BC | $24.97 | 750ml |
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22 March 2006
85PTS
Terra Andina Merlot 2004
Region del Valle Central, ChileImproved with 6 months in bottle. Spicy, tobacco leaf, peppery, cherry, herbal, menthol nose with some licorice. Round, supple, smooth but dry palate with light, slighltly lean tannins. Peppery, licorice root, black cherry, chocolate, mineral, spicy vanilla flavours. A bit green on the finish with some tobacco but ready now.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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20 March 2006
85PTS
Santa Rita Merlot Rosé 120 2005
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, cherry, tobacco, cassis nose. Round, soft, fresh and somewhat sweet with good acidity. Tobacco, cherry, spicy, mineral flavours. Quite crisp at the end, a simple summer picnic wine.Prices:| US | $7.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Santa Rita Floresta Apalta Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileMade from mountain fruit, this has intensity and tannins. Cassis jam, spicy, minty, iron earth, dark chocolate, iodine, black olive and floral aromas. Rich, round, dry and concentrated with ripe tannins but showing a touch of heat. Huge licorice, iron, tobacco, peppery, black olive, vanilla and chocolate flavours. Long chewy finish with a mineral note. Needs 3-5 years minimum to reach its potential. Fine effort. Made from mountain fruit, this has intensity and tannins. Cassis jam, spicy, minty, iron earth, dark chocolate, iodine, black olive and floral aromas. Rich, round, dry and concentrated with ripe tannins but showing a touch of heat. Huge licorice, iron, tobacco, peppery, black olive, vanilla and chocolate flavours. Long chewy finish with a mineral note. Needs 3-5 years minimum to reach its potential. Fine effort. 120 year old property, mountain fruit above Lapostolle. Dry farmed; low crop.Prices:| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Chardonnay Medalla Real 2004
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Medalla Real chardonnay style continues to evolve. The Casablanca sourced fruit of the Hualpes Estate is brighter and fresher with each succeeding vintage. The blend of barrel fermented and stainless steel only fruit is 60/40 and only 10 per cent of the blend goes through malolactic fermentation to keep it fresh. Look for a creamy lemon citrus nose with tight peachy citrus streaked fruit and cool grassy, buttery style. Definitely made for seafood.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.65 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Santa Rita Floresta Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileFloral, grapefruit rind, passion fruit, mineral, lime and jalapeno aromas. Round, elegant, fairly delicate palate. Creamy mineral, bell pepper, grassy, passion fruit and grapefruit flavours with a touch of smoky slate on the finish. Fine effort. Prices:| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc 120 2005
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe 120 sauvignon is an 85/15 blend of sauvignon fruit from Maule and Casablanca and none of it sees oak. Fresh and clean it opens with some bell pepper aromas spiked with grassy, chalky grapefruit notes. Similar on the palate with sour tart lemongrass flavours. Simple straight-up modern sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.75 | 750ml |
| QC | $11.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2005
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Reserva sauvignon is made with pre-selected fruit approaching 10 years of age. It opens crisp and tight on the nose with hints of bell pepper and gooseberry. With no malolactic and two month lees contact this baby is cool, creamy and fresh with a grapefruit rind, passion fruit finish. Bring on the shellfish.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.80 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.92 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Santa Rita Floresta Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2002
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileLIfted, warm nose with smoky leather, chocolate, pepper, iodine, cassis, black cherry and tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, supple but dry and warm with some residual tannns. Peppery, chocolate, cassis, minty, tobacco and cedar flavours with a black cherry, vanilla and spice finish. Good intensity and length but somewhat hot and dry.Prices:| AB | $22.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, leather, tobacco, smoky, resin, coriander and cassis nose. Soft, round, dry and slightly tannic and grippy. Earthy, spicy, vanilla, peppery, rootsy, cassis and black olive flavours. A slightly older, dry style but has balance. Needs a year or so to smooth out. Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.90 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.53 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Rita Merlot Reserva 2004
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileAs always this red comes with classic minty, leafy Maipo cassis aromas on the nose. On the palate there are hints of ripe, almost sweet fruit flavours followed by leafy olive, tobacco, vanilla, chocolate, earthy flavours but a bit too lean and green on the finish.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.40 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Shiraz 120 2005
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis 120 varietal continues to show promise as the earthy, garrigue, eucalyptus aromas meet the black berry fruit component with a gamy, meaty streak. The entry is round and dry with inviting the flavours a mix of mint, briar, licorice root, roasted pepper and black fruit. A solid smooth red at an affordable price.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.28 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.05 | 750ml |
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19 March 2006
93PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Casa Real 2002
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig spicy, peppery, vanilla, floral, black berry, black olive nose with spikes of cigar, chocolate and eucalyptus. Warm rich entry with mostly round, dry tannins. Intense flavours of black pepper, black olive, eucalyptus and licorice root mixed with black berry, tobacco and chocolate flavours. Long and full, the '02 Casa Real will need 3-5 years at least. Not as elegant (at this point) as the 2001 but still fine indeed. Only 2500 cases made this year.Prices:| BC | $75.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $77.53 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Santa Rita Floresta Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileFloral, jalapeno, grassy, smoky, mineral nose. Soft, round, elegant and dry. Grapefruit rind, grassy, jalapeno, gooseberry flavours with a touch of smoke and passion fruit. Good balance and intensity, less austere than the Casablanca wines.Prices:| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Santa Rita Floresta Chardonnay 2002
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileFirst bottle was corked; the second was much better although it's already showing some fatigue and warmth across the mid-palate. Look for creamy textures mixed with cool green apple skin and citrus aromas and tropical, citrus coconut/vanilla flavours. Round and rich in flavour with melon and honey highlights in the finish. Needs drinking.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
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17 March 2006
93PTS
Foley Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2004
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBig black cherry jam, smoky, licorice, orange peel, garrigue, gamey, minty nose with a hint of vanilla caramel. Very rich, round, smooth, mouth filling palate but powerful. Full flavoured with smoky, dried tea, carrot top, celery salt, strawberry jam, black cherry and vanilla flavours with some licorice root at the back. Quite warm but elegant with good acidity and lots of length. Burgundy on steroids. Should improve for 2-4 years.Prices:| US | $38.00 | 750ml |
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16 March 2006
91PTS
Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico 2003
Campania, ItalySoon to be released on the market, this has a great young nose with waxy, black cherry jam, smoky, spicy, coffee, meaty, menthol with coriander aromas and some sweaty saddle elements. Rich, fat, concentrated and warm with some rustic tannins. Big meaty, peppery, licorice, smoky, espresso, black cherry, mineral and minty flavours. Dry and young with tannins to shed, needs 3-7 years but will improve further.Prices:| BC | $99.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $82.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico 2001
Campania, ItalyOpen nose with prune, saddle leather, spicy, menthol, black raspberry, celery and clove aromas with a floral, smoky vanilla streak. Rich, round, and dry with good concentration and some ripe tannins. Peppery, mocha, licorice, black cherry, plum, smoky vanilla and mint flavours. Finish has some tobacco and resin characters with some slightly lean, dry tannins. Not quite as intense as the prior vintage but should age well for 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $99.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $82.99 | 750ml |
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14 March 2006
85PTS
Terra Andina Cabernet - Merlot 2004
Region del Valle Central, ChileBig leafy, smoky jalapeno, peppery, green bean nose with olive and cassis undertones. Dry, round and soft on entry with cedar, resiny, minty, leafy, tobacco, licorice root flavours. Easy sipping, minty herbal style best served with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru 2003
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceOpen rich smoky, meaty nose with black cherry, vanilla, tealeaf, barnyard notes. Rich, round, elegant but dry entry with ripe, slightly chewy tannins. Smoky, vanilla, spicy, leather, tobacco, black cherry, five-spice, orange peel flavours. Quite muscular and dry for Mazis, this one is starting to tighten up, much like many of the 2002's. Needs to be put away for at least 5 years but will improve for perhaps 10 years. Stay tuned.Prices:| BC | $204.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey La Framboisière 2003
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceBig black cherry jam, licorice, earthy, spicy, smoky, waxy, compost nose. Rich, dry, round, full-bodied pinot with some dry tannin. Full flavoured with black cherry, orange peel, earthy, gamey, smoky, tealeaf, oak flavours. Warm, muscular finish. Just starting to close up a bit. Needs a year or two to soften now but good intensity.Prices:| BC | $38.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sandhill Gamay Noir Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to the '03 with smoky, spicy oak, meaty, cedar, waxy, peppery aromas with a hint of black cherry. Rich, round, full-bodied style with smoky oak, resin, coffee, spicy, licorice root and black cherry flavours with a resiny, tealeaf finish. Warm and full with some light tannins and oak showing.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.79 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Salt Spring Vineyards Pinot Noir 2004
Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaVery minty, stewed tea leaf, barnyard, raspberry leaf, smoky cinnamon nose. Dry, light, elegant palate with spicy, minty, leafy, resiny, worsteshire flavours. Pinot-like but lacks fruit intensity and concentration to be considered ripe.Prices:| BC | $31.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Benton Lane Pinot Noir 2002
Oregon, United StatesVery spicy, minty, medicinal, strawberry, stewed tea aromas with a touch of jasmine. Dry, round, elegant palate but light on flavours. Resiny, leafy, earthy, rootsy, raspberry leaf flavours. Dry, tight finish. Lacks overall fruit and generosity.Prices:| BC | $34.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sacred Hill Whitecliff Pinot Noir 2004
New ZealandRaspberry, strawberry jam fruit nose with minty, tealeaf, barnyard, compost aromas. Dry, round, elegant but light palate. Citrus peel, raspberry, minty, compost, carrot top favours with a slightly resiny, smoky finish. Somewhat warm with elevated acidity, this is not a mouth-filling, round pinot. Designed for food.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mark West Pinot Noir 2004
Central Coast, California, United StatesRhubarb, smoky, rootsy, carrot top, strawberry, cherry nose with some leafy, vanilla notes. Soft, dry, round, elegant palate with black cherry, smoky, spicy, vanilla, strawberry jam, celery salt flavours. Good solid, fresh finish with a savoury streak. Very solid and affordable pinot.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Marrenon Merlot 2004
Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceCherry, spicy, cassis, licorice root and garrigue nose. Dry, slightly lean entry with dry tannins and light body. Lean, somewhat acidic palate with hot cherry, smoky, cassis, tomato leaf and resin flavours. Needs to soften out. It will be shipped under screwcap. Let's hope for more fruit. Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Craggy Range Pinot Noir Te Muna Road Vineyard 2003
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandSpicy, celery salt, carrot top, orange peel, raspberry, peppery nose with some tea leaf and barnyard. Ripe, round, elegant and supple with light, dry tannins. Good elegance with strawberry, black cherry, carrot top, cardamom, minty, tealeaf, savoury, vanilla, smoky root flavours. Dry, slightly tight finish with good finesse. Needs 1-2 years to reach its potential. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $56.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $48.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Finca La Linda Tempranillo by Luigi Bosca 2003
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig spicy, peppery, chocolate, black cherry, meaty, tobacco and kirsch nose. Ripe, rich, round and supple with light, dry tannins. Big black cherry, raspberry, peppery, savoury flavours. Long, fruity, warm, fresh finish with some chocolate and licorice. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $16.10 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Fetzer Merlot Valley Oaks 2003
California, United StatesDill, tobacco, caraway, smoky, cedar aromas with a touch of leather. Soft, round, supple entry with tobacco, cedar, spicy, earthy, resiny, black cherry flavours. Slightly tannic, fresh finish but sound and simple.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Fetzer Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Oaks 2003
California, United StatesCorked, try another bottle.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fetzer Gewürztraminer Valley Oaks 2005
California, United StatesFinally a new white wine vintage comes to the market in a timely fashion. Love the great fresh nose of spicy, floral, peach and light lychee aromas with some green apple skin and a touch of orange. Round, elegant, fresh and slightly sweet with reasonable acidity. An attractive peachy mineral, lychee, honey flavours with a rose and ginger finish. Simple and well balanced for Asian food or sipping on the deck. Good value. Hopefully the next one will be in screw cap.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bonterra Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
North Coast Region, California, United StatesVery spicy, cedar, peppery, cassis, saddle leather, tobacco nose with some smoky vanilla. Dry, somewhat tight, Bordelais entry with some tannins. Smoky oak, vanilla, resin, peppery, cedar, chocolate, pruny, cassis flavours. Chunky, hot, dry tannin finish. Could use a bit more finesse but well done for an organic wine.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Fox Creek Vixen Sparkling Shiraz - Cabernet Franc NV
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaGood cherry colour. Somewhat foamy with creamy vanilla, black cherry, peppery, tobacco leaf, cola, resiny, pepper aromas. Relatively dry entry with foamy mousse. Very spicy, peppery, black berry, black cherry, rootsy, cola, cinnamon flavours with some acidity and spicy oak on the finish. Interesting style for fowl.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.95 | 750ml |
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12 March 2006
84PTS
Weingut Lorch Dornfelder 2003
Pfalz, GermanySurprisingly deep colour with a brick orangeat the edge. The nose is a mix of blueberry and black cherry fruit with a strong tomato vegetal undercurrent. Soft sweetish entry with sour, tart black cherry fruit finish. A funky, curiosity at best.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
De Bortoli dB Petite Sirah 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaOpen spicy nose with a definite black fruit blueberry scent. The entry is soft and round with vanilla leather blueberry fruit flavours. The tannins are a bit clunky but for a medium weight barbecued red, streaked with acidity, it should get the job done.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Deen De Bortoli Vat 4 Petit Verdot 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaMuch like the 02 this is a round smooth smoky spicy red with gobs of blueberry and black cherry fruit aromas and flavours. Big and mouth filling with a smoky resin olive finish. Well done. Restaurants could do well with this by- the-glass.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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11 March 2006
85PTS
Obikwa Shiraz 2004
Western Cape, South AfricaSmoky, saddle leather, prune, gamey, black berry nose with some tobacco leaf. Soft, round, easy sipping entry with a bit of sweetness. Smoky, mocha, meaty, spicy, prune flavours with some roasted tomato and cherry. Simple, easy sipping barbeque red.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Michel Torino Don David Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, savoury, blackberry, vanilla, peppery, tobacco leaf aromas. Round, dry, slightly tannic, chewy entry. Savoury, peppery, resiny, cassis, chocolate, smoky flavours. Very warm, chunky finish. A bit rustic but has good character. Grilled beef and lamb for this. Solid.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
House Wine Red 2004
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesReduced nose with some rubbery, peppery, resiny, smoky spice aromas and some animal, black berry underneath. Dry, soft, round, slightly tannic entry. Peppery, smoky, roasted bell pepper, vanilla, tobacco leafy flavours with an herbaceous, metallic, ropey, hot finish.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Maurel Vedeau Pinot Noir 2003
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceStrange orange peel, perfumy, tobacco leaf, barnyard, riparian, rhubarb nose. Dry, soft, round slightly tannic palate with roasted tomato, sour cherry, peppery, earthy flavours with a bacterial, ropey finish.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Danie de Wet Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaSpicy, garlic lees, gooseberry, floral, grapefruit nose with some mineral. Very tart, dry entry with elevated lemony acidity. Lees, waxy, dried grapefruit rind, lemon flavours with a grassy, ropey, sour finish. Lacks consumer appeal.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jackson-Triggs Sauvignon Blanc Proprietors' Reserve 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, vanilla, canned grapefruit nose with kiwi aromas and a touch of grass. Warm, slightly fat entry with some sweetness. Big canned grapefruit, grassy, gooseberry flavours with a slightly cooked, bell pepper, buttery finish. Solid, general consumer wine.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Racines Sauvignon Blanc (Certified Organic) 2005
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileMineral, gooseberry, green apple skin, light lees, grapefruit skin aromas. Dry, somewhat austere palate with lees, green apple skin, grapefruit rind, chalky flavours with a lean, slightly funky, organic wine finish. Prices:| BC | $14.20 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Villard Sauvignon Blanc Espresion Reserve 2005
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileImpressive floral, melon, creamy nose with grapefruit, kiwi notes and streaks of grassy, bell pepper in the background. Dry, round, full bodied but with style and elegance. Chalky, kiwi, grapefruit, grassy, fig flavours with some granny smith, lemon oil notes on the finish. Dry more Loire style sauvignon built for food but well-balanced. Excellent effort and a solid value too.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Killibinbin Shiraz 2003
Langhorne Creek, South Australia, AustraliaBig cola, eucalyptus, resin, black cherry nose with pruny, vanilla, tobacco leaf nose. Dry, somewhat hard tannic entry and very warm. Smoky oak, vanilla, menthol, resin, peppery, cooked cherry, porty flavours. Very dry, hot, somewhat sour finish. Lacks balance for the price.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Dowie Doole McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaMeaty, smoky oak, vanilla, saddle leather nose spiked with barnyard, licorice root and black berry fruit. The entry is fat, round, warm and smooth with some acidity. Sweet cherry, vanilla, coffee, cedar, black raspberry flavours with a smoky, bacon finish. Some dry tannins with a hot streak poke through. Needs a year or so to smooth out. A big red for rainy days and roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Beato Bartolomeo Breganze Savardo Pino Nero Superiore 2003
Veneto, ItalyTobacco, compost, rootsy, resiny aromas _ where is the fruit? Dry skinny, tight palate with metallic notes. Compost, resiny, smoky, herbal, tobacco flavours with a sour cherry, vanilla finish. Not very pinot in style or flavour.Prices:| BC | $23.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Luigi Bosca Reserva Pinot Noir 2002
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, smoky, resiny nose with black cherry, gamey, carrot top and barnyard aromas. It's dry and lean on entry with some tannins and a very smoky, resiny, vanilla, menthol, stewed cherry, compost flavour. Has some pinot character but it's a bit too dry and extracted to excite.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Casa Viva Pinot Noir 2003
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBig rhubarb and rubber boot (mercaptan) nose with sour cherry, compost and barnyard. Smooth, dry, slightly tannic entry with licorice root, smoky, gamey, rhubarb flavours and a resiny, leather finish which is a bit tart. Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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10 March 2006
91PTS
Finca Allende Calvario 2002
Rioja, SpainFine black cherry colour. The nose is a mix of spicy, coffee, floral peppery black cherry/kirsch notes with streaks smoky, mineral tobacco in the background. Dry round and full yet elegant with slightly lean tannins. Big spicy, black cherry, cassis, licorice root, tobacco and vanilla flavours. Elegant finish with good acidity. Needs 2-4 years to round out. A modern Rioja with fruit.The blend is 90/8/2 tempranillo, garnacha and graciano.Prices:| BC | $104.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Bacio Divino 2002
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPrune plum, cherry, chocolate, sweaty leather saddle, cedar, cigar, black olive, cassis, smoky earth aromas. Rich, ripe, round but dry with tight, grainy tannins, very Euro but also Napa. Dry tobacco leaf, olive, smoky game, cassis, prune, chocolate, peppery, licorice flavours. Good potential needs 2-5 years to smooth out. The blend is 66/19/15 cabernet/sangiovese/petite sirah from Oakville, Rutherford, Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak and Calistoga.Prices:| BC | $98.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Carmen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileLovely sweet ripe cassis nose with spicy, peppery, menthol, saddle leather and coriander nose. Ripe, round, dry but supple with light grainy tannins. Intense cassis jam, menthol, cherry, cedar, and tobacco flavours with sweet oak vanilla and black olive on the finish. Good finesse if a bit acidic at the end. Very good value for cabernet fans.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.70 | 375ml |
| BC | $10.95 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Carmen Gewurztraminer 2005
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileAromatic floral, spicy, perfumed, lychee, sausage nose with nectarine skin notes. Dry, round, elegant and fresh with very perfumed, floral, mineral, lychee, green apple skin flavours. Nice finesse, easy, simple style. There is five per cent Casablanca sémillon in the blend to keep it fresh. Perfect for Indian, Thai and spicy Chinese.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.98 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Carmen Late Harvest Semillon 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig honey, eggy, dried apricot, spicy, baked peach and vanilla nose. Super ripe and round style that is slightly fat. Mango, guava, honey, dried fig, dried apricot flavours with some orange peel and stewed apricot on the finish. Ready to drink.Prices:| AB | $13.40 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Gold Reserve 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe first blend put together by winemaker Pilar González. Look for big chocolate, cassis jam, tobacco, peppery, iodine aromas spiked with spicy, vanilla and menthol. Fine rich entry with dry concentrated fruit flavours and good acidity. More spicy, vanilla, coffee, cassis jam and orange peel flavours with smoky resin and cedar-y undertones. Dry, warm, grippy finish, still needs 3-5 years. A seriously low crop with a big savoury Alto Jahuel, Maipo signature.Prices:| BC | $77.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $61.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Carmen Wine Maker's Reserve 2001
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileHot, slightly prickly nose with big black olive, menthol, resiny, cassis jam, white pepper and saddle leather. The blend, now less hedonistic and more structured, was put together by the newly arrived winemaker Pilar Gonzalez. Rich, round, ripe tannins and big cassis jam, spicy, minty flavours spiked with licorice, vanilla and cigar. The finish is a mix of cedar, meat, and chocolate coffee. A bit warm but otherwise balanced. Needs 2-4 years to soften out for the somewhat Bordelais style.Prices:| BC | $51.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $46.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Carmen Wine Maker's Reserve 2000
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThere was no Gold Reserve made in 2000 so the best grapes went into Wine Maker's. Look for smoky, cassis, black berry, pepper, barnyard, saddle leather aromas with cigar, black olive and resiny, vanilla notes. Rich, hot, round, dry and chunky with moderate tannins. Big black cherry, black berry, iodine, licorice, smoky, peppery, tobacco, cedar and vanilla flavours. Warm, dry finish with some acidity. Needs a few years yet.Prices:| BC | $51.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $46.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Carmen Reserve Petite Sirah 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileLovely enticing black berry jam nose streaked with licorice root, pepper, chocolate, iodine and resin. Fat, rich entry with a ripe round mid-palate. Loaded with cassis, black cherry, vanilla, spicy, chocolate, resiny peppery flavours. Slightly dry, rustic tannins on the finish but very good balance and fruit. Will improve over the next 2-4 years. All new French oak and made with 25-year-old ribier rootstock that were grafted to petit sirah the only such plantings in Chile.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Carmen Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileA 50-50 blend that opens with a meaty, spicy, coriander, floral fruit nose spiked with pepper, cassis, black cherry, menthol and licorice root. Rich and round with grainy tannins. Warm palate with lots of cassis, black cherry, peppery, minty, meaty, and vanilla and coriander flavours. Long with good fruit but some tannin to shed. Will improve over the next 1-3 years. Excellent red wine.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Carmen Nativa Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpaque and organic. Smoky, black olive, resiny, garrigue, saddle leather, black berry, menthol aromas. Dry, tight, rich palate but moderately tannic with some finesse. Sappy, cassis, peppery, smoky, eucalyptus, bay leaf, Maipo flavours with some tobacco and olive on the finish. More Bordeaux style, lean with acidity, but the best Nativa we have tasted.Prices:| BC | $24.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Carmen Carmenère Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileA 60/40 blend of carmenère and cabernet sauvignon mixed into one and two year old oak - 1/3 French and 2/3 American oak. Very peppery, minty, green olive, bay leaf, rootsy nose mixed with black plum and cassis. Dry, soft, round entry with grainy tannins. Smoky, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, cassis jam, black cherry, green olive, resiny menthol flavours with a tobacco, chocolate finish. Like most carmenère, it is much less herbaceous in the mouth. Solid.Prices:| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Carmen Syrah Reserve 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileFabulous enticing nose here of pepper, licorice root, meaty, sausage, black cherry jam and vanilla. Ripe, round, soft and supple with some heat. Intense spicy, vanilla, licorice root, menthol, black cherry and garrigue flavours. Supple, dry finish with some light tannins. Good concentration and length for near term consumption.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Carmen Merlot Reserve 2004
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileMid-valley Casablanca fruit gives this a menthol, peppery, black cherry, black olive nose with smoky resiny vanilla notes. Soft, round, supple palate. Cedar, tobacco, menthol, cassis, cherry, smoky black olive flavours with some saddle leather. A bit lean but with finesse. Definitely Chile.Prices:| BC | $23.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig spicy, minty, cedar/laurel, bay leaf nose with streaks of tobacco and saddle leather nose. Dry, round, soft entry with chocolate, tobacco, cedar, olive, cassis and resiny bay flavours. Dry, elegant finish. Pepper steak is the perfect match here. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.20 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.98 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Carmen Carmenère 2004
Region del Valle Central, ChileFine peppery, spicy, minty, coriander nose with cherry, tobacco leaf, resin aromas. Soft, round, supple, warm palate. Some 40 percent of the fruit is barrel aged. Spicy, minty, cherry, chalky, chocolate, tobacco and olive flavours. Quite elegant and balanced, much better in the mouth than the herbaceous carmenère nose might lead one to expect.Prices:| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.98 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Carmen Syrah 2004
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, peppery, gamey, meaty, tobacco, leather nose mixed with some prune and black cherry fruit. Soft, round, warm and dry with light tannins. Licorice root, peppery, spicy, cherry, resiny, coriander flavours. A touch light on the finish but has some elegance and balance. Good fun and well priced.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.60 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Carmen Merlot 2005
Region del Valle Central, ChileLeafy, spicy, minty, tobacco leaf, peppery, cherry nose. Dry, soft, round, easy style. Capsicum olive, peppery, resin, tobacco, waxy, sour cherry flavours. Solid but a bit too herbaceous overall. Not our favourite.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.20 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $13.98 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.98 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Carmen Pinot Noir Reserve 2004
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileCarrot top, celery root, spicy, vanilla, smoky barnyard and compost aromas with a black cherry, plum streak. Round, dry, elegant, delicate style pinot noir with fresh black cherry, smoky, spicy, raspberry and orange peel flavours. Nice finesse and delicacy with some leafy, rootsy, strawberry notes on the finish. Well done.Prices:| US | $11.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Carmen Pinot Noir 2004
Region de Aconcagua, ChileLight compost, licorice root, black cherry, carrot, orange rind aromas with green tea scents. Round, elegant, dry and fresh but warm. Good balance with big black cherry, licorice, rootsy, compost, spicy flavours. Soft, delicate finish. Solid little pinot at a great price. 55/45 Casablanca/Leyda fruit.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.51 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Carmen Rosé Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Region del Valle Central, ChileFresh, cranberry, herbal, floral, spicy, chalky, sour cherry nose. Similar clean fresh crisp palate with citrus, cherry, cranberry, green olive flavours. A touch green and warm on the finish. Fun patio sipper.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Carmen Wine Maker's Reserve Chardonnay 2004
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileButter, mineral, floral, white peach, nectarine, nutty lees with a waxy, sweaty grapefruit note. Round, fresh, dry palate. Smoky lees, green apple, vanilla, citrus, butter, chalky mineral flavours. Very cool, leaner style with some nutty, roundness and elegance. Like Russian River/Chalk Hill chardonnay. The style is changing for the better with only 45 per cent of the fruit getting French wood contact with one and two year old barrels and no malolactic fermentation.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Carmen Reserve Chardonnay 2004
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileLight butter, vanilla, floral, peach, citrus rind, canned grapefruit nose with a touch of green melon. Spicy ripe fresh crisp and elegant with green peach, green apple, butter, mineral, chalky citrus rind flavours. Dry, tighter, cool fruit style. They are using less barrel fermented juice and it shows in a fresher cleaner fruit style.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.85 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Carmen Chardonnay 2005
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileOpen peach, floral, grassy, green apple, light vanilla aromas with a touch of citrus rind. Dry, round, fresh and crisp with light buttery, green apple skin, grassy, green melon, mineral and lime rind flavours. Fresh, cool style, very Casablanca that is only 20 per cent barrel fermented.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.98 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.15 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Carmen Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2004
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileGooseberry, grapefruit, floral, lime, kiwi and mineral nose. Round, crisp, dry and elegant with grassy, green apple, grapefruit skin and bell pepper flavours. Not big but exuberant and with some finesse. Somewhat French in style along the leaner Loire bent. Made for oysters.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.75 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChilePicked four times to blend slightly under ripe, to medium, regular and over ripe grapes to give this wine a lively grapefruit rind, mineral, green melon and grassy, gooseberry nose. Dry, round, elegant palate with more grapefruit rind and mineral, grassy, melon rind flavours. Easy drinking, lighter style for most meals. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $12.98 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.98 | 750ml |
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09 March 2006
86PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2004
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesBig petrol, mineral, baked apple, floral, peach skin nose. Round, crisp, slightly off dry palate with mineral, citrus skin, petrol, cooked peach, green apple skin flavours. A touch warm but has good acidity.Prices:| BC | $13.80 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Chakana Bonarda 2005
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaTarry, gamey, savoury, black cherry, vanilla nose. Dry, skinny, smooth entry with smoky, resiny, meaty, spicy, tobacco flavours. Some acidity on the finish, a bit closed at this stage. Needs grilled meats to tame the acidity and tannins.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chakana Estate Selection 2003
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig spicy, peppery, floral, coriander, black berry, black olive, savoury tobacco, espresso aromas. Rich, dry, chunky and tannic on entry with big cedar, leather, waxy, spicy, vanilla, earthy, tobacco, cassis, black cherry flavours with a roasted, espresso, finish. A touch warm, acidic and tannic on the finish but its youthful a la Bordelais. Needs another two to five years in bottle to settle down.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chakana Reserve Malbec 2004
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery peppery nose with licorice, meaty, resiny, vanilla, roasted pepper, black berry and menthol aromas. Warm, dry, chunky entry with some youthful tannins. Very smoky, resiny, oaky, peppery, espresso, licorice root, black cherry flavours with some tobacco on the finish. Needs 1-3 years to fully round out.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chakana Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig black pepper, resiny, cassis, chocolate, vanilla, black olive aromas mixed with some vanilla and game. Dry, round, fat but taut with some young tannins. Warm with smoky, resiny, peppery, gamey, cassis, tobacco, black olive and licorice root flavours. Somewhat more austere style but full. Needs a year or so to smooth out.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chakana Malbec 2005
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaEnticing spicy, cardamom, savoury, meaty nose with black cherry jam with a touch of chocolate pudding. Rich, ripe, round, smooth, slightly tannic entry with some warmth. Big savoury, licorice root, malbec entry with smoky, spicy, black cherry and resin flavours. Somewhat chewy, spicy, savoury finish. Perfect foil to barbecued meats.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Chakana Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, peppery, floral, smoky, cassis, leather and tobacco aromas. It's riper on the palate with some richness and youthful tannins. Chocolate, cassis, smoky, peppery, meaty, cardamom, olive and black cherry flavours. Somewhat young, needs a good piece of beef or a year in bottle.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Diego Murillo Malbec 2004
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaReduced nose with rubbery, gamey, smoky, floral, cherry aromas and some herbal streaks. Smooth, dry palate with herbaceous, rubbery, smoky, resin flavours. Too reductive and stinky for our taste.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Paul Zinck Pinot Gris 2004
Alsace, FranceMineral, almond, bruised apple, floral, honey, slightly leesy aromas. Fat, rich, ripe and round with moderate acidity and some sweetness. Honey, sweet lemon, almond, lees, spicy, earthy, baked apple, pear skin flavours. Good intensity and length with some sweetness at the end.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rosemount Traminer Riesling 2005
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaFresh grapefruit, floral, spicy, orange creamsicle, mineral, light diesel aromas with a touch of lemon oil. Crisp, round, somewhat sweet entry with canned grapefruit, mineral, baked apple, spicy, lychee flavours. Sweet style with good acidity. Good picnic wine or for lighter Indian curries. Why it's still under cork, in an old-fashioned flange bottle, instead of under Stelvin is a mystery to us.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.98 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.10 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pascual Toso Malbec 2004
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig spicy, black cherry, vanilla, chocolate, savoury, licorice, olive aromas with a gamey note. Ripe, round, dry and elegant with light smooth tannins. Lots of peppery, savoury, black cherry, earthy, vanilla, coriander flavours. Good solid entry-level malbec.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $8.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Trimbach Pinot Gris Réserve 2002
Alsace, FranceNutty, honey, mineral, citrus, peach, earthy, floral nose. Dry, full bodied, round palate with good acidity. Earthy, mineral, honey, almond, citrus rind, pear flavours. Somewhat austere style that is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca La Linda Malbec by Luigi Bosca 2003
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMeaty, smoky, rubbery, peppery, cherry, black olive aromas. Dry, full, round palate with light tannins. Smoky, black olive, savoury, black berry, cassis flavours. Good balance and ready to drink but the nose is a touch reductive (stinky).Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Luigi Bosca Gala 1 2002
Mendoza, ArgentinaBig meaty, gamey, black cherry, smoky, peppery, black berry, vanilla nose with some licorice root. Rich, dry, slightly tannic, full entry with some warmth. Lots of smoky vanilla, peppery, espresso, cassis, soy, iodine, meaty flavours. Has some finesse and intensity. Cellar for two to three years or be sure to decant for 30 to 45 minutes before serving. Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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08 March 2006
88PTS
Pazzo 2003
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig pepper cassis jam, vanilla, chocolate, sweaty saddle, barnyard, plum aromas. Soft, dry, round and warm with light tannins. Tobacco, chocolate, prune, peppery, spicy, smoky earth flavours with some gamey, rootsy, black cherry on the finish. A more forward style sangiovese blend for near term consumption. The blend is 66/23/7/4 sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah, viognier.Prices:| BC | $45.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Bacio Divino 2001
Napa Valley, California, United StatesChocolate, cassis, saddle leather, spicy, peppery, cedar, tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, somewhat tannic entry but elegant. Olive, tobacco leaf, licorice, gamey, pruny, earthy flavours with chocolate notes. Euro-style with some finesse but quite young. Needs 2-4 years to fill out.A 64/22/14 blend of cabernet / sangiovese / petite sirah from Rutherford, Atlas Peak and Calistoga.Prices:| BC | $98.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2004
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceLike the 03 but even fresher thanks to less heat overall during the growing season. The nose is exuberant with clean spicy, mineral, citrus, pear aromas. The flavours are similar with more mineral and nutty citrus, buttery fruit flavours. Love the balance and vivacity. Well done. If this is the new France count me in. Good value too.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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07 March 2006
89PTS
Doña Paula Shiraz Malbec 2004
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA 60/40 blend. Peppery, black berry jam, black cherry, savoury, meaty, smoky, waxy, orange nose with some violet and spice, good intensity. Rich, ripe, round and dry with licorice root, roasted mushroom, smoky, savoury, cardamom, black cherry, black berry flavours with a mineral, tobacco, plum finish. Full and round with ripe tannins, very attractive style. A great surprise.Prices:| BC | $20.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Doña Paula Malbec Selección de Bodega 2002
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSweet vanilla, smoky, peppery, cardamom, dried herb, chocolate, tobacco leaf, anise and roasted mushroom aromas, good complexity. Rich, ripe, round and supple with smooth tannins. Big savoury, meaty, black cherry jam, vanilla, smoky, licorice flavours with a menthol, orange peel finish. Fine elegance and concentration with ripe tannins. Young but balanced, should improve over the next 2-4 years. Love the finesse here.Prices:| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Doña Paula Malbec Selección de Bodega 2003
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaGarrigue, dried herb, black cherry jam with smoky, gamey, vanilla, waxy, tobacco aromas with streaks of licorice. A bit astringent with youthful tannins yet elegant. Vanilla, anise, peppery, tobacco, gamey, orange, creamy pudding, smoky flavours entice. It is warm and astringent with a touch of acidity showing but the finish is long and promising. Needs 3-5 years to integrate but this is a fine effort. Buy and cellar for best results.Prices:| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Doña Paula Malbec 2004
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAttractive spicy, floral, black cherry, licorice root nose with streaks of graphite, savoury nose with some black olive and garrigue. Ripe, round, elegant palate with spicy, black raspberry, black cherry, orange peel and vanilla flavours. Rich finish with dried herbs, menthol, plum and vanilla pudding. Young and warm, will improve over the next few years. Excellent young malbec.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Doña Paula Merlot 2004
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSweet vanilla, spicy, plum jam, savoury nose with some tobacco and pepper. Ripe, supple rich textures with some heat. Savoury chocolate pudding, black cherry tobacco flavours with a green olive, licorice herbal tone on the finish. Good intensity, like St. Emilion but still a bit raw. Needs a year or so. Fine potential.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Malbec 2004
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSomewhat reduced nose with sweaty saddle, smoky, mineral, roasted game and peppery, black cherry aromas. Dry, round, soft and warm with stewed plum, smoky, peppery, minty, resin flavours with a touch of black raspberry. A bit dry and warm but has good fruit at the end. Be sure to decant before 15 minutes before serving to clean up the front end.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Rosé Malbec 2005
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral, cherry, sweet berry nose with some mineral. Slightly sweet, round, warm palate with cherry, mineral, strawberry, citrus flavours. Solid, affordable picnic wine with a touch of acidity on the finish. It is what it is.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Chardonnay 2005
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral bright fruit nose with lees, baked apple and baked peach aromas. Round, fairly dry and crisp palate with mineral, leesy, bread-y, honey, citrus, green apple flavours with a grassy note on the finish. Fermented in stainless steel with three months lees contact; some 25 per cent sees oak. A fine introductory, light style chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBright melon, gooseberry, kiwi, grapefruit aromas. Elegant but tight with canned grapefruit juice and gooseberry, mineral, grassy flavours. Fine intensity but with high acidity. Needs mussels, oysters or clams to shine. Bravo and good value.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Doña Paula Chardonnay 2004
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRipe melon, mango, waxy, vanilla, honey and spicy lees aromas. Round, ripe, fresh entry with a touch of sweetness but crisp. Mango, honey, citrus, pineapple, creamy lees flavours. A bit heavier style with some Santa Barbara and Napa nuances. Made with older vines and kept one year in wood. 2500 cases produced but that number doubles in '05Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.50 | 750ml |
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04 March 2006
87PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Pinot 3 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen floral lime rind mineral nectarine skin nose. Not as bitter as the previous version with softer textures and just a tinge of colour. The flavours are a mix of baled pears and canned peaches with a grapefruit rind in the finish.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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April 2006