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Tastings: April 2006
30 April 2006
88PTS
Propeller Extra Special Bitter NV
Nova Scotia, CanadaAmber colour with good mousse. Very malt-y, earthy hop-py, fruity nose. Dry, fresh, creamy mousse. Slightly sweet, malt-y, bitter, fruity floral flavours with a bit of coffee. A bit flat on the finish but a good solid, easy drinking bitters.Prices:| BC | $12.30 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bitburger Premium Beer NV
GermanyMalty, spicy, floral hop scented nose with a bit of lemon. Dry, elegant style with creamy mousse. Light bitterness with similar malty, earthy, spicy, floral, yeasty flavours. Very creamy, fresh bitters finish. Great food style beer and refreshing to boot.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Concha y Toro Trio Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Cabernet Franc 2004
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, cassis, black olive, spicy, minty, chocolate, saddle leather aromas. Ripe, round, supple palate with tobacco, chocolate, minty, cassis jam, vanilla, black olive and leather flavours. Warm, round, cedar-y finish that is a touch chunky. Should improve over the next year or so. Good solid steak wine, good value.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.28 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.80 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.71 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Le Volte 2003
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyLe Volte is made at Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast. The blend is sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon; the nose smoky, meaty, peppery, black cherry and saddle leather aromas. The flavours are a mix of peppery, spicy, cassis jam and black cherry with gamey, chocolate and a bit of licorice and vanilla on the finish. Try with barbecued beef or a grilled steak.Prices:| BC | $29.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.35 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ferrari-Carano Sienna 2002
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig black cherry jam, pruny, peppery, orange peel, rootsy, menthol and resin nose. Very warm and round with very smooth tannins. Peppery, cedar, cherry, vanilla, minty, smoky oak flavours. Simple but well made and fun to drink.Prices:| BC | $37.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Long Flat Red Cabernet Shiraz 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPeppery, earthy, spicy, rootsy, cedar nose with a bit of reduced blueberry fruit. Soft, round, dry entry with light tannins. Earthy, peppery, cassis, blueberry, tobacco and cedar flavours. Warm, slightly acidic, dry finish but not candied. Your basic barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.15 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jackson-Triggs Meritage Blanc Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit, gooseberry, passion fruit nose with some mineral underneath. Ripe, round, fresh palate but slightly sweet. Vanilla, grapefruit, buttery, green melon, baked apple flavours with a very warm, oily finish. Simple, easy drinking style with some intensity but quite sweet. Serve chilled and use as an apéritif or perhaps with spicy Asian dishes.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Three Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYoung but well balanced with peppery, chocolate, garrigue, black cherry, floral notes with vanilla, coffee, black olive and smoke. On the palate it is round and dry with fine elegant supple characters. Spicy, black cherry, mocha, vanilla, peppery, spicy, black olive flavours with a touch of cardamom. Needs 1-3 years but try now with any grilled meat. The best red blend yet from Sandhill ─ 53/21/13/13 barbera, sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.49 | 750ml |
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29 April 2006
88PTS
Wolfberger Crémant d'Alsace Brut NV
Alsace, FranceLots of foamy mousse. Delicate floral, honey, creamy baked apple nose with a touch of butter. Creamy, fresh mousse on the palate with honey, butter, nutty, floral, green apple skin flavours with a mineral, citrus finish. Good intensity. Solid styling for any occasion.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Le Freak Shiraz Viognier 2004
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceOpen licorice, chocolate, peppery, black berry jam nose with meaty, warm earth notes. Soft, round, supple palate with very light tannins. Meaty, peppery, floral, black cherry, licorice and chocolate flavours. Good solid food wine and good value.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lindauer Brut NV
New ZealandGood continuous fine mousse. Green apple, grassy, light toasty, floral, citrus nose. Fresh, crisp, elegant palate with slightly foamy mousse. Sweet lemon, green apple skin, toasty, honey, peach pit flavours. Affordable, fun style.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $0.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $0.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Woodhaven Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
California, United StatesSpicy, smoky, cedar, candied black cherry, resin nose. Soft, round, warm palate with some tannins and sweetness. Earthy, spicy, sweet cherry, tobacco, green pepper flavours. Slightly astringent, sweet, chocolate finish. Very commercial style.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $11.96 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Clos Chateau Mosny Montlouis Sur Loire Brut NV
Montlouis, Touraine, Loire, FranceFine light mousse. Nutty, green apple skin, honey, floral, citrus aromas. Crisp, fresh, lively, round palate with honey, baked apple, honey, pear, citrus flavours. Very crisp but round and juicy, good flavour intensity throughout. Attractive style for food, solid value.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut Paris Label NV
Champagne, FranceFine continuous mousse. Almond, toasty biscuit, floral, quince, baked apple aromas. Rich, round, elegant structure. Toasty, nutty, cherry, citrus, honey, baked green apple flavours. Long toasty, creamy finish. Not heavy but flavourful with a tight, floral finish. Attractive tasty bubble.Prices:| BC | $65.15 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Elephant Island Winery Little King 2003
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight ruby colour. Intense floral, raspberry, green apple skin nose. Crisp, fresh, round, creamy palate with mineral, green apple skin, floral, perfume raspberry flavours. Creamy, foamy mousse in a fun style. Try with turkey or pork.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2003
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSame vintage re-tasted under screwcap. Fresh peppery, cassis, minty, black olive nose with roasted green bean and some leathery chocolate notes. Dry, round, supple palate with light, dry tannins. Peppery, cedar-y, cassis, herbal, olive, leather flavours with a tobacco finish. Warm and slightly acidic with some tannins poking through.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.10 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tait Ball Buster 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBig primary fruit nose with blueberry, cassis jam, vanilla pudding, spicy, barnyard, leather aromas. Warm, round, full-bodied style with some chewy dry tannins. Peppery, mocha, black cherry, floral, cassis jam, licorice root flavours with some vanilla and tobacco on the finish. Not for the faint of heart at 15.5% alcohol but has lots of young fruit and intensity. Drink now and over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.54 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sumac Ridge Steller's Jay Brut Méthode Classique 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight nutty, creamy, toasted, floral, baked apple nose. Soft, round, light mousse palate with creamy, nutty, cherry, baked apple flavours. Full, somewhat heavier style that should improve in the bottle over the next few years.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Stone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
California, United StatesPeppery, spicy, smoky saddle leather, tobacco nose. Round, soft entry with some acidity keeping a touch of sweetness checked. Earthy, smoky, leather, cassis flavours with some tobacco and vanilla. Easy drinking consumer style.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.71 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.82 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Folie à Deux Ménage a Trois Red 2004
California, United StatesBriary, green olive, peppery, stemmy nose with cassis, black cherry, floral, bell pepper aromas with a touch of vanilla and five-spice. Soft, round, sweet supple entry and warm with elevated acidity. Peppery, spicy, black olive, cola, vanilla, cassis, coffee mocha flavours. Very warm finish with floral, sweet fruit notes. A strange combination of flavours and textures.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $19.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau Sainte Eulalie La Cantilene Minervois 2003
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThis is an attractive red wine with gamey sausage, peppery, minty, orange peel aromas streaked with black cherry, spicy and strawberry. Rich, ripe, round, full-bodied style with some youthful tannin. Very peppery, licorice, meaty, spicy, black cherry, plum, orange, vanilla flavours. Big, bold, warm and rustic with lots of fruit. Needs a year or two to smooth out or try with barbequed lamb. "La Cantilène de Sainte Eulalie" is the first Romanesque poetic work, penned in 88, and as such is considered the oldest document of French poetry.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, spicy, saddle leather, barnyard, gamey, black berry nose with a bit of vanilla and chocolate. Rich, round, somewhat tannic entry and dry. Peppery, mocha, vanilla, cassis, roasted pepper and licorice root flavours. Young, astringent, oaky finish but full. Needs a year or two in bottle to smooth out.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Finca Los Primos Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA slight downturn for this producer known for its outstanding value for money wines. Smoky, gamey, barnyard, leather, cassis nose with a rootsy streak. Round, slightly tannic entry with some sweetness followed by earthy, leather, gamey, smoky, cigar flavours and some bell pepper notes on the finish. A touch green with some acidity showing through.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cremaschi Furlotti Carmenère Reserve 2004
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig peppery, smoky, espresso, cardamom nose with minty, sappy, cedar cherry notes. Rich but somewhat dry tannins on entry. Minty, smoky, vanilla, roasted pepper, coffee grind, tobacco and green cedar flavours. Warm, dry, oaky, somewhat green finish. Solid if a bit green and rustic.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV
Sonoma County, California, United StatesMost years some five to seven per cent, cold-soaked, pinot noir is blended into the Blanc de Noirs base wine adding a touch of colour and a fine creamy texture. Toasty, cherry, strawberry, nutty, citrus nose with a touch of pear. Rich, round, elegant style but full flavoured. Plenty of toasted, nutty, flavours with cherry, honey, baked apple. Soft, full finish, fruitier style. Fine style for food.Prices:| AB | $28.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.30 | 750ml |
| US | $14.99 | 750ml |
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28 April 2006
84PTS
Quails' Gate Riesling Family Reserve 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMuted floral, apple seed, light petrol, lime nose. Light, dry, elegant style with little concentration. Lime oil, mineral, grapefruit rind, floral flavours. Very crisp, austere, light finish. Lacks ripe fruit and body. Not up to usual standards.Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Ehrenfelser Classic 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, light lees, orange, ginger, green apple skin aromas. Ripe, round, fresh but dry and soft and creamy. Grapefruit, floral, mineral, orange, lime oil flavours with some green apple and slate on the finish. Good solid style and consistent.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
CedarCreek Dry Riesling 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, lime rind, mineral, Granny Smith apple nose with a touch of grapefruit. Crisp, dry entry with grapefruit rind, mineral, green apple, citrus flavours with a fresh, juicy, light petrol finish. Very zesty style, try with squid or pork or steamed mussels.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gustav Adolf Schmitt Niersteiner Auflangen Riesling Spatlese 2004
Rheinhessen, GermanyPetrol, mineral, honey, earthy, heavy floral nose. Soft, round, somewhat sweet with moderate acidity. Leesy, orange, red apple, slate, petrol flavours. Good intensity but the fruit is muddled.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Fisherman Riesling Qualitatswein 2004
Rheinhessen, GermanyCitrus, mineral, slate, petrol nose with some green apple skin but light intensity. Fresh, crisp, round with a sweet and sour entry. Lime skin, smoky, mineral, apple skin flavours. Crisp finish with some fruit. Easy sipper and solid value.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $8.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Leitz Rheingau Riesling Kabinett 2004
Rheingau, GermanyLight smoky, green apple skin, lime, nectarine skin aromas and a touch of matchstick. Crisp, elegant and delicate with green apple, grassy, nectarine, petrol, lime flavours. Good delicacy and juiciness but a bit light on fruit. Will go well with any cuisine.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lang Vineyards Farm Reserve Riesling 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery perfumy, bubble-gum, orange, honey, green apple aromas. Ripe, rich, round, delicate entry with nice acidity sugar balance. Rose, mineral, baked apple, light petrol and lime flavours. Long finish, well made.Prices:| BC | $15.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kruger-Rumpf Münsterer Pittersberg Riesling Auslese Dry 2004
Nahe, GermanyFloral, green apple skin, peach skin, petrol nose with some lime oil and honey. Rich, fresh, round but crisp and elegant with lime rind, mineral, green apple skin, petrol, honey flavours with a touch of grapefruit. Very crisp, dry, round finish. Good intensity with a touch of bitterness but a food style premier estate riesling.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Poet's Leap Riesling 2004
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesBig floral, rose petal, petrol, mineral nose with ripe peach and citrus. Rich, round, elegant style but soft with rose water, slate, petrol, lemon oil and nectarine flavours. Good intensity but a bit warm (alcoholic) with soft acidity on the finish. It's a fine start but we hope for brighter versions in the coming years.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| US | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jackson-Triggs Dry Riesling Proprietors' Reserve 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPerfumed, bubble gum, peach, red apple aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and a touch fat with mineral, grapefruit rind, floral, peach pit flavours. A bit drier but fresh with a floral finish. Solid and ready for food.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.45 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lang Vineyards Riesling Late Harvest 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery fresh perfumed, floral, bubble gum, orange, mineral and honey nose. Ripe, round, juicy and balanced with light sweetness. Again, lots of perfumed, floral flavours with peach skin, orange, petrol and green apple skin flavours. Very open floral style but well balanced.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Blanc Réserve 2004
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceLove the ginger, marzipan, canned peach nose flecked with lemon oil and floral notes. Very dry, tight entry but elegant with nectarine, floral, ginger, baked pear, almond, mineral flavours. Good intensity and balance with some candied peach on the finish. Big improvement from last vintage. Try with halibut and fruit salsa.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quails' Gate Dry Riesling Limited Release 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple, grapefruit, rind-y, floral nose. Round, fresh, crisp entry with grapefruit, green apple skin, floral, lime oil flavours. Warm finish but very crisp.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2004
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceWhite honey, floral, mineral, butter, spicy, peach skin, marzipan, baked pear aromas. Rich, dry, round, full bodied style but fairly elegant despite the high alcohol. Big mineral, floral, honey, butter, baked pear, quince, toasty, ginger flavours. Long, warm, toasty oak, vanilla, ginger spice finish. Quite intense and unique but a food wine. Iconoclastic. Try with grilled squid or fish.Prices:| BC | $88.55 | 750ml |
| AB | $80.15 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Ehrenfelser 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, smoky slate, garlic lees, perfumed nose of orange blossoms and peach aromas. Round, elegant, fresh palate but a touch heavy. Big floral, mineral, apple core, orange, peach flavours with a lime rind finish. A touch warm but good weight and flavour intensity.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Foley Syrah Santa Rita Hills 2004
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSmoky, spicy, cedar, gamey, leather, roasted pepper nose with some black cherry, barnyard and compost. Soft, round, dry, elegant palate with some round tannins. Very spicy, vanilla, cardamom, peppery, black cherry, licorice and tobacco flavours with a touch of compost. An elegant, understated style with finesse.Prices:| US | $38.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
St. Francis Syrah 2003
Sonoma County, California, United StatesMeaty, sausage, peppery, chocolate, coconut vanilla, black cherry nose. Dry, round, tight palate with light cedary tannins and a touch of acidity. Youthful black cherry, peppery, gamey, meaty, chocolate, vanilla, spicy flavours with a strawberry jam, leather and tobacco finish. A dryer style that will be best with food.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rabl Grüner Veltliner Spiegel 2003
Slate, lime, green apple, floral nose with mineral chalky undertones. It's fresh and round on the palate with slightly viscous but elegant floral, orange rind, petrol, baked apple and slate flavours. A weightier wine than riesling with a bit less fruit. Good value.Prices:| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jackson-Triggs Riesling Dry Proprietors' Reserve 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOrange peel, perfumy, slate, marzipan, lime oil nose. Fresh, crisp entry with light sweetness. Full flavoured with lime rind, floral, petrol, mineral flavours with a slightly bitter citrus rind finish. Very crisp and a bit warm at the end but ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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26 April 2006
94PTS
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 2003
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery spicy, black cherry, black berry jam, marmalade, roasted coffee, floral nose - this has big ripe fruit. Rich, dry, moderately tannic entry but with a sense of elegance. Very juicy fruit flavours with black cherry, plum filled with licorice, spicy garrigue, waxy, gamey, cherry raisin flavours. At 14.5% alcohol, the wine has good finesse and big fruit and quite high acidity. Needs at least 5-7 years to mature in bottle; perhaps a decade will be required. Somewhat of a stylistic departure for la Chapelle but an excellent effort.Prices:| BC | $149.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 2001
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSmokey, gamey, peppery, floral, coffee, barnyard, leather nose with prune plum, roasted pepper and tobacco leaf underneath. Dry, elegant entry but a bit skinny with a touch of acidity showing. Spicy, black cherry, prune, smoky, peppery, waxy, gamey flavours. Nice intensity but lighter style. A relatively early maturing wine, should improve over the next 3-7 years.Prices:| US | $70.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 1998
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSpicy, pruny, menthol tobacco, cherry, stewed meat, waxy, smoky nose. Soft, dry, slightly tannic palate. Coffee, smoky, prune, peppery, tobacco and fig flavours with a menthol, roasted pepper finish. A bit tight and lean but has elegance. Needs 2-5 years to integrate and mature the cooler fruit characteristics and tannins.Prices:| US | $70.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 1991
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceA great effort in such a poor year. Very peppery, pruny, spicy, minty, caraway, black berry nose mixed with gamey sausage, tobacco leaf aromas and a touch of marmalade. Soft, round, supple palate with some light tannins. Peppery, menthol, tobacco, roasted pepper, pruny, smoky game flavours with a touch of truffle and coffee on the finish. Good length, balance and intensity. Mature now but will hold for 2-4 years.Prices:| US | $100.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 1989
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FrancePruny, soy, roasted pepper, barnyard nose with gamey, coffee, smoky bacon and leather notes mixed with streaks of spicy, floral and blackberry jam. Rich, round, dry and somewhat tannic at this point. Bay leaf, smoky, prune, tobacco, black berry, compost, menthol and coffee grind flavours. A bit tight and tannic on the finish with a touch of acidity but long. Starting to show mature La Chapelle characters but still needs 2-4 years to round out. Wait this one out through 2009.Prices:| US | $200.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 1983
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceA fine nose with intense spice, sweaty saddle, waxy, coffee, cigar, peppery, cardamom, rootsy, smoky aromas with a gamey, pruny, floral streak throughout. Dry, slightly tannic but elegant entry but full. Very peppery, smoky, prune, resiny, garrigue, tobacco, coffee and cardamom flavours. Still a bit tight on the finish, will improve through 2008. Full, elegant, slightly tight style. A close second to the fabulous 1978.Prices:| US | $80.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 1978
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceTasted many times this has always been a great wine thanks a harvest with tiny yields. Look for an intense coffee, roasted pepper, waxy, bacon fat, meaty, smoky, floral, tobacco nose with some dried lychee, pruny notes. Dry, rich, full intense palate with still some light tannin. Very meaty, roasted, rootsy, floral, cigar, coffee, pruny, dried lychee flavours with a spicy, chilli finish. Elegant, long finish, this can still age five to seven more years.Prices:| US | $500.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2003
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceMango, lemon butter, chalky, floral, honey, citrus flower and grapefruit aromas. Rich, round, ripe and full with some fatness. Broad with lots of buttery, honey, pineapple, green apple, acacia, baked pear and flinty mineral flavours. Long with a toasty, lees finish. Very ripe with good acidity but not high, this is a close to New World chardonnay as it gets yet with Chablis class.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $63.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir 2003
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceRipe pear, lemon, tropical mango, pineapple aromas with some chalk, vanilla and acacia flower streaks. Quite rich, round and fat but with fine acidity. Slightly oily entry with buttery, lemon, green mango, lime, flint, green apple skin flavours with a touch of wax, honey and coconut on the finish. A bit fatter and riper in style, very 2003.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2003
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceRipe tropical nose with mango, pear, green apple, lemon, honey and floral aromas. Ripe, rich and round with good acidity. Slate, lemon butter, mango, honey, flint, floral, spicy green apple flavours with some baked pear and creamy lees. Full with finesse and long ripe flavours. A bit atypical, but still Les Clos.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $63.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Domaine Louis Moreau Petit Chablis 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLemon, lime, mineral, slate, green apple aromas with a slight floral hint. Dry, round, elegant and tart palate but has some fullness. Green apple skin, lemon, mineral, slate and lime rind flavours with a chalky, buttered lemon finish. Not complex but fun and fresh.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLemons, butter, dry slate, white floral, apple skin aromas. Round, soft entry but crisp. Light buttery, lemon rind, slate, grassy, green apple skin flavours. A bit richer and fatter than the regular Petit Chablis.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, pear, flinty slate, lemon, butter and light lees aromas. Ripe, round, elegant and fresh with delicacy and crispness. Butter, chalk, lemon, green apple skin, floral flavours with a hint of quince. Very good length and finesse. Drink now or over the next 3 years.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux 2004
Chalky, spicy, green apple skin, floral, lemon nose with some lees, butter and flint. Dry, round, crisp, slightly tight palate. Flinty, lemon, mineral, green apple, pear skin flavours with some lime and butter on the finish. Fine length and finesse and good value.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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25 April 2006
87PTS
CedarCreek Gewürztraminer 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCitrus rind, floral, soapy, green apple skin nose with some light sausage notes. Round and fresh on the palate with good weight. Big lime rind, oily, spicy, floral, ginger root flavours with a bit of lemon and sausage on the finish. Will go well with pork or Asian food.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hugel Gentil 2004
Alsace, FranceMineral, slate, green apple skin, leesy, citrus rind aromas. Dry, crisp, fresh palate with lime rind, oily, mineral, green apple skin, slate and lemon flavours. Very crisp, zesty style for seafood and noodles. We like the new price too.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.34 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rudolf Muller Riesling Chardonnay 2004
Pfalz, GermanyGreen apple, citrus rind, mineral, peach, slightly grassy nose with a touch of matchstick. Fresh, round, elegant style with delicate red apple, chalky, melon, citrus flavours with a touch of butter. A touch lean on the finish but a fine food wine for the summer and Asian cuisine. Good value.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield's Collection White 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrassy, lemon, waxy, bell pepper, green apple skin nose with some floral, leesy, sausage notes. Round, elegant, fresh palate with mineral, ginger, grassy, granny smith, lemon flavours with a waxy, slightly bitter grapefruit rind finish. Solid and balanced but a bit too bitter in the finish.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
JoieFarm A Noble Blend 2005
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2005 Noble Blend is a blend of gewürztraminer, riesling, pinot blanc, kerner, muscat, pinot auxerrois and ehrenfelser as evidence by its floral rose petal, spicy, sausage, lychee, green apple and peach aromas spiked with lime rind notes. Ripe, round, fresh entry with a slightly oily texture. Ripe apple, peach, floral, spicy, mineral, honey flavours with some grapefruit rind on the finish. Solid food or summer sipper. Better balanced and fresher than the previous vintage. Now under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $20.40 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Merlot 2003
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy oak, clove, vanilla, minty, smoky, saddle leather nose with a resiny, dried cherry streak. Dry, lean, tight palate with some cedar-y tannins. Plenty of smoky, resiny, spicy, vanilla, leathery with roasted tomato flavours with a very oaky, herbal, olive finish. Lacks ripeness.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.75 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Merlot 2003
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLots of smoky oak, spicy, peppery, clove, sweaty saddle leather, resiny nose with black olive, mint, tobacco and black cherry. Very dry, full, round palate but a bit chunky with dry tannins. Resiny, smoky oak, espresso, peppery, tobacco, minty, olive, cherry flavours. Dry, slightly hollow and very warm This needs two to three years but could use more fruit and roundness in the tannins.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Folie à Deux Ménage a Trois White 2004
California, United StatesWe liked the last edition of this wine and the '04 is that much better. Look for floral, orange blossom, spicy, minty, honey, peach, quince aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, full-bodied style but has good balance. Lots of orange, floral, honey, buttery, baked quince, grapefruit flavours with a spicy, mineral finish. Long with lots of orange, great with pork, seafood curry or a spicy noodle dish. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gabbas Lillove Cannonau di Sardegna 2004
Sardinia, ItalyMeaty, sausage, chocolate, peppery, warm earth, black cherry, garrigue and orange rind nose. Warm entry but elegant with light tannins. Big licorice root, chocolate, smoky, resiny, peppery, black raspberry, orange peel flavours with a touch of coffee and root beer. Lots of intensity and warm but has good acidity and balance.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Le Bombarde Cannonau di Sardegna 2004
Sardinia, ItalySimilar to last year's with meaty, peppery, spicy, smoky, licorice root aromas mixed with saddle leather, menthol and black cherry. Soft, round, dry and warm with raspberry, spicy, peppery, clove, menthol, root beer flavours. Solid finish with a unique flavour profile. Try with beef or duck.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Bisquertt Casa La Joya Reserve Merlot 2003
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig earthy, smoky, minty, leafy, tobacco, green olive nose with a touch of clove and cherry. Dry, round, somewhat lean entry with elevated acidity and cedar tannins. Warm earthy, cassis, smoky, leafy, minty, roasted tomato, rhubarb flavours. Very green and somewhat acidic on the finish.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gloria Ferrer Merlot 2002
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesTobacco, black cherry, blueberry resin and spicy notes mix with cassis jam, smoky vanilla and some black olive. Round, dry, full bodied with slightly chunky but ripe tannins. More cassis, cherry, olive, coffee, clove and vanilla flavours with smoky, cedar and tobacco fruit with hints of orange and tomato. Good balance with a touch of acidity makes this perfectly suited to food.Prices:| US | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hungerford Hill Fishcage Chardonnay Viognier 2004
AustraliaOpen peach, honey, melon, floral nose with a touch of citrus. Round, fresh, elegant and crisp with a touch of oiliness and sweetness. Melon, baked apple, buttered peach, citrus flavours with a light, warm, fresh finish. Good intensity, designed for summer foods.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Côtes du Rhône 2003
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceChocolate, orange peel, black raspberry, meaty, minty, garrigue nose. Soft, round, full and ripe but dry with light tannins. Big black cherry, raspberry, orange, peppery, cardamom, minty flavours with fresh acidity on the finish with a touch of raisins. Good fruit and balance but needs food for the dryness at the end. Roast duck or lamb is the key.Prices:| BC | $20.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.95 | 750ml |
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24 April 2006
91PTS
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 1988
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceWaxy, gamey, sweaty leather nose with peppery, compost, menthol and roasted pepper notes mixed with licorice root, cigar and floral aromas. Rich, round, slightly fat style with some light tannin. Big cigar, compost, peppery, five-spice and prune flavours spiked with orange peel and menthol flavours. Warm, slightly acidic finish but elegant. Shows good aromatics and flavour but with some cool fruit tinges. Broad but short, perhaps not the best bottle but fine. Generally a bit richer and finer than the 1989.Prices:| US | $110.00 | 750ml |
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23 April 2006
88PTS
Viu Manent Chardonnay Reserve 2005
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileKiwi trained winemaker Grant Phelps has crafted a new-style chardonnay with floral, pear, honey, citrus, light lees mixed with an appealing spicy vanilla aroma. Round, elegant, slightly warm entry with good acidity. Honey, butter, citrus, baked apple and pear flavours with some vanilla. Good length and intensity if a bit warm in the finish. Definitely heading the in the right direction.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, floral, lychee, orange creamsicle and ginger nose. Round, soft, fresh, creamy palate with meaty, perfumed, orange, lychee and peach flavours. Good balance with fine flavour intensity for summer and Asian food. A short crop will see this label disappear quickly from distribution so stock up early.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Shiraz 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen olive, barnyard, black pepper, green pepper, vanilla aromas with little or no fruit. Dry, lean, tart entry with light tannins. Green pepper, smoky, soy, earthy, minty, olive flavours. Dry, warm, somewhat lean finish. Lacks balance and ripeness. A tough year for this label.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.92 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lang Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright floral, perfumed, spicy, green apple skin nose with a bit of grapefruit and bubble gum. Ripe, round, crisp and fresh with some sweetness. Ginger, spicy, mineral, floral, peach skin, rose petal flavours with a citrus rind finish. With an easygoing fresh style.Prices:| BC | $16.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cono Sur Gewurztraminer Limited Release 2005
Valle del Bio-Bio, ChileLovely ripe nose with honey, ginger, sausage, peach, spicy mineral nose. Very round, soft, ripe palate but quite dry and balanced. Spicy, citrus, sausage, honey, nectarine skin flavours with a slightly buttery, mineral finish with good acidity, intensity and length.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Deen De Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz 2003
Riverina, New South Wales, AustraliaBig spicy, peppery, black cherry, vanilla, cola aromas. Dry, tart, round but soft with cedar, black cherry, blueberry, cola, peppery flavours. Solid but could use a bit less acid.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Nichol Vineyard Syrah Reservare 2003
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWhere others wineries have floundered in a difficult 2003 vintage, the Nichols appear to have hit the target. Love this smoky, meaty, gamey, nose flecked with pepper and rootsy aromas. Dry, round, slightly tannic entry with a sense of elegance throughout. Dense peppery, gamey, meaty fruit with floral, black berry, smoky, spicy flavours with a bit of saddle leather and coffee grind on the finish. Needs 2-4 years. Well made and perfectly suited to strong meat dishes. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $34.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
R.L. Buller & Son Calliope Shiraz 2003
Rutherglen, Victoria, AustraliaBig spicy, peppery, creamy vanilla, cola, lifted black berry jam, clove, and mocha aromas with a touch of cedar. Fat, rich and concentrated with some youthful (aggressive) tannin. Huge black cherry jam, vanilla, smoky, peppery, blueberry, leather, coffee flavours with a warm, slightly tart finish. Very young and warm, needs 2-5 years to round out.Prices:| BC | $54.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $42.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $54.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Langmeil Shiraz Valley Floor 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSlightly reduced nose with peppery, blackberry, metallic, meaty, vanilla, smoky coffee aromas. Dry, round, full palate with some dry tannin. Blueberry, blackberry, cola, peppery, vanilla and briar flavours with a warm, slightly acidic finish. A bit too dry and tart on the finish. It needs a leg of lamb to smooth out the edges or another two years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Gewürztraminer Organic 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, meaty sausage, mineral, spicy, ginger nose with a touch of grapefruit rind. Very dry, fresh, crisp palate. Zesty, mineral, spicy, floral, leesy flavours with a touch of creamsicle, nectarine skin and sausage on the finish. A much tighter but balanced style.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Proprietors' Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCedar drawer, vanilla, smoky, espresso, pudding, gamey, saddle leather and black berry jam aromas. Dry, tight, round and full with young tannins. Dusty, chocolate, peppery, black cherry, smoky, coffee, vanilla flavours. Warm, gamey finish with some grippy tannins to shed. Should improve over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Racines Syrah (Certified Organic) 2004
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileSavoury, smoky saddle leather, licorice root, floral, peppery, barnyard aromas. Soft, light, dry and round with black cherry, chocolate, peppery, cedary, rootsy, leather flavours. Good balance if a little light on the palate.Prices:| BC | $14.20 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Trimbach Gewürztraminer 2003
Alsace, FranceSomewhat dirty nose of spicy, honey, tangerine and sausage aromas with pungent, garlic lees undertones. Rich, round, fat style with honey, garlic, sausage, citrus flavours and old ginger, leesy notes on the finish. This needs to be cleaner and boast better acidity given the price of the wine and the reputation of the producer.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.95 | 750ml |
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22 April 2006
93PTS
R.L. Buller & Son Fine Old Tawny NV
Rutherglen, Victoria, AustraliaBlend grenache, shiraz, mataro, muscat and tokay and you get a nutty walnut, soy nose with spice, smoke, dried cherries, butter and raisins. Round, full, fresh and elegant with good acidity and sweetness balance. Very nutty rancio, dried cherry, buttery, rain, walnut, tobacco and orange peel flavours with a coffee finish. Excellent balance, length and finesse. Fine effort, good value.Prices:| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $31.95 | 750ml |
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94PTS
R.L. Buller & Son Fine Old Muscat NV
Rutherglen, Victoria, AustraliaThe solera for Fine Olds has been active for over 20 years but the average age of the wine is more like 6-10 years. Again a spicy, mineral, floral nose with mint, orange peel, tobacco, pecan, cherry and apricot notes. Warm and rich with freshness and sweetness. Big orange, cherry, fig, spicy, minty, tobacco flavours with a rancio/raisin aftertaste mixed with intense, warm coffee and candied pear. Impressive bottle for the price.Prices:| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $31.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Black Dog Creek Chardonnay 2005
Victoria, AustraliaMineral, peach, floral, melon and butter aromas. Round, dry, elegant and fresh style with red apple, butter, peach, citrus and cantaloupe flavours. Simple, balanced style with some chalky, mineral notes on the finish.Prices:| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.95 | 750ml |
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96PTS
R.L. Buller & Son Calliope Rare Liqueur Tokay NV
Rutherglen, Victoria, AustraliaThe average age of the Grande will be approx 15 years old although the final blend has not been finalised. Look for a tawny green colour and a full-blown nose of toffee, spicy, creamy, walnut/pecan and cherry aromas streaked with cherry, raisin, pepper, orange peel and tobacco notes. Rich, round, concentrated and slightly fat style but with fine sugar-acid balance. Copious flavour intensity with tobacco, dried cherry, orange peel, raisin, rancio, walnut and coffee flavours. This is excellent liqueur with a full, long, elegant spicy, warm finish. The youngest wines in the Calliope Rare (muscat or Tokay) are 1986. Oldest goes back to 1946/1947.Prices:| BC | $109.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $89.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $98.95 | 750ml |
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96PTS
R.L. Buller & Son Calliope Rare Liqueur Muscat NV
Rutherglen, Victoria, AustraliaBig spicy, rancio, walnut, mineral, raisin-y, orange peel, toffee, stewed apricot nose. Full-bodied with unctuous textures but not cloying. Good sugar acid balance. Intense spicy, peppery, mineral, walnut flavours flecked with rancio, tobacco and a huge orange, toffee, minty, dried fig and cigar finish. Incredibly intense and long. A little goes a long way. This is great stuff.Prices:| BC | $109.95 | 375ml |
| AB | $89.95 | 375ml |
| ON | $98.95 | 750ml |
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20 April 2006
89PTS
Ayler Kupp Scharzhofberger Riesling Spätlese 2004
Mosel, GermanySlate, apple skin, lime, slightly smoky floral nose. Round, delicate, crisp and elegant with baked granny smith, green pineapple, lime, mineral, floral flavours. A touch light and green but has fine acidity and balance.Prices:| AB | $21.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Riesling Kabinett 2004
Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, GermanyClover, petrol, slate, floral, green apple skin and lime aromas. Fresh, crisp, delicate palate with juicy red apple, smoky slate, mineral, citrus, green mango flavours. Juicy fresh apple, citrus finish. Has good length and acidity, should age well.Prices:| BC | $31.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Riesling Spätlese 2004
Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, GermanyFloral, green apple skin, lime rind, slate, petrol nose with honey, spices and ripe pear underneath. Fresh, crisp, round and juicy with excellent acidity. Big citrus, granny smith, floral, mineral, slate and pear flavours with a touch of honey. Super acidity balance, very age worthy and worth trying.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.95 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Riesling Auslese 2004
Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, GermanyBig lime rind, lanolin, floral, green apple, wild yeast, tropical fruit, slate, honey and diesel nose. Crisp, full, elegant juicy round palate. Big ripe green apple, pear, orange, lime, mango honey flavours with a long honey, slate, citrus finish. Super juicy and crisp, fine effort for auslese.Prices:| BC | $65.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $57.95 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Riesling Beerenauslese 2003
Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, GermanyBig apricot, honey, ripe apple, lime, floral, lanolin nose with some guava and slate notes. Rich, ripe, round and fat but fresh. On the palate an explosion of apricot, ripe apple, egg yolk, orange, guava, honey and lime with some petrol and lanolin at the end. Crisp, ripe finish with fine balance, elegance and intensity.Prices:| BC | $94.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $89.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Greg Norman Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2004
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesMineral, green apple skin, peach, baked pear nose with leesy vanilla overtones. Soft, round, slightly flat palate with leesy, buttery, citrus, mineral, pineapple flavours. Somewhat flat acidity and flavour profile. Needs a bit more freshness.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Black Dog Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Victoria, AustraliaPeppery, resiny, compost, cassis, cherry, rootsy aromas. Dry, round, supple palate with a touch of fresh acidity. Similar flavours with cassis, black pepper, black berry and tobacco flavours. A bit warm on the finish but very solid, food friendly style.Prices:| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Black Dog Creek Shiraz 2003
Victoria, AustraliaVery spicy, peppery, meaty, floral, black berry, compost aromas with a touch of barnyard and cardamom. Soft, round, dry and supple on the palate. Good spicy, licorice, black berry, blueberry, cola flavours with some vanilla and leather in the aftertaste. Fine intensity if a bit warm and fresh at the end.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ayler Kupp Riesling Spatlese 2004
Mosel, GermanyRipe apple, honey, floral, peach nose with some green pear skin and guava. Crisp, round, fresh, slightly tight palate. Mineral, honey, slate, petrol and white peach flavours with a touch of lanolin. Crisp lime, granny smith finish with zingy acidity.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kruger-Rumpf Münsterer Kapellenberg Riesling Kabinett 2004
Nahe, GermanyAttractive floral, mineral, slate, pear, orange rind nose with green apple aromas. Very fresh. Crisp, ripe, round, succulent and fruity on the palate with honey, orange, nectarine, pear, floral flavours. Fine elegance and fresh. Fine balance with a juicy citrus, granny smith finish. This is really spatlese level. Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.55 | 750ml |
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17 April 2006
91PTS
Beringer Chardonnay Private Reserve 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesVery nutty lees, citrus, spicy, smoky garlic, honey and mango aromas. Round, full, viscous palate but well balanced. Lots of honey, garlic lees, nutty, smoky vanilla, spicy, butterscotch and pineapple flavours. Classic Napa style with intensity and a touch of warmth on the finish. Fully mature now.Prices:| BC | $62.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay 2004
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig spicy, honey, garlic lees nose with baked apple, floral, orange, pineapple and lemon candy aromas. Rich, ripe, somewhat fat entry with orange blossom, honey, spicy lees, creamy vanilla, mango and pineapple flavours with some hazelnut and lemon on the finish. Very warm, full, somewhat classic older style but well made and intense. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lang Vineyards Blanc de Noir Lemberger Pinot-Noir 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, mineral, cherry, minty, lemon aromas. Round, fresh, crisp with light sweetness. Mineral, strawberry, spicy, minty, grapefruit flavours. Fresh and zippy with solid fruit. Well done.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Jackson-Triggs Cabernet Franc Rosé Proprietors' Reserve 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPerfumed, candied apple, strawberry, tobacco leaf aromas. Crisp, light, round entry with tobacco leaf, earthy, soapy, cranberry flavours. A bit lean and leafy.Prices:| BC | $9.79 | 750ml |
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84PTS
St. Hubertus Rosé Gamay Noir 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPerfumed, cherry, lifted, citrus nose. Soft, round, creamy entry with sweet strawberry, cranberry, mineral, apple skin flavours. A bit warm and flabby. Serve well chilled.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Chateau La Gordonne La Gravieres Rosé 2005
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceCherry, earthy, spicy, compost, wet stone aromas. Dry, light, leaner, dry style. Light-ish tobacco, earthy, strawberry, mineral flavours. Not much intensity of flavour and it finishes drier than most might like.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
The Little Penguin White Shiraz 2005
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaFresh floral, candied apple, cherry, mineral nose. Clean fresh, soft and fairly sweet with berry, cherry, earthy, apple, mineral flavours. Fun sweeter style supper sipper with fruit and viscosity. Serve well chilled.Prices:| BC | $12.86 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Delheim Pinotage Rosé 2005
Simonsberg - Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaMineral, spicy, floral, leesy, smoky cherry nose. Fresh, round, off dry palate but crisp. Earthy, cherry, tobacco leaf, smoky, granny smith flavours. Tart, somewhat lean finish.Prices:| BC | $16.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
JoieFarm Rosé Pinot Noir 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to last vintage with rhubarb, sour cherry, melon, floral, sweaty grapefruit rind aromas. Round, soft, viscous palate with bright acidity and somewhat sweet. Strong mineral, tobacco leaf, floral, rhubarb flavours with lots of grapefruit rind on the finish. Crisp, somewhat heavy, oily style, summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $18.40 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Vidal Icewine 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, marmalade nose with lifted apricot, candied citrus peel and a touch of vinyl. Full, rich, round, unctuous style but has decent acidity. Big creamsicle, marmalade, baked apple, vinyl, spicy apricot flavours. Big style, lots of fruit and intensity. Drink now and over the next year or so.Prices:| BC | $52.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Marrenon Chardonnay 2004
Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceFirst bottle corked. Second is now in screwcap. Buttery lees, mineral, marzipan, green apple skin nose. Crisp, round, elegant style but somewhat dry. Lees, butter, citrus, mineral, baked apple flavours with a slightly bitter quince finish. Solid, clean, well made style for food and the picnic. Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Township 7 Late Harvest Pinot Blanc 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTired cooked peach, baked apple, apricot, mineral nose. Round, somewhat sweet entry with moderate acidity. Strong canned peach, baked apple, stewed apricot flavours. Crisp finish but fully mature now. Lacks freshness and verve for such a young wine.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 200ml |
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84PTS
Township 7 Rosé 2004
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, rhubarb, peach pit nose with and undercurrent of rhubarb. Round, slightly dry, somewhat heavier style rosé with tobacco leaf, mineral, rhubarb and green herbal flavours. The finish is slightly bitter and acidic.Prices:| BC | $13.90 | 750ml |
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16 April 2006
91PTS
Nicolás Catena Zapata 2001
Mendoza, ArgentinaZapata, Catena's super-Argentine red, takes its name from Nicolas Catena's mother and also lends its moniker to the company's newest and most advanced Mendoza winery. Although Alamos, Catena and Catena Alta are made on-site, the flagship red is Zapata. The blend changes each year but in '01 Zapata, is a 40/35/10/10/5 blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, petit verdot, merlot and cabernet franc all of which spends 24 month sin New French oak. The fruit is the very best (all vineyard selection) handle with precision. Look for a Bordelais style here with black cherry plum and resiny tobacco aromas and flavours. Solid well made wine if not as compelling as the Alta malbec for this taster.Prices:| BC | $125.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $99.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe '02 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is knit from three selections out of three vineyards ― Uxmal, Domingo and Altamira. The big rich concentrated fruit spends 15 months in French oak of which 80% is new. Aromas of red berry fruit accompanied by hints of tobacco lead into intense flavours of black cherry, plum and spice which come together with a touch of pepper on the smooth lingering finish.Prices:| BC | $59.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Catena Alta Malbec 2002
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe '02 Alta Malbec is 100 per cent malbec and it comes with all the suave and juicy fruit you would expect. No stone is left unturned here and with gobs of super ripe blackberry fruit streaked with vanilla and spice chocolate and cigar with a touch of orange, who could argue the point. Expect a full plush and powerful spicy red on the palate with a solid core of fruit. Manly malbec with fine complexity and a persistent finish.Prices:| BC | $67.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Catena Alta Chardonnay 2002
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe Alta Chardonnay is made with 100 per cent high altitude fruit (4,800'+) grown at the Adrianna vineyard in Tupungato. It's 100 per cent barrel fermented in French oak and while its flavourful and intense you do not feel the oak. Instead, it's the mineral floral spiced apple fruit with a whiff of brioche that grabs your attention. Bright stylish, modern vital chardonnay. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
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15 April 2006
87PTS
Spinyback Pinot Noir 2004
Nelson, South Island, New ZealandSpicy, cola, rhubarb, tealeaf nose with strawberry jam and touch of rootsy, barnyard and compost. Soft, round, elegant styling with compost, cherry, strawberry jam, smoky, tealeaf and stewed rhubarb fruit and a fresh finish. Good intensity, solid effort.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.65 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, green apple skin, grapefruit nose with some honey and lees. Dry, fresh, elegant and crisp with some texture. Citrus, nutty, grapefruit, green apple, honey flavours with a touch of vanilla and cinnamon. Simple, creamy, spicy finish. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $18.68 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.35 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.95 | 750ml |
| NWT | $16.45 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.45 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Sequel Syrah 2003
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThis Long Shadows project involves former Stimson Lane head Allan Shoup and former Penfolds (Grange) chief winemaker John Duval. Duval has crafted a huge peppery, spicy, vanilla, meaty, floral syrah with licorice root and warm barnyard aromas. As ripe, round and smooth as this red is, the tannins are supple, light and round. On the palate, Sequel offers black cherry jam and smoky, peppery, vanilla flavours with rootsy, meaty, clove and chocolate, roasted pepper flavours. Very smoky, warm vanilla finish. Although its warm and alcoholic it possesses fine finesse and balance with supple tannins. Will improve over the next 2-4 years. A bit more fruit poking through the oak would be the optimum out come.Prices:| BC | $84.99 | 750ml |
| US | $55.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tohu Pinot Noir 2004
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandSmoky, barnyard, compost, vanilla, black cherry, cola, peppery tealeaf aromas. Dry, round, elegant but slightly lean structure. Juicy cherry, smoky, cola, spicy, carrot top, orange peel flavours with a round, fresh finish. Nice intensity, ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru Cote de Lechet 2002
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLemon, floral, light lees, baked green apple nose with a touch of butterscotch. Dry, round, elegant, slightly lean entry with lemon, green apple skin, lees, mineral, flinty flavours. Nearly mature, has good finesse but will be best with food. Try with halibut cheeks.Prices:| BC | $37.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Blason de Bourgogne Chardonnay Bourgogne 2004
Burgundy, FranceGreen apple skin, grassy, butter, mineral nose. Round, dry, somewhat lean entry with citrus, green apple, buttery, chalky flavours. Solid if somewhat austere.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Winchester Cellars Chardonnay Sharp Rock Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple skin, leesy, cheesy, rancid butter, nutty aromas with a slightly skunky note. Dry, elegant, round style but has cheesy, skunky, leesy, buttery, slightly rancid flavours.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Kettle Valley Adra Station Chardonnay Reserve 2000
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeesy, green apple, citronella, vanilla, buttery, slightly smoky nose with some waxy, green skunky notes. Fat, round, warm, mature palate with green pineapple, honey, canned peach, tinny, buttery flavours. Has a bit of oily, kerosene on the finish. Time to drink up and fast.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2004
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSpicy, grapefruit, lees, vanilla, buttery, waxy aromas with an earthy, floral, fruity note similar to hops. Round, fresh, crisp palate with a touch of oiliness. Green apple skin, bread-y, floral, grapefruit, lees and vanilla flavours. Zippy, warm finish with nutty lees. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.10 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.98 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.41 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Chardonnay Limited Release 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaInviting floral, leesy, mineral, flinty nose with honey, buttery baked apple nose. Quite dry and round with grapefruit, butterscotch, smoky oak, mineral, honey flavours. The finish is somewhat viscous and oily with more buttery lees notes. Solid contemporary chardonnay that is made for food.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
LinCourt Chardonnay 2004
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesOpen leesy, creamy, waxy, nutty nose with pineapple and vanilla aromas. Dry, round, crisp textures. Warm and fat on entry with citrus, nutty, spicy lees, lemon, waxy, mango flavours with a butterscotch, baked peach finish. Solid California chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $31.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $0.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
LinCourt Pinot Noir 2004
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSpicy, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, black cherry, saddle leather, carrot top aromas. Ripe, round, supple, smooth texture but warm. Smoky, spicy, clove, cedar bark, black cherry jam, orange peel, rootsy, and cola flavours. Good intensity, solid flavours and ripe.Prices:| BC | $41.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Foley Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills 2000
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSerious nose. Floral, orange, honey, spicy lees character with nutty, tropical fruit notes and a whiff of butterscotch. Ripe, rich, round and fresh in the palate with refinement and elegance. Look for ripe mango, baked apple flavours mixed with citrus, spicy lees, nutty, butterscotch flavours with a long, citrus, nutty, vanilla finish. Fine effort, stylish New World chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $44.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Émile 2000
Alsace, FranceBig floral, citrus, smoky, lees, mineral, petrol, apricot skin aromas. Dry, tight, round, leaner style but full. Intense green apple skin, nectarine, smoky mineral, floral, petrol flavours with a dry, crisp finish. Quite intense, somewhat mature but has good acidity.Prices:| BC | $59.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.59 | 750ml |
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86PTS
JoieFarm Chardonnay Un-oaked 2005
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAt Joie the '05 Un-Oaked Chardonnay has 10 per cent pinot blanc in the mix some 40 per cent of the chardonnay is made from the aromatic Musqué clone. Look for a young floral, minty grapefruit nose with grassy, green apple, lees and mineral aromas. Warm, round, viscous entry with a sweet and sour balance. Green apple, buttery, oily, grapefruit rind, mineral, zesty flavours. Unusual style with a bit of warmth on the finish. The screw cap guarantees it will remain fresh for sometime.Prices:| BC | $19.40 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Chardonnay 2004
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, honey, citrus peel, butterscotch, green melon aromas. Fat, warm, round style with green apple, grapefruit, honey, buttery, lees flavours. A bit warm and ponderous mid-palate with just enough zip and fruit in the back end to keep it interesting.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.75 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.85 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2004
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Randy Picton has conquered the oak barrel in 2004 and given us a delicious spicy, cinnamon, leesy, baked apple chardonnay nose with nutty, floral, orange notes. Dry, elegant, slightly fat entry with nutty lees, mineral, vanilla, honey, waxy, spicy, green apple skin flavours. The finish is warm but with plenty of pear and citrus and a streak of buttered popcorn. Ready to go but with fine sophistication. Try with grilled trout and almonds meunière.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Trimbach Riesling 2003
Alsace, FranceAnother solid edition from the House of Trimbach established in 1626 and currently under the direction of the 12th generation headed up by Pierre and Jean. Perfumed, mineral, citrus, honey nose with bits of guava and petrol. Dry, round and elegant on the palate with crisp mineral, waxy, honey, apple skin and floral flavours. Full flavoured, crisp and warm yet balanced. Very good intensity if dry. It is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay Proprietors' Reserve 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTasted again. Similar nose with pineapple, melon, buttery tropical butterscotch aromas. Soft, fat, round and slightly sweet with lots of leesy, butterscotch, honey, baked tropical fruit flavours. This old style chardonnay with a visous, linear, fat textures. could use more elegance and vibrancy. However, if you like the style, it's good value.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay Sun Rock Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy lees, mango, orange blossom, smoky vanilla aromas with a baked, candied apple note. Ripe, round, fresh and tasty with orange, vanilla, creamy spicy lees, citrus and pineapple flavours with a smoky, resiny, leesy, hone, vanilla note. A bit warm on the finish with a bit too much butterscotch and fatness but has good fruit.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Township 7 Chardonnay 2004
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight butter and creamy lees notes mixed with jasmine, canned peach and grapefruit aromas. The entry is round and fat, the palate soft but fresh with grapefruit rind, mineral, green apple, buttery, honey flavours. Crisp and round with some finesse, a buttery mineral Chablis-style. Well done.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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14 April 2006
89PTS
Catena Malbec 2003
Mendoza, ArgentinaBlending different clones and individual lots of wine has given the Catena malbec a stronger more sophisticated base of flavours. The assemblage of small berried fruit and three vineyards gives this malbec a depth that belies its price. We like the low level of new oak (under 25 per cent) because it lets the bright fruit show throughout the wine. The textures are soft and rich the flavours a mix of black cherry, plums and a twist of orange and garrigue. Fine length and balance. First class red wine.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Alamos Bonarda 2005
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 40-year-old bonarda vines speak to the Italian heritage of Argentina. The wine comes with a full-blown aromatic nose of smoky, fresh raspberries black olives and tar. Dry on the mid-palate and showing a fair amount of youthful acidity. Needs time to settle down. Showing fine potentialPrices:| AB | $15.75 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Alamos Malbec 2005
Mendoza, ArgentinaA kaleidoscope of malbec fruit from La Consulta, Tupungato, Lunlunta, and Agrelo that gets about nine months of ageing in 50/50 French and American oak. This is mouth filling spicy red wine red brimming with black cherry and cassis fruit flavours with a hint of grilled smoky mushroom. Drink now with a piece of meat or cellar it for another 3 years.Prices:| AB | $15.75 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 2005 Alamos cab opens with fruity, peppery nose and that constant savoury Argentine streak. The palate is soft and round with plenty of spicy red currant, sappy cassis fruit flavours with some cedar, coffee and leather notes. A bit rustic but easily tamed by some grilled beef.Prices:| AB | $15.75 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Alamos Pinot Noir 2005
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe '05 pinot is sourced from two Tupungato vineyard sites Domingo and Adrianna situated at 1500 metres above sea level. The style is soft and round; the fruit is peppery with streaks rhubarb tea spice and garrigue. Friendly easy-sipping style made with only 30 per cent new French oak. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Alamos Chardonnay 2005
Mendoza, ArgentinaThis all high-altitude chardonnay has a super cool mineral style with bright fruit and attractive creamy textures. Citrus melon, red apple fruit fill the mid-palate of this stylish white that is reminiscent of some of the new wines coming out of Sonoma Coast.Prices:| AB | $15.75 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Alamos Viognier 2005
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis 100 per cent viognier is entirely sourced from high altitude vineyards in Tupungato and gets no oak ageing. The nose is a mix of floral honey notes. It enters warm but with light mid-palate intensity and citrus lemon flavours. Tasty if a bit simple.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.75 | 750ml |
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13 April 2006
86PTS
Finca Los Primos Chardonnay 2005
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAlways good value Los Primos seems to capitalise on the inherent resources of Argentina's vineyards. Look for a fresh version of chardonnay with green apple skin and peachy background notes. Dry and fresh with more green apple skin and lime rind in the finish. Solid simple straight up chardonnay at a great price.Prices:| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Mendoza, ArgentinaThis is impressive cabernet and it all begins with a luxurious texture. The nose is typically tobacco, saddle leather and pepper. The flavours cranberry chocolate spicy cassis with resiny olive undercurrents that penetrate throughout. Solid sophisticated cabernet that should make the world sit up and take notice.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Château des Charmes Chardonnay Sur Lie Non-Oaked 2004
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaChâteau des Charmes Sur Lie Non-oaked Chardonnay covers all the bases at $12.99 and it's an absolute steal in Ontario at $9.99. Green apple skin and citrus notes mark this clean fresh, well made chardonnay. Chill it down and serve all summer.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Fisheye Chardonnay 2004
California, United StatesSoft sweet, easy-sipping chardonnay devoid of any sharp edges. Not particularly well suited to food but would be fine well chilled as an apéritif on the patio. Not as fresh as the packaging. Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $8.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $9.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Stone Cellars Chardonnay 2004
California, United StatesBeringer was the original name in chardonnay in the 1970s and '80s but that style, rich warm and oaky has long since faded. Stone Cellars in on track with a cleaner fresher, albeit soft with ripe fruit style that is more in tune with today's tastes. I like the creamy lees characters that help balance off the citrus and acidity. A crowd pleaser they recommend with pork tenderloin.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.71 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.82 | 750ml |
| PEI | $15.95 | 750ml |
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08 April 2006
89PTS
David Frost Wines Merlot Reserve 2000
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaThe Gene Sarazen tribute label opens with a spicy, chocolate, lifted black cherry juice nose mixed with prune, barnyard, vanilla pudding and tobacco aromas. Rich, fat, warm and dry with some light tannins. Big black cherry jam, prune, mocha, coffee, peppery, gamey, spicy, tobacco and coriander flavours. A bit hot but has good intensity, will improve over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| US | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Catena Chardonnay 2004
Mendoza, ArgentinaAs in the past, this is a delicious drinking chardonnay made with only 36 per cent new French oak and fruit from three very different vineyards. The nose is bright and appealing mixing tropical /citrus fruit with pear mineral streaks throughout. Skinny cool textures. Sophisticated modern chardonnay again reminiscent of Northern Sonoma or Mendoza.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Black Hills Nota Bene 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe lightest colour we've seen in any southern B.C. red in some time. Typically, peppery on the nose with smoky, roasted pepper, black olive, resiny, saddle leather and tobacco notes with some orange rind, cedar and black cherry jam. Soft, round, supple and elegant on entry. Smoky, black olive, dill, cassis, roasted tomato, cherry flavours with some coriander, vanilla and coffee in the aftertaste. Despite its light colour, it's more refined than previous editions with cleaner, softer, smoother tannins. Best over the next five years. The latest Nota Bene a 46/36/18 blend of cabernet sauvignon / merlot and cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $36.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Poplar Grove Reserve 2003
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig cherry kirsch, slightly volatile nose with spicy, mocha, coriander, vanilla flecks and a whiff of port-y-ness. Fat, rich, round, alcoholic style with some rustic and substantial tannins. Cherry jam, roasted pepper, vanilla, pepper, cardamom, orange peel and coffee flavours. Not much finesse and very hot but there is fruit and plenty of back end oomph. Try in 2-3 years on a cold winter eve. The blend is 60/25/15 merlot / cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $49.90 | 750ml |
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91PTS
LindaFlor Petite Fleur 2003
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaHuge ginger bread, coffee, spicy, licorice, black cherry jam, plum kirsch, tobacco and leather aromas with black pepper and roasted mushroom in the background. Rich, fat, intense, round style with ripe, grainy tannins. Very warm with black cherry, plum, orange peel, spicy, peppery, chocolate, meaty wine. Big, full bodied, fruity wine that will improve with 2-4 years of age. The blend is 60/20/10/10 malbec / merlot/ syrah / cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Benziger Sonoma Mountain Red 2003
Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen elegant spicy, smoky, cedar nose with black olive, black cherry, ginger bread, vanilla, and cassis jam notes. Rich, ripe, round, supple palate. Very warm with cedar bark, cherry jam, peppery, orange peel, vanilla, chocolate, mocha, cassis flavours. Nice elegance and suppleness. Certainly a more forward style but will improve over the next 1-3 years. The blend for this red, (all fruit grown at Benziger Family Estate) is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Château Roquetaillade La Grange 2001
Graves, Bordeaux, FranceCorked. Try another.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Two Burrowing Owl Vineyard 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen floral peppery nose with licorice, cassis, black cherry, mocha aromas with some barnyard and smoky leather. Rich, ripe and round with dry if soft tannins. Intense coffee, peppery, smoky, resin, vanilla, cassis, black cherry, black berry flavours on the palate with a warm, vanilla pudding finish. Needs 2-5 years but will improve. Good balance overall.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château Franc - Cardinal 2003
Cotes de Francs, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceResiny, smoky, cedar bark, olive nose with barnyard, sweaty saddle leather and cherry notes. Much better on the palate with round, supple ripe tannins and earthy, peppery, spicy, black cherry fruit. Tobacco and licorice root flavours round out its rustic, warm finish. Well balanced.Prices:| BC | $24.40 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jackson-Triggs Meritage Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen spicy, peppery, chocolate, smoky nose with meaty, clove, vanilla highlights mixed with black cherry jam and cassis. Rich, ripe, fat and round (JT-like) with some big tannins. Hot with coffee, smoky vanilla, peppery, cassis, black olive, licorice, resin, pudding and black cherry jam flavours. Very alcoholic with lots of extract. This will need 2-4 years to smooth out. A big style red with obvious consumer attraction.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Meritage 2003
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCedar, bacon, smoky leather, spicy, peppery, mocha, vanilla, black cherry jam and cassis aromas. Ripe, round, dry with some light, cedar-y tannins. Cassis, tobacco, peppery, tomato leaf, vanilla, smoky oak, coriander and olive flavours. Good balance but has dry tannins on the finish will need 2-4 years to dissipate.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Meritage Red Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy, mocha, peppery nose with gamey, licorice, black cherry jam, resin and leather aromas with black olive and coffee highlights. Rich, ripe, round and slightly dry entry with light tannins. Warm with lots of spicy, black cherry jam, plum, vanilla, coffee, mocha, cedar, orange rind and olive. Good complexity and length but very warm. Still some dry tannins to shed. Will improve over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sumac Ridge Pinnacle 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStewed cherry, cassis, and coffee nose streaked with pepper, smoke, bacon, leather, barnyard and garrigue-like spice. Rich, ripe, fat and round not to mention somewhat alcoholic. Smooth, substantial tannins but balanced. Intense smoky, coffee, cedar, mocha, cherry cola, black olive, rootsy clove flavours. Big and warm and ripe. This needs another 3 to 4 years in bottle to pull it all together. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $43.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Benziger Merlot 2002
Sonoma County, California, United StatesTypical Benziger merlot (sans cherry popsicle). Look for cedar, spicy, black olive, tobacco, dill, barnyard, coffee nose. Round, supple, elegant style with cedar, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, smoky, black cherry, spicy, tea flavours with a dill, olive finish. A bit dry and tight but it has some elegance. Wait another year for perfect maturity.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Delheim Merlot 2003
Simonsberg - Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaGreen olive, tobacco, dill, barnyard nose with smoky saddle leather, and spicy vanilla notes with some black cherry underneath. Dry, round, rich entry with light, dry tannins. Cedar, tobacco, coffee, leather, smoky, resiny, spicy vanilla flavours with some olive and soy on the finish. A warm but solid, older style red.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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06 April 2006
88PTS
Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery spicy, floral, honey, lees, vanilla, butter, orange, mineral nose. Round, warm, somewhat viscous entry with moderate acidity. Lots of baked pear, vanilla, smoky, baked apple, orange, spicy lees and butterscotch flavours. A bit old style but has good fruit and balance and represents a fair value.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Beato Bartolomeo Breganze Savardo Vespaioloa Superiore 2004
Veneto, ItalyMineral, pear, floral, marzipan, grapefruit aromas. Crisp, round, light style with clean, nutty, grapefruit, floral, pear flavours. Simple, elegant, ready-to-drink style that would pair well with a variety of food.Prices:| BC | $23.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Beato Bartolomeo Breganze Vespaiolo Demi-Sec Vino Spumante NV
Veneto, ItalyFine floral, candied citrus nose with creamy nutty pear notes. Rich, round, fresh and moderately sweet with creamy mousse. Peach, citrus, floral, candied pear flavours with a slightly nutty, earthy note on the finish. After dinner, easy-drinking style.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Beato Bartolomeo Breganze Vespaiolo Vino Frizzante NV
Veneto, ItalyLight, fine mousse. Peach, apple skin, floral, almond aromas. Fresh, crisp, round, elegant style with light, creamy mousse in the mouth. Mineral, green apple skin, peach skin and nutty flavours. A solid spring or summer afternoon apéritif-style bubble.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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05 April 2006
87PTS
Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2005
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileA new year from Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2005 and it's still selling for less than $10. Cono Sur is releasing several new high-end pinots but at this price, with these flavours it's hard to walk past this bottle. Spicy, licorice root and black cherries all with a touch of earth. By this by the case but be sure to decant each bottle and serve it blind. No one will believe you can buy pinot at this price.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Concha y Toro Trio Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileIf there is a more impressive sauvignon blanc under $15 I haven't tasted it. A mix of clones blends mineral and flint specks into this fresh clean bright white with tropical fruit and smoky/grassy apple fruit undertones. Fine intensity and length with persistent fruit on the finish. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.30 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.80 | 750ml |
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01 April 2006
90PTS
La Frenz Liqueur Muscat NV
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy, floral, dried peach, lychee, mineral, baked pear aromas. Rich, ripe, round, full bodied but elegant with raisin-y, floral, orange, pear, spicy lychee, apricot and rancio flavours. Somewhat sweet and warm but has good balance and freshness. A very fresh, spicy, floral style that will attract many. Well done.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 375ml |
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84PTS
Greg Norman North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
North Coast Region, California, United StatesCedar bark, green olive, sweaty saddle, leafy tobacco, gamey, worsteshire nose. Flat, dry, smooth entry with dry, peppery, resiny, cedar-y, black olive, vanilla, smoky flavours. No fruit and a hot finish. Not very Californian.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Sonoma County, California, United StatesVery spicy, cardamom, espresso, mocha vanilla, saddle leather, black berry nose. Rich, ripe, round, somewhat astringent entry with some tannin to shed. Lots of black berry, smoky espresso, vanilla, peppery, mocha, cola flavours. Very oaky, warm finish with some confiture but lacks balance.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBlack olive, tobacco and green bean nose with vanilla, sweaty saddle leather, smoky, earthy, meaty notes. Rich, round, dry and tannic with a very chunky entry. Somewhat port-y with black berry, resiny, tobacco, stewed berry, flavours. Very warm with a touch of acidity and green notes on the finish. Not up to the usual Cakebread standard.Prices:| BC | $105.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $94.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig minty, green cedar, cassis, orange rind, peppery, resiny, spicy nose. Dry, tight, lean entry with some astringent tannin. Spicy, resiny, minty, woody, earthy, olive, tobacco flavours. Somewhat hollow with a hot, smoky, cedar bark finish. Not very ripe. Disappointing follow up to the 2002.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jackson-Triggs Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack cherry, cassis, espresso, vanilla, peppery, smoky tobacco, saddle leather nose. Dry, tight, somewhat tannic entry with lots of astringency. Peppery, black olive, green bean, cassis, smoky coffee, green cedar and bitter wood tannins. Lacks balance and ripeness. Very dry, astringent finish. Is it time to pass on this variety in B.C.?Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Delheim Grand Reserve 2001
Simonsberg - Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaCigar, peppery, leafy, cedar, sweaty saddle leather, gamey aromas. Dry, slightly lean, tannic entry and chewy. Tobacco leaf and cedar with earthy, peppery, green olive / chocolate flavours and a warm, somewhat acidic, bitter tannin finish. Very green, gamey old style cabernet.Prices:| BC | $36.45 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Killibinbin Cabernet Sauvignon Langhorne Creek 2003
Langhorne Creek, South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, smoky, cedar bark, black berry jam, resiny, green olive, green bean, saddle leather and vanilla aromas. Dry, round, chunky entry. Big peppery, black olive, resiny, smoky oak, vanilla, black olive, green bean and cedar flavours. Astringent and somewhat tart with a very smoky, green, resiny finish. Lacks finesse and ripeness for the price.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Dowie Doole McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaBig black pepper, sappy cassis, green olive, cedar, resiny nose. Soft, supple, round palate with some light green tannin. Somewhat hollow with sweet vanilla, green bean, olive, cedar, resiny cassis flavours. Tart, dry, hot finish. Lacks ripeness, attractiveness and grip.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Township 7 Merlot 2003
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, smoky, vanilla, chocolate pudding, sage, black cherry, leafy tobacco aromas with a touch of barnyard and cedar. Soft, round, supple palate but warm and dry. Lots of smoky, espresso, vanilla oak with black cherry, spice and tobacco leaf flavours. Finish is warm with some tart black olive, resiny oak, cedar notes.Prices:| BC | $21.90 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Township 7 Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, cassis, peppery, saddle leather, tobacco leaf, resiny, vanilla nose with some green bean and olive. Dry, round, slightly lean entry with elevated acidity. Bitter herb, smoky, resiny, cassis, peppery, leather, olive brine flavours. Dry, tight, tart finish with some tannin. No charm or balance. It lacks ripeness.Prices:| BC | $22.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Raymond Burr Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, leafy cassis and earthy, roasted tomato with tobacco and saddle leather notes. Rich, round but dry entry with astringent tannins. Smoky, resiny, peppery, cedar, cardamom, cassis and saddle leather flavours. Dry, somewhat astringent finish with some finesse. May improve over the next 2-3 years but quite dry. The fruit is fading.Prices:| BC | $57.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series 2001
Sonoma County, California, United StatesVery cabernet. Pepper, spice, saddle leather nose with tobacco, roasted earth, cassis and cherry coffee notes. Soft, round and dry on entry with slightly chunky, astringent tannins. Peppery, earthy, tobacco, smoky, vanilla, cassis, cardamom flavours with a licorice, rootsy, black olive finish. Tight, dry finish with some tannin to shed. Will improve over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $92.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Hilltop Vineyard 2001
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBig lifted, warm nose with peppery, spicy, black berry jam and port-y, cedar bark and tobacco notes. Warm, dry, chunky tannic entry with blackberry, vanilla, mocha, peppery, cedar-y, resiny, black olive flavours. Big astringent, warm finish. A bit to wild at the moment and will need three to five years to settle down.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.99 | 375ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $44.75 | 750ml |
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May 2006