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Tastings: November 2006
24 November 2006
91PTS
Val de Flores 2004
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig blackberry, cherry jam, smoky, savoury, five spice, orange peel, tobacco, leather nose with some vanilla pudding and cinnamon. Rich, ripe, round and young with supple velvety tannins but quite alcoholic. Intense with licorice root, white pepper, black cherry, smoky, clove, vanilla, savoury flavours with an orange peel, coffee, tobacco, roasted pepper finish. Very good fruit and finesse but also very warm (15%). Will improve with 2-5 years bottle age but drinkable now with the velvety textures.Prices:| BC | $79.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $69.95 | 750ml |
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23 November 2006
90PTS
Stella Bella Semillon/Sauvignon blanc 2004
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaA delicious 60/40 blend of sémillon and sauvignon blanc blend of which only 1 per cent sees any wood. The nose is crisp and fresh with gooseberry asparagus and grapefruit rind notes with hints of pea pod and lime. Lip smacking fresh on the palate with bright mineral notes green peach and along silky polished finish. Very well done. Serve with a variety of shellfish.Prices:| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.99 | 750ml |
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22 November 2006
90PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceAttractive light lees, nutty, floral, melon, red apple, chalky citrus nose. Ripe, round, elegant and juicy with lemon, smoky, red apple, peach pit, butter and lees flavours. A bit lean on the finish but great balance and finesse. Drink now and over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $37.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon Cuvée Guy Moreau 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceBright nutty floral lees and creamy citrus nose reminiscent of seashells and green apples. Dry, round, ripe and elegant in the mouth with green apple, lees, butter, lemon, anise and mineral seashell flavours. Good concentration and intensity, just a bit more intense than the normal cuvée. Fine now but this will improve over the next 1-2 years. Cuvée Guy Moreau takes its name from a 70-year-old block planted by Guy Moreau in 1934. It is 60/40 stainless steel/ barrel fermented blend with only 10 percent new wood used -- the rest is a mix of one, two and three year old barrels.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $37.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, lemon, green melon, light garlic lees, seashell, green apple, pear nose with a touch of butter and vanilla. Round, fresh, delicate but full and juicy with green apple, pear, lemon, flint, floral, spicy butter flavours. Delicate with a vanilla, apple skin, citrus finish. Needs 1-2 years more to shine or decant now to open up.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Chablisienne Chablis 2005
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLemon, mineral, green apple skin, floral, lees aromas. Round, elegant, fresh style with light lees, butter, green apple, grassy, lime flavours with a salty, mineral finish. Clean, simple, fresh style for shellfish. Solid introductory Chablis.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
MontGras Antu Ninquen Syrah 2004
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileAfter years of promise MontGras is finally getting untracked as it moves into the hillsides of the Colchagua Valley. Look for a big black berry, black cherry, chocolate, smoky, saddle leather, savoury notes laced with floral, peppery, five spice aromas and great fruit intensity. Rich, ripe, round and dry with slippery tannins on entry followed by peppery, cedar, black berry, cassis, smoky, licorice, root, vanilla flavours spiked with chocolate, orange rind and grilled meat on the finish. Still tight and youthful but this will improve over the next year or so. Excellent quality.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.95 | 750ml |
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21 November 2006
87PTS
Coyote's Run Meritage Red 2004
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaSpicy, cedar, tobacco leaf, cranberry, cherry, smoky, coffee and licorice root aromas. Soft, round, supple style with light tomato, tobacco leaf, smoky, cool, resiny, peppery, cherry and cranberry flavours. Somewhat juicy, lighter style best for near term consumption. The blend is 61/26/13 cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Coyote's Run Chardonnay Reserve 2004
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaBarrel fermented in Hungarian oak. Spicy, oaky, vanilla, baked apple, light citrus aromas with a waxy, lees note. Round, soft, fresh and slightly oily in texture. Citrus, baked apple, creamy vanilla, pear flavours with a spicy lees finish. Good balance if a bit hot and light on the finish.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Coyote's Run Vidal Icewine 2004
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaMineral, dried apricot, cream, orange rind, marmalade, butter aromas with a bit of volatility. Round, rich, elegant and sweet but has good acidity. Lots of citrus, mineral, marmalade, apricot and butter flavours with a bit of plasticene at the end. Fine lighter style icewine for near term consumption.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 375ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFlinty, smoky, green apple, citrus, passion fruit, floral nose with a touch of butter and vanilla. Fresh, crisp, round and juicy on the palate with lots of finesse. Floral, waxy, lemon, grassy, green apple and mineral flavours with a fresh peach skin, buttery finish. Fine balance but young - should improve over the next 1-2 years. Just over half of Valmur is aged in stainless vats. Forty-five per cent is done in barrels (90% in 1, 2 and 3 years old barrels, 10% in new and 1 year old barrels) for a period of six months.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.50 | 750ml |
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19 November 2006
91PTS
Glaetzer Godolphin 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaGodolphin is a mostly shiraz with a dose of cabernet sauvignon made from old, dry-farmed vines in Barossa's Ebenezer district. It's plenty round and rich in the mouth with meaty, black olive, black cherry, cassis aromas with big peppery, smoky, vanilla, black cherry, cola, jammy fruit flavours. Youthful dry tannins but they should dissipate. Needs 2-3 years to soften and gain complexity.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $59.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Glaetzer Amon Ra Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaFine use of French wood here with only 20 percent American oak in the mix. Super dark almost opaque with a peppery, spicy, licorice root, vanilla, black cherry nose with coriander, saddle leather and meaty blueberry notes. Rich on the palate with supple, fine-grained tannins and delicious smoky, vanilla, mocha, licorice, blackberry jam and blueberry fruit flavours. Warm, tart fruity savoury finish. Needs 3-5 years to reach its peak. Good value.Prices:| BC | $84.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $72.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $76.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaRich opulent, vanilla, licorice, and black cherry nose flecked with coriander and gamey, peppery bits. Look for supple, velvety tannins that disappear into a fresh black cherry, vanilla, mocha, flavours with a creamy blueberry, peppery, red licorice finish. Fine fruit here with balance and length and you guessed it some acidity in the finish.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $42.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $38.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz Grenache 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Glaetzer Wallace is a 80/20 blend of shiraz/grenache from Barossa. An excellent year has yielded a rich black cherry, black raspberry, tobacco scented red with spicy, menthol, vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, rich and moderately elegant. Raspberry jam, orange peel, black cherry, menthol, coffee and vanilla flavours with a smoky, licorice finish. Great fruit with just a dusting of grippy tannins at the backend.Prices:| BC | $30.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Heartland Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Langhorne Creek - Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaAttractive spicy, olive, tobacco nose mixed with clove and menthol aromas. The textures are soft and smooth with light tannins. The fruit is a ripe mix of cassis, blueberry, black olive, minty, coffee, tobacco and leather flavours. Solid if alcoholic with a touch of acidity coming through the finish.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Heartland Shiraz 2005
Langhorne Creek - Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaNot quite the wine we had in 2004 but solid. The nose is rich and spicy with floral, white pepper, black berry and rootsy aromas. Dry, slightly lean and tart palate with blueberry, tobacco, roasted pepper, black cherry flavours with some mint and sausage on the finish. Fine flavours and fresh fruit but the finish is bit too tart for the price.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Heartland Dolcetto Lagrein 2005
Langhorne Creek, South Australia, AustraliaWinemaker Ben Glaetzer refers to his 70% dolcetto 30% lagrein blend as a savoury wine. Look for blueberry, cherry, floral, savoury, saddle leather notes on the nose spiked with olive, white pepper and tobacco. It's fun and fresh with a velvety style and cherry, blueberry, coffee, spicy, plum licorice and tobacco. A bit acidic and warm, but that's oz red wine at the moment. Well made.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Heartland Stickleback Red 2005
South Australia, AustraliaThe '05 Stickleback Red delivers with upfront spicy, black cherry, cassis, olive and coffee aromas. The texture is dry and supple with just a hint of acidity. He flavours are a mouth-filling mix of peppery, cassis, raspberry notes streaked with spicy, olive, orange and tobacco leaf flavours. Good fruit if a little herbaceous in the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Heartland Viognier Pinot Gris 2006
Langhorne Creek - Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaThere's 32 per cent pinot gris in the '06 blend that appears to freshen its floral, peach, honey, ginger nose. It has a slightly oily, palate with apple, ginger, green peach, mineral and grapefruit flavours with and a buttery, honey finish. Good balance if a bit warm. An unusual blend that makes for an exciting blend. Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Heartland Stickleback White 2006
South Australia, AustraliaClean fresh apple, melon, floral, grapefruit aromas spiked with mineral notes. A bit rind-y and dry on entry but with plenty of green melon, floral, mineral, grapefruit flavours. A well made inexpensive white.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Santa Rita Floresta Petite Sirah Syrah 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileTasted several times this year this 70/30 blend of petite sirah/syrah is improving in the bottle each time out. The nose has a massive peppery, licorice, spicy, vanilla, cinnamon aroma mixed with saddle leather, iodine, smoky oak and floral black cherry jam aromas. Rich, ripe, fat and concentrated with ripe tannins. On the palate it is similar with big black pepper, licorice, coffee, cola, black cherry jam flavours and a minty, meaty finish. Very fine length and concentration if a touch warm. It's been aged in new French oak barrels for 15 months. Should cellar comfortably for a decade.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaCassis, white pepper, tobacco, earthy, smoky aromas. Dry, round, slightly tight palate with casis, plum, peppery, tobacco leaf flavours with a rootsy, coffee finish. Good intensity if a bit young.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Syrah 2004
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, gamey, sausage, peppery, black cherry aromas. Soft, round, rich and slightly chunky with peppery, tobacco, roasted pepper, black cherry jam flavours with some grip. Good for a steak or keep for a year. Well done.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.50 | 750ml |
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18 November 2006
88PTS
Michel Torino Ciclos Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2005
Salta, North, ArgentinaMade from gapes grown at 1700 meters. Unique smoky, grassy, lees, tobacco leaf, grapefruit aromas. Round, slightly fat, oily entry with floral, melon rind, mineral, grassy, roasted bell pepper flavours with a buttery, passion fruit finish. Fairly broad palate but has acidity at the end. Worth a try for something just a bit different in sauvignon.Prices:| MB | $19.05 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Western Cape, South AfricaGooseberry, bell pepper, floral, melon aromas. Round, fresh, elegant style but a touch lean. Grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit, light asparagus flavours with a touch of butter and lime on the finish. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Elgin, Overberg, South AfricaBig bell pepper, mineral, grassy, gooseberry, slightly smoky mineral nose. Ripe, round, elegant and dry with mineral, smoky, bell pepper, canned asparagus, grapefruit flavours with a long smoky citrus finish. Very good food style with some finesse if a bit herbaceous.Prices:| BC | $21.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Château des Charmes Sauvignon Blanc St. Davids Bench Vineyard 2005
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaMineral, green apple skin, floral, grassy, gooseberry nose, quite pure. Dry, round, somewhat austere style with gooseberry, grassy, grapefruit rind, mineral flavours. Lots of bitter lemon and granny smith on the finish. Made for oysters on the half shell.Prices:| BC | $16.89 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sumac Ridge Sauvignon Blanc Black Sage Vineyard 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaButtered popcorn, grapefruit, gooseberry, melon rind nose with a floral note. Soft, round, somewhat flabby entry with overly buttery, leesy, oily, smoky, mineral, cooked grapefruit flavours. Finish is flat, warm and a bit bitter. Less oak and more fruit would be a better direction for this old style white.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Cape Jaffa Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Mount Benson, Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaGreen apple, floral, candied lime rind, passion fruit, and slate nose. Round, fresh but slightly soft and oily palate. Passion fruit, melon, floral, cooked kiwi, pear flavours with a hint of smoky, bell pepper and butter on the finish. Nice textures and richness with a long passion fruit, lime finish. Well done and it's biodynamic to boot, so you can really feel good about drinking it.Prices:| BC | $22.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandSmoky, canned jalapeno, passion fruit, grapefruit aromas. Elegant, crisp entry with a touch of oiliness. Lots of grapefruit, mineral, granny smith, smoky, asparagus flavours. Somewhat lean and very tart on the finish.Prices:| BC | $18.82 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hiedler Gruner Veltliner Loess 2005
Kamptal, Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaFresh floral, lime, slate, baked granny smith, smoky, passion fruit nose. Crisp, round, juicy entry but elegant with lime, green apple, flint, green melon skin, floral flavours with slightly salty note. A bit drier and crisper than other versions of grüner but it's well balanced.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rabl Grüner Veltliner Spiegel 2005
Kamptal, Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaToasty, butter, green apple, nectarine skin, white asparagus, mineral aromas. Round, fresh, crisp but elegant with some viscosity. Passion fruit, granny smith, butter, chalky, Vaseline flavours. Good intensity and finesse. Fine seafood or cheese wine.Prices:| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Jurtschitsch Sonnhof Steinhaus Grüner Veltliner 2005
Kamptal, Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaFloral, buttery, baked apple skin, passion fruit, flinty, perfumed grassy nose. Ripe, rich, round, elegant and fresh with white peach, mineral, spicy, floral, buttery, green apple, lime and passion fruit flavours. Fine seafood style wine or summer picnic. The bottle is fitted with a new, slick Vino-loc glass stopper closure ensuring it is the ultimate in freshness.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Wild Horse Canyon Sauvignon Blanc 2005
CanadaFloral, butter, asparagus, grapefruit rind nose. Round, fresh, slightly oily texture with grapefruit juice, butter, floral, passion fruit flavours with a bitter lime rind note. Solid if a touch too hot and skinny on the finish. Fair value. The fruit is an innovative blend of vineyards from the West Coast's British Columbia, Washington and CaiforniaPrices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Vina Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileCool style with canned jalapeno, grapefruit rind, passion fruit and mineral aromas. Round, fresh, elegant, slightly oily texture. Grapefruit rind, canned asparagus, smoky, granny smith flavours. Very crisp finish but good intensity if a touch aggressive.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Arrowleaf Chardonnay 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, perfumed, butter and green apple skin nose with hints of lees and sulphur. Soft, round, slightly sweet entry with buttered popcorn, floral, citrus, leesy flavours. The finish is warm and a bit fat.Prices:| BC | $15.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Howard Park Chardonnay 2003
Western Australia, AustraliaNutty, lees, citrus, floral, baked apple, vanilla aromas, very fine mature nose. Fresh, crisp, elegant style with buttered popcorn, hazelnut, citrus, granny smith, leesy, vanilla, honey flavours. Good length if a bit oaky and buttery at the end. Needs fresh crab or lobster.Prices:| BC | $34.70 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tamaya Chardonnay 2006
Valle del Limari, ChileWhite peach, mineral, floral, lime, passion fruit, baked apple nose. Fresh, rich, round and warm with a hint of sweetness. Spicy, baked apple, melon, butter, honey, passion fruit flavours. Good intensity in clean cool style. Estate bottled and hand-picked.Prices:| BC | $13.37 | 750ml |
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85PTS
KWV Chardonnay 2005
Western Cape, South AfricaFresh buttery, melon, peach, vanilla nose. Round, somewhat sweet entry with honey, peach, butter flavours with a touch of vanilla. Soft, round, clean commercial style. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.55 | 750ml |
| NS | $11.89 | 750ml |
| NB | $11.78 | 750ml |
| PEI | $13.92 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.63 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2005
California, United StatesFloral, passion fruit, gooseberry, honey, slightly tropical nose with a touch of matchstick. Round, fresh, slightly sweet and sour entry. Gooseberry, bell pepper, grapefruit rind and light butter flavours. Solid restaurant style. Prices:| BC | $15.85 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Obikwa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Western Cape, South AfricaResiny, smoky, peppery, cassis nose with some roasted bell pepper. Smooth, round, sweet entry with elevated acidity and some tannins. Spicy, leafy tobacco, cassis, smoky herbal flavours. Finish is tannic and slightly acidic. Needs beef.Prices:| BC | $9.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $8.95 | 750ml |
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17 November 2006
87PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen spicy, peppery, cassis nose with streaks of cedar, mocha, vanilla, floral and black cherry notes. Round, elegant, lean-ish tannins with mocha, cedar pepper, smoky, resin, cassis flavours. Lots of smoky, resin oak on the finish with a meaty note. Still youthful in the glass - needs a year or so.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mont Tauch Fitou 2004
Fitou, Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePeppery, spicy, meaty, plum, cherry, licorice nose with a touch of barnyard. Ripe, round, elegant but a touch rustic with some grainy tannins. Spicy, orange peel, black raspberry, peppery, smoky, meaty flavours. Solid food wine for the money.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Iona Merlot Cabernet 2004
Elgin, Overberg, South AfricaMeaty, smoky, tobacco leaf, peppery, black olive, barnyard nose with a touch of cassis. Dry, slightly lean palate but elegant with cassis, earthy, spicy, tobacco leaf, black olive, mineral, smoky leather flavours. A bit old style that is already mature. Requires a beef dish to show its best.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gray Monk Pinot Auxerrois 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, citrus, lime, mineral nose with a bit of grapefruit and matchstick. Ripe, round, fresh but sweet style with grapefruit, nectarine, mineral, green apple skin flavours. Simple sipping style whit you can serve with confidence as a party-style aperitif.Prices:| BC | $14.85 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Belle Terrasse Syrah NV
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePeppery, meaty, spicy, blackberry, menthol, cola nose. Round, fresh but dry palate with blueberry, black cherry, licorice root, peppery flavours with a tobacco, menthol finish. A bit on the dry side in the finish but should be fine with roast lamb or beef.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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0PTS
J. Lohr Valdiguié Wildflower (Gamay) 2005
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesValdiguié is consistently fresh if a bit sweet - we describe it as bit tutti-frutti. Look for black raspberry and licorice notes with floral, spicy fruit. It's soft and round on the palate with candied cherry, blueberry and licorice root flavours. Simple straight up red for lunch.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Masi Serego Alighieri Possessioni Rosso 2003
Verona, Veneto, ItalyTobacco, cherry jam, tar, floral, smoky, black olive nose. Dry, round, slightly lean entry with smoky, resin, cherry, menthol, tobacco, leather and tar flavours. Finish is a bit acidic with some dried cherry and olive. Best with food.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.80 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Masi Campofiorin 2003
Verona, Veneto, ItalySpicy, smoky, cherry, vanilla, coffee, orange peel, tobacco, savoury nose. The palate is dry and elegant with light tannins. The corvina rondinella blend offers up savoury, cherry, smoky, tobacco flavours flecked with almond, tapenade flavours. Good balance with some elegance and structure if a bit fresh at the end.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.80 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesRich peppery, spicy, cassis jam nose with olive, black licorice and smoky notes. Round, dry and supple on entry with some light tannins and plenty of ripe cassis, orange peel, resiny, licorice, peppery flavours. Good balance and intensity if just a bit tart on the finish. Try with a T-bone steak.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Robertson Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaSmoky saddle leather, tobacco, resiny, prune, barnyard aromas. Dry, round, tart entry with soupy, prune, cassis, leafy tobacco, herbal, olive flavours. Very old style that finishes short and tart. Wrong flavour profile for the price point.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Robertson Winery Shiraz 2004
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaSimilar to last edition with smoky saddle leather, savoury, meaty, prune aromas and olive aromas with a dose of sulphur dioxide. Round, soft palate with prune, leather, tobacco, olive, cherry, smoky flavours with a touch of shoe polish and acidity on the finish. Basic red.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Fairmont Merlot 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSuspiciously Five Vineyard-like there is plenty to like about the merlot bottled for the Fairmont. First it says so on the label. There's less resin and more sweet fruit and oak - obvious sculpted for the Fairmont's busy American trade but it is still B.C. with its black olive cedar, chocolate, vanilla, spicy flavours. Not too dry to sip but would be excellent with food. Look for it on the wine list selling around $30.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesSpicy, smoky, cassis, sappy, coffee, cedar, peppery nose with some cola. Very dry, somewhat tight palate with light tannins and a bit of acidity showing. Coffee, cassis, black olive, smoky, tar, menthol flavours - cool climate-like. Warm, tart finish. Best with flank steak or ribs.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Concannon Chardonnay 2004
Central Coast, California, United StatesButtered popcorn, honey, leesy, baked apple nose. Round, fresh, sweet entry with good acidity. Oily texture with similar flavours with an extra dose of buttery diacetyl, lees on the finish. A bit warm and commercial but affordable.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
De Angelis Prato Grande Chardonnay 2005
Marche, ItalyAttractive floral, flinty, smoky, citrus, green apple nose. Ripe, round, crisp and fresh with an elegant entry and a touch of sweetness. Citrus, green apple, floral, nectarine, lees flavours with a mineral, slate finish. Young, fresh, simple style for current drinking. Well done.Prices:| BC | $18.21 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Navarro López Pergolas Old Vines Tempranillo 2001
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainValdepeñas produces large amounts of cost-effective red wine and the Pergolas Old Vines is one of them. Aged in American oak it has a spicy, tobacco, saddle leather nose with vanilla, cherry, herbal, fruit flavours. The style is light with typical rustic dry earthy, notes in the background. Try it with spicy chicken wings.Prices:| BC | $10.70 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Frenz Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to the Bench merlot the cab has savoury, menthol, coffee, herbal, peppery, tapenade notes with a whiff of tobacco leaf. The entry is dry, tart and lean if elegant. Spicy, leafy, olive, tobacco, vanilla, roasted tomato, peppery flavours mark the palate with a coffee pudding finish. A bit less oak and slightly riper fruit and tannins would make it sing.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Frenz Merlot 2004
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, floral, coriander, vanilla, smoky tobacco, herbal, coffee nose. Round, supple but dry tannins with a bit of warmth. Vanilla, coffee, pudding, herbal, olive, tobacco, cherry menthol flavours. Sound and young, will improve with a year or two of bottle age.Prices:| BC | $22.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Vina Chilcaya Merlot 2005
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileMinty, spicy, savoury, tobacco leaf, cassis nose. Soft, round, dry, slightly acidic entry with spicy, minty, cherry, garrigue, tobacco leaf with a touch of sweetness on the finish. Simple, easy drinking style. Affordable modern everyday Chilean red.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Vina Chilcaya Merlot Reserva 2004
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen tobacco leaf, earthy, minty nose streaked with sappy cherry, garrigue notes with a touch of saddle leather. Dry, slightly lean entry with a bit of acidity showing. Herbal, olive, tobacco leaf, earthy, spicy, sour cherry flavours. Lacks ripe fruit and charm for the price.Prices:| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vina Chilcaya Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Especial 2003
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileTypical Chilean peppery, sappy cassis, menthol, tobacco, light coffee nose. Round, supple, elegant palate with smoky, cassis, peppery, resin, tobacco flavours with some meaty, tapenade flavours on the finish. Balanced if a somewhat herbaceous style cabernet. Chilcaya is a Gallo project in Chile produced at Vina Bisquertt.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vina Chilcaya Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileTypical minty, cassis, leafy, black olive, peppery nose. Dry on entry with some elegance. Green savoury, minty, sappy, cassis, resiny, peppery flavours. Young cabernet but on the herbaceous side. Good drinking if you don't mind the style.Prices:| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Vina Chilcaya Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky, tobacco, leather, peppery, spicy nose. Soft, round on entry with a touch of sweetness. More herbal, olive, tobacco flavours with cassis, sappy, minty flavours. Sound, solid cab if a bit leafy.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vina Chilcaya Chardonnay 2005
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSoft buttery, peachy nose with sulphur, honey and baked apple notes. Round and fresh on the palate with honey, butter, mineral, citrus flavours with a mineral, lees finish. Solid, fresh, easy drinking style with fine acidity. Good value.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Shiraz 2003
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaSmoky, coffee, mocha, cherry, menthol, tobacco, savoury meat nose. Dry, hot and slightly tannic on entry with cedar, coffee, pepper, meaty, resiny flavours. The finish is a mix of smoky, cigar and resiny cooked fruit. Not a lot of finesse or style for a wine of this price.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.45 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Western Cape, South AfricaClean and fresh with grapefruit, grassy, apple skin aromas. Delicate, round, clean entry with a touch of sweetness. Grapefruit rind, grassy, baked apple flavours with a slightly sour grapefruit finish. Good value.Prices:| BC | $9.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.55 | 750ml |
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16 November 2006
90PTS
Michele Satta Giovin Re 2004
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyBig honey, ginger, spicy, floral nose with butter, nutty lees, orange and anise notes. Rich, oily, round style but elegant and soft. Mineral, slate, ginger, butter, vanilla, smoky quince flavours with a nutty lees, baked pear finish. A bit warm and fat but has good finesse and flavours. Drink now and over the next year or so.Prices:| BC | $71.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $57.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
De Angelis Rosso Piceno 2004
Marche, ItalySaddle leather, meaty, barnyard, cherry, mocha nose. Dry, round, firm palate with light body. Savoury, poultry spice, cherry, herbal, leather, gamey flavours. A simple pizza red.Prices:| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.20 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quady Elysium California Black Muscat 2005
California, United StatesOpen intense spicy, peppery, red licorice nose streaked with floral, black cherry and mineral tones. Like the Essensia, the palate is fresh with a fine acid sugar mix yet with plenty of juicy orange, black cherry, spicy, mineral and honey flavours up front and a squeeze of orange peel in the background. It's a touch sweeter and more intense than the Essensia with some added zip. Great with Christmas cake.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Quady Essencia Orange Muscat 2005
California, United StatesBright floral fruit on the nose with spicy, mineral, perfumed characters spiked with orange blossoms and citrus oil. The style is fresh and crisp with plenty of zesty orange, honey, mineral, spicy, ginger flavours. Not fat or cloying. A fresh style for dessert that's fun. Think chocolate too.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 375ml |
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15 November 2006
89PTS
Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale NV
Pale amber colour with good solid creamy mousse. Floral, malt-y, light molasses, fruity hops nose with a spicy, honey note. Dry, fresh, moderately rich palate but not heavy. Bitter hops, floral, mineral, fruity flavours with a malt-y, earthy, pear skin finish. Good solid food beer with a bit higher acidity on the finish and not too bitter.Prices:| BC | $3.25 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Higueruela 2004
Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainRobert Parker thinks the Higueruela comes across like a fine French Châteauneuf du Pape, I'm not sure I can go that far but at about a fifth of the price it should make Rhone producers edgy. In fact it's a fruit driven red with a slightly sour cran-cherry nose and a spicy licorice black fruit finish. Floral and mineral notes support the body and cry out for food - lamb kabobs or stew would work. Simple workhorse red at a very fair price.Prices:| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Malbec 2005
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery peppery, smoky leather, tobacco, clove, dark chocolate nose. Dry, round, supple style with spicy, clove, peppery, cherry, tobacco, roasted mushroom flavours with a savoury note. Good easy style for food.Prices:| BC | $13.85 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gos Monastrell 2005
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainMore or less a carbon copy of last year if slightly warmer. You will love the round, supple textures and the rich black cherry, peppery, licorice, garrigue flavours. The finish is warm and dry with a bit of floral minerality and some acidity showing through. Fine intensity and weight for the money. A very savvy buy.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.49 | 750ml |
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14 November 2006
88PTS
Wild Goose Stony Slope Riesling 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery floral, perfumed, peach, ripe apple nose. Crisp acidity but somewhat sweet entry with floral, red apple, peach and citrus flavours with a very floral finish. Good style if a bit sweet and on the heavier style. This is somewhat more akin to Alsace than the winery's normal Germanic style. Continued solid quality.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Château des Charmes Paul Bosc Estate Riesling Icewine 2002
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaBig petrol, grassy, slate, cement, green apple skin nose, somewhat mature. Round, rich, elegant style. Waxy, cement, petrol, Vaseline, apricot flavours with an over ripe apple finish. Good complexity but very mature and a bit fat and sweet overall.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Riesling Icewine 2005
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWarm baked apple, butter, nectarine, orange, mineral aromas. Fat, rich, ripe and sweet with good acidity but very unctuous. Citrus, dried apricot, mango, pear flavours. Intense, big style that is a bit too fat but has good fruit and acidity if a touch warm. Not quite as fine as the '04.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Riesling Icewine Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, lime, green apple, apricot, mineral aromas. Ripe, sweet and elegant with very good acidity and viscosity. Lime, green apple, orange, pineapple, nectarine flavours that persist throughout. Great fruit and acidity with fine balance but very young. Very fine effort.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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13 November 2006
91PTS
Finca Flichman Paisaje de Barrancas 2002
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFrom Flichman Barrancas vineyards, some 700 meters above sea-level comes Paisaje de Barrancas a 75/20/5 blend of syrah/merlot/cabernet sauvignon that receives 12 months of ageing in new barrels -- a 50/ 50/split of American and French oak. Look for a massive white pepper, licorice/garrigue nose with minty, black berry jam and mocha notes. The entry ids fat ripe, rich and dry with good concentration and some tight tannin but balanced. Loads of black olive, black pepper, menthol, chocolate, black berry jam mixes with smoky, meaty flavours. A touch warm and rustic on the finish but has great fruit intensity. Needs 2-4 years of ageing in bottle to reach pits potential.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Pisse-Dru Beaujolais 2004
Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceLight spicy, strawberry/cherry fruit nose with flecks of licorice. Dry and somewhat tart on entry with mineral, licorice and light strawberry flavours. Simple straight-up luncheon gamay.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.35 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Burgans Albariño Rías Baixas 2005
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainFloral, mineral, honey, nectarine, melon aromas with a touch of almond. Round, fresh, dry and crisp with juicy green apple, honey, mineral, melon skin and peach flavours. Finish is juicy and fresh with a slightly creamy texture. Continued fine quality and value from this producer. This can match with just about any food type.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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06 November 2006
90PTS
La Spinetta Barbera d'Asti Cà di Pian 2003
Piedmont, ItalyHuge smoky, black cherry jam, floral, cherry licorice, plummy, gamey nose. Rich, ripe, round, fat entry but elegant with good acidity. Intense cherry, plum, licorice, spicy, mineral, floral and vanilla flavours. Super fruit with good acidity considering the hot vintage. Drink or keep 2-4 years.Prices:| AB | $31.49 | 750ml |
| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Parés Baltà Marta de Balta Syrah 2003
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainBig meaty, peppery, spicy, gamey, smoky, black cherry, roasted earth nose. Rich, round, elegant palate with grainy tannins. Spicy, coriander, vanilla, peppery, gamey, meaty, floral, black cherry, plum jam, and licorice flavours. Good complexity and length, should improve over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| QC | $56.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Garry Oaks Fetish 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, black olive, black cherry, peppery, sausage, earthy, rootsy nose. Dry, slightly lean entry with light, cedar-y tannins. Dry cedar bark, cassis, mineral, cherry, cranberry, vanilla, peppery, resiny flavours. Lean, dry, very warm and tight finish. Needs more generosity and riper fruit.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Church & State Wines Chardonnay Dekleva Family Vineyard 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, les, citrus, toasty cinnamon, red apple, floral nose. Dry, round, elegant, slightly lean entry with light body. Vanilla, spicy lees, buttery, melon, citrus, baked apple flavours. A bit dry and tart on the finish but solid.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ten Mile Proprietary Red The Broken Road 2004
California, United StatesRich open smoky, roasted earth with pruny, black cherry jam and flecks of tobacco, chocolate, spicy, cigar nose. Ripe, round, soft and warm. Spicy, vanilla, chocolate, cherry, tobacco leaf, Christmas pudding, mineral, herbal flavours. Warm, stewed cherry best served with a lamb leg. Should be popular with those who prefer the richer riper New World style.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ludovicus Terra Alta 2005
Terra Alta, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainRoasted, mineral, peppery, licorice, plum, sausage nose. Round, ripe, dry entry with light grainy tannins. Cherry, licorice, peppery, meaty, floral, mineral, tobacco leaf and cassis flavors. Good intensity if a bit warm with a bit of acidity showing. A fine food wine made from garnacha, tempranillo, syrah and cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vasse Felix Adam's Road Chardonnay 2004
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaPear, citrus, buttery, lees, salty melon aromas. Dry, round, slightly lean entry with good acidity and a touch of sweetness at the end. Salty lees, mineral, buttery, vanilla, citrus rind flavours with a touch of bitterness at the end. Finishes a bit flat.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mawson's Hill Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Wrattonbully, Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaLeafy, tobacco, cassis, minty, black olive, leather aromas. Crisp, round, fresh palate with cassis, olive, minty, coffee bean, tobacco leaf and resin flavours. Fairly green style with a warm, lean and acidic finish. Disappointing.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Peller Estates Heritage Series Cabernet Franc 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy, tobacco, smoky, leather, cranberry, soapy nose. Round, dry, slightly lean entry but elegant with light tannins. Smoky, tobacco leaf, cranberry flavours. Simple, easy style for beef.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Peller Estates Heritage Series Chardonnay 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaButter, citrus, melon, baked pear aromas. Soft, round, fresh, slightly sweet entry with baked apple, citrus, melon, butter flavours. Pleasant, clean style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2004
Sonoma County, California, United StatesLight toasty lees, nutty, green apple, floral, buttery, citrus nose. Round, dry, delicate style with buttery, lees, spicy, nutty, salty, citrus rind and green apple skin with a buttery, slightly flat finish. Very solid, consistent wine.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.45 | 750ml |
| US | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Vinos Sin Ley Zestos Especial 2004
Vinos de Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainBig cherry jam, spicy, smoky, plum, licorice, light chocolate aromas. Fresh, round, elegant style with cherry, plum, peppery, earthy, spicy, confectionary flavours. Good fruit intensity with a fresh acid finish and a bit of residual sugar. Attractive fruity style that still works with food. The blend is 85 per cent tempranillo and 15 per cent syrah.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
CedarCreek Merlot Cabernet Classic 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoked sausage meat, cherry, chocolate, tobacco aromas. Dry, slightly tannic, fresh palate with earthy, tobacco, cherry, smoky, vanilla, peppery, resiny flavours. Somewhat lean, fresh finish with some chocolate - needs a year or so to round out or drink now with beef.Prices:| BC | $18.09 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Garry Oaks Prism 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, floral, mineral, green apple skin, sausage nose. Round, fresh, delicate entry with some good acidity and sweetness balance. Mineral, spicy, citrus, green melon, meaty, green apple flavours. Very fresh, crisp finish. Good for a warm summer day or picnic.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fairview Cellars Merlot Cabernet 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, black cherry jam, lifted spicy, rootsy, tobacco, and prune fruit nose with some vanilla. Round, elegant, slightly warm entry with light tannins. Spicy, smoky, vanilla, peppery, black cherry, tobacco, black olive flavours. A bit warm but solid. Ready to drink now and over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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05 November 2006
90PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Blanc Clos Rochette 2003
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceRipe apple, honey, spicy, nutty, lees, smoky, mineral nose with a touch of butterscotch. Round, full, elegant and ripe on the palate with good viscosity. Good apple skin, citrus, lees, spicy, nutty, honey, pear and anise with some butterscotch again on the finish. With good acidity and elegance, this is read now and is much like a cross between Corton Charlemagne and a Meursault. A great match for seafood risotto.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey La Framboisière 2004
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, barnyard, orange, raspberry, smoky, gamey floral nose with a hint of vanilla. Delicate, round, elegant and light. Raspberry, carrot top, spicy, orange, rootsy flavours. Acidity is a bit high but has fairly elegant balance with a wild berry, orange rind finish. A bit young with good fruit but tart. Again, needs a year or so to flesh out.Prices:| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Bezes Unfiltered 2001
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceUnfiltered and unfined. Big earthy, smoky, barnyard, leather, chocolate, compost, black cherry, resin aromas. Round, full, elegant and ripe but somewhat tight and tannic now with good concentration. Peppery, earthy, celery salt, rootsy, black cherry, raspberry, mineral, smoky flavours. Very good finesse but also very young now, needs 5-10 years to truly come out.Prices:| BC | $229.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $180.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Les Mauvarennes 2004
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, underbrush, raspberry, licorice, smoky carrot nose. Dry, round, elegant and light bodied style. Celery root, spicy, sour cherry, compost flavours. Fresh with some acidity showing and a bit green on the finish. Needs a year or so to soften. This 100 per cent domaine wine from a single vineyard.Prices:| BC | $29.80 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Clos des Myglands 1er Cru 1999
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceDeep cherry colour. Spicy, carrot, cherry jam, smoky, meaty, licorice, compost aromas. Dry, round, elegant, fresh and young with good acidity and still a bit tight. Smoky, cherry, raspberry, carrot, orange, spicy mineral flavours. Good concentration and still young. Very well made.Prices:| BC | $47.70 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Clos des Myglands 1er Cru 2004
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, barnyard, cherry, earthy, gamey, strawberry nose. Round, supple, elegant and balanced with light tannins. Raspberry, smoky, compost, orange, spicy, rootsy, compost flavours. Young, elegant with some complexity, can improve with age.Prices:| BC | $47.70 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
PKNT Carmenère 2005
Region del Valle Central, ChilePKNT is a modern Chilean wine brand that comes complete with a memroable red chili on the label. This is very inexpensive carmenère that is clean and fresh with the necessary spicy, peppery, medicinal fruit and smooth inoffensive finish. Ready-drink red for meat tacos, burritos or empanadas.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Purple Angel by Montes 2004
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe latest Purple Angel 2004, edition number two maybe even better than the first year. The mix of 92 per cent carmenère and 8 per cent petit verdot blends cool and warm fruit flavours to perfection. Carmenère is naturally low in acidity and given its need to ripen late you run the risk of making flabby wines but Aurelio Montes uses the cooler Marchigue fruit to improve the structure and acidity of the ripe mountain fruit of Apalta. We love the cherry vanilla aromas and savoury carmenère notes. Silky smooth and dense in texture this is carmenère for the sceptics. Love the spicy, black fruit. Smoky chocolate finish.Prices:| CDN | $55.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hardys Stamp Series Sémillon Chardonnay 2005
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThis is a more attractive style for an inexpensive Oz white. The sémillon adds a bit of zip, the chardonnay mouthfeel and weight. The flavours are melon and gooseberry with a touch of orange. No oak, good value, drink now.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tamaya Carmenère 2005
Valle del Limari, ChileTamaya remains under the radar of most Canadian drinkers but as we come to know more about the juicy vibrant wines of Limari it is sure to get wider play. The 05 carmenère is the full-metal jacket complete with soft green peppery black fruit with touch of earth chocolate and asparagus. It's richer and fatter than its price might indicate and completely ready to take on the heartiest of winter dishes. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $13.37 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Valdivieso Eclat 2002
Maule, Valle del Claro, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis is a foursquare red from Valdivieso that mixes carignan and syrah with a dash of merlot and malbec. The nose is mix of earthy gamy notes. The flavours are lifted spicy black cherry/blueberry fruit streaked with resin and savoury mushrooms. A solid Rhon-ish red from an ordinary vintage. Serve with game birds.Prices:| BC | $34.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Faiveley Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Chaignots Unfiltered 2002
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, carrot top, compost, gamey, barnyard, vanilla, smoky, black cherry nose with a waxy note. Dry, round, elegant and delicate but tight now with good acidity. Fresh palate with raspberry, spicy, orange peel, smoky oak vanilla, carrot top and dill flavours. Good finesse but young and closing up, showing a bit of nervy acidity now. Needs 3-5 years. Tasted twice now. Prices:| BC | $79.40 | 750ml |
| AB | $58.00 | 750ml |
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04 November 2006
87PTS
Carm Douro Rosé 2005
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalDry rosé is a wine that will make its mark in British Columbia restaurants next summer and this example from the Douro should be among a handful that shows up in numbers next summer. Pink Douro wines may sound odd but this dry peppery tinto with good acidity and weight is built for food and fun. That said you could sip on a patio all summer long too.Prices:| BC | $16.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rocca Ventosoa Sangiovese Colline Teatine IGT 2005
Abruzzo, ItalyA simply made sangiovese that sees no wood. Fresh and fragrant with floral tarry notes on the nose with black cherry primary fruit flavours. Soft easy sipping red you can serve with meat or cheeses.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Château Lacroix Merlot Saignée Rosé 2005
Montagne - Saint Emilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceThe wine has a very bright pink/red colour rosé in essence bled off the tanks of grand vin merlot. Fresh round soft and with just a touch of sweetness in the mouth. Soft fruity, easy sipping rosé with enough heft to play with chicken dishes even in the winter months.Prices:| Ireland | $11.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Il Bastardo Sangiovese di Toscana 2004
Tuscany, ItalyThe '04 Bastardo is a nice improvement on the previous edition. The colour is dark the nose a mix of floral and meaty characters. Much better on the palate this time around with firm black cherry flavours and just a touch of acidity. Fine weight and balance for the price.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fazi Battaglia Rutilius Sangiovese Marche IGT 2004
Marche, ItalyItaly's consulting winemaking guru Franco Bernabei has been working at Fazi Battaglia for more than a decade trying to elevate. This is bright entry level sangiovese grown in stony soils about 1,000 feet above sea level in the Castelli di Jesi Classico zone of Marche. The nose is fragrant the palate fresh with dusty cranberry cherry fruit. It finishes a bit round and dry suggesting some sort of meat or cheese dish to best complement its flavours.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ruffino Fonte Al Sole Sangiovese di Toscana IGT 2003
Tuscany, ItalyA decade of hard work and renewal has changed the flavour of Chianti banishing the leather and animal scent and replacing that with fruit and texture. The style is open and expressive for simple Chianti but that's the power of the early, warm 2003 vintage. More ripeness and richness on the palate with pleasant black fruit, mushroom, earth and cherry flavours. Very attractive style. Excellent value fine vintage. A huge step up in quality from 2002. Stock up.Prices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.60 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mad Dogs and Englishman Bierzo Godello Chardonnay 2004
Bierzo, Castilla-Leon, SpainRecently retatsed and my comments remain the same...the godello grape might not grab your attention but its mineral, citrus, peach, floral, aromas will. The palate is fresh and juicy with grapefruit, mineral, apple, quince flavours. It's a touch dry in the finish with a chalky, grapefruit rind finish. Solid seafood wine. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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03 November 2006
88PTS
DAB Original Lager Beer NV
GermanyPale amber colour. White, creamy mousse with floral, pear, spicy hops and light earthy, cooked rice notes. Dry, light, fresh, slightly bitter entry with light malt-y, earthy, hops flavours. Simple, refreshing style for an easy drink anytime.Prices:| BC | $10.45 |
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90PTS
Brooklyn Lager NV
United StatesLIght amber colour. Made from all malt with a fine creamy mousse. Floral, spicy, malty, earthy, baked pear nose. Rich, round, creamy and fresh but balanced and full flavoured. Bitter hops, spicy, earthy, malty flavours with a citrus note. Somewhat akin to an IPA but with less bitterness. Great drink, very flavoursome.Prices:| BC | $11.95 | 355ml |
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87PTS
Castiglion del Bosco Rosso di Montalcino 2004
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThis modern sangiovese with a clean spicy, earthy, tobacco, plum and coffee aromas. The entry is dry and round, but supple, with olive, peppery, tobacco, coffee, and plum flavours. An easy-sipping Rosso you can serve now or hold for a year or two.Prices:| BC | $30.10 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
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02 November 2006
86PTS
Cookoothama Chardonnay 2004
Murray - Darling, AustraliaFull-blown oz chardonnay with a rich melon peach fruit aromas and flavours. Creamy mid-palate textures with vanilla and spicy oak undercurrents. Fresh enough with just enough lime blossom and lees characters to hold your interest. Simple well made chardonnay for the beginner.Prices:| BC | $13.87 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hardys VR Chardonnay 2005
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThis is straight-up fresh fruity oz chardonnay with typical peach-y melon and citrus notes. It enters slightly sweet and finishes with citrus rind and green apple flavours. Modern and pleasant if already a bit old-fashioned in these ever-changing wine times.Prices:| BC | $8.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $9.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hardys Stamp Series Riesling Gewurztraminer 2005
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThe riesling gewürztraminer is made medium dry so it has wide appeal from the get go. Versatile you can serve it before the meal or with a variety of hot spicy appetizers. Look for a fresh fruity nose with floral citrus fruit flavours flecked with lime and lychee fruit. Well done and good value.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $10.49 | 750ml |
| PEI | $12.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.60 | 750ml |
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01 November 2006
82PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Pinot Gris 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSomewhat tired and flat nose of honey and baked apples with little life. Similar dull style on the palate with some acidity poking through. Now past its prime.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau La Courançonne Les Dames Chartreusines 2005
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceSpicy, peppery, gamey, black cherry jam, licorice, rootsy aromas. Warm, dry, round and supple with good acidity. Fresh savoury, peppery, spicy, orange peel, licorice, chocolate, black cherry flavours. Elegant, lighter style that is balanced and ready to match with most foods. The blend is 70/30 grenache/syrah.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Doudet Naudin Pommard Les Vignots 2003
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceMeaty, bouillon, floral, spicy, celery root, strawberry, smoky, compost aromas with a bit of cherry at the end. Rich, ripe, round and elegant with supple tannins. Smoky, tea leaf, strawberry, compost, celery salt, cherry flavours. Good concentration and finesse on the finish if a bit warm but has style. Very good drinking now if decanted but will improve with 2-5 years aging.Prices:| BC | $56.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Doudet Naudin Savigny-Les-Beaune Vieille Vigne 2003
Savigny-lès-Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, cherry, celery salt, raspberry, meaty, orange peel aromas. Ripe, round, supple and dry with good acidity freshness. Light new oak vanilla, raspberry, smoky, resin, licorice, mineral flavours. Elegant, refined style that can be drunk now but will improve for 2-5 years. Very solid and consistent.Prices:| BC | $45.95 | 750ml |
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December 2006